yea its the size of the turbo especially on supras if its been converted to a single turbo and they throw some giant turbo on there as far as that sound for the z i have heard it. not as loud but the larger the turbo generally speaking the better you can hear it spool. as far as the shifting hick up if he has a blow off valve it may be an odd sounding one or not properly adjusted and doesnt release enough pressure causing the compressed air to hit the turbo on its way back with no way out.