Need Advice

i'm at a bit of a crossroads. im a poor college student, i want an affordable car that i can make fast without getting into tons of debt. i've been into honda's for the past 4 years, but decided it's too expensive to make them very fast. thought about DSM's, but.....they're DSM's.

so, i found a 91 MR2 turbo w/ a newly swapped j-spec 3SGTE and LSD tranny for 6,500, what i'm wondering is how much power does the j-spec motor have, what turbo does it have, and what turbo's can you put on the stock manifold? my friend has an extra turbo from his 89 celica all-track and he thinks it's a T3, but i'm pretty skeptical cause he doesn't know ish about cars. also, what's a good engine or fuel management system other than SAFC? and what size are the stock injectors on the j-spec engine?

sorry for all the nOOb questions, but i'm a nOOb, what can i say?

It mostlikely has the same 200 HP engine we have here.
The Celica used the same turbo we have. The CT26.
There are a variety of turbo kits for the MR2... none of the bolt directly to our manifold. You need an adapter plate.
The CT20B is a Toyota turbo that bolts right up and offer significant gains.

You will not need injectors or fuel managenemt mods until you are over 280 rwhp.

The latest (1995-1997) JDM 3SGTE produced 245hp @ 6000rpm and 225lbs/ft @4000 rpm. The other (1991-1994) 3SGTE made 225hp peak.

However, keep in mind, those numbers are from Japan, over there they use like 105 octane fuel so Toyota can tune em a little hotter out of the factory. So in America, those numbers would fall a tiny bit.


By the way, keep in mind the car is only about 2500 pounds so it can really move

The MKII MR2 is not 2500 lbs. they are 2800-3100 lbs.
I have taken a LOT of weight off of my car (close to 300 lbs) and I am down to about 2600 lbs.

However, keep in mind, those numbers are from Japan, over there they use like 105 octane fuel so Toyota can tune em a little hotter out of the factory. So in America, those numbers would fall a tiny bit.

actually the fuel in japan isn't much different than our fuel. They use a different method than the (R+M)/2 method to get their octane ratings, so they have higher numbers but it's still the same octane.

anyhoo, about how much boost would the stock CT26 push? i only want about 260-280'ish whp.

The stock ct26 should not be pushed beyond 15 psi. After that, it is out of it's efficiency range and starts cuasing more heat than it's worth which leads to knock.
If you want 260-280 at the wheels, I would go fora bigger turbo that can do that power easily without pushing itself or th engine.