Glad he figured out that he ultimately did not want the Supra and is happier now but what happened and how he tried to deal with it suggests to me that he isnāt really all that used to working on cars. And with any car like this... you kind of have to be willing to (to an extent) in order to maintain and repair them affordably.
Agreed. And yes it does seem like he was constrained on space to do a lot of work on it himself. Whether or not he is comfortable doing the work himself is an unknown but with all of the online DIY documentation and available TSRM PDFs online and with the access to tools and parts between online OEM parts ordering, tons of specialty parts suppliers, the ability to order virtually any tool required and with forum classifieds and worldwide ebay listings for rare discontinued parts there is a wealth of resources available to any classic car owner today.That's what I got from his video too. It seems as though he left out a lot major details (aside from his story about the mechanic and spare engine ordeal) that lead up to him selling the car. Seeing that it was parked outside with a car cover in the middle of winter was a good indication that he didn't have the space to actually work on the car along with the capability to actually work on it himself.
There are countless DIY videos and forums on how to work on MKIV's so it's a shame that he tapped out so easily.
As petrol heads, we've all been there. I haven't gone extreme with my MKIV but I've done all of the wrenching myself as well as with my other cars and motorcycles. I have a buddy of mine who is in year 5 of his Supra build. He started off with a MKIV NA/W58 and is going GTE single turbo. I think he bit off more then he can chew and jumped the gun with the full swap and single turbo build at the same time. I would have done the swap, get the car fired up and then start the build.Agreed. And yes it does seem like he was constrained on space to do a lot of work on it himself. Whether or not he is comfortable doing the work himself is an unknown but with all of the online DIY documentation and available TSRM PDFs online and with the access to tools and parts between online OEM parts ordering, tons of specialty parts suppliers, the ability to order virtually any tool required and with forum classifieds and worldwide ebay listings for rare discontinued parts there is a wealth of resources available to any classic car owner today.
My SC300ās 2JZ-GE engine went out on me after 250k miles and without a garage (and intermittent rain) or prior experience doing so I still built most of an entire engine myself (I left the short block rotating assembly and cylinder head valve work to professionals) and installed it myself with some help from a family member while using the 2-ton crane.
And with the help of online resources and amazing fellow enthusiast owner friends online I did the work of rewiring the engine harness myself.
Was that a lot of work and did it take some time to complete? You bet it was and you bet it did. There were times when I wanted to throw an anvil at the car out of frustration and anger at the difficulty and any time I had to learn from a mistake.
But I was determined to fix my car with the engine I wanted installed and working reliably no matter what it took.
I fought for that goal tooth and nail and I got it. And I have for the most part had to do most of the work myself and what I did not know how to do... I learned how to do with as close to professional results as I could muster.
Is it better to buy an original or fully completed Supra Turbo to begin with? Sure. But that is not what everyone starts out with or gets into the door with when they get themselves an example of a car they love and want to have set up exactly how they want it to be set up. Clean MKIVās are becoming more scarce every year as are certain replacement parts.
I am not saying this guy made the wrong decision. I still say that it is the decision that truly makes him happy that is the right decision.
But if you start out with a non-turbo Supra (or non-turbo SC or Soarer) then extra work and dedication will be required to reach an end goal of having a turbo engine installed in a good and reliable way.
It is not a project for everyone to undertake given what is required and that is OK. Maybe he will find an MKIV TT that he really loves down the road And maybe he will find another vehicle that brings him real joy to own. That is still the main thing that matters for anyone. The rest is what it takes to find and achieve that for yourself.
I took almost six years to get my GTE swap installed and running, though the engine build phase only took a year and a half and Iād already upgraded the suspension, brakes and installed an R154 transmission by that time.As petrol heads, we've all been there. I haven't gone extreme with my MKIV but I've done all of the wrenching myself as well as with my other cars and motorcycles. I have a buddy of mine who is in year 5 of his Supra build. He started off with a MKIV NA/W58 and is going GTE single turbo. I think he bit off more then he can chew and jumped the gun with the full swap and single turbo build at the same time. I would have done the swap, get the car fired up and then start the build.
This guy gave up too soon and seems indecisive since he's already on the hunt for his next JDM car.
Agree!I took almost six years to get my GTE swap installed and running, though the engine build phase only took a year and a half and Iād already upgraded the suspension, brakes and installed an R154 transmission by that time.
It is certainly easier to do things in phases. I had to plan my vehicleās downtime in advance since I daily it.
DesmoSD you know firsthand how it goes. Itās difficult to own one of these cars without working on it yourself to an extent.
Your friend may have the right idea doing it all at once if itās not his daily car and if he knows exactly what specs he wants from the start.
I do think this guy in the video gave up too easily but again, it is the right decision if he comes out happier in the end.
Like you I just question if he knows what he ultimately wants if his dream car discouraged him that easily. Maybe a factory twin turbo will be in his future or maybe it will be something else.
I just wonder how long he would have kept an MKIV that is a factory TT or pre-built NA-T.
Some people keep the cars they seek out for a long time and some want to experience a great number of cars in a shorter period of time.
Years ago I was in a tough situation and had to sell the classic 60ās Mustang that I absolutely loved, flaws and all. I didnāt have the money to restomod and restore it at the time and I was not in possession of the mechanic skills and confidence that I have today. I just had to sell it back then. It was just a normal model but it was my dream car and to be honest I am still sad about having to let it go. I almost bought another one years later but it needed a ton of work. Itās still on my mind to get one again someday.
Iām not sure how he feels about owning the right MKIV but thatās how I would feel in that position.