1997 3rz-fe HP upgrades?

I am the owner of a 1997 Tacoma LX, 4WD with 3rz-fe 4cyl engine and 5 speed manual. Engine and body have 238k, but I recently fixed an oil leak, and the head gasket was replaced about 45k ago. Lately the clutch has been acting up so I will probably replace that as well.
Engine runs good and smooth and I still get great mpg. Measured on a 70mph highway, with BFG all-terrains and running A/C most of the time, and 180 miles later I measured 22mpg, exactly what the manual says I should be getting.

I love this truck and don't plan to sell it, but as my daily driver I'm considering rebuilding the engine and trans for longevity. IF I do any rebuilds, I will likely add something, but idk what, to increase HP. Nothing crazy, just sometime to make it a little quicker on its feet to merge onto highways, and still get good gas mileage.


Any ideas? Thanks!

 

Again, nothing crazy, I just want the truck to be quick on its feet but also get good gas mileage.

 

get a V6.

(I get 20-21 with mine.)

 

There is nothing. You could dump $1000 into headers, intake, cams, strait pipe exhaust and see maybe 20-30 horsepower. Its a truck, and toyota gave it a truck motor.

 

I'd rather not spend the money and time looking into getting a v6 swap, looking for something bolt on. What about a low boost supercharger or turbo?

 

yeah, the 4cyl engines are potatoes, but they are bulletproof

There's not much you can do to increase HP, except turbo or supercharging it... or swap in a v6.

If it's just to make it a little faster on the highway, is it worth the hassle? I don't think so.

 

I meant get a V6 truck. a v6 swap is a lot of time wasted since there are so many trucks with that motor already in from the factory.

 

Ok yeah I agree with "bulletproof" lol A friend of mine has a '98 Taco with same drivetrain and he's got 350k with no issue other than a clutch.

Extra HP would be awesome not just for highways. I like fast

 

I've got the 4cyl supercharger and headers on my truck. It boogies. I make more power than a V6 and I kick a v6s uphill at altitude, but it isn't cheap.

 

Supercharger is where I'm leaning now. From the limited reading I've done (correct me if I'm wrong), a supercharger is pretty much bolt on and pretty reliable. But isn't a good supercharger like $3k?

 

But I don't know where to start. A supercharger with at least 50-60 HP increase would be awesome. Shouldn't I also install a Cold Air Intake?

 

There's a dude on here that has 988k miles on his 2rz.

Well, if that is what you want, do it! It's your truck, you do what you want after all!
Supercharger is pricey, though

 

I have the old TRD supercharger that was offered for the 3RZ, it's made by LCE now. But I get about 75hp from it at full boost and it pushes my heavy armored truck around nicely. You already have the best intake for your SC, it pulls cold air from the fender well through the large filter, doesn't get better than that.

 

I will warn you though the supercharger much like a turbo isn't a one and done install. There will be tuning, larger injectors, AFR gauges. Youre pushing your engine and you have to monitor and account for that

 

Hmmm. Noted.
The 3rz-fe is the only engine in the 3rz series correct? I see superchargers for 3rz but idk if they abbreviated it.
sorry lol, I have very limited experience with mechanics other than a little bit of work I've done on it.

 

Yeah the 3RZ is the only one. Fe just means dual cam fuel injected

 

Ed Pink Racing builds USAC Midget TRD 4cyl engines and easily make 400hp !!

 

You want to make some horsepower then check this out !!!

https://www.lceperformance.com/2RZ-3RZ-CYLINDER-HEADS-s/16722.htm

 

dont see how you can abbreviate 3rz any further....

 

Just making sure that it's the only engine in the 3rz series