Supercharging a 3vz???

[Rogue]

Friend from work has a 91 Hilux with the 3vz engine (3L V6 Petrol) and needs some extra grunt to tow his boat he was considering turbocharging but I suggested it would be more cost effective if he supercharged it.

Anyone know if it has been done before for this motor or who I could contact to find out more?

All help appreciated

Sam

[Pure_In_Sanity]

Not sure about supercharging, but I know a few guys in the states have had good results with turbocharging. The bottom end's are suppose to be quite strong, stronger than the mz series apparently.
Have you thought about a 5vz swap? Seem to move a prado around fairly well, might be decent for some extra torque in a hilux?
Cheers
-Phil

[Kedderz]

The v6 in these have already been recalled by toyota for dodgey head gaskets. Check just inside the door frame to see if this car has had the replacement done.

Depending on the kms and the maintainece history of the car would determine what I would do to this particular vehicle. If high kms and unknown maintainence record theres a good chance the engine is nearing the end of its life and even with a low boost turbo or supercharger would break down and they cost ASTOUNDING amounts of money to fix! heads which have been recco'd go for around 1500 rebuilt on ebay.

Turboing this car = lots of pipe work considering its a v6, supercharger would be less complicated, possibly the charger from the buick v6 used in the commodores.

My suggestion would be to put in a set of extractors if you havent already as that can liberate a few hp. Also this engine isnt a torque monster which you need for towing, they are a revvy v6, so keep that in mind when towing.

Also a common replacement for these believe it or not is the ecotec v6 3.8 found in alot of commodores, also people at places such as outerlimits 4x4 have put in the 1uz with lots of success and better fuel economy!

[Rogue]

Thanks for the responses guys.

The lux has on 91 000kms on it and is in near new condition thats why he hasn't replaced with something else and it already had the head gaskets replaced under warranty.

Engine conversion is out of the question as he is trying to do it on a fairly tight budget.

I will pass on the info,thanks again

Sam

[ra23celica]

The TRD S/C kit was made for the 1MZ engine, not the 3VZ and yes, head gasket problems are common on the 3VZ - meaning its not the best engine to start with.

[Jaemus]

the 3VZ-E, which i presume is what youre hilux friend has, isnt as strong as the 3VZ-FE i think that Pure In Sanity my have been referring to. (correct me if im wrong?) they're one of the weakest in the vz series, and definately not better than the mz's.

however, supercharging it with a low amount of boost should be fairly safe.

the 3.4L 5VZ-FE mentioned would be a great choice for towing, its considerably more torquey than the 3VZ-E. also swapping the 3VZ-E for a 3VZ-FE will see considerable gains and the ability to safely run much more boost, as they are heaps stronger and quite resistant to detonation. the 3VZ-FE, being from a camry instead of a 4x4, will also cost considerably less than a 3VZ-E or 5VZ-FE.

head gaskets are problems on both the 3VZ-E and 3VZ-FE, however, the 3VZ-E had its recall, more than a decade ago, and all subsequently available gaskets are improved versions, as with the 3VZ-FE, which after the initial problems, then got them as standard during the rest of its production.

i disagree with ra23celica in saying that head gasket problems makes 3VZ's not the best. besides, the issue was dealt with decade's ago, and is only potential problem is on a motor that has survived this long without having had them changed.

additionally, it has been thoroughly established that alot of the head gasket problem is lack of head bolt torque. the factory torques them somewhat modestly. for the 3VZ-FE, ive read that it is suggested to torque them to 50ft/lbs in 5ft/lb increments after 35 rather than the BGB specified 25ft/lbs + 2 quarter turns.

[Jaemus]

also the TRD S/C will fit the 3VZ-FE, dont know about the 3VZ-E. its expensive and rare tho

and extractors, mentioned by kedders, are shown to give good gains on the 3VZ-E.