Toyota Prado 4.0L Supercharger Kit: Unlock the 1GR-FE's Potential
Prado 4.0L Supercharger Kit: Unlock 1GR-FE Power
Quick Summary: The Toyota LandCruiser Prado's 1GR-FE 4.0L V6 is a proven engine, but its factory output falls short when you hitch a caravan, load the roof rack, and head for remote tracks. The VT Eaton TVS1320 supercharger kit delivers a dyno-tested 40% power increase through a complete bolt-on system with water-cooled intercooling, dedicated oil cooling, and a 3-year Eaton warranty — no cutting, no welding, no compromise to factory reliability.
Why the Stock Prado 4.0L Needs More Power
Toyota built the 1GR-FE as a dependable dual-overhead-cam V6 with a cast-iron block and forged crankshaft. In factory trim it produces approximately 249hp and 381Nm — adequate for an unladen Prado on sealed roads, but not enough for the way most owners actually use the vehicle.
The Prado is Australia's default family touring 4x4. Owners tow caravans, camper trailers, and boat rigs that push the GVM and GCM limits. They fit steel bumpers, long-range fuel tanks, drawer systems, and rooftop tents. Every kilogram added exposes the gap between what the engine delivers and what the loaded vehicle demands.
Towing a dual-axle caravan up a highway grade at 100km/h forces the five-speed automatic to hunt between gears. Overtaking a road train requires a long run-up. Climbing sand dunes with passengers, camping gear, and a full water tank leaves no power in reserve. These are not edge cases — they are the Prado's primary use case, and the stock 1GR-FE simply runs out of breath.
The engine's bottom end handles additional stress comfortably. That engineering margin is what makes forced induction the most effective upgrade path. Bolt-on intake and exhaust modifications yield marginal gains at best. A supercharger addresses the core deficit: airflow volume into the cylinders.
VT Eaton TVS1320 Supercharger Kit
VT uses the Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) platform across all Toyota 4.0L supercharger kits. The Prado kit is built around the Eaton TVS1320 — a positive-displacement, roots-type blower with four-lobe rotors that deliver consistent, linear boost from just above idle through to redline.
The TVS design is mechanically driven from the crankshaft. Boost is available the instant you open the throttle. There is no lag, no power band to wait for, and no sudden torque spike that breaks traction on loose surfaces. For a vehicle that splits its time between highway towing and low-speed off-road work, this predictable delivery is critical.
What's in the Kit
The LandCruiser Prado 4.0 VT Supercharger Kit includes the complete hardware package for a bolt-on installation:
- Eaton TVS1320 supercharger unit with 3-year Eaton warranty
- Water-cooled intercooler system — reduces intake charge temperatures for consistent power delivery in all conditions
- Dedicated oil cooling system — maintains supercharger lubrication independent of engine oil
- CNC-machined mounting brackets — engineered specifically for the Prado engine bay
- Belt drive system — complete serpentine arrangement with tensioner
- Silicone hoses and clamps — high-temperature-rated throughout
Dyno-Tested Results
All figures below were recorded on a chassis dynamometer under controlled conditions, reflecting the real-world power gains Prado owners can expect from the VT TVS1320 kit.
| Metric | Stock 1GR-FE | With TVS1320 Kit | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | ~249 hp | ~349 hp | +100 hp (~40%) |
| Torque | ~381 Nm | ~533 Nm | +152 Nm (~40%) |
The torque increase matters most for Prado owners. Torque is what pulls a loaded caravan up a highway grade without downshifting. It is what maintains momentum through deep sand with four passengers and a full load. The additional 152Nm transforms the towing and off-road experience in ways that intake, exhaust, and chip modifications cannot replicate.
A 40% gain across the rev range means the transmission holds gears longer, shifts less frequently under load, and keeps the engine in a more efficient operating window. Fuel economy under towing conditions can actually improve because the engine is no longer working at maximum throttle to maintain speed.
Installation and Cooling Design
The VT kit is a true bolt-on system. No cutting, welding, or permanent modification to the chassis or engine is required. The factory cooling system, intake routing, and accessory drive layout are all preserved, and the kit can be removed to return the vehicle to stock specification.
Water-Cooled Intercooler
Compressing air generates heat, and hot intake air reduces power output while increasing detonation risk. The VT kit uses a dedicated water-cooled intercooler circuit. Coolant flows through the intercooler core, pulling heat from the compressed charge before it enters the intake manifold.
This design is more compact than a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler and does not require cutting the bumper or blocking airflow to the radiator. That last point is critical for Prado owners. Slow-speed off-road driving, extended idle periods while waiting at river crossings, and stop-start traffic with a hot engine bay behind a caravan all demand cooling performance that does not rely on vehicle speed for airflow.
Dedicated Oil Cooling
The TVS1320 operates on its own oil supply, separate from the engine oil circuit. The kit includes a dedicated oil cooling system that maintains optimal lubricant temperatures regardless of ambient conditions, sustained highway towing, or extended low-speed crawling.
Factory Cooling Preserved
The stock radiator, thermostat, and cooling fans remain untouched. The supercharger's cooling systems operate independently, so factory engine cooling capacity is fully retained — an important consideration for a vehicle that may already be working its cooling system hard when towing in summer conditions.
Key Benefits
- ~40% more horsepower and torque — dyno-verified gains that transform towing and loaded performance
- Linear power delivery — positive-displacement design provides progressive, predictable boost with zero lag
- Instant throttle response — mechanically driven boost available from just above idle
- Strong low-end torque — additional 152Nm available low in the rev range where towing and off-road driving demand it most
- High-altitude performance — the supercharger compensates for reduced air density at elevation, maintaining power where NA engines lose output
- Bolt-on installation — no cutting, welding, or permanent modification required
- Independent cooling — water-cooled intercooler and dedicated oil cooling operate without burdening factory systems
- 3-year Eaton warranty — the supercharger core is backed by Eaton's own warranty coverage
- Reversible — the kit can be removed to return the vehicle to factory specification
HKS Centrifugal Supercharger Option
AME Motorsport also offers the Toyota Land Cruiser 1GR-FE 4.0L HKS Centrifugal Supercharger Kit as an alternative forced induction path for the Prado 4.0L. The HKS kit uses a centrifugal supercharger design and is also a bolt-on system with water-cooled intercooling and a 3-year warranty.
Both kits target the same 1GR-FE platform. The VT Eaton TVS1320 is a positive-displacement design that delivers consistent boost across the entire rev range. The HKS centrifugal unit produces boost that increases with engine speed. Your choice depends on driving style and priorities — the VT kit favours low-speed torque and towing, while the HKS delivers a progressive power curve.
Prado 2.7L Owners
If you drive the four-cylinder Prado, AME Motorsport offers dedicated supercharger kits for the 2.7L platform as well:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ECU tuning included with the kit?
No. ECU tuning is not included and must be sourced separately. This is intentional — the calibration needs to account for your specific fuel type (91, 95, or 98 octane), altitude, and other modifications such as exhaust or intake changes. A tailored tune ensures optimal power output, fuel economy, and long-term engine protection for your individual setup.
Will the supercharger affect my Prado's reliability for long-distance touring?
The kit preserves the 1GR-FE's proven durability. Factory engine cooling remains completely untouched, while the supercharger operates with its own independent water-cooled intercooler and oil cooling circuits. The Eaton TVS1320 is backed by a 3-year warranty. The 1GR-FE's cast-iron block and forged crankshaft provide the engineering headroom to handle the additional boost comfortably.
How does the supercharger perform when towing at altitude?
This is one of the most significant advantages over staying naturally aspirated. At altitude, air density drops and NA engines lose power proportionally — a real problem when you are towing a caravan over mountain passes. The TVS1320 compensates by mechanically forcing a greater volume of air into the cylinders, maintaining power output where a stock Prado would struggle to hold speed on inclines.
Can I fit the kit with my existing bull bar, snorkel, and accessories?
Yes. The VT kit mounts entirely within the engine bay using CNC-machined brackets designed for the Prado platform. It does not interfere with bull bars, snorkels, light bars, or other common accessories. The water-cooled intercooler eliminates the need for a front-mounted cooler that would conflict with aftermarket bumpers.
What is the difference between the VT and HKS kits for the Prado 4.0L?
The VT Eaton TVS1320 kit is a positive-displacement supercharger that delivers consistent boost from idle to redline, with strong emphasis on low-end torque for towing and off-road use. The HKS centrifugal kit produces boost that builds with engine speed, offering a progressive power curve. Both are bolt-on systems with water-cooled intercooling and 3-year warranties. Both require separate ECU tuning.
Related Supercharger Kits
The 1GR-FE engine powers several Toyota models. AME Motorsport offers VT Eaton TVS kits across the full 4.0L family: