1993 MR2 2GR swap

Naw, just kidding. Thanks for asking.

The dealer I got my GRC from was the only one I contacted that was willing to give employee pricing. Most used Covid shortages to quit altogether, or at least on low volume cars like GRC. Was a stroke of luck they got one exactly my desired spec: white Core Premium.

So, I kinda want to let them service it, but... damn, I am afraid some new tech that's never driven a manual, or who wants to hit the rev limiter to hear the exhaust will get ahold of my car.

I think I'll do it all myself and just buy parts from them. I've got Redline fluids bought for everything but engine. I have a list of stuff that crosses over from other Corollas I'm wanting, like XSE spoiler, hood insulator, illuminated switch bases, ...

 

The other 93 for some love today.

Removed the 5s-fe 2.2l and 4 speed auto. Plus the shifter. Installed the 1ar-fe 2.7l with a hybrid 2ar-fxe Intake cam and balance shaft delete plus an 4.2 FD e153 in and shifter assembly with a TRD short throw and the proper turbo cables today.
Still got wiring and fuel system to do. Then full suspension refresh (staying stock height though on this one) should be a nice ~210whp cruiser. Needs rockers and a right rear quarter too. But other than that only 1 bolt broke in the swap process

 

2AR is the Venza engine right? Looks like a really good fit physically, trans adapter needed or do old A engine series trans fit right up?

 

1ar is the venza. 2ar is the smaller 2.5l.

bolts up to the e153. Just have to add a threaded insert to one hole for full 360 bolt coverage. Scion TC 2.4l manual axle bracket and modifying the original mr2 turbo axle shaft with an offset by 10mm snap ring groove and spacer makes axles bolt right in.
Should be good for like 210 I’m guessing right now. Eventually I’ll play with a turbo. Right now it has a stock 2015 Scion TC cat on it

 

Autocrossed today for the first time.. one of the good runs

https://youtu.be/GXRrjcCKChE?feature=shared

worst run 56.2
Best 51.2. Bout middle of the field time wise. Ultra modified class.

hit zero cones

 

Nice! I would think middle of the field in ultra-modified is pretty respectable. Bonus points for being an MR2 because, well, it's just cool.

 

Finally got the autocross photos

 

there's something amusing about fog/driving lights on a track car. Looks like a fun day, cutting your times?

 

Black mr2 should be running tomorrow night for the first time

picked up a 01 spyder from copart that caught fire, road tripping to North Carolina in the white mr2 to pickup a transmission, hit tail of the dragon and visit some friends
already test fit an eb60 (the transmission I’m picking up) and confirmed it’ll fit in the trunk


so got the radio all buttoned up and nicely setup tonight

 

Hmm. Failed to update this. Carolina trip went well. Bear mountain trip this weekend. So cars going to New Jersey to join a ton of mr2s driving in the lower Hudson valley. Also scored used Koni coilovers. They’ll be getting installed soon since theyve been rebuilt. Old TRD/Koni combo is going on the black 93 mr2.

interior and rewiring works next. Followed by body work and a slight widening of the body.


7hrs uninterrupted driving (other than for gas) straight into beating on it a bit on the tail of the dragon, then 4 more hours of driving and not skipping a beat. ~32mpg the whole trip. Just about 2000 miles all around. This cars amazing

 

Bear Mountain - you'll be about an hour from me - bring your shims & do a quick valve adjustment on the 2002 Tacoma 2.7

Sounds like some fun rides you've been taking.

 

An MR2 was top on my list years ago when I was looking for a project. Couldn't find one but ran across a '77 Celica for super cheap. Still not done with it (on pause for several years now) but you have me looking at BAT for an MR2. I have nowhere to put it. Pretty wide range of sale prices.

Curse you.

 

I want to get me one of those celicas (a lift back.) but the mr2s have proven to be too addictive

 

Car survived the bear mountain trip. ~160 cars I’m told total. Majority mr2s few corolla GRs and the GT-four celicas. Did a midnight trip into Times Square with the car and about 10 other mr2s. Very good event. Didn’t get many pictures. More so videos.

 

Fishkill Courtyard by Marriott?

 

Courtyard Mahwah

 

Lots of early MR2's, cool. I like the SW20 the best, then the early AW11. Not really any interest in the newest one, but it's still cool.

I've been driving the Corolla S I bought for my daughter who still doesn't have her license. It has a CVT. And paddle shifters. It's confusing.

 

Fake shift points are a thing and it bothers me lol

 

Yeah, I get why they do that since it's what people are used to, but then adding paddle shifters? That's one step too far. But, I do like the Corolla, it's a zippy little thing. I try to see if I can get it to skip over the fake shift points. If you are careful how you accelerate and hold it steady, it will skip them and just accelerate. I need to try the sport modes sometime, just don't want to rag on my daughter's car too much, lol.

 

First proper wash in a while since the long trips are over. Still looks ok. Also added my lil badge of honor to the window


Then I removed the right side floor harness and removed all the old cruise control stuff. Interior side of the harness is done. Looming is all done. Just need to get some p clamps to secure the harness to the body in the engine bay tomorrow.

Shopping for fuse blocks, pretty sure I’m going to go with an Eaton SSVEC. Left side harness is on the list to get done soon, fully integrate the GR with no more patch harness and also redo the GR harness to tidy up the engine bay. Fuse block will also be in the trunk behind the carpet to clean up the engine bay. Goal for winter is to tidy up the swap and deal with some rust.