Thinking about aftermarket ECU for my Toyota...

[Spinnetti]

Anybody know if its worth it on the 4age? wisdom used to be there was not much to be had in this motor (unlike the hondas)....

I'm also looking for someone within reasonable drive distance from Cincinnati who could do a baseline dyno, then tune the new box and redyno...

Thnx.

[Chip42]

problem with the 4age has and will always be the cams. the ecu will help with response and yield some hp, but no - it simply isn't a honda...

[quadzjr]

There is a good write on this on the http://www.mr2oc.com webiste. There are alot of people that installed stand alone systems like a megasquirt, and saw minimal gains.

[raceita]

I'm considering having the ECU changed to up the rev limiter on my '86 MR2, to maybe 8,600 to 9,000

Have you done this or considered this? Cost? Opinions?

Steve Burns
ITB MR-2
Midwestern Council

[quadzjr]

IMHO It doesn't make sense to bump it up that high.. the motor simply cannot breath that high becasuse like what chip said, with factory cams being so small and have absolulutley no duration. It is sad when a stock honda d16 cam looks like a monster racing cam in comparison to the stock 4age cam. . However if you are say building a GT or Prod car, this is very good thing to try out.

[raceita]

Steve, I understand no HP gains, I'm looking for flexibility. Some tracks I race at it would make sense to hold a gear rather than upshift just to downshift two seconds later.

Steve Burns
ITB MR2

[Spinnetti]

There is a good write on this on the http://www.mr2oc.com webiste. There are alot of people that installed stand alone systems like a megasquirt, and saw minimal gains.

I guess I should have known to check there - I have a couple of my MR2's posted there (I did a MR2 Roadster and a 20v vvt motor version)

I've never road raced any of my MR2's... Bit off topic, but would you be willing to share any alignment and/or spring rate tips? I'm planning to build one for the 24hrs of lemons, and not sure what a good baseline is on rates & alignment..... I'll move the battery to the front, whack the roof off and fully tie in the cage, otherwise mostly IT spec.

[quadzjr]

What type of suspension do you plan on running for your MK1? There doesn't seem to be a "racing" suspension option out there other than custom coil overs. There are a few "sport" options out there.

You mean you want to do one like the one that was at the last 24hr lemons?

[raceita]

Spinnetti, I run 2.2 camber front, 2.5 rear on Kumho V710. Sport springs (no coil overs). I don't remember spring rates.

You're rev limiter is at 8,300? Mine is 7,600 (stock). How'd you get 8,300?

Any advice on how to get a higher rev limit?

Steve Burns
'86 MR2 ITB
Midwestern Council

[Spinnetti]

What type of suspension do you plan on running for your MK1? There doesn't seem to be a "racing" suspension option out there other than custom coil overs. There are a few "sport" options out there.

You mean you want to do one like the one that was at the last 24hr lemons?

Funny you should mention that one... I was in a Celica at that race, and that MR2 and I traded spots probably 100 times or more over a 90 minute or so stint- it was really fun. Thing is, that MR2 should have been faster, and certainly a lot faster than the Celica I was driving. In an enduro you can't run a ton of camber and not have wear issues, but I think that one needed more roll control at least.. If I can't come up with another AE86 Corolla, I'll build the MR2 and we can compare notes at the next lemons