Mazda MR2 Mk1 Engine
Discussion
Hi,
I have recently stumbled across a MK1 MR2 In need of a new engine. I am quite tempted to buy the shell as its not too expensive (was kept in some old guys garage for years untouched, looks pristine!)
I was wondering what other engines can slot right in or be put in with a little bit of work which could produce more power than the usual spec?
I'm thinking along the lines of something N/A but NO v8's or V6's. I want to keep the car light and I love engines which scream up to the red line.
Any thoughts?
I have recently stumbled across a MK1 MR2 In need of a new engine. I am quite tempted to buy the shell as its not too expensive (was kept in some old guys garage for years untouched, looks pristine!)
I was wondering what other engines can slot right in or be put in with a little bit of work which could produce more power than the usual spec?
I'm thinking along the lines of something N/A but NO v8's or V6's. I want to keep the car light and I love engines which scream up to the red line.
Any thoughts?
Well the MR2 is a Toyota not a Mazda for starters 
The original 4A-GE engine (1.6) is a sweet little unit and very rev-happy, also available in factory supercharged form with ~180bhp from memory.
Other options - 3S-GE 2.0 130-210bhp NA depending which version you get, 3S-GTE 2.0 turbo (though its quite a heavy lump), the Toyota 3.0 V6 is becoming increasingly popular too - lighter than the 3S-GTE from memory, nice engine note and smooth revvy NA power.
The original 4A-GE engine (1.6) is a sweet little unit and very rev-happy, also available in factory supercharged form with ~180bhp from memory.
Other options - 3S-GE 2.0 130-210bhp NA depending which version you get, 3S-GTE 2.0 turbo (though its quite a heavy lump), the Toyota 3.0 V6 is becoming increasingly popular too - lighter than the 3S-GTE from memory, nice engine note and smooth revvy NA power.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 27th May 13:39
Jayho said:
Lol s
t long day! Been looking at both MX5 and MR2 lately!
t long day! Been looking at both MX5 and MR2 lately!
Fair enough! Both are great fun to drive so always worth considering both options - I went the MX5 route and now have a 280bhp turbonutter version which is extra fun, but even as standard they're bloody brilliant wee things.I think a few folk on here have V6 MR2s (Mk1.6 they call them
) so no doubt someone will be along shortly to tell you how much that conversion costs.Lol well the shell will probably be a steel! So i'll probably set an overall budget of £700!!! all inclusive! The interior could do with a touch up! One seat is torn and the others got fag burns! Friends got a couple of old ford escort recaro's kicking about which i'm sure he'll probably just give me! could be a very cheap project!!!
OBLERJ2zz ge, 190 bhp rev just like the 4age and only a 1.8 so shouldn't be too hard a fit, that's what I want to do to my AW11 once I've finished the shell and the engine dies
- edit* it's a toyota MR2, not mazda unless I'm missunderstanding the thread
Edited by laam999 on Friday 28th May 12:41
well, here's the update!!!
Upon going to see the shell for the very first time on Sunday, very excited, licking my lips!!! Driving up for about an hour to get to the destination, a very warm welcome by the old guy, and got talking about cars... then it dawned on me!!! as we were talking about cars, they guy didn't actually know all that about cars!!! Even less than me!!! And i'm quite a mechanical numpty!!! But nevermind! as long as the cars good i'll be happy!!! Went in, top of the shell, absolutely spotless! not a single rust to be seen on anything from the arches up!!! Got talking to the guy again, who also offered the handy toolbox in the boot of the car which held many tools!!! Got talking again, and something wasn't sitting right... So... Asked him if it was ok to jack up the car, Borrowed his sons skateboard, scooted underneath, and my god it was horrible under there! Inch to inch of bad rust inside arches, basically anywhere you can imagine there was rust!!! It looked like if i got the car going, as soon as it hit a pothole or speedbump it would disintegrate into thin air! needless to say after witnessing that I had let him know i'd think about it and ran for my car!!! But following me was a range of abuse being shouted about my "timewasting" if anything i felt that he had wasted MY time!
Upon going to see the shell for the very first time on Sunday, very excited, licking my lips!!! Driving up for about an hour to get to the destination, a very warm welcome by the old guy, and got talking about cars... then it dawned on me!!! as we were talking about cars, they guy didn't actually know all that about cars!!! Even less than me!!! And i'm quite a mechanical numpty!!! But nevermind! as long as the cars good i'll be happy!!! Went in, top of the shell, absolutely spotless! not a single rust to be seen on anything from the arches up!!! Got talking to the guy again, who also offered the handy toolbox in the boot of the car which held many tools!!! Got talking again, and something wasn't sitting right... So... Asked him if it was ok to jack up the car, Borrowed his sons skateboard, scooted underneath, and my god it was horrible under there! Inch to inch of bad rust inside arches, basically anywhere you can imagine there was rust!!! It looked like if i got the car going, as soon as it hit a pothole or speedbump it would disintegrate into thin air! needless to say after witnessing that I had let him know i'd think about it and ran for my car!!! But following me was a range of abuse being shouted about my "timewasting" if anything i felt that he had wasted MY time!
Aww, a shame but kinda not unheard of in mr2 mk1's. its the underneath that goes the worst.
well be selling our mk1 track car on here soon so if you don't find anything....
there are loads of mk1 mr2s for sale on the mr2mk1club at the mo - some are mint, some a real project cars, so should be somehting to fit the bill for starters.
A camry v6 with an SC would be my choice of conversion i think. don't bother putting a 3sge in it, better a 3sgte, but i don't love turbos...
your budget may be a problem, as i think most 3sgte conversions come to arouns £1500 when you add up all the extras you need.
Maybe hold out for a 3sgte or v6 conversion already for sale - try twobrutal for sale section for those...
I may be easier to find a more solid/younger mx5, but it depends whether you liek the retro mr2mk1
well be selling our mk1 track car on here soon so if you don't find anything....
there are loads of mk1 mr2s for sale on the mr2mk1club at the mo - some are mint, some a real project cars, so should be somehting to fit the bill for starters.
A camry v6 with an SC would be my choice of conversion i think. don't bother putting a 3sge in it, better a 3sgte, but i don't love turbos...
your budget may be a problem, as i think most 3sgte conversions come to arouns £1500 when you add up all the extras you need.
Maybe hold out for a 3sgte or v6 conversion already for sale - try twobrutal for sale section for those...
I may be easier to find a more solid/younger mx5, but it depends whether you liek the retro mr2mk1
Buying a ready-converted car is the right way to do this, in terms of VFM.
There are a number of quite tasty Mk1s up for sale atm, some with conversions, others without. Rust is your biggest enemy but these cars are 25 years old now so don't be surprised to find some. Just get a solid car - cosmetics aren't so expensive to fix up as structural issues.
There are a number of quite tasty Mk1s up for sale atm, some with conversions, others without. Rust is your biggest enemy but these cars are 25 years old now so don't be surprised to find some. Just get a solid car - cosmetics aren't so expensive to fix up as structural issues.
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