Considering a future MR2 purchase

[F6 fun]

Hello all,

I am thinking about possibly getting a MkII Mr2 in the near future, though I do have a few questions for you all.

I'd like to know how much driver feedback this car has to offer. I'm coming from an NA MX-5 & a Euro Carrera 3.2 (which I no longer own). Power is a non-issue as I'm used to carrying a lot of speed into corners...No turbo for me. Though I'd like to know how high you can raise the power without spending a lot of money (I am looking to get back into Porsches after all!).

Now, I'm planning on using this car for DEs with the PCA (Driver's Education). I am concerned about the possibility of oil starvation being a problem w/ these cars, are they common on this generation? *I know I can do this with the Mazda, but that is my first car & I try not to abuse it anymore.

Also, without as much aftermarket support as a 911 or Miata, are parts harder to source than any other Toyota?

Thanks all,

[Raptor13x]

The 5sfe won't produce a lot of power without forced induction or some major major dollars. You'll be hard-pressed to get 140-150rwhp from it after mods. If you want NA power, the V6 swap is becoming increasingly popular, and the 3sge can produce 200hp.

As far as oil starvation goes, I have never heard of anyone ever having that problem with an MR2.

Aftermarket support is pretty readily available, and there's a huge array of companies offering their own line of go-fast parts. Many of the better ones are part of the MR2 community, not some international company, so ask around for the best parts for the price in whatever you're looking for.

[Weasy2k]

The only real power things you can do with the 5s is headers, cams, intake (pfft :P )

That is about it the rest requires a turbo or such...but like you said thats not for you.

[F6 fun]

Ok, so I don't know a 5s from a 3sge, what model year was the 3s available on?

[Mister2.2]

Heres the run down for you on 5S mods:

Headers: Ebay: 4-1 Design (4-2 coming soon by SSAuto) $150-250
Intake: Make one yourself or use an ebay or wait for mine $90
Exhaust: Use a turbo exhaust or Natko or SSAuto that is coming out: $200-650

Cams: Webcams $630 Somebody on this board may be making some lower priced alternatives and also TEDS supposedly does cheap regrinds as well.

As far as the oil problems go, I'm told these can be fixed with the 98 camry oil pump.

After that, light weight flywheel: $300
You can fab up custom ITBs which would run around $200 or so, but you should get a tune at that point and run a stand alone system or at least a piggyback like SMT.

Jim Snodgrass put out 147 rwhp 153 rwtq but could have put out more with ITBs and an exhaust cam and some other mods.

You can see what he has done here: http://www.snodgrass23.com/dyno.htm

Nobody really knows the limits of the 5S yet, but it is a 2.2L block which is a good starting point. The head is limited in flow but we really don't know how much that will matter at these numbers. You can always build the weak spots up a bit and then run a turbo.

[phzoinkMKII]

Originally Posted by F6 fun

Ok, so I don't know a 5s from a 3sge, what model year was the 3s available on?

The 5sfe is the US spec NA engine, the 3sge is the NA engine which was offered on the other side of the pond in japan, europe and so on, but still pretty easy to get ahold of

[SpeedballTrix]

I know you said you didn't want a turbo, but I really think you should consider it.

Getting power out of the 5SFE (the N/A motor here in the states) costs a pretty penny. Personally I would only get one to keep it stock or swap the engine.

[Gallagher005]

buy a shell and do a JDM swap

[F6 fun]

Ok, since it takes money to get this thing to make some power, I've just decided to just lighten up the car I end up with! Nothing drastic mind you...I'll draw the line at having a lexan rear window (if that even exists for this car).

Oh, and I am not going to do an engine swap unless the engine grenades itself. Which would surprise the hell out of me if it ever happens.

The good news is that I just found out that MR2s don't have power steering!! That is music to my ears! That gives me hope that the 2 can give me as much feedback as the Carrera did. Granted, it's never going to feel like a rear-engined car, but I've heard that MR2s have snap oversteer too so that's another plus!! I need to go drive one.

[Raptor13x]

^ Some MR2's don't have power steering. It was an option.

As for weight reduction, there's quite a bit you can do. I had a sub-2500lb turbo when mine was running. The turbos typically weigh 2750-3000+lbs, depending on options.

[Tyler H]

My turbo-swapped NA weighs 2930 with half a tank of gas and me in it. I can think of about 150-200lbs that can be dropped off of it. Lose the AC, stock seats, rear muffler, spare tire/jack, stereo, carpet and you'll be in the ~2600lb range (car only, low fuel) on a non-PS non-ABS car.

[F6 fun]

2930#s? That's surprisingly heavy for such a small car! Though, I reckon that the Turbos are a few hundred lbs. heavier?

Oh well, at least some of them came w/o ABS...

[Raptor13x]

If you ever really mess around with the car, you'll realize it's built like a tank. The rear firewall alone must weight a good 50-75lbs. It's insane. It's good for structural stiffness, but definately not for weight.

[TomsMR2]

weight isnt everything.. certainly having a lighter car is always better, but ill take a great car on the heavy side (mr2) opposed to a piece of crap tincan car on the light side.. heavy or not, its still a very capable car.

i wouldnt sweat the weight too much..

[Raptor13x]

I disagree, weight is everything. It's stunning how much better the MR2 feels at 2500lbs as opposed to 3000lbs. And, if you ever drive a Lotus Elise, the MR2 will feel like a Greyhound bus by comparison. The stats don't even begin to explain the difference between an ultra light sportscar and a heavier GT car.

[TomsMR2]

most people looking at mk2 na's dont exactly have lotus money.. so ill stick to it, dont sweat the weight. i wouldnt NOT look at the mk2 because its a little on the heavy side.

[Mister2.2]

Well I agree that lighter is better but not at the cost of structural integrity.

[TomsMR2]

it would be a valid argument if there was another mid engined car that was a few hundred pounds lighter that you could buy for the same money.. but theres not, so dont worry about the weight, you'll deal with it

[Raptor13x]

Originally Posted by TomsMR2

it would be a valid argument if there was another mid engined car that was a few hundred pounds lighter that you could buy for the same money.. but theres not, so dont worry about the weight, you'll deal with it

My point was not that you should buy another car, it was that there are significant advantages to be had through serious weight reduction on the 2.