In my experience there seems to be basically 5 “power levels” for the 22s.
1 – you run it stock
2 – you add a header and 2.25” exhaust pipe with free flow muffler. – estimated increase in Tq and HP 8 to 10%
3 – you swap heads with oversize valves with a bigger or torquey cam to go with your head and exhaust, intake manifold and Weber. – estimated increase 7 to 10%
4 - you hyper-tune it and tweak it with all the other bolt on after enhancements, like electric fans, throttle body, Crane, MSD, blah, blah, blah. Estimated 2 to 4%
5 – you build it for boost – turbo or blower with a Megasquirt type engine management system. Estimated increase – 40% to 100%
Of course re-gearing the ring & pinion for any tire size changes will make a big difference in putting the torque in the right RPM range.
The next level of “power” is typically an engine swap. If I were doing a swap and being practical and cost-effective, losing the Toyota badge, I’d swap in a Chevy 4.3L V-6. You can build one with just about any power and performance you want, lots of aftermarket parts, and it’s very reliable, with relatively low cost investment.
How crazy you get I suppose is how badly you want to keep the Toyota badge and how much time and money you have to throw at the modifications.
If I were doing a swap to satisfy my desire and had extra money in my “swap-it-bank”, I’d install a V-8.
I will have a good gauge to see what the power difference is between my stock 22RE and this rebuild when I drive back and forth from home to Phoenix and from home to Lake Havasu City.
Gnarls.
