Supercharger Justification??

T

ToolmanJohn

New member
I have a bit of a dilemma. Just a bit.

My 2003 4runner V6 has 104,800 miles today. Aside from a few normal wear items replacement (shocks, one CV boot, brakes, rotors, tires, belt tensioner ) the truck has been great, reliable transportation, but rather boring.

I would really like to have a quicker accelerating vehicle, but don't want to give up the truck. I'm not talking about railing the curves and twisties either, I have had many motorcycles and it would be stupid to expect a 4runner to ever handle like a sports car regardless of suspension upgrades... I'm just talking about the ability to get a very quick 0-60.

How can I justify the $5600 cost of a supercharger system? (I'm talking about the URD 4runner supercharger system here, it's for a2005-2009 model years but it can be made to work on the 2003 V6 engines with a couple of cam timing sensor changes)

I have thought of buying a newer vehicle, but I like the fact that the 4runner is paid for and handles all the driving chores I have. I need the 4x4 in the Winter (hills to get home), I like the cargo capacity, it can tow easily 2000 lbs.... I plan on keeping the truck at least another 2 years.

Does it make ANY sense to take an older vehicle and spend the $5600 on a supercharger system, plus the added expense of having to run higher octane fuel..... I would likely install it myself during a vacation week.. I have thought about when it really is time to let it go I could spend a few days removing the system and making the truck stock again, selling them separate.

Give me some opinions or other options, any downsides that I don't have the experience to know about. It's OK to flame if you feel the need too, honest assements can actually help with making a decision .
 
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If your mortgage is paid off, money is already set aside for your kids college and your retirement is fully funded then go for it. This is fine if you can afford to throw $5600 away. You will never get your money back out of it.
 
a mechanic friend of mine used to install superchargers and nitros systems for rich guys with expensive cars

and every time one of these were in a wreck he had to take the add-ons out before the ins co. found out he got 'em coming and going
 
No justification needed. If your priorities are straight and you can afford something nice for yourself from time to time I say go for it; you only live once.

The real question is of this is a bandaid to a bigger/deeper want. Because if it is then this will only hold you over for sometime before you'll want somehing else again. If your absolute end goal is to keep the 4runner then I say get it. If not, then hold out cuz that's a nice down towards something else.

Benefits? Better towing, acceleration, fun and the fact that it would be fun to drive with that type of power on tap. Gas will go down, you can count on it (mind did, lol) but that's because you'll bury your foot in it for a while after.
 
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Regardless of what anyone tells you about "oh it's maintenance free" "it's safe so you just install it and forget about it," make sure you have time to spend on it when it requires it (or the money and mechanic if you aren't up to learning). It's just one of the things of owning an aftermarket forced induction vehicle.
 
Casper421 said:
What about trading it in for a V8? :shrug:
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That's what I'd do. Consider:

A 2008 Limited V8 with 50-60k on it is going to be dealer priced around $28-31k. With your '03 trade (roughly $10k) lets say they get you into it for $20k. With their 2.9% deal you are in around $400/mo. That $5600 is a year worth of payments.

Quick check here shows 3 available within 100 miles right now (1 at Westchester Toyota): Certified Used Toyota Cars, Trucks & SUVS

2cents




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The URD kit will spank the v8... even a tuned v6 could do it....dude i dont think they have a kit for your application though...
 
Super charging a 4 runner is just about as big of a waste of money as you can get. Having to spend .30 a gallon more are the least of your concern. A fast 4 runner will still be slow, not to mention that it is not the easiest to stop. If you want to go fast, spend the $5600 on old subaru WRX or something that should go fast.
 
I thought of that one

Sungod said:
Super charging a 4 runner is just about as big of a waste of money as you can get. Having to spend .30 a gallon more are the least of your concern. A fast 4 runner will still be slow, not to mention that it is not the easiest to stop. If you want to go fast, spend the $5600 on old subaru WRX or something that should go fast.
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Yeah, I did do some research on sports cars, but honestly I don't have more garage space. So the cost of a used sports car, the insurance the upkeep, plus I won't be using it everyday except maybe in the nicer weather. I figured $5600 was expensive for just a few more horsepower (80 ??),,
 
ToolmanJohn said:
Any proof of this? Has a URD S/C V6 4runner gone up against a TRD S/C V8 4runner (assuming both 4th gen)? I would like to know which is quicker...Without assumptions.
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Nope, they just got measurements to make the kit. Regardless, I'd feel better with a blown V8 than V6 as far as reliability and durability are concerned.

The S5 is getting a SC first.
 
Yea. The 500-900 dollars you have to spend on it every 100k TOTALLY BLOWS. I MEAN DAMN! They want me to do maintenance??? F that! I am getting a horse!


I don't actually care about the Supercharger part of this, I just thought that was a hilarious statement. It is a perfect example of confirmation bias. When you have a long held belief, you are going to look for every reason to CONFIRM that yours is in fact the correct belief.
 
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DC runner said:
Yea. The 500-900 dollars you have to spend on it every 100k TOTALLY BLOWS. I MEAN DAMN! They want me to do maintenance??? F that! I am getting a horse!


I don't actually care about the Supercharger part of this, I just thought that was a hilarious statement. It is a perfect example of confirmation bias. When you have a long held belief, you are going to look for every reason to CONFIRM that yours is in fact the correct belief.
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Whatever this means.....
 
Well Toolman....i dont consider TRD to be an option of boost for me..and to tell you the truth i plan on getting the URD kit stage 3..and daily drive a little over 400hp to the wheels. So u know there is another company with a turbo kit as well. If you are trying to save money though that wouldnt be the way as for it is more expensive than the URD kit...If i was you i would just go URD. it has been proven and is reliable and does not sacrifice fuel consumption..Plus with his new EMS that thing has been said ti purr like a kitten!!!
 
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