Monday 18th September 2017

Toyota MR2 Supercharged: Spotted

At just under £5,000 this JDM supercharged MR2 is surely worth a punt...

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It's a wonder really that eighties-era Toyota deigned to build the original MR2 in the first place. At launch the Honda CR-X and the long-forgotten Nissan EXA were contemporaries - built along the same youth orientated, fun-to-drive, cheap to run ethos. But where their two-door, CAD-themed bodies and small-capacity engines were prudently welded to generic front-drive platforms, the bespoke, featherweight MR2 had its high-revving 1.6-litre inline-four in the middle, its driven axle at the back and a suspension setup fettled by one Mr R. Becker.

The supercharged version though - the subject of today's Spotted - achieved an even higher rank of nonconformity. By 1986, forced induction certainly wasn't unheard of in more affordable faire: the EXA could already be had with a turbocharger and so too of course could the Renault 5 GT Turbo. But a supercharger was decidedly novel; so much so that when it reached America in 1988, it was the first supercharged production model introduced there in more than twenty years.

This being Toyota, things were done properly, too. The compact, Roots-type blower was made in-house and though it was fused to essentially the same 4A-GE unit, the new four-pot received forged pistons and a cylinder head gasket designed for better sealing at higher pressures. There was a new camshaft as well (the variable intake system having gone) alongside a recalibrated Denso fuel injection system. The same firm provided the car's new intercooler, too.

The result might not have been quite as sweet as the tuneful NA version (and the extra 95kg it added to the kerbweight reputedly demanded some sacrifice of the car's deft handling) but the 4A-GZE produced nearly 50 per cent more torque at 4,000rpm and increased output to 145hp at 6,400rpm. That resulted in a 0-60mph time of 6.5 seconds - sufficient to see off a contemporaneous Porsche 944S when Car and Driver tested it back in the day. Flat out, it was also capable of 130mph; fairly dazzling for a 1,600cc motor then, and respectable even now.

Toyota hadn't completely forgotten about the MR2's economy either. Under light throttle loads, when the ECU deemed the supercharger's involvement unnecessary, an electromagnetic clutch disengaged it from the engine completely; an air-bypass valve allowing the intake air to flow around it. And just in case you missed the sound of the belt-driven blower spooling up, there's a friendly green light situated on the dash to let you know she's a spinnin'.

Said bulb is clearly visible on the '89 example in question. Like all original Supercharged MR2's in the UK, it's an import - the manufacturer having deemed Europe unworthy of the model (although DIY transplants do exist). There was a four-speed automatic available, but happily this one has the five-speed manual you really want and a comparatively modest 130k on the clock. Throw in a new clutch and rebuilt head courtesy of the current owner, and it feels like there might be some considerable charisma left in Toyota's tiny maverick.

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TOYOTA MR2 SUPERCHARGED
Engine: 1,587cc 4-cyl, supercharged
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 145@6,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 140@4000rpm
MPG: 23
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1989
Recorded mileage: 130,000 miles
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £4,995

See the original advert here.

 

[danllama]

Ohhh I want this car so much. Been looking at MK1's all weekend, toying with the idea of replacing my MK2 Turbo with one for a little (or long) while. And of course the SC was also on my radar.

But at the end of the day, I kept on thinking how much I'd love to put my 3sgte into a MK1. Best of both worlds. But I don't have the time or money for that so until I have the balls to sell my Turbo i'll just have to put up with it. First world problems.

[danllama]

Major T said:

danllama said:

But at the end of the day, I kept on thinking how much I'd love to put my 3sgte into a MK1. Best of both worlds. But I don't have the time or money for that so until I have the balls to sell my Turbo i'll just have to put up with it. First world problems.

I've previously owned a mk1 with 3SGTE (mk1.5). It was a beast and incredibly fun in a straight line. But it totally upset the handling. added weight + not much grip + short wheelbase + LSD + turbo lag and wall of torque = snap oversteer!

ETA: Best MR2 I've owned was a clean original mk1.

Fair dinkum. I guess there is that to consider. It would be a straight line weapon but i'll file it under 'better in theory' for now

Wonder what the weight differential is between the 4age and 3sgte? As well as how they're weighted in the car...

[danllama]

SonicShadow said:

K20A swap would solve the weight difference issue Dan

Wash your mouth out young man

[danllama]

Wayoftheflower said:

danllama said:

Major T said:

danllama said:

But at the end of the day, I kept on thinking how much I'd love to put my 3sgte into a MK1. Best of both worlds. But I don't have the time or money for that so until I have the balls to sell my Turbo i'll just have to put up with it. First world problems.

I've previously owned a mk1 with 3SGTE (mk1.5). It was a beast and incredibly fun in a straight line. But it totally upset the handling. added weight + not much grip + short wheelbase + LSD + turbo lag and wall of torque = snap oversteer!

ETA: Best MR2 I've owned was a clean original mk1.

Fair dinkum. I guess there is that to consider. It would be a straight line weapon but i'll file it under 'better in theory' for now

Wonder what the weight differential is between the 4age and 3sgte? As well as how they're weighted in the car...

Every Mk1.5 is going to be different though. Thought the handling of mine was brilliant. But it had W2A so a little more weight up front, an NA gearbox (my god can old school Toyota stuff take abuse!) So a little less weight out the back a hard top body and adjustable ARBs and coilovers all round (and GT4 brakes)

Running 205 Toyota R1Rs I was always impressed how well it put down its 300odd horses.

Even stock AW11s have immensely tunable alignment so can be made as benign or mad as you like.

God that sounds brilliant. I'm off to youtube.