HELP! Purchasing used SC'd 3rd gen!

[ventureadict]

Hi,
I am starting fresh with a new project and have found a great T4R supercharged in Florida that I want to buy. It has about 119,000 miles on it. No history on when the SC was installed (its the black TRD).

I have some decent shots of the engine compartment, it all looks very clean, but I have NO experience with the install of the SCs and would love for someone to take a look for red flags.

Also, Since I live in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this thing is probably going to need some fuel adjustment, as I will bring it from sea level to 8000 feet. Can anyone give advice on whether Im getting myself into trouble or not??

Ive also considered looking for a lower-mileage 1999 or 2000 and then putting a NEW TRD SC in it, but am unsure whether it will need the 7th injector or a Fuel/ Timing Upgrade in order for it to run smoothly at higher altitudes.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Ive attached photos of the T4R Im looking to purchase.

Thank you!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Actually most of the pinging issues are at sea level but once up even at just 5000ft asl most SC'd Runner woners don't have any mods on them with no issues mostly due to the fact that the SC won't quite make as much boost as it would at sea level.
At most I think you might just retune the engine and you'll be fine.

 

[ventureadict]

Thanks for the reply ronMAIDEN.
I learned a bit on my 1st 3rd Gen build-up, but this is new territory, exciting territory!

Another question, do you recommend running high-octane gas with the SC?
Can you tell when the SC is low on oil by how it sounds? Did you see any red-flags in the pictures I sent in the original post?
Also, do you have any recommendations for excellent Toyota mechanics with experience with SCs in Colorado?


Thanks again...

 

[SCRunner12]

It is recommended to use high octane gas with the SC. I had one on a Tacome a few years ago and it behaved much better with premium gas.
The SC looks fine in the picture, but pictures can only tell so much. I would just replace the oil if the guy doesn't know if it has been changed. Might as well start fresh.
Any information about the rest of the 4runner? Good luck with the purchase.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

ventureadict,

There's no way anyone is going to be able to advise you about the condition of the supercharger, or the quality of the install based on those pics alone. The install is pretty straightforward, and as long as all the vacuum lines, throttle cables, and torque values on the bolts were setup correctly, the install should be fine. If there was a problem, you'll probably notice it if you test drive the vehicle.

Like RonMaiden said, the pinging issues occur more freqeuntly at lower elevations. Moving the truck from sea level to 5000+ feet will probably make it run a little better in terms of ping, but you'll still be running lean. To get the most out of it, you really need to upgrade the fuel system with either the TRD 7th injector, or one of URD's kits. You'll appreciate the extra 40 horsepower too. The vehicle will run fine without fuel upgrades, but running lean can cause alot of problems over the long term.

RE high octane gas... that is required with the supercharger, unless you want your engine to run like crap and knock like crazy.

RE the supercharger oil, the only indicator that you might see that the oil level is low would be a leak around the pulley and nose cone of the supercharger... if there's wet spots where it looks like the oil is leaking out, it's probably low. Otherwise you'll just have to open the fill hole and check it out. At 119k on the truck with no maintenance history, I'd recommend changing the oil in the nose cone anyway ASAP.

Check out my thread for my 2001 s/c'd 4Runner... it's got alot of good info and links in it, and there's a mini write-up on changing the supercharger oil on page 5. Just click the link in my signature (2001 SR5 Sport Ed. V6 Auto 4wd ).

 

[ventureadict]

Can you really get 40 additional horses on top of what you already get with the SC if you install the 7th injector kit?

Thanks for all your information, it is very helpful. Heading to FL tomorrow morning to pick up the new runner and get the nose cone oil changed at Orlando Toyota.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Congrats on the purchase... Take your time with the test drive. Having owned a 3rd gen in the past, you should be familiar with how they feel when you drive them. Keep your senses keen for any strange feel in the way the transmission shifts, also any excessive rattling from the supercharger, lots of pinging, etc. Have them hook up an OBD2 scanner to check for stored check engine lights as well.

Good luck! And yes, the 7th injector kits can definitely give you an addt'l 40hp.