1997+ Facelift j-spec Q's [Archive] - The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Barnstormer

10-12-02, 13:51

Have a search through the BBS but could not find the exact answer to a couple of Q's. Any help appreciated......
I have a 1997 facelifted j-spec auto TT

1. Are the brakes bigger than earlier j-specs? Mine subjectively look bigger and the calipers are black with the work "SUPRA" detailed in white on them. Are they 325mm?

2. Are the UK spec oil filters exactly the same as for the j-spec? Need an oil change soon.

Also has onyone got a Mongoose exhaust system fitted from the turbo back? Just wondered about the quality, sound and performance improvement as well as the problems with the MOT emission test.

ATB

Barnstomer

Gaz Walker

10-12-02, 13:55

Originally posted by Barnstormer
Have a search through the BBS but could not find the exact answer to a couple of Q's. Any help appreciated......
I have a 1997 facelifted j-spec auto TT

1. Are the brakes bigger than earlier j-specs? Mine subjectively look bigger and the calipers are black with the work "SUPRA" detailed in white on them. Are they 325mm?

2. Are the UK spec oil filters exactly the same as for the j-spec? Need an oil change soon.

Also has onyone got a Mongoose exhaust system fitted from the turbo back? Just wondered about the quality, sound and performance improvement as well as the problems with the MOT emission test.

ATB

Barnstomer

Barnstormer,

Yes you have big brakes.

Oil filters are the same.

Michel has a Mongoose on his UK spec car, they are quite for an aftermarket system, it included a full de-cat so probably wont pass an MOT test (put the cats back on for this). The quality is good (I had one on my old car), performance will be better as your removing the cats and the pipework will be less restrictive. AFAIK its a 3" bore pipework, 4" exit.

HTH A bit...

Doug

10-12-02, 14:33

Just an extra comment about the brakes, what size wheels are on you car? cos I have small brakes on my facelift supra but the calipers do have supra writtten on them in white.

Gaz Walker

10-12-02, 14:42

Barnstormer

10-12-02, 14:44

gazwalker - thanks for the info.

Re: the brakes. I have a totally stock car and the wheels are 16" originals. Thinking about getting some 18 or 19's and /or a new exhaust plus decat.

I suppose the simple way is to pull off a wheel and measure the the disks - will get around to it sometime. I thought the answer might be simple to my Q.

The brakes don't seem to have the bite that most modern cars have, however, I put that down down less servo assistance which means you have to push the pedal harder. Of course less assistance should increase feel. I think that once you have got used to pushing the pedal harder the brakes are actually quite good - just need to practise a couple of emergency stops on a quiet rd and you soon get used to the lack of servo assistance.

Just different from the modern style of brakes that are extremely light and designed for easy driving. Just my thoughs though.......

ATB

MONKEYmark

10-12-02, 14:47

Originally posted by Doug
Just an extra comment about the brakes, what size wheels are on you car? cos I have small brakes on my facelift supra but the calipers do have supra writtten on them in white. same here on my 96 facelift
you will know if you have big brakes if you see them side by side with another j spec.
i got told if it had supra on calipers they were big brakes but they aint

ps thought the big brakes only come with 17" wheels
if you have 16`s as standard dont look too good for big brakes

Gaz Walker

10-12-02, 14:51

Originally posted by Barnstormer
Re: the brakes. I have a totally stock car and the wheels are 16" originals. Thinking about getting some 18 or 19's and /or a new exhaust plus decat.

If you've got 16's on you've got small brakes.

I thought all facelift TT's had 17's and big brakes on??? :conf:

Gaz.

Barnstormer

10-12-02, 14:57

what size are big brakes? 325mm?

Will have to take a wheel off now and measure them. Could be that the car had 17's on then were swopped for 16's for some unlikely reason. Can't imagine Toyota having two different brake setups for the production line - very costly. Never heard of any other cars having an option of bigger brakes just coz the wheels are bigger.

Anyway, will have to measure them tomorrow to know for sure.

It's never easy is it..........

ATB

Gaz Walker

10-12-02, 15:05

Its never easy.

I *think* 16s would not fit over the big brakes.

The disc alone is 13", then thered the caliper size & clearance etc.

Gaz.

Branners

10-12-02, 15:06

Originally posted by gazwalker
If you've got 16's on you've got small brakes.

I thought all facelift TT's had 17's and big brakes on??? :conf:

Gaz.

Did we not discuss this the other day :twak:

Not all facelift cars have the big brakes, and if they are on 16" wheels then they certainly dont have them. The logo thing is a red herring, quite a lot of the import brakes have it on, those that have seen some serious heat and usage tend to lose the logo.

JB

Martin F

10-12-02, 15:06

Originally posted by gazwalker
If you've got 16's on you've got small brakes.

I thought all facelift TT's had 17's and big brakes on??? :conf:

Gaz.

I don't think it's as clear cut as that.

If you have 16" wheels then its about 99.9% likely that you have small brakes.

MONKEYmark

10-12-02, 15:08

Originally posted by Barnstormer
what size are big brakes? 325mm?

Will have to take a wheel off now and measure them. Could be that the car had 17's on then were swopped for 16's for some unlikely reason. Can't imagine Toyota having two different brake setups for the production line - very costly. Never heard of any other cars having an option of bigger brakes just coz the wheels are bigger.

Anyway, will have to measure them tomorrow to know for sure.

It's never easy is it..........

ATB have you got your rear sidelights working too?
on mine i did not know they were lights till i seen another facelift with them on.mine did not have any bulbs in for some reason,mind u its the netto economy tt i have
they look well when they working

Branners

10-12-02, 15:09

Originally posted by Martin F
I don't think it's as clear cut as that.

If you have 16" wheels then its about 99.9% likely that you have small brakes.

Im getting all twakky now :twak:

16" wheels will just not fit over big brakes. My 17" black wheels off my import wouldnt physically fit OVER the brakes, it wasnt just the spokes hitting the caliper, the inner surface of the rim rubbed against the top of the caliper. I would have had to shave off some caliper to make it fit.

anybody else for a :twak:

:)

JB

Gaz Walker

10-12-02, 15:12

Originally posted by Branners
Did we not discuss this the other day :twak:

Sorry Chief... :)

Martin F

10-12-02, 15:29

I mean't it's not as clear cut as every facelift car has big brakes.

Return serve :twak:

Branners

10-12-02, 15:32

ahh, but theres that .1% which is plainly untrue. My statement is that you CANNOT get 16" wheels to fit over big brakes, it just cant do it...:sex:

Martin F

10-12-02, 15:34

Originally posted by Branners
My statement is that you CANNOT get 16" wheels to fit over big brakes, it just cant do it...:sex:

Hmmm now there's a challenge if ever i heard one!!!

What size is the spare wheel ?

Gaz Walker

10-12-02, 15:38

17" on my car...

Gaz.

Darren

10-12-02, 15:39

Mine has small brakes. Think its pick and mix some facelifts have big brakes some small. Most small I get the feeling. :(

Doug

10-12-02, 16:12

Hmmm now there's a challenge if ever i heard one!!!

What size is the spare wheel ?

17" on mine too :baa: :twak:

Steve W

10-12-02, 19:52

Also has onyone got a Mongoose exhaust system fitted from the turbo back? Just wondered about the quality, sound and performance improvement as well as the problems with the MOT emission test.
I have...... (I think Terry at TRL has too ? ? )

the decat pipe is 1-piece to replace the 2 cat's....easier to replace,
BUT, if I want to put ONE cat back I'll need to buy a different
'1/2' length-type...if you see what I mean ?

The quality of the system is REALLY good - nice quality St/Steel etc

The Silencers are GOOD = the sound is very much like stock but
just a little louder/rougher all the way through. That's GOOD if you're
creeping to work early in the morning/ coming home late...but,
NOT a very satisfying tone when you're in 'tunnel' mode (!)

Emissions will be exactly the same on all systems.....
it's cats-or-not that determine that !
(rumours are either ONE cat will pass pretty easily / no cat's
will fail , or, pass depending who you talk to ? ? ?

Ground clearance HAS been much better than the other systems,
no grounding on ANY speed bumps so far ! (tucks up well !)
[ = down-side is it hasn't got a nice BIG chrome silencer OR huge
exit pipe for looks ]

The cost is substantially lower than any of the other 'bigger-noise'
systems ? ! ? can't see why really - probably the name etc. ? ?

IN ALL: I think the system is very good....... BUT .......

I STILL FANCY A LOUDER ONE REALLY:p

FatS.

[ps. from the FEEL/acceleration after the decat, I don't think it's
much more restrictive than the louder pipes ! ! I'm already worried
about 'overboosting' - it feels THAT MUCH more powerfull ! !]

Suprash

10-12-02, 22:29

Brainstormer, I have UK Spec brakes on my face lift model, I was told they were put on when it was imported. Branners is right about not able to get 16" wheels over over UK spec brakes, I have to use a spacer on my 18" to get them to fit over the calipers, feeking horrible though when braking, I get quite a lot of vibration, but will replace with 19" one day. Also to one of the other posts, my rear side lights were not working niether when I got the car, plugged them back in, I think they look great IMO, but many people seem to disconnect them.:confused:

Barnstormer

10-12-02, 22:50

Everybody..

Thanks for all the info. Definatley gonna take the front wheel off tomorrow and have a look to see what I got. Also the spare although I'm pretty sure its 16 too. Never checked the rear side lights! Will have a look.

The Mongoose sounds really good - literally. I often go to work early in the morning and could without waking half the street at 4am. Also the one piece downpipe to replace the cats seems a good idea.

As I often go to Japan I looked at their equivalent of Halfords. Its call Auto Bacs and they sell every type of alloy wheel and tuning part known to the Japanese. Over there a full Blitz NurSpec R is about 70,000 Yen = £380 but a bummer to get in the suitcase. Also alloys are about half the price in the UK for the same ones. Again same problem of getting them in a suitcase. Was thinking about bringing one at a time over.......

Will report on what I find on the hub.

ATB

Also Supra bits are easily obtainable and cheap. Bulbs, wiper blades, filters etc. Also the rain guards that fit along the upper door sill to stop rain pissing on you as you open it.

MONKEYmark

10-12-02, 23:06

Originally posted by Barnstormer

Also Supra bits are easily obtainable and cheap. Bulbs, wiper blades, filters etc. Also the rain guards that fit along the upper door sill to stop rain pissing on you as you open it. are they them smoked clear wind things,i broke one of mine like a div
never got round to getting one,

Barnstormer

10-12-02, 23:55

yep you can get 'em. Depends on whether you want original Toyota ones of aftermarket ones. I just happen to see a catalogue with loads of different types for every type of vehicle. They are especially popular on 4x4's apparently...my Japanese anin't so good these days but that what I think thats what he said.

When I go again I will try and get some more info but you could check out their website at www.autobacs.com
You will need a translation engine to get the jist of it - try babelfish. My missus is Japanese so she can do it for me!

Toyota ones are harder to get hold of but I can get the missus to email some dealers near my in-laws and see if they can get 'em. Shouldn't be too expensive to ship them over.

ATB

Supra Pilot

11-12-02, 00:21

The wheels should be stamped with their sizes on them, no need to measure!

Also if you have 16's, you surly won't have BIG brakes..... trust me
I tried recently to get the standard 16's on my car, 'No chance'!!

Barnstormer

11-12-02, 14:16

Right,

had the wheel off and measured the disk. The disk diameter is 295mm, wheels are 16x8", spare is 17".

Simple solution in the end.

I will try and post pictures below if I can find out how.

Once again thanks for all the advice....

ATB

Barnstormer

11-12-02, 14:18

the disk

Barnstormer

11-12-02, 14:19

close up

Barnstormer

11-12-02, 14:20

the whole lot

Martin F

11-12-02, 16:24

Small Jap spec brakes.

SimonB

11-12-02, 18:05

For future reference and comparison, here is a picture I took of my big brakes a while ago when I was finding out which ones I had (I have a facelift with 17" stock wheels and the big brakes)...

Steve W

11-12-02, 19:08

I never realised they did Silver 16"s !

OR, are they painted over greys ?

(you've still got the slightly better looking facelift centre pieces !
- I've got to get some of those - they make the wheels look a lot
'sportier')
-------
I have 1 Toyota rain/wind shield on the N/S, but MY one was
broken off before I got the car - would like to replace sometime !
It stops those early morning 'roof-drips' falling on your seat as
you open the door - MOST annoying in a posy car like the Soop !!

FatS.

Barnstormer

11-12-02, 21:58

They seem to be genuine 16" silver alloys though the spare is 17".

I will attempt to get the part nos for the Toyota window rain guards - well I'll get the missus to email a dealer in Yokohama.

I will take a few days but once I get any info I will post it on the board. Also I looked at whifbitz web site and they seem to do some mean brake conversion kits. Mammoth disks and calipers but will have to wait until I get some 19".

ATB

Martin F

12-12-02, 08:58

Simon - I think a visit to Halfords and a purchase of some high temperature paint is in order.

:D

SimonB

12-12-02, 12:22

Originally posted by Martin F
Simon - I think a visit to Halfords and a purchase of some high temperature paint is in order.

:D

I was just waiting for someone to say that! Hadn't washed the wheels for ages when I took that so they were covered in dust and crap. That's my excuse anyway...:music:

springbok

12-12-02, 12:37

I love tennis don't you..

Right thats 30 love to John and Martin. :p

:rolleyes:

JB to serve,, :devil:

Darren

12-12-02, 12:38

Mine had the silver 16 inch wheels on it when I got it with the updated centre caps. Sold wheels and centres to a guy down the gym for £240! :D

Darren

Markie

02-02-05, 21:39

I have checked mine now.. They are LIGHTS!!! I was also under the impression they were reflectors :friday:

So, visited the local Halfords and got myself some bulbs, as when I took one side off, nothing in them..

Got back home thinking, "ohhh these will look nice" First side done, looked great! Went to the second side, "Will only take me 5 minutes" I thought.

BUT, low and behold, no damn connector connected to the other side light! :banghead:

Does anyone know where the connectors are plumed off from? Rear cluster or, whether there will defo be a connector with wires hanging down inside somewhere?

Hopfully someone will say yes the wires should be there, else I will have to do some wire stripping :(

Soonto"HAS"soop

03-02-05, 22:12

And the winner of the oldest thread revival, with what looks like no relevance is.........

As for the rear lights, have a fish around the rear quarter for the wires, the will probably be there. Personally I disconnected mine and then covered the holes with some Veilside spats to keep the side looking clean.