7MGTE MK3 from France

Brutus

Brutus

New Member
Jun 16, 2008
32
0
0
Vosgian mountains, France
Hello everybody,

I own three 7MGTE MKIIIs I bought separately for a low price.

All of them have been abused by their previous owners regardless the laws of mechanic.

First one I bought has a blown head gasket and conrod seals are gone. The previous owner didn't even know where to check the oil level on the car :nono: It's a white one with targa and full leather.

Second one is black. I suspect the strong knock the previous owner had comes only from an exhaust leak before the exhaust manifold, but I need to put back everything together to check this (the cam covers have been removed something like three years ago, and some mice build their nest in there :cry:).

Last but not least, last one I bought was very well taken care of as far as cosmetic was concerned, but the previous owner managed to blow the head.
He had a MHG and a full 3" custom exhaust (except the stock turbo elbow)and I suspect he just set the boost to some not-very-clever-level like 20psi on the poor stock CT26 with stock intercooler. He even managed to melt the spark plugs on cylinder 3 and 4!

I'm currently spending my week-ends on 3S engines (Celicas and MR2s), which I'm beginning to know quite well, and I'm looking forward to step on the next level of complexity and do a full rebuild of one of these 7MGTE engines this summer.
 
Brutus

Brutus

New Member
Jun 16, 2008
32
0
0
Vosgian mountains, France
I didn't expected such a success! :biglaugh:

I have no picture of the first one (white targa), but here are the last two, along with a Celica ST162.
photo_67.jpg

photo_68.jpg


Just for fun, the cars in front of them, a SW20 MR2, ST182 and ST185 Celicas.
photo_66.jpg


I will try to make some more photos next time I'll go to the place my mates and I work during week-ends (especialy the truly impressive melted spark plugs).
 
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Brutus

Brutus

New Member
Jun 16, 2008
32
0
0
Vosgian mountains, France
The black one has been sitting for two years in the previous owner's garage, and I bought it one year ago.

This one is my favourite. It's a targa roof, 92 model with all the goodies like oil level sensor except the Toyota electronic electronic display (I cannot remember the name) which can be used to display the ECU codes.

I intend to put a fully rebuilt 7MGTE (stock internals) inside, with cheap xspower exhaust manifold (with twin entry exhaust housing for the CT26), and the full 3" exhaust I have on the white one with the addition of a turbo elbow of same size. I will also make a custom cold air intake, put a big IC, electric radiator fans. I will keep with the stock HG (head torqued as it should be) since I prefer to stay on the safe side and blow the head gasket rather than holing a piston or cracking the head. I imagine this is going to be good for 300hp at the crank if I shim the wastegate a bit.

These are just my thoughts at the moment (hope I haven't said too much stupid things), and for sure this can change when I will have spent some time reading this forum.
By the way, I also have a lexus AFM, so if by chance I find 550cc injectors and interesting turbo internals...
Of course, suggestions are more than welcome! :icon_bigg

I will rebuild the shock absorbers to be on the sport side, use the lowering springs I have on the third one, and put the front and rear upper strut bars I have on the white one you see on the pics.

For the exterior, I will put the dark front and rear lights I have on the white one, and the Lexus SC430 18" wheels I have, the rest will stay completely stock.

Next "wrenching weekend" is scheduled in two weeks (finishing a high compression head and fitting it on a Celica), so I will bring back plenty of pictures for you guys.

Thanks for your interest.
 
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