Hi there, I’m an MR2 enthusiast. One of my first cars being a 1990 NA for which I bought a 1994 turbo half cut direct from Japan. Rebuilt the engine with new internals and then dropped it into the NA. Was a lot of fun on the track back in the day. Me and my brother did most of the work ourselves including wiring the ECU from the turbo into the NA. Mostly because we didn’t have the money to pay someone else to do it for us. Which before the internet was quite an exercise. We even took the old engine out from the top before we realised from the bottom was the way to do it. That car was actually back up for sale recently which brought back memories. 
 
Anyway. Fast forward 20+ years and I’ve managed to purchase a 1998 Australian delivered GT. It’s in great condition but I’m currently buying as many parts new as possible for a complete original restoration including respray at the end. I know the last of the Australian delivered SW20's are rare and I don't want to butcher it with any modifications. One of those cars that I’ll own for ever given my sentimental attachment to the model.
 
Original restoration except for the engine. Keeping it NA but intending to stroke it out to 2.2L with a complete rebuild, different CAMs, intake etc and probably the LINK ECU. Trying to replicate the TOMS NA SW20 for those that might be familiar. Spoke to TOMS in Japan and they don’t do the complete engine or any of the parts anymore.  
 
Spoke also to Toda Engineering in Japan who have a stroker kit for the turbo and I think I can use the cams and conrods but with higher compression pistons. Not sure about the connecting gudgeons. Waiting to hear back also from JUN in Japan who also have a 2.2L kit but for the turbo not the NA. Thinking also to maybe get an engine built in Japan and crate it down to Oz to drop in. 
 
Anyway, it’s been a long time since I’ve owned an MR2 and long time since I’ve lived in Australia. My question is whether any forum members have done something similar to the SW20 3SGE NA and can share me the specs of what they did. Alternatively, a recommendation for a high quality engine builder. I'm looking for quality not price. Car is currently in Sydney but Australia wide is fine. I know Terry is the expert if anyone knows how to contact him for advice on the build. I'm willing to pay for advice.
 
Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions. I'll post some pics later as the project progresses.

There's a fella on mr2oc who has build a few 5sges over the years, would definitely be worth a look. I think his forum name is eazy2001x or something to that tune.

After much searching around I’m getting Phoenix Power in Japan to build the engine and I’ll crate it back to Sydney.

Phoenix are one of the old school Japanese MR2 tuners.

Will be talking with them more this week to refine a few of the specs and then I’ll post details here. Will be running mostly Toda internals.

Thinking I might run the Hurley Race Engineering bolt on ITB. Anyone here have an experience with it?

This sounds like a great build!
Are you planning on having the engine run-in and tuned on the TODA engine dyno before shipping?
Did they give you a power figure and cost of the work?
 

Following this build with interest!

Hey B24, I'm in Japan this week and will be speaking further with Phoenix Power to understand what they proposed. 2.2L stroker kit, camshafts and gear are from TODA. Pistons are custom. I spoke to TODA earlier about building the complete engine but they don't have a complete kit for the SW20 3SGE and weren't willing to do the build with different pistons. Valve train Phoenix Power have their own parts which I'm getting further details.
 
I'm not sure whether Phoenix Power have a bench rig to run-in and tune the engine. Will ask. Otherwise I'll just be shipping it down to Oz to run in and tune probably with the Link PNP in Sydney. I'm hoping for around 180KW at the engine which is what the TOMS NA MR2 achieved. 
 
Cost wise this is far from a cheap exercise. Engine build with parts will be circa A$20K. Will probably end up one of the most expensive SW20s in Australia by the time I've finished but hopefully one of the best.  
 
Will post more details later as it progresses.

Finalised the build spec with Phoenix Power. Should run well for street use on 98 RON pump gas. Here the translation to English. The guy at PP is quite excited by the project. Hasn't done an MR2 build for a long time.
 
Parts are mostly Toyota genuine for seals, water/oil pump etc. HKS for head gasket, timing belt and CAM gear. JUN/TODA for crank, pistons, rods, valves, springs, CAMs, etc. 
 
Will use LINK PNP ECU that fits into the existing ECU housing.  Hoping to achieve 180 kw at the engine and street useable power with a stock look. Will post pics later but likely not for a couple of months. 
 

Sounds like some very nice stuff going into this.  Are you using a 5S. crankshaft or a new stroker crank?
I assume the 3S. block is a Gen3. with the oil squirters, revised sump located oil pressure relief valve and the much improved oil cooler system.  Single or duel valve springs?  At 10.3mm. lift on inlet and exhaust with 12 to 1 comp. will it still be non interference? I doubt it. You will need to pay particular attention to cam timing and belt tensioner.
Thanks for sharing and keep the reports coming. Australian delivered 1998 GT. is a very rare critter. Congratulations.

997paul
Hey B24, I'm in Japan this week and will be speaking further with Phoenix Power to understand what they proposed. 2.2L stroker kit, camshafts and gear are from TODA. Pistons are custom. I spoke to TODA earlier about building the complete engine but they don't have a complete kit for the SW20 3SGE and weren't willing to do the build with different pistons. Valve train Phoenix Power have their own parts which I'm getting further details.
 
I'm not sure whether Phoenix Power have a bench rig to run-in and tune the engine. Will ask. Otherwise I'll just be shipping it down to Oz to run in and tune probably with the Link PNP in Sydney. I'm hoping for around 180KW at the engine which is what the TOMS NA MR2 achieved. 
 
Cost wise this is far from a cheap exercise. Engine build with parts will be circa A$20K. Will probably end up one of the most expensive SW20s in Australia by the time I've finished but hopefully one of the best.  
 
Will post more details later as it progresses.

Sounds like a great package. If you are 'going all the way' are you going to fit a close ratio gearset? Pretty sure PP sold these and KAZZ too. Would help a lot with your package. Are you looking at drysump and ITB's? 
Would also look at Haltech ECU if you can. I found it easier to engage with that the LINK (downloaded software to have a look).
Are you able to fit the BEAMS cylinder head with the vvti? That would be a great help in finding hp as non vvti is restricted. 
It would be great to see the guys from PP at the Annual MR2 Trackday Challenge/Nationals in 2019. Perhaps you could have a word?

Hey Falcon, yes Gen 3.
 
Good ideas B24 but I'm wanting to keep it mostly original. Non original will be engine internals, LINK ECU (inside the existing ECU housing), suspension, exhaust, new gearbox from the Turbo.  Otherwise original.
 
Will ask Phoenix Power to take some photos during the build which I will post here. 
 
On another note anyone got any suggestions for a good paint shop in Sydney? The car is black and paint is not bad but I want it perfect. Body is straight. Need a shop that can do black without orange peel. Will do the disassembly myself.
 
Truth be told its not going to get driven much once its all done.