Magnuson Supercharger or GX460?

[MrGainzz]

Apparently,more and more people are complaining about lack of power and sluggishness on 5th Gen and I wonder if getting a Magnuson Supercharger installed will help them solve the issues or a GX460 would be a better option ? What’s your thoughts ?


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[Olddudesrule]

I wouldn't expect you'd get a consensus on this. Having supercharged another vehicle (used an OEM roots type blower on non-OEM equipped car), I can tell you that bang for the buck is questionable depending on the boost level you're willing to get to. I decided on near stock levels (8-9 lbs) and was frankly underwhelmed. Nice, but worth nearly $8K to get there?

I've heard that the Maggie kit will net @ 330 (assuming that's at the rear wheels), so while it is a nice bump, is it worth @$6K to get there. Remember, the kit will come with a canned tune that, from what I've read is not the best. I don't know of any Toyota specific tuners around my area who would be willing to tackle that job. Tuning is extremely important with any FI application.

As far as going Lexus, I guess that's a whole different beast. I do this it would be the way to go, if you were ok with the style, look and feel of the GX....Personally, I'm not that into it. The engine is great, and sounds like it's plenty of power for those of us adding significant weight to our 4RN's. It would certainly be the simpler route to go.

 

[slprciv]

Here's a tuner that does NA and boosted setups for our 4Runners

https://www.ovtuned.com/collections...-4runner-4-0l-magnuson-supercharged-flash-kit

 

[Olddudesrule]

Not familiar with that company, but IMHO, flash tunes (sometimes referred to as canned tunes) with an FI application are usually ok for initial start ups, and to get you to a tuner with a dyno. There are too many variables involved to make these solid long term choices for your tuning needs.

 

[2012sr5]

Apparently,more and more people are complaining about lack of power and sluggishness on 5th Gen and I wonder if getting a Magnuson Supercharger installed will help them solve the issues or a GX460 would be a better option ? What’s your thoughts ?


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I used to think mine was sluggish. Maybe it still is, but I got used to it. I changed the way I drive. I found that if I ease into the throttle from off the line, it's really sluggish and needs to be almost floored to put any pep into it. But if I give it more pedal right off the bat and then ease off it, it gets right up and goes with no sluggish feeling at any point through the acceleration curve. I still average 18+mpg, too.

A supercharged 4Runner would be fun though! A member here posted videos of his, and it sounds awesome and looks fun to drive.

I think my wife secretly wants the GX460. It would be cool in addition to our 4runner, but I wouldn't want it for our only adventure vehicle. The clearance looks like it sucks, and it would be harder to mod and outfit it the way we want.

 

[Bumbo]

Having driven in a stock tuned supercharged V6 I could tell there was extra power but it wasn't a mind blowing difference... it certainly made me question the "worth it" factor.

Personally, I am at the point in my life where I rather just own a GX over a 4Runner. GX gets my vote there, but I think its important to mention that I still have a built up 4th Gen which gets to be the off-road beater / weekend warrior truck.

The acquisition of a GX would be more of a city truck with the option to go off-road and road trip, and maybe even replace the 4th gen in years to come as it starts to age and as aftermarket improves for the 460.

 

[470SNC]

GX460, the power is way better and the interior is nicer being a plus

 

[MrGainzz]

GX460, the power is way better and the interior is nicer being a plus

Good point. GX is also significantly better on highway and freeway which makes it a great DD. The only issue however is the ground clearence which makes mods more complicated and difficult to do.

 

[MrGainzz]

I used to think mine was sluggish. Maybe it still is, but I got used to it. I changed the way I drive. I found that if I ease into the throttle from off the line, it's really sluggish and needs to be almost floored to put any pep into it. But if I give it more pedal right off the bat and then ease off it, it gets right up and goes with no sluggish feeling at any point through the acceleration curve. I still average 18+mpg, too.

A supercharged 4Runner would be fun though! A member here posted videos of his, and it sounds awesome and looks fun to drive.

I think my wife secretly wants the GX460. It would be cool in addition to our 4runner, but I wouldn't want it for our only adventure vehicle. The clearance looks like it sucks, and it would be harder to mod and outfit it the way we want.

Well said,I think the majority of people who are complaining about slow throttle response and sluggishness are either running with bigger tires or carrying too much weight and a V8 would be great for their needs.

 

[Bumbo]

Good point. GX is also significantly better on highway and freeway which makes it a great DD. The only issue however is the ground clearence which makes mods more complicated and difficult to do.

I thought its it's pretty much the same between the two trucks, but I am comparing a 4th Gen to a 470.

I off-road with a friend who has a GX 470 and the ground clearance issues is about the same as my 4th gen.

The issues stem from the same things that plague a 4Runner which was primary the running boards. I had the same clearance issues with my running boards on there.

After figuring out how to lock the ride position in the highest setting and removing the running boards ur pretty much in the same boat.

 

[Bumbo]

Well said,I think the majority of people who are complaining about slow throttle response and sluggishness are either running with bigger tires or carrying too much weight and a V8 would be great for their needs.

With bigger tires there comes a point where gearing is the answer, regardless of the amount of weight that you carry.

Incorrect gearing basically feels like you are lugging the motor regardless of what gear you are in.

 

[2flyfishin]

I pulled into a Lexus dealer today out of curiosity and test drove a 2015 GX460. I must say the motor had a much nicer feel and some of the interior amenities were really nice, cooled seats, etc. I just wish they would put a few of these things in the 4runner non limited model, as over all , I like the off road capability of the 4runner and is the reason I got it. By the time I would modify the GX to get what I ultimately would demand of it, I don’t think it would be worth it but it was nice. I feel if Toyota put the Lexus V8 in the 4runner, the debate over a supercharger or 460 wouldn’t even exist.

 

[MrGainzz]

I pulled into a Lexus dealer today out of curiosity and test drove a 2015 GX460. I must say the motor had a much nicer feel and some of the interior amenities were really nice, cooled seats, etc. I just wish they would put a few of these things in the 4runner non limited model, as over all , I like the off road capability of the 4runner and is the reason I got it. By the time I would modify the GX to get what I ultimately would demand of it, I don’t think it would be worth it but it was nice. I feel if Toyota put the Lexus V8 in the 4runner, the debate over a supercharger or 460 wouldn’t even exist.

Exactly. But I doubt Toyota will ever put a V8 in the runner,because only a small amount of people would buy the GX460 if they did that.


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[MrGainzz]

With bigger tires there comes a point where gearing is the answer, regardless of the amount of weight that you carry.



Incorrect gearing basically feels like you are lugging the motor regardless of what gear you are in.

In your opinion,is it worth regearing the truck with 285/70/17?


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[Bumbo]

A part of me still likes the 470 better as an off-road toy… at least for those who want to take it to that heavy enthusiast level.

Maybe I am bias but a long travel equipped 470 is one of my favorite all time off-road trucks ever. With tires, armor, and LT, those things are pretty sick.

460 lacks the aftermarket support when compared to the 470, but it also doesn’t hurt that many things on a 4th Gen 4Runner are compatible with the 470.

 

[MrGainzz]

A part of me still likes the 470 better as an off-road toy… at least for those who want to take it to that heavy enthusiast level.



Maybe I am bias but a long travel equipped 470 is one of my favorite all time off-road trucks ever. With tires, armor, and LT, those things are pretty sick.



460 lacks the aftermarket support when compared to the 470, but it also doesn’t hurt that many things on a 4th Gen 4Runner are compatible with the 470.

You are right about 460 doesn’t have aftermarket support. Really wish they could put the Lexus engine in the 5th gens. Then that would be the sweetest rig of all time.


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[ChrisJHarney]

In your opinion,is it worth regearing the truck with 285/70/17?


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Re-gearing is easily the least expensive way to put more pep in the 4Runner, especially with larger wheels and more weight. I will be re-gearing when I move up to true 33” tire. The bonus is the additional control I’ll gain when in 4lo.

While a supercharger would be an awesome addition for those that do a lot of long interstate driving while towing, or simply can’t stand the time it takes to get up to speed on the freeway, the expense is definitely eye watering compared to a modest re-gear.

Of course no one says you can’t have both if you have the $$$.

 

[2flyfishin]

It is true that the 460 doesn’t have the aftermarket that the 470 does but like the 470 with the 4th gen, the 460 has some compatibility with the 5th gen. Companies like RCI and ARB make skid plates, sliders are being made and even a couple of companies are making bumpers. There definitely isn’t a huge choice out there but when the 470 was newer, I bet there wasn’t a large choice out there for it either in large part due to the clientele who buys these vehicles new aren’t in the market for such equipment. The 4runner crowd is a much different clientele in general.

 

[unik5]

Apparently,more and more people are complaining about lack of power and sluggishness on 5th Gen and I wonder if getting a Magnuson Supercharger installed will help them solve the issues or a GX460 would be a better option ? What’s your thoughts ?


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Unrelated to Toyota, but related to Magnuson. My dad has a 2014 Ram crew cab with a Magnuson on it. It seems like a great product and made some good gains (600hp to the wheels). It is fun to drive, however, it still feels heavy and sluggish (I dont know if thats the right word but thats the general idea). Like Harney, I think I would re-gear first and go from there... Or get a crotch rocket to exercise the speed demons

The 4Runner reminds me of an old tortoise with a fancy shell. Good thread though, I like the comments so far. Curious what other people think eace:

 

[Bumbo]

In your opinion,is it worth regearing the truck with 285/70/17?


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It's a hair under 33" (32.7") so you are at the point I would say yes.

I am at a 255/75/17 (32.1") tire and I personally would love to get a 4.56 gear set to correct some of that tire size but I am stock right now and it still feels OK, but it's lost some of that pep.

In a nutshell... I would say yes, but you are going to run into the same "worth it" questions same as me.

Re-gear isn't cheap, and in a 4x4 you are going at both front and rear diffs. If you are getting that deep into the thing you might as well add lockers because you save the cost of labor since it's pretty much the same job.

The last quote I got was $4k for front and rear re-gear, ARB lockers, mini compressor, new seals and all the stuff that goes along with doing it the right way from a reputable shop.

The cost of parts for two ARB lockers is about $2000, so you could also consider a cheaper locker like a lunchbox but if you street the truck you might as well go all out and get a selectable locker.

I also don't want to re-gear twice, so it's best to finalize the suspension and tire size before jumping into all this, and with long travel I could be at a 35" tire so... best to wait so I can do it right and control my costs a bit better as it cost about 2k every time you tear into both diffs.

I basically told myself that between long travel and lockers, it's about a $10-15k tab for the type of work I wan't done. If I am going to spend that type of coin, I am going to build up a GX instead of a 2004 SR5 V6 with 202k miles on it. That's a lot of coin to spend so I want to change the truck first.