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Okay, I'm new to this and want to build a Locost. Today in the junkyard, I found a Toyota M2 with some odds and ends missing from the engine bay, but the engine and everything that bolts to appears to be present--and I can get it cheap. The engine is a 16-valve four cylinder T-VIS with about 98 cubic inches and the tag said the engine family is 6V-??BBJ, I think. Assuming the thing can be made to run, would this not be a good donor candidate for a midi?

Factor into the price that it'll almost certainly need a full rebuild, if not also the transmission. Also, it's very old, so parts availability may be an issue, and the stock horsepower will likely not be as much as you'd like. About the only good thing about them is that the shifter levers head the right direction, but that's not a good enough reason to use it since the cables can be flipped around on any FWD drivetrain.

Brilliant choice, absolutly one of the best choices for a locost middy - presuming it's a 4ageu - they are light weight, small in size, very reliable and as you have found, plenty of cheap bits and pieces around for them.

They rev very well and excellent power to weight ratio (the engine and box that is, the rest is up to you!).

Buy it, you won't regret it (presuming you following the standard used engine check procedures) - also Graber Cars uses this basic engine for their kits so you could ask for their opinion over at that forum too for confidence.

Suggest you Google/Wiki "Toyota 4A-GE" and "Toyota MR2"

Halrod,

I'm going to make the same assumption that Kurt and Mark seem to have that you meant MR2. It's worth noting that, other than the re-arranged shift linkages on the gearbox, the first series MR2 (AW11 chassis code) is mostly just FWD Corolla parts. Likewise, the second generation (SW20) is Camry/Celica, and the third (ZZW30) is Celica/Corolla Sportivo. There's very little inherent "mid-engined-ness" about MR2 running gear and Corolla's etc are more common and cheaper (usually).

As Mark says, a 1600 DOHC MR2 will be an AW11 with a 4AGE engine - terrific donor drivetrain for a midi (if a little long in the tooth now).

Dominic

They're still occasionally available from the engine importers, as well.

Heavier, but a rear cut from a 2nd gen MR2 with a 3SGTE would be very entertaining.

They range from the low 200's to 240+hp for a revision 3 driveline.

Cheaper options out there, but for a relatively bulletproof (albeit heavy / pricey ) driveline, it's a contender.

the first gen mr2s would be a great choice and cheap. as a mr2 fan im looking for a first gen for a locost. heres the one im restoring.

if you want alot of power the 3sgte from the second gen is a great choice its what im using because i have one already.
however the 4age is still powerfull after the tvis opens at 4200 rpm, and if its a 4agZe its supercharged but also very heavy.