by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 11/09/2017 at 11:16
by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 11/09/2017 at 11:16
Tags: Toyota MR2
; VTEC
; Yo
; Engine Swaps
STARS: 0
I want to put a K20 in my MR2. It’s a pretty well-documented swap. My non-Turbo MR2 uses the Toyota S54 transmission though, which creates some issues. My thoughts and research after the jump...
Basically, a key difference between the non-Turbo MR2 (SW21) and the Turbo (SW20) is that they use different transmissions. The E153 transmission in the Turbo is renowned for its great strength. A similar E-series 5-speed manual is used in the new C-HR R-Tuned, which is rather fast . E153 is the go-to for high-torque applications. The S54 transmission in my car? Not so much.
With a much lower torque rating, the S54 gearbox is usually swapped for an E153, as seen in Hux Racing’s “Cannibal” K20 swap kit .
Here’s the problem. I’m all about having an immensely powerful car with tons of torque, but I’m even more about
minimum viable product
. MVP is the idea that one can get to market sooner with a given product by making it
sufficient
and improving it later, rather than being the best from day 1. Day 1 might never happen if 600 horsepower/torque is a prerequisite.
I might also just be cheap.
With that in mind, I want to find a way to connect a K20 with the stock, non-Turbo S54 gearbox.
The low torque rating of the S54 is usually a deal-breaker, but the K20 has no torque .
If there’s a way to get adapter plates to mate a K-series engine to the S54 gearbox, my car will be perfect. Realistically, I don’t need immense horsepower and torque. The K20 is perfect for autocross and daily driving applications.
Is this a viable idea? Or would it be more expensive than other swap options?
"djmt1" (djmt1)
11/09/2017 at 11:26, STARS: 0
Doesn’t the Camry V6 bolt on to that gearbox?
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
11/09/2017 at 11:26, STARS: 0
How much harder would it be to use a K-series transmission?
"DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By" (ducst3-red-1liter-standing-by)
11/09/2017 at 11:30, STARS: 2
If there is already parts to mate the k20 to the E153, Id say just buy the good tranny to start with. If you spend the time and effort to mate the k20 and s54, you might as well just get the better tranny to avoid the development head ache.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
11/09/2017 at 11:31, STARS: 2
Slow day oppo, no one suggested a LSX or SBC swap yet.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/09/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 0
The K-series transmission requires finding new axles and shift linkage items too. I just paid for a clutch replacement for the S54 gearbox a few weeks ago, that’s part of why I want to keep using it. The K-series gearbox seems to be more work according to Hux Racing:
A2. The full kswap guys will need to source a shifter box and cables from a MK3 MR2 Spyder. You will also need the shifter bracket that Innovative Mounts sells for the kswap MK3 part # 50507. http://www.sparktecmotorsports.com/imt-50507.html
Or .....which is what most are running
An RSX shift box from Hybrid Racing , a set of Civic EG kswap cables and a custom cable bracket at the transmission will work.
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
11/09/2017 at 11:36, STARS: 0
Yeah, that’s quite a bit more complex. As long as you don’t go FI it sounds like your transmission would be fine.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/09/2017 at 11:37, STARS: 0
Believe me, I’d love some LS goodness in my car, it just doesn’t fit very easily.
Someone on the MR2 forums seems to have tried it...
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/09/2017 at 11:39, STARS: 1
That’s a really good point. Everything for the E153 already exists. I do not have the time nor the patience to have parts fabricated for a never-before-done swap.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/09/2017 at 11:41, STARS: 0
From what I can find, it’s a lot easier to do V6 swaps with the E153 transmission. The S-series gearbox was mainly used with the 3S-GE and 5S-FE 4-cylinder engines.
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
11/09/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 0
He seems to have been drunk when making that post.
"Michael" (mhanczyc)
11/09/2017 at 12:47, STARS: 0
Turbos with E153 runs stronger axles as well. And hubs. And Brakes.
"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
11/09/2017 at 12:49, STARS: 0
Expensive existing parts tend to be cheaper and easier to get than newly designed one-off bits.
"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
11/09/2017 at 13:12, STARS: 0
There was a guy on our last mountain cruise with a K-series SW20. K24/K20 hybrid with a huge turbo making like 550 wheel. He was running the honda transmission though, with a crazy shift linkage setup.
"Tareim - V8 powered" (tareimgaml)
11/09/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 0
what about the wiring loom? is there a completely new loom to replace the 3sge loom?
"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
11/09/2017 at 17:53, STARS: 0
If you know how to CAD and have the bolt patterns and spacing whipping one up is not hard. If you don’t mind the weight buying a thick piece of aluminum or steel and drilling the holes yourself is almost viable if you don’t value time. Having it milled for you as a one off is going to be more costly then just swapping to the turbo trans or keeping the k20 trans.
If you look through the boostedboiz videos, he uses the native k20 manual transmission with b-series axles to slide right into the non-turbo MR2 hubs with his K24 swap. Seems like the most economical.
"BlurpleToyotaDishwasher" (blurpletoyotadishwasher)
11/14/2017 at 17:05, STARS: 0
So, you’re in the States and have an NA, so presumably you’re talking about a 5S-FE rather than an imported one with a 3S-GE?
Why not just put a 3S-GE in?
I mean, yeah, the ~200bhp BEAMS ones are in pretty high demand so when they do come up they’re quite expensive, but I’d imagine it’s cheaper than all the custom bits and pieces and the ~170hp ones out of rev3s and such are pretty easy to get hold of cheap.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/15/2017 at 16:37, STARS: 0
That’s a really good point. Does the 3S-GE fit with the S54 gearbox? That’d be super straightforward to swap in.
"BlurpleToyotaDishwasher" (blurpletoyotadishwasher)
11/15/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 1
Yeah that’s what it comes with as standard in transverse setups (an exception would be the ones from some earlier Celicas which have s53s according to wikipedia, but those are the lower power ones anyway)
Apparently the black-top ones from Altezzas need a few bits and pieces changing to fit transverse so something like this seems like it would be the easiest route to 200bhp?