Supercharger upgrade worth the cost?

I just got my 2003 back from my step-daughter who has been using it for past 6 mo. or so. I have a couple of things I need to do to it, like fix the broken windshield and dent in rear of bed (just did an exhaust and belts last week) but also wanted to start doing some of the following upgrades.

• F5 wheels (I just posted a question about whether 17" F5 wheels would fit on a stock height Tacoma)
• Tundra brake upgrade
• Retrofit projector headlights

But i was also kicking around the idea of one of the supercharger kits (depending on my tax return). At a cost of almost $3000, is this a worthwhile 'investment' or would you use that same money to upgrade to an OME suspension?

 

It really depends on what you want out of your truck.

If you want more power or your ok with what you have or if you want a better suspension, lift kit, bigger rims and tires shocks, etc

 

Keep in mind most people require additional fuel modifications to keep the engine healthy when running the supercharger...7th injector kit, methanol injection, larger fuel injectors are a few options.

It's fun to have for sure, but the reality is that it's not just a one time cost. There are additional maintenance items that come with it and more expenses overall to keep it running healthy.

 

Yeah, you've got a lot more reading to do if you think a supercharger will only cost you $3k...

Personally, I'd skip the wheels. DEFINITELY upgrade to the Tundra brakes before you do anything. I keep thinking about retrofits on my truck, but a fresh headlight polish and application of clear coat will make my headlights good enough for the road and I won't be one of those assholes that blinds everyone every time they hit a bump and the cut-off line bounces higher than eye level of oncoming traffic like every new car on the road.

 

I didn’t realize the proctor headlights had this issue. I had swapped in a paid of the HID bulbs (I think that’s what they were called) and kept getting flashed by people who thought I had my high beams on. I pulled them and went back to stock but my lenses are so yellow now.

 

Putting HID bulbs in your headlight housings that are designed for halogens is DEFINITELY why you were getting flashed because you DID have your brights on. All the light was getting sent directly into their eyes. Doesn't matter if you were only using the "low" beam.

 

To do it correctly You can dump 5k into a supercharger setup if all the parts were new. If you bought all used parts maybe 3k depending on what extras you get and what direction you go, 7th kit or methonal kit.

End results will be 60-110 extra horsepower give or take on what add ons you get.

With that said your tacoma will feel like a completely different truck!

Add ons would be

7th injector kit,
methanol injection
larger fuel injectors
large fuel pump
Smaller pulley
AFR guage
Boost guage
Different air filter
High temp nose seal

For me definitely worth it!!!

 

Yes it's worth the cost I'm running a TRD Supercharger on my 2.7 and it's alot of fun especially seeing the other drivers expression when I pass them easily on a hill !!!

 

As for wheels, I wish I still had 15". They ride so much better.

 

Is your 4 banger setup stock or are you running a 5th injector, smaller pulley etc.?

 

Are you running low or high boost?
LCE offers a low or high boost option, not sure about TRD.

 

Supercharger was installed by the dealer in 2003 and it's the rare hard to find TRD

 

Well done! I’m a bit envious, I love my 2.7, but fudge do I need a supercharger on this biatch!

 

Was installed at the dealer in 2003 , not sure on pulley size but it does have Supra " pink " injectors

 

My truck only has 70k original miles !!!

 

Not a 1st Gen guy, but I absolutely love my newly installed SC. I don’t even have all the crazy add ons. I have a proper fuel pump, dry air filter, and slightly smaller pulley on the TRD tune. No meth, no 7th injector. I rebuilt everything in my garage prior to install. Here is one I found that may suit your needs. Just an example, I think you are in jersey and this one is in Atlanta.

 

And mine has only 580k original miles !! Lol

 

It was a onetime purchase for me.

 

you guys with the 2nd gen Tacomas are fortunate that your superchargers come with a built in intercooler...a big issue for us supercharged 1st gen Tacoma guys is that our superchargers aren't intercooled so they suffer from heat soak very easily especially if you live somewhere where the ambient temperature is hot. Summer time here in Souther California is not kind to my truck lol. But man oh man does it love this cold winter weather we're having, especially when I take it up to the mountains.

 

Us 1st gen guys have more issues with heat soak and needing to make up for that with meth kits, 7th injector, etc. You guys have built in intercoolers with your superchargers, we don't unfortunately.