Magnuson Supercharger Mega Thread for 16+ Tacoma - Unboxing, Install DIY, Dyno Video

I recently got a Magnuson 2GR-FKS 3.5L V6 Supercharger Kit for my 2018 Tacoma TRD Off-Road (AT) and wanted to document my progress from unboxing all the way to the final before/after dyno results. Total time spent on install was 13 hours. I also wanted to create a support thread for those that plan on getting a kit or have one. So feel free to ask me any questions! You can also check out my install progress on @trailhunters Instagram.

UPDATED: 12/21/2020 dyno results/video!

Warning! I know my engine bay is dirty. I know it's risky to open up the engine with dirt. Bad timing with weather forced me to install in the garage without washing it down. But it's ok - my truck is running perfectly fine.

Initial Towing Impression: Post #48
Dyno Results vs OVTune: Post #72
Dyno Video: Post #86
Towing Review Video: TBD
Driving Video: TBD

Currently I have the OVTune and it made 244 whp and 235 wtq on a Dynojet. Since I have this data, I wanted to go in again after the supercharger goes on to see the real world difference. Anyways, I'll be updating this thread as I progress day by day. Specs of the truck below:

• 2018 Tacoma TRD Off-Road
  
• Automatic (stock gearing)
• Injen cold air intake
• 285/75/16 BFG KO2
• Eibach Pro-Truck Coilover 2.0
• OME HD leaf springs

Photo by Alex Bernstein.



Required tools include, but not limited to: (Links below are Amazon Affiliate links. At no cost to you, I earn a small commission on purchases. I would greatly appreciate if you can support with a cold beer or two!)

• Metric wrench set with 1/2" 3/8" drive
• Deep sockets
• Metric allen set
• Serpantine belt tool
• Heat gun
• Hose clamp pliers
• Torx socket set including female E6 E8 external torx
• Strap wrench (highly recommend)
• Oil resistant silicone RTV
• Engine gasket RTV (supplied in kit)
• Loctite 242 (supplied in kit, but not enough)
• O-ring lubricant
• Lacquer thinner
• 6.2 qts oil
• OEM coolant

11/2/2020: UPS delivered the goods! The Tacoma supercharger kit from Magnuson came in and I took some unboxing photos.

































Day 1 - 11/7/2020: Today I started the install and although I'm not going to be covering every single detailed step, this will give you a good idea of what to expect. Honestly, I was just about ready to drop it off at a shop and have them install, but after reading their detailed instruction booklet that comes with the kit, I felt a lot more comfortable. Never have I installed a supercharger kit, but so far today I got through most of the removal process and it was not hard at all. Just requires time.

Total Hours Worked: 3.5



1. Disconnect fuel pump fuse 15 and start/crank engine to remove fuel.



2. Disconnect battery terminal and shield it away from making accidental contact.



3. Remove skid plate.



4. Drain oil.



5. Drain coolant.



6. Remove grill, horns, TSS radar if equipped.



7. Access engine bay and remove intake.





8. Remove throttle body.



9. Remove upper intake manifold and cover up the ports so the engine does not get contaminated.





10. Disconnect fuel line.



11. Remove lower intake manifold and remove gaskets. Again, be very careful not to let anything fall inside the port. Tape it up!







12. Remove fuel rail and injectors from the lower intake manifold. Place the injector facing-down side on a platform so the injectors don't make contact with anything.





13. Replace with new Magnuson lower intake manifold. Reuse OEM injector grommets and fuel rail spacers. Reinstall OEM fuel rail/injectors. Torque to 18 ft-lbs.





14. Clean the engine manifold and replace the OEM gaskets.



15. Install the Magnuson lower intake manifold.



Tomorrow I will resume starting with the radiator. Just gotta be patient and organized.





Day 2 - 11/8/2020: I got through installing the supercharger and I'm almost done. Probably about 90% done. All I have left is the intake, s/c belt and my stock parts back on like the skid plate including refilling oil and coolant. Today was the big stuff. The Magnuson parts started going on and finally it's starting to look like a proper supercharger!

Total Hours Worked: 7.5

16. Remove fan and shroud.







17. Remove lower radiator hose on driver side.





18. Install Magnuson oil cooler spacer.



There's 2 bolts, 2 nuts, 1 plug to disconnect.









Oil cooler pulled away for the 2 studs.





19. Install Magnuson pulley. OEM bolt is 22mm. Magnuson bolt is 15/16". Apply oil resistant silicone on new bolt.

PRO TIP: Get a 1,000+ break away torque wrench. I used a 450 ft-lbs 3/8" drive Milwaukee M18 and it would not initially come off. PB Blaster and 20 minutes later if finally came off. I would at least go for a 600 ft-lbs, but be careful because larger impact guns may not have clearance between the radiator and pulley.







20. Install Magnuson pulley bracket and pulleys.









21. Install this Magnuson hose. I had to bend the OEM lock rings to open a larger diameter to fit the Magnuson hoses. They're a tad bigger than OEM.





22. Remove grill, center bracket and transmission cooler for those that have one.



23. Install Magnuson low temp radiator.



24. Install Magnuson supercharger pump.



25. Run Magnuson pump hose.





26. Wire S/C pump harness to OEM fuse box.



27. Secure S/C pump harness fuse/relay.



28. Modify OEM PCV hose and reinstall. Only need to trim 1" and 0.5" off the ends. Easy.



29. Prepare Magnuson upper intake manifold for install.



Remove charge air cooler (CAC) inlets from upper intake manifold. Lube o-rings.



Remove CAC.



Clean lower intake manifold surface.



Install upper intake manifold.



Re-install CAC.



Re-install CAC inlets.



30. Install Magnuson blower.





Admire the pulleys.



31. Install Magnuson lid. Gonna need to clean the surface with thinner lacquer and use supplied RTV before the lid goes on.





Day 3 - 11/9/2020: Finished up the install.

Total Hours Worked: 2

32. Install throttle body. Plug in TB harness.



33. Remove Magnuson pulley and install pulley bracket.





35. Install rear bracket to support the supercharger.



36. Connect PCV line.



37. Install OEM EVAP using supplied bracket. Plug in EVAP solenoid harness.





38. Install Magnuson coolant reservoir.



39. Connect radiator hoses to CAC inlet.



40. Install rear radiator hose.



41. Install Magnuson belt tensioner. Make sure to pre-loop in the belt on the install. Can't fit belt after it's installed.



42. Route belt via diagram. Use a 3/8" ratchet to loosen tensioner and slip on the belt.



43. Install lower radiator hose. Install fan and shroud. Make sure the shroud tabs are in position at the bottom bracket.





44. Install intake along with supplied IAT harness.



45. Install hood latch, horns, grill, reconnect radiator hoses, etc. Put everything all back together and then top off the fluids - oil, coolant. You'll need to perform the bleed procedure for supercharger and engine.



46. Flash new tune and you're done! Make sure to check for leaks.

 

Are you intending on swapping back to an OEM intake box or are you attempting to keep the Injen “ram air” scoop, box, and filter?

 

Great write up so far

 

Awesome start! Man I would have hosed down that engine bay before-hand though!

 

Damn that's a dusty engine bay. I respect it

 

Nice write up man and welcome to our boosted third gen family!

 

Subbed for review.

 

Feel welcome to hit me up if you have any install questions. I did mine too. The instructions really are spot on!

 

Great write up can’t wait for mine to come in

 

I just finished up day 2 and got all the way to the supercharger install. I'm like 90% done. However I just realized I can't use my Injen intake so I need to find my stock one or trade someone for a TRD intake. If anyone has a TRD intake setup, let me know! I'm in Orange County, CA.

 

subbed

 

Updated with today's work.

 

I just realized I can't use my Injen so I'll be swapping it with a stock intake. Maybe I'll get the TRD one.

 

Did you use the stock intake?

 

Three things I highly recommend you doing...so far. Get a strap wrench, proper hose clamp pliers and a 600 ft-lbs+ impact wrench for the pulley.

 

How are y'all getting super chargers?
Everytime I check their website, it says SOLD OUT, and e-mail responses are non-answers.
Happy for you OP.

 

aint gonna lie, a little jay of you boosted lot running around blitzing all over the creation lol. next year for me for sure! cant wait to see some runs!

 

Yes. I had the TRD but it didn’t line up perfectly. I plan on cutting the alignment tabs off so it should fit ok.

 

Just call Magnuson. That is what I did. I had no issues.