new owner of the 87 Miami "Vicemobile"

thevicfox · 08-25-2010, 10:39 PM

Hi. I'm a new member to this forum. Just bought a black 87 Supra on Ebay that lived it's whole life with one owner in Miami. I paid very little for the car but the dealer misrepresented quite a bit. Starter blew out 24 hours after I bought it, had it towed to Larry's Service Center in Miami Beach (these guys rule!) and found a major oil leak in the front of the engine, a leaking valve cover gasket, leaking water pump, blown starter, old timing belts, deteriorated thermostat, clogged fuel lines, and so on... $1200 in repairs later I still got a great car for a great price and drove it 2000 miles back to Austin, where I live. I'm used to working on 60's and 70's American cars, so this is my first 80's project. This will be my daily driver but I'm setting aside a small chunk of change each month to make improvements. I'll be getting a new dash and steering wheel, dealing with a little rust issue on the hatchback near the right side of the spoiler, getting a new front bumper, replacing the crappy old side molding, charging up the freon on the A/C for that extra icy blast (it's 104 today) and adding some zip. The engine seems to be running strong but when I floor it or accelerate going up hill it doesn't have a whole lot of get up and go. Any thoughts? I found some mechanics in my area called Japanese Auto Tech and just ordered my Chilton guide. Would love some links to good parts resources too. I'll do the basic stuff myself and leave the big stuff to the pros.

speedfiend · 08-26-2010, 04:56 AM

Nice looking car...

thevicfox · 08-26-2010, 10:54 AM

Thanks! Just glad I made it home in one piece. It's not as pretty up close but I am Apple Pie Proud of it. Or should I say Hamachi Sake Sashimi proud?

CanadianBak'inSupra · 09-20-2010, 01:01 PM

engine bay looks nice and clean.
have fun!

87mk111 · 10-30-2010, 01:44 AM

Looks pretty clean.

gloreboy89 · 10-30-2010, 12:58 PM

how do u plan on fix the steering wheel, mine kinda looks likes yours. Also that acceleration problem may have a little to do with my 88 supra's acceleration too. Anyway this car looks great for its years and one owner. did u check for rust where the spare tire is, or in the space above the rear wheels accessible from the empty space in the trunk.

hillary18812 · 11-02-2010, 05:19 AM

your idea is so good

08-25-2010, 10:39 PM	#1
thevicfox Stock Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3	new owner of the 87 Miami "Vicemobile" Hi. I'm a new member to this forum. Just bought a black 87 Supra on Ebay that lived it's whole life with one owner in Miami. I paid very little for the car but the dealer misrepresented quite a bit. Starter blew out 24 hours after I bought it, had it towed to Larry's Service Center in Miami Beach (these guys rule!) and found a major oil leak in the front of the engine, a leaking valve cover gasket, leaking water pump, blown starter, old timing belts, deteriorated thermostat, clogged fuel lines, and so on... $1200 in repairs later I still got a great car for a great price and drove it 2000 miles back to Austin, where I live. I'm used to working on 60's and 70's American cars, so this is my first 80's project. This will be my daily driver but I'm setting aside a small chunk of change each month to make improvements. I'll be getting a new dash and steering wheel, dealing with a little rust issue on the hatchback near the right side of the spoiler, getting a new front bumper, replacing the crappy old side molding, charging up the freon on the A/C for that extra icy blast (it's 104 today) and adding some zip. The engine seems to be running strong but when I floor it or accelerate going up hill it doesn't have a whole lot of get up and go. Any thoughts? I found some mechanics in my area called Japanese Auto Tech and just ordered my Chilton guide. Would love some links to good parts resources too. I'll do the basic stuff myself and leave the big stuff to the pros. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by thevicfox; 08-25-2010 at 10:41 PM.

08-26-2010, 04:56 AM	#2
speedfiend Intake Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mobile, AL/ Iquitos, Peru Posts: 36	Nice looking car... __________________ 88 N/A targa, 5 speed, tint, thumpin' tunes, APEXi & KYB's, tweaked AFM, Hayden fan... *5 Favorite yodas I've owned, I am a believer!* 85 Supra 5 speed, tint, sunroof 77 Celica GT, 20R, 5 speed, tint, cam, header, tweaked Mikuni S/Ds, K&N 91 DX & 99 LE Camrys, for when I did the family thing 86 1 Ton P/U, 22RE, SR-5 speed, tint, buckets, 500w stereo, header, alloys, tweaked AFM, K&N 86 4x4, 22RE 5-speed, tint, 4" lift, cam, header, tweaked AFM, K&N, bored .040 500 character limit...

08-26-2010, 10:54 AM	#3
thevicfox Stock Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3	Thanks! Just glad I made it home in one piece. It's not as pretty up close but I am Apple Pie Proud of it. Or should I say Hamachi Sake Sashimi proud? __________________ Vic Fox Cars I've owned: 1970 Dodge Dart 1965 Ford Falcon 1973 Buick Riviera boat tail 1965 Buick Riviera

09-20-2010, 01:01 PM	#4
CanadianBak'inSupra Official hall monitor / search nazi - NO SOUP FOR YOU! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 837	engine bay looks nice and clean. have fun! __________________ 1984 supra - 1uzfe - w58 - 4.10 - 1 piece aluminum shaft.

10-30-2010, 01:44 AM	#5
87mk111 3" Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: akron, ohio Posts: 226	Looks pretty clean. __________________ 87 N/A 5spd BHG, soon to be gte with r154

10-30-2010, 12:58 PM	#6
gloreboy89 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 68	how do u plan on fix the steering wheel, mine kinda looks likes yours. Also that acceleration problem may have a little to do with my 88 supra's acceleration too. Anyway this car looks great for its years and one owner. did u check for rust where the spare tire is, or in the space above the rear wheels accessible from the empty space in the trunk. __________________ too lazy to find a funny quote, buuuutttt off the top of my head. "life always= how well you treat your car, put crap in ur car, then car breaks down, then miss important meeting, or work which just so happen u cant miss another day or ur fired... and end up with a crappy life. driving an '88 supra

11-02-2010, 05:19 AM	#7
hillary18812 Stock Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: washigton Posts: 5	your idea is so good __________________ Toyota Performance Chips

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