91 MR2 non-turbo...thoughts?-Page 2: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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May 11, 2011 9:59 p.m. sanman Reader

That gen supra has the 7m-gte engine. Those engines, turbo and non-turbo, have a tendency to blow head gaskets due to incorrect torque spec on the head bolts. There are aftermarket solutions out there (better gaskets, ARP studs) but it can get expensive if you are having a mechanic use it. That said, my cousin drove a non-turbo to 207k and sold it without the head gasket being an issue. The 4a is the 4age that was in the first gen mr2 and the ae86/ae92 corolla gts coupe. There was also a supercharged version in the MR2 (4agze).The 5sfe in the mr2 yo uare looking at is the same engine as in many camrys, celicas, etc. of that era and pretty solid. Though I believe someone here once mentioned an issue with the oil pump o-ring.

Corytate, I agree with you about the 4age or the 5sfe, but sw20's are so pretty. Closest I will likely ever get to owning an f355
May 11, 2011 10:25 p.m. fast_eddie_72 Dork

moxnix wrote:

Second Gen MR2's do very well in ES. There are some years that are thought to be better because of wheel size availability? but locally any second gen can do well.

'93 hardtop is the MR2 to have in E Stock, but any SW20 can do well. The '91 and '92 have 14" wheels, so you're stuck with that in E Stock. Only real problem is it's tough to find lightweight wheels, so you usually end up on the very heavy stockers.
May 12, 2011 7:41 a.m. dean1484 SuperDork

4a = short for the 4age motor
May 12, 2011 8:45 a.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

I hate threads like this---they make me go looking for a 93-95 hardtop again.
May 12, 2011 9:38 a.m. stan SuperDork

Per Schroeder wrote:

I hate threads like this---they make me go looking for a 93-95 hardtop again.

Yes.
May 12, 2011 9:46 a.m. fast_eddie_72 Dork

Per Schroeder wrote:

I hate threads like this---they make me go looking for a 93-95 hardtop again.

It's not a big problem 'cause you'll never actually find one.
May 12, 2011 10:16 a.m. Soma007 Reader

In reply to Per Schroeder:

Bring it! I always want more competition in E Stock.
May 12, 2011 10:26 a.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

Nah, I've sworn off stock class.
May 12, 2011 12:15 p.m. sanman Reader

Per Schroeder wrote:

I hate threads like this---they make me go looking for a 93-95 hardtop again.

Per, don't want you doing something you regret. So, if you find a rust free hardtop for a decent price, I am willing to take it off your hands . Ain't I just the nicest guy?
May 12, 2011 1:02 p.m. Matt B HalfDork

lmnr wrote:

In reply to Matt B: the guy apparently said that the engine was swapped and only has 140k something but i have a budget of like 3.5k and with the rest maybe i could fix that or id be way too much?

It's not the engine I'd be worried about (although a swap is not always a good thing either, but that's another can of worms). The chassis looks like it might be so fubar'd from whatever it hit that it's not worth fixing and I doubt $1500 is going to do the job anyway. If you want a nice street car look elsewhere. If you want a track beater it might be cheap enough to be disposable.
May 13, 2011 11:40 a.m. carczar_84 New Reader

How do these fair in terms of headroom? sunroof vs. t-top vs. hardtop?? is it comparable to a miata, or more or less?
May 13, 2011 2:52 p.m. sanman Reader

I find them more roomy than anything besides an NC miata. However, I don't own one so it has been a while since I sat in them.
May 13, 2011 3:31 p.m. fast_eddie_72 Dork

carczar_84 wrote:

How do these fair in terms of headroom? sunroof vs. t-top vs. hardtop?? is it comparable to a miata, or more or less?

I'm 5' 11". I have T Tops. I drove my friend's '91 hardtop and had to recline the seat further than I like for autocross to fit with my helmet. It worked, but I'm more comfortable with the T Tops and probably drive better. I don't have P/S and really like to be "up on the wheel".

Leg room, if it matters, is outstanding. I've seen some really tall guys drive SW20s with no problem.