TRD Supercharger on a '10 V6 Tacoma

[Excelsior]

First off, I did do some searching, couldn't find the specific information I needed.

I've got a 2010 Tacoma Double Cab, and with Bumper, Winch, Heavy tires, and a roof rack, it really struggles to get up hills.

It also doesn't help that most of the driving I do is between 7-10k feet.

My question is, will the supercharger make a significant difference in the trucks performance, given the altitude?

The Dealership quoted me 5500 installed, which is a good amount of money, but it would be worth it to be able to keep up with NM interstate traffic on the hills.

 

[tomesd]

I have an '06 DC with a snugtop, Frontrunner roof rack, and am getting ready to install CBI front and rear bumpers. The sc really really wakes this engine up- I couldn't imagine all the additions without one. Torque for days- I guarantee you won't struggle up hills with one.

 

[slooowr6]

TRD SC helps at lot. It does make a significant difference. Without it my heavy tuck is really difficult to maintain speed on any incline. 5500 installed is not a bad price.

 

[Bighead]

My brother has been seeking more power from his '10 V6 Tacoma. What comes with the S/C? Just the blower or does it come with fuel system upgrades?

 

[slooowr6]

There is no need for fuel system upgrade, only a new ECU reflash is needed. It comes with blower, inter-cooler, new plugs and reusable TRD air filter.

 

[OldSven]

My cousin is running one on his 07' and it is quite a bit faster than my 00' with S/C and fuel upgrades. The nice thing with the newer ones is the computer can figure out what's going on with all that new air being crammed down

 

[eli]

TRD Supercharger

The supercharger helps the engine replicate (or better) the same performance at sea level. The extra weight on your vehicle with the combination of altitude significantly impacts performance . . . Not sure if you have also changed the outer diameter of your tires (from stock) then a re-gearing of your diffs. would be in order as well . . .

Good Luck

 

[Excelsior]

Thank you all for the helpfull replies.

The OD of the tires is changed very slightly, they're 65/16 just like stock, but with slightly more aggressive lugs as evidenced by the speedo being slightly more accurate. Not enough to justify a re-gear.

 

[Caduceus]

Thank you all for the helpfull replies.

The OD of the tires is changed very slightly, they're 65/16 just like stock, but with slightly more aggressive lugs as evidenced by the speedo being slightly more accurate. Not enough to justify a re-gear.

Except that a re-gear could help with torque, helping out that way.

Anyone know if a snorkel helps? Theoretically the air-ram effect should increase the amount of air going in... at least in my head.

If you're mechanic-savvy, the s/c is $2500 w/ about 12-18 hours of work.

 

[109 Pretender]

Adding a snorkel will not add any HP at all. In theory it probably takes a little away because it is an additional air restriction in the system. In actual practice you won't notice any effect at all - except for a cleaner air filter perhaps (or drier if you like to swim w/your ride)!

My 07 FJ has the TRD s/c and it makes a HUGE difference in drivability. But, at a cost... Besides the actual monies, there's additional complexity that might work against reliability for serious offroad work. You must always use premium fuel - ALWAYS. Why? Well, I'm pumping 9.5psi on top of a 10.5:1 static comp ratio. W/O all the wonderful electronic controls, APR ECU, 7th injector, and excellent quality gas (93 octane) - this would be a recipe for detonation disaster.

However, for traveling in N.A. where good gas is no problem, a s/c is a great way to gain HP and torque. Drivability is superb. No turbo lag, power is from idle up which is what you want in an offroad capable machine and it gives the extra grunt needed to get over the hill top because all the heavy goodies we add on - really add up!

If you're planning trips outside N.A. I couldn't recommend this approach at all.

As an aside, the TRD kit is everything you've come to know and love about Toyota - it's thoroughly vetted and fits like OEM. Instructions are clear and parts are pkg'd well. I added a bunch beyond the TRD kit - APR x-1 ECU, underdrive pulley for more boost, 7th injector upstream of blower, exh. cam sprockets change, headers, y pipe, exh system and cold air intake as well as a custom map for the x-1 which was modded for my specific setup. Haven't dynoed it but I expect somewhere around 350-365hp.

If you do something like this and have an auto trans - well, you will need to upgrade or this will hurt it quickly if you use the boost much. At a min. a valve body update because the auto uses a 'luxury' shift which allows too much slippage between gears - especially the 1 -2 shift.

Hope this helps some in your decision

 

[109 Pretender]

I might add that your 2010 4.0 engine is different than my 1GR 2007 4.0 engine. The TRD kit for my engine will not work on your engine. You have variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust and I think there's enough differences in the head castings to require a redesign of the intake manifold.

TRD may in fact market a s/c for your setup, but I don't think anything is available yet.

 

[Excelsior]

The Toyota Tech ran my VIN and said I had the 1GR engine, and he didn't blink when I said it was a 2010, so there shouldn't be a problem.

The problem with regearing is that while you gain torque, the engine is revving higher at highway speed, which really hurts mileage on long hauls.

And yes, a Snorkel would be too restrictive, plus the fact that ram-air effects only become significant at very high speeds.

 

[109 Pretender]

Well, even though he is a 'parts man' he is incorrect in implying that the 1st gen supercharger for the 1GR engine also fits the 2010 version of the engine. TRD's website does not list a s/c part # for the 2010 engine. They probably will eventually. There are many differences between the 2 engines like 2007-2009 has 239hp. Your 2010 engine has 270hp I believe. They didn't get that hp from a s/w upgrade only - there's many mech differences as well. (Of course TRD's website may not be up to date - but I am sure old s/c kit will not fit your engine at all). At the very least there will be a different s/w map for the 2010 engine along w/brkt. changes, etc.

Unless you go to 35" tires a regear isn't necessary. 33" tires are fine w/stock gearing unless you add a ton of upgrades to weigh the vehicle down. After I s/c'd mine I have no problems pulling hills w/trailer in 5th gear. Also, if you drive normal (conservative gas mileage style) you can expect about 1-2 extra MPG w/supercharger because it is more efficient (>100% volumetric efficiency as opposed to ~70-80% efficiency in a normally aspirated engine).

Good luck

 

[ssmathis]

Just a clarification as there's already a lot of good advice here but the 2010 Tacoma's didn't get the engine upgrade like the FJ and 4Runner. They still have the 236hp engine.

From Toyota's website:
4.0-liter DOHC 24-Valve V6 with VVT-i
236 hp @ 5200 rpm
266 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

 

[109 Pretender]

Geeze Mathis! My bad!
Then taco engine "should" have same mech. fit for sure! Not sure about the map for the Taco but that's no problem for TRD anyway. As an aside on the APR x-1 ECU - they wrote the s/w map for the TRD s/c AND if you use their ECU the OEM unit doesn't have to be reflashed. Also APR provides GUI that gives complete access to ALL engine parameters - it's a sweet setup. Gadget @ URD will burn the correct file if you have additional tweaks too.

Many thks on this clarification.