Toyota LC70 LC76 4.0L Supercharger Kit: 52% Power Increase with Eaton TVS
LC70 LC76 4.0L Supercharger Kit: Built for Heavy Duty
Quick Summary: The Toyota LC70 series — LC76 wagon, LC78 Troop Carrier, LC79 single and dual cab — runs the 1GR-FE 4.0L V6 in some of the harshest working conditions on earth. Mining sites, remote cattle stations, loaded trays on steep unsealed roads. The factory 228kW is adequate unloaded, but these vehicles rarely run unloaded. The AME Motorsport VT Eaton TVS1320 supercharger kit delivers approximately 52% more power through a bolt-on installation that preserves factory cooling, fits within the existing engine bay, and provides the low-end torque these heavy-duty platforms demand.
Why the LC70 Series Needs More Power
The LC70 platform exists for one reason: to work. Toyota built it as a heavy-duty commercial and utility vehicle, and owners use it exactly that way. LC79 utes carry loaded steel trays with toolboxes, compressors, and fuel cells. LC78 Troop Carriers haul full touring setups weighing over a tonne. LC76 wagons tow trailers across remote desert tracks where the nearest mechanic is 400 kilometres away.
Every kilogram of payload and every degree of incline costs power. The 1GR-FE 4.0-litre V6 produces adequate output in factory trim, but adequate stops being enough when the vehicle is loaded to its GVM, climbing a steep gravel road in 40-degree heat with the air conditioning running. Overtaking road trains on single-lane highways becomes a calculated risk rather than a routine manoeuvre.
The problem is not the engine itself. The 1GR-FE is a proven unit — dual overhead cams, cast-iron block, forged crankshaft — with significant engineering headroom built into its bottom end. The problem is that the naturally aspirated configuration cannot deliver enough airflow to produce the torque these vehicles need when working hard.
Bolt-on naturally aspirated modifications — intake upgrades, exhaust headers, throttle body spacers — produce marginal gains at best. For a vehicle that needs to pull a loaded tray up a 15% grade without losing momentum, the only real solution is forced induction.
The VT Eaton TVS1320 Supercharger Kit
AME Motorsport supplies the VT supercharger platform for the LC70 series 1GR-FE. VT uses the Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) supercharger across all Toyota 4.0L applications — the same positive-displacement, roots-type architecture used in factory supercharged vehicles from GM, Ford, and Jaguar Land Rover.
The TVS1320 uses four-lobe rotors with 160-degree helical twist, producing higher volumetric efficiency and lower noise than older three-lobe Roots blowers. Because it is mechanically driven from the crankshaft, boost is available immediately when you open the throttle. There is no spool time, no lag waiting for exhaust gas to spin a turbine, and no sudden torque spike that can break traction on loose surfaces.
For the LC70 platform, this instant, linear power delivery is not a convenience — it is a safety feature. When you are loaded and climbing, you need predictable torque the moment your right foot asks for it.
What the Kit Includes
The LC70 4.0L VT Supercharger Kit is a complete bolt-on hardware package:
- Eaton TVS1320 supercharger unit with 3-year Eaton warranty
- Water-cooled intercooler system — reduces compressed air temperatures for consistent power output in sustained high-load conditions
- Dedicated oil cooling system — maintains supercharger lubrication independently of engine oil
- CNC-machined mounting brackets — purpose-built for the LC70 engine bay
- Belt drive system — complete serpentine arrangement with tensioner
- Silicone hoses and clamps — rated for high temperature operation throughout
Dyno-Tested Results
The VT Eaton TVS1320 delivers approximately 52% more power on the LC70 series 1GR-FE. The following table represents typical gains recorded on a chassis dynamometer.
| Metric | Stock 1GR-FE | With TVS1320 Kit | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | Stock | ~52% increase | Significant |
| Torque | Stock | Substantial gain | Available from low RPM |
The torque increase is where the LC70 owner notices the difference most. The additional low-end torque transforms the vehicle's ability to pull loaded weight up steep grades, maintain highway speed when towing, and accelerate out of overtaking situations without the extended run-up that the stock configuration demands.
HKS Supercharger Option
AME Motorsport also offers the Toyota LC70 4.0L HKS Supercharger Kit as an alternative forced induction solution for the 1GR-FE. The HKS kit uses HKS's own supercharger design rather than the Eaton TVS platform. Both are bolt-on systems designed for the LC70 engine bay, and both deliver meaningful power increases over the naturally aspirated configuration.
The choice between the two comes down to preference and specific requirements. The VT Eaton kit benefits from the TVS platform's proven track record across multiple OEM applications, the four-lobe rotor design for thermal efficiency, and the water-cooled intercooler system. The HKS kit brings HKS's own engineering and design approach to the same application.
Installation and Cooling Architecture
The VT kit is a true bolt-on system. No cutting, no welding, no permanent modification to the chassis, body, or engine. The factory cooling system, intake routing, and accessory drive layout are all preserved. This matters for the LC70 series more than most platforms — these vehicles operate in remote locations where warranty considerations and the ability to return to stock are practical concerns, not theoretical ones.
Water-Cooled Intercooler
Compressing air generates heat. Hot intake air reduces power density and increases the risk of detonation. The VT kit addresses this with a dedicated water-cooled intercooler circuit that pulls heat from the compressed charge before it enters the intake manifold.
This design is particularly well suited to the LC70's operating conditions. A front-mounted air-to-air intercooler depends on airflow across its core to reject heat — effective at highway speed, but far less so when crawling up a rocky track at walking pace with a loaded tray. The water-cooled system maintains cooling effectiveness regardless of vehicle speed, which is exactly what a working LC70 needs.
Dedicated Oil Cooling
The TVS1320 operates with its own oil supply, completely separate from the engine oil. The kit includes a dedicated oil cooling circuit to maintain lubricant temperatures during sustained high-load operation — the kind of driving that defines how these vehicles are actually used.
Factory Cooling Preserved
The stock radiator, thermostat, cooling fans, and coolant routing remain completely untouched. The supercharger's cooling systems operate independently, so factory engine cooling capacity is fully retained. For a vehicle that may be working all day in ambient temperatures above 40 degrees, this separation is not optional — it is essential.
Key Benefits for LC70 Owners
- Approximately 52% more power — a substantial increase matched to the 1GR-FE platform
- Low-end torque where it matters — positive-displacement design delivers boost from just above idle, exactly where loaded vehicles need it most
- Instant throttle response — mechanically driven, no lag, no waiting for boost to build
- Linear power delivery — progressive and predictable, critical on loose or steep surfaces under load
- High-altitude compensation — the supercharger forces more air into the cylinders, offsetting the power loss that naturally aspirated engines suffer at elevation
- Bolt-on installation — no cutting, welding, or permanent modification required
- Factory cooling preserved — independent water-cooled intercooler and oil cooling do not burden the stock cooling system
- 3-year Eaton warranty — the supercharger unit is backed by Eaton's own warranty coverage
- Remote-area reliability — proven Eaton TVS platform used across multiple OEM factory supercharged vehicles worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ECU tuning included with the kit?
No. ECU tuning is not included and must be sourced separately. This is intentional — your calibration needs to account for your fuel type, altitude, and any other modifications on the vehicle. A tailored tune produced by a qualified tuner ensures optimal power, fuel economy, and engine protection for your specific setup rather than relying on a generic calibration.
Will the supercharger handle sustained heavy loads in extreme heat?
The VT kit is designed for exactly these conditions. The water-cooled intercooler maintains charge air cooling regardless of vehicle speed, so slow-speed loaded climbs in high ambient temperatures do not compromise cooling performance the way an air-to-air intercooler would. The dedicated oil cooling system keeps supercharger lubrication temperatures stable during extended high-load operation. Factory engine cooling remains completely independent and unmodified.
Does the kit fit LC76, LC78, and LC79 models?
The VT supercharger kit is designed for the 1GR-FE 4.0L V6 as fitted to the LC70 series. Check the LC70 4.0L VT Supercharger Kit product page for the full compatibility list covering specific model codes and production years within the LC70 range.
How does forced induction compare to a diesel swap for the LC70?
Diesel conversions are popular for the LC70 series but involve significant cost, complexity, and engineering certification requirements. The VT supercharger kit is a bolt-on solution that retains the factory 1GR-FE petrol engine, requires no structural modification, and preserves the vehicle's original configuration. The supercharged petrol engine delivers strong low-end torque that narrows the gap with diesel powertrains, particularly in the mid-range where overtaking and loaded hill climbing demand immediate throttle response.
What maintenance does the supercharger require?
The Eaton TVS1320 is a low-maintenance unit. The dedicated oil system requires periodic oil changes at intervals specified in the kit documentation. Beyond that, routine maintenance involves inspecting the belt drive system and intercooler hoses — standard items that any qualified mechanic can handle in the field if necessary.
Related Supercharger Kits
The 1GR-FE 4.0L V6 powers several Toyota platforms. AME Motorsport offers VT supercharger kits across the full 4.0L family: