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Cold Air Intake

While there are not yet any aftermarket CAI systems for the 2001 RAV4 several owners have made their own.  The claims for this type of system are typically a 1-2% horsepower increase.  Two of the users who have done this are:

 Eric Chen who also will sell you the parts for his DragonFire CAI (pictured below) for $19.95. 

   Eric Chen's Dragon-Fire CAI

Bernie Herrmann also made his own CAI pictured below.  He notes that the the HKS sticker is a $1 decal and the intake is not really made by HKS.  Bernie runs an automotive custom leather upholstery business in Costa Rica that makes absolutely beautiful RAV4 custom seats!  Check out his work at www.motexsa.com

  Bernie Herrmann's custom CAI

Performance Air Filters

There are currently no aftermarket performance air filters (e.g., K&N) for the 2001 RAV4.  K&N and several other manufacturers made versions for the previous RAVs so they will probably be coming out soon.  Note that the form factor of the 2001 air cleaner is different from previous years so the old models cannot be used.

Performance Exhaust

Exhaust system modifications that reduce exhaust flow restriction are a definite way to provide some horsepower increase.  A complete catback exhaust system is going to give the best increase.  The typical cost can range from $250 up, I haven't found a source for a 2001 RAV4 system yet.  Updates here when they start to show up.  See the  Exhaust page on this site for more exhaust details.

Spark Plugs

There are a number of claims that so called high output or high performance spark plugs like SplitFire can improve horsepower and performance.  There are also a seemingly equal number of sources that these are all false claims as indicated in this article (FTC SplitFire, Inc.) where SplitFire agreed to settle FTC charges that performance claims were unsubstantiated.  My opinion is that it's worth a shot.  The cost of a set of SplifFire plugs is about $25.00 and they certainly aren't going to hurt anything.  If the owner thinks they make performance perceptably better then they've done the job.  If anyone has any experience using these or other similar plugs please send me feedback to include here.

Turbochargers and Superchargers

There are currently no aftermarket turbochargers or conventional superchargers for the 2001 RAV4. 

There is an interesting product called the e-RAM Electric Supercharger made by Global Seal Racing Products.  It is supposed to provide a 5 to 15 horsepower boost and installs in 1-2 hours.  The price is $299.  If it really does what it says this is a pretty good performance gain for the money.  If anyone tries this product I'd love to get feedback to include here.

Computer Performance Chip

Performance Products offers a performance software computer chip replacement by JET for $399.  They claim that this chip provides 10-13 HP improvement.  You have to remove your computer and ship it to JET where they replace the chip and send it back.  They guarantee 4 day turnaround time (from your shipping the unit to getting it back) using FEDX shipping.  The shipping cost is included in the $399.  Note that this product is not listed on the Performance Products web site - you have to get their Toyota specialty catalog (which is worthwhile anywaysince it has lots of other stuff that isn't listed on the web).  You can order the catalog from their web site HERE.  If anyone tries this I'd love to get feedback to include here.

Engine Additives

There are a number of engine additives like Slick 50 that claim to reduce friction and increase horsepower and a number of users who say that these products really work.  There are also a number of sources that say these are false claims.  See Skeptic's Dictionary Slick 50 and other ail additives for more info on this.  I've used Slick 50 in several of my prior vehicles and have felt that it made the engine seem to run and rev more smoothly.  Perhaps this was my imagination, but I don't think so.  At $15.00 it's not expensive to try and you can then make your own judgment.  You do need to be aware of the warnings/claims that these products can clog the oil passageways so it's not necessarily completely safe depending on how you look at it.  

Another similar set of products is made by Prolong.  There are racers that absolutely swear by the Prolong products saying that their 6000 HP dragster engines could survive 10 times more runs when using Prolong than without.  This of course just speaks to engine protection and not to any performance increase.  You be the judge.

Cooling System Additives