Ten questions from a Newbie

swarm · 09-25-2006, 11:05 PM

1988 Supra Turbo - 126k Mles, Targa Top
www.spokanespeed.net/supra

Current Mods:

SP-58-GT Turbo
Apexi TT
Apexi SAFC
Apexi Intake
TurboXS RFL
Walbro 255
ST Sway Bars
Defcon 3" TurboBack
Momo Wheels
Autometer Boost & Air/Fuel Gauges

1. Is it bad to lower the car by cutting the springs?

2. I am overheating a lot. There is a known crack at the radiator neck that appears to have been patched by a radiator repair kit. I lose coolant but the coolant bottle is almost full. I am going to try pulling the thermostat out to see how it does, but if it still overheats, it is BGH right? My car still pulls very strong, does BGH usually cause power loss? I am not smoking at all either. Is it harmful to remove the thermostat?

3. How do I ensure TEMS is working properly? I do not feel a difference, but the lights act properly. How do I check if the shocks are useless? The car still handles very well.

4. Will installing a Sway Bar cause the camber to go out of alignment? My tires are worn on the inside quite a bit.

5. In addition to my mod list above, is it better to purcahse Lexus AFM or MAFT-PRO first?

6. When my steering wheel gets wet at all, it makes my hands very black and sticky - what gives? Is it simple to install another steering wheel? Do I have Air Bags on my '88?

7. There is 1 bolt that holds on the turbo that seems impossible to get a wrench on - What Gives? It is the top bolt that is closest to the front of the car. I did not install the turbo, so I don't know exactly what was required to do so.

8. Any inherent problems except BHG that I should know about?

9. My Targa Top does not seal properly on the sides only - easy fix? Where, except the dealer, can I purcahse new seals?

10. When I turn hard left or right, I hear a popping sound like something hitting something else. This is not wheel/tire related since they are stock sizes. What else could this be? A friend said "it's a Toyota" when I asked for an explanation.

burton51m · 09-26-2006, 12:00 AM

car looks nice

look at these posts...

3. http://www.toyota-supra.info/forums/...ead.php?t=4796

10. http://www.toyota-supra.info/forums/...highlight=tems

tone loc · 09-26-2006, 12:32 AM

1. i dont know but i would get some tein coilovers (not sure if they lower car)

6. Its pretty easy to replace the steering wheel if you use a 1986.5-1988 supra steering wheel. 1986.5-1988 did not have air bags.
7. I dont have a turbo on mine but try using a wrench or using diffrent sized socket wrenchs and extensions.

Murd · 09-26-2006, 12:39 AM

2. get a kit to check the water in the radiator. It'll tell you wether or not it's blown in that way. It could also be your water pump, or your cooling system could just be clogged. Could also be your fans not working properly.

4. installing ANYTHING that changes your front suspension can cause your alignment to go out. If you decide to do 1. cut your springs, wait till after to get the alignment. Wether or not thats good/bad I don't know, but If it were me I'd get some sport springs or coil overs.

6. Not too hard to change steering wheels. You'll need a puller if you don't wanna damage the column. And as far as I know, no, the 88's didn't have airbags... Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it's only 91-92, maybe 90-92 that had airbags. I'm not sure if you can use a 89-92 wheel, and if the cruise buttons will still work if you can... Haven't really checked into it.

8. check your control arm bushings. Usually the lower ones get worn out, and can also cause the previously mentioned alignment issues.

9. Some all weather caulking will get it to stop leaking. Check e-bay for seals.

10. see my answer to 8. control arm bushings... Also have your ball joints checked out. or see the link burton51m linked.

tone loc · 09-26-2006, 12:44 AM

6. i think the late model 89s have airbags. you can tell the diffrence

mrnickleye · 09-26-2006, 01:25 AM

your car looks higher than stock. my factory size wheels don't have that much gap between the tire top and fender.

burton51m · 09-26-2006, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrnickleye

your car looks higher than stock. my factory size wheels don't have that much gap between the tire top and fender.

I noticed that as well...

tone loc · 09-26-2006, 08:14 PM

yay unless you have smaller wheels.

09-25-2006, 11:05 PM	#1
swarm Stock Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 7	Ten questions from a Newbie 1988 Supra Turbo - 126k Mles, Targa Top www.spokanespeed.net/supra Current Mods: SP-58-GT Turbo Apexi TT Apexi SAFC Apexi Intake TurboXS RFL Walbro 255 ST Sway Bars Defcon 3" TurboBack Momo Wheels Autometer Boost & Air/Fuel Gauges 1. Is it bad to lower the car by cutting the springs? 2. I am overheating a lot. There is a known crack at the radiator neck that appears to have been patched by a radiator repair kit. I lose coolant but the coolant bottle is almost full. I am going to try pulling the thermostat out to see how it does, but if it still overheats, it is BGH right? My car still pulls very strong, does BGH usually cause power loss? I am not smoking at all either. Is it harmful to remove the thermostat? 3. How do I ensure TEMS is working properly? I do not feel a difference, but the lights act properly. How do I check if the shocks are useless? The car still handles very well. 4. Will installing a Sway Bar cause the camber to go out of alignment? My tires are worn on the inside quite a bit. 5. In addition to my mod list above, is it better to purcahse Lexus AFM or MAFT-PRO first? 6. When my steering wheel gets wet at all, it makes my hands very black and sticky - what gives? Is it simple to install another steering wheel? Do I have Air Bags on my '88? 7. There is 1 bolt that holds on the turbo that seems impossible to get a wrench on - What Gives? It is the top bolt that is closest to the front of the car. I did not install the turbo, so I don't know exactly what was required to do so. 8. Any inherent problems except BHG that I should know about? 9. My Targa Top does not seal properly on the sides only - easy fix? Where, except the dealer, can I purcahse new seals? 10. When I turn hard left or right, I hear a popping sound like something hitting something else. This is not wheel/tire related since they are stock sizes. What else could this be? A friend said "it's a Toyota" when I asked for an explanation.

09-26-2006, 12:00 AM	#2
burton51m Lexus & 550's Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 536	car looks nice look at these posts... 3. http://www.toyota-supra.info/forums/...ead.php?t=4796 10. http://www.toyota-supra.info/forums/...highlight=tems __________________

09-26-2006, 01:25 AM	#6
mrnickleye 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, Calif. Posts: 1,705	your car looks higher than stock. my factory size wheels don't have that much gap between the tire top and fender. __________________ Had a Red 1989 N/A. Automatic. Sports Pkg. w/wing. TEMS, and some nice MODS. Sold to a friend 10/08/08.

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09-26-2006, 12:32 AM	#3
tone loc 20psi boost Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 706	1. i dont know but i would get some tein coilovers (not sure if they lower car) 6. Its pretty easy to replace the steering wheel if you use a 1986.5-1988 supra steering wheel. 1986.5-1988 did not have air bags. 7. I dont have a turbo on mine but try using a wrench or using diffrent sized socket wrenchs and extensions.

09-26-2006, 12:39 AM	#4
Murd 3" Exhaust Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA. Posts: 233	2. get a kit to check the water in the radiator. It'll tell you wether or not it's blown in that way. It could also be your water pump, or your cooling system could just be clogged. Could also be your fans not working properly. 4. installing ANYTHING that changes your front suspension can cause your alignment to go out. If you decide to do 1. cut your springs, wait till after to get the alignment. Wether or not thats good/bad I don't know, but If it were me I'd get some sport springs or coil overs. 6. Not too hard to change steering wheels. You'll need a puller if you don't wanna damage the column. And as far as I know, no, the 88's didn't have airbags... Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it's only 91-92, maybe 90-92 that had airbags. I'm not sure if you can use a 89-92 wheel, and if the cruise buttons will still work if you can... Haven't really checked into it. 8. check your control arm bushings. Usually the lower ones get worn out, and can also cause the previously mentioned alignment issues. 9. Some all weather caulking will get it to stop leaking. Check e-bay for seals. 10. see my answer to 8. control arm bushings... Also have your ball joints checked out. or see the link burton51m linked.

09-26-2006, 12:44 AM	#5
tone loc 20psi boost Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 706	6. i think the late model 89s have airbags. you can tell the diffrence

09-26-2006, 08:14 PM	#8
tone loc 20psi boost Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 706	yay unless you have smaller wheels.