Ok,
I am new to this message board..but, i hope someone can help me out. I just (finally) bought a 96 Cruiser...and i want to improve the hp/tqe of the straigt 6.

1. New Exhaust - I would like to put Dual Exhaust on my car and replace the O.G. Exhaust that is on it now. Can anyone reccomend a good exhaust garage in the Boston area? I imagine this will have a custom job..i havent been able to find any pre-made aftermarket kits.

2. Air Kit - I am thinking about putting a high-flow air kit on the Cruiser (i.e. K&N cone, etc.) and removing the old sealed unit. Any reccomendations/advice on doing/not doing it?

Honestly, i do like to go off-roading (not the hardcore kind)..but, i am not into major modifications..since this will also be my daily driver.

If anyone can reccomend good boston area shops/ or good parts websights..i would greatly appreciate it. Hopefully, with your help..i wont be a newbie for long.

Thx

wow, this is one of the nicest newbies i have seen in a long time!! :D

anyways, if you want to get more power...have you considered a supercharger? (i dont know if it is for that year....). also, a dual exhaust is kinda pointless on a vehicle that has only one flange coming from one side of the motor (but mostly a cool factor i imagine ;) ) And with the air filter, i think k&n replacements can be had for the 80 series.

oh, take everything i say with a grain of salt--cuz i just read about it!!

hth,
Max

Thanks for the advice..
I have looked into a supercharger (and actually found a websight with superchargers for '96's)..but, there are 2 BIG factors that i am considering that will result in me not getting a supercharger.

1. $$$$ - I saw a supercharger for a 96 cruiser and they were asking $4999. Eventhough, it DID add 120 hp and 110 ft/lb ..(which sounds really badass)...ther are more pressing issues i need to spend my $$$ on currently. Maybe in the future!

2. My LC has about 96K miles on it...i am pretty hesitant to slap a supercharger on a motor w/96K miles on it. Yes..i fear that i will blow the engine.


Regarding the Exhaust..
Eventhough the exhaust is coming from one side...doesnt the two pipes merging into one (ie stock exhaust) restric flow?? I would think that if i got a "true" dual exhaust..the flow woud dramatically increase (along w/an air kit)..and as a result increase hp. Honestly,just looking at the stock pipes gives me the sence that the engine is choking on air coming in..and exhaust going out.

Ok..i have to go to work..
Thanks for any input!

take care

see--i dont know 80's! i was under the assumption that they had one exhaust flange...oh well i would go for it because from the way it sounds it could use it :D

Mileage has never been much of an issue on most Toyota motors I know of, but YMMV...

I wouldn't stress over a dual exhaust... a single exhaust of the proper diameter can flow just as well.. You'll be happy with any of the aftermarket exhausts out there, or have an exhaust shop bend you up one...

I'd stay the hell away from K&N anything.. they don't filter as well as an OEM Toyota filter, and if you can feel a 1-2hp difference, I'll give you a cookie.

The SC is the bomb though... try www.toyotaguys.com..maybe they have better prices?

Neither mod will get you anything worth paying for.

About the only thing you can do for power short of the supercharger (which can be had installed for less than the price you mentioned) is bump the timing up a bit. I did it to help compensate for the torque loss with larger tires.

Dual exhaust on a straight 6 is a waste of time. K&Ns let too much dirt in.

Newbie here as well and also not into the major offroading (sorry folks) or major mods.

Do an internet search with the TRD part number 00602-17620-501. I think the best price I've seen as I'm thinking the same thing is just short of $2800. Install at your local shop add'l. $5K is outrageous. Try this link, best price I've found.

http://www.partznet.com/toyota/landcruiser/supercharger.html

Fits 95-97 LC's w/o the add'l install kit I'd need for my '94 (an extra $150).

I've read one story from somebody who did this on a 4-runner and he ended up beefing up his tranny for the extra power. Don't know if that would be necessary in an LC.

Best of luck!

Brent

One of the nicest guys who is knowledgeable about local shops (he's from Boston) is Randy Elkin in the yankeetoys, see http://www.yankeetoys.org - sorry I don't have his email address handy but can find it for you if you can't find it on the site. He's got an 80 minorly "souped up" and a very clean FJ40.

I'd recommend getting together with any of these guys, it can help you save tons of money if you are interested in spending time learning about the truck.

Good luck

On the supercharger issue, there's been a lot of chatter on the LCML about the relationship between Mike Kear's rod knock in his '97 (going from foggy memory here), and his supercharger (TRD). I don't know enough about it (or anything else for that matter :rolleyes: ) to say much definitive, but it might be worth a shout to the LCML and/or Mike before you go that route.

Frankly, and I mean no offense here, I don't know why folks want to milk more HP out of that engine. Short of low towing capacity, I think it develops plenty of HP in all the right places. But then again, my other thrusters are a 2F, and a 3FE.

Thanks for listening to my story -- please feel free to chat amongst each other yet again...

TJK

Pardon the stupidity - LCML?? Have read somewhere about a little clatter being normal at low rpm. Would like to find the threads it possible.

TIA

I want to thank everyone for their feedback. I will definitely take into consideration all of your opinions/knowledge. Right now..i am leaning towards 86ing the Air Kit (too much dirt) but going with the Dual exhaust. Honestly, i am leaning towards the Dual Exhaust for a few reasons:
1. looks
2. sound
3. performance (even if it is minimal)

And..with everyone mentioning the SUPERCHARGER....i have to admit..it brought a smerk to my face thinking of a 300+ HP Land Cruiser..hmmmm. Maybe a christmas gift to myself.

Here is the link to the Supercharger that i was reffering to:

http://www.tlc4x4.com/2000/Parts/tlc_kazuma_supercharger.htm

+110 HP
+160 lb.ft

WOW.


On a SIDE NOTE...
My LC has the Stock Radio in it w/9 Speakers. Has anyone had any problems putting an aftermarket radio in w/the 9 speaker setup??


Thanks again to everyone,

-Joe-

Ghost88,

that's the same part number I gave you the link to priced at $2750, a $1,250 difference in price! Shop around. The internet is great for research and price comparison. Usually your local Toyota dealer will match an internet price.

:flipoff2:
Todd's right, although not on the LCML where some po' dude is taking a licking. Been talking to a lot of folks on the 80 lists and the supercharger may have increased the heat enough to help develope a rod knock. Not confirmed the cause yet, but it could be related.

I threw a supercharger in mine mainly due to towing. The 1FZFE engine that's in your 96 has plenty of power. At least with stock tires etc. You could always up the gears to 4.56's from the stock 4.11's. Expensive, but helps a lot. I've done that too. One thing is if you do the gears, consider doing the lockers at the same time. You'll basically get the labor for free since everything will be on the bench anyway.

If you're using your truck strictly on road, then the K&N may not be so bad, but I'd stay far away from the K&N if you're going offroad. Basically it let's a ton of crap through as it let's more air flow through.

Don't know why anyone would want to fawk with the exhaust. Going to dual won't do much good.

I'd say, drive the truck for a few months. If you feel you need more power then, consider the gears. Say no to turbo and I'm not sure I'd do the supercharger over again (probably not).

Hope that helps.
Oh yeah, since you're a newbie, :flipoff2: ..... welcome aboard:D
MIke

Originally posted by Brentbba
Pardon the stupidity - LCML??

TIA

http://www.tlca.org/mailman/listinfo/landcruisers

Originally posted by climbermike
:flipoff2:
Todd's right, although not on the LCML where some po' dude is taking a licking.

Even by LCML standards (and I love the LCML, just don't understand it sometimes), the overreaction to your post surprised me. I believe there may have been a few lurking in the weeds waiting to pounce.

TJK