Re: Best Modifacaton
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!
