MK2 NA > Turbo Write-Up

[samwisethewise]

im still trying to figure out wha thte problem is with my car. i turned the idle up so that it doesnt die at idle. but, when the car is cold it barely runs and it wont idle at all. any clue as to what the problem is? i checked all the turbo hosing. i also dont have an engine bay temperature sensor. anyone know where i could find one or maybe a way to get my intercooler fan to run without the temp sensor?

[Basement Digital]

Originally Posted by ChadRay13

I have yet to hook the cruise up, but dont see why it couldn't be wired in.

As far as the PS, it works just fine. Look at the pin out I posted

I also fixed my pinout picture on the write-up. PS is no problem.

I'd have to research why cruise control wouldn't work. It may have something to do with the electronic speed sensor (or lack thereof).

[ChadRay13]

Originally Posted by Basement Digital

I also fixed my pinout picture on the write-up. PS is no problem.

Sorry I had not looked back to notice.

If you had the mechanical speedo with the cruise control, then there should be a way to splice the wires in.

I will have to check into the schematics on these.
Some one correct me if I'm wrong.

[mr2_mk1.5]

I was running a stock toyota recirc blow off valve at 25psi boost and let me tell you the stock valve wasn't meant to handle that kind of boost. At 7000 RPM in 3rd one day my cylinder head all of a sudden lifted and started pouring oil out of the cylinders and turbo. It turned out that at 25psi boost the diaphram tore and the spring and pintle met up with the compressor wheel of my T3/T4 and ripped it apart and apparently that much oil will cause one hell of a lean condition. I'm now running a GT3082R with an .84 exhaust AR and a 38mm turbosmart recirc blow off valve and I've had no problems or complaints with it and is extremly easy to adjust.

[DrWonderEyes]

talk about a nightmare lol
the swap i did. the motor had a bad freeze plug behind the altenator bracket. changed that. the ECU had a bad capacitor (the one that the IGF and IGT signals pass through) and cause the car to go into limp mode like as if u hit fuel cut from over boosting thusly cutting ignitor voltage.

anyway fixed all taht stuff. if anyone has GEN3 issues with it not running right. i'll show u what capacitor goes bad on the motherboard of the ECU.

this write up did help me a little. so i appreciate it

[subrosa]

Do you have to source out the Fuel Injection and Fuel Pump resistor packs for the swap? I noticed your NA didn't have those.

[Basement Digital]

Originally Posted by subrosa

Do you have to source out the Fuel Injection and Fuel Pump resistor packs for the swap? I noticed your NA didn't have those.

The NA had an injector resistor pack, but not a FPR. The 3SGTE came with both, but I did not use the FPR. I did detail this in the writeup.

[subrosa]

Originally Posted by Basement Digital

The NA had an injector resistor pack, but not a FPR. The 3SGTE came with both, but I did not use the FPR. I did detail this in the writeup.

Ah I was confused about that because my 92 NA does not have anything looking like one of those resistors..

[subrosa]

Also, don't you need the turbo pressure sensor too?

(Sorry for the double post!)

[ChadRay13]

You do need the turbo pressure sensor for the most part. There is a bypass for it to prevent fuel cut tho.

[YoungstownMR2]

Hi everyone. I just read through this post, and it made me want to and not want to do a swap at the same time. I have a 1991 NA. I would love to do it myself, but im no car mechanic. I think I would be able to get it all together, as long as I didn't run into any problems, which it seems people tend to hit alot. Anyway I was just wondering Basement Digital, if you dont mind me asking, what was your overall cost of doing this swap?

[slugg#3]

First off, I just wanted to thank you basement digital and all of you who are trying to help those MR2 owners who are "3sgte-less".

My Newbie question, would it be possible if we use a US ECU (turbo) instead of the Japanese ECU on a REV2 Engine/Harness? To be exact, both engine and ecu is off from 1991.

I'm at the point where I'm gathering all my wires and identifying what they are, and ready to connect them.

Please, help you guys can. Thanks in advance.

[Basement Digital]

Originally Posted by YoungstownMR2

Hi everyone. I just read through this post, and it made me want to and not want to do a swap at the same time.

Good. At the very least you know what you're up against now!

Originally Posted by YoungstownMR2

I have a 1991 NA. I would love to do it myself, but im no car mechanic. I think I would be able to get it all together, as long as I didn't run into any problems, which it seems people tend to hit alot.

I think it depends on what you're looking for. I'm not a professional mechanic either, but I like getting in my garage and wrenching on something every once in a while. I also like driving; go figure. So for me, if the swap ends up taking a couple of years (which it did) that doesn't matter because my MR2 is not something I use for transportation. It's strictly recreational. It serves its purpose when in the garage or out!

By the way, had I known what I know now, I could have easily completed the swap in two weeks. But that's only assuming I had the cash to buy everything I needed up front, which brings me to your next question.

Originally Posted by YoungstownMR2

Anyway I was just wondering Basement Digital, if you dont mind me asking, what was your overall cost of doing this swap?

I will tell you that I spent around $1600 for my '93 JDM 3SGTE w/ LSD tranny. That's a smokin' deal and it took me about a year to find. But time was on my side. I couldn't afford to purchase everything that I assumed I needed at once (I did waste a few dollars on things I *thought* I needed - for example, the intercooler fan controller). By the time I picked my motor up I had already purchased an intercooler, clutch, timing belt, etc. In my free time I may put together a spreadsheet to help people with the budget portion of this, but regardless this is the cheapest method of producing 220 bolt-on horsepower for our vehicles.

[Basement Digital]

Originally Posted by slugg#3

First off, I just wanted to thank you basement digital and all of you who are trying to help those MR2 owners who are "3sgte-less".

Thanks!

Originally Posted by slugg#3

My Newbie question, would it be possible if we use a US ECU (turbo) instead of the Japanese ECU on a REV2 Engine/Harness? To be exact, both engine and ecu is off from 1991.

Can you be a little more specific?

Car you're working on now: US '91 NA?
Engine & Engine Harness: JDM '91 3SGTE?
ECU: US '91 3SGTE

Originally Posted by slugg#3

I'm at the point where I'm gathering all my wires and identifying what they are, and ready to connect them.

Please, help you guys can. Thanks in advance.

Got the 3SGTE in yet?

[Levi_]

When are you going to get full bolt-ons and run 17 psi?

[slugg#3]

Originally Posted by Basement Digital

Thanks!

Can you be a little more specific?

Car you're working on now: US '91 NA?
Engine & Engine Harness: JDM '91 3SGTE?
ECU: US '91 3SGTE

Got the 3SGTE in yet?

Yes, I have 1992 N/A 5-Speed. I'm actually planning on to do the swap on the 25th of November. NOTE: Nothing on the N/A has been removed; it's all stock.

The swap that I purchased did came with the harness, I believe it is the JDM Harness unless the previous owner (which I don't know) could have possibly have a different harness used since he never installed it and said that when he purchase the swap, he had to get his own ECU, which is the USDM 91 ECU I have now. (So, yes, the ECU that I have and plan to use is the '91 USDM in which I do have it in hand.)

So far, my brothers and I have changed most of the gaskets, rings, hoses, belt, and even torque the head down. We even checked the transmission, came with it, for any cracks or leaks, and it looked fine along with the starter. Thus far, it's only close to November 25th that we will start this and tried finishing it within the four day of Thanksgiving Break.

Question:
I know that there is a difference in the Rev3 and Rev2, but is there specifically some difference in the 91 Rev2 and 93 Rev2? If so, how would I determine the difference? (If it's anything, I'm thinking of the harness and wiring, having power steering and what not -- but that' just my guessing)

Also, the engine came with a custom 3.0'' to a 2.5" down pipe, now, I'm having trouble deciding what to do with the exhaust. I don't know exactly what I should do since my stock N/A has a stock turbo exhaust but it was welded where the bottom cat converter is connected(not connected by flanges since it was welded for smog)

The swap engine that I purchased or planning to swap did came with a custom B-pipe but since the exhaust I have on my car is actually welded to the bottom cat converter; thus, I now have an option to cut and weld the turbo exhaust on. (Ughh, any suggestions to what I can do to alternate this?)

What I'm quite confuse is: If I purchase an aftermarket exhaust, I'm assuming I don't need the bottom cat-converter, so does that means I'll have to get flanges with a 2.5" to connect to the bottom of the exhaust to the B-pipe and B-pipe connects to the exhaust, or possibly just purchase a downpipe that connects to the b-pipe and exhaust(cat-less?)

Very well,

Once again, thanks Basement Digital. Mind if I asked of your car and how is it running. =) Hopefully, that 4 day will be long enough for the swap since the MR2 is a daily driven car.

-Tom

[Basement Digital]

Originally Posted by slugg#3

Yes, I have 1992 N/A 5-Speed. I'm actually planning on to do the swap on the 25th of November. NOTE: Nothing on the N/A has been removed; it's all stock.

The swap that I purchased did came with the harness, I believe it is the JDM Harness unless the previous owner (which I don't know) could have possibly have a different harness used since he never installed it and said that when he purchase the swap, he had to get his own ECU, which is the USDM 91 ECU I have now. (So, yes, the ECU that I have and plan to use is the '91 USDM in which I do have it in hand.)

When you say harness do you mean the engine harness? Did it also come with the body harness?

Originally Posted by slugg#3

So far, my brothers and I have changed most of the gaskets, rings, hoses, belt, and even torque the head down. We even checked the transmission, came with it, for any cracks or leaks, and it looked fine along with the starter. Thus far, it's only close to November 25th that we will start this and tried finishing it within the four day of Thanksgiving Break.

Did you check the clutch? I've had JDM motors show up with bad clutches. When I say bad - I mean broken springs lodged in between the pressure plate and flywheel.

You are aware that if you use the 3SGTE tranny you will need either custom axles or the rear suspension from a turbo car, yes?

Originally Posted by slugg#3

Question:
I know that there is a difference in the Rev3 and Rev2, but is there specifically some difference in the 91 Rev2 and 93 Rev2? If so, how would I determine the difference? (If it's anything, I'm thinking of the harness and wiring, having power steering and what not -- but that' just my guessing)

There are some bizzare differences such as different valve covers, oil pressure senders, etc. In terms of wiring, nothing major off the top of my head. You would need to compare schematics. I do have a few different schematics but to complicate issues they show some minor differences between each other for the same model/year vehicle (The FC pin seems to bounce around on different shematics). So some experimentation may be needed. The most reliable way would be to compare factory service manuals, but those are hard to come by - and even they aren't always accurate.

If you are modifying the existing fusebox - you don't need to worry about the kickpanel pinout - just the ECU. If you are using a turbo body harness then you need to compare whatever year body harness with whatever year engine with whatever year vehicle (kickpanel).

It's actually easier than I'm making it sound. :P

Originally Posted by slugg#3

Also, the engine came with a custom 3.0'' to a 2.5" down pipe, now, I'm having trouble deciding what to do with the exhaust. I don't know exactly what I should do since my stock N/A has a stock turbo exhaust but it was welded where the bottom cat converter is connected(not connected by flanges since it was welded for smog)

The swap engine that I purchased or planning to swap did came with a custom B-pipe but since the exhaust I have on my car is actually welded to the bottom cat converter; thus, I now have an option to cut and weld the turbo exhaust on. (Ughh, any suggestions to what I can do to alternate this?)

You're making my head spin.

KORACING :: High Quality Automotive Parts - Products and pick up a street brawler kit with exhaust system.

Otherwise find a friend that knows how to weld.

Originally Posted by slugg#3

What I'm quite confuse is: If I purchase an aftermarket exhaust, I'm assuming I don't need the bottom cat-converter, so does that means I'll have to get flanges with a 2.5" to connect to the bottom of the exhaust to the B-pipe and B-pipe connects to the exhaust, or possibly just purchase a downpipe that connects to the b-pipe and exhaust(cat-less?)

In my case the motor came with a stock exhaust manifold w/ cat. I picked up a used Tanabe component exhaust kit that included a downpipe and muffler. Keep it simple. Bolt-ons are your friend.

Originally Posted by slugg#3

Once again, thanks Basement Digital. Mind if I asked of your car and how is it running. =) Hopefully, that 4 day will be long enough for the swap since the MR2 is a daily driven car.

4-days is tight, my friend; I have to be honest. People like to brag about how quickly they can do the swap but honestly that's a professional level turn-around time. I hope you have a lift, air tools, torches for stubborn bolts, and spare parts.

My car is running beautifully. I love it. Everything is tip top - minus a big problem.

I noticed that after a week of driving the car, it was losing coolant. I finally determined that I have a either a hairline crack in my head or (more likely) a slight leak in my headgasket. What a pisser! The car is garaged for the winter and I plan to do a writeup on the gasket change eventually.

[slugg#3]

As far as I have:

It only came with the engine harness, so yeah, we're in the process of matching which wire is to which.

As far as the clutch go, we've taken it to a local clutch place here and found that we still have about 80% on it, along with them checking the pressure plate.

About the transmission, I believe it is the turbo transmission. Ughh, I didn't know that the turbo axle and the n/a aren't compatible. Hmm.. this makes it hard because I won't be able to find any MR2 Turbo Axle near by(Wait you've said Rear Suspension? NOT AXLE?) nor I would have someone custom fabricate new one in this little time. I guess I'll have to use the MR2 N/A Tranny. (** This mean I'll have to take it off from the engine again.)

In the case of the exhaust, I think I'll have to find someone to weld. It's going to be tough since I'm on tight budget because I can surely find an aftermarket bolt on easily(just not the finance).

Thanks Basement Digital, I'll have more questions if you don't mind. I need to let my brothers know about this issue because there's simply isn't another way since MR2 turbo are so rare.

-Tom

Yeah, I'm live here in Central California and go to college here. It's my daily car and 4 days is all I have. We're not professionals nor even MR2 experts, but hopefully if we can have all the wiring done right, with all the necessary parts being installed and ready to go. It shouldn't be that bad if we pull some all "nighters" on some of those given days... Ugh, time and patience is always best, but we'll see..

[slugg#3]

Hey Basement Digital,

If you're still there, I was wondering what did you mean by when you said by Turbo Transmission using custom axle or turbo rear suspension?

If it's possible, can you elaborate more about that? I want to know what type of option do I have on that.

Thanks if you have the time.

-Thom

[slugg#3]

Okay, so far, the swap is almost close to being done. Just one problem, it won't go into gears or the car wouldn't go into gear when the car is turned on.

We're using the 5sfe tranny with the 3sgte flywheel, clutch and pressure plate. Now, taking notes from Basement Digital, we need to use a clutch,that fits for 5sfe, in order to make the car go into gear?

The clutch that came with the car the engine was off from a 3sgte.

If anyone can help me out on this one, please let me know. Almost home, everything worked, started and just waiting for the car to roll.

Thanks,

Thom