Daily Driver for a Seven-Second Supra Owner

“Don’t go too far” is one of the first rules that any child hears. Of course, no child ever listens. Instead, they often have to learn that and every other lesson for themselves. In the case of Dana Westover of Las Vegas, Nevada, his 7-second race-only Supra is the epitome of taking things too far. This 1,300-horsepower, two-speed automatic, drag-only Supra only sees action when its slugging it out on the dragstrip. Once a killer streetcar, that Supra went too far to remain streetable.

Text and Photos by Michael Ferrara


Side of the Daily driven built Toyota SupraExtreme Reliability

When Dana came across this 1995 Supra, his chance to build a streetable solution was at hand. Of course, a stock engine wasn’t going to get the blood flowing. A built engine, upgraded turbocharger and the parts to match would all be in order.

For peak reliability, billet-steel main caps were fitted to the block. This upgrade required the line boring and line honing of the block to ensure that the main saddles were perfectly straight for the crankshaft. The block’s cylinders were bored 1mm over and honed for the recommended wall clearance before being fitted with forged-aluminum 9.3-to-1 CP Pistons. Carrillo forged steel rods connect these pistons to the factory 86mm crankshaft. These simple upgrades allow for extreme reliability.

2JZ-GTE for the Daily driven built Toyota Supra

Headed in the Right Direction

To improve volumetric efficiency, Virtual Works Racing (VWR) treated the cylinder head to a “race port” service before installing the HKS 280-degree camshafts. The cylinder head and cam upgrades are optimized thanks to the VWR intake manifold. While many mistakenly believe that cylinder-head work and high-performance camshafts are not necessary on a boosted application, the reality is that they allow more power to be made at lower boost levels. Lower boost levels reduce the demand on ignition and fuel systems while reducing the likelihood of detonation. Bottom line, cams and head work on boosted applications are well worth the money.

Precision GT42-72 Turbo for the Daily driven built Toyota Supra

Bettering the Boost

Dyno for the 929 whp Daily driven built Toyota Supra

While a number of Supra owners fixate on horsepower numbers and earn the moniker of “Dyno Queen,” Dana looked for a turbocharger solution that would provide serious response and power output. A VWR equal- length exhaust manifold is home to a Precision Turbo & Engine (PTE) GT42-72 turbocharger. This turbocharger starts life with a 74mm inducer. To meet class rules for certain sanctioning bodies, PTE machines the wheel to a 72mm inducer. The end result is a 50-trim compressor featuring the new GTX aerodynamics from Garrett. A drop of the throttle rockets boost response while delivering over 600 ft-pounds of torque by 4,600 RPM and by 5,400 RPM torque checks in at nearly 850 ft-pounds at the wheels. Over 900 wheel horsepower carries from 5,600 RPM through 6,600 RPM. Peak power checked in at 929 WHP at 6,400 RPM; for comparison, a stock Supra makes 270 WHP at 5,900 RPM on this same dyno. Peak power has been more than tripled. This power isn’t realized on race gas, however. It’s realized on fresh-from-the-pump E85.

Rear side of the Daily driven built Toyota Supra

Applying the Power

After more than tripling the original engine output, the factory driveline needed much attention. While the factory Getrag V160 6-speed transmission handles amazing amounts of power, the same can’t be said for the stock clutch or driveshaft. A Tilton Engineering triple-plate clutch solved the clutch challenge while a lightweight VWR 4-inch aluminum driveshaft keeps its shape while transferring the power to the TRD limited-slip differential.Interior of the Daily driven built Toyota Supra

Simple & Clean

A 6-point cage with removable side bars keeps the driver safe without hampering the ingress and egress from the vehicle. A TRD tachometer and HKS knock-amp display are the only improvements made to the control surfaces of the cabin. On the outside, a Wings West lip spoiler, TRD vented hood and TRD wing do just enough to set the Red Supra apart from the crowd.

Peaked Performance

According to Dana, “This build actually went smoothly. What sets this Supra apart from others is the detail in the engine bay. Admittedly, I got carried away with the refinement, but it was fun.”

On its first visit to the strip, the Supra bolted on a set of slicks and managed a 10.3 at 142 MPH. After dialing-in the suspension setup, the Supra should soon see nines. “I’m really happy with the Supra and I currently don’t have any plans to change it. If I did it all over again, I’d probably pick a different color and go with the 3.4-liter stroker kit. But that would be it.” Sounds like Dana learned his lesson.Rear of the Daily driven built Toyota Supra

SPEC SHEET

VEHICLE
Year / Make / Model: 1995 Toyota Supra MkIV
Chassis Code: JZA80
Vehicle Weight: 3,550 lbs
Weight Bias (F/R): 52/48
Launch RPM: 5,800 RPM
Shift RPM: 8,100 RPM
Redline RPM: 8,500 RPM
Peak Boost: 31 psi
Fuel: E85

ENGINE
Engine Code: 2JZ-GTE
Displacement (cc): 3,068cc
Bore & Stroke (mm): 87mm x 86mm
Peak Horsepower (@ RPM): 929 whp @ 6,400 RPM
Peak Torque (@ RPM): 858 lb-ft @ 5,400 RPM
Dyno Type: Mustang
Engine Builder: Virtual Works
Block Modifications: Bored & Honed Cylinders +0.040
Machine Work: HBR Performance
Pistons/Compression Ratio: CP Pistons 9.3:1 Compression Pistons
Connecting Rods / Crank: Carrillo Connecting Rods
Pro-Gram Engineering Billet Main Caps
Camshafts: HKS 280-degree Camshafts (IN&EX)
Valves/Springs/Retainers: Ferrea Valves, Springs & Titanium Retainers
Cylinder Head Modifications: Virtual Works Race Port
Cylinder Head Gasket: Factory Head Gasket
Head/Main Studs: ARP Fasteners Head Studs and Main Studs
Intake Manifold/Throttle Body: Virtual Works Intake Manifold
Accufab 90mm Throttle Body
Air Induction System: Virtual Works Custom Induction
Fuel Injectors: Precision Turbo 160 lb-hr Injectors (x6)
Fuel Delivery System: Weldon 2345 Fuel Pump
Engine Management System: HKS F-CON V Pro
Engine Management Tuner: Mikey Pineapple
Boost Controller: Manual
Ignition System: HKS Twin Power DLI
Spark Plugs: NGK 5671 (7)
Exhaust Manifold: Virtual Works Manifold
Exhaust System / Downpipe: Virtual Works 4-inch Turbo-back Exhaust
Wastegate: TiAL Sport Dual 44mm Wastegates
Blow-Off Valve: TiAL Sport Blow Off Valve
Intercooler: Virtual Works Front-Mount Intercooler
Cooling System: Fluidyne Radiator

TURBOCHARGER
Turbocharger: Precision Turbo GT42-72
Frame: Garrett GTX4202R, Modified by PTE
Compressor Wheel Specs: 50-trim, 102.3mm Major, 72mm Inducer
Compressor Housing: 0.60 A/R, Ported Shroud
Turbine Wheel Specs: 84-trim, 82mm Major, 75mm Exducer
Turbine Housing: 1.01 A/R, Divided-inlet T4 flange

CHASSIS/DRIVELINE
Springs, F&R (Make & Rate): HKS Drag Coilovers
Shocks, F&R (Make & Rate): HKS Drag Coilovers
Transmission: Factory Getrag V160
Clutch / Flywheel: Tilton Engineering Triple-plate Clutch
Differential(s) (Make & Type): TRD LSD
Axles / Driveshaft: Virtual Works 4-inch Aluminum Driveshaft
Wheels (Make, Size & Offset): iForged Wheels 18×9-inch (F), 18×11-inch (R)
Tires (Make & Size): BFGoodrich 265/35R18 (F), MT 305/40R18 (R)
Brake Rotors (Diameter, F&R): Cross-drilled Rotors
Brake Lines: Custom Stainless-steel Braided Line

INTERIOR
Roll Bar / Cage: 6-point Cage
Steering Wheel / Quick Release: TRD Steering Wheel
Gauges: TRD Tachometer
HKS Knock Amp

EXTERIOR
Front Lip Spoiler: Wings West
Hood: TRD Vented Hood
Spoiler / Wing: TRD Wing
Headlights, Taillights: 97-98 Version