So here is a list of items that I'd like to eventually upgrade on my car. Obviously some have nothing to do with a supercharger (brakes, taillights, etc) but other items I'm not sure if you can use any aftermarket part, or if you need something special for the supercharger kit.
(I ask because I know that a turbo needs it's own intake and such and if you already have a CAI you would need to use the one that came with the turbo kit)
btw my car is an automatic if that makes any difference.

My list of not sures:
Injen CAI
Injen or TRD exhaust
Headers
and TRD Supercharger

My list of no brainers:
Headlights & HID
Taillights
3rd brake light
big brake kit
rotors
rims
diversion panel

 

First thing you'll need to figure out is which you're actually doing.

The TRD supercharger was discontinued. You can still find used ones out there for good $$ - but you won't be getting a new one.

If you mean turbo, you better make sure of what you're talking about... there is a ton of info in the Forced Induction forum.

Until you figure out which one you're talking about, we can't really help much...

 

If you plan to supercharge, the CAI will definitely have to go since the intake will be rerouted to the compressor instead of straight back to the throttle-body. However, If you're able to fab your own piping you can keep the cone filter if you're not a fan of the airbox.

As for the exhaust header, the only consideration when installing the TRD supercharger kit is a new heat shield is provided to clear the supercharger shaft. But if you're replacing the exhaust header, you're ditching the heatshield either way.

 

No, I don't mean turbo. If I meant Turbo I would have said turbo. I haven't been on these forums in years so I'm not "up" on all the latest info for scions. Case in point I had no idea the supercharger was discontinued.

Is turbo the only way to go now? Or has another vendor continued manufacturing the superchargers?

 

turbo ftw!!!!!! s/c didnt work out so well since only a few went that route.
if u want complete awsomeness get a p-tuning kit!!!

 

Problem with the turbo route is that I really don't want to drop over $5,000 in a car that is only worth 13-14ish now.

 

As far as kits are concerned, turbo is the only way to go. If you go this route, any CAI & exhaust header you get would be rendered useless when you install that turbo.

when you think of the proportional gains between the TRD supercharger (net result ~200hp) and turbos (~250+ and potentially tons more) the price is relative.

 

Then go with a cheaper kit. If u r concerned with spending money on a turbo then that's fine but I see u have a bbk on your wish list and that's about $1k just save it for something else...u don't need a bbk for a 140hp car...the stock brakes do a pretty good job.

 

yes and no. The stock breaks do fine with a stock car. But when you turbo and have greater potential to reach higher speeds at a faster rate the ability to slow down faster becomes quite a bit more important.

So by reading everything it seems that if I DO want to turbo the car I should not upgrade from the stock air intake, exhaust, or headers?

I haven't seen turbo kits come with exhaust systems so what exhaust goes with a turbo kit?

(Mod, please feel free to move this into the forced induction forum now that it seems turbo is my only route)

 

Unfortunantly you need to buy the exhaust seperate through both Dezod and PTuning. But, hey I saw a turbo kit without an exhaust on ebay for $675... altohugh I do not recommend it, you do have a choice

 

The complete exhaust system consists of several segments.
header
s-pipe
midpipe
axle-backIf you get on the ground by your front and rear bumper and follow the exhaust, you can see how they're all bolted together and will realize that you'll only need to replace the header, which comes with most kits.

Ptuning seems to have a package deal with a whole exhaust system. but it's not necessary for boosting.

 

If only the headers need to be replaced with a turbo, why would it not be a good idea to have an Injen or TRD exhaust with a turbo kit as others seem to have suggested?

 

Not sure where you interpreted that part from, making the exhaust less restrictive past the turbo (s-pipe, midpipe and most noticably, axle-back) allows it to operate more freely and spool up faster. Inversely, if you choke the exhaust it'll be harder to spin due to downstream backpressure.


edit : a less restrictive axle-back will help, it's not necessary, i left it out since you seem to be cost-conscious.