2ZZ swapped MR2 Spyder - the "Poor Man's Lotus Elise?"

In my opinion, the MR2 Spyder never reached cult status because Toyota gave it the bland 138hp 1ZZ motor found in Corollas and RAV4's. In the early 2000's, if you wanted a lightweight high-revving Toyota-powered go kart, the Series 2 Lotus Elise with the more potent 190hp 2ZZ was the way to go. Nowadays, swapping a 2ZZ into an MR2 is a pretty straightforward task, which is what Oleg decided to do. Let's drive his MR2 back-to-back with Damien's 2005 Elise and see if it's really just a "poor man's Elise".
Follow me on IG: / zygrene
Follow me on Facebook: / zygrene

[@TheRzarectah]

I need to buy one of these damn MR2 while they’re cheap before people realize how awesome they are swapped

[@jameshavenga4998]

Too late

[@aidunklore3647]

In the UK they're cheap. In the US prices have been inflating from around $3,000-10,000 stock in the past year or two (from what I've noticed)

[@AireGro]

In New Zealand mr2 is really cheap

[@ntoxic8edx]

2zz. Lmao. My mr2 spy set is k swapped

[@zappatx]

Still time - look at the RX-7 30,000 and higher!

[@mr2bmw]

MR2 Spyder.......Best kept secret.

[@1183newman]

yea mk3 mr2 was complete shit tbh. Also Lotus helped Toyota build the MK1 MR2, it is rumoured to have been an aborted Lotus project that was sold to Toyota.

[@TheSchosh]

Just bought a 2001 MR2 to replace my Porshe 914 ... why AC

[@Ehal256]

@@1183newman it's a great car, especially considering the price.

[@aftastosk6016]

@alternate account it s one of the cars around regardless the price.

[@Nemoticon]

@@1183newman The Mk3 was never understood, it came out when big power turbos were popular but the Mk3 is a fantastic handling car. Also, the Mk1 wasn't co-developed with Lotus, as much as I hate to say, because I've had a few Mk1s. Lotus only dialed in the suspension settings and the damping, though Dan Gurney did do the overall development of the handling characteristics which is quite obvious because its still a sweet handling sports car today. Though mine handles like a pig because I haven't changed the 16 inch wheels the last owner put on it, lol

[@sendtacos1824]

VVTLI kicked in yo!!!

[@aroundomaha]

The Spyder keeps coming up in my mind. This was no help! Now I’d love to mod one as a poor man’s Elise.

[@robc1014]

I have a stroked 2zz swapped mk3 with the lotus Elise gearbox and lsd, lowered of BC’s and its the funnest car I’ve ever owned.

[@brianmessemer2973]

The MR2 almost reminds me of an AE 86 with ITBs. Great sound!

[@brianmessemer2973]

Edit: 2 years after making this comment, I just bought a 2001 Celica GTS with the 2ZZ-GE engine. I now have the motor I praised in this comment. Life's a trip 😂

[@walterflores51]

Congratulations! I just got my MR2 spyder and plan on doing the 2zz swap

[@StarkReality]

The six speed is a necessity with this swap. It is a blast to drive with the 2zz and the swap is not too hard.

[@nx_Exe]

my mr-s came with a 6 speed already when bought it from the previous owner. I drove it for a couple years with the 1zz and last August it rod knocked 149k miles. Just ordered a 2zz swap, super excited for the extra power.

[@aquiblol]

Will 2zz work with the smt transmission? If it will, will there be any problems?

[@nx_Exe]

@@aquiblol no sir, your gonna want yo 6 speed swap it. Monkey wrench has all the info on their web s ite

[@aquiblol]

@@nx_Exe oh.. thanks for the information👍

[@thomasharris5151]

@aquib6673, will it work YES! People have completed the swap with the SMT as well…!

[@SilverScarletSpider]

This video literally came out at the perfect time, great comparison!

[@Huwberts_Emporium]

Loved the content and format

[@judgedreader4011]

The six speed facelift version of the MR2 with extra under body strengthening/bracing would be a better comparison

[@PpRZman]

Or if he had more bars in his MR2. Each one helps.

[@Mechjeb661]

1 million struts would be so fast.

[@nx_Exe]

I guarantee he had no front strut bar. If you lower the car and don't do the strut it handles poorly. Mines tein s lowering springs on koni shocks and I've put 30k miles on without any suspension problems so idk if this guy had his shit maxed out or what

[@AttheApex]

Great idea to compare the two. Well done. Hope your channel continues to grow.

[@gt7984]

I appreciate the honesty of this review and the perspective it provides. I can't stand the constant sugarcoating many reviewers are prone to, good on ya!

[@SnowWhiteMR2]

A friend of mine has a 2ZZ swap and from what I've heard you definitely want to swap in the 6spd with it. Results are a bit meh when you drop out of lift every time you shift in the 5 spd

[@james10739]

I mean If it's not boosted and it makes alright torque it shouldn't be a problem but it may not and drop down far enough for the vvt or vvl to deactivate

[@hamsterplayer9303]

Lotus' chassis-wise is absolutely unrivalled. Even by the newer and properly carbontubbed alfa 4c....

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

为人民服务Hamster Player nice joke

[@hbproductions1997tm]

I worked for Alfa Romeo last semester and got to drive one of the 4cs and man that thing was nuts. I’m still in love with that car!

[@mrdogfight1]

@@hbproductions1997tm if only it had a manual option. Would've stolen some of those lotus buyers.

[@aftastosk6016]

@Bob Climax finally someone that speaks the truth.👍

[@ag-xw8ir]

Elise has FAAAARRRR superior suspension.

[@paulhenry274]

The license plate on the Elise is awesome and exactly something I would do, I like Damien’s style. Thanks for a great review, been contemplating mr2’s for some time now...

[@paulshibbs]

I just LOVE that little armrest pad between the seats! :)

[@ComplexCarlo]

Finger-less gloves... was not expecting that lmaooo

[@Drifty325i]

Both awesome little cars, the Elise is definitely more involving and exciting but the MRS is an awesome little car with the 2ZZ, great canyon carver, sounds fantastic!

[@ezekielvaldez5517]

Ive been waiting for this video for a long time!

[@Zygrene]

The Mod hmmm, what did you want to hear? Curious :)

[@ezekielvaldez5517]

This was great! I do wish there was a review with 2zz mrs (with coilovers) vs Elise. I get it that he didn’t want a harsh ride but still I feel like it would be a better comparison. Don’t get me wrong I love this video man! Keep the good content coming man!

[@randomoto928]

I miss '03 MR2. If I still had it, I think I'd do this swap. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Imagine an LS swap

[@TheSqeeek]

Man I never realized how similar these things were.

[@aarontsai4863]

Which roads do you do these videos on? They look really fun!

[@themechanicalhound9932]

The Elise steering wheel looks so perfect

[@richardggeorge]

Those rattles in the elise would drive me nuts

[@Darylrb1983]

had an mr2 spyder when stationed in guam. honestly, i loved it. i wish i kept it, put a hard top on it and a 2zz swap. i loved the handling

[@duhduhlovo1670]

Would like to see a 2zz MRS vs k20 MRS. Both stock with no mods. I'm sure it would be a good test between the 2.

[@Zygrene]

Oh man I would love to do that comparison, if only I knew someone with a K20 MR-S

[@justhesolution]

I've owned a celica gts and a civic si. I love the 2zz engine but the k20 is just superior in every way

[@freshtapcoke]

About my fourth time watching this video and I finally noticed the Lotus’s personalized plate! 😂

[@frnciscob1]

Nice. My 90 mr2 is one of the funnest cars I ever owned.

[@briandeline5065]

Love my 03 Matrix 2ZZ.

[@zYzmrZIzYz]

That tires are they running? That makes a huge difference to the feel of the car.

[@shanebeaudrot777]

Ok, within the first 5 seconds of hearing the 2ZZ, my mind was made up! That bad boy hauls ass! My vote is the MRS over the Lutus

[@xvpboyx]

That cross-over though

[@andr3w27]

Interested in seeing a K20/K24 swapped MRS or Elise now.

[@liamcooper5202]

Been done look it up lol

[@somanymods]

It would be better but it would be waaaay more expensive.

[@B__L]

Look at DannyDC2's videos!

[@somanymods]

@Bryce Czirr it's not the engine that's expensive, the swap is expensive. K20s cost a lot more than 2zz's though. www.monkeywrenchracing.com/product-category/mr2s/mr2shondakserieswap/

[@RobbingHoodz]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3e9ZmBpi7ZmZ6s

[@motogte]

Elise 2zz had revised lift and extra power and torque 6000rpm to 8700rpm. The EU/UK/JDM 2zz was lift from 6200 rpm to 8200rpm but felt more raw less linear.

[@KrashKan]

Damn sounds almost as good as the 4age! definitely may look into a celica gts just for the sound.

[@D4ydream3rD3vin]

I miss mine. Really want another one. Nice TRD shift knob. =)

[@bheypuor]

D4ydream3rD3vin Yeyeye Devin chiu

[@chagra5085]

Zygrene how would you compare the Elise vs the Miata? Handling wise?

[@machineslave3]

Nice comparo. I think Toyota's cams do sound more pronounced than hondas.

[@robc1014]

Its even more pronounced if the intake is near the side vent and you have long tube headers 🥰 i love my 2zz MR2.

[@zokusharuuku1091]

Those lowering springs are super soft as I know from experiance. I ended up cutting a coil and a half off them and theyre so much better. I had to lower my mr2 about 2 more inches than the lowering springs because of my fender flares. The mr2 is a great daily driver and is one of the most fun yet relaxing cars to drive where the elise is all business.

[@lo_chapman_fg4]

aye which car did you get the 2zz from? cause the corolla 2zz has the same yamaha top end as the lotus as oppose to the other 2zz models (matrix and celica) which dont have that top end

[@shanebeaudrot777]

Dang, did I mention that MRS sounds awesome 👍

[@hellasspeed4590]

i notice the pcv valve in the mr2 is not plugged in,why isn't?

[@gavinivers8941]

Try Bilstein B8 shocks ( shortened B6 shocks ) May give you the suspension ride and travel you are looking for.

[@royalundersteer1737]

Down hill street racing in this thing with no midrange is gonna be scary Boi

[@gpajic1987]

Feels like a dog at 2k RPM? Have a look at dyno sheets (stock), they're almost identical up until the lift point.. I have a 2zz MR2 and it felt terrible until got rid of the factory intake and sorted the headers and exhaust out. Made a custom intake that sits behind the battery and next to the side air vent (looks similar to the one in this vid). More low, mid and top end and the sound on lift is unbelievable!

[@quagmire5765]

Can you do a review on that bicycle at the end

[@erikmiles5536]

Sounds like he needs to fix the blown struts and get a better alignment.

[@wyattllc]

those new lotus evoras are the shit, you guys should drive one of those

[@jose7777777777777777]

I bet the MR2 with shorter gearing and some coilovers could come super close to the Elise

[@Zygrene]

I think you're right. With a close ratio 6 speed and set of Ohlins or similar, I bet the MR2 could handle 80-90% as well as the Elise. Right now it's maybe 70%. Subjectively, of course.

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

The Elise has double wishbones all round and very stiff, light alu chassis. You will never quite get there I dont think.

[@GreenCanvasInteriorscape]

Does that Lotus come with bare uncarpeted floors stock or was that his choice?

[@alansmilealot]

I finally found a GTS in my area for 3200 with less than 145k miles. I'm still thinking about pulling the trigger it's been for sale for a few weeks, they usually sell quick. I'm surprised I found it that low, there are GT selling for more

[@hamsterplayer9303]

Besides if anyone'd like to endup with a good gen2 elise get yours from/ send yours to sector 111. The shop owner Shinoo Mapleton knows everything as well.

[@bobfranks6445]

The front end always feels a bit floaty on the MR, strange as the weight distribution is better than the Elise and the wheelbase is longer. The electro hydraulic system is pretty good but a little vague. Sticking weight up front doesn't help much. Maybe some trick aero would fix it.

[@toroseye]

vvti kicked in

[@oyurcha1]

vvtli ;)

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

LI

[@123PSPs]

Li-ft kicked in yo

[@christiandevos9280]

Who even cares when it's in a go cart that weighs 1700pounds and was designed for a circuit race track. Non car guys would talk shit

[@maybelive765]

skrewracing *VVTLi*

[@lynnmckenney1987]

I'm actually kind of shocked the mr2 DIDN'T come with the 2zz....why would they put the 138hp version in there when the 2zz was RIGHT THERE??

[@AliasProductions801]

Probably so people didn’t just buy an MR2 over a Lotus

[@lynnmckenney1987]

@@AliasProductions801 that's....actually a really good point.

[@TougeTime]

Currently working on 2zz 6sp with cusco lsd

[@TougeTime]

Its done now. Tis very good tog car

[@khairulrs2k]

My opinion is MR-S require 1# double wish bone arm ,front and rear . 2# quick steering rack then it will par with Elise .

[@christianherrero8053]

What shift knob is in the mr2?

[@Tweedewoning]

Chapman struts , the MR2 has it . I recommend the car .

[@brianjoyce9040]

And Toyota reliability. Perfect. Thx man

[@pnsmexico]

where are you guys located? i got a black 1zz 6-speed squential turbo that makes 205wh/195tq with tasty appearance mods that i would like you to review if near L.A..

[@Zygrene]

I'm in NorCal but making a trip to LA in a few weeks. Please shoot me an email at [e-mail] and we'll make it happen!

[@aftastosk6016]

Where is that review?

[@mr.cookie7308]

It would suck to get out of the city and live on a nice little town on a nice country road, and have crazy car people drive like maniacs reviewing their cars on your road.

[@LeoMumford]

In the UK £1000 gets you an mr2 3rd gen

[@styledliving]

Man, this looks a lot like calaveras/felter for some reason.

[@cybercityoedo808]

Would it be stupid if I try to trade my WRX STI for one?

[@QuantumCat76]

So..for a proper comparison... the same suspension & settings and maybe tires required?

[@Zygrene]

Agreed, though I've driven an Elise on stock suspension and the MR2 with Koni shocks still feels a lot more compliant

[@Venom-ri4yq]

I ben looking for that mrs wonder if he sold it already

[@toyotahontas9296]

Can you buy a new 2zz from a Toyota dealer? Do dealers perform a swap?

[@123PSPs]

I have an s2000 and a Celica GTS really thinking about getting a Spyder it was my first option before getting an s2k .

[@ttroygotknife]

Prodigious 909 digimon3

[@fastdude2002]

I bought an MR2 new in 2001 and a Honda S2000 new in 2002. Both fun but the S2000 is currently still sitting in my garage and I sold the MR2 long ago.

[@mr.adventure559]

Is there an ITB kit for the 2ZZ GE engine?

[@clarencetrinidad9149]

What color is the elise? Racing green metallic?

[@adrianotero7963]

The MR2 with a 5 spd is not a good keeper.........if you are going to do this swap don't be cheap and put a 6 spd in it.....you fall out of lift with the 5 spd.

[@wholespeed]

Man the difference between the Elise and the Spyder in squeaks and rattles is night and day. Advantage Japan. Nice video.

[@abuelb]

Put that ecu on the Celica gts, please!

[@leolion4347]

Great video can you do the total Cost to swap.

[@spiritsofthemansion]

I've been looking between doing either the swap, or a turbo, and the cost is around the same. Between $2500 and $3000, that cost is based on parts only, with the thought being that you would do all the work yourself.

[@LupinYonderboy]

Just got my stock facelift mr2 mk3 cheep under 100k miles. I'm not sure I'd want to loose talk to gain power in the top end with a 2zz swap.

[@towers3372]

how much did you get it for

[@YoungsterJory]

You gotta get the c60, 1ZZ has such long gears

[@reneneron2971]

6 speed is required to maximize the benefit, which is why it was used by Toyota in the first place with the 2ZZ manual. As for the 1ZZ having more power or torque than the 2ZZ, it simply isn't so. Compare the 2 power curves. The 2ZZ has more power at any given RPM than the 1ZZ, and blows it away when lift kicks in.

[@GRIDKEEPER]

Rene Neron I have 2zz with 6 speed, have timed 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.

[@Zygrene]

Rene Neron Thanks for the correction regarding 1ZZ vs 2ZZ torque output. The shape of the torque curve makes the 1ZZ "feel" more torquey down low, even if it's not! Regardless, 2ZZ is the infinitely more exciting and appropriate engine for the MR-S.

[@reneneron2971]

Zygrene it is a common misconception that the 1ZZ has more power at low rpm. It just falls flat on its face early, so no point to run to the redline. Which you did emphasize in the video.

[@negativeindustrial]

Zygrene I’d have a 3S-GTE in mine but I’m a MKII and GT4 owner so...

[@SVSportscars]

you could clearly hear that it still had the 5 speed box on it. it takes ages after shifting to be back on cam again. on the C64 Gearbox with good shifting at redline you can stay within the powerband. on the 5 you are way out. Even for the 1ZZ engine the 5 speed box was a bad choice and luckily Toyota figured that out and replaced it with a 6 Speed box (not sure if also in the US but in Japan and Europe the facelift models got the 6 Speed. be it a slightly longer 6 speed than the 2ZZ 6 speed box. We often replace the 5 speed with the facelift 6 and it already transforms the car even with a 1ZZ engine.

[@1982craigyboy]

I’m wondering what tyres the Toyota was running though? I know the Elise chassis is incredible, have driven several and most of the lotus range but can’t help wondering just how close the MR2 can get with a bit more suspension work and semi slick tyres too.

[@bobfranks6445]

Bracing seems to be a priority on the Toyota , most jump into Coilovers where a suspension refresh and some lowering springs work very well. Plus the sway bars. My S2 111S on an average tyre like a Toyo T1R or Continental Premium Contact does not outperform my MR-S on AD08R.

[@kevinvermeire4873]

Nice car engine combo but why not a k20 honda??

[@94tegLSatMSC]

Damn, all that money to make 160whp. It's a really nicely put together car but man for that money you could have done a K20 that makes 220-230whp with way better gearing and torque. The 6500rpm VVTI crossover is insane to, a tuned K will have VTEC crossover at below 4,000. I gotta buy an MR2 now.

[@johnconnor7501]

How come all your guests have these really cool shirts?

[@yungxbreen923]

There’s no center band on those federals. Makes turn in sloppy

[@ezekielvaldez5517]

What all did he do with the swap? I just don’t understand how he spent so much.

[@RichardsMUP]

No idea how he spent so much. Bought the car for 2k and spent 13k+ for a 2ZZ swap? Sounds ridiculous.

[@Raevenswood]

Do you think the difference in steering is because the lotus doesn’t have power steering?

[@Zygrene]

That's part of it, yes. The Lotus is also much lighter with a stiffer chassis and suspension so the turn in is more crisp.

[@shaeerhassan8588]

I'd rather have the lotus just a better looking car

[@taekwondotime]

The MR2 looks so much better in black, silver, or a dark green, dark blue, etc. White is a terrible color for this car. Makes the car look blocky. Check these out: www.google.com/search?q=toyota+mr2+spyder&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAl7OLocTiAhWEdd8KHVbvB4QQ_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=937

[@zokusharuuku1091]

Or you could buy an mr2 and swap a 2zz and get the porche 918 looking body kit and even turbo the 2zz for less than an elise costs

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

But it will never handle like the Elise without the Aluminium chassis and double wishbone suspension all round.

[@itheus]

I see hard top. Should i get hard or soft top?

[@supra1722]

MR2 needs the Celica's C60

[@ntoxic8edx]

15-20k into that thing. Lmao oh my 😂😂😂😂. K swapped mine for less thAn 9k. And I paid 5k for the car

[@LeoMumford]

Yeah Jesus that guy spent way too much

[@amnottabs]

a supercharged hard-top MR-S would be cool

[@Zygrene]

I may be reviewing a turbo 1ZZ MR-S soon :)

[@amnottabs]

@@Zygrene okay, you got me aboard with that!

[@cajunroadwarrior]

There is nothing more insulting than someone saying a particular car is a poor man's exotic. I'd rather the MR2 over the Elise. It's a far more comfortable car for everyday use. I find the interior of the Elise too sparse.

[@LinhTran-wo9od]

where'd u get that nsx shirt Fenton?

[@Zygrene]

A gift from Clarion back when I reviewed their Clarion Builds NSX!

[@williamlevy1981]

Nah. My Hondata K-Pro tuned 2004 RSX Type-S is in another league. With stock camshafts...

[@syafiqaiman3548]

In which aspect ?

[@ezekielvaldez5517]

Would be nice to do a comparison with the mrs on coilovers :(

[@oyurcha1]

Once I find a good set of coilovers that would work I swap them in. I just don't want to ruin the ride and want to maintain compliance for better grip in the canyons.

[@itwontdie]

KSport Kontrol Sport Coilovers work great on mine

[@ezekielvaldez5517]

@oyurcha1 gonna be a beast!!!

[@mbchannel1037]

I would swap the mr2 with K20 or K24.

[@superfoot53]

Why is the car rattling so much?

[@rolldog82]

Any snap over steer as mr2 in the lotus?

[@EliasTheHunter]

The third gen MR2 doesn’t really have a problem with snap oversteer. Also, its weight distribution is closer to 50/50 than the Elise.

[@rolldog82]

Thank you 👍

[@feral4mr2]

snap oversteer is a myth, it's just driver error.

[@piHi-lg8pl]

Time to swap a 2gr....

[@p-mac5969]

K swap will always come out on top

[@AireGro]

Weren't the Toyota mr2-s and the lotus elise a colab between the 2 manufactorers?

[@1183newman]

the toyota mr2 mk1 was developed with the help of lotus, the elise was all lotus and originally had a rover engine in it and not a toyota. The engine came later when rover went bankrupt and stopped producing engines. The Elise was designed by Lotus when Lotus was owned by Bugatti and named after Romano Artioli's daughter, Elisa. He was the chairman of Bugatti and Lotus at that time.

[@AireGro]

sam newman wow thanks for the info, I didn't know any of that thank you

[@nic1586]

not dissing but im suprised it cost him 15k and there isnt even real suspension mods i think with chassis bracing and correct spring rates on coilovers with other standard suspension tuning it would be much closer to the elise ive heard the stock sway bars and alignment really don't suit the car for true performance and to get the most the car spring rates have to be quite high at least in the rear like 10k r 6k f