How easy or difficult is it to bump the power up in a MR2?

[Downshiftup]

I quite fancy a MR2 third generation. But they are infamous for being under powered. Are there ways to solve that, apart from forced induction or engine swaps? I'm naturally not expecting huge gains. What's possible with bolt-ons without too much complexity? Does it need a lot more power to make it a 5 secs or 5,5 secs car? It only weighs about 900kg or so right?

[ucb]

Downshiftup said:

I quite fancy a MR2 third generation. But they are infamous for being under powered. Are there ways to solve that, apart from forced induction or engine swaps? I'm naturally not expecting huge gains. What's possible with bolt-ons without too much complexity? Does it need a lot more power to make it a 5 secs or 5,5 secs car? It only weighs about 900kg or so right?

I've heard of 160bhp on the 1zz with cams, intake, full exhaust system and bespoke remaps. But then you're looking at more than the cost of a half decent example these days. For power alone, turbo is easiest, then engine swaps in order of complexity.
They weigh about 1050kg,

I know of one owner who has reduced the weight to almost 900kg (or maybe less) by being fairly ruthless about, well, trim, chopping bits off the bumper bars, etc so there is a bit of weight loss scope.
Changing the excessively long final drive can give a decent increase in perceived performance but they aren't too slow on the road because they handle so well - mines braced, on track wet weather tyres, and you rarely need to lift at road speeds

[Ankh87]

Downshiftup said:

I quite fancy a MR2 third generation. But they are infamous for being under powered. Are there ways to solve that, apart from forced induction or engine swaps? I'm naturally not expecting huge gains. What's possible with bolt-ons without too much complexity? Does it need a lot more power to make it a 5 secs or 5,5 secs car? It only weighs about 900kg or so right?

Under powered? They are around 950KG and trust me the power they have is adequate. Now as for bolt-ons to increase power, there really isn't anything. Adding an induction kit actually makes them worse. Your best option is either buy a standard one and do suspension mods or buy one that has an engine swap done.

The most popular swap is a 2zz but if you do that or buy one that has that done, then make sure it has a baffled sump. Oil starvation is a thing when cornering at speed.


I bought a standard one and the power is enough. You're not going to be winning any traffic light GP but on country roads its great fun. You can easily keep under the speed limits and have fun. Good tyres are a must and I'd say just update the suspension or get lowering springs.


Now if you do buy a 1zz and add bolt-ons you cannot remap the standard ECU. This is not possible at all and requires a piggy-back ECU or completely new ECU. This really isn't worth it. You might as well do an engine swap or turbo.

I've had mine 2 years now and love it. So much fun and makes a great weekend or summer car. Just don't expect a fast car because it's not. That's not what a standard MR2 roadster is made for.

[Downshiftup]

I see. So turbo charging is the easiest and most affordable? What about supercharging? What type of costs would I be looking at? Are there bolt on kits? How much power can I expect? My fear is that the engine may not take well to that type of pressure.

[Ankh87]

Downshiftup said:

I see. So turbo charging is the easiest and most affordable? What about supercharging? What type of costs would I be looking at? Are there bolt on kits? How much power can I expect? My fear is that the engine may not take well to that type of pressure.

I wouldn't say it's the easiest. If you know how to do this then yeah but if you're paying a company to do the work then don't bother. There's not really a bolt on kit as such. Also for a supercharger there's nothing due to the space available. The 1zz can take the boost but it depends on what you want from the car. You'll get the same BHP figure as a 2zz swap but obviously you'll get much more torque and not a NA feel. I believe power figures for a turbo are like 200bhp and 200-250lbs torque. Whereas a 2zz is 190bhp and 145lbs torque but redline at 8200rpm.


The easiest would be a 2zz swap. You need basically a car with a 2zz in it and take things which is the cheaper option. There's plenty of posts on forums about it and there's a dedicated facebook group for it. The cost for that would be again if you're doing it yourself would be the cost of a 2zz car (Celica or Corolla). Paying someone like Rogue MotorSports to do it is around £5000.

There's other engine swaps like a V6 which gives you well over 200bhp and a lot of toque. Again the costs are a lot.


If you are wanting a car with power and rwd then don't bother with a roadster. You're wasting your time. The car isn't for that sort of thing and if you're wanting to buy a nice MR2 mk3 plus willing to spend the extra money on the engine swap / turbo you're talking about £10k. For that money you can get a S2000, 350z, Z4 etc which has more power.


Your best option really would be to buy one that has an engine conversion already done if you want the power. Probably cost you anything from £4500-£8000 depending on who's done the engine swap and condition of the car. If you don't have money (£10k) now then you're not going to have it in the future. I bought mine with the plan to do a 2zz swap but every time I start to save up, something comes up or I think stuff it, the 1zz is enough for me.

Go and test drive a standard car and see what you think. Power isn't everything but you need to decide what you are wanting.

Edited by Ankh87 on Tuesday 27th September 10:41