Time for a little fleet update. Alas, Porsche life turned out not to be my bag. Notwithstanding its many merits, I just did not gel with the 987.1 Cayman, despite it being probably one of the nicest examples in the country. I might write a longer post about it, but ultimately it was just too tame for me, with no simple fixes in sight (I looked hard). But somehow the stars aligned, and a 2GR-FE swapped MR2 Roadster, a dream build for me, appeared on Marketplace – and we struck a deal. Fast forward six months to the present day, and it’s been a wild ride so far. The MR2GR is raw, brutal and fast, both on road and on track – and it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for in a midship sports car. It arrived a little rough around the edges, and we’ve been working on refining it and evolving it into the perfect little homebrew 2000s supercar (ish?) that I feel it has the potential to be. Watch this space... 📸 Trackside photo by michelbooth.photography #ToyotaMRS #MR2 #ZXW30 #オープンカー #トヨタ #ZZW30MR2 #ミッドシップ #Midship #Midshiprunabout #RWD #スポーツカー #midshipmotorsports #Toyota #toyotamr2 #mr2spyder #2grfe #2grswap #PorscheCayman #987 #Curborough #Sprint #trackday
My fellow AX racer/buddies MR2 in the shop with a 2grfe V6 swap. Did equal length 2.5" off the manifolds with Gesi sport cats into a merge Xpipe then terminating thru a Titanium muffler thats centrally located with pie cut tips. Sounds truly epic and glorious! #aw11 #2gr #aw11mr2 #2grswap #2grfe #titanium
Is the prince of Toyota sports cars making an EPIC return? stay tuned to GRIP: A TOYOTA STORY This is one of the few rare Toyota cars that has transitioned into 2002+ flawlessly. No peasantry talk about vvti or non vvti, swaps branch outside of 30-year-old JZ engines/Toyota manufactures, and is a MONSTER on the hillclimb properly setup. Let's show some Love to the Toyota MR-S! #mikkelism #Toyota #mr2spyder #2grswap #k20 #k20swap #k24 #k24swap
This screaming banshee came in for some diagnosis and tweaks to get her going. After creating a good base to work from we setup the dual VVTi, knock detection and some safeties to protect the motor. Motor and Fuel: 2GRFE (built) on 93 ⛽️ ECU: Link Fury+ (wired in) with flex fuel, DBW and CAN lambda controller Power: 320whp and 262 ft lbs of torque #penciltuning #penciltuned #813performancedyno #813performance #813performanceanddyno #2grfe #2gr #2grfesw20 #2grswap #linkecu #linkfury #linkg4 #linkg4plus #mr2 #toyotamr2 #v6mr2 #vvtiengine #dualvvtitoyota #dualvvti #sw20 #sw20mr2
Ngl, lil bit proud of how these turned out. Considering a couple months ago I'd never touched a tig welder. Huge help from all the boys, whether that be advice on settings/technique or machining the flanges flat after I warped them to hell 😬👀 Onto the secondary pipes now #mr2 #sw20 #mr2turbo #2grswap #2grfe #2grfeturbo #maxxecu #maxxecurace #sch10 #stainlesssteel #tigwelding #turbomanifold #exhaustheaders #purgewelding #learningtig #fabrication #holsetturbo
Got a bunch of parts for sale. All fit 90-93/ 5th gen Celica Got one electric power steering (eps) mount bracket left. 2gr engine mount- this makes the engine bolt in. They already bolt to a stock transmission, this does the rest. Civic radiator mount brackets Uses EG radiator Fly by wire (FBW) pedal mount Required for 2gr swaps Steering rack strap relocation- needed to clear 2gr headers Modified Megan coilovers- swift springs, T3 camber caster top hats Work amkread wheels 18x8/10 5x114.3 PM for details #work #workwheels #amkread #st185 #st165 #st162 #st182 #st183 #st184 #at180 #forged #2grfe #5gc #billet #turbo #3sgte #5sfe #2grswap #meganracing #t3 #technotoytuning #swiftsprings #5x114swap
Foglights
An ending is just a new beginning to greatness.
Wiring for the car is almost complete It's all neatly tucked away too.. Got the engine started up (with open exhaust ports 👀📢😬) Still have a few things to tie up like larger injectors, gauge cluster etc, but it's progress Now to carry on with fab work #mr2 #sw20 #mr2turbo #2grswap #2grfe #2grfeturbo #maxxecu #maxxecurace #wiringharness #tuckedwiring #wiringloom #standaloneecu #amateurwiring #holsetturbo #nzefi #msel #toyotav6
Late night. 📸 🌃 #toyota #jdm #letsgoplaces #mr2 #trd #2grfe #2grswap #midnightrunners #midship #midshiprunabout #becauseracecar #sw20 #volk #volkracing #te37theworld
Dang. No filter needed . . . . . . #tailofthedragon #projectcars #toyotamr2 #fidanza #race #monkeywrench #mr2 #recaro #mr2lifestyle #mr2life #wilhelmraceworks #jdmculture #bbslm #midship #arphardware #midengine #2grswap #atsracing #clutchmasters725 #2grmr2 #berk #falkentires #mountaindrive #tailofthedragon2023 #fall #fallcolors #photography #dealsgap #insta360 #wilwoodbrakes
Two classics; One must go! 👋🏻 Which one are you choosing? OEM Momo vs. '87 Momo Indy #jdm #jdmcars #jdmdaily #toyota #toyotamr2 #sw20 #sw20mr2 #2grfe #2grswap #2grmr2 #momo #momoitaly #oem #oemplus #autointerior #interior #detailshot #details #automotivephotography
Yeah that's what it do 🦧 #mr2 #sw20 #mr2turbo #2grswap #2grfe #2grfeturbo #stainlesssteel #sch10 #fabrication #bocsmootharc #tigwelding #manifoldcollector #vband #exhaust #turbov6 #holsetturbo #learningtig #newskill #v6turbo #2grfte
Timeless.. Just.. Timeless. It'll soon be hibernation time for this old girl 😮💨 With winter's hibernation creeping around the corner, I couldn't resist the opportunity to get in another shoot. 📸 Wanna have a shoot in time for Halloween or winter hibernation? Shoot me a message! #jdm #jdmcars #import #toyota #toyotamr2 #mr2 #sw20 #v6swap #v6mr2 #2grfe #2gr #2grswap #momo #momoitaly #fall #autumn #autumnshoot #automotivephotography
The R9K #2grfe Corolla army was in full presence at the track as well this past Friday. "El Lemuel👑" set a new PB🔥🔥🔥 This is the same 2GR Corolla we tuned a few weeks ago and yielded 409whp on M5 fuel. 😎 10.5 @ 129mph and we think it has a 10.4 in it 😉 Congrats! 🎉🎉🎉 Mec. @caribbeanracelab Tuned by @r9ktuned on FT600 Owner @francisco2zzge #2gr #2grswap #2grfev6power #v6power #toyota #toyotaswap #9thgencorolla #corolla #allmotor #timeslipsmatter
The R9K #2grfe Corolla army was in full presence at the track as well this past Friday. "El Malgradecido" set a new PB and entered the 2GR All Motor list at position #10 🔥🔥🔥 11.5 @ 118mph Congrats! 🎉🎉🎉 Mec. @caribbeanracelab Tuned by @r9ktuned on FT550 Owner @that_daily_rolla #2gr #2grswap #2grfev6power #v6power #toyota #toyotaswap #9thgencorolla #corolla #allmotor #pumpgas #timeslipsmatter
De vuelta al juego GT-S 2GR Swap. Nuestra versión Corolla GR en proceso 🇩🇴 . . . . . @renovarautopaint @eastgalleryrd @jjsuerord @onasisrosario @swapgaragerd #thebuster #shaggys #toyota #ae82 #fx #fx16 #2grfev6power #2gr #2grswap #fourcam #fx16gts #teamdfs #trd #dominicanfinest #drag #sunix #sparco #jdm #takata #aem #total #autometer #stance #momo #bride @toyotadayrd @forcejoan3s @joan3sgte @thedominicanfinest @teamfxrd @toyotanation_rd @oldschooltoyotanation
A night of methanol fumes and surprises... Decided to go back to the dyno with the #2grfe swapped Corolla and improve on our previous 358whp on pump gas, but this time with VP M5 fuel 😈 We thought 390whp was the number to shoot for, but the 2GR had other plans. A couple of pulls to get the 1200cc injectors by Xtreme Injector Solution @el_lu1g1 dialed in and surprise surprise, 409 / 309 ft.lbs 😅😅😅 We are very surprised how much we got from the fuel alone. Testament that the cams and our intake manifold are putting in work. 🫡 We will be visiting the track soon and hope to improve on our 10.9 record on pump gas, which was done with around 330whp. Any guess on the new ET? 😝 Mods: 4" Intake 90mm Throttle R9K Billet Intake Manifold (Prototype) Catcams Cams Ported Heads by @tiomaiz MWR Headers MWR Forged Rods Wiseco 12.0 Pistons NST Pulleys (I think that's everything) Tuned of #fueltechusa FT600 Special thanks to @francisco2zzge @caribbeanracelab @bftuned #2grfe #2grfev6power #r9ktuned #toyota #toyotaswap #2gr #2grswap #from787 #movingahead #corolla #9thgencorolla
Garage Queen. My 91 Toyota MR2 SW20 cleaned up for a photo shoot. @toyotausa #mr2 #toyotamr2 #sw20 #sw20mr2 #2grfe #mr2gr #2grswap #greedy #autopista #rays #rayswheels #raysggames #garagequeen #jdm #jdmlife
Playing pretend fabricator 🤡 💩 💩 💩 Mock up design, fits pretty good with the limited space available and looks like they will flow well into a mid section, then onto the turbo 🦾 #mr2 #sw20 #mr2turbo #2grswap #2grfe #2grfeturbo #stainlesssteel #sch10 #fabrication #exhaustmanifold #v6 #v6turbo #vband #exhaust #turbomanifold #exhaustheaders
Bigger is better. Mitre10 mega. End of story. #mr2 #sw20 #2grswap #2grfeturbo #toyotav6 #holsetturbo #hx55 #nzpc #whatamidoing #redcars #whythough #turbolag #boschinjectors #linkecu < sponsor me 👀
Did me dirty. Onto the next 2gr and better things to come. #2grswap #2grmr2 #2grfe #mr2lifestyle
More Dam photos, and these are probably my favorite photos from the day. #tailofthedragon #us129 #dealsgap #rustelica #ms3 #mazdaspeeed3 #miata #ncmiata #mr2 #sw20 #2grswap #2grmr2 #tougefest #tougefest2023 #touge #mountaindriving #fontana #fontanadam #carphotography
These are some good Dam photos. #tailofthedragon #us129 #dealsgap #rustelica #ms3 #mazdaspeeed3 #miata #ncmiata #mr2 #sw20 #2grswap #2grmr2 #tougefest #tougefest2023 #touge #mountaindriving #fontana #fontanadam #carphotography
When slow drivers won't pull over, the correct thing to do is to hand out on the side of the road, watching everyone pass. In these clips, we have many different types of cars, and various levels of skill... #tailofthedragon #us129 #dealsgap #rustelica #ms3 #mazdaspeeed3 #miata #ncmiata #mr2 #sw20 #2grswap #2grmr2 #tougefest #tougefest2023 #touge #mountaindriving
Back from a day at the Tail of the Dragon. I'm super happy I ended up taking the Rustelica! It was a great day on the roads and with friends. Get ready for the photo dump! Here's the first set of the group and some of the cool cars spotted around the area. #tailofthedragon #us129 #dealsgap #rustelica #ms3 #mazdaspeeed3 #mr2 #sw20 #2grswap #2grmr2 #tougefest #tougefest2023 #touge #mountaindriving
Finished the rust repair on the alltrac and cleaned the shop. I then proceeded to fill it will my projects #mr2spyder #2zzswap #2zzge #2zz6speed #toyota #airtekksuspension #airride #ae86 #86hatch #86 #1uzswap #1uzw58 #1uz #corolla #rustygold #teq #st185 #alltrac #toyotapickup #2grfe #2grswap #5mgte #boost
1994 Toyota MR2 mk2 #MR2 #ToyotaMR2 #MK2MR2 #TurboMR2 #MidEngine #ToyotaNation #JDM #CarEnthusiast #ClassicCars #ToyotaSupra #Boosted #Modified #TrackCar #TwinCam #JapaneseCars #ToyotaFamily #ImportTuner #SportsCar #MR2OwnersClub #ToyotaMR2Turbo #2GRSwap #MR2Roadster #RWD #DriveTastefully #TargaTop #Toyotires #Stanced #Toyota4AG #AW11 #l510rmt
ello ello ello The quality and communication from Marc is better than our own courier and border control and he's halfway across the world. Looking forward to a new platform after messing with the 3S for the last 10 years and getting no where #sw20 #mr2turbo #3sgte #mr22grfe #2grfeturbo #toyotav6 #2grswap
100hp served me well 🫡 #toyota #90s #mr2 #toyotamr2 #5sfe #midship #midshiprunabout #2seater #2grmr2 #2grfe #midengine #jdm #jdmtoyota #kouki #mr2lifestyle #mr2oc #2grswap #Sw20 #sw21 #mr2sw20 #trd #2gr #mr2life
It's been a while since Marissa went into public and not to the track 🥰 Aggressive alignment on the street tho? Can you spell "twitchy"? 😂 Turned out to be the best day of #2023 yet! Traffic was light, breakfast was amazing, afternoon coffee with @maximum351 and @liz0008 was bomb AF and Marissa was nothing short of incredible herself #toyota #MR2 #passion #savetheflipups #TrackdayTart #breakfastisthemostimportantmealoftheday #renownusa #JDMaf #ilovethiscar #2GRswap #unfiltered #onlocation #nmtrueskies #officeview #drivethemliketheyareloved #notagaragequeen
#SunsetSisters #GorgeousGarageQueens #TrackdayTarts Last week my therapist asked if "8yr old me was in the room right now, would he be proud of the man I am today?" Hell yeah he would! I have every car that little shit ever dreamed of owning 🤣 Marissa got a bath today because she is headed out into world of NPC drivers tomorrow! Big day! Since I needed the garage to finish product applications, Aurora got to sunbathe for a bit Took some flip up #twinsies pics as a result #savetheflipups #lowrise #renownwheels #noairbags #wedielikerealmen #toyota #MR2 #AdvanARSRR #2GRswap #realwheelgang #rev6 #hella90mm #Chevrolet #Corvette #C5Z06 #LS3408 #wilwoodbrakes #4eyeC5 #hellaprojectors #soontobeclassics #drivers #middleclassfancy
@frankensteinmotorworks is awesome! Marc has always been awesome about sharing info and this is another piece of that info that will help. I’ve been lagging on making the car legit part because I thought I hurt it but also because the dash I planned to use never came to fruition. I’m done waiting, gonna fix the tach, glue some pods to the dash as a temp fix so I can see actual temp and oil pressure and hot wire my fans to be on always so I can test this thing finally more than just near my house. The goal is to get to the gas station and back, then from my house to work. #infamozcelica #first2gr5g #2gr #5gc #st184 #st185 #st182 #5sfe #2grfe #2grswap #grt184 #3pnt5
93 finally roadworthy 😎 New fuel pump Alternator Belts Plugs AC pulley Wheel bearing Windshield Brakes Tires Fluids Belts Window switch Tail light Front lip and steering wheel from my car still a shitbox tho
Ended up powder coating the suspension because they gave me a solid deal! Will definitely go back for more parts to get coated. Thanks @midnight.midship for the shop recommendation. Also did the @bobmr2 @hopr_fabrication Xbrace! It all turned out so nice. Excited to see it bolted up with the 2gr in. - Brand new bushings all around - Wilhelm geometry kit installed - Put the wheels on and torqued all the bolts to spec! So hyped to have this done. Engine install next.
I’ll still be posting mr2 content even tho I sold one, still got another ❤️ She just needs some work we been letting her sit for a min got big plans to bring her back to life this year. I ❤️ MR2’s. #2gr #2grswap #twins #mr2lifestyle
The interior desperately needed this restoration. This car came blue from factory and It was just so old and gross. Sadly I don't have many before pictures of the interior. If you were to convert the interior to black without spraying it, you'd be looking at a ton of time spent looking for every single piece for the interior, and spending tremendous amounts of money for these rare interior parts. Although if you already have black, this is good to do if it's faded and lost it's deepness. The transformation has been mind-blowing and I did not expect it to turn out this good. @mr2_vc gave me the green light as his interior was all blue as well but he sprayed everything and it looks great. I used Duplicolor fabric and vinyl spray for the carpets, and VHT plastic spray for the plastic pieces. The Duplicolor is very shiny when sprayed onto plastic so I didn't want that. The VHT is also rated for over 400⁰ so I used that on the 2GR manifold as well. Really hyped on how this came out. If anybody wants tips or tricks or just anything in general on this subject send a DM and I'll help ya out.
More update pics on the swap. • Sprayed throttle body black to match and flow better on the interior! • Finally got all the front suspension off, ready to get bushings pressed out along with the old s54 hubs and old wheel bearings replaced with new, and turbo hubs pressed in to fit the new TCS axles. • Antannae delete. Old stuff, who actually uses the radio in their mr2 nowadays? I just play music on my phone. • One of the 5 past owners installed an amplifier (rusty now) underneath the drivers seat as well as an Alpine alarm system that no longer worked so I uninstalled all of it. Probably 15 lbs all together. They only cut into one red ignition wire and they T-tapped 6 different wires. Removed all that and spliced/taped up and tested if the sound still works and it does so we are good to go!
Couple updates lately on the swap. • Got the C's/TRD hybrid shifter installed and sprayed the shifter plate as it was rusty. Supposedly the shift feel is much nicer but we will see. (Left is a OEM 93 shifter) • TCS AC lines and Y-Pipe came in! I decided to go with AC since it really isn't that much more expensive and hassle. • I've been completley restoring and spraying the interior pieces to black. If yall didnt know, this car came blue interior. The transformation has been nothing less than amazing. Everything looks almost brand new. It's a long process but very rewarding and it stays durable if done right. (New post on that)
my little supercharger
Another record before the years end, 11.51 on MT Street Tires!!! 🥵🔥 Previously ran 10.9 on slicks on this 2GRFE swapped Corolla. Daily driven car on 93oct. 🤯 Quest for mid-low 10s all motor begins now! 😌 @francisco2zzge @caribbeanracelab @davicito_23 #2gr #2grfe #2grswap #allmotor #imallmotor #2grfev6power #fueltechusa #toyota #toyotaswap #corolla
@frankensteinmotorworks Headers are on finally!
Supporting Toys for Tots this past weekend with the @lostboyz.tm crew. Definitely a cold day out with the t-tops out but putting these heated Bride Seats to work. #mr2 #mr2heaven #workwheelsusa #wilwoodbrakes #madpsi #fortuneauto #huxracing #brideseats #greddyperformance #2grmr2 #2grswap #tcsmotorsports #wilhelmraceworks #hks #90svibes #extraordinaries #spottedinthedmv #woodbridgecarsandcoffee #lostboyz #toysfortots
Nice set of gloss white 2gr valve covers for a swapped mr2. Look so clean in a super white mr2 #mr2 #mr2turbo #mr2lifestyle #mr2enthusiast #toyotamr2 #mr2roadster #mr2oc #mr2sw20 #mr2owners #sw20mr2 #sw20 #sw20turbo #2grmr2 #2grfe #2grswap
I have been so excited to get these valve covers back from @chameleonrefinishing . The pictures show for themselves how good it came out. If you ever want any parts to get sandblasted and cerakoted he's the man. He painted all the hardware a nice satin black. With the 2gr he also drills the oil baffle rivets out and thoroughly cleans and then replaces with Allen screws which is awesome, I could not find any left over grime or sand media at all. That's something that not every vendor does. Looks so amazing can't wait to see it in the bay! Bolted up with all OEM valve cover gaskets and O rings and it's set for success. Also I will likely paint the VVTI solenoids black knowing me.
Random things lately been getting buttoned up on the swap: ~ New @frankensteinmotorworks DBW pedal and mount! This pedal face is from the IS300, makes heel-toeing much easier and also fits the other pedal look! ~ Subframe, undertrays and heat shield were all extremely dirty and oily. Took a pressure washer to it all. Subframe cleaned up so good. Also cleaned up the starter by hand as it was very dirty and oily. ~ Painted the clutch slave bracket. Upgraded to the single port slave with a stainless steel line. More to come soon!
Quick 2GR swap update. You can see how ugly and dirty the engine bay was. It looks a lot nicer. A couple small setbacks - nothing major: My fuel supply line was very tough to get off, and the metal was really soft. Finally was able to get it off with very tight vice grips and a adjustable wrench. Before it stripped I was using the correct tools - flange nut wrenches. Anyways, I'm ordering a inverted flare tool and either converting to -AN, or finding a new sleeve nut for the stock one and just order a new line. Randomly, my left side heater core line started dripping. Suspect it was moved too much and it cracked at the bolt mount. So when I take the fuel tank off, I'll have to figure a way to either solder the crack or cut it and run a rubber line there instead. Annoying things, but expected with a 30 year old car engine swap. Overall it's going very well and it's been fun. I love having a project to work on finally. There is a ton of work left to do, all worth it in the end! Almost everyday trying to do at least one thing.
MR2 finally getting some action 😎
😋 #is #is350 #lexusis350 #gse21 #lexus #lexusistimeattack #2gr #2grfse #2grswap #ssrwheels #ssrtypec #sard #endless #bimarco #beltenick #advana052 #nankangcrs #hks #toms #is350fsport
That feeling you get when you drive a SW20 MR2. Don't you love it? I'm going to miss driving her but I know the next time I do it's going to be an insane difference worth the tons of money, time and effort involved. Went for one last cruise with @thedevinyanni before taking the 5sfe out. Edit: kind of funny, both of these cars were stolen from us before. His got taken twice in the same week which is just flat out crazy. Scum of the earth human beings around Seattle.
Quick engine swap update: ✔ Fuel rail/injectors being refurbished ✔ Valve covers getting painted ✔ Plastic intake getting painted ✔ Coolant neck back on as well as ACdelco 3-pin sensor ✔ Intake manifold ported and installed with new gaskets ✔ Alternator and belt installed ✔ TCS Ypipe ordered ✔ TCS oil cooler block off kit installed ✔ E153 Throwout bearing installed ✔ Recieved Paul woods patch harness as well as OEM 2GR harness ✅ Hapiness incoming Slow progress lately just waiting for the last few bits. Likely pulling the engine before November, I want to take the car for a "spin" and have some fun before it's parked for a few months.
We did it!!! Welcome to the 10s 🔥🔥🔥🔥 The @2grfe swapped Corolla has done it and on 93 pump gas 🤩 Full street car 🤯 Enjoy the 8500rpm+ revving V6 🥵 Powered by @fueltechusa FT600 Tuned by @r9ktuned Swap & Harness by @caribbeanracelab Owner @francisco2zzge #2grfev6power #2grfe #corolla #toyotaswap #toyota #fueltecheverywhere #r9ktuned🇵🇷 #r9ktuned #r9k #2grswap #v6power
MadPSI killing it with this carbon duckbill trunk. Thanks to @mr2heaven for convincing them to produce some more. @lostboyz.tm #mr2heaven #mr2turbo #madpsi #tcsmotorsports #workwheelsusa #hks #greddy #greddyperformance #2grswap #fortuneauto #wilwoodbrakes #brideseats
This was not by chance. This was not a coincidence, this meant to happen. This is destiny.
⏩ Transformation coming soon ⏩
Crazy to think this photo was taken 29 years ago!
🔥 @renn_media 🔥 I bet IG will ruin the quality of these amazing pictures but too good not to post them!
To think this thing won't be a hassle to drive next summer is hard to comprehend! Can't wait to feel the 2gr torque in my own car.