Tech Support

Here's where we act like we know something technical about cars. Feel free to ask us about your technical troubles. Write us at tech@superstreetonline.com or Super Street c/o Tech Support, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. Feel free to include a picture of your project or tech problem.

Grab Our Firm A
Question Of The Month
QHey guys. I have a couple questions that all revolve around the same subject, and I have not been able to get help with this. So I figured I'd ask the professionals at Super Street. I recently bought an '87 Toyota Supra with the 7M-GTE. The motor was junk and I wanted to do the 1JZ swap. I know this swap is pretty common amongst MK3 owners but here's my question. First, rear sump and front sump oil pans. What is the difference? Which would I need for my '87 Supra? Second, do I need to buy a mount kit for it or can I use the stock mounts and just relocate them? Third and last, will the 7M transmission mount up to the 1JZ block? Thanks for reading my question, and I hope you guys can help me out.
David Nisperos
Via the Internet

A The '86-'88 A70 MK3 Supra has a rear sump, and you will have to use a rear sump JZ setup. A rear sump engine, has the oil pan and oil pickup to the rear of the crossmember. If by chance, you don't find a rear sump JZ for your swap, you will have to find a rear sump pan and pickup, they are interchangeable. To get a 1JZ or 2JZ swap in the a '86-'88 Supra, you will need a '89-'92 crossmember and 1JZ engine brackets from a JDM JZA70, or you can use your factory '86-'88 crossmember along with a set of aftermarket engine brackets like ones from BIC Performance. In addition, you'll need a set of '89-'98 Supra engine mounts. The mounts are the insulated pieces that go on top of the brackets. They are two different pieces. Since your Supra is a turbo, your car came with a R154 transmission opposed to the weaker W58 transmission. Either transmission will bolt to a JZ series block, but you will need a bellhousing from a JDM JZA70. Do the swap, you'll make Charles drool!

Q I have a '92 DA Integra with a JDM B16A with a Skunk2 ECU. The problem is, when I try to start my car the check engine light pops on, and if the light shuts off it will start. If not, the engine won't send spark to the plugs. I took a shot in the pride and took it to three different shops and no one could give me a straight answer on what is plaguing my baby. A hommie said check the fuel or main relays but the fuel pump engages, I've checked numerous Honda and Acura forums and once again no straight answers. Any help you guys can give me would be great. And keep up the f-ing kick-ass mag.
Jon Erickson
Boise, ID

A More than likely, it is the main relay. After a long time, the soldered contacts inside breakdown. And so on hot days, the main relay will not turn on the fuel pump. And just the opposite, when it's cool out, it will turn on the fuel pump. So testing it, wouldn't really work. Sixty bucks will get you a new main relay at the dealer. If you don't need it yet, you soon will. This is a extremely common problem among aging Hondas. The ghetto-fix, would be taking apart your main relay and re-soldering any of the contacts that are dried and cracked.