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

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.

 

It's almost like there's a 265 page long thread detailing the build up for a turbo kit from a reputable tuner...


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ovtune-3-5l-tacoma-supercharger-and-twin-turbo-systems.566390/

 

almost...

 

This “engine not designed for boost” has been boosted by Toyota in other vehicles...

Also

 

bro theres a whole thread about this

 

Yea, he came from there. Everyone boo'd him out of the thread for saying stupid shit... like above.

 

I stopped reading at "the practicality of boost is not practical"

I don't need that kind of negativity around me.

 

There's a lot of garbage in your post but these stand out... you get a good tune and it won't need constant attention or adjustment. It should run and drive just like a stock car but with a ton more power.

You also clearly don't know about boosted coyotes. Cams aren't needed like in an LS to make big power. Add some boost and fuel (maybe some OPG) to an otherwise stock engine and make big numbers.

 

Yeah like @Shellshock said, there's already a FI 2gr from Toyota.

 

He should feel bad about making this post. It's dumb and he flat out says he's not a mechanic. Then compared a fiat product to our beloved toyota....

 

you also clearly don't know what motor lotus has been running in their 3eleven race car.

surprise its a supercharged 2gr

 

Just so you know the internal combustion engine is nothing more than a giant air pump to say it was never designed to be boosted is totally false.

 

Something that is not discussed: Boost is addictive. Please boost responsibly and refrain from introducing boost to younger kids too soon.

 

The best reply so far...

My next thread will be titled “I told you so”

 

I'm sure it will be riveting, just like this one.

 

Clown

 

@Capt. Nemo
details on your turbo Dodge build?

 

Gosh, I hope I get in early on that one!