2002 Montero Sport ES 4x4-new owner

[paulieg]

OK. So, I sold my 07 Nissan Nismo so that I could buy my wife a new minivan. I know that sounds lame, but it was time for a minivan, and I did not want to start making another car payment. Basically, I was able to buy a 2008 Kia Sedona and a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport ES 4x4 SUV (both one owners) for what I sold the truck for. Paid cash for both. No more car payments for awhile.

So, the Montero Sport is in nice shape, except for a touch of surface rust underneath, and it needs a tune up. The 3.0 V6 in this thing is known to lack power, but from what I see around the forums, they seem to run forever. So, I'm looking at things I can do to help increase power a little bit. I'm not looking at anything really expensive, and changing oil/plugs/brakes is about all I know how to do on my own. So, I'm looking for suggestions for simple mods or reasonably priced performance parts which might give this thing a bit more "get up and go". Thoughts?
When replying, please remember I'm really a newb to this sort of thing. Thanks!

[monty98]

First off, welcome to the forums! Always great to have another enthusiast willing to get their hands dirty with new ideas.

Racing Performance Works from Australia supplies a set of headers or as they call them "extractors" for the 6g72 engine (the 3.0 V6) I think they run about $500 USD, dannytuned from this forum has them on his rig. This should boost your low end, as well as give your engine more breathability, it also sounds cool

A cold air intake custom job is kind of the right of passage when you get this truck, lol. This will net about 5hp. 10hp if you're lucky and also adds to the engine "breathability" factor and it looks cool

There is also the option of nitrous oxide for those quick boosts of power netting about a 75 hp gain. That has been used successfully by some members on here.

Then there is a possibility of getting another engine computer, sending that one to JET to get it reprogrammed then plugging it in replacing your current one. This has been discussed, not sure if it was ever done.

JET also sells a programmer for the Montero Sports that uses a frequency modulation on the mass airflow sensor kind of "tricking" the engine into more power.

Down the avenue of expensive and insane; Racing Performance Works also makes an adapter plate for the TRD Toyota Eaton Supercharger and that total package costs about $1500 plus customization of the engine, nets about 6-8 pounds of boost.

Hope this gives you an idea!