My mk4 Toyota Supra turbo project
Discussion
As my Supra is about to undergo a pretty major transformation, I thought I would start a thread showing my progress up until now, and then the results in the next few weeks. 
I bought my Supra last year, without a rational reason. I had already had 3 of them, of various sorts, and the Corrado VR6 that I had (and still own) just wasn't scratching my petrolhead itch. By complete chance, a Supra appeared for sale on here, that seemed too good to be true. It was still in Japan, a grade 4 on the auction sheet, with decent miles, and most importantly, it was a 99% stock vvti turbo model.
So a deal was struck, and a few weeks later I made the long round trip from York to Devon to collect it.
As is often the way with these things, my initial plans were simple; full de cat & exhaust, boost controller, upgrade brakes and suspension, Recaro seats, BBS LM wheels, uprated side mounted intercooler, full waxoyl/underseal and remove the factory optional bodykit. Unfortunately the car had other ideas, the OEM kit had damaged the paint, so it needed quite a bit of paintwork.
After its period in the paintshop
And a comparison
A pretty major part of this stage in the cars life was replacing the stock Tiptronic steering wheel shift buttons with AMG paddleshifters. This modification has transformed the way the car drives. Before and after
I took it on a roadtrip around Europe soon afterwards, visiting the Nurburgring, Barcelona, Andorra, Paris and Bruges
I'm pleased to report she took the several thousand mile journey in her stride. One day covering over 900 miles with only 3 stops.
When I got back, I set to some restoration / preventative maintenance.
brand new OEM lights all round (wallet busters!
)
a second, much more thorough application of waxoyl
replacing the BBS LM's with some BBS RGRs. I preferred the simplicity and lighter weight.
And lots of other trim bits etc.
This is now how she looks
For anyone interested, there is a much more thorough build thread (some 30 pages long) on the owners forum, with hundreds more pictures.
I bought my Supra last year, without a rational reason. I had already had 3 of them, of various sorts, and the Corrado VR6 that I had (and still own) just wasn't scratching my petrolhead itch. By complete chance, a Supra appeared for sale on here, that seemed too good to be true. It was still in Japan, a grade 4 on the auction sheet, with decent miles, and most importantly, it was a 99% stock vvti turbo model.
So a deal was struck, and a few weeks later I made the long round trip from York to Devon to collect it.
As is often the way with these things, my initial plans were simple; full de cat & exhaust, boost controller, upgrade brakes and suspension, Recaro seats, BBS LM wheels, uprated side mounted intercooler, full waxoyl/underseal and remove the factory optional bodykit. Unfortunately the car had other ideas, the OEM kit had damaged the paint, so it needed quite a bit of paintwork.
After its period in the paintshop
And a comparison
A pretty major part of this stage in the cars life was replacing the stock Tiptronic steering wheel shift buttons with AMG paddleshifters. This modification has transformed the way the car drives. Before and after
I took it on a roadtrip around Europe soon afterwards, visiting the Nurburgring, Barcelona, Andorra, Paris and Bruges
I'm pleased to report she took the several thousand mile journey in her stride. One day covering over 900 miles with only 3 stops.
When I got back, I set to some restoration / preventative maintenance.
brand new OEM lights all round (wallet busters!
) a second, much more thorough application of waxoyl
replacing the BBS LM's with some BBS RGRs. I preferred the simplicity and lighter weight.
And lots of other trim bits etc.
This is now how she looks
For anyone interested, there is a much more thorough build thread (some 30 pages long) on the owners forum, with hundreds more pictures.
Edited by j_s14a on Wednesday 23 December 20:59
With the car looking pretty much perfect inside and out, it is time to go for more power.
In its current tune, it should be circa 380-400hp at the flywheel, @ 1.2 bar boost on the stock twin turbos.
My aim for tuning the car is to build an ultra responsive, reliable street car, that is as happy going to the shops as blasting down the autobahn. While I will use first rate components throughout the build, a lot of thought has been put into specifying products specifically for the sort of power I'm looking for. This also mean I will be keeping the tiptronic gearbox, as the legendary Getrag 6 speed these cars come with is a pig in traffic. In addition to the engine management, the Syvecs will give me a brilliant traction control system, and cruise control.
So with all that in mind, my final spec is:
3.0 VVTi 2JZ-GTE engine. Completely stock and unopened.
HKS T04Z Turbo kit (minus turbo) inc manifold, all lines, pipes, wastegate etc
Garrett GTX3576R turbo, 1.06ar divided housing
Syvecs S6 plus ECU & Harness & various sensors
SARD 800cc 'drop in' injectors & stock fuel rail
Bosch 044 fuel pump
K&N cone filter 4"
Whifbitz stage 1 oil catch tank
Bosch Porsche 997 DBW throttle & Whifbitz adapter
In addition to the engine bits, supporting bits are as follows:
ATi Toucan CAN display for ECU
Custom made cal switch panel for ECU maps and Traction control
TRD limited slip differential
Whifbitz transmission cooler kit.
some pics of the purchased bits (we all like pictures )
Custom made cal switch panel
catch tank (in crackle powdercoat)
modified stock plenum with porsche throttle adapter, in black satin powdercoat.
Turbo
HKS Manifold
Wastegate
I'm estimating that this setup will be good for circa 600hp, but more importantly, it will be much more responsive than the stock twin turbos. I fully expect full boost by 3500rpm in 4th, 1000rpm earlier than the stock turbos. The Syvecs gives me selectable maps, so most driving will be done on a lower power map, of say 500ish hp, to prolong the life of the gearbox.
The car is booked in for all of this to be fitted by Whifbitz on the 12th of Jan, so hopefully by mid Feb I'll have the car back.
In its current tune, it should be circa 380-400hp at the flywheel, @ 1.2 bar boost on the stock twin turbos.
My aim for tuning the car is to build an ultra responsive, reliable street car, that is as happy going to the shops as blasting down the autobahn. While I will use first rate components throughout the build, a lot of thought has been put into specifying products specifically for the sort of power I'm looking for. This also mean I will be keeping the tiptronic gearbox, as the legendary Getrag 6 speed these cars come with is a pig in traffic. In addition to the engine management, the Syvecs will give me a brilliant traction control system, and cruise control.
So with all that in mind, my final spec is:
3.0 VVTi 2JZ-GTE engine. Completely stock and unopened.
HKS T04Z Turbo kit (minus turbo) inc manifold, all lines, pipes, wastegate etc
Garrett GTX3576R turbo, 1.06ar divided housing
Syvecs S6 plus ECU & Harness & various sensors
SARD 800cc 'drop in' injectors & stock fuel rail
Bosch 044 fuel pump
K&N cone filter 4"
Whifbitz stage 1 oil catch tank
Bosch Porsche 997 DBW throttle & Whifbitz adapter
In addition to the engine bits, supporting bits are as follows:
ATi Toucan CAN display for ECU
Custom made cal switch panel for ECU maps and Traction control
TRD limited slip differential
Whifbitz transmission cooler kit.
some pics of the purchased bits (we all like pictures
) Custom made cal switch panel
catch tank (in crackle powdercoat)
modified stock plenum with porsche throttle adapter, in black satin powdercoat.
Turbo
HKS Manifold
Wastegate
I'm estimating that this setup will be good for circa 600hp, but more importantly, it will be much more responsive than the stock twin turbos. I fully expect full boost by 3500rpm in 4th, 1000rpm earlier than the stock turbos. The Syvecs gives me selectable maps, so most driving will be done on a lower power map, of say 500ish hp, to prolong the life of the gearbox.
The car is booked in for all of this to be fitted by Whifbitz on the 12th of Jan, so hopefully by mid Feb I'll have the car back.
Thanks guys
The eagle eyed Supra experts among you may spot a few visual modifications that aren't so obvious, such as the debadged front bumper, UK spec rear bumper, and US spec orange bumper side repeaters.
This is my fourth Supra, so this is the culmination of what I've learned so far. It should be pretty apparent
My first, a UK spec twin turbo auto, circa 440hp
My second, a jap import, single turbo, six speed manual with just under 500hp. This was a very special car, and must have been extremely expensive for its previous Japanese owner to build
my third, and a pretty rare car. A non turbo six speed manual. 220hp ish. I couldn't get used to its lack of grunt, so got rid and replaced with an Audi S2.
The eagle eyed Supra experts among you may spot a few visual modifications that aren't so obvious, such as the debadged front bumper, UK spec rear bumper, and US spec orange bumper side repeaters.
This is my fourth Supra, so this is the culmination of what I've learned so far. It should be pretty apparent
My first, a UK spec twin turbo auto, circa 440hp
My second, a jap import, single turbo, six speed manual with just under 500hp. This was a very special car, and must have been extremely expensive for its previous Japanese owner to build
my third, and a pretty rare car. A non turbo six speed manual. 220hp ish. I couldn't get used to its lack of grunt, so got rid and replaced with an Audi S2.
j_s14a said:
Pommygranite said:
Would be lovely if it was just standard.
It would be slow if it was "just standard" Besides, they're a contender for the most tunable car on the planet, I don't see the issue so long as it is done subtly. One day one of these standard will fetch fortunes and there'll be lots of ricers a tad upset at the $$$$$ lost out on.
Pommygranite said:
I think because they're so rare standard and so many tuned/styled.
One day one of these standard will fetch fortunes and there'll be lots of ricers a tad upset at the $$$$$ lost out on.
Like all the modified mk1 escorts are worth nothing compared to a standard example.... oh wait... One day one of these standard will fetch fortunes and there'll be lots of ricers a tad upset at the $$$$$ lost out on.
A car looking reasonably standard but upgraded sensibly will not be worth any less than a standard car in the same condition.
Its mileage and condition that prices these cars.
rb5er said:
Pommygranite said:
I think because they're so rare standard and so many tuned/styled.
One day one of these standard will fetch fortunes and there'll be lots of ricers a tad upset at the $$$$$ lost out on.
Like all the modified mk1 escorts are worth nothing compared to a standard example.... oh wait... One day one of these standard will fetch fortunes and there'll be lots of ricers a tad upset at the $$$$$ lost out on.
A car looking reasonably standard but upgraded sensibly will not be worth any less than a standard car in the same condition.
Its mileage and condition that prices these cars.
See any 20-30 yr old 'classics' in clean low mileage showroom condition going for less than an 'equivalent' Barry'd up version? No don't think so.
Styled and tuned up Supras are common but original unmolested versions are like rocking horse s
t and rarity will always be valuable.That's a good point actually
The car had covered 75k miles when I got it 14 months ago, and I think it's up to about 85k now. Mainly because of my road trip, but the car is in daily use and will probably remain so until indefinitely.
It may not be the cheapest car to run, but service parts aren't too expensive. There are few cars as well built, I'm taking every precaution with rust, and at least when I get the Syvecs fitted, I can run it on 95 safely for general use.
The car had covered 75k miles when I got it 14 months ago, and I think it's up to about 85k now. Mainly because of my road trip, but the car is in daily use and will probably remain so until indefinitely.
It may not be the cheapest car to run, but service parts aren't too expensive. There are few cars as well built, I'm taking every precaution with rust, and at least when I get the Syvecs fitted, I can run it on 95 safely for general use.
Pommygranite said:
rb5er said:
Pommygranite said:
I think because they're so rare standard and so many tuned/styled.
One day one of these standard will fetch fortunes and there'll be lots of ricers a tad upset at the $$$$$ lost out on.
Like all the modified mk1 escorts are worth nothing compared to a standard example.... oh wait... One day one of these standard will fetch fortunes and there'll be lots of ricers a tad upset at the $$$$$ lost out on.
A car looking reasonably standard but upgraded sensibly will not be worth any less than a standard car in the same condition.
Its mileage and condition that prices these cars.
See any 20-30 yr old 'classics' in clean low mileage showroom condition going for less than an 'equivalent' Barry'd up version? No don't think so.
Styled and tuned up Supras are common but original unmolested versions are like rocking horse s
t and rarity will always be valuable.And yes some modified cars will be worth more than some unmodded ones. Like I said, condition and mileage trump a few internal modifications.
And no this car is not at all "barried". It looks great. If it was covered in tat I would agree with you, but its not.
rb5er said:
Pommygranite said:
I think because they're so rare standard and so many tuned/styled.
One day one of these standard will fetch fortunes and there'll be lots of ricers a tad upset at the $$$$$ lost out on.
Like all the modified mk1 escorts are worth nothing compared to a standard example.... oh wait... One day one of these standard will fetch fortunes and there'll be lots of ricers a tad upset at the $$$$$ lost out on.
A car looking reasonably standard but upgraded sensibly will not be worth any less than a standard car in the same condition.
Its mileage and condition that prices these cars.
I'm not wrong. Check ebay for the most expensive mk2 escorts. Price high to low. Tell me what you find. The most expensive cars are all extensively modified.
Some modified cars fetch more than standard ones and vice versa. There is no hard and fast rule.
Some modified cars fetch more than standard ones and vice versa. There is no hard and fast rule.
Edited by rb5er on Thursday 24th December 09:58
The top value examples of all these marque's are one owner, miniscule mileage and stock. Mine was never low enough mileage to be a serious investment car, and it has the wrong gearbox.
Such a beautiful, immaculate car would have cost well in excess of my overall build cost for this car. And the result would have been a garage Queen that I was too afraid to use.
Such a beautiful, immaculate car would have cost well in excess of my overall build cost for this car. And the result would have been a garage Queen that I was too afraid to use.
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