If you aim to build on a budget, you need to be open to unlikely candidates. The 1998 Toyota Supra isn’t at the top of many most-wanted lists. It left the factory carrying a few too many pounds, lacking horsepower, and bereft of the handling prowess that inspires enthusiast interest. On the other hand, it has what modders deem most desirable: wicked potential, plenty of rolling stock, and an affordable acquisition price.
The Supra enjoyed a lengthy production run over four generations, with the first two generations based on the Celica platform. When the Celica switched to front-wheel-drive, the Supra became a standalone platform. While fourth-gen Supras are the most developed and desired, they’re the priciest of the lot, which places them out of range for builders on a tight budget.
The imported JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) inline six-cylinder 1JZ-GTE engine in Freddy’s Supra sports a big single turbo in lieu of the stock twin turbos.
Rescued From a Goat Farm
Mike Frederick (a.k.a. Freddy), the founder of PoorManMods, discovered his third-gen 1988 Supra project car collecting dust at a goat farm, where it had been put out to pasture and forgotten for a dozen years. “I chose this specific car because so many people hate them, and think they are ugly,” Freddy explained. “I wanted to be different. I like being different.”
Freddy hauled the Supra home and ditched the stock engine for a JDM 1JZGTE. He swapped out the 1JZGTE’s tiny OEM twin-turbos, in favor of a much larger single turbo, slipped in Stage 2 BC cams, hooked up a Greddy Emanage Ultimate to handling tuning chores, and added wideband and boost gauges.
The original intention was to build a track car, although the lack of a local track (and a trailer) delayed that dream. The interior is almost entirely gutted, with a four-point roll bar, driver side racing seat and harness, and hydraulic handbrake.
PoorManMods motto: “Build Your Car, Don’t Buy It.” Caliper paint and drilled rotors fit nearly every budget.
The suspension’s been altered with lowering springs, stiffer shocks, and modified steering knuckles for extra steering angle. There are Motegi wheels at all four corners, currently wrapped with BF Goodrich G Force all season tires. “I tend to frequently change tires,” said Freddy with a grin. “I have a polyurethane bushing kit for the car but I keep procrastinating on installing it because it ‘s a lot of work.” Methanol injection and dual rear brake calipers are next on the to-do list.
As you can see from the photo at the top of this post, the lower grille was removed and the front bumper support was notched to provide more airflow for the radiator and intercooler. Spacers were added to the hood hinge to allow more cooling as well.
Hard Knocks and Busted Knuckles
PoorManMods’ awesome YouTube channel is all about DIY on a tight budget. “A lot of the parts I buy used off eBay, Facebook or on forum classifieds,” shared Freddy. “That’s how I managed to keep my budget so low with this car. Only a few of the parts I put on it were brand new.” With roughly 500 hours into the car, it’s all about the elbow grease.
There were plenty of challenges along the way. “Wiring up the engine and body harness after the engine swap was very challenging. I was not good at wiring when I first took on the task, but I am much better now after spending days on the wire harness,” said Freddy. “Upgrading the fuel pump was difficult too, because everything is so old and rusty it either broke or wanted to break.”
The school of hard knocks and busted knuckles issues a diploma covered with rust and grease.
Freddy’s suggestion for folks eager to tackle a Supra build? “If someone was thinking about getting this same car I would suggest that you get good at wiring and prepare for a lot of things to break from corrosion,” he said. “Also if you plan to stick with the 7MGTE, expect to change the head gasket more than once. That’s why I switched to the 1JZGTE.”
See Xenon Light Bulbs for 1988 Toyota Supra for sale on eBay.
