Mk3 MR2 V6

[TheThing]

Anyone ever had a go in one? Im toying with the idea of buying a pre-facelift MK3 MR2 with a knackered engine for around say a £1000 and then having a 1MZ-FE 3.0 V6 fitted. The conversion costs around £4500. It seems like a pretty tempting prospect. You get a 3.0 V6 mid engined rear drive sports car with roughly 200bhp/ton for around £5500. And the noise!

m.youtube.com/watch?v=O-lyNfGo2-Y

But what are the pitfalls with such a car. How does VED work for example? Im assuming that insurance would be pretty expensive? Around 25MPG?

Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[kambites]

How much dos the V6 lump weigh and what angle does it sit at? I'd imagine it could do interesting things to the handling.

[TheThing]

Im not sure how much it weighs but I seem to remember reading somewhere that its 75kg heavier than the standard engine. Is this about right? Not sure about the angle either. But this was also the first thing I thought about when i read about the conversion.

[kambites]

I can't help but feel that the 190bhp four-pot would probably be a better engine swap.

[5lab]

whilst that engine does sound good, surely a much easier conversion would be the 190 engine from the celica, or just to supercharge it? I would have thought both routes end up with roughly the same power/weight, or much more with the supercharged route?

[paul1087]

cheaper and easier to go 2zz-ge.

output of the v6 is about 170 to 190hp.
2zz should be somewhere in the middle.

ive done it, it goes very well.

consult mr2roc forum or pm me for more details.

[TheThing]

I know what you are all saying but in all honesty I would prefer more than four cylinders. What is the difference in cost for a 190 engine swap?

[cologne2792]

The Woodsport conversions of the MK2 seem to be excellent but isn't the whole point of the MK3 a back to basics, lower powered lightweight approach ?

[danjama]

I can't imagine insurance is too bad depending on the usual factors - ncb, postcode, etc. Just go with one of the proven sympathetic insurers that you can find on the OC, who actually care about what you drive.

You can probably be more optomistic that 25mpg if on a motorway cruise.

£4500 seems very steep though...

As mentioned, I would go for a mk2 with V6 conversion. In fact there is one on imoc for sale right now for £2500, it just needs the interior put back in.

[kambites]

TheThing said:

I know what you are all saying but in all honesty I would prefer more than four cylinders. What is the difference in cost for a 190 engine swap?

I think the block hard-points and all ancillaries are identical, so it's mechanically a very simple swap. Not sure how easy it is to sort out the electronics.

[5lab]

the 190 engine pretty much bolts straight in - a few other parts need changing but not much. I would imagine half the price?

[nottyash]

I quite liked the idea when we had ours, but bought a Boxster S. A cracking car to drive.

[kambites]

Buying a Boxster is probably a cheaper alternative, and you'd end up with a better car in many ways.

[Jasandjules]

For 5k you could get an awful lot of fast cars?!!

[TheThing]

I already have a MK2 MR2. Wouldn't mind a tubby but good ones seem few and far between. The potential running costs of a boxster put me off to be honest.

[TheThing]

Jasandjules said:

For 5k you could get an awful lot of fast cars?!!

Im open to suggestions?

[kambites]

If you can't afford to run a Boxster, I somewhat doubt you can afford to run a V6 MR2 unless you intend to do all maintenance yourself and have a lot of spare time. I don't know much about that particular swap, but engine conversions, especially those which use different shame engines to those available OEM, tend to be an arse to look after.

Transverse mid-engined V6 transplants into I4 cars have a nasty tendency to require you to take the engine out to change basic components like spark plugs.

[TheThing]

I was thinking more along the lines of the cost of parts as opposed to the cost of servicing. I have a spanner wielding friend who would always help me out with general maintenance like servicing.

[Daniel1]

Ive had a look at the wood sports V6 conversions and it does look like you get a lot of modification/fabrication for the money.

Me personally? I've driven mk3 mr2's, 190 celicas and 190 engined exiges. So I'd go down the 190 route if it was my project. I'm sure if you get friendly on the mr2 forums you could meet up with people who have done both conversions and see which one you like more based on factors like noise and drivability.

[Jasandjules]

2 Door Audi Quattro S4..

3.0 Z3

944 S2

Just some ideas... All convertibles.