I remember when MR2s wore 185/60R14, and we liked it that way.
Photography by J.G. Pasterjak
With NASA introducing some new tire rules for its Time Trial and Super Touring series, we wanted to do a little testing to see if we could uncover a hidden advantage by picking a one tire or another for our Toyota MR2 Turbo. Long story short, several models of tire have been moved to different categories that allow competitors to drop weight or add power based on their tire choice.
In our case, we wanted to pit the Toyo Proxes RR against the Falken Azenis RT660. Both are exceptional tires, but the recent NASA reorganization allows us a nearly 10-horsepower boost or a small weight savings if we run the Toyo.
[Ultimate track tire guide | 200tw, 100tw, street-legal track and R-comps]
Luckily, both tires come in identical sizes for our MR2 Turbo, which is a 235/40R17 in the front and a 255/40R17 in the rear. The SW20 community considers this the largest fitment that will slip under stock (albeit massaged) fenders.
So we sourced a second set of Konig Hexaform wheels and fired up the BendPak mounting machine and got to work.
[How to fit bigger wheels on an SW20-chassis Toyota MR2.]
Long story short, they fit–just as the MR2 community claims–but we’ll need to do some more gentle massaging of the inner fender liner and fender lip on the driver’s side. No biggie.
So before we head out to give this rubber a good heat cycle and then some actual testing, here’s how the setups compare: 215/40R17 front and 245/40R17 rear on the passenger side of the car with the 235/40R17 and 255/40R17 setup on the driver side.
Next stop, the Florida International Rally and Motorsports Park for some lap times.
I remember when MR2s wore 185/60R14, and we liked it that way.
This may be my favorite project car every from the GRM stable. How often do you use it versus the C5? I would love a head to head video, just for a fun comparison.
In reply to tuna55 :
Paging JG.
tuna55 said:This may be my favorite project car every from the GRM stable. How often do you use it versus the C5? I would love a head to head video, just for a fun comparison.
Good question, and one that I really had to think back a bit on as there was never really a conscious "plan" as to what got used when.
So, in general, the Corvette has been doing high-stakes autocross stuff like Tours and Pros, along with track-based stuff, and the MR2 has been the local autocross machine. The Vette takes a bit moe attention at events, both from the fact that it's faster and gnarlier, but also more complicated. The oil needs to be prewarmed, it's more sensitive to engine, trans and tire temps, and just generally needs more babysitting. the MR2 is pretty plug and play (although it's been throwing itself into limp mode sometimes lately if it isn't THORORGHLY warmed up before it gets full boost. I think the wastegate might be getting sticky).
David S. Wallens said:In reply to tuna55 :
Paging JG.
Hey I volunteer also. Bring them both up to Ceaser's head and we can do a real-world drive as well. Then you could get some time on the BMW track here.
JG Pasterjak said:tuna55 said:This may be my favorite project car every from the GRM stable. How often do you use it versus the C5? I would love a head to head video, just for a fun comparison.
Good question, and one that I really had to think back a bit on as there was never really a conscious "plan" as to what got used when.
So, in general, the Corvette has been doing high-stakes autocross stuff like Tours and Pros, along with track-based stuff, and the MR2 has been the local autocross machine. The Vette takes a bit moe attention at events, both from the fact that it's faster and gnarlier, but also more complicated. The oil needs to be prewarmed, it's more sensitive to engine, trans and tire temps, and just generally needs more babysitting. the MR2 is pretty plug and play (although it's been throwing itself into limp mode sometimes lately if it isn't THORORGHLY warmed up before it gets full boost. I think the wastegate might be getting sticky).
So if you could only have one for the next five years, which would it be? Which is more fun to drive?
How do you prewarm the oil in the Vette?
tuna55 said:So if you could only have one for the next five years, which would it be? Which is more fun to drive?
How do you prewarm the oil in the Vette?
A: Well, the Vette is going away soon and the MR2 isn't, so that kind of answers that. I dearly love the Corvette, but more than I love the actual car, I love the things it can do and the lap times it can generate. If I hadn't just bought another project that will be capable of matching or surpassing it, I'd probably feel different about it.
B: I just let it idle or drive around the paddock until it hits at least 180-degrees before I whale on it. If I had it to do all over again, I may have put a thermostat in it, but since we mostly run in the Southeast it's not usually that big of a deal. At the 30-degree SCCA National Tour a couple weeks ago it was a PITA, though. But I'm not going to see those temps too often, so that's the next owner's problem if they live in Michigan or something.
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
A: Oh? I hadn't heard of the new car. I excite.
B: That's not bad. I expected you meant before starting, which would be harder.
tuna55 said:In reply to JG Pasterjak :
A: Oh? I hadn't heard of the new car. I excite.
In reply to tuna55 :
FWIW, the Corvette now runs a dry sump, so we could add a heater if needed. But not needed here in the Southeast.
During the Roar at the Rolex, several years ago, I noticed a friend's M3 plugged in to a wall outlet. The cord ran out of the fuel filler door.
He saw my quizzical look.
Oil tank heater, he replied.
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