mr2-digest Thursday, 5 December 1996 Volume 01 : Number 599 MR2 Tire FAQ MR2 Cabin Lights MR2 Re: Mr2 SP8000 Re: MR2 window reg observations MR2 Body Side Moulding MR2 RE: Shift boot MR2 Eibach Phone Number? MR2 Emissions Test MR2 MK1 starter runs on. MR2 Mk. I: Looking for body parts/prices MR2 Suspension 101 MR2 Re: new uses for cancer stick lighter MR2 Re: mr2-digest V1 #598 Re: MR2 Condemned Cat's Last Wish . . . MR2 Re: mr2-digest V1 #598 MR2 MKI sidelights (U.K.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Tommy Guttmann" Date: Wed, 4 Dec 1996 12:30:47 -0500 Subject: MR2 Tire FAQ Kip Anderson wrote: > It's also possible that a tire such as the AVSi may consistently produce a moderately high grip > throughout a very wide range of alignments and pressure, whereas the P-Zero may only excel only > within a narrow range of conditions. I think this is VERY significant. What works with one set up, may not be quite as good with another. Personally, I'm surprised that the AVSs didn't perform better in Farzaan Kassam's testing. I notice that Farzaan refers to AVSii. What are these ? Are they different from the AVS1 ? If so, perhaps here lies the reason for the slightly disappointing results... In MY experience, on my MR2 SC (not a Porsche, not a Talon, not a BMW), I've used the following 3 different Yokohamas on street and Track. I'll reserve my comments for "track", since at this performance level, street performance is obviously less significant. A008 (aren't they discontinued for quite some time now ?) Very easy to drive fast on, predictable, great response. Significant point: They're NOT directional, so can be rotated easily left to right when using different sizes front/rear to equalize wear. 195/50 front, 205/50 rear on 15 x 7" wheels (all around) Average Lap Times on SMP's "Fabi" Track 1.22.8 A008RS (Race Tire, but still, I thought it would be interesting...) All of the above, but surprisingly, slightly poorer steering response. Quicker & Stickier (obviously) ! 205/50 front, 225/50 rear on 15 x 7" wheels front, 15 x 8" rear Average Lap Times on SMP's "Fabi" Track 1.21.7 AVS1 Everything the A008s were, with slightly poorer response, but no worse than the A008RS despite its solid outer tread block. Again, easy to wear evenly because they're not directional. Now, here's the surprise ! 205/50 front, 215/50 rear on 15 x 7" wheels front, 15 x 8" rear Average Lap Times on SMP's "Fabi" Track 1.22 They're were almost as quick as the A008RS, without actually being a Race Tire. I know the wheel/tire sizes were different from one set to the other, but I still feel the results may be interesting...(so draw your own conclusions about this) FWIW, when these laps were run the car had still had stock springs & shocks, and stock Rubber Bushings but had the S/T "competition" (22mm front, 16mm rear) Sway Bar Kit. Obviously, Sway Bar adjustment was different for each set-up as were tire pressures, but each was optimized to the "best of my ability" after much experimentation to arrive at what was quickest for each (unfortunately, without a pyrometer however). Alignment was (and remains) at what appears to be best for my "dual purpose" use at: Front Camber -1.25 degrees, Toe O degrees, Caster +4.25 degrees Rear Camber -1.50 degrees, Toe O degrees These settings are obviously not "optimal" for track usage, but do allow street driving without undue wear and vastly improve the overall handling over stock. Having said all this about the "hottest" Yokos, I'm "toying" with the idea of going to Toyo Proxes T1s. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anyone out there who has done this (or Farzaam's) type of back to back testing... Just my .02 Tommy Guttmann tools@tooltech.qc.ca Montreal, Canada http://www.tooltech.qc.ca/ Mk1 SC ------------------------------ From: "Burns, James B." Date: Wed, 4 Dec 1996 13:10:25 -0500 Subject: MR2 Cabin Lights Troy sez: >My thanks to those of you who hold me how to get the cabin light >array cover off. > >After removing the darned thing, I discovered that the 94T does not >have a 'hot' wire in the cabin light array - the power fade-out must >occur somewhere under the dash, believe it or not. There must be a hot wire in there somewhere, because even after the lights fade out you can push the buttons and turn on the lights. Check your shop manual for a wiring diagram. If you don't have the manuals I highly recommend them, especially since you seem to be interested in tinkering with your car. In the last year I have used the manuals to troubleshoot ECU codes and airbag codes, install new struts, change tranny oil, torque the chassis bolts on the race car, upgrade speakers, install a turbo timer, modify the fog lights, install trailer light wiring, etc. The manuals have more than paid for themselves. Brad Burns '94T (A-stock) 10K miles '91T (SSGT) 12K miles '89 Acura Legend coupe, 101K miles ------------------------------ From: Jeff Ho-See Date: Wed, 04 Dec 1996 10:01:23 -0800 Subject: MR2 Re: Mr2 SP8000 Dysart, Glenn B. wrote: > the A-022. Personally, as I have said before I think the A-022 sucks! I > have a mix now of SP8000 on the rear and the A-022 up front and the car > really pushes now where it didn't before with all four A-022. And the > A-022 is one of the worst I have seen in cold weather, spins and slides > very, very easily. You guys can keep buying that A-022 but I never will > again! I was going to buy the P-ZEROs but didn't want to spend the extra > $$$. I'd give the 8000s high marks as well. It gripped very well under all conditions, wet/dry/cold/hot/aged. It held up quite long under the abuse (24k regular miles and a lot of autocrossing time). I can't compare the RE71s since they're on a different car than the 8000s were and only one end. ;D I'll probably switch back to 8000s on the next set because they seem to be the tire dujour. - - Jeffrey ------------------------------ From: uunet!aol.com!Daucott Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 06:50:03 -0500 Subject: Re: MR2 window reg observations > of those things where "1 picture is worth a thousand words".Point is if it's > installed right with the cables all in 1 place it should bolt in > easily,,,Still have to adjust the window but I noticed when the window went > up it went up about 1/2" higher---I guess I have to put the felt "stops" on > the door. You will need to put the felt pads and the window stops on the door, otherwise it will go to high (as you have already found out). > Also, I got power when I connected the passenger side switch from the door > liner to the circuit - apparently it makes a complete circuit - my knowledge > of automotive electrics is next to nil. Sorry, I should've mentioned this before. Neither door window will work if the other one isn't hooked up. When I swapped out the pwr for manual I completely finished one side, then went to the other and was rather miffed when I had to go re-hook-up the side I'd already finished. I was just the connector, but it still made me mad. Have fun adjusting it to get rid of the wind noise! It's rather touchy and I'm still tweaking mine. Dave A. daucott@aol.com ------------------------------ From: "Burns, James B." Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 08:57:20 -0500 Subject: MR2 Body Side Moulding Hanley Tze-Ho Leung asked: >Hi everyone, >after reading this group for the last few weeks, I'm considerring purchasing a >91T. >It's white and is in pretty good condition, only 32K miles!! >My only problem with the car >is that the side molding strips are silver which kinda looks >strange to me. I'd like to paint them black or just have them >replaced. How much treouble or how much $$ would this cost. A body/paint shop should be able to mask it them off and paint them pretty easily and for not a lot of money. I personally would paint them white to match the car. I think this one of the best visual improvements you can make to the MKII. My '91T was painted yellow by the previous owner, and thankfully the side moulding was painted too. When I see MKIIs with black moulding it seems to cut the car in half and looks cheaper, IMO. FWIW, all '94+ Turbos have body-colored side mouldings, front airdam, and rocker panels. Check out the pictures of the '94T's on the web site and see if you like this look. Brad Burns ------------------------------ From: uunet!D0MSU2.FNAL.GOV!ROCKWELL Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 8:33:06 -0600 (CST) Subject: MR2 RE: Shift boot A week ago I replaced the shifter boot and elbow rest pad in my '85. I bought a 12" piece of red vinyl at a appolstry shop, and my mother made the boot on a sewing machine. It only took her about 10 minutes; just remove the stiching from the old boot and use it as the pattern. I just used some packing tape to attach the new elbow pad to the back of the metal plate it's on. I really like the way the red looks - adds a bit of flash and color to a rather dark interior. Tom ------------------------------ From: "Burns, James B." Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 09:10:50 -0500 Subject: MR2 Eibach Phone Number? Does anyone have a phone number for Eibach springs? I found their web site, but I couldn't find a phone number there. I'm trying to find out some specs on their race springs. Also, a number for H&R springs or any others who make road race springs for the MKII MR2 would be appreciated too. Brad Burns '91 MR2T (SSGT, future ITE) '94 MR2T (Solo II A-stock) '89 Acura Legend coupe (w/ new Blizzaks, ready for winter) ------------------------------ From: "Burns, James B." Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 09:26:40 -0500 Subject: MR2 Emissions Test I got the my '91 MR2T race car emissions tested today (in Maryland). The car is stock with 12K (racing) miles and new ignition parts, and it passed easily. State standard for hydrocarbons is 220ppm, mine was 9. Standard for carbon monoxide is 1.2%, mine was zero. This was measured at around 2500rpm in neutral. The interesting thing was that the carbon dioxide spec is 6% and mine measured 14.5% but still passed. I never thought of CO2 as a pollutant since we all exhale it. (Inhaling pure CO2 would suffocate you, but that's not the point.) My guess is that it is a greenhouse gas and will be regulated in the future, and they are just gathering data at this point. This made me realize that I'm not sure exactly what the catalyst in the converters does. Doesn't it convert CO and HC to CO2 and H2O? If this is the case, then wouldn't a higher percentage of CO2 mean that the cats are working well? Brad Burns ------------------------------ From: uunet!D0MSU2.FNAL.GOV!ROCKWELL Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 8:50:01 -0600 (CST) Subject: MR2 MK1 starter runs on. How do you remove the starter on an MR2? The repair manual seems to assume that you have the engine on a stand with all other accessories removed! #$%^#$@ I managed to get the starter off and on yesterday with with the car on jackstands but it was a _really_ difficult and extra sh*tty job. I didn't remove any of the exhaust; whats the recommended procedure? To top it off the starter still runs on a bit. Its not as bad as before, and I'm hoping that maybe the problem will just go away now; I only have started the car cold once. I disassembled cleaned and greased the gears and clutch. The magnetic switch passed the pull-in, stay in, and turn off tests in the service manual. The shaft clicked in and out with authority when tested off the car. I really pretty bummed that the problem isn't totally fixed. Has anybody else had this problem and had it continue after lubing the starter gears? How did you fix the problem? Thanks, Tom ------------------------------ From: Jacob ben-David Zimmerman Date: Thu, 05 Dec 1996 11:10:22 EST Subject: MR2 Mk. I: Looking for body parts/prices Hi all- I'm slowly working on revamping the Bird, my '87 Mk. I which I inherited from dear old Dad. During his tenure, he managed to crease it a little, and I was wondering if anyone out there is parting out a car and would have the following parts (rust-free only, really): - -Right front fender - -Lower airdam component (yeah, the one that hits the ground on steep driveways) - -Tailpipe 'shroud' - that chrome-y thing that fits over the muffler tailpipes - -Right headlight 'cap' (metal cover) If so, what would you want for them? I'm in Cambridge, MA, and could come pick them up within a couple hundred miles or so. Thanks much! - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacob ben-David Zimmerman - MITDACS - Draper Laboratory http://uss-repulse.starfleet.com/home.html mail:zimerman@mit.edu "I never drive faster than I can see. Besides, it's all in the reflexes." -Jack Burton ------------------------------ From: uunet!dg-rtp.dg.com!pressley (David Pressley) Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 11:11:23 -0500 (EST) Subject: MR2 Suspension 101 I have read many posts over the last couple of months talking about Tokiko and Koni shocks, Eibach springs, etc. I figure this might be a good way to go when it comes time for replacement parts. Then I realized that I really don't know how all this stuff works together. More specifically, I realized I don't know the relationship between shocks, springs, struts, bushings, etc. Someone want to break it down for me? I'd really like to learn. Thanks, David P. '91T ------------------------------ From: "Alex Gibson" Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 08:54:44 -0600 Subject: MR2 Re: new uses for cancer stick lighter > Lastly, I have heard of a special fuse which can be plugged into a spare > socket in the fuse block. The fuse has a wire that comes out of it for > power. This to me seems like the most elegant solution but I have not been > able to find this fuse yet I know I've seen it before. The people at Radio > Shack think I'm nuts when I described it to them. I remember seeing something like what you're looking for in the Harringtons catalog. You removed the existing fuse and inserted this plastic thing. It had holders for two fuses, the original and another that served a connector for adding an additional accessory. The benefit was that you didn't risk overloading the original fuse and didn't have to include some inline fuse down stream to the new accessory. I thought it was a pretty useful idea but didn't have a use for it at the time. There must be someone on this NG that's has one of their catalogs laying around. If not, I'll keep an eye out for the next catalog I get. Alex I. Gibson "Onward through the fog." Supervisor - Automation Tools Group Oat Willie ADP Dealer Services voice (847)397-1700 x5546 1950 Hassell Road fax (847)519-1306 Hoffman Estates, Il 60195 email gibson@hoffman.ds.adp.com ------------------------------ From: "TODD KLOSNICK" Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 11:05:03 EST Subject: MR2 Re: mr2-digest V1 #598 Regarding Wheel and tire upgrades! I have an 87 with all the options. I wanted to upgrade to 16'' rims and tires without lowering the car. Two ?'s: Will this give my car a higher ride? Will the car look stupid? Im leaning towards TSW blades. Email: tmk6884@anubis.westmoreland.cc.pa.us ------------------------------ From: J\xrn Innset Date: 05 Dec 96 12:52:08 +0000 Subject: Re: MR2 Condemned Cat's Last Wish . . . On 04-Des-96 15:01:11, Steve Bagdon wrote about Re: MR2 Condemned Cat's Last Wish . . .: >I had heard that the early designs ('70s?) stunk, but that the '80s-'90s >were much better. Even the dyno tests showed that removing the cat on the >Mk I MR2 made no difference (at least for an NA, turbos are a different >conversation). Ahhh, but if you stuck a cat on a Norwegian version, I bet it'd loose hp. - -- __ Amiga /// | Jorn Innset | Check out my /// | jorni@sn.no | homepage at __ /// | | \\\/// | Thor 2.3 | http://home.sn.no/~jorni \XX/ ------------------------------ From: "TODD KLOSNICK" Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 11:19:14 EST Subject: MR2 Re: mr2-digest V1 #598 Regarding stereo: Does anybody have subs in the trunk of a mK1 mr2! I need more info on this. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! todd email: tmk6884@anubis.westmoreland.cc.pa.us ------------------------------ From: Phil O'Connor Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 16:51:22 -0000 Subject: MR2 MKI sidelights (U.K.) Hi, On my 1989 MKI, with the engine is running, when I switch on the sidelights, the popups come up but don't illuminate and the small square sidelights light up. Now either, 1. the main headlights have sidelight bulbs in them and they've both blown 2. or the popups shouldn't come up when the sidelights are on and there's some wiring problem, 3. or the popups are supposed to come up and stay un-illuminated for some reason unbeknown to myself. Has anyone got an answer to this? Thanks in advance, Phil. ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V1 #599