[Supras] [SOGI-TECH] 7M-GTE Replacement Options

[Ed Di Cristofaro]

I was hoping the lists and people I remember were still on :)  Thanks for
the responses!

Unfortunately I can't do the work myself.  I'm now in an apt building, so
there's really no space to do any work.  The days of living w/ mom and dad
in HS, and then going to college in the middle of nowhere w/ room to do
everything are sadly over, and I'm now in a shoebox in the DC Metro area.
The plan is to go with a daily driver and let a family friend's shop do the
mechanical work, but I figure doing some research on the available options
is going to be helpful.

Z, the Toyota option is the block only, right?  I'd be looking at refurbing
the head separately, then bolting it back together?  With labor, that looks
like a $4000 option, but it's still cheaper than buying a new car, and I get
to keep the Supra too.

Lew and Gerard, I don't have the space or time to part out a car after an
engine swap, and I'm trying to stay stock so I can't use all the good stuff
myself, otherwise I'd totally look at that avenue.

In everyone's opinion, is buying an import, replacing the HG, and dropping
it in too much of a hit-or-miss avenue?  I sort of suspected that.

I think I have to explore the new short block, of course, contingent on the
fact that my head is ok.  If I have to get a new head (do they even exist?),
that could get pricey.

Now, if I were to rebuild using my own bottom end, is it possible I might
get out for under 3k?

Thanks for the help!

Regards,

           Ed

On Sun, Mar 30, 2008 at 10:29 AM, Lew Shaw <lewnjudy at qwest.net> wrote:

> *WOW, old home week!
>
> FauxZ is about right on the rebuilding, but outside labor can run $2000+.
> And, in the case of your all original car, don't forget new belts and hoses,
> etc.
>
> Gerard may have a better way to go.  Or, you can buy my 87T for $15k
> (that's right, I'm not selling it!).
>
> You can always buy Gerard's and decide which car is the cleanest, then
> part out the other on EvilBay.  Might make enough on parts to pay for it.
>
> Good luck, ED.
>
> Lew Shaw
> '87 Turbo Targa
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ed Di Cristofaro
> To: sogi-tech at supracentral.com ; supras list
> Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2008 9:00 PM
> Subject: [SOGI-TECH] 7M-GTE Replacement Options
>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
>          It's probably been a couple of years since I've posted, but the
> 91 Turbo that I've driven daily for the past 9 years has finally blown the
> head gasket at 200,207 miles.  Factory original engine and HG too, so if I'm
> a candidate for most miles on the original HG, let me know :)
>
>          Anyway, the resale value isn't too much on these cars.  It has
> immaculate paint, and an above-average interior for a 17 year old car (a
> couple of tears in the leather, but nothing big, and nothing that can't be
> reasonably repaired).  I'm thinking I might dump in another engine and keep
> driving it, but I'm not sure what my options are these days.  Is a new
> engine still available?  Is there something better than an imported, origin-
> and care-unknown, used replacement?  If I'm going to keep going with this
> car, I'd like to do it right, within reason.  What are my options for an
> engine?  Keep in mind, everything under the hood except radiator, exhaust,
> and rubber is original, so replacing a lot of that might not be a bad idea
> if it can be done reasonably.
>
>          You can still read the words "Normal" and "Sport" on my TEMS
> switches, so help me out :)
>
> Regards,
>
>         Ed
>         '91 T
> *
>



-- 

Ed