Why not get a Supra? (Mk3)

Alright, so I had recently mentioned (in my VW build thread) that I have been really wanting a Supra. Specifically, the 3rd generation. Mostly because I have been wanting a rear wheel drive car, something turbo, and I just love love LOVE the way that these look. LOVE THEM! I had requested no Supra bashing in my VW build thread (for fear of getting off-topic, naturally), but here, I want it. GIVE IT TO ME! The good, the bad, and the ugly: learn me mk3 Supra.

I am going to go look at this one a week from tomorrow.

I have been looking/thinking about this car since December, so I have scoured the Supra forums up and down, and have done my research. I am by no means going into this blindly, but I am also a lemon magnet and tend to get my heart set on somethings that aren't always the most practical. I mean, I get it, it's big, its heavy, its not the best race car, its hard to get it to go sideways.... etc. etc. etc., just talk to me practical.

So.... learn me mk3 Supra. :D What should I look out for that I might not already know? What tends to be problematic on these? Anyone have personal experience?

EDIT: I forgot to add in the most important part: the PURPOSE that this vehicle will serve. This whole "not racing because my race car is broken" thing is not okay with me. I mean, I know of many people who have project race cars, but can still race because they have a daily driver that allows them to at least participate in a race... and I love my Suzuki Samurai, but come on.

So here: just looking for a package deal that won't require me to do much modification or will take too much time. Maybe I am thinking crazy, and now is when I should go get a Honda Civic or Toyota Camry, not a Supra, right? Please change my mind!!

Some photos for fun :)

god that's awesome.
I really love these things, maybe I'll get one one day so I can use my awesome old school toyota keychain. lol
I have nothing to add, these things are great.
My friend had one, NOT taken care of, still ran like mad.

Good cars, that one seems solid.

I'll tell you right now it's nowhere near as fast as the seller says it is. It won't spin tires on the freeway, it probably won't even spin 2nd.

I'm wondering why it has the 550s and Lexus maf. Completely unecessary with the minor mods the car has.

Either way... I'd pay $3500 for that car and take the wheels with it. Looks good, good starting point.

Oh, and those white gauges suck.

Is that stanced or flush? Half the forum here hates one or the other.

Otherwise, looks good. I have to admit a soft spot for this generation as well.

My first thought is: can it swallow an LSx? These cars are very unappreciated. What's the aftermarket like for these things?

Go for it!!! The 7M-GTE is a pretty robust platform... They are real lookers too! Plus hey, you already know a good mechanic Do it despite any of the naysayers input.

There is a lot of talk about those turbo engines being tough, but my only experience with them has been replacing head gaskets, only to find the deck grooved from the head gasket dancing around, which involves decking the block.

Cramped under the hood, hateful to work on.

Assuming the head gasket was done properly, you'll still want to beef up the oiling system and engine heat management stuff, should be pretty bulletproof after that.
I actually think of them in the same frame of mind that I think about rotaries, if you do the right supporting mods and act sensibly, you'll be fine...
it's being hasty/cheap and things the PO did that will bite you in the ass.

My buddies and I used to be heavily into the MK3 game, ranging from my turbo swapped and shimmed-wastegated on cut springs hooptie all the way up to a built engine megasquirted 500 horse beast, so I'm actually qualified to comment for once.

Regarding an earlier comment about being hard to get sideways, I was only pushing maybe 8 pounds of boost through mine and sideways was always only a right foot away.

Aftermarket isn't bad, though most of it focuses on the sexier MK4...
and be ready, most of the time mentioning you have a supra will cause everyone within earshot to ask if it's a MK4, and be disappointed when it's not.

FWIW, I prefer the eariler body style, specifically the early stock turbo wing, that was the only cosmetic mod I made to my NA after we stuffed a turbo engine into it.
(getting all nostalgic over here, that was my first engine swap)

sweet muffler on that thing. that alone is worth the purchase price

Toyota spec'ed the wrong head bolt torque on turbo models, leading to head gasket issues early on. This can be fixed by torquing the bolts down - and IIRC, preferably with better quality aftermarket bolts or studs, like those from ARP. That's the only specific "watch for" I'm aware of on these, but at its age, you'll want to check everything.

I've always had a soft spot for those cars and the previous generation (I've been seeing a Mk2 driving near work recently). Straight 6, clean lines, rwd - what's not to love? I'd say go for it! They look a bit like the BMW 8-series, which is interesting since I believe the Supra pre-dates the BMW by a few years. I don't care for the looks of the last gen Supra much at all, regardless of how much faster it is.

But like you, I seem to be a magnet for buying lemons, so I'm not sure my opinion matters much.

headgasket is a problem. the turbo drain pipe can clog with cruddy oil this will lead to turbo failure.

the 7M head suffers similar issues in design/flow as the 4AG, knowledgeable porting is beneficial

I also like the looks of these more than the Mk4. The big problem with these is WEIGHT. They're cool and fun cars no doubt, and can be modded for big power, the have good suspension, but the weight will always hamper their performance and there's not much you can do about it. If you really strip them bare you might get under 3klbs.

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/3791455981.html

SnowMongoose wrote: Assuming the head gasket was done properly, you'll still want to beef up the oiling system and engine heat management stuff, should be pretty bulletproof after that. I actually think of them in the same frame of mind that I think about rotaries, if you do the right supporting mods and act sensibly, you'll be fine... it's being hasty/cheap and things the PO did that will bite you in the ass. My buddies and I used to be heavily into the MK3 game, ranging from my turbo swapped and shimmed-wastegated on cut springs hooptie all the way up to a built engine megasquirted 500 horse beast, so I'm actually qualified to comment for once. Regarding an earlier comment about being hard to get sideways, I was only pushing maybe 8 pounds of boost through mine and sideways was always only a right foot away. Aftermarket isn't bad, though most of it focuses on the sexier MK4... and be ready, most of the time mentioning you have a supra will cause everyone within earshot to ask if it's a MK4, and be disappointed when it's not. FWIW, I prefer the eariler body style, specifically the early stock turbo wing, that was the only cosmetic mod I made to my NA after we stuffed a turbo engine into it. (getting all nostalgic over here, that was my first engine swap)

.... you're saying 8psi on stock turbo could get you sideways just by hitting the go pedal? Were you running bald and corded space savers in the back?

I've been in a few spiking 14-16psi with supporting mods and they have no issues dead hooking 2nd gear with tires worth a damn. Won't make much power on the stock turbo.

Yeah, i agree with Ben. 12psi on a 3.0 is not going to be a lot of tirespin on a RWD with big/good rear tires. You could probably easily MAKE it spin in 2nd with clutch pedal but on the highway you just couldnt.. the end!

Hell, i've been in a 470whp roots blown v8 mustang that was still doing a decent job of hooking second with stock tires! RWD+LSD+big tires= goofy traction.

The MK3 Supras are awesome. We took one to the Challenge a few years ago and finished in the top 20 with the only mods being used Kumho V710s, exhaust and boost controller. It was driven down there towing a trailer and we towed the trailer back with an engine and transmission plus tires and stuff on it. They handle pretty decently and are fairly comfortable.

I always though they looked cool, but the forest of vac lines under the hood always scared me

MKIII Supra... the best Corvette Japan ever made.

I liked mine.

Swank Force One wrote: .... you're saying 8psi on stock turbo could get you sideways just by hitting the go pedal? Were you running bald and corded space savers in the back?

My mom has a MKIII in perfect shape. Some kind of summer only sports tire on it, no mods. it will kick the back out. Don't tell my mom that I know that.

Also the thing is insanely comfy for a long interstate drive. The A/C has a crotch vent! It works especially well if you have a kilt.

I don't know if an LSx will fit, but I suspect it would. to be honest, i've never inspected an LSx in real life, but the engine bay of the supra looks quite large.

In reply to Rufledt:

A 170whp 3500lb behemoth will kick the ass out without a clutch kick?

Surprising... my 245whp 2500lb car wearing less tire wwon't do that.

It will indeed! 1st gear, and 2nd gear if you use a little inertia to get things started. It also helps if the road isn't very smooth. If you aren't trying, though, it won't kick anything.

Also, it looses that much power to the wheels? Are they overrated from the factory?