Some builds are just wrench and bolts, others are full-blown resurrection stories. That is exactly what happened when YouTuber Ben from Gears and Gasoline decided to bring a long-forgotten 2GR V6 engine back to life. Pulled from a tired old minivan and showing every sign of mechanical failure, this engine had no right to run again. But with grit, vision, and a lot of skill, Ben turned it into the heart of a track-ready Toyota MR2. What started in an Ohio junkyard could soon dominate the corners of a racing circuit.
The 2GR V6 that once powered an old Toyota minivan arrived covered in failure signs. It had blown head gaskets, internal coolant-oil mixing, and failed compression tests. But instead of calling it quits, Ben tore down the engine and inspected every inch. To his surprise, the cylinder walls were intact, the crankshaft was clean, and the rotating parts were reusable. He used CNC machines to modify the high compression pistons for valve clearance and even fine-tuned the cam phasers to allow more aggressive timing angles. These changes were not just repairs; they were upgrades built for serious power. The result is an engine expected to push beyond 350 horsepower, ready to breathe new fire into the compact and agile Toyota MR2.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.