Improving mileage. Options

[guest_12]

It is a documented fact that the K&N system in a 4Runner or Tocoma will actually make things worse and the stock air box allows more air. Do some research and you will find the data. For a little better mileage, remove the snorkel coming out of the side of the air box, going into the wheel well. Unless you plan to drive in water up to your hood, you don't need this device which makes two 90? turns and restrict the air flow. Run synthetic oil. I use the Mobile 1 in the crank case but I am not brave enough to use synthetic in the drive train. Then buy a K&N or Amsoil air filter. These are the permanent kind that you wash out and re-oil. They cost $40-60 but you save versus replacing a $12 air filter each time and they do a better job of filtering while improving air flow. You should get about a 2-4 mpg improvement and 7+ increase in horsepower and it sounds a lot cooler when you do step on it. As for me, I am back to driving my 93 Camry to work and back, starting Monday, and I am really bummed out about it. I just filled the 4Runner last night at the "bargain" price of $2.99 / gallon and it cost me $54.00 for all 18 gallons. The best mileage I have seen on the highway is 24, although I usually get 22 if I have a long highway drive. To work and back I average 18. The 4-cyl Camry gets 25-28.

[guest_12]

Yeah, I have to agree with Robert on this one. It is impossible to gain that much power just with a simple air intake system. On a vehicle as big as the 4Runner, we're talking at least 100HP to get an extra second in 0-60 time. I don't want to get anybody mad and call you a liar, but I just want people to think they'll be that much faster. Even if the whole system flows air better, you're still limited by the airflow in the intake manifold, heads, exhaust, etc. I do a lot of racing with my '86 Monte Carlo SS. I have been to the track many times and also have a friend with a G-Tech (little thing that measures acceleration very nicely). I have seen what it takes to make that car even a few tenths of a second faster...it ain't easy. Granted, I usually look at 1/4 mile times because they are more useful and can be corrected for weather, weight, etc. But I see plenty of 0-60 times and how they are affected by modifications I do. I'd say if you're lucky, the K&N system give you an extra 5, maybe 10HP. There is no way you can even feel that difference without some form of instrument recording your acceleration. Seat-of-pants meter is not very accurate. I'm not saying the K&N system is useless or anything, just don't want to get anybody's hopes up too high. I plan to run my 4Runner soon so I have a good base speed/power to start from. Chad '86 MCSS pushing about 275HP SAE with a lot of room to grow '05 4Runner pushing 270 HP according to Toyota (haven't tested it yet)