The funky looking SUV sees 200 kW being made at 5 600 rpm and 380 Nm of torque being delivered at 4 400 rpm in normal trim. |
But after our SAC FJ Cruiser upgrade has taken place, a realistic 215 kW is measured at peak engine power along with 400 Nm of torque. |
The Toyota FJ Cruiser engine already has dual intelligent variable valve timing (i-VVTi) and 24 valves to offer a strong torque spread and improved low range power delivery, our SAC treatment simply improves on this recipe. |
This bottom line around this entry level upgrade is that it centres on the all important principle of volumetric efficiency. |
It starts with the optimising of the airflow into the engine by removing all the restrictions in the airbox, but leaving the external look of the components and engine bay exactly the same. |
Next up the catalytic convertors are removed and a 63mm stainless steel custom made SAC freeflow performance exhaust with dual equal length down pipes is introduced into the mix. |
As to be expected from the people you know as the tuning masters who have been in this business for almost 30 years, this free flow exhaust pipe follows the exact same routing as the original, so there is no annoying knocking on the under tray or compromise to the vehicle’s off road clearance. |
The new and deeper sound from this installation is worth the effort alone, the SAC FJ Cruiser is by no means noisy, it simply lets you know in a subtle way that this particular vehicle is special. |
Rounding off the exercise is the fitment of a Uni Q Chip that sees the Toyota’s fuel and timing settings perfectly optimised to suit the improved breathing created by the exhaust and airbox mods. |
As always the vehicle was then sent off for independent road testing to put the increased power and torque gains to test. |
And once again the figures across the board were all better than the standard vehicle when tested. |
Make no mistake though, even in standard trim, and for such a heavy 4x4 vehicle, the FJ Cruiser gets to 100 km/h in a brisk 10.18 seconds and to 160 km/h in 26.69 seconds, while stopping at a limited 176 km/h true top speed. |
But despite this, the SAC Cruiser still gets to 100 km/h in 9.60 seconds, 160 km/h over a second quicker at 25.62 seconds and stops at the same top end as the speed limited was left in place. |
Even when rolling on, the SAC FJ Cruiser gets away from the standard offering by almost one second in any real world overtaking test distance, such as from 60-100 km/h or 80-100 km/h in 3rd or 4th gear. |
This package should retail for around R15 000 depending on which route you decide to go. |
For example, you can opt for a more cost effective mild steel performance exhaust system, you can have the Uni Q Chip wired in, the cheaper way, or you can opt for the slightly more expensive Plug n Play option that enables you to remove the chip at any time, right down to even having the exhaust branches ceramic coated to keep under bonnet temperatures lower. |
The good news is that a full house Stage 2 upgrade is already in the works, and this should see the cylinder heads being gas flowed and the camshafts coming in for some special Steves Auto Clinic treatment to produce the ultimate in a naturally aspirated Toyota FJ Cruiser. |
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