Hey everyone, I brought up this question, because I'm out looking for a car to buy and a started thinking about getting a MR2 (SW20). Now to save money I was thinking about getting a N/A (5SFE) MR2, and then later on maybe getting a 3VZ or 1MZ. I was wonder approx. How much would a swap like this cost? And which engine is worth swapping in.
I'm also looking into other cars such as 1ST Gen Imprezas, 1989-1991 Cressidas...Basically something RWD/AWD...
best recommendation is getting the SW20 (3sgte) Turbo model and mod from there...
thats the cheapest with the least amount of hassle... you buy a SW21 and swap V6 for that price for the car and swap would equal the difference of the just buying a SW20 from the beggining... and stock vs stock... i'd put my money on the SW20 w/ the turbo.
The MR2 Turbo with it's 3sgte engine is a great platform for building lots of dependable power. Not to mention it's awsome mid engine handling and it's great looks. Read the MR2 primer and you will see how easy and inexpensive it is to get it to 280hp... Many have 350hp dependable MR2's.
if money is a problem, then going 5sfe to start gives you the car now, and the upgrades later when you can afford them. but from my experiance, the later never seams to come. something always comes up. buy the sw22.
another way to decide is what are your plans with the car? N/A is better for some things than turbo
if money is a problem, then going 5sfe to start gives you the car now, and the upgrades later when you can afford them. but from my experiance, the later never seams to come. something always comes up. buy the sw22.
another way to decide is what are your plans with the car? N/A is better for some things than turbo
yes, very true... the later never comes... its hard to build a daily driver.... you need to garage it and make it a project car... i wish i had that ability
yea the turbo motor seems to be the way to go. it was just meant to be. I'm selling my summer car (hopefully for around $5-6000) to get an mr2 (n/a) and a 3s-gte swap, and some aftermarket parts. that way I'll have everything I need and have another car to drive in about two weeks/a month of down time.
yea the turbo motor seems to be the way to go. it was just meant to be. I'm selling my summer car (hopefully for around $5-6000) to get an mr2 (n/a) and a 3s-gte swap, and some aftermarket parts. that way I'll have everything I need and have another car to drive in about two weeks/a month of down time.
Why not just get a Turbo to start with and skip the headache of a swap?The 5-6K will get you one.
because I want to start with a motor with around 30-50k on it, and I can probably get a non running mr2 for a reasonable price. the paint can even be shabby because I have a body guy to repaint it already. also, I want the experience of swapping an engine. I love working on cars, and this will just be a way to better learn the car. (also it will be insured as an N/A, which is good, because the turbo model's insurance is 25% higher :P)
because I want to start with a motor with around 30-50k on it, and I can probably get a non running mr2 for a reasonable price. the paint can even be shabby because I have a body guy to repaint it already. also, I want the experience of swapping an engine. I love working on cars, and this will just be a way to better learn the car. (also it will be insured as an N/A, which is good, because the turbo model's insurance is 25% higher :P)
I undertsand you want to Just Do This for the fun and experience. Thats quite commendable. But -also it will be insured as an N/A, which is good, because the turbo model's insurance is 25% higher is insurance fraud. If you should have an accident and the insurance adjuster catches that--trouble and your insurance will be void. maybe even prosecution.
yea, I've thought about that too. it does pose a problem, but I'm doing ok so far, only one accident, not my fault. but yea, its not recommendable to do that, I'm just hoping that it doesn't come down to that. the insurance adjuster won't be able to see the turbo, since it's on the front of the engine under a heat shield, and the only place the engine says turbo is on the IM. I can fix that. I'm not to worried, and I do understand the risk I am taking. its worth it to me.
yea, that would suck. its really nice not having emissions tests here. thats one reason I'll never move to California, the other being that if you get caught street racing there, they impound and destroy your car . my insurance will be under liability, so if I do get in a crash and it is my fault, at least they won't have to cover my car, so I doubt they will go out of their way to see if it has a turbo. I'm glad you brought it up though. I've been planning this for 2 years, so any suggestions are welcome.
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. my insurance will be under liability, so if I do get in a crash and it is my fault, at least they won't have to cover my car, so I doubt they will go out of their way to see if it has a turbo. I'm glad you brought it up though. I've been planning this for 2 years, so any suggestions are welcome.
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