mr2-digest Wednesday, December 24 1997 Volume 02 : Number 019 MR2 Pcola mini meet MR2 leafcharger reply MR2 Ian's post / cracked manifold (Mk 1) Re: MR2 leafcharger reply Re: MR2 MK1, yet another tire question Re: MR2 leafcharger reply MR2 Re: Another Tire Question MR2 Atlantic City Gathering, Sunday Dec. 28th MR2 RE: mr2-digest V2 #16 MR2 MKII (various questions) MR2 mk1 ground effects/airdam MR2 Re: Checking Timing, Fuel Pressure on Mk-II Turbo MR2 MKI: Need some help Re: REWARD FOR FINDING ME AN MR2 MR2 MKII Aeroware side vents MR2 MKII aeroware vents Re: MR2/MKI: New owner questions MR2 Re: Top End ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 13:44:59 -0800 From: "David Hawkins" Subject: MR2 Pcola mini meet Well, it was mentioned at the Mobile meet, but no one has brought it up. Anyone interested in a Pensacola get together perhaps on the 3rd of January? Figure this Saturday is too soon to make plans for most people..... Email me off line if you're interested. I'm open to any day....since I live here :) David H. otgrouch@twosrus.com 93T FIPK/RMS S.P/RMS MBC 89SC Cupholder 66 Corvair 96 Cannondale R900 Spinergy ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 11:47:08 -0800 From: James Yothers Subject: MR2 leafcharger reply Steve is probably right about going to the more D/C oriented blower. The Amperage that is required to run that thing at a sustained high RPM will burn up something. But if you want to stay with what you have, some engineering has to be done. Most vehicles have an alternator anyway right. Then it goes to a voltage regulator then charges the Battery. Well there is an alternating current if I ever found one. Maybe if there was a high output Alternator for an MR2 that can pull 75-100 amps. My olds has one. Might check with the local car stero outlet. Most applicances these days really don't use 115 volts. Just build one and you will find that out. Hence the transformers. Most only use 9-15 volts DC. Check the wireing on your TV, it may suprise you. Techinically you would not have to use the inverter. Crack that sucker open and find the specs on that tranformer in that machine. It will likely be around 12 volts (look at that) and may only use about 25 amps (25 X 12 = 300 watts). So all in all , you where likly to be takeing AC (alternator) to DC (Battery) to AC (invertor) to DC (blower transformer with whetstone bridge). Couple steps can be taken out. I did this same sort of thing with a fridge in the trunk of my olds. If you want more help let me know. mailto:jyothers@iname.com or for reply over Xmas mailto:jyothers@hotcity.com Jim Y - ----------------------------------oo(^)oo------------------------------------ James A. Yothers - jyothers@cadence.com, jyothers@iname.com, jyothers@hotcity.com, jyothers@interpart.com 85 MKI RED If you find yourself in a hole......stop digging! ___________________________________oo00oo___________________________________ ___ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 12:01:38 -0800 From: william brandt Subject: MR2 Ian's post / cracked manifold (Mk 1) Ian that was a good post - I might add with mobil 1 even if you used our 15-50 over here because of it's properties it would probably still flow freely - the 15 viscosity flows freely down to -55 F. I think their offering of different viscosities is more of a marketing ploy than an engineering one. (My opinion) Manifolds - Ive gone through 2 of these with 2 MR2's - like head gaskets on an early 4A-GE it seems not a question of "If" but "When" - I cruised the wrecking yards and those blood suckers (I'm not bitter!) wanted $65 for a 10 year old piece of crap that would probably crack in the next year. Steve had one but he was in Detroit and I needed it fast - I got a new one at Lou Fusz for $130. My personal feeling is that the TRD headers really don't make a difference in performance (per other's experience) - and they're not smog certified here anyway. Put in a new factory manifold since it's in such a nasty place for access. I think on these it's either the #1 or #4 cylinder area that usually is cracked (Steve - Dave?) Bill William L. Brandt wbco@wbco.com Sacramento, CA ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 15:17:12 -0500 From: Jamie Dennis Subject: Re: MR2 leafcharger reply If anyone is actually going to do this, then I would suggest that maybe a shop vac (canister, wet dry type of thing) would maybe be better than a leafblower. They come with a built in filter, and it would be pretty easy to put a prefilter on, also. Go directly to dc, per Jim Yothers' post... - -Jamie Dennis '93 Turbo ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 14:24:42 -0600 From: "Andrew P. Tasi" Subject: Re: MR2 MK1, yet another tire question Duane wrote: >Hello, was looking for some tires, well >wondering around Sam's Club... > >Found a cheap tire that sounds good, >will the mosters fit. Not well, see below. >BFG 235/60/14---$59.00 Which model of tire? Is it the Comp T/A HR4 or....? [Snip!] >Now I see they have the 215/60/14 and the 235/60/14 >for both at the same price $59.00 > >Which will fit, is this a good deal, and would a 235/60/14 >outperform a 195/50/14 in anyones opinion...??? The 215s might be an alright deal depending on which BFG Comp T/A. The 235s would NOT be good to mount on the stock MR2 wheels. I currently have 215/60/14s mounted on one pair of the Mk-I wheels I used this summer, and I only mounted these because I already had them taking up room in my garage. They fit without problem, but if I were buying new, I'd try to find a 205/55 or 205/60/14. Why? The smallest wheel that a 215-width tire should be mounted on is 6 inches. The stock MR2 wheels are 5.5 inches wide. If you mount modern performance tires on a rim that is too narrow, you will actually get LESS grip than a slightly narrower tire that fits the rim properly. The reason is that if the rim is too narrow, it will pull the sidewalls closer together than the tire was designed for, resulting in a rounded tread area. So instead of keeping the entire width of the tire tread firmly on the ground, the center section of the tread will bulge slightly. You will also get uneven wear, with the center showing belts while the outer tread is still OK. Here's a cheap visual of what I mean: W /heelWheelWhee\l / \ <-- Sidewall puckered in my rim / \ * * * --___________-- * <--- Unused tread area Usable tread The car handles well with 195/60/14s front and 215/60/14s rear, but it understeers ever so slightly at the limit. IMHO, it'd be better with 205s on the rear; If you want wider tires, buy wider wheels. >Duane Hope this helps, Andrew P. Tasi Black '88 MR2 T-top ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 12:29:05 -0800 From: James Yothers Subject: Re: MR2 leafcharger reply I don't think the Shop vac has quite the volume that is needed for this. I mean at the very least they could go ram air induction and that would not cause the engine to lean on the low end or idle. At 03:17 PM 12/24/97 -0500, you wrote: >If anyone is actually going to do this, then I would suggest >that maybe a shop vac (canister, wet dry type of thing) would >maybe be better than a leafblower. They come with a built in >filter, and it would be pretty easy to put a prefilter on, also. >Go directly to dc, per Jim Yothers' post... > >-Jamie Dennis >'93 Turbo > > - ----------------------------------oo(^)oo------------------------------------ James A. Yothers - jyothers@cadence.com, jyothers@iname.com, jyothers@hotcity.com, jyothers@interpart.com 85 MKI RED If you find yourself in a hole......stop digging! ___________________________________oo00oo___________________________________ ___ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 16:34:25 -0500 From: "Burns, James B." Subject: MR2 Re: Another Tire Question >Now I see they have the 215/60/14 and the 235/60/14 >for both at the same price $59.00 The stock sizes on the '91-92 were 195/60-14 front, 205/60-14 rear, correct? My '91T had 205/60-14f, 225/60-14r Yokohama A008RS on it when I bought it. They fit fine, looked good, and worked well. There looked to be enough room at the rear for a 235/60-14, but I'm not sure how well these would work on a 7" rim. Your speedo error will also be getting pretty large with this size. 50-series tires work well, too, but their small diameter will leave a lot of wheelwell gap which looks weird and you'll have lots of speedo error and worse highway fuel mileage. After my Yoks wore out I road raced on 205/55-14 front and 225/50-14 rear BFGs. They worked great, but like I said, they looked weird. For street use on the stock wheels, I'd personally recommend the stock tire sizes or maybe something a bit wider like a 205/60-14 front with a 215 or 225/60-14 rear. Of course, your choices for 14" performance tires are pretty limited. Brad Burns ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 16:53:58 -0500 From: nu3y@CritPath.Org Subject: MR2 Atlantic City Gathering, Sunday Dec. 28th So far we have Chris Conrad, Pete (moresax@aol.com), Aly, and Ron coming out for the Atlantic City MR2 Gathering this Sunday. This one will DEFINITELY be the last one here before the spring thaw! Hey, come out and join us! Information and itinerary have already been posted, but if you would like a repeat, let me know. Also let me know if you plan on joining us and you are not on my list of attendees as of yet, OK? Happy Holidays! - ----- Joe Pearlstein '91 Crimson Red MKII, Past owner of '86 Super Red MKI Philadelphia, PA mailto:nu3y@critpath.org ICQ# 3480202 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 14:53:03 -0000 From: "Corey Lawson" Subject: MR2 RE: mr2-digest V2 #16 > Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 16:45:12 -0008 > From: TerrySaltzman@home.com > Subject: MR2 Re: MKII Turbo - Ticking and Manifolds/EGR... > > mkii's usually get the popped studs and/or WARPED manifold (on the > turbos) this is warrantied to 50k and to 70k in california. So, does the 70K warranty apply for MR2's originally bought in California only, or any MR2 that's in California? My 61K '91T (orig. bought in WA) wonders, as does my pocket book... w/o seeing the BGB, I'm pretty sure I've identified the EGR tube on mine, and it's cracked on the valve cover end of it (it's that copper-colored pipe off the driver's side of the valve cover, no?), as there's a carbonized area around it on the valve cover end of it. My engine makes the clicking sound, which my bro-in-law (Toyota mechanic) thinks could be something in the valve train as well (blocked oil port somewhere in there). > mkii's all to often get the cracked egr tube (replaceable via > warranty) This is a 60K warranty fix, right? It looks simple enough to do myself, so... > rots o ruck > terry Happy Festivus. And now it's time for the Feats of Strength! - -Corey Lawson clawson@ucsd.edu ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Dec 1997 06:50:16 +0800 From: Ivan Wong Subject: MR2 MKII (various questions) 1. I had heard that both K&N Air filter and HKS Powerflow works great on Turbo version of MR2 but not as good on NA. I am just wondering if anyone of you here had tried it on a 3SGE version of MR2? Does it have great improvement? 2. How does Slick 50 works on MR2? how about using it together with Mobil 1? 3. Is there any MR2 specialty store that can I buy stuff for MR2? 4. Does Ken Farrel have a homepage? or does anyone have a picture of the shift boot he made? 5. I am also looking for things that can make my MR2 looks great (interior or exterior), if you have any nice idea, please feel free to email/ICQ me. 6. I had seen a Japanese Video that has a racer demonstrating heel-n-toe on an MR2 (toe on brake and heel on gas), I am just wondering if there is any artcles/webpage that can teach people how to do it? I know the step but just don't know the secret of how to handle it well yet. (and I am worrying that I would ruin the car). What is the ideal Rpm to perform it? How long does it take for a person to use it perfectly? and any suggestion on how to practise it? 7. When will the next update of the MR2 FAQ? I had read some of the digest and I found that there are lots of information in there can be added to the FAQ :-) New to the list, iVan ivan@netvigator.com ICQ UIN=732555 91 Red 3SGE 51,000km ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 16:18:51 -0700 From: Mattled@webtv.net (Matt Ledbetter) Subject: MR2 mk1 ground effects/airdam Just to clarify, the airdam in front is what I was referring to. Not the side ground effects, but the 2 pieces below the front bumper. $100 per side. Color coded. - -Matt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Dec 97 19:44:13 From: gseeley@island.net (Geoff Seeley) Subject: MR2 Re: Checking Timing, Fuel Pressure on Mk-II Turbo > Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 21:41:04 -0500 > From: Dave Inskeep > > way. Or, is the POV from underneath the car, and I need to remove the two > under-engine covers to see this? I wanted to check to see if someone had a > first-hand experience on how to do this before I started taking things off. > If there's an easy way to do this, I'd love to hear it. Dave, you should only have to remove the engine side cover (on top) to get the timing light pointed down there with a little room to spare so you can see down as well :) Tip: Before you start the car, reach under the rear wheel well and rub the dirt off the outside edge of the timing pulley (the mark IS painted white) > The second question that I have is what kind of fuel pressure gauge to use. > Will the standard fuel pressure gauge from an auto parts store work, or do > I really need to get the SST? Is the gauge does 30-60psi then it'll work. I've *finally* got my Cyberdyne fuel pressure gauge hooked up and fuel pressure ranges from ~29psi at idle to ~60psi at WOT. Geoff '91t, 226,200km ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 19:16:55 -0500 (EST) From: Christopher Conrad Subject: MR2 MKI: Need some help Happy Holidays everybody. I have three things to discuss real quick: 1) I am in desperate need of some touch up pait for my mr2. It is a 1985 in metallic blue. I can't find any touch up paint for it. Does anyone know where I can get some.Will a Toyota dealership have it? 2) Funny thing today, I took my car to Pep Boys for an oil change (it was convenient and I was busy all day). And it happened! I watched from inside the store out a window that overlooks the garage. The guy pulled my car in and popped the hood (or so he thought), he goes to the front of the car, lifts up the trunk. It was so funny to see his face as he saw there was no engine! Just a humorous thing to see. Just be careful when you bring your cars to these places, they really don't have a clue. 3) Please come to the Atlantic City gathering on Sunday! Information is posted on the diegest, so please attend if you can! Once I go back to school, I can't drive my mr2 until may so this is my only MR2 gathering for a long time, so please come out and meet other owners! 4) If anyone in delaware valley is interested in starting a owner's club, please let me know. I have started a a web page (check below) as a n example of what we could do. I think it would be fun to have a page with all our cars on it! E-mail me if interested. Thanks. P.S. I really need the touch up paint. - --------------------------------------------------------- Chris Conrad 1987 Tan MKI (Sold!) 1985 Blue MKI that needs some touch up paint NJ IMOC Page: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/6819/njimoc.html ICQ: 5285001 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 19:33:10 -0500 From: Robert Schultz Subject: Re: REWARD FOR FINDING ME AN MR2 Jonathan Oellrich wrote: > Jeff F....I want my MR2 BACK!!! > >>> > > Is it just me, or does it seem as if Jeff is trying to bribe someone into breaking the pact that all MR2 owners have sworn to uphold? Stand fast all ye who love our '2s, lest another be lost to this inexplicably unlucky MR2 crasher! > > Jon > Silver '87 that is being watched just a little more closely now... I think Steve B should supply Jeff with his next car. If it survives 1998 then we should give him a nice one. His luck is just to bad at this point ....... besides if this trend continues Steve can always part out the remains! Don't take this suggestion too seriously .... Steve's wife would probably kill me if she knew I was encouraging Steve to add another MR-2 to the driveway . Besides they made so many MK1's that it will take Jeff years to increase the market value of these cars so I can sell either of my MK1's at a profit Bob ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 16:37:56 -0800 From: Mike Chou Subject: MR2 MKII Aeroware side vents Hi everyone. Hey I was wondering if anyone wants a set of aeroware side vents for $90. They are in the mr2 classifieds. The reason I ask is cuz I asked two people and they each only checked their mail every few days, so they both think I am buying them.. But I'm not. Well it doesn't matter really, but if anyone is interested, lemme know and I'll point you the way of who I didn't buy them from.C'ya.. - -Feeling like a tease ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 16:43:25 -0800 From: Mike Chou Subject: MR2 MKII aeroware vents OK one more thing.. I think the guy actually has an entire set.. minus wing or something, but he also has the side skirts. Well it's in the classifieds, so if anyone's interested give the guy a call (hank@alwayslink.com.. possibly .net.. that's why some emails musta been delayed or something) Anyways he was going to sell the side vents for 90 so I assume you can bargain with him on the entire kit. Thanks and sorry to put this semi-advert up.. Mike Chou ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 19:48:26 -0500 From: Robert Schultz Subject: Re: MR2/MKI: New owner questions Micky Thutiyakul / Product Engineer wrote: Yes, but it shouldn't be staying at 2K for more than 30 seconds. Esp.if it's being driven. > Even on a very cold day the engine should roar up to 2K~3k at start up and > then immediately settle down to 1.5K rpms or lower until it warms up. > My 85 Mk1 stays above 2000 rpm for the almost 5 minutes it takes for me to drive to work. I live in michigan and all of the last 3 or 4 Mr-2's I've driven during the winter acted the same when it was very cold out Bob ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Dec 1997 12:13:23 +1000 From: Robin San Subject: MR2 Re: Top End Hi Sammy Im using a mineral oil at the moment to bed in the cams, I usually run Mobil 1. How long do youo think I should run the mineral oil before changing back to the Synthetic? Im getting a fair amount of valve noise, but I just assumed that it was because of the more agressive ramp angle, does that sound right to you? I checked the clearances and they are well within the tolerance, 0.15-0.20 and 0.2-0.3, its true that the TRD cams made to the factory tolerance because I didnt have to change any shims. Break in the cams genatly eh? oops, Its already done about 100kms pretty hard, Ill take it easier for the next few 100. I should add that they were used cams, apprently they were used for a few 100kms before I bought them, the journals werent even bedded in yet. No I didnt change the valve springs, should I have??? I did the MAF mod last night and its on the 5 tooth richer position. However I still feel that the engine is running a bit lean, might change to GZE injectors. Thanks for yer help Sammy Merry Christmas Robin 89 MK1 NA asjoseph@as.net wrote: > > Robin, > > To what tolerance did you shim your valves? (The larger the > clearance, the greater the incrimental increase in compression) > > What top end lubricant are you using? (Run it for a while, like 1k > to 3k miles, however, change the oil during the first 1k, and flush out > those frictional losses. Do a second top-end treatment on that oil change) > > Are you breaking in those camshafts gingerly? (If one of those > camshafts is defective and it snaps, it's your wallet. Be careful. Drive > the old gal slowly for a good while, reducing frictional losses and > frictional wear factors as much as possible for the first few thousand > miles. Easy does it for the first little while, me amigo) > > Did you upgrade your Valvesprings? > > Sammy Joseph, '88 4AGZE > > PS- Wow... a pair of 2-7-2z! Hope Santa to hell is as good to me as he is > to you. > > > __________________________________ > Alfred Samuel Joseph > and / or > Barbara June Joseph > 1707 Jenner Street > Lancaster, CA 93534 > (805) - 723 - 6506 > asjoseph@as.net > asj6961@csun.edu > > ASJ/alphasierrajulietendcommunique > __________________________________ ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #19