Do the 96-99 Pathfinders have the exact same engine as the Xterras? If so, can I fit the Xterra supercharger on it? An extra 40 hp would be really nice.

Whether I can or not, what other modifications can I make to improve engine performance? How about those Hypertech power programmers? Anything like that for a Pathy?

Yeah, same 3.3, but you would need the computer from the SC X. And I'm not real familiar with the emmissions stuff on both and they might be alot different.

Another thing to worry about is the Pathfinder 3.3 uses a serpentine belt while the X has v belts.

I'm not saying it can't be done, it will just take some work.

The X doesn't have V-belts?

In fact the R50 uses a V belt on the power steering, 6 rib on the water/alt, and 5 rib on A/C...the X/frontier doesn't have that V belt as I remember, the 6 rib runs the power steering pump.

Here is a questin, dfahmy, I understand buying a vehicle with the intent of major modification, but why when the manufacture already makes what you want? It would probably be a LOT less effort to find a used supercharged X or frontier..just a thought.

i think that if you already have a R50 pathfinder it would be alot cheaper to put a supercharger on than to buy another vehichle.

Watch Ebay...complete low mileage SC engines pop up every so often.

Don't know about the R50, but the X has all ribbed belts.
THe other consideration is that the R50 has a different accessory layout, the power steering pump and alternator are in opposite locations. That means different bracketry for the idlers etc. Don't see swapping the SC onto an R50 VG33E being a terribly straightforward process, not to mention the modest output of the SC isn't worth the hassle in my book.

Ribbed....for Brent's pleasure

Couldn't resist.

I wasn't aware that he already owned an R50.

comparing it to Herk's SC frontier I thought the SC belt piggybacked off the A/C compressors which I think is the same as the R50s a/c layout. I just remember looking and it not being that difficult as far as the belt went. Wiring and computer control are going to KILL YOU.... that's where the serious problems lie

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the supercharged models all use 1 serp belt and all the others (N/A) use a 3 belt config?

Fair enough. Same engine + different belts = big waste of time for 40 horses. But what about the second part of my question? What else can I do to get more horse?

Surely the new pathfinders w/ their extra cam and 200 mL extra engine volume can't be the only things contributing to the 70 extra horse. What should I do to get more horsepower?

To those wondering why I don't buy a newer model and get all the horse I need, it's simple: I'm 20 and in college.

I bought the truck when I was 17 and new nothing about pathfinders except that they were reliable. I didn't realize until too late that the twin cam 3.5 L trucks were made the model year AFTER mine (typical fahmy luck).

But until I can afford something w/ more horsepower how can I make the best w/ what I have?

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Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the supercharged models all use 1 serp belt and all the others (N/A) use a 3 belt config?

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I think they had more than a single belt.. I will get some pics..

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But until I can afford something w/ more horsepower how can I make the best w/ what I have?

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Well, it took me until I was 23 to realize you don't need all the power in the world. What do you need this extra power for? The 3.5 VQ series engine is totaly different design and really the two cams, better flowing heads and .2l is what gives it that extra 70 horeses. Although in my world horsepower is for crack smokers , torque is where it's at. To make due I would install a reliable exhaust system to your likeing, put an air system on it that FILTERED THE AIR 1st and second reduced the restriction. Then I would change the fluid, spark plugs, take care of the truck until I could afford something better. Think about it, having more power for towing would be really nice, but the pathfinder isn't a big tow rig...so I am saving for a diesel truck. Having more power for running around town would be nice, but the pathfinder isn't a rice rocket either... What it is, is a very capable people and stuff hauler and it can go places the tow rig and rice rocket can't. Gosh I sound like those a$$holes that used to discourage me from doing stuff with my litle ricer cars. Come to think about it I am being 100% hypocritical as the R50s are only half made for more serious offroading...HAHAHAH the irony

Well System-F you raise a good point. But what bothers me is that at less than 170 horse, I could have settled for a more efficient 4 cylinder engine, and not have to put up w/ such a gas guzzler, especially since, for all intents and purposes, I do NO towing.

But I have lots of time to learn about trucks and make a more informed decision the second time around.

Thanks for the help, please look at my newest post, and see if you can help me out.

Got news for ya...I get crappy mileage with a 4 banger and big tires too.

my stock pathy got 17-19.... just don't romp on it all the time. Heck even with 32"s if I am easy on it I can still get 15-17, and if you had a 4 banger you would be finding ways to get more power out of it and the gas would go south on it too. Don't always look at horsepower.. it's not near as important a number as you may think. Torque also accounts and gearing also acounts for quite a bit.

Pathfinder VG33E:



Xterra VG33E (NA):



Xterra VG33ER (SC):