This is just my 2 cents but ..
Hey Liveoak,
Wow.. there are a lot of thoughts I have on your comments.
Squeezing more power out of any factory ECU controlled engine is a challenge at the very least, but it’s done all time.
I agree that the 22RE ECU is programmed to “control” the power, and limits changes outside of its “control”, and I have already posted my thoughts on this many times. I have also commented that in my experience the power gain modifications to the 22R are way more noticeable and reasonable.
I also agree that the data from my DD is based on mathematical changes in the physical dimensions of a camshaft profile, and cannot evaluate or analyze the ECU programmed limitations and electronic ranges… which is very obvious to me when using the program.
I also believe that the cost per increase in numbers (Torque and HP) has been well documented in many posts on this subject. In other words, people have spent several thousand dollars on aftermarket products to modify a 22RE and the results, by butt-dyno, was in many cases, less than expected.
My interest is not to get a neck-snapping increase in power out of 30 year old engine by bolting in a $100 camshaft and bolting on $600 worth of header and exhaust. My primary interest was just to educate myself more about how this little engine works…. Learning by way of actual hands-on experience.
Regarding WOT (wide open throttle), I understand what that means to an engine. Since I'm not building a race engine, the WOT response is way less important to me because I would practically only use WOT power in few driving situations. My original main interest was to see if I could get more torque in the 2500 to 3500 range where I do 95% of my actual drive time. I believe that even an increase in peak torque from 140 lbs to 150 lbs will be noticeable enough to make my daily driving more enjoyable. Based on the conversations I’ve had with expert Toyota engine builders, the 22RE injectors will only flow enough fuel to a limit of about 125 HP. If that’s true, I’ll be happy to take my 116 HP engine to 125 HP.
So looking at the big picture, are the suppliers selling camshafts and larger valves to get more power in a 22RE is just Bravo Sierra … “air-power”? Would it be rational to speculate that the reason I don’t see any real engine dyno test data to back up claims by the suppliers of aftermarket products is the purported power gains are not factual?
Or are the experiences expressed on many automotive websites just Bravo Sierra?
I agree with your comment…. “I would advise anyone rebuilding a 22re to stick to the stock configuration as much as possible.” That’s probably good advice.
Where would we be if we didn’t explore the unknown, break the rules, and think outside the box?
Cognitive Dissonance will always be present in the automotive world... and that is what makes it interesting.
Gnarls.
