Project Groku 350

Meet Project Groku 350 Version 2.0

Groku is close to my heart. She’s had a few different engines over the years but this one will most likely stay. Last year she broke down at Streets of Willow. She had a 2zz, which I have lost a lot of faith in for engine reliability. She is now getting an upgrade from +- 180 HP to about 350 HP. I’m a bit frightened on how i’ll be able to handle that power. Most likely she’ll have 2 tunes, 8 PSI and 16PSI.

The turbo engine was in another car before that engine blew up. She ran good for a while but on stock internals she eventually cracked a ring land and that engine went kapoop. I also suspect the tune wasn’t quite right as she would sometimes ping/ knock on the top of the rpm band.

I was able to pick up a fully built motor. Forged rods, pistons, cams, upgraded valve train and stage 2 cams. I thought it would be a drop in affair. After opening up the engine, thankfully I found so many things wrong with it. The Ring gaps were off. The cylinders were out of round and scored. The Block was machined but the freeze plugs were never removed so the debris scored the crank bearings. The valve lashes were off so bad! I had to use a new block, get it bored and gapped the rings for turbo. Cylinders came back perfect from the machine shop and I washed the block and oil passages to be sure no debris was in the system. I also grinded some of the cast flashing. Some of the flashing were paper thin just waiting to be chipped off and cause damage. I tried to reuse the head but found one of the cam cap threads were stripped. It bothered me and I attempted to heli-coil it, I failed. I had to use an entirely new head. More time, but finally she was ready to be assembled.

There will be a few revisions  in the future because the air to air intercooler is ok for street driving but on the track heat soak retards timing after the warm up lap. I also have a tubular ram horn manifold that will eventually replace the log style manifold to help flow. The turbo flanges are different so I’ll have to weld the stainless flange, which is more time. At this point she’s been sitting on rollers for a year and I just want to get her running.

Also the turbo is clocked a bad angle. I’m going to need to keep the oil return verticle, right now it seems to be at 20-25 degrees which may explain why there is excess oil in the intercooler system, which may also be why I’m having so much heat soak on the track.

Due to the Stage 2 cams, and low compression pistons 8:1, I’ll need to retune soon. Lots to still. When she’s done I think she will be the most fun mr2 I’ve owned. Low end torque transforms the spyder.

Build List

Engine:

1zz

Garret GT280RS

Stage 2 Crower Cams

MWR Valvtrain

MWR Forged Rods

Wiseco 8:1 Forged Pistons

Transmission

5 Speed

Cusco RS LSD set up for 1.5 way