Gimpster's 1MZ V6 Project
How'd I ever get into this?! -
I've always wanted an MR2, and I share a shop with two other MR2 enthusiasts. I started looking around the area for a project car to tackle, and a project car is what I found!
I bought this car as a total basket case. It'd been sitting behind a house for a couple years, and one day I finally talked to the owner about it. After some careful negotiation, I took it home for $700 w/wheels. The 5S had spun a bearing, and I pondered just plopping in another 5S or a 3S. As luck would have it (for me) a good friend of mine totaled his Avalon and let me have the entire front cut for $200. Thus, the project began to take shape.
The interior and exterior had been pretty riced, and I've spent a lot of time and money trying to restore it. I've got the interior about 85% finished, and pending some small body work the exterior is back to normal.
The project begins! -
I bought the car in February 2007, and roughly started the swap in April. The swap was more/less completed in July 2007. I drive this car pretty much everywhere, and it's been very reliable.
My original thread with all of the progress, and pictures and be found here: http://www.mr2.com/forums/mk-2-v6/To...ap-thread.html
As you can see, I pretty much did all of my own fabrication on the project. I think it turned out well, and except for the y-pipe I don't have any regrets.
Plans for the future... -
At this point, I'd like to accomplish a few things.
1.) Build a better y-pipe.
2.) Convert the car to megasquirt. I have most of the CEL/MIL chased out of the system, but some of the auto transmission related codes are tough to kill. I don't have emissions to fret about with here in Iowa, so I'd prefer to go standalone at this point.
3.) Force-induct the car in some manor.
4.) Do some suspension mods (coilovers, etc).
Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with my little car.
I really enjoyed doing the swap, and can't say enough about the help I received from other forum members. If you're contemplating a similar swap, or are stuck on yours... please don't hesitate to contact me.
---
Current vehicle specs -
Besides all of the obvious V6 swap parts, I pretty much re-manufactured this car. It’s WAY too many new OEM parts on the suspension to list here.
Car:
* 1993 Toyota MR2 (N/T).
Suspension:
* Energy Suspension master kit.
Engine:
* 1995 Toyota Avalon 1MZ-FE, stock as a rock (minus emissions).
Transmission:
* S54, it's the transmission that came with the car.
* OEM turbo pressure plate + OEM N/T disc.
* Stock axles/hubs.
* Speed-Source braided clutch line.
* Speed-Source shifter bushings.
* Speed-Source shifter base bushings.
Intake:
* Home-brew shortram intake w/K&N cone.
Exhaust:
* SSAutocrhome/eBay headers.
* SSAutocrhome/eBay y-pipe with some flex added to keep the headers from cracking. It transitions from 2.5" -> 3" with a stainless v-band.
* Stock NA muffler modified for 3" inlet, 3" to the y-pipe and connects via v-band.
Power-adder:
* Nitrous Express "wet" kit. I typically run the 50-75 pills in it.
If you're really bored, here is a link to my gallery:
http://www.ecimulti.org/gallery/album195
I've always wanted an MR2, and I share a shop with two other MR2 enthusiasts. I started looking around the area for a project car to tackle, and a project car is what I found!
I bought this car as a total basket case. It'd been sitting behind a house for a couple years, and one day I finally talked to the owner about it. After some careful negotiation, I took it home for $700 w/wheels. The 5S had spun a bearing, and I pondered just plopping in another 5S or a 3S. As luck would have it (for me) a good friend of mine totaled his Avalon and let me have the entire front cut for $200. Thus, the project began to take shape.
The interior and exterior had been pretty riced, and I've spent a lot of time and money trying to restore it. I've got the interior about 85% finished, and pending some small body work the exterior is back to normal.
The project begins! -
I bought the car in February 2007, and roughly started the swap in April. The swap was more/less completed in July 2007. I drive this car pretty much everywhere, and it's been very reliable.
My original thread with all of the progress, and pictures and be found here: http://www.mr2.com/forums/mk-2-v6/To...ap-thread.html
As you can see, I pretty much did all of my own fabrication on the project. I think it turned out well, and except for the y-pipe I don't have any regrets.
Plans for the future... -
At this point, I'd like to accomplish a few things.
1.) Build a better y-pipe.
2.) Convert the car to megasquirt. I have most of the CEL/MIL chased out of the system, but some of the auto transmission related codes are tough to kill. I don't have emissions to fret about with here in Iowa, so I'd prefer to go standalone at this point.
3.) Force-induct the car in some manor.
4.) Do some suspension mods (coilovers, etc).
Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with my little car.
I really enjoyed doing the swap, and can't say enough about the help I received from other forum members. If you're contemplating a similar swap, or are stuck on yours... please don't hesitate to contact me.
---
Current vehicle specs -
Besides all of the obvious V6 swap parts, I pretty much re-manufactured this car. It’s WAY too many new OEM parts on the suspension to list here.
Car:
* 1993 Toyota MR2 (N/T).
Suspension:
* Energy Suspension master kit.
Engine:
* 1995 Toyota Avalon 1MZ-FE, stock as a rock (minus emissions).
Transmission:
* S54, it's the transmission that came with the car.
* OEM turbo pressure plate + OEM N/T disc.
* Stock axles/hubs.
* Speed-Source braided clutch line.
* Speed-Source shifter bushings.
* Speed-Source shifter base bushings.
Intake:
* Home-brew shortram intake w/K&N cone.
Exhaust:
* SSAutocrhome/eBay headers.
* SSAutocrhome/eBay y-pipe with some flex added to keep the headers from cracking. It transitions from 2.5" -> 3" with a stainless v-band.
* Stock NA muffler modified for 3" inlet, 3" to the y-pipe and connects via v-band.
Power-adder:
* Nitrous Express "wet" kit. I typically run the 50-75 pills in it.
If you're really bored, here is a link to my gallery:
http://www.ecimulti.org/gallery/album195
Total Comments 4
Comments
|
How do you like the V6 with the S54? I ended up going to E153 route which made the swap significantly more expensive after getting the axles and hubs. I'm having the same Y-pipe regrets you are.
 Nice work man. |
Posted 12-19-2007 at 10:39 PM by Ncturnal
|
|
|
I dig the S54 most of the time, it's only when I go on a long road trip that I wish I had an E153. I mostly drive in the city, so the racecar like gear banging is kinda fun.
Sorry for the long wait for a reply, I didn't know I even had a comment! |
|
Posted 07-16-2008 at 10:38 AM by Gimpster
|
|
|
? im doing the v6 swap whats the diff in the trans?
|
|
Posted 08-25-2008 at 08:26 PM by bulit
|
|
|
Well, the gearing of the E153 is significantly different. The E153 is also a much more robust unit too, including axles. That's the 10,000ft overview anyway
|
|
Posted 10-07-2008 at 12:32 AM by Gimpster
|
Recent Blog Entries by Gimpster
- Gimpster's 1MZ V6 Project (11-19-2007)
