That's awesome for the folk itching for a v6!

 

Yeah, it'll never be trivial to swap in such a large engine but this really ends up taking care of so much of the hard parts without costing a fortune. That front header is still a very complicated part of course that most people will have a problem making on their own. But you need someone that knows how to weld or has access to someone that can in order to do this swap anyways. Installing this motor without the ability to access the front ignition coils is a terrible idea.

 

Will the AC compression fit in that location?

 

The stock A/C compressor will not fit in that location. I’m working on a reduced diameter A/C compressor solution for the 2AR that would likely work for the 2GR also. It’s using the nissan juke compressor that is a much smaller diameter as a base.

Though, another way to look at it is with the location that fits the A/C you have to hack up the crossmember quite a bit to make it fit. if you used the stock A/C compressor and notched the frame member in about 1” or so in front of where the A/C goes it would fit so at a minimum it’s no less work.

 

Wouldn't be easier just to redo the trans mounts for the 2gr, move the engine back and cut the subframe Most of other parts would still work. The header and y-pipe is available from DDPR.

 

There are many ways to do it, i'm not claiming it's the only way, just that it might be a decent and economical way that also solves many other problems than the alternative. DDPR offers mounts and a custom crossmember for $3000, I don't know how how much the headers, y-pipe, shift linkage and whatnot cost that you'd have to buy from him. Do feel free to post it if you have the info, it's always nice to see the alternatives.

But you need those access panels anyways so why add extra work by also hacking up the cross member?

Moving the transmission back would prevent the stock shift cables from reaching. You could probably move it about 1/2" back before you run out of cable length for my solution.

 

I am always looking at the v6 swaps and dreaming of doing it myself but then I come back to earth lol. Those access panels remind me of my old hiace van where you sit on the engine
I don't mind the idea of access panels so you can access the motor. If the coils are a known issue is there a solution to replace them with something more reliable?
How does it affect the handling? I know there is a v6 mrs race car but that's had alot of chassis mods to support it but for a regular mrs owner without the huge racing budget is there any problems running with this engine in the mrs compared to the smaller 4 bangers?
An mrs with a 2gr is a proper porsche/ ferrari beater in my eyes.

 

I am always looking at the v6 swaps and dreaming of doing it myself but then I come back to earth lol. Those access panels remind me of my old hiace van where you sit on the engine

I remember those vans, they were pretty awesome. It would be awesome if stamped access panels like that were available that could be installed.

I don't mind the idea of access panels so you can access the motor. If the coils are a known issue is there a solution to replace them with something more reliable?

they aren't so unreliable that they are annoying, but there's a good chance that they will fail before you otherwise need to service the engine. they also fail really softly at first. You'll just get a quick code once and an engine restart will let that cylinder fire again usually for several dozen or hundreds of miles before it actually becomes a real problem. But whenever you get a misfire code on this engine, just change the coil. Even if they did not fail, you still need to service the spark plugs every 30k so 100% reliable coilpacks would still not solve the need for the top panel.

How does it affect the handling? I know there is a v6 mrs race car but that's had alot of chassis mods to support it but for a regular mrs owner without the huge racing budget is there any problems running with this engine in the mrs compared to the smaller 4 bangers?

it's about an extra 160-180lbs, people that want 50-50 are horrified by this idea but frankly it really isn't a big deal. The spyder chassis is already really floppy but if you're racing the car a cage stiffens it right up in the center which is the squishiest part.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I think the 2gr-fe is too much motor for the spyder in most circumstances. It's great for the MKII but keep in mind it weighs over 30% more than the MKIII. But it's not my decision to make, it seems that everyone disagrees with me on that statement.

As for problems vs 4 bangers, as long as you add those service panels you'll be fine for servicability vs a 4 banger and i would not expect you'd have excessive heat issues with it but i've never raced an MKIII with anything more than the 2AR-FE. when racing with the 2AR-FE i do get everything hot enough to get slight paint discoloration in the engine bay but it does not result in actual issues. note that the 2AR-FE has more exhaust energy going forward than the 2GR-FE

An mrs with a 2gr is a proper porsche/ ferrari beater in my eyes.

I think a better comparison of the Spyder with the 2GR is the Porsche 930 turbo "Widowmaker". it weighs the same, it does not have the associated turbo lag but it makes up for it by having a squishier chassis and 16% more horsepower. It's super fun and fast but you better know what the hell you're doing. I've seen a pro (not a weekend "pro", but a real pro that is an indycar driver) have several close calls with my 2GR powered MKII because it had too much power for it's traction on the track with the car weight reduced down to 2600lbs.

 

I’ll make a separate show-n-tell thread with my home built 2GR swap spyder. I bought it (already swapped) 8 years and 120,000 miles ago from Uspspro. It has homemade engine mounts, stock exhaust manifolds, three catalytic converters, a few of Goukys parts. I drive it daily. The details may provide some helpful details or alternatives for folks planning a 2GR swap.

 

Awesome, please post the link to the other post in here so people that are here can find it.

Which one of my parts do you have? I should know since i sell the stuff but it's surprisingly difficult to link real names with forum names The ECU tune and MAF pipe would be fantastic for your car though. and now the body controller if you don't have a fully working instrument cluster currently.

 

Home built 2GR swap thread is here...

2GR home built swap details

I promised to make a show-n-tell thread with my home built 2GR swap spyder. I bought it (already swapped) 8 years and 120,000 miles ago from Uspspro...

www.mr2-spyder.com

 

Thanks for the reply Gouky as always you're a wealth of knowledge much appreciated. So someone bought uspspro mrs cool how have you managed not to wrap it around a tree

 

...someone bought uspspro mrs cool how have you managed not to wrap it around a tree

Definitely a learning curve! No near misses with trees, mostly other drivers have caused the hazards. I’ve learned how to pass fast-lane-hogs without sending them into a vindictive fury. The car is an absolute joy to drive - out accelerate, out stop, out corner just about every car on the road. The challenge is to avoid the urge to drive like a total jerk all the time!

 

You know, i gotta say that the spyder does not illicit nearly as much of that "vindictive fury" from other drivers even when i'm driving a bit aggressively. The MKII MR2 sends people into a rage even if i don't pass them and don't get me started on what happens when i borrow my buddy's Z4. Holy hell, the Z4 is a wonderful car but i'm 100% not willing to own one due to other people's reaction. I've also got a Cayenne GTS (tow rig/bad weather car), that thing may as well be transparent to other people and the cops. nobody gives a damn about that thing and it's got 405hp and a manual trans!

People just have preconceived notions based on what the car is and you really have to go out of your way to get them to not go to that assumption. I'm quite happy that the Spyder isn't one of those cars that gives that reaction.

 

I added three videos and a whole bunch of detailed information on “home built” 2GR swap here. 2GR home built swap details

My swap uses Gouky’s RH engine mounts.

 

Has anyone done this swap yet to the MR2 Spyder? I remember saw a post in the past in the Lotustalk forum of this had been done to the Lotus Elise. This seems to be dangerously over power the car but would be awesome build.

 

You really just asked if someone has done this swap directly below the guy who even posted a link to his build thread?.....Seriously?

 

I guess I should have said if someone brought the kit and did this swap (and not the seller of this product). The OP is the seller so he would have to test and provide justification for us to buy his product. For me, it is the buyers’ opinions that matter as I would also be a buyer if their feedback is positive.

 

You didn't bother to even open his build thread did you? That's not the vendor, thats another member that did the swap.

TL;DR: Fun swap, sounds INCREDIBLE, very costly, requires quite a bit of time/skill to prepare, also requires extensive modification of the firewall to fit/service the engine.

I'd go read his thread & look at his vids to get the full picture. That'll allow you to ask educated questions about it as well if still considering at that point.

 

Depending on how far forward you position the engine, the firewall may need zero mods. When I got mine (built by USPSPRO) the firewall was intact and untouched. I added a small trap door to access coils and plugs. I can remove the alternator and ac compressor without dropping the engine or cutting anything.

 

It’s been awhile since I replaced my top, but I still have memories of fighting with it. How long do you think it takes to get access to that cover cyclehead?

 

To access for maintenance, You have to pull out the giant cardboard carpet / cover thing. And remove the plastic shelf. Probably 15 minutes yanking covers out of the way.

 

USPSPro's build is a one off and he notched the crossmember.

The 2AR kit with the 2GR/EB60 leaves the crossmember intact but you definitely have to cut the firewall to make room for the alternator. People are putting their access panel facing forward so you don't have to mess with the ragtop.