Alex's 2ZZ Swapped MR2 Roadster

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

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JB21

Quote from: Alex Knight on July 25, 2024, 14:31Hi all,

Can I get your opinion please?

I've got a trackday booked at Bedford Autodrome GT Circuit on 9th August, and I popped the wheels off to inspect the brake pads.

The fronts (first picture) are starting to show some wear now, and I am wondering if they will last the day at Bedford? @thetyrant @JB21

The rears (second picture) are fine, and I'm happy with them.

FRONT


REAR


Just under half left on the fronts, should be fine unless they disintegrate with heat. Just take a spare set of ECP cheapo specials as insurance to get you home, they're only £20.

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/audura-brake-pad-10182014u

thetyrant

Agreed should do the day depending on weather/laps etc  ;D
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

Alex Knight

Quote from: Carolyn on March 21, 2024, 11:47I have a spare frunk lid, if you want to cut one down. I know the breakers just bin them (after removing the catches), so getting a spare is no big deal.  I use tie wraps to attach the top edge of the frunk lid to the TRD brace.

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I cut the frunk lid down today (about 8cm). I didn't need to drill and cable tie it, as it just about slips under the brace, and the front catches keep it in place.


Alex Knight

@thetyrant
@JB21

Thanks for your swift replies, it's much appreciated.

I'm going to take a spare set of fronts, but I may as well get some replacement Carbotechs instead of some cheapies, as I will be replacing them with like-for-like anyway.

Side note: EBC Yellowstuff wore the rear pads MUCH more quickly than the fronts. That trend seems to have reversed with the Carbotechs, but to nowhere near the same ratio.

Alex Knight

I'm making the 400+ mile trip to Bedford Autodrome this coming Thursday for a trackday on Friday.

I've always recorded my trackdays on a cheapy GoPro knock off. The quality is 'ok', but nowt special.

The other day, I took an fb marketplace punt on a GoPro 11, which turned out to be a bit of a bargain.

I did a quick test with it the other day, and the quality is incredible. Very pleased with it and can't wait to get some footage at Bedford.



Chilli Girl

Neither can I wait Alex ;D I love watching people's racing. Have a great time on Friday.
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!

Alex Knight

#531
Hey all,

I'm back from my 880 mile(!) round trip to Bedford Autodrome GT Circuit.
Since I moved to Scotland, I have realised that I have moved really quite far away from most circuits in the UK, so as a consequence I am less able to attend trackdays. I've always loved Bedford Autodrome due to its mix of corners, and lots of space for runoff if you push too much. The back straight is pretty long (circa 130mph) too, so I thought it was worth the trip - and it absolutely was! I even squeezed 400.7 miles out of a tank on the way back. That's 43.64MPG!

The car was, as ever, faultless. Zero issues, yet again, despite covering over 1,000 miles in 3 days. It's almost boring to keep saying it, but I try really hard with preventative maintenance to ensure that I can do things like that, and it's really paid off.

The chassis balance was great at Bedford. I had some low speed understeer if you charged into the hairpins too quickly, but the mid and high speed balance was oversteer (the way I like it). I had two high speed monster tankslappers, but I didn't spin or come close to spinning. Twice I got shown the 'steady' board by the marshalls. I didn't even know that board existed until now!  ;D
That's the great thing about this circuit - you can really push the limits.

I am considering adjustable ARBs to try and dial out some of the low speed understeer, but I'm very keen not to change the mid to high speed oversteer by doing this. Any suggestions?

I discovered that the GoPro doesn't work well at all with the roof down and no external mic. I have a lot of wasted footage which looks great, but sounds terrible! The below is a session from after I realised that, with the roof up:


Here are some photos:









puma2

 :) just proves the fact that if you look after your 2 with good maintenance then your 2 will look after you and be trusteed and give confidence in all your travels.

fair play you enjoyed the day and all the travel and money spent worth it i would say 8)  8) 

MrChris

Hi @Alex Knight I don't suppose you'd mind sharing a list of what you've done to your 2 including things like grade of oil you're using etc (unless this is already somewhere and I've missed it, there's a lot of pages to this thread!). My 2zz is in for its MOT currently and hoping to track it shortly thereafter and I'd love to get the longevity out of it that you have enjoyed.

Alex Knight

Quote from: MrChris on August 14, 2024, 16:55Hi @Alex Knight I don't suppose you'd mind sharing a list of what you've done to your 2 including things like grade of oil you're using etc

Thanks for your kind words! It has been ultra reliable, and I think a large factor in that was taking the engine out in 2017 and doing absolutely EVERYTHING. If it was serviceable, we replaced it.
Another factor is using high quality parts and fluids.

To that end, I'm using Millers Nanodrive NT+ 10W/50. I used to use Gulf Racing 15W/50 for the longest time, but that got discontinued a few years ago. To be honest, as long as you are using a high quality, true ester based oil of a suitable viscosity for the track, you'll be fine.

Other specs are as follows (and I'm sure I've missed a few things:

2ZZ - Corolla T-Sport
Modified Celica 190 manifold
OEM Cat
TRD Exhaust
Apex'i intake behind battery
Celica 190 ECU
Eliseparts Sump
MWR Underdrive water pump pulley

2ZZ 6-Speed Gearbox
MR2 OEM 6th Gear
MR2 OEM LSD
Fidanza flywheel
Exedy Clutch

Carbotech XP10 pads
Blueprint Discs
Goodridge lines
Motul RBF 600 Fluid

Tein SuperStreet coilovers
Tein EDFC
Fully polybushed
TRD Front Brace
C-One Rear Brace
Under brace
Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2
195/50/R15 AD08RS Front
205/50/R15 AD08RS Rear

MrChris

Quote from: Alex Knight on August 14, 2024, 18:26Specs

Amazing thanks so much. Yours is a great example that is definitely something to aim for. I've got some fresh 5w-40 in there right now and have a similar spec with regard to the 2zz conversion. I'm looking forward to following your future track days, would be good to see you on one perhaps too.

Alex Knight

Quote from: MrChris on August 14, 2024, 18:41Amazing thanks so much. Yours is a great example that is definitely something to aim for. I've got some fresh 5w-40 in there right now and have a similar spec with regard to the 2zz conversion. I'm looking forward to following your future track days, would be good to see you on one perhaps too.

Thank again for your kind words.

If you need any help or advice with the 2ZZ swap, don't hesitate to get in touch. It's a great engine, hopefully you'll really enjoy it.
Toyota really missed a trick not using it in this chassis.

Chilli Girl

Brilliant @Alex Knight absolutely brilliant, so enjoyed watching that and those helmets I like too ;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!

Alex Knight

Probably last drive of the year before SORNing and tucking away for the winter. Up the A93 Old Military Road to Glenshee, the highest road in the UK.




Alex Knight

Well, it's been a hot minute since the last update but with the car tucked in the garage with a cover and a trickle charger, that stands to reason!

I did take advantage of the Whiteline sale before Christmas, and treated myself to a pair of adjustable ARBs, and new OEM brakes and nuts.

After I ordered them, I can across this thread, which gave me concerns about fitting.

I emailed Whiteline the link to ask them about it, and they said that they haven't heard of this issue, but they would take a look.

To their absolute credit, they sent me a two pairs of Whiteline drop links FOC for me to try out and document.

I've not had any dealings with them before, but their customer service was absolute top notch. I'm mega impressed.

I'll post an update once I've fitted them.




Iain

Ive got a whiteline front arb waiting to be fitted so very interested to see how you get on...

Zxrob

Quote from: Alex Knight on January 26, 2025, 20:00Well, it's been a hot minute since the last update but with the car tucked in the garage with a cover and a trickle charger, that stands to reason!

I did take advantage of the Whiteline sale before Christmas, and treated myself to a pair of adjustable ARBs, and new OEM brakes and nuts.

After I ordered them, I can across this thread, which gave me concerns about fitting.

I emailed Whiteline the link to ask them about it, and they said that they haven't heard of this issue, but they would take a look.

To their absolute credit, they sent me a two pairs of Whiteline drop links FOC for me to try out and document.

I've not had any dealings with them before, but their customer service was absolute top notch. I'm mega impressed.

I'll post an update once I've fitted them.




Yes, I fitted Whiteline front and rear ARB with new drop links and noticed the same problem, I have ordered some new thinner nyloc nuts to try and if that fails may well fit two thin lock nuts instead, I cant see them coming loose, I have driven the car as they are but would rather be safe than sorry

Rob
Adventure before dementia 😁

Alex Knight

Quote from: Zxrob on January 27, 2025, 14:22Yes, I fitted Whiteline front and rear ARB with new drop links and noticed the same problem, I have ordered some new thinner nyloc nuts to try and if that fails may well fit two thin lock nuts instead, I cant see them coming loose, I have driven the car as they are but would rather be safe than sorry

Rob

Will keep you posted when I fit the new drop links.

AJRFulton

#543
I like the adjustable roll bar.

On track softening the rear ARB and tyre pressures was the quickest way to go from full dry set up, to something that was tolerable in the wet - makes a big difference and takes maybe 10 minutes to do.

I don't find adjusting the front makes much noticeable difference.

My kit is all Whiteline, although it's maybe 7yrs old now (although done <1500 miles), I don't have that issue with the nuts. Although my drop links do not look like yours.

Alex Knight

Quote from: AJRFulton on January 27, 2025, 21:21I like the adjustable roll bar.

On track softening the rear ARB and tyre pressures was the quickest way to go from full dry set up, to something that was tolerable in the wet - makes a big difference and takes maybe 10 minutes to do.

I don't find adjusting the front makes much noticeable difference.

My kit is all Whiteline, although it's maybe 7yrs old now (although done <1500 miles), I don't have that issue with the nuts. Although my drop links do not look like yours.

Thanks for the info.

These drop links are prototypes sent over from Australia.

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