Toyota MR2 Mk2 - 1mz-fe V6
Discussion
Well, I've had my '94 turbo for around 4 years (thread on here already), I've had a 2000 roadster for a few months now and it's a perfect daily really. Then last week I saw this come up for sale. I couldn't possibly persuade her I needed another MR2...could I? Well a V6 MR2 had always been a dream car for me. I went with a heavy heart to view it, knowing it will probably mean i'll have to sell my turbo if I bought it. I was genuinely unsure if I'd go for it or not. Then he started it up and I had to try and hide my grin.
I won't blabber on about how it compares to my turbo at the moment. I might write a piece or make a video on that. But this car is lovely and has had quite an interesting and pampered life. Started life as a rev 3 turbo, super clean shell, recent respray, V6 conversion in 2014. The 1mz is a potent enough engine, though obviously not quite a 2gr. It does the job, and sounds lovely through the mongoose exhaust, if a little anti social. There are some really nice bits to complete the package - rev 5 gear knob, mk3 steering wheel, period evo recaros, rubber boot mat, 60mm blitz gauges, stern alloys, rev 5 wing etc. Only one slight problem, the downpipe has a slight leak, which I need to sort out.
To say i'm pleased would be a slight understatement. I'm going to enjoy both of my mk2's while I can, as soon enough the turbo will have to go to a lucky new owner (they will need to give it some TLC which I'd been saving money for). Anyway, thanks for looking - a crappy video and some photos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5wcBNSBu0g
V6 MR2 by Dan J, on Flickr
V6 MR2 by Dan J, on Flickr
V6 MR2 by Dan J, on Flickr
I won't blabber on about how it compares to my turbo at the moment. I might write a piece or make a video on that. But this car is lovely and has had quite an interesting and pampered life. Started life as a rev 3 turbo, super clean shell, recent respray, V6 conversion in 2014. The 1mz is a potent enough engine, though obviously not quite a 2gr. It does the job, and sounds lovely through the mongoose exhaust, if a little anti social. There are some really nice bits to complete the package - rev 5 gear knob, mk3 steering wheel, period evo recaros, rubber boot mat, 60mm blitz gauges, stern alloys, rev 5 wing etc. Only one slight problem, the downpipe has a slight leak, which I need to sort out.
To say i'm pleased would be a slight understatement. I'm going to enjoy both of my mk2's while I can, as soon enough the turbo will have to go to a lucky new owner (they will need to give it some TLC which I'd been saving money for). Anyway, thanks for looking - a crappy video and some photos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5wcBNSBu0g
V6 MR2 by Dan J, on FlickrV6 MR2 by Dan J, on FlickrV6 MR2 by Dan J, on Flickr
h fight thread. 
Dan, you're killing me here.
I've just this moment put my SMG turbo up for sale and I keep seeing your new bl00dy car (in the right colour) to remind me what a fool I'm being. I may have to remove you from Insta and stop reading your readers cars.... ;-)
Seriously though, look after it as this V6 looks fantastic. The noise makes it sound like an exotic sports car, rather than a Japanese tuner car.
I'm going to miss my car so much. I do look forward to seeing any updates you add though. I'm very jealous, a turbo and a V6. living the dream!
I've just this moment put my SMG turbo up for sale and I keep seeing your new bl00dy car (in the right colour) to remind me what a fool I'm being. I may have to remove you from Insta and stop reading your readers cars.... ;-)
Seriously though, look after it as this V6 looks fantastic. The noise makes it sound like an exotic sports car, rather than a Japanese tuner car.
I'm going to miss my car so much. I do look forward to seeing any updates you add though. I'm very jealous, a turbo and a V6. living the dream!
StevieT735 said:
How much power does the MZ make in this application? I had a Lexus ES300 with the 1MZ (non VVTi) and found it very smooth and responsive even in a saloon with a TC auto hung off it. Think mine was 190 bhp stock....
Somewhere between 220 and 240bhp. In an mr2 this is plenty and the immediate throttle response and torque will keep most MR2 tubo's honest.Taken from Wiki
The 1MZ-FE is a 3.0 L (2,994 cc) dual overhead cam (DOHC) V6 engine. Bore and stroke is 87.5 mm × 83 mm (3.44 in × 3.27 in). Output is 194–201 hp at 5200–5400 rpm with 183–209 lb⋅ft of torque at 4400 rpm.
The 1MZ-FE with VVT-i is used in the Avalon, Highlander, Sienna and Camry. Output is 210 hp at 5800 rpm with 222 lb⋅ft of torque at 4400 rpm. Early
The 1MZ-FE is a 3.0 L (2,994 cc) dual overhead cam (DOHC) V6 engine. Bore and stroke is 87.5 mm × 83 mm (3.44 in × 3.27 in). Output is 194–201 hp at 5200–5400 rpm with 183–209 lb⋅ft of torque at 4400 rpm.
The 1MZ-FE with VVT-i is used in the Avalon, Highlander, Sienna and Camry. Output is 210 hp at 5800 rpm with 222 lb⋅ft of torque at 4400 rpm. Early
Elesmart said:
Dan, you're killing me here.
I've just this moment put my SMG turbo up for sale and I keep seeing your new bl00dy car (in the right colour) to remind me what a fool I'm being. I may have to remove you from Insta and stop reading your readers cars.... ;-)
Seriously though, look after it as this V6 looks fantastic. The noise makes it sound like an exotic sports car, rather than a Japanese tuner car.
I'm going to miss my car so much. I do look forward to seeing any updates you add though. I'm very jealous, a turbo and a V6. living the dream!
It's very hard to let the 'japanese tuner sound' go, even with the V6 at hand. I can't believe you're selling up, what's prompted that? Values are climbing nicely, might be worth holding on to if its an option. I've just this moment put my SMG turbo up for sale and I keep seeing your new bl00dy car (in the right colour) to remind me what a fool I'm being. I may have to remove you from Insta and stop reading your readers cars.... ;-)
Seriously though, look after it as this V6 looks fantastic. The noise makes it sound like an exotic sports car, rather than a Japanese tuner car.
I'm going to miss my car so much. I do look forward to seeing any updates you add though. I'm very jealous, a turbo and a V6. living the dream!
I've got my turbo listed for sale on facebook, had a few nibbles, but after discussions with my partner, if its not gone in a couple of weeks, i'm going to keep it, sort the rust and refurb the turbo, and enjoy both for a while, as sooner or later one will win my heart over the other. Fortunately I think we're about to have an offer accepted on a house with a drive, which will make work on my turbo much easier!
StevieT735 said:
How much power does the MZ make in this application? I had a Lexus ES300 with the 1MZ (non VVTi) and found it very smooth and responsive even in a saloon with a TC auto hung off it. Think mine was 190 bhp stock....
This is the non vvti engine too i believe, so should be around the 200hp mark with decat and cold air intake. It feels much higher than that though honestly, probably as its so responsive low down!drewwa said:
Wow. That sounds fun!
Cheers,
Drew.
It is! Cheers,
Drew.
gavsdavs said:
Somewhere between 220 and 240bhp. In an mr2 this is plenty and the immediate throttle response and torque will keep most MR2 tubo's honest.
Agreed, surprised how quick it feels compared to my turbo which should be around the 280hp mark in its current state. That said, foot down in 5th at 60mph, the turbo will pull away sharpish i'm certain.I'm not sure why this car gets so much more attention than my white turbo...
IMG_20191013_174842 by Dan J, on Flickr
IMG_20191013_174842 by Dan J, on FlickrHours away from the end of the year seems like an apt time for a quick addition to this thread...
Well, regarding MR2 ownership, it has honestly been a rollercoaster few months. I've been tearing myself to shreds trying to decide whether to keep my 94 turbo of 4+ years ownership, or the V6 which i've now owned since September. I wanted to see how long I could get away with owning both alongside each other but really, I don't think its best for either car or for me. Neither are being used enough and the turbo needs some TLC.
That will be the job of her new owner who came to view last week in what was possibly the worst viewing ever - delayed trains, dark due to late arrival, pissing down rain, got stuck in a multi story in queues of xmas shoppers etc quite amusing in hindsight. I agreed to knock some off the price for him as he is going to look after the car which is the main priority for me - I'd previously turned down offers of the asking price by well known MR2 breakers.
So it's with a genuinely heavy heart that I will watch my 94 turbo being driven away by somebody else. I had tossed so many ideas around in my head - reshell the turbo, store it, throw money at it (lots of money)...but I'm not going to have off road parking on our new house and ultimately the V6 has won me over - its a great engine, the instant torque really suits the chassis, and the car is super clean in all the important places. Last month I had a new Y pipe/flexi fabricated which has completely transformed the character of the car. The old pipe was actually fully detached from the backbox, so although it sounded ludicrous, it was also deafening. Now it's refined until you want it to sing. If anything it's a little bit too quiet so may need to look at other exhaust options.
Here is the turbo as she sits, in glorious sunshine last week -
IMG_20191209_120122-01 by Dan J, on Flickr
And here's the V6.
2019-12-15_08-32-12 by Dan J, on Flickr
A sedate tunnel run with poor audio quality
https://youtu.be/QucEdfbOYUs
So that's a wrap on 2019 and this decade. Plans for a change of wheels, service, exhaust?
Just for fun for my future self to read - if I was going to have some off road parking available in the future, I'd just store my turbo whilst saving cash to have it reshelled and rebuilt etc. Life isn't fair sometimes...
To be continued...All the best wishes to anybody reading
Well, regarding MR2 ownership, it has honestly been a rollercoaster few months. I've been tearing myself to shreds trying to decide whether to keep my 94 turbo of 4+ years ownership, or the V6 which i've now owned since September. I wanted to see how long I could get away with owning both alongside each other but really, I don't think its best for either car or for me. Neither are being used enough and the turbo needs some TLC.
That will be the job of her new owner who came to view last week in what was possibly the worst viewing ever - delayed trains, dark due to late arrival, pissing down rain, got stuck in a multi story in queues of xmas shoppers etc quite amusing in hindsight. I agreed to knock some off the price for him as he is going to look after the car which is the main priority for me - I'd previously turned down offers of the asking price by well known MR2 breakers.
So it's with a genuinely heavy heart that I will watch my 94 turbo being driven away by somebody else. I had tossed so many ideas around in my head - reshell the turbo, store it, throw money at it (lots of money)...but I'm not going to have off road parking on our new house and ultimately the V6 has won me over - its a great engine, the instant torque really suits the chassis, and the car is super clean in all the important places. Last month I had a new Y pipe/flexi fabricated which has completely transformed the character of the car. The old pipe was actually fully detached from the backbox, so although it sounded ludicrous, it was also deafening. Now it's refined until you want it to sing. If anything it's a little bit too quiet so may need to look at other exhaust options.
Here is the turbo as she sits, in glorious sunshine last week -
IMG_20191209_120122-01 by Dan J, on FlickrAnd here's the V6.
2019-12-15_08-32-12 by Dan J, on FlickrA sedate tunnel run with poor audio quality
https://youtu.be/QucEdfbOYUs
So that's a wrap on 2019 and this decade. Plans for a change of wheels, service, exhaust?
Just for fun for my future self to read - if I was going to have some off road parking available in the future, I'd just store my turbo whilst saving cash to have it reshelled and rebuilt etc. Life isn't fair sometimes...
To be continued...All the best wishes to anybody reading
Edited by danllama on Tuesday 31st December 17:52
Got some 16" wheels lined up to replace the 17's, which I feel take some of the fun out of driving it on A/B roads, especially at this time of year when the roads have been battered by the weather. But i think i'll keep both sets of wheels as the ones on at the moment are rare and do suit it really well. Anyway, rest day today and the forecast looked good from 11am so with the fluids and tyres checked off we went
IMG_1806 by Dan J, on Flickr
IMG_1821 by Dan J, on Flickr
This car is actually an assault on the senses after driving the MR2 roadster daily. I love it.
IMG_1806 by Dan J, on FlickrIMG_1821 by Dan J, on FlickrThis car is actually an assault on the senses after driving the MR2 roadster daily. I love it.
I’m glad I stumbled across your build thread here as ironically I am considering buying and building myself a V6 MR2.
I’ve only ever had Rev1/2 imports in N/A form. There is certainly something about that 90s mid engined sports car feel with pop up headlights that gets under my skin. My last one I had I bought for peanuts a few years ago and sold due to buying a new house. It was simply an expense I could do without. Now a few years later prices seem to have shot through the roof.
How does this V6 stack up against your turbo?
I’m seriously considering a V6 into a later Rev.
I’ve only ever had Rev1/2 imports in N/A form. There is certainly something about that 90s mid engined sports car feel with pop up headlights that gets under my skin. My last one I had I bought for peanuts a few years ago and sold due to buying a new house. It was simply an expense I could do without. Now a few years later prices seem to have shot through the roof.
How does this V6 stack up against your turbo?
I’m seriously considering a V6 into a later Rev.
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