How Can We Get A Moderate Power Gains Out of the 1FZ-FE? (3 Viewers)

[bicycleagent003]

Hey Y'All,

I've been on this board for a few years, and read a lot and contributed a bit.

Forgive me if there's a simple answer to this question and I haven't seen it, but is there some kind of simple way to get more power from our motors, absent a turbo or supercharger?

For instance, use the Magna-Flow exhaust Y-pipe and custom exhaust, clean up the head internals, and use cam X from supplier Y, and you get 40 horsepower. Is that a thing?

I'd love to keep the stock motor in my truck forever, but I don't like the lack of power on the freeway, especially going uphill.

Thanks
Russ

 

[ZackR]

From what I've gleaned over the last few years there isn't an "easy" way to increase the output of the 1FZ-FE other than advancing the ignition timing, which is more for off idle response than anything else.

I'm sure if you tore into the head and ported it out, added a better flowing exhaust, etc... you would see some additional power but that seems like a lot of work for not much gain. If I truly wanted more HP I'd start saving my pennies for a LS swap, one and done.

Another thing to consider is that the 1FZ-FE although not huge on horsepower is relatively under stressed. The goal is durability, reliability and longevity rather than maximum output. With those goals in mind it does a great job.

I used to care that my cruiser was not fast. Now, not so much. Do what I did, get yourself a sports car and then both needs are covered.

 

[EngEngr]

In general, naturally aspirated performance gains-Advance timing, reduce pumping work, increase VE, increase displacement.

By tuning the intake runners, reducing engine back pressure, increasing enginee bore, compression ratio, porting the head and running more aggressive cam with faster ramps and more overlap.

Is it worth the money and reliability concerns?

 

[bugsnbikes]

easiest route is to lose weight. Power to weight ratio is what its all about.

-300lbs of seats- swap to cloth fronts-no 2cnd or 3rd
- delete sunroof -50lbs
A/c compressor and some unneeded accessories-50lbs
- sway bars- 50lbs
-misc bolts and mounts-50

That’s 10% more effective hp right there (20hp)

Then there’s cats and timing - maybe another 5hp.

Then there’s always breakin out the sawzall 800lbs gone there.....or 45hp

 

[gummycarbs]

Do a valve adjustment.

 

[cruiserdan]

The 1FZ is quite efficient as designed (other than it's fuel apetite ). Back in the day TRD investigated headers for this engine and they determined that the stock manifolds flowed well enough that headers were a waste of time.

The only way to get an appreciable increase in power is off-load weight as mentioned above or go to some form of forced induction.

 

[midfat]

Add lightness or add power. Like diet and exercise, the equation is really very simple. The more complicated issue is that the 1FZ-FE was not built to make power - it was built to make torque. To make any reasonable power gains, you'd have to embark on an odyssey of machining, porting, polishing, cams, valves, exhaust, pistons, rods, fuel, etc, etc, etc. The cheapest way to make power, aside from a dumpster and a plasma cutter, is to go forced induction.

 

[midfat]

The 1FZ is quite efficient as designed (other than it's fuel apetite ). Back in the day TRD investigated headers for this engine and they determined that the stock manifolds flowed well enough that headers were a waste of time.

The only way to get an appreciable increase in power is off-load weight as mentioned above or go to some form of forced induction.

What he said. He just beat to to the punch.

 

[fz1boxer]

i ditched my rear seats 2nd and 3rd row,next time i put tires on it will be a tall narrower tire right now i have 305/70/16 on and they weigh a tonne

 

[White Stripe]

Every engine for the most part can benefit from port and polishing the head. If you do it yourself its a lot of labor, but not a lot of money. Since head gaskets are somewhat of a issue on a 1fz, then you can be proactive and get a new head gasket as well and not worry about that anymore and get more power. 30 or 40 hp from port and polishing is a realistic gain from doing so. However if you mess up than that could be expensive. I can tell you though that now that I have done it to a set of heads on a prior toyota motor of mine, if Im removing the heads on any of my toyota's in the future, they are getting port and polished. I err on the side of caution though when I port and polish and don't push how much I take off. Honestly too, I kind of enjoy that kind of work.

 

[bugsnbikes]

im not sure if Robbie or any of his customers has had any of his 4.6l builds on a dyno, But from what I’ve heard the seat of the panties impression is noticeable to Lexus owners im not sure the landcruiser owners notice it in their seat of the pants.

 

[Capitan Lodo]

Every engine for the most part can benefit from port and polishing the head. If you do it yourself its a lot of labor, but not a lot of money. Since head gaskets are somewhat of a issue on a 1fz, then you can be proactive and get a new head gasket as well and not worry about that anymore and get more power. 30 or 40 hp from port and polishing is a realistic gain from doing so. However if you mess up than that could be expensive. I can tell you though that now that I have done it to a set of heads on a prior toyota motor of mine, if Im removing the heads on any of my toyota's in the future, they are getting port and polished. I err on the side of caution though when I port and polish and don't push how much I take off. Honestly too, I kind of enjoy that kind of work.

hi there, taking off my head on an 1FZ carburated. we're going to replace the head gasket, check timing chain etc. would really like to hear more about the polishing. i swapped my 3f for an 1fz and kept the 3f automatic transmission, so it pops back into 1st gear quite quick. was hoping a bit more hp might help aleveate that

 

[Somebodyelse5]

motor swap seems to be the best way, overall, unfortunately.

 

[Capitan Lodo]

motor swap seems to be the best way, overall, unfortunately.

Thing is, here in Colombia the value of the Cruise stays way up when left with original engine. Even swapping for a decent Nissan diesel will decrease value

 

[White Stripe]

hi there, taking off my head on an 1FZ carburated. we're going to replace the head gasket, check timing chain etc. would really like to hear more about the polishing. i swapped my 3f for an 1fz and kept the 3f automatic transmission, so it pops back into 1st gear quite quick. was hoping a bit more hp might help aleveate that

As a beginner you want to be very conservative in your porting. The head has to be completely disassembled. Basically you want to smooth the port out. You will find many youtube videos on hand porting which can give you a good education in porting. However I suspect other issues if your so low on power your in first gear. Is your timing advance working, carb adjustment, etc.

 

[Capitan Lodo]

As a beginner you want to be very conservative in your porting. The head has to be completely disassembled. Basically you want to smooth the port out. You will find many youtube videos on hand porting which can give you a good education in porting. However I suspect other issues if your so low on power your in first gear. Is your timing advance working, carb adjustment, etc.

Thanks, yeah i watched a few already, will have a good look at ports and just try to take sharp edges out before anything else, and match porta to gasket to manifold. Issue mostly 32" tires with the 1fz coupled to the automatic transmission of a 3f engine, and i am about 7000 feet over sea level here so engine struggles a bit anyway