Supercharger, Recourse and Effects?

I really want the S/C in the future. I have a question, and I haven't found a direct answer.

Anyway, the options are
-Buy it, install it yourself, take it to get flashed at dealer.
-Buy it, pay dealer to install and flash it

With the TRD warranty is stated as 1 year 12k if installed yourself, or remainder of factory warranty if installed at dealer. The same warranty as all TRD crap comes with.

IF I install it myself, and have the dealer flash done. Is the warranty 1yr or 1k miles for the supercharger... and
-the rest of the warranty for everything else
or
-does it reduce all warranty for the powertrain to 1 year 12k miles? since it could be said that the S/C "affects" engine, transmission etc etc.

I hate the idea of paying $1000 plus for someone else to work on my shit, especially when I know they likely wouldn't do any better work. That old thing where they are working on someone else's shit to get a pay check, not me working on my own shit thing.

 

There is a thread "mods you wish you didn't do"... or something like that.

Some (not all) guys on there with SCs say it was a waste of $$$$.

 

Probably is a waste of money.

I had a supercharged 03 Corolla that was a waste of money, but it sure made the fun factor higher

In all seriousness buying a new truck is a waste of money too Just really would like to minimize the waste by not paying labor..

 

do it yourself and have the dealer flash it. going to be a much higher guarantee that its going to get done properly.

 

That's how I feel for sure.

My concern is that the factory 60k powertrain will be shortened due to me installing the thing.

I will be buying the 6spd, and my truck sees pretty heavy usage, some thinks will break. My concern, although mine has been great to me. Is that with the reports of trans failure etc that somewhere say 30k I hit that magic point and now have to pay for a large dollar item out of pocket.

Most things if flawed in some way originally will have already failed at 60k.

 

I went for the dealer-install option. Money well spent in my mind.

 

The dealer here installed it for ~$600. That is the book rate on the job. Don't just buy what they have to sell, haggle! Don't forget, there are other dealers and often the selling dealer will work the purchase and install price together for a better deal. I have a lifetime powertrain so I sure as hell wasn't about to lose that...

 

I have lifetime powertrain on my 2013, and I planned on keeping forever so I understand that!

When I get my 2015 I will hopefully be getting the lifetime deal as well and hanging onto it to make it count

^600 that is the best price I have heard! I have heard 1200, 1500, 1600 etc. Not afraid to shop around or haggle the price. I appreciate it!

 

The answer to your question is your powertrain warranty will be reduced to a 1 year, 12k miles when your dealer flashes the computer. Even if you have 3 years and 36k miles left, it will be reduced.

Don't listen to people saying it's a waste. I don't think I could drive the truck without it now, it's just that good.

 

well thank you both!

I have any tools I could need, unless I need a plasma cutter or large welder as both of those are still on my to get list right next to full on machine shop equipment

I had a supercharged 2004 in the family that was not supercharged for a few years and then supercharged for a few years. I completely agree I love it, granted its no rocket ship.

I really fell in love with supercharger after the corolla, granted I was making twice stock power in that car it was way slower to begin with.

I am fully prepared to give up some MPGs for the fun factor. And a little extra juice will be wonderful when towing on large hills. Otherwise I have a 6spd so the MPG are terrible anyway.. same decision that I make to give up the auto for the 6spd simply because its more fun.

I think I will be waiting untill my next truck is paid off. I love mine now but the wife is telling me it has to go for a doublecab.

Its pretty lame that they try to force you into paying dealer to install, it would be a 10 minute job to verify everything is in order with an inspection at the time of installation.

The 04 ran good for years, and about 2 years after it was sold the crank broke. I know it sounds crazy but it broke in half, in the center main. No idea why, and the supercharger was removed at that point for about 30k or so.

So for you guys with the supercharged 4.0 do you have the chatter noise in the drive snout? any issues other than more gas and being expensive? How have the drive belts held up?

Thanks again!

 

I would! I smile every time I drive it.

 

I'm burning enough of it.

 

How did you guys get lifetime powertrain?

 

I haven't experienced that chatter just yet, as my supercharger has only 600 miles on it. But as mileage increases I am sure I will eventually hear it at some point. The scrolls however, do make a funny noise at start-up, but it goes away as the engine and S/C warm-up.

As the supercharger attains significant mileage and wear on parts, most of this noise that folks hear is from the spring-loaded coupler that resides between the nose drive and the gear plate. ZZ Performance and a few other outfits have the newer oil-impregnated nylon coupler that remedies this. There is no spring-loaded device in the coupler, and the holes in the new-design coupler don't become egg-shaped from the alignment prongs as do the holes in the metal coupler. I'm probably going to install one before my S/C hits the 100K mark.

There are some additional trick parts for the M90 Eaton S/C such as "Viton" seals and ceramic bearings...all upper echelon upgrades that significantly reduce friction. I've just ordered the GM/Delco supercharger oil which some say is the absolute best on the market. I also have the Goodyear Poly V drive belt which I will replace when the Toyota belt shows signs of fatigue. The Goodyear belt is the way to go! You can increase the life expectancy of your S/C by keeping the S/C lubricant fresh and clean and periodically checking to make sure the inter-cooler coolant level is sufficient.

Here's a link to one of the suppliers of performance parts for the Eaton M90 Supercharger:

http://www.rollingperformance.com/


In all honesty...I've always wanted a supercharged or turboe'd vehicle to simply enjoy a performance edge when in certain situations - where a little more power would be advantageous. I do not regret one bit, adding the S/C to my Tacoma. You can always "barter" the installation costs with your dealer, just as you negotiate the price of your new truck. But...it's well worth it to have it dealer-installed as it does two things: It ups the performance of your truck under the eyes of the dealership, while at the same time...draws interest from the shop guys who'd normally not give the Tacoma more than a second look. I had my dealer install mine, and now I have several good friends that work at the dealership, and when I show up for any reason...they're always gathering around to listen or look at the supercharged Tacoma!

 

Some dealers offer it with purchase. It is like an extended warranty.

 

Yeah. How?

And what does lifetime mean in terms of limits?

And what are the 'boundries'. There has to be something you are required to do to keep it valid.

Or is it just an extra long extended warranty that they are counting on you walking away from well before it's needed?

 

Just like any extended warranty, they are banking on you getting out of the vehicle before any real expenses occur. There are limits, depending on the dealer/warranty carrier. For instance, mine is fairly benign, I can have service done anywhere as long as I have all required services and can prove it. Some dealers require you to have all the services done at their dealer. It just depends...
Also, as I understand it, once the cost of repairs is more than the value of the vehicle, they can write you a check for the remainder of value and you're done.
As I see it, they COULD probably fight you for just about anything, but most (90%) of buyers will never use it anyway...

 

I have 52,000 miles on the truck, 42,000 miles on the supercharger and I don't have any chatter. The belt is ready to be replaced. I have read the supercharged Tacoma's go through belts a little quicker.
Other than that, I haven't had to do anything to the truck. I mean nothing. Have fun with it.

 

Was that a great hole shot, or did you get a spot on the tree for class or bracket?

 

It was just the hole shot, it was a test and tune day. I don't do it often, but launching in 4wd with the supercharger is just awesome.