weighing up 2ZZ turbo route

[MannyUK]

Been driving my 2zz for a while now and I find it lacking BUT I do love the little MR2.  I need more power..that old chesnut.

I had my mk2 rev3 MR2 turbo running 340bhp and it was scary & fun.  I would love to get my MR2 near 300bhp.

I am on standard internals but the engine was rebuilt recently with new bearings/rings etc.etc.. I will be staying standard on this revision.

I have a few questions, I know nothing about Turbo matching for application!

I read that standard internals can take about 7-8psi without melting a piston, correct?

Does anyone on here have a turbo'd 2zz running standard internals?  I want to ask about the setup please.

Garret GTX2860r a good match?

Will I need bigger injectors?

Going for Chargecooler over air cooled.

Going for ECU black.

Considering meth inj as I had good results on my old 3sgte.


I am also considering the ancillaries required, oil cooler, clutch etc.. but is there any gotchas that people have not considered in the past and it has bitten them?

One last question for those who have gone down this route, what would you do differently if you did it again? (not doing the mods and buying another car is a answer if you want!)

[jvanzyl]

Out of interest would you not rather go with as rotrex? It's been done a fair bit and quite well and would probably look after the internals a as lot better.

The answer to your cooling question will be charge cooler.

[shnazzle]

I'm on board with the gt2860r. It's been done, it works and delivers great power.
It's only as dangerous to the block as you let it be. Cooling is key. Water charge cooler for sure. Big sump. Big front rad. Oil cooler.

Definitely bigger injectors

Meth a bit pointless day to day but for higher boost, power and bragging rights it works. I'd leave it.

The ecumaster black will control it very nicely and if fitted by RRR it'll be well-managed. Although you're best off getting familiar with the software and basic engine tuning for further road and real-world tuning.

Not sold in rotrex myself but it works.

[Nvy]

Id go with a slightly bigger turbo 2871 in gt line and 2867 in gtx line.

[J03]

Rotrex tends to be easier on the gearbox rather than the engine.

[james_ly]

Aren't you risking blowing up the 2zz gearbox with extra torque?

[jvanzyl]

Aren't you risking blowing up the 2zz gearbox with extra torque?

This is the other reason I'd suggest it. Your input is rather more linear and should make everything last a bit better...

[MannyUK]

Awesome thanks all, just a few questions off the back of your advice and questions


@jvanzyl I considered the Rotrex route but they are more expensive to purchase nearly twice the price of the Garret turbo, plus I do like the torque!

Do they whine like the minis?  that would not be a good thing for me.

@james_ly Can the gearbox not take the torque?  That is interesting, does anyone know of a limit? I must do more reading on that, do you know of anyone who has lost a GB due to torque I could chat with?

@Nvy Why would that be?  Are those models more efficient even at the low boost?  I fancy the GTX to get it spooling asap.  As i said I know feck all about turbo matching.

[jvanzyl]

The Rotrex unit itself is more expensive but when you weigh up the total cost of all the ancillaries needed for a turbo conversion you're not going to be too far apart honestly.

I don't know about the sound ask @KRAMSNEHPETS or @J03 ..

oh and re the gearbox, no they are not as torque friendly as other gearboxes out there. I believe the limit is around 250 ft/lb?

[Nvy]

Awesome thanks all, just a few questions off the back of your advice and questions


@jvanzyl I considered the Rotrex route but they are more expensive to purchase nearly twice the price of the Garret turbo, plus I do like the torque!

Do they whine like the minis?  that would not be a good thing for me.

@james_ly Can the gearbox not take the torque?  That is interesting, does anyone know of a limit? I must do more reading on that, do you know of anyone who has lost a GB due to torque I could chat with?

@Nvy Why would that be?  Are those models more efficient even at the low boost?  I fancy the GTX to get it spooling asap.  As i said I know feck all about turbo matching.

The engine head is a lot better and will flow a lot more. Getting into these turbos will allow you to have around 300 hp on stock bottom end and about 400+ on a built engine. The other turbos are just too small for this engine and the efficiency will just die when going above 7000 revs. Ideally the best match will be EFR 7160 and if you have the bucks for it just shoot.

There is a lot more thought in a turbo build that just the turbo so id suggest you to have a talk with a tuner and then try to piece together a list and ask around. We could point you to some peeps who can sell you stuff but you need to talk to your tuner of choice first.

[shnazzle]

Let's remember here that the rotrex is just a less efficient turbo. It's not a positive displacement supercharger. 
It's the same thing but belt-driven. It builds up boost as revs increase. 

And as for harder/friendlier/more progressive... It's all down to the quality of your map and personal preference. 
Both allow for a wallop and a smooth progression depending on sizing and map.

[m1tch]

Worth noting that the mk2 weighs around 1250kg, so around 300kg or so heavier - so around 276 bhp per ton so yeah around 300bhp in the roadster would be about the same.

[shnazzle]

Worth noting that the mk2 weighs around 1250kg, so around 300kg or so heavier - so around 276 bhp per ton so yeah around 300bhp in the roadster would be about the same.

I never want to hear bhp/ton ever again.

[Petrus]

Worth noting that the mk2 weighs around 1250kg, so around 300kg or so heavier - so around 276 bhp per ton so yeah around 300bhp in the roadster would be about the same.

I never want to hear bhp/ton ever again.

You´re straying off topic Patrick.... :-)

To the OP; the road to 300 bhp is most trodden by turbo on the 2ZZ. There is quite a bit of experience with that and this is ever such an advantage over finding your own way. It, 300 bhp, is rather a lót though in a Mk.3 but hey, that was not your question.

[MannyUK]

You´re straying off topic Patrick.... :-)

To the OP; the road to 300 bhp is most trodden by turbo on the 2ZZ. There is quite a bit of experience with that and this is ever such an advantage over finding your own way. It, 300 bhp, is rather a lót though in a Mk.3 but hey, that was not your question.

I would probably settle for 270 i suspect.  Still weighing up whether to do this or not..

[Petrus]

I would probably settle for 270 i suspect.  Still weighing up whether to do this or not..

I would settle for 190-195 and lots of torque; I knów ;-)