Toyota 4Runner 4.0L Supercharger Kit: Power for Trail and Highway
4Runner 4.0L Supercharger Kit: Trail-Ready Power
Quick Summary: The Toyota 4Runner's 1GR-FE 4.0L V6 makes 270hp from the factory — a solid foundation, but one that falls short once you add armour, roof racks, and 33-inch tyres. The VT Eaton TVS1320 supercharger kit from AME Motorsport delivers approximately 39% more horsepower through a bolt-on installation with water-cooled intercooling, dedicated oil cooling, and a 3-year Eaton warranty. No cutting, no welding, and instant throttle response where it matters most — on the trail.
Why the Stock 4Runner Needs More Power
The 4Runner is one of North America's most popular trail vehicles. Its body-on-frame construction, locking rear differential, and proven reliability make it a natural choice for overlanding, rock crawling, and weekend trail running. But the 1GR-FE 4.0-litre V6 under the hood was calibrated for a stock vehicle — not one loaded with aftermarket accessories.
Bolt on a steel front bumper, a rear swing-out carrier, rock sliders, a full-length roof rack, and a rooftop tent. Switch to 285/70 R17 all-terrain tyres. Add a fridge, recovery boards, and a dual-battery system. That build easily adds 150 to 250 kilograms to the kerb weight, and the larger tyre diameter increases effective rolling resistance and final-drive ratio. The result is a vehicle that feels sluggish on highway on-ramps, breathless on mountain passes, and underpowered on steep, loose climbs.
Aftermarket intakes and exhaust systems offer marginal gains — typically 5 to 15 horsepower on a naturally aspirated platform. That is not enough to offset the added weight and drag from a serious trail build. Forced induction is the only realistic path to meaningful, usable power gains on the 1GR-FE.
The good news is that Toyota engineered the 1GR-FE with significant headroom. A cast-iron block, forged crankshaft, and robust bottom end mean the engine handles additional stress comfortably. That is precisely why AME Motorsport's supercharger kits work so well on this platform.
VT Eaton TVS1320 Supercharger Kit
VT standardises on the Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) platform for all Toyota 3.5L and 4.0L supercharger kits. The 4Runner kit is built around the Eaton TVS1320 — a positive-displacement, roots-type supercharger with four-lobe rotors that deliver consistent, linear boost from just above idle through to redline.
The TVS1320 is mechanically driven from the crankshaft via a belt drive system. Unlike a turbocharger that relies on exhaust gas velocity to spool, the Eaton unit produces boost the instant you open the throttle. There is no lag, no dead zone in the power band, and no sudden torque spike that breaks traction on loose surfaces.
That last point is critical for trail use. On gravel switchbacks, loose sand, and rocky ascents, throttle modulation is everything. A turbocharger that delivers boost unpredictably makes it harder to manage traction. The TVS1320's linear, progressive power delivery gives you precise throttle control exactly when you need it — whether you are crawling over boulders at walking pace or powering through a sandy wash at speed.
What's in the Kit
The Toyota 4Runner 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, safe power
- Dedicated oil cooling system — maintains supercharger lubrication independent of engine oil
- CNC-machined mounting brackets — engineered specifically for the 4Runner engine bay
- Belt drive system — complete serpentine arrangement with tensioner
- Silicone hoses and clamps — high-temperature-rated throughout
- All necessary hardware and fittings — gaskets, fasteners, and coolant lines included
Dyno-Tested Results
The VT Eaton TVS1320 kit delivers approximately 39% more horsepower over the stock 1GR-FE. All figures are measured on a chassis dynamometer under real-world conditions — not optimistic flywheel estimates.
| Metric | Stock 1GR-FE | With TVS1320 Kit | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | ~270 hp | ~375 hp | ~+105 hp (+39%) |
| Torque | ~380 Nm | ~540 Nm | ~+160 Nm (+42%) |
The torque gains matter most for 4Runner owners. Torque is what pulls you up a steep fire road, through deep sand, and past slower traffic on the highway without hunting for a lower gear. The additional 160Nm transforms the driving experience in ways that bolt-on intake and exhaust modifications cannot approach.
For owners who have fitted larger tyres, the torque increase effectively restores — and then exceeds — the factory power-to-weight ratio. The 4Runner feels quicker and more responsive than it did stock, even with hundreds of kilograms of additional equipment on board.
HKS Supercharger Option
AME Motorsport also offers the Toyota 4Runner V6 4.0 HKS Supercharger Kit as an alternative forced induction option for the 1GR-FE. The HKS kit uses HKS's own centrifugal supercharger design and is a bolt-on system for the 4Runner platform.
Both the VT Eaton and HKS kits are engineered for the 1GR-FE, but they use different supercharger architectures. The VT kit's Eaton TVS1320 is a positive-displacement design that provides consistent boost across the entire rev range, while the HKS unit is centrifugal and builds boost progressively with engine speed. For trail-focused builds where low-rpm torque and instant throttle response are priorities, the positive-displacement VT Eaton kit is typically the preferred choice. For builds that prioritise top-end power and highway driving, the HKS option is worth considering.
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. A competent workshop can complete the installation in a day.
Water-Cooled Intercooler
Compressing air generates heat, and hot intake air reduces power output and increases the risk of detonation. The VT kit uses a dedicated water-cooled intercooler circuit to manage charge temperatures. Coolant flows through the intercooler core, extracting heat from the compressed air 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 matters for off-road use — at low speeds and during technical trail sections, there is minimal ram air flowing through the front of the vehicle. A water-cooled system maintains effectiveness regardless of vehicle speed, keeping intake temperatures in check during sustained low-speed climbs that would challenge an air-to-air setup.
Dedicated Oil Cooling
The TVS1320 has its own oil supply, completely separate from the engine oil. The kit includes a dedicated oil cooling system that maintains optimal lubricant temperatures regardless of ambient conditions or sustained high-load driving. This independent system means the supercharger does not burden the factory engine oil system or introduce additional heat into the engine's lubrication circuit.
Factory Cooling Preserved
The stock radiator, thermostat, and cooling fans remain untouched. The supercharger's cooling systems — both intercooler and oil — operate independently. This means factory engine cooling capacity is fully retained, which is critical for a vehicle that routinely operates in hot climates, at low speeds, and under heavy load.
Key Benefits for 4Runner Owners
- ~39% more horsepower, ~42% more torque — dyno-verified gains that transform the driving experience
- Instant throttle response — mechanically driven boost available from just off idle, no turbo lag
- Linear power delivery — positive-displacement design provides progressive, predictable boost across the rev range
- Trail-optimised performance — precise throttle control on loose surfaces where traction management is critical
- Strong low-end torque — additional 160Nm available low in the rev range where off-road driving demands it
- High-altitude compensation — the supercharger forces more air into the engine, offsetting power losses at elevation
- Bolt-on installation — no cutting, welding, or permanent modification to the vehicle
- Independent cooling systems — 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 coverage
- Reversible — the kit can be removed and the engine returned to stock configuration
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 any other modifications on the vehicle. A tailored tune ensures optimal power output, proper fuel delivery, and engine protection. AME Motorsport can advise on tuning options for your specific build.
Will the supercharger kit work with my existing lift, bumpers, and tyres?
Yes. The VT kit mounts within the existing engine bay and does not interfere with suspension lifts, body modifications, steel bumpers, or tyre upgrades. The kit is designed around the 4Runner's engine bay dimensions and accessory layout. The additional torque is particularly beneficial for vehicles running larger, heavier tyres and carrying significant accessory weight.
How does the supercharger perform at high altitude?
This is one of the biggest advantages of forced induction over staying naturally aspirated. At altitude, air density decreases and NA engines lose power proportionally — a stock 1GR-FE can lose 15 to 20 percent of its output at mountain elevations. The TVS1320 compensates by mechanically forcing a greater volume of air into the cylinders, maintaining power output where a stock engine would struggle. For 4Runner owners who regularly drive mountain trails and high passes, this alone justifies the upgrade.
Does the supercharger affect the 4Runner's reliability for off-road use?
The kit preserves the 1GR-FE's inherent durability. Factory engine cooling remains completely untouched while the supercharger operates with its own independent water-cooled intercooler and oil cooling system. The Eaton TVS1320 is a proven platform backed by a 3-year Eaton warranty. The positive-displacement design has no fragile components exposed to trail debris, and the sealed unit requires minimal maintenance.
What is the difference between the VT Eaton and HKS kits?
The VT Eaton TVS1320 kit uses a positive-displacement Eaton supercharger that delivers consistent boost from idle to redline. It includes water-cooled intercooling and dedicated oil cooling. The HKS kit uses a centrifugal supercharger design that builds boost progressively with rpm. Both are bolt-on systems for the 1GR-FE. For trail-focused builds, the VT Eaton kit's instant low-rpm response is typically preferred.
Related 1GR-FE Supercharger Kits
The 4Runner shares the 1GR-FE engine with several other Toyota models. AME Motorsport offers supercharger kits for the full 4.0L family: