Swap advice

Kasparous · 10-07-2006, 08:05 PM

Hi I have a 94 MR2 N/A 5sfe that I would like to swap with a 3sgte but there are a few difficulties. First off the car is an automatic tranny which I would like to convert to a 5spd also I would like to know if either the genII or genIII would be easier to put in there. Also would like to know how much it usually cost to do something like this because money would be a factor because I am still in high school and I would be paying for all of this myself. im in clearwater fl so if there is anyone locally who would be willing help me out I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance

Mister2.2 · 10-07-2006, 09:24 PM

There's a sticky in this forum for converting from auto to manual. As for the swap, I will let the turbo guys answer that.

imweip · 10-07-2006, 09:42 PM

The Gen2 would be cheaper, but the Gen3 is cheaper if you plan on going to around 300hp. The Gen3 would probably be more reliable at that power level as well, and comes with lower miles most of the time.

www.chicoraceworks.com has gen3 clips. Oh, you want to buy the clip because you need the axles and tranny. You might as well have everything instead of some of it. If you just buy the engine it may be missing a lot of things you need. If I were doing a motor swap, I'd budget between $500-$1000 more than the cost of the motor so you can replace some things while it's out (Like clutch, hose from hell, etc.).

There is no such thing as cheap, fast, and reliable. Pick what you want, and work your ass off for it. Don't skimp... Either that, or use that as motivation to get through high school, then college, and get a kick ass job.

Another option might be to sell your car and buy an older model turbo. If you do want to sell your car, let me know. I'll be looking for a 94 NA in a few months when I scrape funds together. I'm in Orlando, so I'd be a quick sale.

Kasparous · 10-07-2006, 10:57 PM

Thanks for in info and suggestions imweip

artur1976 · 10-07-2006, 11:05 PM

Best thing to do is to sell your car and buy a turbo model. Swap will cost u $2500-$3000 in parts for gen2 and $3500-$4000 gen3. Labor is about $1000-$1500. To convert from auto to manual u have to drop the fuel tank and parts will cost u $200 at least then add labor.

U are looking at $5000 for gen2 with auto to manual swap and like $6000 for gen3.

A very nice 91-92 turbo will cost $7000 or u could find the 93+ model for about $9000. If u got to have a 94+ turbo be ready to drop 12k+.

94 NA with auto tranny is still worth 8k+ so all u would have to add is like 4k and have a real turbo car with the big brakes and many other small diferences.

Matt94MR2 · 10-07-2006, 11:30 PM

Unless you are planning on swapping in a Gen3 and doing all the labor yourself I would agree that you should just sell your car and buy an MR2 Turbo. Not much reason to go to all that work to swap from Auto NA-> Gen2 Turbo Manual seeing as that there are plenty of examples already out there. I spent about 5.5K on my Gen3 swap and 93+ brake upgrade doing all the labor myself. I'm sure you could do it for less but I wanted make sure I did it right the first time and not cheap out on anything.

imweip · 10-08-2006, 10:31 AM

The NA should end up a bit lighter than the turbo chassis depending on what options he has in the car, so he would end up with a faster car. If he decides to go Gen3, it is cheaper to swap that into an NA car... you wont get as much for your used 3sgte motor than what it would cost you to buy one.

Also, you guys arent factoring in power levels. If he swaps the Gen2, and spends say $1000 (price difference between Gen2 vs Gen3 swap) more in upgrades, where will he be in power with the right mods? I'm guessing he'll be right around the same power as the gen3. A nice exhaust will eat that budget up really quick. Put a nice exhaust on the Gen3, a MBC, and there was something else small I cant remember at the moment, and the car can run up to 275whp, and get into the 12's. I remember seeing a thread a while back where they said doing the same thing on a gen2 would cost twice as much money, and you have to tune it because you can't use the stock ECU anymore. My car was dynoed a while back before I bought it at 14psi, it put down 240whp the previous owner told me. He since then put a test pipe exhaust, a bigger intercooler, and a fuel computer (not sure what for). The thing is stupid fast.

You can do it cheaper with the gen2 to get to 200hp (roguhly 185whp right?), but why not take the newer motor if you know you are going to want a bit more, but not go crazy with it?

mr2slow4you · 10-08-2006, 01:21 PM

One thing to consider with the swap is you will typically have a motor with alot less mileage than if you bought a stock us mr2 turbo. Another thing to consider is you will always have a swapped mr2, and not a turbo model from the factory. If you get in an accident, all your money goes byebye since you are insured as a non turbo mr2. Unless you get a rear clip with a full body wiriing harness, you will have to do some wiring.

As far as the gen2 and gen3 go, I am not sure if this is still the case but if you need oem replacement parts for it the gen2 would be easier since the motor is the same as the usdm model. Someone correct me if I am wrong though.

imweip · 10-08-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr2slow4you

One thing to consider with the swap is you will typically have a motor with alot less mileage than if you bought a stock us mr2 turbo. Another thing to consider is you will always have a swapped mr2, and not a turbo model from the factory. If you get in an accident, all your money goes byebye since you are insured as a non turbo mr2. Unless you get a rear clip with a full body wiriing harness, you will have to do some wiring.

As far as the gen2 and gen3 go, I am not sure if this is still the case but if you need oem replacement parts for it the gen2 would be easier since the motor is the same as the usdm model. Someone correct me if I am wrong though.

You're very right, certain parts can be quite difficult to get for the Gen3. They can be had, but they take a while to get here from japan. Things like timing belts and other maintenence items can be found over here though. I cant remember the dealer, but there is one that stocks that stuff.

psypete · 02-15-2007, 03:12 AM

i've got a 91na auto sunroof, clean as a whistle and low mileage. i want to have a turbo mr2 once more but i got this car cheap and i'd rather not risk waiting for another like it but turbo to pop up somewhere. i'm thinking of paying for a manual swap, then down the road add a turbo to the 5s and keep that until it dies, and then swap in the gen2 motor and be done with it. granted it's not all as easy as that but if i'm not looking to make more than ~180-200hp and just want a turbo car it should be cheaper than a full-fledged auto-to-manual-plus-na-to-turbo swap right?

phzoinkMKII · 02-15-2007, 11:05 AM

I'm so sick of the gen III is better than the genII 300hp crap. Here is what I think: sell your car, buy a shell, and do a v6.

imweip · 02-15-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phzoinkMKII

I'm so sick of the gen III is better than the genII 300hp crap. Here is what I think: sell your car, buy a shell, and do a v6.

v6=drooool
but...
v6= a lot more work than gen2 or 3 swap.

phzoinkMKII · 02-15-2007, 11:16 AM

Maybe, but there is a ton of support, and the power band is just nuts.

imweip · 02-16-2007, 10:03 AM

^^ agreed 100% I want a v6, but I also want a gen3.

10-07-2006, 08:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kasparous No Skills Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Swap advice Hi I have a 94 MR2 N/A 5sfe that I would like to swap with a 3sgte but there are a few difficulties. First off the car is an automatic tranny which I would like to convert to a 5spd also I would like to know if either the genII or genIII would be easier to put in there. Also would like to know how much it usually cost to do something like this because money would be a factor because I am still in high school and I would be paying for all of this myself. im in clearwater fl so if there is anyone locally who would be willing help me out I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance

10-07-2006, 09:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mister2.2 Cheese it! Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,561 Thanks: 121 Thanked 115 Times in 99 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	There's a sticky in this forum for converting from auto to manual. As for the swap, I will let the turbo guys answer that. __________________ --Josh MR2Trader.com Free to Buy and Sell your MR2 Parts!

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10-07-2006, 09:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
imweip Devil's Advocate for Hire Join Date: May 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 795 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	The Gen2 would be cheaper, but the Gen3 is cheaper if you plan on going to around 300hp. The Gen3 would probably be more reliable at that power level as well, and comes with lower miles most of the time. www.chicoraceworks.com has gen3 clips. Oh, you want to buy the clip because you need the axles and tranny. You might as well have everything instead of some of it. If you just buy the engine it may be missing a lot of things you need. If I were doing a motor swap, I'd budget between $500-$1000 more than the cost of the motor so you can replace some things while it's out (Like clutch, hose from hell, etc.). There is no such thing as cheap, fast, and reliable. Pick what you want, and work your ass off for it. Don't skimp... Either that, or use that as motivation to get through high school, then college, and get a kick ass job. Another option might be to sell your car and buy an older model turbo. If you do want to sell your car, let me know. I'll be looking for a 94 NA in a few months when I scrape funds together. I'm in Orlando, so I'd be a quick sale.

10-07-2006, 10:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kasparous No Skills Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks for in info and suggestions imweip

10-07-2006, 11:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
artur1976 Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Worth texas Posts: 1,651 Thanks: 2 Thanked 34 Times in 34 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (71/99% )	Best thing to do is to sell your car and buy a turbo model. Swap will cost u $2500-$3000 in parts for gen2 and $3500-$4000 gen3. Labor is about $1000-$1500. To convert from auto to manual u have to drop the fuel tank and parts will cost u $200 at least then add labor. U are looking at $5000 for gen2 with auto to manual swap and like $6000 for gen3. A very nice 91-92 turbo will cost $7000 or u could find the 93+ model for about $9000. If u got to have a 94+ turbo be ready to drop 12k+. 94 NA with auto tranny is still worth 8k+ so all u would have to add is like 4k and have a real turbo car with the big brakes and many other small diferences.

10-07-2006, 11:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
Matt94MR2 GenIII Powered Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 236 Thanks: 3 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Unless you are planning on swapping in a Gen3 and doing all the labor yourself I would agree that you should just sell your car and buy an MR2 Turbo. Not much reason to go to all that work to swap from Auto NA-> Gen2 Turbo Manual seeing as that there are plenty of examples already out there. I spent about 5.5K on my Gen3 swap and 93+ brake upgrade doing all the labor myself. I'm sure you could do it for less but I wanted make sure I did it right the first time and not cheap out on anything.

10-08-2006, 10:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
imweip Devil's Advocate for Hire Join Date: May 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 795 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	The NA should end up a bit lighter than the turbo chassis depending on what options he has in the car, so he would end up with a faster car. If he decides to go Gen3, it is cheaper to swap that into an NA car... you wont get as much for your used 3sgte motor than what it would cost you to buy one. Also, you guys arent factoring in power levels. If he swaps the Gen2, and spends say $1000 (price difference between Gen2 vs Gen3 swap) more in upgrades, where will he be in power with the right mods? I'm guessing he'll be right around the same power as the gen3. A nice exhaust will eat that budget up really quick. Put a nice exhaust on the Gen3, a MBC, and there was something else small I cant remember at the moment, and the car can run up to 275whp, and get into the 12's. I remember seeing a thread a while back where they said doing the same thing on a gen2 would cost twice as much money, and you have to tune it because you can't use the stock ECU anymore. My car was dynoed a while back before I bought it at 14psi, it put down 240whp the previous owner told me. He since then put a test pipe exhaust, a bigger intercooler, and a fuel computer (not sure what for). The thing is stupid fast. You can do it cheaper with the gen2 to get to 200hp (roguhly 185whp right?), but why not take the newer motor if you know you are going to want a bit more, but not go crazy with it?

10-08-2006, 01:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
mr2slow4you ME out of training :) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clemmons, NC Posts: 2,336 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	One thing to consider with the swap is you will typically have a motor with alot less mileage than if you bought a stock us mr2 turbo. Another thing to consider is you will always have a swapped mr2, and not a turbo model from the factory. If you get in an accident, all your money goes byebye since you are insured as a non turbo mr2. Unless you get a rear clip with a full body wiriing harness, you will have to do some wiring. As far as the gen2 and gen3 go, I am not sure if this is still the case but if you need oem replacement parts for it the gen2 would be easier since the motor is the same as the usdm model. Someone correct me if I am wrong though.

02-15-2007, 03:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
psypete boring Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	i've got a 91na auto sunroof, clean as a whistle and low mileage. i want to have a turbo mr2 once more but i got this car cheap and i'd rather not risk waiting for another like it but turbo to pop up somewhere. i'm thinking of paying for a manual swap, then down the road add a turbo to the 5s and keep that until it dies, and then swap in the gen2 motor and be done with it. granted it's not all as easy as that but if i'm not looking to make more than ~180-200hp and just want a turbo car it should be cheaper than a full-fledged auto-to-manual-plus-na-to-turbo swap right?

02-15-2007, 11:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
phzoinkMKII Now with more Triforce!!! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: D.C Area Posts: 2,197 Thanks: 4 Thanked 76 Times in 70 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	I'm so sick of the gen III is better than the genII 300hp crap. Here is what I think: sell your car, buy a shell, and do a v6.

02-15-2007, 11:16 AM	#13 (permalink)
phzoinkMKII Now with more Triforce!!! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: D.C Area Posts: 2,197 Thanks: 4 Thanked 76 Times in 70 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	Maybe, but there is a ton of support, and the power band is just nuts.

02-16-2007, 10:03 AM	#14 (permalink)
imweip Devil's Advocate for Hire Join Date: May 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 795 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	^^ agreed 100% I want a v6, but I also want a gen3.