mr2-digest Wednesday, 6 December 1995 Volume 01 : Number 053 mr2 road trips & heal/toe address change MR2 Insurance Re: toe-heeling Re: Travel Time.... Injectors Re: MKII Back Window Re: Blue sway bars on MKII Re: Centerforce clutches Distributorless Ignition systems Brake light on at near lockup In need of speed!!!!! timing belt questions Re: the cat that's not [none] Re: Jacobs Energy Core Wires for MKII MR2 - MkII Question: Leg Room? Drivetrain clunk studless tires ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uunet!bendnet.com!jdshort (John & Diana Short) Date: Tue, 5 Dec 1995 22:46:09 -0800 Subject: mr2 road trips & heal/toe First thing on a road trip, at least with a MKII, is take a comfortable car to pull it with. Maybe my butt just isn't made like the rest, at least it isn't made to comfortably fit those seats. And I'm a skinny sucker... On the heal/toe Kendrick, what a professional racer showed me in the MKII was more a side to side...using the left side of your foot to brake and the right side to blip the gas. Seems to work, as I drive that way now always. Though I'll admit, that wasn't really possible until I bent my gas pedal up to get full throttle...that seemed to also bring the gas and brake to about the same level. After hard track time, brake pedal seems to depress further making the transition to the gas more difficult, but certainly thats not a problem for the morning commute on our country roads. Maybe I need better fluid or ??? Ideas anyone? John, white 93T Happy Notes from the Short Family Frog Farm! ------------------------------ From: "Gary Friedman" Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 06:30:53 +0000 Subject: address change Please note my net address change to: gfriedmn@ipof.fla.net gfriedmn@ipof.fla.net (just to double check my crappy typing of late!) All posts to the digest will reflect the above address. Any default reply addresses should reflect it also. please replace any icanect.net or paradise.net addresses you may have or e-mails Gary ------------------------------ From: Stuart Smith Date: Wed, 6 Dec 95 13:29:14 GMT Subject: MR2 Insurance Wow! It get better Brits!!! Just come across an add in exchange & Mart for Classic car insurance for Mk1 MR2s. Got a quote and it's GREAT! I am 24. Live in Suffolk and have 50% NCB. I currently pay 680 pounds a year through Endseigh.... Crossgate Quote: 353 pounds + further 20% off in July (when I turn 25). If you want limited milage you can be put on their 'classic insurance' for only about 180 quid a year. This is fully comprehensive, with a 200 excess (+ 150 young driver, but this will disappear for me in July). You join the "MR2 (Mk1) Register" to get this insurance @ 8 quid. This appears to be an MR2 club that I did not know about.. This insurance is JUST for Mk1 MR2s though (unlucky Mk2 owners).. Anyway, at a saving of over 300 pounds ($500 a year to the foreigners) you can't say no really!!! Stu Oh yeh.. almost forgot, details: Phone Crossgate: 01582 38233/37066. {Jeez they're gonna wonder what hit 'em!} ------------------------------ From: uunet!illusion.magicno.com!marcus Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 14:49 MST Subject: Re: toe-heeling In mr2-digest V1 #51, [KeNdRiCk W.] "Betty" writes: >I have trouble toe-heeling in my 93T. Even with large performance pedals, >I find it difficult to blip the gas while braking. For one thing, the gas >pedal is too far behind the brake pedal, hence it is hard to touch the >throttle when my toes are on the brake. Even when the brakes are pressed >all the way in, I can't touch the throttle enough to rev up the rpm. I have had good results using the ball of my foot on the brake pedal and my heel on the bottom of the gas pedal. Unfortunately, there is not a single method taht works for all people or all cars. I actually find thae MR2 to be much easier to heel&toe than many other cars. I have had some success in other cars using the inside edge of my foot on the brake and the outside edge on the gas. It's supposed to be possible to use the heel on the brake and a toe on the gas, but I've never been able to do that, plus you would have to use your leg to apply force to the brakes instead of your ankle; I think that that would result in very poor sensing of the brakes. The only advice that I've heard is to try alot of different things until you find one that works. Then, practice it until you don't have to think about it and it starts to feel natural. As far as the gas pedal's height, I think that it's good that it is as low as it is. Under hard braking, it isn't that much lower than the brake pedal. If it was higher, I owuld have to try to keep my heel up more when braking or else it would be lower than the gas. Of course, I could move the seat back some, but then I'd be hyper-extending my left leg when stepping on the clutch (the knee should be still slightly bent with the clutch pressed all the way to the floor). marcus hall marucs@illusion.magicno.com '94 MR2T ------------------------------ From: uunet!illusion.magicno.com!marcus Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 14:14 MST Subject: Re: Travel Time.... In mr2-digest V1 #52 Scott McBurney writes: >6. Try to drive in some of the western states that have now > eliminated their speed limits! ;-) I think Nevada was > going to do that. Several of the states have their speed limits pre-set to 75MPH effective whenever the federal blackmail ended. It is Montana that has no speed limit during the daytime (although you can be ticketed for reckless driving if you are driving beyond "reasonable and safe"). >I hope this advice from an experienced MR2 traveler helps. >You may also find that if you are driving any long distances, >it really is easy to sit behind the wheel of an MR2 for 8 >hours or more! I'll second that! Although I haven't driven as far nor as many times as Scott, I have been on several 700 and 1000 mile drives. marcus hall marcus@illusion.magicno.com '94 MR2T ------------------------------ From: uunet!ukonline.co.uk!david.cole Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 18:58:37 GMT Subject: Injectors Hi All, It's cold, snowing and my F'kin battery gave up the ghost today! =A353.00!!!= :-( Anyway... On the subject of cleaning additives for the fuel injectors, I know that you guys in the US have a product called Redline (unavailable here in the UK). Having never owned an injection car before, what kind of improvement can I expect to see? (Will MR2 take off? :->) I've only had the car for about a month now, and don't know if they have been cleaned before. With injections, is it the same as with a normal "carb" powered car? Where you can either add the cleaner to the fuel or pour it directly down the= carb? If I add it to the fuel, surely it will produce a gradual increase in performance rather than a sudden increase? Thanks. david.cole@ukonline.co.uk Mk1. 81K miles. =20 ____________________________________________________________ |Reply to: | | | |David Cole david.cole@ukonline.co.uk | |Satellite Times Fax: (0181) 677 8223 | |Radio & Listings Sub-Editor | |23 Mitcham Lane | |Streatham, SW16 6LQ | |____________________________________________________________|=09 ------------------------------ From: uunet!softy.softwords.bc.ca!geoff Date: Wed, 6 Dec 95 11:43:46 PST Subject: Re: MKII Back Window George T. Hilliker wrote: > I just put a nasty scratch in the *PLASTIC* rear window of my beautiful car. > Every time I look in the rear view mirror I am reminded of my stupidity. Is > there ANY way to buff it out??? Try Meguiar's plastic polish. They make both a scratch remover and a polish I believe... I use this polish on my instrument panel window and after I apply it you'd swear I removed the panel! (ie. it's crystal clear) :-) Geoff '91t, 158,600km ------------------------------ From: uunet!softy.softwords.bc.ca!geoff Date: Wed, 6 Dec 95 11:54:56 PST Subject: Re: Blue sway bars on MKII Mark A. Shehan wrote: > The blue sway bars are probably Suspension Techniques sway bars. The noise is > probably from the urethane bushings (needing lubrication). See the article I just put on the Web site about installing the S.T. sway bars for detail on the lubrication. BTW, my ST bars were a dark grey color and not the blue color as most every S.T. ad shows. (The bushing were bright red though) Geoff '91t, 158,600km ------------------------------ From: uunet!softy.softwords.bc.ca!geoff Date: Wed, 6 Dec 95 11:49:11 PST Subject: Re: Centerforce clutches > >Also... Has anyone put in a centerforce dualfriction clutch... good/bad > >results. I heard that high-pressure clutchs damage the engine main > >bearing over time. > > I've been through two of them and they're almost worthless. The best combo > I've seen is the TRD pressure plate (I don't know if they're still available) > and a puck-style disc . > > Gerald San Agustin I wasn't able to get a TRD clutch set in the recent toyota-mods mass-order, so I imagine they are out of them... Anyone have any experience with the RPS turbo clutch? (This clutch is used in Kali N.'s 12-second MR2 in the latest Turbo magazine) Geoff '91t, 158,600km ------------------------------ From: "Marc L. Summers-SysAdmin" Date: Wed, 06 Dec 1995 13:14:54 PST Subject: Distributorless Ignition systems Has anyone used a distributorless ignition system on an MR2 or for that matter, on any car? I saw one advertized at our local Baxter's auto parts store for around $450 less the crank trigger. If anyone out there has used this or has any info on it I would appreciate talking with you about it. It seems like an interesting system, I would like to know if there would be any real advantages to using it, such as more precise control of the spark, longer duration, crank trigger instead of stock distributor. Thanks in advance for the info. - -- + ------------------------------------------------- + + +++ N E C +++ +++ A M E R I C A +++ + + ------------------------------------------------- + + Marc L. Summers System Administrator + + 3100 N.E. Shute Road Hillsboro Oregon 97124 + + PH: 1-503-681-3338 FAX: 1-503-681-3304 + + Email: marcs@tdd.hbo.nec.com + + ---------- Sic transit gloria mundi. ------------ + + --- "Thus passes away the glory of the world." -- + + ------------------------------------------------- + ------------------------------ From: "Marc L. Summers-SysAdmin" Date: Wed, 06 Dec 1995 13:26:58 PST Subject: Brake light on at near lockup It sounds to me that the brake fluid is just at the edge of having the light come on, and then the force of the braking comes on, it causes the light to come on. Seems like just a touch of added brake fluid would fix the problem. The sensor in the master cylinder is rather touchy. - -- + ------------------------------------------------- + + +++ N E C +++ +++ A M E R I C A +++ + + ------------------------------------------------- + + Marc L. Summers System Administrator + + 3100 N.E. Shute Road Hillsboro Oregon 97124 + + PH: 1-503-681-3338 FAX: 1-503-681-3304 + + Email: marcs@tdd.hbo.nec.com + + ---------- Sic transit gloria mundi. ------------ + + --- "Thus passes away the glory of the world." -- + + ------------------------------------------------- + ------------------------------ From: uunet!mofo.com!psmith (Smith, Patrick E.) Date: Wed, 06 Dec 1995 10:25:08 -0800 Subject: In need of speed!!!!! Hi Everyone! > I'm new here and I just bought a 1993 Mr2. 2.2 Black on black , T-tops, 6 speaker >.ALPINE, fully loaded. I was wondering if somebody could help me out I'm looking > for more power without adding a turbo. What engine tips do you have. I also > wanted to know if high rpm is normal for this car. At 70 mph it runs at 3500rpm. Is this > good or bad? I can be reached at this address----psmith@mofo.com.. signed In need of speed.... ------------------------------ From: uunet!harvey.carol.net!bob (Robert Rogers) Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 17:52:06 -0500 Subject: timing belt questions i'm going to try to change the timing belt in my 93NA. the dealer said they just did one and it took their best mech 10 hours and the cost would be $550. i decided i could buy the tools for that much. i know i need the repair manual, a torque wrench, a belt tension gauge, metric sockets, and a floor jack, but does anyone who has done the mkii NA job have any other suggestions. thanks bob rogers bob@carol.net ------------------------------ From: uunet!aol.com!RamziM2 Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 23:29:24 -0500 Subject: Re: the cat that's not >The small 'silencer' just before the main end silencer (at the back of the >car) is NOT at cat. Remember that this is a UK spec. model. >I had a look at the mirco-fisch @ Toyota, and it just happens to be in the >same position as the US spec. with one cat fitted. >So, the problem that I have is connecting the very back silencer to the long >flow pipe. If you look on page 89 of the MK1 Owner's Manual, there's a >diagram of a Mk1 with 1 cat fitted at the back, on my car, that's a normal >silencer. So are you saying that I can order a MK1 silencer from a Toyota dealer in the U.K. and that it will be a bolt on replacement to the cat on my California spec MR2? sounds good, Ramzi ------------------------------ From: uunet!norden1.com!stiltner (Matt Stiltner) Date: Wed, 06 Dec 95 00:48:51 EST Subject: [none] On Tue, 5 Dec 95 12:58:06 PST you wrote: >The car is owned by a woman (doesn't really mean anything, women can be >just as aggressive drivers as men, especially w/this car) and she >was originally asking $13,300. I got her down to $12,000 but I'm >wondering if I should offer less because of the mileage/turbo/brakes or do >you think that this is a good deal for this car. I would say that 12K is even too much. If the turbo is going to need to be rebuilt that is many hundreds of dollars of work. Also, the rotors warping is not an uncommon thing among some MR2's. Let me put it this way, I paid 15.5K for my 92 turbo with only 10K miles on the clock and a full warranty upto 80K miles. I would say that around 10,750-11K would be more reasonable if not less. This car has a a considerable amount of miles for being a late model MR2, also, mine was fully loaded with leather, and the premium sound system. I would say that amount is too high. ------------------------------ From: "Mark Shehan" Date: Wed, 06 Dec 1995 10:32:48 EST Subject: Re: Jacobs Energy Core Wires for MKII Does anyone have a phone number/address where I could order Jacobs Energy Core Wires for my MKII? A part number would be helpful too.Please reply either to the digest or my CompuServe account. Thanks. Mark Shehan '91 MKII turbo t-top red 145 K miles Mark Shehan - Ford EV P/T Engrg.,Village Plaza,23400 Mich. Ave. Suite 225, Dearborn, MI 48124, ph 313 323-2758, fx 810 845-5349 USFMC5WJ@IBMMAIL.COM-- please send Detroit Region SCCA & autox related e-mail to: 103274.3470@CompuServe.com - Thank you ------------------------------ From: uunet!wam.umd.edu!whobday Date: Wed, 06 Dec 95 22:11:45 Subject: MR2 - MkII Question: Leg Room? I've have a question for any tall MR2 owners out there: How do you fit? I've always wanted an MR2, but have been hesitant to look because of my height(6'7"). Any chance I'll fit? Please respond via email as I don't suscibe to the list(yet). Thanks. whobday@wam.umd.edu ------------------------------ From: uunet!real.com.au!grantc (Grant Cunningham) Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 12:58:47 +1000 Subject: Drivetrain clunk Hi All, I have a '91 NA with 95000km (60 000 miles) 5 speed manual which has developed a small "Clunk" noise somewhere in the drive train. I can feel it when taking off at normal speeds. As letting the clutch out and just before the wheels start to turn there is a small clunk noise. It feels as if there is a small amount of free play somewhere in the gearbox or differential. It is also apparent when say in 3rd gear coming on and off the throttle. My mechanic has checked out all the suspension etc, and tried to feel the clunk by rotating the wheel in and out of gear but with no luck. He said it was not worth a gearbox rebuild untill it gets a bit worse and we can be more sure of the cause. The probelem is just anoying at the moment. Does anyone have any suggestions to the cause. Regards Grant Cunningham (Australia) 91 NA Red, 95000km ------------------------------ From: uunet!bendnet.com!jdshort (John & Diana Short) Date: Wed, 6 Dec 1995 21:26:08 -0800 Subject: studless tires Hi Kip and all, On the studless snow tires, here is my assessment. I put on 205-55-15 all the way around. They are Toyo Observe ($510 mounted & balanced). Had a little higher speed rating than the Bridgestone blizzak and Pirelli jobs, but still only 118 or so (already tested, :) Anyhow, I'm impressed with there traction in the snow and ice, just as good as studs I'd say, at least so far. Who knows after a few thousand miles. But in the dry, they are scary. At least the set up I now have will nearly throw you off the road when testing corners. I think it is from three things: 1. same size all around rather than larger in back I think allows the rear end to break free first (also, already tested :). I suspect the wider back helps balance the weight and driven wheels in hard cornering so that gets lost when they're all the same size. 2. wimpy sidewalls, ie. not steel belted (none of those considered were). As with some V rated Toyo Proxes I tried for 2000 miles, the car is very sloshy handling in comparison to the Z rated TOYO proxes with steel sidewalls or the factory Yokohama A022s. I didn't run across any snow tires that had steel side walls or higher than 118 mph speed rating. 3. less tread to allow big crevases between rubber for snow traction. Flat out, its less rubber on the contact patch. And what is there flexes more than the summer street tires. I can hardly wait for summer and real tires. OH, I almost forgot! As for snow driving, your MKIIs have nifty air scoops underneath. Indentations like those on the doors flow air into plastic deflectors forcing it up into the engine. On snowy roads, these deflectors try to do the same with snow. For good or bad, the deflectors are wimpy and break, then drag making an awful noise. I'll find out tomorrow if they're covered under warranty, though they look cheap and are only 4 screws to replace. I don't think these MKIIs are so great for snow rigs. John, 93T in Bend, OR Happy Notes from the Short Family Frog Farm! ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V1 #53