Supercharger regrets?

I've been seriously considering a supercharger and realize that besides the obvious performance perks there are a few negatives including:
1. Cost
2. Whine with acceleration
3. Premium fuel
4. ? Increased wear on power train
5. Increased gas mileage due to need for speed

Maybe I'm trying to talk myself out of one but have any of you with superchargers had any regrets now that you've had one on for a few months/yrs?

On the other hand, I know that many of you have put a ton of money in your rigs and have any of you wished that you had put your $5K into a supercharger instead?

 

I got mine specifically to help with towing - which it made worth every penny. If I didn't need it for that, it would be fun, but probably not worth the money on a 4x4 - and I would have banked the 5k. If I had an X-Runner, heck yeah.

I would definitely recommend the 2.8 URD pulley though. Made a very nice difference.

 

The whine is subjective.... Some love it and some hate it. I love the whine and its not that loud IMHO. I did grow up near riverside raceway, California speedway, and went to Pomona often. I grew up associating the whine with fun.

As for gas, I always ran premium anyhow.

Increased wear..... Well the engine is not under boost all the time if that helps.

Gas mileage.... That's fully up to the driver. Even then, I still get the same miles per tank that I did without it. At least if I'm not being foolish with the pedal, but even n/a u can kill the mpg easily.

I only regret not doing it sooner.


I would suggest the urd fuel pump kit.
This will help ensure u get decent flow and support future mods, as well as give the option of changing the fuel filter in a matter of seconds.

 

You have obviously talked yourself out of it so why post?

 

I regretted after buying it, not because it wasn't fun but just because I think I could have spent the money elsewhere on better mods.

 

I actually use the whine as a gas saver tool. If you condition yourself to avoid the whine as much as possible while accelerating and driving, you can actually improve MPG's.

 

Boost gauge shows that even under whine, I can still remain in vacuum. Going up a large grade at 75 in 4th, I can remain in vacuum. The bypass valve works

 

Yep. I use the gauge now more than the sound - but being aware of both will definitely improve mileage. I get much better mileage now than when I was N/A.

 

I heart my SC...

 

I absolutely love my S/C!!! I am about to add the URD 2.7 pulley, cant wait!!!

 

The supercharger on my 2011 PreRunner was an absolute blast to drive and worth every penny. Like others have said as long as you keep out of it you should net about the same MPG's for me that was extremely hard to do.

That being said I now have a N/A 13 4x4 and have realized the power is sufficient.I will however be putting on a S/C on this one too at some point just because it makes driving to and from work more fun. I work nights so not many drivers.

 

My only regret is that I am hauling too much ass

 

Ditch the wine. Go URD! And you get a BOV!!!!

 

Initially I thought it was a waist of money, 1 year later I am happy I did it and enjoy driving my truck on and off road.

 

I sort of regret it because once you get it, you want more. The initial Super charger and install was $4600, cat back $450. So there is $5000 and I wasnt all that impressed. Another $1200 gets you a 2.8 pulley, walbro pump,Volant CAI w/ scoop and install. That is $6200 and it finally has what I was hoping for. Another $800 for the Bully Dog and it really does move. However it is a truck and I have $7000 into the motor. I could have bought a crate engine with 450-500hp for that price.

I do have to say it is a blast to drive and I am glad I did it once. I wouldn't do it again. Look for someone else who has already spent the cash and wants to sell (The whole truck, not just the supercharger), purchase for pennies on the dollar. That is my advice.

 

I would respectfully disagree with that. Buying a used one would be a nightmare if they didn't include every single part that came with it originally. Many guys that buy used ones end up never being able to use them because you can't find the single parts without buying the whole kit.

 

NO, buying a used truck that already has a Supercharger on it, along with tons of other mods. I see them for sale quite often on here for a steal. I would also disagree with buying a used supercharger.

 

Anybody have problems with their automatic transmission because of a supercharger? I read that s/c put a lot of extra stress on an auto trans and it might be a good idea to upgrade the tranny when you install a s/c. That sounds really expensive, but I wouldn't want the stock transmission to wear out just because of a s/c.

 

I've never heard that, and I've done some extensive research.

 

Ah yes - agreed!