Supra (A70)

1986-1993 / Coupe / Japan

All Supra (A70) problems All workshop issues

Common Transmission

W58 Synchro Wear

Symptoms

Crunching or grinding when shifting into 2nd or 3rd gear, particularly when cold or during quick shifts. The synchros may improve slightly once the gearbox oil is warm.

Cause

The W58 is a light-duty gearbox with brass synchros that wear with age and aggressive use. The W58 was designed for the naturally aspirated 7M-GE and is marginal even at stock turbo torque levels. Anyone driving a modified turbo car through a W58 is on borrowed time.

Fix

A W58 rebuild with new synchros runs $800-1,500.

However, if the car is making turbo power, the money is better spent swapping to an R154 ($1,500-3,000 for a complete swap including gearbox, bellhousing, tailshaft, and clutch).

The R154 swap is one of the most well-documented modifications on the A70 platform.

Cost mentioned in fix

$800-1,500$1,500-3,000 for a

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// More Supra (A70) problems

Other known issues

Common Transmission

R154 Input Shaft Bearing Noise

A whining or howling noise that changes when the clutch pedal is depressed. The noise is present in neutral with the clutch engaged and disappears when the pedal is pressed.

Common Engine, 7M-GTE (Turbo)

Head Gasket Failure

The head gasket blows, allowing coolant into the combustion chambers and/or oil passages. White smoke from the exhaust, coolant loss without visible external leak, overheating under boost, milky oil on the filler cap, and bubbles in the coolant overflow tank. In severe cases, hydrolock (coolant filling a cylinder and bending a connecting rod on startup).

Critical Engine, 7M-GTE (Turbo)

Low Oil Pressure at Idle

Oil pressure drops below 10 psi at hot idle. The factory oil pressure warning light may flicker or illuminate at idle, particularly in traffic on hot days. The engine may develop bearing noise (deep knocking from the bottom end).

Common Engine, 7M-GTE (Turbo)

CT-26 Turbo Failure

Loss of boost pressure, excessive oil smoke (blue/grey) on startup or deceleration, whistling or grinding noises from the turbo, and oil in the intercooler piping.

Critical Engine, 7M-GTE (Turbo)

Cooling System Inadequacy Under Boost

Coolant temperature climbs rapidly under sustained boost, particularly in traffic or on hot days. The temperature gauge sits higher than normal and doesn't recover quickly.

Common Engine, 7M-GTE (Turbo)

Fan Clutch Wear

The engine runs hotter than normal, particularly at low speeds and idle. The cooling fan doesn't seem to pull much air through the radiator.

View all 17 Supra (A70) problems