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1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Has a Neat Surprise Under the Hood for Both Street and Drags

Japan’s first mid-engine production car, the Toyota MR2, was produced over the course of only three generations. While it didn't quite acquire the cult status of other two-seat, mid-engine, RWD sports cars, it’s a rather curious sight today. Still, when you’re dealing with an MR2 sporting a huge central exhaust tucked up high in between the taillights, you know something is amiss...
1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel 46 photos
Photo: That Racing Channel / YouTube
1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel1,100+HP Toyota MR2 Honda K-Swapped on That Racing Channel
They say that we shouldn’t judge books by their covers, though for this MR2 the wrapping does give a hint or two about what’s going on under the metal. You just need to take a look at the huge rear tires and compare them to the incredibly skinny front ones!

The latest episode from That Racing Channel highlights a second-generation Toyota MR2... for the second time. But there’s a reason for its comeback (around a year since the first installment). And it’s not only because it’s “an absolute weapon on the streets,” as per the words of Javier, one of the hosts of the YouTube series.

It’s because this 1,100+ whp small rocket of an MR2 is an absolute weapon just about everywhere, as you’ll find out during the video’s (embedded below) full build breakdown from the owner (and action footage at the 10:10 mark). The discussion starts from the 2:35 mark with a ride – one that includes some NSFW language, given the way it blasts even from a rolling start.

Back when it was presented for the first time, this MR2 (which hides a Honda K-Series swap under the engine cover... or should we say covers?) was delivering around 850 horsepower. The latest modifications (explained from the 4:39 for the general talk and 8:32 markers for the engine specifics) have taken it to a whole new level, though.

One that’s documented on the dyno chart (7:18 mark) where at 42 PSI it comes out with 1,054-wheel horsepower. But the setup is currently running at 48 PSI of boost, hence the 1,100+ rating. And probably the most interesting thing is the versatility level, as the owner explains the MR2 goes to “rally events, street fun, drag events, I do everything with the car.”

That means he’s up for anything, from hitting the drag strip to popping out the T-tops and enjoying a nice cruise on a sunny day. Well, except for “not going to circuit racing, though” - although by now we've figured on our own this is a straight-line missile kind of project.

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About the author: Aurel Niculescu
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Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution.
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