1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo SW20

This car became mine on Friday, September 26th, 2003 at 4:36 PM. I bought it from Jeff Akerson, the original owner, in Annapolis. Jeff was a great guy, bought it as a mid-life crisis car 10 years ago, and babied it for the decade before it became mine. He bought it for $26,233 in 93, and I bought it from him for $4,500. It was in exterior was in perfect condition, as was the leather. The engine was at 148 thousand miles when I bought it but it was too in perfect running condition. It was even on the original clutch after 148k miles, talk about smooth driving. When my mechanic inspected the engine, he told me "If you told me this engine and turbo had 10k miles I'd believe you, this car was well taken care of." Jeff always got work done by Toyota dealerships, he changed the oil/filer, Spark plugs/wires, a Distributor cap/rotor every 3k miles. Once the car hit 150k miles I took the car too Bill Kid's Toyota for the 150k scheduled maintenance, tune up, and timing belt replacement. Paul Gahagan from the Gold Team took care of it all, I'd recommend him to any MR2 owner. The car was then in tip top shape and I was ready to begin my modification plans.

Sound:

The car came with the factory 3-in-1, 6 Speaker + 2 Amps + 2 Subs sound system. I upgraded the head unit to a Pioneer DEHP8500MP CD Receiver. Together my sound system sounds amazing. It was installed by Edwin Rodriguez, a High School friend, who works at Wheaton's Circuit City Car Audio in Maryland. Eventually I plan on updating my speakers, tweeters and subs, but that is not in the near future.

Security:

The car also came with the factory Toyota security system with Keyless entry and engine kill. I installed the Viper 350 theft deterrent system that also has engine kill and keyless entry. I also plan on buying an Auto lock, wheel locks, and installing a fuel cut button, LoJack and BlackJaxx in the near future for increased security. You can never be to safe when it comes to you car, after all the money I've spent and am spending, I cant afford to let someone take her away from me.

Performance Plans:

Its my goal to achieve 300RWHP using simply bolt-on modifications and not touching the fuel or ignition systems. I want a great track car for cornering that is still a smooth daily driver. I feel bad performing any modifications on this car after the original owner took so much car of it and kept it stock for so long, But I'm young, foolish and I have money so here goes. Before I explain my plans I want to stress that I do not street race, at all, for personal reasons, and I have yet to push the car very hard. But I have done my research on how to modify this car, and I plan on doing it right, I refuse to go the cheap way out, buy cheap parts or get anything installed by anyone less than a professional. I am going to wait until the summer to begin my performance modifications, which will give me time to finish everything else I have planned for the car. Here goes:

Prep Stage: Brakes and Scheduled Maintenance
Its important to keep the car in tip notch mechanical shape. That is why I'm so strict on scheduled maintenance and keeping watch over the oil seals. Before the summer hits and I commence with any modifications I plan on installing Porterfield R4-S brakes. Those pads coupled with the 93+ MR2 braking system will give me great stopping power for the tracks or the streets.

1st Stage: Boost            (Approximately 200RWHP)
I have already bought and installed an Apex-i Power Intake, a MBC (manual boost controller) from Twos R Us and a boost gauge and set the boost to 15 PSI.

2nd Stage: Bolt-ons       (Approximately 230RWHP)
Next I plan on buying a KO Racing Downpipe and TKO Exhaust, and a Greddy Intercooler w/ fans then setting the boost to 16 PSI.

Next step is to take the MR2 to my friend Vinnny's Dynopack Dyno on York Road in Cockeysville, MD and tuning the AFR. After the tuning I expect to be running around 245RWHP.

3rd Stage: New Turbo    (Approximately 300RWHP)
Final step, for now, I plan on installing either the KO Racing Street Brawler T3/T4 Turbo, or a CT27 turbo upgrade from ATS Racing. Then setting the PSI to 17 and taking it back to the Dyno. At 300RWHP I will be finished, I will have a High 11 drag car (with slicks and good driving) and a very quick daily driver. I don't think I or anyone could need anymore than that, and that's my ideal horsepower rating for a good road racing track MR2.

Finishing Touches:
When I'm at or near 300RWHP my clutch may be reaching its limits, its amazing its made it this far. When I do choose to change my clutch, I'll upgrade to the Clutch Master Stage 3, and most likely get a lighter flywheel. While I'm getting this tranny work done, I also plan on installing a TRD Limited Slip Differential, because my 2 happens to be lacking one. That'll help on the track and during the rainy/snowy weather.

Looks and Feel:

I replaced the pedals with MOMO Billet Aluminum and Black Rubber pedals, and the shift knob with a Billet and Carbon Fiber ball shifter.But then I got tired of that ball shifter and went back to the stock 93 leather shifter. I also replaced the wiper blades with a set of PIAA wipers and RainEx'ed the windshield often. I also ttook my car to Atlantic Solar Tinting on Joppa Road in Baltimore, MD for a 3M 35% tinting with a lifetime warranty.

I also installed the JSPEC clear bumper lenses and replaced the amber turn signals with solid black sidemoldings, then upgraded the headlamps to Sylvania Silverstars (Sealed Beam 6054) and the foglights with H3 Silverstars. I also put PIAA Xtreme White 168 and 1157 bulbs in my corners. I very much plan on updating the tail lights to the 1994+ MR2 tails as seen here this spring:

Also I was plan on installing either a '02 Celica or MR-S Steering Wheel. Possibly a MOMO Millennium Evolution steering wheel if I decide to install Sparco Torino racing seats, but that's only if I get tired of the leather, which is almost impossible. I mean LOOK AT THEM:

Perhaps when I'm done with my performance plans I'll consider a Toms or Border body kit (or a TRD widebody if I could afford it) and new paint job (Color undecided). But that is at least a year or so in the future. Sometime during the summer. This spring I plan on getting a fresh paint job, and shaving all my emblems and front license plate. I'll look into a nice set of wheels too, most likely Gunmetal Volk Racing TE-37's

Oh by the way, I bought the MR2 to replace my old and first car. An Adriatic Blue-Green Pearl 1994 Acura Integra LS, here is when the Two met the Teg...

Noteworthy Links:

Toyota MR2 3S-GTE Power Primer    - A useful set of information on the 3S-GTE engine for tuners.
The History of the MR2                        - Pretty interesting timeline for one of the greatest sports cars of our time.
MR2 Owners Club Message Board      - BBS For MR2 Enthusiasts, tons of great people and priceless information.
Toyota Nation Forums                          - Another great message board for Toyota enthusiasts.
Automotive Forums                              - Decent BBS, but not my personal favorite message boards, sections for all makes and models.