I'm a new member looking for information about MR2 modifications.  I have seen MR2's with Camry V6 motors fitted to them.  However, these MR2's are American mods.  I have a damaged Vienta '94.  Vehicle's body was damaged and it became an economic right off.  I have owned it since new and have looked after it. Mechanically it is in perfect condition with low kms and I want to use the motor for something else.  I had the idea to put it into a MR2 just like I saw in the American MR2 mod.  I am not sure what is require to do something like this.  Australian regulations are so much stricter than in the US so it may not be worth it.  Can any one give me a run down on what is required to have a street legal MR2 with a V6 in it?
 
I met this guy who fitted a V8 Rover motor to his '75 Celica, I would like to do some thing like this with the V6 motor I have.

Its relatively easy getting it street legal. Depends on what state or territory you are in.
 
Get it installed, get it running, get it engineered, get it registered. Depends what age mr2 you have to use as well I think, rev1's came out with the smallest brakes, rev2's onwards had the same size brakes as the turbo models and suffice for v6 demands. I could be wrong there, someone that knows more may pipe in. 
 
As far as i'm aware, the first v6's were in stalled by Paul Woods in the UK, then Jaemus here in Australia did the first v6. Your vienta would have a 3vz in it no? Thats what the mr2 conversions first used, now 2grs are popular if you have the budget or 1mz.

Thanks Dudeman for your prompt response.  Yes, I have the 3vzfe motor.  I'm in the ACT.

I don't have an MR2 yet, I'm just researching before I decide what to do with the motor.  I have found a cheap one on GraysOnline Auction.  Auction ends today, current bid is $700 plus buyers premium and delivery.  Figure it will cost around $1200-$1500.  It's an MR2 89-90 model but it is an auto.  Needs some work, auto transmission has problems motor has 115,000 km, needs some body work and the interior isn't that flash.  Seats need re-upholstering and the interior needs a lot of detailing. Not sure if this is worth the money.  I would want a manual gear box.  Motor appears to have low kms.

As for the V6 conversion, I asked around to see if anyone would do the conversion for me in the ACT and no one really wants to do this kind of work.  I'm not a mechanic and don't have the facilities to do this, would like to try though.  Every one I ask say, it's not worth the trouble, better to take the car to the wreckers.  Also, to do this kind of work in the ACT is very expensive, I'm better to get some one in Victoria or Sydney because it's much cheaper than the ACT.  Since my 94 Vienta has been looked after, I see it as a waste to send it to the wreckers for $50.  I spent over $3000 on it just before it was damaged. There is a lot of new parts on it.  I prefer to do something with the motor and sell the rest as parts.

My other option is to fit the v6 into a 94 Camry (5sfe) wide body but this is just as costly.  I would rather have something that is fun to drive.

I found the Woodsport Website, pity they're not in Australian. Woodsport is insane, I read their current project is a MR2 V12 conversion.  They have developed a 6 speed manual transmission, a converted Lotus gearbox that fits straight into any MR2 capable of around 220 mph.

So, the question is where would I find some one who could help me do this conversion?

As for the conversion, I don't want to do anything radical, no supercharger or turbo, just a straight fit.  However, I would put some money into machining, re-boring, head, flywheel to increase the power if its worth it, since a straight rebuild is around $3800 in the ACT, not cheap, removal and fitting excluded.   I do have other questions regarding the conversion, in terms of other considerations what can you use from the original MR2 for the V6 conversion, gearbox, radiator, air con, exhaust pipe, fluid containers, master brake cylinder, power steering pump, suspension and engine mounts.  The wiring Loom I understand is a modified V6, not sure if anyone does this,  Woodsport, apparently do one but you have to send them the V6 loom, costs around $650 AUD (at the current rate $1.61 AUD to one pound).   A complete turnkey engine conversion is around $6500 AUD fitted.  Would love the pound to be at parity with AUD.

If you can provide further info regarding the purchasing of MR2, things to look for, best model to convert, gearboxes so on and people to contact it would much appreciated.

RB

Having done a 3vzfe conversion to my own car I can say it was fairly straightforward. There is a lot of information out there on the swap and the 3vz goes in like it was made for the SW20.
 
Having done my conversion myself to a previously NA car I can shed a bit of light on the swap.
 
The swap uses the mr2 gearbox (na or turbo) as both should bolt to the 3vz block, the powerplant mounts using the woodsport 3vzfe engine mount and the original gearbox mounts
 
For the exhaust, the easiest way it a modified vienta y pipe connected to a standard mr2 muffler but the original Y pipe is fairly restrictive so having a custom one made will increase flow and power
 
The cooling system retains the original mr2 radiator and some custom hoses in the engine bay
 
The power steering pump can be deleted off the 3vzfe as the mr2 wont need it
 
My car doesnt run air con but the A/C pump sits in the same spot as an mr2 one so custom lines will need to be made if you would like to keep it
 
For fluid containers/ brakes the swap uses all original mr2 parts, my car has the smaller SW20 brakes and I haven't had any issues with them for street driving
 
In terms of wiring the 3vz ecu is used along with a mixture of the two looms, it was wired following a guide online

I dont think the initial swap cost me over $2000 but this was doing all the work myself
I'm sure if you give the right mechanic enough information on the swap they would be happy to take it on


If you have any more questions feel free to ask as I am loving my v6 Mr2

Thanks for the information 123grosso. I have just have a few more questions about the conversion which you could answer for me.
You mentioned Woodsport mounts, did you order these from Woodsports UK?  
What condition was the V6 motor in when you did the conversion.  After dropping the motor in, how much room is there in the engine bay? 
How easy is it to change the spark plugs and oil filter wounce the conversion is done?
For the exhaust which catalytic converter did you use, the one off the MR2 or the V6?
Will the tyres and rims off the Vienta fit the MR2?
Should be all the questions for now.  Thanks again for the information, I just have to find a MR2 to convert.
 
 
 

Yes, Woodsport UK sell them off their website
I bought myself a manual 94 Vienta donor car with 140,000k's on it for $500 then drove it home on an unregistered vehicle permit
While the engine was out I removed the cylinder heads, ported them, got them machined, put a vrs kit through it and changed the timing belt among other similar parts.
In my opinion, the general accessibility around the engine bay is better than with the standard engine. Being a shorter engine than the 4, the timing belt can be changed in the car with a lot less swearing.
3 spark plugs are very easy to change, the other 3 are under the manifold but it unbolts straightforwardly.
The oil filter is also easy to get to.
I used the catalytic converter off the mr2 as it was easier to package
 
In regard to wheels and tyres, though the Vienta ones may fit (they could be too tall), the mr2's handling will suffer as the car was designed around using a rear wheel and tyre that is wider than the front.

WireGap sell conversion looms - http://www.wiregapinc.com/
Woodsport sell the engine mount - http://www.woodsport.org/joomla/index.php/woodsport-shop
MWR sells a Fidanza 1MZ flywheel - https://monkeywrenchracing.com/product/mwr-flywheel-lotus-evora-s-lightweight-aluminum-direct-fit/
 
The ACT is probably similar to NSW in terms of Engineering. I know with my SW20 V6, the car only had to pass visual inspection and a noise test. It didn't require brake testing as the SW20 was sold with a Turbo variant (More power, less weight then a Camry). Since the conversion use the stock ecu and emissions, it didn't need to pass an emissions test.  

Thanks to all of you for the update information. 
123grosso, By doing all the extra work on the motor yourself, you definitely saved a lot of money. How much was the kit and did you buy it on Ebay?  I am thinking, I will do the same but I 'm thinking of changing the bottom main bearing as well.  I have been told to change them to copper bearings and get rid of the aluminum ones that are in there.  I am not sure that it warrants this?
Head kit seems to be relatively cheap, a complete rebuild kit seems to be expensive, around $1600 or more.  Is there anything cheaper.  V6 3vz motors are prone to blowing head gaskets, leaking rocker covers and sludge built up.  Did you clean out the bottom end while top you were working on the top end?
What did you do with the remainder of the 94 Donor vehicle?
Did you clean the fuel injectors while you had the motor out?
Unfortunately, the last last three plugs on the V6 have always been a pain to change as I discovered when I had my 100 000 km service.  I supplied most of the genuine Toyota parts for the service, including 6 new spark plugs.  The Workshop I took it to changed only three.  They changed the dizzy, leads and gave me back 3 used plugs.  I asked them why they only gave me three of the old plugs, they admitted, it was too difficult to change the other three.  Apparently the last three are so difficult to change most mechanics skip them because they last longer than 100,000 km and it takes them more than half a day to do the whole lot.  However, I was charged for a full service plus they kept the 3 new plugs that weren't used.  A trick of the trade, if they hadn't made the mistake of giving me three old plugs, I would never have known because there's no way off checking. 
 
Thanks for the links Knightrous much appreciated.

I purchased this VRS kit
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PAYEN-FULL-GASKET-SET-TOYOTA-CAMRAY-VCV10-3VZFE-GS292-P-/271350793865

I'm unsure if changing the bottom end bearing is worth the effort if the engine is healthy. For the rocker cover gaskets use some ultra grey on the half moons and they shouldn't leak. The blown head gaskets are usually from pitting in the block face near the coolant galleries or an uneven warped head.
For sludge, I just ran an oil flush through the engine while it was in the vienta before removing it. 

For the Vienta shell I called a local wreckers who came and picked it up from my driveway.

Bit unfortunate to hear you being stuffed around by mechanics.