Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Discussion and technical advice the SW20 MR2. 3S-GTE, 3S-GE, 3S-FE etc
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mr299ron
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Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:32 pm

Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by mr299ron »

Right, as the title suggests, what are your top 10 mods.

Go!



p.s doesn't have to be ten mods, just your favourite; however if you have more than 10 shoot away!

Cheers
99ron
Martin F
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by Martin F »

I can't give my Top 10 as such but I have owned many mr2s over the years.

The anticipation in choosing, buying, fitting and testing many mods was worth the cost alone, everything from a boost gauge, new S/S exhaust system, new dumpvalve, white dials to a bigger turbo or new ecu as well as the hassles of mapping and associated problems.

Looking back, not much I would change, however I know once my current mr2 is finished I am going to miss being unable to modify it further, so Enjoy the experience, bit Jealous :wink:

One bit of advice, on important items is to buy the best parts, ie. choose Garrett over x s power etc.
Also try and do your research on intercooling and your power goals before buying something, that issue has probably cost me the most over the years as dyno time is £100 and A.I.T.'s have been a problem almost every time...

What mods is your car running now ?

Any pics ?
mr299ron
Posts: 276
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:32 pm

Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by mr299ron »

Yeah I'm wise to not buying eBay crap, however on a not too high power setup some people have claimed not to have any issues. Probably down to the fact there's not quite enough pressure to blow the welds, yet.. :p

At the moment I'm just buying supporting mods, such as replacing 4 new toyo proxes (on stock wheels atm), an induction kit, full turbo back exhaust + decatted downpipe. I'm hoping to pick up an intercooler next month, before fitting an EBC and fuel cut. In the future I would like to run 200-220rwhp. Would be a decent and fun figure before it becoming ridiculous and not enjoyable before doing stupid speeds..

I've also just bought a set of HSD coilovers from driftworks.

Few little things here and there consist of a full service, including NGK one grade cooler spark plugs, coolant, 5w-40 full synth oil + oil filter. I've bought an electronic boost gauge too from the states that will be here soon, but I wish I just bought a mechanical one.. far easier.

Lastly, I've bought POR15 rust treatment to give the car a nice underseal before hitting winter :)

No pics as of yet, but I will do once the exhaust and coilovers have been fitted.

Sorry what are AITs?

Cheers
99ron
Draven
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by Draven »

Air Intake Temps. :thumleft:
mr299ron
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by mr299ron »

Ahh, makes sense ](*,)

One of my main concerns is cooling before upping the power, but asides from an intercooler and an alloy front radiator I'm stumped with what else. I think "heat resistant" induction pipes and a heat shield would help a little.

Any thoughts on this?

Cheers
99ron
Draven
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by Draven »

Get yourself a decent intercooler with a SPAL fan. I wouldn't worry so much about radiator temps. The standard config is perfectly acceptable at keeping the engine cool.

The AITs however you can more the intake further down into the vent on the passenger site by fabricating a pipe to get cooler air in. You can also wrap the pipes after the turbo to avoid the heat generated by exhaust mani.
donshaleone
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by donshaleone »

Wideband air/fuel ratio gauge and oil temp/pressure.

Chargecooler if going for big power?

Boost controller
ashley
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by ashley »

Weight loss
androo007
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by androo007 »

Servicing
Rust proofing
Paint protection
BOV
Exhaust
Intake
Intercooler
EBC

For me getting the car 100% mechanically sound and up to date is the most important thing
mr299ron
Posts: 276
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by mr299ron »

androo007 wrote:Servicing
Rust proofing
Paint protection
BOV
Exhaust
Intake
Intercooler
EBC

For me getting the car 100% mechanically sound and up to date is the most important thing


Yeah man that is a good point that I have been following since I bought the car.

Oil + oil filter change and spark plugs have been done so far. I'm questioning changing the gear box oil, as I feel this is quite a neglected part of a car that no one really changes and/or thinks about!

With HT leads and gearbox oil in the near future, I have already installed an induction kit, exhaust and coilovers. Well, the last two are soon, but they're the mods done thus far.

I've also bought some POR15 rust treatment and POR15 top coating paint for the rust. The rust is pretty much minimal on the car, with the smallest amount of surface rust appearing. So this is being taken care of this week also.

All power related modding will be looked at once I know the car has been looked after mechanically :)

99ron
Tedtiler
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by Tedtiler »

Having done some light tuning on a rev2 turbo I would say ecu. The rev1/2 turbo ecu is the most paranoid safety first ecu I've seen on any Toyota. Pulls timing and dumps all petrol available at the slightest sign of knock/ full throttle.

I put in a zero sports preprogrammed ecu and got a lovely 11.5 afr at wot . Car was faster and better on juice immediately.
Shmed
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Location: Worcestershire

Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by Shmed »

BFT FTW!!

Seriously though, polybushes, ARBs & Coilovers make the car more fun, without needing the Big F%$koff Turbo.
January 2014
..the only thing I can promise for sure is slow progress.

May 2015
just have this niggling thought that if I rip out the wiring, then the car will never get out of the garage again.

Still in the garage...
tsango
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Location: Birmingham

Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by tsango »

I would have thought wheels was the number 1 mod.

Are there many cars still running standard wheels?
mr299ron
Posts: 276
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:32 pm

Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by mr299ron »

tsango wrote:I would have thought wheels was the number 1 mod.

Are there many cars still running standard wheels?


Classic comment from an N/A MR2 owner.
craig
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Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by craig »

mr299ron wrote:
tsango wrote:I would have thought wheels was the number 1 mod.

Are there many cars still running standard wheels?


Classic comment from an N/A MR2 owner.


He has a turbo.
mr299ron
Posts: 276
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:32 pm

Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by mr299ron »

RedMR² wrote:
mr299ron wrote:
tsango wrote:I would have thought wheels was the number 1 mod.

Are there many cars still running standard wheels?


Classic comment from an N/A MR2 owner.


He has a turbo.


N/A dude!
craig
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Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:44 am

Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by craig »

mr299ron wrote:
RedMR² wrote:
mr299ron wrote:

Classic comment from an N/A MR2 owner.


He has a turbo.


N/A dude!


It's a rev 5 NA with a rev1 turbo engine. Peter Gidden did the conversion.
mr299ron
Posts: 276
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:32 pm

Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by mr299ron »

It says N/A bro! Has to be N/A bro!

N/A = NotAturbo

Didn't you know that? :wink:
tsango
Posts: 178
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:05 pm
Location: Birmingham

Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by tsango »

mr299ron wrote:
RedMR² wrote:
mr299ron wrote:

Classic comment from an N/A MR2 owner.


He has a turbo.


N/A dude!


No Turbo...and why is that classic comment from an N/A owner????

Fella you asked you the top 10 mods to a standard MR2

Correct me if I am wrong but wheels would be number 1. Actually, don't correct me cos I know I am right.
Last edited by tsango on Wed Sep 30, 2015 5:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
tsango
Posts: 178
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Location: Birmingham

Re: Top 10 MR2 Turbo Mods

Post by tsango »

RedMR² wrote:
mr299ron wrote:
RedMR² wrote:

He has a turbo.


N/A dude!


It's a rev 5 NA with a rev1 turbo engine. Peter Gidden did the conversion.


Don;t worry Craig....think we've lost him
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