suggestions for a Highlander - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

geez01hghlndr · 02-12-2003, 09:08 PM

Hi all

I have a 2001 Highlander V6 4wd. I was wondering what there is i can do to it so it can run and/or perform better? So far, it is stock.

thanks

toyotadriver05 · 03-02-2003, 05:14 PM

hm, my friend had a 2001 AWD Highlander with the v6, but niether he nor I could find engine mods for it... TRD has recently released a cat-back exhaust system for it though, if you're interested.

http://www.partznet.com/toyota/highlander/exhaust.html

You might have to do alot of custom work to get good performance out of that engine.... or settle for what you have, slam it, and put a sweet system in it!

trent

hedgeborn · 03-26-2003, 10:37 AM

It's the same engine as the ES300 and the same as the Camry, minus the VVT-i

TRD makes a supercharger for the Camry, any reason why you couldn't fit that on the Highlander?

geez01hghlndr · 03-31-2003, 01:14 AM

well, I know the engine does indeed have vvt-i, same displacement as the camry/solara v6's. but it has a higher output in power over the 3.0 L in the solara's? would the superchargers still work.. We have a 01 Highlander as well as a 99 Solara SLE V6, and the engine looks quite a bit different? I'm wondering if it is only due to the spaciousness of the Highlander engine bay compared to the solara's

Warped · 04-01-2003, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by geez01hghlndr
well, I know the engine does indeed have vvt-i, same displacement as the camry/solara v6's. but it has a higher output in power over the 3.0 L in the solara's? would the superchargers still work.. We have a 01 Highlander as well as a 99 Solara SLE V6, and the engine looks quite a bit different? I'm wondering if it is only due to the spaciousness of the Highlander engine bay compared to the solara's

Supposedly, superchargers won't fit as easily with the vvt-i there. I'd say it were impossible, but with the extravagant amount of knowledge that some guys have, nothing is impossible...so if you are planning to supercharge it, better start reading up real good.

All I can suggest is a K&N Air Filter...I'm not sure what to say about your Highlander because I'm not as knowledgable about what fits and what doesn't...I'm sure someone here will be able to help you though...there are some crazy/smart people on here.

RedruM · 04-02-2003, 06:22 PM

superchargin it probably is possible but not sure

do intake, sound system, rims, exhaust and wait another year or so....TRD may be developing s/c or t/c for your ride...who knows

geez01hghlndr · 04-22-2003, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RedruM
superchargin it probably is possible but not sure

do intake, sound system, rims, exhaust and wait another year or so....TRD may be developing s/c or t/c for your ride...who knows

i'm thinking about lowering it, upgrading suspension, gettin rims, an intake, and possibly a sound system; all done this summer. Where can I go about finding lowering springs and the suspension setup other than going to the shop? how much would something like this cost me? I can't seem to find anything online right now.

As for intake, i have found a Hyper Intake: hyper intake
I'm not sure if it will work; for those who have seen the 3.0L in the Highlander will know about the various vacuum tubing linked to the stock intake setup. I do not know how to get around that, nonetheless, $183.00 for intake is very expensive. Right now I only have a K&N filter inplace of stock one. It seems to me that the stock setup is fairly restrictive. So far this is the only think i've found on the internet.

I am also looking for rims to replace these dull stock ones. Tirerack.com has been good to me, but not good enough. Their selection for Highlanders is too small. After looking around, I guess I can only get 18's because there is no way I can pay for anything bigger. Keep in mind I would have to get tires along with the rims. I am looking elsewhere for rims and I need to know specifications for wheels that fit the Highlander(bolt pattern, offset, etc.). Also, can anyone tell me what is the widest tire I can go in 18" diameter without any rubbing?

I want to do an exhaust setup too. for a Full setup, would that require changing all exhaust parts from engine to the tips? if so, what would be some suggestions for parts and measurements to give the Highlander optimal performance? approximately how much will doing this run me?

Sorry about the long post.:o The car is finally mine and I want to get stuff done to it over the summer. THanks in advance to anyone who can help with this matter.

***EKam*** · 04-22-2003, 07:14 PM

Congrats on your new purchase.

If you want to look for suspension parts you can do a search on "H&R", "eibach", "kyb suspension", "tokico suspension", "koni suspension" and check their sites to find ouf if there's an application for the highlander.

As for intake, don't waste the $180, most of the time they do more harm than good. Stick with a K&N drop-in filter will keep the car happy for a while.

geez01hghlndr · 04-23-2003, 12:32 AM

Thanks for the reply.

We've actually had this Highlander since February of 2001; one of the first ones in town. My parents drove it until now; they handed it over to me. I can pretty much do anything to it I can, just need to know how and where to get all this done. Anyone else?

SteVTEC · 05-14-2003, 10:20 AM

If you want some extra performance, make sure to run higher octane fuel. Only 87 is required, but you definitely get some extra pep with higher octane.

Does anybody know if the 220HP / 222TQ rating is for regular or premium gas? If that rating is for regular fuel, then you probably get about 10HP/10TQ extra by upgrading to premium fuel. If it's already rated on premium, then you probably get about 10HP/10TQ LESS on only 87. Since it says everywhere that only 87 is "required" I suspect the engine may in fact be putting out more like 230HP/232TQ on premium...

But unfortunately I am just speculating and can't back that up with anything really solid. All I know is that throttle response and power are a TON better on premium fuel.

EJL99 · 08-25-2003, 12:40 PM

Here's a Site to look at: http://www.toyota.co.jp/dop-kluger/

songzhao76 · 08-10-2004, 03:15 PM

K&N filter is so far the best you can do to improve air flow. I have found that Pep Boys sales the Weapon R Cook Air intake for the RS300, which is exactly the same as highlander (01-03, v6) by the way, 3.0L V6 is 1MZFE. The engine position is different than the Camrys, that is why the superchargers can't be installed. In the Highlander, it is actually tilted about 45 degrees in the Engine bay. I've been thinking about a alternative way replace the intake. so far, I found that the intake tube is underneath the fuse box, and it connected to the big filter box. the intake tub could probably extended down below by the fog lamp. There is an opening there, so you might collect more air that way. My orginal idea was to get a big cone intake filter and run some plastic tubs down the the opening, and removed the filter in the box. Don't take my word for it tho. just some ideas. I think the reason no vendor is making intakes for the highlander is that there are so many sensers there, and some of them you can't remove from the factory filter box. anyway, I'm also designing a custom body kit for the highlander. I'll have the final version soon, and hopefully, I can get someone to make it for me.

songzhao76 · 08-10-2004, 03:16 PM

BTW here is the url
http://members.cardomain.com/songzhao76