Can't wait to see how Lorelei turns out. As for the MR2, what do you think is missing? Just the overall feel? Too lowbrow or too different? I'm curious because the NA stripped version of the MR2 I disliked. I had one years back, ended up getting a loaded SW20 factory turbo and it is leaps and bounds better. I've been in a few 2gr SW20 and they are torque monsters, but yeah different feel than the caldina 3sgte swapped sw20. Something about that turbo feels so good on our cars.
I actually prefer driving the MR2 over the ST185! I know, blasphemy. Lazarus handles better than Priscilla but still, there's something about that SW20 that's magical.
My least favorite is Mirum. Them BC coilovers just don't do it for me haha.
What'd they whack you overall for the swap by the way? I was about 7500 into mine including the swap from Tecker & the cost of parts.
I didn't really detail it, I see. I said "Wonderful car," and then didn't elaborate.
As for things that are a little different and take some getting used to: I think that the lack of hood feel is one aspect--whereas in the GT-Four the way it sits, I feel low and roadstery, and I'm looking over the interesting visual lines of the CS hood and the fuel pressure gauge out there in the open. With the MR2 it's the steering wheel, the glass, the road. Maybe I need to drop it an inch. The NA 2GR feels different than the 3S-GTE turbo and not having the additional turbo sensations is a factor. The 2GR just
works, pulls like a donkey (I am leaning toward calling this MR2 Donkey), and is a howler with that S54. But the 3S-GTE sings differently and the turbo kick in is a thing to experience as you know. The shortness of the gearing on the S54 means it feels a lot more like a little fighter jet because it's always yelling at 4000 or more. The manual everything does take a little getting used to--manual steering being the primary factor but getting over the center hump to roll down the passenger side window is a pain in the ass. The being on the left hand side as opposed to the right. I get a LOT less attention in the MR2 than I do in the RHD GT-Four.
They are going to be fun in different ways--that much is clear.
I took Donkey on a 120 mile drive today in the Rockies. She grew on me as I went. I really hadn't had any MR2 pleasure driving until today. Just the drive from Miami to Colorado which was cool but a 500 mile a day mostly straight line badump badump badump grind, and since then, some in town driving. She is definitely
very planted and carves curves, even with the BC Coilovers which are as you say not top gear. The 2GR-FE power is amazing; as long as you're rolling you've got plenty of power, though I have been a doofus and stalled it on start a time or three while I am still getting used to how tight the S54 gearing is. If you want to pass and you have
any room to pass you are passing. The manual steering will work you, but you feel the road. Because reasons, I'm approaching curves from the standpoint of enter at the correct speed or slower if you must, not faster. If you screw up, go wide if you can, establish a straight line toward apex and brake. No panic braking. Hit apex, accelerate through. By the end of the drive I'd gotten into her.
I need to go get weighed. With it being the NA version and the 2GR being lighter it 2500lbs wouldn't surprise me. That's what I'm calling it.
I am into TCS for $11,900 for the Caldina 3S-GTE swap. That's with
all the options: seal package, fuel pump, ClutchMasters FX300 clutch, Fidanza flywheel. powder coating, custom FMIC, electronic boost controller, lightweight batter install, working AC, old tuner gear delete, my gauges hooked into the new motor. Worth it, almost certainly.
So yes I too am looking forward to seeing the Lorelei again in a month or so.
Also, I need to set up a sig line like yours with this:
1991 SW20 MR2 2GR-FE Swap. Aquamarine Pearl. "Donkey"
1992 ST185 JDM Celica GT-Four Turbo Caldina 3SGTE Swap. Black. "Lorelei"
