Interesting info on the 4.7L Supercharger from Texas Toyota

[BURNIN M]

So, some of this info is already known, and some of it isn't.

1. They can get a 4.7L s/c from TRD.

2. They have found it is only effective for 2000 - early build 2003 4.7L engines.

3. This is because Toyota changed the ECU on the 2003 4.7L engines, causing it to constantly fight against the superchargers effectiveness.

This explains why the Off-road magazine that featured one recently listed specs very similar to stock. This explains why TRD has taken it off the market. They can't figure out how to fix the ECU issue, so that the performance is on par with a 118 hp increase (similar to Biff's reported sub 6.0 second 0-60mph acceleration).

BIFF - is your 4Runner an early 2003 model?

He says there are only about 4 people at TRD that answer phones, and they're all just pissed & tired of answering questions on the 4.7L S/C, so that's why we never get a good answer out of them. He believes they will not make a S/C any more for the 4.7L V8.

That really sucks. The major reason I went with the 4Runner was the option of having 355 hp all warrantied by the factory. Guess I'm gonna have to be looking around for what's available at the end of my lease... I do like the Nissan Armada/Infinit QX56 - 315hp, 305 torque - 0-60 in 7.0sec flat!!!

 

[BURNIN M]

Just called TRD (trying to be very polite), and they actually gave me the most information I've ever gotten from them.

They claim that there is no issue with the ECU, as they ship out an additional ECU that works properly with the Supercharger.

They claim to be having problems with their in house computers, and that they superchargers are on hold. Thare are not "no longer available". However, they still will give no ETA as to when they will not be on hold.

I asked him very kindly to please urge the process along...

 

[limited04]

If you look at my post regarding superchargers being shipped out, you'll see its from Texas Toyota. The superchargers are listed for only the 04 model, weird!, and they can only be exported. I would find it hard to believe theres a difference in the ecu for Canada, as opposed to ours.
More interesting, is the fact that there are more than a few 04 Tundras running around with the supercharger on it- check out www.tundrasolutions.com .
Also, UNICHIP makes a piggy bach ecu for the supercharged 4runner, along with piggyback units for the tundra. Supposedly the unichip removes the top speed limiter. I sure hope the supercharger works- I just picked one up!

 

[BURNIN M]

Yes, it was your post that prompted me to call Texus Toyota. You may be right, as what the TRD rep said conflicted with what the Texas Toyota parts deparment told me.

Please keep us up to date on how your supercharger install goes. Give us a review, acceleration times, etc. Right now, the only good review we have from anyone is Biff...

 

[Biff]

My rig is indeed an early 03. I never had a single problem with my supercharger, got consistant boost, and worked perfect for the year I had it.

 

[BURNIN M]

did you sell it?????

 

[Biff]

yes

 

[BURNIN M]

Wow - how come? To another 4Runner owner? How much did you get for it? Is the Toyota warranty still in effect on it?

 

[Biff]

Wow - how come? To another 4Runner owner? How much did you get for it? Is the Toyota warranty still in effect on it?

Moved on to another project, paying more attention to my Landcruiser.

Yes to another runner owner

I'll let the person who I sold it to reveal that info.

Not sure about the warranty.

 

[limited04]

Has anyone put 2 + 2 together yet?
thats why I was looking for an ecu for an 04. If I cant get one, I'll go with the unichip-who do make one for the supercharged 4.7 4runner. If I can't make it work, I'll put it on the market for any 03 owner.

 

[Faeylyn]

Has anyone put 2 + 2 together yet?

Yes. It sounds like a scam waiting to happen. A single dealer from TEXAS is willing to sell the supercharger, but only to contacts in CANADA or MEXICO. It either will or will not work on all 4Runners. It may or may not have something to do with needing a new ECU. Uh huh. Right. Too much conflicting information.

This may be 100% legit., but if it is, they'll likely be released from any dealer and sold to the US population directly. Is it worth it to get it a few weeks/months ahead of schedule?

Buyer beware.

 

[limited04]

No,

Thats not quite what I meant. Biff sold his SC from an 03, I need an TRD ecu for an 04.:

As for the units not working on an 04, I would find that hard to believe, since theres quite a few 04 Tundras with superchargers over on the Tundrasolutions web site that work quite well. Also, since toyota was authorizing the superchargers, do you really thing they would change the programming within the ecu so drastically that theywould no longer work?.
I think TRD they took them off the shelf because the real issue is with the Toyota engines themselves- seems there is an issue with piston slap and bad rods in what I heard- as many as 3 % of them. If you happen to have a supercharger on one of these and it grenades, someone has to pay for it, and depending on mileage, that someone could be TRD. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I read on the ih8mud LC100 site that the reason the 4.7 V8 S/C was pulled from the market was because it damages the lower block of the engine, not the rumors that it wasn't meeting federal emissions standards or the chip was incompatible.