POLL! Magnuson SC- Would you do it again???

How Happy are you with your Magnuson SC?

  • Eh??? Gotr some gains but not sure it was worth $5k

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    20

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Sounds like your turbo has already been replaced than. The Garrett turbo's were not stock for the Safari systems, plus they had a proprietary hot side.

If you bought a used system and its been replaced with a Garrett you are money ahead.

The Safari addressing of fueling was via the Unichip and I am no expert but most said it did more harm than good and removed it.

The real resources are the Australian guys on the 1FZFE turbo Facebook page.

I agree longevity is a good indicator, but there are a whole lot of 80's and 105's in Aus with the 1FZ but safari no longer sells the kit, the belief from the turbo page was that it had more warranty issues than their other kits making it a profit losing product for them.

But like I said if you have a new Garrett turbo you're money ahead. The manifold and turbo are the important parts everything else can be worked with.


The Turbo is a Garrett and a new one at that. I cant see how it could be that bad if it was installed in 1997 and its first major service was last year and the turbo was replaced. A turbo lasting 20 years seems like a solid set up even by todays standards? There was a repair done to the waste gate attachment?? would that be the cast iron issue you reference. Welding cast iron is pretty easy having done it successfully many times back in my Chevy big block exhaust manifold days.

For me there is nothing better than time to gauge a product reliability one of the main reasons I choose the Safari over others available on the market. Safari also address the computer something I did not see with other systems. Having a SC in the past, lean was a condition that caused problems being in the desert. Looking at the documentation on this Safari system seem to have been pretty much trouble free for its first 19 years. So whats not to like with those kinds of bragging rights?

Full disclosure - I know nothing about Turbo's and Safari will be my first experience. I will say the power delivery is folds nicer and smoother than a SC. Based on the gauge it runs 5lbs of boost at peak and comes on around 2k RPM.
 
My setup also makes 5psi and goes from vac to pressure around 2000 rpm. Garrett turbos are no joke and typically cost about double what mine cost, so if that's included, that's a good bonus in my mind. I also like the way the safari system is packaged with the trubo located lower, shorter downpipe, internal wastegate makes things MUCH simpler in terms of packaging. I say go for it if it's in your budget.

I have no clue what they did for fuel managment, but at those boost levels and rpms, sounds like the stock fuel setup could probably handle it on it's own.
 
I had a hopped up 04 Taco with the S/C and more. It had lots of power, plenty for that truck even coming in at 6,000lbs!

I have had two Cruisers now with v8 swaps, an FJ60 and an FJ80. Both were far better trucks than the Taco. A v8 swap is more $$$ than a S/C but it is also way way better. IMHO of course.

Cheers
 
My setup also makes 5psi and goes from vac to pressure around 2000 rpm. Garrett turbos are no joke and typically cost about double what mine cost, so if that's included, that's a good bonus in my mind. I also like the way the safari system is packaged with the trubo located lower, shorter downpipe, internal wastegate makes things MUCH simpler in terms of packaging. I say go for it if it's in your budget.

I have no clue what they did for fuel managment, but at those boost levels and rpms, sounds like the stock fuel setup could probably handle it on it's own.
I started at 6psi and then upped it to 8 psi just to see what would happen. It still runs well on stock ecu with AFR at 11.2 under full boost. I did get a cel for knock sensor. Way before starting the turbo project I had the timing set up to around 9 degrees after having the head ported. I am going to retard it to stock setting and see what happens. I'm also considering a colder plug...probably go with NGK Iridiums
 
Shoot man sorry, this just reminded me that I need to reply to your PM. Sometimes I read the PM's on my phone and say I will respond to them later and then forget. I will shoot you a PM shortly.

I started at 6psi and then upped it to 8 psi just to see what would happen. It still runs well on stock ecu with AFR at 11.2 under full boost. I did get a cel for knock sensor. Way before starting the turbo project I had the timing set up to around 9 degrees after having the head ported. I am going to retard it to stock setting and see what happens. I'm also considering a colder plug...probably go with NGK Iridiums
 
I started at 6psi and then upped it to 8 psi just to see what would happen. It still runs well on stock ecu with AFR at 11.2 under full boost. I did get a cel for knock sensor. Way before starting the turbo project I had the timing set up to around 9 degrees after having the head ported. I am going to retard it to stock setting and see what happens. I'm also considering a colder plug...probably go with NGK Iridiums

Safari Installation manual recommendation
Timing at 3° BTDC
NGK plugs - BCPR7ES-11
 
Good recommendations

Definitely go back to stock timing, a turbo should run less timing than a NA car, it is usually around a degree per pound of boost, but certainly do not advance the base timing with a turbo.

As for the plug I would even go a step colder than that NGK plug. The NGK recommended by Safari is a 7, I am running a Denso IK27, which is equivalent to a 9.

This chart for equivalent heat ranges is helpful

spark.webp
 
Good recommendations

Definitely go back to stock timing, a turbo should run less timing than a NA car, it is usually around a degree per pound of boost, but certainly do not advance the base timing with a turbo.

As for the plug I would even go a step colder than that NGK plug. The NGK recommended by Safari is a 7, I am running a Denso IK27, which is equivalent to a 9.

Thanks.That's where I was having trouble.
 
If you have been thinking about getting a supercharger, I would advise you to grab one. Word is that Magnuson is not going to make any more. They have none in stock.

I have a few in stock, need to crunch numbers to see how many I can keep for future rigs and how many I can sell.
 
Good luck. Only if they are on their shelf.
 
I've been reading all sorts of things and turbo seems better on so many levels. I think I still go LS, but the turbo thing has me intrigued. I have the Magnuson on my Tacoma and love it. The LC is new to me.
 
If you've read all of this thread there are some great points made for going turbo instead...
 
Ever manage to get your post dyno? :)

That was my intention, to try and keep all things equal. Same dyno, same shop, same 3 runs. Post dyno is still scheduled for Tuesday, 830AM. I've waited this long, I can wait a few more days.
 
1995 LC, 176k miles, methanol/water injection as a 'just in case', 2.8 pulley boys pulley, 2nd pull dropped low with a cel due to bad knock sensor, very embarrassing to get a cel during a dyno. I can't think of any other pertinent info, I'm a aircraft mechanic with united Airlines, used to be with Skywest airlines and if anyone knows anything about aviation, we do tons of preventative maintenance especially during the day when the planes are actually flying. Nothing like having an empty hangar with all your tools at work.
 
1995 LC, 176k miles, methanol/water injection as a 'just in case', 2.8 pulley boys pulley, 2nd pull dropped low with a cel due to bad knock sensor, very embarrassing to get a cel during a dyno. I can't think of any other pertinent info, I'm a aircraft mechanic with united Airlines, used to be with Skywest airlines and if anyone knows anything about aviation, we do tons of preventative maintenance especially during the day when the planes are actually flying. Nothing like having an empty hangar with all your tools at work.

I finally saw the attachment. How does it feel? Can you see a big improvement in acceleration? How loud is it? My Tacoma supercharger screams. Not sure I want that on my Land Cruiser.
 
When I changed to the smaller pulley you can definitely hear the s/c when pushing hard or dropping a gear. I like it but i know that the smaller pulley is pushing the blower slightly harder than it was meant to be pushed. Also, I know that in the end I shouldn't be going over a hundred down the highway everyday to work just because I can. I had already gotten rid of the cheap Borla exhaust and had an exhaust shop bend me something up larger in stainless. It feels and sounds much better with the bigger MagnaFlow exhaust and did I mention I like it.
 

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