The May 2006 issue of Modified Magazine is on newsstands now. Inside you will find a lot of great stuff, including this article on the TRD supercharger installation on their Project tC.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/supercharger_trd_tc/01.jpg (http://www.modified.com)

And now, without further ado, here is the article...

Getting Blown
Story and Photos by Jason Siu

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Last time we paid a visit to our resident tC project car, it had received a new clutch and flywheel combination in anticipation for a substantial increase in horsepower. With the gaining popularity of the Scion tC in the market, it was almost a no-brainer for TRD USA to supply the enthusiasts out there with a solid option for forced induction. We're talking a decent horsepower increase while retaining a factory warranty, so long as it was installed by a dealership. Having the goal of over 200hp of fun at the wheels and retaining daily drivability, we turned to TRD for their supercharger for our project tC.

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Utilizing a centrifugal and true compressor design, the TRD supercharger kit for the Scion tC comes complete with additional new injectors and an ECU reflash to tune the fuel. For those that aren't familiar on how the TRD supercharger works, we'll give a quick crash course on the design of a centrifugal supercharger. Looking at the supercharger itself, some might even think it resembles a turbocharger. Well, in a way it does as the TRD supercharger features a housing and an impeller that is similarly shaped to a turbocharger. The difference, however, is that the centrifugal supercharger isn't driven by hot exhaust gases like a turbocharger. Instead, a patented extended drive is utilized to couple the supercharger with a drive belt that's driven off the engine's crankshaft. The result is a progressive and linear power curve without overwhelming critical (and expensive) drivetrain components. Top that off with a 60,000-mile warranty when installed by a Scion dealership and its 50-state legality and we've got ourselves a winner.

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Residing in Southern California, there's a great deal of Scion dealerships that could install the supercharger. We heard through the grapevine however that the professionals at Rancho Santa Margarita had a TRD trained mechanic. Since we pride ourselves in delivering the top notch photos and the most accurate install process possible, we knew where we had to bring our project tC. Immediately greeted by a more than professional and personable staff, our tC was in great hands as it underwent its first major surgery.

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After a few hours of wrenching away and tossing out old parts, the professionals at Rancho Santa Margarita reflashed the ECU and fired up the car with no hitch. Just like that, the tC was booted without any evident problems. Idling like a stock car, the slight traditional supercharger whine gave a hint that this tC was no longer naturally aspirated. Without hesitation the mechanic told us to hop in and go for its maiden voyage.

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There would be no Titanic incident for our project car. Pulling straight to redline as smooth as stock, the power increase put the Falken Azenis RT-615 tires on full alert. Spinning first and second gear at full throttle, we knew another set of tires were due for the project. With a fresh set of treads, we were able to put both the high performance tires and the supercharger to the test. The result? We don't think there's even a doubt in our minds. If you're in the hunt for over 200hp in your Scion tC without any fear of losing reliability, the TRD supercharger is the way to go. With an extremely smooth powerband and no hesitation on the go, TRD delivers. If you're highly considering the TRD supercharger as the primary method in producing horsepower for your Scion tC, you better give the fine folks at Falken Tires a call - you'll need their road gripping performance, that's a guarantee.

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What might be next on the list now that the tC has been force induced? We've been checking out the feedback online on our project and seeing what the public demands. Looking towards making more power reliably, we'll be sourcing out an intercooler kit along with a bypass valve upgrade for our project tC. Stay tuned!


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1. We began by securing the car on the lift and letting the engine bay cool off.


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2. The TRD certified mexhanic wasted no time in swapping out the stock injectors.


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3. Here's a comparison of the stock injectors and the supplied units.


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4. A double check to ensure no gaskets or anything was left behind.


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5. The new injectors installed onto the factory fuel rail as a simple bolt on.


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6. The fuel rail was reinstalled and next on the list was swapping out the stock spark plugs with the newly supplied set.


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7. The tC was then lifted up into the air to get easy access to underneath the car.


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8. The oil was drained in preparation of swapping out the stock oil pan for the new one included in the kit.


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9. The factory pulley bolt was also swapped out for a stronger unit.


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10. With the new oil pan tight and snug, the stock thermostat was also tossed out for a new one.


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11. The upper radiator hose would be swapped out for a more form-fitting piece.


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12. The supercharger was then prepped for installation.


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13. Bolting on the supercharger to the supplied bracket.


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14. A look at the Bosch bypass valve that comes with the supercharger kit.


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15. Installing the pulleys for the supercharger.


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16. Here we can see the new belt as it gets back on track.


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17. The final adjustments are made and the oil lines are run.


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18. Almost looking complete.


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19. The TRD supercharger kit also comes with a new modified airbox.


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20. With everything back together, a quick check on all the oil lines was made.


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21. The ECU was then reflashed with the new tuned map for the TRD supercharger.


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22. Adding back in all the necessary fluids.


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23. The finished product -- looks factory while performing above and beyond.

SOURCEBOX
Scion of Rancho Santa Margarita
22722 Avenida Empresa
Rancho Santa Margarita CA 92688
T: 949-766-2000
www.scionrsm.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
TRD USA
T: 800-688-5912
www.trdusa.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Scion Corporate
www.scion.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Falken Tires
T: 800-723-2553
www.falkentire.com

so tempting..

looks like there are headers on that car.. i would say no no with everyone having problems with it.. and trd not warrantying it.. hmmm.. interesting..

Yeah.. hahaha.. thats funny. The tC has headers, that is TOTALLY out of warranty..
TRD sux

I wonder why everybody is getting the DC header. at the recent sema, every tC that was SC had DC header on them.

Definitely a great install. the only thing that concerned me was picture # 22 the tech was filling the radiator with Shell coolant (green coolant)... ! ? ! why...! The factory coolant is Toyota long-life coolant, (pink coolant) I am just a nit pick about that stuff but I dont understand why they would do that. That was a dealer install right? Why would they have Shell coolant. lol :P

also the Pulley bolt was swapped out for stronger one.
The new injectors and the new sparks. Where are all those parts avail from.

I wonder why everybody is getting the DC header. at the recent sema, every tC that was SC had DC header on them.

It's ceramic coated so it holds in heat very well

I wonder why everybody is getting the DC header. at the recent sema, every tC that was SC had DC header on them.

It's ceramic coated so it holds in heat very well

Not better than the stock header with heat shield, well, thats what TRD says....

I wonder why everybody is getting the DC header. at the recent sema, every tC that was SC had DC header on them.

They're even using the DC headers in the celebrity tC race cars.

I will apologize in advance. This is completely off topic but is the kit on this car the stock kit? Or is this some aftermarket kit? If it is aftermarket anybody know what type?
:eyebrow:

This is the TRD supercharger, the same you'd get from the dealer.

Correct. This is the one that TRD puts out specifically for the tC. By ordering this at either a dealer or another site (if possibly cheaper (mcgeorgeparts.com)) and having a dealer install it, you will not be in any worry of warranty issues. This brings the heavy
tC to roughly 200hp.
:bow:

Does anyone know if it would be possible to use the injectors from the trd supercharger on a turbonetics kit since they are plug ins and theres no custting the harness it would be nice

Does anyone know if it would be possible to use the injectors from the trd supercharger on a turbonetics kit since they are plug ins and theres no custting the harness it would be nice


That's NOT a good idea if you ask me. Turbonetics included injectors are larger for a reason.

Thats the only thing holding me back from getting the tb kit just in case I have to go back to stock I wont be able because of the harness being spliced into

i dont recall the thermostat being part of the trd sc kit.

i dont recall the thermostat being part of the trd sc kit.

It is part of the kit.

So what kind of gas mileage are people getting with the supercharger?

So what kind of gas mileage are people getting with the supercharger?

Yes, I would like to know also.

So what kind of gas mileage are people getting with the supercharger?

Yes, I would like to know also.

Please search, but since you both wanna know.......I get between 23.5 - 27 depending on the type of driving. I avg. about 25.

I seriously hope that their car developes oil leaking issues like everyone else, and they make a huge deal about it. Maybe then TRD will look into the matter more than they have been.

Seeing how it's Modified Magazine...

Our Dezod tC is getting a featured article with Modified. We'll post up when the photo shoot is done letting everyone know what month it's supposed to come out in.

Seeing how it's Modified Magazine...

Our Dezod tC is getting a featured article with Modified. We'll post up when the photo shoot is done letting everyone know what month it's supposed to come out in.

:clap: Congrats!

So what kind of gas mileage are people getting with the supercharger?

Yes, I would like to know also.

I get around 19 - 21 MPG on stock dealer instaled SC

wow 2 year old thread

holy cow.

PEOPLE. ENOUGH THREAD REVIVALS.

Yeah.. hahaha.. thats funny. The tC has headers, that is TOTALLY out of warranty..
TRD sux

Headers don't void your warranty. i was getting warranty work done for about a year with my megan headers on.

The way a toyota warranty works is that the aftermarket part has to be the cause of messing up your part you want warranty on - if that part is the cause ..then you ONLY lost warranty on that part - NOT on the whole car.