Magnuson Supercharger 2K Mile Review and 6K Mile Review

Not sure who is still checking this thread,, but a few of my observations based on having my SC on my TRD ORP since October of last year: dealer installed. The first in the Boise, ID area from what I have been told. Excellent improvement in performance, MPG, NS other characteristics.

First, thank you for the excellent write up, especially the 2k and 4K reviews. I concur with many of your observations, but, seem to have missed all of the issues you have experienced, except the fluid leak, which was fixed first try.

1. Documented performance improvement: I have a Kenwood stereo, which displays much of the available OBD information, including 1/4 mile time, 0-60x, etc. Before SC: 0-60 never got below 7.9 seconds. With SC: two runs came in right below 6 seconds.

2. MPG: I generally see 1-2 improvement at all speeds relative to last year, as long as I keep my foot out of it. Used to display 17.2 to 18.1 per tank, now consistently hitting 18 mpg around town, better on freeways at 65, but, falls off the faster I go.

3. Shifting and overdrive behavior. I have seen a number of comments about this. The fact is, the more you can stay in an adequate part of the power band, the less shifting you will observe, and the less frequently it will rev up - falling out of overdrive mode. My observations follow this logic, which I believe is why I am getting more consistency in staying in gear going up hills, staying in overdrive at freeway speeds, etc.

4. In turn, the transmission, and all parts of the drive train should, and do run cooler with less wear. Even going up long hills, I have never seen my engine temp go above 197 degrees, even pulling a 3800 lb trailer.

I hope this clarifies a few points and builds folks confidence in buying the Magnuson system.

Best regards,

Ken
 
3. Shifting and overdrive behavior. I have seen a number of comments about this. The fact is, the more you can stay in an adequate part of the power band, the less shifting you will observe, and the less frequently it will rev up - falling out of overdrive mode. My observations follow this logic, which I believe is why I am getting more consistency in staying in gear going up hills, staying in overdrive at freeway speeds, etc.

Great points especially the one above. I rarely have to go above 3200 RPM. The power just below that is typically more than I need and to your point keeps the truck in gear w/o downshifting. Even going over some steep inclines the truck doesn't have to downshift to maintain highway speed.

The wife's 2014 LE is always showing about 2-3 MPG less than my truck.

I'm coming up for the next oil change here soon. I plan on sending a sample to Blackstone and will post the results to that one on this thread.
 
Great write up, it helped me make my purchasing decision.

Now that I've had a mine running a few days, I'm keeping an eye on the coolant leak issue.

If I see an issue, I'm going to replace the worm screw clamps with t-bolt clamps. T-bolt clamps provide more even pressure and would probably solve the issue without any additional sealants but I'll find out if I ever get the leak.

The coolant reservoir seems really flimsy. At some point, I see replacing it with an aluminum setup. That's the only piece of the kit that just doesn't seem OEM quality.
 
Just reposting from another thread.

Nearly 20k miles on my SC from Magnuson.
Never had temps go over 197 degrees F
Even pulling a 3400 lb trailer up white bird hill in NC Idaho.
Did drop from 5th to 4th and sometimes even to 3Rd, but pre MAG, , on the same hills I lived in 2nd gear.

Way better, less engine strain, less time hunting for gears, more time in OD on EZ terrain.

Yay!
 
Second Blackstone Oil Analysis with Magnuson S/C 19K miles

Hi folks,

Happy Thanksgiving. We had a few decent weather days 2 weeks back and I swapped out my oil (Amsoil Sig Series 0w-20) in the driveway.

I'm not going to post any update experiences to my S/C as nothing has changed from my previous posts. It's not yet cold enough to see if I will still get a few seepage leaks/drips from the spring clamp on the coolant pump. I've swapped out the other resi clamps and upper radiator coolant clamp and I'm seeing zero drips/seepage. Still zero regrets.


Please find attached my second Blackstone oil analysis. So far....things are looking great.
 

Attachments

S/C Blackstone Report 3. 25K plus miles

Hope everyone is doing well.

I recently sent out my third sample to Blackstone for analysis and posting the results.

With regards to how I feel about the S/C...still the same from my previous posts. I'm still very satisfied with the purchase and performance.

I changed tires over to Cooper AT34S at around 24K miles and observed a slight increase in MPG. I'm now averaging between 16.7-17.1 MPG with mixed driving. I still do not have to go over 3400RPMs to get moving. That seems to be the sweet spot in the power band. With the Contis I dropped down to the mid 15s MPG.

Interesting about the comment on the silicone and having me check my air filter. I switched over to K&N at 15K miles on 9/2019. I'm going to switch back to OEM air filter.

The truck is running great. Zero issues. With anything.
 

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  • blackstone3report.jpg
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here is mine
I installed S/C end of March 2019, here is my first oil report


I’ve got a question to you guys. I am getting my SC in a week or so, and kind of not sure about A/F and Boost gages. I mean is it something you have to, or optionally ? thanks


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If you go with the Maggie tune then it's set and forget. There is no tuning. The tune (and they have gone through many revisions) is conservative on the boost. The boost gauge would be more for show. What I do have is the OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth adapter. I use that to monitor the two AT sensors when we go to the beach fully loaded and head over the Appalachians on Route 68. There are also a list of other pertinent sensors, but those are the main ones I watch. It lets you know when to take it out of overdrive and set it in 4th gear.

I do not have any experience with the tuner S/C option. If you go that route those gauges would likely be more useful. It's highly likely someone on this board has a tuner S/C kit and would have better information.

Congrats on the S/C.
 
If you go with the Maggie tune then it's set and forget. There is no tuning. The tune (and they have gone through many revisions) is conservative on the boost. The boost gauge would be more for show. What I do have is the OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth adapter. I use that to monitor the two AT sensors when we go to the beach fully loaded and head over the Appalachians on Route 68. There are also a list of other pertinent sensors, but those are the main ones I watch. It lets you know when to take it out of overdrive and set it in 4th gear.

I do not have any experience with the tuner S/C option. If you go that route those gauges would likely be more useful. It's highly likely someone on this board has a tuner S/C kit and would have better information.

Congrats on the S/C.


Thanks you for responding. Yeah I see what you mean. In my case it will be a mall crawler, but ready for anything just in case. I mean I’ve got a King suspension, 33” M/T’s , TRD CAI and everything else is a stock so Magnuson tuning will be good enough for now. Thanks again


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Just installed mine last week. I totally agree with your review on the supercharger. It totally transformed the whole truck. Power is always there. It’s such a joy to drive.
43e0f1f8e76091fdd6be961667e92f48.jpg



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Thanks to OP and the others who’ve updated about their experiences. Just had a good read of this thread. Glad your blackstone analysis’s have come out good. Maybe some day armed with some of this information I can get an S/C for my truck!
 
I wonder if there are any differences to the 2021 model year that would create a compatibility problem with existing Magnuson kits?
 
Awesome write up and reviews by everyone. Definitely considering this route instead of buying another vehicle because of the lack of power... because like many of you, just love my damn 4runner!

Does anyone know if the sparks parts still carries the supercharger (didn't see it online) and if the discount code tundradude34 mentioned in the OP still works? If not, where have people found any deals, maybe wait for Black Friday?
 
Awesome write up and reviews by everyone. Definitely considering this route instead of buying another vehicle because of the lack of power... because like many of you, just love my damn 4runner!

Does anyone know if the sparks parts still carries the supercharger (didn't see it online) and if the discount code tundradude34 mentioned in the OP still works? If not, where have people found any deals, maybe wait for Black Friday?

If you ask some of the vendors on here nicely for a discount on the SC they’ll give it to you.
 
I went through a vendor located in Southern California, paid $5400 with free shipping. If you look and make a few phone calls there are decent prices out there. Also don’t be afraid to install this with a buddy. If you can change oil, this isn’t much more complicated than that.


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I went through a vendor located in Southern California, paid $5400 with free shipping. If you look and make a few phone calls there are decent prices out there. Also don’t be afraid to install this with a buddy. If you can change oil, this isn’t much more complicated than that.

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Great price! You mind sending me the contact via DM.

Yea, I was thinking about installing it myself. I've done a supercharger in the past, most recently with BRZ Vortex setup. Definitely considering it... I walked through the manual with 300 steps lol. The only thing that concerns me is the warranty with Magnuson has it spelled out that it needs to installed by a dealership or a ASME certified mechanic/shop in the warranty registration to be eligible for warranty. I'm going to give them a ring on Monday. This would save about $1500, plus I have a bunch of re-routing I'll need to do with some engine stuff (dual battery wiring, redarc bcdc, etc...). I'd rather do the install myself because of all the additional work a shop would charge.

How many miles you have on the supercharger now?
 
If you know your way around a vehicle and have patience it really isn't too bad. I did my own because of the same concerns you had. I had a hidden winch bumper, dual battery etc.. so I knew I would have issues with a mechanic doing it and having to relocate hoses. I am glad I did it because I took no shortcuts and made sure everything was torqued to spec, spark plugs gapped etc.... took me 2 full days.. I personally have never trusted a shop with work, but that's just me.

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