Alex's 2ZZ Swapped MR2 Roadster

Alex Knight · March 12, 2019, 23:46

Quote from: KRAMSNEHPETS on March 12, 2019, 23:04
am in no rush but a price would be good, would make a quick decision, where you located. what manifold you need for exhaust?

The exhaust bolts to the stock CAT/downpipe section, not really related to the manifold.

KRAMSNEHPETS · March 14, 2019, 21:51

so how much ?

Alex Knight · April 8, 2019, 12:02

So, update time!

Exhausting progress this weekend. TRD exhaust has arrived from Japan. It's in much better condition than the pictures from the auction indicated. No loose baffles, everything seems solid and well maintained.

Stripped the back end down to reveal the outgoing Top Secret exhaust. Everything came apart no problem at all. All you need is a 10mm socket really! The two back box bolts were greased when the last exhaust was installed, so came undone with no problems.

A side-by-side comparison of the Top Secret exhaust and the TRD exhaust. The Top Secret exhaust is crazy light - unsurprising given how small the actual box is.
The TRD exhaust by comparison is much, much heavier (feels about the same as an OEM exhaust). Not exactly a positive, but I still think this is the right exhaust for me.

And here is the TRD exhaust installed. Again, no problems with fitting at all. I used a new OEM donut gasket (expensive, but well worth it - pattern part gaskets aren't the best seal, and can leak in my previous experience).

Car went back together with no problems.
The sound is much quieter than the Top Secret exhaust, much closer to an OEM box, but with a bit more depth and volume. Kind of an OEM+ sound - exactly what I was looking for.
Overall, very smooth, and I'm very pleased with the results!

Alex Knight · April 9, 2019, 10:51

I've also been hoarding new brake parts for a while now, to refresh the brakes for the upcoming TrackDay season.

To fit this weekend:

* New Blueprint Discs - Front and Rear (I swear by these on track, and only £30 per disc!)
* EBC Yellowstuff Pads - Front and Rear (again - proven on track, and not expensive)
* Motul RBF 600 Fluid - 1.5 Litres (supposed be the danglies - I decided against RBF660 as the change intervals are a bit longer)
* Goodridge braided brake lines - I didn't want to go with HEL as I've heard of fitting/quality issues in some applications
* Gulf Ester based 15W-50 Fully Synthetic Oil - (~50W hot viscosity helps keep temps under control on track)
* OEM Oil Filter - (not expensive - high quality)

Hext007 · April 14, 2019, 15:38

Hey Alex it's Dave the guy who bought your stereo a few years ago and who you followed out to Winford last year, I was in my black MR2, have you decided how much you want for your exhaust? Might suit mine👍

Alex Knight · April 14, 2019, 16:10

Dave, sending you a PM.

Akayfortyseven · April 16, 2019, 11:31

Also interested in exhaust

Alex Knight · May 24, 2019, 15:49

I attended a track evening at Bedford Autodrome (SW Circuit) on a few days ago.

At first, I wasn't that sold on the idea of a track evening, but it was absolutely great! It was, of course, helped by the immensely good weather. Very well organised evening, smooth and efficient.
I didn't feel like I needed any more time on track (used almost all of a full tank), and the circuit itself is well catered to the MR2 I feel.

The car - as always - was immense. Balance was really great in the dry conditions. There was a smidge of low speed understeer on the hairpin before the back straight, but everywhere else (ie: faster corners) the balance was neutral to mild oversteer. Perfect for me. The brakes were really, really impressive. I could lean on them deep and hard into the braking zones. Honestly, at some point the brakes felt stronger than I was brave! The best thing is that the stopping power was repeatable and predictable lap after lap. Very pleased indeed.

The only negative (if you could call it that), was that I suffered some fuel starvation with 10 minutes to go. The gauge was showing between 1/4 and empty. Interesting, as I've never experienced that before in this car.

I did record some video, but the files are quite large and will take a while to upload. Apologies in advance also, as the sound quality is shockingly bad!

Here are some photos in the meantime:

Alex Knight · May 24, 2019, 21:31

Here is the first video from Tuesday. As you can probably tell, I got a bit frustrated getting stuck behind a Nissan GT-R for what felt like ages (except on the straight, where it almost literally disappeared $:-\$ ).

JoeCool · May 25, 2019, 09:44

Love it!

Quote
The only negative (if you could call it that), was that I suffered some fuel starvation with 10 minutes to go. The gauge was showing between 1/4 and empty. Interesting, as I've never experienced that before in this car.

I was there a couple of weeks ago. It's the track that killed my last engine, so I've laways had the old 'oil starvation' issue at the back of my mind. Managed to get over that and just drive and enjoy this time round. Sadly, I wans't really paying attention to my dashcam so didn't get any footage.

Really like a couple of those images with the blurring and sweep. A cut above standard trackday photography that.

Alex Knight · May 28, 2019, 14:24

Second video from the Bedford track evening.

Had a pretty wild slide coming out of the first corner at 6m:20s...

Alex Knight · May 28, 2019, 14:35

Here's the last video from Bedford track evening.

Probably my most enjoyable session. I was beginning to learn the track properly, and was carrying much more apex speed, especially through the quicker corners.
Caught and passed a few tasty machines too (Porsche Cayman GT4, Jaguar F Type etc).

Had a butt-puckering moment at 11m:25s, but managed to gather it all up, and kept pointing the right way!

Alex Knight · September 1, 2019, 21:01

Another trackday for me, and an entirely new circuit.

Visited Donnington Park for the first time for a track evening run by OpenTrack. Was very slickly organised, and a very enjoyable event.

Car was excellent, as always. Took it in it's stride with no issues. The gearing was particularly well suited to this track, almost always on the boil over 6,000RPM.

I only got one video, but here it is:

Alex Knight · September 2, 2019, 14:19

Some photos from the day:

litr0m · September 2, 2019, 18:40

What a nice car und beautiful build @Alex Knight
Did you sit lower in the Evo 5 Recaros and gain a little more headspace thrue it?

Regards Thomas

Alex Knight · September 3, 2019, 16:03

Quote from: litr0m on September 2, 2019, 18:40What a nice car und beautiful build @Alex Knight
Did you sit lower in the Evo 5 Recaros and gain a little more headspace thrue it?

Regards Thomas

Danke schön!

Yes, both sets of Recaros (Evo V and Integra DC2) are a fair bit lower than the standard seats.
I am using genuine Recaro seat rails, which I'm sure helps.

I am 5'11", and I can wear a helmet with the roof up with no issues.

pistol pete · September 5, 2019, 18:55

looks awesome on track mate. can't wait to get mine on.. i loved the yellow banana, so this will be another level..

what wheels you using?widths/tyre widths?

Alex Knight · September 6, 2019, 13:12

Quote from: pistol pete on September 5, 2019, 18:55what wheels you using?widths/tyre widths?

I'm using Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2, 15x7J, ET35.

195/50/R15 front
205/50/R15 rear

Yokohama AD08R all round.

pistol pete · September 6, 2019, 13:15

Quote from: Alex Knight on September 6, 2019, 13:12
Quote from: pistol pete on September 5, 2019, 18:55what wheels you using?widths/tyre widths?

I'm using Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2, 15x7J, ET35.

195/50/R15 front
205/50/R15 rear

Yokohama AD08R all round.

ahh interesting.. thats the sizes ive been looking at.. any lack of grip?

1979scotte · September 6, 2019, 16:28

Quote from: pistol pete on September 6, 2019, 13:15
Quote from: Alex Knight on September 6, 2019, 13:12
Quote from: pistol pete on September 5, 2019, 18:55what wheels you using?widths/tyre widths?

I'm using Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2, 15x7J, ET35.

195/50/R15 front
205/50/R15 rear

Yokohama AD08R all round.

ahh interesting.. thats the sizes ive been looking at.. any lack of grip?

I doubt it I run smaller PFL wheels with AD08R on double stock torque. Over 250ftlb at the wheels and have no issues in the dry.

litr0m · September 7, 2019, 11:51

@Alex Knight how did you manage to mount the seats with the Recaro seatrails?

Do you have some pictures of this setup how it looks mounted

Alex Knight · September 8, 2019, 18:47

Quote from: litr0m on September 7, 2019, 11:51@Alex Knight how did you manage to mount the seats with the Recaro seatrails?

Do you have some pictures of this setup how it looks mounted

I don't have any pictures, but I imported some genuine recaro rails from Japan. They were listed on Yahoo Japan auctions. Quite rare I believe, though you may find that Bride RO seat rails also fit most recaro seats.

Alex Knight · September 8, 2019, 18:51

Quote from: pistol pete on September 6, 2019, 13:15
Quote from: Alex Knight on September 6, 2019, 13:12
Quote from: pistol pete on September 5, 2019, 18:55what wheels you using?widths/tyre widths?

I'm using Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2, 15x7J, ET35.

195/50/R15 front
205/50/R15 rear

Yokohama AD08R all round.

ahh interesting.. thats the sizes ive been looking at.. any lack of grip?

Depends what you mean by lack of grip. Compared to what?

Alex Knight · October 3, 2019, 22:51

Well, I've had some photo hosting issues with the recent demise of TinyPic.

Photos have now been migrated to Flickr - took forever to do!

Alex Knight · November 17, 2019, 15:06

Had a day at Bedford Autodrome (GT Circuit) yesterday - really enjoyed the trackday.

The car was - as ever - sublime, and completely reliable.

Engine feels strong as ever. I was regularly seeing 130MPH in 5th gear down the back straight.

I have fitted some new Yokohama AD08RS (new compound) tyres to the front, and I reckon I noticed a smidge of understeer at low speed, though this may have been the circuit layout in fairness.

Had a great battle with a RS Megane R26 F1 (which was on R888R rubber and had a full cage). Very close between both of us. Not bad considering my power deficit and 'only' AD08R rubber.