Meet Mo our weekend fun car.

Started by Smithy, January 6, 2020, 15:28

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Smithy

Been a while since my last update. I have been doing some little jobs on the car but I guess the big change was fitting my WRX spoiler. I got it a while back but its taken a while to paint and fit. I guess this look is not for everyone but I really like the way it gives the car a more sporty look imo.
We went to a local car show at Headcorn airfield with our friends and their spitfire. We had a few people interested in the little 2. It was just so nice to be in the sunshine and surrounded by so many beautiful cars.
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

Chilli Girl

I like that James, well worth all your hard work, well done.  Hope your friends Spitfire is running as well as your 2. ;D
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!

Smithy

Thank you Jane. Yes it goes well but smokes a little under strain. It does get some looks, having said that my 2 got a few nice comments too
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

Jamtastic

Your spoiler looks spot on. Gentle lines not in your face.

Spitfire looks good too.

Your giving me motivation to get my new bumper fitted and painted so I can stop tripping over it.

Smithy

Yes that was part of my motivation as I kept tripping over it in the garage.
The spitfire is a lovely car and so easy to work on as the whole bonnet lifts forward. You can get all around the engine bay. My mate sits on his front wheel to work on his car not hunched over like we have to do with our 2s 
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

Joesson

Quote from: Smithy on September  4, 2020, 11:06Yes that was part of my motivation as I kept tripping over it in the garage.
The spitfire is a lovely car and so easy to work on as the whole bonnet lifts forward. You can get all around the engine bay. My mate sits on his front wheel to work on his car not hunched over like we have to do with our 2s 
A mate in the 60's had a Herald and did just that!

Jamtastic

Quote from: Smithy on September  4, 2020, 11:06Yes that was part of my motivation as I kept tripping over it in the garage.
The spitfire is a lovely car and so easy to work on as the whole bonnet lifts forward. You can get all around the engine bay. My mate sits on his front wheel to work on his car not hunched over like we have to do with our 2s 
I know what you mean, I had a colleague who restored a Stag. I don't remember him being bent at 90 deg for 2 days after replacing his cam cover.

Reading through your thread Mo's looking good, like your heat shields.

Smithy

Thanks for that. I strangely take a lot of time and effort making my engine bay look as good as I can, even though the actual car body work needs more of my attention. The heat shields do polish up nicely with time and effort and the black trim and rubber hoses look good with a bit of trim restorer.
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Smithy

My goodness Mo just passed her MOT. Just a couple of tyres needed but guessed that and corroded coil springs. 3 out of the 4 are original coils I would guess so time to look for springs. I didn't get a chance to look underneath which I was hoping to, but the guy said it didn't look too bad for corrosion. There is only so far i can squeeze under to see myself so would of been nice to get a look.
anyway I'm so pleased with the pass. 
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

Ardent

A pass is always nice.

Obviously it comes down to money. But if replacing springs best to do shocks as well. If doing yourself not so bad as only your time. Otherwise you will be paying twice for the same work.

Smithy

I would like to tackle this myself maybe over the winter. The shocks look ok but I appreciate they are 14 years old but no misting or anything that would point towards needing a replacement.
if looking at springs alone I have seen the following.
Tein S.Tech performance lowering springs at £120
Apex performance lowering springs at £129
SPAX SSX at £154

They all lower the car by 30mm.

I'm on a budget but want to do the right thing.
any thoughts please?
 
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

1979scotte

I'd replace shocks and springs after 50k miles.
Its a sports car not a family wagon.
Just because they're not broken doesn't mean they're not passed they're best.

IMHO
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 🇺🇦

Smithy

Just looked at the "suspension Refresh" post on the forum. Looks like bushes should be considered while I have the suspension apart? I think I should start a list of components I need ready for the job. there is a how to for spring replacements but would the control arm and bush replacements be something you could do at home?
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

Smithy

I did a little headlight freshen up yesterday. This is the kit from Eurocarparts for £12. its hard to see the difference in the pictures but its really obvious standing in front of the car. took about 30 mins, well worth it in my opinion.
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

Smithy

If I could turn back time. Another milestone met.
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

Joesson

Quote from: Smithy on October  2, 2020, 10:51Just looked at the "suspension Refresh" post on the forum. Looks like bushes should be considered while I have the suspension apart? I think I should start a list of components I need ready for the job. there is a how to for spring replacements but would the control arm and bush replacements be something you could do at home?

This subject has been discussed at some length, here and elsewhere,  this thread runs to 5 "pages" and goes over pros and cons of changing the arms inc bushes for Yaris at various prices and quality and replacing bushes. Last page includes prices from TCB for the parts.
Have a read through this:
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=65921.0

Smithy

Yes thanks for that. I have started collecting the parts for my refresh now and read up on the pros and cons now.
Thanks again
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

Joesson

Quote from: Smithy on April  9, 2021, 11:46Yes thanks for that. I have started collecting the parts for my refresh now and read up on the pros and cons now.
Thanks again

Sorry Smithy, I was rather late to the party, didn't notice the date of your post!

Smithy

Its been a while since I did some work on the 2. I managed to pick up a powerflow back box off FB, so last week I started stripping down to install.
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Smithy

Also while the rear end was off and everything was out the way I painted and polished all the hard to reach places. I was quite pleased with the way the Cat heat shield came up. Painted ARB and control arms. I wish I could afford new ones but at least they look better.
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

MrChris

Just out of interest, I've seen a couple of 2s for sale with that spoiler, did you have to drill into the bodywork to fit it?

Smithy

Yes you have to drill 4 holes. the spoiler comes with 2 bolts at the front that are attached, however at the rear you have to line up with holes in the spoiler and use the sprung bolts. I can find some pictures to show you what I mean
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Smithy

I hope this shows you where I drilled and its final position ?
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

MrChris

Quote from: Smithy on June  4, 2021, 13:29I hope this shows you where I drilled and its final position ?

That's great thank you. I'm sorry to say that if I bought one I'd be looking to remove it hence the question...! I've got to say black on black looks much better than 2s that are not black.

Smithy

This week I thought I would make the most of the dry weather and have a look underneath. I found some patches of corrosion that I have now treated, pained and sealed. Parts that could come off have been treated and painted such as the small mid braces. Today I want to take off the front under brace to do the same. The Sub frame got an extra bit of attention as well.
03 Astral black MR2 OEM+

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