[Mk2] [Turbo] What's the best turbo engine?

[MR2Kyle]

As the title says...what's the best turbo engine for reliability and just leaving stock? I would only presume it's the rev4/4.5 as they have the highest power output stock and also by that stage they should have ironed out all there small issues with the engine? I'm possibly very wrong as all I seem to see on here are guys badgering on about the rev 3 so if some one could enlighten me to which one is the best and why that would be amazing as I'm currently trying to source an engine for my rev 5

[markstevieandmads]

I've got a rev 2 turbo, original too. Starts on the button after being left for months and never given me.a major problem at all.

Engine is stock with breathing mods running 0.9 bar.

[Ryan S]

Rev3 onwards there is no change to the engine. You got a slightly updated version (known as the gen4) in the Caldina. It has coil on plug ignition, higher compression pistons etc.

Any of the turbo engines are good but with a revision 2 you'll be limited to 260bhp without spending a few quid on it. Rev3 onwards you can see 300bhp no problem

[MR2Kyle]

Ok thanks guys! I'll be onto a parts importer tomorrow and see if he can get me a 4th gen thanks again and I'll maybe see you around Dundee sometime

[Ryan S]

Ok thanks guys! I'll be onto a parts importer tomorrow and see if he can get me a 4th gen thanks again and I'll maybe see you around Dundee sometime

Yeah you won't miss my car mate Any advice you need just ask

[jimGTS]

Rev4/5 engine

Had revised block.
None of this cracking block issues and early casting problems.

[Ryan S]

When you guys are saying rev 4 and 5 are you talking about generation of 3sgte or the revision 4-5 mr2 turbos.

If its the Generation of engine they won't come like this they will come like the caldina ST215 and upwards like pictured so not a straight fit again.

If your talking about revision of Mr2 turbo then i can confirm that this is also wrong, i have stripped many Rev 4+5 mr2 turbos and i have only had 1 unit that came like this, all the others were of the weaker headstud design.

The only exception to this is the Beams setup which will come with the re-enforcements but again that block is different as far as bolting parts on and will also need machine modification to make it suitable.

These are all the material upgrade and design of the later Caldina blocks but machined by Toyota for a ST205 straight fit so no modification required.

Tim

Was that not a myth?
This is taken from the two brutal site.

I know that caldina blocks are stronger, Having said that I've seen a Caldina block where a conrod had burst through it!

[markstevieandmads]

My point was any 3sgte really as long as it's looked after.

[jimGTS]

given when caldinas were in production, puts them in the same manufacturing dates as the rev4+ turbos.

i find it highly unlikey someone has "stripped many a rev4/5", given the low numbers available over here.

you can probably count the number of rev5 turbos on 2 hands over here, so the likelihood that one specific person has stripped loads is a little far fetched imo.

[ashley]

You're not suggesting there's a mistake on the Internet are you Jim?!

[androo007]

There is of course the long old argument about the potentially weaker rev 3 blocks.

Of which I'm of the thoughts it's down to poor cooling / fuelling management personally.

[ashley]

Just bypass all the conjecture and use a 5S block

....or would a v6 be better than a turbo....?

[SonicSW20]

....or would a v6 be better than a turbo....?

[Ryan S]

There is of course the long old argument about the potentially weaker rev 3 blocks.

Of which I'm of the thoughts it's down to poor cooling / fuelling management personally.

Chris's old 635bhp Mr2 ran a rev3 block for years and is still on the go so I believe. Not sure who owns it now.

I agree, I fully believe poor mapping cracks blocks, Not weak blocks.

Jim, that quote was Tim from at two brutal, I imagine he's seen more engines than most. Whether he's telling the truth or not I've no idea.

[androo007]

5s is definately the win-win-win no arguements solution.

But of course... not standard.

[pbmr2]

not sure if the gen4 is any more reliable than the rev 3 3sgte. it has more power, better cams, different head casting, CoP ignition, faster revving due to lighter (and weaker) rods, side entry intake manifold and slightly different casting for the iron block.

the weak point is the rods, but only at higher power levels. the rev3 rods are stronger.

the later st246 engine was about the same but had an aluminium block. made up to 2007. never fitted to an mr2 but can be fitted.
is it any more reliable? dunno.

3sge is prob about as reliable as engines get. kicked the life out of rev1-rev4 and they have never missed a beat really. even with a cam belt snapping on track in the rev1 it wasn't a problem.

[kirk]

The ST246 block is cast iron.

[pbmr2]

yes, which is what i said. the st215 block, which is a gen 4, is cast iron.

[kirk]

I wasn't referring to the ST215.

the later st246 engine was about the same but had an aluminium block. made up to 2007..

Simply saying that the above statement is incorrect.

[pbmr2]

I didn't think so. the st246 was alu, fairly sure that's the case.

Best go off and check myself I spose.

well blow me down, just the beams wasn't the gen 4.5 was indeed cast iron.