mr2-digest        Wednesday, December 31 1997        Volume 02 : Number 043



Re: MR2 ABS and the 91/92 MR2 N/A
Re: MR2 GM = general maintainance (was MK1 timing belt?)
Re: MR2 GM = general maintainance (was MK1 timing belt?)
Re: MR2 GM = general maintainance (was MK1 timing belt?)
Re: MR2 MKI: Stereo upgrades
Re: MR2 V8?
Re: MR2 <MKI> 5th gear popping out
MR2 TRD S/C and the 4runner
Re: MR2 BBrrrrriiiiiiiiiinnngggg NOISE.     CASE CLOSED!!!!!
MR2 - MORE power?
MR2 Looking for Bryan Welch
MR2: Where are you?
MR2:MKI New Exhaust Bliss :-)
MR2 Japanese MKII Turbo's/98 Project
Re: MR2 (Fwd) Silver State Classic!! info...
Re: MR2 V8?
MR2 Re: Toyota Vs Americans (round 2) (((DING)))

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 14:16:18 -0800
From: Randy Chase <randyc@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: MR2 ABS and the 91/92 MR2 N/A

Phil Cutajar wrote:
> 
> I better be careful about how I word this... NO FLAMES PLEASE!
> 
> I have found  the 93+ ABS seems to be better than the 91/92 system. I
> don't know if there are different parts to it or if it's just different
> biasing, but it seems to work better and stop faster. Of course it could
> be just the bigger rotors too.  It seems to me that on my 93 when I slam
> the brakes hard enough to invoke the ABS it actually takes it to the
> threshold of lock-up, and I can actually hear brief little chirps from
> the tires. On the 91/92 models I've driven the ABS seems to activate
> sooner and intervenes well before the lock-up threshold. Can anyone
> verify if there is a difference in the parts?

Interesting point Phil. Brad? 

> 
> As for the effectiveness of the ABS in Autox, I highly doubt that I
> could ever do a better job of biasing then the ABS system. I use it very
> frequently in Autox, staying on the throttle to the last possible moment
> and then braking hard just before the turn. I have grown to rely on it
> extensively, and consider it a huge asset. I use it so much in fact,
> that at the last autox practice where I had an opportunity to do several
> runs successively (about 6 in just 20 mins) I could smell the brake
> fluid, probably boiled it.

As good as any driver is, I don't react as fast as the computer does, if
it works correctly. Big If. No matter what, it would save on tires from
when I do the occasional lock up.

> 
> As for  Randy's skills behind the wheel in autox,  indeed, he has done
> quite well. Would he actually gain anything from ABS? All I can say is
> that it probably wouldn't hurt to have it.

That's the idea. I need every little thing I can get to beat the evil
forces out of Colorado. 8) Of course I am speaking of Rich Fletcher and
his Porsche.

Eric...do you have ABS? I know Kevin doesn't. 

Randy Chase
'91 MR2 N/A (wants to be Aquamarine Pearl in it's next life)

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 17:22:27 EST
From: Sport Ridr <SportRidr@aol.com>
Subject: Re: MR2 GM = general maintainance (was MK1 timing belt?)

In a message dated 97-12-31 01:59:14 EST, you write:

<< I can have the motor/trans out of my MR2 in less than four hours...try that
with a GM car. >>
Actually, the last vehicle i owned before my mr2 was an 84 Chevy S-10.
Starting about 10/11:00am one saturday, I took the ol 2.8 completly out and
installed a 350 V-8 and had it running by 5:30pm that same saturday.
Everything hooked up except for a/c and power steering. The rearend was about
the hardest part of the whole install and it wasnt even that bad. Hmmm......
that would be kinda sweet, a 350 powered MR2, i could use the transaxle from a
front wheel drive buick/olds V8. hahaha allthough i have seen a 350 stuffed in
a early modle toyota corolla at a super chevy show once. Anyway....
Mike Craig
86 MR-2

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 17:31:28 EST
From: Sport Ridr <SportRidr@aol.com>
Subject: Re: MR2 GM = general maintainance (was MK1 timing belt?)

In a message dated 97-12-31 07:11:37 EST, you write:

<< 76 Mercury Monarch, only American car I've ever daily driven. Brakes were
 aweful, #6 spark plug was forever fouling from an oil leak (repair more
 then car, dealt with the crappy idle), vinyl seats, no a/c, 4-door, manual
 windows, Florida car. Father brought it home with no brakes.
 
 Late '80s Cougar, wife's last car before we were married. That car was a
 nightmare waiting to happen. Oil leaks, tranny leaked, mufflers would fall
 off with timed regularity, rust-bucket, I believe the in-laws finally gave
 it to charity (and took the tax deduction) as they couldn't sell it.
 
 '90 Aerostar, in-law's car. The only reason they bought it is because I
  >>
I do believe that those are FORD's
:-)
Mike Craig
86 MR-2, and never will own a ford or chrysler, or why im at it,
hyundai<----fungus on the toenail of the auto industry!

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 17:45:31 -0400
From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon)
Subject: Re: MR2 GM = general maintainance (was MK1 timing belt?)

>I do believe that those are FORD's
>:-)
>Mike Craig
>86 MR-2, and never will own a ford or chrysler, or why im at it,
>hyundai<----fungus on the toenail of the auto industry!

Sorry about that, it had progressed from 'GM cars' to 'all American cars'...

Steve B.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 17:50:00 EST
From: Sport Ridr <SportRidr@aol.com>
Subject: Re: MR2 MKI: Stereo upgrades

i replaced dash speakers with Infinity 4 1/2 's and i put a 12" sub behind the
passenger seat, in a custom box of course.
Mike Craig
86 MR-2

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 17:50:15 -0400
From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon)
Subject: Re: MR2 V8?

>Actually, the last vehicle i owned before my mr2 was an 84 Chevy S-10.
>Starting about 10/11:00am one saturday, I took the ol 2.8 completly out and
>installed a 350 V-8 and had it running by 5:30pm that same saturday.
>Everything hooked up except for a/c and power steering. The rearend was about
>the hardest part of the whole install and it wasnt even that bad. Hmmm......
>that would be kinda sweet, a 350 powered MR2, i could use the transaxle from a
>front wheel drive buick/olds V8. hahaha allthough i have seen a 350 stuffed in
>a early modle toyota corolla at a super chevy show once. Anyway....

Now we're going to get into that same LS400/SC400 V-8 MR2, eh? :)

If anyone can figure out which tranny to use,  I'm listening...

Steve B.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 17:52:44 EST
From: Sport Ridr <SportRidr@aol.com>
Subject: Re: MR2 <MKI> 5th gear popping out

In a message dated 97-12-31 11:07:06 EST, you write:

<< I witness the same with a W58 transmission on the 1983 Supra MKII. We
 have good reason to suspect that the culprits are a $1.04 and $1.57
 respectively ball and spring locking the shaft in gear...
 On the Supra (and on your trannies too I would guess) you do not even
 need to pull the tranny because with a magnetic finger it comes out from
 the side of the 2nd holder plate behind the bellhousing.
 
 Hope this helps,
 
 Helene
 1983 Supra MKII
 Looking to find a cheap MKI MRII project car
  >>
 It might also be the sychronizer, a $30.00 part, but labor adds about $600.00

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 15:08:11 -0800
From: Randy Chase <randyc@pacbell.net>
Subject: MR2 TRD S/C and the 4runner

Sort of a non-MR2 post...but I will tie it back to the MR2.

I have thought about picking up a Toyota 4 Runner. This would be used to
tow my MR2 to autoxes. The trailer would weigh 500 or so pounds, and the
car weighs too darn much (2800+ pounds). I know that smaller trucks and
SUVs really are not a good idea for towing as you want the largest wheel
base (for trailer stability) and most power for towing up hills and
braking ability. The greater the proportional size of the towing vehicle
to the towed vehicle is better.

So, I find that TRD makes a supercharger now for the Toyota. This may be
enough power, right? What about relative sizes? Anyone else do this? I
will not buy a Suburban....it's too big. The Dodge Durango looks like it
would work, but there is the historical quality issues of Chryslers (but
I think they have the best designs!). The other vehicle that may work is
a Ford Explorer/Expedition.

Any thoughts? Feel free to send them private e-mail unless someone else
is looking at getting a new tow vehicle. 8)

Randy Chase
'91 MR2 N/A

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 18:13:47 -0500
From: "Mike" <meckert@columbus.rr.com>
Subject: Re: MR2 BBrrrrriiiiiiiiiinnngggg NOISE.     CASE CLOSED!!!!!

Speaking of shift points, there's a nice computer sim for acceleration tests
on patrick glenn's webpage called cartest.

http://home.earthlink.net/~patglenn/ct.html

Many of you may have already checked this out; if not, it has a lot of data
to play around with.

Mike
91 Red NA
No Mods (Just Plans)


- -----Original Message-----
From: MK II NA <MKIINA@aol.com>
To: randyc@pacbell.net <randyc@pacbell.net>
Cc: mr2-digest@mr2.com <mr2-digest@mr2.com>
Date: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 5:37 PM
Subject: Re: MR2 BBrrrrriiiiiiiiiinnngggg NOISE. CASE CLOSED!!!!!


>Yea, thats what I meant 2800-4000 RPM.  You made me laugh though.
>
>I get quick steady accelleration to the redline in 1st and 2nd gear. I stay
in
>3rd til about 5200 rpm and 4th is ok.  I heard that they changed 3rd in the
>93+ models.
>Is it any faster?
>
>ADRENLN 91 NA 127,000

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 18:15:00 -0500
From: nu3y@CritPath.Org
Subject: MR2 - MORE power?

In a previous digest I wrote:
	"<< Many still have PUSHROD engines!
 Simpler, sure, but we're talking technology that the better car
 manufacturers dropped in the 60's and 70's!  I'm no techno-freak, but if
 more advanced technology causes more power to be developed with less fuel >>
 
A response to this was:

"MORE POWER??? Not in a japanese car, maybe a little zippyness but you could
take just about any 2 cars in the same class, one jap. and one american(G.M.)
and the american will 99% of the time out power the jap. Im sure anybody will
agree with that!
My .02 cents
Mike Craig
86 MR2"

I guess MY whole point to this was that the Japanese (and of course
European engines) develop power with more efficiency.  Name a Japanese car
with an engine of 5.0 liters of displacemnt!!!  And the American
manufacturers have called this size a "SMALL BLOCK"!  Take a stock MR2
turbo devoloping 200 hp from a 2.0 liter engine.  Name an American engine
(supercharged, turbocharged, or NA) any time ever manufactured (I'm talking
production car here) that has developed so much HP/CC  (horsepower per
cubic centimeter).  Most 4 cyl Japanese and European engines manufactured
over the years have been between 1.5 L and 2.5 liter.  I haven't followed
American car specs closely in many years, but aren't most of the engines
produced rather large in cubic displacement by comparison?  Jeez, even 12
cyl Ferrari and Lamborghini engines are small by comparison to American V-8
"muscle".
	Hey, I DO have to bow to the people who claim their Mustangs are reliable
compared to many G.M. cars.  Hey...Ford has been building the same basic
car for how many years now - 30-something?  One would hope that simple
quality control issues might have been settled in that amount of time!
What?  It still has a "live" axle?  When's that from - 1940-something?
Tell me you can take a Mustang into a choppy-surface corner while giving it
throttle!  It's not too much fun to have the car skipping around and
wondering if it is ever going to get "planted" in that corner!  Hey,
Camaros and Firebirds are the same way, and I'm talking about the best
handling of those models (and they DO handle well on smooth surfaces!).
Some drivers call that typical live axle hop "skittish".  After spending
many years driving cars with independent rear suspensions (hey, my first
was a 1964 Fiat 600D!), I'm plain nervous taking a corner hot with a live
axle-ed car unless I know for a fact that corner to have a smooth surface.
Yes, those live axle cars are simpler and easier to work on the suspension,
but what the heck, there ISN'T much suspension to work on!
	You probably realize that American engines were never efficient is because
fuel has always been cheap here in the states.  Other countries pay small
fortunes for their gasoline, and many have TAXES based on engine size!
That's why European (and then Japanese) engines were always small,
powerful, efficient designs.  
	Hey, post to ya next year!
- -----
Joe Pearlstein
'91 Crimson Red MKII, Past owner of '86 Super Red MKI
Philadelphia, PA 
mailto:nu3y@critpath.org		
ICQ# 3480202

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 17:36:52 -0600 (CST)
From: rande@qni.com
Subject: MR2 Looking for Bryan Welch

Does anyone have the address of Bryan Welch?
He had some '91 MR2 parts I was interested in but I lost his address.

Thanks.


Randy Eickhoff
rande@qni.com

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 18:45:24 EST
From: Sport Ridr <SportRidr@aol.com>
Subject: MR2: Where are you?

Who is the guy that i am designing the Speed Kills sticker for? I have deleted
you mail adress and i have some samples ready. E-mail me back and let me know.
Mike Craig
86 MR-2
 <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/SportRidr/intro.html">
http://members.aol.com/SportRidr/intro.html
</A> 

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 18:59:17 EST
From: Sport Ridr <SportRidr@aol.com>
Subject: MR2:MKI New Exhaust Bliss :-)

Yes! I finally got it done. Today i got my exhaust work done at Stacy's Custom
Muffler in Sarasota FL. They have allways done excellent work for me on my
other race vehicles. The converter is gone, and i have beautifully routed
2.25" aluminum piping going back to there muffler then to a gorgeous 4" chrome
rectangular tip. It sounds sooo sweet and i have lost NO low end power and can
feel noticeable power gains throughout the rpm range. I love it! All for $112.
( he gave me excellent deal because of the work i allways bring him) Now im
pretty much done with intake/exhaust mods. I will soon have complete
directions to the intake mods i did on my web page in the mr2 section.
Mike Craig
86 MR-2      <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/SportRidr/intro.html">
http://members.aol.com/SportRidr/intro.html</A>   <--- aol members click
all else copy/paste, http://members.aol.com/SportRidr/intro.html

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 18:00:24 -0600
From: "Chris King" <cmking@odin.cmp.ilstu.edu>
Subject: MR2 Japanese MKII Turbo's/98 Project

I am beginning to plan my "project" for 1998.  Right now I am just
researching so I need some input.  Here goes...

1)  The japanese version of the MR2 turbo has 214 hp in the 91-93 models
correct?  What about 94-95?  Also, the 96+ up are 245 yes/no???

2)  What is it that is different on the japan models that give the extra
hp?

3)  The 3SGE engine is the same engine as the turbo minus the turbo (my
assumption 3SGTE - T = 3SGE).  Therefore, can the stock ct-26 turbo be
added to this engine relatively easy?

4)  How hard would it be and what problems would I face in swapping a 91/92
turbo's engine with a japanese spec 3sgte engine?

5)  Will 93 seats fit in a 91/92 or are they different?

6)  91/92 White MR2's with leather interior always have black interiors,
correct?  93's however can have black/blue/or beige.

Basically, the brain storm currently looks like this:
Find a 91/92 Turbo and pump it up to around 250-300 hp.  I am thinking that
a neat project might be to attempt to swap in the Japan Spec 3sGTE.   I
haven't heard of anyone doing this so I thought maybe I could give it a
try.  I would like to here what other's think though.  Anyone's suggestions
will be both considered and appreciated.  

Thanks!

Chris K.
91 NA

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 16:02:48 -0008
From: TerrySaltzman@home.com
Subject: Re: MR2 (Fwd) Silver State Classic!! info...

> Hey, I saw that a couple of weeks ago on ESPN2 (I think). There were
> several different classes (based on target speed) and one open class
> where the object is to go as fast as possible (some guy was gonna try
> 200mph). I believe the objective is to get as close as possible to a
> predetermine target speed over a stretch of road in both directions.




this is the one we are looking for ill tell larry its aired already
this fevent sounds like a blast...ill be there.
> 
> I was wondering if anyone on this list was gonna try it... It's run in
> nevada so I'm not likely to participate, but it sure would be a hoot.
> BTW... they had 2 or 3 big crashes, so be careful.
> 


gotta see this thing on espn ill ck for re-sched. john w. mailed me 
and he has run it 3 times. i will garnish info off of him as wel as 
larry hall (1st place in the 95mph, hes local). between these sources 
and ordering the video ill feel pretty good. i sould like to run the 
nevada and silver state challange. would also like to ckout the la 
carrera i have a buddie who is very familar with this (he races and 
lives in baja) anything interesting i will post. john w. well talk 
soon...

terry




> --
> Phil Cutajar
> '93 MR2-Turbo, Super White, 74k miles
> K&N FIPK, MR2-PP MBC
> mailto:Solo2_MR2@ibm.net
> my web page:http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/6213/index.htm
> ICQ #6032611
> 
> 
> > Date: Tue, 30 Dec 1997 22:38:53 -0008
> > From: TerrySaltzman@home.com
> > Subject: MR2 (Fwd) Silver State Classic!! info...
> >
> > genteeeeelfolks,
> >
> > the ssc is coming up (actually its th enevada open road which is
> > basically th esame thing). i just got off the phone with larry hall
> > (he won 1st in the 95mph bracket in a mki w/127k) he has since sold
> > the 2 and will run this spring in a...GET THIS!... in a chevy S10 .
> > he is going to strech it 3 ft and drop in a jag. V12 and compete in
> > the 145+ class! sounds like a crazy country boy to me! it will be mid
> > engine too...the V12 will set between the cab and the bed...WOW! now
> > thats crazy.he also mentioned to me that espn or speedvision is
> > suposed to run a feature on this past event in dec-january he is
> > checking into it.
> >
> > anyway...im planning on running this. pete, austin,
> > patrick mention their interest also... any supra takers?
> >
> > you can get info packages from the address below, larry is gonna send
> > me one. there is also the "la carrera" in the fall. this is an
> > international race in baja mex which sounds interesting.
> >
> > lets get ready it wil be here before you know it-
> >
> > terryiscrazywiththethoughtofopenroadsandopenthrottles
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 19:05:59 EST
From: MR2Turbo91 <MR2Turbo91@aol.com>
Subject: Re: MR2 V8?

In a message dated 97-12-31 17:56:48 EST, you write:

<< Now we're going to get into that same LS400/SC400 V-8 MR2, eh? :)
 
 If anyone can figure out which tranny to use,  I'm listening...
 
 Steve B. >>

I'm sure with all the masses out there, there must be at least one mechanical
engineer out there.... I am sure that someone can make an adapter plate from
the V-8 to the E-51 (turbo tranny)  I mean, that's what I needed for my 350
Fiero install.....
Austin T

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 19:22:19 EST
From: Sport Ridr <SportRidr@aol.com>
Subject: MR2 Re: Toyota Vs Americans (round 2) (((DING)))

In a message dated 97-12-31 19:02:59 EST, you write:

<< Just a question.  When Rallying in the chevelle, how the hell did you keep
it from getting stuck???  Those cars are HEAVY!!!
 
 Austin T >>

I pressed the pedal to the floor and let er rip! I used to go muddin with my
friends that had those toyota 4 x 4 's and it was the star of the show. It
would go anywhere i drove it. I did things in that car that i didnt think are
possible on 4 wheels. It was nicknamed the "green bomb" it was a 4 door with a
307. Man, those were the days. It was my 1st car. Once, me n friends took
turns riding on the roof, while the other drove, the one on the roof used the
seatbelts (pulled through the window) to hold on. It was like some sort of
insane bull riding thing.
Michael Craig
86 MR-2    http://members.aol.com/SportRidr/intro.html

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End of mr2-digest V2 #43