[Matador]

Originally Posted by Conor

Except that the modern 2GRFE makes as much power/torque and is capable of incredibly good fuel economy for its output (20/29mpg in the AVALON, for chrissakes!).

Except that the 2GR in the avalon falls 32hp/40ftlbs of the last 1UZ that was produced. Can't argue with the economy, but those are perks of a generation of development, don't you think?

Originally Posted by Conor

Says me. That's just how modern cars work.. I'll be pleasantly surprised if it weighs in under 2,900 pounds. 2900 pounds is still a nice weight, in any case.

Sorry, I didn't know that you were on of the guys on the engineering team. My apologies. How much does the convertible MX-5 weigh again?

Originally Posted by Conor

You're splitting hairs. once again, 99.99% of drivers would not be able to discern a difference..

a) I'd say your estimate is bullshit.

b) Even if you were close to being right, Toyota plans to sell around 100k or 200k per year? Then that would be max 3% of drivers who'd "need" to discern the difference, and I'd like to think that most guys in the market for this kind of car can tell the difference say between a BMW 3 series and corolla.

c) Most importantly however, it's not all about the driver being able to discern, but also what the car is CAPABLE of. Most drivers aren't able to take a car to 10/10ths, but many BUY because of what it CAN do at 10/10ths.

Originally Posted by Conor

I'm not sure why you think I was expecting this to be a Supra..

Also, "big motor, small car" is a classic recipe for awesomeness and excellent hoonage. "Small motor, small car" is a classic recipe for econoboxes that are fun to flog but not exactly awesome (see AE86, MR2, Miata, every British roadster from the 60s/70s..). You're really, really overthinking it here, methinks.

It's a classic recipe for muscle cars. Agility does not often come to mind when one thinks of muscle cars. You really AREN'T thinking, methinks.

Originally Posted by Conor

I don't feel that way at all. The 4AGE is a fine engine.. but it really is lackluster. It's a dog. It's fun as hell to wring out to redline.. but it doesn't do much in terms of moving the car real well.

100 odd horsepower would cause that sensation no? There weren't many better 4s in it's time.

Originally Posted by Conor

Did you read what I wrote? All this stuff is already on the shelf.. Maybe mostly the Lexus parts shelf, but still on the shelf. These parts existed before they ever even began designing the boxer setup. I'm sure they have their reasons.. (cost being primary, no doubt).. As this car is supposed to cost less than a 370Z (although I'll believe that when I see it).

And they could have also hacked together something on the IS platform, but that's obviously not the direction they chose to go with no?

If it costs more than a 370Z, that will be total fail as well.

Originally Posted by Conor

You couldn't be more wrong I put a 165hp/185lb-ft V6 into my '93 MR2.. It'll never make as much peak power and torque as a lightly-modified factory turbo engine.. so why would I do that if I were all about horsepower?

Power band maybe? If you can't tune a 2.0 turbo 4 to have a better power band than a 3.0 V6 with only 165hp/185ftlbs, then I'm guessing I'd have to rethink the good things the guys on here from the MR2 board have had to say about you.

Originally Posted by Conor

The swap I did was for drivability and all around performance. It's about ridiculously crisp throttle response and low-end oomph. It's about it being a fantastic highway cruiser as well as a burnout machine...

See my above comment (and this coming from a person that thinks attempting to put a UZ in an MR2 is a good idea).

Originally Posted by Conor

If the 2GR can do 29mpg in an Avalon.. I'm sure it could hit mid 30s in a sub-3000pound coupe. 270-300whp and 34-35mpg? Sign me up!

didn't you just say that this won't weigh less than 3000lbs? Less so with a 2GR. Remind me again in which trim does the 2GR put down 300whp?