'87 MR2 Engine - have rebuilt or JDM?

is_tech · 04-05-2007, 12:04 PM

Hello all! I was wondering, should I pay to have my 1987 MR2 MK1 engine rebuilt and maybe soop it up some?
I would want to also maybe get the tranny redone, a new clutch, and any bolt ons that I could find to go on it. (Cam gears, pulleys, etc…)
Any ideas how much this might run?
Or would I be better off just getting a JDM Engine and tranny off EBAY and just adding bolt ons to it and paying to have it installed?
I want to at least double the horses

(around 112hp or so currently according to internet).
Thanks!

toyotaspeed90 · 04-06-2007, 02:50 AM

doubling the power is going to cost quite a bit... especially if you plan to have 'professionals' do the work.....

you will also lose a LOT of reliability with that sort of power in a 4ag.....

is_tech · 04-06-2007, 10:02 PM

I have one guy here in texas that told me he could rebuild mine and put racing parts in it and get around 210 hp out of it for around $1500.
I will probably just end up getting a jdm engine and tranny, get all the bolt ons I can for it, pay to have it installed, and be done with it.

CpuZapper · 04-06-2007, 11:10 PM

210 for $1500? Never heard of anyone being able to do that with an NA motor before. I mean, Formula Atlantics are 230-250 and they're $10,000+ for a full setup. You'd have to be high compression, light internals, big cams, crazy exhaust, ITBs (alone are $600ish), good head work, EMS of some kind. Say goodbye to street drivability (and hello to 5k starts from every stoplight) and start buying race gas.

I'm going to say what I always say - get yourself a JDM GZE with wiring harness and ecu (or better, a front clip) from an AE111. 170HP, supercharged, and pretty much bolt in swap. There really isn't much to be gained in swapping trannys. Very few ever came with an LSD, and unless you're going to mod a 6spd, you'll find that the costs outweigh the advantages. I mean, you'll spend a couple hundred on an SC tranny (E-51), then you have to find axles and shift cables from a MK1SC which will cost you a couple hundred more. You can get a used C-52 for a hundred bucks and be done with it, or get it rebuilt if you're having problems shifting. If it shifts fine, don't worry about it and drop a new motor in.

is_tech · 04-10-2007, 03:09 PM

Hello All!
I have another question.
When I do finally decide to have my swap done, I will not only be looking for performance, but reliability as well. would it be smarter to go with a Supercharged GZE, or a 20V? And how fast will it actually be? What cars will I be able to beat (city and highway)? I think my expectations may be a little to high.
Thanks!

04-05-2007, 12:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
is_tech Work in Progress Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 93 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	'87 MR2 Engine - have rebuilt or JDM? Hello all! I was wondering, should I pay to have my 1987 MR2 MK1 engine rebuilt and maybe soop it up some? I would want to also maybe get the tranny redone, a new clutch, and any bolt ons that I could find to go on it. (Cam gears, pulleys, etc…) Any ideas how much this might run? Or would I be better off just getting a JDM Engine and tranny off EBAY and just adding bolt ons to it and paying to have it installed? I want to at least double the horses (around 112hp or so currently according to internet). Thanks! Last edited by is_tech; 04-05-2007 at 12:44 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-06-2007, 02:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
toyotaspeed90 No Skills Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 2,407 Thanks: 0 Thanked 149 Times in 144 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	doubling the power is going to cost quite a bit... especially if you plan to have 'professionals' do the work..... you will also lose a LOT of reliability with that sort of power in a 4ag.....

04-06-2007, 10:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
is_tech Work in Progress Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 93 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I have one guy here in texas that told me he could rebuild mine and put racing parts in it and get around 210 hp out of it for around $1500. I will probably just end up getting a jdm engine and tranny, get all the bolt ons I can for it, pay to have it installed, and be done with it.

04-06-2007, 11:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
CpuZapper RallyRacer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 482 Thanks: 7 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	210 for $1500? Never heard of anyone being able to do that with an NA motor before. I mean, Formula Atlantics are 230-250 and they're $10,000+ for a full setup. You'd have to be high compression, light internals, big cams, crazy exhaust, ITBs (alone are $600ish), good head work, EMS of some kind. Say goodbye to street drivability (and hello to 5k starts from every stoplight) and start buying race gas. I'm going to say what I always say - get yourself a JDM GZE with wiring harness and ecu (or better, a front clip) from an AE111. 170HP, supercharged, and pretty much bolt in swap. There really isn't much to be gained in swapping trannys. Very few ever came with an LSD, and unless you're going to mod a 6spd, you'll find that the costs outweigh the advantages. I mean, you'll spend a couple hundred on an SC tranny (E-51), then you have to find axles and shift cables from a MK1SC which will cost you a couple hundred more. You can get a used C-52 for a hundred bucks and be done with it, or get it rebuilt if you're having problems shifting. If it shifts fine, don't worry about it and drop a new motor in.

04-10-2007, 03:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
is_tech Work in Progress Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 93 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Hello All! I have another question. When I do finally decide to have my swap done, I will not only be looking for performance, but reliability as well. would it be smarter to go with a Supercharged GZE, or a 20V? And how fast will it actually be? What cars will I be able to beat (city and highway)? I think my expectations may be a little to high. Thanks!