When it comes to performance upgrades for Toyota diesel vehicles, there are a lot of aftermarket options available. However, just because an aftermarket performance brand offers a particular upgrade for your vehicle doesn’t mean that it’s the best option. In some cases, retaining the genuine part your Toyota was fitted with is the better choice.
We at Just Autos are diesel performance specialists and we provide a range of performance upgrades for 70 Series Land Cruisers, 200 Series Land Cruisers, Land Cruiser Prados, and HiLux models. We believe that achieving better outputs from your diesel doesn’t have to mean replacing every component with an aftermarket alternative – sometimes, choosing a genuine part over an aftermarket performance brand is the best and safest route. Here’s why…
Choosing the Right Performance-Enhancing Upgrades for Your Toyota
There’s a lot of talk in the performance modification world about aftermarket parts. Some people swear by them, while others think they’re nothing but trouble. The truth is, there are benefits and drawbacks to both genuine and aftermarket performance parts – it all depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
While many performance enthusiasts try DIY methods and fitments, you should always speak to a dedicated performance specialist when making any alterations to your vehicle – especially when it will change how your engine behaves. We have seen many customers being misled by information on social media, with a few having to pay twice for modifications they have already got; vehicle owners can be caught up in the hype around ‘upgraded’ airboxes and intercoolers, for example, when the performance gains are less than favourable and really only promote aesthetic appeal. More often than not, these ‘upgrades’ don’t deliver, despite the exorbitant amount required to fit them!
Your Toyota performs best when there is harmony in the sum of its parts; when all components fitted to your engine work well together and support each other, you can ensure your engine will continue to operate healthily and safely, with the added benefit of improved power, performance, responsiveness, and more.
Read More: Diesel Performance: Are Bigger Upgrades Always Better?
Upgrading Your Toyota’s Exhaust System
A performance exhaust is one of the most popular aftermarket upgrades around. Many people believe that by fitting a bigger, freer-flowing exhaust system, they will see an improvement in performance. And while this is true to an extent, it’s important to remember that there are other factors at play.
For example, if you’re running a stock turbocharger on your HiLux and you install a performance exhaust that delivers more airflow than the standard system, you could potentially overload your turbo and cause it to fail prematurely. In this case, it would have been better (and cheaper in the long run) to stick with the genuine part.
On the other hand, if you’ve already upgraded your turbocharger to a performance model that can handle the increased airflow of a performance exhaust, then this is an upgrade that could potentially improve your vehicle’s performance. It’s important to do your research and speak to a professional before making any modifications to your vehicle, so you can be sure you’re choosing the right upgrades for your particular setup.
Upgrading Your Toyota’s Turbocharger
Another popular performance upgrade for Toyotas is a performance turbocharger. A lot of people think that if they install a bigger, meaner turbocharger, their diesel will perform better. However, this isn’t always the case.
If you’re running a stock engine on your Toyota, upgrading to a performance turbo could potentially cause damage if not done correctly. This is because the extra power and airflow delivered by the performance turbo can overwhelm the standard engine components that aren’t designed to handle it. As a result, you could end up causing serious (and expensive) damage to your engine.
Read More: 5 Common Signs of a Failing Turbocharger
Why We Use Bolt-On Performance Turbos from G Turbo
Just Autos has partnered with one of the best aftermarket performance turbo specialists in the market, G Turbo, to ensure that we maintain the health and longevity of our customers’ engines when fitting an upgraded turbo. G Turbo has been designing diesel turbochargers for over 15 years and have developed a range of turbos to increase the power, torque, and efficiency of most Toyota diesel models.
We have a wide range of upgrades from this performance brand to help with efficiency and performance – and our technicians know how to correctly install this part so that it operates in harmony with both genuine parts and any performance-enhancing components you have already fitted to your vehicle.
Given our experience with this type of upgrade and the range of performance packages we offer, available for a variety of Toyota diesel models, we can advise you on the impact fitting this type of performance modification will have on your vehicle’s operation, as well as tailor a setup that will promote your diesel’s driveability, responsiveness, and power outputs in a healthy, safe, and manageable way.
Overhauling an Older Diesel Engine
If you’re driving an older diesel engine, there’s a good chance it’s not running as efficiently as it could be. Over time, engines can start to wear out, causing a decline in their performance. When this happens, many people think the only solution is to replace the engine with a brand-new one.
However, this isn’t always necessary. If your engine’s performance is starting to suffer but is otherwise in good condition, you may be able to get away with overhauling it instead of replacing it. This involves stripping down the engine and rebuilding it using the right combination of performance and genuine parts. This can be a cheaper and more effective way to improve your vehicle’s performance than buying a brand-new engine.
Read More: The Pros and Cons of a Diesel Engine Overhaul
Choosing Upgrades to Replace Air Filters and Fuel Filters
Air filters and fuel filters are two of the most important parts of any vehicle’s engine, so it’s important to make sure they’re in good condition. These filters play a vital role in keeping your engine clean and free of debris, so it’s important to choose upgrades that will do a better job of filtering out contaminants than the standard parts.
There are a lot of performance air filters and fuel filters on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Some performance brands claim to offer increased airflow and better filtration, but in reality, they don’t always live up to the hype. In some cases, you might be better off sticking with the genuine part or choosing a different brand altogether.
Read More: Advantages of Aftermarket Airboxes for Toyota Diesels
Improving Airflow and Performance with the Health of Your Engine in Mind
Toyota’s airboxes are known to experience dusting, which is when harmful particulates and other debris enter the engine, causing damage to important internal components and affecting your diesel’s overall performance over time. However, the factory-fitted air filter is still one of the best available on the market today.
This is why Just Autos commonly replace the airbox but retain the original air filter. Plus, by keeping the factory-fitted air filter, you can avoid the hassle and potential resulting issues that arise from improperly cleaning your air filter at maintenance time!
ECU Remapping Gone Wrong
ECU remapping is a popular performance enhancement method that can potentially improve your vehicle’s output by altering the way the engine management system runs. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved with this type of modification.
If done incorrectly, ECU remapping can cause serious damage to your engine. This is because the wrong map can cause your engine to run too lean or too rich, which can lead to a whole host of problems. It’s important to make sure you’re getting your ECU remap from a reputable source who knows what they’re doing, so you can avoid any potential issues.
Just Autos are experienced in providing safe and effective ECU remaps for Toyotas, so you can rest assured you’re in good hands. We’ve been doing it for years, and our team of experts has the knowledge and experience to get the job done right. Our in-house master tuners have even developed custom maps, as well as multi-maps!
Read More: ECU Remapping: The First Step to Better Performance
Play it Safe – Bring Your Toyota to the Experts
No matter what performance modifications or upgrades you’re considering for your Toyota, it’s always best to speak to the experts before making any changes.
The team at Just Autos are diesel performance specialists with years of experience working on a range of diesel Toyotas. We can help you choose the right upgrades for your vehicle and ensure they’re installed correctly, so you can get the most out of your performance modification investment. Our performance advisors can even put together a tailored package for your specific model, helping you uncover the true power your Toyota is capable of without sacrificing the health of your engine, or impacting on its ability to drive safely.
Contact us today to book a consultation!
