Toyota Solara Project, Part 2

Doubtlessly sweet.
Before: Bare and naked, the stock V-6 awaits the power infusion.

After: The TRD Supercharger fits so nicely in the engine bay, it looks like it belongs as an OEM item. Note the stock strut tower brace had to be removed to fit the supercharger manifold. By the time you’re reading this, TRD will have designed a new brace that will work with the supercharger.
After: The TRD Supercharger fits so nicely in the engine bay, it looks like it belongs as
To get to the stock manifold TRD’s technicians had to move the vacuum switch valve. Because it helps regulate the plenum for high- and low-end torque efficiency in stock mode, the vacuum line on the stock manifold is eliminated with the supercharger. As with everything in the TRD kit, the manifold and vacuum can easily return to stock if needed.
To get to the stock manifold TRD’s technicians had to move the vacuum switch valve. B
Before TRD’s technicians removed the stock manifold they had to unhook the EGR and throttle body on the right side of the manifold. All the hoses atop the stock manifold are completely replaced with the TRD manifold.
Before TRD’s technicians removed the stock manifold they had to unhook the EGR and th

Hmm. Let’s see. Eenie-meenie, minee-mo...ah hell, the choice is easy. Gimme the charger.
Hmm. Let’s see. Eenie-meenie, minee-mo...ah hell, the choice is easy. Gimme the charg
By using the supplied pre-fabbed brackets (including a slightly bent EGR tube and idler plate assembly), the TRD manifold and supercharger drop right into place. The main wiring gets rerouted from the pulley side of the supercharger then it’s just a matter of attaching the hoses and throttle body, tightening all the bolts, and hitting the road. The kit even utilizes the stock lower studs on the manifold for bolting on the TRD kit. And because all the wires, hoses and brackets line up at the same locations as stock, an aftermarket or the stock air intake can be used with the TRD kit--and no additional plumbing is required. Note: Whenever the belts are loosened on a car they should be reinstalled and tested for proper tension (for that particular application) with a tension measuring tool.
By using the supplied pre-fabbed brackets (including a slightly bent EGR tube and idler pl
One small but important component of the TRD supercharger kit is the inline one-way valve between the injectors and throttle-body. This valve ensures that while at boost the air/fuel mixture can’t return--it can only be atomized.
One small but important component of the TRD supercharger kit is the inline one-way valve

Sure, it's the best-selling car in America two years running. And, yes, the Toyota Camry is largely regarded as a family car driven mainly by moms. But don't let any preconceived notions about its driving characteristics fool you, the V-6 engine available in the Camry, and its coupe cousin the Solara, can be one potent powerplant. In the hands of legendary tuner TRD, it can become a First Class performer.

We've been covering the buildup of a Solara Project Car. After taking delivery of the stock Solara, the Super Street team began work on transforming its coupe into a serious showstopper. The first real performance modification was the installation of TRD's latest tuning masterpiece: a 50hp supercharger. The beauty of all TRD aftermarket parts, including this supercharger, is that they are available at Toyota dealers and come complete with factory-backed warranties. Oh, and did we mention the Eaton-based supercharger boosts power from 197hp at 5,200 rpm stock with 217 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm to 247hp at 6,000 rpm and 242 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm--all a completely emissions-legal with a conservative boost level (4-5 psi).

As always, we strive to bring you the latest in tuning technology, so we headed down to TRD for the installation of the supercharger kit. Our Solara was privileged to receive one of the first preproduction units, so being that it was their first time installing these kits, having only done a few prototype installs beforehand, some of what we're about to tell you about the install and in which order it was performed may change. Likewise, there may be some minor alterations made to the components we show you here compared to those offered in the final production kits.

One more aspect we should mention about the TRD supercharger kit is that it is a straight bolt-on designed to go on easily, but it also comes off easily so that the engine can be returned to stock form if desired. All told, the install took less than four hours.