So is a UK conversion to turbo car one to avoid?? or OK if done right?

[2mad]

Yeah rev1/2's are a good engine just need a mhg .. alot a engines just need a tweek

[masterbateson]

Here's a question for you conversion Kings!!

Is it possible/practical to take an automatic N/A say a rev 5 and then convert it to a turbo conversion.

Do we think its no more difficult apart from having to swap out the auto gear shift from the cab/tunnel at same time?

Im just thinking it goes like this, drop out engine and autobox,remove auto gearshift, insert new turbo lump with manual box,fit manual gearshift linkages and cables and oh yeah add a clutch pedal/servo/pipework.
Job done?

Do we think its going to make it massively over complicated or just not do able.

[PW@Woodsport]

Certainly doable, but makes no sense when you can just go out and buy a turbo already done in standard form, they aren't expensive.

[Peter Gidden]

Here's a question for you conversion Kings!!

Is it possible/practical to take an automatic N/A say a rev 5 and then convert it to a turbo conversion.

Do we think its no more difficult apart from having to swap out the auto gear shift from the cab/tunnel at same time?

Im just thinking it goes like this, drop out engine and autobox,remove auto gearshift, insert new turbo lump with manual box,fit manual gearshift linkages and cables and oh yeah add a clutch pedal/servo/pipework.
Job done?

Do we think its going to make it massively over complicated or just not do able.

I've done two. Bit of wiring to do too as you won't be wanting the PRNDL display in the cluster.

[masterbateson]

I know what your saying Mr woodsports, but i am thinking from the basis of a skint persons budget trying to do it on the cheap.

Basically we are talking top end money for a MR2 turbo on later plates.

I know someone who will let me have a 99 plate in good nick for V cheap due to a knacked autobox (confirmed) so thought would be a great opportunity to do a conversion in a mint condition newer shell.

Shame said car isn't a manual, but it aint so hence the idea.

99 car for sub 500 then need a donor or parts for the conversion = 99plate tubby Tbar.

[PW@Woodsport]

Sadly the logic is still flawed, A good rev3 donor clip is going to cost £1500, then new clutch, timing belt, consumables, you're going to spend best part of £1700, plus £500 for your car=£2200 AND you have to convert auto to manual AND build it.

Unless you're being given a rev3 turbo donor for really cheap money i don't see how it works out better?

[masterbateson]

Well if you can point me in the direction of say a 95 plate turbo for 2.5k or less then I'll take one.
If you can get me a 99 plate turbo even better.

I mean, i have loads of jobs round the house to do, so to be honest i can do with out the work if you can source me either of the above for 2.5k or less ideally.

BTW is there anyone out there at the mo with a 99 plate tubby?
That was another reason i fancied doing it.

[Peter Gidden]

BTW is there anyone out there at the mo with a 99 plate tubby?

I have 3 or 4 customers with very late JDM turbos. Each cost £7K+

I also have 5 ish customers with Rev5 UK turbo conversions i have done. Each had a mint donor car and each conversion has cost £3K+.

[thomp1983]

As paul and peter have said it's doable but you need to seriously think about what you want, what timeframe your talking about and how much money your prepared to spend.

If you have anywhere near a normal home life and doing the entire build diy then id say your talking minimum 4-5 months doing around 20 hours a week at it.

What's your end goal power wise? If keeping things cheap then id think buying a rotten rev2 turbo would be your best bet, you can get them for less than a grand it will give you all the parts for a manual conversion plus a turbo engine you can then break the rest of the car to make some money. Once that's all fitted and running you can buy the rev3 sensors and bits to upgrade the rev2 engine there normally £2-300.

That lot would probably be less than £2000 including buying the auto project base but don't underestimate the commitment required in making such a project happen your probably talking all weekend most weekends and whatever you can do after work, the budget will spiral, things will break or be damaged during the project people will attempt to rip you off with spares and other issues will arise but if you can stick with it and keep going the end result is worth it just don't try and equate the man hours into a final cost or you'll cry

[PW@Woodsport]

.

Well if you can point me in the direction of say a 95 plate turbo for 2.5k or less then I'll take one.

The very first car i found within 2 minutes, requires minimal work, low mileage 95 for peanuts. It is even open to offers on £1295, sink £1000 into that and you're still much better off than converting an auto.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-mr2-19 ... 2c962ca5e6

The amount of work getting this one up to standard versus converting an auto to turbo and paying for all the parts is a no brainer to be honest

[masterbateson]

Interestingly if you look at my other thread you'll see thats the car i nearly or actually bought and then backed out due to concerns of its registration and a few other things.
General consensus from other users on here advice wise, was to steer well clear.

Must admit, if i wasnt worried about a few things I would still go for it.

One thing mentioned by someone who is well clued up who says the suspension is wrong height especially for rev 3 and looks more like rev 1.
Other things he mentioned as Odd is that although it says 95 appears to be a rev1 but has UK front and rear bumpers despite being an import.
Other things that scared me off is that when i called the seller, the one broken manifold stud turned into several or at least 3, he mentioned a problem with the cill near a jacking point thats not in the listing and in his original listing he had listed in as being for sale in a different location, when i called he told me it was somewhere else.
Shame as i was about to go for it.
Maybe i still should or maybe i was scared off for a reason.

[Race Idiot]

If it has problems with the sills then I wouldnt bother, its probably going to be rotten and need a load of work.

It does look like an import tho, having toblerones instead of side repeaters. The uk numberplate thing just bolts onto the front bumper and its not uncommon for people to fit a uk rear to have a uk style plate. Although the only way to tell would be be actualy go and look.

Still doesnt seem worth what hes offering.

[Ryan S]

check the facebook page mr2s and parts for sale, a guy up my way was selling a rev2 (i think) N/A complete with a spare rev2 turbo engine and box for £600, had a HKS head gasket etc...Bargains to be had on that page for sure

EDIT: just to add, I have seen the occasional rev3 turbo sold for what you paid for the other car.

[Rob]

FYI I have had my Mk2 since 2002 when I bought it as a Rev2 N/A with a 3SGE engine in standard trim putting out 154bhp.

In the first 5 years, with the aid of a Buddy Club ECU (pre-programmed Jap import kit - can't be mapped) stainless exhaust, Apexi cone filter, de-cat and fresh dizzy cap / rotor arm, I attained a bhp reading of 171bhp at the flywheel on a well regarded dyno test rig.

Long story short, the piston rings got stripped due to incorrect masking by a powder coating company who did my cam cover and intake manifold.

I sourced a low mileage Rev3 Turbo donor car that had been front end smashed for £750.

I then paid Toyota GT (now JDModified) to do the conversion (cost about £1200 for the labour including new clutch, cam belt and fixing some broken manifold studs).

Whatever you may have read about them from certain members on MR2 boards, I cannot complain about the standard of work performed on my car. The wiring is fine (I've stripped large parts of the car subsequently and never found anything alarming), the engine runs perfectly and has done in the 7 years since they did the conversion with 1 split hose being the only issue that wasn't anything to do with their work.

So my experience is, firstly, don't chuck money at an N/A - I definitely felt improvement with what I did to it but it was not going any higher without serious investment. Secondly, the standard Rev3 Turbo driving experience blows the 3SGE out of the water - no exaggeration whatsoever - you feel rocket powered. Lastly, if you get a good garage to do the conversion you are unlikely to experience any issues.

Lastly though, I've had a fair amount of welding done on my cars sills as it is a UK car and previous owners have obviously done plenty of salt driving and the rain hasn't helped. If I were to do it again I would get a Rev3+ turbo and not faff around spending extra having a UK car converted - it isn't worth it unless like me because you are attached to a certain car.

The benefit is that it will save you plenty of money, be worth more than a hybrid body / engine coupling if prices do go up and lastly there will be hopefully way less corrosion issues if you get one that has been undersealed after import and not driven in the salt.

[shane34]

From where i stand having had rev 3 turbos for the last 10 years+. They have all needed a bit of work on the underside, ive found they have alot of decay, cancer bars, under tray brackets and brake shields to name the common faults, im not saying that this is like it on everyone but ive recently brought a rev 5 uk chassis with a rev 3 turbo conversion link provided here.
http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=181036

Now considering this has been in the country for longer then the rev 3 turbos the condition is amazing,slight corrosion on the cancer bars, but rest of it is great. maybe this is credit due to previous owner taking care of it but still ive had 3 rev 3 turbos all with the same issues.

imo you have two options and they are both price dependent.

search high and low for a immaculate shell rev 3,4,5, see how much this would cost. then add your conversion costs (you can also refurbish alot of parts while its in the process of being swapped over)

Then try and search for a rev 5 turbo which is at the same chassis standard, as its been pointed out here a good one will cost over 7k i believe.

[masterbateson]

Ta for post fella's.

Me confused.com what on earth Is a CANCER bar? I've heard of camber bars but never Cancer bars scary.

I wonder if i can find any old threads on here that show these common rot areas.

I am aware of the Sill area at the back that seems to go Knacked, thanks to that nice sponge Toyota decided was a good idea to fit in the sills

[C35Rob]

a "cancer" bar is a horrible name for a tubular steel chassis brace that are prone to rust, new ones are available from toyota, stainless ones are available elsewhere.

FYI, i'm with the general consensus that if you want an mr2 turbo, buy an mr2 turbo. there's no need to make things difficult for yourself.

[Rob]

I posted the original toyota foam in sill thread lol.

The cancer bars and under tray brackets are all easily replaced. They just bolt on.

It's welding that will hammer your bonnet as it always needs paint too....

[shane34]

If you really want a turbo take your time and look for a good one. Maybe a club members car, at least you will have history if they have done a project on it. Also read the post or thread about what to look out for when buying a Mr2.