TDM 2004 Sable V6

Started by Topdownman, March 18, 2018, 11:32

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Topdownman

So I thought it was about time to start a reader's ride on the car as I have owned it for nearly 5 years!

I have always liked MR2s since they first came out but was a very keen cyclist and always needed practical cars so could never really consider a 2 so had lots of small vans, hatchbacks, GTIs etc over the years.

A lot of my friends were into VWs so I decided to buy an old AA van as a second vehicle and convert it into a campervan.

The van and my practical Civic on the way home in 2009.



It took me quite a while though  to realise that I actually didnt need the "practical" car anymore as I had the van to get bikes in so started thinking about a replacement for the Civic and I started thinking that I had never owned a convertible so hit autotrader. As soon as I spotted a red edition 2, I knew that was the one for me.

I test drove two cars at dealerships first so I could see if I liked them to drive. Both cars were bags of nails though and I never was really considering them but it definitely helped me to recognise a good one when I  drove it.

The third car I went to look at was a 48k mile red edition private sale and I knew as soon as I pulled up I was going to have to find a major problem to stop me buying it.

So, this was the car as I got it, a perfectly standard red edition in sable.



I foolishly hadnt done my research first though and didnt know about this forum until after I had bought the car. I was pretty worried to find out about the precats so drove carefully until I had them removed for £50 by MR TWOs in Willenhall near Wolverhampton.
I found I was getting over 40 mpg driving this way. I probably havent got that good mpg since though....

Three is definitely too many..



It was time to sell  the campervan as I realised it was taking up so much time and would probably never be finished. Plus of course the 2 had taken over as the "hobby".



A short while after joining the club it was Ding Day so I arranged to meet up with Loadswine, NathanMR2 and AndyM for the run out to Demon Tweeks. We met at about 8am in light rain and the first thing Nathan said to me was "Your roof is broken is it?". Some things never change!



I thought I was really cool with my new, completely standard car but going to Ding Day made my car suddenly look very ordinary parked up next to lots of modified cars and I started to think about mods. I went through quite a few changes of mind about what I wanted to do though before I started the mods.
I also didnt want to make changes part way through the insurance year, I wanted to get that years planned mods all added on when I got the quote to stop getting ripped off or admin charges etc.

So the 2 was my daily driver for 2 years and I did about 22k with no problems apart from handbrake cables (obvs!).

More details to follow but they are probably not going to be in chronological order but just as I think of them!
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StuC

I had my intro thread moved to readers ride this week Simon. I understand why you need to do this thread. ;)

Loving Nathan's comment at your pre-DD drive. Lol. @nathanMR2 :)
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nathanMR2

Haha gotta have the roof down and every opportunity. I miss my car [emoji20]

Nice write up :)

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MR2 Roadster TTE Turbo - now sold and 2less but forever an enthusiast

loadswine

Excellent write up Simon! Love the pics too.
No Roadster any more, Golf 7.5 GTi Performance

Chilli Girl

Enjoyed reading this, can't wait to see the latest puppy photos!  Purchasing one is on hold for now by the way for me.🙁
Ex owners of Chilli red facelift 52 reg called Chilli, silver 55 reg called Foxy and blue pfl W reg MR-S called Sapphire. Now 2 less!

delhusband

Really looking forward to hearing about how you got from then to now, having seen it last year in the metal.  :)
Hate pointy animals

ManInDandism

What sort of cycling were/are you into are you a roadie or MTBer?  My own MR2 ownership is book-ends lots of time on bikes as was really into time trialling.  Sold the Mk2 to get a load lugger and Roadster purchase, though mildly impulsive, also coincides with deciding I'm too long in the tooth - read too slow  ;)  to race around on 2 wheels anymore.  Won't stop riding for fitness and fun but more time to muck around with a 'hobby' car.

Grates on me as well having to pay the insurance company for them to press a couple keys on the keyboard, so as you say, cost effective to do them at a time when they don't want to lose you!
Black 2004 Roadster
Previous: Black 1994 Mk2 Turbo

Topdownman

Thanks for the nice comments!

I was into mountain bike and road cycling, these days all road stuff as my mtb has been in a friends garage for 2 years and counting.

I used to be able to get a bike on the boot rack with wheels in the car.



(Until I fitted a boot spoiler!).

So what was my first mod?

A former member, Bekatee, was making wind deflectors like Mongo's ones so I ordered a small set of those. They are the best bang for buck mod I have done so got lucky with the first one! They push the air behind the driver and make window down driving so much better with much less buffeting. If you are tall, you may need the bigger size but the small size is fine for me.

They just push into the rubber seal on the door.



Its a bit harder to get the order right of the next things but I am sure no one is that bothered eh?

I did the usual things like change the gearbox oil to MT90, despite his earlier comments I also added Nathans bushes to the gear linkage (both worthwhile mods), fitted a new head unit and added a reversing camera. I love having a camera, I know its a small car but its so much easier to park when you know how much room you have got!

I managed to get hold of a CG lock, a now discontinued line. They lock the lap belt section of a normal seatbelt whilst allowing the top part to move as normal meaning that you get held in place much better when cornering.

I also got an underbody Matt brace and a front strut tower brace from DD racing. Both gave a noticeable improvement but the Matt brace was by far the biggest improvement. It stiffened up the car and allows the suspension to work better.



The tower brace means I have to take the froot lid off to get in it and would have needed the froot plastic cutting so I took it off. This makes greasing the steering UJ a doodle though and would have been necessary anyway as it turned out for a future mod.....



(ooh, cliffhanger!).




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ManInDandism

Lol! Patience of a saint - whole bike in, whole bike out for me or it's not happening.

All nice and stiff then...cue actress/bishop joke.   
Black 2004 Roadster
Previous: Black 1994 Mk2 Turbo

Topdownman

I put on some plain centre caps on the standard wheels and also went from ditchfinder tyres to a set of bridgestone potenzas in standard sizes.

I did the alarm move/ spare wheel flip mod which is definitely worth doing, more storage and a louder alarm, whats not to like?

Somewhere along the way I removed/replaced the badges. I have also been through quite a few gearknobs too.

I bought an ebay short shift kit which I didnt like on my 6 speed face lift cage so went back to standard. I did remove the standard rubber bush mounts on the gear cage so that bolted firmly to the floor with no movement which improved the gear change slightly. This is definitely worth trying if you are trying to improve your gear change.

I have never been a particular fan of the interior and this still something I want to change but I have done a few bits and pieces to it so far.

I sprayed the binnacle gloss black and fitted some ebay rings around the dials.



I fitted mazda heater control knobs which look a bit better than the standard things.

I touched up and treated the leather seats and interior with a gliptone kit.

I got a custom Moman fascia from Poland. Fitting that turned out to be a bit of a nightmare but I do like the look of it.



I am on my 3rd head unit and the current one is a single din size so I have my reversing camera screen in the top cubbyhole, next to it is the tyrepal tyre pressure monitoring display.

I scratched the horn push emblem so ended up sanding all the paint off that.




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Topdownman

Staying with the interior, I thought the ashtray/ cupholder area was a bit of wasted space so thought I would have a go at changing this by making up a new centre console.

There followed quite a few versions of the "how hard can it be?" console build which I include for your entertainment and to stop you making the same mistakes! (Some of you may remember Josh's "CAD" design for his console so I dont feel too embarrassed sharing...).



I realised that it was going to be impossible to incorporate the window switches into this completely home-made one.

The answer* was to cut the front of the centre console off and fit a hybrid front section. This also helps with the fact that you cannot have a single long unit because you cant get it in or out.


Despite the cutout, no real room to use the handbrake!
(Note head unit 2, and oh, is that a new gearknob?

Cut down console (which was also later rubbed down to get all the texture off and then painted gloss black).



Oh, is that another gearknob?

There followed a few more variations;






* Well, I say "answer"....

This is the current state of affairs which is not the finished article but will have to do until I get round to a new version. This version holds an awful lot of tools/stuff  (in the centre of the car too) so I will keep persevering with this idea.



Yes, you're right, that is a new gearknob.
Apparently size does count so I am now running the ebay short shift kit again (which works better with the 5 speed gearbox I have now) with a 3" extension on top and all nicely topped off with a 5" gearknob. The extension is hidden by some 22mm copper pipe sprayed silver as it looks weird otherwise. Despite the look of it, the throw is not that long and its near to your hand.
(To quote Steve at D1, "it makes more sense when you drive it").
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wotugonado

My what a whopper of a......... I'll stop there  :)
Reminds me of the modified American muscle car gear sticks.
---------------Tte turbo----------------
      Graced the tarmac from 2014-2019

Topdownman

Despite the low mileage of 48k when I bought it, it needed new suspension so MeisterR coilovers were duly fitted along with some new brake bits including HEL braided lines.



The coilovers make the handling so much better but they are firm on broken/ poor surfaces. I love B roads so did also try briefly new KYBs and Tein lowering springs and was surprised about how close the feel of the coilovers was (ie the standard shocks were probably only slightly more comfortable).
I guess this could be because people compare old floppy suspension against their new coilovers rather than against new standard. Ultimately the adjustability of the Coilovers for damping and ride height meant they went back on though and at least I know what I am missing.

I took the opportunity to freshen up the wheel arches with hammerite.



Thats better!


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Topdownman

Sound deadening was fitted in the doors (I used Wickes flashband) and focal speakers fitted. I made up some mdf brackets to mount the new speakers and painted them to stop them soaking up moisture. This does make the doors sound better shutting and improves the speaker sound quality.





I have to say, I was a bit underwhelmed by the focals as they do not go very low in bass frequencies.

When I finally got round to fitting an under dash powered sub, they did at last sound good (you still cant hear any music above motorway speed mind).

There is not much room under there and very few mount points so I ended up making a platform that would give me mount points exactly where I needed them.

I went for the Kenwood  KSC-SW11 powered sub. Fitting that was a nightmare job, seat out, lying on my back with feet sticking up in the air or in the bins and having to try to take every tool or part I would need before I wormed my way into position.







I used one of those flexible rubber coated things you use to fasten things on roof racks with, like a big twist wrap to hold the heavy sub in place so I had 2 hands to bolt it in place but after firing it up and getting a rattle from the sub, I ended up wrapping it around the middle of the sub and leaving it there where it has stopped the vibration nicely!


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Call the midlife!

Quote from: Topdownman on March 31, 2018, 16:19
Sound deadening was fitted in the doors (I used Wickes flashband) and focal speakers fitted. I made up some mdf brackets to mount the new speakers and painted them to stop them soaking up moisture. This does make the doors sound better shutting and improves the speaker sound quality.





I have to say, I was a bit underwhelmed by the focals as they do not go very low in bass frequencies.

When I finally got round to fitting an under dash powered sub, they did at last sound good (you still cant hear any music above motorway speed mind).

There is not much room under there and very few mount points so I ended up making a platform that would give me mount points exactly where I needed them.

I went for the Kenwood  KSC-SW11 powered sub. Fitting that was a nightmare job, seat out, lying on my back with feet sticking up in the air or in the bins and having to try to take every tool or part I would need before I wormed my way into position.







I used one of those flexible rubber coated things you use to fasten things on roof racks with, like a big twist wrap to hold the heavy sub in place so I had 2 hands to bolt it in place but after firing it up and getting a rattle from the sub, I ended up wrapping it around the middle of the sub and leaving it there where it has stopped the vibration nicely!
Mine's mounted much higher up in the big gap behind the dashboard, I made a couple of straps out of the stainless banding and lined them with dynamat type material, snug as a bug! So far at least..


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Justin.D

Is it possible the door speakers are just touching the doorcard? That can make a difference to the sound from them

When I fitted mine I used the stock speaker surrounds, gutted the stock speaker, mounted the pioneer speaker to the plastic stock surround and refitted the stock MDF ring on top. Had a slight fouling of the doorcard on the surround so trimmed the little plastic ring on the doorcard side for a perfect fit. Result is the speaker is not losing any sound inside the doorcard as all is directed (snug fit) into the car

I also flashed the inner door skin covering the holes creating a bit more of an enclosure for the mid range speaker

I wish I'd taken pictures
Click for my Readers Ride

Call the midlife!

Quote from: Topdownman on March 31, 2018, 16:19
Sound deadening was fitted in the doors (I used Wickes flashband) and focal speakers fitted. I made up some mdf brackets to mount the new speakers and painted them to stop them soaking up moisture. This does make the doors sound better shutting and improves the speaker sound quality.





I have to say, I was a bit underwhelmed by the focals as they do not go very low in bass frequencies.

When I finally got round to fitting an under dash powered sub, they did at last sound good (you still cant hear any music above motorway speed mind).

There is not much room under there and very few mount points so I ended up making a platform that would give me mount points exactly where I needed them.

I went for the Kenwood  KSC-SW11 powered sub. Fitting that was a nightmare job, seat out, lying on my back with feet sticking up in the air or in the bins and having to try to take every tool or part I would need before I wormed my way into position.







I used one of those flexible rubber coated things you use to fasten things on roof racks with, like a big twist wrap to hold the heavy sub in place so I had 2 hands to bolt it in place but after firing it up and getting a rattle from the sub, I ended up wrapping it around the middle of the sub and leaving it there where it has stopped the vibration nicely!
Ere? Where are your tweeters? Are they stuck to the door cards or have you done away with them?
Do you have high/low pass filters in place too? I'm still tweaking the settings on mine but since I matched the head unit and sub up with some basic filter settings the difference is night and day.


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Topdownman

I have tweeters which come with the focal kit and they just replaced the originals, if you look on top of the polystyrene crash foam at the bottom rear of the door card you can just see the crossover.

My problem with the speakers was they just dont go low enough (60hz I think), it was only when I got the powered sub and could send the lower frequencies to the sub that it actually started to sound quite good.
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Call the midlife!

Quote from: Topdownman on April  1, 2018, 11:18
I have tweeters which come with the focal kit and they just replaced the originals, if you look on top of the polystyrene crash foam at the bottom rear of the door card you can just see the crossover.

My problem with the speakers was they just dont go low enough (60hz I think), it was only when I got the powered sub and could send the lower frequencies to the sub that it actually started to sound quite good.
I wondered if that's what the extra wiring and blocks were, I've got a Kenwood head unit that matches up with the sub and all driven by RCA cables and the HU itself so didn't have to faff around with adding the crossovers inline thankfully!
I don't know what the lower limits of (what I'm assuming are still stock) mine are so it's all experimental from here, helps if you don't keep accidentally changing stuff on the remote too![emoji23]


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Topdownman

At some stage I realised that while I loved this car I wanted more overtaking power. I remember one particular drive following a Zafira on a twisty road, they would just pull away from me as soon as the road straightened out and I struggled to find somewhere to get past for a few frustrating miles.

So, do I get a boxster or Z4 with more power or modify the 2? And if I modify it, what were my choices? 2ZZ, turbo or V6? I knew I couldnt do it myself so that meant paying someone which, to me at least, meant V6. (The more sensible option probably would have been to watch the cars for sale section and buy one that another forum member had done but I never thought of that one until later).

I did test drive a Z4 but it was a completely different type of car and not what I was looking for. The boxster would have been nearer to what I wanted but I like the fact that I can use all the power of my car more of the time and it feels exciting at much lower speeds. I also thought the owners club was probably much nicer....

Having made my decision to go V6, I knew I would be without the car for a while and didnt want it to be my sole daily driver so I bought an Ibiza cupra tdi as my daily (not one of my better car choices despite that engine).

So, the 3 steps to heaven, wait about 9 months for a slot in the workshop then;
1


2


3


Sounds so simple.  Wrong!  Still,  it was worth it all in the end and it will be nice when it is finished.
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1979scotte

They'll all be nice when they're finished.
When will they be finished?
Who knows.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Free Ukraine 🇺🇦

Topdownman

I revisited my sound proofing after the engine swop using "silent coat" this time which is more expensive than the flash band but better as the top layer is more rigid so should be able to stop movement of the panels more. I focused on the rear of the car and the floor and this really helped keep out some of the mechanical and road noise.


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Topdownman

My vinyl roof was looking quite patchy and didnt fold down as well I would have liked so a trip to Jack Smiths in swansea was booked in for a fabric one.

Those of a nervous disposition can look away now.



Looking much better afterwards.

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Topdownman

I found a couple of pictures of the focal speakers compared to the standard ones;



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Topdownman

I had been wondering what to do with my wheels, like all of them there was some corrosion leading to blistering under the paint. I was trying to decide whether to have a refurb and if so what colour. Bernie posted a link to a Demon Tweeks offer on Team dynamics pro race 1.2s and for once, the colour I wanted was the cheapest one in gloss black. These wheels are also pretty light, as well as being, well, pretty so decision made.
I went for the standard 15 & 16" but both are 7" so ½" wider than standard on the front. Picking the offset was harder and I eventually went for ET35 front and rear (rather than standard 45) as I wanted to fill the arches/ widen the track. This proved to be a bit too much on the rear though and ET38 would have been much better on the rear as I got a slight rubbing over big compressions. I had to roll the rear arches which has just about got them right now.

My current tyres are Yokohama AD08rs (both front and rears 10mm wider than standard). These replaced standard size Bridgestone potenzas and these are noticeably better.

With the new boots.



I need to do something with that body though!
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