The goal of these modifications was to provide some added functionality, improve handling and sometimes add some power. Remember, if you choose to do any of these to your car, you're entirely doing so at your, and your car's, own risk. Some modifications may be illegal where you are, so check the local regulations. I'm not responsible for the outcome of trying any of these. If your gene pool needs a lifeguard, or Darwin comes knocking, you're on your own! So without more crap to slow you down, here is the list...

One little item: Many people ask from day to day it seems on Supraforums and on the SOGI list about what wheel sizes fit the MK III. I'm going to put a little spreadsheet together here (sooner or later) that will help people determine those wheels that should fit, and those that are confirmed to. All sizes of wheels that fit that I discover will be listed, along with the tire sizes. This way, hopefully we can all finally put to bed the speculations over the maximum size.

Modifications to Date (those I took notes on anyhow...more are coming):

Remember to check back, as this list will grow. I want to do a write-up shortly on the cold air box I put together, and the Tein Type FLEX coil over install is the next major undertaking, and while I think I'll let the shop put them on, I will be there to photograph the festivities (of cursing and swearing, whichever comes first!).

Required Reading:

I put this little section here in the hope of enlightening some of you. I take performance modification fairly seriously, as doing it right the first time not only saves time, but money and disappointment. One way that you can help yourself is to get knowledgeable about what you are doing from professionals in their field. I don't read much out of the magazines as they tend to gloss over very complex topics, often giving readers only enough knowledge to be dangerous to their investments, and lets face it, much of the information comes from product placement rather than a journalistic desire to find the truth. You won't find much here outside of what I'm interested in doing, and so this list will only grow when I begin to focus on upgrading an area of the car. Check Indigo (Canada), or Amazon.com for these titles.

Don Alexander, High Performance Handling Handbook. St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing, 2002.

A great introduction into understanding vehicle handling and suspension systems. This book will not teach you how to build a car's suspension system from the ground up, and hence glosses over the geometry and deep rooted design physics, but gives the reader all of the information they need to understand why it all works, and how to apply that knowledge to their own production cars. Alexander focuses on how to get the most out of your car, for your desires, and provides several examples of how to do it on common street cars, using off the shelf parts, along with a small amount of math to help in selecting things such as the spring rate. While there is a lot of product placement from suspension and tire companies, Alexander is honest and quick to state that just because a brand had no mention, it is not necessarily a bad make. He goes on to point out that there are many good products and makers that he simply has not been able to try out, and would not name or endorse that which he has no experience with. I still consider this a must read for anyone looking to upgrade the suspension of their car. Only downside (bias coming...) is that many of the parts Alexander reviews are not available for the Supra anymore (or just plain never were). Bushings, sway bar options, and adjustable sway bar end links just to name a few. This should however not put a Supra owner off, as it still covers how it all works, and how to select what we do have choices over. This book also extensively looks at alignment and tuning a suspension system for maximum performance.

Corky Bell, Maximum Boost 

I'm almost ashamed to say that I have not read this yet. However, after seeing it and flipping through, this is the turbo charging manual to end all manuals. Thorough, complete discussions of almost everything you could want to know about. Have to get a copy, and memorize it sometime soon.

Hugh MacInnes, Turbochargers. New York, NY: Berkley Publishing Group, 1984

A great introduction to the world of turbochargers, MacInnes has put together a great resource for those just trying to learn a little more about what they are and what they do, but not wanting all of the detail that Corky Bell delivers. Topics covered include turbocharger map reading, selecting a turbo compressor for an engine, as well as exhaust system design, exhaust flow control systems, carburetion and fuel injection systems and unique applications. It leaves a lot to be desired in discussions of turbo selection, especially where acceleration curve development is concerned, and is quite dated now, leaving out much detail on engine management, fuel injection and boost control methods common today, but a rarity in the mid 1980's. If you need fairly comprehensive data, or details on modern control systems, Bell's book will take you where you want to go. If you want a short read to cover the basics of turbo charging and understanding them (as the basic physics don't change), then this is your book.

Ben Watson, How to Build & Modify Intake and Exhaust Systems, St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing, 1994.

Well, here it is, the definitive book on exactly what the title says, or not. This book is a great introduction to the parts that make up common, and sometimes not so common intake and exhaust systems. The book covers the basics well, but anyone who has been around cars a few years probably has seen most of the topics here before. Great for the beginner, or for those trying to determine what a change will make, very little on how to make it (I was looking for dual exhaust information, and found one tidbit beyond what I already knew). This book will not help you build that MK IV style intake, but will tell you what to expect, so in that regard, it has value, if a little rudimentary.

More books to follow...as each project comes up! (Perhaps have to read Bell's book sometime to get this up to date).

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