mr2-digest Thursday, 23 November 1995 Volume 01 : Number 040 mr2 shocks Re: Tyre scrub on springs Shocks & Stuff [none] RE: Bigger tires New Wheels MR2 transaxles & Toyota motors Corolla GT-S and GTi Aftermarket Exhaust for Mk 1 sc Suspension/alignment More mods.... Re: Nose Cones Car Identification The Mister lives! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kostas G. D. Chryssos " Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 16:44:35 +0200 Subject: mr2 shocks The stock shocks aere NOT cartriges. They have a top threaded plug but if you remove it you just ruined the shock. You will get out the plunger and the oil!!! But if you want to load cartriges, you do just that since the cartriges will fit inside the stock outer cover and use the cap..or a cap provided by the manufacturer of the cartrige to cap it. ___________ ________________ ________ __ ___/__ | / /__< /___ __ )___ __/ _____ \ __ | / / __ / __ __ |__ / ____/ / __ |/ / _ / _ /_/ / _ / /____/ _____/ /_/ /_____/ /_/ (Kostas G. D. Chryssos Ph.D.) 30,Ikarias str. Glyfada GR16675, Athens, Hellas Tel: xx-301 9628212, Fax: xx-301 9628539 ------------------------------ From: uunet!singnet.com.sg!adrian01 (Adrian Heng) Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 21:27:32 +0800 Subject: Re: Tyre scrub on springs >First of all, let me thank you for your response. I have been using >185/60R14, the stock size on my 87 NA. As I have mentioned in my >previous letter, I discovered that this is not a single case problem >since I have checked the other Mk I's on the street. Most of them really >have the mark on the bottom part of their front springs, which strongly >suggests physical contacts with the tires when the front springs are >compressed all the way down. Now, to your question, my springs are >un-cut, and there isn't ANY modification to them since I bought the car. > >In your case of having bigger tires such as 195/50R15, I believe your >spring may also have physical contacts with the tires. But perhaps you >don't drive on rough road too often, that is why you don't notice it. >Another possibility is that you have modified springs so that this >problem doesn't apply to you. >See, in my situation, I drive through Interstate 80 each weekend. There >is a very rough part before I reach the Bay Bridge, and I can feel the >front end is bouncing up and down and even "see" that the steering wheel >is being "turned" by outside force everytime when I get through this >particular rough road. In addition, same thing occurs in rough city >roads even though if I am driving in low speed. > SL, Stock tyre size, stock suspension. We can rule out oversized tyres or cut springs then. I dunno, I certainly haven't noticed it on my car. Perhaps I haven't done enough checking. If your problem is rough roads on a straight stretch, then you may be facing the same pblm as the rest of us discussing front end rumble/shake. I suggest you do a computerized 4-wheel alignment. If that doesn't help, then at least you can rule out alignment !!!! :-# >Now about the affect of handling. I believe it's not that much of a >problem as long as if the rough road is a straight one. But I remember >one time when I was speeding through a very curve with rough surface, I >actually lost that precise MR2 handling, and the fact is that I witnessed >the front end slightly shiftin to left and right. I believe this is all >due to the spring-tire-contact problem =( > Personally, I haven't had that problem when I had stock suspension. After changing it to a harder set-up, yes, even on straights, it will jump all over rough roads and the steering goes "loose". Are you absolutely sure your suspension's stock? Adrian 85 Mk I Lotus Silver Frost ------------------------------ From: "Burns, James B." Date: Wed, 22 Nov 95 08:52:00 EST Subject: Shocks & Stuff >You should be able to look at the struts while they are on the car and be able >to determine if the cartridges are replaceable or not. Look for a removable >threaded cap where the strut shaft enters the strut housing. According to the service manual, this cap vents off the gas pressure. Can they be recharged after doing this? It sounds as if the strut housing holds the oil and works as the piston cylinder for the stock units, but you pull all this stuff out and insert a cartridge for the aftermarket items. Is this correct? I guess this would mean that I can't sell my '94 multi-stage units (with only 5K miles on them) to someone with a '93- who wants to upgrade. As far as track time at summit point, call BSR, Inc. at (304) 725-6512. It cost $125 which includes 2 classroom sessions, the skidpad session, and four 20-minute track sessions. I don't think they are doing any more this year. However, I did get a flyer last week (which I lost) that there would be the same thing going on this Friday (the 24th) for $135. I'm not sure whether BSR or someone else is doing this event. Registration is from 8:00 - 9:00. If it is a dry, sunny day I may go back since I'm off that day anyway. Car Guys also has weekend driving schools there occasionally, but I've never done one. I think they are about $350 for the weekend. Brad Burns ''94T black ------------------------------ From: "Burns, James B." Date: Wed, 22 Nov 95 09:10:00 EST Subject: [none] Gary asked: >I have 205/50/15 on my 93T at present. They are cupped and need to >be replaced. Has anyone tried 215/50/15 on fronts of MKII?? Is >there enough clearance for the extra width?? I test fit a 225/45-16 on a 16X7.5 rim on the front of my '94T. It cleared, but was extremely tight, and at full steering lock, it lightly brushed the rear of the inside fenderwell. If there is any suspension flex, it may be a problem. So based on this, I think a 215/50-15 will work OK. However, if you are using the stock 15X6 rims, this tire may be a bit wide. Check with the tire manufacturer (or call Tire Rack) and see what minimum rim width they recommend for a 215/50-15. When I wear out my current tires, I plan to try a 215/50-15 front, 245/45-16 rear combo on my 15X7, 16X7.5 rims. The Yokohama AVSi is available in the 215/50-15, but most other tires are not. Good luck, keep us informed. Brad Burns '94T black (bb94.jpg on www site) ------------------------------ From: "Burns, James B." Date: Wed, 22 Nov 95 09:26:00 EST Subject: RE: Bigger tires Gary asked: >>I have 205/50/15 on my 93T at present. They are cupped and need to >>be replaced. Has anyone tried 215/50/15 on fronts of MKII?? Is >>there enough clearance for the extra width?? >I test fit a 225/45-16 on a 16X7.5 rim on the front of my '94T. > It cleared, but was extremely tight, and at full steering >lock, it lightly brushed the rear of the inside fenderwell. If >there is any suspension flex, it may be a problem. So based on >this, I think a 215/50-15 will work OK. However, if you are >using the stock 15X6 rims, this tire may be a bit wide. Check >with the tire manufacturer (or call Tire Rack) and see what >minimum rim width they recommend for a 215/50-15. When I wear >out my current tires, I plan to try a 215/50-15 front, >245/45-16 rear combo on my 15X7, 16X7.5 rims. The Yokohama >AVSi is available in the 215/50-15, but most other tires are >not. Good luck, keep us informed. > >Brad Burns >'94T black (bb94.jpg on www site) > ------------------------------ From: uunet!aol.com!CybrRacn54 Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 10:42:42 -0500 Subject: New Wheels Hey!! Just picked up my new wheels last night. I was surprised how well they fit. Here are the specs: Wheels: SSR Schumachers Front: 16 x 7 (38mm offset) Dunlop SP8000 205/45ZR-16 Rear: 16 x 7.5 (43mm offset) Dunlop SP8000 225/40ZR-16 I will upload pictures of the car inside/out. Gerald San Agustin 88 Twincharger Cyber Racing, So. Cal. ------------------------------ From: "Christopher M. Meier" Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 08:14:54 -0600 Subject: MR2 transaxles & Toyota motors I'm looking for someone knowledgeable about the mr2 transaxles, and also about Toyota motors (specifically, 2 valve/cyl). If you can help, or know someone who can, please respond directly to me. Thanks. Chris meier@imageman.com - -- Christopher M. Meier ChrisM@pptvision.com PPT Vision voice: 612-996-9545 10321 West 70th Street fax: 612-996-9501 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 IWCC3: #23 Wheaties Ford Thunderbird NASCAR/WRS: #23 Pro-4 Modified Ford/Force-4 ------------------------------ From: Thomas F Wahjudi Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 11:28:08 -0500 (EST) Subject: Corolla GT-S and GTi It's just the name. US version Corolla with 4AG-E got GT-S name while in most other countries it got GTi. My family's looks like the regular 4 door US version but with 4AG-E engine (instead of 4AF-E), strut tower bar, 4 wheel disc brake and stiffer suspension. _______________________________________________________________________________ Thomas F. Wahjudi 1982 Pink Pearl Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40... Indonesian RHD, I6, CDI, Downey 270 deg. cam, 190amp alternator, ARB air lockers, PTO, rear full-floating axle, 4.88 gears, Go Rhino! trusses, 4-speed, OEM power steering, fr. disc brakes, 35" BFG MT, custom roll bar and seats. Pictures are at Dean Water's 4x4 Web Page and Ian Staines' Toyota Land Cruiser Homepage : http://www.indirect.com/user/a4x4/4x4.html http://mindlink.net/Ian_Staines/tlc.htm twahjudi@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu TLCA member # 2926, a proud one ! _______________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ From: uunet!VAX.CS.HSCSYR.EDU!groverpl Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 11:23:27 -0500 (EST) Subject: Aftermarket Exhaust for Mk 1 sc Juan-Carlos Guijon requested advice on after market exhaust systems for his '88 Mk 1 sc. I have the same model and installed the HKS system a year ago. Before that I experimented with two cheaper alternatives: a straight-thru glass pack muffler and a JCWhitney "turbo" muffler. Both of these were loud as hell! The pleasure derived as a touring car was ruined. The HKS system is slightly louder than stock, particularly at lower frequencies, but not annoyingly so. Subjectively, it provides a boost in power in the mid-range and top end. Instalation was easy sice the part is well made. It is heavy since its design incorporates a large tube inside a larger insulated drum. I think it shows that HKS spent some time researching gas flow and tuning resonant frequencies. Price was $4oo US, steep but it will never need to be replaced. Paul L. Grover,Ph.D. groverpl@vax.cs.hscsyr.edu. ------------------------------ From: uunet!engineering.ucsb.edu!aok (Ahmad O. Al Khowaiter) Date: Wed, 22 Nov 95 9:13:01 PST Subject: Suspension/alignment Hello All, Does any one in the Santa Barbara or Ventura/Oxnard area know of a good shop, for installation of springs/shocks and alignment for the MR2? Someone who knows how an MR2 should handle. - -- Ahmad O.K. aok@squid.ucsb.edu ------------------------------ From: Derek Motloch Date: Wed, 22 Nov 95 12:44:39 -0500 Subject: More mods.... Hey everyone, I'm back on the list!! (don't know how I got off....) anyhow... I've done a few things to my 91 NA... Installed two speaker boxes behind the seats.... they have 2" tweeters, 6" mid range and 8" passive woofers.... it seems to sound pretty good, even without an amp. I like the boxes, cuz they come out easy too. Anyhow.... it's winter up here in London, Ontario..... and I've ordered the Hyden Remote Oil filter kit so I can invert my oil filter....and hopefully get it over closer to the vent for cooling... Anyone installed this kit before? I'll letcha know how I make out. As for tires... I'm gonna need some soon (come summer).... I have so-so tires now... the UNIROYAL GTH 215/60/14s....they aren't to bad..but not to sticky. Anyone recommend nice tiers for 14" rims? Installed my K&N air filter.... don't notice to much of a difference.... Anyhow..enough for now. - --------------------------------------------- Derek Motloch - 91na dmotloch@serix.com http://serix.com/~dmotloch/ - --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ From: "jrose@golf.mits.com.au" Date: Thu, 23 Nov 1995 10:43:08 +1000 Subject: Re: Nose Cones James C and Geoff both agreed: >Yes, it looks really nice on my black car, but I think it looks too ugly on >other colors Now I'm not too sure whether a car-bra* here in Aus. is the same as the nose-cone you refer to, but I've got a car-bra on my super red mkII....I think it looks damn good! Wish I had a GIF to show, haven't got 'round to scanning though (just believe me!). *car-bra - Made by ROBCO products in Sydney. Made from soft black vinyl lined with felt. Covers front 1/3 of bonet from bottom to above wheel arches. Installation is dead easy, on and off in less than two mins. Looks fantastic real practical to, my car is a magnet for rocks and all insects big or small. Could someone please let me know by email if I'm wrong about nose-cones being the same as car-bras. John Rose '90 Super Red - with car-bra Plate - TWOCHE ------------------------------ From: uunet!scroggrj.orl.wec.com!jerry (Jerry Scroggins) Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 15:35:14 +0000 Subject: Car Identification I am trying to tie down the vintage of a 'rolled' MR2 that I am considering buying. Seems that the ID plate on the inside of the drivers door list the following information. JT2AW1502 MFG SEPT 85 G0053099 Can anyone help, or point me to a source that can help (other than my local Toyota dealer please, even tho that my be where I eventually wind up!). - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert J. Scroggins Bell:(406)281-2576 Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Purchasing FAX:(407)281-5023 Westinghouse Power Generation Internet:jerry@scroggrj.orl.wec.com 4400 Alafaya Trail, Mail Code 360 Orlando, FL, 32826-2399 ------------------------------ From: Keith Kaplan Date: Wed, 22 Nov 95 16:38:54 TZ Subject: The Mister lives! Message-ID: red-56-msg951123004346MTP[01.51.00]000000c0-2321 I posted some time ago that I had the engine out of my '85 to freshen it up and see why it was burning sooo much oil. Well, three months and US$1600 later, the engine started right up for me on Sunday. I've been driving it to work and it's not burning or leaking anything. I didn't realize how much I missed getting to drive it until this week. I still can't wipe the grin off. The exhaust manifold has a hairline crack about 90 degrees around the top of the tube coming out of number 4. I put the manifold back on that way, but it sounds like there's an exhaust leak, so maybe the crack is worse than it looks. At some point I'll have to get a header to replace it. Is TRD is still making them? If they don't anymore, can anyone recommend another? My latest copy of the FAQ says TRD was about to start making MR2 headers 12/94, but I haven't read any reviews of them. Now just some minor brake upgrades and I can take the little beast out racing next year. My single biggest piece of advice to anyone considering rebuilding their engine -- be prepared for it to take longer and cost more than you expect. I'm sure glad I had another way to get to work for the past 3 months. ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V1 #40