Need MR2 Wisdom: Help me Create a Nonturbo Beast! :)

I hope to spend no more than $5,000 on a '91-92 n/a with under 110k miles in smooth running condition.

But that's just the beginning.

I have pages of schemes to turn it into a dominant street machine, with $3,000 aside to put into it right off the bat!

This is where you fellow enthusiasts come in!

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*The upgrade options will go by category, I'll simply list what I have written down. Please reply with ideas, suggestions or comments on anything if you can!

--EXHAUST:

1.) "Flowing exhaust system" : Take out stock cat, replace with 2.5in high flow cat. run 2.5inch piping into a single 3.5in brospeed tip

2.) Pay for the Blitz Nur Spec exhaust.

--INTAKE:

1.) HKS Super Flow Intake
2.) Weapon*R Dragon Intake
3.) Apex'i Power intake

--HEADERS:

Really don't know much about this part. I've found TRD Headers for the 1st gen, but can't find anything for a 2nd gen :( What would you suggest? Where can I find some good headers and do you know what they would cost?

--Underdrive Pulley:

1.) Not sure about this one either :( Any suggestions?

--CHIP (air/fuel mixter mod):

1.) A million different kinds of these on ebay. I wonder about their reliability though.


--SPARKPLUGS:

1.) Iridium spark plugs?
2.) limited ideas here as well.

--BORE INCREASE/Pistons:

1.) Although a bore job will increase displacement, i've heard major low-end tweaks are not worth the cost on an mr2?

--Aero styling:

1.) Tom's Kit
2.) Bomex
3.) tom's or bomex dual scoops

--BRAKES:

1.) TRD cross-drilled rotors + trip to local Just Brakes for a checkup.

--Misc:

1.) Clear corners/side moldings
2.) foglights if not on car stock
3.) Popup headlight mod, (so they open say 60% of the way)
4.) Dream wheels: 17" 5zigen Copse rims



My list is short enough eh? :) I don't even have the car yet, but I DO have the money waiting for one.
I want to begin the majority of these upgrades immediately. Please suggest any mod you like, or comment on what I have listed, I need your advice!!!!

- [email protected] Phoenix, Arizona

And another question.

I love the blitz nur spec design, but the 3.5in piping is too big for a n/a (no backpressure :() do they offer a 2.5in version or something of the like?

My opinion is to just go for an MR2 turbo if you really want a dominant street machine. A standard 3S-GTE will spank the hell out of any N/A 5S-FE. You may just want to put that extra $3k into getting an MR2 turbo. I don't think you'll regret it. And if you end up with an N/A, I'd still have to recommend swapping the motor for a 3S-GTE, the performance gain will speak for itself.

I'm stuck with the n/a for insurance reasons (i'm 17, wince), but how much would the 3sgte engine/labor of installation cost altogether? rough estimate from anyone that's done it?


btw, thanks guys :D

Oh and another thing, do those FTOs come with a manual transmission? I've only seen tiptronic. Hehe my favorite car in Gran Turismo 3 is the FTO race car. mmmmm

Is this going to be your first car?

If you're 17 and want insurance to be low(er) I'd reccomend getting a different car for a few years and then get this car when you turn 21 or find a beat up n/a and fix it up and once it's finally streetable then you'll be old enough that insurance should be lower.

If you get snow or ice in the winter where you live (I didn't read your pro...so I'm not sure if this applies to you) then I suggest a winter car or to go really easy on it.

A 3sgte can usually be bought for about 1500-2500 and then the install which most shops would charge around 500-1000.

I'm stuck with the n/a for insurance reasons (i'm 17, wince), but how much would the 3sgte engine/labor of installation cost altogether? rough estimate from anyone that's done it?


btw, thanks guys :D

Oh and another thing, do those FTOs come with a manual transmission? I've only seen tiptronic. Hehe my favorite car in Gran Turismo 3 is the FTO race car. mmmmm


Your budget should allow you to convert the NA to turbo. Seeing as though you'll have no need for a low km NA, you might be able to find a cheaper MR2 (not 5k), which will increase your budget for modifications.

Around 2/3rds of FTO's were tiptronic, but I had a manual. They're excellent cars!!!! I miss it a lot, especially since the 99/2000 WRX I bought to replace it was recently stolen :( If you think VTEC motors sound nice, you've obviously never heard a MIVEC powered FTO in action.

This will be my 2nd car. I bought my first for 2 grand, worked all summer so I could drive it to work ;)

It was a 1991 white ford probe GL (it whooped golf carts, the older ones)

I drove it from 15 and 9 months to now (17 and 9 months)

As a matter of fact I JUST WON an auction for:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2430102461&category=15289

I paid too much, but hey I couldn't wait any more and it's right down the street. Also cleaned up by the dealer and sturdy enough for the project at hand. I guess I'll lay off any mods until I gather another couple hundred for a 3sgte swap.

i hav a 91 n/a and if you want the huge hp i would go with a jdm turbo engine. but you could put a n/a at 250 - 300hp. i am going to keep mine n/a and if u do to i would suggest putting a stage 1-3 clutch an aluminum fly wheel (the fly wheel gives about 30 hp), there are a set of headers for the n/a made by hot shot for about $500 (http://www.hotshot.com/products_headers.htm), spark plugs get bosch platinum 4's its the best kind i have found or head of, nology hot wires (they are spark plug wires they give some hp). on the body u said u wanted the engine scopes i have heard that when u get fast enough they start tapping and take off the paint. on the cat, if u know anyone with a lift you can un screw the exhaust at the cat and take like a crow bar and hollow it out just dont get caught by the cops. and if ur state has emissions tests this will not work eather. on the intakes i like weapon r the best because i have seen it on the car, i have not been able to get a pic of the whole apexi intake and i dont like the way the hks looks but go what looks good to u. the ecu chips can fry ur engine and i have been told its not that much of a boost any way. and lighting up ur car with a new hood and engine hatch and wheels will make ur car run faster. the pop up head lights accually weigh alot too so u might consider flush mount kit (www.trueleo.com)
im all talked out. hope i help you.

get a hardtop! weighs less!

if you wanna get a fast n/a, go buy a 3sge.... get the beams 3sge!!

200hp, VVTi :naughty:

http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/Altezza/mechanism/images/mecha01.jpg

Did i mention its beautiful?

What do you guys things about cam work or a bore increase?

anyone tried it or heard of its effects on an mr2?

yea id get a hardtop or a sunroof, i think it looks better. i have a t-top, i wish that i got a sunroof, but couldnt find one near my area, so i just got a t-top.

i drove in snow once, cause i had to get to work, had no way else of getting there. no it doesnt have a bad ending sorry guys :P u wish. but anyways, i took this corner, my rear end slid out, and i basically started drifting. thought it was kinda fun, but it really sucks in snow.

if you know nothing or next to nothing about the car, i suggest that you dont get it.

i haven't heard of any ecu chips for the mr2 except for one, but i only see the euroopean guys using them. i wouldnt trust the ebay chips.

i believe blitz only makes a turbo exhaust for the mr2, not the n/a.

mr2 enthusiasts usually buy the A'pexi intake because there have been tests online proving the apexi filters the best. i havent heard a thing about the weapon r for the mr2 and on the same test, the hks filtered like crap.

to get any hp out of an n/a car, you will need to increase air intake, have the exhaust more free flowing than stock (2-2.5"), increase compression, do head work, valve train work, and more (EXPENSIVE!). if you increase compression, you should run higher octane gasoline and take even better care of your car. head work, valve train, and increasing compressoin is not a necessity, though. just some expensive hp.

lightening your car will make your car faster, but if its just the hood and engine lid, then it wont be noticeable. ALSO, depending on the rims, it can affect your performance AND gas mileage. if its heavier than stock, then it should downgrade performance. bigger rims allow for better handling but they're also heavier.

the flywheel is really a toss up. it has its ups and downs. where's the proof that a flywheel gives you about 30hp? i find that very hard to believe. also, an n/a mr2 engine at 250-300hp? where are you getting your info? is that rwhp?

underdrive pulleys will barely give you any hp. on the 5sfe...maybe 1-3hp.

there are also HME headers, but they're not emissions legal. http://www.jimsnodgrass.com/aaron_header.htm

the popup headlight mod is known to the mr2 community as a lowrise kit, there are a few people on the mr2 board that are doing these kits. join http://www.board.mr2faq.com you will find a lot of helpful info there.

you forgot about the suspension. if you want a good suspension, many mr2 guys go with the eibach pro-kits with kyb agx adjustable shocks. there are also strut bars like trd, cusco, and such.

there are a lot of clutches out there. it depends on the type of driving you do.

no offense or anything, but do you know much about cars? it doesnt sound like it. i'm 17 also but i've been researching the various cars for about the same amount of time (about 4yrs).

how are you planning to drive the mr2? drag? road race? auto cross?

damn, what a long post, hope this helped you out and joing http://www.board.mr2faq.com it has all the info you need. check out http://www.mr2.com for some info also. good luck and keep researching.

Hey thanks for the info 1ofthesedays. Although I don't need the false assumption of me being generally igorant about cars. I could dump your 'expert opinion' in front of others and they'd completely disagree, but I'll take your word for it. I admit i'm new to the MR2 but more than willing to learn. I also wasn't the silly guy who thought a flywheel would create 30hp. :)

Since I bought the car, I've definately learned a lot. Unfortunately I bought the mr2 from a dealer so its history is a mystery. The previous owner was a jerk to the car, and now I'm cleaning up the mess he left under the hood :(

Here's my cardomain page, every one here is more than welcome to drop a note in the guestbook! :D

http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=382175

sorry if i came off as an ass or anything. i knew you werent the guy talking about the flywheel, i was just trying to answer everything in one post.

i'd suggest you use your money and go with a turbo engine, im sure you'll have lots of fun. i bet the n/a's are fun but to hear and feel the power of a turbocharged car is like nothing else.
do you like the attention you get in the car?

i think you can check carfax.com to find some info of what your car went through, but i've never tried it so im not so sure about what it does.

good luck with your car and what you do with it. :bigthumb:

I saw a message doubting 250-300 out of an n/a...
I have a 93 n/a and i have 200, with only a custom (but still inefficient) dual muffler exhaust, Venom chip (no injectors or pump yet), another Jet V-force chip, K&N plastic air intake tubing and Nology wires.

That's with no cam, stock coil pack, stock injectors and pump, stock exhaust manifold and downpipe, and WITH T-tops I'm the big dog in terms of four cylinders at the track running 9.40s in the 1/8th, less than a second behind stock Ram Air Trans Ams... ON STREET TIRES!!! The only four bangers beating me are ridiculously expensive WRX STi's and such and CRX's tubbed out and spraying.

Now add the Venom injectors and pump, Nology coil pack, Hotshot ceramic coated stainless headers and a KO Racing TKO exhaust (which by the way is deeper and meaner sounding than some 4.6 Mustang GTs), 3" polished aluminum intake, and a cam. Not to mention port and polish work and a port match on the intake manifold. Plus there's a kit to convert your fuel rail to double feed like the 3SGTE.

So to conclude. 250-300 RWHP? Easily!!! Aim for 11.5s in the quarter bro, and stick with the n/a, the exhaust note is awesome for turning heads and drowning out 'Stangs.

drazhartd, do your homework before you buy anything. Make sure you are mkaing plans that make sense and make sure yo uare gettign advice from people who are knowledgable and trusted.

There is some B.S. in this thread and some good stuff. Take your time to learn the difference.

You will find lots of good information here:
http://www.mr2oc.com/

ALSO: A header would REPLACE the cat. You had mentioned getting a high flow cat to replace the cat and also getting a header. You would e buying two things for one space :) Like I said, do your home work.