Magnuson Supercharger for 2010-Present & 2010-2014 FJ

[6172crew]

I was talking with a guy who added a Magnason SC to his Chevy SS (My brother has the same kit) and he originally used the canned tune from Magnason and had some kind of off site support that they got the car running with. Turns out his car made 9 extra HP after taking it to a tuner who knew how to tune. His car was running way too lean (He lives in CA and needs the CARB deal).

I mention this because originally he used factory support and found the tune was horrible for his car, after his tune he gained 150HP. If you have issues with the way they run, Id spend the $$ and have a tuner and a dyno tune done to make sure the factory canned tune isnt hurting your car.

Magnason makes a great product but for the Holden/Chevy guys its lacking in a good tune for what ever reason.

 

[Jetboy]

I hate when this thread comes back up. I have no self control. I can't look away and remind myself that I don't need it. I was a naysayer initially. But I was totally wrong about the output the new 4.0 could make with this S/C. It's a lot more compelling than I had ever thought it would be. Now I want one.

 

[LawnDart]

I hate when this thread comes back up. I have no self control. I can't look away and remind myself that I don't need it. I was a naysayer initially. But I was totally wrong about the output the new 4.0 could make with this S/C. It's a lot more compelling than I had ever thought it would be. Now I want one.

On the other hand, I'm still heavily conflicted about this upgrade. There's been a lot of reports of heat issues (readverheating) from the 4Runner supercharger. And as a result Magnuson has de-tuned the supercharger to help with that.

For those of us who tow a lot, heat, trans temps, and more importantly the skyrocketing gas prices, are making this a really tough decision. It's tough because on an emotional, purely testosterone, level more power sounds great. But I'm also a realist who knows it'll never be a sports car level ride, and logically it's also the LAST thing I could really do to my 4Runner short of 4-linking the rear suspension.

That said, factoring in the time, cost, and downsides, it's just...it's just a really hard sell. Like maybe the URD Y-pipe and MAF recalibration might be enough just to kind of add a tiny bit more pep back in its step.

Also I finally got to drive a 4Runner with one of these, but it was mostly stock, and not nearly as built as my vehicle. It felt peppier for sure, but I think given what I'm spinning as far as wheels/tires, and armor, the benefits start getting tamped down.

Again, it's a very conflicting choice.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Like maybe the URD Y-pipe and MAF recalibration might be enough just to kind of add a tiny bit more pep back in its step.

I did URD Y-pipe, Mk3 exhaust, aFe CAI, & MAF calibrator thinking it would be enough. It does make it peppier, quicker to rev and go, with better throttle response. However it didn't feel like it added power below ~2700rpm. The power was certainly better between 2700-4000rpm, though it really kicked in above 4000rpm.
All the power it added below 3500rpm seemed to evaporate when I was above 2000ft elevation in the mountains a few weeks back. Although below 3500rpm the truck didn't seem to bog down and lose speed as badly as it had in the past.
So in the end all that made an improvement for sure. There just not enough power where I wanted below 4000rpm so I ordered a SC. I really wish Toyota hadn't dropped the V8 from the 4Runner.

 

[wfo9]

There's been a lot of reports of heat issues (readverheating) from the 4Runner supercharger. And as a result Magnuson has de-tuned the supercharger to help with that.

I have not heard any of these "reports" or de-tuning. Where are they coming from?

I have also not experienced any heat issues, but this will be my first summer with it.

I have definitely not had a chance to put it through any really hard work yet. Just driving on trails and hwy... but it is not 100*+ out YET.

There is no doubt there are some pros and cons to installing one of these... The canned tune now seems decent, but it is still not what it could be.. It ups the fun factor and general driving experience quite a bit, but at the same time..there is more complexity. I don't think I could ever go back to stock power now.. but I could have lived with it if I had left it alone.

Anyway, hopefully more people who have them will actually report here at some point. That is the only way problems get fixed if they exist.

 

[LawnDart]

So in the end all that made an improvement for sure. There just not enough power where I wanted below 4000rpm so I ordered a SC. I really wish Toyota hadn't dropped the V8 from the 4Runner.

You can only push the performance envelope so far working within what the factory engine and drive train will allow. That's a given.

While I like the idea of the Magnuson, there's a lot of drawbacks, and if we're all on the same page admitting that there are in fact drawbacks, and the customer has to acknowledge that then we're all good to move forward.

This isn't a magic bullet, we all know that the 4Runner got short changed on gearbox and the engine itself. I'm still on the fence, but leaning towards passing when my place in line with Magnuson is called.

I can make pretty cogent arguments both for and against, I'm just having a harder time saying if the juice is worth that squeeze.

 

[philsey]

. Now I want one.

And we all know what that means.

arty: :hail: :dancin:

 

[1996_Valencia_Owen]

Confused. I thought the 4Runner transmission was super robust. Something like capable of handling ~600 ftlbs of torque?

I could see it being limited in terms of number of gears or old-school shift times, but it can handle huge power.

 

[Jetboy]

On the other hand, I'm still heavily conflicted about this upgrade. There's been a lot of reports of heat issues (readverheating) from the 4Runner supercharger. And as a result Magnuson has de-tuned the supercharger to help with that.

For those of us who tow a lot, heat, trans temps, and more importantly the skyrocketing gas prices, are making this a really tough decision. It's tough because on an emotional, purely testosterone, level more power sounds great. But I'm also a realist who knows it'll never be a sports car level ride, and logically it's also the LAST thing I could really do to my 4Runner short of 4-linking the rear suspension.

That said, factoring in the time, cost, and downsides, it's just...it's just a really hard sell. Like maybe the URD Y-pipe and MAF recalibration might be enough just to kind of add a tiny bit more pep back in its step.

Also I finally got to drive a 4Runner with one of these, but it was mostly stock, and not nearly as built as my vehicle. It felt peppier for sure, but I think given what I'm spinning as far as wheels/tires, and armor, the benefits start getting tamped down.

Again, it's a very conflicting choice.

I still waiver back and forth on whether an LC 200 would just be a better way to spend the extra $. It's probably where I'll end up down the road in reality. Hard not to jump across platforms to the land cruiser except for the weight and size. And my 4.0 has been more than enough for everything I've asked of it so far.

 

[wfo9]

Confused. I thought the 4Runner transmission was super robust. Something like capable of handling ~600 ftlbs of torque?

I could see it being limited in terms of number of gears or old-school shift times, but it can handle huge power.

I don't know how much power the trans can take... but it is clearly fine with an extra 100 TQ. With the mag setup, all the factory torque management in the ECU is still in place so it limits the power during shifts and still a bit in first and second gear.

Only concern I can think of is more potential for heat with the TQ converter unlocked... My truck hardly ever needs to downshift to 4th gear now in most driving conditions. I climb a big hill every day and my truck always had to downshift to 4th to have any chance of maintaining speed before (sometimes it even needed 3rd). Now it just unlocks the converter and holds 5th and makes some boost. The trans heats up quite a bit during that situation. I can easily manually shift it to 4th if needed.... When I do that the converter locks and no heat.

I've never seen it get in the danger zone.. but if it was a really long climb.. It would make sense to get it into 4th. This is also an issue on a stock truck.. Just more pronounced with more power on tap.

 

[1996_Valencia_Owen]

I don't know how much power the trans can take... but it is clearly fine with an extra 100 TQ. With the mag setup, all the factory torque management in the ECU is still in place so it limits the power during shifts and still a bit in first and second gear.

Only concern I can think of is more potential for heat with the TQ converter unlocked... My truck hardly ever needs to downshift to 4th gear now in most driving conditions. I climb a big hill every day and my truck always had to downshift to 4th to have any chance of maintaining speed before (sometimes it even needed 3rd). Now it just unlocks the converter and holds 5th and makes some boost. The trans heats up quite a bit during that situation. I can easily manually shift it to 4th if needed.... When I do that the converter locks and no heat.

I've never seen it get in the danger zone.. but if it was a really long climb.. It would make sense to get it into 4th. This is also an issue on a stock truck.. Just more pronounced with more power on tap.

Interesting. Does the stock transmission reach a certain danger zone temp, and then protect itself by locking the converter?

 

[wfo9]

Interesting. Does the stock transmission reach a certain danger zone temp, and then protect itself by locking the converter?

No. It will eventually go into limp mode if the trans really gets hot. The lockup can only take so much torque at the coupling point.. so it has to protect itself too. By downshifting a gear, the torque multiplication moves back into the trans output and decreases at the input.

But it's not much of a concern really. Just something to be aware of. Anyone who tows or climbs in the mountains is aware of the manual shifting need. It's just a bit more exaggerated when the engine can build more torque at lower RPMs.

 

[Havik]

I finally got mine today... it's been 6 long months, but I'm happy to have it.

 

[XswampX]

I finally got mine today... it's been 6 long months, but I'm happy to have it.

Congrats. It has been a really long wait. Mine arrived yesterday. Unfortunately, won't be installed until next week.

 

[wfo9]

Glad to see more are finally rolling out and getting installed. Pretty sure you will enjoy it.

 

[Havik]

Installed:

 

[jmanderson]

Got mine installed two weeks ago. Feels like my 08 V8. Expensive purchase but worth it in my opinion. My truck doesn't sound like its struggling on the highway anymore. Bought mine from a dealership in Neveda and had it shipped to Nebraska.

 

[rayofsi]

Nice that the Magnuson can take the trd intake. No alternative for me with the whipple

 

[chudiddy]

Would the TRD intake really make much of a difference over the stock intake?

 

[weiasian]

dyno

Still no solid dyno on paper, other than the one I saw from Magnuson... Can I see some more lines please.