Mk3 Supras

Ok so I just sent a guy a email about a Mk3 Supra in the Nashville area. He wants $1000 for it. It has a blown head gasket (fairly common problem). How hard a job is it? I have all Christmas break. Also what kind of modifications do these cars respond well to? It has a HKS Super Drag exhaust and HKS blow off valve. Here is the ad.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/2075508399.html

Edit: Also what should I look for in person if I like the look of pictures?

Not a hard job, pretty straight forward. Head is heavy, though, probably useful to have a spare set of hands helping you.

Modifications? Boost controller and suspension of some kind.

Think about ditching the factory turbo and buying an upgraded CT26 at the least. Factory turbo is a little small for what the motor will flow up top.

Look for rust and obvious signs of total engine failure. Price seems a little low to me. Unless the head gasket is totally toast, the car should still run.

In reply to 93celicaGT2:

$500 to $800 seems to be the going rate for non-running ones. I also figure that gives me plenty of playing money.

The poster formally known as 96DXCivic wrote: In reply to 93celicaGT2: $500 to $800 seems to be the going rate for non-running ones. I also figure that gives me plenty of playing money.

For non-running clean Turbos?

Man, maybe i need to move. $1000 will get you a clean SHELL here.

He's asking the going rate for clean n/a MKiii in non-running condition here.

Just make sure you find the proper torque specs for the head bolts online.

It's also my understanding that going to aftermarket head bolts is considered a good idea, though going to studs is NOT, as with studs you no longer have the room to pull the head with the motor still in the car.

Ok talked to the guy. He said the car had 150k on the motor and 220k on the chassis. Does that seem like a lot for a Supra?

I'm not sure what you want this motor for...but I can say that from a Lemons stand point they don't hold up. I've seen great running street motors go pretty quick. It's always the head gasket.

Now, if you install a JDM later version of the same motor, that holds up to 15psi of boost even in the upper temp ranges. I can't recall what the alphabet soup name of that motor is but I think it came in the Soarer. It's a single turbo I6 so it will look close. 2JZ motor maybe? Someone more JDM fluent clue me in.

These motors might hold up for years on the street under a more normal tune.

Xceler8x wrote: I'm not sure what you want this motor for...but I can say that from a Lemons stand point they don't hold up. I've seen great running street motors go pretty quick. It's always the head gasket. Now, if you install a JDM later version of the same motor, that holds up to 15psi of boost even in the upper temp ranges. I can't recall what the alphabet soup name of that motor is but I think it came in the Soarer. It's a single turbo I6 so it will look close. 2JZ motor maybe? Someone more JDM fluent clue me in. These motors might hold up for years on the street under a more normal tune.

1jz in the soarer.

Easy job, get the head planed or at the very least checked for warpage. Absolutely add in a set of ARP studs ~$125 Looks like a great deal for a clean car to me, I'm interested and I dont even like MK3's but I do like white Supra's!

Xceler8x wrote: I'm not sure what you want this motor for...but I can say that from a Lemons stand point they don't hold up. I've seen great running street motors go pretty quick. It's always the head gasket. Now, if you install a JDM later version of the same motor, that holds up to 15psi of boost even in the upper temp ranges. I can't recall what the alphabet soup name of that motor is but I think it came in the Soarer. It's a single turbo I6 so it will look close. 2JZ motor maybe? Someone more JDM fluent clue me in. These motors might hold up for years on the street under a more normal tune.

The head gasket blows ONLY because Toyota sent these things out with the head bolt torque numbers that were used on the n/a. If they're re-torqued, or if you just throw some ARPs and a good gasket on there, you're good to go, and they'll hold a pretty ridiculous amount of power with a good tune.

I saw that same car the other day trolling for Supras and was very tempted. Hard to go wrong with that one. I had an MKII and IV and miss them both.