Ok gents...I have a 2001 all stock 4Runner and I knew going in that I was only looking at 183hp with it. I was wondering what sort of things a non-mechanically inclined fool such as myself can do to help it out some.

Does anyone use Castrol Syntec or can recommend a good oil to use on her?

Also Ive seen these mod things on ebay that claim to increase your HP - are these a total scam or what? Below is just an example Ive seen:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-P...spagenameZWD1V

Thanks gents!

 

Definitely don't get that ebay thing, worthless.

As for a cheap way to get some extra ponies, look up "deckplate mod" you'll find A LOT of info on it. As for others, there really are not many cheap upgrades you can do to get some extra juice. A new exhaust system would help, but that really doesn't fall under the cheap section.

 

don't do the deckplate mod. just leave the top of the airbox open. that does the same thing and it takes zero effort.

 

true HP increase that you will really feel isn't cheap.

the best thing going is a TRD supercharger w/ a URDUSA fuel and timing controller kit.

however, that's about $2500 to start.

 

When I said non-mechanically inclined I wasnt kidding. So you mean unclip where my airfilter is?

 

yup. leave that "flap" open so you can see your air filter. that's good for a couple ponies at the rear wheels.

 

A magnaflow muffler is pretty inexpensive and you wouldn't have to do anything since a welder would put one on for you. It'll probably cost about $150 installed. You'll get a throatier sound and some (not much) better throttle response.

 

bamachem~ don't want to hijack the thread, but seriously? All you have to do is unclip the cover and it's the same benefit as the deckplate mod? Does that affect filter's cleaning ability? Don't want to do anything to defeat the Toy's long life. How come everyone on here pushes the deckplate mod if you can just do that instead? Just curious as I have been contemplating minor mods but I'm too afraid of sacrificing reliability for performance? Does water get into the filter? Ayone else do this too? Thanks guys!MDB

 

it's that easy. same effect as the deckplate mod and same effect as removing the airbox elbow. you don't get magnification by doing more than one. the easiest is to just leave the top of the box open. water will be less likely to get in there than if you do the elbow mod or the deckplate mod, and this one doesn't require any work, skills, tools, or a brain really.

the deckplate mod is just that, a mod that requires doing something to change the OEM status of the truck. it's "cool" when you're a noob, but it's not necessary in my opinion. w/ the deckplate open, it just pulls air thru the hole and onto the filter, same as if you removed the elbow or just leave the top of the box open.

i personally don't know why so many tout it as a must-do mod, but it's one that i say "don't waste your time with".

just open it up and drive it like that until you're ready to cross 3 feet of water. until then, you'll be fine.

 

you would probably get the same HP gain with those blue lights show in the listing.
search here for those resistance changes described

 

Sooooo....does unhooking the cover produce exactly the same HP as the deckplate mod, a little less, a little more, a total waste of time? Everyone has done the deckplate mod it seems....

Sounds like what I used to do on my old moped when I was 14...drill holes in the muffler, remove restrictor, drill holes in the airbox, etc...never did gain any extra oomph, just killed the motor prematurely (likely because I had no air filter after it was all said and done) oops!

 

Theoretically a little less HP but I don't think anyone has put it on a Dyno to measure.
The deckplate has been dyno'd and is effective at producing a few HP.

Beyond that, the ISR mod (I prefer not to do that one) or an exhaust, you are looking at spending some $$$ for improvements.

 

Airbox mod and new Magnaflow muffler did a decent seat-of-the-pants upgrade to mine. Under $150 and love it.

 

I second this...

 

I think there is at least one Difference between deckplate mod and your recommendation to leave the top of the box open. If you leave the top of the air box open you take a chance to drive without air filter at all.
As far as I remember air filter held in place by the lid of the air box in “CLODSED” position. If you leave it open filter has a chance to tilt forward and you will be sucking air bypassing filter.
Just my $.02

 

Seriously though, you have to question yourself.

What's your purpose for this truck?

Why do I need more than 183 hp?

Am I going to racing this truck?

Where am I going to be using more hp than it already has?

Sometimes people spend too much $$ and spend too much time doing mods for the minimal gains they get.

Just my $.02.

 

to answer your question. No there are no "cheap mods" to increase HP. Pony up just like the rest of us ...

 

i recommend using Mobil 1 Synthetic.