There have been supercharger sitings, rumors and blogs galore, but to date, TRD isn’t talkin’ – not even to confirm the alleged June 16,2008 release of a new Tundra 5.7-liter blower that will ratchet the 400 horsepower rating up by 125 percent.

NOTE: This was written prior to news about the TRD Tundra Supercharger Specs – it’s still interesting background info, so we decided to post it.

The evolution toward the 5.7-liter supercharger is truly intelligent design. TRD has developed horsepower/torque pushers for the 2000-03 Tundra, the V-8 Tacoma, the Camry Solara and Scion tC and others. Tundra watchers knew it was just a matter of time before the wizards addressed the big ’07 Tundra. Then at the November 2007 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) Show in Vegas, the concept Tundra Double Cab was spotted with the supercharger and air-to-liquid intercooler generating “approximately” 500 horsepower – no estimates on torque increases. Since the Toyota booth display vehicle was attached to a 10,200-pound gooseneck car hauler, the extra power had to be more than simply wishful thinking. Two months ago, the 5.7-liter supercharger surfaced on a Sequoia – the SUV that shares its iForce V-8 with the Tundra.

So, given the information available, what manner of beast will the Tundra TRD supercharger be? We know it’s an Eaton-Roots-type, or positive displacement, supercharger. The patent dates back to 1860 when Philander and Francis Roots used the technology to ventilate mine shafts – an interesting tidbit to toss out at your next barbeque. When automakers were faced with upping performance by increasing engine size or engine efficiency, they opted for efficiency. The concept of a blower was incorporated into automotive engines in the early 1900s by Gottleib Daimler and by the 1920s, appeared in racecars and premium autos. Eaton-Roots type superchargers are reliable, nearly maintenance free, and eliminate drag on the engine when the boost is not required.

Fast-forward to the TRD 4.0 V6 supercharger, the presumed “Mini Me” to the 5.7 V8 TRD supercharger. A reasonable way to anticipate the features of the 5.7 unit is to look at those incorporated into the most recent TRD performance upgrade. The 4.0 was the first TRD model that included an intercooler and Toyota-supported reflash of the factory engine control unit (ECU). The inclusion of an intercooler reduces the inlet temperature to the engine and allows more aggressive ignition timing. The bottom line with the beefier TRD superchargers is improved engine response, increased power output, better resistance to detonation, plus a safety margin under heavy duty use. To rebalance the air/fuel mixture, the 4.0 blower includes high flow fuel injectors and iridium spark plugs with a slightly colder heat range than standard plugs. The fuel pump and fuel pressure of the stock engine are the same. A significant first for the 4.0 (and presumably a feature continued with the mythical 5.7) supercharger is the integration of the factory ECU recalibration allowing for very precise settings based on the performance components and power increases.

Okay, all this guessing in anticipation of the 07-08 Tundra supercharger may be a new form of cruelty – like a big carrot dangling just out of reach. But with any luck, in less than a week or two, the 500+ horsepower Tundra will be ours.

Popularity: 8%