Planning an getting an MR2

[Ikimasho]

Hi,

I have a massive interest on getting an MR2 ever since my sister bought a used 92 MR2 way back when in 1994. I wasnt old enough to drive back then so I had to wait...till i was able to drive and have the funds to get one for myself...


Anyway I've been around goin through these forums and trying to read up as much as i can so far i've come across a great amont of information on this car. Anyway I was planning at first to wait and save up for a 350Z, but I started thinking since I love small cars and would get the smallest car i can get i started thinking about getting an MR2 instead. Its a heck of a lot cheaper and i love the look of the car. My plan now is to buy an MR2 and do a swap, I need help on a couple things though. Since im not a mechanic and dont really have the technical know how on cars (im slowly learning), what im really looking to do isnt very much. My requirements are simple i guess, I just want the MR2 Im not really looking for crazy speeds I want the 3rd Gen 3sgte turbo motor in a 91-94 mr2. Im planning this to be a daily driver, and I want it to be reliable. Is this going to be possible with limited problems? on a 15+ yr. old car? I mean I know there probably will be problems but I just hope that they are not going to be constant problems. I will keep the car at stock speeds (225~245). So its just a motor (3sgte) transplant really.

I know that the ECU will need tuning atleast for the octane, the highest octane we have here, atleast my part of California is 91. For a JDM 3sgte motor it will only run well on its own at 93-94 octane.

one last thing...I didnt know BOV's are illegal here in California am I wrong?

Please give me feed back on what you think (as people at my work say "I want to pick your brain) . Im really looking forward to what you guys/gals have to say. Thanks

[moogleX]

if your just looking to keep it "stock" on speeds and mild mods, just buy a turbo model, no headaches and you already have what you want. from there just maintenance and a few simple mods and your done
seams the only place i find 93 on a regular basis is on the east coast. we get jipped out here on the west side :p

[Zz_005_zZ]

just buy the turbo model 1993... and be done with all of it.. do a tune up of the plugs wires cap and rotor, new fuel filter, air filter, and all dluids changed, and u will be in great shape... shouldn't cost u more than 7,000.00

[Ikimasho]

I would just do that but im more worried about the mileage on the motor when I get it. These cars being this old the mileage would be around 130k or more on them.

[JekylandHyde]

I bought my 91 turbo with a 180,000 miles and raced it for 4 seasons and put down over 440 rwhp.
On the other hand, I've seen turbo MR2s beat to worthlessness in less than 60K miles.

How the car was taken care of is infinitely more important than the actual mileage.

Also, I would lose the love of "JDM Gen3" ... there really is no great reason to go that route.
You will especialyl have some issues in California with the Gen3 emissions systems (or lack there of).

As indicated in the second post, just buy a turbo MR2 if you want one.

With any used car, expect problems.

Good luck in your search.

[tHa kNiGHt FaLL]

OBDI Toyota Engine is the most reliable engine i have ever delt w/... sure for a car it has its "issues" from time to time...

i've had mine 3 years and the only thing i replaced is the clutch, timing belt, catalytic converter and water pump.

oil, coolant, spark plugs and rotor and brakes of course too.

its had 90k miles back then... now it has 132k...

still running strong...

[tHa kNiGHt FaLL]

and i dunno about a BOV being illegal... it doesn't effect smog so the only thing you would worry about is a noise ordinance violation. i don't think it would be a problem... maybe if you vented your wastegate to the atmosphere you might have a problem

[JekylandHyde]

A vented BOV is not emmissions compliant.

The lack of EGR on the Gen3s is also not emmissions compliant.

[Ikimasho]

Awesome! Thanks guys for all the advice I'll be looking for an MR2 soon (93-94), they are remarkably hard to come by. Most of the MR2s I see for sale are 91s and some 92s.

What would your take on the JDM Gen 2 Motor? Is the Gen 2 3sgte motor OBD1 not 2? Just in case I would have to do a swap im trying to figure out what would be best for me in a scenario where I would have to swap. Its just the Gen 3 motors that have issues with california law right?

Also are there any MR2 Meets around here in Southern Cali?


Sorry I am really new to this stuff. Ive gone through 15 pages of threads in this forum and still going.

So far I think I'll be keeping the MR2 that I get with its original motor. Toyota's are very reliable cars so hopefully I wont have too many problems.

Thanks again.