New Supra Owner
 

I recently purchased a 1998 Supra N/A AT.

I've been looking into doing some upgrades into it, and I've been around and read enough online to know, I don't know what I'm doing.

First I wanna do new wheels, but I don't wanna skip out now and get the wrong thing that I will have to correct in the future.

I'm looking to eventually have around 500HP, daily driver.

I'm moving into this slow, I currently have a VVT-i with around 135k Miles, I'm guessing I'll have to do an engine swap to handle the 500HP well. But I can't just hop into that now.

I also know I will have to eventually do a Built Auto Transmission to handle the HP.

So what I'm asking now, is where to go with wheels, exhaust, engine, transmission, brakes, as well as do I need to do suspension upgrades or anything with that?

Also, I'm in AZ and I do not know any reliable supra mechanics or tuners yet if anyone has any ideas.

Thanks for any help guys.

Welcome.
What size wheels where you thinking of using.
500hp on the wheels or enjin.

probably 18's or 19's i think im gonna go try to get XXR 521's.. don't know what size tires though or if i need to roll my fenders or anything.

and whp sorry.. don't know cheapest but most reliable way to obtain that really.. i found a recommended place in AZ to take my supra too, they specialize in Japanese cars so i'm gonna check it out soon.

The main consderation on the rims is the width, not the diameter. More HP = more width. For 350rwhp, you'll need at least 275s. For 550rwhp you'll need at least 315s. Anything above 700rwhp you'll need at least 335s.

To fit 315s you'll need to trim (not roll) your rear inner fender lips. Rolling enough to get the clearance you need will distort (bend) the fender. Trimming is quite easy with a reciprocating saw. Trim, grind smooth, paint. It only takes about 30 minutes a side, and results are 1) perfect, and 2) no downside whatsoever - the fender retains all of its strength.

The stock exhaust will handle about 500rwhp with no problem. In my experience, if you're doing exhaust as one of your first upgrades, it's mainly for looks and sound...not performance.

The need for brake and suspension upgrades depends on your application. If you can swap in TT brakes, it'll be more than you'll ever need for daily driving (even 'spirited') daily driving. If you're planning on roadracing, you'll want to look into suspension upgrades. If you let us know more about exactly what you want to do with your Supra, we can provide you with more specific advice.

I was hoping to run into you, you really seem to know your stuff.

I mainly just want a reliable daily driver that I can do some highway pulls, and maybe some autocross, which I've heard it's hard and easier with an auto. so a little unsure..

Everyone has told me I'm gonna wanna keep upgrading for more horsepower, but I'll probably just go with 315's, so do I need to find the correct rim to fit the 315 aswell? I'm pretty shit when it comes to knowing my stuff.

I'll take note of the brakes, which i'll probably do that.

As for the exhaust, I'll admit I do like the look of the big 3' exhaust, and the sound of course.

But to get up to my desired WHP, Should I wait and try to get a swap in or just wait rebuilt my stock engine and find a good turbo kit? and for around 500WHP I will need to buy a built auto transmission correct?

For 315s you'll need at least 11" wide rims...preferably 11.5" width. The offset on the rear is +50, same as oem...because you're adding exactly 1" on the inside, and 1" on the outside of the oem 9.5" rims. I modified my oem rims by adding 2" of width on the inside, and mounted with a 1" hub-centric spacer (you can see the spacer-with-studs in that link). This setup worked perfectly.

I'd suggest a good n/a-T kit with your same engine. Don't try to piece-meal a solution together yourself - this complete kit is carefully engineered and tested to be a 100% complete, rock-solid reliable solution. No guesswork - all results. Easy install. I've gone both ways, and unless you have lots of time and money to waste, just get the complete kit off the shelf. Of course, the other option is to do a full 2jz-gte swap, with harness and ecu.

Autocross may be easier with an auto, but it's also slower. Your best autocross performance would be with a Getrag V-160...although I know that isn't the least expensive option. A 5spd m/t from the n/a should hold ~500hp just fine.

The stock suspension is too mushy for autocrossing. You'll want at least a set of KYB shocks, aftermarket springs (eg. Eibachs), and a stiffer front sway bar. Leave the oem rear sway bar in place unless you want to prefer to drive with increased oversteer (note: oversteer can be very dangerous/risky to you and your car if you're already not highly skilled in this driving style). A full set of integrated coilovers (eg. Tein) would give an even better result than the KYBs and Eibachs, but they're kind of pricey. Here are some options for your review.

Thank you for your kind words! We're glad to help - please keep the questions coming! :)

I'm at about 135k miles, would that turbo kit be to much stress on a engine with that many miles?

also, since http://www.xxrwheels.com/xxr_530.shtml do not come with 11.5's is it gonna become a pain to work with these? or even http://www.xxrwheels.com/xxr_521.shtml

Nah it's a 'yota. It'll probably be fine. Just be sure to do a compression test (or leakdown test) to ensure it's in good shape. If the oil has never been changed for 135K miles, the compression test results won't be very good. If it's been well-maintained, the compression test should show good results.

You need to pick wheels that are as wide as you need. Don't invest a penny in skinny rims that are all for show and no consideration for better traction. Your 2nd link comes in an 18x10, but I'm not sure the offset would be right. That diameter & width might work with a 305-width tire, if you can find one sticky enough. Here's one option:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
There are lots of options in 295/35:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...35&diameter=18

will do.

hmmm, i can't find 11.5's anywhere.. is it expensive to widen rims?

also, do most turbo kits, come with full exhaust or usually not? I didn't really get a chance to read up to much on it. Sorry.

When I was evaluating the options, the cost to widen rims was much less than the cost of a new set of rims. Also, there are many companies out there that will create a set of rims to your spec, including the correct offset. CCW out of Florida is one I recall offhand. CCW also knows the correct specs for the jza80 chassis. A few others (more pricey) are HRE, Forgeline, and Fikse.

I forgot to mention in my previous post - when I widened my oem (tt) 9.5" rear rims up to 11.5", I ran another set of unwidened oem tt rear rims on the front. Again, I really liked that setup...I'd probably still be running it today if I didn't need to go even wider.

Turbo kits come with whatever you need to bolt up to the oem exhaust...typically a 'shorty-downpipe' off the turbo. Since aftermarket exhausts are designed to replace the oem exhaust, they will work with any (good) aftermarket turbo kit. Again, here's one na-T kit I can recommend:
http://www.boostlogic.com/catalog/p1...duct_info.html
...and here's where it mentions the components it uses to connect the new turbo to the oem exhaust:
- 3” SS304 Polished Downpipe w/ Flex Joint
- 3” SS304 Polished Midpipe
(The "SS304 Polished Dump Tube" only connects up to the new (aftermarket) wastegate).

It's a pretty good looking kit. Take a look at the results post-installation:
http://vrechise.com/getimage.php?i=sc3001.jpg

If all you want is looks with the exhaust, just cut the tip off the oem exhaust and get a nice aftermarket tip welded on:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-35171/overview/
http://static.summitracing.com/globa...e-35171_ml.jpg
Again, an oem TT exhaust will flow 500hp just fine. However if the aftermarket turbo system you choose significantly exceeds that hp, you'll want to get a full aftermarket exhaust system.

That boostlogic kits looks good.
Rather buy a complete kit its alot easyer.

ya, i found these http://www.boostlogic.com/catalog/p1...duct_info.html but they are VERY pricey.

if I didn't do 315's and ran like 9.5's, how much traction am I gonna lose?

and I saved the link and such to that turbo kit, as for the exhaust I would like a nice sound as well, that's why I was looking into exhausts, but I also don't wanna be the guy driving by scaring people at idle and getting tickets, I don't mind when it gets into the RPM's its kinda getting loud but that's sorta what I'm looking at ..

and with that turbo kit, will the OEM auto transmission handle that fine?

well i have 9.5 on mine with 255 tyres on and have no traction 1/2 or 3d gear and i have just over the 550 whp.

Staying with oem TT 9.5" wide rear rims (275-width at most) will really limit your potential Anything over about 350rwhp or so will probably just sit there and spin. It's also quite dangerous, since a 'rear happy' car can be tough to keep on the road.

I doubt your oem n/a auto transmission will handle that kit for very long (or any na->T turbo upgrade, for that matter). I'd say drive it till it breaks, and save up for an oem TT auto (or a getrag v160 6spd). If you don't drive it really hard, that oem n/a auto may last long enough for your savings to accumulate.

how much will each of those tranny upgrades cost?

Sorry to say I'm not really sure. I do know a brand-new V160 from Toyota costs about $6K USD all on its own. Of course, you'd buy it used...but even that will likely be about $2500 if it has no issues.

This tech article may help:
http://mkiv.com/techarticles/auto_to...wap/index.html

well, a 6 speed swap, which i would love, is really gonna cost me, because diff and clutch and all that i need new, as well as a driveline probably.

but there is this http://www.suprastore.com/titmss2tosub.html so i'm definitely got some choices.

One other consideration - daily-drive your n/a Mkiv unmodified, and save up the $$$ to trade for a TT. By the time you upgrade the turbo, and the brakes, and the transmission, and the differential, and the electronics, and the rims, and the suspension, etc., etc., etc., you'll more than pay for the difference beween the two vehicles. Do the math and you'll see for yourself...

Considering going back to driving my honda lol and just trying to sell this one for a little more then I got it for, i got a good deal from a long time friend. & he needed some cash now for his new daughter and that was just a weekend cruiser. so i'm considering just saving to buy a low mile TT in the future that has everything I want, (targa, and auto)

Glad you wrote that buying the exact Supra you really want (i.e. a TT) is still an option. However, I hope you don't mind if I remind you that if you're going to autocross, you'll be faster with a 6spd. 100% for sure. Roadracing too. The only thing an auto is usually faster for is drag racing.

Phil, you are the man. I am in the works of picking up my first Supra. I've been reading a bunch of your post. Thanks for educating and helping beginners out.

:) Glad to help, phamily. Please post back after you've purchased your Supra! :)

will do. i have a friend that might sell his supra and i'm first on the list. he is half and half right now... im praying that he does. it'll be a dream come true for me to own one.

ive been looking online for other mkiv forums and there's not that many.. a lot inactive or ones filled with spam. do you recommend any other mkiv forums?

btw, thanks for all your help.

I haven't helped anyone purchase a Supra within the past few months, but if things are anything like they were (or worse), you have to use every national web site and car selling publication to find a Supra in great condition for sale. It's a very rare car, as you probably know. I know several people that literally had a suitcase full of cash, ready to hop on a plane to be the first to a seller. Of course, you still need to get it checked out by an *objective* person that's knowledgeable in the Mkiv, including a test drive....but if it passes all the tests you may need to be ready to pay on the spot. I even know of some sellers that would only sell to someone that *really* wanted a Supra, and that wasn't just buying it as an investment! They actually sold it for less than they could have, as long as the new owner was someone that would take care of it and appreciate it.

Good luck with your search, and again...please keep us informed.

i got good news phil! i just bought a 1994 tt supra! now i just want to find a good local mechanic to oversee everything to see if i need to fix anything. do you know of any in san diego?

Congratulations, phamily!!!

Welcome to the Supra brotherhood/sisterhood. :)

I don't know of any shop offhand in San Diego, but I'll do some checking and post back here.