Today I drove my parts car over to my friend's shop. It's missing the hood and front bumper/valance panels, but it runs well and that's what I was after -- the engine. See, it's a Supercharged MR2. :D

http://home.earthlink.net/~bryan64/pics/tmp/new2me2.jpg

More [daylight] pics: http://www.pbase.com/bryanh/mr2sc

My NA '87 MR2 is super clean...

http://home.earthlink.net/~bryan64/pics/shine/hires/sideishbig.jpg

... but the engine blew last year. Once the SC motor goes in, I'll have the power to match the handling. :)

It's a pretty simple swap, most everything bolts up including the wiring (all that's different is the SC has a fuel grade selection switch, and a light in the dash indicating when the supercharger is engaged). The only custom work is to relocate the engine lid latch to accomodate the SC engine lid.

I'm excited. :) It's been months since I've driven my MR2. This SC motor will give me a boost of about 35hp and 45ft-lbs of torque (significant when the NA only had 112hp and 97ft-lbs to begin with). I'm installing a lightweight aluminum flywheel and aggressive street clutch while I'm at it, as well as a new timing belt, water pump, and oil seals.

Can't wait!

Cool stuff! :)

Let us know with more pics!

oh ho ho... you lucky bastard. :D the Mark1 MR2 is a terrific sports car... buddy of mine had an NA one... i can't imagine how quick that SC one is gonna be...

sweet ass CAR, bryan :D

**edit: :p fricken' RotorMotor shut it :p

Take pictures of the swap.:) I love your MR2 by the way. Its one of the cleanest I'v seen in a while.

Originally posted by wakeech
sweet ass bryan :D

Ummmm....... j/k...

Err, I won't touch that one. ;)

oh ho ho... you lucky bastard. Me? :) While I'm running around in this thing later this year you guys will have your RX-8s which will be just as fast and tons more comfortable, with a full warranty. ;)

It'll still be fun though.

Originally posted by BryanH

Me? :)

yeah you!! :p an SC Mark1 MR2 is lightyears away from my 2001 Echo ;)

Lots cheaper too. :p

Discovered yet more damage on my red NA today... those damn thieves just have no heart. The A-pillar is dented. :( Fortunately it's replaceable, and my black car has a straight one. But still, that's one more thing that has to be removed and can potentially be loose or misaligned when put on. *sigh* I had to take my car back to the glass shop 2 times after the initial installation to get the side window aligned right.

I need a giant Tupperware cocoon for my car.

The MR2 dominates the local autocross club here in Saskatoon. It's usually an all-out battle between the front-running C/SS MR-2 and the C/SS 2nd Gen NA RX-7. 'Course the MR2 has no interior and has several body pieces made of paper thin aluminium ;)

Still though, the car has superb balance and can change directions at an alarming rate.

Originally posted by SA22C
It's usually an all-out battle between the front-running C/SS MR-2 and the C/SS 2nd Gen NA RX-7. 'Course the MR2 has no interior and has several body pieces made of paper thin aluminium ;)

:D my two all-time favourite sports cars of the 1980's... bar NONE... they just have this allure i can't explain. but the FC looks way better, and on a road circuit eats the MR2 for breakfast (if it's a base model with the S5 engine) ;)

The engine is out of the donor car now! Time to clean it up and replace some seals and the timing belt/water pump. I'll put up some pics when I have more.

Originally posted by SA22C
The MR2 dominates the local autocross club here in Saskatoon. It's usually an all-out battle between the front-running C/SS MR-2 and the C/SS 2nd Gen NA RX-7. 'Course the MR2 has no interior and has several body pieces made of paper thin aluminium
Still though, the car has superb balance and can change directions at an alarming rate. Oohhh you race with Dennis? Tell him I said "Hi". ;) His car will be even faster this year... the guy's the king of DIY mods that work.

I've had pretty good success with my MR2 as well. This past season we won the CSP championship locally, against some heavily modified (read: trailered) cars. Mainly a CRX and a couple Miatas. All season long my MR2 was E-Stock eligible except for one thing... my custom cold air intake.

http://home.earthlink.net/~bryan64/pics/medusty_sm.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~bryan64/pics/tmp/101-0112_AUT.jpg

They're quite capable little cars. Often underestimated. :) Methinks the RX-8 will be an underestimated car as well.

but the FC looks way better, and on a road circuit eats the MR2 for breakfast (if it's a base model with the S5 engine) Tell that to my FC-owning friend. :p I haven't lost to him yet. ;) When I was stock he had an '86 Sport. Now that I'm going boosted he's building a TurboII. So we can battle on more or less even footing again. With the same results. :D

80s sports cars rule. :) I've got a huge soft spot for 'em!

Four years ago when I was researching what sports car to buy, I might've ended up with an FC if I wasn't so askeered of rotaries at the time. Fear of the unknown, you know. I actually wanted a Miata but even trashed examples were going for $5k back then. My MR2 is pretty clean and solid and it was half the price, with very nearly equal the performance. I'm happy with it. :) Never ever selling this car, it means so much to me now. I get a lot of people asking me if I'm interested in selling it too.

I'm a softie for 80's sports cars too. I always keep one eye open for 1st gen. MR2's, RX-7's, and Corolla GTS's that are cheap and somewhat mechanically sound (i.e. I can just barely drive it back to the garage). Although Corolla GTS's have skyrocketed in price since Initial D.
Ideally though, I'll find a good cheap early 90's Miata that either needs an engine/body work/top. After a light restoration I'd swap in a fresh(er) 1.6L, add a turbo maybe, drop it an inch or so, stiffen the suspension a touch, add a rollbar, and get some nice 15" Panasport rims with some sticky tires to top it all off. Mmmmm thats the ticket.

Miatas are great fun to drive! I had the pleasure of autocrossing a highly modified '01 Miata and not only was it bloody fast, I couldn't believe how easy it was to drive. No fighting the car at all, it just does what you tell it to, whether that be oversteer or understeer. Wheee!

Miata's are very fun cars to drive...i drove a friends around for a week while she was out of town...they handle nice...compared to alot of other cars....i like to call em street legal go-karts
-Sunny