How modded is this supra?

Is there a way to tell how heavily modified an mvIV supra tt is just by looking at it from the outside or looking at the interior (boost guages, etc)??? I am looking to buy one but the owner insists he didn't do any serious mods to it, but I just want to make sure.

Thanks!!

Not necessarily. I've seen heaps of ricers on the streets with flames and stuff outside and about 20 gauges on the interior but then my brother outsped them from the traffic with our absolutely stock Maxima (Note: They may even have Scissor Doors sometimes). By the way, are we looking for an RZ or GZ (GZ is the luxury aerotop version with TT).

Not necessarily. I've seen heaps of ricers on the streets with flames and stuff outside and about 20 gauges on the interior but then my brother outsped them from the traffic with our absolutely stock Maxima (Note: They may even have Scissor Doors sometimes). By the way, are we looking for an RZ or GZ (GZ is the luxury aerotop version with TT).

Can't tell if its RZ or GZ. Sorry, but I don't know much about these supras, only that they are monsters. All I know is that its an auto with a T-top. It looks like hes got an aftermarket front mounted intercooler and a huge down pipe. And, hes lowered the car pretty substantially. Any other things to look for??

There is probably a turbo system installed if there are massive downpipes. However, turbo chargers MUST also need blow-off valves and ECU (these are the main ones but there might be more) to regulate air and fuel intake. Check for these items in the car. As for the car model itself, it is probably an SZ (originally non-turbo) as they are usually automatic and can be t-top (no RZs r t-top). But the guy installed a 2ZGTE engine (older MKIII TT engine) so its easier to configure turbo. The car would probably be built in between 93 and 97 just before cosmetic change arrived and the introduction of the aerotop to replace t-top. It could only be a GZ (Turbo and Luxury) if it has woodgrain in-dash panels, leather seats and all new darkened front lamps and silver rear lamps. In addition, GZs are usually found as aerotop and auto transmission.

A turbo does need a blowoffvalve, but it should have a ECU already*
he could have upgraded his ECU though by either buying a whole new ECU or getting it reprogrammed by places like Jim Wolf

Not quite, the "older MKIII TT engine" is the 1jz-gte and I am willing to be NO MKIV owner would ever do that swap. Also you have to think about where this guy is from, and most everyone else on this forum. We didn't get the RZ/SZ/SZ-R/GZ badges here in the US so your only going to confuse him. Just because it has an aftermarket exhaust doesn't mean he has done anything to the turbochargers. Don't take this too hard, but if you can't instantly notice the difference between the stock twins and an upgraded single setup you don't need to be buying the car. Also stop saying T-tops, the Supra NEVER had T-tops (which have a bar in the center and two removable panels), only a single removable Targa top. Here are two examples to help you out,
STOCK
http://images.andale.com/f2/121/114/8032590/1112633100717_DSC01851.JPG
HEAVILY MODIFIED (sorry if I used your pic)

http://www.autronic.com/image_files/hall_of_fame/supra7.gif

What you need to do is simply, pop the hood. Right there will tell you almost instantly if there was any major work done to the car. A huge downpipe or exhaust doesn't really tell you anything. A front mount intercooler is not a major upgrade in my oppinion, but if he has one then that's better than the factory side mount. Check the dash and the glove box for any electronics such as a turbo timer, boost controller, or a Super air flow controller (S-AFC). That would tell you that he has made some slight modifications to the car. If it was a factory TT than he would not need to have to replace the ECU. Basically if you really want my oppinion, I would need to see pictures of everything. Under the hood, the dash, every compartment, the trunk, the outside on all sides, everything. I can give you where you need to look but if you get pictures on the car, I can look myself and tell you just about everything that you need to know other than he's had the motor rebuilt or something internally done. If you have any questions, let me know.

Exactly...Basically, u need to check for BOTH actual performance parts AS WELL as gauges to be sure for good. Sorry for not mentioning this b4hand. But as for the Blow Off valve, i m still quite sure that u need it as part of turbo coz they WOULD NOT sell SILENT ones otherwise (it says in a lot of stores that its for those guys who have turbo but don't want to be noticed). Why the hell would u want an expensive silent BOV when u don't hv to install it at all?

Exactly...Basically, u need to check for BOTH actual performance parts AS WELL as gauges to be sure for good. Sorry for not mentioning this b4hand. But as for the Blow Off valve, i m still quite sure that u need it as part of turbo coz they WOULD NOT sell SILENT ones otherwise (it says in a lot of stores that its for those guys who have turbo but don't want to be noticed). Why the hell would u want an expensive silent BOV when u don't hv to install it at all?

I talked to the seller, and he plans to sell the car for $30K. The car doesn't have any special body kits or rims. Can you estimate the kind of mods and power he is putting out by the selling price of the car? I'm not asking for exact numbers of course, just reasonable ball park estimates.

Thanks!

There's no telling what kind of power he has by telling us there is some gauges and a blow off valve. I need an actual list of things he has, not specifics on how everything is, just what he has done to the car, only then can I ballpark what he's putting down. Get a list and post it up and I'd be glad to help, or take the pics as suggested before.

Exactly...Basically, u need to check for BOTH actual performance parts AS WELL as gauges to be sure for good. Sorry for not mentioning this b4hand. But as for the Blow Off valve, i m still quite sure that u need it as part of turbo coz they WOULD NOT sell SILENT ones otherwise (it says in a lot of stores that its for those guys who have turbo but don't want to be noticed). Why the hell would u want an expensive silent BOV when u don't hv to install it at all?
For starters a BOV is not a need...no one needs one they just improve boost of every gear as it lets the excess air out of the turbo quicker...the noise they make is not neccesary either it...an enternal wastegate would achieve the same purpose

A BOV will only improve boost if your current BOV is leaking boost. By external WG you mean vs. an internal WG for the sound? An external WG can be sized properly for the turbo(s) and amount of boost you will run making it easier to regulate boost. Not to mention that you don't have the internal WG puck right beside the turbo outlet, virtually eliminating that turbulance and increasing HP. Unless you meant people who don't plumb the external WG outlet back into the exhaust system, in that case you are correct, exhaust leaks sound terrible. :)