MR2 TURBO ENGINE/GBOX

[GIMPTON]

Looking for a powerplant for my Track car, already got a integra Type R so dont want another Vtec powered vehicle, the company that build my kit suggest the 1.8t 20v VAG unit.

My issue is the stupid price people want for these engines as they have become "fashionable" but also that to get a decent level of performance i need to spend at least £1k to get a decent turbo on it as they run out of puff by 5000-5500, and i am a Jap engine man.

SO the Mr2 tempts me, bigger, more powerful as standard, more revs, and can be tuned fairly easy(looking for 270bhp)

Anyone give me some problems to look for when looking at one, also what i should pay?

Also if anyone knows how much they weigh and the measurements that would be great?

[Munter]

Not all MR2 Turbo engines are the same power. Look up the revisions and you'll notice a step up in power somewhere around Rev3 I think.

[GIMPTON]

Cheers, aware of that but i think even the rev 1's are more powerful than all but the 210/225bhp VAG units

[_Al_]

Bloody hell, that's cheap!

[Munter]

_Al_ said:

Bloody hell, that's cheap!

I dont think they are "light" though. From what I can find they are an Iron block. If the VAG units are Iron as well then I guess theres little in it. But if the VAG units a ally then your gonna have to do some sums....

[Mr E]

As the Gazmiester states, the Rev2 should give 270 brake without too many issues. I'd go for a rev3 if you can afford it (better ECU, more advanced, well, everything to be honest). More power. More cost.

[_Al_]

Would a Rev3 ECU hep a Rev2 car in any way?

[Steve_Evil]

Not really, the Rev 1 and 2s had a mechanical system for controlling the air and fuel mix, hence why the don't take too well to blow off valves being fitted, Thor do a conversion now to convert the older engines to Rev 3 spec though.

From what information i've gathered, Rev 3 engines are the best if you only want to go to 300bhp, anything above that and the Rev 2 engine is better as the block is stronger (you will be replacing the turbo anyway above this level so the Rev 3 loses it's advantage here)

My Rev 1 is running about 300bhp, although getting much more out of it would involve quite a bit more money.

[_Al_]

I'm a bit worried about the whole ECU/metering issue on mine as it has an aftermarket induction kit (including mass meter).

I was wondering how it'll cope..

I'll be posting on here with pics and any information once I actually pick the car up.

[Steve_Evil]

Any changes like an exhaust or a new filter should really be setup on a rolling road to ensure that the car is fuelling right with them in, but it should self-learn to an extent too, especially if you reset the ecu by pulling out the fuse.

[Munter]

GIMPTON said:

Also if anyone knows how much they weigh and the measurements that would be great?

I'm so bored I went trawling the internet until I came out with: 3SGTE weight ~300lbs (or 136kg).... No idea if thats with all gubbins and oil etc or dry.

[Mr E]

Steve_Evil said:

anything above that and the Rev 2 engine is better as the block is stronger

Sorry? Is it?

Christ. Someone tell Fensport, as they chose a 3rd generation GTE for the 600bhp monster.

Or are we talking MR2 revisions here, and not engine generations?

[andy mac]

I thought the rev 4 + % cars were just cosmetic changes? I thought the engine stayed the same as rev3

[andy mac]

I honestly never knew that, I have a fairly decent knowledge of mr2's! I thought the only thing different with rev 5's was the spoiler... So what hp does the rev 5 have, or is it the same, but different fuel economy, or something?

[GIMPTON]

Well thanks for all the info guys keep it coming

Thats a strong case for going the MR2 route

The VAG unit has a Alloy Head and Iron block, the only advantage is that it has forged pistons and it weighs 98kgs!!! all in.

But we are talking £1500 for the engine and gearbox from a 150/180 bhp golf/seat etc and then £575 to get it to 215-220 at 5500-5900.

So the Mr2 unit has the power/torque avantage, and of course it Japanese so it goes without saying Rice is better than Sausage.

[steve_evil]

You'll have to excuse my lack of knowledge on the engine block strengths, have traced the source to IMOC and it was a discussion about weaknesses that people had experienced with early rev 3 blocks and people saying that the rev 2 ones were stronger.