Risk/possible probs with a used supercharger?

[TRDSleeper]

Hey everyone, I am a newbie to this forum. I just signed up a minute ago and I already have a question for everyone. haha. I was thinking about buying a used TRD supercharger for my 2001 Camry but I am uncertain about its reliability. Is there anything I should worry about like the belts, pulley, internal gears, general maintenance, etc? Especially if it might not have been removed professionally by a Toyota dealership.


I have been modding my camry for nearly half a year now but it has only been basic stuff like Injen SRI, JIC strut bar, sound system and such. If anyone who owns or knows about superchargers please let me know what you think. Thank you.

[Eye8Pussies]

the thing that you have to be most aware about the supercharger is the nose drive- check for leaking oil, and the best thing is to change the oil when you get it.

As well, from the nosedrive to the rotors, there is a plastic coupler that breaks down over time and eventually the nose drive will turn without turning the rotors. the blower will make a lot of rattling noises when that happens (or even if the coupler is worn), and it's time to get a new one. There are plenty of aftermarket couplers out there that are made from a stronger plastic than the original one.

the blower will also rattle on idle, but not too much

otherwise, the rotors should last a good long time on low boost. once people boost higher 7psi+, then the heat can start destroying the blower for sure.

as for the belts and pulleys, don't worry about them since they can all be replaced with delco belts/pulleys

[TRDSleeper]

Thanks for your response. What kind of oil do superchargers use exactly? Regular motor oil? Or one that is specific for superchargers? Thanks.

[Eye8Pussies]

it's a specific synthetic supercharger oil

most people say that the gm s/c oil is the best and they use that.

according to kazuma, you only have to change the oil every 100,000km.

buet personally, I'd change it more like 20/30K

[TRDSleeper]

I just called my local Toyota Dealership today and they said it was going to cost me around 2 thousand dollars just to install a TRD supercharger. I couldn't believe it! That's totally crazy! I was expecting around 600-800 dollars, not two grand. Would it be cheaper at some other mechanic shop?

I looked at the TRD supercharger instruction manual and it looks like I can do the install myself. I have a lot of patience and tend to be pretty good with mechanical things. Does anyone in this forum install their own supercharger or turbo themselves? Can you tell me how difficult is it? I think the hardest part for me would be to do the ECU reflash. I have no idea about it. Is it necessary to have a reflash or not? Please offer me your comments and suggestions.

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by TRDSleeper

I just called my local Toyota Dealership today and they said it was going to cost me around 2 thousand dollars just to install a TRD supercharger. I couldn't believe it! That's totally crazy! I was expecting around 600-800 dollars, not two grand. Would it be cheaper at some other mechanic shop?

I looked at the TRD supercharger instruction manual and it looks like I can do the install myself. I have a lot of patience and tend to be pretty good with mechanical things. Does anyone in this forum install their own supercharger or turbo themselves? Can you tell me how difficult is it? I think the hardest part for me would be to do the ECU reflash. I have no idea about it. Is it necessary to have a reflash or not? Please offer me your comments and suggestions.

I believe Eye8 (post above you) installed his own. I wouldn't pay that much to install it, heck I wouldnt even pay $1000.

[Eye8Pussies]

^ yup...he's right, I installed it myself with a bit of help from my buddy minesh (RedRum on TN)

the most I would pay for the install would be 500...I think that would be worth it considering they mechanics have to figure it out as well since they don't see it daily. But remember also that if you get somebody to install it, whenever something goes wrong or you have to get to something underneath it, you'll pay a fortune to take it off as well.

it took us two days- one day to physically fit the charger in, and one day to figure out the vacuum hoses to make it run

but you have to remember that the blower wasn't designed for my car, it was designed for yours. you should be able to do it within one day for sure. We had to relocate a couple of things and grind some stuff down to make it fit in my engine bay properly.

The installation instructions are really detailed and even have pictures of everything. The only thing that you may get a bit confused about would be running the belts since the diagrams are crap. Once you have the setup in front of you, it'll all make sense.

As for the ecu part, you'll only have to splice into your ecu wiring with the ebc (electronic boost controller), and it should be easy- but I never did it since the ebc won't wire up to the gen3 ecu. If you have a 5 speed, you don't even need it since it will then only be a fuel cut off (I've hit my fuel cut off while boosting many times now and nothing happens), but if you have an auto, it's best to figure it out since it then cuts boost between shifts (very important).



long story short- pick up a blower if you can find one. after that, figure it out from there and we can help.