# Introduction: My MR2 Turbo
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857
**Category:** PittSpeed Automotive
**Created:** [March 10, 2005, 7:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857 "2005-03-10T07:41:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@TBeck2000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TBeck2000)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2005, 7:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857/1 "2005-03-10T07:41:34Z")
Background: My first car was a 1986 Toyota MR2. I learned how to drive in this thing. It only had like 110hp, but it sure could scoot. I loved this car so much that I even used it to move myself to college in Missouri. This meant that I had to sacrifice a few luxuries for the company of my '2, but it was worth it.
My first summer internship was at a lead mine that was 70 miles away. Unable to find a room closer to the mine, I decided to make the commute daily in my trusty MR2. Over the next 3 months, I racked up 12k miles with little more than a peep from the car. I just kept good oil, tires and brakes on the car.
The next winter, my MR2 started leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold. This was at a measly 130k miles. Knowing very little about the mechanics of cars, I ended up parting ways with the car in exchange for a newer Ford Ranger. I still kick myself because I believe that it was simply a leaky valve cover gasket. :rant:
Flash to 2000: I had graduated from engineering school and took my first job in Texas. I worked for about 3 months until I had saved up enough money to buy my dream car, a sexier 91-95 MR2. Since I knew very little about turbos, I opted for the basic normally aspirated model from 1991 with 100k miles.
The roaring 130hp was fun for a while, but soon I needed more and more powah!. I took the car up to a speed shop in Dallas for them to install their 180hp kit. This included a hotter cam, a shave of the head, a new header/exhaust, and a basic cone filter. The car never ran right after the work. About 3 months after the work, I successfully seized the engine.
I had the car hauled to ATS Racing in Dallas. They were really busy so they couldn’t get onto it right away. After a couple weeks, I received a call that one of their customers had totalled his car and wanted to part it out. I ended up buying his engine with several thousands of $$'s in mods and had it installed in my '2.
Flash to today: I made the drive from TX to PA (~1400) averaging 28mpg. The car now sits in my garage waiting for the sun to come back out. I have installed a wideband O2 meter/logger and reworked much of the fuel system. I have a huge laundry list of parts that I have to install once the weather gets a little nicer.
Here’s a couple of pics:
[http://www.nbcpgh.org/beck/mr2.jpg](http://www.nbcpgh.org/beck/mr2.jpg)
[http://www.nbcpgh.org/beck/MR2\_fall\_foliage.jpg](http://www.nbcpgh.org/beck/MR2_fall_foliage.jpg)
[http://www.nbcpgh.org/beck/100-0004\_IMGs.jpg](http://www.nbcpgh.org/beck/100-0004_IMGs.jpg)
[http://www.nbcpgh.org/beck/100-0005\_IMGs.jpg](http://www.nbcpgh.org/beck/100-0005_IMGs.jpg)
Cliff Notes: I live in Pgh. I own an MR2 Turbo. /end
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### Author:  [@whitey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/whitey)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2005, 7:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857/2 "2005-03-10T07:43:50Z")
pretty cool, nice ride man!
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### Author:  [@Blazin\_Si](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blazin_Si)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2005, 10:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857/3 "2005-03-10T10:17:43Z")
Pretty sweet duece! I see you have one with the sunroof. Aren’t those pretty rare? My brother has a '92 MR2 with the T-top and the N/A 2.2 liter engine.
If you update the tail lights, I think it would make it look a lot nicer.
Good story.
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### Author:  [@fshowcars](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fshowcars)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2005, 10:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857/4 "2005-03-10T10:21:03Z")
sweet deal… i always liked those cars. nice production turbo’d car from the early 90s
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### Author:  [@berad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/berad)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2005, 10:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857/5 "2005-03-10T10:21:58Z")
So you ever gonna do the damn thang and turbo the bitch?
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### Author:  [@Pewter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pewter)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2005, 10:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857/6 "2005-03-10T10:52:35Z")
nice
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### Author:  [@TBeck2000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TBeck2000)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2005, 10:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857/7 "2005-03-10T10:54:51Z")
> [@Blazin Si](#):
>
> If you update the tail lights, I think it would make it look a lot nicer.
I did the 94+ tail lights this past fall. You are right; they look a lot nicer.
Here’s a list of mods:
Greddy TD-06SH with modified wastegate
Geddy turbo timer
Greddy Intercooler
Apex’I Intake
Suspension Techniques springs
93+ wheels
93+ short shifter
KVR x-drilled rotors
Apex’I S-AFC
Aeromotive adjustable FPR
94+ tail lights
Innovate! LM-1 Wideband O2 Meter/Logger
Blitz Nur Spec R exhaust
ClutchMasters Stage 4 Ceramic clutch
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### Author:  [@77rednecktruck](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/77rednecktruck)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2005, 11:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857/8 "2005-03-10T11:16:46Z")
This is how to welcome yourself to the board, all you other n00bs
🆒 car, I like hearing all the background info.
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### Author:  [@tjZ28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tjZ28)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2005, 1:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/introduction-my-mr2-turbo/172857/9 "2005-03-10T13:06:11Z")
Nice car! I agree w/ redneck this is the way an intro. should go. We all have a story behind our cars and why we’re obsessed w/ the particular one we have. It helps us relate a bit to hear the stories. 🙂 Oh, and one last thing: go AutoX that bad boy. Mr2s own at AutoX.
-TJ