Need advice from Supramania. What should I do?

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

I have several questions that could probably be answered by searching, but i really want to know what you guys think about the future of my supra. my goal is to have a reliable daily driver capable of easily putting down 300-325rwhp.

im hardly getting 18mpg and thats expensive for me being a college student. here is the car as it sits now:

1989 Toyota Supra Turbo/Targa
-JDM 7m-gte with 77,xxx miles
-Chassis has 166,xxx miles
-TEMS
-R154
-MBC
-3" Turbo back exhaust
-HKS Filter
-2.5" Aluminum Lower IC piping
-Turbo XS RFL
-17" EXCEL rims [Team 5zigen knock-offs]

i have a short list of what i would like to do to the 7m-gte and i pulled up some numbers for costs of what id have to do to get it all done:

Cooleeze Accordian Intake Pipe - $130
HKS 3000 Pipe - $80
Replace Valve Cover Gaskets - $35
Custom Upper IC Pipe - ~$50
New FMIC - $300
New Starter - $150
New HKS HG - ~$200???
New Radiator Hoses - $90
Hose Techniques Kit - $70
New Serpentine Belt - $ ?
New Oil Pan Gasket - $ ?
New Exhaust mani Gasket - $ ?

these are simply just mods that i would like to do to get my car in great running condition with all new aluminum pipes and new parts. i have added up a running total and its a little over $1000. that is an additional $1000 to really get my 7m-gte fully maintained and good to go.

now, ive also seen 1jz-gte's go for $1000+shipping on ebay [as bad of a reference ebay is...]

my real question is about whether or not a 1jz-gte swap is better for my application of keeping a slightly modded clean daily driver reliable and still fun at the same time for relatively cheap.

i dont know all of the aspects of the 1jz-gte swap yet but im pretty sure most of it is the 1jz bell housing, the wiring harness, new intercooler piping, and a couple other little things. so the swap appears to be pretty affordable. i also hear that the 1jz-gte doesnt have problems with BHG. what kind of gas milage do stock 1jz-gte's produce in a mkiii?

what do u think is my best route to take? i also want to have the car ready before SILV07.

any advice and info would be great to know. :aigo: :aigo: IM FREAKING OUT GUYS :aigo: :aigo: and im so confused and dont want to buy a bunch of parts just to make my 7m take a poop on me and be in need of a rebuild. i dont have that kind of cash or time! forgive me for writing a novel. i had to be precise and accurate...

-Tyler

 

[BorHor]

I can already tell you that the 1J will probably cost you more then the 7m build. Built right both engines should be good. But 1J's have a better track record for running for a long time. As for your MPG problem.. drive like a granny and stop boosting. lol

 

[Big Wang Bandit]

1JZ isn't the cure to cancer.

It will probably last you longer, but just because its 2.5 liters doesn't mean its going to grant you Honda like gas mileage, ask me How I know.

 

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

im rocking out at the stock 8psi. i try to get good gas milage. i still think im running really rich. my turbo xs rfl needs to be reciruclated but thats almost impossible due to the way it is made. if i got a different bov and reciruclated it, could that help out with my richness?

 

[jetjock]

Just so I'm clear on this you're a poor student whining about the cost of fuel but you want to pour a ton of money into the car so it'll burn more?

 

[Nick M]

Get a 5.0 Mustang. I also saw a 94 Z28 listed with less miles than you for $4800 the other day.

 

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

1JZ isn't the cure to cancer.

It will probably last you longer, but just because its 2.5 liters doesn't mean its going to grant you Honda like gas mileage, ask me How I know.

i understand that. keep in mind that this 1jz would mostly be stock besides the exhaust and intake/IC piping. stock twins etc..

Just so I'm clear on this you're a poor student whining about the cost of fuel but you want to pour a ton of money into the car so it'll burn more?

yes

 

[Big Wang Bandit]

Mine is completely stock, Minus exactly what you state, an air filter and a full 3 inch exhaust.

I get maybe 15 mpg driving mostly city. And I don't drive with a super heavy foot all the time.

 

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

Mine is completely stock, Minus exactly what you state, an air filter and a full 3 inch exhaust.

I get maybe 15 mpg driving mostly city. And I don't drive with a super heavy foot all the time.

hmm, how much boost do u run? is that what the 1jz-gte gets usually in the canadien version?

should i be getting 17-18mpg in my 7m-gte?
maybe ill just buy another one and build her up.

ive got a small oil leak somewhere too.

something is also burning right next to the exhaust manifold towards the radiator. its by the CPS i believe? i cant see where its from but its white smoke too. maybe those are adding my shitty gas milage. i dunno.

 

[Big Wang Bandit]

I'm boosting around 15 psi before fuel cut.

And I really don't boost often, Or at least mean too. Stock twins have NO lag. insta boost and insta bad gas mileage

 

[suprahooked]

Start with some maintaince,tune-up

 

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

well, its got newer NGK plugs and plug wires. newer HKS filter. lower IC piping is redone with 2.5" aluminum and all new couplers. the coupler that connects the 3000 pipe to the TB is replaced with a new one.

what else?

 

[OneJoeZee]

Just so I'm clear on this you're a poor student whining about the cost of fuel but you want to pour a ton of money into the car so it'll burn more?

/thread

 

[MassSupra89]

Check those intercooler pipes that have been redone for small leaks, maybe you're getting less gas mileage because of a small, almost unnoticable boost leak, although 15-20 seems about right depending how you drive it. I was getting around 20mpg at 10psi with full 3" exhuast and intake.

for tune-up replacing any gaskets that are leaking, or questionable are a good idea, hoses that seems cracked or soft. Belts were around $50 total for me.

 

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

ok, ill have to install my hose techniques silicone vacuum hose kit too. that should take care of some of those little cracked old hoses. ill tighten down all clamps and see how the next tank goes.

ill get more info on whatever i am burning tomorrow.

im going to pressures wash the engine bay as well to narrow down where im leaking oil at too.

 

[bountykilla0118]

Buy a civic and drive the supra on the weekend. If you are tripping over gas then you are in the wrong type of car. Dude Sport cars = bad city mpg and decent hwy mpg no matter how you look at it.

I bought a 90 civic hatch for dirt cheap and its the best little beater 40mpg on the hwy $22 for a full tank and over 400miles it doesn't get much better than that ......... well maybe a bike

 

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

im going to do some little maintainence stuff for the time being and maybe a honduh shitvic will cross my path for the right price. ive got some work to do.

-Tyler

 

[starscream5000]

im going to pressures wash the engine bay as well to narrow down where im leaking oil at too.

Don't do that! You risk screwing up your electrical shit bud .

If you want 300-325 HP, do the regular maintenance, replace the HG with a new one, doesn't even need to be a MHG for that power (I would personally do a Cometic for that power goal) Do the HG replacement RIGHT, ARP studs, finish off your hardpipe kit, FMIC, upgraded CT-26 (57 trim would be a good way to go, the stocker will shit out on you shortly after making 300 HP for a little while) MBC, and that should be it . Oh, and replace your oil pump and check your bearings when doing the HG.

Edit:: Wideband would be something smart to have to that way you know if something starts messing up with the car .

 

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

sweet. thanks for the advice.

 

[Jaguar_5]

Uhmm I read the first couple sentences of this thread...
18 MPG, is not bad. If you think that's expensive, sell the car NOW and get a honda!! Otherwise you'll be whining even more about either: Expensive upgrades, or even more expensive fixes when shit breaks.

Did I mention you'll get less MPG once you do those upgrades?

But I'll throw in 2 more cents anyways

If you want 300-325 HP, do the regular maintenance, replace the HG with a new one, doesn't even need to be a MHG for that power (I would personally do a Cometic for that power goal) Do the HG replacement RIGHT, ARP studs, finish off your hardpipe kit, FMIC, upgraded CT-26 (57 trim would be a good way to go, the stocker will shit out on you shortly after making 300 HP for a little while) MBC, and that should be it . Oh, and replace your oil pump and check your bearings when doing the HG.

Edit:: Wideband would be something smart to have to that way you know if something starts messing up with the car .

For 300ish hp, all you should need is a OEM HG, arp bolts or preferably studs, not sure why you even mentioned a cometic, as someone whining about gas cost, will surely not do it right, pull the engine, and get both surfaces PROPERLY machined!!

After ensuring you won't have a BHG, (do NOT forget the oil change!!!), and other basic maintenance to ensure the rest of your engine isn't too tired, all you should need is 3" from turboback (no stock elbow's allowed!) and intake. If you get rid of the elbow, that should be all you need to hit 300's. You might need to raise boost abit, do NOT get a FCD, battle it properly with one of many options, I.E. Lex afm / 550's