3GENJDM: 98 spec jdm mr2 problems

[ukrainian_mr2]

Hey..im new to this here and have a few questions..my brother was driving the mrtwat..in seattle and boosted it to high and i think he blew a head gasket...so i bought the car from him and am now trying to fix it...he said that it might have a cracked piston...but i dont know...it smokes a lot when started and drives like ****....i have a video on youtube that shos me starting it and driving it....could u guys take a look at the video and give some suggestions? on youtube type in 98 spec jdm mr2 and it will come up...thanks..

[PHOENIX]

Link -

YouTube - 98 spec jdm mr2

My guess.....your headgasket is completely toast. Start it up and smell the smoke... does it smell sweet like antifreeze or does is smell like burning oil?

What the hell is that knocking sound when your starting it up...is that the engine or your friend working on that red POS?

[ukrainian_mr2]

lol...that noise is my brother working on his type 2 legend....it smells like antifreeze....the engine has a gt35 basically my bro built it from a na. hes been building it for 3 years and put almost over 15g for it...luckily i bought it for 5..lol

[PHOENIX]

your bro put a GT35 on a 5S with no internals?

And yes....I would bet money you have a blown headgasket.

[ukrainian_mr2]

no no no...its a 2nd gen 3sgte....they didnt come stock with the metal headgasket. there is nothing none turbo on it at all except for the vin numbers which means i get cheaper insurance lol....suspension is turbo, interior from a 98 mr2 from a tokyo junkyard, basically he got an lni check and put it all in the car...

[ukrainian_mr2]

what about the pistons? does it sound like a cracked piston?

[PHOENIX]

no idea, you won't know that till you pop the head to replace the headgasket. If high HP is what your going for, and assuming since you have GT35 thats what you want, you should consider while you replace the headgasket, have the whole thing done and go with some new pistons and rods....hell....maybe some cams too while your at it.

[ukrainian_mr2]

hmmm...what kind of pistons do u suggest and where can i find some for a good price...i thought the turbo mr2s already come with forged pistons? and suggestions of cams?also i have a stock ecu...with piggyback i need something else...

[PHOENIX]

k...you should read the mk2 power primer....Read this....learn this....commit it to memory......there is a test at the end

3S-GTE Power Primer

once you read that.....ask away.

[ukrainian_mr2]

alright...will do..

[ukrainian_mr2]

alright i read it,and everything that it said to do to the car has been done, from the ignition, to the cooling, everything is done other then the internals..

[PHOENIX]

nice.

As far as pistons....everyone has there own opinions. Most of them cost about the same. Personally I like JE pistons and thats what I believe "most" people use. Connecting Rods....depends on your budget but most people go with Eagle H rods. You can get the more expensive ones but I don't see a reason unless you are shooting for an ungodly amount of HP (450+). You will have to pull your engine and give your engine block to a machine shop to have bore'd and cleaned. I would send your head to someone like hobbs performance and have them clean your head, and make sure everything is okay with it. Maybe even throw in a port and polish and a valve job.

As far as Cams....95% of the MR2 owners use HKS for cams and thats going to be your choice on which size to use. Kelford is a new company I guess making 3S cams but I don't have any experience or read any reviews on them yet. They seem to be a little bit cheaper than HKS as far as price.

I highly recommend going to a full EMS with all this. Yes, they can be expensive, but well worth it. It will keep your engine running properly with a good tune. Most MR2 owners use the Hydra Nemesis which you can get from KO Racing in Portland, OR. In fact he can also tune it for you. Welcome To MR Controls or KORACING :: High Quality Automotive Parts - Products

Do you have an engine builder or are you guys skilled enough to do everything yourself? If not I recommend KO Racing since he is closest and a very professional and skilled individual. (KORACING :: High Quality Automotive Parts - Products)

[ukrainian_mr2]

well i have my brother, this is was his 6th mr2..he can port and polish the head for me..but hes not a very reliable person if u know what i mean...i dont know if u saw this question or not..but dont the mr2 come with forged rods stock? and im planning to hit the 500hp barrier..

[PHOENIX]

I don't think so....I can't remember. I'm more a Beams guy

But I do know that the stock internals don't do well after 350 and some abuse. So if your going for the 500 barrier....go big.

You should look into putting a ton of money if thats your goal. Anyone can hit 500, but its the length of time that you will enjoy the car for depends on the amount of money you put into the internals.

[ukrainian_mr2]

yep ur right...thats why im do it nice and slow and save up money...which bugs the heck out of me...cuzz everyday i get up and looked at the car and want to drive it..then have to get into the van...lol

[puretone]

I'll take the free massage.....
Hey do the eastern-euro gypsy maneuver and use your MRtwat to fumigate the 'hood for mosquitoes and such....