recently, i rebuilt the 22RE in my '91 4x4, due to not wanting to do another t-chain job because my tensioner suddenly failed after 6 months. it was sort of a "lite" rebuild, as all it needed was a good cleaning to get all the sludge out, and a hone on the block.

i reassembled it with engnbldr's RV head and 268 cam, no decking or anything here folks. basically a virgin engine with nice big valves <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> however, i haven't noticed much, if any performance increase over how it was before the rebuild. it runs great and drives just fine, but i was looking for a little more power.

my '79 has an engine built similarly, but it's an early 22R with a 20R head and EB's oversized 20R valves. it has an offy c series intake and a weber carb that could probably use some tweaking, as well as a 9" open element filter and thorley header with 2.25" "shorty exhaust"(dumps into a cherry bomb under the cab and then to the world).

even on 33" tires, the '79 would absolutely destroy the '91 if they ever got into a drag race. this thing will pull to 65mph in 3rd gear, hardly breaking a sweat. 60 is no problem in 4th on a steep grade. only real limiting factors here are wobbly bias tires, a locker that likes to unload, and a squirrely suspension.

so i guess my question here is, what am i missing on the EFI truck, or rather, what is limiting me here? i've got a couple possible ideas, either exhaust or intake since the engines are built similarly. the exhaust is full length with a regular "school bus" muffler, but all the piping is 2". however, the cat is still original so i think it may be bottlenecking things. also, on the intake, what is the optimal setup for this without sucking a ton of dirt into the engine? i've just been running parts store filters. is some sort of open element filter a good idea?

or in the end, is the EFI system just my limiting factor and i should slap a carb on it? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I would say that the exhaust is your problem at least the most obvious one. That cat is likely quite clogged after all this time, I know the one on my 89 was pretty bad.

My suggestion is replace the cat with a high flow unit and then run 2.25 out the muffler. Seems to be a good setup.

Then look at cleaning the intake up. With the egr system you likely have a ton of crud in the runners and plenum.

I'll bet those 2 areas will go a long way to making your new valves earn their money.

I don't have an answer for you Kyle, but I am also in the same predicament(sp) with my '85 EFI. Even with 4.88 gears and the 268 cam, my 4Runner is a dog. My neighbors '86 hauls booty. His motor is older (mine rebuilt) and he has a stock cam. I also have a new fuel pump in the tank, a new Nippendenso 02 sensor, Denso plugs, timing dead on, TPS adjusted and smooth, etc. etc. I also have a new freeflow cat, muffler, and 2.25" exhaust from the CAT back.
Anyone???

Have you tried changing the thermostat. If the engine doesnt get hot enough it wont run right. Cheap to do anyway.

New, (with rebuild). I used to run a 180, went back to a 190. The dog portion seems to come after 20 miles or so after warm-up. Appears to lose power the longer I drive. She runs pretty good to that point, and always idles great too, hot or cold. Just takes more throttle to maintain highway cruising speed the farther I go. God forbid there is a small incline, gotta take it down to third gear and burry the throttle to maintain.

Might seem odd but have you checked the vent to your gastank? Mine clogged by the charcoal canister once and after about 20 miles it would build up a vacume and really lose power. Just a thought.

That's what I've been thinking.
I don't know why I haven't loosened my gas cap to test this.

I've also bypassed my FPR VSV and hooked the vac line directly to the plenum. I "think" I have a small leak in the fuel system somewhere. After driving, then removing the gas cap, I get the whoosh of air going in, however, if it sits a few days, no whoosh of air.

i think i'm going to start with the exhaust first here. when i rebuilt the motor, i cleaned out the intake somewhat. cat definitely looks to be original, i'm thinking that might be my problem. it's got plenty of torque to get going, but it seems like it sort of hits the wall in the higher RPM ranges where my other truck really shines at. might replace the O2 sensor as well, it's probably also original.

thanks guys!