mr2-digest Tuesday, January 6 1998 Volume 02 : Number 066 91 MR2 Radio/Tape + CD player help? MR2 MKII Power antenna problem MR2 RE: (Sticky) steering wheel Re: MR2 RE: (Sticky) steering wheel MR2 Top speed errors Fw: MR2 Donation Address/TT wiring MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting MR2 MkII:17inch rims. MK1: TRD 272 cams in MK1 MR2....Bingo!!!! MR2 Mk II : more 17inch rims. RE: MR2 OVERDRIVE MR2 MKII Turbo - Superchips??? Help please MR2 MKII Turbo - Superchips??? Help please Re: MR2 re: what's a dwell meter MR2 re: mk I top speed MR2 Florida emissions testing MR2 MKII-Carbon Fiber Dash kits MR2 MKII radio security Junk MR2's ...The search Re: MR2 MKI NA top speed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 00:55:16 EST From: Mr2toy726 Subject: 91 MR2 Radio/Tape + CD player help? Apparently my 91 MR2 (NA) originally came with the AM/FM and cassete player. It is described as type A on pages 58-61 of the owners manual...apparently some time after the manufacture of the car someone added a Toyota single disk CD player (is has the number 3423 on the front)....My problem is that my radio and tape sound fine, but my CD player plays at a much lower volume. I pulled them out tonight to see if there was an obvious soluion...of course not...the CD player links to the tape deck using some sort of DIN plug (like a computer keyboard plug) input/output cable...the connection between the two is fine, wiggling the connection had no effect at all. I have no clue what to do next. should I remove the unit and take it to a stereo repair shop and see if they can diagnose the problem? Any ideas? Thanks, Aaron 91 NA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 00:59:28 EST From: Mr2toy726 Subject: MR2 MKII Power antenna problem The mast is fine and the motor works, but the "cord" inside my power antenna is broken. Is there a mast and cord kit available to fix it for a reasonable price? Or should I just yank the power to it and use it as a non-power antenna? Or should I replace it with a lighter regular antenna..thats gotta save me at least a pound, and that is like .1 hp.. ; ) Aaron 91 NA ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Jan 1998 22:11:14 -0800 From: Todd Clark Subject: MR2 RE: (Sticky) steering wheel I have an 88 SC MR2, with a steering wheel problem. The leather on the wheel gets "sticky" when I hold on to it in one spot for more than a couple of minutes. My hands also get dirty from holding the wheel. What should I try to clean the wheel with? Or does it need some sort of conditioner? This is the first car I have owned with a leather steering wheel, so I have no idea what to do about it. Thanks Todd Clark 1988 SC MR2 (NOVELL) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 22:19:51 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: Re: MR2 RE: (Sticky) steering wheel > I have an 88 SC MR2, with a steering wheel problem. The leather on the > wheel gets "sticky" when I hold on to it in one spot for more than a couple > of minutes. My hands also get dirty from holding the wheel. What should I > try to clean the wheel with? Or does it need some sort of conditioner? This > is the first car I have owned with a leather steering wheel, so I have no > idea what to do about it. its leather...saddle soap? then a good leather conditioner? gonna do the same to mine soon- terry ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 00:14:17 From: Keith Jarett Subject: MR2 Top speed errors Other than the obvious (speedo error, different wheel size, and other calibrations), the top speed of a car depends on the magnitude and direction of the wind. If you have a 10 mph tailwind, your top speed will be very nearly 10 mph faster. Which is why they require runs in both directions for an official speed record. Keith Jarett keith@nsx.org ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 00:47:14 -0600 From: "MR2 Digest Owner" Subject: Fw: MR2 Donation Address/TT wiring >-----Original Message----- > >>Hi, >>Does anyone have the address for donations to support the digest? > >[Snip!] >>Mike > >Yes indeed, Mike. > >Please make checks checks payable to 'Hockey.net' (not to me) and send to: >Andrew P. Tasi >7333 Gallagher Drive apt132d >Edina, MN 55435 > >You may also pay by Visa, MasterCard, Amex, or Discover by including your >card number and expiration date with the amount you want charged to your >account. This information may be sent by E- or snail mail. > >I will be posting names of those who have contributed. If you don't want >your name used, please indicate that. > >Regards, >Andrew P. Tasi >Black '88 MR2 T-top > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Jan 1998 21:23:43 -0500 From: "Dean M. Fujita" Subject: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting > >On another topic, today marks the deadline for me >going public about the one person who has not paid >me out of over 50 transactions involving Japanese >parts. I shipped 2 TRD emblems and 2 TRD stickers >($44 worth) to A. Timothy Assam on the 18th of >September. Despite numerous attempts at getting >a payment from him, I have not heard from him in >over six weeks. Up until this point, I cross shipped >everything and I know that several people were very >happy to get their parts before I even saw their checks. >Unfortunately, I won't be doing this anymore. It's this >kind of action that makes people distrustful in general >and casts a pall over the comaraderie on the list. > >Sorry to bring the mood down, but if you got some parts >from me and are as angry about this as I am, let Tim >hear from you. He's at tassam3rd@earthlink.net, or >at least he was before he quit returning my mail. If >anyone thinks this is unfair to do this on the list...sorry. >I gave him five chances and a final notice two weeks >ago. > >My venting is over....let's talk about our cars. > >David H. otgrouch@twosrus.com >93T FIPK/RMS S.P/RMS MBC >89SC Cupholder >66 Corvair >96 Cannondale R900 Spinergy > Sorry to hear about this David, could you let us know where he lives? Maybe someone should go over and discuss this with him. I'm sure I speak for many others who appreciate all that you've done bringing some hard to get items from Japan. I have had nothing but great experiences doing business with others on the list (as a consumer). I've installed a Ken Farrell shift boot, Marc Summers Distributer Cap, and am presently working with Jeff (Rebel Motorsports) to upgrade my exhaust system and my car also has some Internet Club stickers on it. I also drink only from my MR2 mug : ). Dean '93T SMG I plan on getting in touch with you later as I want to upgrade the look of my car. A new paint job, clear corners, side markers, moldings and 94+ tail lights etc... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 19:49:13 +1100 From: John Wan Subject: MR2 MkII:17inch rims. HI All, My friend just brought some second hand 17inch rims with rubbers, at a very good price $400.00 AUD. The rims were from a Series 5 RX7. The rims are in mint condition after we spent some time cleaning them and polishing them using mothers mag cleaner. The rims are Enkei RP01 ( Slick spokes) 5 spokes. The problem is that the rims are all 8 inch x 17 inch. I told him that the rims are quite wide and you would need to run a very low profile tire. Such as a 205 x 40 x 17 inch or a 215 x 40 x 17 inch tire. The offset of the rims are +35mm. Also the car has been lowered 2.5 inches all round. Does anyone know if 8 inch wide rims fit on the front of the MR2 NA?? Does anyone run 8 inch on the front?? Any help would be great. Regards John. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 19:49:20 +1000 From: Robin San Subject: MK1: TRD 272 cams in MK1 MR2....Bingo!!!! Hi guys Well I got to retime the cams once again and this time to 100/103, and it all came together brilliantly. There's bags of midrange torque, it idles, doesnt stall on a hot start, doesnt bog down when the high beams are turned on etc..etc.. all problems that I had in the past. The difference was dialing in the cams using a bigger, more accurate degree wheel and I returned the MAF back to standard mixture. Thanks to all who replied and suggested that the overly rich MAF was affecting the computer, I think that was the problem that didnt allow me to run 98/100 last time. Well its all a big relief to have the car running right, I booked a dyno session in 2 weeks, hopefully the results will be as good as it feels. Ill run a Gtec tonight and see if there is an improvement in the 97hp I got last time...which was a bit dissapointing. Thanks to everyone who offered advice over the last 2 weeks, I really appreciate all the help. Seeya Robin San 89 Mk1 NA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 19:59:36 +1100 From: John Wan Subject: MR2 Mk II : more 17inch rims. Hi Again, Does anyone know what would happen if you put 205 x 40 x 17 inch tires onto a 8inch x 17 inch rim. Will the side wall roll when cornering? Thanks in advance. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 09:33:18 +0000 From: Mark Nias Subject: RE: MR2 OVERDRIVE At 18:48 05/01/98 -0500, you wrote: > >>I have an '86 model mr2 with all the toys (automatic,a/c, leather, sunroof, >>etc). I seem to be having a problem with the transmission not shifting into >>overdrive. It will eventually shift but it takes about fifteen to twenty >>minutes before it does so. Is this a common problem? sorry, i missed the original posting for this.... The auto tranny won't shift into overdrive until the engine is at running temprature, obiously, as it's colder now... it will take longer to warm up... hope that helps... mark - -=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=--- 'We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of the dreams' - Willy Wonka - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark 'The Oracle' Nias markn@daneel.demon.co.uk / markn@jsb.co.uk 1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged - Mica Blue - 38,000Miles - EW/EM/CL/AC http://www.daneel.demon.co.uk - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pentium 133 32/850, 4Mb Trio64V+, 4Mb 3Dfx Voodoo - Apple LC630 20/350 Atari TT030 12/540 - Atari VCS2600 - Atari VCS7800 - Atari JaguarCD Atari STe 16Mhz+68881 4/212 - Realistic Pro-26 Scanner - -=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=---=-- - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 04:49:17 PST From: "Gordon Tyrrell" Subject: MR2 MKII Turbo - Superchips??? Help please I've noticed a few people bad mouthing superchips recently. As I'm new to the list I missed previous mails on the subject. I got the superchips conversion (ICON & adjustable wastegate) on my 1995 GTS (imported from Japan). Is there a known problem I should know about with this mod.??? Please let me know as I can get it reversed if it is harmfull. Thanks Gordon Red 1995 MR2 GTS turbo (jap import) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 04:48:30 PST From: "Gordon Tyrrell" Subject: MR2 MKII Turbo - Superchips??? Help please I've noticed a few people bad mouthing superchips recently. As I'm new to the list I missed previous mails on the subject. I got the superchips conversion (ICON & adjustable wastegate) on my 1995 GTS (imported from Japan). Is there a known problem I should know about with this mod.??? Please let me know as I can get it reversed if it is harmfull. Thanks Gordon Red 1995 MR2 GTS turbo (jap import) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 22:47:25 +1000 From: Robin San Subject: Re: MR2 re: what's a dwell meter Thanks to all who replied to my Dwel meter question. Seems like there would be no call for one in tuning the 4AGE, I asked because someone mentioned to me that it could be used in conjunction with a timing light for tuning. Perhapse the person that I spoke to meant that it could be used to measure the duty cycle of the injectors, as suggested by Bryan. Thanks again to all who replied. Robin San 89 Mk1 NA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 08:29:11 -0500 From: "Miller, Bill [PRI]" Subject: MR2 re: mk I top speed Please, stop me before I kill again! I thought I could quit by myself, I really did Here's the info I can provide re: mk I top speed and speedo correction for 205/50/15 vs 185/60/14. 1st the speedo correction, from a program called TIRESIZE I got off the web: Tiresize sidewall radius diameter circum. Revs/mile diff. 185/60/14 4.037in 11.37in 22.74in 71.44in 886.9 0 205/50/15 4.04 11.54 23.07 72.48 874.2 1.45% This is about the most typical example of a '+1' that I've seen As far as top speed. I build a spread sheet to calculate the effects of different gearing and final drive ratios on my race car. Here is what I have for the stock C-52 trans. Using the following gear ratios and a final drive of 4.312: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 3.166 1.904 1.31 0.969 0.815 I get the following results for mph in gear at given rpm (1st column): 5000 26.76 44.50 64.68 87.44 103.96 5500 29.44 48.95 71.14 96.18 114.35 6000 32.11 53.40 77.61 104.92 124.75 6500 34.79 57.85 84.08 113.67 135.15 7000 37.47 62.30 90.55 122.41 145.54 7500 40.14 66.75 97.02 131.16 155.94 It would appear from this that the claim of 135 mph at 6500 in 5th is correct. I however doubt this. This chart also indicates 122 in 4th at 7000. This is my rpm in 4th at the end of the back stretch at Watkins Glen. When the speedo in the car was still working, it said 105-110. Also, a guy I was racing w/ in a CRX also said we were doing ~110. I've never been overly concerned w/ overall maximum velocity, just average speed per lap. While the Mk I is a fairly aerodynamic car (don't remember the Cd), I doubt that even a modified (unless highly, ~175 hp) engine would make enough power to overcome the drag and actually get a Mk I up to 135. Even though there are rpm left on the tach doesn't mean that you will ever get to them. My $0.02 Bill I'll be fine now, I just know it. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 09:12:37 -0500 From: Phil Cutajar Subject: MR2 Florida emissions testing > Did Florida finally get rid of emmissions testing? When last I lived in > Florida, Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange? (Orlando), and whatever > counties Tampa and Jacksonville were in had emmisions testing. I figured at > some point, they would add or subtract counties. I remember moving from > Leon county (Tallahassee) to Palm Beach county (Boca), and having to get > used to yearly testing. > Sarasota county (~60 miles s. of Tampa) does not have emissions testing, but Manatee county which is just north of Sarasota does. - -- 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, 6 Jan 1998 10:09:29 -0000 From: "Mario" Subject: MR2 MKII-Carbon Fiber Dash kits Hi everybody: Have any one taken a close look at Tora Sport carbon Fiber dash kits for the 91-95 MR2 ? I saw it on a magazine so can't determine its quality. Any one out there tried it ? Mario mariomun@caribe.net 1991 MR2 T, black, TT 1991 Honda CBR 600 F2 1979 Triumph Spitfire (Rotary powered) 1987 Mitsubishi 4x4 pickup( 5.0 Lts ) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 09:34:35 -0500 From: Phil Cutajar Subject: MR2 MKII radio security For Nick's benefit and for the list: I had the same problem with my radio... previous owner could not remember the code and when I changed batteries my radio was locked out. Here is what I did and I'm sure that all MKII radios are the same: Took my car to a Toyota dealer... they called Panasonic in California and gave them the code from the face plate on my radio. Panasonic in turn gave them back some special code. The dealer then entered the maximum number of code attempts (5?) to get the radio to the point were no more attempts could be entered. At that point he pressed some kind of multi-button combination (I couldn't see but he had to use both hands). This puts it into some kind of special input mode, and then he entered the code that Panasonic gave him. Once he did that, the radio completely reset itself and all security codes were eliminated, just as when the car is new. NOTE: after this procedure, there is no security code any more so you have to reprogram it if you want to have a security code. Also note... the dealer did not charge me anything for this. However, before they did this for me they wanted to see my driver's license and registration to confirm that I was the rightful owner of the car. - -- 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, 06 Jan 1998 09:39:04 -0500 From: "Ardell L. Simon" Subject: Junk MR2's ...The search Well, I drove with a friend yesterday a total of 600 miles to look at 2 different MR2's. BOTH needed to be put to sleep. I am from the Philadelphia area, and the first car we looked at was in Pittsburgh. The car was a 91 White turbo with 50K miles asking $9,900. The salesman at the Spitzer Toyota told me on the phone that the car was in EMMACUALTE condition. Well, the car was white and had baby blue&pink pinstrip zig zaggy swirlly things all over it. The worlds WORST tint, and the ugliest aftermarket 15" rims I had ever seen. I was SHOCKED to look into the side vent and see a GReddy Intercooler!!! I got a little excited just for a moment. I opened the hood.....IT WAS a GReddy Intercooler, but it looked like THEIR first test model...the looked like complete junk. Opening the trunk....the trunk liners were all ripped up and there was an FCD just hanging there not wired. FOR GOD KNOWS WHAT REASON I DROVE THE CAR. ANYONE'S MKI NA would kill this car. The Chevy Sprint Turbo I tested would beat this car. This car wouldn;t be able to spin tires on ICE......*sigh* I got back from the drive and COULDN'T even think of a THING to say to the salesman....so I left. We drove to ANNAPOLIS MD to Koon's Toyota. They have a dark green 92Turbo...asking $9500 with 88K miles. The car was obviously hit on the p-side front. (the inside of the fender was white!!! AND you could move the headlight around by hand!!! There was also a pretty bad dent in the front right corner. I test drove anyway....the COULD NOT go into 2nd gear!!! I just turned around and dropped the car back at the lot....*sigh* There were all kinds of receipts in the car.....There were AT LEAST 8 Receipts for replaced headlights&Fogs...and at the time of test drive 2 more lights were out?!??!?! Can you say SHORT?? There were also receipts for MAJOR engine work.....*sigh* I am starting to think that the task of finding another MR2 will be difficult/impossible. *sigh* Jeff F mr2less ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 09:30:53 EST From: FZZR Subject: Re: MR2 MKI NA top speed. In a message dated 98-01-05 21:38:15 EST, you write: << > I have had my MKI na to 137mph @ 5,700rpm's I'm sure to get flamed for this, but.....since the MKI NA topped out at 116mph@6350rpm, I think your next mod should be an accurate speedometer. Without forced induction, or a TON of NA mods, you will never see that speed in a MKI NA. And if you are running stock size tires, you wouldn't see it at that low of an RPM if you were indeed hitting it. >> That is exactly what I was trying to say. It doesn't matter if you add 3 zillion horsepower, you will still do the same speeds at the same RPM's if you don't change the gearing. (you will just get there a hell of allot faster. :) ). Its just like if you run 55MPH at 3000 RPM and you add a turbo kit or something. Well guess what you will still be running 3000 RPM at 55MPH. ****************************************************** Chuck FZZR@AOL.COM 88 MR2 SC (150,000 miles) 89 Yamaha FZR 1000 (40,000 miles) ******************************************************** ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #66