Convince me to not get a supercharger…

[PhillipPinot]

I’m really, really wanting one. 401k maxed out, 6-months in savings done… I guess I can save more but squeezing out all that horsepower is really appealing.

1) I know I can only use 91 octane
2) I know it just adds to the complexity thus making it less reliable
3) I know I’ll have to update the brakes and other things (what other things I’m not so sure).

Anything else I’m not considering? I mean if I don’t get this, I’ll probably just do a major upgrade to the audio system. (Having my Midlife crisis sucks)

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

I’m really, really wanting one. 401k maxed out, 6-months in savings done… I guess I can save more but squeezing out all that horsepower is really appealing.

1) I know I can only use 91 octane
2) I know it just adds to the complexity thus making it less reliable
3) I know I’ll have to update the brakes and other things (what other things I’m not so sure).

Anything else I’m not considering? I mean if I don’t get this, I’ll probably just do a major upgrade to the audio system. (Having my Midlife crisis sucks)

I'm not really sure that I want to convince you against an SC. However, you may need to ask yourself what you use the vehicle for. SC will probably be good for towing, highway, and burning tires around town. If this is more of an offroad rig for you, an SC may not be that much of a benefit.

I frequently debate the value of an SC myself, and I can convince myself either way.

 

[BigBlueTLC]

Do it! Midlife crisis here too and will be doing the same.

 

[Stiles]

"The further from stock, the closer to trouble."

- Karen ("...and keep it down!")

 

[Zill]

I’m really, really wanting one. 401k maxed out, 6-months in savings done… I guess I can save more but squeezing out all that horsepower is really appealing.

1) I know I can only use 91 octane
2) I know it just adds to the complexity thus making it less reliable
3) I know I’ll have to update the brakes and other things (what other things I’m not so sure).

Anything else I’m not considering? I mean if I don’t get this, I’ll probably just do a major upgrade to the audio system. (Having my Midlife crisis sucks)

If you want to go fast, go buy a cheap American muscle or sports car.

 

[TeCKis300]

There is no logical premise to this. Because a supercharger isn't about horsepower. It's about making every trip to the mall feel like a Baja run. It's to haul gear and ass to camp, and making the trip itself part of the adventure. It's about overkill and smiles.

I've done this to so many different cars and daily drivers. From full bolt-ons, turbo kits, engine swaps, bigger injectors, turbos, fabrication/tuning... a slippery slope into all of it. The smiles needs no justification if you're in the right place. I've never regretted any of it.

Back to some practical considerations. I've always had other vehicles in the garage which is important if you want to take this journey. My modified cars have been plenty reliable but there have been occasions where aftermarket parts have let me down. Can't say I'd do it to an adventure truck where I'd be hundreds of miles into the backcountry. I realize I never really floor my LX570 (unless towing uphill), because I have sports cars to get my speed fix.

Depending on your use case and situation, may want to consider another car for speed. Not all would agree, but I'd go so far as to say to consider an EV as they are stupid fast, and possibly a great complement to the 200-series piglike nature and thirst.

 

[cruisermatt]

why do you have to upgrade your brakes if you install a supercharger?

 

[dudemancool1904]

Having driven a Magnuson TVS2650 supercharged 200, it’s not wham bam omg fast. Especially when you factor big tires, bumpers, etc. but the low and mid range power is noticeable for sure. If you want a fast “one car solution” truck, buy a Raptor R.

 

[ZRTactical]

I had one on my 2020. Loved it! Made a massive difference in accel to highway speeds from a stop. Stock, the power has sort of a flat spot 38-45 which is eliminated. I have a 21 Cayenne turbo as well… apples and oranges but the 200 with a supercharger has useful torque and is plenty fast.

No issues overrunning the brakes even with a mid built truck. I’d do it again

 

[Neal13]

You only live once. If I was in your shoes I'd do it in a heartbeat. Especially if your planing to keep your lc200

 

[tbisaacs]

I am not the voice of reason but I realized my LX Isn’t a sports car and I never drive it spirited so…I bought a sports car.

 

[Neal13]

It's not like they going to to dig racing, it's jus a means to spice up boring trips alittle. When I had my 2nd gen cummins 2500 I had that bit*ch turned up. Was only a daily but made the drive to work a blast

 

[Neal13]

Will add if you live in a state/province with emissions, make sure you'll be ok. Don't want to get hassled after dropping that type of change on your truck.

 

[gaijin]

I’m really, really wanting one. 401k maxed out, 6-months in savings done… I guess I can save more but squeezing out all that horsepower is really appealing.

1) I know I can only use 91 octane
2) I know it just adds to the complexity thus making it less reliable
3) I know I’ll have to update the brakes and other things (what other things I’m not so sure).

Anything else I’m not considering? I mean if I don’t get this, I’ll probably just do a major upgrade to the audio system. (Having my Midlife crisis sucks)

I'd do it!

 

[slipkid13]

I am not the voice of reason but I realized my LX Isn’t a sports car and I never drive it spirited so…I bought a sports car.

This is the correct response, buy a sports car or motorcycle.

 

[Jason Andrews]

You don't want to waste your money on it. 95% of the time I drive mine like a grandma and it feels like a stock truck until you really hammer down. Additionally you will hurt the feelings of all Jeep 392 owners being a better 4WD and being as quick on the on ramps and light to light. 6.4L dodge trucks, most Range Rovers, most Audi's, and anyone with a loud exhaust are my favorite feelings to hurt in my other 5%.

Listen to everyone else; a $10,000-12,000 sports car could totally do all this stuff

 

[Moby]

I have a modded Golf R for fun and still want a supercharger

 

[Adrenaline6]

Yes, I want to get back into riding a sportbike. Real speed - real fun.

Yes, I would still do it.

 

[doru]

Yes, do it.

Brakes - I do not have the SC, but I do run the TRD Tundra BBK. This is how a $100k truck should stop from the factory. I get it that it does not work very well for off road as BBK requires 20" wheels but at least it should have been an option offered by Toyota for the LX. OEM brakes are just Ok (and just). Getting the '16 brakes is an upgrade but still not same as BBK.

The other thing with SC is the range. You may need to look into a LRA tank depending how you use the truck.

I also get the wise advice of having something else crazy fast (e.g. a one litter sports bike) but those things are dangerous and as they say it is not if you crash is when. I'm talking from experience. Still a blast, balls to the walls experience to scare yourself s***, and all that relatively cheap. Imagine riding with almost 200hp between your legs...

 

[Heckraiser]

I've started getting back into track days because a couple of my close friends had midlife crises, ended up with exotic sports cars, and now I've got FOMO. My DD is a tesla (which is stupid fast in a straight line, meh on a track), I have modded the tesla for better handling even though I wont be using it on the track, because you can still enjoy whipping around a corner or carving up a canyon in your DD, even if it's primary role is just a commuting appliance. Still on the hunt for the track car.

Point being, adding more "fun factor" to a vehicle whose primary role is more pedestrian is not a bad thing as long as you can afford it and can live with the compromises. I wouldn't do a supercharger if I didn't have a second vehicle, not because it wont eventually be reliable, but while you're installing, tuning and working out the kinks, there's a good chance it won't be reliable for at least a short while.