Modifications
Since I bought my Supra in 1998, I have had the chance to modify it for increased performance.
Horsepower Torque
Stock: 232hp@5600rpms 254lbs/ft@4000rpms
Current (est.): 280hp@5500rpms 285lbs/ft@4100rpms
Stage 1: Intake
I first added a high performance intake for increased airflow to the engine. It is similar to the K&N FIPK unit, because I added an adapter which replaced the factory intake filter with a complete high flow unit. I didn't notice much of a performance increase from this mod, but it makes a really neat sound during acceleration. The increased air flow probably helps significantly now because I have modded the car further, but I didn't notice much gain in performance with just the new intake.
Stage 2: Exhaust, Downpipe and Turbo Elbow
My second modification was to make the exhaust more free flowing by getting rid of excess back pressure to allow for a faster turbo spool time. To accomplish this I added an HKS 75mm Sport exhaust system, and had a custom 75mm downpipe made which is also on the car. These mods gave amazing results. The turbo spools up much quicker now allowing the cars power to kick in at much lower RPM's. Just recently I added on the SupraSport high flow turbo elbow which replaces the stock turbo elbow with a ported unit that offers a significant reduction in exhaust back pressure. After doing this I saw an even greater increase in turbo spool up.
Ignition
Getting more air and fuel into the engine is useless if you can't ignite the mixture inside the cylinders. That is why it is important that your ignition system be in proper working order. I replaced my ignition equipment with NGK spark plug wires and a full set of NGK iridium tipped spark plugs. After this I noticed that the car makes a little better low end power and gets slightly better gas mileage. The difference hasn't been that important, but it was very cheap and the engine needed new plugs and wires anyway.
AMS Intercooler Hard Pipe kit
During the summer of 2000 I had a wonderful opportunity given to me by Chuck at Alamo Motorsports (AMS). Recently AMS has come out with an intercooler hard pipe kit for the MK3 Supra. This kit replaces all of the stock rubber intercooler hoses with larger diameter solid metal powdercoated pipes. Chuck need two MK3's to be used as test cars so that the hard pipe kit could be designed and fitted. My Supra got to be one of those cars. So now I am a proud owner of one of the first AMS hard pipe kits ever made. The difference that the pipes made in my performance is noticeable. The turbo spools up about 200 RPM's faster than it did before the new pipes. The kit also enhances the cool noise made by the turbo and the aftermarket intake. It has also been a big eye catcher. I have shown my car in several shows since the summer and the shiny new pipes always gets people's attention. Hopefully a new intercooler will follow sometime soon.
Cold Air Induction
My custom cold air induction mod consists of a heat shield surrounding the aftermarket intake, and a passageway for cool outside air to reach the filter.
The first thing I did was to design and build the heat shield. It is simply a piece of metal that I cut and bent to fit around my air filter. It bolts right into the brackets that were for the stock intake. Its purpose is to keep the warm air from the engine compartment out of the induction system, and to only allow cooler outside air in. I also removed the small passenger side gravel shield to allow outside air to be swept up from underneath the car and fed to the intake.
The second step of my cold air induction was to run a piece of vinyl accordian style hose from the cars front grill through the inside of the car and directed at the intake.
The car performs better now on cold days than it did before on cold days, but I don't notice much of a difference on hot days.
For more information on how I made this check out these pages:
http://www.supras.com/sogi/techtips/cool_air.html
http://www.env-cai.csupomona.edu/students/vds/mjwister/supra/coldair.html
Home
