mr2-digest Saturday, December 20 1997 Volume 02 : Number 007 MKII comparisons and t top autox Re: AutoX with, w/out T-Tops Re: Operating MR2 digest, was The MR2 digest has moved! Re: SC MR2's Re: MK1_mod Re: Motor Trend '94 Bang For Buck ANNOUNCE FCD install problems SC MR2's Re: MKI Guru Re: electric supercharger (was MK1_mod) Re: TURBO : Need timing belt (parts) info Re: TURBO : Need timing belt (parts) info Re: Turbo Problems 18K for an 85 mr2??? Re: 18K for an 85 mr2??? MkII MR2 low boost-any ideas? MR2 Freaks = 510 Freaks Remote Alarm System Re: AutoX with, w/out T-Tops, helmets... MkI Leafblower Possible Mass Buy? Re: Possible Mass Buy? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 07:52:39 -0800 From: "David Hawkins" Subject: MKII comparisons and t top autox >As before, I was somewhat disappointed by the (what I consider to be small) >difference in performance. Your comparisons of the way the power comes on in both are right on, but considering the condition of this car, I'd be surprised if it was mechanically sound and developing full power. I've driven both, and they both have tremendous advantages....but I'll stick by my "if you've got the money, go forced induction." creed. >re-considering not just keeping the na and getting an old sc too. Buy a turbo, AND an old SC (see my sig :) > Brakes - noticed the abs > on the turbo kinda make the car vibrate upon hard braking. This car had a problem with its ABS, then. My ABS makes the pedal go soft and gives a chattering noise, but doesn't vibrate the entire car. >The brake light above the rear windshield appeared to me to have come >from another car. The two sides immediately next to the actual light (and >obviously connected) were crimson red just like my car. Maybe I just >hadn't noticed this before but shouldn't it be black there just like the >rest of the car? As pointed out to me by Jeff Bihn, All the brake lights have a maroon metallic patch on both sides......even my white car. >that since the cab is so small, you really will never get a "great" >sounding stereo in there and this could be used as an arguement for that? My factory 3 in 1 sounds awesome..... As for the autox thread, I usually run with the driver's side top out...kind of a compromise between weight and chassis flex. REally, I do it because I won't fit under the top with my helmet on when the seat is properly positioned. I don't know how much the car actually flexes, but I've felt the difference when going over bumps that I'm familiar with when the tops are out. The ride is less bumpy, which means more flexy. David H. otgrouch@twosrus.com 93T FIPK/Trust 89SC Cupholder 66 Corvair 96 Cannondale R900 Spinergy ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 21:34:47 -0400 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: AutoX with, w/out T-Tops >Rules notwithstanding, IMHO, each has it's advantages...disadvantages... > >"Without"...lighter weight and lower cg > >"With"...less chassis flex >(not necessarily less drag, since the window(s) are not closed anyway). I've only done Solo II in South Florida (probably going to try it next year with the '85SC, but have no idea what call it would be in), but t-tops came off for two reasons - it's damn hot in Florida in July, and people can't fit in the cars with helemts on and t-tops on at the same time. I could never sit up straight in my '86NA with a helmet on. Probably one of the reasons I gave up, and I figure I'll have to find a shorter racing seat before next year. Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 21:34:56 -0400 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: Operating MR2 digest, was The MR2 digest has moved! >In a message dated 97-12-19 21:18:21 EST, atasi@Prometric.com writes: > ><< This is a fabulous idea. Thank You for your generousity! Let the >Bagdon/MR2 digest raffle begin! =) >> > >Okay, I'll jump in ... got an engine lid prop Dream on. When I find engine lid props, *I'm* keeping it. :) BTW, they are only about $16 brand spankin' new. > and a clock for an '86??? Lost count of how many I have. E-mail me offline. >Don't worry, Andrew, I'll still send in $10 for my "dues" as well ;) this is a >cheap date for all the hours of enjoyment I'm getting out of it! Let's hop I never get 'true' POP3 mail at work (we use some aweful interface), or I may never get work done there. :) Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 21:35:44 -0400 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: SC MR2's >Chris: > >Drive one if you haven't yet. I've never driven any MKII MR2, but I've >owned two MKI NA's and an SC. The SC is a fantastic, fun car. It's not >as fast as a Turbo in a straight line, but I'll bet it's faster down >almost any twisty road you could pick. I've had mine 5 years now and >I'll never sell it. That's no idle boast, I still have my first car, a >'72 Datsun 510 (suitably modded) that I bought in 1978. MR2 freaks are >second only to true 510 freaks in the level of their addiction. You want rabid? Try Corolla Diesels, if you can believe it, people talk about 250k miles and counting. Almost anything All-Trac, that *isn't* a Celica All-Trac Turbo or RAV4 (Camry All-Trac, Corolla All-Trac Wagon, etc), people don't have the same allegience for the high-end stuff as the ever-running low-end stuff. And Mazda 323GTX(?) AWD Turbos, but there's a buy in town who grabs them up fast. Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 21:36:58 -0400 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: MK1_mod >hi listmember, > >i am in the process of trying to put together an electric supercharger >for the MK1. i will not use superpac since it is too expensive but >a leaf blower. here are the equipment that i will be using: > a) a power inverter strong enough to power a leaf blower > b) a leaf blower (i am planning to use the craftsman since it > can produce 200 mph air velocity) What's the CFM? When you find that out, you'll see where this project is going... Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 21:37:29 -0400 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: Motor Trend '94 Bang For Buck >Karen or Jeffrey wrote: > >> I got 2 requests for the article for the 2nd place >> finish of the 94 MR2 Turbo B4B, so I scanned >> em in and uploaded it @ : > >Hmm, now that's the third time I see the stock MKII-T rated at 200HP. >What happend to the last 45 HP ?? > >Stock Celica GT-4's (All-Track in US) here in Denmark have 245HP, how >come? One's a US-spec car, and the other one is a Japan-spec car? Perhaps? Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 08:48:59 -0600 From: Dustin Schwind Subject: ANNOUNCE FCD install problems I'm trying to install an FCD in my 91T and I don't have the wiring information for the ECU pins and colors. From the info I have the wire from the turbo pressure sensor is located at pin 13C. What color is this and which connector is C? Has anyone out there who has an FCD installed with the APEX or similar boost controller had problems. I mean does hooking up the power and ground from the FCD to the same wires as the power and ground to the EBC cause problems. It did with mine. The boost controler would not complete the turn on cycle. It just continued to flash. So, if some one has experience with an FCD installed with an APEX or other EBC please email me with the colors or wires AND pin #'s. Thank you Dustin Schwind 91T ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 10:40:16 -0500 From: "Tommy Guttmann" Subject: SC MR2's Mike Gruber wrote: > Drive one if you haven't yet. I've never driven any MKII MR2, but I've > owned two MKI NA's and an SC. The SC is a fantastic, fun car. It's not > as fast as a Turbo in a straight line, but I'll bet it's faster down > almost any twisty road you could pick. I've had mine 5 years now and > I'll never sell it Chris Conlon wrote: > Have you driven the SC yet? If not, *do it*! You will be assimilated, you > will turn to the Dark Side of the Force, etc. It's very fun! Yeah, just bought a 2nd SC (uh...for the wife...yeah, that sounds good...) Seasons Greetings & Happy Holidays everyone Tommy Guttmann tools@tooltech.qc.ca Montreal, Canada 2 x Mk1 SC ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 10:10:47 -0600 From: "Steve Hoult" Subject: Re: MKI Guru > The only thing with running 205/50 15's is that your speedometer >may be out of wack with them. With 195/50 15's, at least your a little >closer to the original wheel/tire diameter of the 185/60 14's. Besides, 10mm >of tire isn't going to make half the difference in handling and road grip as >a properly tuned suspension. Actually Aly, most of the speedo's are off right from the factory. When I went to new tires and rims I was worried about speedo error so I made several speed runs. I set my cruise control at 45, 55, 65, 75 and 80 for a length of 5 miles each. I timed each run and then did the math. With the 205/15/50 tires on the rear my speedo is almost dead on accurate from 45 to 80. Now I know exactly how fast I speeding by! Steve Hoult '89 SC ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 09:56:58 -0600 From: Bernie Long Subject: Re: electric supercharger (was MK1_mod) Aries Aisporna wrote: > > hi listmember, > > i am in the process of trying to put together an electric supercharger > for the MK1. i will not use superpac since it is too expensive but > a leaf blower. here are the equipment that i will be using: > a) a power inverter strong enough to power a leaf blower > b) a leaf blower (i am planning to use the craftsman since it > can produce 200 mph air velocity) snip > aries (red 86 mk1 if fortune smiles at me i will have a red 86 mk1 > LB Charged) Aries, Back in the late '70s, I had a dear but somewhat wacko freind who made his living doing maintanence in factories. He built and repaired all manner of machinery. He also owned a Porsche 914 1.7. The factory he was in used large industrial vacuum cleaners. He borrowed the motor/fan housing assembly off of one them. It operated on 110v. He wired up one of the cheap gizmos that supply 110v off of the alternator, and piped the output of the vacuum cleaner motor into the 914's intake. He didn't bother with a switch, on the theory that at idle, the voltage supplied by the alternator would be relatively low and the blower wouldn't run too fast. I drove this thing at an autocross with and without the blower plugged in, and it made a very noticable difference in the accelleration of the little 914. As I recall, it idled kind of funny with the blower running... This was very much a duct tape and baling wire installation, but it did work. I doubt that the flakey VW electrical system in the 914 would have put up with this for very long. He didn't leave it on for very long (I assume his employer would eventually miss the vacuum cleaner!). Have fun and Merry Christmas! Bernie Long '86 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 10:53:56 EST From: Lsaccone Subject: Re: TURBO : Need timing belt (parts) info I didn't change my timing belt till 80K miles :-) I like to live on the edge.... and I was really tapped on cash for a while :-}~ I changed the oil pump when I had my tranny rebuilt, but the water pump I replaced with the timing belt. Good luch. Later. Larry S. 1991 MR2 Turbo ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 08:25:22 -0800 From: Karen or Jeffrey Subject: Re: TURBO : Need timing belt (parts) info At 10:53 AM 12/20/97 EST, Lsaccone wrote: >I changed the oil pump when I had my tranny rebuilt, but the water pump I >replaced with the timing belt. Good luch. That sounds strange? To do the oil pump, you need to drop the primary cat and downpipe in addition to everything else to get the timing belt off. Are you saying you did the oil pump because the car was getting a tranny rebuild so it had some downtime? or are you saying it was easier to do since the tranny was missing? The reason I was asking, if I'm doing the timing belt, I'm doing everything else @ the same time! No way I'm gonna drop the whole timing belt etc again, just to swap in and out a any $50 part ! - - Jeffrey ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 10:56:12 EST From: Lsaccone Subject: Re: Turbo Problems Blow off vavle? Good luck, Larry S. 1991 MR2 Turbo ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 12:39:40 -0500 From: "Ardell L. Simon" Subject: 18K for an 85 mr2??? in my searches for another MR2 I found: 1985 Toyota MR2Red104,000$18,500.00Sale by owner White Lake, MIJim Snyder 810-360-8485 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 11:56:25 -0600 From: "Andrew P. Tasi" Subject: Re: 18K for an 85 mr2??? >in my searches for another MR2 I found: > >1985 Toyota MR2Red104,000$18,500.00Sale by owner >White Lake, MIJim Snyder >810-360-8485 While some people speculate that Mk-I MR2s (especially SCs) will start going up in value and become collector-pieces, I think it's safe to say this is a misprint. Either that, or Mr. Snyder: 1) Isn't riding on all four wheels, or 2) He has one heckuva tricked out '2. My $0.02, Andrew P. Tasi Black '88 MR2 T-top ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 12:10:51 -0600 From: "Andrew P. Tasi" Subject: MkII MR2 low boost-any ideas? Anybody have any ideas on this for Gordon? Reply to him at GordonM@SunnysideUD.K12.AZ.US >If anyone can off some help on this I would really appreciate it. > >I have a 91 turbo with almost 80K miles on it, stock except for a K&N >intake system, turbo timer, and VDO boost gauge. All these parts > have been in the car for a while and work fine. > >I was driving home last night, it was kinda cool air temp (50 or so) > and when I got onto the throttle at one point I noticed that the car >would not go above 7psi on the turbo. no matter what I tried throttle >wise 7psi was as much as I would get. I figured this was the >limp-home-mode, so I found a spot, pulled over, turned off the turbo >timer, shut off the ar, waited about 15 sec's and then started it up >again. Then I got full boost (8.5 to 9psi) with no problem, and it >worked fine all the way home. > >I'm kinda worried about what would have triggered the computer to >switch to that mode. Any help would be very well received since I > hope my car's fine, but want to make sure it stays that way. Thanks > in advance for any help. > >Gordon McQuillin >91' T Black ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 13:18:18 -0500 From: Tony Kern Subject: MR2 Freaks = 510 Freaks Regarding Mike Gruber's recent post... Mike, you revived an old memory, my beloved '71 510 ! L-18 motor, 10:1 pistons, 2" drop, roll cage and G/P autox trophy winner. Bane of Z cars ! Sold for a song when my landlord found it behind the garage w/no tags and threatened me with eviction. Can't make a teardrop w/the keyboard :-(. Tony ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 10:25:44 -0800 From: "Thomas Guy" Subject: Remote Alarm System Hey Everyone - I have a 95 4Runner that has a factory alarm system. One of the features is a key fob that remotely sets the alarm and locks the all of the doors. Well, the fob has two buttons on it. The instructions say that one of the buttons can be programmed to work with another car's alarm system. Ok, I bought a 93 MR2 turbo two weeks ago that also has a factory alarm. It didn't come with a key fob to set the alarm and lock the doors (I use the key to lock and set the alarm). The instructions for the MR2's alarm system has a section in it regarding remote activation, but the drawing of the key fob looks nothing like my 4Runner's fob. 1) can the MR2 use the 4Runner's key fob? 2)Is the remote activation an option? 3) How in the world would I go about setting the key fob's frequency to match the MR2's alarm system? 4)What question am I forgetting to ask? Thanks for the help everyone! T. Guy Reno NV '93 Teal Turbo 42K miles ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 10:27:43 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: Re: AutoX with, w/out T-Tops, helmets... Helmets-- snell 90 or better. Ttops-- im 6' 5" of tall handsomeness. i run the courses with the tops in exclusively. Why? 1. i have ~ 1/4" clearance between top of my helmet and ttop (yes thats even with my custom made "Grande Cabesa" helmet.) 2. reduced chassis flex (gotta keep it stiff) 3. i am able to hear the motor better for shifting points. just like randy, who has time to look at the gages? (this is my primary reason) 4. sometimes it so damn hot here in sd at a winter autox, i need the a/c blasting (primadonna in know) 5. less drag (yes ive wind tunnel tested this) 6. lessen the intensity of the weekly sunburn. (cuz ive got another day to go) 7. because no one else drives with them in (showing my distaste for the "herd" mentality or lack thereof (mentality) ) 8. i had complaints levied about the type of music i play at events, so i keep my tops on (very considerate, huh?) having a good time today, with my tops off (not on the course), getting my weekly burn - terry ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 13:16:01 EST From: Kurowski Subject: MkI Leafblower In a message dated 12/20/97 6:38:54 AM, you wrote: >i am in the process of trying to put together an electric supercharger >for the MK1. i will not use superpac since it is too expensive but >a leaf blower. here are the equipment that i will be using: > a) a power inverter strong enough to power a leaf blower > b) a leaf blower (i am planning to use the craftsman since it > can produce 200 mph air velocity) > c) and a switch so that i can easily turn the thing off and on > on demand (a la NOS). Whoah! What about fuel delivery? Can the stock system handle such a thing? How much the is the SuperPac cost? See, that comes with a throttle position sensor or something so it adjusts (or kicks in) at certain times. I like this leaf blower idea, especially with the use of the power inverter. Just worried that you may run the risk of running too lean or fuel-starve the poor engine. Are my concerns warranted? Or will the MAF take care of things? Either way, keep us posted as to how to do this if you are, indeed, successful. Paul Janicki kurowski@aol.com San Jose, CA, USA White 86 Mk1 135,000 miles ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 11:34:56 -0800 (PST) From: Nathan John Blumberg Subject: Possible Mass Buy? Hi guys, It has been a while since I've posted, but I've been busy with school and trying to keep up. Anyway, I've developed a relationship with a shop down here that is going wholesale soon, and they may have some favors coming. I already got a HUGE deal on rims/tires, and I think it may be possible to get a bigger purchase going to save us all a bit of dough. If anyone has been wanting something, or has any ideas... let me know via e-mail or on the list (I'll try and keep a watch.) I think I'm going to try and go for a 91T exhaust, and Springs/shocks before they switch over. The guy there is cool, has a 91 N/A and is looking for a 93T. Tell me what you think.... ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 12:19:13 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: Re: Possible Mass Buy? > Hi guys, > It has been a while since I've posted, but I've been busy with > school and trying to keep up. Anyway, I've developed a relationship with > a shop down here that is going wholesale soon, and they may have some > favors coming. I already got a HUGE deal on rims/tires, and I think it > may be possible to get a bigger purchase going to save us all a bit of > dough. If anyone has been wanting something, or has any ideas... let me > know via e-mail or on the list (I'll try and keep a watch.) I think I'm > going to try and go for a 91T exhaust, and Springs/shocks before they > switch over. The guy there is cool, has a 91 N/A and is looking for a > 93T. Tell me what you think.... > what are the prices on: H&R lowering springs (1.3" frnt and 1.4"rear, on 92 turbo) greddy turbo timer (Pann was out of them yesterday, will have em tuesday) type and prices of front sway bars tankx- terry ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #7