HELLO. I'M NEW TO THE BOARD AND WAS WONDERING IF THE SUPERCHARGER IS REALLY WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY? I'LL BE GETTING A NEW XTERRA SOON AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONES HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH THE SUPERCHAGER? THANKS!

First off, welcome to the board.

Second - hit your CAPS LOCK key so it's off, thanks - it's often conveyed as 'yelling'.

So far I haven't heard any technical issues w/ the S/C yet since it's so new. Though the only thing I hear is that the required premium fuel is kind of a bummer for your wallet.

I'll let the more knowledgeable folks w/ the S/C's chime in with more details though.

IT GOES FAST OR GOES FASTER.

Offset for inflation gasoline is the cheapest it has been since the 1920's...

That said, the SC runs great, and I have had no problems (12,000 miles logged) with it. Though the X is geared really low (so off the line acceleration is inherently good), the SC really kicks butt off the line! As well it tows excellent.

The only real downfall is the fuel mileage, I have seen a worst of 12mpg (non towing - 9mpg towing), best of 17mpg, and average 14mpg. This is on a stock truck with no mods (big tires,brush bar) to further kill the mileage. Though my friend has a 2001 Frontier that only gets 15mpg...so how much worse is it really?

Plus it just has the cool factor to be SC.

Power = Good
More Power = Better

Simple really.

Thanks everyone! Glad to hear no one has any real problems with the supercharger! I can't wait to get mine! Altho the MPG bit is kind of a bummer,I'd still like the extra power!!
P.S. no more yelling! Was that better? :rolleyes:

Yeah, the SC eats up more gas and I spend about 40 bucks more at the fuel pump each month, but hell, I spend that much for me and the wife at a movie! To me, the added boost that the SC delivers off the line and for sudden accelaration needed for highway entrance is worth it. BTW, I have not had any problems with it (4000 miles approximately).

No problems with the supercharger. Just have to pay more for gas and power. That's all...

I have had my S/C Frontier (same motor as yours) for over a year now. Pretty much what everyone has already said is the same for me. I have had no problems what so ever with my S/C. It is thirsty. I have seen a worst of 12mpg city and a best of 19 on the highway. I typically average about 15-16mpg per tank. I love the added power and the sound of the S/C spooling up is sick. My only real mods are an intake and exhaust and neither seem to have taken much of a toll on my mileage.

Had a 2000 Xterra auto trans, what a dog, had to get out and push a couple times. Traded for a 2002 SE/SC manual trans, what a difference. Don't have to wait for a spot to merge into traffic now and no problems going up hill.

As an after thought, does any one know if there's a way to get boost below 3k rpm's?

I have been happy with mine except for the Premium fuel thing!

Have to agree with everyone above. I love mine, the whine of the SC is a beautiful thing. Really, when you are spending that much money, the extra cash for the SC seemed worth it to me. It is not a racecar though, so don't expect too much from the forty extra ponies! Great truck, hope you enjoy it.

First of all Welcome to the club, I have 5400 miles log on my X no Signs of problem on the supercharger. took it to NY this weekend and hit 95 mph mark on the speedometer on the Delaware parkway...Im happy on the way the truck performs i have both speed, power and aggility when it comes to highway or Road use.

Bottom line: It's the shit.

Dude, get the supercharger. I had to wait 2 months for my 2002 XE/SC 5sp 4x4. It was well worth it! Plenty of power.
Sure it uses a bit more fuel but the n/a just can't cut it with just 170 horses.

~j

I was lucky..both the N/A and S/C versions were on the lot for me to test drive. No comparison..the rush of acceleration that starts at 3000 rpm is quite nice. Go for it..just keep in mind higher fuel costs (Premium) and lower MPG..worth every penny to me

Totally agree with the previous accolades. Those that say that the SC is not worth the extra money should really get a reality check (player haters).. Drive one.. There is a difference.. I owned a 2001 and now own a 2002 SE/SC.. Fuel economy with or without the SC is not great; We all know this...If you want more fun /performance, then get one...

I love It I think it just make the X that much more fun to drive If you want to save some money go with the 5 speed.
I was always kicking myself in the ass for not getting the Turbo Eclipse when I bought one. I wasn't going to do that again.

Is 3000 rpm when the supercharger actually kicks in?
or is it when the effect is felt most?

Is it healthy to have the engine revving much beyond 3000?

The engine redlines at 5800, and it's healthy to rev it anywhere below that. Mine spends a lot of time between 4000 and 5000 when trying to drive in the Colorado mountains.

The supercharger is always active, but comes on full boost at full open throttle, regardless of the RPM.

Mine's almost never below 3000!

The engine could actually spin past the 5800 RPM redline, but that is what is set as a safe limit that is guaranteed not to cause damage. Would be pointless to go beyond that anyway with this engine. Anyway, you can spin it all the way up there if you want and the rev limiter will kick in and cut the fuel, so there's no way you can reach damage casuing RPM's.

Just remember that you should always be easy on the revs and throttle before the engine is up to operating temperature.

Actually - it only builds 5lbs at full throttle (under 4K rpm's), and builds thereafter to a maximum of 7lbs at 6K rpm's/WOT.

As well it runs in "bypass" at lower throttle percentages and at idle to help fuel economy (ie. no boost, registers intake vaccum like a normally aspirated engine).

A boost/vacuum gauge gives away the mystery show...

i wish i had the extra HP. tired of feeling so sluggish when i'm trying to merge on the freeway.

Turn off the overdrive.

Yup

Every time the tach hits 3k RPM's is when I feel the xtra ponies. I just ordered the Cold-Air intake from Stillen. From what I've been reading here, this should help the low end a little.

That said, the SC runs great, and I have had no problems (12,000 miles logged) with it. Though the X is geared really low (so off the line acceleration is inherently good), the SC really kicks butt off the line! As well it tows excellent.
So.... what is on line, off line acceleration?
(scratching head). I'm a novice at this terminology. Thanks.

You asked: So.... what is on line, off line acceleration?
(scratching head). I'm a novice at this terminology. Thanks.

Off line means from a standstill, an imaginary line. The S/C accelerates well from a stop, but at 3000RPM things get real fun...whoosh and it's hauling some booty. I drive rather conservatively, so when it kicks in I am still pleasantly surprised.

Just picked up mine on 6/18/02....Def. worth the extra bucks!
c

As everyone on this post had said the supercharger has been well worth it - especially if you like to take it offroad. The added torque really helps when you are trying to crawl up rocks. buy it!!

This is entirely the opinion of each individual making the Xterra purchase.

Here is how I made my decision:

High octane gas is recommended for use in an X with a supercharger. Around here the unleaded "supreme" gas runs about $.30 more per gallon.

Lets say that an Xterra goes for about 200,000 miles in it's life (remember this is just hypothetical )

If your X gets 15mpg then over the course of it's life (200,000) miles, you will have purchased 13,333 gallons of gas. At $.30 more per gallon for the high octane gas, you will be spending an additional $4,000 for the extra 40 HP. Add to that the initial cost of the supercharger which is about $1000 dollars.

All in all, the extra 40 horsies is going to cost you about $5,000 over the life of your vehicle. And this is assuming that you don't have any additional repairs or maintenance issues with the supercharger.

We didn't end up getting the supercharger. My wife drives the X more than I do and she doesn't give a rat's ass about power. She just likes the way the X looks.

I thought the supercharger was cool but just not worth the $5,000 extra IMHO. People who are really infatuated with fast acceleration will probably consider it worthwhile.

Just my $.02

Nice summation - I'm in a similar thought process - when I feel the need for speed, I can always hop in the Miata

However, I thought I absouletly wanted an automatic in my soon to be new X - now I am thinking of driving a manual around for a while to get a feel for it...

I rented (by chance - a good chance though!) a 2002 V6 auto 4x4 in Florida for a week near the beginning of the year and was more than happy with the way the X performed on the freeway and while driving around. Did it take off the line like the Miata or the 240sx? Heck no! but for what the X is, I was happy.

Also we are all assuming the price of gas is going to remain constant - with all the crap that is going on over there, I wouldn't bet on it.

Sigh - waiting for the 2003's is going to drive me insane...

So i have a question to add to this cause i was debating getting the SC but had decided against it.

I plan on keeping my Xterra a while(buying it in 3 weeks) and i have heard that the supercharger takes a lot of life out of the vehicle. Some people have told me that on other vehicles they had to replace the engine after 100,000 miles and the charger itself after 50,000 miles.

any thoughts on this?

e-

E -
Statements like that are more 'urban legend' than fact. When friends with non-SC cars(same model) try to keep up with me they report using 3rd and 4th gear while I'm up in 5th! Whose motor do you think will wear out sooner? The SC in my car has 48,000 miles (engine 72) on it. Fail at 50? Ridiculous.
I suppose if someone screws around with the SC then anything *could* happen. Few have the balls to admit they messed-up. Rather they blame the object that can't defend itself.

dave and xtoy - no fun without a SC

The SC package it comes with the cool mirror that auto dims and temp gage and also it comes with the front fog/driving lights.

not according to nissan it doesn't. the SC (which is my X) has the temp/compass unit, but a regular (non-dimming) rear-view mirror.

thats what i thought.

At what level does the warrantee cover the charger? Id ask nissan but i'm afraid i would get a sales person response, i trust the people who actually own them instead.

I'm leaning towards the SE-S/C but i may need a little more convincing.

You know this is exactly what I thought when buying my X but have since changed my mind. See when off-roading I am in 4-lo and the rpms are just barely above idle. I know I do not have more torque then the other NA X's out with me. That being said, on the dunes last weekend you could tell who had more torque. I was able to climb hills that howler was not from the same starting point. This being said I drive the mountains in Colorado in 4-5 gear rarely breaking 4000rpm and am still passing people.
(see XOC's post for comparison with a NA X)

ALAN

I'm still in limbo about the SC. I got it on mine because I wanted to tow a trailer (I havent done it yet - If anyone has, please let me know how it went) but I sure am happy with the extra power. I'm not a power freak, but it sure is nice to boot it up the hill.

The mileage is hiorrible, as others have said - but if it will do what you want, maybe its worth it.

By the way, do we HAVE to put premium feul in for everyday use? What if we dont?

yeah if it's Ford.

I've put an intake and exhaust on my Xterra (3.3L N/A), and it has plenty of power. While I haven't tried a S/C Xterra, I have to say that the naturally aspirated version performs well if you open up the restrictions.

While driving from California to Texas about two weeks ago (on the 10), I kept it in 5th almost the whole way there. Up steep hills, I had to use 4th once in a while, but I was also carrying 2,000-2,500lbs of stuff in the back of my X and using the A/C on a steep grade. I also have 31" tires and had a Con Ferr 6" tall rack on at the same time. I think it had plenty of power.

Of course, there are always those who need more. That's why I'm getting a WRX soon.

I love my SC it gaves me more off the line and pulling torque and HP on highway. You just have to remember for any car that has force induction there will be a sacrifice. I know this i have three cars thats has force induction my honda civic, WRX, and finally my Xterra SC. Engine life depends on how you maintain your car and for any engine performance mod you make it will increase your gas consumption...

As far as the towing question on the S/C it performs better there too! It is only a nominal difference because of the low gearing. However, when I tow my boat I have passing power. If you are debating whether or not to get the S/C then get it, grandma always said "better to have than to have not"

You could downshift from 5th to 4th and miss shift into 2nd, that would make your engine reach those "damage causing RPMs."

If you have a S/C X it's great. If you have a N/A X it's great. If your going to purchase an X, get all the bells and whistles that are available. Will you need a S/C? Who knows, but when you do need it, it will be there. Will you need 4x4? Wouldn't you at least like to know it's there for when it starts snowing and you NEED to get to the grocery store? :p Seriously, get the S/C X, it at least comes w/ more umph, and it's one more item to point out to your friends when you pop the hood.