mr2-digest Thursday, 26 October 1995 Volume 01 : Number 012 front strut mods Re: MRJ Re: mr2-digest V1 #11 89 MR2 engine light Re: mr2-digest V1 #11 mkII - driver door speaker California Emissions Re: mr2-digest V1 #11 [none] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Gary Friedman" Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 06:49:07 +0000 Subject: front strut mods Whoever posted about the flapping sound coming from a loose screw in the wheelwell was right. A quick glance and it was quite obvious!! Thanks! The other thing that I saw was that the boots at the top of the front strut towers were pretty shredded at the bottoms. Acually, the bottom halves were just about gone. How much should I expect this repair to run at a dealer?? Is it an urgent repair or can it wait a little while?? If I have to go to the expense of having it taken apart I wanted to get some feedback from those that have used Energy or other bushings. Might as well replace the bushings while its apart. Could you tell a noticeable difference in handling?? Also, what kind of mileage are the original struts usaully good for? If I have 55K miles and the boots are shot.. is this a sign that the cartridges are probably worn too (front end still handles great) ?? If so whats the recco for replacements?? Gary ------------------------------ From: Bruce Brandt 834-7372 Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 07:27:43 CDT Subject: Re: MRJ Travis writes; >Hi bruce, I was under the impression that the MRJ was just a concept car >at the moment. I only read about it, and there was only a picture of a >red MR2 GT with it, what is the J like? >Travis Morien >1988 MR2 n/a The MRJ is still positioned as a concept car but AutoWeek makes it sound like it will be a go. The car is shown from a 3/4 front view and the nose is a little del Sol-ish, I think. They describe it as a mid-engine 2+2 but you can't tell from the picture. The picture shows the top retracted but since the c pillar contains an intake for the engine compartment it doesn't look like a full convertible like the Mitsu spyder when the roof retracts. Very cab forward, as you would expect from a mid-engine layout. Unlike the Mk I and II cars there is no resemblence to a Ferrari even though it is like the Mondail in layout. As I said earlier, I'm sure that it will undergo a lot of changes if it ever makes it to market. Regards, Bruce Brandt 89SC MR2 T-Tops ------------------------------ From: Mark Sink - Imonics Development Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 11:40:10 -0400 Subject: Re: mr2-digest V1 #11 >There is a TURBO kit available for a 93 Celica.... the GTS (2.2L NA)...and that is the same engine the MR2 NA has.... I h>ave talked with the company...and they say they have used it on an MR2 before...and get 250-260 hp out of it... >Anyone tried it? Betcha that would beat any Corvett.....or NSX... Probably even beat a Viper. Corvette.. if you can drive NSX.. If the NSX owner CAN'T drive Viper.. No chance what so ever. ------------------------------ From: Mark Sink - Imonics Development Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 11:36:02 -0400 Subject: 89 MR2 engine light Hi, I am new to this mailing list so if the question is not proper please forgive me. I just bought an 89 MR2 with 76k miles and the engine check light keep coming on for couple second and goes away. I talk to the used car dealer and they said it might be a dirty oxygen sensor. The car drives fine even when the light came on. Anyone out there had any similar problem or know what might be the cause of it. Thank You David Tong My '87 does this some times. Next time it happens, turn the ignition off, and then back on again, and tell me if the light goes off, and stays off. ------------------------------ From: uunet!aol.com!CybrRacn54 Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 13:24:48 -0400 Subject: Re: mr2-digest V1 #11 In a message dated 95-10-25 06:13:45 EDT, you write: >Am I correct in understanding that it's just a matter of switching out a >bypass valve for another (translated - adjustable) unit? the easiest and cheapest way to increase boost would be some sort of controlled bleed from the wastegate line, ie HKS VBC or the Greddy TVVC. The preferred method would be an electronic controller which has the advantage of quicker boost response and pushbutton adjustability. >Is there a blow off valve that would also have to be replaced? factory bypass valve should be ok up to 12 psi. Over that, try a Greddy blow-off valve. >Am I also going to need to worry about the stock fuel injection not keeping >up at maximum boost? As long as you install an HKS FCD (this moves your fuel cutoff to a higher boost level), the factory Fuel injection should support up to 17 psi. Although, running this much boost a turbo upgrade is highly recommended, due to loss of compressor efficiency. Gerald San Agustin 88 Twincharger ------------------------------ From: uunet!aol.com!KlingK Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 05:46:47 -0400 Subject: mkII - driver door speaker I seem to remember from the FAQ on the MKII that there is a problem with the drivers side speaker - well I have had an intermittant problem that gone beyond the intermittent stage. I pulled the door panel off and puller the speaker expecting to find corrosion on the connector - but it just had a little white crud on it didn't look bad - so I cleaned it off with no better results. also it seems that the tweeter up by the mirror isn't working either. I checked the voltage coming out of the connector and it was about .5 volts with the 3 digit over increasing as the volume was turned up - is that normal ????? The stereo is the 7 speaker with CD if that matters - one thing I didn't check was to resistance of the speaker coil - didn't have time to pull the other speaker and see if maybe just the speaker was dead. Anybody have any exp. with this ????? Do I remember the FAQ saying that this problem could lead to damage to the stereo itself ??????? HELP !!! ;-> ------------------------------ From: uunet!qni.com.!rande Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 10:28:35 -0500 Subject: California Emissions I recently bought an '85 MR2. After I got it home I noticed a tag that says it meets the California emissions standards. I know their standards are stricter than other states but what is different about them? Can I remove the extra elements required for California? And how? Would this be possible or feasible? Can I change them to only meet my states (Missouri) requirements? Also, what are some upgrades I should look into for this car? The first things I'm doing is normal engine maintainence (plugs, wires, etc.). Next will be K&N filter, less restrictive exhaust, and adjustable struts. Any other suggestions? Randy Eickhoff Kansas City, MO |-\ /-||-----\|-----\ rande@qni.com | \/ || |_) /|--) ) '91 MR2T 37k 64 AS | |\/| || _ < __/ /__ '85 MR2 120k current project |_| |_||_| \_\|_______| ------------------------------ From: DEMETRIUS LAMAR JOHNSON Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 17:32:02 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: mr2-digest V1 #11 I own a stock 86 Mr2 and I was wondering how I could get more low end torque out of it. I was also looking into putting a new exhaust on it and a high performance clutch. What would you guys recommend? Also, whenever I corner I feel more secure taking a right handed corner aggressivly than a left handed one. It's like when I turn hard and fast left handed i feel as though I am about to invoke oversteer, but when I hit it the other way I feel confident. Is this due to the geometry of the car, or is there a problem with the handling of my car. Thanks in advance, DLJ ------------------------------ From: Lance Heinrich Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 12:57:58 -0600 (MDT) Subject: [none] Stu, This is actually pretty common when using the stock brake setup on the track. That is why I create some brake ducts to route additional air to the front brakes anytime I go for lapping sessions. This winter I plan to install some permanent ducts. Make sure you don't put on the parking brake until you've let the brakes cool down after 'cooking' them or you'll likely warp the rotors !! Lance. --------------------------------------------------------------- | Lance Heinrich @ Valmet Automation (Canada) Ltd. | lanceh@sa-cgy.valmet.com | | 1991 MR2 Turbo | Previous MR2's : '86 Normally Aspirated, '89 Supercharged > From: Stuart Smith > Date: Mon, 23 Oct 95 14:30:21 BST > Subject: Lighting the brake pads! ... stuff deleted ... > > After finishing my 'Death Wish XX' 20 miles slalom, I got back to the house, and > got out the car, and smoke was coming from the rear offside pads!! The brake > disc was still vauguely glowing! I must have actually lit it up F1 style.. > COOOOLL! > > Anyway..it's not dome any damage, so same next weekend? > > Anyone else managed this? > > Stu ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V1 #12