Hi everyone. I recently started a thread titled "Bitten by the MR2 bug" and we certainly have been. We bought Mo at the end of November 2019 after seeing a couple of lovely Mk3s at a recent car show on the south coast. We wanted a car that would make our weekend adventures and trips away even more fun and it certainly has done that already. Once my girlfriend got over the luggage space issue ( which isn't really a limitation as we have found out) we set off for a weekend away and even had the roof down thanks to the amazing heaters.
Plans. I want to keep the car as stock as I can but the aim is to get it looking as good as those cars we saw at the car show. My knowledge is limited but this forum has been so helpful and welcoming already. I wanted a car that I could learn on and enjoy playing with even with my limited experience and knowledge, so apart from the cosmetic jobs on the list to work through I want to give it a service and change my tyres ( thanks to the advice from you) then learn to drive and really appreciate a rear wheel drive mid engine sports car. I have attached some pictures and will update you once jobs are completed.
So once again thanks for the welcome and we hope to see some of you up the road soon.
This is Mo
Is it ok to get so excited about a car? ::)
Quote from: Smithy on January 6, 2020, 15:33Is it ok to get so excited about a car? ::)
Absolutely! You've come to the right place for that.
It's looking nice in the photos, I've always said colour-wise that you can't go wrong with black.
Mo looks very nice indeed - wish my headlights looked as clear as yours! :)
Quote from: Chilli Girl on January 6, 2020, 16:12Mo looks very nice indeed - wish my headlights looked as clear as yours! :)
Thanks very much. They are a little hazy up close. Apparently you can lightly sand them and clear coat them and they come back really good
Spoken like a forum veteran.:)
Yes, Jame's learning quickly ;)
Mine looked like yours when I bought it new from Mr T back in 2004...black & completely standard. It now looks like this...Toyota & TTE modifications in the main, plus a retrim of the seats and door cards.
mr2rear.jpeg
Looking good, obviously I'm biased welcome to the Dark Side 😀
Mister K your car looks stunning
Quote from: Chilli Girl on January 6, 2020, 17:40Yes, Jame's learning quickly ;)
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Absolutely. This time last year I didn't even know what a MAF sensor was. I cleaned mine at the weekend and boy what a difference. Going to attempt a oil and air filter service soon
Quote from: Smithy on January 6, 2020, 19:09Mister K your car looks stunning
Many thanks...more than 15 years on & I still love it 😉👍
Not only do I love your car Mark but I love your avatar even more - fair cute. ;D Sorry chit chatting AGAIN. >:(
They are an addictive little machine
Enjoy
Rob
Quote from: Chilli Girl on January 6, 2020, 20:39Not only do I love your car Mark but I love your avatar even more - fair cute. ;D Sorry chit chatting AGAIN. >:(
Just for you Jane...this is Luna.
Sorry its sideways ;)
Busy day today. All four wheels off and brake callipers painted (gloss black smoothright) nappy off and a good look from underneath at the sub frame. It looks pretty good I have to say. Gutters cleared from inside and out. And lastly rear light taken off to de mist. So pleased to spend the day doing some useful job and getting to know my 2 a little better 👍🏼
Well played.
It's a wet February weekend and a stormy one but it's not stopped us taking Mo to the Surrey hills for the weekend
You have been well and truly bitten.
It's a very nice example indeed and your approach is spot on.
Hope to see it in the flesh soon
Fitted new zunsport grill tonight. So pleased with it. Looking to getting the bonnet and front grill now. Thanks again to Dan for the private sale section here
Looks great James, well done. :)
Looks the part mate 8)
It looks good and this is only the start, good luck.
Looking at your roof down picture, you need to do a search on here for 'soft top ears'. The strap will likely be in there somewhere and probably has been since new.
Oh yes thanks. I did have a look at those the other day but needed a little more time to really sort them out. I guess the roof folds away easier and with a cleaner look. it is hard to fold down at the moment.
Quote from: Smithy on February 21, 2020, 14:48Oh yes thanks. I did have a look at those the other day but needed a little more time to really sort them out. I guess the roof folds away easier and with a cleaner look. it is hard to fold down at the moment.
Tucking the ears in will give a "cleaner look" but will not affect the ease of folding. That is most likely the cold weather. If you don't like to idle the car, drive with the heater on full for a while to warm up the fabric and it should then drop more easily.
Hh thanks I will give it a go. if we ever get a dry day.
Treated Mo to a little machine polish just to freshen up the paintwork. We had some clear coat scratches that needed more than I could tackle. It looks like she has had some re spray in places but looks ok to the untrained eye. I think you could quite easily drive yourself crazy working towards perfection. Its never going to be perfect I know that, she is getting on a bit now after all. I was happy with the outcome today especially the headlights.
Today I took off my nappy to get a good look at my subframe. I had looked before but after reading about it on here, I knew a bit more about what I was looking at. I didn't think it looked too bad but interested in people's thoughts please
If you look at the "What have you don't today" thread I've just posted pictures of my subframe.
The hole on mine is where they normally go, so check that area in particular.
Ok mate thanks
Rear bumper off today to give the engine bay a good clean in preparation for painting some of the areas that are rusty. I will try and get to the sub frame too. Thanks to the guidelines on here for removing rear bumper, that was an enormous help.
Quote from: Smithy on April 2, 2020, 17:25Rear bumper off today to give the engine bay a good clean in preparation for painting some of the areas that are rusty. I will try and get to the sub frame too. Thanks to the guidelines on here for removing rear bumper, that was an enormous help.
These cars look so much better with the lights removed.
Need to remember to turn the pictures around
Also a clever person would of taken pictures to help remember how it all goes back together. Not me sadly
Quote from: Smithy on April 3, 2020, 21:44Also a clever person would of taken pictures to help remember how it all goes back together. Not me sadly
dont worry, it is easy.
Quote from: Smithy on April 3, 2020, 21:42Need to remember to turn the pictures around
Hi Smithy - the pictures open the right way up 8)
Sub frame painted now and all looking good underneath. Need a few little repair jobs on the bumper before it goes back on. Anything else I could do while the back is exposed?
Good job James ;D
AECD96BE-3567-49EC-95D1-45127FB86714.jpeg
Amazing what a bit of polish can do
Quote from: Smithy on April 6, 2020, 20:13AECD96BE-3567-49EC-95D1-45127FB86714.jpeg
Amazing what a bit of polish can do
That's come up well! When I de catted mine a few years back I wire brushed the
(stainless) casing of the cat and I was pleased with that. Didn't think the heat shields would "brush up" so sprayed them with heat resistant silver the same as I did the OE manifold heat shield. All still looking good but painted.
Not that many on here keep the OE manifold heat shield but I wonder if that would take a polish up?
just after taking that picture last night I realised I had polished the wrong side, so ended up polishing both sides. pleased with the result though.
not sure about the heat shield, like you say a lot of people paint or remove them.
Got some nice little trim bits of a guy on the FB group and a JDM gear shifter.
Nice touches James, looks good. Splits up the black nicely.
Thank you. Hope your keeping safe and well
Just a little update guys. Took the old manifold off recently to replace with my Toyosport. I was quite pleased with how it went considering I haven't done anything like this before. I had most of my problems removing the heat shields but apart from that it took me a while but I really enjoyed doing it. As time go's on I'm getting more confident with the jobs I'm attempting on the car and that is manly due to the guidance and information from you all here at the forum. Rocker cover gasket next with a polish up.
This little car fascinates me and I still find myself looking out the window at her.
Yep.
They do get under your skin. In a good way.
Show me a better value car, for putting a smile on your face.
I think you would love ding day. Not many of us, but no two 2s the same.
Just don't know when it will happen.
Finally got round to fitting a new rocker cover gasket after I noticed some oil on a couple of spark plugs last service. With some guidance from Ardent and Carolyn I replaced the gasket and gave the top and back of the engine a clean while it was exposed. I also got a chance to polish the rocker cover. I didn't spend too much time on it just a little polish up. its a nice little engine job and I took some pictures so if anyone wants to do the same let me know and I can share. I have attached a before and after picture
Been a while since my last update. I have been doing some little jobs on the car but I guess the big change was fitting my WRX spoiler. I got it a while back but its taken a while to paint and fit. I guess this look is not for everyone but I really like the way it gives the car a more sporty look imo.
We went to a local car show at Headcorn airfield with our friends and their spitfire. We had a few people interested in the little 2. It was just so nice to be in the sunshine and surrounded by so many beautiful cars.
I like that James, well worth all your hard work, well done. Hope your friends Spitfire is running as well as your 2. ;D
Thank you Jane. Yes it goes well but smokes a little under strain. It does get some looks, having said that my 2 got a few nice comments too
Your spoiler looks spot on. Gentle lines not in your face.
Spitfire looks good too.
Your giving me motivation to get my new bumper fitted and painted so I can stop tripping over it.
Yes that was part of my motivation as I kept tripping over it in the garage.
The spitfire is a lovely car and so easy to work on as the whole bonnet lifts forward. You can get all around the engine bay. My mate sits on his front wheel to work on his car not hunched over like we have to do with our 2s
Quote from: Smithy on September 4, 2020, 11:06Yes that was part of my motivation as I kept tripping over it in the garage.
The spitfire is a lovely car and so easy to work on as the whole bonnet lifts forward. You can get all around the engine bay. My mate sits on his front wheel to work on his car not hunched over like we have to do with our 2s
A mate in the 60's had a Herald and did just that!
Quote from: Smithy on September 4, 2020, 11:06Yes that was part of my motivation as I kept tripping over it in the garage.
The spitfire is a lovely car and so easy to work on as the whole bonnet lifts forward. You can get all around the engine bay. My mate sits on his front wheel to work on his car not hunched over like we have to do with our 2s
I know what you mean, I had a colleague who restored a Stag. I don't remember him being bent at 90 deg for 2 days after replacing his cam cover.
Reading through your thread Mo's looking good, like your heat shields.
Thanks for that. I strangely take a lot of time and effort making my engine bay look as good as I can, even though the actual car body work needs more of my attention. The heat shields do polish up nicely with time and effort and the black trim and rubber hoses look good with a bit of trim restorer.
My goodness Mo just passed her MOT. Just a couple of tyres needed but guessed that and corroded coil springs. 3 out of the 4 are original coils I would guess so time to look for springs. I didn't get a chance to look underneath which I was hoping to, but the guy said it didn't look too bad for corrosion. There is only so far i can squeeze under to see myself so would of been nice to get a look.
anyway I'm so pleased with the pass.
A pass is always nice.
Obviously it comes down to money. But if replacing springs best to do shocks as well. If doing yourself not so bad as only your time. Otherwise you will be paying twice for the same work.
I would like to tackle this myself maybe over the winter. The shocks look ok but I appreciate they are 14 years old but no misting or anything that would point towards needing a replacement.
if looking at springs alone I have seen the following.
Tein S.Tech performance lowering springs at £120
Apex performance lowering springs at £129
SPAX SSX at £154
They all lower the car by 30mm.
I'm on a budget but want to do the right thing.
any thoughts please?
I'd replace shocks and springs after 50k miles.
Its a sports car not a family wagon.
Just because they're not broken doesn't mean they're not passed they're best.
IMHO
Just looked at the "suspension Refresh" post on the forum. Looks like bushes should be considered while I have the suspension apart? I think I should start a list of components I need ready for the job. there is a how to for spring replacements but would the control arm and bush replacements be something you could do at home?
I did a little headlight freshen up yesterday. This is the kit from Eurocarparts for £12. its hard to see the difference in the pictures but its really obvious standing in front of the car. took about 30 mins, well worth it in my opinion.
If I could turn back time. Another milestone met.
Quote from: Smithy on October 2, 2020, 10:51Just looked at the "suspension Refresh" post on the forum. Looks like bushes should be considered while I have the suspension apart? I think I should start a list of components I need ready for the job. there is a how to for spring replacements but would the control arm and bush replacements be something you could do at home?
This subject has been discussed at some length, here and elsewhere, this thread runs to 5 "pages" and goes over pros and cons of changing the arms inc bushes for Yaris at various prices and quality and replacing bushes. Last page includes prices from TCB for the parts.
Have a read through this:
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=65921.0
Yes thanks for that. I have started collecting the parts for my refresh now and read up on the pros and cons now.
Thanks again
Quote from: Smithy on April 9, 2021, 11:46Yes thanks for that. I have started collecting the parts for my refresh now and read up on the pros and cons now.
Thanks again
Sorry Smithy, I was rather late to the party, didn't notice the date of your post!
Its been a while since I did some work on the 2. I managed to pick up a powerflow back box off FB, so last week I started stripping down to install.
Also while the rear end was off and everything was out the way I painted and polished all the hard to reach places. I was quite pleased with the way the Cat heat shield came up. Painted ARB and control arms. I wish I could afford new ones but at least they look better.
Just out of interest, I've seen a couple of 2s for sale with that spoiler, did you have to drill into the bodywork to fit it?
Yes you have to drill 4 holes. the spoiler comes with 2 bolts at the front that are attached, however at the rear you have to line up with holes in the spoiler and use the sprung bolts. I can find some pictures to show you what I mean
I hope this shows you where I drilled and its final position ?
Quote from: Smithy on June 4, 2021, 13:29I hope this shows you where I drilled and its final position ?
That's great thank you. I'm sorry to say that if I bought one I'd be looking to remove it hence the question...! I've got to say black on black looks much better than 2s that are not black.
This week I thought I would make the most of the dry weather and have a look underneath. I found some patches of corrosion that I have now treated, pained and sealed. Parts that could come off have been treated and painted such as the small mid braces. Today I want to take off the front under brace to do the same. The Sub frame got an extra bit of attention as well.
After collecting the parts I needed for my suspension refresh, it was time to put the springs on the shocks and get them all ready to fit. KYB shocks, VMaxx springs, new ARB linkages and ARB bushes.
I cant wait to get them on the car.
Quote from: Smithy on November 22, 2021, 12:40After collecting the parts I needed for my suspension refresh, it was time to put the springs on the shocks and get them all ready to fit. KYB shocks, VMaxx springs, new ARB linkages and ARB bushes.
I cant wait to get them on the car.
Interesting / unusual choice of springs, I don't recall reading of these previously, what was it that decided you on these? What did you choose for the ARB linkages and bushes?
It was a FB marketplace purchase. The guy said they drop the car but keep it level. I think you can still get them new for our cars?
Linkages from AutoDoc Bushes cant remember but I will let you know when I get home.
Bushes from superpro
Rear suspension striped out ready for new shocks and springs. ARB removed for new bushes and to be painted. Inner wheel arch cleaned painted and protected. Satisfying job, now comes the tricky bit putting it all back together.
Front and rear spats painted and fitted. My painting is getting better, good thing too as I have the side skirts to do now. I'm really happy with the front and rear now.
Not been posting as much recently as I have a new job and less time working from home, so the car jobs are taking longer ha ha.
James, your car looks terrific, very well done. ;D
Thanks Jane
I,m using
@Topdownman readers ride for fitting tips. It's a tricky job
Quote from: Smithy on August 23, 2022, 11:52I,m using @Topdownman readers ride for fitting tips. It's a tricky job
Funny you should say that, I was just playing with my new skirts due to go on the new car soon just an hour ago!
I expect fitting my second set should be easy....
:) keep at it all looking good for pictures :) :)
My main concern is that the top edge that sits against the panel is lipped, please see pictures. How am I going to get it to bond as it doesn't sit flush?
@Topdownman mentioned sanding to fit but surely not that much?
The main bit to sand is the overlap of the end of the skirt and the inner lip of the wheel arch. When I tried my new ones against the car they were much closer than on my previous pair so hopefully not much sanding needed.
This time I will hold one end up against the wheel arch and draw on the outside of the skirt where I think the inner arch is, then drill one hole through the biggest bit of the overlap, mark where that is on the wheel arch and then drill the wheel arch. I will then screw that end on and do the same for the other arch. This is when I will see if I need to sand the inside of the skirts to let them sit flat against the car.
I will be using tigerseal so will put a large amount all along the area you are worried about so that it squishes out to fill the gap and give strength. It does take 24 hrs to reach full strength so you do need to have your strategy in place for supporting them once glued! Once they are glued on, I will use the tigerseal like caulking all along the top to fill any gaps between the car and the skirt. You can clean off any tigerseal in the wrong place with white spirit so no need to panic!
I painted the white tigerseal I got sent in error with an artists brush and some touch up paint once cured.
I've made a template of the front and rear arches to get an idea where to drill. Did you attach underneath
@Topdownman ?
Quote from: Smithy on August 24, 2022, 23:00I've made a template of the front and rear arches to get an idea where to drill. Did you attach underneath @Topdownman ?
The overlap is very small but the screw is really just there to hold the skirt in place, the strength of the fitting comes from the tigerseal. I just glued underneath as I didnt fancy making holes in the car.
I had car jacks underneath while gluing and bits of wood pressed against a wall (with the car side wrapped in cloth) to hold the sides in place.
Have you taken out your wheel arch liners to clean out and paint underneath? You may need to leave out the bottom fastener of the liner so that you can still get them out with the skirts on.
You may find that you will want to make a kind of mudguard to cover each end to make things look a bit neater, I need to look on ebay to see if I can find what I used last time!
I've lightly sanded the inside edge so it meets the bodywork and I can get a better fit hopefully.
Thanks
@Topdownman wheel arches removed and sills painted and treated so I can concentrate on the skirts. Can anyone tell me what the self tappers under the sills are for? I can see the rubber grommets but there are bolts as well.
I have never taken the wings off but I imagine the bolts are there to hold them on?
Sounds like you are making good progress.