Alex's 2ZZ Swapped MR2 Roadster

Started by Alex Knight, September 1, 2013, 08:26

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puma2

 :) now that was some dirt removed in a hr :)
good work on that in a hr. :)  :)

Alex Knight

Quote from: puma2 on February  2, 2022, 08:15:) now that was some dirt removed in a hr :)
good work on that in a hr. :)  :)

Thanks! I think it's down to the underlying great condition of the paint and the many polishes and waxes it's had over the years.

Alex Knight

I stripped the car down today in advance of the bodyshop trip tomorrow morning.

Here are some better pics of what needs fixing:





It's really nothing too sinister. I've had a really good poke around today, and everything else is absolutely rock solid, so I can only assume that the seam sealer has been compromised at some point allowing water ingress, but I cannot for the life of me think how?

Perhaps it's something from the factory not applied correctly?

As I've said, everything else is spot on. Next on the list will be a coil over refurb.



Alex Knight

Had a call from the bodyshop today, all is fixed. Will pick up and share pictures tomorrow.

FYI, some parts of this area are triple-skinned. It wasn't straightforward!

Alex Knight

All fixed. They've done a fantastically thorough job. Really pleased with their work.

Affected area has been cut out, new metal in, primed and painted. Seams re-sealed and the whole area has been protected:


Alex Knight

½ Day trackday booked for tomorrow morning.

Fingers crossed for some dry weather this time!

AJRFulton

#431
Assuming knockhill?

I'm sat in the missus house about 10 miles from the circuit - would say today is good conditions so long as there's no mist up there. Probably a few degrees cooler than ideal (most seem to say the tarmac at Knockhills at its fastest with an air temperature about 15-20° without bright sun). Every time I've broke the minute there has been days like today.

Good luck


Alex Knight

Track morning completed yesterday (yes, @AJRFulton - I was at Knockhill). Finally got to experience this circuit in the dry.

First impressions are of that it is a high workrate circuit! There's not a lot of time for respite, unlike some of the bigger, more open tracks that seem to be more common in the south of England. I relished the elevation changes of the circuit, that's rather unusual.

On to the car - well as most of you will expect, it was flawless. 100% reliable and still steadfastly refuses to consume any oil, ever. Suspension was set to full stiff all round, and this was the first proper test of the CarboTech pads in the dry.

The balance of the car was lovely. My preference is one for a slightly nervous rear, as it really helps get the front locked onto line, and this trackday was no different. You could play with the entry speed if you wanted more, or less turn in. Don't get me wrong, if you get greedy, it will bite hard and you need to be quick with the opposite lock, but stay in the window and it's fantastically rewarding. I've had this car a LONG time now, and every time I take it on track I'm still absolutely in love with it  8)

The brakes were very, very strong. This was probably the latest and hardest I've dared to brake at a trackday, and the pads were there with repeatable stopping power every single time. I'm so glad I've finally found brake pads that can keep up with me. If anyone is wondering if these pads are worth the high price point, they absolutely are.

All-in-all, a great morning and this car is still easily the best car I've ever owned. What an amazing machine.

Some basic servicing to do next. Going to change the engine oil and filter, gearbox oil, brake fluid and coolant as a reward for being so good  O:-)





AJRFulton

#433
What tyres and pressures are you running there?

You're getting oversteer twitchiness in a few bits where I wouldn't expect it with a full track semi slick (AR1/R888R/A051/etc), however if you're running a more road focused track tyre (AO08/NS2R/etc) it would explain it.

Alex Knight

Quote from: AJRFulton on May  9, 2022, 10:39What tyres and pressures are you running there?

You're getting oversteer twitchiness in a few bits where I wouldn't expect it with a full track semi slick (AR1/R888R/A051/etc), however if you're running a more road focused track tyre (AO08/NS2R/etc) it would explain it.

I started with 30psi cold all round.
After about 5-6 laps I came back in and adjusted them all to 30psi hot (they had all gained around 5/6psi).

I'm not running a semi slick tyre, I'm using AD08RS, 195/50/R15 front and 205/50/R15 rear.

I also have my alignment set with zero toe all round.
I know some toe in at the rear would stabilise it a bit, but I can deal with the oversteer and it helps get the front even sharper. I like it that way.

Chilli Girl

I absolutely loved watching this, brilliant @Alex Knight and pleased the car behaved so well. ;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!

Dev


 Its good to hear the TEINs SSP working great for you. I love mine for the level of control and balance they give this car. One of the reasons why I never upgraded to the KW V3 even though they are better but I don't feel the need to find out.

 I have a question for you. How is the paint on the coil overs holding up. TEIN says they use anti corrosion paint on them.


Alex Knight

Absolutely
Quote from: Dev on May  9, 2022, 14:35Its good to hear the TEINs SSP working great for you. I love mine for the level of control and balance they give this car. One of the reasons why I never upgraded to the KW V3 even though they are better but I don't feel the need to find out.

 I have a question for you. How is the paint on the coil overs holding up. TEIN says they use anti corrosion paint on them.



Absolutely agree with you. I think it's a great balance between road and track, and actually manages to work well on both. Great suspension, and I LOVE being able to adjust the damping from inside the car. What a great product.

As for how they are holding up, paint wise, I haven't had the wheels off for a proper poke around in some time, but from memory they are doing quite well? Though my car is garaged, and I tend not to drive it when the roads have been gritted, which I'm sure helps. I do plan on getting them refurbished, re-valved and rebuilt at some point this year though.

How are yours holding up?

Alex Knight

Today I replaced the wheel nuts that came with the TD 1.2s with some black ones from DriftWorks. I think they suit the black wheels better, the old ones were getting a bit manky, and most importantly, I've saved 151g of unsprung rotational mass!




Dev

Quote from: Alex Knight on May 11, 2022, 21:57Absolutely
Absolutely agree with you. I think it's a great balance between road and track, and actually manages to work well on both. Great suspension, and I LOVE being able to adjust the damping from inside the car. What a great product.

As for how they are holding up, paint wise, I haven't had the wheels off for a proper poke around in some time, but from memory they are doing quite well? Though my car is garaged, and I tend not to drive it when the roads have been gritted, which I'm sure helps. I do plan on getting them refurbished, re-valved and rebuilt at some point this year though.

How are yours holding up?

 Im in the same boat as my car is also garaged.
I have over 80K miles on mine with a rebuild around the 60k mark which was unnecessary. The initial 50k was all year use in the rain and salted snow but no corrosion on the paint however there was the slightest amount of corrosion on the end of one of the rods which Tein removed when I sent them in. Since then no rust but that is because I hardly drive it and not in bad weather.

 A Local friend of mine that had the same set used them to around 100k miles and the suspension was shot but still drivable. I think if it was sent in for a rebuild it would need all new rods and possibly rejected due to damage since it seen rough roads in his area. From that I could see there was a significantly more rust on the chrome and anodized bits but not so much on the body where they apply the anti corrosion green paint. If anything that were very dirty since the car wasn't maintained well, sat out side and driven every day in harsh winter weather.


thetyrant

Quote from: Alex Knight on May  8, 2022, 14:28The brakes were very, very strong. This was probably the latest and hardest I've dared to brake at a trackday, and the pads were there with repeatable stopping power every single time. I'm so glad I've finally found brake pads that can keep up with me. If anyone is wondering if these pads are worth the high price point, they absolutely are.


Good to hear from another satisfied customer and please the pads lived upto the price :D  car looks to be going very well also, i really need to get the mini upto knockhill this year at some point.

Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

Alex Knight

Long time no update, and not much to update.

The car has not been driven much this summer. We've been working on the house & (large) garden, and also making preparations for the new garage to be built this coming week.

I've popped the hard top on (nowhere else to store it as I've demolished the outbuilding where it was stored) until the garage is ready and given it a quick wash today.

Can't wait to get it into the new garage and give it the full decon, claybar, polish and wax on the scissor lift!  ;D


puma2

 :) new garage count me in  i love a garage build  8)
please can we see before and after pictures of said garage :)

 your 2 is not bad mind  8)  8) will look belter in its new home 8)  8)

Alex Knight

One last blast up the Old Military Road (A93) to Glenshee Ski Centre before being put into storage whilst the garage is built.

Had one of the best road drives I've had in this car. Dry, empty roads, elevation and camber changes.

The car felt like an extension of me, I was just thinking it through corners.

It really is a lovely thing.


thetyrant

Looks good  8)  only thing letting it down is the drainpipe exhaust tailpipe imo :D
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

Alex Knight

Quote from: thetyrant on October 13, 2022, 18:00Looks good  8)  only thing letting it down is the drainpipe exhaust tailpipe imo :D

It's a genuine TRD!

Though it's not the most flattering angle.

Alex Knight

Garage has started to take shape.

6mx5m


Joesson

So that's where the Amazon Rain Forest timber is all going!

tricky1138

Do you have to hoist the MR2 over the wall to get into it?  ;D
2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

Alex Knight

Quote from: Joesson on October 14, 2022, 10:00So that's where the Amazon Rain Forest timber is all going!

Scottish grown and sustainably harvested  :)

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