Supercharger with or without the 170 thermo
 

I have a 1st gen supercharger on a 2002 4Runner with the URD 7th injector kit. I've installed everything except the 170 degree thermostat.

I live in nothern Cal at about 3000' elevation.

I'm questioning if this is necessary for the whole kit to work properly? I'm concerned about the temperatures of the heater in the winter running the 170.

Thanks

Although the system would still work properly with the original thermostat, I would recommend to install that 170deg thermostat since you don't have an intercooler so it will help in keeping the engine temp near the normal operating temp.

it should not affect the heater during winter since it's not a big reduction in coolant temperature from the original coolant temp

Ok thanks. Does it need to be a TRD thermostat or is Napa ok also?

I am not familiar with napa. If the money is not an issue, then I would go for TRD. I always buy OEM for my truck. It all boils down to which brand is reliable and would you trust.

Thanks

OEM thermostat........the price difference is negligible at most.

You don't need it certainly but it would be good.

Go OEM on the thermostat, when you hold the NAPA/Autozone brands up to the Toyota one and look at the difference, there's no contest. The Toyota one has a much larger opening.

I just created a thread on this, but the TRD 160 thermostat is just a motorad thermostat. Much cheaper to get a motorad one.

160* just sounds like a terrible idea. Your engine needs the heat for proper combustion. I have ~350whp and never had a problem whatsoever. If you're concerned add a tiny methanol shot.

With the 160 it has been reported you can increase the timing. With the 170 my engine temp dropped from 195 to 185, so if the 160 drops it a few more degrees I think that will help.

How exactly are you adding timing anyway? A lower temp tstat is a bandaid at best. You need a way to lower the intake charge or add more fuel if you're worried about detonation. When you're not in boost, you're going to be causing more wear and worse motor efficiency. That's my .02.

Im not a super genius and don't intend to be. People have reported that with the urd injector kit that also allows you to control timing that the colder tstat allows for less timing retardation of the stock ecu timing map by about 5 degrees. It was an older post by trdolman that I read it. I was just providing a way to save money rather than spend 80 bucks on the trd thermostat if the op wanted to do a 160 tstat. I just bought one and am going to try it. Its only 3 bolts and about 20 minutes to change a tstat on a 3.4. Not hard to change back if it doesn't work out.

Fair enough. Just wanted people to know the possible caveats of this "mod". themoreyouknow.jpg