MR2 Tuners Projects - Past & Present
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Current MR2 Tuners Projects
Todd's MKI NA Auto to SuperCharged Manual Conversion
- Car: '87 Dark Blue NA Auto MR2
- Owner: Todd Klosnick
- Engine: 4AGE Auto to 4AGZE Manual
- Goal: 145HP SC Motor
- Purchase Price: $????
- Monies Spent: Really cheap Parts car & tranny system
- Story:Well, it all started back in November of 1994 when I was looking for my first car. I grew up in a family that bought a lot of Toyota's at the time, so I was biased towards Toyota's. I looked at some other cars, but none caught my eye like the MR2. So, I looked around for a few weeks and found a beutiful 87 na auto. I was very happy to get it for my first car. I had a stereo and alarm put in it and I was very happy.
As I learned more about the car and car's in general I learned to hate the automatic (autotragic) transmission. All I really was able to do at the time to my car was to make it look better. So, I had the car repainted in the summer of 98 along with adding a few things along the way. Then, I had a Ground Control suspension kit and Tokico struts put on by a local goof. They forgot to install a bumpstop and left some of my strut bolts lose which could have been fatal.
I decided the stock steel wheels with hubcaps had to go. So, I bought a set of 16*7" rims. I thought they looked cool and didn't weigh too too much, still
heavy though.
After struggling to make it up the hills on the way to Carlisle one year, I decided it was time for a change, a big one. I needed a 5spd in this puppy.
So, I looked around for a 5spd conversion kit. I found a fellow down in West Virginia that was parting out an 88na 5spd. He sold me 95% of the parts
that I needed for the 5spd swap. Only thing I needed was the drive axles and the long hydraulic clutch line. I remember being super tired that day (
could barely lift the flywheel/clutch) I was soo tired. I drove home 3 hours in a blizzard, what a nightmare!!
About a year of tinkering around doing other things/being lazy... I learned about an 85na that had been converted to a 85SC car with SC electronics.
The car was in Detroit Michigan. My brother and I drove up to Detroit on a Cold January night and bought the car in the morning. The car is a total
rustbucket. The engine didn't have any boost, no intercooler. But, the compression was good and it didn't blow any smoke and idled fine. I got it for a really cheap price and drove away then all of the sudden POP!!!!!!!, there goes the timing belt 1 hour into the trip back home, darn!!! So, I had it towed to a local mechanic in Ohio and drove back home with my brother.
So, the car stayed out in Northwest Ohio for a week at a shady mechanics place. I wanted to have the timing belt fixed. I was planning on having a
major hassle here. These people didn't know anything about the car and said that it was a V6 and that I might have to get major engine work done b/c
they claimed it was interference. I kept saying NO, NO, No but they said YES< YES, YEs. So, I said "thats enough". I'm going to tow it home. So, I
towed it home the following weekend, Major hassle!!! Word of advice... If your buying a car like this, tow it home the first time.
Ok, I got the car home and didn't want to do the timing belt change. I figured the no boost situation could be figured out later. The engine was dropped
out along with the tranny. I separated the tranny and started to clean up the engine along with tearing the parts car apart. I used a sawzall for the first
time...
After months of tearing things apart/cleaning I decided that I was not up to the task of putting this engine/trans into my 87. So, I learned about this great guy named Brian Crowell/MR2 Tuners that was only 3 hours away. I got in touch with his friend Bill March and he persuaded me to email Brian about
doing the conversion, so here I am.
So far the project is going along really well.
Here are my planned mods for the 4agze:
- KBD 2.5"header/downpipe
- Nevo 175mm crank pulley
- Spal Fan under intercooler
- ACT street clutch/plate
I'm hoping for 140-145 "wheel" horsepower.
PICTURES SOON!
Andy's 375HP goal MKII Turbo
- Car: '92 Red MR2 Turbo
- Owner: Andy Nichols
- Engine: 3sGTE US Spec
- Goal: 350-375HP
- Purchase Price: $6000
- Monies Spent: Don't ask...
- Story: Andy purchased this vehicles a few months ago. The previous owner was gunning for the 400HP mark, and probably succeeded right before they blew something in the engine. The last owner, frustrated at the 16K$ he had put into the car, decided to let it all go. Andy scooped up the deal being told it ONLY had a blown head gasket!! After surviving the towing from Va. to our shop, he immediatly had all our attention! Huge Trunk mount intercooler, TE03/04 turbo w/Delta Wastegate, Blitz BOV, MSD ignition, Fuel pump, gauges up the wazoo and a kickin' stereo to boot.
Andy and I began immediatly tearing into her in efforts to get the head off. It took a few hours and we were staring at the head gasket...we didn't see any problems. The next day or so, we noticed the severe detonation on #1 & #4 pistons, and evidence of piston slap...not good. The pistons were removed and they did indeed seem to have major detonation around the intake valve recesses and was even WARPED around the #2 ring lands. This was obviously the problem, new JE pistons would be needed.
So while Andy purchased new JE 9:1 pistons, we continued to tear down the engine. Think our luck could get worse??? It did...the turbo manifold was designed in such a way that didn't allow for heat expansion and cracked...majorly cracked...totally unrepairable. Andy proceeded to order a new exhaust manifold for the car.
We'd also begun re-wiring the whole car as the previous owner had a standalone ECU and totally hacked the old engine harness! We'll also be using the ELIZA computer piggy back system to handle the fuel tuning duties.
Now the cars engine is completely down. We disassembled the block and found our nightmare just continues!! The water bypass lines had this orangey/brown crud blocked in it! We scrapped some of it out and it looked like DIRT, tons and TONS of DIRT clogging up the coolant line!! This severly restricted water flow in the engine and probably majorly contributed to the failure! We have no idea how this level of junk could have been in here unless someone scooped up allot of DIRT and put it in the coolant intake pipe!! So we're working on cleaning that out, purchasing a brand new water pump (this one is toast), and hoping the rest of the coolant lines are ok in the car!
The new pistons arrived ceramic & slip Coated for extra security. Total seal rings are the ones of choice, as we await the machine work to commence. Meanwhile we installed an Eclipse Head unit for our Audio Workhorse, with a Kenwood Amp handling the speaker power, and Rockford Fosgate speakers. More info & Pictures to come!
- THE MODS
- Engine:
- JE 9:1 Slip & Ceramic Coated Pistons
- Thicker Metal Head Gasket
- TE03/04 Turbo with External Delta Wastegate
- K&N Intake
- Blitz BOV
- MSD Fuel Pump
- Supra 550cc Injectors
- GM Large Intercooler with Dual SPAL fans
- 283° 9mm lift Cams
- TRD Valve Springs
- Performance Exhaust
- ELIZA ECU
- Controllers/Etc.
- Blitz Turbo Timer
- Blitz Dual Solenoid Boost Controller
- Autometer shift Light
- Electronic Boost, Oil Pressure, Water temp, Voltage, Exhaust temp Gauges
- Knock Protection System
- Stereo
- Eclipse Multi-CD Deck
- Kenwood 30W*4 Amp
- Rockford Fosgate Speakers
Brian's Black Fire MKI 3sGTE Conversion
- Car: '86 Black NA MR2
- Owner: Brian Crowell
- Engine: 4AGE to 3sGTE
- Goal: 250HP
- Purchase Price: $1200
- Monies Spent: over 3000$ so far, another 2-3000$ more likely
- Story:
As things tend to go, I'm no longer satisfied with the 4AGE in my well-known Black Fire First Gen(MKI)MR2. Ever since I sold my '91 Aquamarine Pearl Turbo MR2 last year, every customer's turbo I drive brings drool to my lips. It's time to end the drool, and embark on the biggest conversion I've ever done...putting the 3sGTE engine from the MKII MR2 Turbo into the smaller, lighter, MKI MR2. It will indeed be a difficult task, and there are only 6 other known persons to have done it in the WORLD. Three in the US, and Carl Crawford and Deno are two of the people who successfully left their knowledge for others to follow. Can you imaging the sleeper value of it all? A car people know is around 110HP NA, 143HP if Supercharged, all of sudden having 250+HP as it rips them to unexpectant shreds...good bye..."you ARE the weakest link". My LONG TERM GOAL IS TO BE THE FASTEST MKI IN PENNSYLVANIA!!
Thus far I've begun gathering all the 3sGTE parts I'll need to complete the conversion. I'm still in need of a Tranny, electrical wiring, turbo, SC driveshafts, etc...but am working on it! I hope to begin by August!
- See Past Projects for more pics & Info on this car!
RECENT/PAST MR2 Tuners Projects
SoAngel's MKII Turbo Upgrade & Revival
Those of you familiar with the posts on The MR2 Board in the Eastern IMOC area have seen the workings of Reviving Nick's (aka SoAngel) beautiful Electron Blue MKII turbo. Though the engine was rebuilt 12K miles ago, the ring lands couldn't handle the 16-18PSI of boost Nick was pushing. That coupled by a huge oil leak, with shops not doing ANYthing for him, he was sent by Bill March to our little shop in PA.
So, our shop began rebuilding the engine, with new rings, and replaced the damaged piston. THEN came the fun part...updgrading to a nice Greddy TD06SH turbo kit that kicks major butt even at 13PSI. This kit replaced the restrictive primary cat with a nice downpipe. Once fully installed we performed some housekeeping with yellow silicon vacuum tubes, colored valve covers, and painted engine bay. You can follow the story, as it progressed on the board.(www.board.mr2faq.com)
As of June the car was completed by MR2 Tuners. The car is AMAZING with just 11PSI, and 13PSI even better. She's running well and kicking street butt. Just wait untill 15-17PSI, heck the TD06 doesn't even get flowin' good until 18PSI some say...congrats Nick, and we look forward to the next project!!
UPDATE: Nick has SOLD SoANGEL for ~12000$, but has replaced it with a beautifull MKII NA!!
Click to enlarge
Takeos MKII Turbo Restoration & Power Upgrade
- Car: '92 Red MR2 Turbo
- Owner: Takeo
- Engine: 3sGTE
- Goal: 245HP
- Purchase Price: $????
- Monies Spent: ~2000$
- Story:
STORY COMING SOON.
Brian's Show Class Black Fire MKI Project
The MKI MR2 started it all, but nowadays many have bought and used them as cute little beaters. As such it's hard to find one in good condition either mechanically or physically. If you find one that is in excellent condition, you'll probably be paying out some significant dough over KBB. Brian had owned a MKI before and was in search of one with a good frame, minimal rust, no wreck body MKI. The purpose was to restore and create an absolute perfect MINT MKI MR2. He didn't care if the engine wasn't good, the plan was to replace or rebuild a good engine anyway. The first project car was a flop, as after purchasing found to have wreck damage to the front and the side with panels replaced and repainted. Finally one was found locally which apparently the last owner had the same passion and completly & professionally restored a Black MR2. The body was great apart from some hail damage and the interior to boot. It had been sitting for a while and had some hail damage. The kicker to most people was that the engine was really bad, having the fourth cylinder dead, and blowing smoke like crazy if you could get it running at all. MR2 Tuners was formed including MR2 and non-mr2 owners to restore her mechanical condition and get the body in top condition. The team: Brian Crowell(owner), Andy Nichols, Bill March(85 Blue NA), Russ VanKuren(245HP turbo Miata M-edition). Here are the current mods as of 5/03/02:
- Engine:
- Lightweight Flywheel
- TRD Exhaust Manifold
- No-CAT BMW 3" dual tip exhaust
- Chromed cam covers & other hardware
- Performance Intake
- A/C System Entirely removed
- Wheels & Suspension:
- Tokico 5-way adjustables w/stock springs
- Stock wheels with 205s
- NEW WITH 16" Motegi Wheels & Toyo Proxis
- Body:
- Kaminari Front Air dam
- Carbon Fiber race stripe
- Stock sideskirts, & sidevents
- Custom Midnight Pearl w/Red metal flake
- Interior:
- Custom Red Vinyl Door panels
- Grant Steering Wheel
- Red Leather shift boot
- Rare but stock Red cloth seats
- Red accents on door sils
- Audio:
- Pioneer Premier DEH-640 CD Player/Head unit
- Kicker 4" front speakers
- Sony Explod 5.25 Full range side speakers
(5-4-02)Update
The MKI engine is still going strong and is now aided by a Performance Intake. The wheels also changed from the Konig Tunerz to Motegi's. Though the front end isn't perfect, we decided to enter her in the Carlisle Car Show anyway. They put us in the "WILD" P10 Toyota - Other category, which I thought should be in the semi-wild but oh well! Still we had a fun time showing her!
(6-1-01)Update
The MKI's Engine, apart from the rings, is now completely rebuilt and in the car. It started up a few weeks ago with only minor problems (injectors leaking due to o-rings, and distributor off a tooth). It's now roaring and looking pretty sweet since we put on the Konig Tunerz w/Nitto 450s. It has tremendously improved the handling characteristics in the wet and dry. We're having a problem with the clutch fluid overheating from being too close to the exhaust, so we'll be wrapping the exhaust very soon...this will also reduce engine heat.
(4-1-01)Update From Brian
Well the short block from his 85 parts car was built up and put in a couple of months ago. The TRD exhaust and dual 2.5" Tip BMW exhaust, and no CAT really screams down the street. REALLY, it's so loud you can here him from a mile a way, ask Andy or Bill! The radio is worthless against it! It was running great apart from being on the rich side. Then a month later we began to see an oil problem. Hindsight being 20/20 we should've replace the big crank seal on the flywheel side. Once warmed up, it's leaking into the clutch...not good, in fact it will even start chattering. It's not a problem while at speed, as the engine rotation keeps pressure up and it's not really leaking out...however once you start idling, the oil pressure falls to almost nill, and out it comes. So the plan is to drop the tranny, fix the seal and replace the tranny with another that doesn't have a bad 2nd gear synchro. Then another misap occured, namely a KIA SUV, in which left the exit only to stop 10ft ahead, outta my site, and of course I pulled out and hit her. Only minor scratches to the bumper, except for her exhaust that when through my fiberglass air dam!! Her spare tire also messed up the pop-up light so thats out of alignment too! So now we're gonna take it to our buddy's shop, align everything, repaint it all, remove the carbon fiber stripe and replace it with a silver pearl, or white stripe.
Project Pics
The paint is custom containing a deep Black w/Red flake. The flake isn't obvious, as it looks
perfectly midnight black until you shine a light on it!! Thus the name Black Fire. The interior is beautifull with a racy Red/Black combination
with the doors & shift boot leathered red. In keeping with this theme, the plastic pieces in the trunk
are also a matching red. Everything is there and again in mint condition...EVEN the radiator is
painted red. Next, if it's not red or black its CHROME. All latching hardware is chromed down to the
trunk holder poles. This continues with the engine, which looks better than it runs unfortunetly.
The Valve covers, throttle linkage, engine brackets, etc.. are all nicely chromed. This engine has all the
components that properly guide, hook, & clamp everything perfectly in place as if it just came off the floor.
Various other parts where chromed, painted red, etc some in good taste....others in not so good
taste. Still it lookes AWESOME. The rear trunk has nice steam cleaned carpet, with a custom carpeted
container area, that used to house the car's high power amp, which could be seen through plexiglass. Additionally, very hard to
see in the pictures are the carbon fiber racing stripes, that are nicely done going at an angle accross the hood and down
the passenger door, that are going to be removed.
Here are some great pics of this car...but you'd really have to see it in person!! (Note: the camera
had a spec on it that made a gray dot in some of the pics, it's not on the car, just the lense!) These are more than a few months old. We've removed the uni-wiper, the colored windsheild drain vents, and the stock steering wheel is now a MOMO.
More Pictures -
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