Advice needed on Horsepower Upgrade

I will be pulling a small 1,100 lb camper trailer. I would like gain some horsepower to help with towing and fuel efficiency.

While I don't need a throatier sounding engine, would a cold air intake system help add HP and would the gain be worth the cost?

Would simply swapping out the air filter with a K&N type filter provide enough HP gain to make difference?

Thank in advance for your guidance.

 

Save your money and just use the skinny pedal a little more swapping out the air filter itself won’t do anything, no data out there for it to my knowledge. Even the actual air intake units have mixed results from users. You’re having no real increase in air induction or efficiency to increase power. The OEM air intake units are a “cold air” intake style alresdy.

 

Like @Mtbpsych said, most of those intakes don't do much besides add noise. The supercharger is the only way to gain real power.

1100 lbs isn't much. Tow in S4, and bump it into S5 while going downhill. Taking it slow (<65 MPH) will be much easier on the 4runner.

 

You basically have two options, supercharger, or trade it in for something with a real motor, LOL.

Actually, something like a sprint booster or a Pedal Commander or other such throttle controller may help. To be very clear, they add 0 horsepower or Torque, how ever they're supposed to make the throttle response better, which gives the illusion of a little bit more power. I haven't tried one, though I'm thinking of going one with one called the iDrive.

Some people say that simply pressing the throttle pedal harder will give you the same effect, however anyone that has actually purchased one or used one says differently.

I know with mine, if I need to really pass somebody (or really, simply keep up with traffic because these are so painfully slow), I'll floor it, and vehicle will not respond for a few seconds, before deciding that it needs to accelerate. If these eliminate that, it's money well spent in my opinion.

 

Dance with the one ya brung. Wind resistance or the lack there of(reducing your highway speed) will help your mileage more than any intake change will.


As has been said. Knock it into 4th gear(unless you're going down hill), limit your cruising speed to a reasonable MPH. 60? Also, if you're so inclined do all your shifting manually. Run her up to between 2500 and 3000 RPM before upshifting and accelerate like there's an egg between the sole of your shoe and the go fast pedal. You might be surprised how well it does. jm2c

 

Thanks guys - I thought that might be the case. The camper is super small 5x8, gross weight around 1200 pounds. Loaded with our stuff around 1500. So hopefully not to hard on the 4R.

 

I plan to tow about 3k boat with mine. From all I read I should be ok with the S4. I have the same 4.0 V6 and 3.73 in a body on frame Explorer now I towed with for years. It’s not fast and I just took my time. Probably 30k miles towing and all was well in flat land. Do not use cruise control either I was always told.

My buddy has 4yr SR5 with 110k and tows a 2k camper from detroit to Grand Canyon, Maine, and back out west with no issues. Mileage not great but does well.

 

I picked up the Sprint Booster recently, and I'd say it should be one of the first mods that anyone buys. I keep it on the "Race 1" setting, which seems to completely eliminate that pedal delay you're talking about. It makes the 4R respond the same way it would if it had an actual throttle cable(old school). So there's a lot less of having to put the pedal all the way to the floor to keep up with traffic or pass someone.

I haven't towed anything in mine yet, but I bet a throttle controller would help with that purpose more so than any cold air intake or exhaust would.

 

Bore and stroke.

 

The fact that you've posted 563 times in one month is incredible.

 

Holy cow!That's not good. Thanks for keeping tabs, really! I must sound like one of those old people you never

want to get on the phone with, or engage in an across the fence conversation. Huh. I can fix that.

 

It's basically a chat-room. Nothing wrong with being chatty!

 

Gosh you know I drove a ORP with a few hundred miles on it last weekend. I have to say I thought it was plenty quick; obviously just my opinion. I drove on highway and plenty of speed to merge etal. I liked it a lot.

 

As soon as I hopped in the first 4Runner for a test drive, literally as we pulled onto the main road.. I said to my fiance: "Wow, this thing is slow and sluggish." All depends on what you're used to, I guess.

 

I'm still fine with mine on 295's and stock gears.

Yes! I had an '03 4runner and a '15 Tacoma before my '19. It felt like a race car after the Tacoma.

 

These are all good points. Coming from an Infiniti G35xs we knew what we were giving up in terms of acceleration. The test drive & overnight test seemed acceleration to be adequate. Then trying to pass someone on the way to 2019 Thanksgiving I couldn't pass someone on a flat surface (no clue if they florred it or oncoming person did) but for the first time in years I had to abandon a pass.
I drive turbo diesels & can expect the turbo lag & timing.
I hadn't driven it much as it is my wife's daily. However, from that day on I knew I had to be careful about passing people.
As for my $0.02 is.
We have a TRD intake (makes it sound like an engine). Nothing else except stock size Duratracs.
I honestly think a PC or SB (my choice) would really help. I understand what they do & believe in the idea. I know my gas pedal feels like it has to go through a computer (because it does) & if you can cut that communication time. It stands to reason that it would feel better & more responsive.
I will buy a SB as soon as I can & advise my experience.
Ryan.

 

My truck was a Viper V-10 w/6 speed stick, 0 2 60 in 5.0

 

Well, you can't really expect most vehicles to compare with that!

 

I understand your feeling on needing/wanting more power. Having driven a Honda CBR 1000rr and going from that to the 4Runner makes me wonder if I might die before I get to the next light when compared. However, the 4Runner has a charm I can’t explain. Helped me enjoy life not in the fast lane, appreciate taking my time and not being the next jerk cutting someone off to get somewhere. Do I miss my crotch rocket days? Yes I do. But honestly it was fun.

Anyways I live here in Arizona and I had a huge pop up camper. I pretty matched maxed out the weight I would feel comfortable with the 4runner and the steep grades we have here in Arizona. Running at ~4K pounds up steep grades with stock gearing. It was nothing like my Tundra that is for sure. But my Tundra never took me off-road like my 4Runner. Nor could my Tundra crew-max fit my wife and 4 kids (comfortably). So I can say that 1500lb will be no problem. If your trailer has brakes get a brake controller just in case for any emergency stops or going down steep grades.

 

What are your expectations while towing? That is not heavy ay all and your 4runner should pull it fine even at elevation.

 

Thanks onesojourner. I am hoping it will be a non-issue. The trailer is no higher than the vehicle and will be tucked in behind it.

 

Cowboy, if anyone tells you that you can increase your horsepower and increase your fuel efficiency they are either a liar a fool or just ignorant. You can have the power but that will cost you fuel efficiency. A supercharger is the single best source for an increase of horsepower but that comes at the cost of fuel efficiency and longevity of your motor. You may want to look into a re-gear, if your gears are too tall getting shorter gearing will help, but again even that will cost you fuel efficiency due to an increase of RPM’s. I will accept the slower speed and keep the longevity/reliability of my Runner. I am no expert but I have friends who are and I have done the research you are asking about. I will be towing a small trailer and my answer is a re-gear. I am going from 4:10 to 4:88 in order to not feel too much of the weight of the trailer when going up steep inclines.

 

Raptor lights = MORE POWER!

(so I've been told)

 

Naw man, just busting your balls. I followed your thread about the new truck and was excited for you.

 

Albeit well timed accurate and funny as hell.

It's an old story, but if my Pop was still around he'd be laughing his ass off.

 

Funny because I came from a 2009 Taco with the 4.0L (but ~45 less HP) but the new 4Runner felt similar if not more lively even with the extra LBs. The only thing makes it feel sluggish is the transmission versus the 6MT I had in the Taco but I just use the skinny pedal more

 

If that's you in the avatar, we're not that far off in age. Figured you'd appreciate that saying.

 

Yup, it's me - and it will never >

Think there are a few of us around the same age who hang out here? I know @SlvrSlug has a big one coming up on the 26th. That makes him one day younger than me. Kids

He who can't take a good ribbing now and then needs to get a life.

 

I have them....DEBUNKED. Still slow.

 

Drive slower, be happier.