If you want to truly push your VQ37VHR engine to make more power (reliably), supercharging it is the way to go.
While it’s one of the most effective ways to take your G37’s performance to the next level, you need to invest in the right kit to get the job done.
That’s where selecting an Infiniti G37 supercharger kit is easy. Because there aren’t a ton of options out there, so this reduces the chances of picking the wrong one.
The kits that you’re left with are all high-quality, and you’re guaranteed a supercharger that boosts your power output in a safe and controlled way.
To help break things down, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about supercharging your G37 and help you find the best supercharger for your needs.
Supercharged VQ37VHR Reliability
With a VQ37VHR engine under your hood, you’re already in a good place to begin adding more horsepower to your current setup.
That’s mainly because Infiniti designed this engine to handle their Performance Line models, which include superchargers and turbochargers — depending on the model you choose.
Still, superchargers are the ideal companion for your V6 engine given the way they generate power.
Since they work off the engine itself, you don’t have to worry about producing too much boost as long as you stick with one of the prebuilt G37 supercharger kits from Stillen or GTM.
A perk of the VQ37VHR engine is that Infiniti upgraded all the internal components like the piston rods, to handle the extra horsepower they were planning to throw at them.
The impressive V6 engine is one reason why so many people love the G37 — you can modify your G37 to insane power numbers, without having to worry about damaging the block.
In fact, there are G37 builds that produce more than 600 horsepower, so you can feel safe in knowing your VQ37VHR engine can handle a supercharger and still be reliable.
G37 Forced Induction: Turbo or Supercharger?
Whether you’re looking to add a supercharger or a turbo to your Infiniti G37, there really is no wrong choice here. Both setups have their own pros and cons, so it all comes down to what you want and making the right decision from there.
If you’re wondering why you can’t turbocharge and supercharge the same engine, the fact is that while the G37 utilizes an incredible engine that can handle a lot of power — you’re going to run into two major problems:
- You’re not going to find an off the shelf kit to make both of them work.
- Even with a strong engine, you’ll be throwing way too much air into the system, which will end up damaging many components.
You have to pick one or the other, or build a blue printed engine that can handle insane power.
With that in mind, we’ll break everything down in the Infiniti G37 supercharger vs turbo debate below.
Advantages of a Turbocharger
The primary advantage of a turbocharger is the price. There’s no questioning that a turbocharger is cheaper, which is why they’re a lot more popular with G37 owners.
However, that’s not the only advantage a turbocharger has over a supercharger — the other is efficiency.
A supercharger siphons power from the engine itself, which in turn decreases fuel efficiency.
A turbocharger, on the other hand, uses the gases from your G37’s exhaust and sends it back to the engine, which can actually improve fuel economy compared to a non-turbocharged engine.
Advantages of a Supercharger
While superchargers are by no means cheap, they offer significant advantages over turbochargers. For starters, there’s no turbo lag and the power they generate is instantaneous.
But that’s not where the power advantages stop. They also can safely produce more power than a turbocharger.
The only thing controlling how much boost your supercharger can produce is the engine RPM, which means it safely caps how much boost it delivers while generating a ton of power.
Finally, while turbochargers are cheaper to install, superchargers offer a more straightforward design that produces less heat.
Turbochargers are complicated and if you don’t install them correctly, you can easily cause a lot of damage. With superchargers, a lot of that complexity goes straight out of the window.
Overall, superchargers are simply a safer build all around, which is why they’re still incredibly popular despite their higher price tag.
G37 Supercharger: Your Best Options
While there aren’t a ton of options if you’re looking for an Infiniti G37 supercharger, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a look at what’s out there.
We’ve highlighted three different options below, including two G37 supercharger kits and one that is pre-assembled.
Getting your hands on some of these kits might be a challenge in itself. But if you’re relentless enough, you’ll be left with a G37 that rips.
Stillen
Manufacturer: Stillen
Engine Compatibility: VQ37VHR
Type: Centrifugal
Suits: 2008-2015
If you’re looking for a genuine supercharger kit that’s easily accessible and comes with all the necessary components needed for a hassle-free installation, the Stillen G37 supercharger kit is where you want to start and end your search.
The kit features a Vortech V3 self-lubricating supercharger system, a custom intake plenum, an air-to-water intercooler, larger fuel injectors, and a lot more. All of this fits nice and neat under the hood with no hood replacement needed.
In fact, Stillen is so sure that this kit won’t mess up your G37 that they offer a 3-year, 36,000-mile powertrain warranty with it.
As another perk, the average install time for a mechanic is only 12 hours. Whether you’re looking for a weekend project or trying to find out how much it’s going to cost for a shop to install it for you, this short install time makes it an extremely viable option.
Keep in mind that while this kit comes with the tuner kit, you’ll still need the cables to get the job done. But when you properly install and tune this supercharger kit, it’ll stay legal in all 50-states, including those with stricter environmental and noise regulations like California.
IPL
Manufacturer: Infiniti
Engine Compatibility: VQ37VHR
Type: Centrifugal
Suits: 2011-2015
This isn’t a supercharger kit — instead, it’s a division of Infiniti. So, instead of purchasing a regular Infiniti G37, you can find and purchase an Infiniti G37 IPL. IPL stands for Infiniti Performance line, and since July 2010, they’ve produced G37s that include superchargers straight from the factory.
Infiniti’s IPL line never gained widespread notoriety, which is a double-edged sword in its own way. They don’t have the same cult following that drives up the price of some other brands so it can be a bit difficult to find one that’s still in good shape.
But if you’re looking to track down an Infiniti G37 supercharger without the headache that comes with converting your vehicle, this is a great choice. In fact, if you find someone that owns a G37 IPL, it’s not unheard of for them to have up to 500 horsepower.
However, keep in mind that not all Infiniti G37 IPLs utilize a supercharger. Instead, some of them utilize a dual turbocharger setup.
While this is highly effective, if you’re looking for a more durable setup, lower maintenance costs and cheaper insurance, try to track down one of the supercharger models.
GTM
Manufacturer: GTM Performance Engineering
Engine Compatibility: VQ37VHR
Type: Centrifugal
Suits: 2008-2013
There was a time that the GTM vs Stillen supercharger debate left many G37 owners undecided on where they stand. These came in a few options, including a twin supercharger kit, which makes buying one tricky as it’s not a simple choice.
Things are a lot different now because it’s not just hard to find GTM supercharger kits for a G37 now, it’s damn near impossible.
If you can find a GTM kit and decide to install it on your G37 you’re not getting a bad product, but they do offer a few drawbacks compared to the Stillen kit.
For starters, the GTM kit requires oil changes every 2-years or every 24,000-miles. While this isn’t a huge deal, it’s still something you need to consider.
Moreover, while GTM claims that their Rotrex blowers can easily last to 100,000 miles, many owners feel that a 50,000-mile service life is far more realistic.
So, while the GTM supercharger kit is a solid choice, it’s simply outdone by the Stillen supercharger kit, which is why the GTM G37 kits have gone by the wayside.
Our Favorite Infiniti G37 Supercharger
If you’re looking for the best supercharger for your Infiniti G37, it’s hard to beat the Stillen supercharger kit. While it’s a bit more expensive upfront, it comes with everything you need for a smooth installation.
Furthermore, most G37 owners found that this kit was a lot quicker to install which is saying something for a supercharger kit.
Did you like what you read, or do you have more questions about installing a supercharger kit onto your Infiniti G37? Drop a comment below or check out some of our other articles.
1 comment
Hello – Thanks for the great article; as someone brand new to the world of adding hp, this has greatly reduced my learning curve. I do have a question about the Stillen 407730P supercharger for my 2012 Infiniti G37x Sedan: I found a legal notice saying this kit is not street legal; can you clarify if this is true as all other websites say legal in all 50 states?