If you buy the mr2 then you can start off with a turbo and then just upgrade it. If you go with the s13 the you have to swap the engine out for a jdm turbo one and then ugrade it. both are good cars mr2 are a little harder to find and are harded to work. stock mr2 turbo is faster than a stock 240sx. I dont think that you can find a mr2 for 3k but a s13 you can get for about 2k.
hope this helps
MandoZ85

 

Im going to do a swap eather way and they both cost around 5k so im just wondering what would make the better car with the swap.

 

It depends on what your preference is. Either way an mr2 would probably still come out to be faster. You got pause and think for a moment. If it takes 300hp for an s13 to suit your needs than it would take less hp for an mr2 to accomplish the s13's numbers since there is a greater power to weight ratio in the mr2. The s13 chassis will be easier to handle and will handle greater power and you can swap an rb into it. It doesn't take alot to make mr2's go fast though and with skill it can really carve up the road. But since it's a much more rare car you have to keep in mind that parts aren't gonna readily available off the shelf. I'd say go for the more rare mr2 also if your doing a swap even though it'll be jdm it's still gonna be the same motor right? It'll just be with lower mileage. This is important since you live in CALI where smog and visual inspection is key to passing inspection even if you can get around it, it gives you peace of mind that you can legally pass one.

 

I have been thinking about the smog thing, and yes a mr2 CAN be made street legal but it would cost another $1000 for a egr install and a USDM ecu. I do have around the smog thing though, and a mr2 and a 240 wiergh within 100lbs of eachother. So what would it take for a SR20 to get 300wrhp. Thanks for your help so far guys, keep it coming!

 

I would jump on an mr2. RR configuration, one of few cars that can boast that.

 

I would jump on an mr2. RR configuration, one of few cars that can boast that.

umm...MR2=Midship engine Rear wheel drive 2 seater. its MR, not RR. only car i know of thats RR is the Delorean, but theres probably more.

 

If you want a SR to reach into the 300HP range here is a basice list of what you would need on top of the engine.
New turbo- Big T28 $890(can keep stock manifold) or T3/T4 $600(will need new manifold $300-1000)
FMIC- Greddy $799
Exhaust- $300-800
Downpipe-$100-200
ECU retune-$500
S-AFC-300( if you go with the S-AFC then it will be harder to get 300HP out of te SR but with work it can be done)
Z32 MAF-$50-150
injectors-$200-500
K&N filter-$40
hotpipe-$75-100
This should roughly be what you will need to get to 300HP reliably you could skimp out on some of these things but it will cost you in the long run...Stubby

 

umm...MR2=Midship engine Rear wheel drive 2 seater. its MR, not RR. only car i know of thats RR is the Delorean, but theres probably more.

But don't most MRs have some form of drive shaft between the Tranny & the Diff., not Transaxle. But RR & MR are sometimes interchanged.

BTW (old) Beetles & 911 are RR, Ferraris & NSXs are MR, so (IMO) the MR2 is actually a RR that's mislabled. (I'm gonna try to get pics to further explain my point).

 

But too answer your question,

S13: 50/50 weight balance, have to do swap
SW20: 40/60 weight balance, may not have to do swap.

Both are RWD, which is good for Drag, but the S13 would be better for road racing because of the 50/50 balance, but for $8k, you can build a kick ass S13 or a OK MR2, but for the money, the S13 is the better choice.

(SW20/SW21 is the chassis code of the 2nd Gen MR2)

 

I disagree. An MR2 is better for road/autocross. As much as I love S13's and other 240's in general, an MR2 is a great car. See :

http://www.houston-imports.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21293

It was a debate about a jspec S13 Vs. an jspec MR2. Fact for fact the MR2 owned.

 

But don't most MRs have some form of drive shaft between the Tranny & the Diff., not Transaxle. But RR & MR are sometimes interchanged.

BTW (old) Beetles & 911 are RR, Ferraris & NSXs are MR, so (IMO) the MR2 is actually a RR that's mislabled. (I'm gonna try to get pics to further explain my point).

What? The MR2 engine is between the front and rear wheels and behind the driver therefore it is a MR. Beetles and 911 have the engine behind the rear wheels therefore RR.

Back to the topic. I was looking at both cars before I eventually got my 240. I chose the 240 mainly due to cost here in LA. Paid 2K for my '92 coupe, most MR2 Turbos are at least 5K if your lucky. Also for insurance.

Most of them are '91-'92 turbos with are known for their snap oversteer. Noting that the '92 is my first manual car and rear wheel drive car, I felt the 240 was a better car for me to learn on. Snap oversteer is scary. At school I drive a FSAE car and one of them had snap oversteer which makes you really uncomfortable with the car all the time. If your goal is only drag this won't be a problem.

 

...there is a greater power to weight ratio in the mr2.

I would have to disagree as the mkii Mr2 is rated at 200hp, and weighs about 2800 lbs. An s13 w/ sr will have at least 205hp (if its redtop, but it can be more w/ newer sr) while it weighs about 2650 to 2750 lbs stock. But the MR setup for the mr2 is quite beneficial.

I had to make a similar decision a while ago (mr2, s13, or FC)

Mr2: Harder to work on. Parts are usually more expensive (not much more than s13) and sometimes harder to find. Mr2's are not cheap. I don't think you can find one for 3k. You could buy a n/a and put a jdm engine in that, but everyone who has done it says it is a headache and doesn't recommend it. It's also, MR and the 3sgte is a very strong engine.

S13: A little bit lighter (especially the coupe) and has a 50:50 weight distrib. (especialy fastback). The sr20 is very easy to work on and is also very strong for an aluminum engine. Parts are also easier to find and cheaper.

I say, test drive both if you can, then make a decision. It's going to be your car, so you have to make the final decision.

Johann

 

the only difference between the jdm motor is injectors, head and turbo. you'd save $ if you machined the head bcause you would want to replace the turbo and injectors to get the 300hp. you're better off getting a '94 engine, basic bolt-ons get a better turbo with engine management. mr2s are rare but if you intend to do a swap you can always find one with a blown motor. the '94 tranny has lsd to remedy the snap-over steer. my first car was a FR, then i switched to the MR. much more stable in the corners and understeer is rare. the MR settup has to be driven differently than FR but it's not a bad thing.

PS: in sw20, the engine is placed directly OVER the rear tires (that's ideal)

 

PS: in sw20, the engine is placed directly OVER the rear tires (that's ideal)

This is why I said IMO it is RR.

 

if you hope to someday drift, get the s13 because the mr2 is hard to recover, but since you haven't mentioned drifting but drag and road racing, which i consider autocross, i would get the mr2. my friend got a mr2 turbo, and he upgraded to a td06. i suggest you don't do the same. the lag is outrageous, although it is fast, IMO he needs nitrous to get the turbo to spool faster. His car runs 13's. He did a lot of crap, if you want his email, i can get it for you, pm me.

If you are positive about swapping motors, why buy a car with a running one? try to look for some mr2's or s13's with blown motors.