I've always loved the MKIII...

[solei]

Hi there! I'm Solei, and I've been in love with the Supra since I first laid eyes on the Mark II Celica Supra back when I was very young. Back then, I lived in Minnesota, and up until just recently, I've remained in the northern portions of America (Mankato MN, Minneapolis MN, Toronto ON, and Hamilton ON).

In the last year, I moved out to California, and took a decently well paying job out here. I've been driving a 1997 Toyota RAV4 for the last two years (4dr 4WD), and it's been a fantastic daily driver- especially in the winters. But out here in California where the seasons are Summer, Fall, and extended Spring, I figured a car better suited to these elements would be fantastic. ..and lo and behold, a new and improved version of dream car is within my price range!

I'll be saving up to purchase a Supra within the next few months- I'm shooting likely for the 89-92 range, Turbo, with a Targa Top. I want this car to baby- though it certainly can't hurt to help it breathe, right?

It'll be nice to have a pit to throw my money into again. :biglaugh:

 

[Turb0Lover]

Welcome, seems like you got it all planned out.

 

[JesseH]

welcome.... oh and once you start putting money into it, you wont want to stop lol

 

[ChadMKIII]

Welcome! Plenty of us from around your area, and plenty of MkIII's around here too.

I haven't driven an N/A, but I've heard they're nothing too quick, so I'd say go for a real Sup-, er, I mean, a turbo Supra

 

[solei]

Welcome, seems like you got it all planned out.

Most of it!

welcome.... oh and once you start putting money into it, you wont want to stop lol

This is something I am both afraid of, and look forward to.

Welcome! Plenty of us from around your area, and plenty of MkIII's around here too.

That's what I was noticing when I hit Craig's list! I can't wait to get my tax return.

I haven't driven an N/A, but I've heard they're nothing too quick, so I'd say go for a real Sup-, er, I mean, a turbo Supra

From the specs I've been reading up on, Turbos have a full 30 more BHP- though from what I hear from friends, they tend to have more trouble with head gaskets. This having been said, my mechanic friend said I should probably just replace the head gasket on whatever I end up picking up anyway. ...I'll probably go Turbo if the price is right.

 

[JesseH]

From the specs I've been reading up on, Turbos have a full 30 more BHP- though from what I hear from friends, they tend to have more trouble with head gaskets. This having been said, my mechanic friend said I should probably just replace the head gasket on whatever I end up picking up anyway. ...I'll probably go Turbo if the price is right.

all 7m motors have a defect in the Headgasket, one is from the factory the bolts were not torqued down to what they should have been, once you get a metal headgasket and some ARP studs thats not that big of a deal, or if it is a 7m that has one of the "revised" HG's that would be a little better too. Even though the diff. is only 30hp between N/A and the turbo, the extra 30hp is created at a lower rpm. the turbos are also a lot easier to mod, there isn't much for the N/A thats why most people just do the swaps. If you do take the N/A route it will be a lot more expensive in the end...the max you can get in a N/A without tons of $$ is around 250hp.

 

[OneJoeZee]

...I'll probably go Turbo if the price is right.

No reason not to. Unless you buy one of the rarer forms of the Supra, they're not that expensive. Even the rarer ones aren't that expensive really...

 

[solei]

all 7m motors have a defect in the Headgasket, one is from the factory the bolts were not torqued down to what they should have been, once you get a metal headgasket and some ARP studs thats not that big of a deal, or if it is a 7m that has one of the "revised" HG's that would be a little better too. Even though the diff. is only 30hp between N/A and the turbo, the extra 30hp is created at a lower rpm. the turbos are also a lot easier to mod, there isn't much for the N/A thats why most people just do the swaps. If you do take the N/A route it will be a lot more expensive in the end...the max you can get in a N/A without tons of $$ is around 250hp.

So this would beg the question- should I be weary of high mileage Supras as a result of this defect? What would have to happen to blow that gasket?

In any case, some of the things up on Craigs list around here have what we've come to call "Fast and the furious tax" added onto it when the words "Turbo" and "5 speed Manual" are put together in the same sentence with "Supra". From what I've seen, that difference can mean as much as $1-2,000 added on to the sale price. Would it be worth spending an additional $2,000 for the Turbo (in good working condition, and likely with a new head gasket already), or at that point, would a swap into an N/A be a more viable option?

 

[swaq]

Welcome. I'm curious why you say 88-92. There is very little difference between 1986.5-1987 and 1988 Supras (the body is the same). Perhaps you meant 1989-1992 (newer body style)? However, I noticed the Supra in your sig is a 1986.5-1988.

 

[JesseH]

So this would beg the question- should I be weary of high mileage Supras as a result of this defect? What would have to happen to blow that gasket?

In any case, some of the things up on Craigs list around here have what we've come to call "Fast and the furious tax" added onto it when the words "Turbo" and "5 speed Manual" are put together in the same sentence with "Supra". From what I've seen, that difference can mean as much as $1-2,000 added on to the sale price. Would it be worth spending an additional $2,000 for the Turbo (in good working condition, and likely with a new head gasket already), or at that point, would a swap into an N/A be a more viable option?

your going to save some time if you get the turbo now, esp if its in really good shape..working..etc. Unless you find a N/A with a really good body that you want and you could always drive it until you can afford the swap...

 

[s383mmber1]

Save your money for the car YOU want.

I "jumped" the gun, bought a awesome non-trubo, and have spent around 4-5 grand on it so far converting it to turbo and such.

For that kinnda money, plus the cost of my car, i could have easily bought a 2jz swapped mk3!

Dont settle for a non-turbo, if you dont want one. And your not gonna like getting walked on by every car out there either Ask me how i know!

 

[NA86.5]

Welcome

 

[Boost Lee]

So this would beg the question- should I be weary of high mileage Supras as a result of this defect? What would have to happen to blow that gasket?

In any case, some of the things up on Craigs list around here have what we've come to call "Fast and the furious tax" added onto it when the words "Turbo" and "5 speed Manual" are put together in the same sentence with "Supra". From what I've seen, that difference can mean as much as $1-2,000 added on to the sale price. Would it be worth spending an additional $2,000 for the Turbo (in good working condition, and likely with a new head gasket already), or at that point, would a swap into an N/A be a more viable option?

Solei - Very welcome to the forums.
On your debate on spending the extra money to go Turbo...Depending on how you plan on treating the car, I'd say going turbo is worth every cent...especially if you want to throw some under the hood money into it.

Trying to find a Mint MK3 that has been untouched is just an accident waiting to happen. There are still plenty of MK3's out there that have not blown their factory torqued headgasket yet.......and they blow because of overly abuse and the infamous low torque spec.

If you want a great learning experience, go find one with a great base to work with, BHG or not, and try to fix it yourself.

Nothing makes you more attached to your car than tearing it apart, putting it back together, and it still runs! :biglaugh:

-Jeff

 

[solei]

Welcome. I'm curious why you say 88-92. There is very little difference between 1986.5-1987 and 1988 Supras (the body is the same). Perhaps you meant 1989-1992 (newer body style)? However, I noticed the Supra in your sig is a 1986.5-1988.

It's kinda complicated. First off, I put the wrong year in. I did in fact mean 1989-92- I've edited my post accordingly.

My reasoning behind this is basically that the 89 and up are a bit more "up to date" so to speak- and a bit better off mechanically. There are other reasons, which I'll have to post about when I get some down time at work.

----
And now I'm at work!

My other reasons for wanting an 89-92 mostly revolve around how easy it is to track down a Targa Turbo from that era- I don't think I've seen both features on a Supra before 1989 for sale (though I know they do exist).

I actually prefer the look of the older styling's front end- the 86.5-88. To be completely honest, if I could take the front end off of a MarkII and put it on a Mark III (and make the impossible work perfectly), I would be unable to be more in love with the design of my car.

Styling aside, Mechanics are more important, and from what I can see, the 89-92s have most of that taken care of already. As I learn about the restrictions of living in California, I realize it's ultimately very important to get a fast car as fast as it comes before modding it, because a sickening number of modifications are illegal here (For example- I can't replace anything in the exhaust from engine up to the catalytic converter with anything but stock).

 

[solei]

I "jumped" the gun, bought a awesome non-trubo, and have spent around 4-5 grand on it so far converting it to turbo and such.

For that kinnda money, plus the cost of my car, i could have easily bought a 2jz swapped mk3!

This is exactly the sort of advice I needed to hear. So far, it's been pretty much unanimous that I should be getting a Turbo, and I was leaning that way anyway.

I'll do it!

 

[bigaaron]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Boost Lee]

Mechanically, there really were no big differences in design/setup.

The extra two horsepower seen in the newer MKIII's was from a rework in the Wastegate (IIRC).

 

[irocznissan]

hahaha. hey man good luck and its what u prefer...personally i say get a turbo...

 

[Tyronekamara]

get a turbo tagra! i love them, there is no other feeling then cruising down the street hear the "woosh" of the stock BOV and the wind blowing through your hair!

 

[Boost Lee]

What if you don't have hair.



Well, very little.

Maybe that's why I've got my *heh hem* light weight *heh hem* Hardtop.