Lack of power at higher elevation.

So I own a 2010 limited with 127k miles and it was taken care of by the previous owners. It's AWD and while it drives nice at highway speeds it is lacking a lot of power at slower speeds where we are at now. My question is what would help besides the SC upgrade. It's all stock besides the pedal commander. The SC is around $7000 installed from the guys at Toyotec in Denver. I know small things can help like CAI, full exhaust and a tune. Just wondering if the 4runner is the best platform to start with. I'd like to build it up for some mild trails around the area but not a rock crawling machine. Anyone living in the area of the springs help me out?

 

Ya, pretty hosed there. Re-gear, motor swap/or motor work. The cai wont do dick., well, nothing that noticeable.
Best of luck

 

Well you said slower speeds so I don't think a S/C if the fix.

Re-Gear.

The 4R isn't the most powerful thing out there it may not have been the choice to start.

 

You’re hosed at over 8k feet, but I never had problems keeping up with traffic when I had mine in CO for 7 years.

 

No just no

A positive displacements SC is a roots or twin screw. Centrifugal SC is a belt driven turbo.

You will not get boost right of idle.

 

Bruh there is so much info on the interweb.

First link on google. I'm not going to look more.
https://www.speedhunters.com/2015/04/knowledge-boost-selecting-a-supercharger/


I personally had a Maggie on my TBSS and you will not get "boost" off idle. You may get a 1lb or 2 under normal driving but its not significant. Never did watch to see what I get under normal driving because whats the sense.

Now get the RPMs up and it will bury your ass in the chair.

 

According to some calculators at 10,000 feet I will lose 35+hp. Thats a lot considering the already sub par it has stock. Now if I install CAI, full cat back exhaust and a tune I can get most of that back. I don't think a re gear is out of the question for the 2k that would cost for someone to install either. I think that will be the extent of my performance mods with this one. Looks like the 4.56 is the ticket for an all terrain 285/ tire. Really just looking for what I had at 600 feet elevation. Looking at the future I think the newer 4runners with have the twin turbo 3.5l so I'll wait for that one.

just some light trail mods I think will be just fine.

CIA
Cat-back
Tune
re gear 4.56
2.5' lift
285/70R17 tires
Front bumper with winch
Rock sliders
skid plates

 

Yeah thats the odd thing once I get up to 50mph it just fly's and easily get to 80~90mph without issue.

 

It’s not a powerful engine, it doesn’t spin up quickly, and it makes its peak horsepower and torque at higher RPMs. Couple that with a heavy vehicle and there’s your answer.

 

what that write up fails to mention is that it takes power to just run the SC, so yes, while you have a bit of boost at idle, your engine is already working harder to just spin the SC and thus you actually have less power at low RPM. Some SC take as much as 100HP to just spin it.

if you really want to make some power. Turbo charge it

 

You'll get maybe 3-5hp back at high RPM. The new Runners are more than likely getting a 4 banger turbo with the most powerful being a hybrid. As it stands, the Rav4 Prime is over 300 horses so expect something similar in the next gen Runner.

 

Yes and like Marchy said it also takes power to spin the damn thing. So you are making couple lbs of boost (as I stated) but its not significant enough.

Why do you think torque converters are also changed?

 

Off topic guys way off topic here. I don't care who thinks what is better we all have opinions and most despite data will not accept the truth so lets move on. All i wanted to do was get my 30hp back lol

 

Yeah I think your right, I don't run the freeway that much and don't care if my RPM's are 300~500 higher at 80. I just like the low end torque, thats why I drove diesels most of my life. My last 1 ton had over 1000 fp of torque and 500hp.

 

For that much power, different vehicle or forced induction.

 

285/70R17, gears are 3.73

 

Ford bronco 2.7 turbo I guess, I love our maverick and the Ecoboost engines.

 

They're pretty cool but you will pay because everyone wants one.

 

Yeah same with the maverick but I paid sticker and no markups, My dealer has a bronco 4 door he would sell to me but not looking right now.

 

Going back to stock size would help as well.

 

Went to Moab in April, somewhere alone the way through co the chip bags started exploding in the back seat, and I had to give it about 70 percent throttle to maintain speed going down grades it was terrible for about 20 minutes

 

This is what's robbing you of your power, go back to stock size P rated tires, nothing is going to get you 30hp

also remember that if you went FI, you'll have to run premium and get worse MPGs.

 

285's with 4.56 here, this will help you greatly. Some say 4.88 but to me this is the right combination for 285's.
Been two years and haven't looked back.

 

LS Swap.

 

For you Tundra V8 swap.

A friend of mine is currently doing an LS swap on his Gen 1 4Runner.

 

LS swap is ALWAYS the answer.

If I had to do mine I 100% would. The only hard part is picking which variant.

 

never would I ruin a Toyota with the likes of a gm product or any vehicle for that matter

 

Well your username certainly checks out.

 

I took it in to the dealer and they did the 120k service and a few other things and it seems to be running a lot better, spark plugs, intake manifold cleaning, all fluids replaced, air filters. It is kind of cold blooded but once it warms up it runs good. Also the Pedal Commander on sport+ 1 makes it really wake up. The brakes still feel like I’m pushing on a pillow I’m assuming the rubber lines need to be replaced