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JLee, Black2NA, JCH13 build thread culmination

J

JCH13

Diamond Member
As the three of us have wrapped up (or at least reached a suitable point to take a breath, the mod bug is an incurable disease) we decided to take some pictures of our project cars today. I think they came out pretty well.

Quick approximate stats for the uninitiated:

Black2NA
2002 MR2 Spyder
2200lbs
140hp

JLee
1991 MR2 Turbo
2800lbs
TD05 20G Turbo @ 16.5PSI
280whp (?)

JCH13
1991 Miata
2100lbs
T3/T4 60Trim/0.63Ar @ 10PSI
190 whp (?)

Here are the pictures!

Rl9VC.jpg

eScqj.jpg

tGikF.jpg

qhjnC.jpg

e07Hn.jpg

Cd6Rw.jpg
 
Sweet!

I think the MR2 Spyder looks much better with the top down. With the top up, the way the top just ends makes it look like it has a big ass. The Miata looks fine either way (hardtop, right?).

My favorite, however, is the older MR2 Turbo. Love the way it looks because it has a sleekness to it from front to back, with nothing abrupt to disturb the lines. The indentations on the side lead the eyes into the vents, while the newer model looks as if someone wounded it. I also like the extensions by the rear window (buttresses?) that makes the car look sleek on the rear end, almost like older hatchbacks (not the newer "hatchbacks" which are basically station wagons).

JCH13 said:
Quick approximate stats for the uninitiated:

Black2NA
2002 MR2 Spyder
2200lbs
140hp

JLee
1991 MR2 Turbo
2800lbs
TD05 20G Turbo @ 16.5PSI
280whp (?)

JCH13
1991 Miata
2100lbs
T3/T4 60Trim/0.63Ar @ 10PSI
190 whp (?)
Click to expand...

Wow, does the older MR2 Turbo really weigh that much?
 
I was actually a bit surprised at how much less the MR2 Spyder weighs... it's chopping at the heels of the MX-5!

EDIT:

Although, does the car share similar handling characteristics that make the second generation MR2 so popular?
 
Aikouka said:
I was actually a bit surprised at how much less the MR2 Spyder weighs... it's chopping at the heels of the MX-5!

EDIT:

Although, does the car share similar handling characteristics that make the second generation MR2 so popular?
Click to expand...

The Mk3 is more similar to the Mk1 than the Mk2. Light on weight and light on power, but a blast to drive. The Mk2 Turbos are significantly faster but also weigh a lot more.

I loved my Mk1, but it felt (was) old and it didn't have enough power for me. It was a blast to drive, though - the Mk3 is like a modern Mk1, IMO. Out of the three, I still prefer my 91T - it doesn't have as much of the lightweight go-karty feel, but I love the interior, the overall feel of the car, the engine, and definitely the styling as well. And I'm a sucker for the t-tops even though they like to leak after 20 years. 😛
 
Zap said:
Any plans to make it lighter? Carbon fiber hood and other parts?
Click to expand...

Not really - I built it to be a nice weekend car more than a race car. I've been spending money hand over fist lately and really need to stop. 😛
 
jlee said:
Not really - I built it to be a nice weekend car more than a race car. I've been spending money hand over fist lately and really need to stop. 😛
Click to expand...


No... you don't 😛

You need a stand alone, MAP conversion, GT35R, 272 cams, CP pistons, Eagle rods, <goes on and on>
 
jlee said:
Out of the three, I still prefer my 91T - it doesn't have as much of the lightweight go-karty feel, but I love the interior, the overall feel of the car, the engine, and definitely the styling as well.
Click to expand...

I like the way it looks as well... it's that early 90s (late 80s) sports car look 😛.
 
Thanks for all of the compliments!

Zap - yep, hardtop, weighs less than the soft top and doesn't tear!

JLee's MK2 is a bit heavier, but it is remarkably smooth for how fast it is and how well it handles (star-specs FTW). It's a rocket, not a go-kart like a Spyder or Miata. Leaving the rear wing off cleans up the look a lot too, IMHO.
 
OE hardtop? I didn't know they were lighter than the soft top. 😱

All these build threads makes me want to do one for my Miata. Next weekend I plan on replacing bushings, new coilovers and a few other items..
 
Imported said:
OE hardtop? I didn't know they were lighter than the soft top. 😱

All these build threads makes me want to do one for my Miata. Next weekend I plan on replacing bushings, new coilovers and a few other items..
Click to expand...

I think it's close to a wash depending on the top (cloth, vinyl, plastic window, glass window, etc) and the hardtop (w/ or w/o headliner, defroster, etc). My hardtop doesn't have the side latches because of the roll bar, doesn't have a defroster, or a headliner, so it's on the very light end of the spectrum. It certainly feels lighter to pick up than the old soft-top.
 
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