DShox

yup some of the cars'll look awful - but there must be some good ideas there. my lil cousin wants to get into modding (played too much Need For Speed I think!) so I'm taking him...never been myself so not quite sure whether it'll be packed full of pre-pyab boy racers or a mix of enthusiasts from across the piece...

well i dunno the eh - prolly won't be lookin' at the cars much anyway

unless the event bans cameras then i will...

yo! Just to let you know - if you're into or thinkin' about customising your ride, then pick up a camera and take notes at the NEC in Birmingham this July for Max Power Live. Easy - D...

The 6 speed Getrag manual is very tough but at times could be noisy in operation. Pick up is marginally faster than an auto box and thus has a very slight edge on the 0-60 times but only professional drivers with a silky smooth gear change could achieve this. Congestion will annoy you on a car of the Supra's spec - to preserve the life of your internals you would ideally be selecting the correct gear all too frequently! Also, the 6sp is better suited if you are going to spend thousands achieving big bhp (over 550), but as you aren't looking to thrash the machine to oblivion, then really just look toward an auto. The auto is more integrated than the manual and works with the ECU to extend the life of the box and drive train by temporarily dimming output on gear selection. As the auto was used on the old MkIII, reliability is guaranteed. The auto is a 4 speed box with option to go into manual mode where you can select the first 3 gears to change gear faster, and will support up to 500bhp. I personally prefer auto as it suits all types of traffic and the twin turbo's standard 282bhp (vs about 220bhp for NA) is plenty fast. To keep your economy (if you can use that word for this car) good, the auto has an overdrive button to prevent over rev on gear selection. As for Tiptronics - they exist from 97 onwards and are 4 speed autos/manuals (a mix if you like) with ability to switch to manual shift, using buttons on steering wheel. As for insurance - buy a jap car magazine and towards the back you'll find a list of adverts for specialist insurance companies. Anyway - feel free to drop me a private message if wanna hand findin' a motor - I spend loadsa time scooting autotrader and ebay cos I like looking for the 'must haves' even if I'm not in the market! (which annoys my boss in the office!). GL, D

Cats are of course essential to the process but initial test data shows that the NA Supra just about makes it through and the turbo version failed by a monsterous margin on emissions on the old Euro 2 standards, so you would be asking an awful lot of the cat. Euro 3 applied from 2001 and are about 30% tougher than Euro 2, and even if you made an exhaust out of catalyst, as sampling on Euro 3 commences at engine start (i.e. no time to heat the cat), it would make little difference. Emissions were one of the reasons the Supra was discontinued and was certainly the reason there are no 1996 manual 6 speeds out there (or at least I believe the latter point to be true). ok the DVLA might not have a clue but it is the VOSA examiners at SVA companies that do the inspections, and sometimes they are quite intrusive when inspecting the car...so even if you did falsify the age, you may find your vehicle grounded permanently because it was pulled apart at random. The fact is, even Ecotech could not develop an ECU to get the Evo 8 through (and they had 3 shots!)...they had to send an expert who had physically needed to be present at the lab tweaking the engine and ECU to succeed. Question is, how much are you prepared to spend modifying the Supra in advance before attempting a pricey model report?

Thanks for this. The trouble is Model Reports have unsuccessfully tested with a UK exhaust (2 cats) and when you lower the power output of the car by ECU changes, the engine temperature drops - meaning the NOx output increases to unacceptable levels. Also, the Euro 3 tests mean that emissions are read 'the moment the car starts' - previously there was a 40 second allowance (?) to allow the cat to heat up before measurements are taken. Basically, an ECU will need to be played with AND an experienced engineer will need to be present at the lab tweaking the output there and then...

It's a complete giveaway - the 97 model was tweaked in terms of performance and looks. The vvti engine was introduced and so the engine cover is different, the rear light cluster has graphite backing, there's an extra pod/dial on the dash, and if you want official and legal documentation to accompany your car, then you state what age it was manufactured.

yep Model Reports have quoted some figures that suggest that alot of work would be needed to get the emissions into the arena. I would say that it will be out of the question to import 01 and 02 models as even stricter euro 3 emissions regs apply, so any Report would allow 97 - 00 only. The business case needs to be looked at as one could literally spend thousands preparing the car in advance of the expensive lab tests. Might just be a dream...

Yeah but if I was selling...I would be laughing all the way to the bank cos that's what I'd be in business to do at the end of the day. The good Supras and the well priced ones do not hang around on Autotrader for long...they come and go in a week! £10,000 should get a Twin Turbo 95 or a nice modded 94/95!

I read this post and unfortunately there are alot of bad examples out there. Here are some tips you should bear in mind when looking at the Supra: 1) Ask the grade - 3 is average (but not accidented!) - 3.5 (ok) - 4 (good...only really on newer models) - 5 (forecourt!)...all traders know the grade...if they say they don't know, assume R (accidented and possible chassis damage), RA (accidented but well repaired), or 3. 2) Unscrew the oil cap and check for cream deposits on the inside of the cap and around the tank opening...too much cream suggests engine has seen better days from v high miles, bad oil, lots of hard acceleration...if it's too clean it suggests it has been flushed, oil recently changed (could be ok), or they are hiding something. 3) Listen for the turbos - these are expensive to fix...if they whistle too much there is a problem...make sure you are comfortably hearing the first one kick off at 1500rpm and the other at 5500rpm...also check there isn't a massive cloud of white smoke bellowing from the exhaust when the turbo is called into play. 4) Check the inner edge of the front wheels to ensure that they haven't worn disproportionately to the rest of the tyre - this suggests wrong tyre pressure or the the wheel alignment is off...may have been kerbed or have a damaged chassis. 5) On the test drive, have the driver take their hands off the wheel on a straight flat road and...a) accelerate gently b) brake gently...if the chassis, brake wear, and wheel alignment is good...it should perform this task in an almost perfect straight line! 6) Get to a car park and have the driver engage full lock (left and right) and drive in a circle...listen for nasty clunking. 7) Check all around the car for prangs and dents - open the boot and check for new rubber mats for example...look for bodywork misalignments, look under the bodykit to check the situation on rust as water collects massively on poorly fitted kits. General advice: 1) Don't be worried about a high mileage car - my workhorse is a 1993 Cavalier and it is still purring nicely at 160,000 miles...we are in the modern era people...car engines don't give out these days. 2) Always always always walk away from an apparent bargain - the seller's job is to make you feel terrible and that you won't find a better example again. Go away and think about it for 24 hours or so. If I had bought on the moment, I would currently own a 94 UK Supra which had been to the moon and back for 9.5k (much less than this nowadays). 3) Highly modded cars have probably been stressed. Even on low modded cars, if the ECU hasn't been updated (or fitted)...the pistons inside could be undergoing detonation and flinging bits of metal around inside...all invisible to the eye. 4) The seller should have all the minor scratches and missing items replaced before sale. They do exist in the forecourts and with private sellers - but you get what you pay for! Hope this helps... D

Yup the other one was 'ambulance' - think u had to carry an oxygen bottle and medi-kit in the back and then you could just howl outta the window to complete the package

Exhausts - funny bit of kit...sound is important but performance is everything. There was an article in Banzai a few months ago about this guy who bolted on a massive exhaust to his drift AE82 (?) Toyota Corolla. He basically experienced a drop in bhp until he reached about 7rpm (in other words - the car would be screaming!). The lesson is that there is an optimal exhaust configuration, shape, and size to fit the manifold that influences how the exhaust gas from the engine leaves and travels down the pipe. So a lil' 1.4L with a monster exhaust should lose hp as too little gas is produced and it just collects in the exhaust tubing...whereas a 4.2L monster may find that the same exhaust is too small and restrictive...OPTIMAL SIZE is best.

Appreciate the support guys. Yes the 6 speed seems to be getting more attention but seen as people haven't been successful in the past on autos...gotta feeling the manual transmissions have got absolutely no chance (they were dropped for one year in 96 cos of emissions), especially in 2001/2002 where Vanessa earlier informs me that even stricter rules on emissions apply. The 1998 model has tiptronic gear shift on the steering wheel but there are still only 4 gears...but a nice feature nonetheless. Yup I would be hiring out the Report at usual prices (dunno what 'usual' is just yet)...if I wanted to attempt to get my car through on its own, I'd do the Single Vehicle Report, which is a bit cheaper and carries a little less risk...but you still have to get the emissions and noise right. I'm pretty committed to making the Model Report a success and I've already had a pop at VOSA for what I dubbed ruining competition in the UK motor market! In short - I'll see what flex there is (probably none) to have the auto made applicable to 6sp...but the report being investigated will be valid for Twin Turbos 97 - 00 (01 and 02 if possible) Auto - you could always convert your box to manual at maybe some where like Envy Performance or JP Motorsport?. 98 Jap Spec Twin Turbo VVTi RZ-S

PM? = Please Mail? ok thanks...

aye!

Craig - yup, but as the lady said...even tighter emissions from 01 (might not be possible). Vanessa - prolly try the full report - in for a pound in for a... Right gotta go cook...went heavy on the wine last night and it's completely wrecked my appetite!

Jake - thanks...where did the figures come from? - it's good news. I think there is some data conflicting out on the web...according to Toyota.com, Supras were discontinued in 1999 (so anything sporting a 2002 plate would have originally been built in 1999?) I'll look into 6 speeds but might attempt to get some flex on the test results to allow em...god knows how but using my motto..."there's a solution for everything!". However, the 1996 6 speed (re-introduced in 97) was dropped due to ever tightening emissions standards - could be impossible to get through the lab!

alex - true...there are TT VVTi out there, but they would've been imported before Europe introduced the ESVA rules (E stands for Enhanced) which require the Model Reports. Government ruining the party! Stay lucky...

thanks imi - i know Bonsai Cars well...too well (ho ho ho)

Thanks for the heads up Vanessa - you clearly have more of an idea than I do! (generally I run head long into ventures with my eyes shut...you get the picture). I didn't realise the 01 had different rules but thinking about it, seen as the number of 2001 models produced worldwide were in double figures only (so I'm told), there probably won't be a whole lot out there that can be imported anyway. The main focus will be on 97-00 Auto. To be honest, people with the cash to buy one of these cars will probably be focussing on grade 4s with low mods and refinement i.e. will not really value 6 gears for racing around and would prefer autos to give their arm a break (there's steering wheel tiptronic for a bit of fun anyway). There are only two possible test centres recognised by vosa in the UK - Millbrook in Milton Keynes and MG Rover in Longbridge. I am working closely with all parties to get my Supra 98 Twin Turbo through that I unwittingly imported in November (refer to opening statement about 'running head long...'). It's gonna be a big risk and a very tiring job - it has already sapped up more time than I care to admit, but will keep pressing on to get a result! Would like to hear your views - but i really have no choice but to proceed! David

Hello there, OK so the title is a little optimistic but just in case you weren't aware, the current ESVA rules require a Model Report to exist for the Japanese Supra Twin Turbo with model years 97 - 01 before a person can import one to the UK. Seen as the Report doesn't exist, people in the UK are denied the opportunity to drive the newer models as they are not allowed past the SVA testing stage (i.e. so you can't register the car, insure it, and then drive it away!). Basically, nobody wants to take the risk of shelling out all the time and the thousands necessary to produce a Model Report, as there is no guarantee of success even having made the investment. That's where I come in...I'd like to know whether or not people would actually like to own the revised and newer forms of the twin turbo VVTi from 97 to 01 - if so, I'll carry on and finalise the testing plans and get the report produced (if the authorities let me that is!). Ta much, D