Updated Specs and Year Changes for MKIII

[Jeff Lange]

I've taken the time to rewrite the FAQ about year changes and specs for the MKIII, since there is more info on years than is included in that FAQ.

Anyways here's what I put together:

Years of production: 1986.5 - 1992 (86 Model Supra was MA67 (MKII))
Chassis Code: MA70
Versions: Turbo (87+) and Non-Turbo

N/A Specs:

Horsepower: 200 @ 6200rpm
Torque: 188 ft-lbs
Weight: approx. 3400-3600
Engine: 7M-GE 2954cc
Transmission: W58
Injector Size: approx. 305 - 380cc, low impedance (high impedance 89+ models)
Spark Plugs: NGK BCPR5EP-11, Denso PQ16R
Compression: 9.2:1
Cylinder Pressure: 156
Fuel Pressure: 33-40psi

Turbo Specs:

Horsepower: 230 @ 5600rpm (232 89+ models)
Torque: 246 ft-lbs (256 89+ models)
Weight: approx. 3500-3700
Engine: 7M-GTE 2954cc
Transmission: R154
Boost (M/T): 5.5 - 7.5psi
Boost (A/T): 4.8 - 6.0psi
Turbo: Toyota CT-26
Spark Plugs: NGK BCPR6EP-N8, Denso PQ20R
Injector Size: approx. 440cc, low impedance
Compression: 8.4:1
Cylinder Pressure: 142
Fuel Pressure: 33-40psi
Fuel Cutoff: approx. 10-13psi
Intercooler Efficiency: 3psi drop @ 6.8psi


Wheels/Tires: 16x7" Rims with 225/50-16 Tires




1986.5:

Introduced halfway through year, replacing the 1986 MKII Supra
Only available as a non-turbo model
Hardtop was originally only offered
Targa top available starting in 04/86
LSD, headlight washers are a part of the "Sport Package"
TEMS optional
"Super Monitor" Optional, most cars not equipped with it have the wiring for it, however not all
ABS is now an option


1987:

Stereo changes, has different plugs on the back (All Toyota vehicles got the newer plugs in 87)
First year of the Turbo model
N/A model carries over essentially unchanged
Turbo model gets rear 1-piece spoiler, turbo badging, "Sport Package" is standard, gets 3.91:1 rear end gearing, opposed to the N/A's 4.30:1
Small light added to driver's side power window switch



1988:

Essential carry-over from 1987
Door handles no longer need to be held up to lock door
Redesigned rear 3rd brake light on rear spoiler
Interior cloth material changed
Slight changes made to the climate controller, radio, and left-side buttons (made slightly darker)
Seat belt guides added to front seats
Cloth sunvisors replace vinyl ones on hardtops
Cloth headliner replaces vinyl one on hardtop



1989:

MKIII recieves it's first major update, both on the interior and exterior
Redesigned mouldings (different shape, as well as being entirely plastic)
New rear tail-lights (3-piece, goes all the way across the rear) (non-European Countries Only)
New 3-piece rear spoiler
New mirrors on the doors (reshaped)
New steering wheel (cruise on/off switch moved to the wheel, switch replaced with coin holder)
Door handle shape changed (became slightly more rounded)
New front bumper cover (including new fog lights)
New front turn signals (not as wide)
New front grilles (2 as opposed to a single one)
Cup holders added underneath the center console lid
New climate control
New steering column stalks (turn signals/headlights/wipers)
Switches on left side of steering column changed from silver colour to black
Power window switches updated
Rear seatbelts are changed to shoulder belts
Front seatbelts get updated (the top mount plastic is redesigned)
Rear speakers get updated (2 extra are added in the rear panels beside the seats)
Instrument cluster updated (orange part on needle removed, less lines on gauges, speedo up to 260km/h - from 240km/h, lights are now completely blacked out unless lit up)
Shift boot, shift knob, e-brake handle, steering wheel, and steering column become black
Updated stereo to match other new interior components
Seats get extra power assist (tilt back/forward - changed from the old knob on side)
Turbo rear end gets changed to 3.73:1 gearing, opposed to the old 3.91:1
N/A Non-LSD rear end get downgraded to 2-pinion versus the previous 4-pinion model (US Only)
Headlight washers no longer an option (US Only)
Horsepower up to 232hp (from 230hp), torque up to 254ft-lbs (from 246ft-lbs)
Halfway through 1989, the engine crossmember changes, as does the wiring harness and engine mounts
Progressive speed-based power steering added
Wiring for "Super Monitor" no longer included, and it is no longer an option
"White Package" now available, includes white trim pieces, and white wheels, on a white car
Strut manufacturer changes
Car drops in height by 12mm (about 1/2")
Rear subframe receives 2 extra braces
Late models have completely standardized body harness, with wiring for every option (NA/Turbo/Manual/Auto/TEMS) -- body harness, not engine harness
Aluminum replaces steel on the brake master cylinder
Stretchy mesh pockets on rear of front seats removed
Suit hooks added above front seatbelts
"Turbo" emblem moved from back panel to moulding (Adhesive Type)
"Shift Lock Release" button added to shifter (Auto Trans Only)
Can no longer remove key from ignition without shift lever in "Park"
Steering column covering plastic changes to accommodate lock change (Auto Trans Only)



1990:

Crank changed over to fully balanced 7M crank, redline dropped to 6250 from 6500
Steering wheel changes to a 4-spoke design with SRS airbag (cruise moved to stalk) (US Only)
Steering column covering plastic changes to accomidated airbag changes (US Only)
Progressive power steering electronics get revised
Foglights now on all the time (driving lights) (Canada Only)
Larger transparent laminate area in front of rear wheel well to prevent chipping
Cloth pattern on seat fabric again updated with different spacing on the lines



1991:

N/A model dropped from lineup (Canada Only)
Heated seats added (Canada Only)
TEMS no longer an option (Canada Only)
Front speakers get updated to 6.5", and get a larger grille
5-spoke 16x7" rims replace the old 16x7" sawblades
Factory sunroof now an option
Subwoofer for stereo now an option (rare)
Square "Supra" emblem on nose replaced with new "T" Toyota logo
Power steering cooler added
All body trim is now the same colour as the body paint
Shadow Grey interior colour introduced (rare, closest to black you can get)
Teal exterior colour introduced
A lot of extra sound deadening material added
Extra coinholder introduced in 1989 replaced with dimmer switch
ABS now standard on Turbo models
"TOYOTA" name plate removed from the front driver's side grille



1992:

Steering wheel changes to a 4-spoke design with SRS airbag (cruise moved to stalk) (Canada Only)
Steering column covering plastic changes to accomidated airbag changes (Canada Only)
Automatic transmission shift points revised
New stereo system introduced
Remote keyless entry option added
Good Year Eagles become standard on turbos
Dark steel grey debuts as does dark green
Targa no longer available on N/A cars
Shadow grey leather surfaces changed from grey to black



There are also a few other changes made, but I'm not entirely sure when they happened:

Was the Security system optional on 86.5 and early 87 models?
When was the lighted driver's side keyhole added?





Let me know if there are any other changes that I've missed. Hopefully this can get moved to the FAQ forum as well.

[OneJoeZee]

only problem i see is that TEMS is not quite "standard". some turbo models got away without it

[Jeff Lange]

Originally posted by Joe-Turbo
only problem i see is that TEMS is not quite "standard". some turbo models got away without it

I think it depended on year though. I think it was made optional in 89, but I'm not entirely sure...

[OneJoeZee]

must have been cuz i dont have it. but i believe it was supposed to be standard on turbos and optional on NAs. i just have an oddball supra

the little triangles behind the doors (that laminate sheet) became larger in 90

[Jeff Lange]

Originally posted by MelloBoy
the little triangles behind the doors (that laminate sheet) became larger in 90

pics?

(not quite sure what you are talking about, interior or exterior? )

outside on the quarterpanel in front of the rear wheel well at the bottom?

[JonnyRedline]

Originally posted by Jeff Lange
Instrument cluster updated (less lines on gauges, speedo up to 260mph - from 240mph, lights are now completely blacked out unless lit up)

wow thats a fast supra!! hehe might wanna fix that

[Jeff Lange]

Originally posted by MelloBoy
outside on the quarterpanel in front of the rear wheel well at the bottom?

Not sure exactly what you are talking about still...

1988:



1990:




It looks the same in front of the rear wheel well to me...

[ARTSUPRA]

The rear skirt has a protective transparent laminate on top of the paint, to protect the paint from chipping, later models have a larger laminate piace which covers a larger area.

Hmmm I never seriously tought about it untill now

[Jeff Lange]

Oh, so it's not really something that you can see?

[screaminglemon]

ahhh KEWL!! that silver '90 above is my car now.

btw, its an oddball. turbo, no TEMS, and no turbo emblems/badges. does have the factory turbo timer (sticker) on the inside driver door though. oh, and as far as i can tell, its actually a '89 not a '90.

[Jeff Lange]

Only real badge I guess is the rear turbo badge.

Someone could have removed that easily enough Nice car though.

[conundrum07]

You might make mention that the auto turbo supras dont actually run 6.8psi. The are more around 4psi.

[Jeff Lange]

Originally posted by conundrum07
You might make mention that the auto turbo supras dont actually run 6.8psi. The are more around 4psi.

Done

wow, good info! Thanks! :thumbsup:

[OneWingedAngel]

You might add that 88 was the first year for the seat belt holders on the sides of drivers and passenger seats.

Edit: And in 1990 the 6M crank was replaced with the 7M heavier/more balanced crank lowering the redline to 6200.

[sammydafish]

in 1992 Remote keyless entry was an available option.

in late 89 front body wiring harness standardised to be the same for all cars (has plugs for every option NA/Turbo/Manual/Auto/TEMS) note this is the body harness, not the engine harness.

I don't think TEMS was ever standard on any year. It was always an option. It was just a popular option on Turbo cars. I've seen many turbo cars of all years without TEMS.

What is the "super Monitor"?

[Jeff Lange]

Originally posted by suprafst1
What is the "super Monitor"?

I'll update it with the seat belt holder, crank info, and TEMS stuff

[paddlenbike]

1989+ cars sit 12 mm lower (1/2"), not a full inch.

mk3 - longblock weighs 207kg
mk3.5 - longblock weighs 208kg
attributed to crank i believe

mk3 - Engine Size: 817mm(l) x 665mm(w) x 688mm(h)
mk3.5 - Engine Size:845mm(l) x 665mm(w) x 690mm(h)


89+ -alumite patination of the pistons to improve durability and heat resistance.

mk3 - front rotors = 277mm x 22mm
mk3.5 - front rotors = 302mm x 18mm ??? this might be a misprint in one of my documents...

[conundrum07]

Originally posted by MelloBoy
attributed to crank i believe

Good call. Somehwere in 89, the crank was changed from the 6M crank to the heavier, better ballanced (dual counterwrights vs single i think) 7M crank. Also the reason for the redline decrease from 6500 to 6250.

[KermitTheFrayer]

What about me I have a change holder and I have cruise control on/off on dash

[BlackWidTan]

hey jeff lange did your car come with the 89 and up spoiler or did you put that on. I was wondering if that was part of the cross changes you mentioned on your car.


Neal