robk
 
 
As expected, the stock turbo is quite a lot better at low RPM, about 50% better in fact, because it's a much smaller turbo specifically designed for that purpose. However, starting from 4000rpm my new setup goes on to make exactly 3x the peak power. 
As you can see, a smaller turbo is always going to be better at low RPM, so most of the time it will be better on the street, but with a bigger turbo you can partially make up for it by downshifting, when you otherwise wouldn't have to with a smaller turbo. When considering extensive mods and a big turbo, you have to consider this and be OK with it.
When I've driven my friend's stock turbo MR2s I can clearly feel the difference at low RPM. 
I absolutely love my setup and I'd never go back, but I want to make it clear that you can't have tonnes of extra power with no trade-offs. 

 
Ahh, so thats why your car was getting a lot smaller in my mirrors on Mac Pass?

I just installed the Hux Racing engine lid support. 
 
I had to use the right-hand-side version because of my A2W intercooler core. 
I also had to bend the brake booster hard line out of the way a bit, but nothing major. 
 

 

 

 

 

Got some more engine bay photos:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incredible engine bay! How is it to work on these days?

Lumix
Incredible engine bay! How is it to work on these days?

Thanks!
The ignition coils / spark plugs are very easy to get to as you can see, and the oil filter and fuel filter are under the car in locations which are very easy to access with the car jacked up, so regular maintenance is very easy.
Everything else is about the same level of difficulty as a stock engine bay. Actually it helps not having the stock air-to-air intercooler in the right side vent because their piping really gets in the way. My air-to-water intercooler on the left does take up a lot of space, but it's not really in the way of anything. 

Got to be happy with that set up and numbers "Enjoy"

Forgot to mention that I've now owned my MR2 for 10 years as of this month, and I love it more than ever!

On Friday March 22 I'll be going Roll Racing at Eastern Creek again and I'm really looking forward to it! I've been once before and it was really fun, but this will be the first time with my new 5SGTE 418rwkw engine setup.

I also replaced some worn-out front suspension parts a few weeks ago with new OEM parts (ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends and new rubber boots, all on both sides of the car). Garage 88 then did a full wheel alignment and the car feels awesome.

I've been driving the car heaps lately, can't help myself!

I'll be keen to come watch that. I too am dieing to take my car out for a drive, need to get my coolant parts and I'll be going for some more late night drives. 

Glad you did the whole lot at the front while you were there. Did they dial in more camber at the front or just left the alignment how it was?

The front camber is about 2 degrees which is the most that I can get with the rims a few mm away from the coilovers.