Today is the first day of my sleeper 7M-GTE Supra project. About 2 weeks ago I was cruising Craigslist on my phone and found a 7MGTE block for.. get this.. free. Everything is there. The pistons, rods, rod bearings, main bearings, crank, etc. The crank is scarred on #6 when the same rod bearing was spun, but otherwise it's in good shape.

Rod bearings can be found here http://www.jscspeed.com/mk3/engine/clevite.htm for only $5 a pop.

I talked to the guy for 30-45 minutes, and got as much info as I could. Apparently his Supra was sponsored in the TX2K6 magazine, and is currently pushing 500whp. Time was more of a factor than money, so he bought a rebuilt block. His car can be found on many of the Supra forums, under the name "Luigi".

Anyway, he also threw in a stock clutch and flywheel in good shape. Here's some pictures;

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3688/pic0016gf5.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4751/pic0017os4.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3158/pic0018qk1.jpg

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/8646/pic0019xl7.jpg

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/4232/pic0020xf3.jpg

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/826/pic0026nf8.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/20/pic0024jp1.jpg



Plans are to take the block to a shop that specializes in 7M's, have the block checked and polished, replace the bearing myself, upgrade to forged rods and pistons, and fix the oil problem.

I'll keep ya'll updated.

nice find. Do you have an pic's of your supra?

I drive a Z28. Im gonna pick up the Supra when the engine is a little further along.

If you have troubles finding a car, you can always store it in mine for the interim.

Hell, i'll sell you mine if you're after an authentic RHD jap import. ;)

I was wondering when you would step in.

Haha I would but it would be out of my price range. I'm looking to bullet proof it but on a budget. I'm picking two, cheap and reliable. lol

nice find congrats
looking forward for detailed posts.

Wow. Well good luck with your project.

Be careful with the engine building. ;)

Awesome man. Definately keep this updated.

I know you picked cheap and reliable, but are you going to try for any fast? Do you have a projected power output when the motor finally drops into a Supra?

This may sound like a ridiculous question, but I'm totally out of the loop when it comes to jap cars, but is this the twin turbo motor or just N/A? And which Supra were these found in?

Inline 6's are beautiful.

Day Two - I delivered the block to my friend's parents Wheel/Tire and more shop. They have a bunch of tools, car guys, and space to work. Any of you Texas guys heard of it? Don Rucker Wheel & Tire?

So, Day Three should consist of me tearing down the bottom end, removing the rod bearings, and then taking the crank to Dennis, a 7MGTE specialist.

VR6 - Yes, I will also be going for fast. The whole point of this project is to go fast. Although that sounds odd, I've made sacrifices to reliable on both the Honda and the Chevy, so I want to make it a priority on the Supra. Cheap has always been an issue. lol

Projected power output would be 450-500whp, which sounds like a lot, but with a bigger turbo and better fuel system it would withstand 800. That's where I would really like to be, but I'll be more than satisfied with 500.

Don't worry, I had the same questions. This is coming from the Mark III Supra (86.5 - 92). In Japan, there was the 1JZGTE twin turbo 280hp motor, and in the US there was the 7MGTE 230hp turbo motor, with the single CT26 turbo. This is slightly larger than the turbo found in the MR2. But, none of that really matters since I have no head and my turbo options are virtually limitless. I haven't decided whether I want a T60, or one of those Honeywell Diesel turbos the Honda guys are going nuts over.

I have considered the idea of dropping it into a car other than a MKIII, but the main reason why I went with the 7M is to stay true to the car. I can't really explain why I like them so much, I just do.

Neat project!

A cheaper alternative to a MKIII might be a BMW E30. They are dead cheap, built for a straight six, RWD, a 9'' fits back there, and a total sleeper. Plus I think they look real classy.

Day Two - I delivered the block to my friend's parents Wheel/Tire and more shop. They have a bunch of tools, car guys, and space to work. Any of you Texas guys heard of it? Don Rucker Wheel & Tire?

So, Day Three should consist of me tearing down the bottom end, removing the rod bearings, and then taking the crank to Dennis, a 7MGTE specialist.

VR6 - Yes, I will also be going for fast. The whole point of this project is to go fast. Although that sounds odd, I've made sacrifices to reliable on both the Honda and the Chevy, so I want to make it a priority on the Supra. Cheap has always been an issue. lol

Projected power output would be 450-500whp, which sounds like a lot, but with a bigger turbo and better fuel system it would withstand 800. That's where I would really like to be, but I'll be more than satisfied with 500.

Don't worry, I had the same questions. This is coming from the Mark III Supra (86.5 - 92). In Japan, there was the 1JZGTE twin turbo 280hp motor, and in the US there was the 7MGTE 230hp turbo motor, with the single CT26 turbo. This is slightly larger than the turbo found in the MR2. But, none of that really matters since I have no head and my turbo options are virtually limitless. I haven't decided whether I want a T60, or one of those Honeywell Diesel turbos the Honda guys are going nuts over.

I have considered the idea of dropping it into a car other than a MKIII, but the main reason why I went with the 7M is to stay true to the car. I can't really explain why I like them so much, I just do.

Awesome, thanks for all the info. 500hp is a nice goal, and once you get there, I'd say shoot for 800. Either way, very awesome.

Ok, so I've been in Jamaica with my gf for the past 5 days but before I left I ordered an impact wrench which should be here shortly. That will allow me to remove the crank and have it inspected.

Don't worry, I had the same questions. This is coming from the Mark III Supra (86.5 - 92). In Japan, there was the 1JZGTE twin turbo 280hp motor, and in the US there was the 7MGTE 230hp turbo motor, with the single CT26 turbo. This is slightly larger than the turbo found in the MR2. But, none of that really matters since I have no head at and my turbo options are virtually limitless. I haven't decided whether I want a T60, or one of those Honeywell Diesel turbos the Honda guys are going nuts over.

I have considered the idea of dropping it into a car other than a autopartswarehouse (http://autopartswarehouse.multiply.com) MKIII, but the main reason why I went with the 7M is to stay true to the car. I can't really explain why I like them so much, I just do.

My car is a great car, but there were things that I do to make it better. Got certain modifications already, either the minor stuff or the big thing. By now, I got plans on putting a cargo net in the trunk and an anti-theft wheel lugs.

sounds like a fun project


but it looks so small...

http://images.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/engine/129_0711_11_z+1987_2006_jeep_40l_inline_ six+test_cylinder_walls.jpg

ahh, thats more like it

Yeah it was on my phone but damn that thing is heavy. Bulletproof, but effin heavy.

I STILL don't have my impact wrench.. 2 weeks later.. bastards.

what do you expect? it's cast iron isn't?

im still trying to find an aluminum block for my jeep. that'd be SOOOO awesome. jeep runs a low compression ratio, so the strength of cat iron isn't necessary and the weight reduction would be SO worth it.

plus i'm dieing for an excuse to rebuild a jeep 4.0 motor, stroke it and tune it, and build it from the bottom up for a belt drive charger and put it into a datsun 280z. imagine a 285 cbi blown straight six with ITB'S and an aluminum block in such a small light weight car?

thats my dream build right now. no ones done it before, it's possible, and not HORRIBLY costly.

While that would be cool, it might be a little too torquey. It'd be like having a diesel motor. We have the 4.0 in our Wrangler and it's great down low but once you get up in the 4,000 range it fades out.

What you might consider if this project doesn't pan out (I'm not saying don't try it by any means.. new projects are always good) an L28 turbo Z might be a fun project. It seems like there's always a decent 240/260/280 Z in decent shape at an affordable price, just check for rust.

I know jeep lack in the rpm range, and power range, thats due in part to a MASSIVE rotating assembly. crankshaft, rods and pistons all in total weigh about 70 pounds.

I intend to be getting MUCH lighter and stronger rods, and pistons, and I'm putting in a stroker crankshaft, which is a tad bit lighter, if I can find anyone that can lighten it up further or build one lighter, and the moneys there, hands down I'll do it.

with the rotating assembly lighter it'll accelerate faster and be less stressing on the block at WOT.

the new larger capacity heads going on will be retrofitted with lighter valves, and lighter roller rockers. this should help prevent high rpms issues of floating valves and what not, extending the red line just that little bit more.

with the extra 40 cubic inchs I'll be getting (mostly in stroke, a little in the form of bore) it'll be a torque monster. which is exactly what I want for that little datsun. the datsun will of course not be in stock shape. hopefully I'll have built it to be able to withstand the extra torque. the hard part for me will be strengthening the frame. the drivetrain wont be an issue, I'll be putting tried and true transmission, axle, and suspension equipment on it.

I'm thinking a roll cage and some cross braces, but Ive never been under a 280 before, so I'll find out when I get there, maybe sometime next year or so

The 4.0 in a jeep would not do well with ITBs. How high does that thing redline, five thousand? It's not going to hit screaming RPMs, nor does it make very much power up high. ITBs would hurt the power and especially the torque, you need to get an intake designed for where that engine makes power and not ITBs which are best for high revving, small stroke engines that make power up high.

Edit: Wait what?

imagine a 285 cbi blown straight six with ITB'S and an aluminum block in such a small light weight car?

Forced induction with ITBs? And a long stroke engine?

http://www.secure-power.com/images/confused.jpg

haha, my bad, I meant to post that as an alternative. If I keep it NA ITB's, if I go forced, then supercharged.

as for the itb's not being good for the application, one of the most common mods to a jeep is a larger TB. I figured, why not go to the next level with it? they obviously wouldnt be MASSIVE or anything retarded, and they should increase power. more air is more air, one way or another.

jeeps do typically redline at 5-5.3k depending on model year, but I intended to increase the red line significantly as for the stroke, I'll be nearly leveling out the stroke to the bore, making it a nearly square engine.