3rd gen MR2's are one of the great underappreciated gems in the world of affordable compact sports cars. Such a shame they weren't as common or well supported when new as the likes of the Miata. To see an incredibly well executed build on one feels a bit like peering into an alternate timeline.
In my opinion you're using the wrong gearbox there, the OB1 A5 gearbox will save you 8" of forward space, ie the engine can sit 8" further back, I've uses the OB1 twice now and the OE1 once with audi v8 engines, consider the OB1.
@@WoodsportPaul ah I see. Thanks Paul I’ll look into it. The o1e only has 3 bolts that match up to the engine. Does the ob1 bolt up better too? Would you recommend anyone for making a flywheel? Any advice from yourself is very welcome.
@@SpyderLEE Hi lee, im using a 2jz vvti and a O1e box on my sw20 project, If you intend to put turbos on it then as you mentioned 600ish bhp is going to be a limit, Tho its probably the torque that's the important factor. ive already planned the next step and that's o1e sequential, its about £10k to get one. however I shouldn't be limited then.
@@2jzmr246 thanks. It’s definitely something to think about. My initial thoughts are to just get it in NA and get it working. From there I think the costs will significantly jump so at that point I’ll rethink things.
Thank you for updating us on your most recent project and future car plans, it’s fun watching the potential of these little cars being realized on your channel. Great video, I look forward to the build 😁
Think the algorithm sent me here after watching Stav do his 20v mr2s. Looks a cool project and we don't see V8 swaps in any car very often here in the UK so this is awesome
WOW... this brings back some old memories. Back in the early 80's, my friend bought a brand new Toyota MR2. First runs of car were the W10 series. It was a fun car to drive and just ride in. Had another friend with the Pontiac Fiero. It was so much fun too. MR2 had a inline 4 while the Fiero had a V6. MR2 was lighter and could keep up with the V6 Fiero which was a heavier car. I bought a Mazda Miata in the early 2000's. It had a inline 4 with tuned intakes and exhaust. It was light and plenty fast. Turned on a dime, stopped abruptly, and accelerated great. It too was a fun 2 seat true sports car like the MR2 and Fiero. I graduated from beginner's entry level sports cars and bought a Maserati GT instead. Ferrari made the engine, had a rear transaxle with ultra quick paddle shifters, and enough power and top end to leave everyone looking like a little dot in rear view mirrors and getting smaller by the second. Engines.... can't go wrong with SBC (Small Block Chevy) I'm working on several. One is 4" bore and 3" stroke 302 CI / 5.0 Liter. Another is 4" bore and 4" stroke = 402 CI / 6.6 Liter. Both have compound forced induction: Twin Screw Supercharger being fed pressurized air from Turbochargers. No lag, linear boost curve, and power in excess of 1,250 hp / 932 kw. Just started work on the SBC 502 CI / 8.2 Liter. We haven't made final pick of engines for a project car 10 years in the making. 5.0 Liter is cutoff displacement for certain racing classes. Initial design was twin SCC's 302 CI / 5.0 Liter 1,250 hp. Both front and rear mid-engine layout with center crash resistant cockpit. With 2,500 hp it might be world's fastest 'street legal' car. Only speed limitation are tires. Keep us informed... great project to be part of.
Definitely looking forward to this cannot wait to see how that goes,i would love to do that to my Turismo Avalance GT definitely needs something like this good luck with the build 👍🏾
100% I have turbo kit to go hopefully the same power as your current engine then maybe a twin turbo set in the future Keep the content going great work 👍🏾
Gonna be a sick little "baby 918 Spyder" ! All the "weight weenies" gotta relax... It's not like H-swaps or RB-swaps have never been done. 200lbs added will not destroy your cars ability to drive haha, especially not with a decent bump in torque! Mr2 swaps are for the big boys down for a challenge...
One thing about the 2nd revision 1ZZ-FE motors... CHANGE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES (for regular driving). If you go out for a good hoon on the track, change it when you get back. Half the 1zz's ive seen in other cars tell you to change every 4-6k miles with full fossil/synthetic blend and 7k with full synth. Load of BS. I can't remember what the standard of oil change intervals is in the MR-2 Spyder but if I am not mistaken, it is a similar story. It has been too long since my MR2 has been on the road. Had a Toyota master tech tell me all of this after I cooked my second engine. OH!... also, do away withthe stock pre-cat exhaust manifold. They cook, fall apart and clog the primary cat. this will load your cylinder with soot and ceramic dust in turn destroying your rings and scoring your cylinders. I love a good V8 Swap though! Can't wait to see this.
Thats super awesome! Back in the day I had a 1992 MR2 Turbo, bigger turbo, injector, inner-cooler. Over the years I have really respected the guys who did built V6 swaps, there is one on RU-vid somewhere, MK2 White, TRD Wide Body Kit, 3.4L V6 swap from a Tacoma/Tundra and Supercharged making over 500hp. After my MR2 I got into Porsche's and have a 996 & 997, V8 swaps in the 996 are popular with the LS3 being the engine of choice but I would love to drop a V8 Cayenne Turbo engine into the 996.
There's one guy in the US who did it a long time ago and posted a single video of it driving down the street. Never heard anything more about that car though
LS WITH A T 56 IS SOMWTHING I ALWAYS WANTED N A MR2 FOR PARTS AVAILABILITY, DURABILITY AND RELIABILITY BUT WHEN THOSE AUDI V8S ARE RUNNING THEY ARE A DREAM!
Bro I've owned my spyder since 2001 straight off the truck literally I live what you have done with yours through the years I live in California USA here we have so many smog laws I can't even swap a 2zz in a v8 would be str8 nutty but fun can't wait to see when done might invest in a track only spyder with v8 myself thanks for all the tips and help you give the community
Thank you so much! Your videos are great and I’m glad someone’s shining some light on the Spyder. I’ve been wanting to do a project on this car and haven’t felt like I’ve had all the right info so this is fantastic
Could that V8 be from Yamaha's? The one they used in Volvo XC90s and S80s 😎 edit. Wow, I was totally wrong on that one 😁 Maybe the Yamaha 4.4L V8 is bit too exotic even for your project! Good to see you mate doing once again these two awesome projects! Cheers!
Thats what im thinking too.. Yamaha v8 . From volvo xc90/s80 car... Much more compact dimension But engine sourcing is pretty hard...not much layin around...transaxle fitment gonna be some headache
"... I think it'll probably fit in quite well ... " heralds fun, and a fair share of frustrating, times ahead! Good luck with it all as, on paper, it has the potential of being a cracker of a project and eventually a very enjoyable car.
😳 your going to need a NASA driving licence for that if you get that in 😱 I would recommend putting a porta potty under the passenger and possibly drivers seat to save any embarrassment. This is going to be an epic build!
I didn't pause it. You're not the boss of me. Now that's out of the way, good luck w/the build! These are such great little cars and I'm sure it's gonna be Beast when it's done. Btw, I woulda never guessed that V8. haha
holy mackerel!!!!! 4.2 hahahahahahahaaaaa..... its so compact.... reminds me of paul woods' V10 monster (that we never really got to see....!) GOOD LUCK LEE!!!!!! Can't wait for further updates. Looks mega.
Before watching: my guess is the twin Hayabusa V8 used in the Jun Subaru BRZ 😅 edit: those Audi 4.2 engines are supposed to be great. Interesting choice!
Two Zed Zed not Zeeee yes I’m from the Uk brilliant and well said 👍 first time I’ve seen your channel from a RU-vid recommendation….new subscription here 👍
what the V8 that's mad. 280 HP is already more than enough been Watching you for a while Lee good luck with the swap mate I have a MR2 also can see it on my channel work in progress
Been wondering how this project was getting along.. then I had a thought.. why don't you get your hands on a 'donor chassis' MR2 mk3 to use as a dummy to build and test the setup before you go proper on your pride and joy. So if you do make any mistakes, they can be identified before any unnecessary cuts are made on your main car. Just a thought, I know this is going to be a very expensive project, but we don't need it to be too costly 😎👍 Keep up the great vids 👍
It's an interesting technical exercise but you're mad to do it because when that's in the car the front of the engine is going squashed up against the firewall and the back of the gearbox casing will be stuck out behind the back wheels. This means that if anyone ever runs into the back of you the first thing they will hit is your gearbox and this will push that enormous engine straight into the passenger compartment leaving you squashed against the dashboard! You've totally removed any crumple zone and replaced it with a 400lb battering ram! Best of luck with that...
Honestly the MR2 is underpowered but can look amazing in a good build (like this one). putting a LS3/LS7 in it would be amazing to help it perform the part. Took me a second to remember that this isnt a super car but can look the part.
There was an AW11 back in the day that had this very swap but done with a lower output version of the 4.2, I think it was a 40 valve version, but it was sick. Videos oughtta still be on youtube actually
brilliant mate. been keeping upwith the mr2 but only on YT. very nice idea to keep your interest in the mr2. planning something for my new AW11 project and have aquired drivetrain, engine,brakes and subframes. Now need a shell 🤣
The engine weighs 1.42 times as much as the 1ZZ-FE (225 lbs) + a full gas tank (81 lbs). Then you're going to put a gas tank up front. I would put some ballast in the back and front to see how the car feels to drive with the new weight distribution. The original weight distribution is supposed to be 43/57 and it will be a challenge to maintain that, although I guess with some ballast and the gas tank in the front it's not impossible. When fuel burns off the car will become more and more rear biased and prone to oversteer so that's something to think about. Anyhow, good luck! It should be a rocket!
With fuel tank in front would highly recommend to use FIA-spec fuel cell instead of custom fabricated tank. Much less chances to get on fire in case of accident because of fuel spilling
Are you sure fitting the engine in place will not be a huge challenge? Are you planning to leave the fuel tank on the oem place? I don't think that's possible. What about the rear subframe? I wouldn't say it needs to be completely custom fabricated. Man this car will be a huge fabrication job! I am very excited 😅
Yes it will be a huge challenge. No the fuel tank will have to go and a custom fabricated one will go in the front. The rear subframe will need to be custom fabricated too as the gearbox sits lower than the subframe. Yes it will be a huge fabrication job. I am excited too.
Just subscribed. Saint Petersburg, FL. Love your build. It's definitely going to be nice and I think the drivetrain is fitting for the car. Can't wait to see how it goes.
You might want to check out Frankenstein Motorworks' body controller for the chassis, unless you want to run a gauge cluster off of whatever standalone you choose
@@SpyderLEE I don't think it does ABS but he has a YT channel too and is very responsive. I know it will run the radiator fans and keeps the stock gauge cluster functionality
Just found your channel Lee, and that MR2 looks just wicked!!! 👌 Can't wait to see the RS-plant installed, what a genuine _beast_ that would turn out to be!... Best of wishes from 🇳🇴 (Needless to say, you got yourself a brand new sub! 😉👍)
A possible work around with the throttle bodies is to put a modified Plenum on. It and run one very large throttle instead. You could route it so that it faces the back of the car instead.
Cool engine, though you might have to move the firewall up to the seats and relocate the fuel cell to the front because I don't think there is that much room from the stock firewall to the axle.
How is that gearbox going to work with the engine sideways? I love a V8 but gor such a light car as the spider, i would def stick to a inline engine. Honda K there is no argument its the best option in every way and i have a healthy 2ZZ on mine. I would probably look at the volvo 5pot turbo from an old focus RS, the sound is majestic and i believe it would fit with less hassle
think someone in the states has already put one of these in a mk2 mr2, it took him years to get it done and he had to lengthen the rear body of the car to make it fit
I have heard about one in the states. It definitely doesn’t need the body lengthening though. Look at otto’s garage channel first videos. He has on in his car. It’s just not finished yet
