Firstly,
Welcome
Secondly
A search on the forums is the first thing you need to do before asking questions, all the questions you have asked have been asked before and have lots of replys to help you out initially, then armed with some knowledge ask questions about the doubts you have.
Thirdly
You being a newbie should atleast try and refrain from questioning the responses from the older guys regardless of wether it doesn’t make sense or not as there may be other reason you don’t know about that influence the outcome of said questions and answers…(this is where the search will help you too)
Now..
The intercooler on the stock sw20 isnt too bad, if your going to run higher boost then the cheapest alternative is to buy the intercooler kits from ebay (greddy knock off) buy a thermo fan, a block off plate and shroud (if you can find any) and that should take care of cooling (ebay cooler kits have **** silicone joiners and clamps so you will need to update them) also do not try to run the cooler without a fan as it will heat soak a lot otherwise…..
Ps – if you have no idea why a thermo fan and block off shroud is needed when upgrading the cooler do a search…..
Also changing the intercooler is one of the worst jobs ever….
Working on the engine bay, well if your short like me then it’s a PITA. But its not impossible and many people who own the SW20 including myself work on it themselves.
General maintenance like oil and filter change (oil filter on gen 2 will give you some grief) plugs leads etc are quite easy to do.
The 2
nd Gen turbo does not have a MAF, it runs a VANE TYPE AFM
The reason your supra was not running well with a Vented BOV is due to the fact it has the same Vane Type AFM.
Im guessing you have the 1g-gte engine in your supra, the 7m has a different type of AFM and will run much better than a 1g-gte with a vented bov.
The reason the car runs like **** with such BOV has already been explained, so I wont bother going into details.
There are ways to get around this, but its expensive and includes running a new ecu, tuning etc.. the best way is to buy a GEN 3 as already mentioned.
(when I had my gen2 I could still hear a small amount of plumback noise when I had a pod filter installed, but its not loud enough, I have now converted to a apexi PFC and have my BOV plumbed back and its still LOUD)
Daily driving this car is probably personal choice, I used to in my gen 2 and never had issues. Be aware also that this car is not like any other RWD turbo and will make you learn to drive it, treat it like a normal RWD car and you will be crying before you know it (SPECIALLY IN WET WEATHER)
Ps- don’t bother putting some **** tyres on these cars and expecting it to handle properly either
The second gen turbos also had a issue with synchros on the 2
nd and third (mainly due to wear and tear and old age) so make sure you get one that has a good box
Make sure the cooling system is in good condition. A neglected cooling system will give you grief in ways you never knew possible
The targa top version will leak no matter what the seller tells you (unless you get reaaaaaalyyyyy lucky)
Most SW20s have been written off in the wet just so you know. So be carefull in wet weather with them.
Also Don’t buy the cheapest Turbo you see, you will end up with more
All the best with it mate.