Jack - My Black SP240 Turbo MR2

HereComesTheWife · March 25, 2016, 20:07

Hi,

As the first part of my MR2 history is the same as Patrick's (shnazzle), I'm going to shamelessly copy-paste the first paragraph from him:

Thanks for visiting my RR thread.

My love affair with the Toyota MR2 Roadster started in 2012 when we impulse-purchased a 52 plate black pre-facelift MR2.
It was in a hell of a state, but after a good service, some new tyres and some love and care I absolutely loved it to death. I resurrected it from near-scrap and it felt great.
It fueled a love for the MR2 and soon after, "Snuggles" was traded in for a facelift Sable MR2 with the intention of keeping it for good.

The Sable was registered to Patrick, so this kind of became "his" car, even though it's ours and we went to all MR2ROC events together.
I had little say in what was done to it.

Too many "who's going to drive" arguments ensued so...started looking for my own.
After being enticed by a few MR2s on AutoTrader, Matt (mattperformance) came with a once-in-a-lifetime offer to buy a mint condition SP240 turbo converted MR2 from him.
I went for it! Seemed silly not to.

Without further ado!...

Introduction
Jack the Ripper (to be explained later), my 2005, black, full carbon-wrapped, SP240 turbo MR2 with only just under 21,000 miles when purchased. Obviously full service history, most of which done by Matt himself.
The interior is a bit marmite, but I love it! I even said before buying this that I'd want an MR2 with a white/red interior. It was meant to be.

Spec
Performance/Longevity

Silverstone Performance (SP) SP240 turbo kit (est. power = 235hp)
SP12 17" alloys
SP dual exit exhaust with 200 cell sports cat.
Dastek Unichip ECU
Dastek Injector Overdrive module
Dastek MAP sensor
Boost Control solenoid
Uprated clutch assembly

Handling

TTE lowering springs
TRD quickshifter
Toyota Team Europe (TTE) middle chassis brace

Exterior

Zunsport stainless steel grill kit (front and rear)
Full carbon (black and silver) wrap
Ducktail spoiler
TRD "Roll"/Style bar
C-One side intake scoops

Interior

Pioneer double-DIN headunit
Full interior re-trim with red and white leather (consoles, door cards, etc)
Removable dashcam
Screaming chicken Midship Runabout steering wheel badge

History
It was a 4hr drive down to Matt's to pick up the car, but we organised a trip down quickly! Drove down in the Sable and picked up "Jack".
Matt had cleaned it up nicely and it was sitting in his courtyard ready to be admired by us. Test drove it, paid the man, had a chat and 4hrs back home.
Half way down, the dreaded EML came on... bets were placed on o2 sensor.

Correct we were.

o2 sensor replaced a couple days later, car ran nicely again.

Also noticed that the boost solenoid was disconnected when we got home! The whole time it was only running at about 30% power.
Plugged that in and all and blasted myself into the next dimension on the first test drive with the solenoid plugged in.

Then, inevitably, Patrick had a go. Came back home with the wonderful news that not all was well.... it was hitting "boost cut". So there was an issue.
Phone calls with Matt etc etc, couldn't find the solution. Nooooooo....

The next day, I decided to take Jack offroading. It wasn't entirely intentional I must say. I decided the MR2 wasn't suitable for offroading when it couldn't get through a bush. So backed it out and admired the newly scratched carbon vinyl.
Not so pristine anymore! I'll get it sorted...

After a few more days, a new code! P0420...lovely!
I've been introduced to OBD2 and code readers. There probably aren't many women out there with Torque app on their phones to read error codes on their car.

Patrick logged the fueling and o2 sensors and established that the cat was gone. ARGH!!!

So, replaced the cat and it was like a new car! Drove so sweet. And...boost cut gone!
Called Matt, everybody rejoiced.

Loving the car. It's so fast (and a bit scary) and requires a very light right foot. NO use of the accelerator in the corners lest thee be in a hedge (again).
But having said that, it's perfectly controllable. If you treat it with respect, it's tame and linear. Put your foot down and the kn0b end in Jack comes out.

HereComesTheWife · April 24, 2016, 20:42

so today we decided to start removing the vinyl from the car, I know this seems like an odd thing to do, however, it looked an utter mess since I 'off-roaded' it, the bumper was covered in scratches as was the bonnet. The plan is to have a full respray at some point in the near future, so the vinyl has to come off. We trooped off to B&Q this morning to get a heat gun and set to work this afternoon, its not the easiest job in the world, and i would say that patience is key. As you can see from the pictures we managed to get a decent way through it in 2 hours.

cabbydave · April 24, 2016, 20:56

Looks nice I think I have a set of seats that used to be in that car sides are the greyish colour and the centres are red

HereComesTheWife · April 24, 2016, 20:59

Quote from: "cabbydave"Looks nice I think I have a set of seats that used to be in that car sides are the greyish colour and the centres are red

Oh really? The seats that are in there now are a bit crap tbh

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s12vea · April 24, 2016, 21:17

I think it will look better once removed, I imagine there is plenty of hours left removing the wrap.
Keep the pictures coming

cabbydave · April 24, 2016, 21:25

I will send Patrick a photo

HereComesTheWife · April 24, 2016, 21:41

Quote from: "s12vea"I think it will look better once removed, I imagine there is plenty of hours left removing the wrap.
Keep the pictures coming

I think it will aswell, and the paint work is in canny nick underneath (for its age). I think theres probably about another 8 man/woman hours to go on it

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shnazzle · April 24, 2016, 21:43

Quote from: "cabbydave"I will send Patrick a photo

Can't believe you actually have the original seat covers custom made for this car!!
But as Helen says, it would definitely make the red/white scheme too much to handle. PRob going to put the CElica seats in

HereComesTheWife · April 30, 2016, 17:18

Progress is being made

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1979scotte · April 30, 2016, 18:04

Hi Helen
Who is the ugly bugger attacking your car with a heat gun?
Looks foreign to me.

A more subtle exterior for sure.

HereComesTheWife · April 30, 2016, 18:06

Yep, that's the weird foreign bloke that follows me about, thought I'd have him doing some jobs today.
It's definitely looking more subtle, I think I prefer it with the wrap off

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s12vea · April 30, 2016, 19:18

It's looks much better, the foreign guy has done you proud

shnazzle · April 30, 2016, 19:21

Cheeky sods.
It does look much better. And, the interior looks miles better now. I think the interior was very in-your-face because the car was so matte. Now that the car's shiny (from a distance) the interior totally comes into its own

HereComesTheWife · April 30, 2016, 19:21

Quote from: "s12vea"It's looks much better, the foreign guy has done you proud

What do you think of the silver vents on the sides? I'm not sure about them, but they aren't painted underneath the wrap, so I'd have to get them resprayed

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s12vea · April 30, 2016, 19:28

I'm not a fan of those vents I would have the standard ones, maybe body colour would work better if your keeping them.

Topdownman · April 30, 2016, 20:10

Its coming along nicely, I prefer it "without" and would also have those vents sprayed body colour.

Looking forward to seeing that interior in the flesh at Ding day!

HereComesTheWife · April 30, 2016, 20:29

The interior looks a lot better without the wrap, which sounds strange, but I think it was too lairy with the wrap and the 'in your face interior'. Think I will take the wrap off the vents and have them sprayed black. My plan is to have the entire car resprayed, but that will happen in time

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s12vea · April 30, 2016, 20:31

Is the paint damaged from removing the wrap?

HereComesTheWife · April 30, 2016, 20:34

Quote from: "s12vea"Is the paint damaged from removing the wrap?

A little bit, but just around the headlights, and its very slight. Patrick says it will fix easy with a touch up pen. The rest is grand, there's a few scratches that were there before the wrap was put on. Wrap is a bit of a swine to get off, we've both got sore hands

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1979scotte · April 30, 2016, 22:24

He doesnt have much choice but to follow you does he.
I mean he has no chance to overtake in his non TURBO 2. s;)

s;)

If keeping the c2 style vent you need some kind of body kit or spats and skirts at a minimum.
Body colour would be the way to go eventually but they look ok for now.

HereComesTheWife · May 1, 2016, 17:37

I'm not a massive fan of body kits tbh, but I agree that it does need something. Patrick gave the bonnet a polish today and its starting to look pretty nice

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1979scotte · May 1, 2016, 21:06

Quote from: "HereComesTheWife"I'm not a massive fan of body kits tbh, but I agree that it does need something. Patrick gave the bonnet a polish today and its starting to look pretty nice

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Something or they have to come off for me.

cabbydave · May 1, 2016, 22:41

How deep are the scratches on the paint? Will they buff out

HereComesTheWife · May 2, 2016, 10:32

Most of them are OK, but the one on the door is pretty deep. We will have to see what we can do with it

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Anonymous · May 2, 2016, 12:24

I like the side vents a lot. Mold them and sell me the molds ahaha