All the 2s - MrChris's 2nd MR2 2zz

[MrChris]

I bought my 2zz powered MR2 earlier this year with the plan to sell the 1zz but it's a bit beat up and no one was really interested so I kept it, MOTd it and now I have 2 2s.

So the brief spec of this is:
2zz out of a Corolla T-Sport with the Corolla ECU with Celica ECU and C60 gears, plus 1zz 6th gear and LSD.
Standard shocks and possibly lowering springs.
Full underbody brace.
Cusco strut brace.
PPE header.
Remus/TTE exhaust mix (sounds very fruity).
Elise Sector111 Gpan baffled sump.
AD08R tyres.
Lightweight flywheel.

First was to get it MOTd:
New front pads.
New MTEC j-hook discs.
Service with new oil.
Put in a K&N filter.

MOT pass with advisory for crusty suspension components. Nothing new there then, and something I've dealt with adequately on my other 2.

Next was to take it on a track day which I did for an evening at Donington:



Glad I only did an evening. After a couple of sessions the brakes did not feel right. Came in to the pits and found a sticking caliper. I frantically put some spare pads I had with me on (fighting some rusted bolts) and managed to get out for one more session at the end of the evening.

Also found I'm consuming more fuel than expected.

Next steps:
Fit new calipers and pads.
Identified a small exhaust leak so will change the exhaust manifold gasket.
Check spark plugs, injectors, coils etc.

Verdict: what a car. The 2zz is amazing and is so fast compared to the 1zz. I was keeping up with stuff, not getting overtaken so much. It's such a joy to use. I definitely miss coilovers though so once the fundamentals are dealt with I need to sort this out.