--- title: "This Mad Genius Made a Turbo V6 Toyota MR2 That Shoots Fire" date: "2025-01-28" modified: "2025-01-28" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-mad-genius-made-a-turbo-v6-toyota-mr2-that-shoots-fire" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Toyota News" tags: - "MR2" - "sports car" - "Toyota" --- # This Mad Genius Made a Turbo V6 Toyota MR2 That Shoots Fire ![Brad Glasgow's turbo MR2 shooting flames out of its side exhaust.]() *\Brad Glasgow via Instagram\* There's a lot to love about the third-generation [Toyota]() MR2 Spyder. Its quirky looks, ultra-low curb weight, and mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout make it a fantastic little classic sports car to pick up cheap on the used market. But if there's one complaint about the [MR2](), it's that it was always kind of slow; its 1.8-liter four-cylinder only brought 138 horses to the party. Fortunately, Brad Glasgow, aka G Mech, over in New Zealand has spent the better part of two years correcting that issue by swapping in more powerful engines. One such engine was a Mitsubishi 6G74 V6 with a massive turbo that spit flames. While Glasgow's 6G47 V6 came from a Mitsubishi [Pajero](), it ain't the same one as in your dad's SUV. His was heavily built and given a big old turbo, so it made gobs of power and torque. He also paired that engine with a four-speed sequential manual transmission. When on boost, it looked violently powerful, each shift accompanied by a massive kick in the back and a hilarious turbo whoosh. Oh and did I mention it shot fire? During his simulated launch control, with flat shifts, the MR2 actually blew flames several feet from its side exhaust. > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by Brad Glasgow (@bbbrad\_)]() Unfortunately, all of that power, violence, and fire-spitting also made it the MR2 from hell. It was just too uncomfortable and difficult to drive, so Glasgow stopped driving it much, defeating the whole purpose of building a fun mid-engine sports car. "I don't drive it much because it's a bit of a pain in the ass, a hard starter," [the builder said in one video](). He decided to swap the engine once again, for something a little more manageable, lighter, and easier to tune—a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from a first-gen [Audi TT](). Of course, there was no way he was leaving the humble Audi four-pot alone. He fitted it with a bigger port cylinder head from a different 1.8T and another huge turbocharger from a Volvo. The turbo required some custom welding of intake pipes, but that didn't prove much of a problem. He also fitted the engine to a six-speed manual transmission from a 2011 Volkswagen Passat diesel, and it surprisingly came with a limited-slip differential. A six-speed box will make a huge improvement to drivability versus the old four-speed "manualized" auto. It'll probably be more fun, too. The new setup runs, but Glasgow doesn't have any videos of it driving just yet. Given the level of skill and attention to detail he puts into his builds, we have no doubt it will be a blast to drive. > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by Brad Glasgow (@bbbrad\_)]() Additionally, Glasgow is planning another MR2 project with a second car: an EV-swapped roadster using Tesla-sourced motors and batteries. Unfortunately, it's quite a bit harder (and more expensive) to cram energy storage in the tiny MR2 than fitting a new engine. So that plan has been paused, while he sorts out the Audi-powered car. Glasgow deserves a follow, on his [YouTube]() channel, [Facebook](), [Instagram](), or all three. All of his videos are interesting, the cars are great, and he goes into great detail about his entire process. I can't wait for an update on the Audi-powered MR2, and to finally see it on the road. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYxCc971ehs *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()