TRD Supercharger for the RX?
#17
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by VSsc400
also what is the difference between the different 1MZ-FE kits? The charger itself is identical. That I know, but what is the difference between the kits? anyone know for sure?
FYI TRD S/C for the 1MZ-FE applies to non vvt-i model 1MZ-FE Camry, Solara, Avalon,Sienna. Camry didn't get VVT-i until the MCV30 (Gen5) Camry, Solara didn't get it til Gen 2 (MCV30/31) Avalon until Gen2 00-04 and the Sienna not until 99.
#18
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by VSsc400
The reason why people say it will not work.
1. Height of the supercharger and hood closure. This is of no concern. Camry has far less hood clearance from the top of the engine cover to the hood and it fits fine. We should have more room than what we know what to do with.
1. Height of the supercharger and hood closure. This is of no concern. Camry has far less hood clearance from the top of the engine cover to the hood and it fits fine. We should have more room than what we know what to do with.
2. Someone mentioned that the RX300 is quad cam and solara is twin cam. This is not true. A 4cyl engine in DOHC position will have 1 intake cam and 1 exhaust cam making it 2 cams. A V6 configuration will have 2 intake and 2 exhaust cams one set for each side of the V. So yes it is a quad cam but if you look at it that way so are the solaras, siennas, and camrys. In fact the solaras have a valve cover that has stamped (v6 3000 four cam 24)
3. you need to re-chip the RX300. This is not true. Your ECU is able to compensate for the change in atmospheric pressure. Let me elaborate. 1 bar or 1 measure of atmospheric pressure is 14.7psi. 4psi (TRD supercharger boost). Highest elevation at peak of McKinney (where cars travel over) the air pressure is only .43bars and 4psi is only .27bars. So by adding or substracting 4psi is is no big deal. Your car is made to adjust to compensate for them.
4. RX300's are have 2 throttle bodies. This is simply not true. I only see one.
1MZ-FE VVT-i MCV20(99 ES300) twin t/b intake design:
1MZ-FE MCV20 (99 Solara) Pics are from my friend Steve's site (www.schung07.com) single t/b intake design & RMM Intake:
1MZ-FE MCV20 (99 Solara) w/custom red powdercoat on TRD S/C & valve covers...
5. Plumbing is too complicated. eaton root style chargers are top mounted chargers.. The only plumbing if any that has to be done (with any vehicle) is from the back of the charger to the intake pipe. This you can buy a 90degree elbow and your plumbing is done.
intake manifold bolts on since the intake manifold side and the positioning of the engine is exactly the same as the camrys, solarars and iennas
Questions
1. I have to assume that nobody has this setup since there is a snag somewhere in installing this. Otherwise there would be dozens of us with this setup. Does anyone know or know someons who knows who had a a TRD supercharger on hand and tried to put it on an RX300 and it didn't fit?
1. I have to assume that nobody has this setup since there is a snag somewhere in installing this. Otherwise there would be dozens of us with this setup. Does anyone know or know someons who knows who had a a TRD supercharger on hand and tried to put it on an RX300 and it didn't fit?
2. anyone can think of any other this would not work?
#19
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glad to see interest in adding a supercharger to a 3.0 VVT-i. Currently have a 01 Avalon with the same 3.0 VVT-i the RX300 has and i'm considering a RX300 (need more room). Would be nice to see a supercharger for it.
Is anyone actually trying to put a supercharger in right now?
Is anyone actually trying to put a supercharger in right now?
#20
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huh? TRD superchargers DO fit other years & sizes & VVT-i??
So I'm looking at the 4.5 supercharger on the TRD website and it says "Land Cruiser 1997-1998".
Then I do a search and find this: 4wheeler magazine doing a review of a 2004 4.7 4Runner with a TRD factory-equipped supercharger
Then I check Toyota's site and the new (and 2004) 4runner has the new (and 2004) 4runner has a VVT-i 4.7 V8
So what's the deal Toyota?? Obviously the TRD superchargers work fine with other engine sizes and even with VVT-i, so why when we call they give us the brush off and tell us it wouldn't work?
EDIT: nevermind, apparently the 4.7 used in that 4runner was not VVT-i, since the VVT-i 4.7 have more stock hp than what the article quotes. Still I'm confused why a new TRD supercharger hasn't come out now that nearly all toyotas are VVT-i and Lexus has been VVT-i for many years now. Who's going to keep buying the superchargers when they don't make engines that can use it?
Then I do a search and find this: 4wheeler magazine doing a review of a 2004 4.7 4Runner with a TRD factory-equipped supercharger
Then I check Toyota's site and the new (and 2004) 4runner has the new (and 2004) 4runner has a VVT-i 4.7 V8
So what's the deal Toyota?? Obviously the TRD superchargers work fine with other engine sizes and even with VVT-i, so why when we call they give us the brush off and tell us it wouldn't work?
EDIT: nevermind, apparently the 4.7 used in that 4runner was not VVT-i, since the VVT-i 4.7 have more stock hp than what the article quotes. Still I'm confused why a new TRD supercharger hasn't come out now that nearly all toyotas are VVT-i and Lexus has been VVT-i for many years now. Who's going to keep buying the superchargers when they don't make engines that can use it?
Last edited by lexus_perf; 06-27-05 at 09:21 AM.
#21
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3.0 VVT-i with supercharger link
"uses the proven Toyota 3.0 litre all-alloy VVT-i engine equipped with Toyota's own supercharger which is coupled to an existing 4x4 drivetrain...Its supercharger, sourced from Toyota performance equipment specialist TRD USA, is belt driven by the V6 engine's crankshaft."
let's not forget the Scion's all use VVT-i yet there's superchargers for those engines.
I think the "no supercharger for VVT-i" claim is bogus and would like to see the results of a supercharged VVT-i 3.0
"uses the proven Toyota 3.0 litre all-alloy VVT-i engine equipped with Toyota's own supercharger which is coupled to an existing 4x4 drivetrain...Its supercharger, sourced from Toyota performance equipment specialist TRD USA, is belt driven by the V6 engine's crankshaft."
let's not forget the Scion's all use VVT-i yet there's superchargers for those engines.
I think the "no supercharger for VVT-i" claim is bogus and would like to see the results of a supercharged VVT-i 3.0
#22
Super Moderator
I like your posting and wish more people who follow up on this.
I earlier said that the existing superchargers and VVTI would have reliability problems. That is probably true, but the supercharger might still work just not as good as you want it.
When I get back to the states, I actually want the go the route of putting in a small turbo (I have researched this and it is doable) in.
Lexus/Toyota probably would not be interested in this project as they will happily suggest to you that if you want more power and like the RX...get a 400h.
SRT once developed a prototype turbocharger for the RX some years ago, but is was never commercialized due to lack of interest.
I think the supercharger is in much the same mold.
Perhaps we should get a signature or letter writing campaign to encourge TRD/Kazuma/Eaton to develop this.
I earlier said that the existing superchargers and VVTI would have reliability problems. That is probably true, but the supercharger might still work just not as good as you want it.
When I get back to the states, I actually want the go the route of putting in a small turbo (I have researched this and it is doable) in.
Lexus/Toyota probably would not be interested in this project as they will happily suggest to you that if you want more power and like the RX...get a 400h.
SRT once developed a prototype turbocharger for the RX some years ago, but is was never commercialized due to lack of interest.
I think the supercharger is in much the same mold.
Perhaps we should get a signature or letter writing campaign to encourge TRD/Kazuma/Eaton to develop this.
#23
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superchargers, in general, are much easier to install than turbos. They're basically "bolt-on", just unbolt the stock intake, bolt the supercharger on and put the longer pully on and volia your done.
Turbos require special headers and custom tubing and intakes and waste gates and all kinds of other special hardware, major PITA.
Don't get me wrong turbos are great if they're factory, but I'd much rather install a supercharger than a turbo anyday. Less hardware = less headaches.
Turbos require special headers and custom tubing and intakes and waste gates and all kinds of other special hardware, major PITA.
Don't get me wrong turbos are great if they're factory, but I'd much rather install a supercharger than a turbo anyday. Less hardware = less headaches.
#24
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Sadly I've been looking at other vehicles since it seems there's nothing for the RX300.
the Lincoln Navigator uses the same 5.4 V8 that the Lightning does except it doesn't have the supercharger. Kenne Bell offers a supercharger kit turning 14 sec quarters & 0-60 in 6.3 for $3950. Funny thing is the Navigator weighs 1500 lbs more than the RX300 so a RX300 would easily do 14s with much less hp and get much better mpg.
Are you listening TRD??
The Lincoln Aviator has the same 300hp 4.6 32v DOHC V8 that the Mustang Cobra had so there's plenty of aftermarket support.
Unfortunately both engines require high octane stock and both get horrible gas mileage, mid teens if you're lucky, not to mention the spotty reliability.
the Lincoln Navigator uses the same 5.4 V8 that the Lightning does except it doesn't have the supercharger. Kenne Bell offers a supercharger kit turning 14 sec quarters & 0-60 in 6.3 for $3950. Funny thing is the Navigator weighs 1500 lbs more than the RX300 so a RX300 would easily do 14s with much less hp and get much better mpg.
Are you listening TRD??
The Lincoln Aviator has the same 300hp 4.6 32v DOHC V8 that the Mustang Cobra had so there's plenty of aftermarket support.
Unfortunately both engines require high octane stock and both get horrible gas mileage, mid teens if you're lucky, not to mention the spotty reliability.
#25
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Both the SC300 and SC400 use VVT-i starting 1998 yet there's plenty of aftermarket support for them. I believe the GS 300 does too since engine specs are identical to the SC300's, right down to the compression.
I still think the 3.0 VVT-i V6 can handle a supercharger just fine.
I still think the 3.0 VVT-i V6 can handle a supercharger just fine.
#26
Lexus Champion
I don't think there's any particular reason for it. Toyota or TRD simply do not make supercharger kit for the RX300/Harrier. Period.
They do make it for the old Sienna, believe it or not.
They do make it for the old Sienna, believe it or not.
#27
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Originally Posted by HarrierAWD
I don't think there's any particular reason for it. Toyota or TRD simply do not make supercharger kit for the RX300/Harrier. Period.
They do make it for the old Sienna, believe it or not.
They do make it for the old Sienna, believe it or not.
#28
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by HarrierAWD
They do make it for the old Sienna, believe it or not.
#29
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by lexus_perf
glad to see interest in adding a supercharger to a 3.0 VVT-i. Currently have a 01 Avalon with the same 3.0 VVT-i the RX300 has and i'm considering a RX300 (need more room). Would be nice to see a supercharger for it.
Is anyone actually trying to put a supercharger in right now?
Is anyone actually trying to put a supercharger in right now?
#30
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by lexus_perf
Both the SC300 and SC400 use VVT-i starting 1998 yet there's plenty of aftermarket support for them. I believe the GS 300 does too since engine specs are identical to the SC300's, right down to the compression.
I still think the 3.0 VVT-i V6 can handle a supercharger just fine.
I still think the 3.0 VVT-i V6 can handle a supercharger just fine.
The biggest issues I see with running a s/c w/the 1MZ-FE V6 VVT-i version is working the throttle body and working with weak/touchy 1MZ-FE knock sensors.