PERFORMANCE
GIBSON CATBACK EXHAUST:
The one I have is the Gibson aluminized steel (don't need stainless in southern california) and I like it a lot. It is not loud at all inside (pretty much like stock, not much louder if any). Outside it sounds just right, has a nice rumble pretty much all through the RPM's. The power increase was negligable. I think you would have to get a header as well to feel the benifits of the 2.5" piping. The install went pretty good, only 2 hang ups. One was that on the stock 2.7L exhaust size is 2 1/8, the Gibson exhaust goes from 2 1/4 - 2 1/2. I had to buy a reducer that went 2 1/4 - 2 1/8. The other thing was that the connections are done by clamps. No matter how hard I tried to tighten them they still leaked so i just had the welded at a muffler shop, no big deal.
DECK PLATE MOD:
The deckplate mod is a smiple mod that I has been performed
on many 4runners and Tacomas with both V6 and I4 engines. Basically it calls for cutting a 4" hole in in the stock intake
air box. After the hole has been cut a marine decplate is then inserted in the hole. Screws are used to attach the
decplate to the airbox and RTV Silicone safe sealant is used to seal it up. The reason behind this intake is that the more
airflow that gets to the engine translates to more power. Have I seen this power increase? It is hard to say when oyu are
looking for results. I would have to say there is some power increase, but not enough to write home about.
AMSOIL AIR FILTER:
The Amsoil Air Filter goes in the category of high flow
filters similar to K & N. It goes along with the same reasoning for doing the Deckplate mod. The more air flow, the more
power. This filter is less restrictive and has worked great. Cleaning simply consists of washing and reoiling the reuseable
filter.
FUTURE MODS:
Anyone want to buy me a 2.7L TRD
Supercharger?