Switchable Supercharger!

I've been contemplating installing a Turbo or Supercharger in my 2.7L Tacoma, but keep weighing the benefits of added power against lost fuel economy. If only there were a supercharger that could be switched on and off so I'd get good fuel economy but could ramp up the power on demand. Until today, the only switchable units I'd found were shite electric ones, but...

It turns out that Toyota made a switchable belt one for the Previa in '94 which had the 2.4 L 2TZ-FE I4. The supercharger was controlled by the ECU and was switched on when more power was needed. It also integrated an air-to-air intercooler.

Think I could install it in my Tacoma and just run a switch into the cab?

If so, I'd get the best of both worlds. Daily fuel efficiency and power on Demand!

 

Would finally be a reason to make that hood scoop functional!

 

There really isn't any way to make the hood scoop functional. Air rolls over the hood instead of being in a streamlined path. If you wanted a functional hood scoop, then it would have to be a scoop like the subarus have.

But I'm not sure about a controllable S/C. Could be fun to look into.

 

I'm pretty sure the vacuum controlled bypass on modern superchargers simply keeps it from trying to force air into the engine at idle. As soon as you step on the throttle that think is back on again.

 

Meaning it would destroy your gas mileage in stop and go traffic?

 

I think I'd still like to totally disable the Supercharger for daily driving.

 

That's why using a modified Previa Supercharger is so appealing. The disable mechanism is already built in.

 

Its as easy as staying out of boost... Just keep a light foot.

 

Yeah....I had a S/C'd V8 that got better fuel milage than my Tacoma gets right now when I behaved myself...Slow acceleration- not WOT to brakes to WOT transitions or anything crazy like that.

It's not going to kill your gas mileage all by it self...

 

Boost happy kills mileage. I improved my mileage after a tune by 12mpg @ 55mph.

 

guys, the reason this can't be done are for several reasons:

1) the IM bolt patterns are different, you need to do a full head swap
2) you're not going to run properly without a tune, or a manual (if you're 5 speed) ecu from japan from an estima emina
3) you're not going to have much luck sourcing that ecu

 

If you have ever driven a boosted car, be it turbo or supercharged, you will see that it is very easy to keep it in vacuum (out of boost).

So in effect, turning the boost on and off is controlled by your foot.

 

stupid question here: whats the difference between the pre 05 2.7 and the one now that wouldnt allow that supercharger to be used with out 05+ tacos?

 

The blocks are different, but I think you could use the supercharger with either one, it would just be a matter of custom fabbing a mounting system and tunning the boost.

I think now I'll just wait until URD releases a supercharger for the 2.7L 2TR-FE.