Supercharging a high mileage 80

[COMIA78]

My truck has 187k and seems to be in good shape. It is still on the OE head gasket. I was wondering if anyone has experience adding a SC to an 1997 fzj with similar mileage. I plan on keeping the truck for the long haul and expect to rebuild it at some point. I just don't want to rebuild it for a SC install if I can postpone the rebuild for later. But I also don't want to have a ticking time bomb that is going to give out soon after SC install. Thoughts?

Thanks on advance

 

[scottryana]

If you're going to keep it for a long time, why risk having the head gasket go at the worst time and cause further damage like a warped head? If it was me I would just do the rebuild, throw the SC on and enjoy it for another 180k

 

[White Stripe]

I would probably have the head rebuilt and do a new headgasket assuming your bottom end is in good shape at least before a supercharger.

 

[DARKNESS]

I just put one on at 180k with no rebuild, but I did do alot of PM first. I'll let you know if it goes, but hopefully you won't hear from me for awhile <knock on wood>.

 

[COMIA78]

How is the seat of your pants power gains? I'm not looking for a rocket but at least something better than 55mph over the mtn passes.

 

[DARKNESS]

Sort of like if you had a pig do crossfit. It's in shape, but it's still a pig. Plus, you tell everyone you have a supercharger just like the pig opens with "hey bro, I do crossfit"

On a serious note: Off the line, not a ton different. On the highway a huge improvement. When I used to press the gas and have nothing happen, I can now accelerate uphill and merge easily.

I'm in Denver. 265/75/r16 Michelins. TJM bull bar.

 

[NLXTACY]

I added the SC at 298k. Oh...but I also did a complete rebuild too. So

 

[1973Guppie]

I added mine at about 185k, I did rebuild the top end, s/c, clean injectors, lots of pm and extras as well as head gasket. Do it right the first time. If your engine is in good shape on the bottom, rebuilding the top end is going to give you a very nice running vehicle afterwards. Do all the common leak fixes while you are in there. I am very happy with the way mine came out. It runs very quite now and smooth.

 

[DARKNESS]

I did:

Injector cleaning
New fuel filter
New thermostat
Radiator flush
All new coolant/evap hoses
Increased fan clutch viscosity to 10k on black hub Aisin
3FE fan
Ceramic coated exhaust manifolds and heat shields
Replaced missing under engine cover
Set timing to OEM spec
Colder MR2 plugs
New plug wires and dizzy cap and rotor
New PCV valve
Cleaned EGR port in intake manifold
Replaced hard to get to evap components
Checked valve clearances (all good)
Fixed most oil leaks except oil pan arch
New tranny fluid

Wow... That added up fast...

Idles smoother than before and recurring P0401 is gone.

Up to you. Definitely wouldn't just slap it on. At least get the fuel and cooling systems in tip top shape. It does throw off alot of heat. I also get ethanol free fuel whenever possible.

 

[DARKNESS]

I will add: I need a new exhaust. I push the engine more and the whistle is getting crazy.

 

[Salue]

I put it on at ~160k, no rebuild but just made sure the cooling system was good. ~203k now and 7 years later, all is well.

Do what you like.

 

[Pin_Head]

Just get your chill on and drop it into second if need be. You will get over the pass just like all the other big trucks.

 

[White Stripe]

How is the seat of your pants power gains? I'm not looking for a rocket but at least something better than 55mph over the mtn passes.

Scottryana put together a nice turbo system for about 2k which would give u way more power. Their are some other supercharger kits out their too besides the TRD style that are more efficient. The TRD charger isn't that efficient.

 

[scottryana]

Well to be completely fair the setup I put together for around $2k would have almost identical power to the TRD SC'r. The ability to make much more down the road is there but it would cost more in supporting mods.

Scottryana put together a nice turbo system for about 2k which would give u way more power. Their are some other supercharger kits out their too besides the TRD style that are more efficient. The TRD charger isn't that efficient.

 

[jfz80]

Mine went on in 2004 at 187k and I'm at 290 now. Only thing done was a new hg, water pump and tstat.

 

[Heckraiser]

I'm putting a turbo on my LX with 310k miles and unknown maintenance history. My plan is to hope the crossed fingers and toes don't interfere with driving too much.

 

[slow95z]

The cost of a rebuild plus the supercharger is more than a nice 5.3 or 6.0 swap that makes more power. Not wanting to start a war, just wanting to point out another route.

 

[White Stripe]

The cost of a rebuild plus the supercharger is more than a nice 5.3 or 6.0 swap that makes more power. Not wanting to start a war, just wanting to point out another route.

I thought LS swaps were costing close to 10k just in parts alone?

 

[DARKNESS]

Yeah I got mine used awhile ago. I wouldn't do it for $5k or whatever they go for now. I'd go the turbo route in that case.

 

[slow95z]

I thought LS swaps were costing close to 10k just in parts alone?

Maybe if you buy a new crate engine. Ls swap can be done for half that.