Installed the TRD Supercharger w/ UCON

Figured I'd add my thoughts about the TRD 4.0 supercharger and URD's UCON engine management system to the general collective. Maybe it helps someone make a decision in the future.

I have a 2015 Tacoma TRD Off-Road DCSB. I also had an original TRD supercharger and fit kit for the truck that had just been sitting on the shelf since 2015. I finally installed the supercharger last week. It took me 3-4 days, but not because any part of it is difficult, but because I had plenty of time (the truck is not my daily driver) and I'm a perfectionist about everything. I like the design of the supercharger, and I like the fit and finish of it coupled with the fit kit. The whole installation went very smoothly which is what you'd expect for a factory system.

I also installed URD's UCON EMS which includes 3° retarded exhaust cam gears along with a 170° thermostat (factory is 180°). I informed URD what I was running for a truck and mods (nothing besides the new supercharger), and they programmed the UCON to suit. I am running the virgin ECU; it has not been flashed with the TRD tune. Had I known about HP Tuners before purchasing the UCON, I might have tried that first. Unfortunately I didn't do enough research before pulling the trigger on the UCON. That said, the UCON system installed just as well as the supercharger. I found it nicely designed and the fitment of all components was perfect.

The supercharger certainly wakes the engine up, but not as much as I was expecting. That's not to say I'm disappointed - the truck is more fun to drive now. The blower is very quiet. I can only hear the faintest whistle/whine at idle or cruise. Once you lay into the throttle a bit more, the classic whine begins to come on and you feel it building power. It's smooth and controllable.

The UCON seems to be running everything well. I haven't noticed any glitches, heard any pinging, or what not. I read about people saying things like it extends the cranking time before the engine fires because the UCON has to 'sync' with the ECU first, but I haven't noticed that. It starts just as quickly as before. It idles a bit smoother now too, and I'm pretty sure it's not just me dreaming that.

On a separate but related note, URD's customer service needs work, chiefly in the communication department. On more than one occasion I had to resend messages/questions to get answers, and the answers were often lacking in much detail or insight. So while I can't fault their products (yet), I can say that dealing with them isn't very confidence inspiring.

Overall, I'm happy with the way the truck runs and drives now with the supercharger installed. The truck will be used in film production as a dedicated camera chase vehicle, so the increased power will be nice to have in that scenario. I just don't think the supercharger is worth the $5000 it costs (nevermind the UCON) for a personal vehicle. It doesn't add all that much more power.

The truck is not fast. It's just fast for a regular Tacoma.

 

It can get a LOT faster if you want it to.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...4-0-supercharger-tips-tricks-and-mods.518932/

 

I second this^^^

Install a quick change pulley, and size of your choice, and upgrade the fuel pump. You'll be a very happy chaser.

Some benefits of the HP Tuner still, is to rid you of the SAIS. Which has a history of failure and driveability related issues. Keep that in the back of the mind for later.

 

Ditch that 3.0 pulley and you will be impressed

 

I too was pretty unimpressed with the stock blower setup. For $5k it should be significantly stronger.

These animals are right tho. Do the quick change pulley and upgrade the fuel pump. You'll probably want to start with a 2.7" pulley. Things get more spendy if you want to go smaller than that.

Some guys won't like this, but, I also suggest flashing the TRD tune and switching to HPtuners. Sell that piggyback unit off. (I'm betting you can unload it for more than the MPVI2 costs .) You'll also gain tranny control with HP. Trust us, you want that.

The thread that @TodayWasTHeDaY posted above is full of info. But, for your first steps into getting this $5k blower to where it "should" be; Pump, pulley, and tune.