RE: Silverstone Performance MR2
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I drove this recently, and spoke to Matt and asked if he'd like me to write something and post up as I enjoyed it 
Day after, our man from PH got his mits on it. Anyway, for anyone who cares, here are my thoughts...
Having recently taken the Chimaera to Silverstone Performance for it's service, I was speaking to Matt who offered me a drive in the SP Toyota TTE MR2 Turbo. Never one to pass on the opportunity for a blat in something different, a quick call to the insurance company ensured I had cover and Matt started to run over the features of the car. It looks suitably understated, yet smart in the dark grey colour, and sits on SP's own lightweight wheels. The MR2 has never really registered on my radar, but the more I looked at this example, the more I liked the looks of it.
What's new?
Silverstone Performance has fitted the TTE (Toyota Team Europe) turbo conversion to their car which means that the 3 year warranty remains in place. The warranty thing all sounds very nice, but to be honest I was more interested in the turbo bit. The work consists of a turbo and pre-cat, intercooler, uprated engine management system and spark plugs, lightened flywheel, free flow airfilter, turbo cooling fan, strut brace, sports exhaust and sits on lowered suspension on SP's own wheels. Oh and the small matter of a ceramic clutch – something which struck fear into me given that I don't have any cruciate ligaments! The result of this is a power hike from 138bhp to 182bhp and torque has lept from 125lb ft to 188lb ft – but at 700rpm lower. In real terms the 0-60 drops from 8 seconds to 5.9…!
Aside from the wheels, the only other changes I spotted where two discreet badges under the side repeaters. I would have liked to see some carbon fibre air intakes, but you have to draw the line somewhere. I've never been a fan of Jap interiors; they always feel like they've been made from the cheapest plastics known to man, and in that sense the interior of the car is standard. I almost felt disappointed that I there was no boost gauge added somewhere, but was beginning to wonder if this was going to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Sitting in the driving seat, I was surprised at how comfortable and supportive it felt; although my lanky frame did mean that my knees were up by the steering wheel – go kart style.
Driving the SP Toyota TTE MR2 Turbo
On turning the key, there's a light metallic sound as the car fires up – a bit like a Porsche – but the engine quickly settles down to idle with a gentle woofle. No where near as loud as the TVR, but still a pleasing sound nevertheless. Gently easing forward the car jumps a bit as I struggle to engage the clutch smoothly, but I catch it, try again and we're off this time round.
Moving onto the A-road, after a bit of traffic, I become aware of a wastegate for the first time. The car seems to be quite happy in town traffic, although my knee is struggling with the clutch a bit. It feels like there is very little movement in the pedal and I haven't quite matched the revs to get a smooth takeoff – yet. Finally, I clear the traffic and I'm on the open road, and this is where the fun starts.
I prod the throttle in second, and the MR2 pulls with urgency, changing into third there's a "pssssh" and a little "chirp" from the wastegate. I find myself laughing, but I'm still accelerating and acutely aware that I have three gears left to go and moving towards licence losing territory. Easing off and running through the gears I find myself making the car "pssssh" and "chirp" as much as I can. It's a giggle and in a surreal way it feels like I'm sat in front of the TV playing Gran Turismo having just bolted a turbo to my MR2 in the garage. At low revs the exhaust emits a gentle woofle, and the odd gentle pop, but as the revs rise and the turbo whistles up, the pitch changes to a more frantic sound, but one that I can quite happily live with.
The ceramic clutch is still pretty aggressive, and it feels like there is only an inch of travel. Moving off it's still taking a bit of getting used to, and I quickly become conscious that people are staring as if to say I can't drive. In time it all comes together and it does need a fine balance between revs and clutch to move off the line smoothly.
Once on the move it feels quick and allows for fast a change, although I found it smoother heeling and toeing on the downshift. Still, this is more than can be said for the gearbox; I missed the change from second to third several times as it just did not feel as direct as it should.
What did surprise me was how well the MR2 rode the bumps. The ride feels smooth and composed on all surfaces and at all speeds. The last MR2's that I drove was a bit twitchy, but the bigger fatter wheels on the SP car just held their line, and the car feels light and nimble on its feet. The steering is direct, and despite being light offers decent feel and feedback. As time progressed I was pushing the car harder into the corners, yet handling remained flat and composed. Even when I pushed a little bit too much, the car was forgiving and the mistake was easily collected.
Add all of this together and you have a light, nimble and nippy car. I think the Clio 172 driver was a bit surprised when I left him standing, but the expression on the Civic Type-R driver's face really was a picture as I rapidly disappeared down the country lanes. Head back into town and traffic jams and the MR2 will still trundle along happily enough.
Thoughts
SP Toyota TTE MR2 Turbo may not be the snappiest name you've heard, but don't let that put you off. The MR2 was always a good fun car, but this upgrade has made it into a much more enjoyable package. Actually, scrub that – it's a hoot. The ride and handling are fantastic and inspire confidence, even if the steering is a tad light for my liking. Performance wise it's a world apart from the standard car, and just SO much fun. The noises it makes (the wastegate and the turbo fan) just made me laugh as I drove – there were occasions when I thought I'd sucked a squirrel into the air intake. I think Silverstone Performance have transformed the MR2 with the TTE kit, and have turned the MR2 into a great little package, with the ability to surprise a few other cars on the road. If you get offered a drive, I strongly suggest you take it!
Day after, our man from PH got his mits on it. Anyway, for anyone who cares, here are my thoughts...
Having recently taken the Chimaera to Silverstone Performance for it's service, I was speaking to Matt who offered me a drive in the SP Toyota TTE MR2 Turbo. Never one to pass on the opportunity for a blat in something different, a quick call to the insurance company ensured I had cover and Matt started to run over the features of the car. It looks suitably understated, yet smart in the dark grey colour, and sits on SP's own lightweight wheels. The MR2 has never really registered on my radar, but the more I looked at this example, the more I liked the looks of it.
What's new?
Silverstone Performance has fitted the TTE (Toyota Team Europe) turbo conversion to their car which means that the 3 year warranty remains in place. The warranty thing all sounds very nice, but to be honest I was more interested in the turbo bit. The work consists of a turbo and pre-cat, intercooler, uprated engine management system and spark plugs, lightened flywheel, free flow airfilter, turbo cooling fan, strut brace, sports exhaust and sits on lowered suspension on SP's own wheels. Oh and the small matter of a ceramic clutch – something which struck fear into me given that I don't have any cruciate ligaments! The result of this is a power hike from 138bhp to 182bhp and torque has lept from 125lb ft to 188lb ft – but at 700rpm lower. In real terms the 0-60 drops from 8 seconds to 5.9…!
Aside from the wheels, the only other changes I spotted where two discreet badges under the side repeaters. I would have liked to see some carbon fibre air intakes, but you have to draw the line somewhere. I've never been a fan of Jap interiors; they always feel like they've been made from the cheapest plastics known to man, and in that sense the interior of the car is standard. I almost felt disappointed that I there was no boost gauge added somewhere, but was beginning to wonder if this was going to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Sitting in the driving seat, I was surprised at how comfortable and supportive it felt; although my lanky frame did mean that my knees were up by the steering wheel – go kart style.
Driving the SP Toyota TTE MR2 Turbo
On turning the key, there's a light metallic sound as the car fires up – a bit like a Porsche – but the engine quickly settles down to idle with a gentle woofle. No where near as loud as the TVR, but still a pleasing sound nevertheless. Gently easing forward the car jumps a bit as I struggle to engage the clutch smoothly, but I catch it, try again and we're off this time round.
Moving onto the A-road, after a bit of traffic, I become aware of a wastegate for the first time. The car seems to be quite happy in town traffic, although my knee is struggling with the clutch a bit. It feels like there is very little movement in the pedal and I haven't quite matched the revs to get a smooth takeoff – yet. Finally, I clear the traffic and I'm on the open road, and this is where the fun starts.
I prod the throttle in second, and the MR2 pulls with urgency, changing into third there's a "pssssh" and a little "chirp" from the wastegate. I find myself laughing, but I'm still accelerating and acutely aware that I have three gears left to go and moving towards licence losing territory. Easing off and running through the gears I find myself making the car "pssssh" and "chirp" as much as I can. It's a giggle and in a surreal way it feels like I'm sat in front of the TV playing Gran Turismo having just bolted a turbo to my MR2 in the garage. At low revs the exhaust emits a gentle woofle, and the odd gentle pop, but as the revs rise and the turbo whistles up, the pitch changes to a more frantic sound, but one that I can quite happily live with.
The ceramic clutch is still pretty aggressive, and it feels like there is only an inch of travel. Moving off it's still taking a bit of getting used to, and I quickly become conscious that people are staring as if to say I can't drive. In time it all comes together and it does need a fine balance between revs and clutch to move off the line smoothly.
Once on the move it feels quick and allows for fast a change, although I found it smoother heeling and toeing on the downshift. Still, this is more than can be said for the gearbox; I missed the change from second to third several times as it just did not feel as direct as it should.
What did surprise me was how well the MR2 rode the bumps. The ride feels smooth and composed on all surfaces and at all speeds. The last MR2's that I drove was a bit twitchy, but the bigger fatter wheels on the SP car just held their line, and the car feels light and nimble on its feet. The steering is direct, and despite being light offers decent feel and feedback. As time progressed I was pushing the car harder into the corners, yet handling remained flat and composed. Even when I pushed a little bit too much, the car was forgiving and the mistake was easily collected.
Add all of this together and you have a light, nimble and nippy car. I think the Clio 172 driver was a bit surprised when I left him standing, but the expression on the Civic Type-R driver's face really was a picture as I rapidly disappeared down the country lanes. Head back into town and traffic jams and the MR2 will still trundle along happily enough.
Thoughts
SP Toyota TTE MR2 Turbo may not be the snappiest name you've heard, but don't let that put you off. The MR2 was always a good fun car, but this upgrade has made it into a much more enjoyable package. Actually, scrub that – it's a hoot. The ride and handling are fantastic and inspire confidence, even if the steering is a tad light for my liking. Performance wise it's a world apart from the standard car, and just SO much fun. The noises it makes (the wastegate and the turbo fan) just made me laugh as I drove – there were occasions when I thought I'd sucked a squirrel into the air intake. I think Silverstone Performance have transformed the MR2 with the TTE kit, and have turned the MR2 into a great little package, with the ability to surprise a few other cars on the road. If you get offered a drive, I strongly suggest you take it!
Podie said:
vixpy1 said:
Turbo T said:
why was it dyno'd in 3rd gear?
Because on DD rollers you do 5 speeders in 3rd, 6 speeders in 4th (hence your Supra done in 4th)
Its a kosha dyno sheet
er... it has a 6 speed 'box.
Doh.. Well, Some DD rollers run everything in 3rd .. even 6 speeders, I've experimented and the whp generally only differs 1 to 2bhp between the gears, the advantage of coarse is the runs are shorter and hence the car does not get hot, important with a turbo conversion on a mid engined car.
vixpy1 said:
Podie said:
vixpy1 said:
Turbo T said:
why was it dyno'd in 3rd gear?
Because on DD rollers you do 5 speeders in 3rd, 6 speeders in 4th (hence your Supra done in 4th)
Its a kosha dyno sheet
er... it has a 6 speed 'box.
Doh.. Well, Some DD rollers run everything in 3rd .. even 6 speeders, I've experimented and the whp generally only differs 1 to 2bhp between the gears, the advantage of coarse is the runs are shorter and hence the car does not get hot, important with a turbo conversion on a mid engined car.
Hairy muff.
Charlie how busy are you next week?
if you get the cars BossCerbera said:
For the turbo kit, a TTE piggyback ECU. The SP remap, as previously posted, is under development. To be a satisfactory solution may require more than simply changing/adding ECUs and/or the power upgrades beyond 200bhp will be in stages.
"The power is low"???? The torque is 50% higher than standard and the power delivery is very smooth. c.200bhp/tonne and >200lb/ft/tonne shifts the MR2 into serious-car territory. The new Audi RS4 is 224bhp/tonne and 172lb/ft/tonne. BMW M3s being unable to shake the MR2 SP loose is pretty comical.
Make no mistake, the MR2 SP is a fast car. Travelling round the lanes at between 80 and 120 leptons in a car that doesn't suffer from girth-induced inertia with c.200bhp/tonne is pretty special. And it's so-o-o-o-o-o easy! I am gagging to get it on a tight circuit like Anglesey - I reckon it would be dynamite. Think 'baby Noble' in terms of character ...but in a Q car.
The further mods to increase power require looking at more than just turning up the fuel and boost. "As thorough as Toyota would be" is how SP has and is approaching all the Toyota projects.
dervlpg said:
The reason the power is low is possibly due...
"The power is low"???? The torque is 50% higher than standard and the power delivery is very smooth. c.200bhp/tonne and >200lb/ft/tonne shifts the MR2 into serious-car territory. The new Audi RS4 is 224bhp/tonne and 172lb/ft/tonne. BMW M3s being unable to shake the MR2 SP loose is pretty comical.
Make no mistake, the MR2 SP is a fast car. Travelling round the lanes at between 80 and 120 leptons in a car that doesn't suffer from girth-induced inertia with c.200bhp/tonne is pretty special. And it's so-o-o-o-o-o easy! I am gagging to get it on a tight circuit like Anglesey - I reckon it would be dynamite. Think 'baby Noble' in terms of character ...but in a Q car.
The further mods to increase power require looking at more than just turning up the fuel and boost. "As thorough as Toyota would be" is how SP has and is approaching all the Toyota projects.
If you get a mk3 and get the THOR conversion kit it'll be even more of a Q car with 270ish bhp per ton.
www.thor-racing.co.uk/MRS_Turbo_Stage_3_Fitte-MRSTS3_Install.asp
steve bowen said:
BossCerbera said:
For the turbo kit, a TTE piggyback ECU. The SP remap, as previously posted, is under development. To be a satisfactory solution may require more than simply changing/adding ECUs and/or the power upgrades beyond 200bhp will be in stages.
"The power is low"???? The torque is 50% higher than standard and the power delivery is very smooth. c.200bhp/tonne and >200lb/ft/tonne shifts the MR2 into serious-car territory. The new Audi RS4 is 224bhp/tonne and 172lb/ft/tonne. BMW M3s being unable to shake the MR2 SP loose is pretty comical.
Make no mistake, the MR2 SP is a fast car. Travelling round the lanes at between 80 and 120 leptons in a car that doesn't suffer from girth-induced inertia with c.200bhp/tonne is pretty special. And it's so-o-o-o-o-o easy! I am gagging to get it on a tight circuit like Anglesey - I reckon it would be dynamite. Think 'baby Noble' in terms of character ...but in a Q car.
The further mods to increase power require looking at more than just turning up the fuel and boost. "As thorough as Toyota would be" is how SP has and is approaching all the Toyota projects.
dervlpg said:
The reason the power is low is possibly due...
"The power is low"???? The torque is 50% higher than standard and the power delivery is very smooth. c.200bhp/tonne and >200lb/ft/tonne shifts the MR2 into serious-car territory. The new Audi RS4 is 224bhp/tonne and 172lb/ft/tonne. BMW M3s being unable to shake the MR2 SP loose is pretty comical.
Make no mistake, the MR2 SP is a fast car. Travelling round the lanes at between 80 and 120 leptons in a car that doesn't suffer from girth-induced inertia with c.200bhp/tonne is pretty special. And it's so-o-o-o-o-o easy! I am gagging to get it on a tight circuit like Anglesey - I reckon it would be dynamite. Think 'baby Noble' in terms of character ...but in a Q car.
The further mods to increase power require looking at more than just turning up the fuel and boost. "As thorough as Toyota would be" is how SP has and is approaching all the Toyota projects.
If you get a mk3 and get the THOR conversion kit it'll be even more of a Q car with 270ish bhp per ton.
www.thor-racing.co.uk/MRS_Turbo_Stage_3_Fitte-MRSTS3_Install.asp
More power, yes - but doesn't seem as well rounded package as the SP option.
Podie said:
steve bowen said:
BossCerbera said:
For the turbo kit, a TTE piggyback ECU. The SP remap, as previously posted, is under development. To be a satisfactory solution may require more than simply changing/adding ECUs and/or the power upgrades beyond 200bhp will be in stages.
"The power is low"???? The torque is 50% higher than standard and the power delivery is very smooth. c.200bhp/tonne and >200lb/ft/tonne shifts the MR2 into serious-car territory. The new Audi RS4 is 224bhp/tonne and 172lb/ft/tonne. BMW M3s being unable to shake the MR2 SP loose is pretty comical.
Make no mistake, the MR2 SP is a fast car. Travelling round the lanes at between 80 and 120 leptons in a car that doesn't suffer from girth-induced inertia with c.200bhp/tonne is pretty special. And it's so-o-o-o-o-o easy! I am gagging to get it on a tight circuit like Anglesey - I reckon it would be dynamite. Think 'baby Noble' in terms of character ...but in a Q car.
The further mods to increase power require looking at more than just turning up the fuel and boost. "As thorough as Toyota would be" is how SP has and is approaching all the Toyota projects.
dervlpg said:
The reason the power is low is possibly due...
"The power is low"???? The torque is 50% higher than standard and the power delivery is very smooth. c.200bhp/tonne and >200lb/ft/tonne shifts the MR2 into serious-car territory. The new Audi RS4 is 224bhp/tonne and 172lb/ft/tonne. BMW M3s being unable to shake the MR2 SP loose is pretty comical.
Make no mistake, the MR2 SP is a fast car. Travelling round the lanes at between 80 and 120 leptons in a car that doesn't suffer from girth-induced inertia with c.200bhp/tonne is pretty special. And it's so-o-o-o-o-o easy! I am gagging to get it on a tight circuit like Anglesey - I reckon it would be dynamite. Think 'baby Noble' in terms of character ...but in a Q car.
The further mods to increase power require looking at more than just turning up the fuel and boost. "As thorough as Toyota would be" is how SP has and is approaching all the Toyota projects.
If you get a mk3 and get the THOR conversion kit it'll be even more of a Q car with 270ish bhp per ton.
www.thor-racing.co.uk/MRS_Turbo_Stage_3_Fitte-MRSTS3_Install.asp
More power, yes - but doesn't seem as well rounded package as the SP option.
how do you come to that conclusion? The charge cooler for a start is 100% more logical than an intercooler, only difference in the package is it doesn't come with bracing but if your going to spend this cash then the TRD sport suspension package thats £2000 that includes cooilovers, ARB & bracing would more than cover it and many owner will have already done this to their MR2 /MRS
Podie said:
Gazboy said:
How much is the chassis brace?
(second time of asking)
(second time of asking)
Dunno, but IIRC MAtt told me it was the only one available where you could use the front "boot"
Don't think you can get the chassis brace on its own, only as part of the total TTE turbo conversion (which costs £3995) though I could be wrong.
The brace Podie is thinking of (nice write up by the way) is SP's own front strut brace, which you can get separately for £250 fitted.
Turbo T said:
vixpy1 said:
Podie said:
vixpy1 said:
Turbo T said:
why was it dyno'd in 3rd gear?
Because on DD rollers you do 5 speeders in 3rd, 6 speeders in 4th (hence your Supra done in 4th)
Its a kosha dyno sheet
er... it has a 6 speed 'box.
Doh.. Well, Some DD rollers run everything in 3rd .. even 6 speeders, I've experimented and the whp generally only differs 1 to 2bhp between the gears, the advantage of coarse is the runs are shorter and hence the car does not get hot, important with a turbo conversion on a mid engined car.
Hairy muff.
Charlie how busy are you next week?
I can fit you in sir if you want, already doing one supra next week
steve bowen said:
Podie said:
steve bowen said:
BossCerbera said:
For the turbo kit, a TTE piggyback ECU. The SP remap, as previously posted, is under development. To be a satisfactory solution may require more than simply changing/adding ECUs and/or the power upgrades beyond 200bhp will be in stages.
"The power is low"???? The torque is 50% higher than standard and the power delivery is very smooth. c.200bhp/tonne and >200lb/ft/tonne shifts the MR2 into serious-car territory. The new Audi RS4 is 224bhp/tonne and 172lb/ft/tonne. BMW M3s being unable to shake the MR2 SP loose is pretty comical.
Make no mistake, the MR2 SP is a fast car. Travelling round the lanes at between 80 and 120 leptons in a car that doesn't suffer from girth-induced inertia with c.200bhp/tonne is pretty special. And it's so-o-o-o-o-o easy! I am gagging to get it on a tight circuit like Anglesey - I reckon it would be dynamite. Think 'baby Noble' in terms of character ...but in a Q car.
The further mods to increase power require looking at more than just turning up the fuel and boost. "As thorough as Toyota would be" is how SP has and is approaching all the Toyota projects.
dervlpg said:
The reason the power is low is possibly due...
"The power is low"???? The torque is 50% higher than standard and the power delivery is very smooth. c.200bhp/tonne and >200lb/ft/tonne shifts the MR2 into serious-car territory. The new Audi RS4 is 224bhp/tonne and 172lb/ft/tonne. BMW M3s being unable to shake the MR2 SP loose is pretty comical.
Make no mistake, the MR2 SP is a fast car. Travelling round the lanes at between 80 and 120 leptons in a car that doesn't suffer from girth-induced inertia with c.200bhp/tonne is pretty special. And it's so-o-o-o-o-o easy! I am gagging to get it on a tight circuit like Anglesey - I reckon it would be dynamite. Think 'baby Noble' in terms of character ...but in a Q car.
The further mods to increase power require looking at more than just turning up the fuel and boost. "As thorough as Toyota would be" is how SP has and is approaching all the Toyota projects.
If you get a mk3 and get the THOR conversion kit it'll be even more of a Q car with 270ish bhp per ton.
www.thor-racing.co.uk/MRS_Turbo_Stage_3_Fitte-MRSTS3_Install.asp
More power, yes - but doesn't seem as well rounded package as the SP option.
how do you come to that conclusion? The charge cooler for a start is 100% more logical than an intercooler, only difference in the package is it doesn't come with bracing but if your going to spend this cash then the TRD sport suspension package thats £2000 that includes cooilovers, ARB & bracing would more than cover it and many owner will have already done this to their MR2 /MRS
100% increase in power, yet no change to the brakes or consideration for the structural ridgitity (strut brace) or even getting the power down (wheel / tyre package).
All IMO of course, but to make serious changes without consdiering the rest of the vehicle does not seem as well balanced.
none except on the parts they supply, but does that matter? Any mod's usually void any warantee. Shouldn't worry you, plenty of 260 / 270bhp roadster in the mk3owners club all running fine, the only engine failures have been on non turbo cars eating their precats, turbo kits (except the TTE SP one) remove the precats as they are a know destroyer of MR-S engines.
Edited by steve bowen on Saturday 5th August 21:30
Thought I'd post this as a side note. A'PEXi offer a turbo kit for the MR2 as well. 227rwhp!!! 
And this guy uses it as his daily driver, so it can't exactly be a temperamental s.o.b.
www.importtuner.com/features/0308it_apexi_gt300_spec_mr_s/
www.kidimports.com/item_pics/shouhin.jpg
http://auto.vl.ru/images/?id=29535
And this guy uses it as his daily driver, so it can't exactly be a temperamental s.o.b. www.importtuner.com/features/0308it_apexi_gt300_spec_mr_s/
www.kidimports.com/item_pics/shouhin.jpg
http://auto.vl.ru/images/?id=29535
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