Got Boost? Things to consider when adding boost to your Tacoma

Junkhead · Dec 21, 2019

Fuck, im gonna cry

OVTune · Dec 21, 2019

Thanks for your thread. In the general sense its a good reminder of issues that can arise on any platform.

Capt. Nemo[OP] said: ↑

My intent was just to throw some ideas out there. I tried to be careful with how I came across and my tone in my original post, but it didn’t work and this whole thread took an abrupt left turn. People got douchy, and I lowered myself to their level in a few of my responses.

I never said turbo/supercharging couldn’t be done. I really hope the guy coming out with the turbo kits does very well and these are really successful. I came to this forum having stumbled across that topic in a search because I was looking for a way to add more power.

Based on my experiences and what I know about this engine, I’m leaving it alone for the time being until I hear how things pan out with these initial kits and the other supercharger kits hitting the market soon.

I’m done with this thread. It can be deleted. The discussion I would hope it would generate was an utter failure. This crowd is very different than other forums I’ve been on, and had I known beforehand - I wouldn’t have posted.

Good luck to all going this route. I hope it works out, I genuinely do - because I want to follow this path if it does.
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Question, when you stumbled upon our thread did you actually read the whole thing before your posts, which followed you here.[/QUOTE]

Gatordog · Dec 21, 2019

Tone as the OP speaks of is difficult to ascertain on the internet or email etc., however, douchebagery is, well, still douchebagery … don't spell check douchebagery as I am neither mechanic nor Rhodes Scholar.

BlkdOuT · Dec 21, 2019

MidCitiesMildMan said: ↑

Aluminum pistons? As compared to what?
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I was wondering this too. Cast or forged would be in question. No mention here of this

TacomaFromHell · Feb 20, 2022

Capt. Nemo[OP] initial post: ↑

The idea of boost is awesome.
The execution of boost is doable.
The practicality of boost is not practical.
The cost of boost is high.

Here are some things to consider when adding a turbo system or supercharger to your Tacoma. This is based on my personal experience adding boost to a Dodge Charger. Though it’s not a Toyota Tacoma, many of the general principles apply.

First and foremost, I’m not an auto mechanic. I have a lot of experience working on cars in my free time, and used to be a machinery mechanic at one point in my early life - so take what I say from that perspective and verify what I’m saying here.

When adding boost to your Tacoma, understand you are putting a forced induction system on an engine not designed for forced induction. It’s not as simple as throwing a turbo or supercharger on it and calling it a day. It will need constant attention, constant adjustment, and a thorough knowledge of the engine and system. Here’s a link to information about the engine:

http://www.toyotareference.com/guts/tacoma16_engine.pdf

The mechanics of adding forced induction to a vehicle isn’t difficult. Manufacturers have developed kits that include everything and it’s basically become plug and play. As long as you purchase a kit designed for your specific vehicle, the installation is usually straight forward.

Where the rubber meets the road is in the tune/tuner. I can not stress this enough. It will make or break your build. The way modern cars rely on the computer for everything makes tuning for boost very complicated. A LOCAL tuner who knows these engines/transmissions well and is familiar with how they operate is the key to success.

Here are some more things to consider when boosting your Tacoma:

1. The tune. Have I mentioned how important tuning is? Choose a tuner first. Talk to them about their knowledge of these trucks’ engines/transmissions and their experience tuning them. Get cost estimates when you have to go back for tweaks and adjustments to the tune. You will have to go back for tweaks and adjustments. You will.
2. Stock parts. How much boost you plan to run will determine your build. How much boost will the stock internals handle? How much power will the transmission torque converter handle? I still haven’t gotten those answers. The stock Tacoma engines have forged cranks and connecting rods, but have aluminum pistons. Aluminum pistons are usually the first to fail because manufacturers design them for emissions compliance and put the ringlands as close to the top of the pistons as possible. Naturally aspirated, they’re fine - apply boost and the edges crack and break. Stock torque converters start to slip after certain power levels because they weren’t designed for that much power.
3. Emissions. If you need to comply with emissions where you live, you’ll need a CARB sticker. Plain and simple. It’s just the way it is. Sure, some people have connections, but if you’re thinking to yourself - I’ll just swap to stock and then put everything back on - you have no clue what you’re talking about and it doesn’t work like that or that easy.
4. Cost of maintenance. Boost produces blow-by which contaminates your oil quicker. You will be doing oil changes more frequently. Speaking of oil, there’s some in the turbo or supercharger also. Then there’s the fuel. Any kit I’ve ever seen requires 91 octane at a minimum. Your fuel costs will increase as well.
5. IAT’s. Air Intake Temperatures. Depending on where you live, this becomes a big issue when boosting a car. I live in AZ. IAT’s are a huge deal when the ambient temperature in the summer is regularly over 110 degrees, and in the 40’s in the winter. Some people run methanol injection systems to help, others go with E85 to compensate. Inter coolers can only help so much.
6. Driveability. Getting the engine and transmission to cooperate with each other is tricky. Remember when I said the tune will make or break your build - this is particularly important once the engine is happy and the transmission is now throwing a fit. Your tuner needs to know how to tune the transmission as well.

If you’re wanting big power with these engines, then you have to consider cams, fueling systems, upgraded internals, better torque converters/clutches/transmissions/transfer cases/drive shafts/axles/rear ends... and the list goes on. With this being a DOHC engine, expect to pay big bucks to anyone making cams for this engine. Just ask the Coyote guys how much more they pay for the same amount of power as compared to the LS crowd.

Those are the main things I thought of off the top of my head this morning. For those venturing into this world with this truck - I wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing good results.
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if you don’t have 7-10k to drop on your car just say that nah but in all seriousness it’s totally practical. My setup with exhaust and internals and procharger itself is 10k that’s doable

Malvolio · Feb 21, 2022

TacomaFromHell said: ↑

if you don’t have 7-10k to drop on your car just say that nah but in all seriousness it’s totally practical. My setup with exhaust and internals and procharger itself is 10k that’s doable
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Thanks, Ryan!

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