Reviewer: Nick Cigich
Product: MkII NA to Turbo Conversion
Company: Mr.2 Performance Products
Address: 3054 S. Vallejo Street
City: Englewood
State: CO.
ZIP: 80110
Phone: 303-781-2724
Fax:
EMail:
Web: http://www.mr2pp.com
Price: However much you have :)
Mr.2 Performance Products specializes in performance products for the MR2, all years included. They only offer the best parts, and treat each car as if it were their own.
I'm submitting this as part of the new section on MR2.com labled 'the good, the bad, and the ugly'. I'd love to contribute to this as I had the biggest modification done that you can do to an MR2, that is converting it from N/A to turbo. My name is Nick Cigich, and you published one of my atricles on the 94+ tail light modification. I've gotten alot of thanks and questions for that post, and I'd like to answer some questions people may have about going from N/A to turbo with their own car, instead of just buying a turbo car. Thanks for your time and here goes!
Ok first off, I realized about 4 months ago that the 2.2 liter 5S-FE engine the 91 and up MR2 just doesn't get the job done. I spent a ton of money, cams, ignition, computer, filter, exhaust, throttle body, and more trying to make the car fast...in the end, it wasn't even as fast as a stock turbo. So I decided, screw it, its got to go turbo. Since I love my car, a 91 N/A with only 35,000 miles on it and painted in the ultra rare nautical blue metallic, I decided to go with the engine swap. But I was wary, who could I trust with someone to perform this complicated procedure? Especially since I live in St. Louis, where the streets are pretty much owned by American muscle cars and people just kind of snicker at imports. I had always dealt with John Broderick at Mr.2 Performance Products in Colorado, and I decided he was the man for the job. So with a prayer, I drove the long 900 miles to his shop and left my baby in his care.
I have to say this first off, if you want the job done right, John and his associates NEED TIME. I made the mistake of thinking the car would be ready in two weeks, and when work of such quality like this is done, it takes a heck of a lot longer. It took me over seven weeks to get my car back, but the job is absolutely flawless and beautiful. First of all, here's basically what I got. I got a completely rebuilt engine, with custom forged Arias racing pistons, total seal piston rings, head studs, cylinder head grind, a completely rebuilt transmission that shifts smoother than I can relate in words, a brand new clutch that holds all of the power to the ground and allows for VERY harsh driving, a new transaxle to mate with the new engine, new computers of course, a new turbo display console, boost controller, air filter, ignition upgrades, HKS Super Sequential Blow Off Valve (AWESOME sound!) and so much other stuff that there's no way I can give it all to you.
The engine takes your breath away to look at, painted mostly red with everything shining. John was also kind enough to change every belt and hose on the car, THIS IS BASICALLY A 91 MR2 THAT IS BRAND NEW! I have people ask me all the time if it's a new car, because I did the tail light modification as well to get it up to 94+ spec. but here's the coolest thing about my car, it looks like a N/A. I didn't have the foglights put on, I didn't have the raised turbo engine lid put on, and I certainly didn't have the 'turbo' label stuck on my back trunk. My car also has the black body molding going around, and black side mirrors, so you can tell this car is the basest of the base models. The only real options the car has are the five spoke alloy wheels (not changing, its gotta keep the sleeper look), the spoiler, aircon, and that's it. I added the center console box and leather shift knob from a turbo, but that looks stock anyways. My sound system is all upgraded, but who cares about that?!? Let's get to performance!
Oh MY GOD does this car cook! I've had the car back about three weeks and I've already absolutely blown the doors off of a new Camaro Z28 (ya know, the one that's supposed to be SOOO badass?), a brand new BMW M3, two late model Mustang Cobras, an M roadster, a Porsche Boxster (felt sorry for that guy, not even close), and so many other Mustang Gt's and pieces of crap like that that I've lost count! With the boost dialed up to 15psi, and all of the internal engine mods my car has, this car is rock solid, and it looks absolutely stock, even with the exhaust, because I just had John put on a stock turbo exhaust. I know I'm getting a bottle neck here, but I'm presently looking for an upgraded exhaust that flows big time and looks stock. Its gotta look stock, bottom line. As for handling and such, I'm amazed to report that the car even seems to handle BETTER. There seems to be more weight in the back, and the car hangs to corners like nothing I've ever driven before.
My car also benefits from a lack of options. No Sunroof or T-tops, No ABS, No power windows, No power locks, No power seats, and No power antenna that goes up in the back. All of this minus weight leads to some serious performance, and this car is all about going fast. Everything on it is built for real speed, and it's only going to get faster. next summer I'm going with a bigger turbo and such, and John says this engine is strong enough to handle some outrageous boost loads. We might be talking Sport Compact Car Project MR2 boost levels before too long. And all the while, you won't see the 'turbo' label on the back of my car. :)
Performance like this doesn't come cheap folks. All said and done, I spent about $8000 on this little operation, or about as much as I would have costed me to buy a stock turbo car with high miles on it. But oh was the price ever worht it, there is no other car on the market today with this kind of performance, good looks, and radical appeal for a comparable price. John Broderick is one of the nice fellows around that you will meet too. He takes great pride in what he does, and it shows in his work. Just keep in mind when considering this operation that it does take a lot of time, but when that time is up, you will have a machine that will gain respect on the street almost overnight. Take alot at their website at www.Mr2pp.com I think they'll be putting up pictures of my car soon, but they're just so busy with business, it might be awhile before they get around to it. Thanks for listening, and I hope you'll excuse me, but I gotta go Corvette C5 hunting now! Take care!