Mr2 guy in Indy picks up a Supra... good things happen.

[mkiiSupraMan18]

^ The kid you bought it from was a tool.

I did the JDM swap for him and he wanted NO part in a HG change. Then when I went up to tell him it was BHG he got all pissy afterwards and was boosting all over the place.

That car is REALLY clean though. You got a good car to work with there.

Welcome to the site and the community. :icon_bigg

 

[ArmandoP]

agreed on both accounts! LOL.

Thers a few things Ive learned along the way... and youre absolutely right, I'll leave it at tool.

It is a nice starting point. theres a little rust Im going to have to take care of, but it is really minor. Id really like ot get these lines sorted, if it were an MR2 I could do it blindfolded. Do you remember anything about the vacuum lines when you did the swap? I have some pics of the spots I have some questions on. If youre willing to give me some info I can email you the pictures.


Good to be here. If you guys are anything like the Mr2 community, then Im excited ot be a part of it.
Armando

 

[ArmandoP]

I guess Ill introduce myself first.
Im Armando, Ive been around the MR2 community for years... about 12 years actually. Over the years Ive managed to buy myself 11 MR2's. Everything from a stock 86NA, to a Spyder, and what was forever my baby, Boostmonger. my 86 MR2 Turbo. So, I tried my hand at alltracs, and after a while Ive decided to move into a MKIII Supra.
Heres what Im up against got now...

88 Turbo Targa 5sp, all stock... even the BHG.

Apparently this thing has had an engine swap at some point because theres the classic jap engine writing on the valve cover as well as a whole mess of misrouted vacuum lines.
Ive got a Trust gasket and ARP studs on the way, but I wanted to make sure I ahve all the lines run properly before tearing into the engine. IT runs fine for about 20 minutes and then overheats and starts running rough. If I know anything I know that when theres a BHG, there usually other stuff wrong too, so if anyone has some wise words for an MR2 guy moving into a basketcase Supra Id definitely appreciate them. Anyone have a BGB?

BTW, this is a toy, not a daily driver.
Armando

 

[mkiiSupraMan18]

Sure, send the pics to matt_hunter@hotmail.com and make sure the title says Supra... otherwise it'll more than likely get trashed.

I'm thinking I MAY have taken the EGR off, I don't remember exactly. But get the pics and I'll get you the specifics.

 

[ArmandoP]

Ill shoot you an email tonight with the pics.
Ive only had a few minutes to look under the car and I couldnt find anything to hold the hood up, but I had enough time to snap some pics. I didnt see EGR anywhere, but then again, Im unfamiliar with the 7M.
I know the return line from the charcoal canister is open to atmosphere as well as a ew other lines I took pics of.

Sure, send the pics to matt_hunter@hotmail.com and make sure the title says Supra... otherwise it'll more than likely get trashed.

I'm thinking I MAY have taken the EGR off, I don't remember exactly. But get the pics and I'll get you the specifics.

 

[ArmandoP]

email sent.
thanks again.

 

[Dirgle]

Not to butt in on you conversation...but welcome to the community. Since you're already familiar with Toyota's you should feel very familiar working with the MKIII.

Since you're new to car I recommend browsing this site:

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/techtips.aspx

There is an incredible amount of information located there, geared toward the new Supra owner. That site also houses the TSRM (Toyota Supra Repair Manual), quite simply it's the bible for our cars. And you will come to be good friends with it.

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/

Also, maybe I can be of some assistance with the vacuum problem, here are some vacuum hose diagrams.

Some of it maybe missing on yours though as the JDM engines did not come with the EGR equipment that the USDM motors came with. So you will have to look and see what is left. If you have any questions feel free to ask, And once again welcome to the forums.

 

[ArmandoP]

AH! THE BIBLE! Sweet. we call that the BGB... as in Big Green book.

Excelelnt, that diagram has helped quite a bit.

Butt in anytime!

Armando

 

[Boost Lee]

Welcoooooome, Armando. :icon_surp

Where at in Indy are you located? I'd be interested in meeting up sometime, trying to answer in random questions you have just about MKIII Supra's in general, check out any/or other cars that you have..whatever.

But yeah, congrat's on getting a beautiful Supra. Minus the BHG, it is in AWESOME shape. Later.

Jeff

 

[aljordan]

I'm in Indy too. Whatever you might need just let us know.

 

[ArmandoP]

Well,
I have the trust gasket, ARP studs, new downpipe, a ported head with NA cams, a permacool fan, and a couple of other toys showing up this week. Looks like Ill be doing the headgasket this weekend. Doesnt look like its as easy as an MR2, but ANYTHING is better than that alltrac I had. I live downtown, but I will likely be doing it at a buddies garage out in Avon if any of you guys want to offer your MKIII specific advice Im definitely humble enough to accept it, or simply come by and hang out. The only MKIII I really know is the one that Carl did last year which has now been parted out, so Id love to check out your rides.

I kind of went a little overboard on this, seeing as I was just going to "get it running right before I fuck with it" and now Ive got all kinds of parts on the way, but oh well.... everything in moderation including moderation itself, right?

Im definitely down with meeting up with any of you guys. Jeff, unfortunately all I have now is the supra and a cherokee... I sold the MR2 a few months ago and the alltrac about a month ago... it seems all my friends cars are being rebuilt, hahaha.... something about 35 pounds of boost, I dont know WHAT theyre talking about. hahaha but you can check out my previous work at cardomain under the name boostmonger.

Catch you guys later on.

 

[Boost Lee]

Hey it's cool man. I didn't know if you had any other goods sitting around.
If I come to visit, it will be mostly just to meet ya and BS, not to see the Supra...I've seen enough of it already (from the previous owner) lol.
Look forward to seeing you around and coming to our meets and such.

Welcome to your addictmobile. You'll fall in love very quickly.

Jeff

 

[ArmandoP]

Hey it's cool man. I didn't know if you had any other goods sitting around.
If I come to visit, it will be mostly just to meet ya and BS, not to see the Supra...I've seen enough of it already (from the previous owner) lol.
Look forward to seeing you around and coming to our meets and such.

Welcome to your addictmobile. You'll fall in love very quickly.

Jeff

Well, I just found out the DP and a few parts wont be here for a week or so, but the headgasket and new head WILL get done this weekend. Shoot me an email if you plan on coming by, Ill be doing it at a buddies house whos another toyota gear head... Ill let his ride speak for itself though if he shows his face here as I dont want to be one of those guys who says "oh yeah, well my buddies got a... blah blah blah"
Man, any info you have on this car would be helpful. One cause its a Supra and Im a newb when it comes to these things, and two cause I want to know whatever history I can on get my hands on on this thing so I can avoid problems in the long run. Its a great starting point, but the car needs some help in a few areas, one of them being a cheapskate PO. Judging from the receipts though, the original owner pretty much babied it.
shoot me an email.
crazycuban@indy.rr.com

 

[Boost Lee]

Bahhh, I HATE emails anymore. Sooo inconvenient!

PM me the VIN number to your Supra.

-Jeff

 

[ArmandoP]

done

 

[aljordan]

I'm not a fan of doing a metal headgakset without machinging the block. I find lots of the times, you must do it over.

Also, head studs are nearly impossible to do with the block in the car as well. One must remove the trans, and tilt the rear of the motor up and remove the large and very difficult to remove heater union on the back of the head. This would require a thin wall 6 point socket around a 25mm or so. You gotta do alllll of this stuff in order to clear the bulkhead in the car.

Good luck on the new project.

 

[ArmandoP]

Motherfucker! (not you personally)
Well, Ive started the project...
At this point Im pretty much ready tp pull the head once I get under there and pull that one wire on the tranny. This is going to get interesting if that is true, cause Im sure the toyota dealer down the street doesnt stock 7M head bolts...
Oh well, I'll charge on and see where it takes me. now that I hear this it may end up being a two weekend job.

I'm not a fan of doing a metal headgakset without machinging the block. I find lots of the times, you must do it over.

Also, head studs are nearly impossible to do with the block in the car as well. One must remove the trans, and tilt the rear of the motor up and remove the large and very difficult to remove heater union on the back of the head. This would require a thin wall 6 point socket around a 25mm or so. You gotta do alllll of this stuff in order to clear the bulkhead in the car.

Good luck on the new project.

 

[mkiiSupraMan18]

^ pull the engine and go ARP studs. They're sooo ftw

 

[aljordan]

ya know what I'd do... I'd get a set of arp bolts and try out the MHG. It may work out for you. It may not. It is a project car so you can afford for it to not seal. take a chance on it.

or you can do the sure thing and run a stock headgasket with stock bolts torqued to 75lbs. That's the sure way to get it to seal the first time with no question asked. A felpro head gasket kit would be about all you'd need.

You could pick up a jdm 7mgte and do a full rebuild on that over the winter. That will allow you to meaching the head and blacok to ensure a good seal with a MHG.

 

[ArmandoP]

ya know what I'd do... I'd get a set of arp bolts and try out the MHG. It may work out for you. It may not. It is a project car so you can afford for it to not seal. take a chance on it.

or you can do the sure thing and run a stock headgasket with stock bolts torqued to 75lbs. That's the sure way to get it to seal the first time with no question asked. A felpro head gasket kit would be about all you'd need.

You could pick up a jdm 7mgte and do a full rebuild on that over the winter. That will allow you to meaching the head and blacok to ensure a good seal with a MHG.

Well,
guess what....
the studs are in, the head is on, its ready to go except for the fact that I lost one of the turbo oil line washers.
No need to pull the tranny or tilt the motor, I just had to think about it for a minute. Im getting the washer today and finishing her up tonight. Ill leave you in suspense as to how I got the studs in without pullng the motor or trans.

I know what you mean about having the block finished for a metal gasket, but like you stated, this is a project and I really just want to get it running right so I can get a feel for the car and decide how far I want to go with it.
Keep in mind Im used to MR2's., and it was a real big wake up call when I looked at the door panel adn found this thing weighs 4400 lbs gross weight!!!! THATS INSANE! This thing weighs more than a cadillac!!!!

The head and block had a decent finish to begin with. the head was fresh and the block was better than some of the 4a blocks Ive used metal HGs on and had great results with so Im optimistic, but I wont be too horribly dissapointed if it isnt 100%. As inexpensive as 7Ms are it really wouldnt be a big deal to do a full build on a spare engine.

Should be running again tonight, kinda looking forward to it.

OH! and what is FTW???