MR2 MK3 FL Track Car

Kaveney · January 28, 2019, 12:45

At the weekend I got a few more things done before getting the car back on track .

First was an engine flush and then an oil and filter change .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/ZbH3I2sE.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/ZbH3I2sE]

|https://thumbsnap.com/ZbH3I2sE

I will run this for testing the car and then look to change this out for some 05W-50 oil for the first track day as I want some more protection and the 50 grade oil will help with this .

Then as I still had some DEI gold heat tape left over I thought I would wrap the metal induction pipe to help keep the intake temps as low as possible .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/OO9riZw3.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/OO9riZw3]

|https://thumbsnap.com/OO9riZw3

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|https://thumbsnap.com/P9edR2cN

Looking to book Castle Combe on the 29/03/19 or Bedford for the 30/03/19 for the first track day of this year and then go from there .

Looking forward to seeing how the car is now on track with the 2ZZ engine swap , C60 gear box swap and the Geo settings set up done as the stock car was good fun last year .

Petrus · January 30, 2019, 11:22

Thank you for sharing.

Since you drive your car to the track, Germany included, you have experience with various tyres under different circumstances.

If you can come round to that, would you mind to do a comparative write up on this?

Lóved the tyre picture from the Nordschleife!!
My current El Cheapo rubbers are simply developing cracks and tearing

p.s. good to see you sticking with the OEM rims for the time: They are quite good and light; replacing needs a good bit of thought.

Kaveney · January 31, 2019, 09:35

TBH I have only had two types on the car the Continental Premium Contact 2that were not that great on track and only lasted the sighting laps and the Nankang NS2R that have been very good and are lasting very well .

I will look to run a second set of wheels with the Nankang AR1 compound this year for the dry days and for track only and use the NS2R for driving to track and wet days .

Kind Regards

Quote from: Petrus on January 30, 2019, 11:22
Thank you for sharing.

Since you drive your car to the track, Germany included, you have experience with various tyres under different circumstances.

If you can come round to that, would you mind to do a comparative write up on this?

Lóved the tyre picture from the Nordschleife!!
My current El Cheapo rubbers are simply developing cracks and tearing

p.s. good to see you sticking with the OEM rims for the time: They are quite good and light; replacing needs a good bit of thought.

Kaveney · February 11, 2019, 15:30

So another weekend done and got some more bits done to the car in the form of a brake change .

First was the rear and to change the old discs for some Mtec C hook discs .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/QzAw9NhQ.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/QzAw9NhQ]

|https://thumbsnap.com/QzAw9NhQ

Then some new Yellow stuff rear pads .

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|https://thumbsnap.com/dr5OEbzV

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|https://thumbsnap.com/DbbfuGhR

And all fitted .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/oAV0q42j.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/oAV0q42j]

|https://thumbsnap.com/oAV0q42j

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|https://thumbsnap.com/HX5fTKNA

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|https://thumbsnap.com/02LQgt10

Then on to the front with the new discs .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/QzAw9NhQ.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/QzAw9NhQ]

|https://thumbsnap.com/QzAw9NhQ

At the front I will be running the stronger Blue stuff pads

https://thumbsnap.com/s/YYrC9JEv.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/YYrC9JEv]

|https://thumbsnap.com/YYrC9JEv

https://thumbsnap.com/s/9mr4v2HH.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/9mr4v2HH]

|https://thumbsnap.com/9mr4v2HH

Fitted

https://thumbsnap.com/s/wYZ0gaTm.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/wYZ0gaTm]

|https://thumbsnap.com/wYZ0gaTm

https://thumbsnap.com/s/OZ32Ck38.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/OZ32Ck38]

|https://thumbsnap.com/OZ32Ck38

https://thumbsnap.com/s/M8sL32wb.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/M8sL32wb]

|https://thumbsnap.com/M8sL32wb

Then to finish off some fresh Motul RBF 660

https://thumbsnap.com/s/yPxTcRvC.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/yPxTcRvC]

|https://thumbsnap.com/yPxTcRvC

This little lot should give a bit of an upgrade from the set up last year as I was running stock discs and yellow stuff pads front and rear and this was a great set up as the stock brakes on the MR2 roadster are one part that does not need upgrading that much as they are such strong stoppers and then add this to - 90 Kg removed from the car and the new little upgrade should do nicely on track .

Kaveney · February 25, 2019, 14:49

Time for another update .

I have been after a hard top for the MR2 for a bit now but wanted to do the other bits first .

First up the cost of the hard top is not cheep and they come in at around £ 500 and then another £ 200 for the fitting kit and £ 20.00 for the de mist cable so it is a £ 700 + item .

The hard top will give the car some extra structural rigidity , a weight reduction of around 10Kg from the soft top and a touch more safety ( at the end of the year the car is going in for a MSA 6 point full roll cage ) and also looks nicer I think .

One came up for sale not that far from me in a colour I was after so I picked it up last weekend .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/tTG7vGDI.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/tTG7vGDI]

|https://thumbsnap.com/tTG7vGDI

Then yesterday I started to prep the hard top to remove some weight from it so removed the headlining plastic housings and other bits .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/4fFGyxYV.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/4fFGyxYV]

|https://thumbsnap.com/4fFGyxYV

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|https://thumbsnap.com/XljbV3Lp

Then a quick spray of satin black to tidy it up a bit .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/rdEvpOeZ.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/rdEvpOeZ]

|https://thumbsnap.com/rdEvpOeZ

Then it was on to remove the soft top .

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|https://thumbsnap.com/LUSFJ65N

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|https://thumbsnap.com/z4Y3jQux

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|https://thumbsnap.com/uN7aKiYt

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|https://thumbsnap.com/a3PorwHC

If you are keeping the stock seat belts you need to do a bit of cutting to keep the seat belt mounting points and cross bar .

I also jut some of the soft top fixing mounts from the cross brace and gave it a quick spray again to tidy it up a bit after the cutting .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/nHWl8vLt.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/nHWl8vLt]

|https://thumbsnap.com/nHWl8vLt

https://thumbsnap.com/s/dgTu0KDA.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/dgTu0KDA]

|https://thumbsnap.com/dgTu0KDA

Then to install and bolt down the hard top super tight .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/KkDDZtXA.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/KkDDZtXA]

|https://thumbsnap.com/KkDDZtXA

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|https://thumbsnap.com/quIP1vem

And installed

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|https://thumbsnap.com/xG1rz3hi

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|https://thumbsnap.com/zmIXGmTo

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|https://thumbsnap.com/ceA7D4En

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|https://thumbsnap.com/gI3N5NI7

And as I had some time left I gave the brake calipers a quick tidy up and paint .

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|https://thumbsnap.com/zZHjBCNI

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|https://thumbsnap.com/UkzZQTY5

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|https://thumbsnap.com/krGScNh1

Petrus · February 25, 2019, 15:25

Congratulations!

Removing all you did, it not even added weight.
Added safety yes, but the rigidity alas, not so. You would need to add bolted down brackets for that.
The good news is that Dev´s spacers do wonders and cost peanuts.

1979scotte · February 25, 2019, 19:29

Quote from: Petrus on February 25, 2019, 15:25
Congratulations!

Removing all you did, it not even added weight.
Added safety yes, but the rigidity alas, not so. You would need to add bolted down brackets for that.
The good news is that Dev´s spacers do wonders and cost peanuts.

Most of us who have tried hard tops do feel they make a slight difference to rigidity.
Not saying it makes any sense but that's how it feels.

@Kaveney not sure where you've seen hardtop and fitting kits going for 700 quid.
Most on this forum go for 500 less if imperfect.

Petrus · February 25, 2019, 20:56

Quote from: 1979scotte on February 25, 2019, 19:29

Most of us who have tried hard tops do feel they make a slight difference to rigidity.

Have a hard top. Had it up and off a few times. Yes, it gives that impression and I did not get it. I mean have you looked at the rear ´hooks´?! and when in the passenger seat could feel the movement in the front latches. Mind; not nearly in the same order as say a Peugeot 307cc.
But hey, some improvement? By all means. In the absence of measured data I am happy to agree.
I suggest Dev´s spacers to the OP nonetheless.

Lóve the color combination btw! Time for a Manga decal in metallic grey vinyl on de sides

smarty72 · February 25, 2019, 21:17

Quote from: Petrus on February 25, 2019, 20:56
Quote from: 1979scotte on February 25, 2019, 19:29

Most of us who have tried hard tops do feel they make a slight difference to rigidity.

Have a hard top. Had it up and off a few times. Yes, it gives that impression and I did not get it. I mean have you looked at the rear ´hooks´?! and when in the passenger seat could feel the movement in the front latches. Mind; not nearly in the same order as say a Peugeot 307cc.
But hey, some improvement? By all means. In the absence of measured data I am happy to agree.
I suggest Dev´s spacers to the OP nonetheless.

Lóve the color combination btw! Time for a Manga decal in metallic grey vinyl on de sides

Having removed my hardtop yesterday I immediately noticed that that anything I looked at in the rear view mirror was blurry.

I think maybe it generates an impression of increased rigidity resulting from less flex in the windscreen. I can't see that the fitting of a hardtop would actually result in any meaningful increase in the car's structural rigidity.

Petrus · February 25, 2019, 21:39

Quote from: smarty72 on February 25, 2019, 21:17
Having removed my hardtop yesterday I immediately noticed that that anything I looked at in the rear view mirror was blurry.

That is because the frequency of the windscreen is lowered by the added mass of the roof structure holding on to it. Much like adding weights in rubber on handlebar ends of a motorbike.

Kaveney · February 26, 2019, 16:36

Try getting one for £ 500 as all the ones I look at were sold or miles away .

This one has just had a full re spray as well not that matters that much on my track car

Quote from: Petrus on February 25, 2019, 20:56
Quote from: 1979scotte on February 25, 2019, 19:29

Most of us who have tried hard tops do feel they make a slight difference to rigidity.

Have a hard top. Had it up and off a few times. Yes, it gives that impression and I did not get it. I mean have you looked at the rear ´hooks´?! and when in the passenger seat could feel the movement in the front latches. Mind; not nearly in the same order as say a Peugeot 307cc.
But hey, some improvement? By all means. In the absence of measured data I am happy to agree.
I suggest Dev´s spacers to the OP nonetheless.

Lóve the color combination btw! Time for a Manga decal in metallic grey vinyl on de sides

Kaveney · February 26, 2019, 16:37

The colour does look nice in this combo

Quote from: Petrus on February 25, 2019, 20:56
Quote from: 1979scotte on February 25, 2019, 19:29

Most of us who have tried hard tops do feel they make a slight difference to rigidity.

Have a hard top. Had it up and off a few times. Yes, it gives that impression and I did not get it. I mean have you looked at the rear ´hooks´?! and when in the passenger seat could feel the movement in the front latches. Mind; not nearly in the same order as say a Peugeot 307cc.
But hey, some improvement? By all means. In the absence of measured data I am happy to agree.
I suggest Dev´s spacers to the OP nonetheless.

Lóve the color combination btw! Time for a Manga decal in metallic grey vinyl on de sides

Kaveney · February 26, 2019, 16:37

Just booked the first track day of the year at Bedford autodrome on the Saturday 30/03/19 as it is one track that I have wanted to do and will be a good place to start the year off and get a feel for the car in its new set up .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/OytqSyjw.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/OytqSyjw]

|https://thumbsnap.com/OytqSyjw

james_ly · February 26, 2019, 16:42

Cool, Bedford a great track for all cars and drivers. Fast corners, slow ones, loads of space, long straight, free tea and coffee

I'll be interested in what you think of the bluestuff brakes, I'm on yellowstuff and pad life is my main problem.

1979scotte · February 26, 2019, 17:57

Quote from: Kaveney on February 26, 2019, 16:36
Try getting one for £ 500 as all the ones I look at were sold or miles away .

This one has just had a full re spray as well not that matters that much on my track car

Quote from: Petrus on February 25, 2019, 20:56
Quote from: 1979scotte on February 25, 2019, 19:29

Most of us who have tried hard tops do feel they make a slight difference to rigidity.

Have a hard top. Had it up and off a few times. Yes, it gives that impression and I did not get it. I mean have you looked at the rear ´hooks´?! and when in the passenger seat could feel the movement in the front latches. Mind; not nearly in the same order as say a Peugeot 307cc.
But hey, some improvement? By all means. In the absence of measured data I am happy to agree.
I suggest Dev´s spacers to the OP nonetheless.

Lóve the color combination btw! Time for a Manga decal in metallic grey vinyl on de sides

Been around here a little longer than you my friend seen plenty sell for under 500.
The last one sold on here went very cheap.
Yes you do have to travel sometimes.
Have sold one myself here for 500 and another in poor condition for a fair bit less.
There are a couple on ebay currently one is only 450.
There is also a whole car on copart with a HT and kit going you could get that for 500 or less too.
This is all just FYI.
Happy motoring.

Kaveney · February 27, 2019, 13:18

It will be my first go there so hope I will not need to ask someone for some duck tape

The Blue stuff are only on the front and come in at around £ 70 so will be good to have a bit more stopping at the front .

Regards

Quote from: james_ly on February 26, 2019, 16:42
Cool, Bedford a great track for all cars and drivers. Fast corners, slow ones, loads of space, long straight, free tea and coffee

I'll be interested in what you think of the bluestuff brakes, I'm on yellowstuff and pad life is my main problem.

Kaveney · February 28, 2019, 15:26

As I had a day off yesterday I got round to yet another upgrade in the form of wheels and tyres .

I have planed to run two sets of wheels this year one dry set and one wet / road driving set and was looking at used Toyota wheels in the face lift staggered format 15 front 16 rear .

After not getting much luck finding a used set of Toyota Mr2 face lift wheels I was looking at pre face lift wheels that are 15 front and 15 rear but the max rear tyre size you can run in the compound I want is 205/45/15 not the 225/45/16 im running at the moment .

The other more expensive option was to get some new wheels so I started looking in to this and as the car is all about low weight the OZ Ultraleggera were looking good .

As the stock Mr2 wheels are light anyway you are never going to save loads of weight but every little helps .

I went for the OZ Ultraleggera in matt black and for 15 inch all round with a 7 inch width so I can still run the 195/50/15 front 225/45/15 rear tyres .

New 15 inch OZ Ultraleggera

https://thumbsnap.com/s/Zvj84Jx6.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/Zvj84Jx6]

|https://thumbsnap.com/Zvj84Jx6

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|https://thumbsnap.com/56sJ0vur

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|https://thumbsnap.com/oOrjlhIy

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|https://thumbsnap.com/ASVzM3LI

And the tyres are Nankang AR-1 in 195/50/15 front and 225/45/15 rear

https://thumbsnap.com/s/3uPwWrK5.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/3uPwWrK5]

|https://thumbsnap.com/3uPwWrK5

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|https://thumbsnap.com/GpX21jtg

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|https://thumbsnap.com/GXmJhUDB

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|https://thumbsnap.com/6DOF0pem

https://thumbsnap.com/s/l4wnkNQC.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/l4wnkNQC]

|https://thumbsnap.com/l4wnkNQC

And light weight alloy wheel nuts

https://thumbsnap.com/s/EYz4F1jo.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/EYz4F1jo]

|https://thumbsnap.com/EYz4F1jo

Old and new nut

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|https://thumbsnap.com/y8Ea1mZ7

Then to see what the difference is in weight

Old Toyota nut

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|https://thumbsnap.com/olasIZEf

Light weight nut

https://thumbsnap.com/s/o8hueVeO.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/o8hueVeO]

|https://thumbsnap.com/o8hueVeO

Front 15 inch Mr2 FL wheel

https://thumbsnap.com/s/fMHWlVv2.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/fMHWlVv2]

|https://thumbsnap.com/fMHWlVv2

Front 15 inch OZ Ultraleggera

https://thumbsnap.com/s/KDKaBFey.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/KDKaBFey]

|https://thumbsnap.com/KDKaBFey

Rear 16 inch Mr2 FL wheel

https://thumbsnap.com/s/uboBsU71.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/uboBsU71]

|https://thumbsnap.com/uboBsU71

Rear 15 inch OZ Ultraleggera

https://thumbsnap.com/s/RKSDsHCF.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/RKSDsHCF]

|https://thumbsnap.com/RKSDsHCF

Adding the numbers this should reduce the un sprung weight by 11 Kg and I can still keep the tyre size I want on the second set of wheels .

Then fitting them to the car .

https://thumbsnap.com/s/a7FAMvPG.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/a7FAMvPG]

|https://thumbsnap.com/a7FAMvPG

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|https://thumbsnap.com/E1aVazWL

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|https://thumbsnap.com/HNdh20Du

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|https://thumbsnap.com/UjLyb5AH

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|https://thumbsnap.com/viHBjab6

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|https://thumbsnap.com/1MjihCL2

1979scotte · February 28, 2019, 15:31

Reasonable weight saving.
And they're nice wheels.

jvanzyl · February 28, 2019, 15:34

Very cool!
Does anyone or can anyone quantify the acceleration increase per kg of weight saving given a driver weight of like 80kgs for example?
I do like the idea (at times) of massively reducing the weight, but if it's all for the sake of 0.1 second on the way to 100 then I kinda of lose interest...

1979scotte · February 28, 2019, 15:42

Quote from: jvanzyl on February 28, 2019, 15:34
Very cool!
Does anyone or can anyone quantify the acceleration increase per kg of weight saving given a driver weight of like 80kgs for example?
I do like the idea (at times) of massively reducing the weight, but if it's all for the sake of 0.1 second on the way to 100 then I kinda of lose interest...

Forget that how much faster can you corner the lighter you are?

Chilli Girl · February 28, 2019, 16:25

Nice looking Chilli, I do like Chilli Reds! I can't help saying though, a black Hardtop would look even smarter!

inside · February 28, 2019, 16:39

Very nice !

Please report how you will like the AR1 tires...

Kaveney · February 28, 2019, 16:56

Quote from: Chilli Girl on February 28, 2019, 16:25
Nice looking Chilli, I do like Chilli Reds! I can't help saying though, a black Hardtop would look even smarter!

Quote from: inside on February 28, 2019, 16:39

Its a track car only so im not that fussed about the colour and the gunmetal grey gives it some colour in all that red and black

Very nice !
Please report how you will like the AR1 tires...

Will do im at Bedford on the 30/03/19 so will see how they get on then .

Quote from: 1979scotte on February 28, 2019, 15:31

Reasonable weight saving.
And they're nice wheels.

11 Kg is not bad and they do look very nice not that they will stay that way

Kaveney · February 28, 2019, 16:57

Quote from: Chilli Girl on February 28, 2019, 16:25
Nice looking Chilli, I do like Chilli Reds! I can't help saying though, a black Hardtop would look even smarter!

Quote from: inside on February 28, 2019, 16:39

Its a track car only so im not that fussed about the colour and the gunmetal grey gives it some colour in all that red and black

Very nice !
Please report how you will like the AR1 tires...

Will do im at Bedford on the 30/03/19 so will see how they get on then .

Quote from: 1979scotte on February 28, 2019, 15:31

Reasonable weight saving.
And they're nice wheels.

11 Kg is not bad and they do look very nice not that they will stay that way

Kaveney · February 28, 2019, 16:59

Its a track car only so im not that fussed about the colour and the gunmetal grey gives it some colour in all that red and black

Quote from: Chilli Girl on February 28, 2019, 16:25
Nice looking Chilli, I do like Chilli Reds! I can't help saying though, a black Hardtop would look even smarter!