MR2 GT - what to look for

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

Iv been offered an MR2 GT, couple of simple mods, new engine with 86,000ks. Never really had that good a look at them before and dont know much about them. What should i be looking out for? Also what are they like on gas and performance wise. Any information would be awesome. Cheers Guys!

[trd_chik]

they are gud at over-heating problems!

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

they are gud at over-heating problems!

how so? shit radiators or something?

[Dell'Orto]

They dont overheat if they've been looked after. Actually I've never seen firsthand any overheat (thats not related to a BHG), so I think alot of the "MR2's overheat" is hearsay.
Look out for crash damage, most of them have been at one point or another Swaybar links are another weakpoint. The motors are quite tough, but they will break ringlands if they get overboosted. Synchros are typically Toyota shithouse quality.
They're not too bad on gas if you keep a light foot, they're quite torquey and they dont weigh that much, circa mid 1200's for a T top.
Get a gen 3, they're way more awesome.

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

awesome. yea really lookin for somethin a bit quicker for the weekend. currently have a gtz running 14psi on the sc12 but by the sounds of it it would be a bit more exciting

[Adamal]

People who say MR2's overheat all the time are people who watch too much High Octane

Check underneath the car where the sway bar mounts to the chassis. Its quite common for them to develop cracks underneath the bushes, and it WILL fail a WOF, and you WILL need to get a certified welder to fix it all up.

[Dell'Orto]

awesome. yea really lookin for somethin a bit quicker for the weekend. currently have a gtz running 14psi on the sc12 but by the sounds of it it would be a bit more exciting

Oh infinitely, heaps more torque and once you get the handle of driving them, they rule.

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

awesome. yea really lookin for somethin a bit quicker for the weekend. currently have a gtz running 14psi on the sc12 but by the sounds of it it would be a bit more exciting

Oh infinitely, heaps more torque and once you get the handle of driving them, they rule.

oh awesome. yea i wasnt sure what i was looking for then i was offered this and had never really thort about owning one before but am quite keen now!

[Leon]

gud

Without wanting to sound like the English police. We're not texting here, so why use the monkey spelling version of the word?

[Heylin]

Congrats on the MR2, youre in for some great fun. Ive owned my GT for 6 years and prior to that had a 1987 AW11 SC for 2.

Heres my 2 cents.

1) Overheating
Cant say this is a common problem, provided the coolant is flushed and replaced every 30,000 kms or 2 years with red Toyota Long Life coolant your system will be fine.

2) Syncros
Red Line MT90 or Castrol Syntrack, will fix most syncro problems (ie the 3rd gear crunch) provided they are completely buggered

3) Performance
Google "3SGTE Power Primer" for a great step by step power guide for 3SGTE. For about $3000 in parts + fitting you could be getting 180 - 190 rwKW @16psi, btw thats reliable power with room to spare.

4) Handeling
On higher Km chassis, ie > 150,000kms your stock shocks and springs are at the end of their life, mine were rooted by 180,000 and the car wandered all over the show on straight bits of road. A set of TRD springs and either KYB or Bilstien (if $$ arent a barrier) will turn your MR2 into a cornerning machine. Add some strut braces for even more fun.

5) Maintainence
Things I would do on a new MR2 to be sure everything was in check

- Check HT leads, stock ones usually stuffed after 100,000 ($220)
- Replace Cap & Rotor ($80 from Toyota)
- Coolant flush
- Gearbox oil (MT90 or Syntrack)
- Fuel filter
- Air filter (upgrade to Pod and clean every 5000kms , Simota Powerstack for $40 works well)
- Check all the suspension bushings and tie rod ends etc, these can create handeling problems if not maintained.
- Wheel alignment (MR2s sensitive to changes in geometry)
- Cam belt, idlers and cam seals done within last 80,000 kms
- Paint care check out my sticky here http://mr2.org.nz/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5093

6) Fuel Usage
I run 96 octance which supports 190rwkw at 16PSI with no problems. Open road I get 10L per 100km, town about 15L per 100.

7) Other Maintainence on my MR2
Cant speak for other MR2 owners, but from about 180,000 mine needed the following items replaced, I gather any MR2 over 180K would be getting close.

- Rear engine seal
- Front engine seal, cam seals etc
- Clutch
- Air Conditioning Expansion Valve
- Front and rear sway bar bushings.
- Front tie rods
- Reseal oil sump
- Knock sensor
- Turbo
- Shocks and Springs

Toyota's if you service all the critical things on time with quality products you can get alot of troublefree motoring but as with any 15+ year old car pushing 180,000kms alot of small things, a few medium things and a couple of major things are going to need doing.

I always looked on the positive side and used it as an excuse to upgrade said item.

If you're ever down Hamilton way and need some convincing on how fun MR2s can be, Im quite happy to take you for a spin.

[Eddy1612]

you always have to own the discussion dont you shane....

^
yea what he said. it's all right.
But if it's gen 3 you are definitely getting a better car although they tend to be a good $5000 more for a gen3 equivalent of a gen1 or 2.

[trd_chik]

gud

Without wanting to sound like the English police. We're not texting here, so why use the monkey spelling version of the word?

im lazy at typing sometimes is that a crime...

[trd_chik]

they are gud at over-heating problems!

how so? sh*t radiators or something?

i think its just becos of their locality being mid engine and all, ive owned 2 mr2s and they both had the problem.
not sure what the problem with the first one was caused by but the other was simply that the fans werent working properly.
they both had issues with this on long drives or going up hill.

[Leon]

im lazy at typing sometimes is that a crime...

Yes, yes it is indeed a crime

[touge rolla]

Replace the joiner between your turbo and the intercooler pipe with the b.o.v on it. It leaks.

i think its just becos of their locality being mid engine and all, ive owned 2 mr2s and they both had the problem.
not sure what the problem with the first one was caused by but the other was simply that the fans werent working properly.
they both had issues with this on long drives or going up hill.

The only issue I can foresee with them is there is more pipes for a possible leak to occur, and if it leaks from one of the long ones that run underneath the car you may not notice until too late. Otherwise I'd say the cooling system was excellent with a good sized cross flowing radiator and a larger water capacity than your average car.

[Heylin]

But if it's gen 3 you are definitely getting a better car although they tend to be a good $5000 more for a gen3 equivalent of a gen1 or 2.

Depends $5000 can go a long way on a Gen1, even better if the Gen1 is in good nick to start off with

Upgraded Intercooler $400
Upgraded Intercooler Fan $250
Rebuild CT26 $1200
TRD Springs $600
KYB Shocks $800
3" Dump Pipe $299
Exhaust $1000
Mags n Tyres $2000

Just a tad of $5000 more and youve got a pretty sweet gen 1 that would kick a Gen 3.

[levinguy]

i think the cooling issue is people not bleeding the water pipes of air properly? i don't know about sw20's but it happens with aw11s

[iOnic]

They're good cars for the money. Can't really go wrong with them unless they havn't been taken care of. The motors can handle a fair bit of power but have oil supply issues as many have come to find.....Overheating isn't really a common problem - just another effect of lax maintenance.....

[B1NZ]

Check to see if the engine has been installed in the right place, All the ones I've seen have been installed behind your head for some unknown reason

[Al]

Depends $5000 can go a long way on a Gen1, even better if the Gen1 is in good nick to start off with

Upgraded Intercooler $400
Upgraded Intercooler Fan $250
Rebuild CT26 $1200
TRD Springs $600
KYB Shocks $800
3" Dump Pipe $299
Exhaust $1000
Mags n Tyres $2000

Just a tad of $5000 more and youve got a pretty sweet gen 1 that would kick a Gen 3.

I disagree. A gen3 is a better allround car to start with not to mention 100x easier to sell when you have had enough.