I finally bought the 2004 MR2 Spyder. I've been wanting one for a while. Honestly all facts said that the Miata is better in every aspect. Buuuut at the end of the day I still wanted one. So I bought one and absolutely love it.

I'll be keeping the 1ZZ engine. You can swap in a 2ZZ but from what I hear even though it makes more power, it's a lot more peaky and has no low end. Not to mention the swap will cost quite a bit of $.

All in all I decided to freshen up the stock engine, put a turbo on it, and call it a day. Should be a fairly easy 250whp when it's all said and done.

Here is a picture of the MR2 the day I got it:




Of course can't own a convertible without a roll bar... so my first purchase was:



I have all my gauges already. I'll be going with AEM digital gauges. Currently have WBo2, Oil Pressure and Boost/Vac.

Saving up for the turbo stuff and supporting mods right now, but currently working on the Miata project as well. I'll be finishing the Miata first, then using that as my daily until the MR2 is done.

 

I love that car. There was one at the Lansdale dyno last week sitting in the parking lot, same color. If I had one, it would get a Honda K20 swap and I'd leave it NA.
In fact, if I didn't have a Miata...that's most likely what I'd own.

 

Looking forward to what you do with this, should be a fun car. Sort of a poor-man's Elise (in a good way).

 

What the hell is an "MR-S"? Is it a car for the wife? MR-S_FRT?

I just helped a buddy replace a blown engine in an early n/a second-gen. The PO had run it until way beyond overheating. The rod in cylinder one disconnected from the piston and now you can see pretty clearly all the way though the block. The flailing rod also took out the A/C compressor. Found a replacement block from a Camry, and bolted everything up to it and stuck it in there. Fired right up! My only gripe is the fact that the engine had to come out the bottom instead of the top.

 

MR-S is what the car is called. Well in the US MR2 Spyder. But spyder just sounds kinda homo.

The roll bar install should be an adventure. You have to cut into the body and remove the gas tank. Oh joy.

Though about doing the k20 swap, but dunno. I'll have to see what it would end up costing.

At this point I'm really up for anything, just seems like a turbo will be the least expensive per whp gain.

The only thing I'm stuck on is if I will run an IC or not. If not WI will be used for sure. I just don't know if it's worth running one with the mid engine setup.

Looking like I'll be using a GT28 at around 9psi. Soooo input?

 

Hahah yea honestly that is basically dead on.

 

Nice car. Actually lighter than the miata stock. My old stripper neighbor had one with the license plate "NAWTGRL"

 

Why would you get a GT28 to run 9psi? Why not just a GT2554R?

 

That's what I was thinking. 9 psi is kind of a waste considering the amount of boost it's capable of. Then again at 9 psi it should make more than a 2554 would on let's say 12 psi.

 

He should really aim for a power goal instead of a psi goal...

The 2554 would make 230whp, a 2560 at least 280... More lag + Less power = Huh?

 

my buddy had a hass turbo kit on his MRS a few years back. The thing was awesome

 

Room to move up. Plus when 10psi does this:


The reason why I said 9psi was because that is what others are doing safely and making good power. No need to break the barrier on this one. Learned my lesson once.

 

I'm considering that one too, they just came out with a new one. No IC and water injection.

 

Room to move up is exactly the issue. If you oversize your turbo for your goals, you'll think "Hey, I just turn up the boost a little... build the engine a touch... ect." :P

 

Judging by the dyno plot I really don't think this turbo is over sized. Would something smaller be a bit more responsive? Sure probably. 2554 would be under sized no doubt about that. Maybe a 2560. We shall see.

 

Mmhmm. I'd definitely go 2560 with that. The spool is good, but I'd be worried about transitional repsonse, to be honest. Every little bit helps, after all.

 

full boost by 3000RPM!!!!


(I think they meant 4000)

 

Does your MR-S have a LSD?

 

I agree. Get this turbo so you have room to move up:

GT60

 

I'm not flaming so please don't get your panties in a bunch, but:

have you ever driven a larger turbo miata? (or other cars for that matter)

You're constantly knocking big turbos and suggesting everyone and their mother go with a 2560, I'm just curious if you've even driven a large turbo miata to be so confident about response and spool, etc.

There's a reason more and more big turbo miatas are popping up on here.