Refreshing worn out performance

When i was shopping for my tundra and test drove a few, i noticed big difference in performance between some even at similar age & mileage.

I'm thinking about a Sequoia now but looking at high miles (180k+) to find a cheap one.
How far gone is too far for performance? How much can you realistically expect the easier maintenance items to refresh a truck that feels like its power is down from what it should be?

By easier maintenance items, i mean basics like fluid changes, spark plugs, filters, clean TB & MAF.

 

None of those are going to really move the needle in terms of power IMO. If a truck lacks power and doesn’t have a check engine light - I’d steer clear.

FWIW I recently bought a 1st gen Sequoia with 245k miles on it and it has no problem breaking a tire loose when you get on it.

 

Spraynard supposes long term knock trims could play a factor in individual power output values.

 

Odds are you were just experiencing different ambient temps and absolute pressure driving one vs the other on different days. This is known as density altitude which has a big impact on power. Or perhaps one had heavy load range E tires and the other had P rated. It also depends on what years you were driving. 07-13 have a more sensitive throttle mapping vs 14-21 which is more lazy feeling (unless you hit tow/haul button.)

 

If you can feel the density altitude change power output with the weather in these trucks you may have the most sensitive ass ever. I barely notice a difference going from 1,000 ft in PHX to 7,000 in Flagstaff.

 

Yeah, i was at local dealers same day test driving so weather, altitude, etc wasnt a factor.

 

If that’s the case then your ass is numb!
A cool winter day vs a hot summer day is like night and day when it comes to throttle response and gear holding power. A couple thousand feet of density altitude change recording acceleration times with a dragy for example will return very different results for 0-60 times.

 

lol. I’m sure it’s my ass and not the supercharger strapped on your truck.

 

Really though - i live where it can be 20 degrees and 120 degrees - no difference in drivability.

 

Ahem, it’s bolted not strapped .
It is indeed a measurable performance difference is all I’m saying.

Elevation x .03 x sea level HP/1000

If my nerd calculations are correct, then in my case at just 2000 ft above sea level I’m giving up 38hp. At 7000 ft I’m giving up 132hp! An NA 5.7 is giving up 23hp at just 2000 ft and 80hp at 7000. Given it was at the same dealership on the same day I would agree this particular issue is not OPs concern though.

 

To participate in thread derailment I definitely notice a difference. Driving at night with cool air is certainly noticeable, it's not a crazy difference but I can feel the truck is a bit spicier. Cruises with less effort, faster to respond, hits harder getting on the throttle. Maybe the blower makes it that much more noticeable.