Alex's 2ZZ Swapped MR2 Roadster

swiftyds · November 2, 2016, 13:00

Thanks

Alex Knight · November 24, 2016, 13:48

Had a trackday at Snetterton on Monday, thoroughly enjoyed the day, and as ever, the car didn't miss a beat. Absolutely perfect.

It was a fully wet day all day (glad we hired a garage!), but despite the conditions, it was an absolute blast. It was a bit daunting learning a new circuit in the soaking wet conditions, but after 20 laps or so I soon picked up a rhythm.
I set the front dampers to fully stiff, and the rear dampers to fully soft to try and tame some of the rampant oversteer I was experiencing. It worked of a fashion, though opposite lock was still on the menu all day, under braking, turn-in and under power.
It was manageable though, and once I'd learned the wet lines, everything started to gel. I spent an especially memorable last session hunting down a supercharged, carbon-bodied NSX. Just as I was starting to reel it in lap after lap, it was black flagged for noise! I've no doubt it would murder me in the dry, but it was fun nonetheless.

All in all, a great day, and I'd love to experience the circuit in the dry.

Sadly, we'd forgotten the GoPro, so this is all the footage I have:

The Other Stu · November 24, 2016, 14:03

Blimey, that's a journey from yours!
Did you trailer it or drive the MR2?

Alex Knight · November 24, 2016, 14:36

Quote from: "The Other Stu"Blimey, that's a journey from yours!
Did you trailer it or drive the MR2?

Drove it, of course!

The Other Stu · November 24, 2016, 15:34

Quote from: "Alex Knight"
Quote from: "The Other Stu"Blimey, that's a journey from yours!
Did you trailer it or drive the MR2?

Drove it, of course!

That's brave, especially on a very wet track day s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

1979scotte · November 24, 2016, 16:14

Quote from: "The Other Stu"
Quote from: "Alex Knight"
Quote from: "The Other Stu"Blimey, that's a journey from yours!
Did you trailer it or drive the MR2?

Drove it, of course!
That's brave, especially on a very wet track day s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Brave is how us forced induction guys roll s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Joesson · November 24, 2016, 17:53

Quote from: "1979scotte"
Quote from: "The Other Stu"
Quote from: "Alex Knight"Drove it, of course!
That's brave, especially on a very wet track day s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Brave is how us forced induction guys roll s:lol: :lol: s:lol: [/quot]

Scotte I do hope you are using " roll " in the vernacular!

Alex Knight · February 16, 2017, 20:31

So, long time no update!

I really haven't driven the car much due to grimy winter weather, but me and a friend (another 2ZZ black PFL) had a spare few hours on Saturday, so we headed off to my work armed with a big box of cleaning gear. I managed to wash and wax (Autoglym HD Wax) the car, quick hoover inside and treated the roof again twice.

Must say, I'm looking forward to the spring/summer track season - can't wait to tame the beastie again! s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:

shnazzle · February 16, 2017, 20:43

That is one sexy garage

cabbydave · February 16, 2017, 21:02

Work for merc do you?

Alex Knight · February 16, 2017, 21:17

I do. I'm a dealership accountant.

Alex Knight · March 19, 2017, 21:14

Righto, update time:

I bought the car back in 2013, and carried out the 2ZZ swap the same year.
Since the swap, I've been nothing but impressed with the 2ZZ. It's been absolutely, totally, faultlessly reliable, despite doing numerous track days, and generally being driven quite hard. It consumes zero oil <ahem Honda B-Series, Honda K-Series>

With summer, and a forthcoming trackday season approaching, I've decided to do some preventative maintenance, and fit some upgrades whilst I'm at it.

So the car is going down (again) to Andy at Bonsai Garage and we're going to whip the engine out in preparation for the following works (in no particular order, and as I remember them!):

* Longer 6th gear from UK 6-Speed MR2 Roadster Gearbox
* OEM LSD from UK 6-Speed MR2 Gearbox
* Fidanza 3.59KG Flywheel
* OEM spec Exedy clutch
* NGK BKREIX7-11 Iridium Plugs
* Modified OEM 2ZZ Manifold
* MWR Underdrive Water Pump Pulley
* New Auxilliary Drive Belt
* New Timing Chain Kit (Full, including tensioner)
* Powercoat Rocker Cover
* New Water Pump
* New Oil Pump
* New Thermostat
* New Lift Bolts (again!)
* OEM Oil Filter
* Gulf Competition 15w-50 Racing Ester Oil
* OEM Spec Gearbox Oil with LSD additive
* Clean OCV Filters
* Ultrasonically Clean Fuel Injectors
* New Crank Seals
* New Driveshaft Seals
* All New Gaskets - Exhaust & Engine

Think that's about it!

Needless to say, none of the above really needs to take place, I just think it's a prudent thing to do, and realistically the car shouldn't need anything other than routine maintenance for a good while to come s:)

s:)

I'd be interested if anyone can think of anything else I should be changing/upgrading whilst the engine is out (not suspension related).

Thanks all.

jonty · March 19, 2017, 21:33

Sounds good! Not sure there is much else needed, longer 6th is a good idea, maybe throw a rotrex at it whilst you're there though?!

Alex Knight · March 19, 2017, 21:49

Thanks Jonty.

Negatory on the supercharger, it's NA all the way for me.

shnazzle · March 19, 2017, 22:23

That's some serious maintenance. But then again, if it's driven hard then I guess that's the price you pay

Mark A · March 23, 2017, 19:53

How much was the gearbox if you don't mind me asking?

Take long to find?

Alex Knight · March 23, 2017, 20:10

£260. Couldn't find one on here, so went to a beaker on eBay.
He wanted £350 for it, but I beat him down to £260 delivered.

Mark A · March 23, 2017, 20:24

Can't decide if it makes £ sense to buy the gearset from TCB, MWR or buy a second hand UK box. I could just risk it and split my working 6 speed to scavenge the 6th gear, but then can't sell it on.

Interesting to see you paid £260, not a lot less than the gearset.

Alex Knight · March 23, 2017, 21:16

TCB didn't have any 6-speed boxes when I called. They mentioned that they see very few of them. The breakers they tend to get are PFL.

I'm just going to weigh in the rest of the box when I'm done with it. Shame, but there's little else I can do with it.

JoeCool · March 23, 2017, 21:43

Asm vehicle breakers in Thame should have a six speed box. They've got a 2005 breaker in now, and they're decent to deal with. Very reasonable on price for my hard top anyway.

MilesH · March 24, 2017, 18:22

May as well drop some cams in whilst the engine is out! s;)

s;)

PhilMC · March 24, 2017, 18:39

Quote from: "MilesH"May as well drop some cams in whilst the engine is out! s;) s;)

Wish it was a case of just dropping a set in.
Cost £450 for the parts or £750 all fitted by se7en motorsport.
I got lucky and found a 2zz engine with them recently fitted, but a big outlay to upgrade to. That being said, I do really believe that they totally transform the engine opening up torque from low down thus reducing the amount of time you're having to rev the balls off the engine.

JoeCool · March 24, 2017, 20:02

Plus you need an ecu to really unleash them. It's a couple of grand upgrade all in, once mapped etc. That's why I've stayed away.

PhilMC · March 24, 2017, 20:12

True Joe, but it's an investment to release the full 2zz potential, and one with a sell-on value in the future.....so not like it's wasted money the way I look at it.

Alex Knight · March 24, 2017, 20:49

I can't really justify the BHP/£ ratio of hotter cams to be honest.

I don't really care about low/medium speed RPM to be frank. When I drive the car on the road, I drive it pretty gently to be honest, and when I'm on track, I very rarely drop below 6,000RPM. From what I've read, the cams offer little top-end improvement over OEM.

Sure, it'd be nice, but as mentioned, you need to go standalone ECU to fully release the extra power, plus I really like having a nice, stable OEM idle.