1989 Toyota MR2 S/C

I haven't even picked up the car yet but figured I would go ahead and use this as a place to begin the journey. I have agreed to purchase this MR2 from beaterku in the Kansas City area. I watched this car for MONTHS before going to look at it.

I luckily found myself in a position to be able to afford it recently and decided to check it out. We happened to be heading to Lawrence, KS (far side of KC from me) to get a motorcycle from pres589. The beaterku was less than 10 minutes out of the way (destiny?). SWMBO and I stopped in to look the car over. The condition was very impressive.

As someone who has a pension for buying the cheapest version of whatever I am interested in, this was a really great feeling to be looking at something in the top 5% of a given model. It isn't without its faults or rust free but nothing that can't be remedied with a little work. The main issues are some rust in the wheel wells and some tuning issues from all of the bad ass parts that beaterku installed. 

My first task is to install either the grunt box, a MR2 S/C specific piggyback, or go straight to the MS2 that I have waiting to be assembled. I did order a MS breakout board so I can use the factory wiring harness and add only the new circuits that I need. 

Concurrently, it needs a resonator installed in the exhaust as it has a really annoying drone. 

From there, I don't really know. Once it is tuned a bit better, it doesn't really need much else. 

That thing is seriously sharp and clean looking.   Excited to see what you'll do with it.

-Hans

I am excited to see what you do with the car.  I am lucky to have passed to baton on to someone who is passionate as I am.  I hope you enjoy the car!

sweet car, i've always had a chubby for them.  but goddamn, that's the most 80's dash ever!

In reply to AngryCorvair :

Yep, I love it. So square (the dash). 

NICE ride! 

Got your email...  and I responded.  

I respectfully submit for consideration:

Subaru XT6

Ive had both, and will admit the MR2 holds a very close second!  

In reply to SVreX :

I knew Subaru would win the weird PRODUCTION interior contest. I think that there are some really good euro interiors on concept cars but am not sure if any made it into production. 

Anyone have any thoughts on pulling the supercharger in favor of a turbo. Likely a Ford 2.0l or 2.3L turbo. From what I can gather on it, it would be a decent size for a long term goal of 250+ hp. I think that either would still allow for relatively low lag. The 2.0l is a K03 variant and the 2.3L is a honeywell twin scroll that some very tenuous internet searching suggests is similar to the Garrett GTX 2863R ball bearing. Still need some verification on that but if so, then my goals land in a nice place on the 2863Rs map. 

I take it that this swap you're contemplating is well documented(done before) with minimal hiccups?

Square angular ROCKS!

singleslammer said:

Anyone have any thoughts on pulling the supercharger in favor of a turbo. Likely a Ford 2.0l or 2.3L turbo. From what I can gather on it, it would be a decent size for a long term goal of 250+ hp. I think that either would still allow for relatively low lag. The 2.0l is a K03 variant and the 2.3L is a honeywell twin scroll that some very tenuous internet searching suggests is similar to the Garrett GTX 2863R ball bearing. Still need some verification on that but if so, then my goals land in a nice place on the 2863Rs map. 

The 2.3L turbo might be too large for the 4A-GZE. If I remember correctly, the TD04 turbo- the Subaru standby- fits well to the 4A's size.

The old MAF sensor nad -GZE ECU also will support up to 10lbs. of boost, so if you can go turbo it can be done easier than you'd think.

In reply to 759NRNG :

Ha ha, no. This isn't a daily and it isn't the first time I mounted a turbo to something. Hopefully this time it works better though.

In reply to GIRTHQUAKE :

Yeah, that is certainly a concern. 

I will likely go with a megasquirt before changing much else so the stock system isn't much of a consideration.

Meh, in my opinion a supercharger is cooler than a turbocharger.  Note:  that is an almost-entirely subjective statement (and has nothing to do with personal knowledge of the actual performance of either in this application).

Lots of knowledge about turbo mr2s here (I've found this in the last few weeks learning about parking lot builds).

http://www.wcengineering.com

The address listed there is also like 20 minutes from my house, but I have no idea if the website is out of date.

Saab turbos (td04s are the bigger ones) are also perfect for 250hp and are cheap and common.

In reply to Robbie :

That has a lot of really good basic info. I was a little sad on the lack of specific info in his car (at least in the projects section. 

A TD04 would probably be good but I am trying to find something that is a good mix of size, low miles, modern tech, and possibly twin scroll/ball bearings for quicker spooling for whatever size I choose. 

singleslammer said:

In reply to Robbie :

That has a lot of really good basic info. I was a little sad on the lack of specific info in his car (at least in the projects section. 

 

Well call the guy, come on up here, and maybe we can go visit the car in person!

If you decide to take the SC off, I'd love to take the SC pipes I fabed up to hang on the wall.  I'm quite proud of them.

In reply to beaterku :

You have a deal

I did a custom turbo kit on my old aw11 about 10 years ago and after plying with a few different turbos my favorite was a t-3 60-trim with the .42 exhaust housing. 

If I was gonna do it again I would use the same turbo only keep the stock exhaust manifold and use a “J” pipe to mount the turbo where the battery is so I could keep my AC and have better oil drainage 

In reply to singleslammer :

So, you bought a car in the top 5% of a given model, and started talking about tearing it apart and modifying it before you even took possession?

haha!

In reply to SVreX :

Why is that even surprising...

Prepping to go get the MR2 Saturday. The tow rig had its last brake caliper freeze up on us yesterday. Apparently, this is a common issue on 08 F-250s and similar. All of the calipers failed on this truck before 10 years and 200k miles. Come on Ford!!

Anyway, the reason that we needed the giant Ford was because my Ranchero is being donated to my wife's cousin and he is like 30 minutes from the MR2. I have access to a newer v6 Tacoma to get the MR2 (or drive it home if need be) but we would be pushing the limit on the Taco with the Ranchero and there is no trailer brake on the Taco.

Getting excited though. Planning on installing the Grunt box as soon as I get home. 

And I'm back! Got the car home without issue and took it for a spin. Yeah, it likes to die when the engine is coming down to idle. Makes coming to a stop interesting. Then it also likes to die if you don't give it the beans from a standing start. Managed to have to start it mid cross of a 4 lane highway. Luckily there wasn't anyone there at the moment.