dandan Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 Hi people, I've got a bit of news on the jap spec facelift i may be buying, which many of you gave me loads of advice on in the following threads http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9378 and http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9359 1) I found out today the turbo timer is still fitted and used, and the hks elec boost controller is there too but is disconnected. apparently the owner wasn't keen on the electronic aspect of the controller so he fitted 2!! bleed valves. 2) He's not sure if the cats are still on the car but it did pass the MOT today (i know this really means nothing), i'll have to check for the cats when i get there 3) New turbos!! oh dear you all say! Two new turbos were fitted one month ago after the existing ones were diagnosed as producing "the whine" These turbos are apparently brand new standard units from turbo technics which have a warranty and he has the receipt for. 4) He's not sure if there's a fuel cut fitted, i think my asking was the first time he's heard of such a thing. 5) There is a boost gauge fitted and also some sort of shift light which "runs from a small box near the turbo timer". He's had the car for nearly 3 years and assures me the condition and reliability will not dissapoint me. He seems to think it's close to 400bhp but it's never been on the rollers. I was thinking more like 360 ish?? What do you all think about the car now??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam W Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 See what the boost gauge says when on the road. If it's over 1 bar then he must have a fuel cut defender fitted, it it's over 1.3 bar look for a different car . . . The whole boost gauge/bleed valve thing is a bit confusing but as long as he hasn't been running silly boost you should be OK (no way of knowing if he just turned it down for your test drive though). Max boost should hit around 4000rpm upwards, in third or fourth, with the pedal to the metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted June 9, 2003 Author Share Posted June 9, 2003 thanks adam, when he first said about the turbos i thought...oh here we go! but i'll definately keep an eye on the boost gauge! thanks mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 If it passed a real MOT it must have one cat at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 Sounds to me like he's blown the original turbos , learnt his lesson and turned the boost down, and is now cutting his losses after paying out for a new set. On the bright side you have two new turbos, just not the knowledge that he has been running silly boost. I was trying to find a post yesterday on running high boost on stock turbos (steel UK/US jobbies) on the MKIV.com site, but couldn't find it. The short end of it was running around 1.0 bar should be ok on stock, or in short bursts a wee bit more. I run 1.0 bar to 1.1 bar and have been for over a year now with no problems, and have retained cat 1 as a restrictor. Others here run way above that in the 1.4 - 1.5 bar area with no problems, but we have also seen problems arise on stock turbos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted June 10, 2003 Author Share Posted June 10, 2003 thanks guys, i've got a feeling that a combination of high boost and also fitting a bleed valve on EACH turbo is what led to the failure. He'd have had no way of telling the boost characteristics of each turbo separately with only one boost gauge. One might have been making more boost than the other perhaps and just wrecked itself. what do you think ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 I've just gone over your previous posts Dan and as you say and others, the setup doesn't make sense. Again I think he's whipped out the boost controller and timer, then sold them on to make some cash. Bleeders seem a bit crude to me. Problem is it's not just turbos that go bang. Your obviously in two minds about the car and tbh 15k would get you a lot of J-spec Supra. How many have you looked at so far? Not helping much am I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted June 10, 2003 Author Share Posted June 10, 2003 the turbo timer and hks boost controller are still in the car but the boost controller is not connected. He uses the bleed valves instead. The turbo timer is still used and also he SAYS he has his aftermarker rev limiter and shiftlight set to 5000rpm. Looked at about 4-5now in varying states but this is by far the best except for the queries over turbos and boost etc. It has trd bonnet and wing, jap sideskirts and 18" wheels. Looks wise it is exactly what i'm after. Can someone tell me, should a 96 facelift car have a 3 or 4 spoke s.wheel. This one has 4 spokes, i thought the newer cars had 3 spokes?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 Originally posted by dandan fitting a bleed valve on EACH turbo is what led to the failure. Fitting a bleed valve to the rear turbo won't achieve anything other than confusing the sequential system... Nathan TDI PLC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 Ah misunderstood that sorry, that he might me flogging stuff the make up the cash. Well all in all sounds like a nice car. Did you find out if it has both cats in, one, or none? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 My facelift has a 4 spoke wheel, I think it might have been the VVTI's that had 3 spokes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted June 10, 2003 Author Share Posted June 10, 2003 thanks doug, i thought the s.wheel was another query! bit now i'm more happy. car is definately very good condition wise andrew so hopefully it'll prove to be a good choice. Cheers for that nathan about the bleed valve, i guessed it wouldn't be having the effect he thought it would, and you've confirmed it for me. Could two as opposed to one be causing any damage? he's not sure about the cats, i'll find out when i have a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 This is where fitting bleeders doesn't make sense, obviously you need to find out about the cats. Say he had a boost controller and full decat, blew up his turbos then took it to a turbo specialist (one you mention) and they suggested taking out the boost controller and fitting bleeders to lower the boost rather than fit restrictor rings to the exhaust to stop boost creep/over boost, does that make sense to anyone? I've only ever thought bleeders as raising the boost, like shimming the wastegate on a MKIII with washers If that is the case then it seems he's made some kind of effort to stop it happening again. And why he's got a redundant boost controller. I'd say buy the car and sell me the boost controller, I'd find a use for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted June 10, 2003 Author Share Posted June 10, 2003 the bleeders have been on there for ages before he blew the turbos.......not sure about this bloke! i think he puts all his faith in the garage and goes on whatever they say, maybe they couldn't sort out the electronics and suggested the bleed valves. Then, not knowing the workings of a Supra, they told him to fit 2, 1 to each turbo. i'm not sure whether seeing the cats in place is gonna be good or bad.. Cats in : better boost control, excessive heat at high boost Cats out: possible mega high boost, less heat and restriction in manifold IF i get the car i think the bleed valves will be chucked and the boost controller will be set up correctly in their place! cheers everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 I have the front cat inplace and run 1.0 bar - 1.1 bar , seems to be a good restrictor. Maybe he has one cat in too, and went for more boost via the controller bleeder route. Not for me on stock turbos I'm afaid Good luck with it Dan, you obviously know how to get it setup once you buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mos Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 As i said if he went on the rolling road advice then yes it is something i would expect them to advise him to go for bleeders, The rolling road seemed to be a blue oval place and old skool so if he has trusted them then i can understand why. Dan you have to be commended on your quest for knowledge before leaping in and buying the car. Many people i know would have given up at the first hurdle, hope everything turns out ok for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandan Posted June 10, 2003 Author Share Posted June 10, 2003 thanks mos for that mate, (translated...dan stop bugging us!!!). i just wanna get as many things cleared up as possible so i can nail him with a few key things and hopefully get the price down a bit too. thanks t everyone else too, i really really appreciate everyones help bit nervous about blowing 15k on a 7 year old car and having a major problem 6 months down the line !! should the cam belt have been changed even though mileage is 52,000, is it 6yrs, 60,000miles for change?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 On the service schedule it states 60,000 miles or 6 years then every 7,500 miles or 12 months. These are only inspections, so doesn't mean it's been replaced, only replaced if required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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