Who does not love more Hp. Well im sure there are a few out there that have something to say negative about it, but from what I have seen and experienced, there is no down side! There is a company out there called Magnuson superchargers that have been creating epic tools of Hp for the last 40 years and they finally have something available for the 2010+ 4.0 Toyota Motors.
There is a bit of history to why we are so excited that they finally have this product to market. Go back a few years and I never thought i would ever write an article about this mythical supercharger. There had been a lot of talk about TRD releasing a supercharger for this motor. Lots and lots of FJ and 4runner owners wanted one and they were trying to deliver what the fans wanted. It became clear they were trying when I was treated to a ride in a supercharged 4runner at the FJ summit in 2013. We knew that something was being worked on but could not get any solid answers on release dates, power, out put, price and the like.
Fast forward to today, and the whole story becomes a bit more clear. As some of you know, Magnuson made the TRD superchargers for decades and in 2015 TRD decided to not offer superchargers as a dealer installed option on their cars and trucks. This came at a huge disappointment to Toyota fans as they were really nice kits to have! A few months later we started hearing that Magnuson was going to re release all of them and brand them with their true creators name, Magnuson.
We were lucky enough to be chosen for Magnusons Pilot program on our 2014 4runner. (thank you Magnuson) Being part of this so far has been a lot of fun! The email arrived kind of unexpectedly on a normal day at the shop! We were excited to be part of it as we had worked with Magnuson on other projects in the past. Remember that this has been 5 years in the making, so to finally see something happening was really awesome. The packaged arrived a week or so later in 2 huge Magnuson boxes. The Fedex guy grinned as a I signed for the packages and asked, what are these going on? I told him a 4runner and he looked so confused.
The next morning I kicked my wife out of her 2014 4runner along with the kids seats and sippy cups and gave her my fj cruiser for the next few weeks, which she was not happy with at all. She was curious enough about what was going on to ask what we were doing with her poor truck this time. I told her, it’s gonna be faster. She grinned and handed the keys over.
We tore open the boxes and started setting things out on 2 folding tables that we set up for the install. After sorting thought the parts, I took the install instructions home to digest a bit and see if there was any surprises in them.
We tore open the boxes and started setting things out on 2 folding tables that we set up for the install. After sorting thought the parts, I took the install instructions home to digest a bit and see if there was any surprises in them.
Installation the first time through took about 12 hours. We documented changes that we would like to see made in the instructions and sent the ECM off to get flashed with a new tune. We were so excited that we sent it next day air, just to get it there sooner. 7 days later the ecm came back to us and with in an hour we fired the beast up!
Initial thoughts staring at it running in the shop was how quiet it was. Idling there it sounded no different than a stock 4runner, which is unlike my Fj Cruiser and Tundra super chargers that make their presence known. Once the motor was up to temp and we checked for leaks, and air pockets in the coolant lines we shut the truck down for the night. It was raining pretty good out and did not feel like taking it for a test ride where we would just spin the tires.
Initial thoughts staring at it running in the shop was how quiet it was. Idling there it sounded no different than a stock 4runner, which is unlike my Fj Cruiser and Tundra super chargers that make their presence known. Once the motor was up to temp and we checked for leaks, and air pockets in the coolant lines we shut the truck down for the night. It was raining pretty good out and did not feel like taking it for a test ride where we would just spin the tires.
Next morning was a Saturday, I came in super early as I was excited to get some time driving and testing it. I rechecked all the connections, checked fluid levels after the warm up and cool down and pulled the truck out side. As I pulled out of the warehouse, it started to rain again. I said screw it and drove on into the now heavy rain. Gently prodding the gas pedal with the data logger (my ears) to make sure we were all good i kept giving it a bit more and more. I got down the street and pushed it a bit more and there it was...I heard the classic whine that only Magnuson can make.. the subtle warring sound that all car guys know. Ahh its super charged!
After messing around with things a bit and making sure we did not have any knocking and the tune seemed like it had taken properly. (you can tell when they don't!) I started to make some passes. Now remember that it was raining so every time I touched the gas pedal above 2800 rpm, the rear tires were breaking loose! So I did what 4runner guys do, drop it in 4wd and let it rip. My first run at 80% throttle threw me back in my seat! It pulled smoothly and constant and the supercharger was no longer quiet, but belting out a wonderful harmonic song!
After messing around with things a bit and making sure we did not have any knocking and the tune seemed like it had taken properly. (you can tell when they don't!) I started to make some passes. Now remember that it was raining so every time I touched the gas pedal above 2800 rpm, the rear tires were breaking loose! So I did what 4runner guys do, drop it in 4wd and let it rip. My first run at 80% throttle threw me back in my seat! It pulled smoothly and constant and the supercharger was no longer quiet, but belting out a wonderful harmonic song!
I got down the street a bit, made my way around the other end of the business park and floored it. This time, all 4 tires broke free and the truck got squirmy on the crowned business park way. Hanging on I looked down and was doing 70 before I realized it. I kind of giggled to my self as i pulled a u-turn and did another blast rocketing down the road. 30-50-70 the speedo swept across the dash and squeezed back on the brakes. I was setting up to apex a corner that i am very familiar with and slammed the skinny pedal back down again. The 4runner was doing 4wd power slides and clawing for traction up till 40 mph in the rain!
Im trying to paint a picture here... a truck that has no business being driven like this is not only doing it, but doing it well and handling the power well. The transmission shifts are smooth and spot on, the power delivery is smooth, and the sound, ohhhh that sound.
Im trying to paint a picture here... a truck that has no business being driven like this is not only doing it, but doing it well and handling the power well. The transmission shifts are smooth and spot on, the power delivery is smooth, and the sound, ohhhh that sound.
The 4runner is putting 334 WHP down on the dyno. That is pretty dam good. I have gone on to daily drive this truck and have embarrassed a Honda S2000. (should have seen the look he gave when I reved the motor at a stop light next to him) and kept right with a Range Rover Sport HSC Supercharged. The truck runs constantly 5.5 to 5.9 second 0-60 runs on my big 295-65-r18 all terrain tires. I should go see how quick it is with stock tires... but then the truck will look wimpy :-) and who wants that. I got my first solid gas tank through the thing and saw 16.5 MPG. That is 2 mpg better than I saw with out the blower! OMG, I can save gas and have more fun, SOLD!!
All in all, the package is super nice. The fit and finish is the best I have seen of the Magnuson kits so far. The tune is well put together and smooth. These units should be landing here at the shop sometime early 2018. It has a list price of $5650.00 and install will run right around $1000 with replacement fluids and everything needed to wrap it up.
We will be posting superchargers up on our web site for purchase when we know that current production and stock can support it. Currently we already have a waiting list from local customers, but be patient, the supercharger for these trucks is no longer a myth, its here and its our time as Toyota enthusiasts to enjoy the power and feel of a Magnuson Supercharger under the hood.
We will be posting superchargers up on our web site for purchase when we know that current production and stock can support it. Currently we already have a waiting list from local customers, but be patient, the supercharger for these trucks is no longer a myth, its here and its our time as Toyota enthusiasts to enjoy the power and feel of a Magnuson Supercharger under the hood.
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