RE: Toyota MR2: Catch it While You Can

[Cabrony]

Luggage space really isnt an issue. Have fitted 8 days of clothes and luggage for two people in it no problem.

[s m]

SonicShadow said:

Did they ever do a manual SC Mk1? I've only seen autos!

Oh Yes

Supercharged Mk1



Had a friend who had quite a few steam irons ...including a supercharged one

[james_gt3rs]

TameRacingDriver said:

To those who have 2ZZ the MR2, does anyone modify the gearbox in any way to shorten the ratios? I find the standard car's ratios a little tall, so unless they are shortened a tad I can see them being way too tall with the extra 1,500 rpm to play with?

Most people fit the 2zz gearbox I think, which is shorter, but keep the MR2 LSD.

[Escy]

Yeah, you need to use the 2zz gearbox, I swap the LSD and the taller 6th gear from the MR2 box over. You get the beat of both worlds, short ratios but able the cruise on the motorway at reasonable revs.

[Escy]

TameRacingDriver said:

I agree with you. The 2ZZ is a nice engine, but the 1ZZ is just fine for road use, fast enough, still revs well, but no need to try and keep it on the boil to make fast progress. I'd even go so far as to say that I'd rather the 1ZZ in a road car simply because of its easier going nature. To really appreciate the difference between the two, you are going to have to drive flat out, which unfortunately these days isn't a good idea on most roads, if you want to keep your licence. The 1ZZ makes it easy to make rapid progress without trying to extract every last rev out of the engine. Of course, you could keep the 2ZZ below 6,000 but then you would be missing the main attraction of the engine.

Having owned both I don't agree. The 2zz is far nicer to drive, even if you don't hit lift, the gear ratios are shorter, the engine builds revs quicker. It feels like it has more pep, even down low.

I also found I adapted my driving style to suit the engine. I currently drive a 1zz MR2 and I haven't hit the red line more than a handful of times in 10k miles. The engine is a bit corse and unrefined (and I've got a low mileage 06 plate) compared to the 2zz. It's not a particularly nice engine. When I had a 2zz MR2 I used to rev it right out all the time, it's addictive and makes the car a genuine sports car in my opinion. I would agree that to use the extra performance on the road legally isn't easy

[gofasterrosssco]

They are brilliant little cars.. I am seriously considering one when I sell my SC VX220. A girlfriend used to have one so have plenty experience driving them, and they honestly provide 90% of the Elise / VX220 driving experience and 'MR' feeling, but are 5x easier to live with, more reliable, you can speak to your passenger above 40 mph, and you don't worry about knocking a fibreglass clam or breaking a headlight which will cost you +£1k to fix..

I'll almost definitely go for a DIY 2ZZ engine / gearbox swap. I had the engine in a Celica previously, and it was nice enough, but ~200kg too heavy, so I think it'll be ideal for the MR2, and the right amount of power for spirited road use.. Always surprised me a little that Toyota never did a factory version with the 2ZZ engine given how compatible and globally used it is - at least some Japanese only special edition like they've done with previous MR2's..

[Dave Hedgehog]

s m said:

SonicShadow said:

Did they ever do a manual SC Mk1? I've only seen autos!

Oh Yes

Supercharged Mk1



Had a friend who had quite a few steam irons ...including a supercharged one

i loved my t bar MK1, that is so damn tempting

if only i had somewhere to put it

[DPSFleet]

[quote=Dr Doofenshmirtz]
1] There is a pre-cat in the exhaust manifold that can break down and get sucked into the engine due to the way the Vtec works. Small pieces scratch the cylinder walls which causes high oil consumption. Larger pieces can wreck the engine in less than a few miles.
2] Less disastrous, but the rear subframe rots.

If you have a pre-2003 MR2 you need to stop driving it NOW, remove the manifold and gut the pre-cat. It'll still pass the MOT just fine. But leaving it in place is a ticking timebomb.

ETA - the above is for pre-2003 models only AFAIC?[/quote
Many thanks Dr Doof! - a very helpful set of comments and I will certainly start to look for one now. Thank you, (many on here seem to want to just have a "pop" and be smart aXXes and your response was very refreshing - no doubt because you actually know about the car)

[gt6]

Had mine now almost 2 years and i love it, yes it does not have much luggage room but boy is it fun to drive, daughter kept borrowing it so eventually help her buy her own and she loves hers. mine has the tte pack so goes and sounds just that little bit better. Took it to le mans classic last year and will be off to le mans test day in it in 3 weeks.

[Craikeybaby]

I've had my MR2 for coming up to 4 years now, it was featured in Carpool last year too.

I actually don't mind the 1ZZ engine, I like that I can drive it hard on the road and not be too far over the speed limit. I have been asked a few times what I have done to the engine, as it is quicker than they expected - mine is completely stock, it is just down to the handling.

It isn't quite as good as a mk3 MX-5 as a GT car, but the MR2 copes well, my Dad and I took it to Le Mans, with all our camping kit. I also did a week long tour of the highlands with my wife - restraint is needed when packing, as well as soft bags.

[TameRacingDriver]

One day for a laugh, I took mine out on a run around the borders. I had the day off and it was a nice day, so there wasn't much traffic. Anyway, I decided to stick to around 60 at all times (where possible), and honestly on some of the twisty roads, it just flowed perfectly, it felt like you were going really quickly, and it was riotous fun, but the fact was, I wasn't even breaking the limit. This is exactly the sort of car you need for today's roads and limits. Small, light, nippy, fun little car that can make you laugh out loud at the speed limit. As the poster above says though, I don't find it that slow either when you really pedal it. Not as good as 2ZZ I'm sure but its decently quick in the lower gears, and I enjoy thrashing it. A decent exhaust is a must though for me.

[Craikeybaby]

Any recommendations on exhaust? I agree that it could sound better.

[rodericb]

SonicShadow said:

MarshPhantom said:

SonicShadow said:

Honda K20 swap is an option for those who think it needs more power -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHjs7rRAM5I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38yKMXXBki8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVhfo_zIeFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slbPwj9Mh_M

Place online will fit the V6 from the Camry for £4k.

K20 is considerably lighter than an MZ V6. Depends on what you want out of the car I suppose.

You would seriously be looking at a 2GR-FE, not a 1MZ, if you're venturing down the engine swap route.

[SonicShadow]

rodericb said:

SonicShadow said:

MarshPhantom said:

SonicShadow said:

Honda K20 swap is an option for those who think it needs more power -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHjs7rRAM5I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38yKMXXBki8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVhfo_zIeFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slbPwj9Mh_M

Place online will fit the V6 from the Camry for £4k.

K20 is considerably lighter than an MZ V6. Depends on what you want out of the car I suppose.

You would seriously be looking at a 2GR-FE, not a 1MZ, if you're venturing down the engine swap route.

You're not going to get one of those fitted for £4k though.

[dinkel]

TameRacingDriver said:

Firstly, more usable than an Elise?

If you want a usable cabrio/spider better buy a Pininfarina 124 or an S4 Alfa Spider.

[TameRacingDriver]

Craikeybaby said:

Any recommendations on exhaust? I agree that it could sound better.

I got Powerflow to build mine, it is pretty good. A lot of people like Cobra and TTE exhausts.

[Codswallop]

Cabrony said:

Luggage space really isnt an issue. Have fitted 8 days of clothes and luggage for two people in it no problem.

Luggage space isn't an issue, but access to it is a bit of a pain in my experience; not so much for luggage, but trips to the supermarket. Both the frunk and lockers get hot too (radiators at the front and engine in the back respectively), so passenger footwell it is!

I love my MR2 though. Handles great, gets over 40mpg without trying on my commute, and it's generally been reliable and leak free

The engine, whilst providing decent performance still sounds like a wheezy 4 pot. No getting away from that, and it's my main criticism of the car. For the money though, it's the best sportscar you can buy.

[TurboHatchback]

TameRacingDriver said:

Craikeybaby said:

Any recommendations on exhaust? I agree that it could sound better.

I got Powerflow to build mine, it is pretty good. A lot of people like Cobra and TTE exhausts.

I'd just accept that it's a 4 cylinder engine that will never sound that great. Mine has a stainless manifold with no pre-cats but is otherwise standard and I like it like that.

[Craikeybaby]

I don't actually mind the sound, I don't want to be worrying about noise limits at track days etc. But my Dad drove it the other week and the first thing he mentioned was the sound.

[Uncle John]

Very underrated IMO.

Mine has been great, now for sale but no takers so far.