PROJECT MR2 “LAND MISSLE”

Owner Jay Gates


It all started back in the late 90’s when I owned a 1990 Celica GT.  I had the bug for Toyota performance, to convert my Celica GT into an all trac 3SGTE would have been a dream come true.  My dream soon became reality when I came across a 3SGTE wrapped in a second generation sexy MR2 body (SW20).  Getting my first 3SGTE gave me inspiration and turned out to be my base structure in which I began to build project land missle.  My first mod was a HKS turbo exhaust single 120mm tip exiting on passenger side with a 3 ¼ “ cat back system.  It gave a nice purr at idle, grunt under load, and it howled on the top end.  I felt a good amount of extra power and it was just the start of more mods to follow.  Next was killing that massively restrictive intake system that had a basketball-sized restrictor on it. Tossed on a generic cotton cone air filter to increase airflow.


 

I purchased a HKS manual boost controller and found it to be a huge headache because it seemed to have a mind of its own.  Much money was wasted going to the track using it, so I tossed it for a HKS EVC4 in which I used a Saturday afternoon fitting it into the dash where the stock clock was mounted.   The EVC was very easy to install and the outcome was far beyond what I imagined.   The car gave excellent boost response with total touch of the finger boost control, never spiking nor creeping. Still to this day I praise the HKS EVC4.  I was pulling 1.9 60ft with low 14's because of that shitty manual boost controller and with the EVC4 I achieved a 13.9 using the stock clutch.

Next was of course a fuel cut defencer.  I wasn’t in the mood to construct my own from radio shack so I purchased the adjustable HKS FCD, dial the setting to #7 and that put a end to that dreaded fuel cut.I came across a good deal for an Apexi SAFC and also purchased the sadly discontinued HKS VPC.

I went by my buddy’s muffler shop to have a budget racing style intake setup fabricated. It consisted of one 2ft long 3’’ muffler pipe, which sticks onto the turbo inlet (some fittings from the plumbers isle and bicycle iner-tube were used). No more ugly flapper door air mass sensor.  I used a big bore throttle body inlet to tap screw in the VPC temp sensor. The VPC pressure sensor was plugged into a free nipple on the stock intake runners.  I upgraded that silly stock fan that looks like it was made to propel a one man fishing boat to a nice Spal 7.5’’ HI electronic fan that runs as long as the car is on or in ACC to provent heatsoak as much as possable.

Some where in the mist of all this I had some funds to upgrade my suspension.  I dropped the car 1 ½’’ with eibach pro springs and  tokico 5 way adjustable shocks. Cross-drilled slotted rotors were swapped onto the front brake setup. A set of konig monsoos were junked for a set of used 17 inch 7.5 Volk TE37’s from Cali. Thanks to the help of Ebay.  I wrapped them in komho supra’s (very nice tires indeed).

Found a jspec Ecu from rod millen motorsports and I plugged it in for kicks. Gutted the stock cat-converter so I can pay ridiculous amount of money for smog inspections.   Oh almost forgot, I installed a HKS super sequential BOV kit.  I yanked out the Benz symbol inside to kill that bird tweeting blow off sound.  So now it emits a stern FwwOOsh!!!!

Now that all the opening upgrades were done I was now ready for a respectable turbo upgrade. I didn’t want an 11 second car, didn’t want 400whp, because I don’t intend on changing rod bearings every three months. I just want a high-mid 12-second car that looks and handles  like the exotics.  With that goal in mind, a CT26 Hybrid was my choice.   I came across a CT26 from a 95 mr2 that was equipped with a T04E Super 60Trim compressor wheel (rare 8 finned wheel). No clip on the turbine.  It was one damn pretty looking turbo.

Next I installed TrueLeo Down pipe coated in heat shield paint, which I also wrapped in Thermotech heat wrap for added pleasure.  Used a Stock manifold that was coated with some chrome looking heat paint and tapped out a hole for the HKS EGT probe then mounted the gauge on the dash.

At this point, many upgrades were accumulating but nothing was happening yet because I was waiting for my race head from (a shop i would like not to give props to becuase I waited 5 months for it when I was told 2 weeks).   It seemed to take a decade to get the head but once I received it, it was time for the big tare down, which took place in my backyard garage. The head is ported / polished with shim less buckets from the MR-spyder installed, dual valve springs and with upgraded retainers. I decided to stay with stock cams for the non interfearance setup.

I purchased a TRD Euro Metal Head gasket, along with ARP Head studs w/ 12-point nuts. Upgraded to RC 460cc injectors to help fuel supply and powder coated the valve cover red.   Let me not mention the $100 in gaskets I had to buy plus all the tools that was needed to do this job.  It was Hell just attempting to remove the crank pulley to put on the new timing belt.  I tell you, this was only an attempt because the first ratchet exploded, the second impact socket split and my buddy Phil hurt him self with the 4ft leverage pipe. It was decided it would stay on since it was the second timing belt plus we figured it has at least another 30K miles. Here are pics of the new head, turbo, down pipe and new exhaust manifold I installed with the help of some friends.

 After all was done the car ran like a clock, but there was a problem.  It seemed to be running lean in 3rd at 4000rpm, which we thought was impossible. This was only a CT26 upgrade at 17psi, so just to be safe I grabbed a used cartch rising rate FPR (that is not installed yet). We think it may also be that the ignition timing isn’t on a dime yet.  NOW, everyone knows with this kind of setup any man in they’re right mind wouldn’t feel complete without an intercooler upgrade.  I purchased a used Greddy/Trust Side mount IC with its lovely hard pipe setup and two extra bungs, which is an option to add two more injectors.

I’m currently working on the body and just finished wet sanding my TE37's for a fresh coat of black paint.  I also have a Garage Fukui Rear Spoiler that I plan to install during the cold months. A border Front bumper should be getting installed as well (that’s if i'm up for the challenge).  I decided to plan a funeral for the cherry red paint for which it will be covered with “jet black paint”.  That’s right, I’m giving it a new stealth look.   Law enforcement really took a liking to the cherry red paint and complimented me with a few speeding tickets.  Then to really show their appreciation, they gave me time off from driving for the last ¼ of 2002+ three additional months of 2003.

Stay tuned for the new exterior pics.   No cops allowed!!!

A partial team pic which is missing two of our close members Chris (RX7 turbo II) and Pat (t3/t4'd H22 accord).  Rest of my team
consist of Jesse (GSX), Phil (7MGTE), Ryan (SR20DET) and John (TD05'ed B16).

Peeps who helped me out on my head and turbo were Phil, Ryan, Chris and my girlfriend Linda who was in there with me every step of the way.

Overall thanks to Phil M, Ryan C, Chris L, Quicky Lube, Pat, Jesse E, John F, www.Makeitfast.com, Jeff Bihn, Bryan no shoes Moore, GT30 Steve,
Cody, my brother Chet for letting me wreck his garage and for his killer painting skills,  Ebay!, HKS (for making quality electronics),  Big thanks
and Darren of DV1. Thats about it, The thanks list is pretty short due to low funds and self labor with the help of friends.    I Thank you all.
 ......... TOYOTA RULZ!

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