a few questions about the mr2 - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Kashi · 06-13-2005, 09:05 PM

i'm considering buying a MK II mr2, and i just have a few questions if you guys would be so kind as to provide your experience.

first, do your mechanics often find it hard to service your engines, being a mid-ship? is the engine succeptable and responsive to customization?

second, how is the weight distribution in relation to drifting? i'm not sure how the factor of the engine's weight being mid-ship would affect one's slide.

third, from what i've seen, these cars are fast cars. i believe the turbo models are 14.8 in the 1/4 mile stock, but i'll most likely get a N/A model. anyway, how expensive are these cars to "make fast"? i'm currently selling my daily driver, a 93 prelude that i've put enough money into to pull a high 12s in the 1/4 mile. preludes are VERY expensive to get up to speed, so i'm wondering about the difference in the mr2.

and last, i've seen some numbers about the weight of the car. are these little cars really 3k pounds? that seems so heavy. i would think about 2.2k or something close. any insight?

thanks a lot, i'm sorry it's a long post, but answers haven't been forthcoming elsewhere. thanks!

JekylandHyde · 06-13-2005, 09:10 PM

1. They never seemed to be a hassle to work on, but they do work your hamstrings.

2. If you can drive, you can drift: http://www.jekylhyderacing.com/drift.htm

3. If you want a fast MR2, get the turbo. The NAs are great, but they are not fast and it is not easy to make them fast.

4. The NAs are lighter than the turbos, but yes ... the turbos typically weigh over 2900 lbs.
I lost over 300 lbs off of mine though. some ideas here:
http://www.jekylhyderacing.com/weight.htm

Kashi · 06-13-2005, 10:36 PM

thanks for the quick reply. if anyone has any additional input, please, throw it at me. also, anyone know what the NA model runs in the 1/4 mile stock? and the gross weight for an NA model? i know they changed slightly from year to year in the MK II, but i mean an overall. thanks again!

JekylandHyde · 06-14-2005, 05:08 AM

The NAs run 16s ... a few people have touched 15.8-15.9 in stock form.

91/92 NAs were "rated" around 2650 lbs. The turbos were "rated" 2850 or so.
Both models tend to be about 100 lbs more than what the factory claimed.

The 93-95s MR2s added another 150 lbs or so to each of them.

Kashi · 06-14-2005, 10:14 AM

man, it's hard to believe they're so heavy! is the entire body rolled steel or something? they're so small, yet... so heavy?

JekylandHyde · 06-14-2005, 11:15 AM

I have cut an MR2 and yes, there is a lot of steel in there.
The rear pillars actually have steel that looks like the inside of corrogated cardbaord ~ 2 layers with a zig-zagged layer in between.

A friend of mine rolled his MR2 above 100 mph at a hill climb event and the car held up very well. He did have a roll bar, but regardless he was very safe.

Kashi · 06-14-2005, 06:58 PM

that makes me feel a little better, actually, that the steel would hold up so well. of course, a rollbar added does help substantially, but still, that's better than say, a miata.

speaking of the rear pillars; is it the turbo models that come with the ram-air scoop rising from the driver's side rear pillar? i know you know what i'm talking about, but i've only seen them on mr2's in the magazines and on mr2bad's sig. pic. if it doesn't come stock for any of them, how much does something like that cost?

and the lsd motor. of course, for drifting, it's damn near required. how common was the lsd option in most MK II mr2's? jekyll/hyde, i gotta say, thanks for being so supportive of my questions. i really don't know anything about the mr2, but i'm glad you're taking your time to answer me in this thread.

Piddy · 06-14-2005, 07:34 PM

^ There was never an LSD option available on the NA MR2's. LSD was a factory option from 1993+ on turbos... and equiped on MOST vehicles... but not all. As for 'drifting' an NA.... I don't think they will put out enough power to get you very sideways.... but I suppose it could be done. The TOMs style scoop is an aftermarket part. They generally run about $150 a piece new.... they don't really do anything.... just kind of a visual thing. If you end up buying one you can PM me... I have one for sale for cheap cheap.... it is primered with no paint.

bobkoure · 06-14-2005, 08:06 PM

Speaking of drifting, as I remember, one of the changes between the '93 and the '94 (or maybe between '92 and '93) was that the later model had longer (hmmm... don't remember the name - the tie arm that ran from the body to the unsprung rear wheel assembly) that made the car less likely to rear wheel steer on the gas.
All this boiled down (for me) into the earlier model being easier to drift, which I preferred, but I ended up with a '94 for other reasons.

It also seems to me that there were some hardtop 3SGTE (turbo) models produced - which were lighter than the glass-top models (much more than just the difference between glass and sheet metal).

I can also tell you that if you intend to do most of your motor work yourself, you need to have small hands or a lift - and be sure to get the service manuals (AKA "Big Green Book" or BGB).

IMO, much of the joy of a MR2 comes from it's "flick-ability". If you're focused mostly on low numbers at the strip, there are almost certainly easier-to-work-on candidates. The Supra comes to mind (hope folks don't throw me off this forum - I only just got here). However, if you're going to do this with a MR2 you absolutely want one with a 3SGTE engine in it - this is the same base engine used for Formula Atlantic and there's a small industry around making extra-powerful 3SGTE engines so you can get whatever "bits" you want - so long as you have $$$. Some years ago I had a nephew who worked for a "very winning" FA engine shop (still have the nephew but he's back to race bikes).

Hope this helps - and especially hope I haven't misremembered something

stgranger · 06-14-2005, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobkoure

I can also tell you that if you intend to do most of your motor work yourself, you need to have small hands or a lift - and be sure to get the service manuals (AKA "Big Green Book" or BGB).

Hey, just wondering, I got one of those CD Rom sevice manuals and it seems to be very detailed with lots of pictures and stuff....any idea how the cd compares to your book. I know the cd is much cheaper, only $10 or so on ebay, but not sure if its as good.

Piddy · 06-14-2005, 08:20 PM

Here is a link to the online BGB - http://www.mr2-tech.com/bgb/mechanic...mechanical.htm

No need to buy a CD. The books are nice because you dont have to run to your computer every 5 seconds when you forget something.... and you dont have to fumble with printouts. They run about $100 a piece though.... and there are 2 (actually 3 if you include the wiring one) books.

JekylandHyde · 06-15-2005, 05:37 AM

bobkoure is correct. A 91/92 MR2 would be much easier to drift in because of the suspension changes made in 93 on.

Also, the hardtop MR2s he speaks of were general no-option (or very little option) cars made for the racers. A friend of mine has one and they frequently come without P/S, P/W, P/L, ABS ... lots of stuff which makes them real light (and faster). The hard top would also be more rigid for handling.

I think ishcoleobo covered everything else

Kashi · 06-16-2005, 05:13 PM

i've been reading about the changes made in 93. i think you guys are right. with the toe and caster changes made in 93 to reduce oversteer, it'll be harder to get sideways.

i would like some additional input, though, on a decision. i have completely decided to go with the mr2. (no small thanks to you, jekylandhyde, and your website) that being said, i was talking to my connections guy who is going to help me find one. when i raised the issue of the turbo, not only are they more expensive, but it may not be the most fundamentally sound decision for me.

see, i'm a student. i work fulltime, go to school fulltime, and compete in martial arts. i need a reliable car more than anything. as much as i love powerful, fast cars, i think reliability is more important. a turbo is, at best, a constant commitment to maintenance.

the main reason i'm selling my prelude is that i can't afford the 'maintenance' costs when the 350+ hp prematurely breaks down something in the engine.

i'm not even factoring in the admiration for the mr2 i've come to have. most notably, the mk II. the weight makes me kind of iffy, but again, jekylandhyde had ideas in there, too.

with that being said, let me hear some input from everyone. are the NA models reliable? i know toyotas are extremely stout with a great record. my dad had a celica when he and my mom were younger that they had over 300k miles on and finally traded in. it didn't break down. anyway, what do you guys think about that? thanks again!

JekylandHyde · 06-16-2005, 05:36 PM

I love my NA (Jekyl) ... it has been an extremely reliable car.
The power bnad on the NA, although not amazing, is wonderful to drive ~ especially daily. Given the option, I would prefer an NA for a daily driver.

Piddy · 06-16-2005, 05:48 PM

NA isn't too bad for daily driving. Same engine as the Celica and Camry have. 5SFE is even used in 2000ish Solaras.... so it's been around since the late 80's/early 90's.... and used for over a decade in 3 cars.... it must be a pretty good engine. But remember.... you are buying a used car that is almost 15 years old.... you dont know how it was driven.... maintainance issues are bound to come up.