MR2 turbos....... what Rev?
MR2 turbos....... what Rev?
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Discussion

300bhp/ton

Original Poster:

41,030 posts

220 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Ok then, based off the budget Jap Coupes thread.

What things should you watch for on a MR2 MKII?

I've read a bit that the early ones seemed more sharp, but more snappy. So while the 1992/3 suspension revisions helped tame the rear, it also slightly blunted steering and turn in.

Is this true? Can anyone vouch either way?

What of significant changes occurred and do they really matter or can they be retro fitted to earlier examples?


smile

Steve Evil

10,827 posts

259 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
I've had both and didn't really notice a vast difference between the two. If I had another one I'd go for a Rev3 onwards as it looks better and the engine both has more power to start with, along with being a better base to work on for adding more power.

thetapeworm

13,824 posts

269 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all

Rev 1 is most "fun" but they get increasingly safe as you move up the revisions, initially in response to clumsy journalists being unable to understand the laws of physics wink

Personally if I was doing it again I'd go with a rev 3 for the engine but I had a Rev 1 with rev 2 brakes and Fensport suspension and various other things (mechanical and cosmetic) from the newer cars that probably made it worse than standard.

The best MR2 I've been in on track was a Rev 2 with Rev 1 inspired dampers and springs but it's been a long time since then and I suspect people have tried a lot more setups since.

If I was starting again I'd go with a Rev3+ for the engine alone, the suspension bits are easily adjusted / swapped out.

ChiChoAndy

73,668 posts

285 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Go rev3+...

willfinch36

629 posts

188 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Rev3+


I own a Rev4 Turbo myself, love it.

RobCrezz

7,892 posts

238 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
I think there were geometry changes, but I think the main difference to the handling was because they changed to staggered tyre sizes, with larger on the back.

Its worth getting a rev 3+ though because you get many other improvements like:
Bilstein dampers
Bigger brakes
Better cams
Better turbo (spools faster, delivers more boost and doesnt tail off at high revs like the rev1/2 turbo)
Bigger injectors
Speed Density MAP control, rather than using a MAF

Otto

738 posts

246 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Rev 3+

Sharpening the turn-in is very simple - a geometry change to the front end. There are specs on one of the forums that I will try dig up (IMOC).

Better dampers as stock, more power, better power delivery (turbo doesn't run out of breath at high revs) bigger brakes etc etc.

They will be needing a little TLC at this age, particularly the ignition components. It would be a great help if you're savvy with the spanners (which I think you are?) as most garages will not be familiar with the car.

'94 can get away without a catalytic converter for the MOT as there was no equivalent in the UK at the time.

Negative Creep

26,084 posts

257 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
I have a rev 1 n/a (for sale as well). I dont find it overly fun to drive, certainly not as good as an mx5, but it is comfy and more practical than youd think. Can be a bit twitchy and likes to tramline, i guess because of the lack of weight over the front wheels

ChiChoAndy

73,668 posts

285 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Negative Creep said:
II dont find it overly fun to drive
You're not trying hard enough.

Devilstreak

8,088 posts

211 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Rev 3+ With a Rev 5 spolier thumbup

ikarl

4,057 posts

229 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Negative Creep said:
I dont find it overly fun to drive
do you drive like a girl?

RZ1

4,506 posts

236 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
What are the differences between a Rev 3 n/a and Rev 4 n/a UK Cars? Cosmetic and mechanical?

ChiChoAndy

73,668 posts

285 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Just cosmetic, as far as I can remember. Rev 5 had mechanical differences if I recall, but it's been a few years since I had mine, and was up on all that stuff.
PS, rev 5 had the beams engine, (well, some of them did), and they were lovely things. 200bhp from a 2.0 NA.

ikarl

4,057 posts

229 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
RZ1 said:
What are the differences between a Rev 3 n/a and Rev 4 n/a UK Cars? Cosmetic and mechanical?
slightly less power (from memory 174 down to 168) can't think of much else

300bhp/ton

Original Poster:

41,030 posts

220 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Cheers all. smile



Steve Evil said:
I've had both and didn't really notice a vast difference between the two. If I had another one I'd go for a Rev3 onwards as it looks better and the engine both has more power to start with, along with being a better base to work on for adding more power.
Do you know what the exact engine differences are on a Rev 3?

ChiChoAndy

73,668 posts

285 months

300bhp/ton

Original Poster:

41,030 posts

220 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
Gaz. said:
Bigger injectors, different head, smaller but more effecient turbocharger that is betetr in every way, MAP instead of MAF, different ECU and about 20-25bhp more.

The Rev3 is the big cosmetic facelift too, body colour rub strips & sills, new rear lights & rear panel, one piece rear wing, crystal front indicators and side lights.

There is no downside to choosing a rev3 over a rev2 other than the new car is more expensive but you'll get that back when you sell (and it'll sell quicker).
Thanks.

Have you driven one? If so, what do you think compared to your Supra and 944 experiences?

ApexJimi

27,709 posts

273 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
What are residuals like?

Marf

22,907 posts

271 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
+1 to what everyone has said already re: rev3+.

Also worth noting that shortly a solution to convert the stock Rev3+ ECU into a mappable unit will be available, I'm currently beta testing a pre-release model smile

Steve Evil

10,827 posts

259 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
quotequote all
ApexJimi said:
What are residuals like?
I doubt you'll lose much if anything on one these days, the prices have got about as low as they'll go. If you buy a decent one, then you'll probably get back what you paid for it.

Unlike a lot of the other Jap cars, there wasn't really a new model to come out and drive down values, the MK3 MR2 was vastly different and prices for early ones are now below what you'd pay for a decent Rev3 Turbo.