2005 Silver :)

[thetyrant]

Hi all
Ok about time i started a proper thread on my latest purchase!, last month i purchased my first MR2 which is a 2005 Mk3 in silver that i got from a member on here & FB group before it was officially advertised, i think its a good one so far:)

  Ive owned a lot of cars over the years (35+ at last count i think!) but only other mid engine was a 2001 Boxster 3.2S about 10 years ago, that had amazing handling and engine/noise but with age a costly thing to keep in perfect shape, so like many Boxster owners i moved it on after a year of fun and a few trackdays both here in UK and Europe

Anyhows back to the MR2 it came to me with 97k on it along with full toyota service history , also it had recently had below parts done but otherwise pretty much stock...

Ebay decatted aftermarket manifold,
New Toyota Subframe
New Toyota Sump
Hardrace traction arms,
Corkys breast plate
Matts Underbrace
GT86 Satnav Headunit. +original
New rear discs and pads and OSR caliper.

Also came with few parts to fit or sell once i decide what im doing.
Used Mark iii intake pipe.
New Screaming chicken badge
New Toyota mats
Stock manifold/heatshield with good precats.
New Front fogs
Various other bits and bobs


My first job was to make sure everything was working as it should be and after noticing a strange shimmy under braking on drive home that was first job, first proper testdrive after getting it home showed a very hot NSR wheel and the shimmy getting worse so that was where i started, turned out the garage that recently fitted rear discs and pads had not done a very good job on one side,  inner pad was not properly located into caliper bracket correctly and they must of forced caliper on!, subsequently it was causing rear brakes to bind and had destroyed/bent the pad!, stripped off caliper made sure it was all working and while bit crusty seemed ok with piston going back in and sliders moving ok, fitted new Carbotech XP8 pads front and rear with new front discs then bled fluid with Motul RBF600, subsequently ive replaced NSR caliper to match recently replaced OSR so everything is tiptop.

After doing the brakes it could now stop very well and no binding or overheating which was good, however car was still crabbing/shimmying under braking so further investigation required, got it up on ramps and found nearly all the bolts on rear subframe and suspension arms attaching to it were not tightened up properly!  previous owner must of got sidetracked before torquing up all the bolts after subframe replacement,  i finished the job going over all the bolts and then checked/adjusted alignment so now the car tracks straight and true as it should.

I removed the GT86 headunit and refitted stock item as ive no need for the fancy HU

While doing the HU swap i noticed passenger door speaker not working, quick trip up to Dick Sloane's who is local to me for a used speaker and that was sorted

After this a quick trackday at Oulton park to get a feel for what was needed next, it was a cold and slippy day so couldnt push on much but did show up the poor tyres and suspension feeling a bit high and wobbly, so....

Next job was suspension, while i had been sorting out brakes etc i found the springs and dampers all pretty rusty state which seems normal on these, removed it all and cleaned off what was just surface rust and painted things up,  it all seemed to be functioning as it should but as i bought another set of used dampers off here (mainly for future Koni conversion) which felt a bit nicer  i fitted those with new front dust boots and rear drop links etc from TCB.

I wanted to improve handling and lower the car a touch for occasional track use without compromising ride quality on road too much, after ruling out the popular BC coilovers which while ive found ok on other cars but sound a bit harsh on these so plan is to fit Koni inserts and lowered springs, budget being tight on approach to xmas i decided on just a set of the Tein S-tech springs to start off with so got some again from TCB (great price and service!) and fitted them this week along with slight trim on bumpstops, car is looking a lot better and handling even sharper just need a dry road to have proper play, ride quality seems hardly affected and if anything feels better!

Thats where im upto now next purchase will be some better tyres to replace the aged mismatched set (Falken front/Bridgestone rear) on at moment,  probably go Federal 595RSR which ive used before with good results, i plan a few trackdays next year and also will be competing in the Javelin/Japanese/Toyota sprint series like i did in my old Supercharged GT86, its great fun and cheap motorsport and recommend everyone having a try of it ... i will need to get a half cage or hardtop to be allowed entry but thats a good idea anyways when going on track in ragtop

Couple of pictures below, first day a couple of days after collection and a quick drive in the lake district, followed by how she looks on new springs and a quick jetwash, not best pictures but its always dark/raining up here it seems, will get better once weather improves.

Will update as things move along

[Brizee67]

Hey, welcome.

Nice looking motor, I think I've seen this on the Facebook group.

It's great that you're mechanically minded and able to sort out the common niggles that these cars can have.

Roll on Spring so that you can fully appreciate the roof down winding around the country B roads [emoji16]

Ps How much is the head unit and do you have any pictures?


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[thetyrant]

Thanks and yes looking forward to better weather!

Gt86 headunit I have advertised on gt86 forum for offers around 200 but will put advert on here if anyone is interested.

[delhusband]

Nice pics, car looks great, you been busy 

[1979scotte]

Got any pics of the breastplate and the mid brace I was under the impression they didn't fit together.

[thetyrant]

I believe it was a very tight fit and small modification was needed to get both braces on, I will get pics next time I'm under there and probably remove both to clean up and paint, might leave small brace off as not sure it's any benefit having both.

[idnan]

Very nice car and some good choice mods. How do you rate the hard race rear arms?

[thetyrant]

Thanks, I've not driven it with anything other than the hardrace fitted so nothing to compare it with really,  to be honest I would rather have stock arms as i don't need the extra adjustment these offer but as new Toyota arms are so expensive I guess these will do

[idnan]

Thanks, I've not driven it with anything other than the hardrace fitted so nothing to compare it with really,  to be honest I would rather have stock arms as i don't need the extra adjustment these offer but as new Toyota arms are so expensive I guess these will do

Thanks looks like you've save me a bit of money! Think I'll just go for bush refresh on the rear instead

[thetyrant]

Thanks, I've not driven it with anything other than the hardrace fitted so nothing to compare it with really,  to be honest I would rather have stock arms as i don't need the extra adjustment these offer but as new Toyota arms are so expensive I guess these will do

Thanks looks like you've save me a bit of money! Think I'll just go for bush refresh on the rear instead

Indeed unless you need the adjustment there is no need for these really apart from the bling of course   i was hoping to find a good quality pattern arm to replace these and sell the hardrace but it seems there is nothing out there other than genuine Toyota which are nearly double the price of the Hardrace setup!, weird how non of the usual aftermarket pattern parts people like Febi and blueprint havent done these arms, if anyone knows of some let me know.

[thetyrant]

Not a huge lot to report on this but did get a few nice days over christmas to give it a good run out over the tops, she is all running nicely so time for the new rubber which arrived yesterday from Camskill,  my local tyre guy fitting them onto rims today so should get them on tonight ....track day looming i think

Pic below....

[shnazzle]

I'm really torn between these or another set of my beloved AD08RS next time

[thetyrant]

I'm really torn between these or another set of my beloved AD08RS next time

Ive used both tyres and for the price the Federal RSR is hard to beat for grip, these cost me £260 for all 4 tyres ( 2 x 195/50-15 & 2 x 205/50-16) whereas AD08's where going to be £100 more in same sizes or £160 more in stock sizes, I find the Federal has more grip but the Yoko slightly firmer sidewalls and maybe longer life, for what I do with car though I think Federals are best (road/sprint/trackday) and cheap as chips

[shnazzle]

I can't imagine grip being any better as the only limitation I've found on the AD08Rs is my ability. But, it's the cost and also I'm interested to know how the RSRs perform on a more day to day basis in wet/cold conditions. That's where the AD08Rs really nigh on disappoint. I'm used to it and know that when those conditions arise, to unleash the inner Sunday driver. But I am getting to a point where I'd prefer something a bit more well-rounded. Only a bit though as, on balance, I'd much rather have the Yoko levels of grip in the dry than the well-rounded solution. But if I can have my cake and eat it....

[thetyrant]

I can't imagine grip being any better as the only limitation I've found on the AD08Rs is my ability. But, it's the cost and also I'm interested to know how the RSRs perform on a more day to day basis in wet/cold conditions. That's where the AD08Rs really nigh on disappoint. I'm used to it and know that when those conditions arise, to unleash the inner Sunday driver. But I am getting to a point where I'd prefer something a bit more well-rounded. Only a bit though as, on balance, I'd much rather have the Yoko levels of grip in the dry than the well-rounded solution. But if I can have my cake and eat it....

Indeed bravery is often the limitation, certainly on the road   I ran RSR for 2 years on my supercharged MX5 and about same on a BMW 130i & 6months on 135i all road and track and very impressed, especially in the wet when new (and down to about half tread) when i was one of only 2 who could stay out on track in monsoon at Anglesey,  certainly better than the AD08 in wet with even better dry grip imo, maybe not as nice feel due to sidewalls but still very good, AD08 nearly killed me on a trip to Nurburgring in my old Mitsi Evo2 but they were about half worn and ring is lethal when wet on most things, not too bad once warmed up like most yokos but if you cant get that warmth in them not very good as you say, RSR works better from cold.

Will report back once ive got these scrubbed in as not used these sizes before, quick test drive last night in cold/damp and the car felt good though and that's before they are scrubbed up, looking forward to limpet mode once they are scrubbed

Ian

[shnazzle]

Sounds very promising. Look forward to your review

[Call the midlife!]

I liked the look of the Federals but can't seem to find them in PFL sizes, not the fronts at least, never looked for rears. Although I've still got many thousands of miles left on my Toyos.


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[MisterK]

My Toyo's are being replaced in the spring...masses of tread left but well past their 'use by' date, so they need to come off.  I was going Yoko AD08's but having read this the RSR sound like a viable alternative.
The car is NOT a track car but is a show car and only does max 2000 miles a year.  I know that a new set of Toyo's is the cheapest option, but I want something that puts a real smile on my face  for the limited miles I do drive the car  .
Are sizes available for standard FL wheels?

[MisterK]

I've just answered my own question...
Unfortunately, not available for standard wheels.  The only 15" sizes are 195 or 205 50 15 and the 16" sizes are 205 45 or 205 50 16.

Looks like its Yoko AD08's are the way to go then.

[thetyrant]

As you have found RSR is not available in stock FL sizes but ive gone for 195/50-15 front to give more front end grip I feel car needs, rear ive gone 205/45-16 on rear which I think will give plenty of grip, especially on stock engine!, rolling diameter/circumference is slightly reduced over stock sizes but its same amount front and rear (-1.3%), this gives small reduction in gearing so faster acceleration/lower top speed and I must say on short test drive car did feel a little more sprightly, might just be because I hadn't driven it for a week though and need a dry day to get it out for proper drive.

[Petrus]

The car is NOT a track car but is a show car and only does max 2000 miles a year.  I know that a new set of Toyo's is the cheapest option, but I want something that puts a real smile on my face  for the limited miles I do drive the car  .
Are sizes available for standard FL wheels?

Then have a look at the Yokohama A048.
195/50 R15 Medium, 205/50 R15 Medium should be mega cool. When warm stick like chewing gum!

[thetyrant]

Took advantage of a break in the weather (thankfully as forecasted) and made a the 180mile/3hour trip down to Cadwell park yesterday for the afternoon track session with Javelin, didnt fancy a 4am start to get there in time to potter around the cold/damp circuit in the morning and so glad i didnt as lots of stoppages with some idiots driving beyond limits of car/tyres/driver!  Much quieter in afternoon and track fully dry with only one short stoppage for a spinner

Wanted to give these Federal RSR tyres a good run out as after a couple of road blasts since fitted where they felt good but really wanted to try on track see how car felt, im happy report they were amazing with good feel and way more grip than my bravery allowed in first proper dry track outing in this car, i did get a the rear moving around a little on turn in as expected from these cars but overall grip was impressive indeed and the washy front end feel car had last time on track was totally gone, partly the tyres but also the tein springs, reset geo and better track conditions helping.

The extra grip did show up the weakness in suspension as i thought it would and despite the Tein springs to drop/stiffen sightly the dampers are obviously struggling on track and springs a bit soft, i knew this would be the case as felt it a little on road and cadwell is a great test due to the nature of track, driving smoothly not so bad but as you up the pace it was clear i need to address the suspension next. Some more Camber at front will help in short term while i make a plan to change the dampers/springs.

I was originally planning Koni Inserts to run with the Tein springs but i think im going to need a little more so been researching coilovers for this car, ive run lots of different kits in past on various cars and im not interested in cheap far east made kits and prefer to pay a little more for a quality setup that works and lasts, so far my current favourite is KW V3 kit but still doing research, car in current state is perfectly driveable on road and track so no hurry to change but will get something sorted for when warmer weather starts.

Great fun machine and look forward to next track outing, time for a oil change now then its ready to go.

Ian

[thetyrant]

Update as after much pondering on suspension ive now fitted the Koni Sport adjustable inserts along with my Tein Springs (as per my thread in modifications section)  these have made the car much nicer to drive with improved body control/handling and comfort on the lower damping settings, look forward to getting back on track to see how things fair on there.

Next mods are some camber bolts which have just arrived so might get them on this week, engine oil and filter change needs doing asap as well before i head back to track.

[thetyrant]

Popped the Whiteline front camber bolts in last night supplied by Larkspeed.com (great service as always :-) ) and i set them to max negative on install as in past on other cars ive found this still quite mild around -1.5deg, however on this car its given -2.5deg camber each side which im kind of happy with, that will be ideal for track but maybe a touch aggressive for road use so i will dial it back to -2deg i think.

Also they made a big difference to tracking/toe settings taking it from my previous slight toe in @ 10' to toe'ing out @ 50'  so i adjusted it back to slight toe in and had a quick test drive, it feels very nice at front end now but main reason for extra camber is to stop it scrubbing outer shoulders on track, which isnt a problem on road as such hence will knock camber back to around -2deg and reset toe again.

Look forward to getting on track to see how tyre temps/wear etc are.

Ian

[thetyrant]

450mile road trip this weekend to collect my latest modification......................a nice hardtop from member on here ... couple of quick snaps taken on way home before I got chance to clean it up