Street Build Midengine 4G63

[tjohn23]

Quick update I had to get two different(but same part number) shaft holder tools to take the transmission apart, i didn't find anything wrong with it. I put the transmission back together and there seems to be an issue with the shifter levers and cables, I am working on the problem but other projects are getting in the way I will plan on getting my garage cleared within the next two months and getting some more videos and updates posted. The build is still alive.

 

[tjohn23]

update: finally got around to pulling the transmission back out and apart besides the reverse idler sleeve bearing needing to be cleaned up there wasn't much wrong but after some searches I found out that I put the syncros for 5th and reverse were in the incorrect order. I will have more pictures soon off to the next major task finding some 7ft shifter cables

 

[Techn0Nut1996]

This is awesome! My buddy who owns an MR2 n/t said he wished it had a little more oomph and we talked about a 4G63 swap, but didn't think it was possible. I am glad to have been proven wrong!

 

[tjohn23]

so I ended up finding reasonable cables from https://jb-custom-fabrication.myshopify.com/. 96" cables seem to work best as far as wrapping all the way around. One had to be cut and modified for the 2" stroke and rod out length. The cable holder on the rear also had to be moved back at the transmission. I will have pictures and hopefully a driving video up this weekend. once I get it driving and at least the cluster working I will break down all the components with details. here is the current layout with the TCS X-bar held up for the likes:

 

[tjohn23]

The little things just take forever.

 

[brian9397gsx]

Last 10% takes 90% of the time

 

[familyMAN]

it's allllliiiiivvvveee!

 

[Raxes989]

Any update on the project, got an mr2 I'm about to swap a 4G63 into as well

 

[EVLGSX]

I turbod an aw11 back in 2001. It was my first car. A clean 1986. I was 17. That was quite an adventure, especially at that age. It somehow ended in success. I ended up selling it and buying the rarest..... 88 Supercharged. That car was a blast. Instant boost.

Ive always loved those MR2s.

 

[ThunderChild]

it's allllliiiiivvvveee!

For some reason I hear Robot Chicken/Young Frankenstein here... Haha

I turbod an aw11 back in 2001. It was my first car. A clean 1986. I was 17. That was quite an adventure, especially at that age. It somehow ended in success. I ended up selling it and buying the rarest..... 88 Supercharged. That car was a blast. Instant boost.

Ive always loved those MR2s.

I'd love to have a 4agze, always thought the s/c MR2 was dope.

 

[tjohn23]

I have been having a hard time managing my time, too many projects so little time probably should get rid of at least 3.

Cars:
87 MR2 2zzge ( I have a supercharger for it not worth the headache installing it)
02 wrx bugeye
91 SW20 mr2 4g63
90 300zx stock vg( recently caught on fire but recoverable)
96 Impreza L coupe EG33 swapped (has been sitting for like 3 years untouched)

I bought paint I opened the can and the paint looked weird I thought it was just the light so I filled the gun and I sprayed a large portion of the car before i was convinced it was the wrong color. Not only was it the wrong color the chemical make up was all wrong it made runs all over I will post pictures when get the runs and paint to look decent.

 

[DSMSeifer]

My wife is going to hate that I found this.... I just picked up a 93 mr2 na with no motor in it. I happen to have the 2.3 stroker I built for my 97 Gsx sitting on a stand. Looks like I start hunting a fwd trans this weekend.

 

[Raxes989]

Got any pictures of the motor mounts Tjohn ?

 

[Lancer_lover]

So im not the only one who wants a Mr2 with a 4g63t in it

 

[Charliethatguy]

We need to see this at the shootout!

 

[tjohn23]

Got any pictures of the motor mounts Tjohn ?

Since my motor mounts are booger welded I didn't take any pictures. When they break or I redesign them or have to take them out I will take some pictures.

 

[tjohn23]

Paint is good from far but far from good.
Since I just have to get the gauges and tune taken care of to be drive-able, let me know if you are curious on anything on the build.

also always working on projects so the garage is always a mess.

exhaust + one of my ugly mounts as long as they don't break i'm good. Function first then I will slowly clean everything up.

another engine bay photo not much has changed but that is soon to change. Looks kind of crooked but i promise its not I Measured a hundred.

 

[TimIacobucci]

What kind of alignment or clearance issues do you see for rotating the tcase forward for a mid / awd layout like this?

 

[ThunderChild]

What kind of alignment or clearance issues do you see for rotating the tcase forward for a mid / awd layout like this?

You'd need a custom adapter plate and probably some extra bracing for the case to have it output to the front, as well as address any rotational issues with desired diffs.

Honestly I don't think it'll clear the oil pan area without some serious mods.

 

[TimIacobucci]

I have looked at this arrangement with this idea in mind and with this specific chassis. I think the oil pan needs to be clearanced some but not as much as I initially thought it might. Obviously it has been done successfully. It would definitely need bracing with any kind of power but the elegance of this arrangement is unlike a standard dsm loading the rear tires harder with load transfer and with it the tcase and driveshaft, any load transfer rearward would actually unload the tcase going now to the front axle.

I can't attest to how light the front of a fast mr2 gets in a hurry as well. I never got to the point of actually mocking it up in the chassis and obviously not nearly so far as this project. Which is why I am asking here, does it seem feasible to run a driveshaft forward through the fuel tank area as you have the engine mounted now?

 

[tjohn23]

S

I have looked at this arrangement with this idea in mind and with this specific chassis. I think the oil pan needs to be clearanced some but not as much as I initially thought it might. Obviously it has been done successfully. It would definitely need bracing with any kind of power but the elegance of this arrangement is unlike a standard dsm loading the rear tires harder with load transfer and with it the tcase and driveshaft, any load transfer rearward would actually unload the tcase going now to the front axle.

I can't attest to how light the front of a fast mr2 gets in a hurry as well. I never got to the point of actually mocking it up in the chassis and obviously not nearly so far as this project. Which is why I am asking here, does it seem feasible to run a driveshaft forward through the fuel tank area as you have the engine mounted now?

With Trying to go AWD in an mr2 it is going to require a custom casing for the gear box as well as some good reverse engineering since the rear diff and transfercase are completely opposite side on a dsm. You will also have to run a fuel cell or something since a driveshaft is not going to fit under the tank and it would be highly dangerous if the driveshaft were to break.

It's possible but will require alot more cutting and fabrication than I have done here

 

[tjohn23]

Update:

It is impossible to set the timing using a timing light. Hours spent and time wasted it is not possible. I may have to cut a hole in the firewall just to verify and set the timing.

 

[tjohn23]

What kind of alignment or clearance issues do you see for rotating the tcase forward for a mid / awd layout like this?

Where did you find this I would love to look at this build?

 

[AWD-Tony]

Update:

It is impossible to set the timing using a timing light. Hours spent and time wasted it is not possible. I may have to cut a hole in the firewall just to verify and set the timing.

Awesome project! I've always been a huge fan of this gen MR2's.

I don't see any other way to set timing. Only thing I can think of is possibly use a mirror.

 

[TimIacobucci]

Update:

It is impossible to set the timing using a timing light. Hours spent and time wasted it is not possible. I may have to cut a hole in the firewall just to verify and set the timing.

I swear I wrote up an entire response here the other day but I guess it didn't submit properly.

Will you need to have the engine back out for any other reason? I suggest when you can get to it, set the engine at tdc and add a new timing mark on the balancer and maybe plastic weld a new pointer on the timing cover somewhere you can get to it in the car like at the bottom maybe.