1987 Toyota Supra MKIII Project Car (Fuzzy Dice Friends Episode 1)

For this new series, we are going to be covering cars (project or otherwise) that belong to friends and other interesting people we may meet out in the world. This video is a build-diary of sorts, covering our friend Leon's purchase of a 1987 Toyota Supra in need of some repairs and some of the challenges he has faced with the car over the last few years. This is very much the broad strokes of what has been done on the car, mostly what I have pictures and video of from when I was around work being done on it.
Timeline of filming: June 1st, 2016 - July 10th, 2019
Song List (Order of First Appearance):
0:01 Clear Eyes - Silent Partner
18:18 Bright Future - Silent Partner
(All music provided by KZbin's Audio Library royalty free.)
Thanks for watching, and joining us on this adventure! Please let us know what you think! Consider supporting us via Patreon as well! / fuzzydiceprojects
Follow our Instagram for more pictures and teasers: / fuzzydiceprojects
Check out our second channel for a variety of other content: / @fuzzydicepastimes

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

This is a bit of a different video, certainly when up next to more recent overly detailed content. This is a patchwork quilt of some of the pictures, video, and stories around a friend's 1987 Supra that we first started working on back in 2016. It's admittedly disjointed, but my exposure to the project and the random times I helped work on it were all over the place as well. I don't think there are any future episodes of this series that will be as all over the place as this one was. The other planned episodes are more focused on fixing specific issues on other people's project cars. In the future I'd like to do interviews and take close looks at other people's cars, if/when possible. This could easily have been a standalone video but I would like to organize these into one playlist so loosely folding them into one series seemed like a good idea at the time. Curious to see what your opinions are on this video!

[@chasee3797]

Fuzzy Dice Projects Great idea for a series man! I’m not a big fan of Supras but I’ve always thought they were super cool looking. One of my buddies had an older Celica for his high school car.

[@patrick____no]

i like it!

[@martingonsalez6635]

Fuzzy Dice Projects find someone that has a Honda crx 2nd generation

[@ErikSeastead]

This is my first time watching a video on this channel, and I like the content. :)

[@MelonTL_YH2]

Loved it.

[@LunringNassar]

Finally, The underrated Supra is here!

[@malloymotorsports780]

You are correct as this is an N/A

[@exvious6066]

Or a celica Supra would be sick to see

[@maxstonkaoorn8729]

My dad used to have a MK2 Supra

[@juddlewis9939]

Yeah personally the mk3 supra is my favorite

[@studiodevelopers2467]

@@juddlewis9939 Mark 3. For the win.

[@charlottesimss9853]

Fuzzy Dice AND Ronald Finger upload in the same day??? Holy shit truly a blessed weekend

[@aug350z]

Not gonna lie, I'm subbed to both. And I thought I clicked my Ron Finger vid first, and was like oh he got a Supra? What happened to the Fiero?!?

[@Rouxenator]

I was just as surprised. I am hoping the Fiero gets more work done now that he has more time on his hands.

[@Canadian_Icecube]

Yep, today WAS a good day!

[@G04C4]

As a certified Toyota Technician... the Supra has every common Toyota problem. And the hardware problems is top of the list. All the rubber is cheap and doesn’t last (floating caliper, soft lines and bushing material, etc.)and the bolts either strip/cross thread or break reliably. Enjoyed the video and hope to see more Toyotas.

[@G04C4]

Also Toyota likes to use 1 harness and plug and play for options. Even with newer models, all the blacked out plates have connectors taped back (lovely when doing heater cores and you end up with extra plugs). The spark plugs are common and some techs add dielectric grease for better connection (success may vary). Filters come off better when engine is warm (success may vary)

[@oveidasinclair982]

That car was never garaged at night and has been exposed to some serious Maryland road salt, that state salts the living shit out of it's roads every winter and these old cars were never dip in a Zink bath in the assembly process like newer cars today are. Being a Maryland car, I'm actually surprised to see it still running, most surviving Supra's are located in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and the ones up north are restored and sitting in peoples garages, driven only on sunny days with clean roads.

[@G04C4]

Oveida Sinclair I’m located in New York and yeah your right on the old car thing but literally all cars (new and old/zink or not) rot away if not for some intervention. And their are plenty of mk2 and mk3 here in about the same condition. However, here you get the show room quality ones jacking up the price and the shit boxes are sold as gold.

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

@@oveidasinclair982 its funny, because where im at in alabama, nooo one wants these cars lol.

[@viru52000]

Not that I ever saw when I dealt with them. There are known week links, but 99% of the issues are poor maintenance and people shimming wastegates on high mileage motors on stock headgaskets. The 1% of other issues is head bolt torque is wrong for the gasket type (was originally speced for an asbestos gasket) and the oil cooling system on the turbo engines.

[@Shane-Singleton]

The Mk3 is my favorite Supra. A friend of mine had an 88 (I think) in high school. He let me drive it once. Was a cool car.

[@alienfrmearth]

That knocking sound is a rod bearing. Like the headgasket rod bearing are very common failure.

[@thomashowell1320]

Bad headgasket+still runs and drives=rodknock

[@oveidasinclair982]

The condition of that car, I wouldn't doubt for one minute the bearings are going out on it.

[@undercover227]

it it was rod knock it would be bad on engine decel or constant

[@mkIIIsupras]

Very common only because people blow the headgasket, get coolant in the crankcase, and it strips the coating from the bearings. They fix the headgasket and end up with a bottom end knock shortly after getting it running again.

[@Mis73rRand0m]

as others have said, HG leads to bearings... passed on a turbo mkiii a few years ago because of that.

[@Spyda1409]

I've owned a 91 mk3 Supra for almost 10 years now. It's my baby and all time fav car!! Been following your vids for almost 2 years now and I watch every single one. You should've seen my jaw drop when I read the title to this new video. I dig the new series!

[@KozukiOden7]

Watching this after started working on my dads supra today, which sat for 3 years. Also doing the Headgasket. I'm also named rob. lovely coincidence. :)

[@sj3802]

Glad to hear that! I'm also working on a car after watching a similar video, but its not as special. The car is a 1998 lexus ES300... Happy for u and that ur able to work on a supra! Good luck m8!

[@roberternest7289]

'ello Rob!

[@reido_dorito]

Words cannot express the joy I feel when you upload a new car series.

[@horusgarcia1]

Wow! All the work put into this car has motivated me to do continue on working on my cars. DIY has a sense of satisfaction.

[@bubbie3533]

I love this video. Working on cars with your friends is what we all need right now.

[@michaelsmdk]

the best best friends exploration story! Love IT!!!!

[@juanbarolin3278]

Very entertaining, looking forward to the next episode. Great job!

[@ryanolson6794]

Dude I’m so excited for this! I can’t wait to see this build.

[@ryankenyon5010]

I'm really old. These came out when I was a freshman in high school and I've loved them ever since. Glad to see you guys keeping one on the road! Keep us posted.

[@ianmangham4570]

I'm even older 🧓, my boss bought one, i was working my first job 🎅

[@pc8292]

Love the vids fizzy. Watching in Ireland and impressed with ur home engendered ideas

[@tannersmyly]

Me to I like mine fizzy to

[@bobdickweed]

@@tannersmyly MeToo

[@keen0515]

Great episode. I'm excited to see more from the Supra and more from your friends!

[@banana3020]

Awesome! So excited, good luck

[@sandyclaws2936]

Did not expect this! Excited to see where it goes!!

[@liamwatts8597]

So pumped to see this build!

[@chrisglover480]

Really enjoyed this! It’s nice to see some other projects and what people are doing with them!

[@reeceauban7144]

This guy is a very good teacher, good job.🤘

[@rushnerd]

I bought my 88' Supra last year for $8K and it sure as hell wasn't supposed to be a project car, but kinda feels like one by now. No rust like this one though. Had some power steering leaks and the right headlight also didn't work like this one. Headlight was an easy fix, but now i've gone full LED and it does NOT like LED headlights, going to need a shop for that one. One thing the price did buy me though was a fixed head gasket and re-done valves though. The paint on both bumpers was mint when I got it, but already cracking and peeling sadly though just from being in the sun. Best car I've ever experienced.

[@ceescorner]

I had one of those for 15 years, was a blast to learn on and build up. Best of luck. I've also owned about 10 of thwm over the years. Its best he gates one as a parts car for when he needs something to fix his project 👌🏽

[@cadeng8168]

I need more of this, i love this car!

[@Cannibeasty]

About gosh darn time! I've been waiting a minute for you to get to this.

[@fila1445]

WOOOAH (cleans glasses) IS THAT A SUPRA ?

[@jameswayland2339]

Lifetime Supra fan right here!

[@Arzon527]

Seriously, you and Ronald Finger upload the same fricken day at least 2 times now. I need more popcorn for this mechanic ASMR.

[@l.castilloa.5554]

Ya quiero ver el capitulo II Gracias por tu contenido

[@zalanfarago9805]

oh I've always been really interested in this car but didn't find much content, so I couldn't be happier seeing you work on this

[@LordLoMR2]

I had one and always loved the boxy look.

[@PutitoCorner]

Looking forward to part 2!

[@dwnrety1]

I subbed just for this car. I bought my 87 supra in July of 2010, I had to get a different car to handle bad weather about 5 years ago and the supra went into the garage and hasn't hardly moved since then. I just started it up for the first time in well over a year yesterday and aside from a dead battery and ancient gas, it fired up without a problem. It was my first car and I learned a lot by daily driving it for about 4 years and changing 2 head gaskets on it. After nearly a decade and going through everything I did, buying that car is one thing I dont think I'd ever do differently if I could go back.

[@cljerjr31]

This is an awesome addition

[@ROTSTarge]

Please keep us updated on these cars, this is my bf's dream car, so seeing it will always bring a smile

[@barowski_]

Man, I was just doubting to buy a mk iii supra, this is a sign

[@shrikedecil]

The 1986.5, the year Toyota shifted their targeting. I had the model with the ABS, and no one could believe it was a Toyota then.

[@RESTORATIONRESCUE]

Awesome new style. Still love the old but it just shows your passion for cars.

[@ibladesi]

Yes! I love a good 7M!

[@sataneatcheese6243]

In the UK we have these horrible lityle lemons called Rover Metros which I love! (I've had 6 of them) I had a silver 5 door model that was THE problem child of them all but I loved it and just kept going with it. In the end it became a donor car for a white older model 3 door and all was redeemed. Not quite Supra material but a relatable story.

[@vmoney9106]

My first car in 1996 was a 1986 Celica Supra, still have fond memories of her

[@narendramangru2276]

i currently have a 1985 celica supra

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Great choice!

[@mkIIIsupras]

Awesome video! Got 3 supras myself. Got a 86.5' NA-T/5 speed, 87' NA/5 speed, and a 83' with a 1uz swap in progress. They are such fun cars and easy cars to work on. And even better to drive!

[@ariyanadumon4549]

I really love the Mark III Supras. They are cool 80s cars. I really enjoyed this man, I'm glad you're doing this series. Boy, I have some stories about my 83 Trans Am that would be entertaining lol.

[@Oyvind88]

Awsome car, love it😁😁

[@adrianlala5044]

you boys sure know how to have fun

[@GrandsonofKong]

I had an 1986 Celica GTS and that body style is when Toyota departed from using the Celica as the platform for the Supra and went with the new platform. I really want to buy a Supra but I couldn't justify the cost at the time and the GTS was sporty five speed and stuck to the road like glue.

[@robertamsler]

I’m looking forward to more.

[@zebruhfpv8184]

I know it’s not a turbo model or manual trans but this build is very amazing and I still own my first 89 Supra turbo 5spd though it needs a ton of restoration. This video is motivating to me and I own the same color red Supra and brought memories back to me. My Supra though is currently being stored at my best friends mom and dads house up north while the past 14 hrs I have been serving in the Army. I can not wait to get my old Supra going and be reunited again with her one day. Great video! Hope you make more of the Supra ;)

[@jacksin3323]

This is one of those cars that id gladly dump a ton of money into with no regrets. Maybe one day those mk2's will be running also. 😊

[@paulpateman3968]

Like the new series good work

[@KostasStergio]

Great video!!

[@karsonstreet6180]

Love it!!!!

[@jonjohnson102]

Superb

[@jeffreybrown8244]

I love this content!!!!!

[@doomsdaymachine619]

Love the Supra. Can't wait to see more of it.

[@jeremiahlaso1786]

I wish you would show more of the work. I really like when you get into detail.

[@tututaurus]

Really love your video

[@lucasswearingen377]

this is gonna be fun

[@Jcvlasmesas]

MK3s are great! They're cheap and reliable while bringing those so wanted 80s vibes. I love my MK3 while not being perfect it makes me smile every time I start it.

[@paulog8813]

Nice video. Greetings from Brazil.

[@ShowingYouOnline]

Cool video! Never thought of doing one of these project cars, but this breakdown doesn’t make it appear that daunting

[@blaqqofficial3132]

I did a differential replacement on my Supra. It was such a hard job and I thank GOD I didn’t have to cut the exhaust.

[@bappo7105]

love it!

[@jandkwhite6459]

excited

[@joannaatkins822]

I really love the Mk3 Supra, and I'd love to see more updates... Or maybe *another* project car???

[@Wtrxprs007able]

These mk3 supras were such an underrated car. If you look up banger racing, the amount of these supras and other great Toyotas getting destroyed is such a sad sight to see. We need to save them from destruction.

[@Kickstartyourcar]

Awesome video, Keep it up :)

[@Dizzykitty817]

Nice video. I think the series idea is a good supplement to the other car series. I would hope if a project gains enough popularity yall will make it it's own series.

[@itsjohnnypanda2448]

nice i have 83 celica supra finally a supra series

[@dadgarage7966]

To top post, I believe the slots in the wheels help extract hot air from the brakes. Same-era Mazdas used this trick as well. Present-day car brakes and wheels are so big it doesn't matter.

[@KenMagee]

I had an 89 Celica that gave me almost all of those problems as well. Luckily I was finally able to sort out what was happening at the time and was able to unload the thing in an even up trade for a 91 GMC Sierra. After a complete engine rebuild in the truck (5.7 350 ... easy), I can say the truck still runs like a champ and I've been driving it for 9 years.

[@dcallan812]

Different yes, interesting very 👍👍👍

[@simonic2063]

Car I learned to drive on and used in High School was a manual 1985 Celica Supra. At the time, I thought it was just an old "sporty" looking car, and constantly got compared to a DeLorean. Though, my 16-17 year old self constantly would laugh when modern era Civics would try to race, and I'd usually win. I wasn't a car guy at the time, had no idea what I was driving, and the expensive legends it had spawned that were roaming the bigger cities. I just knew it was a "zippy" car with a cool exhaust note. Sadly, it wasn't until Fast and the Furious' mention of the Supra that I put two and two together... My car said "SUPRA" on the back...which in turn started my true love affair with the car and the different generations. That same year, a co-worker was looking to sell their manual 1989 Supra Turbo, asking $5,500. It was a superb and joyful car to own...until it decided to blow it's head. Which, famously is the true dark spot of the MKIII. I replaced it, and was great again. Then I joined the service, and left the car in the care of my dad. Who didn't care for it as much as I had. When I got out of the service, in 2007 we tried to bring the Supra to my new city, but overheating (...head gasket again) prevented it from going too far out of town. Then, being a college student, I didn't have the money to toss at a project. So the Supra pretty much sat for years, until a local teen kept on asking my Dad if he wanted to part with it. Finally, my Dad relented, and some kid got a damn clean 1989 Supra. Not one of these clear coat/paint faded finds. Along with an excellent interior. That car in today's local market would easily fetch $10-15k. Now that I'm older, and have a bit more money for a project car...I can't find these things without needing to dump tons in engine/transmission swaps/repairs. Not to mention body/interior work. They definitely are a nostalgic car for me, and I get excited every time I see one on the road (hell, any "original" generation). Their rarity then and now is one of the aspects I love about these cars. As for the new "Supra" - it's a Supra in name only. I don't care how good the car may or may not be - Toyota did themselves a great disservice by not continuing their own Supra heritage inhouse.

[@keiffitz689]

Wise words in the intro

[@HALOman-vi2tg]

I’ve got a 1953 Pontiac chieftain. It’s been a long project and there is always something wrong with it but I love it to death. Just can’t seem to find the time to work on it

[@Sneddz1]

Speaking to an ex Toyota Engineer who has a big Cressida fan, he said most 7mge/te have a slight dip in the block between 5 & 6 pistons. I know decking the block might be out of the scope of this project but he was adamant it helps solve headgasket issues. I have had my own run ins with 7m's blocking a few head gaskets my self but i never decked the block (Didnt know at the time/pain in ass). My gasket failures were between 4 and 5 from memory.

[@slayerjohn447]

If i knew you were going to do this I would have documented a lot more of my current project vehicle. 1987 Ford Ranger, originally told it needed a distributor. Well it needed a lot more then just that to be able to come back to life. Battery, terminals, relays, rewiring the main ground, replacing the fuel pump, alternator and belt. What needs done is putting a good transfer case in it so it can drive under it's own power again. Then rims and tires, new leaf springs for the rear and a ton of fuses.

[@helistorm98]

New series? I'M IN.

[@hbkarabay]

Liked before watchin'

[@andymantoronto]

I was hoping this was your new project. I really enjoyed the 3rd gen Firebird series and now I'm let down cause I got all excited thinking this was going to be a new series on your newest addition, but I like the idea of the series and I'll be watching.

[@JT-un7dc]

Nice, I owned 2 supra's 86 & 88. Definitely, had head gasket issues on both. I would have did the valves while the head was off.

[@chemxfan]

I'm a Supra fan, & it's apparent that this one is a "problem child"...I think it would qualify for a Lemon Law somewhere if it was built now, but I guess as long as Leon cares for it, & is willing to put up w/its oddities, maybe it'll last awhile longer. Good Luck!

[@badhatharry4323]

i am no car person whatsoever, i dont even like driving but i love the videos

[@mikemartinez9847]

9:40 Beautiful thing those pop up lights. Wish they would make a come back...

[@professorbaxter5171]

Its sad, The DOT in America outlawed them in 07 (I think). Thats why 2nd and 3rd gen mini coopers have the holes in the bonnet unlike the first gen where the lights are a part of the bonnet.

[@dilumsarathchandra7896]

wow future video will be more interesting 😌

[@jordanallison7105]

You're right, that paint peel is like a bad sunburn. haha It would be cool to see dramatic transformations from cheap rustoleum paint jobs in addition to doing engine and transmission repair and putting on new wheels and stuff from pick and pulls. 79th Productions is a KZbin channel where the guy does this to $400-$1000 hondas from the 90s. It's fun to watch.

[@remixtapes9308]

Cool👍👍

[@gregpallett1839]

Holy crap I’ve got a car! My 84 scirocco Hasn’t run in a while. I’m in MD

[@okkrom]

First I was excited for a new project, then disappointed that it wasn't. I stayed, watched till the end and I'm glad I did! Cool concept, very interesting vid.

[@ChristmasCrustacean1]

the only thing it needs is some new transmission cooler lines, some new rear studs and maybe even splurging and putting a new set of brake pads and rotors on it. that being said, I hope Leon is enjoying it.

[@omahasho4658]

Dude thank u, you might have motivated me to get a project car and this one as it I have a 420hp 500trq Taurus sho but I want something to race and beat on I hate beating on the Taurus sho trying to keep on during super car rides, trying to get something lighter and easier to work on 😂😂

[@wilfredomartell4856]

patiently waiting for ep. 2 :(

[@darkxxdude6727]

I plan to buy a mk3 supra that seems to be in good condition. Hopefully one day i can have it as a daily car

[@misterbuklau4053]

Nice

[@gabea.458]

You can add the head gasket to the list of the most faulty problems on the 7M. Back in the day I worked for HKS, the 7M metal head gasket was easily the best selling gasket, and those #'s did include the ones HKS made as private label to TRD. ARP studs and a metal head gasket were like mandatory parts on those.

[@alienfrmearth]

I have an 89 supra turbo that is getting a make over... again...

[@ww21943]

1. This is one of my dream cars. My dad owned a grey 89 with a targa top and 5sp. I’d love to find one just like it one day. 2. Please oh please put a proper front license plate bracket on the Firebird! The plate bolted to the nose like that makes me cringe.

[@tommy_1629]

HELL YEAH