Need some help with future plans

[atomic_hoji]

Originally Posted by ArmstrongRacing

Well I can always pay someone to make a copy....just gotta get serious about it

Man, if that becomes a viable option please keep me in the loop - I dilly-dallied on the exhaust and found the RPM no longer available, so decision was made for me.. But, the whole exhaust I'm not happy with, so at some point I'd like to revisit it and a long tube header would be great.

Originally Posted by tmontague

...
The 2zr is a new engine with a solid platform so what ever I do will likely be on that engine. MWR makes cams, lightweight crankshafts, springs and titanium retainers so getting up to 8-9k rpm is doable w/ enough cash.
...
Papadakis has a 1,000hp 2ar iirc and that block and head is virtually the same as a 2zr, he obviously has customs valves etc to put down that power thougg

There's a lot of coverage of the Papadakis 2AR - MotoIQ does a good article with the details - and lots of custom work to get it up to 9000 rpm and 24#+ of boost. You're right though, the ZR seems to share a lot with the AR platform, and I think can make a ton of fun power with some basic upgrades.

As for transmission, I agree that it's really all in what you like and what you use it for. My wife drives a manual just fine and tolerates my car for the few times she uses it; not sure what she'd prefer if she gets her own car, but for the family van she's definitely happy with get in and go AT. I also used to swear up and down on a manual being best for 4x4 wheeling, yet I found I had more enjoyable trips in my AT FJC then I did with my hardcore mini truck and a MT - mini truck is old, bounces and bangs around, and you're always aggressively fighting with the clutch on hills and rocks; FJC you put it in low and roll on. Something to be said for modern day slushoxes..

Looking forward to see what you decide on.

-- Adam