Is a 3' exhaust system worth the money

[Baker1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Baker1]

Hi All
I have a 2009 T/D Diesel Prado that has now ticked over 150k. I tow a 19ft P/T caravan when we go on trips but we are also setup for off road camping as well. Last trip we towed the van to Cairns and then toured Cape York for 3 1/2 weeks, while towing I was averaging around 18.3 ltr per 100k, higher than l planned for. People are telling me to change the exhaust to improve torque and fuel efficiency but I'm not yet convinced. Has anyone been in the same situation and can give me some assurance that a 3" system is worth the money. Any before and after travel data towing and non towing would be interesting.

Hope you have a dirty weekend over Easter

Cheers Baker

[Dueler120 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dueler120]

I don't tow a van, but my rig is pretty heavy when loaded up for camping. I don't think the exhaust alone is going to give you massive improvements in fuel economy as this is also dependent on what type of gear box you have, other mods such as tires and lift and basically how loaded up you are with what sized trailer you have. In saying that though id be more inclined to install the exhaust and egt gauge to help keep everything running cool when under load as it sounds like she is working pretty hard if your average is 18.3ltr per 100km. Yes an exhaust will give you improvement with a touch more torque and fuel reduction, it can even help out if you have an auto and find it hunting when towing, im just not sure if you are expecting a a massive drop. Im getting around 12's to 14's loaded up and on highway and off road respectively.

Plenty of other that tow vans on here so I gather they can shed more light. Hope it works out for you.

Cheers,

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

i have the beau desert 2 and a half or 2 and a quarter, no improvement in economy although they claim it, I think exhaust is very minimal for fuel economy benefits. However it has much better pick up now. However i have the 1kz not the d4d

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

3 Inch exhaust is too big, you will actually loose power with that, plus it will be very drony.
I would go 2.5 at the most, with all mandrel bends. Also look at your air filter, have a good aftermarket one with a 2.5 exhaust, will improve things.
1st rule of thumb is, if your going to improve airflow, you need to do it at both ends.

[vxcruiser08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vxcruiser08]

My much respected mechanic has a D4D hilux and does not stop raving on about the Torqit Pedal Torq (http://www.torqit.com.au/performance...edal-torq.html) and his x-force exhaust. He claims to be getting another 100kms from the tank and the power difference is very noticeable. He tried a CHIPIT upgrade and found the above combination a better fit.

He is lending me his hilux on Thurs so i'll be interested to give it a go. He doesn't sell the products either, so doesn't appear to have any affiliation.

Have a look into it anyway..

Matt

[gspy4u Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gspy4u]

Auto or Manual ???

We tow a Expanda 17.56.2 OB which when loaded up comes in at around 2.3t and we usually average around 15 - 15.5 ltrs/100 all the time except very hilly roads and strong head winds. Think the worst we ever got in over 20,000k of towing over the last few years was around 18 and that was worst not all the time.

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

3 Inch exhaust is too big, you will actually loose power with that, plus it will be very drony.
I would go 2.5 at the most, with all mandrel bends. Also look at your air filter, have a good aftermarket one with a 2.5 exhaust, will improve things.
1st rule of thumb is, if your going to improve airflow, you need to do it at both ends.

G'Day mate,
Why is a 3in exhaust too big?
How do you loose power?
Why a 2.5in exhaust and
What airfilter are you refering to?

Cheers.

[Baker1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Baker1]

Thanks Matt

I will do a bit of research, can you let me know what you think of your mates hilux after you drive it on Thu.

Baker

[grevis Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close grevis]

I have beaudesert exhaust which Is actually 2 3/4 inch and Steinbauer Chip. Made a huge difference to drive ability and power but not much gain on fuel economy. I also tow expander outback, roughly 2500t atm. I average 18 to 20 l/p 100

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

My much respected mechanic has a D4D hilux and does not stop raving on about the Torqit Pedal Torq (http://www.torqit.com.au/performance...edal-torq.html) and his x-force exhaust. He claims to be getting another 100kms from the tank and the power difference is very noticeable. He tried a CHIPIT upgrade and found the above combination a better fit.
Matt

I find it interesting that the site doesn't state the following (copied from the website):

Car/4WD Make Toyota
KW Standard to be defined
KW Enhanced to be defined
NM Standard to be defined
NM Enhanced to be defined

There is no such thing as a free lunch unless Toyota de-tune their D4D engines a lot.

[Baker1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Baker1]

Thanks Grevis You may have confirmed my suspicions but I will keep an open mind.
Cheers baker

[Baker1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Baker1]

My Prado is an Auto, tow weight is about 2 1/2 ton plus camping gear. Maybe I need to lighten up a bit.

Cheers

[Heath74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heath74]

I put a 3" on a couple of months ago, good power gain (seat of pants feel) sound is great, fuel use so far no change, but I am driving harder.

Hard to define 'worth the money' , are you expecting it to pay for itself?

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I doubt any potential fuel savings could make up for the money spent on a good exhaust system. However if you're after power, and do exhaust plus a performance computer, then there's probably some value.

From my own experience with a 3.4L PETROL - extractors provided a minor improvement, a supercharger completely transformed the vehicle, and a 2.5" exhaust done nothing but make noise.

[Heath74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heath74]

But glen, we all know it feels faster with a bit of noise!