It’s a sad day as we learn Toyota->ke88 will no longer be offering its TRD supercharger kit for the 4.0-liter V-6 and the 5.7-liter V-8 found in the Tacoma, 4Runner, and Tundra. The news via email as Toyota’s Midwest Communications spokesman Rick Bourgoise states the automaker will end the supercharger program once its remaining stock is sold off.
The TRD Superchargers were – and for a rather limited time, still are – available as a dealer add-on. The parts and installation came with its own warranty, and regardless of application, the superchargers were designed to keep the engine emissions-legal in all 50 states.
“Increasing legacy costs associated with the recalibration of an expanding pool of past model year vehicles, along with rising development/engineering expenses and evolving emissions requirements have negatively impacted the program’s return on investment to the point where it is no longer financially viable to offer these products for sale,” the emailed statement quotes.
Toyota’s move to not include superchargers on the TRD Pro lineup of trucks now makes more sense, though some argued the boost in power was needed for the high-performance off-roaders.
The TRD Superchargers used a Roots-style design that incorporated two, four-lobe rotors that increases airflow into the engine by 30 percent. An integrated water-to-air intercooler kept things cool. Toyota also installed high-flow fuel injectors, a high-flow fuel pump, and a TRD performance air intake to round out the build.
In the Tacoma and 4Runner’s case, the supercharger would boost the 4.0-liter V-6’s horsepower from 236 up to 304 while torque moved from 266 pound-feet to 334 pound-feet. The 5.7-liter V-8’s numbers were even more impressive. Output levels increased from 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque to a very impressive 504 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque.
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Why It Matters
Toyota says that rising costs and complexity have killed the program, and while it’s hard to deny that likelihood, it’s hard to the death of such a vibrant dealer-provided performance selection. Still, TRD offers a variety of add-on parts and accessories for every vehicle Toyota sells.
And though Toyota sells TRD Superchargers for a variety of engines beyond the 4.0-liter V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8, the death of the 4.0-liter as the new generation of Tacoma debuts for 2016 surely didn’t make the decision any harder. The V-6 will be replaced with a 3.5-liter V-6 running the Atkinson cycle for better fuel economy. I have no doubt the 4Runner will soon receive the updated engine as well.
Props to Pickuptrucks.com for the story tip