Would buy a used SC in a heartbeat even if just because more power is never a bad thing.

I wonder what a SCd 3 rd gen would run against a stock 4th gen V6 since that would be a better comparison to a power increase since a stock 3rd gen runs the 1/4 in the mid 17s so even a 60hp increase might only jump you into the 16s which is an improvement over stock by quite a bit but overall still a bit slow. For me I'd rather put the money into it's offroad prowess plus some of us have more than one car that calls on the wallet for mods.

I think it all depends on how far you take it and what elevation you are at. I have never driven a stock 4runner w/just a S/C, and mine doesn't really count since I'm running a smaller pulley, URD 7th injector, headers, Level 10 valve body(to keep from smoking the tranny) and a progressive meth system.

My rig is also much heavier than stock between the 5 large wheels/tires (actually 6 since I'm too lazy to the take the 2nd spare off the roof) , frt/rear plate bumpers, winch, full roof rack, and crap loads under body armor.

That said my 4runner scoots. Pretty fun to put my foot in it when the light changes, 0-speed limit it runs like a raped ape.

tell me thats not worth it....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLnFf0_H8bI

I haven't gotten to drive them back to back, and I don't own one...
but, have driven one a few times, and I wasn't impressed either. if it wasn't for seeing the SC under the hood...I wouldn't have known. I also didn't really stomp on it, it was a customer car, and I was on a test drive.

are the NA trucks just that underpowered, that the SC truck feels normal?

Ok I can respect that. Just bugs me when people who have never driven one make all these assumptions and points yet they don't know what it's like. It definitely is for certain people.

That's the nice point of the resale on these. I could pull mine today and make at least $400 on it easy. To me that makes it all worth it since they don't really lose their value a ton unless it has really high miles.

I've been meaning to talk to you about a meth system. Hopefully soon we can all meet up for a mod day and I can check yours out.

I've said it before and it's not unbelievably amazing power with just the SC. There are times that I wonder if it's there, but the subtle times like hills and quick merging is where it shines for me. Also compared to a 4th gen it really won't feel like much. My mom's 03 V6 can still beat me and has a smooth power band all the way through.

It's very well worth it although I'd keep an eye out for a used one to save some good money.

You'd also be welcome to test drive mine as well.

and it's even a 2000 and 5-speed like yours.

I pass through Castle Rock often feel free to PM me.

I actually drove a supercharged 5-speed recently and it made me wish mine was a 5-speed. It didn't seem any faster than mine(or slower), but had a slightly different boost area. It did better on the freeway, whereas mine(automatic) has a less noticeable boost on the freeway(I'm running lean/no accessories). Best part though is not worrying about the tranny as much. I haven't put my shift kit in yet and it always worries me when doing high rev shifts. I really hope to someday own a 5-speed 3rd gen.

noted.
however, I wasn't really comparing it to my 4th gen, just in general. I drive a lot of cars at work, so I get a feel for how different cars drive.

that said, if this particular 4runner comes up for sale any time soon, I would be an interested buyer. the SC is the reason for that.



im curious, why are there so many SC's for sale out there? why are they being removed?

Haha, nice. The reasoning for them being available is sometimes worrysome, but a lot of guys just don't want to deal or need with the extra power/maintenance. The guy I got mine from had his 4runner totaled by a drunk driver, so he pulled the SC before the insurance company took the truck. Others buy a truck and don't want the sc so the recoup some money back. I like to talk with people over the phone to get a idea if they are holding something back or seem sketchy.

Mine was removed because the plastic coupler between the nose drive and the lobes had worn out and was causing a horrible sounding rattle. The guy thought it was bad and didnt want to deal with it. $40 for a trd replacement kit and an hour later and it was like new. About a year ago, I also did go ahead and replace the bearings and seal in the nose cone for good measure.

Where are you guys finding superchargers for less than $1k? The ones on Ebay that have minimal accessories are still going for upwards of $1.5k. It must be the part of the country that I live in because if a trd supercharger popped up on craigslist around here it'd be a miracle.

You sometimes see used ones on Craigslist for cheap.

If I can muster up some winnings in Vegas in May and once the house property taxes are paid, I may have to give some serious thought to buying one.

So I just drove sn0wrunner's runner.

But it leaves me with some very interesting thoughts. His supercharged truck and mine are like apples and oranges. His is so much less efficient on the road than mine. It is totally geared for off road use. His 4runner has much more weight, and more drag, AND it was an auto, so that all works against on-road performance.

I can't imagine what the performance would be like if it didn't have a supercharger. With the supercharger, I felt performance to be very similar to my stock 5-speed - maybe a smidge quicker. But with all his mods and the auto, it is hard to tell just how much was gained by the supercharger. But from the size of his truck I would say the gains may be considerable.

So for me I still really want one, but it's just hard to tell. My 5-speed would be able to hold its own on the road against his, but his is far from stock. So there lies my conclusions.

But thanks again, sn0wrunner! It was great to meet you and just be able to drive your masterpiece truck! It looks fantastic.

I agree, not worth it. A good friend SC'd his 97, and I drove it a few times, wasn't impressed much. Now I did also drive a SC'd S Runner that had some other mods, and that little truck was pretty quick.

I look at money spent to performance gained. It really seems like a giant waste of money to me.