mr2 Engine swap recommendations
I plan on buying an MR2 sometime in 2005. I'm curious about which engines make for good swapping in the mr2, first or second gen? (if you haven't seen the first gen mr2 with the Northstar v-8 yet, check out [url]http://www.racingstrong.com/toystar/index.asp[/url] !!)
Also if I decided against an engine swap, are the new TRD superchargers at all compatible with older mr2s?
We have the technology...
Just because you can doesn't mean you should. The Toystar is an interesting creation but I'd wouldn't call it a MR2. It stopped being that with the introduction of a non-original motor. Maybe another Toyota engine would be acceptable, but not for me. The engine is an integral part of a car, to replace it, especially from another manufacturer, is to create little more than a crossbreed/mongrel. I haven't had a chance to browse the MR2 forum but I'm sure a lot of MR2 enthusiasts would agree with me.
Imagine a Mustang with a Camaro engine, a Lamborghini with a Ferrari engine, unimaginable. These are automotive rivals, and everyone can see exchanging here would be sacrilege. Without a rivalry it can't be capitally punishable but it's a matter of degree.
Sure, some companies use their competitions engines but its not out of choice. Bentleys running BMW engines, Lotus running a Toyota engine, its because they were bought-out and decisions were made elsewhere. For Lotus, it was Petronas of Malaysia which wanted to bring the Elise to America and wanted a more reliable engine.
Congrats to Bill for displaying some masterful work on the project but I find engine swaps contemptible. Like putting arms on Venus de Milo, no that's too strong an example.
Nigel's got the right idea for making the MR2 scoot a little faster :)