Jez sutherland

My gearbox is the same. It's got the right oil, correct amount, recently changed, still is a bit stiff going into 2nd when the box is cold. AFAIC, all of the MKIV manual boxes are like this, typicallly in 2nd (not heard of a problem with 1st). I seem to remember reading somewhere that some cars were sent back to Toyota in the US because their new owners were not prepared to put up with the clunky gear change. Don't know if this is true though. When the box warms up, 2nd is just as clunky as all the other gears! Personally, I like the gearbox.....it has a nice positive feel......especially for an early 6 speed box that will handle loads of power! Jezza

jot_ie, I have very similar tyres to you (so3, 275, 35, 18 and 245, 40 18.....I think!). I have no problem with them....they are great when new, but can get a bit dodgy when old and heavily worn. I used to have a set of 17" OZ Saturns, and they made the car tramline like a bas**rd. Changing the wheels to the correct offset sorted it all out. For what it is worth, my car is a UK with nice soft UK suspension. It handles a treat on our crap UK roads - but will still tramline on the heavily worn roads in Berkshire and Surrey. AFAIC, this is the price of wide, low profile tyres on crap roads. Your fishtailing is a traction problem - have you uped the power?, How wet was the road?, Cold tyres?, lowered/uprated suspension?, heavy right foot? I would look at the wheels, and then the suspension...............and then take it to someone like Chris Wilson. Your current tyre pressure is what Toyota recommend, but I found lowering the tyre pressure to 32-34 psi helped handling and traction. IMHO, going any lower and your tyres will be underinflated and using the belted walls for their support. I hope some (any) of this helped. Good luck! Jezza

That is a disgraceful shed.................Chavscum.com?

I get exactly the same problem - a big clunk when I reverse on full lock. Used to happen on a mates old car (Ford Capri - so a forerunner of the Supe then:p ) - turned out to be worn suspension top mounts. Don't know if it could be the same on the Supe though. Jezza

I had exactly the same problem. My geometry was slightly out. Car is now back to tramlining normally! Actually, getting the geometry sorted even helped improve the tramlining! Also, Chris is right - I always make sure my tyre pressures are right and my tyres matched - even if it means throwing away a good tyre! Don't want any 'mysterious low speed' accidents:sly: Jezza

I hate to say it - but Dude's comments are harsh..........but not unfair IMHO. He is especially right about the value of the UKs (and I drive one of aledgedly the rarest......a UK TT 6spd in Storm Blue!). They are clearly also undervalued by the jap imports. But who cares? I have no intention of selling mine anyway.....and they are not the sort of car you buy as an investment. Also, I don't want to offend the J-spec owners on here....as I have seen a few of their cars and they are in fantastic condition......but I have seen quite a few J-specs that are total sheds, with badly fitting body kits and criminal paint. Not seen any 'sheddy' UKs though. Sorry, a bit off topic. Your UK spec is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. As for Toyota servicing..........you are right.....they are pretty good when they shag your car up - but they shouldn't do it in the first place. Anyway, I hope it all gets sorted OK soon. Jezza

Micahel, I've got a UK spec TT 6spd and had Leon's (JPS) hybrids fitted before Christmas. As far as I'm concerned, there is no noticable lag in no.1 turbo. Steve may be experiencing lag as he moved from ceramic to steel turbos - which any regular reader of this board knows are laggy by comparison (the main part of the j-spec vs UK 'debate'). At standard boost, the torque curve is still straight - so there is not a 'massive hit' from no.2. However, this changes as you up the boost. Usmann is right about getting thigs set up right - some sort of rolling road is good for checking your fueling at various boost levels. Here again, you have an advantage because you have a UK spec - you already have big injectors and a fuelling map to match. There should be no need for an SAFC or anything like that if all is well. You will need a decent boost controller (I recommend the Blitz SBC ID) to get to higher boost levels - and this is where getting your fuelling checked is critical. This will cost you 400-600 quid fully installed and set up with 1 hour of rolling road - I can personally recommend Thor for this. I can also highly recommend Leon and JPS for the hybrids and fitting - they are excellent IMHO. Leon is a top bloke, and he and all of the staff there seem to know there stuff - and they specialise in the Supe. Also, he is not as expensive as you might think - I suggest you call him to discuss! Anyway, I hope this was of use. On a final note, someone on this board has described UKs on hybrids as 'horrid'. This worried me about getting mine done - but turned out in my experience to be nonsense. All, obviously my humble opinion Jezza:innocent:

I'm no great techie mate - but it sounds like your turbos may be running in 'true twin' mode. A similar thing happened to me and it was down to a failed VSV (the one at the top/back). Check your hoses and VSVs. If its not this......I've got no idea! I'm sure someone more technical will be along to help soon! Good luck, Jezza

All concerned have my deepest symparthy:p

Traction is still not too bad - never had any problems with the stock turbos, but do have a bit of a traction issue sometimes now. Tyres are SO3s - which are excellent, and the car is a manual, so I have really good control over the power using the clutch. I still don't see the need for RLTC - perhaps I drive like a pussy? I recon the extra power will not cause traction problems when the roads are not covered with salt and other crap - we'll see! As a matter of interest, the tyres I use in the summer are 275s, and the extra little bit of width makes a massive difference to grip IMHO. You having traction problems Monkeymark? Jezza

Finally got the car all sorted out and running properly again. Leon and the guys at JPS replaced the turbos with their stage 3 hybrids, and after running in and all that - I must say I am really pleased. The car is noticably more powerful at stock boost levels - with no extra lag! And when the boost is turned up, the kick from the second turbo is excellent. I had heard some people say that UKs on hybrids could be nasty - well, in my experience, they are excellent! Anyway, a big thanks to Leon and the guys. It was a real pleasure dealing with them. I can strongly recommend JPS to anyone who hasn't already tried them, and must say that Leon is a top bloke. Jeremy

Thanks for the reply Michael. Very informative stuff. I'll try and look into what is happening with the fueling ASAP. That having been said, I havn't actually noticed any detonation to date. Anyway, will get it checked out. I like the BOV - but it may have to go! The car is a manual not an auto by the way Peter. Jezza

Er......This is a new one on me - as far as I'm concerned (through reading several threads on here) there were no real negative effects of this - other than the occasional stall? Is detonation a problem at idle? Any ideas why some UK cars are affected and some not? Anyway, TBH at the moment the car is p**sing me off alot - beginning to think that turbos are not really the best way to go and a nice N/A 4.8 litre V8 as in the new JGTC cars is the way to go! Anyone feel like doing a conversion?!? Alternatively, as the car is already at Leons - I could just ask if he can take a look at it:conf: I've got to be honest - the BOV sounds fantastic, and adds alot to the driving experience. Jezza

What mods have you got and is it UK of J-spec. I have a similar problem on my UK spec and it is due to the aftermarket BOV (HKS SSQV) confusing the two air metering devices. Doesn't really bother me that much - not worth changing back to standard anyway! My car also idles very low, which makes things a bit worse. Hope this helps, Jezza

Yep - it may get closer to a 'UK fatty' - but think of the improvement in QUALITY! Ducks for cover:D Jezza

Michael, Yes - this is a J-spec thing. The UKs have a different system, which hooks into the ABS aswell. We don't have a green light- just an orange one when the trac kicks in. The (lardy - apparently!) UK trac control is much better than the J-spec - it only cuts power when the wheels are spinning (via the ABS sensor I think) and is generally pretty good IMHO. I've never had any problems with the UK traction control......but then it appears that my 2nd turbo has been shagged for a while. Maybe my opinion will change when I get it fixed! For what it is worth - I'm not a big fan of traction control anyway - very useful in bad conditions, but otherwise I think it is better to know the limits of the car and use your right foot accordingly! Jezza UK TT 6spd

I spoke to Pete on Sunday - he was looking at setting up on the prodrive site in Kennilworth (I think!). Apparently there is an old airfield there, so it would be a top site. I hope he gets sorted soon as he does a top job on the tuning side and clearly knows his stuff. Jezza

I recently had the front of the supra off to fit a new intercooler (CW). The whole active spoiler comes off in 1 unit by unbolting it from the main bodywork. It is held on by 5 or 6 big bolts, and inclides the motor mechanism and front under tray. I actually tried to take it all to bits to get the undertray off - and couldn't do it! There is not enough 'play' in the components to let you get the tray off in 1 piece as far as i'm concerned. Don't know about the ECU as I put mine all back together when finished! But, I agree with Supragals description - the front undertray is attached as part of the overall spoiler 'unit'. Hope this helps, Jezza

OK guys, A booking has been made. 20-25 people, 8:00PM, Monday 10th November at the Parkway in Guildford. Food will be the standard stuff off the menu etc. We have been given a function room. The only real issue is if numbers change much, they would appreciate knowing. I'm not 100% certain to be there myself - but hopefully I'll manage to make it and meet you lot. Jezza

HISUPE - She has no problem in principle with the meet - she will check the diary tomorrow though just to check there is not a problem taking a booking. If all people are eating/drinking - she has said we can have a function room if we want (means all food will turn up at same time!). However, she will need confirmation on numbers ASAP. I mentioned 20-25 people eating & drinking - she said no problem - just needs to check the diary before she can confirm a booking. Alternatively - we can just turn up and eat/drink as 'individuals'. No booking needed - no guarantee of getting served! So........If possible.........do you want me to make a booking for 25 people for 8:00 PM? I will confirm this tomorrow night if all say yes. Rosie - yep, it will be nice to see you again - should have had some work done on the car by then with any luck aswell - will be faster! Jezza

I think I might be able to make it - it would be good to meet a few people and see some nice Supras! The manageress of the Parkway is a good mate of mine (and a top laugh) - I can't see her having any problems with a meet there. Jezza

Looks good to me - I would probably have bought one if it was available as a product right now! Definately an 'upgrade' for the future though if you go ahead Pete. I might be wrong here (I'm not all that technical!) but it seems to me that upgradeability and fututre proofing are potential benefits of your system - you'd have to be an idiot not to want that! Jezza

Yep, It sounds like you have a 'dummy' UK light. Don't know why toyota did this - but they did! The ligh is a give away as it has no leds or wire comming from it. Even if you get a propper one, the plug is plugs into is not attached to the loom (why??????) and still needs to be hooked up somewhere (this is where I gave up - will try again next summer!). Let me know if you get this sorted as I'd love to know where the HL brake light hooks up top the rest of the loom. Pictures for 'idiots' appreciated! Good luck, Jeremy

I'm glad to hear that the F1s are loooking so good. Got to be honest though and say that is will take something really impressive to get me off the S03s. I read the odd comment about the supe being a handfull and traction catching people out etc........always maskes me wonder whether I am driving like a pussy or whether other people are on crap tires...........I don't drive like a pussy! When I got my supe (UK TT 6spd) it has crap tires and was scary - changing to the Bridgestones actually makes the car feel too safe and slow - I need loads more power now to feel even remotely challenged. That having been said - I respect the power in the wet and don't really push it. Do you guys thik this could be cos I've got a 'laggy' UK car? I recon this might make a difference? Jezza

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