mr2-digest Saturday, January 3 1998 Volume 02 : Number 054 Re: MR2 Top Speed MR2 Re: The problem you're having :-) Re: MR2 Long production run on those Fire-o's MR2 Re: "Trunking" communications devices MR2 Re: MKII electrical failure MR2 Re:Squeaky Sway Bar Bushings MR2 Re: Re:Squeaky Sway Bar Bushings MR2 MKII: Cruise Control Wiring Re: MR2 Insurance Rates MR2 Re: Re:Squeaky Sway Bar Bushings Re: MR2 Insurance Rates MR2 MKII Exhaust manifold Re: MR2 Mr2 - "Trunking" communications devices Re: MR2 Top Speed MR2: Handmade? MR2 MKIIT top speed MR2 MKII: Heater MR2 Re: mkii convertable; page update w/ mki and mkii MR2 Atlantic City Gathering, Sunday Jan 4th MR2 MkII_VSV Operation MR2 Clutch problem! Re: MR2 MKI winddeflector rattle ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 16:43:27 -0600 From: "Andrew P. Tasi" Subject: Re: MR2 Top Speed - -----Original Message----- >Anybody done the calculations on what the theoretical top >speed of a MKIIT is? Fifth gear, flat terrain, right at the >rev limiter. [Snip!] >Steve >'92 MR2T Hey Steve- To figure out the theoretical top speed of a car due to gearing only simply do this: - -Run the car at 1000 RPMs in top (fifth for us) gear and record that speed - -Multiply that number by the number of RPMs/1000 at redline or fuel cut-off That's your *theoretical* top speed. To insure accuracy, run the car in top gear so the number of RPMs is half of redline or fuel cut off. You should be running at about half of your theoretical top speed. Note that most cars cannot pull to redline in their top gear because of aerodynamic drag vs. power. Hope this helps, Andrew P. Tasi Black '88 MR2 T-top theoretical top speed 150mph, actual just over 120mph ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 14:39:09 PST From: "aly abulkheir" Subject: MR2 Re: The problem you're having :-) Hi :-) There's a possibility that it could be your air flow meter (also known as the mass air flow sensor). I know yours is a mkII turbo, but on my mk1 NA, I had this happen, and I traced the problem by the codes to the AFM. Luckily I was taking an auto-mechanics course at the time, and the instructor told me that there is a free fix that may work so that you don't have to buy a new one. He said that sometimes the flap door on the AFM can stick shut and not allow in intake air. He said to remove the air box, take a small hammer, and while opening and closing the little door with your finger, tap the top of the AFM lightly with the hammer for a few minutes. It worked on mine, and the problem hasn't returned since. Hope this helps a little :) Aly AbulKheir '85 MR2, Red with all options balance85@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 17:45:43 EST From: Ltraviolnc Subject: Re: MR2 Long production run on those Fire-o's In a message dated 98-01-02 10:16:01 EST, otgrouch@twosrus.com writes: > So, did the workers at least get GT models? I believe they were....chrome yellow if memory serves me. If you have a charred fiero, do you file a claim with your auto insurance, fire insurance, or both? So, did they give them away because: Dealers would'nt accept them? People would'nt buy them? So they would'nt have to warranty them? Did they come with a complimentery bag of marshmellows in the trunk? They should've just gotten it over with and set the remaining examples on fire, along with the factory, then had all the former workers gather 'round the blaze and sing folk songs. Ron 87/\/\R2 Ltraviolnc@aol.com ICQ '98: 3087083 PS: before the "anti-American" flames begin again, I will state that I am quite fond of many pre eighties and most pre seventies American cars. (when they had balls and did'nt fall apart quite so easilly and there was no such thing as a "check engine light") To testify to this, over the last 14 years I've owned the following vehicles to date: (note...most are American...they just did'nt last very long) And yeah, I have owned (and do now) some newer ones, too, but mostly because of what I paid for them. (I'd own more Japanese cars if the resale value sucked like American ones) 73 Gremlin X (first car at 14...$50...never ran) 72 Pinto SW (2nd at 15...free...drove in yard) 80 Datsun 310 (over 200k and would'nt die) 71 Cutlass S (350/AT 1st "hot rod" at 16) 73 Renault 12? (biggest piece of shit ever put on wheels) 74 Mustang II (yeah, the last "real" Mustang was a 73) 76 Celica GT (indestructable...I miss that one) 70 Challenger R/T (383/4sp...never got it finished :-( 72 Challenger Rallye (parts car for above) 76 Firebird Formula (400/4sp...ran HARD, but blew up alot) 80 Chevette ($200...sold for profit) 74 VW Super Beetle (still wondering why) 74 Charger SE (400/AT...huge, but ran strong) 78 LUV PU (Isuzu built...took ALOT of abuse) 88 Intercepter (killed by a mini-van) 87 MR2 (obviously <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< MR2 CONTENT) 66 Catalina (389/AT...cool 2dr boat coupe) 78 Z-28 (350/4sp...46K!...killed by a mini-van...it figures) 73 Monterey ($50...big barge to beat on...blew up!) 82 Aries ($300...sold for profit) 84 Reliant ($100...sold for profit) 84 Celica GT (beat up, but ran well) 65 Coronet (440/AT...solid low 12's...all muscle) 84 EXP (current "snow car"...can't complain surprisingly) 87 Shadow ES turbo ($400...current grocery getter) 87 Ninja 600 (for sale...showroom cond.) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 15:02:06 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: MR2 Re: "Trunking" communications devices > >I have wondered why noone has brought up the trunked-radio idea, for the > >SoCal rallys... then my head pops above water... ive been talking and playing with this idea for months, but no one seems to embrace the scanner approach to "safe motoring"... whatever. im moving on it. the 400 channel scanner has no trunking ability. it went "off sale" the 23rd (i knew this). now the "trunking 300ch" scanner is on sale. i like this trunking idea ( my uneducated guess was correct to its function) and will pick one up. we must be "safe" cuz some of us "use the whole road" 8 ) tanx for responding to my post even though it did not involve cams, pistons, turbos, fuel rail mods...or a new web page location. keep on trunkin- terry paying $1.72 a gal. for this weather - terry ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 15:24:48 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: MR2 Re: MKII electrical failure > With challenges like this, always check your battery connections. like austin and myself said 2 dayz ago. its the positive connection on the battery (its not so positive) terry ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 15:37:43 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: MR2 Re:Squeaky Sway Bar Bushings > When you guys are talking about lubricating sway bar bushings, you're > talking about the "urethane" ones from an aftermarket sway-bar kit, right? > (Use silicone grease) > > Not the OE rubber ones. If these squeak...just replace them, they're finished. been driving on "finished" fixed/squeaking, OEM bushings for ~50k now and it still handles great.ask randy about my times and anybody who follows me on a rally.... 92t@82K terry ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 18:48:59 -0500 From: "Tommy Guttmann" Subject: MR2 Re: Re:Squeaky Sway Bar Bushings > > When you guys are talking about lubricating sway bar bushings, you're > > talking about the "urethane" ones from an aftermarket sway-bar kit, right? > > (Use silicone grease) > > > > Not the OE rubber ones. If these squeak...just replace them, they're finished. > > been driving on "finished" fixed/squeaking, OEM bushings for ~50k now > and it still handles great.ask randy about my times and anybody who > follows me on a rally.... > > 92t@82K > terry Um...I meant if the "noise" was annoying... As for me, thanks to a clever suggestion from Geoff, I've added grease fittings to the brackets on my urethane ones. Now, it's "silent runnings" for me! Tommy Guttmann tools@tooltech.qc.ca Montreal, Canada 2 x Mk1 SC ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 18:48:00 -0500 From: "Burns, James B." Subject: MR2 MKII: Cruise Control Wiring I'm thinking of installing a factory cruise control system from a wreck into my '91T, but I'm not sure if my car is wired for it. I can't find any electrical connectors in the vicinity of where the cruise control actuator would go. I haven't removed the glove compartment yet to see if the there is a connector under the dash for the cruise control ECU. Has anyone installed a cruise control system from another MR2 into theirs? Anyone know what it would take to do this? I know I'd need at least the control stalk, the ECU, the actuator and cables. I think I'd need a speed sensor too. Thanks, Brad Burns ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 15:55:23 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: Re: MR2 Insurance Rates > >David H.'s response to the 'new member' regarding their comment about high > >insurance for a MR2 Turbo got me wondering about rates around the country. > >What are you all paying per year? What model and year MR2? Full coverage? > >Location? > > Haven't we been through this already? :) > how many times? insurance questions = mr2.com/faqs > $1200?/year/USAA. MI. '91T/storage. '85SC/PIP-Liability only. '90 Camry > All-Trac/full. '91 Escort/full. > > >93 Teal Turbo $1200/year Full coverage Reno, NV > >P.S. What in the world is 'trunking'? $767.00 year = full coverage 92turbo, liability 81dat pu, 63lin.cont.(storage), two drivers... 8 ) not paying alot for insurance in sd- terry ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 16:41:42 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: MR2 Re: Re:Squeaky Sway Bar Bushings > > > When you guys are talking about lubricating sway bar bushings, you're > > > talking about the "urethane" ones from an aftermarket sway-bar kit, right? > > > (Use silicone grease) > > > > > > Not the OE rubber ones. If these squeak...just replace them, they're finished. > > > > been driving on "finished" fixed/squeaking, OEM bushings for ~50k now > > and it still handles great.ask randy about my times and anybody who > > follows me on a rally.... > > > > 92t@82K > > terry > > Um...I meant if the "noise" was annoying... mis-communique, attempt to clairify...: 1) my OEM bushings sqeaked at 30k. dealer lubed them. 2) the bushings have never squeaked since (somehow forgot to add this bit of info into my 2nd reply) and do their duty as designed (now at 82K). 3) suggest: lube the bushings. if thats the fix great, you have extended the life of those OEM bushings. more $$ for other fun stuff. 4) if lubed, still noisy and this bothers you and/or performance is neg. affected, go for replacements. terry btw- who was origionally afflicted with this problem? (the thread seems to unraveled from the sweater/origional person) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 17:01:20 -0800 From: Bill Cochran Subject: Re: MR2 Insurance Rates Try moving to California. Cal. State Auto Association $650/yr for my '91T with: $300/500,000 medical $500 deduct for collision $50 deduct for comprehensive I couldn't believe my '91T was just $11/mo more expensive than my '84GTI At 04:50 PM 1/2/98 -0800, you wrote: >Olga e kay pasta > >David H.'s response to the 'new member' regarding their comment about high >insurance for a MR2 Turbo got me wondering about rates around the country. >What are you all paying per year? What model and year MR2? Full coverage? >Location? >T.Guy >93 Teal Turbo $1200/year Full coverage Reno, NV >P.S. What in the world is 'trunking'? > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 18:11:36 -0800 From: Henry Subject: MR2 MKII Exhaust manifold A while back, you guys were talking about the warranty for the emission system/exhaust manifold thingy, and the EGR tube. I was wondering how can I tell if mine is defective and what are the symptoms? And how do I inspect the EGR tube? Henry 93 Aquamarine Turbo ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 19:09:03 -0800 From: Steve N Subject: Re: MR2 Mr2 - "Trunking" communications devices > I don't understand how a scanner could use "trunking". > I believe "trunking" is a technique that involves changing of frequencies by > both the transmitter and receiver at designated, coordinated times, so that > anyone listening cannot follow any more than slight bursts of the information > being transmitted. You are right Joe, alomost. Trunking systems use up about 30 different freq. that are used during a conversation. Every system is a little different, but they are all similar in desgin. The most common is made by motorolla, and is like what you described above, except that there is a data frequncy that the trunking system uses to let its radios know what and what freq. to change to. I haven't looked in about 2 months, but there is only one scanner that is a truck tracking capable. It is the Uniden BC235XLT. It is only able to monitor the motorolla trunking systems. It susposedly works quite well. It works by reading the data channel and changes the scanner freq. accordingly. Steve N. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 20:25:20 -0800 From: Mark Sink Subject: Re: MR2 Top Speed sguinn45@sprynet.com wrote: > The Classic is rated in classes > up to Unlimited (over 180). > I'm curious where I might fit. I think the car will make > 140, maybe more. > Steve > '92 MR2T, 38,000 miles. HKS EVC, VPC, FCD, Exhaust, Air > intake, turbo timer. Nology wires, mod dist cap. Will have > turbo upgrade and larger Throttle Body by Classic time. > Suggestions for other effective bolt-on's? I don't want to go > inside the engine quite yet. INTERCOOLER! I don't think you'll be able to maintain 140 for very long running the turbo at full boost, even with an upgraded IC. Your intake temps I think willl continue to rise, power will drop, and you might even experience some engine or turbo damage. I'm remined of the autobahn story of a few months back. Hopefully someone will have more to say, but I don't think your engine is going to like 140 MPH for an extended period of time. Note, it will take quite a bit of boost to maintain 140 MPH. How long might you have to maintain this speed/boost? - -- Mark Sink - ----------- http://toy4two.home.mindspring.com/ Modified '87 MR2 & '93 MR2 Turbo ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 04 Jan 1998 10:05:24 +0800 From: Ivan Wong Subject: MR2: Handmade? I had read the FAQ at mr2.com and it said in section 3.0 that MR2 were basically handmade. Is that true? Which part of MR2 is handmade? are both MKI and MKII handmade? Regards, iVan 91 Red 3SGE 51000km ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 20:15:29 -0800 From: "David Hawkins" Subject: MR2 MKIIT top speed Car and Driver takes all of their test vehicles to top speed. They saw 144mph in the 93T, I believe at 6800rpm. David H. otgrouch@twosrus.com 93T FIPK/RMS S.P/RMS MBC 89SC Cupholder 66 Corvair 96 Cannondale R900 Spinergy ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 04 Jan 1998 10:09:57 +0800 From: Ivan Wong Subject: MR2 MKII: Heater How can I check whether my MR2 has a heater? I had tried push it all the way to the right (red indicator) and it still giving me cold air. I bought it few months ago and not sure whether it comes with a heater. Would it be a problem and the A/C? Thanks for your advise. Regards, iVan 91 Red 3SGE 51000km ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 20:44:23 -0800 From: Steve N Subject: MR2 Re: mkii convertable; page update w/ mki and mkii > Now that I've gotten the roof off, I wonder what a > MKII would look like as a ragtop. Take a look: http://www2.msstate.edu/~sgn1/MR2/mr2.htm I have just updated my page, and scanned in the pics I told you all that I would one day. I've got mki rally cars, a Sard MC8, Jim Griffin's 93T, and a pic of a MR2 conertable. Just click on "Miscellaneous MR2 pictures" Steve N. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 21:55:24 -0500 From: nu3y@CritPath.Org Subject: MR2 Atlantic City Gathering, Sunday Jan 4th Come on people, lets have a show of hands! Who's coming to Atlantic City tomorrow? So far it's Aly, myself and Roxanne, and Chris Conrad, and Adrian Cole. I will be checking my e-mail late tonight and 1st thing tomorrow morning before I leave. - ----- Joe Pearlstein '91 Crimson Red MKII, Past owner of '86 Super Red MKI Philadelphia, PA mailto:nu3y@critpath.org ICQ# 3480202 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 22:18:10 -0500 From: Kerry Wood Subject: MR2 MkII_VSV Operation Brad Burns writes on Sat, 3 Jan 1998 15:39:49 -0500... >Is my understanding of the VSV operation wrong? Maybe it is actually >energized to limit boost, and if it senses something wrong like cold >inlet air or detonation or something, then it wouldn't turn off at >positive manifold pressure and it would limit my boost by remaining >energized? The turbo VSV is a normally closed valve - that is, it remains closed until voltage is applied. Refer to page E-390/391 of BGB for test procedures. VSV functions as a factory bleed to the wastegate actuator, reducing pressure applied to actuator diaphram, thus effectively increasing pressure at which gate opens. Thus, your initial understanding of operation is correct. >I spliced into the ECU to VSV wire (blue w/orange stripe), then soldered in >a resistor and the LED in series, then grounded the other end of the LED to >a bolt under the dash. This is the correct wire according to electrical manual. Possibly the problem is that the LED/resistor is acting as ground to the circuit? Note that ground, and thus current flow, in stock configuration occurs in the ECU. Unless my supposition is correct, the configuration you have should work - i.e. the LED should come on and stay on until the ECU decides overboost and then go out at that point. Marc Summers may have a better idea of what is going on electrically and may be willing to provide some pointers. Interesting mod, may have to try this myself - if it can be made to work. Hope some of this helps. Kerry Wood '93T black witch ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 22:16:50 -0500 (EST) From: Christopher Conrad Subject: MR2 Clutch problem! Hi everybody. Well today I went to drive my car and I realized I have a problem. I put the clutch all the way down, start the car normally. But I noticed that as soon as I let off the clutch (that was still against the floor) the slightest bit the car started to go. At first, I was thinking Wow! The car really wants to drive today! But then I realized that I had to put the pedal all the way down to shift. Does anyone know why it all of a sudden is doing this. I just drove the car 500 miles this weekend, and I didn't notice it so it must not have been like that. What happened overnight that would cause this???? Any help would be appreciated!!! - --------------------------------------------------------- Chris Conrad 1985 Blue MKI http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/7153/mr22.html NJ IMOC Page: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/6819/njimoc.html ICQ: 5285001 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 22:49:15 -0500 From: Robert Schultz Subject: Re: MR2 MKI winddeflector rattle > will anyone please kindly email me the instruction of how to cure > the rattles from the wind deflector from the roof? Remove sunroof Remove Deflector Reinstall Sunroof Or Install the fuzzy side of some self adhesive velcro on any portion of the deflector that shows signs of wear. Both methods work but one of them is easier and cheaper Bob ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #54