Increasing Torque and Horsepower

Like many of you on this forum, I would like more power from my 5.7L V8.

Due to the high mileage on my 2007 engine (almost 280k) and the cost (more than I paid for the truck), the Super Charger is NOT an option. Additionally, my budget is tight and I do not like an exhaust that is loud. EDIT: I am not a fan of cold air intakes either.

So, what are my biggest bang for my buck (ROI) power producing options?

 

The TRD (or S&B) CAI and TRD dual exhaust may be a good option for you. From the videos I've seen the exhaust is a little louder, but doesn't drone. That's one of the reasons I put them on my list. If you do a complete exhaust upgrade with headers, it will add HP but will also be a lot louder. If you're not towing, then you could change your gearing to something better suited for the street. A tune will also likely help once you make some changes. After that you're getting into budget blowers like upgrading engine internals, doing a complete engine swap, forced induction/nitrous, etc. However, with a high-mileage engine like that I'd strongly advise against anything but an engine swap when you get into that level of upgrading.

 

Thank you for the reply... here is some additional information.

I am not a fan of cold air intakes, I do not tow, and the existing 4:30 rear gear is working well for me.

 

Interested to hear what can be done.

 

Drop in filter and dap tune, I heard it gives you a couple ponies.

Get dirtydeeds to build you a 10” exhaust, I heard it’s not loud at a all and you only hear it when you get on it, that will get you a few ponies too.

 

you eliminated everything but a tune.

 

I know you said, no loud exhaust, but somewhere on here 1 or 2 people are running long tube headers and @dirtydeeds exhaust. This set up is giving good numbers on the end.
This is going to be my next mod. You also have the option of a tuner or custom tune.
If your wanting more pedal response some folks are running the Pedal Commander.

 

I've been through several different exhaust set ups, long tube headers, 4.88 gears, cold air intakes, DAP tune. The only mods that gave me a noticeable increase in how my truck drove off the line were the headers + complete 3" tubing behind the cats and the 4.88 gears. Obviously, the headers and 3" exhaust is much louder that what I had before. DAP helped hold gears longer and makes shifts seem faster/firmer, but my truck still felt sluggish off the line (I tuned after going up to a larger/heavier tire). I love the headers and gears, but if I could do it again I would probably just go with a supercharger. So yeah, don't expect anything significant without supercharging or long tube headers + upgraded exhaust. Maybe talk to dirtydeeds about an exhaust that will keep your truck quiet with long tube headers. That setup will still probably run you $2K+ (headers + midpipes + exhaust).

 

A flux capacitor might work....

 

Chemical supercharger maybe....??

 

about the best thing is to drop some weight...removing that brush bar was a good start...

 

Yes, I also replaced the steel wheels with alloy... shedding additional weight is not easy at this point.

 

what about some juice?

 

Not with the miles this engine has on it.

 

Have you considered a Sprint Booster V3?

 

Not sure about 1st/2nd gens, but have you tried turning on tow/haul if you have it. It brings 3rd gens alive.

 

Youll have a new engine afterwards at least.

 

Are your tires larger/heavier than stock?

 

What’s your budget? Keith @dirtydeeds is the guy to talk to about hp upgrades. He knows all the tricks and can give you options given your budget.
That being said with 280k on the odometer I would probably just drive it as is and maintain it to see how many miles I could get out of it.

 

A Tundras.com decal and a fresh hand wash are about all you’re going to get for performance upgrades on a super tight budget and within your specs, but they only help butt-dyno figures. (My truck always has more power and drives better freshly washed, doesn’t yours?)

That’s assuming everything is still running as it should be at that mileage too. Tune-up maintenance up to date? Plugs, MAF /TB clean, A/F ratio sensors...

 

With the above restraints it’s difficult because of the literally hundreds of Tundra’s I’ve personally modified I would:

-4.88’s
-Long tube headers
-3” headers back exhaust with mufflers sized to sound exactly how you want it to sound.
-throttle body coolant bypass
-sabm
-drop in filter

The above mods will propel the truck thru the 1/8 mile almost an entire second faster than it does now

 

https://youtu.be/w9YluPOyXmg
I can’t afford a supercharger, yet, but I open my window and do the same thing this guy does but louder. Cheap, efficient, gets people’s attention every time

 

Best bang for your buck is probably a silver paint job. Everyone knows that white Tundras are the slowest.

 

Standard size tires on 18" 2007 alloys.

 

If you want more power, you need more money. Then you will need more money for gas. Then you will need more money for more parts....and more power...and more money..

I honestly bought Toyota for two reasons. Dependability, and I won't spend my retirement on engine mods. I haven't even looked to see if forged internals were available for the Toyotas, not sure I want to know.
I have wasted enough money in the past on engine mods. My last Chevy (TBSS) had about $45k in the engine bay and put down 600 RWHP on motor only. Was built for a 450 shot but the rear airbag suspension couldn't even handle a 200 shot. I sold it before it reached it's potential.
The Wilson intake I had on it cost more than a Toyota Tundra Supercharger installed.

Oh, and I have a Miata with 167hp at the crank if I want to.....well, never mind.

 

Keith built my 10" system several years ago and we tow to Canada and back (close to 1000 miles) every year. My 10" exhaust sound is right between stock and Toyota's TRD system but it retains the single-side stock- sized pipe that doesn't rob me of low end grunt. I've read posts on the forums saying the 10" system may as well be stock. I can assure everybody, you won't mistake it for stock, especially in higher RPM's and drone is nonexistent.

 

That's quite an investment to shave almost an entire second off an 1/8 mile.

All maintenance is up to snuff, so I guess I'll stick to cosmetic mods while I rack up the miles.

Thank you to all that commented, hopefully the information will be useful to others.

 

That's encouraging, I'll contact him about the 10" exhaust at some point in the future.

 

Remove your bed and your spare tire. Remove passenger side seat. Remove a/c compressor. Drive on 1/8th tank gas as much as possible. No wiper fluid in reservoir. Loose weight.