mr2-digest Tuesday, January 6 1998 Volume 02 : Number 068 MR2s, Detroit area MR2 MKII Turbo: Superchips upgrade Re: MR2 Re: mr2-digest V2 #63 RE: MR2 MKI SC restrictive exhaust questions Re: MR2 MKII Jax beches area. Re: MR2 Mk II : more 17inch rims. MR2 Greddy Exhaust MR2 Engine price [none] MR2 RE: The final word on MK1 top speed MR2 Racing Harness & Rollbar Re: MR2 Florida emissions testing Re: MR2 autox in FL MR2 Fuel injector swap help MR2 Re: mr2-digest V2 #67 Re: MR2 Racing Harness & Rollbar MR2 Carbon Fiber Dash Kits Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting Re: MR2 Racing Harness & Rollbar MR2 MkII Turbo Spitting Oil ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 12:38:46 -0500 From: "David Aucott" Subject: MR2s, Detroit area I stopped by my favorite dealer and he had a couple MR2s on the lot: 1993 Turbo Teal, tan leather interior No apparent accidents, one door ding driver side Aftermarket wheels (15x6) with wrong size tires Engine showed major salt corrosion (winters) New Clutch and tires/wheels 64,000 miles $14995 asking price I drove this same car last summer and it was terrible! Something was desperately wrong with the brakes (no ABS, locked up RF at will), and it was not a very good car mechanically. 1989 NA Red, Black cloth interior Beat up front and rear bumpers, radio damaged General poor care, but no apparent body damage Rust starting in the rear quarters (get this) asking price $6995!!! What are these guys smoking?? I'm sure the teal one is advertized as "mint" or "Immaculate" and it is good looking, but it's got problems, and the red '89 will just be wholesaled, I'm sure. - -- Dave Aucott daucott@ford.com http://members.aol.com/daucott '86 MR2, '93T MR2, '87 Civic Si, '95 Probe GT ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 09:39:21 PST From: "Gordon Tyrrell" Subject: MR2 MKII Turbo: Superchips upgrade Ok then, Here's how I found the conversion. Background first. I imported a 1995 GTS turbo from Japan, my cousin imported a 1994 GTS same model (latest). I got the superchips conversion done which consisted of the ICON and an adjustable wastegate which they turn up to 14.5psi (1 bar). We took both cars to a dual carriageway (empty enough here in Ireland) and did some tests (very basic). The main test we used was take both cars to 20mph in 3rd gear, dump the throttles together and wait and see what happens. After about 6 or 7 attempts to synchronise the dumping we finally got it close enough. Both cars accelerated identically up until about 5000rpm and then I pulled noticably ahead. Enough that he got the same thing done to his car the next week. Unfortunately I was looking for more lower power so it's back to the drawing board for me. One thing to note. Until I got to try it out against his car I thought the conversion had actually slowed the car down. The impression was because the increase was all at the top end and the lower ranges therefore felt slower. In reality there was no lose lower down the range. The conversion cost IRP500.00 which wasn't bad for Ireland. An HKS exhaust for the car would cost me IRP700.00 and probably would give slightly less results (correct me if I'm wrong). I can get the boost turned up to whatever I want so it allows for a few more mods with more boost I suppose. So to sum up. There was a definite and noticable increase in performace but it was all high end (after 5000rpm). We did the 2000rpm in 3rd test again after he got it done and we were back to identical acceleration so it appears it works uniformly and is not car different each time (doea that make sense) Gordon Red 1995 GTS turbo (jap import) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 10:12:08 -0800 (PST) From: Jeremy A White Subject: Re: MR2 Re: mr2-digest V2 #63 On Tue, 6 Jan 1998, Matthew Stiltner wrote: > >QUESTION: There must be a magic code or secret reset button or other > >procedure to "reset" the radio, right? Do you need a factory SST? TIA. There is a secret procedure that the dealer can use to reset the radio. - -Jeremy White ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 12:26:12 -0500 From: Chris Conlon Subject: RE: MR2 MKI SC restrictive exhaust questions > > Removing the cats from a Mk I has been dyno-tested to show no improvement > > in torque or hp. Most people leave the cat attached, since there's no > > improvement in hp and it decreases emissions. > > > > Steve B. > > Yup and actually just the opposite...I came up with an low and mid range > INCREASE by going back to the cat and a more restrictive exhaust. This aint no > V8. > Ron Ok how 'bout this: Given a worked-over 4A-GZE flowing 40-50% more air than stock, should you use... TRD header or stock manifold? stock SC muffler, some "high flow" muffler, dual resonators, or??? stock cat, or a higher-flowing one originally designed for a (rather dirty, emissions-wise) engine of about the right HP? I realize the TRD header dynos at little or no benefit over stock, on a stock mki SC... but would it be of benefit on a decidedly non-stock motor? All opinions welcome, Chris C. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 13:43:10 -0500 From: turbochris@ramworks.com (TurboChris) Subject: Re: MR2 MKII Jax beches area. At 12:17 AM 1/3/98 -0500, Geoduck wrote: >Red MKII - Full Aeroware, Tom's scoop and big rims - >Atlantic Blvd about 1:45 this afternoon - are you out there? > >Scott '91 turbo in the shop :( Hey Scott. I've seen that guy around town, but I don't know him. I live in Atlantic Beach and drive a modified, black 93T. Do you live in the Jax area? Chris TurboChris@ramworks.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 14:27:42 -0500 From: jkramer@sctcorp.com Subject: Re: MR2 Mk II : more 17inch rims. John, I have 205/45's up front with 225/45 in the rear on 16x7.5" wheels. The 205's are only slightly wider than the 7.5" rim so I think putting 205's on an 8 inch rim would be pushing it. Another way of looking at it: 205 mm = 8.0770 inches. Since the 205 mm is the total width of the tire, the bead would be narrower than the width of the wheel. Take care, Jack '91 MR2 NA White '91 RX-7 TurboII Black ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 15:29:44 EST From: Lsaccone Subject: MR2 Greddy Exhaust Sorry all, but as you can imagine, the exhaust didn't last too long. It's taken. Thanks for the inquiries.. I'll post prices for the other stuff later. oh yeah, the FCD is gone too. Thanks, Larry ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 15:50:34 EST From: Lsaccone Subject: MR2 Engine price Well, I spoke to a few people and the engine is going to go onto the market for $2000. This includes Engine & Tranny & ECU and anything else you might need. Thanks, Larry ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 10:12:28 -0800 From: "James S. King" Subject: [none] On Mon, 5 Jan 1998 18:29:51 Chris King wrote: I have a question for all you gurus out there or at least someone with a 91/92 brochure. I have come across a mr2 for sale that has the following as told to me by the dealer: 91 turbo leather t-tops aftermarket power windows My question is this: Was there a package where you could get the leather, t-tops, etc and not have power windows? My guess would have been that the power windows would have come standard with one of these. So I am curious why this car would supposedly have "aftermarket" power toys. Any thoughts always welcomed... ....... The answer is technically YES, but probably 90-100% of T-Top turbos w/ leather also had the power package... Power windows on the '91 turbos were available only with a "power package" that included power door locks. If the car has power door locks then the PW are probably factory. If the door locks aren't power, then the windows probably are aftermarket (but then what happened to the crank mechanisms? Were the entire door panels replaced?). Jim '93 Turquoise Turbo. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 14:53:02 -0700 From: Mattled@webtv.net (Matt Ledbetter) Subject: MR2 RE: The final word on MK1 top speed John, You really expect us to believe all that unreliable gobablygook? Just kidding. I was reading each digest with the hope you would jump in to this thread. Thanks for your input. I think my speedo is pretty close, as I hit about 142 (indicated) before the twincharging project. But now with all this HP, I should be able to hit at least 142 again. Regardless, It seems the faster I make my car, the slower I drive. - -Matt '88 Twincharged ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 16:28:08 -0600 (CST) From: Michael Moerk Subject: MR2 Racing Harness & Rollbar I'm just curious as to what it would take to get a racing harness installed into my MR2. Are these things expensive (ball park figure)? Can I install it myself? Can they be removed when not in use so that the standard seat belt can be used for daily driving? Also, has anyone installed a rollbar into an Mk2? How much did it cost and does it make the car noticably more cramped? Is there even room in the MR2 for a rollbar?? I'm just interested in how much trouble (and $) it will take to get the car prepped for the Silver State Classic or other high-speed events. Thanks! - -Mike Moerk - -Red '93 Turbo - -Rochester, MN ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 17:45:29 EST From: Sport Ridr Subject: Re: MR2 Florida emissions testing You wrote:::: 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. > You wrote:::: >Sarasota county (~60 miles s. of Tampa) does not have emissions testing, >but Manatee county which is just north of Sarasota does. I live here in manatee county and have so for about 20 years, and we dont have emmisions testing, we did it about 15 years ago. NOT now though. :-) Ya! Mike Craig 86 MR2 <---that would fail emissions test ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 16:58:07 -0600 From: "Steve Hoult" Subject: Re: MR2 autox in FL >By the way- got my first ticket in back woods of SC on >the way down- $400 ouch!! currently investigating the Valentine 1 radar >detector?? any thoughts? >Ccrelan@aol.com Lets see..... One ticket = $400 Valentine One = $400 Works for me! I have an Escort Solo (the battery powered model) which has always given me plenty of warning. There are many times I wished I had the Valentine One to see how many and in which direction the Laser/radar are coming from.... Steve Hoult '89 SC ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 16:20:07 -0700 From: Mattled@webtv.net (Matt Ledbetter) Subject: MR2 Fuel injector swap help My BGB is is the trunk of my car, which is still having the elk fur removed. Could someone give me an estimate on time to swap out a set of fuel injectors for a mk1, sced if it matters. Is it very involved or pretty much remove and replace? Thanks, Matt - -88 Twincharged ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 18:25:55 -0500 From: fishermn@mail.ameritel.net (Phil Holzbauer) Subject: MR2 Re: mr2-digest V2 #67 RE: Top speed on the MK1 Sure are a lot of people worried about the top speed. of the NA MK1 For what this is worth..... Two summers ago, I took my daughter on a tour of America from Maryland (bow to the Trooper) through the midwest (Kansas) over the Rockies (Denver to Grand Junction) up through the Great Salt Lake and into MONTANA. Since it was legal, my 10 year old asked "Can we pass a police car in this state Daddy"? Since she's the youngest of my children, I said "Of course" My MR2 at that point was running a fresh "slick" paint job (with no badges), fresh tuneup, platinum plugs, hi-test spark wires, etc. Aeo-package but basically stock, but in great shape. Tires were Toyo's with about 80% tread remaining. We were running premium (92 octane) because I noticed it helped a little in the mountains. The first police car we passed we were indicating around 90 mph. The second came on a verrry long stretch of the interstate with about 10 miles of straight road and low traffic. When we passed the trooper, he jaw dropped and he accelerated to catch up. He wasn't successful. We were indicating around 140 at 7,000 rpm. After about 40 miles, we pulled off for a bathroom break and lunch. The trooper had the same idea and ended up next to us at the restaurant. I can't say enough nice things about the people we met on the trip. Anyway the trooper said he had clocked us with his rolling radar at 132 which was an accurate speed. I think this was probably right. One observation, after travelling full out for 20-30 minutes, the transmission was really stiff. I figured it had heated up and expanded. In short, I think for my 86 MK1 NA is typical for a good condition MR2. I did as a precaution stop in Wyoming and have the tranny drained and re-filled along with an oil change. All totaled my youngest, who was navigating and I did about 8,000 miles in 4 &1/2 weeks. It was worth it. On funny thing about the trip. At a rest stop called Al's Oasis (can't remember the state), an older couple (60's) pulled next to our parked car in the parking lot. The husband looked at the car and pronounced it a Ferrari. His wife told him to be quiet. It was obviously not a real car and there was probably a camera somewhere waiting to catch him. The daughter and I were coming out of the restaurant and caught the action. We smiled and told them it was a real car, a Toyota and the engine was behind the seats. Darned if we didn't have to show them everything about the car, including opening all the hatches. This couple was nicer than you could imagine. Mr. had a lot of questions about horsepower, milage, spec etc. I think he would have offered to buy the car from me right then and there. Good thing my daughter gave me the "hurry up Daddy" we have to be in Chicago by nightfall... PHolzbauer 86MK1 NA nicknamed the Mir (It's just like a space capsule Daddy) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 15:43:56 -0800 From: Randy Chase Subject: Re: MR2 Racing Harness & Rollbar Michael Moerk wrote: > > I'm just curious as to what it would take to get a racing harness > installed into my MR2. Are these things expensive (ball park figure)? > Can I install it myself? Can they be removed when not in use so that the > standard seat belt can be used for daily driving? I have a Schroth Rallye Belt. It takes about 15 minutes to install and costs about $150. I didn't use the separate part that is supposed to go to the rear seat shelf (too close in an MR2) and bolted it to the baby seat bolt behind the rear seat. You might want to beef up the metal that is around this as this bolt may not be enough to hold you in a 125mph crash. > > Also, has anyone installed a rollbar into an Mk2? How much did it cost > and does it make the car noticably more cramped? Is there even room in > the MR2 for a rollbar?? I have a friend (was on the list..Rob H you out there?). He installed a roll cage in his MR2. The space inside was pretty restricted in his, as was climbing in and out. I think the rally/race cars that remove interior panels work better for this. It can be done. Keep in mind that a roll cage is normally required for convertibles and is not light. > > I'm just interested in how much trouble (and $) it will take to get the > car prepped for the Silver State Classic or other high-speed events. Good luck. I will stay with slower speed stuff, 120mph is as fast as I want to go.. for now. Randy Chase '91 MR2 N/A ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 18:07:00 -0600 From: jsbihn@DigiScape.com (Bihn, Jeff S) Subject: MR2 Carbon Fiber Dash Kits i carry them and have a nice sample piece. they havent sent any color pics or sent me any demos but they did send me a chunk of the dash kit they probably scrapped from one. it is thick and nice and shiny. i think if it is something you want i would get it. like i said i carry them and i think the quality is great, plus they use 3m adhesive too. - -- type to you soon, Jeff Rebel Motorsports phone: 228-875-6485 mailto:jsbihn@digiscape.com fax: 228-875-3164 website: http://www.rebel.digiscape.com icq uin#: 2954300 -- accepting visa and mastercard ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 16:10:45 -0800 From: "Robin Parnaby" Subject: Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting Sorry if this thread has already passed i'm (as always) catching up. Maybe somebody can post a "Black List" web page of all individuals who have deceived us. It is a leap of faith to exchange cash/goods with people who are basically unreachable. Just an idea. Robin robin_p@euphonix.com At 09:23 PM 1/5/98 -0500, you wrote: >> >>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. >> ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 16:45:31 -0800 From: Randy Chase Subject: Re: MR2 Racing Harness & Rollbar Forgot to mention per your question: You can leave the Schroth type belt always in the car and use it or not. It bolts to the same bolts that hold on the lap belt and you leave the lap belt installed. The harness in my car can be tucked to the sides of the driver's seat when you want to only use the lap belt. Keep in mind that it might take some getting used to using a harness. I found it odd at first. Also, do not use just any harness. Using a standard stock seat with a 5 point harness may be a bad idea as the seat does not allow the crotch straps to go down properly. You should get a harness that is designed for stock seats, such as Schroth or TRW. Randy Chase *Early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese* '91 MR2 N/A ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Jan 1998 09:44:37 +0000 From: Tony McDaid Subject: MR2 MkII Turbo Spitting Oil Hi, Wonder if anyone can tell me if I have a problem or not. When I started the car up this morning (cold with 30cm of snow on the ground) I noticed that what looked like oil was coming out of the tail pipes. I've noticed this before but there just seemed to be more this morning. The car is ready for an oil change (5,000km), and it looks like the level on the dip stick has dropped from the top to just above half. Any ideas? The car has 72,000km (45,000m) on the clock, it's a '89. Thanks for any help. Tony McDaid tony@akina.ne.jp http://www.akina.ne.jp/~tony/ `89 MkII Turbo T-Bar ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #68