Considering a new build project.

[FuzzyDunlop]

The MK1.5 build has been extremely fun, and I am still enjoying it, but I am thinking about challenging myself further. I still enjoy the MK1 MR2 platform and will be sticking with that, but this time I want to go V6 turbo!

Basically I just need something to do! No kids, no wife, no life, and cash to burn. Would be mostly just for street driving and possibly casual track/autocross if its built well enough.

Goals would be
1) Reliability
2) 325 - 350hp
3) Initial build budget of around $12k
4) Fun!

Im thinking
1mz from a 94-96 camry or avalon.
E153 transmission from a MkII Mr2 with LSD.
Chico Race Works axles (same as MK1.5)
No idea what size turbo or how to even go about fabricating the manifolds Etc.


This is really just the beginning of my brainfarting, but I think it would be fun! Its how I started the Mk1.5 build... so ya.

Donor car shell: >$2000
Engine/donor car: >$1500
Axels: $500
Turbo: >$1500
intercooling $500
Fuel pump/regulator/lines/etc $600
Clutch $500
Meth injection? $600
All the random MK1 repairs: $500
Suspension etc $1000
Tires and wheels: $1200
Brakes $600
Random stuff $1500
TOTAL: $12500

Some inspiration
Supercharged but same idea
Non-charge 1MZ



Or I can go all out and go 2GR-fe but that would need a few more $$ and way more complicated.

 

[Black2na]

Now while I love the mr2 I say find another shell why not go a little more random find a early 90's camry alltrac and V6 swap that with a remote mount turbo might be a harder find but that would be one heck of a car or a RAV4 manual which basicly has the celica alltrac e153 total year round toy sleepers this way you don't have 2 toys that sit for 8months of candian winter

 

[Harrod]

What about finding a sc300 and doing the 1jz-gte swap into it.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Now while I love the mr2 I say find another shell why not go a little more random find a early 90's camry alltrac and V6 swap that with a remote mount turbo might be a harder find but that would be one heck of a car or a RAV4 manual which basicly has the celica alltrac e153 total year round toy sleepers this way you don't have 2 toys that sit for 8months of candian winter

A new... Platform?...
mind = blown

Maybe... Just maybe
I'm digging the rav4 idea

 

[jlee]

omfg.



yay.

 

[nerp]

Get a Regal Turbo and boost it even more or something. Or what about dropping a crate motor into K-car?

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

I dunno... Im still kind of obsessed with mk1's :/

locating a quality 1mz engine may be an issue. Im looking into more recent engines like a 3MZ or even (go crazy) a 2GR-fe...

Still just a brainfart... but 2GR would be the ultimate of awesome mk1 swaps and I may not be happy without it.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

The more I think about the more I am considering a 2GR-FE into a MK1 MR2.
It would be about the 5th known car with the swap, and the first in Canada.
The more I research and think about it, the more confident I feel that I can get it done.

Cars Im looking for to get an engine from...

2005+ Toyota Avalon
2006+ Toyota RAV4
2007+ Toyota Camry
2007+ Toyota Sienna
2007+ Lexus ES 350
2007+ Lexus RX 350
2008+ Toyota Highlander Preferable a highlander as they dont have the Immobilizer Key.
2009+ Toyota Venza

I found a 09 Sienna the other week at a salvage sale and almost pulled the trigger but I was still not confident this is the road I am going to take. The key to this build is to find a good MK1 to work with. I could use my MK1.5, but I dont want to wreck my MK1.5
Im off to look at one tomorrow evening that has some minor front end damage. The seller is asking for a bit more that I want to spend, but it looks like a very clean MR2 other than a smashed front quarter panel. If it is a solid car this project may officially be on the move.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

mmmm.

seems that a lot of 2GR swaps have a TONNE of electrical issues.


How about a Porsche 914?! I Found one locally that looks to be in decent shape.

 

[jlee]

Still wanting to stay with the Mk1? a 2GR Spyder would be fun, but a bit more expensive, and honestly I can't get the love for 'em as much as I have for the Mk2 (and Mk1 to some extent).

 

[xanis]

Could you shoehorn a V8 into there, maybe a 3UR-FE? Maybe even slap a TRD supercharger onto it...

 

[Ferzerp]

Make a SHOgun.

 

[lavaheadache]

you want fun?


V8 Miata or I guess you could do it with a v6 turbo. I would go v8 though.

 

[JCH13]

For your viewing pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuK5l-ROvpo

I would vote against a turbo V6 Mk1.5. It is a cool idea, but if you put a built 3SGTE in your MK1.5 you'd be at the same power level for a lot less cash. What I'm trying to say is that you have almost built that car already, why build it again with an engine that's bigger and harder to deal with?

The high-power Miata project is always fun, and you'll have great support through a number of different forums. You could even spring for a Westfield or Exocet Miata kit.

You could go bananas and build a low-cost 7.

You could build a serious drag car of some flavor.

V8 FC RX7's are pretty awesome.

You could do a turbo V6... Sienna.

You could put a RWD trans-axle V8 into a minivan chassis.

You could try to figure out a way to put a chopped and sectioned Minivan body on top of a Mk1.5 chassis. Or maybe a classic beetle body, or some other low-performance car body over the bitchin' Mk1.5 base.

You could do a really hardcore build on a Mk1, strip everything off, seam-weld the chassis, put a cage in it (hidden behind interior work?), repaint it from scratch, and refinish/rebuild/replace everything as you put it back in. Maybe with a custom interior.

Learn to do composite fabrication. Replace all of the body panels (interior and/or exterior) on a Mk1 with carbon, kevlar, or fiberglass. You could use crazy colors like these.

You could do the good old MK1 rear half with Corolla front half, two engine 4wd FTW! You could do the same with a MK2 and use 3SGTEs in both the front and the back.

You could put a BEAMS engine in a MK1. Mk1.3?

You could do a hyper-miler build on a MK1. While maybe not as exciting as a high-power build, you'll learn the other side of car design: light-weighting, aerodynamics, engine tuning for efficiency, etc. and you'll have a car that gets great mileage at the end.

Some combination of the above?

I can go on with psychotic off-the-wall build ideas if you want :awe:

There are tons and tons of builds you could do, including something totally original. It all depends on what you want to do and learn.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

hahaha. that RAV4 is awesome.

A local 1973 Porsche 914 caught my eye, would have a little more class than the MR2. But after reading the forums for 914's it sounds like a lot of guys are not really happy with them, and quite a few end up buying MR2's lol!

Also found an older style Mini Cooper with a 1.7L in it that was imported from England, rust free. But the seller wants too much for it. Its FWD anyways.

ehh. Im going to put off a new project for now. Just going to keep focus on getting this MK1.5 right.

 

[exdeath]

You won't be happy until you build an engine from scratch with a block you sand casted yourself from scrap.

 

[JCH13]

Seriously.

1) Go look up Haas, Tormach, Flow Waterjet, Hardinge, Hypertherm, and Torchmate.
2) Buy one of each.
3) Learn how to use each one.
4) Build cars from scratch.
5) ...
6) Profit!

Or watch The Britton Bike Story on youTube and get all inspired first. TL;DW a Kiwi built his own race bike from scratch and spanked about every factory bike at the time, and smashed multiple speed and acceleration records.

 

[Ferzerp]

No one seems keen on my Festiva suggestion. Boo!

 

[Imported]

Just suggesting another direction here..

240Z with a RB26 or VQ35.