[Part 1]Hi all,
On the back of completing a couple of seasons racing in a mk2 MR2 2007-2008 and more recently a mk3 in 2009, my attention towards the end of last year was becoming ever more focussed on the new Super GT series and the challenge of racing a more highly tuned MR2 be it mk2 or mk3.
Bang for buck, and brain said mk2, for driving enjoyment and superior chassis my heart longed for a high performance mk3.
After much deliberating and research I went with my heart and have embarked on a new challenge for 2010, selling the n/a mk3 race car from last year to ROC member and well regarded MR2 enthusiast Toni Gladding who some of you may know.
Wishing Toni well with her newly adopted play-thing, I began putting together a strategy for creating a Super GT Car that would be competitive on a sensible budget within the fierce territory of fire breathing MR2 monster creations.
Once again the guys at Rogue Motorsport were on hand to steer me through the murky waters of fact Vs fiction and the various pitfalls that were best well avoided.
The weapon of choice was to be a mk3 Roadster, a cheap and cheerful model that wouldnt break the bank and would offer a good platform to develop into something special.
The most difficult decision was the engine choice.
Did I go turbo 1ZZ, 2ZZ, or go for a more bespoke approach, V6 perhaps?
Feeling like Alessio
(illogic) in a world of endless questions and confusion I began to think back to how much I enjoyed my tuned mk2 rev5 turbo and how tuning parts were common place within the online MR2 fraternity, performance gains were instant and rarely fruitless.Wading in with the big boys would require plenty of power, the potential to tune and develop, to tweak, adjust and fettle.
Then on a cold January morning at the Autosport show NEC an impromptu
talk through with Matt at Rogue took place and a decision was made.
Wed put a 3SGTE into a mk3 Roadster and go racing!
Right, Im waffling for England, time for some pics.
Last years 1ZZ race car and my most enjoyable season yet.
Under the control of Toni I really hope she performs well.
Should have probably been the donor car first but it happened that the right engine came along days after making the decision to go 3SGTE mk3.
.A revision 4 low mileage engine in a rev 2 car was purchased complete through an imoc member.
The car was accident damaged with thankfully no serious injury sustained to the owner.
Engine was ideal for what I was after and well cared for judging by the mass of paperwork with the car.
Exactly two days later a bargain of the century mk3 came up for sale in London.
(Pictured)I was there like a shot, deal done at
£1,600 cash and drove it home flawlessly.
The mk2 was stripped and engine removed.
As was the mk3, allowing work to commence.
At this point I must apologise as work has continued on and off for the last 3-4 weeks and I havent been over to Rogue to take any more photographs.
Ill get some more by the end of the week.
In essence the following is now complete.
(Pics coming soon)New Brakes
Carbotech all round plus new discsWheels Advans sprayed black
(Thanks Allesio)Roll cage in and completed
Custom driveshafts delivered
All engine wiring done
(Thanks Lyndon)Chassis work modified
Engine in/out/in/out numerous times before final fit.
Heat protection to fire wall completed
Extinguisher and ignition safety pulls fitted
Lightweight battery and carbon enclosure
ST205 Chargecooler fitted
R888s with 245 rear tyres
Hardtop installed
Parts delivered not yet fitted.
Race cell
APR Carbon wing mirrors
C1 style side vents
BC Racing susension
The plan is the car to be finished in the next couple of weeks, off to the bodyshop for white or white/black respray, some aero work including APR rear spoiler and its ready for a track day shake down.
The ethos behind the project is one of development.
Id like to take this year to develop the car as well as racing it, and have fun in doing so.
Bhp wise Im looking to play it safe with 260-280bhp to start with, long term a forged engine will be fitted next year.
