mr2-digest Saturday, January 10 1998 Volume 02 : Number 089 MR2 Supra fuel pump Re: MR2 net sales and opening COD's Re: MR2 Computer Dyno Program MR2 MKI's styling IS purposeful Re: MR2 MK1 Weird Re: MR2 MKI Starting Problems: Re: MR2 MkI Problem, Help! Re: MR2 MKII Turbo Rain + Corner + Boost = ??? MR2 HKS questionable quality Re: MR2 MKI's styling IS purposeful MR2 RE tire wear MR2 Mk2 '90 Workshop manuals & Toyota outlet in Florida info?? MR2 MKII T & NA strut housings MR2 MKI SC : Something On My Car Re: MR2 VIN# HELP PLEASE!! RE: MR2 meet in PHILLY Re: MR2 MkI Feeling a little droopy!! RE: MR2 Frozen Parking Brake on MK1 Re: MR2 Mk2 '90 Workshop manuals & Toyota outlet in Florida info?? RE: MR2 MKII Turbo Rain + Corner + Boost = ??? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 09:08:38 -0000 From: "Mario" Subject: MR2 Supra fuel pump What would be the part number for the Supra fuel pump used in the MR2 turbo upgrades? Any one knows the spec of such pump ? Mario mariomun@caribe.net 1991 MR2 T, black, TT 1991 Honda CBR 600 F2 1979 Triumph Spitfire (Rotary powered) 1987 Mitsubishi 4x4 pickup(2.6 Lts out,5.0 Lts going in) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 05:22:05 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: Re: MR2 net sales and opening COD's > So, start a store of your own, if you think you can do so much better... funny you should mention this.....just yesterday.....but then again by this same logic i should run the world. yesterday just thinking of opening a store... "HANDSOME 2" id probably call it- terry btw- i suppose competence is just asking to much from folks ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 05:22:05 -0008 From: TerrySaltzman@home.com Subject: Re: MR2 Computer Dyno Program > Well, if you reallly want a reliable way to determine HP more accurate than a > G-Tech or the "Home Dyno" I have a suggestion: > > Strap your car down on a Dynojet dynometer. > > Sure beats spending $80 on voodoo magic. You want to have an accurate > baseline before modifying your car. Plus a dyno will tell you your > speedo error, and A/F mixture. damn mickey! you sure your not using logic here?!? ; ) will be strappin' one on myself soon (Group 5)- terry ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 08:25:44 -0500 From: nu3y@CritPath.Org Subject: MR2 MKI's styling IS purposeful Probably the single-most informative publication about the original MR2 was the "Road & Track"s Guide to the All New Toyota MR2". This was a longer than normal full-sized magazine all about the MKI. In it there is much about the styling. I'm going to quote some highlights... "Styling is crisp and taut and ws conceived and executed entirely in the Toyota studios in Japan without, we are told, any outside consultation. According to executives at Toyota, they have followed the traditional Japanese design philosoph in creating the body shape for the MR2." "A wedge shape is apparent in the body, which is accentuated by the ducktail spoiler at the rear that is optional for the American market version of the MR2. The squared-off rear was deliberate because, according to Mr. Yamauchi, head of the Toyota Design Department, this is where the engine is located and it was felt that there shouldn't be any attempt to conceal that fact." "Also, according to Mr. Yamauchi, the upper body line of the car was a simulation of a Japanese ceremonial sword turned upside down." This special edition magazine is the best reading I have found about the first MR2's, and the only other copy I have seen is the one owned by Aly Abulkheir, another confirmed MKI freak. I'm sure you cannot convince Aly or me to part with this issue, but if you let us know previous to joining either one of us at an MR2 Meet, we will be sure to bring it. - ----- Joe Pearlstein '91 Crimson Red MKII, Past owner of '86 Super Red MKI Philadelphia, PA mailto:nu3y@critpath.org ICQ# 3480202 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 08:17:43 -0600 From: "Andrew P. Tasi" Subject: Re: MR2 MK1 Weird - -----Original Message----- From: TheArk To: MR2 Date: Saturday, January 10, 1998 1:38 AM Subject: MR2 MK1 Weird >Tonight I finally changed the O-ring on my distributor shaft to see how >much of the oil leak it would clear up...I removed the distributor...[snip!]....When >I took it out for a ride, it was unbelievable, the car seemed to have quite >a bit more punch!!!! QUITE A BIT...[Snip!] Could it be that the timing in your '2 was off? Removing and replacing the distributor, then correcting the timing could have had a noticable effect on power. >"Cant you trip like I do?" >TheArk@teleweb.net >Noah Boehm Just a thought, Andrew P. Tasi Black '88 MR2 T-top ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 09:24:53 -0500 (EST) From: Larry Crozier Subject: Re: MR2 MKI Starting Problems: > >Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 16:18:29 -0800 (PST) >From: Steven Ka Ming Lau >Subject: MR2 MkI Problem, Help! > >Hi everyone, > >Today I ran into a start up problem with my 87NA. I wonder if any of the >MKI owners has ran into the same problem or not. > >My car has 121K miles on the clock. Today I tried to start the engine but >it failed to start. There wasn't any cranking sound from the engine at >all. The dashboard lights were sort of blinking or shall I say fading and >there was the long beep sound each time when I attempted to start the >engine. I repeatedly try to start the engine but the same response occur >during each attempt. Then I succesfully started the engine after 10 to 15 >tries. > >I then drove for about 10 minutes to a local gas station to get some gas, >but the exact same thing had occured when I tried to restart the engine >after fueling. This time it took almost 20 attempts to start the car. I >had someone from the station perform a quick check on the car. He said >there is no problem with the battery, but it might has something to do >with the starter or the ignition switch. Any suggestions??? > >Sincerely yours, > >Steven Lau Steve, Sounds like a problem with your starter maybe. Sometimes starters develop a "flat" spot on the armature and short out at that spot. This will produce a ground on your battery system when the starter is on that spot. That's why when you continue to try and start, it will move off that spot and catch. You should be able to have the starter tested to see if this is the problem. Could also be a short in the battery that wasn't detected without a load test. Have the system tested. Larry Crozier 88 MKI ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 09:26:49 -0500 From: Jason Hirst Subject: Re: MR2 MkI Problem, Help! Today I ran into a start up problem with my 87NA. I wonder if any of the MKI owners has ran into the same problem or not. My car has 121K miles on the clock. Today I tried to start the engine but it failed to start. There wasn't any cranking sound from the engine at all. The dashboard lights were sort of blinking or shall I say fading and there was the long beep sound each time when I attempted to start the engine. I repeatedly try to start the engine but the same response occur during each attempt. Then I succesfully started the engine after 10 to 15 tries. ..................... You may want to check out the ignitor. If your spark is consistant than look to a dying fuel pump. Check your diagnostic codes as well. JH '85 MK1 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 09:59:14 EST From: FZZR Subject: Re: MR2 MKII Turbo Rain + Corner + Boost = ??? In a message dated 1/10/98 2:43:53 AM Central Standard Time, JoeRago@worldnet.att.net writes: > I have spent a LOT of time sliding sideways, doing doughnuts, > and driving at 11/10's but I could NOT see this coming and > I could NOT recover it when it started to spin. > Please be careful in the wet if you drive a mkii--especially > a turbo because this car WILL BITE YOU if you get over > confident. > > I hope my story keeps someone from smacking their car into > a stationary -- read:HARD-- object. > You know the other day I was thinking how my MK1 SC is a great wet weather car. I can drive it way harder than other cars I have owned in the rain. Fun. I guess the extra weight and power of the turbo bit you though. ******************************************* Chuck FZZR@AOL.COM 88 MR2 SC (150,000 miles) 89 Yamaha FZR 1000 (40,000 miles) ******************************************** ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 10:07:41 EST From: FZZR Subject: MR2 HKS questionable quality Well I have a HKS exhaust on my MR2 SC. I started to hear some noise from the back so I checked it out. The exhaust hangers that hold on to the muffler had just snapped off. I was shocked. On a muffler that cost $450 I would hope it would last longer than that. My stock muffler has 147,000 miles on it and it is still good. My little over a year old HKS muffler is falling apart. I know HKS makes good stuff but I am not so sure about this exhaust. Looks like I might be going back to the stock one. ******************************************* Chuck FZZR@AOL.COM 88 MR2 SC (150,000 miles) 89 Yamaha FZR 1000 (40,000 miles) ******************************************** ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 09:19:57 -0600 From: "Andrew P. Tasi" Subject: Re: MR2 MKI's styling IS purposeful - -----Original Message----- >[Snip!] "Also, according to Mr. Yamauchi, the upper body line of the car was a >simulation of a Japanese ceremonial sword turned upside down." Hmm. Japanese ceremonial sword--MR2. Porsche 911 turbo--female form. Hmm. No offense intended, especially to the ladies on the digest. I just know which I'd rather use as design inspiration. >Joe Pearlstein >'91 Crimson Red MKII, Past owner of '86 Super Red MKI >Philadelphia, PA >mailto:nu3y@critpath.org >ICQ# 3480202 And as long as I'm giving my $0.02 on design, here's a few other thoughts on the Mk-I: - -The design is clean and simple with a nice use of angles/edges - -I like the repitition of the bevel/inset on the hood to the rear decklid - -The rear-end styling is uninspiring, bordering on ugly. I think this is something I'll play with in my engineering drawing class. - -The rounded wheel arches lips are alright, but don't quite fit the car in back. I've wondered how the car would look with a slight boxed flare to the fenders and a flat wheel arch, ala the Starion/Conquest and Acura Legend. - -I wish the greenhouse were a little shorter, more in keeping with the proportions suggested by the front end - -The car looks better and more aggressive when lowered This is just my opinion and worth only what you paid for it. BTW, Joe, I do appreciate you pointing out the article and it's statements on the Mk-I's design. It sounds like a good read. Aspiring industrial designer, Andrew P. Tasi Black '88 MR2 T-top ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 11:41:26 -0500 From: Tony Kern Subject: MR2 RE tire wear Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 18:26:46 -0800 From: Greg Dimas Subject: MR2 Re: mr2-digest V2 #86 my Dunlop D60 A2's (rated best by Consumer Reports) are bald in the middle as if overinflated, but I've never overinflated them and I don't peel out. Greg; I assume you are talking about the rear tires ? My experience has been that in normal street driving this is 'normal' wear pattern. My tire supplier and mechanic agree that this is typical of any mid-engine car especially since you can't perform front to rear rotation on the mr2. BTW, you can offset this 'normal' wear pattern by visiting your local race track and doing driver school. Five sessions last year at Bill Scott Racing (Summit Point, West by-God! Va.) and the A509's in the rear were worn smooth across the entire tread face :-). I have less than 20,000 miles on them!!!!! I will make the tire shop replace them, >> doubtful if you didn't purchase a tread wear warrany <<. but I'd like to get a different brand. Thanks!! Tony '93NA Super Red, steel roof. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 17:01:43 -0000 From: Andrew Gell Subject: MR2 Mk2 '90 Workshop manuals & Toyota outlet in Florida info?? Due to the cost savings I would like to buy workshop manual (Parts 1&2) from America and bring them back to the UK for general reference purposes. I know there will be some differences but most will be very applicable.. Firstly will anyone say "Don't do this there's loadsa differences between US and UK repair manuals!" or "Should be very handy to have" and.. A friend is going to Florida for his Holiday in a couple of weeks.. So can anyone give me some information on a Toyota Garage in that Area who sell parts.. I've learned from a very helpful regular that the part #s are RM179U1 and RM179U2 which should be right for my 1990 3SGE T-Bar. I plan call them and see about ordering them in for him to collect or have them posted if it takes longer to get them in.. Cheers! Andy - -- andyg@powernet.co.uk ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 08:58:32 -0800 From: Matt Gawlowski Subject: MR2 MKII T & NA strut housings Are the strut housings from a MKII Turbo (SW21) and MKII NA (SW20) interchangeable? ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 09:54:08 -0800 From: "Kowalski" Subject: MR2 MKI SC : Something On My Car Folks, When I bought my car I was really impressed with the paint job but it felt a little rough to the touch. After I washed and waxed it the rough feel was still there. I thought it might be tree sap so I bought some polishing gel that was formulated to remove tar, & tree sap. The bottle said it would not harm paint or clear coat finishes. Well no luck!!! I tried this stuff and the finish is still rough! If you scrape (in a hidden spot) with a razor blade this junk comes off but no product I've found will remove it without doing harm to the paint!! I'd love it if anyone had any ideas. ____________________________ Joe Kowalski, CA 88 Orange Pearl SC ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 13:02:09 EST From: MR2Turbo91 Subject: Re: MR2 VIN# HELP PLEASE!! In a message dated 98-01-09 09:23:05 EST, you write: << IF I understand the instructions on MR2.com about VIN#'s then: The letter 'N' in the following vin should be designating a turbo correct?? BUT this car iss advertised as a 2.2l. YES I know there have been mistakes in used car adds, BUT I want to be able to tell if this VIN stuff is correct. IS the 'N' for Turbo and the 'M' for NA??? JT2SW21N4P0018663 THANKS JEFF F >> I don't know about the M or N Jeff, but the SW21 indicates a NA. the SW20 is Turbo, and the SW21 is NA. I have seen turbos as other things too I believe, like SW22..... Austin T ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 13:03:16 -0500 From: "Scott R. Myers" Subject: RE: MR2 meet in PHILLY Oh man, I flying out to Seattle, WA @ 5PM. One day I'll make one of these. Have fun guys! - -----Original Message----- From: owner-mr2@slapshot.hockey.net [mailto:owner-mr2@slapshot.hockey.net]On Behalf Of Ardell L. Simon Sent: Friday, January 09, 1998 12:40 AM To: mr2-interest@mr2.com Subject: MR2 meet in PHILLY There will be between 2-5 MR2's meeting at the BOSCOV'S end of the Franklin Mills Mall THIS Sunday Jan 12th(?). If anyone is interested in showing up you are welcome too!!! Jeff F ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 13:12:48 EST From: SYagla Subject: Re: MR2 MkI Feeling a little droopy!! I had the same problem with my drivers side door on my 88SC. While having some body work done last spring (front air dams - imagine that), I had the body shop replace the hinges. They were $31.26/piece (upper and lower). Steve ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 13:14:25 -0500 From: "Scott R. Myers" Subject: RE: MR2 Frozen Parking Brake on MK1 I don't have an answer just the same problem. This is my first winter with my Mister2 and it started to do the same. I received some advice that it's just one of those things small cars do but I'm not buying it since I've never seen a regular post on this list during the winter with people stating they have the problem. I took it to my dealer to check it out. They say the cable is rubbing up against the cable housing quite a bit. They want $225 to replace the entire emergency brake assembly. I consider them reputable so I don't doubt what they believe is the problem but what is the experience of those out on the list with this. I'd much rather put that $225 into a new sub-woofer :-). - -----Original Message----- From: owner-mr2@slapshot.hockey.net [mailto:owner-mr2@slapshot.hockey.net]On Behalf Of Scott Holz Sent: Friday, January 09, 1998 1:14 PM To: 'mr2-digest@validgh.com' Subject: MR2 Frozen Parking Brake on MK1 Because of the low temp last night (25F), my parking brake on my '87 MR2 was stuck on this morning. I went ahead and drove it until it finally released after about 5 miles. Other than rear brake wear, I hope driving while the parking brake engaged didn't tweak something. I've never heard of a fix for the MK1s sticky parking brake. My carport is on a slight decline. My concern is leaving the parking brake off and putting the weight of my car on the tranny. Does anyone know if leaving my car in 1st with the parking brake off will damage the tranny? Also I'm thinking the car might pop out of gear and roll. So if leaving the brake off is the only solution, I'll have to block the wheels when I park at home (oh joy). Scott ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 13:40:26 -0400 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: MR2 Mk2 '90 Workshop manuals & Toyota outlet in Florida info?? >A friend is going to Florida for his Holiday in a couple of weeks.. So can >anyone give me some information on a Toyota Garage in that Area who sell >parts.. I've learned from a very helpful regular that the part #s are >RM179U1 and RM179U2 which should be right for my 1990 3SGE T-Bar. I plan >call them and see about ordering them in for him to collect or have them >posted if it takes longer to get them in.. I'd grab a Miami, Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach phone book, and just call every dealership you can find until someone has one. There must be 30 dealership in the tri-county area, so one of them must have the manuals. If worse gets to worse, call Toyota Publications (800-622-2033), and have them 2-day UPS the manual sets to your hotel. Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 12:43:48 -0700 From: "McQuillin, Gordon" Subject: RE: MR2 MKII Turbo Rain + Corner + Boost = ??? I understand that this can and does happen (hell, it got me 2 weeks after I got my MKII, and cost me $150) but What I want to know is what I can do to learn this and how to properly react. Unfortunely, I don't have anywhere good to do it around here. I should to go up to Firebird raceway and signup for the BonDurant school there, but damn that costs a bit. Oh well. Any suggestions on what moves to try if I can find a nice "safe" open area with little to no obstacles to hit? increasing the speed in a constant circle, hard trans-lateral moves, what? Thanks Gordon > -----Original Message----- > From: bagdon@rust.net [SMTP:bagdon@rust.net] > Sent: Saturday, January 10, 1998 4:33 AM > To: Joseph Rago; mr2-digest@mr2.com > Subject: Re: MR2 MKII Turbo Rain + Corner + Boost = ??? > > >I hope my story keeps someone from smacking their car into > >a stationary -- read:HARD-- object. > > Probably not. Someone must post a testimonial about this type of > experience > ('I didn't believe it until it happened to me, so don't you all do > it') > about once ever 2 months or so. > > It snowed here in Detroit during the Ford 'Christmas break', but I had > to > go in a few days into work. The parking lot for World Headquarters is > rether large (not shopping mall large, but large enough), and there > was > about 2" of fresh and un-driven-over snow. I decided to try a few > donuts > (who can resist a parking lot, no cars, and fresh snow!) and was > reminded > of why I hate driving the MR2 in fresh snow. Even with Road Huggers > (presumed better all-season tires then A-509s or AVSi's) it was > 'entertaining'. The most interesting part was that things would happen > *after* I would expect them to. I'd drive in a constant diameter > circle > while increasing speed, then at a certain speed I'd start letting up > off > the gas (and no, it was instant, so no off-throttle comments). When I > reached constant speed (vs. acceleration or decelleration), the back > end > would come out, and there was absolutely nothing I could do with it > (until > the car lost all momentum, in all directions). I believe this is what > suprised people the most with the MR2, about terminal oversteer - when > it > hits, it hits *after* you would expect it to, really confusing the > crap out > of the driver. > > Steve B. > ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #89