1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Lack of power at higher elevation.

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Toyotafanboy, Dec 1, 2021.

  1. Dec 1, 2021 at 9:31 AM
    #1
    Toyotafanboy

    Toyotafanboy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2020
    Member:
    #18755
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    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?
     
  2. Dec 1, 2021 at 9:37 AM
    #2
    Kyblack76

    Kyblack76 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2018
    Member:
    #5354
    Messages:
    1,094
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kyle
    Layton, Utah
    Vehicle:
    18 TRD O.R

    Ya, pretty hosed there. Re-gear, motor swap/or motor work. The cai wont do dick., well, nothing that noticeable.
    Best of luck
     
  3. Dec 1, 2021 at 2:34 PM
    #3
    runnerjimmy

    runnerjimmy Wannabe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2021
    Member:
    #23530
    Messages:
    1,239
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Scottsdale Az. Castle Rock Co.
    Vehicle:
    2021 ORP Barcelona red
    Fox 2.5 DSC. 2 1/2” front, 2”rear. Falken Wildpeak 255/80/17
    If it is pretty much just a toy(ota) I would re-gear. Good expense however. May reek havoc on highway rpm’s however, and then may not be beneficial enough. Have you started shopping prices on a Maggie? Do self install, time consuming. But pretty straight forward. Only big issue is if you have to drill and pin the crank.

    Lose what I think 5% power for each 1,000’ in altitude. When I moved from Castle Rock to Phoenix 5,000’ drop in altitude. The beasts are alive.
     
    azrunner11 likes this.
  4. Dec 1, 2021 at 2:49 PM
    #4
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    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.
     
  5. Dec 1, 2021 at 10:36 PM
    #5
    runnerjimmy

    runnerjimmy Wannabe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2021
    Member:
    #23530
    Messages:
    1,239
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Scottsdale Az. Castle Rock Co.
    Vehicle:
    2021 ORP Barcelona red
    Fox 2.5 DSC. 2 1/2” front, 2”rear. Falken Wildpeak 255/80/17
    Positive displacement supercharger, boost right off idle. Which is what the TRD charger was or is, roots type as is the magnusson
     
    Trail Runnah, icyhotahs and Toy4X4 like this.
  6. Dec 2, 2021 at 8:22 AM
    #6
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2021
    Member:
    #20965
    Messages:
    1,526
    Gender:
    Male
    East Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    5th Gen OG TE
    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.
     
    POWERPLANTHOMER and ElectroBoy like this.
  7. Dec 2, 2021 at 9:29 AM
    #7
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    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.
     
  8. Dec 2, 2021 at 9:30 AM
    #8
    runnerjimmy

    runnerjimmy Wannabe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2021
    Member:
    #23530
    Messages:
    1,239
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Scottsdale Az. Castle Rock Co.
    Vehicle:
    2021 ORP Barcelona red
    Fox 2.5 DSC. 2 1/2” front, 2”rear. Falken Wildpeak 255/80/17
    Explain
     
  9. Dec 2, 2021 at 9:35 AM
    #9
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    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.
     
    Stoney Ranger likes this.
  10. Dec 2, 2021 at 9:58 AM
    #10
    Toyotafanboy

    Toyotafanboy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2020
    Member:
    #18755
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    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
     
  11. Dec 2, 2021 at 10:00 AM
    #11
    Toyotafanboy

    Toyotafanboy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2020
    Member:
    #18755
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    Yeah thats the odd thing once I get up to 50mph it just fly's and easily get to 80~90mph without issue.
     
  12. Dec 2, 2021 at 10:06 AM
    #12
    runnerjimmy

    runnerjimmy Wannabe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2021
    Member:
    #23530
    Messages:
    1,239
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Scottsdale Az. Castle Rock Co.
    Vehicle:
    2021 ORP Barcelona red
    Fox 2.5 DSC. 2 1/2” front, 2”rear. Falken Wildpeak 255/80/17
    Bruh327BFBD1-AD61-43AA-ACB2-3529EC73CF52.jpg
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  13. Dec 2, 2021 at 10:17 AM
    #13
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2021
    Member:
    #20965
    Messages:
    1,526
    Gender:
    Male
    East Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    5th Gen OG TE
    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.
     
    Trail Runnah likes this.
  14. Dec 2, 2021 at 10:21 AM
    #14
    Marchy

    Marchy New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2021
    Member:
    #20124
    Messages:
    201
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2021 4 Runner Venture
    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 :D
     
    Dillusion and LandCruiser like this.
  15. Dec 2, 2021 at 10:25 AM
    #15
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #8982
    Messages:
    2,041
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Christian
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRD Offroad Premium
    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.
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2021
    LandCruiser likes this.
  16. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:02 AM
    #16
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    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?
     
  17. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:14 AM
    #17
    Toyotafanboy

    Toyotafanboy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2020
    Member:
    #18755
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    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
     
    Stoney Ranger likes this.
  18. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:19 AM
    #18
    runnerjimmy

    runnerjimmy Wannabe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2021
    Member:
    #23530
    Messages:
    1,239
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Scottsdale Az. Castle Rock Co.
    Vehicle:
    2021 ORP Barcelona red
    Fox 2.5 DSC. 2 1/2” front, 2”rear. Falken Wildpeak 255/80/17
    Agreed
     
    Trail Runnah likes this.
  19. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:21 AM
    #19
    runnerjimmy

    runnerjimmy Wannabe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2021
    Member:
    #23530
    Messages:
    1,239
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Scottsdale Az. Castle Rock Co.
    Vehicle:
    2021 ORP Barcelona red
    Fox 2.5 DSC. 2 1/2” front, 2”rear. Falken Wildpeak 255/80/17
    I think gearing is your best bet
     
  20. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:25 AM
    #20
    Toyotafanboy

    Toyotafanboy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2020
    Member:
    #18755
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    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.
     
  21. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:25 AM
    #21
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #8982
    Messages:
    2,041
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Christian
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRD Offroad Premium
    For that much power, different vehicle or forced induction.
     
    Marchy likes this.
  22. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:29 AM
    #22
    runnerjimmy

    runnerjimmy Wannabe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2021
    Member:
    #23530
    Messages:
    1,239
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Scottsdale Az. Castle Rock Co.
    Vehicle:
    2021 ORP Barcelona red
    Fox 2.5 DSC. 2 1/2” front, 2”rear. Falken Wildpeak 255/80/17
    I guess a good question is what size tires are you running? And I don’t personally know what diff. Gears you have now.
     
  23. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:56 AM
    #23
    Toyotafanboy

    Toyotafanboy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2020
    Member:
    #18755
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    285/70R17, gears are 3.73
     
    BionicRandy likes this.
  24. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:57 AM
    #24
    Toyotafanboy

    Toyotafanboy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2020
    Member:
    #18755
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    Ford bronco 2.7 turbo I guess, I love our maverick and the Ecoboost engines.
     
  25. Dec 2, 2021 at 11:59 AM
    #25
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #8982
    Messages:
    2,041
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Christian
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRD Offroad Premium
    They're pretty cool but you will pay because everyone wants one.
     
  26. Dec 2, 2021 at 12:00 PM
    #26
    Toyotafanboy

    Toyotafanboy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2020
    Member:
    #18755
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    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.
     
  27. Dec 2, 2021 at 12:24 PM
    #27
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    Going back to stock size would help as well.
     
    Marchy likes this.
  28. Dec 2, 2021 at 12:30 PM
    #28
    T4R13

    T4R13 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2019
    Member:
    #12339
    Messages:
    499
    Gender:
    Male
    Clarksburg wv
    Vehicle:
    19 sr5p
    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
     
    peter2772000 likes this.
  29. Dec 2, 2021 at 3:26 PM
    #29
    Marchy

    Marchy New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2021
    Member:
    #20124
    Messages:
    201
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2021 4 Runner Venture
    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.
     
  30. Dec 3, 2021 at 8:51 AM
    #30
    elnip

    elnip New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2018
    Member:
    #6295
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    LC,NM
    Vehicle:
    2016 4runner Trail P
    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.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top