Chance to get MK3 shell for $500

[Tom.D]

Okay well I hope this doesn't get locked, I did a bunch of searching and came up with most of the answers I want, but just need the opinion of Supra lovers now.

Details:
A friend of mine has a white either 1987 or 1988 Supra he wants to sell me for $500. The only thing the car is missing is the engine, wiring harness, and ECU, (originally NA). Car has 187000KM on it, good paint, only needs a good polish and a fog light. Burgandy interior (mint), I believe it was a B&M short shifter it has, some re-done suspension components (balljoints and that important stuff).

What I am wondering is if it is worth it for me to buy this car. 500 seems like a screaming deal for a clean shell that is basically set up wide open for a GTE swap. The thing I think I will have the most problems with is the wiring. Bonus is I do have a place to store it for 4 months, lift to work on it, and mechanics to help me (I work at a Honda dealership).

I am just looking for some straight up answers on what people think of this chance. My opinion is obviously yes, but I want to step back and get some more opinions on if people think I should spend that much on a pre 89 non turbo shell.

Tom

 

[Dunckel]

Ultimately, it's your call. It's your money. If your dedicated to the cause, and can afford it, go for it.

You listed the pros of the situation. Are there any cons that you can think of?

 

[Rennat]

B&M shiter? lol... more like a stock one thats cut.

500 for a shell with no engine, harness, or ecu... and if it has the transmission, its the W58 which the 7mgte (turbo motor) will break no problem once you get power hungry.

wiring is simple if you can get a full swap, ECU, ignitor, and all other parts needed for the turbo...

just check the car for rust, and make sure the sub frames look good, no bent tabs on the alignment bolts. but it really comes down to, do you want to spend 2-4k making this a car you'll like? or are you just doing this because it sounds like fun?


in all honesty, a rebuilt 7mge (non-turbo) is just as much fun around town as a turbo motor... i actually MISS my n/a supra, it was very 'quick' for what it was, and i had loads of fun.

 

[gaboonviper85]

if the shell is worth $500 to you then....it's worth it..

As far as storage, that's compleatly up to you to figure out.

Ball is in your court...

 

[ERA]

Do it.

 

[Tom.D]

B&M shiter? lol... more like a stock one thats cut.

500 for a shell with no engine, harness, or ecu... and if it has the transmission, its the W58 which the 7mgte (turbo motor) will break no problem once you get power hungry.

wiring is simple if you can get a full swap, ECU, ignitor, and all other parts needed for the turbo...

just check the car for rust, and make sure the sub frames look good, no bent tabs on the alignment bolts. but it really comes down to, do you want to spend 2-4k making this a car you'll like? or are you just doing this because it sounds like fun?


in all honesty, a rebuilt 7mge (non-turbo) is just as much fun around town as a turbo motor... i actually MISS my n/a supra, it was very 'quick' for what it was, and i had loads of fun.

I thought he said B&M, I must be wrong lol. From most of my searching it looks like the 7MGTE engines are going for about 1000, then I would have to get the turbo tranny and probably rear end. The car is perfect with no rust, I'll check alignment tabs and stuff on the lift at his work tomorrow. If wiring isn't hard then it seems good to me.

I was hoping to spend 500 on the car, about 1200 getting the engine (including harness and ECU), and then maybe 200 or 300 on misc. stuff.

gaboonviper85: I have storage for 5 months at my work, until whenever I store my Integra there again. Shell LOOKS worth 500, I am just not sure how quickly a Supra project can go from 500 to say 4000. My one integra project cost a ton more than i expected and I ended up selling it, thats why I want a bit more research on this one.

Thanks for the reply's guys keep em coming!

 

[gaboonviper85]

unless you plan on useing an old shitty tired 7mgte it will cost you about $2000 if not more for a motor as most need rebuilt...

You can get away with a w58 trans for now....it will be awhile before you see 300+hp....and no you won't need a turbo rearend as the n/a is just as tuff just different gearing.

Good you got rid of the teg...it has no potential anyway....unless you are stinking rich and can afford new transmission every week...

 

[Rennat]

1200 from where? a jdm engine importer... dont make me laugh.

find a 7mgte that has a bhg or something, and just rebuild it so its done right the first time.

change the transmission, and driveshaft, butttt you dont "have" to change out the rear end. it just gives you real quick gears around town. its HORRIBLE on the highway though... but livable... if you want the best of both, find a 3.93(?) LSD out of another supra, and then you get the best of worth worlds...

 

[webbs7mgte]

as stated its ur choice...

as some people have warned you supras arent cheap projects.

be ready to toss ur bank card down and bend over if oyu plan to build build it.

but do what you want don't let anyone person change your mind

 

[TurboFreak]

If you couldn't afford an Integra, you definitely can't afford a Supra...

 

[jo7mge]

lol turbofreak hit the nail on the head with that one

 

[zachm611]

I would go for it if you have the time and money to commit i paid 1200 for my ugly car with a non running 7mgte so i think your find is a good deal. now i have spent pretty close to 7k but thats including the car. and i still havent popped out the dents, its still not painted and it still looks like crap. heck my engine rebuild still isnt done yet. pretty soon though and im really looking forward to hearing it run :]

 

[jgcable]

Spending 4K is not unrealistic at all.
Motor is gonna run you around $1500.00 and you will need to rebuild it which will cost at least $750.00 for misc parts providing nothing major is needed
The wiring, ECU, possible exhaust and misc parts will run you another 1K easy. With no unforseen problems you are at an additional $3500.00 + the $500.00 you spent for the shell.
Thats 4K and I am assuming you don't need tires, brakes and all the other stuff.
If you love it and you have the cash.. do it. If you are looking for a budget performance car the Mark III Supra is the wrong choice.

 

[benchwarmer]

I say do it. If you can store the car for 4-5 months that gives you that much time to save the money, buy the motor, and rebuild it. For a stock 7MGTE that's plenty of time. As for the cost, $3500 is way more than I would expect to spend. I found a running 7MGTE in a local wrecking yard for $500 a couple months ago, so you can find them at reasonable prices. A good rebuild, assuming you do the assembly yourself, will run about 1K including machine work. Everything else you can find in junkyards or the F/S section.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

Oddly enough my name is Tom D as well lol.
But i would say wait for a nice mk3 to come by and go for that.

 

[boostinsupragirl]

Do it.

x2

 

[SC Rydah]

I bought a 90 N/A RUNNING for $800 with over 200k on it. Even though it has a couple of dents, a bit of rust and paint bubbles on the body, that was a good deal. Of course it needs work and I'm looking at a motor swap/rebuild, upgrades of the HG and other parts or a complete rebuild of the original N/A motor. But for a $500 shell, I don't think you can get a better deal than that. I saw someone say they actually MISS their N/A so when I take my car out to REALLY have fun with it, i'll decide what I wanna do. But I knew before I bought it that no matter what I did it wouldn't come cheap. When I need another car while i'm working on this one, it'll probably be a honda/acura. But I always wanted an MK3 Supra. That's why I bought it. So choose wisely and get it because you want a supra. Not because it's $500. You can get Honda/Acura shells aplenty for $500. But AIN'T NOTHING LIKE A SUPRA.

 

[The Dude]

Considering most engines will be tired from high mileage and many rebuild anyhow I'd just buy the shell and drop a properly built engine in it along with a brand new wiring harness, expensive but worth it. You'll be the envy of anyone with a tired leaky engine and brittle spliced up harness and you can be sure you're starting with a solid foundation. If I had a garage this is the way I'd have gone with mine.

 

[Tom.D]

Thanks for all the reply's guys! Helps a lot knowing exactly what I am getting into.

Couple things: I stopped my Integra project because it was my third one, and I had a friend who really wanted it. I now drive a stock 92 Integra, and I just finished up boosting my 90 Prelude with built block etc.

The Supra: I am going to have a good talk with the guy tomorrow, I am good friends with him so I am hoping he might give me a few bucks off :icon_bigg I am thinking if I get it I will store it and build it when I save up some more bucks to do it properly. It is rare to find a Supra in British Columbia for under 4000, although lately a few built ones have gone for 6000.

Thanks for everyones input, more info tomorrow!

Oh and FYI, the guy was selling the car for 3500 before he sold the engine out of it.

 

[Tom.D]

Well I went and talked to the guy today, I made an offer of 400. There is another guy interested too, so as long as he doesn't offer more then I will get it for 400. He just had the driver mirror painted for $130 dollars. Comes with everything except wiring harness ECU and engine. Even comes with a 150 dollar deck. I probably won't hear from him till Tuesday but I really hope I get it!