The Toyota 79 Series Land Cruisers, renowned for their ability to conquer some of the most challenging terrain on earth, has long been the vehicle of choice for diesel fans and off-road driving enthusiasts everywhere.
But, as technology advances and environmental concerns take centre stage, diesel particulate filters (DPFs) have become a common feature in many diesel vehicles like the Landcruiser 79 Series. This has left many owners and enthusiasts wondering if it was still possible to tune these rigs for optimum performance.
At Just Autos, we’re happy to say that not only is tuning a 79 Series Land Cruiser with DPF possible – but it’s also a remarkable opportunity to unlock even greater potential from your beloved vehicle. In this post we uncover the purpose of a DPF, their limitations and impact on performance and some of the top upgrades and enhancements that can take your 79 LC’s performance to the next level.
Understanding The Role of DPFs
All engines, regardless of their type, release pollutants into the air during their operation. A Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is a component that collects and stores exhaust particulate matter such as soot or ash and has become increasingly prevalent in diesel engines as they are essential in reducing pollution and excess emissions.
How Does a DPF Become Blocked?
All diesel particulate filters capture and contain soot from the exhaust until they fill up and create too much backpressure. When this starts to happen, the DPF will ‘clean’ itself in one of two ways: actively or passively, also known as active regeneration and passive regeneration.
- Passive regeneration takes place during normal engine function
- Active regeneration requires increased temperature outputs from the exhaust in order to happen.
Despite this self-cleaning function, DPFs can become blocked over time. Most blockages are caused by short distances travelled at low speeds – like city driving, which is why diesel vehicles aren’t always the best fit for people who regularly drive for short periods of time. Quick trips out may not provide your engine with enough time to actively or passively regenerate your DPF.
DPFs can also become blocked if they aren’t properly cleaned and maintained. Although DPFs utilise the regeneration processes without you having to initiate it, it is still important to service, maintain, and clean your DPF regularly to avoid blockages. Similarly, using the wrong oil type can cause your 79’s DPF to experience a blockage as well.
Read More: 5 Ways Blocked Diesel Filters Impact Your Performance
How Does a DPF Impact My 79 Land Cruiser’s Performance?
When DPFs were introduced, many diesel owners were concerned about how this new component might affect their Land Cruiser’s performance and power. Unfortunately, this concern wasn’t unfounded as clogged or blocked DPFs can put a damper on your vehicle’s power output.
As the DPF collects soot and particulate matter from the exhaust, it can become congested. This congestion creates a backpressure within the exhaust system, forcing your engine to work harder to expel pollutants which results in a noticeable decrease in power and performance, and even a decrease in fuel economy. Additionally, reduced airflow means there’s insufficient oxygen making its way into your engine which further contributes to the reduction in power output.
So, while DPFs are incredibly important for keeping our environment cleaner, they do run the risk of reduced power and performance. If not properly maintained, the filter becomes clogged with residue, restricting airflow and reducing power output. That’s why it’s important to make sure your 79 Series’ DPF is regularly serviced and kept clean – otherwise you won’t get the best out of your vehicle!
Tuning & Upgrading Your 79 Series, DPF & All!
As diesel enthusiasts ourselves, Just Autos understand that while DPFs are important components on diesel engines like the 79 Series Land Cruiser, you still want your vehicle to perform at its absolute best.
That is why we are proud to offer tailored upgrades and tuning services that cater specifically to this. Our experienced technicians are able to upgrade tune and reprogram your 79 Series’, making sure that any performance upgrades we provide are DPF-safe.
Upgraded Exhaust Systems
At Just Autos, we offer fully customised 79 Series Land Cruiser exhaust systems. Our specially designed 4″ stainless steel exhausts are fully tailored to your specific diesel engine and DPF and can provide improved airflow efficiency, reduced back pressure, and increased power output!.
Fitting a New Clutch on Your 79 LC
When it comes to a smooth, reliable drive in your 79 Series Land Cruiser, one crucial component to consider is the clutch. Our performance clutches are crafted with precision and made from top-tier materials, ensuring durability, longevity, and the ability to transmit higher power levels than factory clutch kits.
ECU Remapping for the 79 Series
ECU remapping refers to the process of reprogramming your 79 Series’ engine control unit (ECU) to achieve maximum power outputs while still keeping emissions laws in check. By using specialist software and our years of experience, our experts can tweak parameters like fuel pressure, boost pressure, injection timing and more, ensuring your vehicle gets the most out of its existing performance capacity without risking blockages or other problems caused by too much ‘tweaking’ – allowing you to get better performance and improved economy!
Multi-Mapping For Tailored Performance
In the past, making adjustments to your ECU (Engine Control Unit) post-tuning required manual reprogramming. This meant that every time you needed new parameters, your ECU had to go through the lengthy re-tuning process. However, advancements have made it possible (and easy!) to adjust the ECU’s parameters without the need for manual reprogramming.
At Just Autos, our state-of-the-art tuning software allows the creation and storage of multiple maps within your ECU. These maps act as versatile profiles that your vehicle can switch between effortlessly, allowing you to optimise performance, efficiency, and responsiveness as your driving needs change. We also provide a unique switch that simplifies the process of map switching.
Read More: Chip Tuning VS ECU Remapping – Which is Better?
Balancing Power and Compliance With Just Autos
DPFs don’t have to be the enemy of your 79 Series performance. With the right tuning and upgrading services from the experienced technicians at Just Autos, you can get more power out of your 79 Series Land Cruiser than ever before.
If you’re looking for some extra power from your diesel engine, you’re in the right hands. At Just Autos, we’ve made it our mission to turn your Land Cruiser into a powerhouse that doesn’t compromise on environmental responsibility. Contact us today to learn more about our customised solutions that cater specifically to DPF-equipped vehicles like yours.
