MR2 Turbo...

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MGZRod

Original Poster:

8,096 posts

182 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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Right, at the moment I've got a Nissan S14a 200SX that I love to bits. It's sitting around 300BHP/300+lb.ft and it puts a smile on my face every single time.

Buuutt... I've always had a hankering for a MK2 MR2, ideally a non turbo (would be a bit smoother and suit the car more I think) but I'm on a power trip at the moment.

Prices seem to be all over the place for one and there are a lot less nice cars for sale. I don't especially want to get rid of my car but I would like to try one and if I shop right I could do a straight swap.

Would I miss the Nissan though? It's taught me a lot about how to drive, It's silly quick for what it is, goes sideways at will and is relatively practicable.

I still get a good sensation of acceleration, which would probably be on par with a mildly tuned MR2. So would I be swapping and losing out on the practicalities of the Nissan whilst not gaining a huge amount over it? If that makes sense?

I like a good back road blast (Which the 200 isn't great at) but I also like a spot of drifting (Which the MR2 is a bit more compromised at).

It's just a thought in the back of my head, but many people seem to get the MR2 bug and I've always had a big soft spot for them.

Hope this made sense, if not, oh well! Any experiences with them/comparisons?

Wadeski

8,317 posts

219 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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The MR2 is more "exciting" feeling due to the engine right behind your head, the traction from a dig and out of corners, and the torque.

I wouldn't recommend drifting an MR2 Turbo...their reputation for twitchiness is deserved. Fun though!

MGZRod

Original Poster:

8,096 posts

182 months

Monday 24th February 2014
quotequote all
Wadeski said:
The MR2 is more "exciting" feeling due to the engine right behind your head, the traction from a dig and out of corners, and the torque.

I wouldn't recommend drifting an MR2 Turbo...their reputation for twitchiness is deserved. Fun though!
That's it, spent many many hours being driven about in my brother Elise and whilst in a straight line it's slow, it's the feeling it gives that I like. Some turbo flutter behind my ears would be quite cool, too!

I'm just wondering whether it would feel 'special' enough to swap cars compared to other 2 seaters.

Yeh the drifting thing wouldn't take off in the Mr2 I think hehe I prefer grip sessions but the Nissan is so good to have a tailwag in and can be done relatively safely without swapping ends. I mean, who can't say no to a quiet well sighted greasy corner...

I'd be wanting decent power, too. 260bhp> but no idea how strong the engines are.

pti

1,744 posts

150 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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I'm running 275 in mine and it's faultless. Engines are good for around 320 on stock internals apparently (though I wouldn't fancy running that highly strung as a daily).

I bloody love it. I did have someone want to come and view even though its technically not for sale but I had to decline in the end. I don't keep hold of cars long but on the right day on the road its excellent. The way it squats down and just grips is like nothing else I've driven. The turbo right behind your head does add a sense of occasion when you're pressing on as well.

I do have a bit of a soft spot for 200sxs though... smile

Riknos

4,700 posts

210 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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Personally you should have got the MR2T instead of the 200 (Why didn't you?) as now you've owned the 200 it wont be as impressive.

That said, it's not a hardcore sports car like an Elise, it's a GT car, like the 200... but with the MR layout it handles a bit better.

Looks a lot better than the 200 too, although probably more expensive to buy

MGZRod

Original Poster:

8,096 posts

182 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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Pti, any pics? smile

And yeah, I've realised I should've tried out a few other cars but my god I wanted the silvia hehe

pti

1,744 posts

150 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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Haha, just the one decent one and it was taken by the previous owner. Been meaning to go on a shoot but the weather hasn't been on my side!

I did promise to offer the chap who wanted to view (a fellow PHer) first refusal if I do decide to sell but I still wouldn't mind a gander at your s14 smile

My main reason for wanting rid (stupid as it sounds) is not being able to carry my bike around. Roof bars for these things are like rocking horse st.

Anyway;

Edited by pti on Monday 24th February 21:09

Hoofy

77,410 posts

288 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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I had a Rev 3 turbo on 17s. It felt sharper round corners than my old S13a on 17s. It accelerated much better, too.

As for snappiness, before I bought it, I'd read about how tricky they were so when I finally bought one, I drove about like it was snowing. Then I decided to push it. I discovered it's not as bad as people stated but I understand the Rev 3 was much improved handling-wise over the Rev 2.

pti

1,744 posts

150 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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Hoofy said:
I had a Rev 3 turbo on 17s. It felt sharper round corners than my old S13a on 17s. It accelerated much better, too.

As for snappiness, before I bought it, I'd read about how tricky they were so when I finally bought one, I drove about like it was snowing. Then I decided to push it. I discovered it's not as bad as people stated but I understand the Rev 3 was much improved handling-wise over the Rev 2.
I was very cautious when I first got mine after reading all of the internet horror stories. They're not the widow makers people make out (no experience of Rev 1&2s) and feel nothing but planted - even in the wet. You just have to adjust your driving style when compared to an FR. Geometry and tyre selection does seem to be important though. Thankfully, running on 16s means decent tyres aren't extortionate!

danjama

5,728 posts

148 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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Is it out of the question to keep your 200 and get a cheap na mr2 as a second car? Believe me the NA is plenty of fun on its own. Planted and noisy and a good shove of acceleration! And theres quite a few decent lookers available quite cheaply at the moment.

Wadeski

8,317 posts

219 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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Also, on the power - my MR2 turbo ran 350+ bhp on stock internals for a pretty long time and it didn't go bang.

It was well mapped though, and charge cooled (best solution for intake temps without sacrificing the boot to a giant intercooler) with extra fans to reduce engine temps. I had to clip the boost down a bit cruising at 100mph through France in the summer as it heat soaked, but in British weather i had no problems.

and it was just straight out FAST. in terms of feel, it "felt" faster than a supposedly 400bhp S14 I'd been in. Tremendous punch when it came on boost.

MGZRod

Original Poster:

8,096 posts

182 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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Keep them coming folks!

Unfortunately I'd be swapping the Nissan as on the driveway I've got it, company car and once I fix it up a mistubishi Shogun, too. Which at 21 years old on the mothers driveway is a bit excessive...

Tyres would be a huge bonus, especially for track tyres. AD08 yokos are around £880+ for a full set just now...

Last thing I want to do is regret the choice, and unfortunately whilst I would like to try a N/A. For my fun car (at the moment) I'd want the turbo, to get it out my system!

Red Devil

13,171 posts

214 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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pti said:
I'm running 275 in mine and it's faultless. Engines are good for around 320 on stock internals apparently (though I wouldn't fancy running that highly strung as a daily).
I know several people who run 300+ turbos without any issues at all. The most important thing with an MR2 is making sure the geo settings are done properly. It's nothing like the widow maker that some people think. It's a mid-engined car so needs to be driven with some finesse though, not mash the accelerator to the floor indiscriminately like you just stole it. Especially when it's wet. smile

An n/a won't produce that sort of power unless you fit a V6 2GR-FE which won't be a cheap conversion. If you can find one already done (rare) then go for it. A 3VZ-FE or 1MZ-FE V6 conversion will be quite a lot less. The V6 gives you a wide torque band and much more linear delivery which is ideal for a road car. I have a friend who has one and it's quite capable of keeping up with turbos on runs. The only time the latter get away slightly is on long straights and D/Cs.

Add a supercharger to a V6 and you have a pretty potent combination. OP, if a V6 floats your boat Google Woodsport.

pti

1,744 posts

150 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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The sound of this V6 amazes me every time smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_PkswoXMx0

nails1979

612 posts

147 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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Ive had 3 tubbys. 2 rev 2 tbars and a tin top rev 3. First rev 2 was mildly tuned exhaust decat etc then next was a forged gt3071 which I didnt have very long admittedly and then my rev 3 which again has the normal stuff fitted. Coilovers smic decat mbc. Have a charge cooler ebc and some toms stuff to fit if I ever get time. These were my first turbo cars and first rwd also. Never been caught out. Had the odd little slide when ive been pushing on but no spins or offs.
I fancied a 200sx at one point and a friend had one which I had a quite a long drive of. I wasnt really impressed with it. It didnt feel special.
whereas the mr2 does. Wrapped up in the cockpit windows close to your face. Low down to the ground. Engine just behind your ear witb turbo making all sortsfof wonderful noises. Even pottering about it feels good and a good sensation of speed at all times also.
I really need a 4 seater now so I can still go out on weekend jaunts etc and take the oh and my son but for the money its worth I dont think I could anything close.
I keep looking at M3s but they have the worry about borkage and an engine costing me a arm a leg and probs a kidney too. Ive never had any problems with my 2s and if the engine did go bang then it wouldnt be the end of the world to replace.

another mate has had several 2s and since then hes had r33gtst, 350z supras na and turbo, an evo 5 aswell as others I cant remember. He has 2 kids now aswell so 2 seater are out for him as well but every time he sees mine he wants another one again. I dont think theyre perfect but they do get under your skin

Red Devil

13,171 posts

214 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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pti said:
The sound of this V6 amazes me every time smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_PkswoXMx0
I know the guy who owned that car and exactly where the footage was taken.
If you look at his other vid you will note the rather apt number plate. smile

pti

1,744 posts

150 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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nails1979 said:
Wrapped up in the cockpit windows close to your face. Low down to the ground. Engine just behind your ear witb turbo making all sortsfof wonderful noises. Even pottering about it feels good and a good sensation of speed at all times also.
I really need a 4 seater now so I can still go out on weekend jaunts etc and take the oh and my son but for the money its worth I dont think I could anything close.
I keep looking at M3s but they have the worry about borkage and an engine costing me a arm a leg and probs a kidney too. Ive never had any problems with my 2s and if the engine did go bang then it wouldnt be the end of the world to replace.

another mate has had several 2s and since then hes had r33gtst, 350z supras na and turbo, an evo 5 aswell as others I cant remember. He has 2 kids now aswell so 2 seater are out for him as well but every time he sees mine he wants another one again. I dont think theyre perfect but they do get under your skin
Pretty much sums up how I feel about mine smile

Even though I'm forever browsing the classifieds, I can't find anything to replace it and I know I'd be gutted if I did.

Now, back to the hunt for some roof bars.

pti

1,744 posts

150 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
quotequote all
Red Devil said:
pti said:
The sound of this V6 amazes me every time smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_PkswoXMx0
I know the guy who owned that car and exactly where the footage was taken.
If you look at his other vid you will note the rather apt number plate. smile
Haha, it is rather. Just don't put that in either of the number plate threads!

rb5er

11,657 posts

178 months

Wednesday 26th February 2014
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Wadeski said:
my MR2 turbo ran 350+ bhp on stock internals for a pretty long time and it didn't go bang.

It was well mapped though,
Are these not unmappable like gt4's? Or did you have another ecu?

Wadeski

8,317 posts

219 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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I used a Power FC.