Rear diffs/LSD
 

Hey guys,
just picked up my first Supra, managed to get my hands on an '87 7m-ge, 5sp. I'm not sure if it has a sports package.

What I am looking for is the most potential and some advise. I want to build this car for the drag strip, but I want to drive it there, change the tires and go. Not sure if I want to swap to a 1j, 2j, 350, or what. Just looking for advise on some of this. As well as rear end advise. I cant seem to find ups or downs to an LSD rear end, or an optional rear end that would be comparable. And honestly I am not sure what rear end I should run, had a friend tell me to get a welded one. Any advise would be nice. I'll post some pics if you guys want to see them.

A welded differential is only good in a straight line... With other types of diff not only do they keep the car from just having to drag one wheel through turns (see power loss and shit tire life) they also redistribute torque as needed to where it's going to give the best power (Torsen differentials are the best for this). Spend some time on Wikipedia and research the different types of differential.... also keep in mind that anything other than open or clutch type LSD are VERY difficult to find for the MKIII. Torsen was an option in JDM MKIIIs but they can't handle much torque (a few people ground them into dust with a few launches); good for applications up to around 300 RWHP and general road driving and racing but crap for drag use and high power builds.

Hey Cre, thanks for the feedback. definately going to look more in depth at the rear ends on wiki.

What do you think about power though? I still cant seem to figure out how I want to build the beast, whether its 350, or 1j, or what. I also dont really know much about the Japanese engines so I'm not sure about the upsides to having one over having an American made machine.

Put whatever you want in it. I'm partial to matching manufacturers but that wouldn't stop me from dropping a twin turbo 1UZ or 3UZ into a classic Chevy. My personal favorites from Toyota (6 cyl+) would be 1UZ, 2JZ, 1JZ.... These are my favorite affordable 'swap' engines I should say; Not including 4 cylinder engines.