Supercharger Disadvantages

jsukey said:
I've learned to live by the Smiles per gallon rule. If you're worrying about the cost of fuel, then you probably don't need it! I have a '10 Jeep SRT8 that's pushing 700hp. It gets around 6 mpg in the city, and gets between 9-12 on the highway...depending on my current mood!
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I get that for sure and savor such with the aforementioned MINI. The weight to bhp ratio is currently just below 9. A SC upgrade/replacement, should I do that, would get at 8 or tad lower. For reference, my buddy's new M3 is right at 8 (weight to hp). The cost at fill-up, always justified. :-)

That said, on a 3rd gen, while the added power and torque is nice for sure I bet, I'd venture to guess that it would take a lot more power and/or weight reduction to make one giddy with excitement. Like most here, I'm adding weight to the 3rd gen. Not seeing the ROI in this application, smile-wise to be clear.

It would create more useable torque and power. For me though, I decided that the initial outlay of funds and the recurring costs of more expensive fill-ups don't make it sufficiently compelling. I might be more inclined to change the gearing though...
 
Thanks for all the info!

I think the cost of premium gas would probably be a deal breaker for me. I'm used to getting 25 mpg in my 740, so I'm already preparing for a bit of a shock moving to a NA 4Runner and dropping to 18 or 19 mpg. On top of that, the NA 3.4 has plenty of pep compared to a 740, so I don't think I'll be craving more HP (at least for a little while).

But if the perfect truck comes along with a SC, I don't think I could say no...
 
TonyB66 said:
I get that for sure and savor such with the aforementioned MINI. The weight to bhp ratio is currently just below 9. A SC upgrade/replacement, should I do that, would get at 8 or tad lower. For reference, my buddy's new M3 is right at 8 (weight to hp). The cost at fill-up, always justified. :-)

That said, on a 3rd gen, while the added power and torque is nice for sure I bet, I'd venture to guess that it would take a lot more power and/or weight reduction to make one giddy with excitement. Like most here, I'm adding weight to the 3rd gen. Not seeing the ROI in this application, smile-wise to be clear.

It would create more useable torque and power. For me though, I decided that the initial outlay of funds and the recurring costs of more expensive fill-ups don't make it sufficiently compelling. I might be more inclined to change the gearing though...
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Having owned a normally aspirated '02 4runner for 8 years prior to the S/C '00 4Runner I've been driving for the last 5 years now...there is no way I could ever go back. The normally aspirated T4R was always hunting for a lower gear, and lacked any and all backbone while trying to pass anyone over 55 mph. My S/C TR4 on the other hand, is unbelievably happy running 80 mph down the interstate and gladly pulls its weight up a decent grade without ever leaving O/D.
 
jsukey said:
Having owned a normally aspirated '02 4runner for 8 years prior to the S/C '00 4Runner I've been driving for the last 5 years now...there is no way I could ever go back. The normally aspirated T4R was always hunting for a lower gear, and lacked any and all backbone while trying to pass anyone over 55 mph. My S/C TR4 on the other hand, is unbelievably happy running 80 mph down the interstate and gladly pulls its weight up a decent grade without ever leaving O/D.
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Funny that you mention that as I've been pleasantly surprised with the stock performance, most notably on our solo "big" trip to Tahoe over the Sierra Mtns. I had noted such in my 'maintenance/build' thread...

A family of four, the back loaded with crap to the roof liner, and we cruised up to the summit at 75 to 80 mph at 2500 RPM. The power was not an issue for us. I have since added some weight, so we'll see, but I don't imagine it will drop to the point to where we are holding-up traffic.
 
I just traded a 14 Tacoma TRD Sport that I added the factory SuperCharger to. It was nice but those trucks have a lot less power than the 4Runners 230ish compared to 270ish HP.
It was fun but I always had to monitor trans temps when pulling the boat or driving on the beach. Gas mileage was a little better than what I’ve gotten so far with the 4Runner believe it or not. But I’ve only had the 4Runner for a week so we shall see.
With the new 4Runner I don’t have to worry about trans temp so much now.
Things to think about, gas always gonna cost more with Premium. I live in Wilmington NC, after hurricane Florence it was hard to find gas and Premium was nonexistent.
Supercharger needs to be rebuilt after 100k. As far as other maintenance, the intercooler pumps are a week link....replace at 30k regardless if you need it or not. If you do your own maintenance spark plug replacement on driver side is almost impossible to do with out removing the supercharger. But spark plugs that come with the kit are good for 100K says dealer. Belt replacement, must un bolt idler pulleys to change belt. Not the simple belt swap if you do your own maintenance. Extra idler pulleys that will need to be replaced during regular maintenance at 100k.
Supporting mods, oil catch can needs to be installed otherwise intercooler gets gummy from blow by. AFE cold air intake really woke that thing up, should have come from factory with one. Programmers and tunes are just now be coming available in the last year. The good ones from URD are extremely expensive. Fuel pump needs to be replaced....lots of back and fourth on this on TacomaWorld. There were stock guys/beside supercharger, that had issues with fuel pump failures at high altitude. Change the pulley for more boost gonna need that fuel pump for sure.
Would I do it again? Maybe. I had fun with it. Hurting feelings on the “track” with that Tacoma was fun at times. Would I do it to my brand new 4Runner? Nope for now anyways but who knows what the future holds and if I get bored with my stock 4Runner.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
jsukey said:
Having owned a normally aspirated '02 4runner for 8 years prior to the S/C '00 4Runner I've been driving for the last 5 years now...there is no way I could ever go back. The normally aspirated T4R was always hunting for a lower gear, and lacked any and all backbone while trying to pass anyone over 55 mph. My S/C TR4 on the other hand, is unbelievably happy running 80 mph down the interstate and gladly pulls its weight up a decent grade without ever leaving O/D.
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You just described my experience lol! I was fixing up a 2002 4Runner once, which had a fantastic engine in it I might add, and I was dying. I commuted in it for one week and it was an absolute slug compared to my 98. It drove me nuts so I ended up figuring the engine was good enough and never drove it again, it sold that weekend. I could NEVER go back to driving an N/A 4Runner, I'm spoiled now.

TonyB66 said:
Funny that you mention that as I've been pleasantly surprised with the stock performance, most notably on our solo "big" trip to Tahoe over the Sierra Mtns. I had noted such in my 'maintenance/build' thread...

A family of four, the back loaded with crap to the roof liner, and we cruised up to the summit at 75 to 80 mph at 2500 RPM. The power was not an issue for us. I have since added some weight, so we'll see, but I don't imagine it will drop to the point to where we are holding-up traffic.
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Sounds like a happy engine! My old '91 always struggled on the steep part right before you hit Blue Canyon and I'd have to shift down and go around 50-55 on that pass. Same with some steep parts on Highway 88. I see other 4Runners chugging along from time to time on I-80 in the slow lane and I just fly by them with the S/C happily humming.
 
I have had no issues maintaining and passing vehicles 75 to 80 mph going over passes in Colorado without a supercharger but do keep the overdrive off.
 
gamefreakgc said:
You just described my experience lol! I was fixing up a 2002 4Runner once, which had a fantastic engine in it I might add, and I was dying. I commuted in it for one week and it was an absolute slug compared to my 98. It drove me nuts so I ended up figuring the engine was good enough and never drove it again, it sold that weekend. I could NEVER go back to driving an N/A 4Runner, I'm spoiled now.
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A good friend of mine has fixed up a number of 2WD 4Runners. He swears that all the '01/'02's drive like poop and the earlier ones are much more powerful. Traction control on the '01/'02's really kills things too.

-Charlie
 
phattyduck said:
A good friend of mine has fixed up a number of 2WD 4Runners. He swears that all the '01/'02's drive like poop and the earlier ones are much more powerful. Traction control on the '01/'02's really kills things too.

-Charlie
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Maybe that's what it was. The engine had perfect compression across the board, idled so smooth I could balance a nickel on top of the engine but was gutless. Never thought about the traction control system they introduced during those years.
 
Yea, stay away from the Volvos
 

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gamefreakgc said:
You just described my experience lol! I was fixing up a 2002 4Runner once, which had a fantastic engine in it I might add, and I was dying. I commuted in it for one week and it was an absolute slug compared to my 98. It drove me nuts so I ended up figuring the engine was good enough and never drove it again, it sold that weekend. I could NEVER go back to driving an N/A 4Runner, I'm spoiled now.



Sounds like a happy engine! My old '91 always struggled on the steep part right before you hit Blue Canyon and I'd have to shift down and go around 50-55 on that pass. Same with some steep parts on Highway 88. I see other 4Runners chugging along from time to time on I-80 in the slow lane and I just fly by them with the S/C happily humming.
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The sound of a SC at WOT is intoxicating. I put my MINI on non-op shortly after getting the 4Runner... Miss driving it. I designed a top mount, forward-facing intercooler for it and worked with a vendor in SoCal to bring it to market. The Roots SC can get quite hot. Exposing my ignorance here... Is there an intercooler for the 3rd gen SC?
 
TonyB66 said:
The sound of a SC at WOT is intoxicating. I put my MINI on non-op shortly after getting the 4Runner... Miss driving it. I designed a top mount, forward-facing intercooler for it and worked with a vendor in SoCal to bring it to market. The Roots SC can get quite hot. Exposing my ignorance here... Is there an intercooler for the 3rd gen SC?
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Someone may have designed one at one time or another, but no...air is inducted straight from the airbox.
 
TonyB66 said:
The sound of a SC at WOT is intoxicating. I put my MINI on non-op shortly after getting the 4Runner... Miss driving it. I designed a top mount, forward-facing intercooler for it and worked with a vendor in SoCal to bring it to market. The Roots SC can get quite hot. Exposing my ignorance here... Is there an intercooler for the 3rd gen SC?
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That's how i feel about turbo sounds. To me a super charger whine can get quite annoying.
 
jsukey said:
Take a spin in a Trackhawk or a Hellcat, and I'm sure that will change your opinion!
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Ohh I know and appreciate the sound. Its actually the bigger superchargers that kind of annoy me. Especially on the hellcats. I hate how I see a hellcat everyday driving and when I go to car shows you see 30 of them taking up all the cool cars spots. They are turn key 707hp in a $30k body and interior. Hate em!!

I'm also jelly because I could add a lsa supercharger to my caddy and barely be faster than one. And then would need 100shot to easily take one. Haha.
 
Those Hellcats are all about the green light go. What little feedback I've seen on them, especially handling-wise, has been poor. Have seen several such vehicles on mountain roads make god-awful mistakes...

A screaming SC can certainly get the pulse going. They are parasitic by nature. For all out top-end power, turbos are the way to go. SCs can often deliver power sooner and in a more predictable manner.

That said, I'll likely go with a turbo in my next build. I like light and I'm very much a minimalist. One can see hints of such in my 3rd gen build... Was a fan of the Ariel Atom long before it made its way to the States. Thinking of a Miata turbo build in such a kit like the Exocet.

Exomotive-Exocet-%283%29.jpg


http://exomotive.com/

Something I can build with the little ones...
 
JayRolla said:
But without a bov where does all that pressure go, back against the TB?
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Eh, kinda. Pre-throttle body pressure does go up a couple PSI above normal boost pressure (up to 18psi, for this motor), then it surges back through the turbo.

Compressor surge is really bad while under power, but not as much of a big deal when off-throttle.

Bypass valves were added to cars by the OEMs as silencers, not for turbo longevity. In some cases, they are needed... but not here.

Sounds like a rally car on high boost shifts. :banana:

-Charlie
 
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