I have a track prepared sw20 turbo, am currently running standard wheels, ie 6" and 7", am considering running 7" wheels on the front as well. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether this would be a step forward for handling? Am running 4.5 deg neg camber. Also have temperature rising after 4 or so laps, has anybody cut some holes in the panel behind the radiator then put a rear facing vent on the bonnet to vent the hot air . Has a standard radiator but is fairly new

Staggered is the preferred / step forward set up, but if you want grip best to go wider rim and tyre (8 front and 9 rear or bigger if you flare). Widder rim allows for a wider tyre = more surface contact. MR2 handeling likes staggered for track lines to give better handeling.

I am not an expert.... Camber sounds like it's bordering on getting to drift set up as drift mr2s use 6 degree. My opinion is 2 degree is all that's needed for track sprints, but depends on the race you are doing.

You can buy a vented bonnet, or try modifying yours. The vented hot air from the radiator is a minor aspect. The first focus in should be engine bay, for reducing radiating (shielding, intercooler, boost level, ceramic coating) and ambient temperature (intake, boost level, fans) . Being a turbo, you have massive radiating and ambient heat issues, heat soak, intake temps, adequate tune and fuel mods, and this now opens a much bigger discussion to your mods. Look to your engine bay for reducing heat issues with a mr2.

Many years ago a local guy ran non staggered wheels and tyres on his sw20 and was very competitive (track car).

Cheers

Even with 7" wheels all round you could still fit staggered tyres such as 205 front, and 225 rear for more balanced handling.
 
 
 

7" all round is quite ok. The SW20 ran 240mm tyre all round for the Bathurst 24hour. Worked perfectly.
The camber should be closer to 3 degree. 4.5 is too much.
Correct ride height/roll centre adjustment and managing bump steer will help a lot.

Thanks for the advice, me thinks that it does have a trifle to much camber, that's how it came, I am just running it as it is and will modify as needed, the wheels are stock with just ordinary road tyres and have a spare set so I thought I might b able to put the spare 7s on the front for a bit more front end grip. Has an exhaust and pod filter and an old Link knock sensor, don't know a power figure, better than stock I presume, will do for a while, managed 2.03 at PI and 1.34 at sandown so far. first thing is too address the over heating, might take the cover off the under side of the engine cover, might get some heat out, heading down to the island 2nd July for another run. Am enjoying it heaps.

Best way to manage the overheating is with an oil cooler. Its a 'must do' for any car driven hard. Also look at improving cooling of the intake temps. 'Stuka' and 'Admin' have build threads on a tarmac rally SW20 and circuit SW20 which focused on cooling instead of power and some great handling set ups. I would recommend having a look at their threads for some tips.
Since you are running street tyres, You really need to stand the wheel up to 2-2.5 degree. Putting 7's on the front will help a lot. Just go for it!  

Thanks for that, might look into an oil cooler, I presume they sit behind the radiator? Will definitely give the 7s a try on the front, will try to find that build thread. Great feed back for a new mr2 owner

'Stuka' and 'Admin' have build threads on a tarmac rally SW20 and circuit SW20 which focused on cooling instead of power and some great handling set ups. I would recommend having a look at their threads for some tips. 
 
where do i find these build threads very interested to read.