Andy Knotts' Blog - 1992 Supra Build

Lots of new parts

nospam@example.com (Andy Knotts) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:38:14 -0700

I've been collecting a lot of parts. I need to get busy installing them...though it's 12 degrees right now! I do hope to have it back on the road for the spring though.

Taylor battery box with 1-gauge welding cables:

McKinney Race Works oil catch can with 1/2" 90º fittings:

CX Racing (yes from eBay) 2.75" universal intercooler piping kit. I am VERY impressed with the quality of this kit being from eBay. I'll have more pictures of it unwrapped when I install it.

Raptor distribution block for the battery relocation. I'm thinking of ditching this for a [URL="http://www.stingerelectronics.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=571&CategoryID=13"]Stinger block[/URL] that also monitors voltage and amperage. The cover for this came damaged and the company isn't working with me to replace it. Luckily it was only $8.

My replacement fuel line and filter: (filter probably doesn't need changed, but while I have the tank dropped I might as well for $27)

Precision 600 hp intercooler. 31.5" L x 8" H x 3.5" D. I figure this will give me the most cooling capacity without cutting into the front bumper.

S-MAX vacuum distribution block:

Walbro 255lph fuel pump:

Innovate Motorsports XD-16 wideband (comes with LC-1 controller):

Test fit of the PWR Radiator

nospam@example.com (Andy Knotts) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:49:48 -0700

I bought a PWR radiator over the summer, but never got a chance to install it. I want to flush my cooling system before installing it to prevent any debris from getting into the radiator. For now though I'm just doing a test fit to see where I want to route my intercooler pipes.

Removed the intake manifold...ready for the FFIM!

nospam@example.com (Andy Knotts) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:18:43 -0700

The stock intake manifold is removed. Removing the EGR valve near the back of the block was a PAIN. Other than that everything was pretty easy and went smoothly. Results:

The stock plastic piece that surrounds the wiring harness here was pretty beat up. I'm going to wrap these in some fresh electrical tape:

Catching up from the summer

nospam@example.com (Andy Knotts) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:24:27 -0700

So I installed a shaftmasters 1-piece aluminum driveshaft and an autometer boost gauge over the summer but never added those here. This post is just to get caught up on everything.

I decided to use autometer gauges. These have a bad reputation online, but I think that's because of a few things:

On import forums, they don't have the JDM "appeal" that others do such as Defi.

Their friend "had one and it broke within a month". A lot of people buy the entry-level gauges which are very cheap and probably not built the best. Autometer also sells way more gauges than most other companies, so basic statistics says that there will be more instances of failure than other companies.

I decided a mechanical boost gauge is sufficient for my purposes. If I need to do any logging I will do it through the MAFT PRO anyway. I also ordered an A-pillar pod mount from Lotek. While its fitment and color match to the grey interior is not perfect, it's not bad and it's one of the only ones made for the MKIII Supra. Pictures of everything:

I routed the vacuum/boost host through the grommet in the engine bay by the clutch master cylinder, into the fender, and then into the cabin through the grommet behind the factory fuse box in the kick panel. Before:

Grommets I ran the hose through and installation (ignore the red power wire; that was originally for the backlight, but I decided to tap into the radio wiring harness instead):

The finished product (except I need a wideband O2 to go in the bottom pod):

I also installed a single-piece aluminum driveshaft from Shaftmasters. My stock driveshaft had a rusted yoke transmission input so it was leaking transmission fluid all over the underbody. (My car was converted from an auto to manual by the previous owner and the new driveshaft used must have been left in the elements for a while). The new vs. old:

The install:

And lastly I hope to modify this generic Summit driveshaft loop to fit in the stock location for the carrier bearing (always a good idea with a single piece, don't want a u-joint snapping at speed!):

Removing the fuel rail, bumper cover, and stock intercooler

nospam@example.com (Andy Knotts) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:02:37 -0700

I had to remove the fuel rail to remove the stock pressure regulator. I'll be waiting to install it once I get my new injectors. In the mean time it could use a good cleaning! (The culprit are the valve cover gaskets, which I hope to replace while I am in here).

I removed the bumper cover and the stock intercooler yesterday. Results:

This is how many bolts were holding the bumper and engine undercover on. No wonder they call MK3 supras tanks!

Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator Install

nospam@example.com (Andy Knotts) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:41:51 -0700

Over the weekend I started installing my Aeromotive adjustable fuel pressure regulator (AFPR). I opened the box, and realized this thing is a work of art! Most people buy the bracket that mounts it to the shock tower. I don't like this approach as it doesn't seem like a "clean" install. I opted to mount it on the firewall behind the intake manifold and next to the brake booster. This way the fuel lines are all along the fuel rail and the return from the AFPR goes straight down to the stock line back to the tank. I decided to piece my own kit together:

To mount it to the firewall I simply bent the bracket 90Â°, drilled two holes in the lip on the firewall and used two self-tapping screws to secure it:

I haven't ran the fuel lines yet, because I had to remove the fuel rail to the the stock regulator off. I will be ordering some 680cc injectors (overkill for now yes...but future-proofing for later. The MAFT PRO should be able to handle these OK with some fueling adjustments) and I am going to wait to reinstall when I get these.

The braided stainless hose and miscellaneous Earl's fittings (darn things are expensive!) to compliment the install:

Winter 2009-2010...the Start of my Build

nospam@example.com (Andy Knotts) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:35:00 -0700

If you haven't seen the main page on my Supra yet, please check it out. I have pictures of the first day, and a brief overview with a build plan detailed out. In this blog I will catalog my build with my comments and plenty of pictures throughout the process. Now that I am graduating from graduate school, I should have some more free time to work on my Supra. I have some new pieces and parts I have to get organized, but until then I hope that pictures of its current state will suffice:

Since it's garaged for the winter, I'm in the process of tearing down some things to install my Walbro 255LPH fuel pump and Aeromotive AFPR (adjustable fuel pressure regulator). Some other jobs I hope to get done during the winter include a battery relocation to the hatch, and a custom long runner FFIM (front-facing intake manifold) made by Seth on supramania.com.

So, until I can get all of these pictures organized on my computer, more updates will have to wait!