Do rev1 tubbys use ceramic turbo's or is it rev3's?

[ilogik]

Went to look at my first turbo today, was very low milage, 45k, just wondering if it might of had an engine swap, its a fresh import. Any help would be great cheers.

[Mark Edwards]

All revisions and both types of turbo had ceramic exhaust wheels.

[ilogik]

damn, thanks for the reply mate, now I look a spoon, how do I tell the rev3 turbo engine from a rev1? Im sure its had a transplant. But im not to clued up on them.

[Mark Edwards]

Air flow meter is the obvious thing. Rev1/2 had them, rev3+ didn't.

[ilogik]

Air flow meter is the obvious thing. Rev1/2 had them, rev3+ didn't.

cool, what does it look like? not got a clue

[Mark Edwards]

Big silver box on the airbox.

[ilogik]

thanks for the help mate, how tough are rev 1 engines? I was going to go for a rev3 untill I seen this rev1 today and have fallen in love trying to justify it though.

[Mark Edwards]

Seems like the rev1 engine is actually stronger than the rev3. Look in my garage at what can be achieved from a rev1.

[ilogik]

thanks for the reply's mate very clean car, gotta check the isnurance on the car i have seen as its got rollcage in which i think will be dodgey but apart from that if i get it ill post some pics and will be asking lots more Qs :p cheers.

[Ian Geary]

another couple of things to distinguish pre and post 1994 turbo engines:

1. the cylinder head won't have the word "toyota" stamped into it on a rev3 engine - it's bare just under the recirc valve (turbo and BOV have been removed on this pic however)




2. There won't be a oil catch can on rev1/2 engines. this is the black plastic item in the foreground on this picture



3. A rev2 AFM can be seen here top left. This photo isn't mine, I swiped it from another site (probably MR2OC), so thanks to whoever annotated it. Note, you can also see where a rev2 engine has the word "Toyota"



4. The throttle body on a rev1/2 has red text saying "twin entry turbo". The rev3+ has a smaller, silver label.

In fact, this could become a real "spot the difference" puzzle.

If you're stuck trying to decide between rev1 and rev3 turbo, I'd consider things like it's condition and signs of a good service history.

There were cosmetic changes to the spoilers and body mouldings between rev1, 2 and 3 cars, the brakes and wheel sizes were increased on rev2+ cars - these are as important to some people as engine traits. GTS cars introduced from rev2 onwards came without some goodies, but GT turbo cars retained these. Typically, equipment and specifications of MR2 turbos increased with each revision.

Power differences: I guess at this age, power will depend on how well looked after a car's been, but the rev3 has 20bh/p more on paper.

hth

Ian

[ilogik]

thanks for that engine pic really helps, now i know what to look out for.