Supra2JZ Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Hello everyone! I am about to buy my first Toyota Supra MKIV. It is heavily modified and therefore i want to make sure eveything is alright with the car. I had the idea that i wanted to tear the engine apart and "examine" everything, just to make sure that there isnt any cracks or anything similar. Here is my question, if i do a compression test and a leak down test, and everything seems fine, would i need to tear the engine apart to make sure that everything is as it should be? Or would a leak down test and compression test be enough to make sure everything is good inside the engine? As i said, i want to make sure everything is good before i drive it too much, it is making +1000hp and i'm afraid that it has been abused just abit by the previous owner. Here's a bit of what has been done to the engine: (About 2 years old since rebuild) CP Pistons, Eagle Rods, GCS S1 cams, ARP 625+ bolts. Thank you for taking your time and reading this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Style Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 I wouldn't think a compression test ensures everything is good inside the engine. You could run a perfect compression test today and spin a bearing tomorrow. But I guess there's a fine line between worrying too much and not worrying enough about your car. If the compression test comes back all good, I'd say go out and enjoy the car! Things can snowball and before you know it, you've got the gearbox in bits to double check it's all good as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Find out who built it, ask them what they recommend the recommended life is. Personally, if its running fine with no issues, change the fluids and go for it. With that much power a good map is probably more relevant than anything else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 1000bhp and surely it's going to be almost impossible to check it out 100% even if you strip it? It just seems like far too much work unless you diy and know exactly what to look for and how to rebuild with all the correct tolerances. You can't check if a rod has a fatigue crack starting internally (one that would never be an issue regular power/forces). It would be interesting to know the average life of this type of engine and the failure modes. I mean I suspect some of these cars are driven a fair bit but I wonder how long they are in the +600bhp it must be reasonably little (thinking how reasonably little I'm in the +4000rpm range in my bpu car). Some would regard this setup as a bit of a hand grenade ie the engine/transmission/prop could go as you are nearing their limits. I think re plugs and fueling etc you could make sure these are all working spot on/are new, everything must be highly stressed/heated if you sustain the 1000bhp for a noticeable time (I'd imagine you can't as you run out of gears!?). I would also argue that you say you think it may have been abused, well it's certainly going to have been used, tuning to 1000bhp kind of indicates someone wanted to repeatedly experience that rush, I think almost standard use of a 1000bhp Supra is de facto abusing all the drivetrain parts!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra2JZ Posted October 24, 2019 Author Share Posted October 24, 2019 Thank you so much for your time guys! I appreciate your answers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 First post and first Supra and 1000bhp. That's Faster than Furious? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra2JZ Posted October 24, 2019 Author Share Posted October 24, 2019 Haha i know, i'm not planning on keeping it +1000hp though. Around 600 should be more than enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Ven Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Hey mate, welcome to the forum and supra ownership. As far as tearing the engine down. I would advise against it. Only because everything has settled down into its current place (rings, bearings etc). If you split it apart you would replace bearings, head gasket etc as a matter of course. Leak down test, compression test and also oil pressure are all great tests to give you some indication of where your engine is at without majorly stripping it. By the sounds of it, its been built to a good standard. The cp pistons and 625 bolts (im guessing on the rods). The rods to me are a concern for running at 1000hp if it has been abused. What turbo and is it 1000whp? Do you have a full build spec on the engine? These are all helpful when trying to understand what power the engine has been built for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 A borescope would allow you to look inside the engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra2JZ Posted October 25, 2019 Author Share Posted October 25, 2019 Thank you so much! The engine is making ~1100hp, i dont know how much that is whp-wise? The turbo is a presicion 6870. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra2JZ Posted October 25, 2019 Author Share Posted October 25, 2019 Thank you so much! The engine is making ~1100hp, i dont know how much that is whp-wise? The turbo is a presicion 6870. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneW Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 The mechanical side is one thing, I mean if it hold up to now, it should be ok… ? But what about the software side ? Has money also been invested in a proper ECU ? I suppose if 10xxhp range... Who mapped it ? Who built the engine ? I just finished my build, kept a stock engine though but full refreshed, I made a lot of pics, do the owner also have pics of the work done ? Do you have pics of the car ? Such a built car must also be in a great body condition, if it's not the case it generally give me bad thoughts about the preciseness of the work done on the car, you see… Did you drive it ? How does it feel ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 You could send a sample of the oil to a lab who can check for whats in the oil, can save an engine if high levels of shell bearing material are found, i know this has saved several V8 M3 engines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneW Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 You could send a sample of the oil to a lab who can check for whats in the oil, can save an engine if high levels of shell bearing material are found, i know this has saved several V8 M3 engines That's a good point but… oïl has to be "used" to have proper results... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 (edited) That's a good point but… oïl has to be "used" to have proper results... Hasn't it been run by previous owner ? and yes unless its done a few miles on the oil that's in it it's a worthless test Edited October 25, 2019 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 If it's really making that much then without proper mapping it could easily have self destructed on the dyno. I'd imagine all very high power cars like this are built up gradually/carefully as no one either owner of tuner wants a blown up car before it's even been handed to them! If you do the checks above and then use a lower boost/power setting and can be shown afr's and any fail safes/limp mode type settings it has then that should build confidence in it. Always a semi leap of faith in buying a highly tuned car I think but the above advice at least means you've done what you can? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra2JZ Posted October 25, 2019 Author Share Posted October 25, 2019 Thank you so much for your answers guys! The car looks really nice and i have pictures from the build, seems like they did a very good job and they knew what they were doing. I'm probably thinking too much. I cant miss this opportunity, so i'll go for it. It's been a dream to own a Supra and now is my chance. Once again, thanks for giving me some confidence! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneW Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 Give us some pics mate haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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