My Woodsport V6 conversion.

[Topdownman]

Much as I have loved driving my standard car for the last two years, I couldn't help but want some more power.

Having considered the options (and what other sort of car I could get for the money I would be putting into the car) I decided V6 was the way to go to suit my needs.

There are a few companies/people who do this conversion and I decided to go to Woodsport.

I have gone for the Camry non VVTI 1MZ (rather than the Lexus VVTI 1MZ) engine for a number of reasons, it's cheaper, Paul had just bought a low mileage car the day before I rang him which was available and I wasn't sure how useful VVTI would be in a torquey V6 (considering the extra cost of a grand).

After quite a time waiting for my "turn" to come up, I dropped my car off at Woodsport in Durham just over 5 weeks ago to have the new engine fitted.



So long 4 pot, its been emotional!


It was nice to have a quick look at the cars in the workshop before Paul gave me a lift to the station.

Nice Lister Bell "stratos" 2GR engine installation just completed.



Black roadster awaiting a 2GR lump. If you look above the heatshield you can see where the new access panel has been cut out to be able to get to the front bank of the engine.



My new engine has only done 49000 miles and was in the corner of the workshop looking very good inside.







Paul has put a couple of progress shots on Twobrutal.





Hopefully I won't have to wait much longer to get it back and will get a few more pictures.

Thought it best to post something now in case I am too busy when I get it back!

[1979scotte]

I got all excited and thought you already had it back.
Hope you don't wait too long.
I reckon I should be near the top of the list for a ride tout suite.  s;) s;)

[AndyM]

Exciting times mate! I was wondering when we'd see something after our chat at Ding Day. Look forward to seeing the progress.  s:) s:)

[StuC]

Awesome just doesn't cut it!  s:-D :-D s:-D
Got to say, lil bit jealous. Its the only power mod I would consider doing. Just loves the noise of V6's and their biggger brothers!  s;-) ;-) s;-)

[Anonymous]

Lovely! Keep the updates coming

[loadswine]

Outstanding! This is going to be an awesome machine! I have to have another, one day.

[Mikeymead]

Dam, dam,dam and dam! Wish I hadn't seen this, going to have to go and rob a bank now  s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:

[s12vea]

Exciting times! I will look forward to the progress pictures.

[tricky1138]

I'm not going to follow this as its going to cost me a lot of money!

Do you know when you're picking it up yet? I'm just up the road from Woodsport but never been there.

Would like to see a conversion in the flesh so to speak!

[shnazzle]

I don't. I don't ever want to see it, hear it, feel it, dream about it... this does not exist. 1zz is the best an MR2 can be.


  s:cry: :cry: s:cry:    s:cry: :cry: s:cry:    s:cry: :cry: s:cry:

[jonty]

I've just finished my 2zz conversion. Sounds cool in a raspy 4 cylinder way... I'd absolutely love to have V6 torque and sounds though!!

[StuC]

I don't. I don't ever want to see it, hear it, feel it, dream about it... this does not exist. 1zz is the best an MR2 can be.
  s:cry: :cry: s:cry:    s:cry: :cry: s:cry:    s:cry: :cry: s:cry:

Someone needs a cuddle.

[mr mr2]

Can I ask how many pennies ?

[1979scotte]

Can I ask how many pennies ?

More than your car is worth that's for sure.

[Topdownman]

I got all excited and thought you already had it back.
Hope you don't wait too long.
I reckon I should be near the top of the list for a ride tout suite.  s;) s;)

I did wonder whether I should have started the post saying I havent got it back yet!

Good to hear all the positive comments.

Yes, it is quite expensive if you think of all the pound notes but not quite so bad when you think of the total cost of the car and the hopefully low depreciation over a number of years.

If you look at the bottom of this page;

 m http://www.woodsport.org/joomla/index.p ... onversions m

you will see "Prices for 1mz-fe V6 powered roadster conversions start at £4500 with all parts supplied and fitted."

This is for the Camry non VVTI engine and to this I have added the taller 5th gear and keeping my LSD which adds £550 to that. I have sold my old engine to them which reduces the cost a little and saves the hassle of trying to do this myself.

I will no doubt be chasing Paul later in the week trying to get a date from him!

[Anonymous]

I got all excited and thought you already had it back.
Hope you don't wait too long.
I reckon I should be near the top of the list for a ride tout suite.  s;) s;)

I did wonder whether I should have started the post saying I havent got it back yet!

Good to hear all the positive comments.

Yes, it is quite expensive if you think of all the pound notes but not quite so bad when you think of the total cost of the car and the hopefully low depreciation over a number of years.

If you look at the bottom of this page;

 m http://www.woodsport.org/joomla/index.p ... onversions m

you will see "Prices for 1mz-fe V6 powered roadster conversions start at £4500 with all parts supplied and fitted."

This is for the Camry non VVTI engine and to this I have added the taller 5th gear and keeping my LSD which adds £550 to that. I have sold my old engine to them which reduces the cost a little and saves the hassle of trying to do this myself.

I will no doubt be chasing Paul later in the week trying to get a date from him!

after everything I've spent on the 2zz conversion, that really is quite reasonable for a V6

[vinp182]

after everything I've spent on the 2zz conversion, that really is quite reasonable for a V6

Fuel and maintenance costs will be higher than yours tho... Also you have gone 'track friendly' with your build too

Not knocking the V6 one bit tho.. 1mz or 1mz vvti is the perfect engine for a roadster IMO, its just the modding of the chassis/subframe I couldn't bring myself to do to mine   s:( s:(  

Love reading Pauls builds, I'm sure you will love yours when you get it back   s:D s:D

[shnazzle]

It is indeed! I reckon that's still a HELL of a lot of car for what (for me) be a total of about 9k, excluding the cash I'd get back from selling stock engine and parts.
So a total bill of about 8.5k for car+v6 conversion.... find me another car for 8.5k with that much brute power and handling prowess. I dare you.

Well done on your decision. Would have been amazing to see this thing live on Sunday. Next time gadget,..next time

and StuC...I do need that cuddle. In the meantime I'll just cradle myself in the corner of the room miming "a 1zz is fine"

[Escy]

So a total bill of about 8.5k for car+v6 conversion.... find me another car for 8.5k with that much brute power and handling prowess. I dare you.

And 2zz conversion with some cams. A 1zz turbo, a K20 swap, that's the MR2 options.  A Boxster S, VX220 that is mildly tuned, etc.

I really can't understand why anyone uses this engine. A Toyota Camry needs torque but a sub 1000kg sports car doesn't, it needs revs.

[shnazzle]

I do appreciate there is some logical truth to that. A light car won't need much torque to get it going, and maybe the v6 is a bit overkill on torque for the weight of the MR2. But judging by how the MR2 behaves with a torque-heavy engine on a track, it seems to handle it very well. I'm referring to the 3.5 v6 track conversion we all know and love.

[jonty]

I really can't understand why anyone uses this engine. A Toyota Camry needs torque but a sub 1000kg sports car doesn't, it needs revs.

A torquey engine is just one with power at lower rpm. 1mz, 2zz, K20, 1zz turbo all make *broadly speaking* the same peak power. Given this, I don't get how one can be appropriate and another not; with the V6 you can just use more mid range for the same progress instead of revving the c0ck off a 2zz. In my view, each engine has the following +ve or -ve points:

1mz
+
torque
sound
-
weight
installation

2zz
+
installation
-
tunability

K20
+
tuneability
-
installation

1zz turbo
+
spread of power
-
heat management
tuneability (limited by rods etc)

For a road car that doesn't need to be batshit crazy, but the owner enjoys the noise of a V6 with the roof down, and occasionally yipping it sideways off a roundabout, a 1mz sounds a perfect choice.

*EDIT*
Topdownman, I got carried away replying to Escy's post and forgot to say well done for kicking this off, and I can't wait to see it completed!

[Topdownman]

I did email whifbitz to see what they would charge for fitting a turbo and that price (without a clutch change) was £4266. To my mind that doesnt stack up against the V6 and would potentially lead to more expense due to stressing other components. The V6 has new clutch, radiator, stainless exhaust and cat. It should only require oil and filter changes for years I hope! Paul tells me this engine once won the engine of the year award which was good to hear as I am pretty sure the 1ZZ never did that!!

I am not looking for a high revving engine and thats why I havent considered 2ZZ etc. I did test drive a Z4 and found it heavy and no fun to drive, I dont think I would get much of a boxster for that money plus there is the risk of big porsche bills which I dont fancy. I do like the look of the VX220 but never actually considered one of them tbh as I cant imagine that as a daily driver. This is my main car, not a weekend plaything or track car and I am going for what will suit me best. I appreciate its not the fastest or a particularly tune-able engine but thats fine for me.

I did like this quote when i heard it, "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races."-Enzo Ferrari.

[frootloops]

"Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races.".

-Carroll Shelby

[shnazzle]

I thought it was a bit odd that Enzo would say that...

[jonty]

Sounds spot on for your requirements then mate!

To me, the only cheap conversion is a DIY 2zz; if you're not doing it yourself then I think the costs become largely similar... if you can afford £5k you can probably stretch to £7k, and really it comes down to what you want as the end product.

If someone said to me "Cost is the same and you get 190bhp - do you prefer it to sing like a V6 or scream like 4 pot?" I'd got for the V6 every time.