What's Included in a VT Supercharger Kit (And What's Not)
What's in a VT Supercharger Kit (And What's Not)
Quick Summary: A VT supercharger kit from AME Motorsport is a complete bolt-on forced induction package — Eaton TVS supercharger, water-cooled intercooler, dedicated oil cooling, CNC brackets, belt drive, silicone hoses, and all mounting hardware. What is deliberately not included: ECU tuning and installation labor. Understanding exactly what ships in the box and what you need to source separately eliminates surprises and ensures a clean build from day one.
Why Component Transparency Matters
Supercharger kit descriptions across the aftermarket range from detailed to deliberately vague. Some vendors list "supercharger kit" and leave buyers to discover missing components at installation time. Others bundle ECU tuning into the price, delivering a generic calibration that may not suit the owner's fuel grade, altitude, or existing modifications.
AME Motorsport takes a different approach with VT supercharger kits. Every mechanical component required for the physical installation ships in the box. ECU tuning is excluded intentionally — not as a cost-cutting measure, but because a calibration tailored to the individual vehicle produces better results than a one-size-fits-all flash. This separation gives the owner control over who tunes the vehicle and how aggressively the calibration is set.
Below is a complete breakdown of what is included, what is not, and why each decision was made.
The Supercharger Unit: Eaton TVS
The centrepiece of every VT kit is the supercharger itself — a genuine Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) positive-displacement unit. The specific model varies by application: the TVS1320 for Toyota 4.0L 1GR-FE engines, the TVS1740 for larger displacement platforms.
The Eaton TVS platform uses four-lobe rotors with 160-degree helix angles. This geometry reduces pressure pulsations compared to older three-lobe roots-type blowers, resulting in smoother boost delivery, lower intake noise, and improved thermal efficiency. Eaton supplies this same core technology to OEM programs including the Dodge Hellcat, Ford GT500, and Chevrolet ZL1 — factory vehicles engineered to withstand sustained high-performance use.
Key specifications of the Eaton TVS unit in VT kits:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Positive-displacement, roots-type |
| Rotor design | Four-lobe, 160-degree helix |
| Drive | Mechanically driven from crankshaft via belt |
| Boost delivery | Linear from idle to redline, no lag |
| Warranty | 3-year Eaton manufacturer warranty |
| Lubrication | Self-contained, dedicated oil system |
The Eaton TVS unit ships fully assembled and ready to mount. No internal assembly, shimming, or rotor timing is required during installation.
Water-Cooled Intercooler System
Compressing air generates heat. Every degree of intake charge temperature above ambient reduces power output and increases the risk of detonation under load. The VT kit addresses this with a dedicated water-cooled intercooler circuit that is completely independent of the engine's factory cooling system.
The intercooler assembly includes:
- Intercooler core — air-to-water heat exchanger positioned between the supercharger outlet and the intake manifold
- Dedicated coolant reservoir — separate from the engine coolant system
- Electric water pump — circulates intercooler coolant independently of engine RPM
- Coolant lines and fittings — complete plumbing for the intercooler circuit
This design offers two significant advantages over front-mounted air-to-air intercoolers. First, it does not require cutting the bumper or blocking airflow to the engine radiator — critical for vehicles that operate in slow off-road conditions where grille airflow is minimal. Second, the water-cooled system maintains consistent intercooler effectiveness regardless of vehicle speed. Whether crawling at 5 km/h on a rock shelf or cruising at 110 km/h on the highway, the electric pump maintains coolant circulation and the intercooler continues to pull heat from the compressed charge.
Dedicated Oil Cooling System
The supercharger's internal bearings and gears require lubrication. In cheaper designs, the supercharger shares engine oil — introducing contaminants from the blower into the engine's lubrication circuit and creating a single point of failure for two critical systems.
VT kits use a completely independent oil system for the supercharger:
- Dedicated oil reservoir — separate from the engine oil sump
- Oil cooler — maintains supercharger oil temperature within operating range
- Oil lines and fittings — complete plumbing between the supercharger, reservoir, and cooler
This separation means the supercharger oil can be checked and changed independently without draining the engine. It also means supercharger wear particles never enter the engine oil circuit, and engine oil degradation does not affect supercharger lubrication. The dedicated system is a significant reliability advantage, particularly for vehicles that see sustained high-load use — towing, off-road work, and high-ambient-temperature operation.
CNC-Machined Mounting Brackets
Every engine bay is different. The mounting system that positions a supercharger on a Land Cruiser 200 1GR-FE is entirely different from the system used on a Jeep Wrangler Pentastar. VT kits include vehicle-specific CNC-machined brackets engineered for each application.
These are not universal brackets adapted with spacers and shims. Each bracket set is designed in CAD to the exact dimensions of the target engine bay, accounting for accessory clearances, hood clearance, and factory component locations. CNC machining from billet aluminium ensures consistent dimensional accuracy across every kit produced.
The brackets mount to existing bolt locations on the engine and chassis. No drilling, cutting, or welding is required. This bolt-on approach preserves the factory engine bay and makes the kit fully reversible if the owner ever needs to return to stock configuration.
Belt Drive System
The Eaton TVS supercharger is mechanically driven from the crankshaft via a belt drive system. The VT kit includes:
- Multi-rib serpentine belt — sized for the specific application
- Belt tensioner — spring-loaded or adjustable, depending on application
- Idler pulleys — where required to route the belt around existing accessories
- Drive pulley — matched to the supercharger inlet for the target boost level
The belt drive system integrates with the factory accessory drive. The air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, and alternator continue to operate on their existing belt path. The supercharger belt is a separate circuit, which means a supercharger belt failure does not disable any factory accessory — the vehicle remains driveable.
Silicone Hoses, Clamps, and Hardware
Every VT kit ships with the complete set of ancillary components needed for installation:
- Silicone intake and boost hoses — rated for sustained high temperature and positive pressure
- T-bolt clamps — secure connections that resist vibration loosening
- Gaskets and O-rings — application-specific sealing components
- Fastener packs — grade 8 bolts, nuts, and washers for all mounting points
- Wiring harness — for the intercooler electric water pump and any auxiliary connections
Every fitting, clamp, and bolt is included. The only tools required are standard workshop hand tools — no specialty tooling is needed for the mechanical installation.
What's NOT Included — And Why
Two items are deliberately excluded from every VT supercharger kit:
1. ECU Tuning
ECU calibration (engine management tuning) is not included in any VT supercharger kit sold by AME Motorsport. This is an intentional engineering decision, not a cost reduction.
A supercharger changes the engine's volumetric efficiency. The factory ECU calibration was written for a naturally aspirated engine and does not account for positive intake pressure. After a supercharger is installed, the ECU needs a revised calibration that adjusts fuel delivery, ignition timing, and boost management parameters.
The reason this is sold separately: no two vehicles are identical after modification. The optimal calibration depends on:
| Variable | Impact on Tune |
|---|---|
| Fuel octane (91, 95, 98, E85) | Ignition timing limits, knock threshold |
| Operating altitude | Air density, boost pressure correction |
| Exhaust modifications | Backpressure changes, VE table adjustments |
| Intake modifications | Airflow metering, MAF scaling |
| Transmission type | Torque management, shift points |
| Intended use (towing, off-road, street) | Power delivery curve, safety margins |
A generic "box tune" calibration must be conservative enough to run safely on the lowest common denominator — low-octane fuel at high altitude with a restrictive exhaust. That conservative approach leaves significant power on the table for owners running premium fuel at sea level with a free-flowing exhaust.
By separating the tune, AME Motorsport ensures the owner gets a calibration matched to their exact vehicle configuration. The owner can select a tuner experienced with their specific platform, fuel availability, and intended use case.
2. Installation Labor
VT supercharger kits are shipped as uninstalled component packages. Installation is performed by the owner's chosen workshop — whether that is a specialist performance shop, a Toyota/Jeep dealer, or a qualified independent mechanic.
The installation is a bolt-on process. No cutting, welding, or permanent chassis modification is required. A professional shop familiar with engine work can typically complete the mechanical installation within a single working day. ECU tuning follows the physical installation and may be performed by the same shop or a separate tuning specialist.
Complete Kit Contents Checklist
For quick reference, here is the full component list for a VT supercharger kit:
| Component | Included |
|---|---|
| Eaton TVS supercharger unit | Yes |
| Water-cooled intercooler core | Yes |
| Intercooler coolant reservoir | Yes |
| Electric intercooler water pump | Yes |
| Intercooler coolant lines and fittings | Yes |
| Dedicated supercharger oil reservoir | Yes |
| Supercharger oil cooler | Yes |
| Supercharger oil lines and fittings | Yes |
| CNC-machined mounting brackets | Yes |
| Serpentine drive belt | Yes |
| Belt tensioner and idler pulleys | Yes |
| Drive pulley | Yes |
| Silicone intake and boost hoses | Yes |
| T-bolt clamps | Yes |
| Gaskets and O-rings | Yes |
| Fastener packs (grade 8 hardware) | Yes |
| Wiring harness | Yes |
| ECU tuning / engine calibration | No — sourced separately |
| Installation labor | No — performed by chosen workshop |
Selecting the Right Kit for Your Vehicle
AME Motorsport stocks VT supercharger kits for multiple platforms. Each kit contains vehicle-specific components — the brackets, belt routing, hose lengths, and intercooler packaging are all engineered for the target engine bay.
Current VT applications include:
- Toyota Land Cruiser 200 4.0L (1GR-FE) — TVS1320, 419hp / 606Nm
- Toyota FJ Cruiser 4.0L (1GR-FE) — TVS1320, 379hp / 538Nm
- Additional applications — browse the complete VT supercharger kit range
Each kit page includes full component lists, dyno data, and application-specific installation notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy anything else besides the kit to complete the installation?
The VT kit includes every mechanical component for the physical installation. You will need to source ECU tuning separately — this is performed after the hardware is installed. Standard workshop hand tools are sufficient for installation; no specialty tooling is required. Some owners choose to upgrade their fuel system (injectors, fuel pump) depending on the tune and power targets, but this is application-specific and your tuner will advise.
Why doesn't AME Motorsport include ECU tuning in the kit?
A supercharger calibration must account for fuel octane, altitude, exhaust setup, and intended use. A generic calibration must be conservative to cover all scenarios, leaving power on the table for most owners. By selling the tune separately, the owner gets a calibration precisely matched to their vehicle, fuel, and driving conditions. This approach consistently produces better results and safer operation than a bundled box tune.
Is the Eaton TVS unit new or remanufactured?
Every VT kit ships with a brand-new, genuine Eaton TVS supercharger unit. The unit carries a 3-year Eaton manufacturer warranty. AME Motorsport does not sell remanufactured or counterfeit supercharger units.
Can the kit be removed to return the vehicle to stock?
Yes. The VT kit is a bolt-on system with no cutting, welding, or permanent modification. Every bracket mounts to existing bolt locations. The kit can be removed and the engine bay returned to factory configuration. The ECU would need to be returned to the stock calibration as well.
How long does installation take?
A professional shop experienced with engine work can complete the mechanical installation in a single working day. ECU tuning time varies depending on the tuner's approach — some use flash tunes that take under an hour, while custom dyno tuning may require several hours. Total project time including tune is typically one to two days at a qualified shop.