[karlskry]

Hi everyone- I’ve been actively looking for a JDM supra the past 6 months and just recently learned that a high percentage of JDM cars don’t have ABS. This is a feature I’d certainly prefer to have in a car I plan on building to a 500+HP level.

I am mostly looking at NA’s 93-99 but GZ auto TT’s are in my ballpark as well. Are there any “giveaways” to know if a JDM car has ABS or not? Is there a trim or model year it became standard on?

thanks!

 

[cdmeister]

Depends on the trim/model year.
Pre-face lift RZ/GZ had ABS standard, while SZ, they were optional.There was only one ABS version so if you have an SZ with ABS, then you got the same ABS system as the RZ/GZ trim models

Post-face lift saw 2 variations of ABS systems. ABS systems were standard on all trims, but the 4 wheel version that was standard on the RZ was optional for other trims. My theory as to why there are two systems to save on costs. Take a look here:

Toyota Supra MKIV : MKIV Specifications

.

The giveaway is that you can tell if the car has abs if there is a metal box with pipes sticking out on the passenger side of the car for JDM Supras. Its right next to the canister. Also there are lines running underneath the car usually with a black cover. Those are also the abs lines running to the back. These cars are suceptable to abs deletes. I don't recall if there is a way to take the frame-number and see if it was equipped from the factory with ABS and other features. Hopefully someone can help us out.

So for you, if you want to be on the safe side, then here is what I would look for:
Preface lift: RZ/GZ/RZ-S
PostFace Lift: RZ had the 4 wheel abs version as standard.

 

[karlskry]

@cdmeister very thorough, thank you. you mentioned S2 NA jdm’s have a “different” ABS system. Would this be ABS but without TRAC? I’ve been told all TRAC equipped cars have ABS, so if you see that button you know it has ABS. But I’m noticing many 97/98/99 SZ’s without the TRAC switch so I automatically assumed they did not have ABS. The oddities continue…

One oddball thing im noticing is MY96 JDM’s seem to be a blend of S1/S2. Most have S2 fronts but many have S1 taillights and S1 style cloth and dash panels. Strange.

 

[cdmeister]

Would this be ABS but without TRAC? I’ve been told all TRAC equipped cars have ABS, so if you see that button you know it has ABS. But I’m noticing many 97/98/99 SZ’s without the TRAC switch so I automatically assumed they did not have ABS. The oddities continue…

So I believe only the Twin Turbo variants came with traction control. So if you see in the interior those bottom 3 cutout for buttons underneath the radio? Those are where the buttons for Traction Control, heated seats, and front active aero button would live depending what the supra was equipped with. USDM Supras in the engine bay would have a TRC plaque like sticker on the intake manifold next to the throttle body and JDM supra have it called ECS i believe. Same thing but different names.

One oddball thing im noticing is MY96 JDM’s seem to be a blend of S1/S2. Most have S2 fronts but many have S1 taillights and S1 style cloth and dash panels. Strange.

Ahh what you have my friend is what I would consider a "transition supra". Between 1996.4-1997.8(approx) Supras had the cosmetic facelift but still rocked the non-vvti 2jz engine. The facelift was complete after 1997.8 complete with the vvti 2jz engine.

 

[Wreckless]

@cdmeister very thorough, thank you. you mentioned S2 NA jdm’s have a “different” ABS system. Would this be ABS but without TRAC? I’ve been told all TRAC equipped cars have ABS, so if you see that button you know it has ABS. But I’m noticing many 97/98/99 SZ’s without the TRAC switch so I automatically assumed they did not have ABS. The oddities continue…

One oddball thing im noticing is MY96 JDM’s seem to be a blend of S1/S2. Most have S2 fronts but many have S1 taillights and S1 style cloth and dash panels. Strange.

There were two ABS systems made for the Supra - a 3 channel and a 4 channel. The 4 channel is superior as it runs an independent ABS sensor for each wheel, and will engage on each individual wheel as needed. That's the system that set the 70-0 stopping record that was only finally beaten by the Porsche Carrera GT.
The 3 channel system was found on export model NA's (which all got ABS standard) and was the standard ABS system for all TT's in the US and most JDM models starting in ~96 as @cdmeister already did a great job of explaining. That system had independent channels for each front wheel but ran the rear axle as a single channel. Honestly it's ~85-90% as effective as the 4-channel so it's still a good ABS system and an outstanding one for the time. Of all the aftermarket modifications I really loathe seeing in a Supras, it's ABS deletes. There are some rare exceptions for purpose built race cars etc but anything driven regularly on the street should retain the ABS, it really is that good.

But yes looking for the ABS block between the shock tower and the firewall on the left side of the engine bay near the intake manifold is the best 'tell' for a JDM SZ you're considering if you want ABS.

The ABS system, though, is not to be confused with the TRAC system - the TRAC is strictly a throttle control feature to reduce throttle when the rear wheel RPM exceeded front wheel RPM. It's also the mechanism Toyota used to implement the speed limiter on export model cars. Removing the TRAC fuse would disable the speed limiter as well as the TRAC system. As mentioned, in Supras this was only ever offered on the 2JZ-GTE. A similar system was optional on the 1UZ-FE SC400's and Soarers though.

So I believe only the Twin Turbo variants came with traction control. So if you see in the interior those bottom 3 cutout for buttons underneath the radio? Those are where the buttons for Traction Control, heated seats, and front active aero button would live depending what the supra was equipped with. USDM Supras in the engine bay would have a TRC plaque like sticker on the intake manifold next to the throttle body and JDM supra have it called ECS i believe. Same thing but different names.

Excellent detail across the board - I didn't know the exact months the 'transition' cars or 'S1.5' cars were built! 🍺

A minor thing on the throttle body badging - the US & export spec 2JZ-GTE Supras had a badge that said 'Traction Control'. JDM Supras 2JZ-GTE's had an 'ETCS' badge, and JDM Aristo 2JZ-GTE's had a 'TRC' badge. This is an easy method of knowing the source vehicle for a given 2JZ-GTE, assuming that you have reason to believe it hasn't been altered. I've often seen Aristo 2JZ-GTE's represented as a JDM Supra engine and that's one of the fastest and most visible 'tells'. There's a few others, notably the water pump and oil pan configuration.

The VVTi 2JZ-GTE went to the same 'ETCS-i' badge on the throttle body regardless of being in an Aristo or Supra, and the badge was turned 90*.

 

[karlskry]

Lots of useful info, thank you.

so basically a good rule of thumb is any S2 97+ NA JDM supra should have ABS?

 

[Wreckless]

Lots of useful info, thank you.

so basically a good rule of thumb is any S2 97+ NA JDM supra should have ABS?

No. ABS on a JDM NA is only guaranteed on an SZ-R. It was a somewhat uncommon option for all the other SZ's regardless of build date, according to all the info I have.

 

[cdmeister]

No. ABS on a JDM NA is only guaranteed on an SZ-R. It was a somewhat uncommon option for all the other SZ's regardless of build date, according to all the info I have.

Actually I think SZ/SZ-R trims starting from 96 model year. Your comment seems a little contradictory which what has been already said. Though I could be wrong. I am referring this website: Toyota Supra MKIV : MKIV Specifications. There is a table called Braking Options and shows you the timeline of the ABS systems that were option/standard on each trim. Also the 96 options sheet (snippet below) shows SZ/SZ-R having an ABS system as standard. Green shaded boxes are standard and Yellow shaded boxes are optional.

So with that said, my answer to @karlskry followup question:

so basically a good rule of thumb is any S2 97+ NA JDM supra should have ABS?

is yes.

There were two ABS systems made for the Supra - a 3 channel and a 4 channel. The 4 channel is superior as it runs an independent ABS sensor for each wheel, and will engage on each individual wheel as needed. That's the system that set the 70-0 stopping record that was only finally beaten by the Porsche Carrera GT.
The 3 channel system was found on export model NA's (which all got ABS standard) and was the standard ABS system for all TT's in the US and most JDM models starting in ~96 as @cdmeister already did a great job of explaining. That system had independent channels for each front wheel but ran the rear axle as a single channel. Honestly it's ~85-90% as effective as the 4-channel so it's still a good ABS system and an outstanding one for the time. Of all the aftermarket modifications I really loathe seeing in a Supras, it's ABS deletes. There are some rare exceptions for purpose built race cars etc but anything driven regularly on the street should retain the ABS, it really is that good.

But yes looking for the ABS block between the shock tower and the firewall on the left side of the engine bay near the intake manifold is the best 'tell' for a JDM SZ you're considering if you want ABS.

The ABS system, though, is not to be confused with the TRAC system - the TRAC is strictly a throttle control feature to reduce throttle when the rear wheel RPM exceeded front wheel RPM. It's also the mechanism Toyota used to implement the speed limiter on export model cars. Removing the TRAC fuse would disable the speed limiter as well as the TRAC system. As mentioned, in Supras this was only ever offered on the 2JZ-GTE. A similar system was optional on the 1UZ-FE SC400's and Soarers though.



Excellent detail across the board - I didn't know the exact months the 'transition' cars or 'S1.5' cars were built! 🍺

A minor thing on the throttle body badging - the US & export spec 2JZ-GTE Supras had a badge that said 'Traction Control'. JDM Supras 2JZ-GTE's had an 'ETCS' badge, and JDM Aristo 2JZ-GTE's had a 'TRC' badge. This is an easy method of knowing the source vehicle for a given 2JZ-GTE, assuming that you have reason to believe it hasn't been altered. I've often seen Aristo 2JZ-GTE's represented as a JDM Supra engine and that's one of the fastest and most visible 'tells'. There's a few others, notably the water pump and oil pan configuration.

The VVTi 2JZ-GTE went to the same 'ETCS-i' badge on the throttle body regardless of being in an Aristo or Supra, and the badge was turned 90*.

Thanks for the kind words. Weirdly enough, i geek out over dealer/factory options sometimes.

 

[Wreckless]

Actually I think SZ/SZ-R trims starting from 96 model year. Your comment seems a little contradictory which what has been already said...

(snip)

Thanks for the kind words. Weirdly enough, i geek out over dealer/factory options sometimes.

Re-reading it, you're right I did contradict myself - good call!

Being in the US and limited to our so-called '25 year law' I've seen exactly one S2 SZ Supra in my entire life (Canadian registered '97 SZ-R 6MT at Supras in Vegas some years back). So a lot of these options and details there are all very much a 'new thing' to me and there's only so much you can trust from various documentation and data on the internet. I really appreciate you taking the time to help educate me (and the rest of SF!) on these details!

 

[iwantablackRZ]

@cdmeister am I reading that right in that SZ's could come optioned with 17" and big brakes? I understand that this refers to S2 only but don't think I've ever seen a SZ with that option.

I have ABS in my S1 SZ and did so in my first car of the same spec too. I couldn't say what sort of percentage of cars came with it. I've seen many with and without it.

 

[liquidpopcorn]

Being an S2 owner and enthusiast I can say JDM S2's are completly mixed bag. I have seen NA cars with the turbo brakes, but often in combination with the V161 and the LSD.
My own car is an 1999 NA auto hardtop with 4 channel ABS,Non LSD (now an OSgiken superlock) a Non vvti 2jzge (eventhough it is an 1999) and the small brakes. I just completed my manual swap so no auto anymore.

 

[cdmeister]

@cdmeister am I reading that right in that SZ's could come optioned with 17" and big brakes? I understand that this refers to S2 only but don't think I've ever seen a SZ with that option.

Yea that what it looks like. Same here, I've never seen it.

 

[HiloDB1]

My 93 JDM RZ has ABS.

@Wreckless do you know what years/models were 4channel ABS systems?

 

[cdmeister]

My 93 JDM RZ has ABS.

@Wreckless do you know what years/models were 4channel ABS systems?

So the 1993.5-1996.4-ish:RZ/GZ had the 4 channel abs system as standard, but other trims like SZ/RZ-S/SZ-R had this as an option This was the only ABS system available at the time. This is the Preface-lift model
1996.4-2002: The top level trim RZ had the 4 channel ABS systems as standard. It was an option for the lower level trims like the SZ, etc.

 

[HiloDB1]

So the 1993.5-1996.4-ish:RZ/GZ had the 4 channel abs system as standard, but other trims like SZ/RZ-S/SZ-R had this as an option This was the only ABS system available at the time. This is the Preface-lift model
1996.4-2002: The top level trim RZ had the 4 channel ABS systems as standard. It was an option for the lower level trims like the SZ, etc.

Did this apply to both USDM and JDM models?

 

[iwantablackRZ]

1996.4-2002: The top level trim RZ had the 4 channel ABS systems as standard. It was an option for the lower level trims like the SZ, etc.

I was pretty sure that when it comes to S2 it was only the RZ that got the 4-channel ABS. All other ABS equipped cars got the 3 channel (as did my '97 RZ-S).

 

[cdmeister]

Did this apply to both USDM and JDM models?

Actually I am not sure. @Wreckless mention in one of his previous post:

The 3 channel system was found on export model NA's (which all got ABS standard) and was the standard ABS system for all TT's in the US and most JDM models starting in ~96

I was pretty sure that when it comes to S2 it was only the RZ that got the 4-channel ABS. All other ABS equipped cars got the 3 channel (as did my '97 RZ-S).

Yup, but sneaky thing apparently the 4-channel ABS was an option apparently for the SZ, etc, though I've never seen it.

 

[iwantablackRZ]

The options snippet above doesn't mention 4-channel. It simply refers to ABS. I would highly doubt that Toyota gave an option for how many channel buyers wanted their ABS system to have.

I've always been told that outside of the RZ all S2 Supra's received a 3-channel system. This has been confirmed by my real world findings. I could be wrong but I've never seen a S2 Supra with 4-channel ABS that wasn't an RZ.

 

[cdmeister]

Ahh I got you. So スポーツ ABS is "Sports ABS" which is the 4-channel ABS. I am going through the jdm brochures but I can't find the mention of 4-channel with Sports ABS.

 

[iwantablackRZ]

Ahh I got you. So スポーツ ABS is "Sports ABS" which is the 4-channel ABS. I am going through the jdm brochures but I can't find the mention of 4-channel with Sports ABS.

I think 'Sports ABS' just refers to ABS whether that be 3 channel or 4. I doubt they would have needed to provide that sort of detail in their material and I doubt they would have advertised the change given it was a downgrade. Just changed the definition on what 'Sports ABS' refers too.

No different to what manufacturers continue to do today. Sneaky bastards.
I'll have a look at my advertising material when I get home but I believe most of my collection is S1 or early S2 where most S2 changes (V161, VVti etc) had not come into effect. As such, they probably only reference the 4 channel system.

There were only around 1200'ish S2's RZ's produced which is a pretty minor slice of the Supra pie all considered

 

[iwantablackRZ]

Being an S2 owner and enthusiast I can say JDM S2's are completly mixed bag. I have seen NA cars with the turbo brakes, but often in combination with the V161 and the LSD.

What you're describing is the SZ-R. I've seen big brakes on the SZ-R's but never on a SZ.

My own car is an 1999 NA auto hardtop with 4 channel ABS,Non LSD (now an OSgiken superlock) a Non vvti 2jzge (eventhough it is an 1999) and the small brakes. I just completed my manual swap so no auto anymore.

Your car would be SZ. Are you sure you have the 4 channel? Pics?