Power increase options?

[bobthebuilder]

My girlfriend and I test drove a 96 t-100 (5spd v6 3.4) for her today. WOW! that thing felt turbo charged compared to my 94 t4r (3.0 5spd). Is there anything I can do to make my truck actually move? I have access and capability to do an engine swap, hoping to stay toyota powered... either gas or diesel. Or would it be better just to buy a 96 up 5spd t4r? Other than having no balls my truck is in good shape so I kinda don't wanna ditch it just yet but this is depressing being passed by kias . Any input would be greatly appreciated THANKS!

 

[the_dingman]

Though most people here will agree about the early 4Runners being underpowered (hell, most of us have a 4 cyl), you have to remember that these trucks were not made for speed, and I know I'm perfectly happy with a top speed of about 75 (I'll trade 75+ for knowing that my 209k miles is not all that high for my engine)...

There are plenty of performance mods listed throughout the forum, try a search and you should be able to find a good number of cheap tricks, and expensive upgrades.

 

[sixonthefloor]

Hey Bob
Not like you care but I use to live in Allentown and when to Allen high for 9th grade. Anyway changing the gearing would be a great way to get a snappy feeling to your 4runner but it will limit your top end a bit. Get an intake, exhaust and some headers along with a gear change and you'll be thinkin you have a new truck

 

[K_Labs]

A tune up is always a good start! Spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, oil change, air filter -> K&N 4 sure! Low vesco oil too. That's important alot of people out there like to run 20-50 because they beat up their cars but it is actually robbing power. Saw that on Speed TV. Another thing I saw on speed vision was change your fluids to Royal Purple and it should give you 8hp dyno tested. Diff fluid and trans fluid. I put long tube headers on my car but it was when I was doing a motor swap. Real big pain in the Arse. BTW headers improve gas milage.... If you can keep your foot out of it. Oh a MassAirFlow sensor Around 300 bucks 5 minute install. You won't notice much power unless your car is highly modified though. So I would say... Do nothing and drive that baby like Toyota intended slow and gutless.

 

[storm4]

hope you realise that you could just take the easy way out and go for some forced induction. superchargers and turbos are very easy to install.

however if you want more power (street) go for a 5VZ-FE swap (3.4L) of a 1kZ or 1KD (diesel) swap if you actually do any type of offroading as both of those blocks have crazy torque.

 

[K_Labs]

Wish I would have gone with one of those motors. Maybe my next engine can be a 3.4

 

[ovrrdrive]

You only do an engine swap to one of these trucks if you just love it to death and don't want to ever sell it. It's a labor of love, expensive, problematic and something that you do to be exclusive.

That said, if you do decide to do that there is a lot of corporate support for the 3.4l swap and it's been done thousands of times. If you want to go the easy route you can buy a kit and get almost everything you need to do it for a price.

If it were me I'd just buy a newer truck if it's in your means... There are a bunch of other changes to the newer models besides just the engines.