MR2 1990 Turbo Intercooler upgrade options

[Nick_MR2]

Hi All,

Can someone give me some advise on upgrading my stock intercooler. I'm trying to avoid spending too much, maybe something second hand off a RX7 bat? My MR2 has a 3inch exhaust from turbo and a boost controller running at 14PSI (ish ) . A part from that its stock. I will be looking at a piggy back ECU soon and pushing the PSI up to 17.


Thanks.

[Dell'Orto]

Nothing will bolt up without fabrication if you're not wanting to spend $2k on a Trust/similar sidemount kit. I would use a FC3S core over an FD one, but either option will require new end tanks made up.
Absolutely zero point running 17psi on the stock turbo, your current boost level is about as good as it gets I'm afraid.

[Al]

What year MR2? If its a pre 94 don't bother pushing the stock turbo past 15psi, its well out of its efficiency range then.

What type of piggyback ecu? Theres bugger all around for mr2s. SAFC and adjustable FPR is a 'cheaper' option but isn't necessary to reach the stock fuel systems limits on a '89-'93 mr2 turbo.

mr_monkey off these forums can do mr2 intercoolers from $500 with piping and joiners, hes based in Waikato and can give you a hand with install for a tad extra if need be. Give him an email on nathans_e_mail@hotmail.com

You have a good base for a quick street car. 12 second 1/4 miles and mid 4 sec 0-60mphs can be had with a handful of mods.

ct20b turbo, 3" downpipe, 3" exhaust, panel filter, boost controller @ 18psi, some 100 octane in the tank 12.7 @ 109mph 0-60mph 4.59 secs.

[Prymal]

st205 WTA , and a ct20b by themselves - could yeield interesting results

[Adydas]

and it just so happens i have BOTH a st185 and st205 intercooler for sale...

[devius]

is it a st205 wta? how much you wanting for it?

[Nick_MR2]

I'm new to this and don't know the terminology.

Whats a ST185/ST205 WTA. I assume they are intercoolers and could be of type WTA?. Will they fit where the stock intercooler is at the moment. I will get someone to install/fabricate whats necessary just looking for the best value for money component to base the fabrication on. I don't intend to do anything radical with my 1990 MR2 but 300hp sounds like a good target .

The piggy back ECU I was looking at was the MAP 2 ECU or MAP ECU which will provide MAP instead of AFM fuel mix management. Do I need this with just the exhaust upgrade and boost (17max). To get 300hp I guess I will need to do someting with the fuel supply - injectors and pump?

Whats SAFC and adjustable FPR? Sorry I'm completely ignorant

[flygt4]

wta = water to air cooling as opposed to to air to air. its more complicated, but more efficient and compact.


you will need to change the turbo for 300hp. ct20b's bolt on and do it easy but they cost ~2k now.

[fivebob]

Do I need this with just the exhaust upgrade and boost (17max). To get 300hp I guess I will need to do someting with the fuel supply - injectors and pump?

You won't get 300HP with the stock turbo, or the stock fuel system, or for that matter the stock ECU.

For that level you'll need to upgrade the turbo, injectors and, at the very least, use a piggyback ECU. Even then you'll find it hard to reach the 300HP mark on a budget, the CT20B probably won't get you there without cams or head work.

[Adydas]

WTA IC found off these babies...

[Nick_MR2]

Ok, a bit of work and money before I can get anywhere near 300hp. In terms of steps towards the 300hp would the MAP ECU piggy back be sufficient, or should I save up and buy a LINK. How about the intercooler will I need a WTA? (off a worked Celica :0).

Thanks.

[Prymal]

get the link , go WTA , and a freshedned up Ct20B ( ironically what i have , in need of freshening ! ) and youll get that without having to do much more ..

Im assuming yours is gen2 ?

if so - the only OTHER addition id make if doing this , to happily run 15PSI or there abouts daily - is change the headgasket , and headstuds ..

youll make MR headgasket go POP if you start looking above that on an unopened Gen2 3sgte .

This is more a saftey measure than anything - but an additional cost you might want to consider

[Nick_MR2]

Cheers all. Ok WTA it is and I'll save up for the rest. I'll post a pic once its in. Thanks for the advise. .

[Prymal]

on WTA - you have a couple of optons too ..

205 is by far the best toyota one , and theres a few aftermarket kits available from PWR in oz - but a 205 one will be cheaper and bolt straight up as if factory ..

link is a billion times better option , if like some of us you start goijng to the next level - it will form the basis of what you can do power wise

Piggybacks suck bulls testicles and should never be considered IMHO

[Gonad]

I could be wrong - but my 205 WTA needed modification to bolt to GENII as the pipe that goes to turbo comes off at different angle and thus the pipe to TB needs to be shifted over a bit. I guess the moved to placement of the turbo on the 205 over a bit?

ST185RC one will bolt straight up however, hardest bit will be mounting the radiator and installing miles if pipes.

[solitaire]

So water to air is the way to go on an mr2 in everyones opinion?

[no_8wire]

I would say no...stick with air to air...the w2a would take up more room on a sw20 than a replacement...

[Prymal]

I could be wrong - but my 205 WTA needed modification to bolt to GENII as the pipe that goes to turbo comes off at different angle and thus the pipe to TB needs to be shifted over a bit. I guess the moved to placement of the turbo on the 205 over a bit?

ST185RC one will bolt straight up however, hardest bit will be mounting the radiator and installing miles if pipes.

if its used in conjunction with a ct20B its not a problem .

[Al]

Don't mislead the poor fellow into thinking fitting a st185rc or st205 w2a is easy, you haven't even begun on how or more importantly where to fit the heat exchanger.

If you want 300 flywheel hp a ct20b, intercooler, 17psi will suffice, if you want 300 wheel hp you will have to open your wallet.

Factory fuelling on a gen2 3sgte like yours maxs out around the 275rwhp level. More fuel needs larger injectors, larger injectors need an aftermarket ecu to control them, you need to push more air so you will need a larger turbo, then you need the intercooler. 275rwhp is cheap. Anymore and prepare to spend $3k+

[fivebob]

Don't mislead the poor fellow into thinking fitting a st185rc or st205 w2a is easy, you haven't even begun on how or more importantly where to fit the heat exchanger.

I'd agree, for a MR2 a decent sized air to air is a much better alternative. But in reality, for <300hp, the stock I/C will be OK.

Anymore and prepare to spend $3k+

That's cheap, I'd reckon it's more like $5k+