Supra

LupoLover

LupoLover

LupoLover

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15 Jul 2008
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Any advice what to look for when buying? Bar rust! Looking at a Single turbo 6 speed Jap import tomorrow for my brother. (Its a Single Turbo conversion on a Gertag 6 speed box). 500bhp
 
Being That it's got 500bhp, i'm guessing it's been molested at some point in it's life. So i'd be weary of that. Many many many Supra's have fallen victim to the Fast and the Furious crazy and have been very badly modded, and it's rare to find one that has been in my opinion "Properly Molested". And that same can be said about most 90's Jap sports cars, but Supra's were one of the favourites.

IMO, and from my experience. I'd be looking at trying to get a hold of a 93-96 (94 being my personal favourite year) model, with the 6 Speed Manual and the Twin Turbo. And preferably not an imported one. The UK models had around 320bhp standard. But all are limited to 155mph. But these are quite rare, something like only 500 came to the UK. But that's in an ideal world.

But generally when looking, I'd say, try and get something pre-97 Because from 97 on they were a little less well built. And try and get a manual. Best to try and get one that's as stock as possible also, except of course for obvious replaced parts and what not. To try and avoid bad modification jobs, because there are a lot out there. Just don't be swayed by silly the horsepower.

And don't get one with a garish body kit...
 
It's not the one listed in Soulja's thread is it? £11k? Looks awful with a silly black bonnet and silly speakers in the back?
 
Dont they come with a Getrag box from the factory? going off my GTO's getrag box i wouldn't hold them with any high esteem :p (not that i know anything of the Supra's box)
Stock wise there a pretty safe bet, modified, well your at the owners mercy!

Ask for the dyno sheet for a start and the work carried out, its pretty easy to get 500bhp as a dyno queen, its a different kettle of fish getting a reliable/usable 500bhp.
tbh i wouldn't buy a 500bhp modified car without an established name within the marques tuning circles giving the car a once over!
 
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LizardKing said:
Dont they come with a Getrag box from the factory? going off my GTO's getrag box i wouldn't hold them with any high esteem :p (not that i know anything of the Supra's box)
Stock wise there a pretty safe bet, modified, well your at the owners mercy!

Ask for the dyno sheet for a start and the work carried out, its pretty easy to get 500bhp as a dyno queen, its a different kettle of fish getting a reliable/usable 500bhp.
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Supras are pretty strong if looked after properly.

People regulary see 700hp+ on stock internal engines, the 6 speed Supra box is possibly the strongest mass produced gearbox you can get. It handles 1000hp+ just look at videos on youtube or the power you can put through one. people can get over 1200hp through the stock box if looked after.
 
Yep, V161 box is super super solid, can take all the abuse in the world. Like anything though, poorly maintained or whatever could be a dog.

Best bet for a car like this is to get a well respected tuning shop to inspect it. Unless of course you really know what you're looking at, which would appear not to be the case.
 
Something Else said:
Supras are pretty strong if looked after properly.
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You wont hear me disagreeing with that :)

I cant speak for the Supra the OP's looking at but when you see single turbo conversion kits on ebay very cheap, you have to be cautious, its so easy these days to get big power very cheaply.

cheap turbo, ebay boost pipes, silicone vac lines, I'd say walk away :)
 
LizardKing said:
You wont hear me disagreeing with that :)

I cant speak for the Supra the OP's looking at but when you see single turbo conversion kits on ebay very cheap, you have to be cautious, its so easy these days to get big power very cheaply.

cheap turbo, ebay boost pipes, silicone vac lines, I'd say walk away :)
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I don't see anything wrong with that tbh, pipes, IC etc you can't go too far wrong. Holset turbo will make power cheaply and reliably. 2JZ engine will run 500 unopened no problem as will the box. The only tricky bit is management and tuning, anyone who isn't a fool gets an experienced professional on that job.
 
True about the mapping. You could build a seriously high spec engine but if its mapped by a moron then it will destroy itself in a rather impressively short amount of time so best get the map checked incase. Most dyno operators can give you some direction on the maps suitability.
 
Clarkey said:
I don't see anything wrong with that tbh, pipes, IC etc you can't go too far wrong. Holset turbo will make power cheaply and reliably. 2JZ engine will run 500 unopened no problem as will the box. The only tricky bit is management and tuning, anyone who isn't a fool gets an experienced professional on that job.
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If i'm being honest i'd agree there is nothing wrong with any of it, other than lifespan/durability but you have to wonder if there buying ebay parts then what else is being skimped on :) will they fork out £400 for a basic tune from a reputable tuner or will they just go to any old back street mechanic thats downloaded a map.

Luckily the supra is not hard to come by so its easy to say just walk away!
 
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