mr2-digest Thursday, January 8 1998 Volume 02 : Number 077 Re: MR2: Handmade? MR2 Prices Re: MR2 reckless endangerment? '93 MR2 turbo for sale Re: MR2 MKII Shifter ???'s Re: MR2 Hello and wondering Re: MR2 Mk1 Where to mount a CD Changer Re: MR2 Prices Mint MR2's and lots Re: MR2 On my way home tonight.../Potenza RE71 Re: MR2 Mk1 Where to mount a CD Changer MR2 re: smoking crack Re: MR2 Mk1 Where to mount a CD Changer MR2 re: cd changer MR2 re: on my way home... MR2 MK2 Aftermarket CD changer? MR2 re: eclipse audio MR2 Re: 188 mph NA MR2 MK1: Lower final drive wanted for C52 MR2 Mk I: bandwidth waste MR2 Mk I/Mk II: DMV registration info? Re: MR2 Reckless Endangerment ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 10:44:45 +0100 From: "Thomas Funder" Subject: Re: MR2: Handmade? Sorry for the late reply, but I had to find an old article at home. Yes the MR2 is handmade, unlike most of the Toyotas. The MR2 - and some other low volume Toyotas - are made at the Central Motor plant in Kanagawa. There is a certain number of automation, but on the whole most of the work is done by humans. When at max production the plat put out 5000 MKI's a month, 3000 going to the US and the rest gint to Japan and Europe. I don't know whether the plant is still used to make MKII's or not. Ivan Wong wrote:: > 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? ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 98 20:31:57 PST From: "David Youl" Subject: MR2 Prices You guys are killing me with all of this talk about prices! Here downunder the average price for a Mk1 would be about A$16,000 which I guess at the moment is about US$11,000. Prices for really good cars can go up to A$19,000 (US$13,000). To hear you guys talking about SC cars for $4000 makes me cry. (We only ever got NA's down here) It's probably just as well though, otherwise my backyard would be even more overcrowded with cars than it is now! And the "powers that be" wouldn't be all that happy with that! Enjoying the sun in Sunny Sydney Dave 89 Mk1 n/a 84 Mk1 n/a (3A-LU) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Jan 1990 03:00:11 -0600 From: "Andrew P. Tasi" Subject: Re: MR2 reckless endangerment? - -----Original Message----- [Snip] >So, let me get this straight....you were doing 132 for extened/multiple >periods of time (and you thought is was 140) on public roads, in a street >vehicle, WITH A KID IN THE CAR???? What kind of crack were you smoking, >anyway? I disagree. I think you've been plagued by the double-nickel too long. Part of your viewpoint is cultural, and I doubt you'd be of the same opinion if you were from Germany. I regulary travel in excess of 100mph when I'm traveling in North Dakota on the way to the in-laws farm. I do this with my fiance in the car. The terrain is flat, the road straight, and the drive boring. I slow down for intersections, when other cars are approaching (or being overtaken), and trees near the road (in case of deer). IMHO, prudent speed depends on a number of factors: - -Weather conditions - -Road conditions - -Visibility (due to weather and physical obstructions) - -Traffic - -Type of vehicle - -Condition of vehicle While I may travel at triple digit speeds in ND, I often travel below posted speed limits when one or more of the above factors in unagreeable. >ps: [Snip] Am I the only one who thinks this incident qualifies as unacceptable and criminal? I'm sure you're not the only person with this opinion, but I find it a bit harsh. My $0.02, Andrew P. Tasi Black '88 MR2 T-top ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Jan 1990 03:20:15 -0600 From: "Andrew P. Tasi" Subject: '93 MR2 turbo for sale Hello everybody, For those of you that are interested (Jeff Fazio, perhaps?), I found a '93 MR2 Turbo for sale. Here is a rundown: Miles: 55,xxx miles Asking price: $13,995 although sales person told me he wanted $13,500 for it. Color: Red exterior, tan interior Options: ABS, limited slip differential, PS, leather interior, 3-in-1 sound system, Location: Southtown Freeway Toyota, Bloomington, Minnesota, USA. Located within 7 miles of the Mall of America and Mpls/St. Paul International airport. Dealer contact: Thomas Flanagan, 612-888-5581 or 612-885-5490 Observed imperfections: - -non-functioning power antenna - -non-functioning temperature gauge - -intermittently functioning turbo boost gauge-didn't work during first part of drive, after shut down/restart, it functioned normally - -radio asking for security code - -fading paint on rear spoiler - -slight belt squeal on initial startup The car had not yet been through cleanup but was very clean, and Thomas assured me that this list of troubles would be attended to. If you would like more information or impressions of my test drive, feel free to let me know. Regards, Andrew P. Tasi Black '88 MR2 T-top ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 06:32:06 EST From: MR2Turbo91 Subject: Re: MR2 MKII Shifter ???'s In a message dated 98-01-07 12:23:26 EST, you write: << Do all 91-92 MKII's use the same shifter? Or are the turbos different from the NA's? Does anyone know what the difference is? What makes the 93 shifter so much better? What is mechanically different about it? Thanks, Aaron >> Well Aaron, since nobody else posted anything about this, let me note my experiences with this. I have a 91 Turbo, and I believe that the NAs and the Turbos have the same hardware, at least that's what Toyota and I read from the fische. I wanted a shorter throw, so I took the mod from MR2.com, and I cut off, and rewelded the atachment higher than stock, therefore increasing the distance from the pivot and giving a shorter throw. well, I got greedy and welded it higher than recomended (because I wanted a REALLY short throw) when I put it all back together, I realized that when I shifted to 2nd 5th and reverse, the shift cable was hitting the bottom of the center console, and the angle the cable was going to was making it difficult to shift, and I am sure putting alot of wear on the cable. So when removeing everything, I accidentally ripped my "farrel" shift boot DAMNIT!!! and I got the 93 lever from Toyota along with a 93 boot.. the only two differences are that it is shorter, and that there is a ridge where the 93 boot is held up by. the mounting location for the shifter cable is the same, so if you want a 93 throw, I would suggest just cutting about an inch off your exsisting lever, and installing an aftermarket shift knob. Austin T ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 07:17:57 -0400 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: MR2 Hello and wondering >I have not looked at MK II but have never seen any reference to >installing a MK II engine in a MK I. Are the cars so differant that this >is impossible? Anything's possible, with the right amount of money and time. Take an 0787+ Mk I body (need the later suspension design), a 5S-FE or 3S-GTE engine from a Mk II, and the E-153 Mk II Turbo tranny bellhousing and the E-51 Mk I SC tranny body (then you can use the Mk SC three tranny mounts, half shafts, shift linkages and clutch release cylinder). You'd have to adapt the coolant, lubrication and fuel lines, and cut up the wiring harness *tape* to rebuild the shape of the wiring harness to the Mk I, but about the only thing you'd have to fabricate from scratch would be the engine mount (right side) and the exhaust from the header back. Let us know when you're finished. :) Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 07:17:53 -0400 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: MR2 Mk1 Where to mount a CD Changer >>I'm thinking about behind the passenger(RHD) seat against the firewall >>but I'm not sure if it's a good idea to screw things into the >>firewall. Are there any reasons not to do this? > > >Steve B will know for sure, but I think the gas tank is right behind the >fire wall. Gas tank is between the seats, don't drill any cellular phone mounts there. If you drill into the passenger side, use a short drill bit, and watch out for anything that looks important (water lines, oil cooler, etc). Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 12:15:21 +0000 From: Mark Nias Subject: Re: MR2 Prices just thought i'd throw in a UK perspective here... here a rearly good mk1 would be around 6000UKP, an average one would be about 4500/5000UKP, and an older one about 2500/3500UKP an imported SC will be between 4750 and 7500UKP depending on condition/milage. mk2 NA's start at about 9000UKP mark At 20:31 08/01/98 PST, you wrote: >You guys are killing me with all of this talk about prices! > >Here downunder the average price for a Mk1 would be about A$16,000 which I >guess at the moment is about US$11,000. Prices for really good cars can go >up to A$19,000 (US$13,000). To hear you guys talking about SC cars for >$4000 makes me cry. (We only ever got NA's down here) > >It's probably just as well though, otherwise my backyard would be even more >overcrowded with cars than it is now! And the "powers that be" wouldn't be >all that happy with that! > >Enjoying the sun in Sunny Sydney > >Dave > >89 Mk1 n/a >84 Mk1 n/a (3A-LU) > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 07:48:26 -0500 From: "Gettler, James" Subject: Mint MR2's and lots I had just read a few articles about this and I had to put my two cents in... I bought my '93 NA at Performance Toyota/Volvo in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania (sound familiar Jeff Fazio??). Well, I have one of the best MR2's I've ever seen on the road. One of the mechanics (that claimed he knew and owned a MR2) claimed to me that my car looked like a '95 with the '93 taillights set on it. The point of this is, that eventually you will find a good quality mint MR2 in a lot somewhere... It just takes time. I agree with most of them being thrashed though. There was a black '91 NA 5-speed next to mine when I was looking at mine, and it was in HERENDOUS shape. Jim Gettler '93 Arctic White NA 50,500 miles ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 07:52:10 -0500 From: Phil Cutajar Subject: Re: MR2 On my way home tonight.../Potenza RE71 > Alright! That's it! I am tired of all this crap about me being a liar and > stuff so I took a picture of my speedometer. I also had a cop clock me and > I took a picture of that too. Guess what! Both times I was found to be > going 189 so take that! The pictures are located at: > > http://odin.cmp.ilstu.edu/~cmking/ > > Chris K. > i dont need no stinkin' turbo!!! > Chris, Your ego says "I dont need no stinkin' turbo!!!" but your 91 NA seems to have sprouted a turbo boost gauge. I think your stinking NA is secretly admiring a turbo. I'm not calling you a liar or anything like that, but the picture of your alleged 91 NA has what appears to be a boost gauge. And, I don't think the NA is capable of 188, only turbo MR2s go that fast.... why just last week I raced a 91 NA and I lost him around 115. I don't know how fast I was going because my speedo wrapped all the way around and was indicating 20mph. However, I heard reports later that a sonic boom was heard around the same area I was driving at, and several people's car windows were mysteriously shattered. :-) Note: see my mods below. - -- Phil Cutajar '93 MR2-Turbo, Super White, 74k miles K&N FIPK, MR2-PP MBC, Leather Shift boot (not Ken's), 97 spec clear lenses mailto:Solo2_MR2@ibm.net my web page:http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/6213/index.htm ICQ #6032611 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 98 8:01:23 EST From: Jack Wheeler Subject: Re: MR2 Mk1 Where to mount a CD Changer When I installed mine I put it behind the Drivers seat, mounted vertically, using the double sided tape that was supplied with the unit to stick it to the carpet. Never had a problem with it coming loose or skipping in the two years it was there. Jack Wheeler - ------------- Original Text From: Steve Hoult , on 1/7/98 7:50 PM: >I'm thinking about behind the passenger(RHD) seat against the firewall >but I'm not sure if it's a good idea to screw things into the >firewall. Are there any reasons not to do this? Steve B will know for sure, but I think the gas tank is right behind the fire wall. Steve Hoult '89 SC a ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 08:01:26 -0500 From: "Miller, Bill [PRI]" Subject: MR2 re: smoking crack Based upon the response I got, I gather that my comments about the 'crack smoking guy doing 135+ w/ his child in the car' were taken literally. All I was doing was keeping w/ the tongue-in-cheek comment that Ron made. I don't think that the fact that he was smoking crack or not (or course he wasn't!) has anything to do with it. The fact that someone would put their child at that kind of risk is totally irresponsible. I believe that that was the point that Ron was trying to make and I was trying to agree with. I apologize to the individual in question if my comments have served to propagate a rumor that he is a crack head. Bill ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 08:08:38 -0500 From: "David Aucott" Subject: Re: MR2 Mk1 Where to mount a CD Changer >Steve B will know for sure, but I think the gas tank is right behind the >fire wall. Uh... no, there is an ENGINE back there! The gas tank is between the seats under the center console. Oh, and please don't call it a "fire wall." This isn't a Fiero (sorry, shameless jab). It is the rear bulkhead. - -- Dave A. daucott@ford.com http://members.aol.com/daucott '86 MR2, '93T MR2, '87 Civic Si, '95 Probe GT ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 08:14:40 -0500 From: "Miller, Bill [PRI]" Subject: MR2 re: cd changer Steve B will know for sure, but I think the gas tank is right behind the fire wall. No, the gas tank is not behind the fire wall, it's in the 'transmission' tunnel. Very ingenious design, about as safe a place as it could be and about as low as it could be. Bill ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 08:16:48 -0500 From: "Miller, Bill [PRI]" Subject: MR2 re: on my way home... Look, it sounds like you had a really good time but we all know you're fibbing. If you were really racing Michael Schumacher, he would have crashed into you before you could get away. Sorry guys, just couldn't resist. I don't want to start the MS / JV war again. Bill ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 07:23:12 -0800 From: "James Carroll" Subject: MR2 MK2 Aftermarket CD changer? Another newbie question, I'm sure this is in the archives somewhere... Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket CD changer which will plug directly into the factory (93) Cassette stereo? I haven't had time to really go over the finer points of the stereo, however I like the overall feel of the stock unit and would like to retain it. I'd also like to avoid an FM modulator if possible. James jjcarr@bpainc.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 08:25:12 -0500 From: "Miller, Bill [PRI]" Subject: MR2 re: eclipse audio Yes, Eclipse is the retail embodiment of Fujitsu Ten. My 86 Celica came w/ the factory two-piece Tuner / tape deck and when I had them replace w/ a Pioneer, I noticed that they were made by F.T. F.T. also supplied oem stereos to Mazda, my friend's 88 MX-6 stereo clearly said Fujitsu Ten on the front. Regards, Bill ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 08:33:43 -0500 From: "Burns, James B." Subject: MR2 Re: 188 mph NA >Now I know some people out there are going to say "Chris, you can't do 188 >in a mkii NA!" Please note though that my 1991 NA is by NO MEANS stock. I >have done much modifications to it including Ken Farrell shift boot, sony >discman cd player, and a new antenna mast, and 2 stock size Falken tires on >the back. > 188 mph?! Those must be some awesome Falken tires. Where can I get some of these Falken tires? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 00:58:09 +1000 From: Robin San Subject: MR2 MK1: Lower final drive wanted for C52 Hi guys Im looking for a lower final drive for my 89 MK1 MR2. I believe that the C52(MR2) gearbox, can run a variety of final drive gear sets from the C150 or the C50, but I dont think any of them are lower than the 4.312 that is in the MK1 MR2 box. Anyone know of any source for a lower final drive? Either a shop or another Toyota gearbox? Or if anyone has one for sale, please lemme know. Thanks Robin San ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 09:07:53 -0500 From: Steve Bagdon Subject: MR2 Mk I: bandwidth waste Lost an e-mail address, sorry. Whomever wanted the Mk I clock, it's on the way, sorry for the delay. mr2-digest thanks you for your donation. :) Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 09:07:54 -0500 From: Steve Bagdon Subject: MR2 Mk I/Mk II: DMV registration info? Before I start putting the time into this, I was hoping that someone would have a resource to deal with this issue. With the SC Registry and Mk II Registry begging for names, I figured it would be a good time to drag out my years-old notes on how to get DMV registration. I did this a few times in Florida, so I figured I'd offer my expertise. But as this info is old, I was hoping that someone out there has a web page to spoon-feed me the info to acquire this info from the individual states. So, does anyone know of a web page out there with contact name/numbers/info concerning acquiring DMV registration from each state? I can get this info the hard way, but would prefer a helping hand. Thanks. Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 09:07:55 -0500 From: Steve Bagdon Subject: Re: MR2 Reckless Endangerment Alex Gibson wrote: > > >So, let me get this straight....you were doing 132 for extened/multiple > >periods of time (and you thought is was 140) on public roads, in a street > >vehicle, WITH A KID IN THE CAR???? What kind of crack were you smoking, > >anyway > > Glad to hear I'm not the only one that thought the same thing. I agreed in sorts, but I'm a little bit defensive about listening to people complain about car issues. My wife and mother-in-law are *short* (5' or so), so I have to listen about them ramble on about air bags. They're adults - if they don't want to own a car with air bags, then don't buy one. But every time a new story about air bags come out in the paper, we have to listen to 30-60 minutes of ranting and raving about air bags, the government, automotive manufactureres, etc. C'mon, if there's a passenger-side airbag, just sit in the back. If there's a driver-side airbag, don't drive the car. But don't go into it ad-naseum every time the 'sweeps week' comes around. Children and passenger-side air bags. Put them in the back, or drive a car without a passenger-side airbag. Can't we just learn from the tragedy of some idiot, amend our own ways, and get on with our lives? Do we have to debate it relentlessly? Everyone at work and in my family knows I'm a 'car person' - but if you think you're the first person to make me aware of a news story about cars, you're probably incorrect. Person above claiming to have gone 132. Haven't we already debated top-speed stories to death, and know that the Mk I can't do 132 (except with modified trannies and larger tires)? The guy was probably going 110-115, maybe 120. Ok, so he tempted fate, and we all sure hope he learned from this. But if he *had* to do this, wouldn't you rather the guy be driving an MR2 (superior handling, etc), then a car that really isn't meant to do 115 - say like an F-150, or a Le Sabre? It all comes down to personal responsibility (I meet driver's all day that have none of that). If he says he did something like that, you suggest an alternative action, and hope he listens. I just know I wouldn't have done it. Steve B. ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #77