![[Car Image]](./GRAPHICS/SmallImage.gif)
Location: Springfield, NJ
Car: 1988, MkI Supercharged, Red (of course)
Tag: TOYFR2
Mileage: 98k miles
I bought this car new in the summer of 1988. From the moment I drove it in the
dealership, I knew that the MR2 Supercharged was the one. I tried the regularly
aspirated car and thought it was nice, but the supercharged was HOT. All the
controls felt like they were perfectly placed. The car jumps up to speed quickly.
And it looks good (it's red, of course).
It's equipped with some options: the leather package, electric mirrors and
windows, stereo cassette/radio with electric antenna. I installed a subwoofer
behind the driver's seat myself, a Bazooka Tube. It added the bass missing from
the puny stock subwoofer. I also replaced the front speakers with a pair of
Pioneer 1080's made specifically for the MR2. These radio modifications are not
visible at all, but improve the sound dramatically.
For the first 4 years, the car was not driven much, only on weekends. It was
kept covered and not driven at all in the winter. Finally, my 1977 Celica
could no longer be coaxed to run, so I pressed the MR2 into primary duty.
I love this car.
I now travel every day to work in the "TOYFR2", as my license plate proudly
identifies it.
I recently had installed an HKS muffler, air filter, and larger pulley for the
supercharger. The muffler replacement was needed because the original one had a
hole in it. So since I needed it, I did the other upgrades at the same time.
What a difference! The low RPMs are no longer sluggish. Previously, the car was
gasping for air due to the poor design of the air intake (it comes in on the right
side, goes through a narrow tube around the back of the car, and then into the
air filter). By replacing the air filter with a "mushroom cap" that bypasses the
long narrow tube, air flows easily into the engine. The new muffler not gives less
resistance to the airflow, it gives the motor an even deeper note of power. Nice
pair of pipes, too. The result is a wider power band thus more torque at lower
RPMs, just what the MR2 needed.
The pulley change resulted in noticably increased pull when the supercharger cuts
in. The advertised increase in horses with all these mods is about 35hp. I don't
know if that's correct or not, but it is a pleasant increase that's not harsh at
all, just what I wanted.
Next, I really need a new clutch. The original clutch is slipping now, especially
with the increase in power. The pedal is sloppy as well.
After the clutch, I have in mind to add the anti-sway bar in the back. I've been
told that when the rear one is installed,the front bar should be too, since the
replacement changes the balance of the car. They are a set. Has anyone else done
this? What's the improvement?
I will probably not get rid of my MR2 Super any time soon, if ever. I just
love driving it too much.
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