How Much Is the TRD Supercharger Kit?
How much is is TRD supercharger kit? Installing a supercharger on TRD cars is fun, and many drivers are looking to learn about the process. How much does it cost? How better will the car run? How to find the right model for your vehicle? Let’s answer all of these questions and so much more!
Finding a Perfect Supercharger for Toyota TRD
Supercharging your Toyota TRD is one of the simplest ways to boost performance. But there are many things to discuss before you are ready to go on and find a perfect supercharger for your vehicle.
Firstly, there are many different models available on the market, and it applies to both blowers and TRD Toyotas. So, we first need to know what type of car we’re talking about. Of course, getting a blower is just one of many ways to increase the performance and make your Toyota run even better. But more on that later.
[read more]What Is TRD?
TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, and it is a tuning shop that offers models for Toyota and Lexus. As you can probably guess from the name, the primary focus of TRD models is racing. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t find TRD models in the store as well.
In fact, Toyota has a couple of models with a TRD nametag, and all are improved models of the existing vehicles. Today, there are two different branches of the TRD:
- TRD Japan
- TRD USA
Both branches offer divisions for competition and tuning.
History of TRD
TRD was founded in 1954, and over the years, the company offered numerous different parts and vehicles. While the repertoire today is quite small, there are still a couple of impressive cars you can find.
Since our focus is on superchargers here, TRD has offered supercharged engines since 1987. You can find models for:
- Corolla
- Sprinter
- Matrix
- Camry
- Sienna
- Pontiac Vibe
- FJ Cruiser
- Scion
- Others
It is worth mentioning that the majority of these models are discontinued and are not available today. TRD USA is also known under the name Toyota Racing, and it was an important part of many racing events.
TRD Parts
As with the previous example, you can find other vehicle parts on the market, and these don’t include only supercharged engines. You can also find sports mufflers, bolt-on headers, exhaust systems, cold air intakes, suspension equipment, brakes, and so much more.
This also includes cosmetic modifications that won’t have a significant impact on the performance, and TRD is an excellent place to look for incredible parts for your car, even if you don’t own a TRD model.
New Series of TRD
All of this leads us to the current series of TRD models. If you are looking to buy a brand new Toyota, there are a couple of different vehicles you can find with the TRD nametag. These include:
- 4Runner
- Tacoma
- Tundra
- Sequoia
- RAV4
- Camry
- Avalon
The last three models are newer additions, and only one model is available for each of these vehicles. Toyota 4Runner, for example, has four different models in the series, and there are a couple of differences between each of these SUVs. None of these models arrives with a supercharger, which means you will need to consider installing it at one point.
Who Makes TRD Superchargers?
We mentioned before how Toyota offered a couple of different versions of superchargers in the past. However, the main problem here is that TRD discontinued all superchargers in 2015. This means that installing a blower by Toyota is no longer possible. Drivers that already installed one before 2015 will still keep the warranty and all the benefits.
But it is not something that’s possible for new drivers. So, the answer to who makes TRD superchargers is — anyone but Toyota. You will need to look for a blower elsewhere. But this shouldn’t be a problem since there are a lot of different choices.
How to Find an Appropriate Blower
The most important thing to know when looking for a blower is the size and type of the engine. While this might sound too complicated, in reality, you can check out the specification of the car based on the year it was manufactured.
Since each supercharger can fit a single type of engine, you will need to know the precise model before you can go shopping. If you take a look at the current generation of 4Runner, the vehicle is available with 4.0L V6 and with 2.7 l4 engines. So, you will need to know the exact model if you want to find an appropriate blower.
Supercharger Kits
The best possible option is to go for a Tacoma TRD supercharger kit. These kits include the necessary parts that might need to be replaced, and you can find kits designed for a specific model of the car. If we take a look at the previous example, all you need to do is find a supercharger kit that fits, for example, Toyota 4Runner made between 2010 and 2019 with a 4.0-liter engine.
The manufacturer of the blower will always write in the description important details about the fitment, which will allow you to see whether the unit will be able to fit the engine you own.
Installation Process
Once you manage to find a suitable supercharger, all you need to do is take it to the nearest service/workshop, or your preferred mechanic, they will be able to install it for you. The process is quite easy, especially for those with experience, and you can expect your supercharger to be installed in a day. Naturally, you should always ask them whether they are busy and when you can expect the installation to be complete.
The primary reason why this is so important is that it will increase the cost of the supercharger. As for the exact price, it is something you’ll need to ask before the installation, but it is usually around $500 to $1000.
Is It Possible To Install the Supercharger Alone?
In theory, you can do it alone at your home. The only question is whether you feel comfortable doing it. You will also need appropriate tools and to have some experience with the engine.
If this seems exciting to you, you should know that the manufacturer of the supercharger will usually provide an instruction manual you can follow, and it often has a detailed step-by-step guide. Installing the blower by yourself will save you some money in the process, and you will only need to pay for the supercharger kit.
Needless to say, leaving it to professionals is safer, and it will eliminate the possibility of something going wrong during the installation.
Types of Superchargers
When it comes to superchargers, there are three different types you can find on the market. These types are:
- Turbo
- Centrifugal superchargers
- PD pumps
PD or positive displacement pumps are among the most popular, and there are models like Whipple, Eaton, and others based on twin-screw or Roots-type blowers. Some Toyota models are already equipped with a turbo system, but they are not common. If you are looking to get a Tacoma supercharger, all three options are available, but it is more likely that you will find a PD pump for your model of the car.
Which Ones You Can Find for TRD Vehicles
TDR went through a couple of changes over the years, and you could find several different types for Toyota and other cars we mentioned before. For l4 engines, Toyota used Roots-type or centrifugal, while the newer V6 and V8 engines were almost exclusively based on Roots-type superchargers.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t find a Whipple for a 4Runner or Tacoma, and it just comes down to what you are looking to achieve. Almost all major brands and types are available for TRD models, and you will have plenty of different options.
Different Engines
Since we already talked about different engines and how they will affect the choice of your superchargers, let’s take a closer look at the newest series of TRD vehicles.
| 4Runner | RAV4 | Avalon | Camry | Sequoia | Tacoma | Tundra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L V6 | 2.5 L l4 | 3.5 L V6 | 3.5 L V6 | 5.7 L V8 | 3.5 L V6 | 5.7 L V8 |
This means that there are a few different options for engines coming out of Toyota. However, I should mention that Sequoia and Tundra share the same 5.7-liter V8, and Avalon, Tacoma, and Camry have identical engines as well.
Are Magnuson Superchargers Good?
Yes! Magnuson superchargers are among the best ones you can find on the market. Each of the blowers in the store offers excellent quality, and of course, a warranty. Keep in mind that superchargers are installed on the stock version of the engine, so no internal modifications are necessary.
The best thing about Magnuson is that there are plenty of options you can find in the store, and the majority of models come in a kit with additional parts. If the quality of the blower is your concern, know that Magnuson is one of the most popular brands for a reason.
Know Your Car
The more details you know about your vehicle, the easier it will be to find a solution to this problem. As we mentioned before, superchargers are installed on a stock version of the engine. You will need to know the type of it as well as whether there have been any changes to the vehicle.
This will make it simpler for the installation regardless of whether you are doing it by yourself or not. You will also have an easier time finding a supercharger for your type of engine, as well as being able to check other models with different prices.
Popular Brands of Superchargers
We already mentioned three of the popular brands — Whipple, Eaton, and Magnuson. But there are others you can check out as well, like Powerdyne, Vortec, Procharger, Paxton, etc.
| Whipple | Twin-screw |
|---|---|
| Eaton | Twin-screw or Roots-type |
| Vortec | Twin-screw or Centrifugal |
| Edelbrock | Roots-type |
| Magnuson | Roots-type |
| Roush Performance | Roots-type |
There is a chance that some of these brands aren’t offering superchargers for Toyota. But, you will still have plenty of other options to check out. Regardless of the model you pick, each company on the list will offer an incredible product. They have decades of experience working in the field, and you will undoubtedly get a blower that’s worth every cent.
Is There “The Best” Option?
Unfortunately, this isn’t something we can help you with. The best is highly subjective, and two drivers or owners will probably tell you two different things. The question is, what is best for you? If you are looking for quality, any of the brands we mentioned will do the trick.
On the other hand, for some drivers, “the best” might be in terms of price. Either way, you should check out as many blowers as you can to ensure that you find the option that is best for you and your taste.
How Much Does a TRD Supercharger Kit Cost?
The price of the supercharger will vary in many different aspects. For example, whether you are looking for a turbo or a Roots-type blower. Moreover, each brand of superchargers will dictate its own price, and it is up to you to find which one is suitable for your wallet.
In general, superchargers will cost between $4,000 and $7,000. And you should also account for the additional $500+ for the installation if you don’t plan on installing it by yourself. Needless to say, some models will go even higher, but this is a general price range you can expect.
What You Need to Know About Costs
Installing a blower and the cost of the kit is just the initial payment for the process. Naturally, it is also the biggest one, but you will still need to invest in your vehicle. This includes maintenance, premium fuel, and even additional accessories.
None of these things is mandatory, but if you are looking to upgrade your vehicle, you should take care of it as well.
How To Reduce The TRD supercharger Kit Cost
The most obvious answer is to install the supercharger by yourself. This will save you between $500 and $1,000, but you should only do it if you have any experience in the field. Another way to reduce the costs is to check out different options. If some brand offers one price, there is a chance that you can find a cheaper model out there.
However, we wouldn’t recommend going for the model with a ridiculously low price unless it’s from a well-known brand. Finally, the installation costs can vary from store to store, and you can also contact Toyota to see if the company offers installation for your vehicle.
TRD Supercharger Kits Over Individual Blowers
Kits exist for a reason, and while it might be tempting to buy a supercharger on its own, you will still need to replace the additional parts if you are hoping for the blower to work as intended. Yes, it is a nice way to save money, but there is a high chance that you will pay a lot more in the end.
Ordering and replacing parts one by one will take you a lot of time, and you will need to be sure that the parts you are ordering are the ones you need. Our recommendation is to always go for the kit.
A Significant Boost in Performance
Regardless of the model of the supercharger you buy, one thing is certain — you will get a significant boost in horsepower and torque. Generally speaking, you will get at least a 30% increase in both horsepower and torque, which will make a world of difference.
We are talking about an additional 80 to 120 horsepower, and it is more than noticeable. Needless to say, the stock version of the engine will play an important role in the boost — it’s not the same, boosting a 2.5-liter l4 compared to boosting a 5.7-liter V8.
Plenty of Different Options
The most important thing is to take your time. You don’t supercharge your car every day, and you need to do it right. This counts for both price and performance. Consider different options since there are so many you can check out.
Ask yourself how much power you need and what you can afford. Most importantly, the functionality or intended use of the vehicle. You can always calculate how much money you need to pay per horsepower, so you can easily find the most affordable option. Of course, if you don’t mind spending a bit more, you can always go for the model with the biggest gains regardless of the price.
Supercharger Maintenance
Maintaining a supercharger is not difficult. All you need to do is change the oil in the blower every once in a while. The timing should be the same as with the engine oil, and you can always check them at the same time.
One of the things we should mention is that the manufacturer of the blower will always provide recommended brand and type of oil, as well as the mileage, after which you’ll need to change the oil. Just follow the instructions, and there won’t be any problems.
Other Ways to Boost Performance
Supercharging your Toyota is just one of many ways to boost performance, but it is far from being the only one. Naturally, superchargers will make the biggest difference, but you can always combine several other improvements for the best possible results.
Other upgrades include upgrading the cold air intake, replacing the exhaust system, updating software, changing filters, and so on. Every part of the car will make a difference, so consider other upgrades as well.
Is Installing a TRD Supercharger Kit a Good Idea?
The short answer is yes. Supercharging your car is the most effective way of increasing performance, and the difference will be unbelievable. If you enjoy driving your car, blowers will make you fall in love with it all over again. There is a reason why so many drivers are looking to install superchargers.
It’s fun, it’s better, and it is significantly cheaper than buying a new car. The best thing about blowers is that there are little to no downsides. Even if you get bored of having a powerful car, you can always remove it and return the engine to the stock version. So, why worry when you can easily make your car run like a dream?
See the post 3rd gen 4runner supercharger reviews worth it? for all the different 4runner engine options as well as what to expect when looking for a supercharger.
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