UK rev5 N/A to Jap rev5 Turbo conversion

[AdamNye]

Hi guys

A question for a greater man than i ...

Is there anything to look for / worry about / specific questions to ask when buying a UK spec N/A rev5 (1999) thats had a rev5 (1999) Jap turbo engine, engine management, clutch and gearbox dropped into it?

I'm thinking its the best of both worlds, but could be wrong? I assume the brakes would have needed to have been upgraded ideally?

In terms of getting insurance for it, is there anywhere who you would recommend?

[JohnnyC]

I'm thinking its the best of both worlds, but could be wrong? I assume the brakes would have needed to have been upgraded ideally?

No sure what you mean by "best of both worlds"?
What does the UK car have that the turbo wouldn't have? Unless you're really really after a sunroof

Why would the brakes need to be upgraded? There's no difference between NA and turbo brakes.

[AdamNye]

I only meant from the respect of having mph conversion, speed limiter removed, underseal'd etc.

Yeah. After i posted that i thought. Actually the brakes would change due to weight rather than power so perhaps a bit daft for asking that. Id rather ask and be mokked than not ask and ... u get the idea

Perhaps my question should have been more generic; i.e is there anything i shud worry about when someones dropped a Jap Turbo engine into a Uk non-turbo chassis...

If not then ill get excited : )

[JohnnyC]

I wasn't mocking you

Most manufacturers do put bigger brakes on their more powerful specced cars, regardless of weight, but Toyota didn't with the MR2.

The chassis is the same Although JDM cars had stiffer suspension.
AFAIK UK & JDM cars were undersealed the same.

Speed limiter I guess would depend on the conversion.

[AdamNye]

Wind up merchant

Thanks for clarifying. Its helpful to know and puts my mind at ease a bit.

In terms of insurance; i know they qualify for classic insurance, but do you guys recommend any particular company for moddifications like this?

I got a good quote from Admiral for a normal Turbo but i bet if i mention it was an N/A but has a different engine theyll just say "computer says no".

[alan_uk]

A rev5 dont qualify for classic its not old enough yet i tried with sky and they refused

Im pretty sure jdm cars were not undersealed too but i may be wrong

Im doing exactly the above at the min but with a rev3 turbo engine in to a uk rev5 t-bar shell

Ive uprated brakes to r32 gtst front callipers with uk supra 323x30mm discs and rx8 323x20mm front discs on rear and spaced out callipers using gazrev1tubby's adaptor brackets

Have also used tein pillowball tension rods up front with ultra underbraces trd upper brace

Adjustable rear trailing arms with ultra underbraces and cancer bars, trd upper brace

And hsd dualtech coilovers adjustable droplinks and got a full fast road geo setup done and it handles amazingly and still quite comfy also

I replaced all bushes with oem toyota 1's for comfort as poly bushes were quite harsh and its done the trick

And as i see it now i have better than a genuine original turbo setup

I binned the aircon full system also

[MR2 Rich]

MOT Might be a problem if it has had the cat removed.

[DAN_REV1_TURBO]

Hi guys

A question for a greater man than i ...

Is there anything to look for / worry about / specific questions to ask when buying a UK spec N/A rev5 (1999) thats had a rev5 (1999) Jap turbo engine, engine management, clutch and gearbox dropped into it?

I'm thinking its the best of both worlds, but could be wrong? I assume the brakes would have needed to have been upgraded ideally?

In terms of getting insurance for it, is there anywhere who you would recommend?

Just check the usual stuff. Sills for rust, find out what engine control unit is in there and who mapped it, is it running using an electronic boost controller/what psi, when was the engine conversion done and was it by a reputable a specialist? What clutch is it and how many miles since it went in? Is the engine standard or with up rated injectors, forged internals?

Check for leaks if it is a T Bar if you can, and check for any damage to body panels and inside the trunk and boot, what suspension does it have standard or aftermarket? Obviously you are new to MR2s so the brake question is not daft, standard brakes will be adequate or drilled/grooved with decent pads also fine for a quick road car.

There is a thread I`m sure, for new owners or people looking for one, which states all the usual problem bits. Sticky power steering relay and things, seized brake calipers, knocking suspension.. You will notice things on a test drive if it is a shed.

I insure my turbo with Adrian Flux currently, cheapest deal I could get, all mods declared, under £400 a year.

[MR2 Rich]

Is it this one;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-Mr2-T- ... SwxN5WVum3

If so be EXTREMELY Careful as it mentions MrTwo Developments who are well known on here for all the wrong reasons.

Iirc they were (Banned trader) were selling a "Rev5" a few years ago that was actually a Rev1. It might not be this car but don't want you to get stung.

HAVE just check and that car wasn't red so unlikely to be this one.

Just a thing to check on all Mr2's check behind the panel below the rear side windows as they were packed with foam from new and it acts like a sponge and rust from the inside out.

Also check in the boot behind the side panels, the aerial side especially as they leak and fill the cavity with water.

[AdamNye]

See, this is why forums with people who know what they're talking about are so invaluable . I had no idea about Banned trader. Glad i asked.

MR Rich - Yes it is that one on ebay. If you guys are saying to steer clear of Banned trader then i'll do that, it's just a shame as that's pretty much what I'm after & they seem to be fairly hard to come by these days (in good condition). The guy who's selling it isn't admitting to there being any issues at all in the time he's had it... but that car is a 4+ hour drive from where i live, so it's a lot of time to waste just to go and have a look lol. I'm not sure what to do now...

alan_uk - Nice! All good to know. Sounds like quite a machine! Good luck with it.

DAN_REV1_TURBO - Ill give Adrian Flux a try. Thanks bud

[SonicSW20]

Full reg is T709WWT, if you want to do any history checks. Interestingly, that reg doesn't show up on the new MOT history checking website, but the vehicle enquiry .gov website does recognise the registration, and says the MOT ran out in 2014.

[DAN_REV1_TURBO]

Full reg is T709WWT, if you want to do any history checks. Interestingly, that reg doesn't show up on the new MOT history checking website, but the vehicle enquiry .gov website does recognise the registration, and says the MOT ran out in 2014.

Probably more DVLA c0ckups. They have managed to mingle all my Jag history from two different cars on to my newer car, complete screw up. Confusion due to a private reg change and both cars being silver even though different engine sizes and different year of manufacture.

[alan_uk]

there is some sbits paper work there might be worth giving peter gidden a message off here as he is sbits

may be able to tell you some things about the car and if its decent or worth getting

it looks a nice clean example tbh and looks to of had money spent in the right places

im suprised it dont have 700-900hp being an Banned trader car lol

[MR2 Rich]

There is a nice white rev5 on eBay, just been imports might be worth a look at just over 5k. I believe the company selling is on here, Rash? Or something similar iirc.

[AdamNye]

Full reg is T709WWT, if you want to do any history checks. Interestingly, that reg doesn't show up on the new MOT history checking website, but the vehicle enquiry .gov website does recognise the registration, and says the MOT ran out in 2014.

Yeah thanks Gazza, i noticed he blanked out the front but not the rear too lol. I'll do a vehicle check on it if when he gets back to me with some service history it looks good. He said he's doesnt use it much and has been stored in the garage, so it might be right.

here is some sbits paper work there might be worth giving peter gidden a message off here as he is sbits

So i contacted Peter at SBITs, what a legend! We didnt have much luck finding out what work had been done (i'm asking the guy for invoice numbers) but he was massively helpful. Really nice bloke. Good shout Rich

There is a nice white rev5 on eBay

but i really wanted a nice red one lol Thanks though man.

[alan_uk]

There is some sbits paper work there might be worth giving peter gidden a message off here as he is sbits

So i contacted Peter at SBITs, what a legend! We didnt have much luck finding out what work had been done (i'm asking the guy for invoice numbers) but he was massively helpful. Really nice bloke. Good shout Rich

that was me lol

[AdamNye]

that was me [Sad] lol

Lol!! Sorry Alan, was trying to do too many things whilst writing that last reply. You get full credit in my books. Thank you

[alan_uk]

Haha cheers

[Nails]

When looking at any 2 its rust rust rust rust first and foremost to check for. I'd rather a proper turbo too. Less chance of poo wiring etc wether its been done by a 'professional' or not.
but the main reason is back to the first point. Rust rust rust. Why buy a car thats been in the uk since birth when you can pick up a import thats been here for half or less of its life.

[C35Rob]

When looking at any 2 its rust rust rust rust first and foremost to check for. I'd rather a proper turbo too. Less chance of poo wiring etc wether its been done by a 'professional' or not.
but the main reason is back to the first point. Rust rust rust. Why buy a car thats been in the uk since birth when you can pick up a import thats been here for half or less of its life.

Agreed, there are some nice converted car but a real turbo will always be more desirable, easier to sell and usually easier to insure. They're all undersealed exactly the same, there's shed loads of factory underseal on my car. And zero rust, which is pretty much guaranteed on any car that's been driven through UK winters.