We were first introduced to Paul Smith’s AW11 MR2 at Chrome 2018. At the
time, he told us that, after having driven solely work vehicles for 10 years, he
had decided that it was time to suss out a weekend warrior. What started
out as a low-kilometre, rust-free, completely original supercharged example
quickly turned into a built 4A-GZE, before an engine swap was on the cards.
The initial idea was to swap in a 3S-GTE from the next-generation
MR2; however, the conversion mounts got lost en route from the US, and
a 3VZ V6 from a Camry, SW20 gearbox, and Megasquirt ECU package
popped up for sale, and Paul was sold.
The conversion served Paul well, although, not too long after we saw
the car, it dropped compression on two cylinders, which was the catalyst for
the start of car’s latest incarnation. A lower kilometre replacement 3VZ hasbeen acquired, it’s been fitted with steel head gaskets and ARP fasteners
for strength, and it will now have a turbo hanging off the side!
The bottom end remains untouched, Paul assuring us that there are
plenty of examples overseas that are making upwards of 450kW with stock
bottom ends.
Although fuel has been upgraded, a custom turbo manifold has been
fabricated by friend Regan Corbett, and a water-to-air intercooler is being
plumbed up as we speak. The engine bay has required a bit of cutting to
fit it all this in, and rear boot space is all but gone — not that Paul would be
hauling much luggage, anyway.
He’s hoping to see 300-plus kilowatts out of the combo, and it should
make a ton of torque while at it.the
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