Best Modification

Could somebody tell me what has been the biggest and best modification they have done to a 2.4? Would it be better to go with simple things like intakes and headers or is something like the Venom 400 or the A’PEXi better?

Apex'i controller wouldn't do well, i wouldn't figure cause i don't think the 2RZ-FE's have a mass airflow sensor... so you couldn't do real-time inputs... could be wrong though. I'd go with Intake, headers, exhaust first..

I would say the best power bump would be to have E.L prototypes reprogram you computer. I did this and I was amazed! Intakes don't do much, exhaust does a little. You will probably have traction problems after reprogramming....its expensive but worth it. The venom only removes the lag from 1/4 throttle and up but dosen't change the power band-the reprogramming will pull to 6300 rpm with much more power!

el doesn't reprogram the 00 2.4's do they?

the 2.4 has a Air Mass Flow Sensor and the A'PEXi Super-AFC has differenet settings for different sensor types

The venom 400 works excellent in conjunction with other mods but I doubt as a single modification would be very impressive. The Apex-i unit I have heard is difficult to program and wasn't made specifically for this vehicle. For a fairly inexpensive upgrade get some headers, a bored throttle body and an exhaust system. The power you will get from these parts should be satisfactory.

Intake and exhaust do add a lot to the performance in the mid to high end range. I just installed the K&N FIPK and Gibson SS catback exhaust about a week ago (K&N was installed about 2 days before the SS exhaust system). With just the K&N FIPK you could feel the difference in mid-top end...and the sound is pretty cool in second gear too. Throttle response is a lot better and it's easier to blip the throttle and downshift. With the Gibson SS exhaust system added it seems to have a litte more gain all around...and the excelleration it really good. Go to about 20mph in first then shift to 2nd and floor it..it accelerates a little quicker than normal to about 35mph then it seems like a rush of power as the needle starts going faster - then at 40mph it's like a magic point. It goes from 40mph to 50mph extremely quickly, at which point I shift to 3rd to stay away from the 55mph 2nd gear max speed. Also around 40mph in 2nd gear the K&N FIPK starts sounding like a faint turbo, nice sound! And the sound is further complemented by the roar of the Gibson exhaust once your going 35+mph.

I've taken the tacoma autocrossing twice (once before the mods and just last weekend right after the mods) and liked the difference in power. My times were a little better, though I'm sure If I was running on some better tires that would make a lot more difference than anything else. Main problems with Autocrossing a truck is that when coming out of a sweeping corner onto a straight, the light rear end doesn't allow you to hook up the rear tires and accelerate really fast - you have to take it really easy otherwise you'll be spinning the rear for about 100 or so feet. Anyways I just mainly auto-X'd the truck to see what difference the mods made and they do make a decent improvement in acceleration, just need better tires to get good course times.

One good thing about aftermarket parts for trucks is that they are cheaper than cars! My Integra costs like %40 more for the exhaust system.

A header is about the only other thing I plan to add to my Tacoma - power wise. I've ordered an AutoMeter tach which should be in any day now...it's been nearly two weeks now! Once the stock tires wear down I plan to get 16" wheels and some good performance tires. That should be it because my Integra is in need of a lot of things - roll bar, racing fuel cell, racing wheels/tires, lightweight windows, tranny rebuild, and engine rebuild. Whew, I better get busy!

Hopefully I gave some insight into "good" mods...I think the best mod would be the new Supercharger for the 2.4/2.7L engines though!

I have a venom400 on a 96 and I have seen a big difference. I have an injen intake and a ractive exhaust. I have a buddy with a 98 with intake and muffler and without the venom in the 1/8 I beat him by a fender. With the venom I beat him by a truck and a half.

what's the venom 400?

check it out @
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.venom-performance.com>http://www.venom-performance.com</a>
I'd supercharge the truck for the best mod.

What exactly is the Venom 400?? Is it a side computer chip that attaches to the ECU and other wires?? I see that it has an on off switch.. could this just be used for racing times and such?? How well would it work in conjunction with the TRD Supercharger? This is a fuel regulator system right?

I'm confused.

Dont bother with this Venom box. My personal opinion is that you could spend your money elswhere. Many of these plug in boxes for cars that claim quick performance gains are more hype than anything. These boxs usually just perform minor ECU tweaks of the spark and fuel system which will never result in serious hp gains. If you have a s/c on your taco I would suggest going with a set of headers or exhaust system.

Glenn

Glen bud, you're not foolin us. Lay off.

Who am I trying to fool? Lay off what? What are you talking about?
I have a right to express my educated opinion just as you do.

Glenn

No offense to you Slim but I too was wondering what you meant by "you're not foolin us."

slims talkin abut this glen being the same jack ass glen

Ya know, that's why I think people should have to register. Enough of this unregistered BullSh!t.

no kidding man down with the non members

Yeah really, is there any reason why it can't be like SSM, you can read all you want, but must sign up to be able to post...you know like you see on there, if you were logged in you could comment, that would be nice, no more flaming idiots (nobody in particular) could just wander on and post BS, at least not without a little bit of real effort.

Well now I am a member. Does that make everyone happy? NOW Am I allowed to make posts with the approval of others (not that I need it.)? I can understand people being irritated by unregistered people making overly rude posts and flames but I have never done that

Anyway this is the last comment I will make about this other person using my name and making stupid posts. Whoever that is it's not me. Why would I make such a stupid post? First of all I am a 25 yr old adult not some little kid and I dont talk smack about other peoples vehicles. I have been working on import cars for 9 yrs+ and I have a website on my car.

Just by reading my website at http://home.earthlink.net/~akuma/cars.htm one can see that I have some good knowledge and experience concerning forced induction, performance modifications and drag racing. The reason I have been posting and reading on this forum is because I am going to purchase a red 2001 or 2002 Tacoma Srunner within the next few months. I intend to buy it with the TRD S/C, headers and exhaust therefore becoming a part of this forum definitely appealed to me. My motives for joining this forum are simply to further my own knowledge of the tacoma's performance and to aid others with my current knowledge.

My rant is now over,


Glenn

Hahha, welcome!... hahaha. Join the s/c team..

Welcome mugenakuma! Sorry for the miss hap. So what's your tac look like?

No problem.

I dont have my taco yet but within the next few months I will be getting a new red srunner with a s/c, headers, and exhaust. I am also considering the TRD LSD depending on how financialy set I am. I cant wait to get one though! I have my civc, which i have retired to strictly race duty and a 93 ford ranger piece of junk. I will sell the ranger and get the taco soon though since I am now starting new job.

The taco will function as may daily driver and tow car for my civic.

Glenn

Howdy mugenakuma. I've just recently joined this Tacoma board and am kind of in the same situation you are in - Tacoma hauler for Honda (Acura Integra) racecar... This Tacoma forum is pretty good I think, right up there with the Honda-Tech board. If you haven't been to <a target="_blank" href=http://honda-tech.com>honda-tech.com</a> then you are missing the BEST site on the internet for Honda/Acura tech/racing help. Lots of people there are roadracers, autocrossers, drag racers, or have lots of technical knowledge. I just recently got my '98 Tacoma (October of last year) and love it so far. It's not an Integra in the handling department, but the ride is pretty nice and it has lots of torque unlike the Integra. One thing I highly recommend to get for a truck is a spray in bedliner. I had Line-X put in mine and it is great - no more scratches in the paint and it's got grip. You can't go wrong with high quality spray in lining.

Thanks for the info. What do you think of the spray in liner compared to a bolt on liner from Toyota? What made you decide to go with the spray in liner? Can it ever be removed? (not that I would want to).

Do you have any pics of your Acura?

thanks,

Glenn
http://home.earthlink.net/~akuma/cars.htm

Regular bolt in liners are notorious for collecting water underneath them as well as shifting around in the bed. The combination of this causes scratches in the finish and water sitting on it, which will eventually lead to a nice rusted out bed. I have a bolt in liner now, but it will be coming out real soon, the bed and paint are all less than 3 months old, so they're not trashed by it yet. Once I pull it I will be installing a bed cover, then after I cut my blow-through and build my speaker box and mold it to the interior of the bed, I think I will go get a spray in liner covering it all, bed and box, for a uniform appearance, and good protection. You can't remove it (without stripping it) but it's pretty much like a thick tough a$$ coat of plasticy paint, no real need to remove it.

Well my Tacoma never had a bedliner before I had the Line-X installed. But as previously mentioned the drop in liners will do harm to the bed compared with the spray-in liners. Spray-in lining bonds to the bed surface (which is preped/sanded) and is like a thick coat of paint, like previously mentioned. I can't think of a single drawback other than the price being a little more - but if you get a drop in liner you really aren't protecting the bed that much, it does more harm than good as eventually it will make your bed rust. Spray-in liners are bonded to the prepared surface of the bed so I'm sure removing spray-in lining would be a pain, but as you noted, why would you want to...

Here's a photo album with some images of my integra, I had more on Photopoint, but Photopoint no longer exists... I will try to get some of the tacoma up really soon.

<a target="_blank" href=http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/vincentcarguy/lst?.dir=/Building+a+Race+Integra....&amp;.view=t>Integra album...gutted to make it a racecar!</a>

Thanks for all the info! It sounds like going with a spray in bed liner would be best when I get my new taco. I have a Ranger now with an over the rail bolt in bed liner and it really sucks (both the truck and the bed liner). The liner has come loose all over the place and has pretty much stripped the paint underneath the liner on the sides of the truck. It also rattles over bumps.

anyway thanks again,

Glenn