Ok first let me start off by introducing myself, my name is Derek and this is my first post here on these forums. I actually used to hate the MKIII with an undying passion because I thought it was so ugly (yes...*sigh*...my ricer days) but was lucky enough to see the light when a nice gentlemen in central florida let me take a look at his. Instantly fell in love with the car. Which leads me to my question. I want to get into Road Racing and am looking for a project car to build specifically for it. I know the Supra family makes a ton of power so instantly I though hmmm...that would be an awesome car. BUT, I know that it's a fat one and the N/A versions are slow, but more ideal for running at higher speeds for long periods of time over the boosted ones (I actually don't know for sure if the turbos would last a long time at racing speeds or not). So what do you all think, is the MKIII a good platform for road racing or is it a drag/pleasure car? I would really like to get my project car before this upcoming summer and the Fast and the Furious 3 comes out and ricers invade the RWD world. So please feel free to suggest any other RWD platform if you think the MKIII is no good.
MKIII racer?
- Thread starter SupraDerk
- Start date
IMHO...too big for road racing..tho with money, it can be done.
good for drag.
but its made for cruising and the highway.
good for drag.
but its made for cruising and the highway.
S
Slow Poopra 7MGTE
Guest
let me start by saying welcome to supramania, and in my opninion the supra is a good car for road racing, there are a few people on here who use turbo supra's for such kind of racing, auto x, drift etc. as for the turbo being able to take it for long periods of time over the NA i wouldnt be able to answer because my supra is a strictly drag car. im sure someone who auto x's will read and post, just wanted to say hi!
Thanks for the replies and the welcome! Hah, for like the past couple of days I've been trying to decide whether or not to just buy the MKIII and build one up and just AutoX it or attempt to road race it or just look for another car. It's really hard cause I really like the MKIII haha, tryin not to talk myself out of an excellent car but hoefully someone who races one will drop their $.02 . I know it was used in Japan GT back in the day so that gives me hope. Take it easy.
Johnny Dangerously said:
IMO you are absolutely wrong. Awful for drag, shines in road racing. Weight is a factor, and obviously you wont be the best at low speed corners, but high mid to high speed cornering supras are kings, full forged dbl wishbone on all corners, toe movement directly proportional to camber plants those fat tires you can easily run in the front and back to the ground. Power comes easily from the turbo motor. Components will hold, its a very hard car to drive though, when built they are no ae86s, def not an amateur car. YOu will need a long time to get even close to the capabilities of this car.
Ang
the turbo shouldnt have a big problem i think. most of us run the stocker for any where from 75k - well over a hundred (somone was at 150k on the origional) and after you do intake and exhaust work the spool would be perfect for auto-x i think. as for the weight issue.....gut the car, remove bumper supports, racing seats, light weight rims (RX7's are pretty good) and get a nice suspension setup and you should be good to go.
Welcome, and auto cross is me, im getting into a lot, turbo or not, the supra can handle auto-x, believe me, i have done a good days worth of it and no problems at all just follow the standard check list, of fluids, breaks ect: and your car will do damn good.(make sure its up the the challenge too,
Im all stock and the car handles very well for being a stock car, soon ill have TIEN ss coilovers on her and we will see how that goes.
as for the NA being a slow stock car, yes compared to the turbo, yes but to other cars, hahah, no.
keep the questions coming.
Im all stock and the car handles very well for being a stock car, soon ill have TIEN ss coilovers on her and we will see how that goes.
as for the NA being a slow stock car, yes compared to the turbo, yes but to other cars, hahah, no.
keep the questions coming.
***See sig.***
Yes they are heavy pigs, but gutted and with a good strong engine you will be up front.
Yes they are heavy pigs, but gutted and with a good strong engine you will be up front.
Sweet, thanks for the comments again. This was the perfect news to come home to today, I was afraid I'd be met with posts saying it was a bad idea or something. So I think I will get the MKIII then, now just comes the finding one part. Thanks for actually taking the time to leave comments instead of flaming me for asking questions...some of the forums out there are pretty ruthless nowadays, but hopefully soon I'll be an actual MKIII owner and I'm sure I'll have some more questions for ya'll. Take it easy all.
your worst enemy in this car is understeer, more often than not i have to brake HARD before a corner to keep the front end where i want it and you need allot of skill to put the cars best on the track without screwing up.
Johnny Dangerously said:
I disagree. I think the MKIII with some weight reduction and a nice motor would be a good car for a larger course.
MKIIINA said:
ding ding. That would be one of my first choices. Mazda know what is going on when building a car to handle. Pretty much all of the rx7's and rx8's have a 50/50 weight distribution. The FC TurboII has an extremely stiff suspension and 4 piston front 2 piston rear calipers. If they were not so small and fragile I would defiantly own one. If you are just starting to build a road car I’m not sure a supra is the best choice.
The FC3S is actually on the top of my list. The turboII would be an excellent car except it's really hard to find one in a) good condition and b) in this area. I've been sniffin around the RX7 forums along with a couple other car specific forums and they were sayin that to take the N/A RX7 is pretty much pointless. Then there's the rotary engine, not too many mechanics like that bad boy, but the guys on the forums said that it was probably one of the easier engines to work on due to only having 3 moving parts. So the turboII is pretty much it in the way of the 7, if I can find one that's not a rust bucket then I'm all about it. And I think that the weight distribution is somethin like 48/52 or 49/51 or something like that, it's slightly in the rear.
actually they made a gtu-s which is the n/a version with everything but the turbo. One of my good friends has one and that car actually kicks ass. power isn't very strong but it rules the twisties. I almost love that thing as much as the supra. its an all around drivers car.
Oh yeah true, forgot to mention the GTU. There were a couple for sale in Orlando but they were autos...blaaaaah. I must say that the FC3S-5S is possibly the most beautiful production model car I've ever seen. I love the lines on that thing.
but its only the GTU-S that came with the turbo suspension and brakes. I will one day have one of those things for road courses
I have on friend with a Turbo II RX7 and another with a 13BRE TT FC.... but, I plan on raping them on the track, on the drag strip.... and on the street 
. Videos comming probably 06.
. Videos comming probably 06.
I road race my supra alot and it has been bullet proof. In over 11 years of auto-x and lapping on a high speed track (145 mph), I have had only 1 failure (a recent wheel bearing failure). If your on a tight budget, the Supra cannot be beat. Horsepower upgrades are bolt-on and cheap if you shop used parts. I have about $12K invested and I run with and beat many $40K C4/C5 vettes. Manditory upgrades for track use include a full suspension upgrade, full brake upgrade and full cooling upgrades (no ac, larger radiator, larger oil cooler, larger IC, larger PS cooler). The cooling upgrades are absolutely critical to reliable running. Air flow upgrades are all that I've done to increase horsepower (intake, turbo, IC piping, exhaust piping). Get an upgraded CT-26 ( I have a 50-trim for fast spool) and keep the boost modest and you will not have any trouble with the turbo. I estimate I am putting out 337 hp @ 12 psi. I have reduced the weight down to about 3250 lbs and have an easy 100 lbs more to remove with seats and flywheel. That is competitive with any of the big hp V8 cars.
agree or disagree with me all you want...ive seen more impressive drag mk3's than road course pig mk3's .
Unfortunately or fortunately depending how you look at it most road race series have specific rules regarding modifications allowed. This is to prevent “buying victory". Most drag racing events I have seen, especially where supras where competing the guy who spent the most usually won. The supra did make a respectable rally car. Even with the dominance of AWD it managed to get a few victories.
If you are serious about road racing, I would research what type of event Interests you with an eye to your budget, even the most tame spec car type series will chew through a $5000 US budget of tires, fuel and sundry. Then I would look for a used race car that is already prepped. This will save you a bundle and net you a race tested car ready for action. Then later after you know the ropes you can tackle building a race car.
May the Apex god be with you
If you are serious about road racing, I would research what type of event Interests you with an eye to your budget, even the most tame spec car type series will chew through a $5000 US budget of tires, fuel and sundry. Then I would look for a used race car that is already prepped. This will save you a bundle and net you a race tested car ready for action. Then later after you know the ropes you can tackle building a race car.
May the Apex god be with you