Toyota Hilux 2.7i 4x2 Double cab
Performance Upgrade | Power Conversions | Big Valve Cylinder Heads

Tuning specialists and performance gurus Steve's Auto Clinic have found the solution for those Toyota Hilux 2,7i drivers desperately searching for V6 levels of performance from the 2700i four-cylinder Hilux. Developed in conjunction with their Nelspruit franchisee, SAC Dart Mechanics, the conversion centres around a big valve cylinder head, with the inlet valves increased in size to allow better breathing.

SAC has had a lot of experience with the popular 2,7-litre petrol powerplant, but traditionally the conversions have focused on gasflowing the standard head. Going the "Big Valve" route has taken the bakkie into a different dimension, providing a genuine 33 percent more power at the wheels than the standard model. And to ensure that the Toyota does now perform like a "big six", SAC commissioned independent testing specialist, Roadworks CC, to carry out scientific before and after performance assessments, using a Hilux 4x2 Double Cab Raider.

Tests were conducted at Gerotek, which is approximately 1 400 metres above sea level, with all conditions replicated as much as possible in the "after" tests compared to the baseline.

Using Datron contactless speed measuring equipment to verify the results, top speed went from a modest 172 km/h to 184 km/h, with a full 1,5 seconds lopped off the 0 - 100 km/h sprint. In percentage terms, this equates to improvements of six and 11 percent respectively.

Whereas the standard vehicle takes 14,1 seconds to surge from 80 to 120 km/h in fourth gear (a true measure of overtaking ability), the SAC version takes 13,1 seconds. More importantly, is the fact that a full 30 metres less is required "in the line of fire" on the wrong side of the road.

Keeping up with traffic is suddenly less of a chore, and you'll spend far less time flipping the gearlever back and forth and exercising your left leg.

In addition to the multi-valve head's bigger valves, a number of other areas of the intake/exhaust cycles have been modified to maximise the benefit of the car's bigger "lungs". As part of what would normally be defined as a Stage One upgrade, a Wildcat tubular exhaust manifold and stainless steel free-flow exhaust system has been fitted, the airfilter has undergone a small but significant change to improve air flow, and a Unichip piggyback engine management computer with appropriately calibrated engine parameters installed. As the name suggests, it works in tandem with the standard ECU.

Stage Two adds the big valve head with appropriate camshafts, a flowed intake manifold and flowed throttle body, resulting in at least 100 kW at the wheels. In the case of the SAC development mule, power increased from 78 to 105 kW, with torque climbing from 177 to 201 Nm. Camshafts are profiled to SAC Engineering's specifications in terms of lift and duration, while the valves used are of premium quality.

In both conversions, the focus is on reliability and driveability, as well as retaining the high levels of refinement inherent in the standard vehicles.

As part of the conversion SAC include their six months / 20,000 km Why Worry Warranty.

Recommended retail price of the Stage One conversion is R4,995, and the Stage Two upgrade R7,995, available from all of the SAC outlets in South Africa.