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Upgrading? [More HP]

11K views 23 replies 7 participants last post by  ravolution 
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#1 ·
Well i just turned 16 and my dad gave me his 2000 rav 4, while he got a xrunner. anyway ive driven it around, and i feel that it definatly needs more power. I was thinking of gettin plug wires, plugs, ram intake, performance muffler and header. how much more power could i get from the headers? also are there any other cost effective ways to increase power? also when im driving, i shift at 6000rpm, and after i let out the clutch and hit the throttle, the tires squeel alot, should that be happening? thanks for the help
 
#3 ·
importtuner said:
Well i just turned 16 and my dad gave me his 2000 RAV 4, while he got a xrunner. anyway ive driven it around, and i feel that it definatly needs more power. I was thinking of gettin plug wires, plugs, ram intake, performance muffler and header. how much more power could i get from the headers? also are there any other cost effective ways to increase power? also when im driving, i shift at 6000rpm, and after i let out the clutch and hit the throttle, the tires squeel alot, should that be happening? thanks for the help
For one dude, clam it down... the RAV4 is a SUV, not a F1 car :lol:

As for how much power, id talk to either mensa or andrew, as they have both done most of hte mods you are thinking about doing.

As for the whole tire chirping problem.... I dont know of a car that wont chirp at 6k.... you should really take it easy on that, if you keep doing that, youll melt that stock clutch in no time. Toyota didnt design the RAV for that kind of abuse, keep that in mind.

But anyway, welcome to the forums, yo. hope you are happy with your RAV. :D
 
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#7 ·
First off, and I tell this to all new drivers, cool it on the power hungry attitude. Take this in baby steps. Sure, you can handle the car, or think you can in its current steps, but can you really handle it? Alot of being a good driver is not the car, but your personal abilities. You need to learn how to set up for the corners, and learn the feel of the car. Learn exactly how it handles in every situation, than determine what needs to be done to suit your needs. They call it customizing a car for one reason, Because you make it custom to YOUR needs and taste.

Now then, I know you think HP gains are the only thing that matters, right? Well, by no means are they, and they don't mean crap if your other things are outta whack. You can have all the HP in the world, but if the tranny is broke, and the rubber is dead, you won't get anywhere. First thing first, find the biggest weaknesses, than fix it from there. Baby steps my man.

The best racers in the world (Marcus Granholm, Mario Andretti, etc...) can tell you that the secret is in maximizing every aspect of the car. And maybe this is the Rally part of me speaking, but I think learning your car is the best mod you can ever do. Personally, I know mine isn't the fastest (heck, its almost bone stock, except the stereo 8) ). The first performance mod I have on mine, competition level brake pads. Why, because I know that I use my brakes hard and fast. I come into the corners hot, and if my brakes couldn't handle it, well, I would be lying in a hospital. Also, I wrapped the wheels with the best rubber I could get my hands on. The traction factor is another huge aspect (esspecially for winter). I don't know where you live, but that is something to factor in. Power can be great in the summer, but in the winter, well, my Rav is hard to beat. I know I can blow my friends Ram off the line (the wheels just keep spinning...and spinning...but that cab just doesn't go anywhere....), and that is because between traction and not having TOO much power, I can move right away, he just sits and spins for a bit.

And lastly, you are 16, the biggest concern should be COLLEGE. Really, it makes a difference, and should be your top priority. With the money you make after college, well, you can do a nice job on the Rav (if you still have it), or buy somethin nice. And the less debt you have afterwards, the better your life will be.

Sorry to sound like a parent, but just keeping it realistic.

Oh, and if you really want to learn cool car stuff (outside of all our expertise anyways), go hang at a track or with some racers. Better yet, start racing (legally, I am talkin like SCAA). Solo II is a great place to start, and the best thing is, your Rav works just fine. It teaches you alot of control of your vehicle. I sadly, do not have that option, so I learned everything the foolish way. 1 accident (rolled a car) and many speeding tickets later, I can reccomend doing it the legal way. And I can also reccommend seat belts, it saved my life (or at least great harm) once, and I am sure it will do it agian if I need it to.
 
#8 ·
SZRimaging said:
Oh, and if you really want to learn cool car stuff (outside of all our expertise anyways), go hang at a track or with some racers. Better yet, start racing (legally, I am talkin like SCAA). Solo II is a great place to start, and the best thing is, your RAV works just fine. It teaches you alot of control of your vehicle. I sadly, do not have that option, so I learned everything the foolish way. 1 accident (rolled a car) and many speeding tickets later, I can reccomend doing it the legal way. And I can also reccommend seat belts, it saved my life (or at least great harm) once, and I am sure it will do it agian if I need it to.
I second SCCA as a mean to learning what your vehicle can really do. If you're lucky, you'll have a local chapter that'll allow your Rav4 in Solo II. Sometimes they don't like my area so I went with rallycross instead. If you can, attend their driving classes so you learn more about proper braking in turns, etc. It's alot more safer way to have fun with you Rav4 without endangering innocent bystanders and keeping you and your vehicle in a relatively safe and controoled environment.
 
#9 ·
Ok, welcome to the RAV4 speed section. But their is one thing that I would like to tell you about. It has to do with your 16 beautiful years you have lived on this planet. Driving and speed are a synonymous to power. With power go responsibilities that you must take into consideration everywhere you step on the hammer. I'm 47, excuse me 48 [last week] I love speed. But I know their are loved one that depend on me. Speed is Cool, but remember with speed goes hand in hand responsibility. I've scraped too many of my students and friends from the road already.

That said, the first thing is safety. I've seen this error to many times. A lot of power in the engine and no brakes. Try to check your RAV4 from front to rear and from top to bottom. Here is a check list.

0. Insurance and paper work, is it in order. Who is the legitimate owner of the vehicle? Straighten that out first.

1. Disc brakes [what condition are they in] Power Stop http://www.powerstoprotors.com/ and Brembo http://www.brembo.com/ENG have performance disc brakes that are a must for safety. Pads, Toyota OEM are cool unless you do the Power stop disc brakes, they also sell performance pads.


2. Brake Lines are they rubber? If so get them out. I have an address that will make them in metal. For $47.00 pair


3. Suspension, Toyota installed some very cheap shocks, get them out and go with Bilstein http://www.autocarparts.com/cars/Toyota/ALL/Bilstein , Koni http://www.koni.com/ . We never said they are cheap. Don't take short cuts doing old cheapo.


4. Springs, H&R http://www.hrsprings.com/ and Eibach http://www.eibach.com/cgi-bin/start.exe/eibach/index.html make springs for the RAV4 96 to 2000. I'd preferred the H&R. They give you the most lowering for the buck. They are excellent.
4a. TRD Front Anti-sway Bar, sweet. I'll have to thank Kelly for that one. The rear anti-Sway Bar is Addco http://www.addco.net/



5. Bushing and suspension. Energy Suspension http://www.energysuspension.com/ has a kit to change all of your suspension to polyurethane bushings. This will make your RAV4 stiffer in curves. You love them when you are cutting curves, but they'll give you a stiffer ride. Most people don't like that.


6. Tires always have a good set of performance tires installed. Yokohama are my recommendation. Try http://www.tirerack.com.


Once you have the suspension squared away, now you’re going into the engine. The suspension is done for safety. It is a lot better vehicle to ride and to do a lot of surprising maneuvers on the road, with excellent stopping power.

Engine.

I started to check with TRD http://www.trdusa.com/ . What do they have for the 3SFE? Not much. I got these.

TRD Radiator Cap, it lowers the engine temp keeping the engine cooler


But it needs also the TRD Thermostat


These two parts work very well together especially in hot climate.

The electrical system. These engine are running computers, the more power they have the better they role. I've installed a few electrical enhancement parts that have really made a difference
http://www.msdignition.com/






These are Pivot Ground Kit, Pivot Razin electrical stabilizer [little blue box on the battery] http://www.pivotusa.com/ . If you still have the OEM battery, get ride of it and do the Inter State Battery search, they have three excellent batteries specifically for the RAV4. Oh well, here it is CLICK HERE
Change your Battery terminals http://www.speedwaymotors.com have EXCELLENT battery terminals that work great, and they are cheap.

Header, Pace Setter http://www.pacesetterexhaust.com/ . If you have the 3SFE engine, use the Celica 86-89 Header. It will fit but don't stop there. Do the pipes also.


Bosal had a cool exhaust kit but discontinued it
Here it is


Here is my setup


It works great. That is the Pace setter Header, The flexer [you will need one], A performance Catalytic converter from Performance Tech [Summit racing], Magnaflow muffler, and Borla double tip. Sounds great. Some where in this forum Kelly was kind enough to paste it sound.

Hidden stuff :wink:

Next Level Performance Module http://www.nextlevelracing.com/

BTW, you can also see the TRD shortShifter. Regarding the NLP module, some people say it doesn't work. I say it does. Ask all the idiots who have been reading my license plate in the last month or so.

This my secret weapon



I might never install it, because I'm seeing a lot of good information regarding this engine.

It fits the RAV4 like a glove. Tight, but is will work.

I have a lot of other stuff installed that I haven't said. But I guess you get the over all picture. It is not cheap by all means. These parts will make your RAV4 Rooor. Time will tell :wink:

Next. :wink:
 
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#12 ·
Mensa, great post. It has made me rather jealous though. I do appreciate that others out there hold the opinion that runnin straight at the engine and not everything else is a bad idea.

This said, and no offense meant to you, but to truly be a modder, you need to blaze your own path. It means trying a few parts that someone else hasn't. Doing it in a slightly different order. The best, and most cost effective method I found was to do it one at a time, and alternating between power and handeling/safety. I mean obviously the two go hand in hand, but if I am just adding an intake and exhaust, I don't need a new suspension to be safe and in control. If I add a turbo, or all the MSD and stuff yo have, then I do.

Also, one thing I haven't seen anyone mess with, and something kinda strange from a guy wit an auto tranny, is that one of the best things you can usually do to a car is the tranny. The greatest powerloss occurs in your transmission. So you can run the same HP in the engine and pull a larger WHP with a few minor upgrades (flywheel, rods, gear ratio, etc.). And as far as I know, no one here has really tried that, so there you could be blazing new territory, and earning some respect.

But the biggest thing, and I am sure you are sick of hearing this, is keep it safe. No one, and this includes every last member of this board wants to see you hurt or killed.
 
#13 ·
SZRimaging, you are correct in every form and way. But remember these mods have taken me since the day I rolled the RAVer of the showroom floor. These things take years. I've been in this forum for about four years. You can ask any of the old guys, It has taken me years to do this. What I want to point out is saftey is first. Also, I want everyone to know that their are parts available and where to get them. Some even specificly for the RAV4. Everyone can buy what ever they want with what ever they can. Buying one at a time was what I did. But one thing I can really save you guys something is. Will it work or not? I have also blown a lot of money on stupid producs that really just made my RAV4 slower. My RAV4 is still evolving and I see a cool future. Andrew, took his to the max, now, he is selling it. That is an awesome ride. If you think Ive invested money, checkout his RAV4. Me, will I sell mine? No, because no one will give me what I have invested.

Regarding gear for the RAV4, I've also check. Andrew and I came to the conclucion to leave those alone. On the contrary, I've heard MR2 owner wanting to install a RAV4 gear box. Check the gear ratio and compair them you will see what I mean. Besides, the RAV4 gear box is solid.

:wink:
 
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#14 ·
Ah, but didn't andrew have to switch out his tranny with the celicas due to the power? Not saying that it is a better performing tranny, just that it holds more power. But one thing I was always curious about, the use of the celicas rear dif. If it turns it to 65% rear and 35% front, how would that drive on a mostly stock Rav4. That may make for an interesting twist. Should improve cornering, but would require beefier rear brakes (perhaps switch to disc somehow?). Am I correct on this assumption or totally blowin smoke?
 
#16 ·
SZRimaging said:
Ah, but didn't andrew have to switch out his tranny with the celicas due to the power? Not saying that it is a better performing tranny, just that it holds more power. But one thing I was always curious about, the use of the celicas rear dif. If it turns it to 65% rear and 35% front, how would that drive on a mostly stock RAV4. That may make for an interesting twist. Should improve cornering, but would require beefier rear brakes (perhaps switch to disc somehow?). Am I correct on this assumption or totally blowin smoke?
Did he change the engine?
 
#17 ·
I also don't want to be rude, but Thank You Drifter.

As I was saying, As you notice the behavior of your ride you should address the situacion acordently with its needs. Remember if your RAV4 doesn't do something you don't like. You have to live with it. In my case, the center of gravitiy on the RAV4 didn't go with my style of driving. The roads in PR are straight in the San Juan area. But I live in the mountains or PR and I guess you country Ravers know what I mean. Brakes in all Toyota vehicles is cool. Until they get hot so to speak. So, I installed better rotors, pereimum pads [alway] and upgraded the rubber brake lines. A sway bar is a must have if you plan on doing some Solo 1, TSD Rallies, and some street hot rodding.
 
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#18 ·
Yo this is a ton of help. But i noticed that mensajero had a trd short shifer, where can i pick one of those up? Another question i had was that he had a turbo on his rav. Did you put that kit together from scratch or can u actually get a complete kit? Thanks
 
#19 ·
importtuner said:
Yo this is a ton of help. But i noticed that mensajero had a trd short shifer, where can i pick one of those up? Another question i had was that he had a turbo on his RAV. Did you put that kit together from scratch or can u actually get a complete kit? Thanks
The TRD Short Shifter can be purchase at Brandsports.com. Just look at the top of the forum headline. You can even get a 10% discount when you say you're from this forum.

Regarding Turbo kit, it was a steel. I got the Turbo AND the manifold from EBay for $500.00. The Manifold alone goes for $500.00 at Turbonectics. I took the turbo to a garage on the island that the only thing they do is install turbo. They tested it and said that is in excellent conditions. The Intercooler came also from EBay for $200.00. As you can see, it's in the box. The Supra injectors, 3SGTE oil pan, and HKS blow off valve came from one of our members, DJ Sueno.

I got the performance Oil pump {Toga} and water pump from Import Performance http://www.importperformanceparts.net/. Here you can get anything you need for the 3SFE engine regarding performance.

Hope this helps.
 
#21 ·
importtuner said:
yeah this did a ton, but i checked on brandsports.com, and they didnt have it, i gotta get the one for the celica then?
Sorry, without a doubt, http://www.toyotaparts4u.com/ has them. Besides, checkout in "Show us your RAV4" section. You will see a very familiar RAV4 :wink: complimenting them when they sold me the one I installed. It is a very easy and cool installment. You can DIY. When you are shifting in high gear you can notice the diffrence. And at $129.00, its a steel. While you are here, checkout the catalog department. They have everything you need TRD for the RAV4 by years.

It looks a lot like this one.
 
#23 ·
To tell you the truth, I haven't install the turbo kit. Regarding the intercooler, Toysport and Toyota intercooler were installed in the front on the RAV4. The only one that was installed on the top of the engine is the AVO water turbo kit from OZ. http://www.pettitracing.com/Frames/assets/images/RAV4_turbo_pic.jpg I guess you will have to drop them an email for more information.

http://www.avoturbo.com/avo/html/toyota/toyota.html

http://www.avoturbo.com/index.html

keep us up to date as soon as you have everything and ready to install. BAM, post pictures also. :wink:
 
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