Supra Discussions & Rumors

[CATiger]

Just curious to see who out there in TS land has owned or owns a 87 - 92 (or was it 93?) Supra... the third generation. I think 86.5 is when it became a model of it's own and not just and option package on the celica, but maybe someone out there knows more than me!

Anyway, I am looking to cure my fiending for a supercharger for my Tundra by purchasing a turbo project. Seems like for the $$$ I would spend to purchase (if I could even find one) and install a supercharger for the i-force, I could have a reasonble, fun and fairly reliable hobby for a second ride.

I did a search here and did not turn up any info. The web has some stuff, but man are we spoiled by the good manners & great info here on TS. There are all sorts of boards out there with mean, flaming and lying people (general example of a post on insert car name here board.com: my 800hp ___ will beat anyone other make/model/year and look better and be cheaper!! *&^% you!!! I have a dyno but it won't load, and the track is sending me my 9 sec time slip, but I don't have it yet... yadda yadda yadda ps you suck!)

I was curious what experiences you have had with your supra, what to look out for and most of all what MODS have you done?

Thanks in advance.

Moderators Notation - All "Supra" talk has been merged into the same thread for better and more active discussion. The new thread is called "Supra Discussions and Rumors"

If you have any questions please let me know.

Peid - Moderator

[42GAMI]

i got a mk3 turbo. its an 89. what did you want/need to know? " like am an expert" gimmie a break.

[42GAMI]

if you got over 60k mi on the motor, better re-torque the head. 7Ms are notorius for blowing hg.

[42GAMI]

really, im not an expert, but if it is a turbo project you are looking for. the mk3 is a good choice. pretty cheap too. start with a turbo model though. if you start with a NA model, it will cost buku $$$ just to make 250HP.

the 90 on up 7m blocks are the best. toyota got all the block flaws reworked and fixed. the worst years are the 85-86. they progressively get better till 89.

start with a turbo model. if you try to make boost in a NA model, the NA ECU will surely reject the boost and start shutting down fuel. (very jerky to drive, no power) the ECU will also kickback a lean air mixture err code too.

the turbo models use a kardon vortex type of AFM the NA uses the traditional "flapper" gate type. the turbo block has an extra knock sensor and doesnt use a distrubutor. this is why you cant just switch out the NA ECU for a turbo ECU.

the wire harness between the years will vary a little too 85-88 are pretty much the same as 89-92 are the same. so you cant plug an 89 ECU into a 88 wire harness and vice versa.

compression is a tad lower on the 7mgt and the stock bottom half is good for some decient hp w/o fancy carrilos or custom forged pistons.

used electronics are available for cheap too. i picked up a used jdm hks fcon for $140.00 usd. they cost like over $1k new.

[CATiger]

Originally Posted by 42GAMI

i got a mk3 turbo. its an 89. what did you want/need to know? " like am an expert" gimmie a break.

Lol... I was just curious what to watch out for... like the blown head gaskets which seem to happen frequently ( ) and what your experience has been.

I'm looking to get one that will be for fun, but also could double as a daily commute car when I don't have to have my truck onsite for work. I put a lot of miles on my tun and just looking to have some fun with another ride. I figured I trust, know, and have confidence in Toyotas and I have always liked these cars. I'm hoping to find one that might need a little TLC but is in good mechanical shape, b/c the cherry ones run around $5k, and I didn't want to spend that much for a 14 year old car regardless of miles. Damn yotas always holding their value. It IS a double edged sword... lol.

Anyway, thanks for the replies...

[42GAMI]

find yourself a cheap MA71 (bodycode for mk3 turbo). dont pay more than $1-2k tops. they arent worth anything more than that no matter what shap, even perfect. ive got over 100k on my 89t and never torqued the head. im to lazy, no problems. i still get 19 mpg in my 14 y/o beater of a supra! too bad you dont live in hawaii, id sell you mines. theres a pic in my gallery someplace. i will post more later. i will miss it after its sold.

only the group A mk3 is the reall badda$$ of the mk3 bodystyle. only 500 produced and most are in japan. the group a is a real beast.

[CATiger]

Originally Posted by 42GAMI

find yourself a cheap MA71 (bodycode for mk3 turbo). dont pay more than $1-2k tops. they arent worth anything more than that no matter what shap, even perfect. ive got over 100k on my 89t and never torqued the head. im to lazy, no problems. i still get 19 mpg in my 14 y/o beater of a supra! too bad you dont live in hawaii, id sell you mines. theres a pic in my gallery someplace. i will post more later. i will miss it after its sold.

only the group A mk3 is the reall badda$$ of the mk3 bodystyle. only 500 produced and most are in japan. the group a is a real beast.

I just scrolled through all your pics... lots of great photos in there. Someone locally is selling a 7mgte motor & tranny only for $1k. There are a couple of 88 or 89 models that need mechanical and body fixes for under that price. I'm looking into all options including one on ebay right near my home town for about $1500 that's in great shape and has some of the mods I want.

Just need the $$.

[tundrabrad]

Supra fans...what do you think???

With the eminant demise of both Toyota Sports models in the US - the Celica and the MR2 in 2006...will Toyota re-introduce the Supra to the US Market???

The Japan GT Championship is making a visit to the US at California Speedway in December...Lots of Turbo Supras will be circulating on the track...

Any opinions???

Brad

Moderators Notation - All "Supra" talk has been merged into the same thread for better and more active discussion. The new thread is called "Supra Discussions and Rumors"

If you have any questions please let me know.

Peid - Moderator

[TRDKEAU]

I wish I love the MK4.

[atrdnut]

The Toyota Supra (turbo) is by far my favorite sports car currently. I love watching these videos of the Supras whooping up on Corvettes, s/c f-bodies, 5.0's, etc... There is (or was) a place in Austin, TX that specialized in modding Supras - some capable of 900 hp at the rear wheels. TS member Supra should give some insight on his history with his Supras hopefully. Every time I see an MKII or an MKIII drive by, I have to do a "double-take". They're rare to see and even more rare to see one incredibly hooked up.

It's a shame to see the compact sports cars be phased out - the younger generation really liked the 7th gen. Celica. I don't see that many 3rd gen. MR2's driving around, but when I do, older (mid-30's) people are driving them. My friend did a turbo swap on his 6th gen. Celica and it's quite a rush to be in when he eats wrx's and stangs all day long.

There have been rumors circulating for quite some time about the new Supra having a 4.0L V8, 4.5L V8, and other alleged engine types... who's to say what's true? This is all speculation until Toyota (USA) comes out with concrete evidence the beloved Supra is coming back. If it is certain Toyota will have a nice turbo sports car on the market, I will seriously look into investing.

[LGL002]

There have been some spy photo's of Supra models being driven around, probably in Japan. I saw one in my issue of AutoWeek and there's one on the Detroit News auto page.
I had an Red 86 Mk II (didn't care that much for the III's so I bought early) that I bought in late 86. Fun car, not a barn burner but a very pleasant, comfortable, reliable car till I got broadsided in an intersection by a big Oldsmobile. Wife called it my middle age crisis car.

Larry

[42GAMI]

car manufacturers are so fickle. first they say yes, then no, then maybe... im sure there are alot of factors in determining if a car maker is going to unleash another car worthy of being the flagship sportscar to represent the co. the last gen supra was "bold, brash, and beautiful". quite frankly, it was a bad@ss piece of engineering with tons of potential. $50,000 supras were worthy enough to compete with the likes of $80,000 R-34 GTR skylines, and they feature Hicas suspention with yaw adjustments and AWD.

Bottom line is the power and technology got to cost prohibitive and werent in line with the average persons wallet. now, bring on the new generation of "rice rockets" (mean no disrepect). the Lan-evo, wrx-sti, and jdm turbo motor swaps. ecconomically priced (pizza delivery salary), sporting over 250 HP, and a whole new attitude of drivers.

sure toyota still got the mr2-spyder, and celica, but even with a TRD supercharger, these cars cant compete in the power department unless they are heavaly moded and somebodys dad owns a bank. the sti is a "poor mans" GTR skyline.

rumors have it the new supra may be produced, idk. it may sport a v8 too. im thinking the 3uzf. might as well use an engine they already have, it keeps the cost down. ive seen the retro looking 2000GT. who knows, it might take off. priced under $35k it will compete directly with nissans 350z and g35.

mkV supra? it could happen, but dont be upset when an sti dumps his BOV just as he is blasting by you. (sssssh-Chhooooooooooo)

[42GAMI]

Originally Posted by CATiger

Someone locally is selling a 7mgte motor & tranny only for $1k. There are a couple of 88 or 89 models that need mechanical and body fixes for under that price. I'm looking into all options including one on ebay right near my home town for about $1500 that's in great shape and has some of the mods I want. Just need the $$.

does the motor/trans come with the wire loom/harness, ECU, and AFM. used AFMs are kinda hard to come by and there are alot of @ssholes selling used/broken ones as take offs. i know, i got 2 extra AFMs that dont work. even if those things are included with the motor/trans offer $700.00 tops, if the wire harness, ECU and AFM dont come with the deal, offer $400-500. you will spend 3 months and $400 securing a AFM and matching wire harness & ECU.

bodystyle: unless you like the "wing" look, go for a 89t or later, it has a pedistal spoiler. be on the lookout for a sweet deal on a "blown headgasket". labor is so cost prohibitive (over $1k) they can be found for under $1k with a good body. be sure to start with a turbo! there are extra parts you will need like ic pipes and an intercooler, the NA model doesnt have.

check the body for cancer/RUST! corners of the trunk lid. body side molding, lumpy/crunchy. front mudflaps between the plastic and rocker panels. if you are a body work man than no prob. im not so i cringe when i see rust.

also check for flooding in the tail lights (especialy the right), the very bottom of the trunk where spare tire sits (you will see rusty colored dust). and in the doors. the drain holes always get plugged.

im gonna look on ebay right now for that $1500 special.

[Tundra168]

Actully, I had a 88 Supra. It is a fun car except it is little bit heavy. Now very fast pick up. But it saves my life on a 100 miles collision. I was walked out the banana shape supra with no body injury. Wish I have cash to buy a MKIIII but look forward to see if Toyota make a newer generation supra. Hopefully I can see the word "Made in Japan" on the door of new Supra.

[profuse007]

damn, yall guys are really into MKIII huh?

my cuz has an 87 MKIII turbo pearl white, 180k miles. motor was rebuilt at 140k. body is in really great condition, but the powersteering leak like crazy. also, the thermostat housing is messed up. the motor still in running mode.

yall wish yall were me, cause i can get that car for free and fix it up.....



btw, i locate in houston TX, if anyone want to buy it, my cuz will sell it for like 2-3 grands.