mr2-digest Thursday, January 8 1998 Volume 02 : Number 079 Re: MR2 TRD Brake Lines and MKII NA Headers Re: MR2 Your Story Re: MR2 MKII Shifter ???'s MR2 Hello....MK1, NA MR2 MkII Custom Side Vents? MR2 MkI T-Bar Roof Garnish Piece Removal, "Technique" MR2 - MKI Spark Plug Wires Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting MR2 used car prices in US/Aus -Reply MR2 re: fuel tank location MR2 Hand made by Yamaha Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting Re: MR2 - MKI Spark Plug Wires MR2 MR PRICES Re: MR2 - MKI Spark Plug Wires ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 12:36:38 -0600 From: "C. King" Subject: Re: MR2 TRD Brake Lines and MKII NA Headers >Another new change is that if you want to buy TRD parts or merchandise, >you have to order them through your local Toyota dealer, not from TRD. Does this mean we will see competetive pricing then between dealers? Say Lou Fusz and Cabe will be offereing discounts like on regular toyota parts? Chris K. 91 NA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 11:02:14 -0800 (PST) From: "R. Norton" Subject: Re: MR2 Your Story He bought those special black gauge faces. They only made them for the MKII T, so it's actually the battery charge gauge with a turbo boost cover. Duh. -Brian '91 NA Hardtop On Thu, 8 Jan 1998, T. Guy wrote: > Hey Chris - > > Your story certainly seems plausible to me, however, I have to call you on > one of your "facts". The photo you submit as evidence of your top speed in > your "NA" shows a turbo dash! Right there in the middle is the boost gauge. > What gives? > > - -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- R. Brian Norton University of Washington Department of Civil Engineering http://weber.u.washington.edu/~rbn ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 11:11:30 -0800 From: John Lange Subject: Re: MR2 MKII Shifter ???'s Mike Chou wrote: > > MR2Turbo91 wrote: > > > Wow they're the same huh. Yeah in my '93 I ended up cutting that washer (that > holds the shift boot) and cutting about 1/2" off so I could mount my > momo-superanatomic lower. Of course I'm not using the screw-on cover thingy that > covers the screw holes on the bottom of the knob so I can mount it lower too.. > Gotta find a nice way to mount the boot to it.. Just waiting for my KF shift boot. > :) > > Mike C I was able to grind/file the bottom half off of plastic washer at the top of the OEM boot to allow enough clearence. I cut just the threaded part of the shifter off with a hack saw and then mounted the Momo-super with it's nice little screw on cover. Very nice finish up. Those folks I'ver read about with set screw problems are probably not using the right rubber insert for the knob. If it's not installed properly the knob will move slightly at the top and cause the set screws to loosen. "MR2's, connected to the road" John Lange jlange@lsil.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 14:53:27 EST From: Spider1979 Subject: MR2 Hello....MK1, NA Well, i just wanted to say hello to everyone, i have been looking for a way to get in touch with other MR2 nutz for a while, ever since i drove my car for the first time. (dont remind me, it was the first time i ever drove a "stick", i was on the freeway, i thought i was downshifting in to 4th, it turned out to be 2nd!!.. needless to say, i started to slow down really faast from that point on.. thank god my mom was the car behind me) But i have been searching for more MR2 people out there.. and im glad that i found you, i have a lot of plans for my car, and i would love to have the input from some other people, perhaps you have made some mistakes that i might not have to make. The other reason that i wanted to find someother MR2 owners in (northern Ca.) is because i have found a car that i am going to use as a parts car(i had a lil problem with another car, it hit mine, wasnt insured, the driver wasnt even... long story) It is a (don't quote me) 86,Mk1,alloy weels, cloth.. its in pretty bad shape, but i just need body stuff, and a pair of tie rods... so there will still be a lot of car left, just not enough to drive..I believe it is a "stick''(not sure) i think i might already have some one that is interested in the seats, but im not sure.. if there is anyone that is interested, please email me. The other thing that i was sort of thinking about was keeping the engine, and eventually putting it in mine. after making a few 'slight modifications' but im not totally sure what options i would have. Is there anyone that would be able to tell me what options are out there,briefly. Umm ... if this sort of thing isnt allowed on the list, forgive me, it wont happen again. David, the pixie boy. 1987 MK1 mister2NA... with a smilie bumper sticker.(i also have all the other options too, well, except for rolling, at the moment it doesnt do that.) PS thanx in advance... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 12:13:14 -0800 From: Mike Chou Subject: MR2 MkII Custom Side Vents? - --------------DC8E9F846158741B80AAC536 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hey everyone, I'm thinking about getting some custom side vent work done. I was looking at the side vents and it doesn't really seem like a lot of air would really go in there. I think I remember someone saying that on th elist before too. Well basically I would want to get some plastic covering the vent.. Maybe stick out an inch in the fron and taper in a little. I'm thinking that the air that is trapped there would then have no where to go but in the side vent. The way it is now, it seems like a lot of air could just hit the edge and bounce out..(of course I don't have a wind tunnel and this is 100% speculation) Well if any of you wanna check it out and gimme opinions I have a little drawn-over picture at... Speed Research (www.angelfire.com/ca/speedresearch) It loads quick cuz there's nothing else there soo.. Thanks in advance! Mike C - --------------DC8E9F846158741B80AAC536 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hey everyone, I'm thinking about getting some custom side vent work
done. I was looking at the side vents and it doesn't really seem like a
lot of air would really go in there. I think I remember someone saying
that on th elist before too. Well basically I would want to get some
plastic covering the vent.. Maybe stick out an inch in the fron and
taper in a little. I'm thinking that the air that is trapped there would
then have no where to go but in the side vent. The way it is now, it
seems like a lot of air could just hit the edge and bounce out..(of
course I don't have a wind tunnel and this is 100% speculation)
Well if any of you wanna check it out and gimme opinions I have
a little drawn-over picture at...

  Speed Research
(www.angelfire.com/ca/speedresearch)

It loads quick cuz there's nothing else there soo.. Thanks in advance!

Mike C
  - --------------DC8E9F846158741B80AAC536-- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 98 12:29:20 -0000 From: Subject: MR2 MkI T-Bar Roof Garnish Piece Removal, "Technique" Dear Digest, Two T-Bar side garnish trim pieces are in transit from Toyota, so I'm going to be replacing them in a week or so. The substrate immediately around the two rectangular openings of these two T-Top side "garnish" trim pieces that support the toungs affixed to the sunshade inserts are warped, causing the insert to fall out for no good reason. Looking at BO43 and BO46 ('88 SC), I've got questions on "technique" (as opposed to procedure) for anyone who's previously covered this ground. DISASSEMBLY OF REMOVABLE ROOF- BO46, STEP 1 (refer to BO43 as necessary) When using a towel to remove the clip for the "L" shaped release handle, what was your technique to able to secure the T-Top from movement while having both hands on the towel. Since both hands will be required on that towel, I'll have to move some furniture around so that I can accomplish this while sitting down (...as opposed to standing up, because once the clip is removed and the lock lever flys off, crash: there goes the glass...) on the carpet (...to avoid scratching the glass). I prefer to be in my garage and drink coffee, though. Perhaps I'll borrow a couple of my wife's blankets to set on my work bench. Hope she doesn't get mad. DISASSEMBLY OF REMOVABLE ROOF- BO46 STEP 3b & c What concerns me the most is Toyota's Step 3b and 3c procedure: step b: Taping the end of the screwdriver and prying the trim piece loose. step c: Remove the garnish piece from the roof lock claw as shown (quote/unquote). What was your technique for applying pressure to the trim pieces in order to remove them from the lock claw, as illustrated in 3c? From Toyota's illustration, it looks to be a warping motion with an undetermined amount of applied pressure. Many Thanks, Sammy Joseph, '88 4AGZE PS- Any ideas on technique, please let me know. __________________________________ Alfred Samuel Joseph and / or Barbara June Joseph 1707 Jenner Street Lancaster, CA 93534 (805) - 723 - 6506 asjoseph@as.net asj6961@csun.edu ASJ/alphasierrajulietendcommunique __________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 12:42:51 -0800 From: Jason Dove Subject: MR2 - MKI Spark Plug Wires Hey guyz, I'm just curious as to what kind of plug wires you are running in your MKI's? I've got 182K Kilometers on my originals :) Maybe it's time to change them. - -- Jason Dove, Vancouver BC '87 Toyota MR2 NA K&N Air Filter Crane Cam Ignition Coil TRD Header (Coming This Friday!) HKS Exhaust (Coming This Friday!) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 15:09:08 -0800 From: "David Hawkins" Subject: Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting > what ever happened to....COD? > > supporting my local merchants- > terry I'm back after four days of a server who was having problems figuring things out.....so I'm a little behind on my digests.. You know that COD just means that you can get a rubber check...so what difference does it make if you send COD or cross ship? There's little additional security involved with COD, contrary to popular opinion.... And on a more basic level, what ever happened to being able to have faith in one's fellow man?? David H. otgrouch@twosrus.com 93T FIPK/RMS S.P/RMS MBC 89SC Cupholder 66 Corvair 96 Cannondale R900 Spinergy ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 09:13:51 +1200 From: Peter Radich Subject: MR2 used car prices in US/Aus -Reply Hi Bill, You are sort of right on New Zealand prices. Our dollar is approx .0.56c US (at the moment, has hovered around 0.68 for a while back there) so if you half our prices you get close to US. All tariffs will be zero in 2000, yippie! New prices are high, a new MR2 is listed at NZ$60,000. (Noboby pays list right?) We have a lot of used Japanese cars coming here so the 2nd hand market is low. MK1 MR2's are NZ$5,000-NZ$10,000. MKII's rang from NZ$10,000-NZ$15,000 for 1990-91, 92 models (US 93) range for NZ$14,000-NZ$19,000, 94 models (new tail lights) $20,000+ eg. 94 Turbo (245HP) NZ$24,995 in the newspaper Remember we get Japan spec MR2's, so the brand new one is the 200HP NA VVT model. If you half the above prices you get US $. New car prices are crazy unless there is a lot of competition in a range. They are a lot better here these days compared to the 80's! Yes there are a lot of BMW, MB, Audi, etc., here, but I don't think anyone will every beat US pricing. Peter Red 92NA (3S-GE) >>> william brandt 9/January/1998 06:51am >>> I do remember going to Australia & NZ in 1986 - and the car taxes were tremendous...eg, an MB 190 2.3 which sold new here for ~ $30,000 was $70,000 in Australia - even taking exchange rate into account that is a heck of a difference. However in Germany lately new car prices seem to be comparable (with the exchange rate). However used prices are much more. My mother used to have a little 280SL - you rarely seem tham on our roads anymore and someone said a lot were sold back to Germany. I remember seeing a 1988 BMW 750I (the V12) on a used car lot in Germany - price was over DM 40,000 - here the same car would be maybe $12,000? So that'd be maybe DM18,000. Interesting. How do you guys in Australia & NZ afford new cars? I'd think a new MR2 would be what, $50,000 or more? Bill William L. Brandt wbco@wbco.com Sacramento, CA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 16:26:50 -0500 From: "Miller, Bill [PRI]" Subject: MR2 re: fuel tank location Come on now, they would never put it in the rear spoiler, WAY too much aerodynamic drag. It's behind the stupid cheese grater thing on the pass. side of the car. This slits in the cheese grater are the primary fuel filter for taking out the residual dino bones (it is fossil fuel based now isn't it?). Besides, that gets it even closer to the engine so you don't experience the dreaded hp drop due to long fuel line transfer time (all that residual back pressure and stuff) You know, I really will be happy when the racing season starts again. Let's hear it for Chris for bringing some much needed levity back to the list, hip, hip, hooray! Regards, Bill ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 98 16:24:49 From: mattm Subject: MR2 Hand made by Yamaha Somewhere I've got this saved..... The second gen cars were built at the Central Sagamihara plant. Even lists that name in the fiche. Yamaha did/does the build as a sub-contractor for TMC. I think I've got my old write-up stored at work. Matt Murray mattm@nassau.cv.net mdmurray@gwns.com 4:24:49 PM 1/8/98 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 15:35:51 -0600 From: "Chris King" Subject: Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting > You know that COD just means that you can get a rubber > check...so what difference does it make if you send COD or > cross ship? There's little additional security involved with > COD, contrary to popular opinion.... Actually, you can specify on the cod whether you want CASH ONLY or not. That means they have to pay by money order, certified check, or cash so you are extremely safe. The only drawback is if they decline the package, you then eat the shipping fee plus the $5 or so bucks for the cod fee. Since I do numerous!!! trades on the net, I will give some advice. If I was to send something that cost alot, I would do the following: Have the person send me the check for shipping plus $5 for cod. Once I receive the check and it clears, ship it out COD with cash only selected, this way, even if they decline it, you still break even since they paid the shipping already. If they do pay like they should, then you get your money and it is a certified method meaning there is really no chance of it being bogus. This works out good for both the seller and buyer. Look at it this way. I sell something for $400. Is it reasonable for me to want the money before I ship? Yes, but from the buyer's point of view, they will be quite weary of just sending off $400 to someone they don't know. This method though guarentees that the buyer at most will lose the cost of shipping and cod. THis is much better than losing the $400 total. So if the seller is a crook, I lose maybe $25. Much more manageable than $400 yes/no? On the other hand, all the seller has to lose is the time it takes to ship the thing. You already got a check for shipping so even if cod is declined, you still don't lose anything and still have your item. Problems with this? Well, what if I ship an empty box to you? Then you are screwed but you have the optino to open the package before you pay. Down side to this is, what if I send you say for example a cd player. You open it and it appears as stated but later you find out it is broke. This is about the only flaw with this method. The other downside is that this whole process can take some time to finally get done. Definitely not the method for someone who wants an item quickly. On the up side though, it is the safest method for both parties.... Just food for thought here... I have done this twice now and both times worked out great. I also have done about 50-75 internet deals though, and I have yet to be ripped off so maybe I am just lucky... come to think of it, I must be lucky! How many other mr2 owners can get their car up to 189 ;> Chris K. 91 NA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 14:05:13 -0800 From: Mike Chou Subject: Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting Chris King wrote: > > You know that COD just means that you can get a rubber > > check...so what difference does it make if you send COD or > > cross ship? There's little additional security involved with > > COD, contrary to popular opinion.... > > > > Problems with this? Well, what if I ship an empty box to you? Then you > are screwed but you have the optino to open the package before you pay. > Down side to this is, what if I send you say for example a cd player. You > open it and it appears as stated but later you find out it is broke. This > > > Chris K. > 91 NA Really you can open it before you pay? That's cool.. Mike C ------------------------------ Date: 8 Jan 1998 22:05:45 GMT From: charlesg@cco.caltech.edu (Charles Grosjean) Subject: Re: MR2 IMOC decals and a little venting "David Hawkins" writes: >You know that COD just means that you can get a rubber >check...so what difference does it make if you send COD or >cross ship? A vendor shipped some parts to me COD by accident. After having the package bounce around for a couple of days since UPS couldn't get things straight, the shipping & receiving people convinced the driver to leave the package for me sans payment with no verification of a shipping error... I hate COD personally. Ob MR2 content: the package had ceramic coated turbo parts =) Charles ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 16:41:22 EST From: Ltraviolnc Subject: Re: MR2 - MKI Spark Plug Wires In a message dated 98-01-08 15:54:07 EST, jdove@mail.mdsi.bc.ca writes: > Hey guyz, > I'm just curious as to what kind of plug wires you are running in your > MKI's? I've got 182K Kilometers on my originals :) Maybe it's time to > change them. > > -- Jason Dove, Vancouver BC > NGK "blue"....$40.00 or so. No problems after 7 years and 60k miles. Ron ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 09:11:50 +1100 From: Chris Dimo Subject: MR2 MR PRICES You guys should try buying a brand new MR2 from Australia. We ge hit with stamp duty on all new vehicles and a high sales tax. And we get stung on insurance. A 1997 Bathurst with ABS. and LSD, stung me for $55,000 AUS. I think that works out to around $35,000 US . The way the Aussie dollar is going the will probably become more expensive. Insurance stung me for $2000. You guys do get it good with prices... Poor Man 1997 MKII Bathurst. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 14:19:32 -0800 From: Jason Dove Subject: Re: MR2 - MKI Spark Plug Wires At 04:41 PM 1/8/98 EST, you wrote: >In a message dated 98-01-08 15:54:07 EST, jdove@mail.mdsi.bc.ca writes: >> I'm just curious as to what kind of plug wires you are running in your >> MKI's? I've got 182K Kilometers on my originals :) Maybe it's time to >> change them. >NGK "blue"....$40.00 or so. No problems after 7 years and 60k miles. $40 USD, That's like $500 CAD right? :) j/k Anyone have any other opinions? Jason Dove, Vancouver BC, Canada '87 Toyota MR2 NA K&N Air Filter Crane Cam Ignition Coil TRD Header (Coming Tomorrow!) HKS Exhaust (Coming Tomorrow!) ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #79