uk to turbo

[mr2nut123]

ok, im thinking of doing up my current car (i.e. bodykit etc) and then doing the turbo conversion as the bodyworks in immaculate condition. wheres the cheapest to get it done and how much? im in the bradford area. cheers

[Sidewinder]

In true IMOC-UK style, I'd suggest selling your car and buying a tubby, even though your current MR2's body work is good.

The main things to consider are:

1. Is it worth the hassle?
2. Are your brakes and suspension up to scratch for the extra power of the turbo?
3. Insurance costs. Insurance companies seems to prefer to insure a factory turbo over a conversion.

Have a chat with Rogue - an affiliate on here - who can certainly sort you out with the bits and bobs, or even do the conversion for you.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

[craig]

Hi mate,

dunno if it is the cheapest, but I had mine converted by Rogue Systems! You get your engine all painted up too!

Recommended.

Give them a call:

02476 22 66 77

HTH

Craig

[steve b]

In true IMOC-UK style, I'd suggest selling your car and buying a tubby, even though your current MR2's body work is good.

Not if you've done alot of other work, expensive body kit etc, polybushes suspension etc
The main things to consider are:

1. Is it worth the hassle? If your current engine is shagged yes
2. Are your brakes and suspension up to scratch for the extra power of the turbo? People always say this ??? don't people know turbo brakes are identical in everyway to n/a brakes
3. Insurance costs. Insurance companies seems to prefer to insure a factory turbo over a conversion. This is true

• 

[Aidy]

> 1. Is it worth the hassle?

No.

> 2. Are your brakes and suspension up to scratch for the extra power of the turbo?

The tubby brakes are the same as the NA ones.

> Insurance companies seems to prefer to insure a factory turbo over a conversion.

True.

Converting an NA to a turbo is rarely worth it. As for things like your bushes etc, FFS give it up, just sell your car and buy a turbo if that is what you want.

[steve b]

> 1. Is it worth the hassle?

No. Converting an NA to a turbo is rarely worth it. As for things like your bushes etc, FFS give it up, just sell your car and buy a turbo if that is what you want.

So subjective, I don't believe you can turn around and say a straight no, that conversions arn't worth it.

In my case I had a car with H&R coilover, poly bushes, custom drop links, TOMS rims, new tyres, A1 body work, A1 interior,.. A1 very recently overhalled brake system, but a non-repairable engine. So whats sensible sell it without an engine for all of £500 even though its got £1500 worth of suspension alone or replace engine with n/a (£1000 bill) or £2000 bill turbo conversion... HUM?? not a hard choice really.

[Frustrated Pilot]

yes i have to agree.

I have spent KKK's just keeping the motor on the road. it was 5k new. and have had about another 5k spent on it. Toms/pheonix power bodykit. konei suspension + springs. bushes. apexi induction kit, 5ziegen exhaust. imported advan alloys. rev 5 spoiler, rev 6 rear lights. complete respray. an abundance of engine work. many tyres.. etc + usual ancillaries..

therefore.. how much do u think the car is worth? 5k? well bu88er off no. with a head gasket failure, i would be lucky to pay £30 for someone to take it off my hands...

I have to spend £800 minimum labour alone to fix head gasket.
I have been advised by toyota that if the head is cracked the cost could be as high as £2k to repair. Therefore for 500 squids extra i get a well modified turbo transplant.

personally i dont have a choice. Insurance worries me. however the MR2 drivers club insurance scheme ACTUALLY realises that a N/A with a turbo transplant is the same as buying a Turbo. THEY TOLD ME THIS.

They have a modification friendly scheme. bodykit + alloys induction kit and exhaust suspension. tec... youre free to modify with no extra insurrance charges.

when u start going for BIG BHP. i.e. 300+ youre looking at a bit extra.

Geoff munt's 2 is 300+ bhp. he is paying about 1k a year for his insurance - in croydon.

but he is covered for track days. also if some bu88er hits u. they get a replacement MR2 for u to drive whilst urs is being repaired.

with all this in mind. insurance shouldnt be a problem. (quoting dorset insurance) dont go for direct line etc.. they wont touch u with a barge pole unless your wallet is filled to the brim. try adrian flux or dorset.

So. weigh up the pros and cons. .... but if youre after a tubby. MY suggestion would be. 205 front .. 225 rear on 16's. as the power to rubber ratio is better. (quoting from a lenthy article in the MR2DC log book)

you can go for bigger breaks. if you wish. however. it has been commented that upgrading the pads work as well as grooved/drilled discs.

im an engineer. does decreasing the surface area of your breaks actually improve breaking? ... well it shouldnt.. your drilled discs could suffer cracking. your grooved discs will make u go through your pagid pads more. However.. these 2 applications are supposed to keep the pads sharp...... hmmmm.. only testing will tell.

but without entering into an argument.. the choice is yours.

as the chinese proverb goes. 'Never give advice. The wise man will not need it and fools never heed it.'

[Aidy]

So subjective, I don't believe you can turn around and say a straight no, that conversions arn't worth it.

In my case I had a car with H&R coilover, poly bushes, custom drop links, TOMS rims, new tyres, A1 body work, A1 interior,.. A1 very recently overhalled brake system, but a non-repairable engine. So whats sensible sell it without an engine for all of £500 even though its got £1500 worth of suspension alone or replace engine with n/a (£1000 bill) or £2000 bill turbo conversion... HUM?? not a hard choice really.

I didn't say it was never worth it, just rarely worth it. Obviously if your engine is shagged then it is a different matter

[steve b]

So subjective, I don't believe you can turn around and say a straight no, that conversions arn't worth it.

In my case I had a car with H&R coilover, poly bushes, custom drop links, TOMS rims, new tyres, A1 body work, A1 interior,.. A1 very recently overhalled brake system, but a non-repairable engine. So whats sensible sell it without an engine for all of £500 even though its got £1500 worth of suspension alone or replace engine with n/a (£1000 bill) or £2000 bill turbo conversion... HUM?? not a hard choice really.

I didn't say it was never worth it, just rarely worth it. Obviously if your engine is shagged then it is a different matter

sorry

[Frustrated Pilot]

no worries aidy.. ur bound to say it.. as you dont want anyone with a nicer car to beat ur mitsi :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

hehe how u doing m8?

[craig]

In my case the conversion was well worth it. I had sorted the bodtwork and started to fit a bodykit etc but had a 3SFE engine

Much more worth putting a turbo engine in a car I've spent a bit on putting right IMO

Craig

[Vindezal]

I spend 5k on just keeping on the road. not body kits! Preventive maintenance!

[Aidy]

you dont want anyone with a nicer car to beat ur mitsi

I don't think there's any risk of that happening