Magne Cavallin’s Toyota MR2 Turbo is a passion project that blends a classic mid-engine model with a modern powerplant, creating a unique driving experience.
He purchased his first MR2 in 2009 and has felt a special connection to these cars ever since. This fascination sparked a dream of owning something extraordinary, and with a bit more “fun factor” than the standard GTi model.
For MR2 enthusiasts, the turbo version is the ultimate model, and that’s exactly what Magne wanted to get his hands on. However, the turbo engine didn’t remain in its place for long, as it was soon swapped for something offering even more power and better drivability.
This car, an original MR2 Turbo, was imported to Norway from the U.S. in the late ’90s. It had been damaged, and a dedicated Toyota master technician repaired it before it hit Norwegian roads in 2001.
Around 2008, the car was taken off the road and parked in the basement of a Toyota dealership, where it sat for 10 years — until Magne discovered it and learned that it was for sale.
While prices for Japanese enthusiast cars have skyrocketed in recent years, the MR2 hasn’t appreciated as much as some other models. Magne couldn’t resist the opportunity to get his hands on an original MR2 Turbo at a reasonable price, and in late 2018, or early 2019, he purchased it, becoming the proud owner of the car you see here.
Plans to give the car a new lease on life were already in motion, but as we all know, plans tend to evolve over time.
Once the MR2 was safely home in his garage, the restoration work began. Yellow paint tends to fade with time, and Magne’s car showed clear signs of neglect after being abandoned for 10 years.
His first step was to give it a proper clean and polish to bring back the original bright yellow color’s shine and luster. Next, he replaced the taillights with the ones from the facelift model MR2.
At this point, the car wasn’t road-legal and suffered from some peculiar engine management issues — CO levels at idle were over 8%, and at higher revs, it was around 0.5. After months of troubleshooting with repair manuals, wiring diagrams, and test lamps, he finally got the car running properly.
The culprit turned out to be a combination of a burned circuit in the ECU and a hidden adjustment screw under a cap. A tip from an old English forum post from 2000 ultimately helped solve the issue.
When the car finally hit the road, Magne quickly realized that old turbo technology had its charm, but the car didn’t perform as aggressively as he had hoped.
After seeing how the MR2 community in the U.S. and the U.K. modified their cars, he was inspired to create a more hardcore MR2. Since this was an original Turbo model, it allowed him to build something a bit more extreme without facing too many issues with Norway’s strict regulations.
His plans were accelerated after a clutch failure during a road trip over the Lærdal mountains. At that moment, he decided it was time for a full overhaul.
Once home, Magne sat down at his computer and ordered a newer JDM engine, larger brakes from a later MR2 model, poly bushings, and a lowering kit.
While the brakes and suspension were installed, the new engine never made it into the car. Magne had already set his sights on something else: a V6 swap, inspired by countless hours of watching YouTube videos of MR2s with V6 engines. The sound and power seemed incredible, and a new plan took shape.
By the time winter came around in 2019, he began studying Norway’s vehicle modification regulations. Thanks to the Norwegian Amcar organization’s lobbying, the rules had been relaxed, and getting a major conversion approved now seemed feasible.
He spent the winter planning the V6 swap, researching how to make it legal in Norway, and gathering the necessary documentation. In spring 2020, he submitted his application, and by autumn, it was approved. As soon as he was given the green light to proceed, Magne didn’t waste any time.
Converting a car originally designed for a four-cylinder engine to house a V6 that’s nearly twice its size required a fair bit of work. However, Magne notes that, for such a major swap, the conversion was relatively straightforward.
The original gearbox bolted directly onto the new engine, with three of the four engine mounts compatible. The final mount was purchased from a U.S.-based company specializing in MR2 V6 conversions.
The wiring harness work was outsourced to a specialist in England. The biggest challenge was creating an exhaust system that would fit while adhering to Norwegian emissions regulations using the donor car’s catalytic converters.
The V6 engine is a 3.5L Toyota 2GR-FE, used in models like the Lotus Evora and Toyota Camry. Swapping out the legendary 3S-GTE turbo engine for a naturally aspirated V6 might seem crazy. But with around 300 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 7,200 RPM, the V6 delivers instant thrust in any gear — something no small turbo engine can match.
Weighing less than 1,300 kg, this compact and lightweight Japanese package offers plenty of performance. Magne estimates 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of around 260 km/h.
With the V6, the car is incredibly drivable, never short of power, and offers a heavenly soundtrack that’s much more exotic than what you’d expect from an old Toyota.
Along with the engine swap, the rest of the car underwent a makeover. Larger brakes from a newer MR2 model were installed and easily approved by the Norwegian government. The body was modernized with details from the facelift version, including a new wing, taillights, front lip, and side intakes.
Initial suspension upgrades were a set of lowering springs and Koni dampers, but this setup proved too soft, so it was eventually replaced by a KW V3 coilover setup that offers excellent performance when properly adjusted.
Inside, the original seats were reupholstered, and the interior received subtle updates to maintain an OEM-plus look. Magne also fitted a set of 16” Enkei RP01 wheels, but it’s becoming difficult to find relevant tires, so they were swapped for a set of 17s, which he plans to keep for the foreseeable future.
While the V6’s sound is Magne’s favorite aspect of the MR2, he’s planning to build a new exhaust system for even more noise. Beyond that, he intends to enjoy the car on road trips and enthusiast events, including Cars & Coffee meets and Toyota gatherings.
But Magne’s garage won’t be quiet for long. Using the knowledge gained from this project, he also has plans of a new and improved MR2 V6 build, focusing on weight reduction and optimizing gearbox ratios.
Magne extends his thanks to Woodsport, Frankenstein Motorworks, Wilhelm Raceworks, and Amcar for their help in making this project a reality.
