Getting a TRD Supercharger Kit Is the Simplest Way to Boost Performance
TRD supercharger kit, everything you need to know, what to look for and how to find one for your model vehicle. Everyone knows how exceptional TRD vehicles are. But if you own one of these models, you still might want to consider upgrading it. The simplest way to boost performance is by supercharging the engine.
Here, we will take a look at some of the TRD vehicles and how you can easily upgrade your Toyota.
What You Need to Know Before You Buy a Toyota TRD Supercharger
Over the years, there have been many Toyotas bearing the TRD name, which is why you need to know as many details as possible about your vehicle. Saying that you own a Toyota TRD is not enough if you aim to find a supercharger, as there have been so many different models of it.
Furthermore, you also have plenty of options when buying a TRD supercharger kit, so we need to cover a lot of things here. But before we go any further, we should talk about TRD models and what they represent.
[read more]Toyota TRD
Toyota Racing Development or TRD was founded in 1954. The idea behind it was to have an in-house tuning shop for any Toyota, Scion, or Lexus vehicle. If you are unfamiliar, Scion was a marque of Toyota canceled in 2016, and all the models were either rebranded as Toyota or discontinued.
The TRD was mainly focused on racing and improving the performance of Toyota models. Over the years, TRD became an important part of this company, and they offered numerous rides, some of which are available to this day. TRD also offered additional parts and superchargers for Toyota vehicles as well.
Different Models
Since TRD has a rich history, there have been many vehicles with the TRD label. However, TRD only served as a way to modify existing vehicles, which means that you can’t find anything new from this company anymore. In essence, TRD offered performance-based models of existing Toyota models.
This includes models like Tacoma, Corolla, Sienna, Camry, 4Runner, Tundra, and many others. Each year they offered different models, which is why it is essential to know the exact year of manufacturing so you can easily find a supercharger for your car.
Toyota Engines
The reason why engines are so important for picking the supercharger is that blowers need to fit the engine. Each engine has a different size and design, and you need to know the exact series of the engine if you want everything to work as intended.
Of course, listing all Toyota engines would take quite a lot of time, but we will say that you can learn so much from the name of the engine. For example, the new Tacoma TRD has a 3.5-liter V6 engine with the code name 2GR-FKS. This means that the engine is the second version in the GR series, and the rest of the name after dash means:
- F – Economy narrow-angle valve DOHC
- K – On-demand Atkinson cycle in non-hybrid engines
- D4-S Gasoline direct injection
In 2015, with the introduction of the third generation of Tacoma, Toyota decided to limit the number of letters after the dash to three. While it is possible for the engine to have additional features, they won’t be listed in the name.
Current Generation
Since we started talking about the current generation of TRD vehicles, let’s take a look at models you can find in the store. There are TRD versions of:
- Tacoma
- 4Runner
- Tundra
- Sequoia
- RAV4
- Camry
- Avalon
Some of the models on the list are available in a couple of different versions as well. You can find Sequoia TRD Sport and Sequoia TRD Pro. RAV4, Camry, and Avalon are the newest additions, and they don’t have other versions.
Tacoma | 4Runner | Tundra | Sequoia | RAV4 | Camry | Avalon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.7-liter | 2.7-liter | 3.4-liter | 4.6-liter | 2.0-liter | 2.5-liter | 2.0-liter |
3.5-liter | 4.0-liter | 4.7-liter | 2.5-liter | 3.5-liter | 2.5-liter | |
5.7-liter | 3.5-liter |
It is worth mentioning that each of these vehicles will use the same engine as with the regular stock Toyota, which is why you don’t need to worry about superchargers. We mentioned Tacoma before, and the truck is available in 2.7 and 3.5 versions. All Tacoma TRD trucks will have a 3.5-liter V6.
What Vehicles Can Use TRD Supercharger Kit?
For TRD vehicles, any car on the list can be supercharged. They all use the same engines as their stock counterparts, and finding a supercharger won’t be a problem.
However, if we are talking about superchargers designed by TRD, the situation gets a bit more complicated. In 2015, TRD discontinued all superchargers, and the company ceased production. This means that you won’t be able to find a single supercharger for the current generation of TRD vehicles designed by Toyota Racing Development. While there are other brands and models available on the market, you won’t be able to get one from the dealership.
Supercharged TRD Toyotas
Prior to 2015, many vehicles were supercharged by default. Over the years, TRD experimented with different models of both cars and superchargers. In the late nineties, you could have found Corolla or Sprinter with Roots-type blowers, and during its short life, Scion versions were available with centrifugal superchargers.
So, it is possible to find models that have either turbo or a supercharger already installed. But if you find a model without one, you can always install it on your own.
Installation Process
When you find a supercharger you like, you can proceed to the installation. There are two ways you can approach the problem. You can:
- Install it yourself
- Leave it to professionals
The first option will save you money, but it is recommended to have experience in the field. If you never messed around with your engine, there is a high chance that you won’t know what to do. Of course, manufacturers usually provide a step-by-step installation guide, but many drivers are not comfortable with the procedure.
If you don’t feel like you’d be able to do it alone, you can always contact a car service and check the price for the installation. This way, you can ensure that everything goes well and that the blower will work as intended.
How to Find the Right Blower
The reason we talked about engines before is that you need to match the series of the engine with a supercharger. For example, if you own one of the newer Tacomas, you can get a model with 2.7 and one with a 3.5 engine. Based on this, you will look for a supercharger for this specific type of engine.
One of the things that simplify the process is that all TRD Tacomas have a 3.5-liter engine, and you won’t need to worry about specific series. All you need to do is learn about the size of the engine and the year it was manufactured, and you’ll be ready to search for a Tacoma supercharger.
Maintenance
Once the supercharger is installed, the maintenance is quite simple. You will only need to change the oil in the blower to make it work properly. And that’s it. The manufacturer of the blower will usually provide all the necessary info for maintenance as well. They will tell you what brand and type of oil you should use, as well as how often to change it.
A general rule is to change it as often as engine oil, but this might vary from model to model. Oil for the supercharger is essential for its functionality, as it serves as both lubricant and coolant.
Is TRD Supercharger for Sale?
No. As we mentioned before, TRD discontinued all superchargers, and you simply cannot buy them anymore. That goes for the previous versions as well. So, if you own a Toyota vehicle made before 2015, there is still a chance that you’ll have problems finding a Tacoma TRD supercharger.
Now, this only counts for Toyota’s own superchargers. You can find many other brands on the market even for newer models. If you don’t care about the brand and are only interested in performance, you can easily find exceptional blowers like Whipple, Eaton, and many others.
What Are Your Options When Buying a Supercharger
Based on the model of Toyota you own, there is a high chance that you can find all major brands and types. This includes
- Centrifugal superchargers
- Turbochargers
- PD pumps
Positive displacement pumps include Roots-type and twin-screw models, as well as different brands like Whipple, Magnuson, Eaton, Procharger, and many others. It is up to you to choose the model and type you like the most. Ask yourself what type of upgrade you are looking for and what supercharger is the most suitable for your situation.
How Much Will It Cost
The main question that will determine the price is which type of supercharger you’re looking to buy. In general, the price of a supercharger is between $4,000 and $7,000, but there might be a few price differences based on the brand. Additionally, you will need to account for the cost of installation as well, and it can be around $500.
These numbers are here just to give you a general idea, and all of these prices may vary from store to store. You should always inform yourself of the prices so you can plan accordingly.
What Kind of Upgrade Can You Expect
Installing a TRD supercharger kit will give you a significant boost in performance. The exact numbers will vary depending on the type of engine and supercharger you buy. If we are talking about numbers, you can expect around a 30% increase in horsepower and torque.
Naturally, the better the engine, the more horsepower will get. This is one of the primary reasons why people often supercharge V6 and V8 engines since the difference can be quite high. While it might seem like a low increase in horsepower, it will completely change the way driving feels. And you will notice it as soon as you start the engine.
TRD Supercharger for 4.0 Liter V6 Toyota Engine
Saying that you own a 4.0-liter V6 is not enough. You will need to know a couple of other details before you can find a supercharger. However, if you add “TRD” to the name, you get a 1GR-FE Toyota engine. These engines were manufactured in the mid-2000s, and there are a couple of superchargers you can find.
Specifically, TRD offered a blower for both FJ Cruiser and Tacoma. You can use this supercharger for any Tacoma made between 2005 and 2015, and for FJ Cruisers made between 2007 and 2009. Naturally, the GR engine was also used by 4Runner, Tundra, Hilux, Fortuner, and it’s still used by a couple of vehicles.
Toyota Land Cruiser 70 | From 2009 |
---|---|
Toyota Hilux | From 2015 |
Toyota 4Runner | From 2009 |
Toyota Land Cruiser | From 2021 |
Lexus GX 400 | From 2012 |
Toyota Fortuner | From 2015 |
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado | From 2009 |
While the TRD-made superchargers are not available, you can find other brands that design blowers for new Toyotas that still use a 4.0-liter V6 engine.
Other Ways to Improve Performance
Supercharging the engine is just one of many ways to increase the horsepower in your car. But it is far from being the only one. The reason why so many drivers focus on blowers is that other modifications won’t offer as big of an improvement as superchargers.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t do it all. With each upgrade to your vehicle, you will make it run better and increase performance. You can consider upgrading the cold-air filter, exhaust system, software, wheels, and other parts of your car that will affect the performance.
Is A TRD Supercharger Kit Worth It?
Yes! Installing a TRD supercharger kit is the most effective of all upgrades, and it will easily transform your vehicle. Considering that you will get over a 30% increase in horsepower, you will feel like you bought a brand new car. Keep in mind that the cost of installation and the kit is far lower than the cost of a new vehicle, which is why this is an excellent option if you are looking for an upgrade.
And it is worth every cent. There is a reason why so many drivers are interested in superchargers, and you will love the difference these blowers will bring. So, the answer is yes. If you can afford to supercharge the engine, you should do it as soon as possible.
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