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Where to begin....
Let me get a second bucket of coffee first.
There- That's better.
Five or six years ago, I wanted to do something different. I wanted to put a V8 into an MR2. I started looking around in the states, where I live. The V8's don't really fit inside the car without serious alterations that effect the way the car looks. Such as adding inches to the back of the car or having the engine's serpentine belt system close enough to your head, that it'll rip your hat off. It had been done, but not with great results.
I looked at the V6 swaps, it had been done before and the online support was there.
I joined a forum called Two Brutal.
Long story short, I needed wiring help or something and it was late in this time zone. A friendly bloke on the forum stayed up late to see if we could work out the issue, and get the car started. It worked! The thing ran!
Fast forward five years and probably 6 more MR2 cars- we've become great friends. Met several others on the board- all great folks. Just like here on Retro rides.
Over the years we've discussed getting a car across. They're affordable over on your side, and sought after on my side. The RHD option however- Does it make for a more rare, more sought after car, or like a white elephant so to speak? Would anyone want it? Would it be a futile attempt at notoriety or profit?
We didn't know. We still don't know.
But we know this- two buddies bought one in the UK, got it going and at great expense, shipped it across.
It's here!
Stand by for more pics and details...
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That looks spotless! Good luck!
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Sometimes it's fun to do the impossible
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What are we going to do with it? V6? AWD HEMI? Sell to a collector? I think it would fit on a Jeep chassis... but the engine on a Jeep is in the wrong spot. The first thing, is getting the inspections and registrations handled, so it's an official USA car. That's being handled in a couple weeks. I'll need a few days set aside for that deal. It's not terribly difficult. It's time consuming, a bit of back and forth though. It's a great little car. It's clean, it's a strong runner and it's not messed with. This story shall continue.  |
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Oh and did I mention, that we took it sightseeing in Washington DC? We thought it should see a national monument. It has. lol  |
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Its nice to see UK cars going to America rather than the other way around, well ok then a J car but its still a UK car!
Awaiting its outcome!
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Excellent work.
Here's it's MOT history.
H668YYR TOYOTA MR2
Check another vehicle
Colour Blue
Fuel type Petrol
Date registered 2 July 1991
MOT expired on 13 March 2017
Get an MOT reminderwhen the vehicle's MOT is near its time for renewal. (Opens in a new Window) by email or text.
If you think the MOT expiry date or any of the vehicle details are wrong, contact DVSA.
Check mileage recorded at test, MOT expiry date, defects and advisories
The MOT test changed on 20 May 2018
Defects are now categorised according to their severity – dangerous, major, and minor. Find out more
Date tested 14 March 2016
Pass
Mileage 104,425 miles
MOT test number 9503 5812 1864
Test location
View test location
Expiry date 13 March 2017
Date tested 3 July 2014
Pass
Mileage 104,427 miles
MOT test number 1557 3478 4129
Test location
View test location
Expiry date 2 July 2015
Date tested 23 June 2014
Fail
Mileage 104,418 miles
MOT test number 1190 8487 4176
Test location
View test location
Reason(s) for failure
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
What are failures?
Date tested 4 June 2008
Pass
Mileage 100,115 miles
MOT test number 3123 7625 8140
Test location
View test location
Expiry date 3 June 2009
Date tested 28 May 2008
Fail
Mileage 100,115 miles
MOT test number 7522 3904 8147
Test location
View test location
Reason(s) for failure
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
What are failures?
Date tested 15 August 2006
Pass
Mileage 96,176 miles
MOT test number 8531 9762 6274
Test location
View test location
Expiry date 14 August 2007
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
What are advisories?
Date tested 11 April 2006
Pass
Mileage 95,838 miles
MOT test number 9637 2100 6187
Test location
View test location
Expiry date 10 April 2007
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Last Edit: Dec 3, 2018 16:56:10 GMT by Thrasher
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Ian
Part of things
Posts: 977
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Looks like there isn't a lot of rust on that one, seems odd for a UK car!
One of the early rev1 119bhp ones, no spoiler and no fogs give it away, seems like the perfect victim for an engine swap.
Looks like you had fun in the cold on that day trip. Will wait to see what you do to this one.
Turbo charged Honda K20's make a lot of power........
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Last Edit: Dec 3, 2018 16:59:38 GMT by Ian
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OK.
Watching.
I feel their pain for the cost of moving stuff cross oceanically I made a word up.
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If money were no object, I see a track weapon with a 2GR V6 and a roll cage. Big WIDE tires. But- clearly, money IS an object and we need it! |
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I'd like to see it with a LS in it from a FWD cadillac. You'd have to modify the metal behind the engine where the boot is, but it would make for something interesting.
Alternatively, an Audi V8.
Then again, you could do similar to a garden variety Fiero and while keeping this thing original/small with a decent turbo set up.
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There is a guy that has an Audi V8 in one of these. It's gone so far custom that I'm not sure it'll ever be finished. But- it looks like a concept car. Nothing MR2 remains. I like to do the builds fast, so I can fit more of them into my life. If each build takes 2-5yrs, then I'm limited. If I can do them in 2-5 months- now I can really go through some cars! I'm excited either way, all this stuff is great fun. |
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Hurrah - we're off on another of Grenade's legendary cut & shut threads . Bookmarked, naturally. |
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Drop a 3.5L V6 from a Camry (or whatever the USA equivalent is) and it becomes a pretend Lotus Evora!
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cdwood2010
Part of things
Dangerously optimistic
Posts: 226 
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Hurrah - we're off on another of Grenade's legendary cut & shut threads . Bookmarked, naturally. Lol. You mean "Chop 'n' plop" 😎 |
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Ooh poor MR2!! its not going to be used to the cold coming from the UK! check the anti-freeze as a lot of UK people aren't to good at keeping it fresh
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Speedle
Posted a lot
Need a Country Rock band in the Hampshire Area? https://www.facebook.com/DirtRoadDiaryUK
Posts: 2,221
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I do miss my MR2's, as Ian said this looks like the one with the 3SFE engine (shudder) so defiantly perfect for an engine swap. Why they put such a naff engine in such an awesome car is beyond me. Watching with interest  |
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