Highlander performance upgrades

[ezra442]

I'm coming up on 55k in my 08 Highlander Limited. I am noodling whether to keep it or replace it. I don't have too many complaints, really, so keeping it is a very viable option, but if I do keep it, I'd like to make some improvements. My biggest issue is with steering response, which could probably be improved with upgraded shocks, or other suspension mods (I already have 255 Hankooks on it, and that helped, but it could still be much better). Also, the shift points are lazy and could be more crisp. I know that chips can sometimes improve those, but usually other modifications are also required for there to be any real difference.

Problem is, I have searched and searched and cannot seem to find ANY performance parts for this vehicle! Which I find amazing, given how many are on the road. Someone is missing a real market opportunity! The only thing I've found from a performance standpoint is a K&N air filter.

I already have all the add-on accessories: hitch, running boards, weathertech mats, deflector, etc. Those are the only kinds of things I can find. Does anyone have any thoughts on where to find some actual performance parts for these vehicles? Thanks!

[JMSinMD]

How about a TRD supercharger from Australia?

[bingo883]

And a Cold Air Intake from China!
(I am not kidding, they do exist and it does improve throttle response)

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by bingo883

And a Cold Air Intake from China!
(I am not kidding, they do exist and it does improve throttle response)

I thought they only made those for the 1st Gen Highlander?

[ezra442]

I don't know where to find either the supercharger or the Chinese air intake. Do you have links you can share? Thanks! I'm pretty sure I wouldn't do the supercharger without being able to get the steering and chassis sorted first. But it's a possibility. I think an air intake would be great--I've been bugging K&N to offer one, but no luck yet. I'm a bit skeptical about getting one from China, but I'd like to look into it if that's the only one out there.

How about some good shocks/struts? Any leads on those? I know I could get the ones from the dealer that go on the Sport, but I'd like to look at something even more performance oriented. I haven't seen anything from Bilstein or Koni, for example. Or how about some stiffer bushings? I haven't been able to find any of these things, though I did upgrade the brake pads.

Still seems weird that there isn't more out there than this rather obscure stuff. Australia? China? How about Japan or the US?

[JMSinMD]

Originally Posted by ezra442

I don't know where to find either the supercharger or the Chinese air intake. Do you have links you can share? Thanks! I'm pretty sure I wouldn't do the supercharger without being able to get the steering and chassis sorted first. But it's a possibility. I think an air intake would be great--I've been bugging K&N to offer one, but no luck yet. I'm a bit skeptical about getting one from China, but I'd like to look into it if that's the only one out there.

How about some good shocks/struts? Any leads on those? I know I could get the ones from the dealer that go on the Sport, but I'd like to look at something even more performance oriented. I haven't seen anything from Bilstein or Koni, for example. Or how about some stiffer bushings? I haven't been able to find any of these things, though I did upgrade the brake pads.

Still seems weird that there isn't more out there than this rather obscure stuff. Australia? China? How about Japan or the US?

You'd have to look in the engine bay to compare but I can't imagine the location of the airbox/routing would be much different than the Camry. K&N and a few other companies make short ram intake and cold air intakes for them. You could always call K&N and offer to test fit it to see if it would work in exchange for a unit or discounted unit?

[grandpapa]

I guess there aren't many folks who buy HL for performance. Most of us may "dress" it up but not to look for performance gain.
Sounds like you already have idea on upgrading the suspension parts which probably will improve the handling. As for supercharge, whatever...forgive it

[sanf]

when it comes to performance.... there's really isnt anything for our HLs. You can look into custom exhaust to start off.

[onezerosix141]

Hello folks! I know HL is unlike Tacoma or FJ, it's Toyota's "luxury" vehicle. I was wondering if any of the folks out there done any performance upgrade on your HL.

On my 2009 HL Sport, I yanked out the charcoal filter from the box & switched to TRD air filter... And that's the only this give done to it ^_^

I kind of started wondering since there isn't much out there by Toyota so, wanted to see people's handy work ^_^


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[TrailDust]

I've done the charcoal filter and added the K&N filter which resulted in a consistent 4% mileage gain, but damn it if I didn't lose all that and then some when I mounted my Geolanders for off-road........but, hey, I expected that.

Unfortunately, due to the demographics of Highlander owners there isn't much in the way of performance parts or features that can be added to it.

[onezerosix141]

I think I saw some stuff on Japanese Toyota site. It's been awhile so better look again.

It is too bad that there ain't much out there


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[dtown40]

Soccer moms everywhere are adding Mickey Thompson slicks on the rear, and blowers to the engines. Its all the rage.

[sweeneyp]

haha yea those soccer moms need that 300+ hp and slicks to get into those mall parking spots before anybody else does.

Though I can say I definitely wouldn't mind having the TRD supercharger It would be funny to hear the supercharger reving at a stop coming from a Highlander though

also, TD how often do you find you need to clean/re-oil your K&N filter. I know you go offroading, and it probably gets dusty sooner than normal, but I'm curious.

[onezerosix141]

Man, that reminds me. I need to clean my filter soon >_<


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[Yazon]

Toyota Highlander and high performance? Sounds like an oxymoron