I drive a '95 4Runner and want to make it cool.
here is my to do list:
Swap out California Catalytic-Converter for Performance Catalytic-Converter
Ram-Air intake
Platinum Spark Plugs
New Cat-Back exhaust
Turbo-Kit
I understand some of these are very lofty (Turbo kit mainly)
I need suggestions on alternative ideas or explanations on why any of the ideas I have would be stupid. I'm aiming for a slight increase in Horsepower and Fuel-Efficiency
Comments
Turbo kits are a big project,you may be better off with a light NOS kit for a little fun now and then.
It's weathered, 116K miles on it. I know Turbo's are a HUGE bitch to install, you need a new Manifold and all sorts of shit, I would do a Supercharger but that's a complete leach on gas.
In the UK, a well travelled road is to stick a Rover 3.5l / Buick 215. Even tho the engine has not been built in the USA since the '60's, you should be able to find one no probs from an old Rover or Landrover / Ranger Rover. As a Buick (and pontiac) engine, it had its problems, but Rover designed them out - any probs with them now are down to incorrect maintainance.
You would get up to around 170bhp out of this, but varients of the engine have existed upto 5.2l. The TVR version was a beast of an engine.
Its a well worn path for the swap and all of the parts are available. On top of that, it means the original engine is kept good if you want to swap back.
For the exhaust system, I would look into de-cating. The petrol version should not suffer too much from a drop in back pressure - it was in use before the cat was introduced. Save the cat so it can be swapped over for any testing the vehicle has to do.
Rather than modding the bonnet to put a scoop on it, put a forward facing wading snorkel on it - this has the same ram effect and you do not have to start fucking around chopping body work, painting, etc.
Good suggestions, very good, but I was hoping to work with the engine I already have. I may one day look into engine swaps. but thats a pretty hardcore modification in my opinion. seems impossible for me actually.
De-Cating is a good idea, but doesn't it make the car extremely loud? I'm sure I'd get pulled over if I passed a cop with the engine blaring that much.
Also, I'd suggest that you get some headers to go with your cat-back.
Cops here don't really bother people with straight-piped trucks even though they'll make your ears bleed if they pass you under a bridge. But that's probably because it's fairly common here in the south or something.