MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Common Room => Reader's Rides => Topic started by: moca2cv on October 8, 2020, 09:49

Title: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 8, 2020, 09:49
It all started because I needed another toy. A cheap toy, to get out on track and have fun with friends. And a friend was selling his 2001 silver PFL with hardtop for a bargain, so I figured it was worth a try. Being somewhat lanky he let me borrow it for a week to see if it was really for me. I bought it after 2 days. I made big plans and bought some goodies!
5 days or so later, I took it for a little drive to see how it felt with a smaller wheel when Rodney came knocking. There was no smoking, no warning, just one minute it was glorious, and the next less so! I checked all the options, narrowed it down to rod knock, parked it up and moped. And so it sat while I decided what to do with it.
CEC40A22-A208-45B0-9E13-0C7F4766941E.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on October 8, 2020, 10:05
And?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on October 8, 2020, 10:09
Quote from: 1979scotte on October  8, 2020, 10:05And?
The good news is that, following recent events, the hard top is probably worth more than the car.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: thetyrant on October 8, 2020, 10:46
Im refreshing an engine at moment if you need one to replace the knocker ?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: shnazzle on October 8, 2020, 10:51
That is some seriously short-lived fun!
But, good thing is indeed that for the price of the hard-top you can get two engines haha.
Hell, you can get an engine for the hard-top mounting kit.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 8, 2020, 12:13
Sorry! I got distracted :) It was indeed short lived, but there's more...

I'd bought so many goodies that I decided breaking it (I've broken too many cars, and it's painful) was out of the question. So I got some mates over and we pulled the engine out.

I found an engine that was supposedly good when it was pulled, and acquired some unused engine rebuild parts including revised pistons for a bargain, figuring I'd use what I need to on the engine and hoard the rest. I got the engine to our Time Attack sponsor for a leak down test and one of the cylinders was, erm, leaky. Sticky valve was the best guess so I left it with him for a little investigation.

Back to the silver car... I started doing a bit of stripping to get it 'track ready', and a couple weeks later I got a call from the garage with some bad news. The valve was indeed sticky, no big deal, but the bores were rusty. Clearly hadn't been stored all that well... Never mind. I'm so deep in to my car pot that I am now committed to the MR2. A plan must be formed. The engine might as well be built properly now!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 8, 2020, 12:22
Since lockdown was in full swing I had no chance to get out and work on the car. It was all a bit depressing frankly, and so I bought another MR2 sight unseen. It had BCs, Hardrace toe arms, exhaust, some skirts, history of an engine swap and looked ok in the pics. Importantly it had an MOT and ran.

Well that subsequently arrived, ran ok, but the handbrake was useless. Not sure how it passed the MOT but ho hum. Whoever did the swap didn't do the greatest job, and the 'recon' engine looked like they'd just slapped a little paint on it.

I tightened up the handbrake best I could, so it now holds, and since it's not the tidiest MR2 ever, I just take it for little blats without a care in the world!

So now I have two cars. Originally I thought I'd build the Silver car up as it's a tidy tub, but that's rather a lot of effort so I think I'll just strip it, hoard the parts, and build the blue car. So now the plan is, if I ever pull my finger out:

Rebuilt engine, bored slightly, cams (tbd), eManage Blue.
Full bracing
Half cage
Bucket seat
Reasonably stripped

Go enjoy!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 8, 2020, 12:26
Couple of pics - still figuring out how to use the forum on my phone. I'm not the smartest cookie!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 8, 2020, 13:14
P.s. I'm also moca2cv on Instagram, if anyone likes pics of random stuff!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: shnazzle on October 8, 2020, 13:15
Quote from: moca2cv on October  8, 2020, 13:14P.s. I'm also moca2cv on Instagram, if anyone likes pics of random stuff!
Follow the mr2roc account
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on October 8, 2020, 15:10
Youve been unlucky with your 2s.
I know that feeling really well.

Have a good read up on here before investing in cams.
It may not make that much difference considering the cost.
Also the toyota 1zz ecu isn't the kindest to piggybacks like the emanage.
Just food for thought.

Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 11, 2020, 01:21
Quote from: shnazzle on October  8, 2020, 13:15
Quote from: moca2cv on October  8, 2020, 13:14P.s. I'm also moca2cv on Instagram, if anyone likes pics of random stuff!
Follow the mr2roc account
I do :) it's quite useful!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 11, 2020, 01:24
Quote from: 1979scotte on October  8, 2020, 15:10Youve been unlucky with your 2s.
I know that feeling really well.

Have a good read up on here before investing in cams.
It may not make that much difference considering the cost.
Also the toyota 1zz ecu isn't the kindest to piggybacks like the emanage.
Just food for thought.


Thanks. I'm leaning towards spending the extra on Crower/other at the moment. Re ecu, I'd love a Link but at £1500 just for the ECU it's a struggle to justify at the moment. If I can get it running safely with the Blue, that'll do for now.

Unlucky maybe, but they're old cars, it happens!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: shnazzle on October 11, 2020, 08:08
Quote from: moca2cv on October 11, 2020, 01:24
Quote from: 1979scotte on October  8, 2020, 15:10Youve been unlucky with your 2s.
I know that feeling really well.

Have a good read up on here before investing in cams.
It may not make that much difference considering the cost.
Also the toyota 1zz ecu isn't the kindest to piggybacks like the emanage.
Just food for thought.


Thanks. I'm leaning towards spending the extra on Crower/other at the moment. Re ecu, I'd love a Link but at £1500 just for the ECU it's a struggle to justify at the moment. If I can get it running safely with the Blue, that'll do for now.

Unlucky maybe, but they're old cars, it happens!
https://rrrshop.co.uk/digital-ecu-tuner-3-det3-16-p.asp


Much better than emanage blue. And cheap.
In the end, piggybacks aren't great, but they do the job in most cases. 

LinkG4+, Ecumaster Black, Syvecs, etc are standalone replacement ECUs. Different ballgame
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 11, 2020, 12:02
Quote from: shnazzle on October 11, 2020, 08:08
Quote from: moca2cv on October 11, 2020, 01:24
Quote from: 1979scotte on October  8, 2020, 15:10Youve been unlucky with your 2s.
I know that feeling really well.

Have a good read up on here before investing in cams.
It may not make that much difference considering the cost.
Also the toyota 1zz ecu isn't the kindest to piggybacks like the emanage.
Just food for thought.


Thanks. I'm leaning towards spending the extra on Crower/other at the moment. Re ecu, I'd love a Link but at £1500 just for the ECU it's a struggle to justify at the moment. If I can get it running safely with the Blue, that'll do for now.

Unlucky maybe, but they're old cars, it happens!
https://rrrshop.co.uk/digital-ecu-tuner-3-det3-16-p.asp


Much better than emanage blue. And cheap.
In the end, piggybacks aren't great, but they do the job in most cases.

LinkG4+, Ecumaster Black, Syvecs, etc are standalone replacement ECUs. Different ballgame
They will be better... but will they be free? 😁 I'm sure there'll be an upgrade in the future!
For now... Cat Cams or Crower? 🤔
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: thetyrant on October 11, 2020, 15:49
As others said dont expect too much or waste too much time with the EMB, at least on a normally asspirated motor as you can do very little that ecu wont trim back out!  Ive currently got one on my car in prep for budget turbo install and ive tinkered a fair bit with it and got nothing worthwhile from it really, you can trim a bit of fuel out on full throttle but thats about it, anything else you do stock ecu trims :(   however i didnt expect to on mine as its more for just getting the turbo up an running then will switch to a standalon,e as i did on last turbo install on this car.

I liked the Link G4 Storm on last setup but they are pricey new, this time im tempted by the ECU Masters classic (rather than the Black) as its £200 less than Black and should do all we need on these cars, RRP is £529+vat which is good deal i think, you then need wring etc but still good compared to others.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on October 11, 2020, 16:11
Quote from: thetyrant on October 11, 2020, 15:49As others said dont expect too much or waste too much time with the EMB, at least on a normally asspirated motor as you can do very little that ecu wont trim back out!  Ive currently got one on my car in prep for budget turbo install and ive tinkered a fair bit with it and got nothing worthwhile from it really, you can trim a bit of fuel out on full throttle but thats about it, anything else you do stock ecu trims :(   however i didnt expect to on mine as its more for just getting the turbo up an running then will switch to a standalon,e as i did on last turbo install on this car.

I liked the Link G4 Storm on last setup but they are pricey new, this time im tempted by the ECU Masters classic (rather than the Black) as its £200 less than Black and should do all we need on these cars, RRP is £529+vat which is good deal i think, you then need wring etc but still good compared to others.

If Greg is still doing the forum deal then the black is unbeatable.
£1000 ECU+loom fitted and mapped only extra is wideband sensor.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 11, 2020, 23:31
Quote from: 1979scotte on October 11, 2020, 16:11
Quote from: thetyrant on October 11, 2020, 15:49As others said dont expect too much or waste too much time with the EMB, at least on a normally asspirated motor as you can do very little that ecu wont trim back out!  Ive currently got one on my car in prep for budget turbo install and ive tinkered a fair bit with it and got nothing worthwhile from it really, you can trim a bit of fuel out on full throttle but thats about it, anything else you do stock ecu trims :(   however i didnt expect to on mine as its more for just getting the turbo up an running then will switch to a standalon,e as i did on last turbo install on this car.

I liked the Link G4 Storm on last setup but they are pricey new, this time im tempted by the ECU Masters classic (rather than the Black) as its £200 less than Black and should do all we need on these cars, RRP is £529+vat which is good deal i think, you then need wring etc but still good compared to others.

If Greg is still doing the forum deal then the black is unbeatable.
£1000 ECU+loom fitted and mapped only extra is wideband sensor.
That's a cracking deal... that might just tempt me if it's still on! To the search bar...!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Carolyn on October 12, 2020, 08:59
Jonbill got very good results on our supercharged car with a 'Speeduino'. It was very inexpensive.

He did the mapping by running the car and logging as he went.

Clever lad, Jon!

Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: shnazzle on October 12, 2020, 09:34
Quote from: Carolyn on October 12, 2020, 08:59Jonbill got very good results on our supercharged car with a 'Speeduino'. It was very inexpensive.

He did the mapping by running the car and logging as he went.

Clever lad, Jon!


Definitely a way forward, especially if Jon is willing to share the wealth. The challenge really is in the wiring and initial sensor setup with a base map. Once that is sorted it becomes very easily distributable.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 12, 2020, 13:09
I've often wondered why there isn't a PNP megasquirt option yet.
Anyway, I'm trying not to spend too much on this!

Got an EML the other day, so plugged in the WiFi ELM327 I had leftover from my Stagea (was literally the only OBD jobby that worked on it!) and fired up dashcommand. All post cat o2 errors, as suspected, so no biggy. Reset and go. Friend borrowed the car for the weekend and apparently it hasn't come back yet!

Now I suspected this for a couple of reasons:
- there is an exhaust leak, so need to diy some gaskets, but have a whole exhaust to pop on so doesn't seem worth doing until I'm ready to go on that; and
- the car struggles to get up to temperature, which would make it run rich and trash the cat.

On the second point, I am now slightly concerned there is no stat in there, and I'm not sure why that would be the case, but to start with I should probably check the sender... is it easier to swap them out rather than test it?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 12, 2020, 13:11
As an aside, every so often I drag my daughter (4, just) out to do little jobs on the cars. This was the littlest job yet, and one she is much better than me at: a sticker!DE213109-7D38-496C-9E14-DEA868817D3A.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 19, 2020, 20:42
Couple of 5 minute jobs today. First up: the rain tray...

Well whoever that put it on before had done the worst job ever if it. Screws were too long and the push rivets not replaced at all. As a result, it was rattling and bouncing about nice and loose. As I have a spare car, I have all the right bits to fix this in 5 minutes! Hurrah.

Or not. Rear two screws came out fine, but the forward ones... the rivnuts were spinning. Dammit. Out with the dremel and off with their heads. Rain tray off, I then realised I might be able to get to the rivnuts by removing the third brake light. Why didn't I think of that before... Light off, dremel slots in to the remainder of the screws, and use mole grips to hold the rivnut as I wound out the thread. Putting the tray back on was now easy! Yay. Bit of copper slip and it is now secure and safe and rattle free.

Found a missing heatshield screw too, so replaced that for another rattle eliminated.

Then tackled the door cards to remove the now redundant speakers. Well, speaker. Turns out one was already missing! So tweeters and one speaker are now removed. Whoop.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 20, 2020, 10:58
Oh boy did fixing the rain tray make a big difference to the enjoyment of the car! Took little one to nursery, a rare treat for her to go in the 'race car', and it was great. Much less crashing over bumps. It's still a bit crashy, but that's most likely the BCs being a bit stiff. Need to get those turned down a bit...
Might do a couple more 5 minute jobs today :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on October 20, 2020, 12:57
Quote from: moca2cv on October 20, 2020, 10:58Oh boy did fixing the rain tray make a big difference to the enjoyment of the car! Took little one to nursery, a rare treat for her to go in the 'race car', and it was great. Much less crashing over bumps. It's still a bit crashy, but that's most likely the BCs being a bit stiff. Need to get those turned down a bit...
Might do a couple more 5 minute jobs today :)

BC are always too stiff IMHO for British roads.
Track is different.
I'm actually starting to think that without adding some serious extra power or weight stock is better.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 20, 2020, 14:21
Quote from: 1979scotte on October 20, 2020, 12:57
Quote from: moca2cv on October 20, 2020, 10:58Oh boy did fixing the rain tray make a big difference to the enjoyment of the car! Took little one to nursery, a rare treat for her to go in the 'race car', and it was great. Much less crashing over bumps. It's still a bit crashy, but that's most likely the BCs being a bit stiff. Need to get those turned down a bit...
Might do a couple more 5 minute jobs today :)

BC are always too stiff IMHO for British roads.
Track is different.
I'm actually starting to think that without adding some serious extra power or weight stock is better.

On the road, I have to agree stock shocks and springs with poly bushed arms was 100% more enjoyable. On the track... I'll let you know in a month!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 20, 2020, 17:16
Fitted my steering wheel and QR today. It looks ridiculous because hub plus QR plus spacer (more on that later) is indeed ridiculous. But fortunately I have short arms and long legs, so it feels right - yet to drive it though.

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I won't go through the process as Spyder Lee covered it perfectly in his video and there are loads of how to's, but one thing I did differently was rather than solder the wire to the horn +ve I simply removed the female terminal from the connector and poked it on. I had to use brute force as I didn't have a pin small enough!

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After that it was all plain sailing. Everything is helpfully marked with 'top' so piecing it all together was a cinch. I had to use a spacer because the horn button and ring wouldn't work without it - and extra few mm wouldn't do any harm though.

Or so I thought. The horn doesn't work 😖 Rather than take it all apart again I have just left it, I'll look at it another time. I hate aftermarket horn buttons... might just do what I had on my Caterham and just have a push button on the dash somewhere...

Excuse the sideways pic, I can't figure out how to rotate it 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 21, 2020, 09:59
First impressions of the new steering wheel position are good - it's a really comfortable distance from me. Being 6'3" my seat is all the way back, so this is useful for comfy arms. The smaller wheel makes it ever so slightly heavier to steer too, which to me is a good thing as my daily is an E90 and you need Arnie Arms (TM) to steer that thing so the MR2 always felt silly light!

The gear lever is too far away now, so I'll have to come up with a solution for that, and the stalks... well I'm not adding those bicycle brake lever attachments, so I guess I'll just learn to live with it!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 21, 2020, 19:16
A few more miles, so much happier with the space under the wheel now, I think with a couple of tweaks to the pedals I can create a comfy position for heel and toeing (I'll master it one day!).

To create a bit more room, save some weight, and remove redundant bits from the car, I decided to take out the uprights from the centre console. There's nothing there now, and so they can go. A couple of screws and a couple of nuts holding them on, and off they came. Relocating the earths was a pain as I had to enlarge the connectors - ended up just replacing them. Anyway, good weight saving and a nice clean tunnel now!
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I had parked sideways on a slope to do this, and noticed a run of oil - must have been collecting on the undertray. Looks like the chain tensioner seal, I have all the bits to sort that so a job for tomorrow!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 22, 2020, 15:30
Tackled the chain tensioner for lunch. Fairly straight forward, but didn't hear the clock when rotating the crank. Would off the nuts a couple turns and the tensioner wanted to come out, so it looked ok... fired it up, and it was! Yay.

Swapped the idler pulley and tensioner pulley as well, bit of a faff... putting the belt on is like practicing gynaecology while pushing a car! Got it on eventually. I was hoping it would cure the squeaking I get on start up (it subsided after a little while). Alas, it did not. The alternator spins freely (Of course that doesn't mean it's not the culprit!) but stupidly I did not check the water pump. I've had my eye on a 2zz pump and alloy pulley (for mega gainzzz) so maybe I'll do that when I change the coolant...

Next up, evap canister removal. Because it's not really essential to the running of a track car :)

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Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Carolyn on October 22, 2020, 15:55
If you slackened the tensioner enough for it to move - you need to take it out and start again, I'm afraid.  It will have clicked on the ratchet and will be too tight. One tooth is enough to cause chain stretch.

Btw - the 2zz pump does not fit a 1ZZ.

Happy to send you a better O ring (FOC).  The Toyota ones are pants.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 22, 2020, 17:25
Quote from: Carolyn on October 22, 2020, 15:55If you slackened the tensioner enough for it to move - you need to take it out and start again, I'm afraid.  It will have clicked on the ratchet and will be too tight. One tooth is enough to cause chain stretch.

Btw - the 2zz pump does not fit a 1ZZ.

Happy to send you a better O ring (FOC).  The Toyota ones are pants.

You sent me one a while back, thanks!
Good thinking on the tensioner - I don't think it came out enough to click but I'll do it again. Been for a drive so hopefully no damage done... 😬

2ZZ pump seems to be a popular upgrade across the pond for the ability to put a lighter larger pulley on, only difference as far as I can tell is the pulley?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 22, 2020, 23:22
Popped out and redid the chain tensioner. Hopefully no damage done...

Also removed the charcoal canister or whatever it is and did the bike tank breather thing. Lots of useful weight saving but more importantly loads of real estate freed up. Will get the oil cooler in there at some point!
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Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 24, 2020, 23:18
3.3ohm resistors arrived today so can get that airbag light sorted. The one that comes with the Momo boss doesn't seem to work, so I'll see if this changes anything.
The squeak on cold start is super irritating - I'll have whip the belt off again to try find the cause of it.

But first I need to sort the belt on the daily (BMW E90 330i) - I drove through a puddle and it slipped off! That's a Sunday morning I wasn't hoping for. Fingers crossed nothing has seized...
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 26, 2020, 00:55
Didn't get round to fixing the E90. Went karting instead 😁 spent the whole afternoon getting used to spinning off, hopefully I got that out of my system before Brands next month!
Bought a strut brace, I figured I could be waiting a while for a second hand one, but if Carolyn makes them again I'll upgrade 👌🏻
The squeak is getting worse. I'm hoping it's as simple as the belt, but I'll have a fiddle tomorrow.
No adverse effects as far as I can tell from removing the charcoal canister. Diets are good!
Bought a set of RSRs too. Still the best value semi slick, and plenty good enough for me! Was happy with them on the MX5 so I'm sure they'll be adequate on this with 80bhp less.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 27, 2020, 10:39
Glad I didn't bother trying to fix the E90, the tensioner pulley bolt has sheared in the block. They are hoping it's nothing more serious than the water causing it to jump and break, but I am preparing myself for a seized alternator or similar disaster 😭

On the subject of idler pulleys, I had a little look in the engine bay today and the brand spanking new idler pulley is wobbling like a weeble. It must be what's causing the squeak. Still waiting for my new belt to arrive but picked up another pulley from SC, and will return the goosed one. All the fun, hopefully this will do the trick!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 29, 2020, 00:23
While I wait for my belt, amongst other things, I decided to become an auto electrician and fix my central locking. Now my car is pretty special in the central locking department - the key fob locks, but does not unlock, and, using the key, the drivers door unlocks but does not lock, and the passenger door neither locks nor unlocks. So to get in is a bit of a procedure, especially if you have a passenger!

Anyway, lots of talk online about swapping locks, barrels, ECUs etc meant that it was fixable, but there had to be a simpler way. Dismantling the key gave you three parts:
- the key
- the remote fob
- the transponder
Looking at the wiring diagram for the car, while the immobiliser was connected to the engine ECU, the central locking appeared to be completely separate, using only the body ECU. So my theory was, after a bit of back and forth with Rhys, that if I 'Frankensteined' the key, keeping the key and transponder for the car and using the remote fob from my spare car, swapped the receiver over from the spare car, I should have a key that locks and unlocks, and still starts the car without activating the immobiliser, all without having to swap anything majorly complicated. So I assembled a new master key:

A9A6FDC2-C4F1-47C5-8C54-4450CD8D50E3.jpeg

Thanks to a tip off on Facebook with regards to the receiver, I unplugged the alarm siren (just in case) and set about removing the dials (three screws), the lower dash plastic (two screws) and the receiver (hand through the dash to unplug, and one nut to release).

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Moment of truth time before putting all the plastics back... and it works! Whoop. All back together again in a matter of minutes, and I now have a car that locks AND unlocks at the touch of a button, all without having to do anything complicated or even a pedal dance. Happy days.

It took me longer to get in and out of the footwell than everything else put together! Can thoroughly recommend a quick release steering wheel, one less thing to hit my head on.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 29, 2020, 21:35
I bought a little compressor to pump up tyres, but it uses a cigarette lighter socket and I don't have one any more! Had to do something about that :)

I thought I had one in the garage, but it turned out to be a USB socket so, since the centre console bits that came with the car weren't in great nick I had no concerns about pulling that apart to gain me a socket. Now where to put it? Didn't want it to be anywhere too obvious as if I wanted to put things back to standard it wouldn't be ideal. So I chose the bottom of the lower dash plastic. I popped that off, unclipped the OBD port, and set about making a hole just the right size:

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I didn't have a stepper bit big enough so had to do it by eye! Made a little notch for the socket to sit flush, and reassembled the socket:

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Extended the wires with a bit of crimping, heat shrink and loom tape to keep it secure and tidy:

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And all done - nice and discreet:

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Tested using the compressor, and tidied up. I found a dash wipe in the box of bits so gave it all a good clean, and packed up :)

I also found some other goodies... which may make it on to the car at some point!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 1, 2020, 22:34
Fitted the hardtop from the spare car today after checking the vinyl roof underneath was good enough to keep the weather out while it sits awaiting its fate.
Bit fiddly to swap all the bits over as it was my first time, but it was all fairly straightforward. Hardest bit was getting the de-mister cable out of one car and in to the other :)
It's a much more civilised place to be with a hardtop on, noticeably quieter and it stiffens everything up a treat. Couple of creaks from the sides so I need to make some adjustments, but otherwise very happy!03802B14-D6D8-4EAA-ADD0-BD4B7447D497.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 5, 2020, 10:22
Fixed the squeak. New Gates belt and (another) new idler pulley did the trick. Phew. No more birdsong from the engine bay means I can hear other things though 😬 having the engine right behind you probably amplifies things somewhat!
Fun things to do this weekend include polishing headlights and fitting a brace. Whoop.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Carolyn on November 5, 2020, 11:47
Quote from: moca2cv on November  5, 2020, 10:22Fixed the squeak. New Gates belt and (another) new idler pulley did the trick. Phew. No more birdsong from the engine bay means I can hear other things though 😬 having the engine right behind you probably amplifies things somewhat!
Fun things to do this weekend include polishing headlights and fitting a brace. Whoop.
There's a point at which you just have to stop listening. I'm terrible for listening for stuff. 
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 5, 2020, 13:05
Quote from: Carolyn on November  5, 2020, 11:47
Quote from: moca2cv on November  5, 2020, 10:22Fixed the squeak. New Gates belt and (another) new idler pulley did the trick. Phew. No more birdsong from the engine bay means I can hear other things though 😬 having the engine right behind you probably amplifies things somewhat!
Fun things to do this weekend include polishing headlights and fitting a brace. Whoop.
There's a point at which you just have to stop listening. I'm terrible for listening for stuff. 
When you don't have a radio it's a problem 😂 Still, making progress and hopefully I'll be happy with it soon enough!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 12, 2020, 20:42
No updates to make as SWMBO contracted the dreaded Covid-19 and we've been stuck indoors. She's isolating within the house so I have solo-parenting duties, and a 4yo is not the easiest to entertain while spannering. On the plus side, myself and little one tested negative. Not sure how, statistically improbable, but there you go.

A helpful thread on here has pointed me in the right direction to fit the door cards, just a bit of Dremeling, drilling and rivnutting to do for a nice pro(ish) install. Debating whether to just use button head bolts or the countersunk washers... probably the former, they're lighter! Door pull straps arrived so I can crack on with that soon. Once it's all test fitted I'll be wrapping them in something to keep it looking tidy.

Also purchased a strut brace, as second hand ones seem to be hens teeth (not like the MX5 world for parts, is it!), and am talking to some people about producing some tasty parts that I can't get. I have too much time to think, lucky me :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Petrus on November 12, 2020, 21:19
Quote from: moca2cv on November 12, 2020, 20:42No updates to make as SWMBO contracted the dreaded Covid-19

Uff.
Best wishes!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on November 12, 2020, 21:21
Quote from: moca2cv on November 12, 2020, 20:42No updates to make as SWMBO contracted the dreaded Covid-19 and we've been stuck indoors. She's isolating within the house so I have solo-parenting duties, and a 4yo is not the easiest to entertain while spannering. On the plus side, myself and little one tested negative. Not sure how, statistically improbable, but there you go.

A helpful thread on here has pointed me in the right direction to fit the door cards, just a bit of Dremeling, drilling and rivnutting to do for a nice pro(ish) install. Debating whether to just use button head bolts or the countersunk washers... probably the former, they're lighter! Door pull straps arrived so I can crack on with that soon. Once it's all test fitted I'll be wrapping them in something to keep it looking tidy.

Also purchased a strut brace, as second hand ones seem to be hens teeth (not like the mx-engineinwrongplace  world for parts, is it!), and am talking to some people about producing some tasty parts that I can't get. I have too much time to think, lucky me :)

Sorry to hear that you've been touched by the dreaded lurgy hope your family will be fine as mine were. My dad had it 64 diabetic and high blood pressure. Didn't even go to hospital.

Parts are as rare as rocking horse poo. What tasty parts are you considering?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 18, 2020, 00:09
Thanks both! We are surviving just fine. The hardest bit has been the constant check in calls from the NHS! :D They always seem to call when I'm in the middle of something...

Quote from: 1979scotte on November 12, 2020, 21:21Sorry to hear that you've been touched by the dreaded lurgy hope your family will be fine as mine were. My dad had it 64 diabetic and high blood pressure. Didn't even go to hospital.

Parts are as rare as rocking horse poo. What tasty parts are you considering?

I've got a few things in mind, but to whet your appetite, I'd quite like lightweight pulleys, but don't want underdrive ones. I'm a big fan of adding lightness and, while I'm well aware that I am likely to spend as much as a 2ZZ swap on my setup, I don't want a 2ZZ :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 24, 2020, 01:44
Got a few bits done today...:
- New thermostat in and coolant topped up.
- Sump was leaking, so replaced that with a good spare.
- Oil and filter (was doing that anyway!).
- Gearbox oil.
- BRD red F/R engine mounts in.
- O2 spacer in.
- Kode (o-ring-less) oil cap replaced with OE spare.

Will do a bit more of a write up when I'm more awake :)

Wanted to do brakes but pads still haven't arrived :( but there's plenty to do in the meantime! Plus, some new wheels have arrived...
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 25, 2020, 13:48
Slightly more detailed update on the above. No pics though, as I was fairly absorbed in the task at hand and forgot to take any!

The cold weather had really exacerbated the problem with long warm up times - it wasn't ever getting warm except in standstill traffic, so something was definitely amiss. The needle never went over half way, so it wasn't overheating, which is a good start, and also means the temp sender is probably fine. So prime suspect was the thermostat! Having no AC makes this job alot easier, and once you've got the knack of squeezing the housing past the alternator it's not a big deal at all! The stat that came out was definitely the culprit - broken seals meant that water would pass it easily, resulting in an effectively open system. New one in, housing nipped up, all good.

While I was under there, I also dropped the drain plugs for the engine and gearbox, and swapped the oil filter. Engine oil was well past its best, but the gearbox oil wasn't too bad.

I also noticed the sump was leaking oil - but not from the flange! It was corroded close to the point of complete failure, so was dangerously close to causing some bigger issues. Fortunately, the sump on my spare engine was not nearly as bad, so a quick wire brush and a coat of black stone chip (only paint I had to hand) meant I was back in action quickly. Bit of sealant, nip up the screws, job's a good'un.

Now when the old sump came off, there was a bit of mayo in there... but not when the oil was draining. A mystery... not so much that I was overly concerned (this engine is not a permanent solution anyway), but certainly intrigued. When I took the cap off to refill the engine oil though, that's when I got a little worried! The cap had mayo all over it! But then I saw the Kode cap had no O ring - that is never a good thing, as it's not going to seal it, so I'm hoping that a swap with an OE unit would stop any condensation forming in the oil ways. Either way, I will keep an eye on that though...

Gearbox oil was straight forward enough - just used the speedo blank rather than the fill hole, and popped the fill hole out and poured in MT90 until it overflowed. I left that open while I sorted a coolant top up so I got the level just right. Once the drips stopped, in with the plug and all happy with that!

With the car off the ground I tackled a couple of other little jobs. First up, O2 spacer. I've been having trouble with my post cat sensor, suspect it or the cat has had it, but in the meantime a spacer will hopefully keep the CEL at bay. For the first time ever, the O2 came out with just a spanner! Very surprised :)

I also swapped the engine mounts for BRD bushed mounts. I went for red, as apparently these are the same stiffness as the factory rubber, there's just more of it, so I was hoping for a noticeable difference but one I could live with from an NVH point of view. Fairly straightforward except whoever did the subframe swap had threaded one of the mounting screws. Cleaned up the threads and popped it back in at the jaunty angle it came out at... it torqued up so with the other three I'm confident it will be fine :)

** Now a word of warning on engine mounts if you're considering it... if you spend a significant amount of time under 2k rpm, or in stop start traffic, just DON'T. It's bloody uncomfortable! Once you're on the move and over 2k it's barely noticeable. **

Coolant was a bit of a ballache... there was a bubble I just couldn't get out, until a little pootle up the street managed to coax it out. Toasty warm cabin and rock solid coolant temps is one of life's little pleasures :) As an aside, so nice for Toyota to supply the bleed hoses! Makes life much simpler.

I also swapped the lights off the spare car on, as the fronts had painted eyelids (not a fan) and the rears had been tinted. Now gloriously standard!

I still need to replace the spark plugs to complete the service, but I ran out of time so I'll do that another time.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 26, 2020, 00:00
Innovative left and right engine mounts have arrived courtesy of Justin 👍🏻 Here's hoping they calm some rattles down a bit 😂

Also received an intake. Not sure if it will work, but I'll measure it up.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 30, 2020, 16:08
Well the intake is smaller ID than stock, not sure how that will work 😂 I don't know who makes this rubbish.

Received my Dev door bushes, looking forward to getting them on.

May or may not have a strut brace in the post 😏
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on December 16, 2020, 11:23
Been a while since the last update... let's just say I can't wait for 2020 to be over 😂

Managed to get some time on the car in the dark, to scope out the engine mount situation. I didn't get any further than the RH mount, as I found one of the bolts half the way out. It was tight as anything, but I managed to ease it out with a little help from a big bar and lots of freeze crack! The threads didn't show signs of cross threading, but there was a chunk missing from them! Cleaned it up with a wire brush and gave it a good lump of coppaslip and then eased it back in. I think before the new mounts go in I'll need to find some replacements!

After that I couldn't be bothered with the LH side mount as it's under the battery, so I swapped out the O2 sensors for my spares. The ones in the car were not original or quality items, and I have had a few O2 related errors, so though that I'd eliminate some options by trying some known good ones. Top tip: Normfest Freeze Crack and the O2s pop out clean as anything 😁

Plugged the evap solenoid back in to get rid of that error... will have to figure out how to get rid of that without it throwing a code - maybe a resistor?

Also spent some time on the interior, tidying that up and removing some more dead weight. Also put some OE mats in and a mat hook! It's the little things.

Car needs a good wash now, it's filthy. Roll bar and bracing is on the way, and Boris' RMBs are nearly ready too. One stiff car coming up!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on December 18, 2020, 01:10
Something's up... I've got no error codes 🤔
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on December 21, 2020, 18:36
Operation bonnet pin clip replacement was a failure. The clip was too wide for the hole, so I trimmed it down, and then it broke. Looks like I'm going to have to shell out the £9 😂

This was the clip that didn't work:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202973601297
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 25, 2021, 02:21
It's been a while... lockdown 3 plus terrible weather means I haven't done all that much to the car. I did swap on my PFL wheels though; the 17s are destined for a Civic track car. With the wheels on the car it will be a bit easier to get them to the tyre shop to pop the RSRs on :)

I also test fitted a second set of wheels I'll use to roll around on day to day. They're Racing Beat RB-02, 3 piece splits, and in need of a return. 15x7 et38 all round, at some point I'll get an extra 3/4" on the lips at the rear but for now a spacer will do to get them sitting pretty at the back. They're pretty good at the front.

I've collected a few parts too, slowly adding to my pile of things to fit. Caused a bit of a stir on Facebook with my lightweight solid crank pulley (whoops), and also got a lightweight alternator pulley made. Still debating whether to get a 2ZZ water pump and have an alloy pulley made for that too, but unsure of how much lighter that would be over the 1ZZ pump. Maybe I'll just go for it!

Braces and rollbar still tbc... soon I hope.

It's MOT time shortly, which will no doubt be highly entertaining 😁

89213CA9-DDFF-473E-8B49-B93A682DFCE9.jpeg8B71719F-C2C4-4363-96C5-CEC8CFFA3370.jpeg211E700B-6708-4793-B51B-3889CAAF8104.jpeg517C2B7A-D824-4979-A808-A695CB8362A9.jpegBB9A2B82-2A14-45E1-9A29-F23C8F4A0A8A.jpegCAD55181-07E6-4D6E-A3EC-C674E81F3513.jpeg36D480CB-856E-445E-AAD3-7C3871967716.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Carolyn on January 25, 2021, 09:46
Quote from: moca2cv on January 25, 2021, 02:21It's been a while... lockdown 3 plus terrible weather means I haven't done all that much to the car. I did swap on my PFL wheels though; the 17s are destined for a Civic track car. With the wheels on the car it will be a bit easier to get them to the tyre shop to pop the RSRs on :)

I also test fitted a second set of wheels I'll use to roll around on day to day. They're Racing Beat RB-02, 3 piece splits, and in need of a return. 15x7 et38 all round, at some point I'll get an extra 3/4" on the lips at the rear but for now a spacer will do to get them sitting pretty at the back. They're pretty good at the front.

I've collected a few parts too, slowly adding to my pile of things to fit. Caused a bit of a stir on Facebook with my lightweight solid crank pulley (whoops), and also got a lightweight alternator pulley made. Still debating whether to get a 2ZZ water pump and have an alloy pulley made for that too, but unsure of how much lighter that would be over the 1ZZ pump. Maybe I'll just go for it!

Braces and rollbar still tbc... soon I hope.

It's MOT time shortly, which will no doubt be highly entertaining 😁

89213CA9-DDFF-473E-8B49-B93A682DFCE9.jpeg8B71719F-C2C4-4363-96C5-CEC8CFFA3370.jpeg211E700B-6708-4793-B51B-3889CAAF8104.jpeg517C2B7A-D824-4979-A808-A695CB8362A9.jpegBB9A2B82-2A14-45E1-9A29-F23C8F4A0A8A.jpegCAD55181-07E6-4D6E-A3EC-C674E81F3513.jpeg36D480CB-856E-445E-AAD3-7C3871967716.jpeg

Replacing the harmonic damper with a lightweight pulley could result in the premature demise of your oil pump.  Just sayin'.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on January 25, 2021, 09:49
Quote from: Carolyn on January 25, 2021, 09:46
Quote from: moca2cv on January 25, 2021, 02:21It's been a while... lockdown 3 plus terrible weather means I haven't done all that much to the car. I did swap on my PFL wheels though; the 17s are destined for a Civic track car. With the wheels on the car it will be a bit easier to get them to the tyre shop to pop the RSRs on :)

I also test fitted a second set of wheels I'll use to roll around on day to day. They're Racing Beat RB-02, 3 piece splits, and in need of a return. 15x7 et38 all round, at some point I'll get an extra 3/4" on the lips at the rear but for now a spacer will do to get them sitting pretty at the back. They're pretty good at the front.

I've collected a few parts too, slowly adding to my pile of things to fit. Caused a bit of a stir on Facebook with my lightweight solid crank pulley (whoops), and also got a lightweight alternator pulley made. Still debating whether to get a 2ZZ water pump and have an alloy pulley made for that too, but unsure of how much lighter that would be over the 1ZZ pump. Maybe I'll just go for it!

Braces and rollbar still tbc... soon I hope.

It's MOT time shortly, which will no doubt be highly entertaining 😁

89213CA9-DDFF-473E-8B49-B93A682DFCE9.jpeg8B71719F-C2C4-4363-96C5-CEC8CFFA3370.jpeg211E700B-6708-4793-B51B-3889CAAF8104.jpeg517C2B7A-D824-4979-A808-A695CB8362A9.jpegBB9A2B82-2A14-45E1-9A29-F23C8F4A0A8A.jpegCAD55181-07E6-4D6E-A3EC-C674E81F3513.jpeg36D480CB-856E-445E-AAD3-7C3871967716.jpeg

Replacing the harmonic damper with a lightweight pulley could result in the premature demise of your oil pump.  Just sayin'.

There is always a downside.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 26, 2021, 10:47
Quote from: Carolyn on January 25, 2021, 09:46
Quote from: moca2cv on January 25, 2021, 02:21It's been a while... lockdown 3 plus terrible weather means I haven't done all that much to the car. I did swap on my PFL wheels though; the 17s are destined for a Civic track car. With the wheels on the car it will be a bit easier to get them to the tyre shop to pop the RSRs on :)

I also test fitted a second set of wheels I'll use to roll around on day to day. They're Racing Beat RB-02, 3 piece splits, and in need of a return. 15x7 et38 all round, at some point I'll get an extra 3/4" on the lips at the rear but for now a spacer will do to get them sitting pretty at the back. They're pretty good at the front.

I've collected a few parts too, slowly adding to my pile of things to fit. Caused a bit of a stir on Facebook with my lightweight solid crank pulley (whoops), and also got a lightweight alternator pulley made. Still debating whether to get a 2ZZ water pump and have an alloy pulley made for that too, but unsure of how much lighter that would be over the 1ZZ pump. Maybe I'll just go for it!

Braces and rollbar still tbc... soon I hope.

It's MOT time shortly, which will no doubt be highly entertaining 😁

89213CA9-DDFF-473E-8B49-B93A682DFCE9.jpeg8B71719F-C2C4-4363-96C5-CEC8CFFA3370.jpeg211E700B-6708-4793-B51B-3889CAAF8104.jpeg517C2B7A-D824-4979-A808-A695CB8362A9.jpegBB9A2B82-2A14-45E1-9A29-F23C8F4A0A8A.jpegCAD55181-07E6-4D6E-A3EC-C674E81F3513.jpeg36D480CB-856E-445E-AAD3-7C3871967716.jpeg

Replacing the harmonic damper with a lightweight pulley could result in the premature demise of your oil pump.  Just sayin'.

It could :) I'm not overly concerned, I have no AC so there's no shock loading from the compressor. I strongly suspect that most oil related failures (bottom ends, pumps) are more to do with oil starvation than harmonics - we're often adding cornering speed but not lubrication. I wonder if an oil/air separator like you see on Caterhams, a kind of half way house before going dry sump, could be an effective way to add capacity and supply a bit more oil on those longer corners...
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Carolyn on January 26, 2021, 11:03
Yes, there's no doubt thatmostsp8un bearings are down to the pick-up sucking air, especially on long right-handers.

I use 8mm spacers to lower the oil pick-up and add an extra baffle to the sump, when I have an engine in bits.  It might buy a few crucial milliseconds.  ;D

My point about the damper is more about the oil pump itself, which is wrapped around the end of the crankshaft.  In such set-ups most race engines replace the stock harmonic damper with an aftermarket one.  Crank vibration definitely can take these pumps out.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 2, 2021, 03:28
Goodies from Boris (@snelbaard)...

B52FCF8F-3F00-4FBD-AB8B-8C742B301CBB.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 9, 2021, 01:17
My garage shelving arrived, once it's not below freezing outside I'll make a start on tidying up what has become a bit of a dumping ground for various stuff. Two shelving units, one for wheels and tyres, and the other for parts (I even have IKEA boxes for small stuff!) and I should be able to clear a bunch of space on the worktop for actually working.
I also got some hangers for the bikes to go on the wall and make some space... end result should be a nice cosy home for the car and not tripping over everything when I go to grab a tool 😂
Booked in to Megillian for early March to get the roll bar fitted (yay!) and then the build can continue in earnest. Hoping for a couple of competitive events by the end of the year, and have booked a trackday at Llandow for a shake down at the beginning of July. I'm feeling confident!
Competition Clutch flywheel was on sale on eBay too, so snapped that up 😁
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 12, 2021, 14:27
Ordered a Carolyn front brace, thankfully there were a couple left over. Funny how probably the most popular mod for nearly every car out there has proven so difficult to get! Very few pop up second hand, and being particular about what I want, a solid bar was what I wanted. That pretty much left Megillian, Barbarian (aluminium, big no), and Ultra Racing. I originally ordered an Ultra Racing bar from Haz Motorsport back in October... it never arrived despite repeated promises of dispatch, and I only just got the refund. Since then, Carolyn did a run on front braces and while that brace is a bit more expensive, it is clearly solid, and more importantly available and very likely to actually arrive!

I'm also provisionally booked in to Megillian for roll bar fitting... and maybe a couple other things at the same time.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 12, 2021, 14:29
Also bought a clock to support a young lady self funding her karting career:
286585DA-2316-4EBD-A732-078492E45427.jpeg

Oh and my speed pizza arrived 😁

FA825FE4-13F1-4449-A5F3-F1FABE0385D9.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Carolyn on February 12, 2021, 15:27
Quote from: moca2cv on February 12, 2021, 14:27Ordered a Carolyn front brace, thankfully there were a couple left over. Funny how probably the most popular mod for nearly every car out there has proven so difficult to get! Very few pop up second hand, and being particular about what I want, a solid bar was what I wanted. That pretty much left Megillian, Barbarian (aluminium, big no), and Ultra Racing. I originally ordered an Ultra Racing bar from Haz Motorsport back in October... it never arrived despite repeated promises of dispatch, and I only just got the refund. Since then, Carolyn did a run on front braces and while that brace is a bit more expensive, it is clearly solid, and more importantly available and very likely to actually arrive!

I'm also provisionally booked in to Megillian for roll bar fitting... and maybe a couple other things at the same time.


It's on it's way.  Parcelforce just picked it up.

Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 12, 2021, 15:33
Quote from: Carolyn on February 12, 2021, 15:27
Quote from: moca2cv on February 12, 2021, 14:27Ordered a Carolyn front brace, thankfully there were a couple left over. Funny how probably the most popular mod for nearly every car out there has proven so difficult to get! Very few pop up second hand, and being particular about what I want, a solid bar was what I wanted. That pretty much left Megillian, Barbarian (aluminium, big no), and Ultra Racing. I originally ordered an Ultra Racing bar from Haz Motorsport back in October... it never arrived despite repeated promises of dispatch, and I only just got the refund. Since then, Carolyn did a run on front braces and while that brace is a bit more expensive, it is clearly solid, and more importantly available and very likely to actually arrive!

I'm also provisionally booked in to Megillian for roll bar fitting... and maybe a couple other things at the same time.


It's on it's way.  Parcelforce just picked it up.



Much excite 😁
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 16, 2021, 01:06
Built my shelves today. They're filling up quick... 😬

1C241417-8604-4E0D-AFAC-529A118F9B6C.jpeg

Most worrying though is the amount of crap I've accumulated. I removed 4 black sacks of rubbish, and a bunch of cardboard, and I feel like I've barely made a dent...
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 17, 2021, 01:42
Strut brace took all of 10 minutes to fit. 5 of those were grabbing a 14mm for the top mounts, then going back to swap it for a 12mm 😂

Top quality brace, and super rigid. Went to pick the little one up from nursery in it and either the placebo effect was out in force, or the front end feels a little more planted...

829AA18F-1397-4BB6-8F50-083C2956F6D7.jpeg

29371339-CE2B-4DED-A5D4-8EDE00557432.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 17, 2021, 12:20
More excitement in the post... these arrived at the garage fettling my engine 😁D8F6AED3-6BB7-49E3-BE59-8F290F673C35.jpeg
He's very happy with them, apparently not every cam manufacturer sends such comprehensive timing information. This is good news :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Carolyn on February 17, 2021, 12:48
Quote from: moca2cv on February 17, 2021, 12:20More excitement in the post... these arrived at the garage fettling my engine 😁D8F6AED3-6BB7-49E3-BE59-8F290F673C35.jpeg
He's very happy with them, apparently not every cam manufacturer sends such comprehensive timing information. This is good news :)
You're probably going to need valve buckets.  I am the keeper of the club bucket bank.  Let me know what buckets you need.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 17, 2021, 21:59
Quote from: Carolyn on February 17, 2021, 12:48
Quote from: moca2cv on February 17, 2021, 12:20More excitement in the post... these arrived at the garage fettling my engine 😁D8F6AED3-6BB7-49E3-BE59-8F290F673C35.jpeg
He's very happy with them, apparently not every cam manufacturer sends such comprehensive timing information. This is good news :)
You're probably going to need valve buckets.  I am the keeper of the club bucket bank.  Let me know what buckets you need.
Thank you! We have three engines to draw from so hoping we have what we need but will certainly give you a shout if we need anything else!
Love this club :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 23, 2021, 01:16
Snuck out at lunchtime to sort out my rear number plate. The OE setup is just... lame. Such an afterthought. So I set myself a challenge: make it neat and tidy without spending any more than the cost of a plate.

So I set about a UK plate holder with a Stanley knife, cleaned it up well enough with a Dremel (successive previous owners of the plate holder had used half the world's supply of double sided tape), and gave it a blow over with some trim paint (let's see how long that lasts!). Quite happy with the outcome, all things considered.

98EA56BC-1CEA-4411-A6DD-8B7965EB52AC.jpeg

This evening I was feeling a bit restless so popped out to do a job that for some reason I'd just never got round to...

When I buy a car I generally do a service of sorts, and that includes the spark plugs. Although I'd changed most other things, these had slipped my mind. I had the plugs in the garage ready to go, so finally got moving.

Checked the gaps of the new ones, 1mm across the board near as, so more or less happy with that. Whipped out the old ones and they all had gaps between 1.27 - 1.35mm. Well past their use by date for sure! I think if you can see by eye that something like that is worn... it's overdue replacement!

0FA71067-9660-4DB4-A092-56910560E686.jpeg

I made a start on the skateboard bearings for the shift cables, but ran out of battery in the torch so called it a night after getting one done. Checked the air filter while in there, looked pretty clean actually.

B67A9FCA-EFCF-4C10-82B3-4B68A9B21FAB.jpeg

Looking forward to using these in anger!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on February 23, 2021, 06:32
Definitely a service of sorts if you didn't change the plugs or air filter. 😉
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 23, 2021, 08:39
Quote from: 1979scotte on February 23, 2021, 06:32Definitely a service of sorts if you didn't change the plugs or air filter. 😉

I'm hoping my confession and public shaming of myself will make me a better person.

(In my (partial) defence, I did check the air filter but that was back in July and it was pretty clean then too, it's a K&N, and I will be doing a behind the battery intake soon, so left it. Absolutely no defence on the spark plugs though.)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on February 23, 2021, 09:31
Quote from: moca2cv on February 23, 2021, 08:39
Quote from: 1979scotte on February 23, 2021, 06:32Definitely a service of sorts if you didn't change the plugs or air filter. 😉

I'm hoping my confession and public shaming of myself will make me a better person.

(In my (partial) defence, I did check the air filter but that was back in July and it was pretty clean then too, it's a K&N, and I will be doing a behind the battery intake soon, so left it. Absolutely no defence on the spark plugs though.)

As always maximum respect for honesty.
As a mere mortal I understand YOU will make mistakes.
Me I'm Mary Poppins.
Practically perfect in every way 😇 😉🤣
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 23, 2021, 13:45
Quote from: 1979scotte on February 23, 2021, 09:31
Quote from: moca2cv on February 23, 2021, 08:39
Quote from: 1979scotte on February 23, 2021, 06:32Definitely a service of sorts if you didn't change the plugs or air filter. 😉

I'm hoping my confession and public shaming of myself will make me a better person.

(In my (partial) defence, I did check the air filter but that was back in July and it was pretty clean then too, it's a K&N, and I will be doing a behind the battery intake soon, so left it. Absolutely no defence on the spark plugs though.)

As always maximum respect for honesty.
As a mere mortal I understand YOU will make mistakes.
Me I'm Mary Poppins.
Practically perfect in every way 😇 😉🤣

I make so many mistakes 😂 mostly around misjudging my own character...
Me: ooh an MR2 would be a great budget track car. Just jump in and drive!
Also me: the car will not be ready for track until I've completed this infinitely long list of things to do and to which I will keep adding things as I go.
Hence the project name 😁
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 23, 2021, 19:13
Oh wow the gear shift cable bearings make a HUGE difference! Absolutely transformed the car. The finishing piece of the gear shift puzzle arrived from the US today, hope it gets to me soon 🤗

Also. Can't say I noticed any difference for the new spark plugs, which is impressive given the size of the gap on the old ones 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 28, 2021, 09:08
A special parcel from the USA arrived the other day containing... a Super Klasse C's shifter! I enlisted the help of my daughter to get it fitted, I'll let the photos do the talking.

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Feels pretty nice! The self centring spring doesn't seem to be strong enough to do it's job perfectly but apparently as things loosen up a little (the cable bushes are tight!) it should improved.

I'd take it for a drive to test but I've taken half the interior out to get a bucket in and get it ready for a half cage...

B4794407-16F7-4D5C-9980-2DCDD28CEAE5.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on March 6, 2021, 00:41
The shifter was a great success, and the centre console is back in, all looking very standard. I even had a little cheeky spin round the block, what a great shifter! I'm going to have a go at the home brew shifter next to see how that goes.

Finally got the seat in a position I'm happy with, but that means it won't work with the standard Megillian half cage that I bought. Steve to the rescue though, and he's going to build me something that works with my seating position. Car left on a transporter yesterday, so looking forward to what he comes up with!

To get the car ready I removed the soft top and everything no longer needed on the deck behind the seats - once the bar is in I'll carpet it and attempt a sort of Porsche 911 GT3 style interior. I'll fall short, but I'll try!

Wrapped the passenger door card too with my daughter, as it's her side I let her decorate it too. It looks... interesting.

Finally, spent a fun lunch break fitting the new front plate. I wasn't happy with it being screwed straight in to the dimpled bit, so ordered (a long time ago) a plate holder. Amazingly the dimples had dimples where the plate holder screws needed to go, so fitting was super simple.

My daughter has also been perusing my Instagram feed and has decided she needs a purple flashing light from Garage Ultoo. Great. 😂

Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on March 20, 2021, 20:45
I'm bored. Not a lot to do while the car is away... bought a clutch, and ARP flywheel bolts for when the lightweight flywheel goes on, and I bought some garage organising stuff. I'll try to get that on the wall on Monday, then I can really set to tidying up the garage once and for all. I have such a lot of stuff, I don't know where to put it 😂

Big shout out to Forge, who next day delivered a silicone elbow for my behind battery intake. Big fan of Forge. Just need to retrieve my filter from a friend who was back to back testing a K&N, ProRam and RamAir, all cones. If anyone's interested:
- K&N: reasonably loud across the range
- ProRam: Stock volume until 4.5k rpm then all hell lets loose
- RamAir: fruity throughout range, not as raspy as K&N
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on April 5, 2021, 20:29
Started getting the intake ready...

Lotus MAF tube, pre-loved and in need of a clean...

D5A99A2E-7679-456A-96DA-C9D329F116B0.jpeg

I used acetone, your preferred solvent will likely do the job...

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And that left me with a nice clean tube to work with:

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Which I then wrapped in Funk Motorsport's finest:

CF423BBE-A3D0-46F5-BB8C-38010949C785.jpeg

Won't really do much that tape, as it's a tiny bit of the overall intake, but I had the tape so figured I might as well :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: atlex on April 9, 2021, 21:33
mmm break out the funk! :-)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 7, 2021, 02:17
Not much going on as my car doesn't get back until Saturday. But as I have my first track day in this car on Tuesday, and with a lot of things to do still, I have to do what I can! I needed a harness, so popped over to Nicky Grist, and after a quick call got a nice 6pt FIA approved harness for... £130. Yup. It arrived the next day too. It's a rebadged TRS, so great quality. The intention was to use it as a 4pt for now, but it arrived with the crotch straps in the permanent pin on the buckle. Not ideal, but armed with the literally zero information on the internet I set about switching the buckle to a lap belt.

For this job you will need:
- T20 torx
- 3mm Allen
- Needle nose pliers
- PVA glue (?!)
- Tiny fingers

First up, pop the 5 x T20 screws out the back to expose the mechanism inside and release the crotch strap. Be careful not to lose the tiny springs!
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Use the pliers to pull the retaining plate out.
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Turn the buckle over and peel the sticker off the front to expose the screw. Remove screw and the buckle lever pops off.
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Turn it back over and pop out the pin holding the spring mechanism in place.
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Now for the fiddly bit... rearrange the pins to the desired position so that the buckle lever still points down. I went for the left lap belt.
4B02DD93-C5AA-45BE-AA20-273F349B5278.jpeg

Reinsert the spring plate and retaining pin. Replace the retaining plate. Don't forget the thin washer! Pop the springs back in the cover, position the strap to be permanently secured in to place and screw it back together.
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Pop the lever back on the front and secure with the screw. I then used a little pva glue to replace the sticker as it had lost its stickiness.

It was quite simple as it turned out but a bit nerve wracking at the time!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 10, 2021, 00:03
The car is back from Megillian! The roll bar is in, a couple of extra braces are on, and it was time to crack on with the final bits to get it track ready. The work is really nice, very happy with it. Time meant it couldn't be powdercoated in time, but I will survive for now. Later on I can pop it off and get it coated properly.

BCC864A9-A2BC-465B-B552-C39B119FDBD1.jpeg

The rear strut brace is amazing, no trapeziums in site!

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Started with the rear brakes, bit of a ballache, but got them done.

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The sliders were horrible and had an assortment of goop on them... replaced with the good stuff.

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Front brakes were SO much easier. Had those done in no time after my roast dinner 😁

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Then started on the interior. Got the rear carpet back in...

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(Not sure why that's rotated!)

Then I trimmed the bins to slide in, and fitted the bucket seat and harness! No pics though, as it was dark, but it all looks very smart! It's coming together slowly but surely!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Karthoum on May 10, 2021, 02:26
Really liking that cage, still leaves you with a lot of storage space behind the seats.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 10, 2021, 08:29
Quote from: Karthoum on May 10, 2021, 02:26Really liking that cage, still leaves you with a lot of storage space behind the seats.

It's not bad at all! I intend to keep the passenger seat so I can still access it, but definitely have room for plenty of stuff in there.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 12, 2021, 00:11
Today was awesome ☺️

After another late night last night to readjust the seat, bleed the brakes and get all the gear for today ready, we enjoyed a late start.

First up, down to the tyre shop to get the RSRs on. Amazingly got all four tyres in the car - one behind the passenger seat, and three in front!

9CCC49EB-C994-424B-8A2F-15E572BA5528.jpeg

Then back to give the car a little wipe down. Nice to have a hand washing my car from a friend; usually it's me cleaning his car on race day!

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After a leisurely lunch and we headed to the track. A nice assortment of machinery, and naturally the mid engined cars hung out together while we waited for sign on to open.

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With sign on sorted, we made use of the time to run a bit more fluid through the system. Found a couple of bubbles and a bit more dirt. For once I'm standing about watching the team do the work, rather than doing it myself!

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As soon as it was open, we scooted through and nabbed a garage.

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Popped the hard top off (no side mounts) and popped out for the sighting laps. While the second half did theirs, I grabbed a bite to eat to let the keenos go round for a bit, then headed out. Many, many laps were done, good standard of driving, great conditions. One red flag just as I was going out, a 1 series took a liking to the tyre wall on the Brabham Straight. Was impressed how quickly the marshals got us going again, can't have been more than 15 minutes.

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As the evening drew on, it got quite quiet out on track, so with less pulling over to let faster cars by I could really get some good practice in. Was nice to be let by by some extremely powerful motors!

Lots to do before the next event - I need to sort an alignment and get the ARBs on ASAP, and the brakes... well I think I need new calipers. They were not great, the EBC yellows need a lot more bedding in than I gave them though, so maybe that's it. Even with the extra bleeding they still felt off. I'm not convinced the MC is sealing either, so might take a look at that. Probably best to have a garage do it, just for peace of mind.

That aside, it was glorious. The most fun I've had in a car in a long long time!

I'll close with a pic of the team :)

A723E4EB-F682-476C-B907-05D870304313.jpeg

I really don't understand the photo rotation on here 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: thetyrant on May 12, 2021, 07:40
Sounds like you had fun its great to get out on track i was at Croft last week :D

 EBC yellow pads should be bedded in after 1 session on track and as long as you have full pad contact over the disc sweep area and a heat cycle they should be sorted, they are just road/fast road pads really so maybe you are expecting too much from them if they didnt deliver, for track use there are a lot better pads out they just they cost a lot more!, EBC are cheap and work for many but if pushed hard can struggle.

Make sure the calipers and everything else are working as they should is first step though, so many people have brake issues and blame pads,fluids etc when it the basic function of calipers that is causing it.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 12, 2021, 09:34
Quote from: thetyrant on May 12, 2021, 07:40Sounds like you had fun its great to get out on track i was at Croft last week :D

 EBC yellow pads should be bedded in after 1 session on track and as long as you have full pad contact over the disc sweep area and a heat cycle they should be sorted, they are just road/fast road pads really so maybe you are expecting too much from them if they didnt deliver, for track use there are a lot better pads out they just they cost a lot more!, EBC are cheap and work for many but if pushed hard can struggle.

Make sure the calipers and everything else are working as they should is first step though, so many people have brake issues and blame pads,fluids etc when it the basic function of calipers that is causing it.

Thanks! I've got lots of things to check, the calipers are definitely due replacing I just didn't have time to swap them over, so that's on the list. I was just disappointed with the feel after bleeding and bleeding,  so having slept on it I may grab a new MC and do that too. Or maybe it's the rubber hoses expanding. When running and stationary the pedal was quite squishy, and sank a little, but on track there wasn't great feel and it felt like the abs was kicking in? I'm not sure... but yeah, might leave it to a professional!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: thetyrant on May 12, 2021, 10:19
Quote from: moca2cv on May 12, 2021, 09:34Thanks! I've got lots of things to check, the calipers are definitely due replacing I just didn't have time to swap them over, so that's on the list. I was just disappointed with the feel after bleeding and bleeding,  so having slept on it I may grab a new MC and do that too. Or maybe it's the rubber hoses expanding. When running and stationary the pedal was quite squishy, and sank a little, but on track there wasn't great feel and it felt like the abs was kicking in? I'm not sure... but yeah, might leave it to a professional!

Could well be air still in the system, i recently had issues with pedal feel and turned out one of my sliders were not as moving as they should causing the pads to wear at a taper, sorted the pads and sliders and all was good.

Modern rubber flexi hoses dont expand like the old days, if they are visually ok with no damage of bulges they will be fine, many people claim huge improvements from fitting new braided hoses but it only feels better because they have bled the brakes during install!

Another thing to check is pads are not binding at the ends were they fit into caliper bracket/hanger, quite often you need to remove the hangers and stainless slider plates to clean out the rust that builds up underneath the sliders making pads tight, the pads should be easy to slide into the hanger brackets not a tight fit at all.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 12, 2021, 11:24
Quote from: thetyrant on May 12, 2021, 10:19
Quote from: moca2cv on May 12, 2021, 09:34Thanks! I've got lots of things to check, the calipers are definitely due replacing I just didn't have time to swap them over, so that's on the list. I was just disappointed with the feel after bleeding and bleeding,  so having slept on it I may grab a new MC and do that too. Or maybe it's the rubber hoses expanding. When running and stationary the pedal was quite squishy, and sank a little, but on track there wasn't great feel and it felt like the abs was kicking in? I'm not sure... but yeah, might leave it to a professional!

Could well be air still in the system, i recently had issues with pedal feel and turned out one of my sliders were not as moving as they should causing the pads to wear at a taper, sorted the pads and sliders and all was good.

Modern rubber flexi hoses dont expand like the old days, if they are visually ok with no damage of bulges they will be fine, many people claim huge improvements from fitting new braided hoses but it only feels better because they have bled the brakes during install!

Another thing to check is pads are not binding at the ends were they fit into caliper bracket/hanger, quite often you need to remove the hangers and stainless slider plates to clean out the rust that builds up underneath the sliders making pads tight, the pads should be easy to slide into the hanger brackets not a tight fit at all.

Thanks! All good tips. When I did discs and pads, I regreased all the sliders with proper silicone grease, but the rubbers were in poor shape so I don't know how long that will last. I also wire brushed the hangers and clips and filed down the pad tabs a bit so they were secure but easily moved my hand (if that makes sense - not loose).

I just went for another drive to nursery and back (little one loves it) and the pads are clearly grabbing but the pedal feel is not entirely there. I guess I will bleed some more! The sinking pedal stops sinking a little bit, and doesn't go to the floor, even standing on it, so maybe it is as simple as air!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 12, 2021, 11:29
Some pics from yesterday anyway:

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I can't get over just how good this car was on track - and I know exactly what to do next to make it more fun! I was probably only driving at 6/10s, so there is a lot more to come from me as well. The car is certainly more capable than me. So good. Love it.

Also noticed yesterday that my engine lid pin escaped. It is gone. Fell out somewhere round Brands no doubt 😂 I hope no one hit it... 😬
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: thetyrant on May 12, 2021, 12:08
Quote from: moca2cv on May 12, 2021, 11:24Thanks! All good tips. When I did discs and pads, I regreased all the sliders with proper silicone grease, but the rubbers were in poor shape so I don't know how long that will last. I also wire brushed the hangers and clips and filed down the pad tabs a bit so they were secure but easily moved my hand (if that makes sense - not loose).

I just went for another drive to nursery and back (little one loves it) and the pads are clearly grabbing but the pedal feel is not entirely there. I guess I will bleed some more! The sinking pedal stops sinking a little bit, and doesn't go to the floor, even standing on it, so maybe it is as simple as air!

Probaly just air in system give it another bleed, if pins and rubbers are past best get new ones as they are crictial to correct pad operation, on mine 1 rubber was swollen due to previous owner or garage usig incorrect grease, that is what was causing it bind slightly and taper pads as well as giving poor pedal feel, you can get new pins and rubbers here - Brakeparts link (https://brakeparts.co.uk/shop/Toyota/MR2/00-/MR2%20Sports%20Zzw30%201.8%20Roadster/Front%20-%20Brake%20Calipers%20and%20Wheel%20Cylinders/BCF1380)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 12, 2021, 12:51
Quote from: thetyrant on May 12, 2021, 12:08
Quote from: moca2cv on May 12, 2021, 11:24Thanks! All good tips. When I did discs and pads, I regreased all the sliders with proper silicone grease, but the rubbers were in poor shape so I don't know how long that will last. I also wire brushed the hangers and clips and filed down the pad tabs a bit so they were secure but easily moved my hand (if that makes sense - not loose).

I just went for another drive to nursery and back (little one loves it) and the pads are clearly grabbing but the pedal feel is not entirely there. I guess I will bleed some more! The sinking pedal stops sinking a little bit, and doesn't go to the floor, even standing on it, so maybe it is as simple as air!

Probaly just air in system give it another bleed, if pins and rubbers are past best get new ones as they are crictial to correct pad operation, on mine 1 rubber was swollen due to previous owner or garage usig incorrect grease, that is what was causing it bind slightly and taper pads as well as giving poor pedal feel, you can get new pins and rubbers here - Brakeparts link (https://brakeparts.co.uk/shop/Toyota/MR2/00-/MR2%20Sports%20Zzw30%201.8%20Roadster/Front%20-%20Brake%20Calipers%20and%20Wheel%20Cylinders/BCF1380)

I've got a full set of calipers so I'll just swap them I think. Brakes felt fine before the change (in terms of feel rather than outright performance) so I think you might be right on the air front.
Appreciate the advice!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on June 25, 2021, 16:31
Been a while since I last updated this. Not much to report until now!

Unhappy with the pedal feel, I pressed the big red button and decided to do it all. Brake master cylinder, calipers and hoses. I was mostly concerned about the master cylinder and the potential for air in the ABS box of tricks, but was offered a tip by a mechanic friend to pump the caliper pistons out a touch, and then push them back in after the swap to back bleed it. Worked a treat!
Next up, calipers and hoses. Now I'm worried about being able to get the old hoses off without rounding the fittings..

EEF323E6-D88E-4506-B75E-35F880ED795D.jpeg

I also raised the gearknob slightly - the knob I had wound down so far I figured I could raise it by nearly an inch with just a nut, but a nut isn't really my style, so I got a stainless weld on bung instead. Looks like it should be there more than a nut does :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on June 27, 2021, 08:38
Had the morning yesterday to work on the car, so decided to crack on with hoses and calipers. Also an oil change. Didn't quite go to plan!
As I sort of expected without a flare spanner it was going to be a disaster, so knocked that on the head fairly quickly. I prepped the new calipers though, all sliders nice and greasy, pin bolts loose in the carriers, and hoses loosely attached.
I then figured I'd do an oil change as I have a track day next week. Dropped the old oil, no drama, wrestled the old filter off (with a screwdriver and hammer), but then, when I went to get my replacement filter, noticed they'd sent me a J4 instead of the J1 I ordered. The mounting surfaces are completely different, the J4 being taller and wider, so I bagged the filter mount and tried to get another filter. Would you believe it, none of the local shops had one :( Got some flare spanners though! Ordered a K&N filter (for the nut on the end) and called it a day.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on June 27, 2021, 12:28
Quote from: moca2cv on June 27, 2021, 08:38Had the morning yesterday to work on the car, so decided to crack on with hoses and calipers. Also an oil change. Didn't quite go to plan!
As I sort of expected without a flare spanner it was going to be a disaster, so knocked that on the head fairly quickly. I prepped the new calipers though, all sliders nice and greasy, pin bolts loose in the carriers, and hoses loosely attached.
I then figured I'd do an oil change as I have a track day next week. Dropped the old oil, no drama, wrestled the old filter off (with a screwdriver and hammer), but then, when I went to get my replacement filter, noticed they'd sent me a J4 instead of the J1 I ordered. The mounting surfaces are completely different, the J4 being taller and wider, so I bagged the filter mount and tried to get another filter. Would you believe it, none of the local shops had one :( Got some flare spanners though! Ordered a K&N filter (for the nut on the end) and called it a day.

Where did you buy the KN from?
If ebay probably fake like half the branded car parts on there.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on June 27, 2021, 19:36
Quote from: 1979scotte on June 27, 2021, 12:28
Quote from: moca2cv on June 27, 2021, 08:38Had the morning yesterday to work on the car, so decided to crack on with hoses and calipers. Also an oil change. Didn't quite go to plan!
As I sort of expected without a flare spanner it was going to be a disaster, so knocked that on the head fairly quickly. I prepped the new calipers though, all sliders nice and greasy, pin bolts loose in the carriers, and hoses loosely attached.
I then figured I'd do an oil change as I have a track day next week. Dropped the old oil, no drama, wrestled the old filter off (with a screwdriver and hammer), but then, when I went to get my replacement filter, noticed they'd sent me a J4 instead of the J1 I ordered. The mounting surfaces are completely different, the J4 being taller and wider, so I bagged the filter mount and tried to get another filter. Would you believe it, none of the local shops had one :( Got some flare spanners though! Ordered a K&N filter (for the nut on the end) and called it a day.

Where did you buy the KN from?
If ebay probably fake like half the branded car parts on there.

From YB Filters, they're a K&N distributor so it better not be fake!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on June 28, 2021, 17:02
Well sod this for a game of soldiers. Flare spanner still rounded the FR hard line nut doo dah. So I've left the old hoses and calipers on, and will let a proper garage deal with that BS. They weren't failing or anything so not the end of the world.

Now I just need the damn filter to arrive so I can get on with my life.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 2, 2021, 01:08
Filter arrived, screwed on, oil topped up, undertray back on. Nice and easy. There's a little whiff of oil when driving about - no idea where it's coming from, no drips that I can see. I'm hoping I'm just being overly sensitive...

Now the brakes... after taking the car for a spin I was pretty disappointed as they were worse than before 😂 So I popped some new nipples in, and bled them til I was blue in the face. I now have a slightly better pedal than I had at Brands in May. It still lacks feel, I think a disc is warped... I think there might be a hefty bill incoming for something a bit better. Recommendations for discs and pads that aren't extortionate welcome.

Anyway, it's done, I'm sort of ok with it, and the car is loaded up ready for a trip to Llandow with my old Mighty5s buddies to show them that the MR2 is superior 😁 or at least has potential to be. I expect it will be very wet, so could be entertaining with RSRs on 😬
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on July 2, 2021, 07:13
Quote from: moca2cv on July  2, 2021, 01:08Recommendations for discs and pads that aren't extortionate welcome.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48839101466_b723bfeb63_o.jpg)

My brake setup.

You can see the part numbers.

I'm no longer recommending the Yellowstuff pads since I cooked a set and they started literally falling apart.

I'm going Carbotech now.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 2, 2021, 14:39
Quote from: Alex Knight on July  2, 2021, 07:13
Quote from: moca2cv on July  2, 2021, 01:08Recommendations for discs and pads that aren't extortionate welcome.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48839101466_b723bfeb63_o.jpg)

My brake setup.

You can see the part numbers.

I'm no longer recommending the Yellowstuff pads since I cooked a set and they started literally falling apart.

I'm going Carbotech now.

Thanks Alex! Carbotech are looking like the logical choice, but oh so expensive :/
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: potge on July 2, 2021, 20:25
Brake wise
-Brembo or Pagid discs (Just in case there any dodgy parts out there, with anti corrosion coating)
-Motul RBF600-660 are well balanced tried and tested.
-If you discard race-bred pads like Carbotech, Porterfield etc it is either standard pads like Ferodo or slightly uprated EBC yellow and Stoptech. I have found this to be a bit of subjective topic.
- I have HEL, but I guess Mattlewis, Hel or Goodridge should not be night and day between them.

And the obvious but often neglected, spend as much time you can on prepping and cleaning sliders, carriers, boots, pistons, hub etc and apply proper lubing/paste.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on July 2, 2021, 21:58
Quote from: moca2cv on July  2, 2021, 14:39
Quote from: Alex Knight on July  2, 2021, 07:13
Quote from: moca2cv on July  2, 2021, 01:08Recommendations for discs and pads that aren't extortionate welcome.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48839101466_b723bfeb63_o.jpg)

My brake setup.

You can see the part numbers.

I'm no longer recommending the Yellowstuff pads since I cooked a set and they started literally falling apart.

I'm going Carbotech now.

Thanks Alex! Carbotech are looking like the logical choice, but oh so expensive :/

Most of the research I've done indicates that they will last a lot longer, which makes them more cost effective I believe.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 3, 2021, 08:22
Quote from: potge on July  2, 2021, 20:25Brake wise
-Brembo or Pagid discs (Just in case there any dodgy parts out there, with anti corrosion coating)
-Motul RBF600-660 are well balanced tried and tested.
-If you discard race-bred pads like Carbotech, Porterfield etc it is either standard pads like Ferodo or slightly uprated EBC yellow and Stoptech. I have found this to be a bit of subjective topic.
- I have HEL, but I guess Mattlewis, Hel or Goodridge should not be night and day between them.

And the obvious but often neglected, spend as much time you can on prepping and cleaning sliders, carriers, boots, pistons, hub etc and apply proper lubing/paste.

Thanks! I'll see how the yellows perform again today, and have another TD at Brands at the end of the month, but suspect I'll bin them after that. New calipers and hoses before Brands hopefully!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 4, 2021, 19:53
So yesterday went well! Smashed the car around Llandow all day. A few friends had a go too, including Gymkhana GRiD champion Mantas Sliogeris, and they all thought it was great. And frankly the day left me wondering whether I really needed any of the many unfitted parts sitting in my garage... crisis time.

Anyway, brakes. Everyone thought they weren't too bad, not great, but ok and at least consistent. My Time Attack racing driver friend cooked them (expected) but they were ok after a couple of cool down laps. Having passengered with actually good drivers I realised that I am not even close to finding the limit of the car, so I pushed myself as hard as I dared and feel like I made some good improvements throughout the day.

I've noticed that the brake firms up when shifting but not rev matching, and didn't have any vacuum assistance after being sat overnight, so I am going in search of a one way valve in the servo. Or maybe I'll replace the servo. It's clearly not holding vacuum sufficiently if it varies. Task for tomorrow is to get the car booked in somewhere for the brakes to be refreshed properly and potentially get the MRS gearbox and light flywheel in...

D33BAD8B-D58F-494F-9E6C-31E5238B8E13.jpeg

Forgot to take pics at the track so here's a pic of the Premier Inn car park 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 5, 2021, 23:20
If anyone wants to see some video of Gymkhana GRiD champ Mantas in an MR2...

https://youtu.be/4oDyqV7QHEs

He drives the car fast, I squeal like a piggy, get car sick, and realise that I am not very good at driving.

Lol.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Hammond on July 6, 2021, 15:56
Quote from: moca2cv on July  5, 2021, 23:20If anyone wants to see some video of Gymkhana GRiD champ Mantas in an MR2...

https://youtu.be/4oDyqV7QHEs

He drives the car fast, I squeal like a piggy, get car sick, and realise that I am not very good at driving.

Lol.

what a cool experience! ;D
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Chilli Girl on July 6, 2021, 17:11
That is amazing driving!  Love it. ;D
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 7, 2021, 13:22
Quote from: Hammond on July  6, 2021, 15:56
Quote from: moca2cv on July  5, 2021, 23:20If anyone wants to see some video of Gymkhana GRiD champ Mantas in an MR2...

https://youtu.be/4oDyqV7QHEs

He drives the car fast, I squeal like a piggy, get car sick, and realise that I am not very good at driving.

Lol.

what a cool experience! ;D

Not one I can repeat too often, he doesn't half defy the laws of physics... my stomach can't sadly 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Hammond on July 7, 2021, 15:52
Quote from: moca2cv on July  7, 2021, 13:22
Quote from: Hammond on July  6, 2021, 15:56
Quote from: moca2cv on July  5, 2021, 23:20If anyone wants to see some video of Gymkhana GRiD champ Mantas in an MR2...

https://youtu.be/4oDyqV7QHEs

He drives the car fast, I squeal like a piggy, get car sick, and realise that I am not very good at driving.

Lol.

what a cool experience! ;D

Not one I can repeat too often, he doesn't half defy the laws of physics... my stomach can't sadly 😂

Ha Ha! Get any pointers from mantas? 8)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 11, 2021, 10:45
Quote from: Chilli Girl on July  6, 2021, 17:11That is amazing driving!  Love it. ;D

Genuinely don't believe he is human 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 11, 2021, 10:51
Quote from: Hammond on July  7, 2021, 15:52
Quote from: moca2cv on July  7, 2021, 13:22
Quote from: Hammond on July  6, 2021, 15:56
Quote from: moca2cv on July  5, 2021, 23:20If anyone wants to see some video of Gymkhana GRiD champ Mantas in an MR2...

https://youtu.be/4oDyqV7QHEs

He drives the car fast, I squeal like a piggy, get car sick, and realise that I am not very good at driving.

Lol.

what a cool experience! ;D

Not one I can repeat too often, he doesn't half defy the laws of physics... my stomach can't sadly 😂

Ha Ha! Get any pointers from mantas? 8)

I struggled to process it all but because gymkhana is all about getting around things quickly his control of the weight of a car is pretty good, he spent most of the time getting a feel for the distribution and what happens in the corners under different conditions. The surprise for me was how much he trail braked in to corners, and how early he was on the power in a corner to get the rear to grip again. I was finding it understeered slightly (which is nice for a relative noob like me) but he didn't have that problem at all 😂
The one thing he said he's change about the car was putting wider wheels on the rear as 205s on 6.5s is a little wobbly, going up a few sizes would stiffen that up a little.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 13, 2021, 01:35
Been busy dicking about with other cars the last few days...
The daily (330i) had its MOT, which it passed, but shortly before that I picked up a crack in a rear wheel. Tyre shop whacked some sealant on it to keep me rolling for another day or two, so o could source a replacement wheel. Turns out the MV3s are very expensive, so I just bought a whole set of Style 189s sans tyres and swapped the lot over. Quite like the look.
Then a buddy has had an issue with a warm air intake rubbing through some wires, so I helped him strip back the loom, reinsulate, and wrap it up again, and refit the OE intake. Sounds crap again, but no rubbing worries.
Back to the BMW and the fuse for the cigarette lighter had gone, so swapped that out but my god did BMW put the fuse box in an awkward place! You need the hands of a 4 year old to operate on it!
Back to the MR2, and the calipers and hoses are loaded up ready for the car to go to the garage in the morning. Hopefully be finished by the end of the day. They'll be checking the servo operation too. To be continued...
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 24, 2021, 10:05
Calipers and hoses swapped over no drama, but still suffering spongey brakes. Going back in for more bleeding after giving the brakes a hammering and activating the abs - the stopping power is there it's just lacking feel to the nth degree.
I'm also going to get an alignment, going to ask for 1.5-2 neg camber all round (as long as it's all the same) and zero to teeny toe put up front and teeny toe in at the rear. That should give me a nice neutral setup that is good for road and track.
Swapped engine lids too, so no more ducktail... something else planned instead ;)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 30, 2021, 00:03
Lots to update on...

I forgot to rotate the top mounts so the front camber wasn't adjusted (doh). Everything else is fab though so I just need to jack it up, sort it out, then down to the shop for the toe to be sorted.

Ordered myself a cable and techstream to try firing the abs solenoids to help locate my braking issue.

My new helmet arrived and it's fits great. I also bought a Walero balaclava, wow. Just wow. Super chilled head 👌🏻

Oh and I also fitted a wing to try out. Bit of a saga this... So like many I'm sure I watched Initial D. And then I saw the MR-S in Initial D, and was smitten. I needed that wing. But oh my was it going to be crazy money to import a C-one from Japan... so I spoke to Cal at T89, sent him some measurements and drawings, and let him do his thing. I had to make some mounts though, and because I'm me they need to be as solid as it can be mounted to a bootlid. So I bought some 5mm angle and bar and set to work.

D1B67116-E935-4E1F-8477-07A8492456A3.jpeg
I should be a designer.

EB0AC31E-70E0-47A7-9A2C-C273DE00A7F3.jpeg
Choppy chop, drilly drill, et voila.

9BD62E6E-393C-4BBE-BAB0-A2BD93DA6A65.jpeg
More drilly drill (this is the really difficult bit, mega nerves), and bolt it down.

971A5162-F931-48BB-A39C-BA7A98E2A3F1.jpeg
Test fit but rain stops play.

BA84C4D9-4303-40F4-A2D0-59C77A2A7A27.jpeg
Looking gooood.

C65E67A8-5842-4437-BDA3-C78BA7AB36BF.jpeg
Rear view not impeded at all as it all lines up with the roll bar perfectly. More luck than judgement though!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 30, 2021, 00:12
On to today... Didn't want to mess about with anything so I just packed the car for the track evening. All pretty leisurely until...

Disaster! The bonnet won't close 😱 I just couldn't figure it out, but testing the latch with an Allen key showed that it wasn't catching. Of all the things to go wrong an hour before leaving...

D10A5E2C-B3FE-433A-9DA1-318D22A1DD75.jpeg
Bumper off, catch off and the issue is clear - broken spring. I couldn't find another one, so out with the pliers to bend it in to some sort of shape so it hangs on to both ends.

FE1288CB-A4FE-40F2-ADD3-C5B6AA22A324.jpeg
Quick wipe down so it looks acceptable for the track.

448FFA88-E081-405C-8846-025DDE61EC0A.jpeg
The all important photo with track sign.

9793A779-977D-4D74-928A-89539712EFA5.jpeg
Looking right at home here with team mate Max's 2JZ S14 sharing the garage 🥰

10406204-652F-4B1E-8BE2-859E8AABD39C.jpeg
Zoom zoom. Such a beautiful evening.

DCE69027-B0D8-475E-AE63-CDD30D430985.jpeg
My daughter popped along to watch and support us which was an amazing surprise 🥰🥰🥰

405E8F48-43E5-4092-9F79-C07778B7986F.jpeg
Project Scope Creep and friends.

Observations from today:
I need more front camber.
The wing works.
The car is faster with hardtop on.
Don't forget all about tyre pressures.
I have improved by about ~2s a lap from last time! Happy days 😁
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 31, 2021, 23:32
So after losing my engine lid pin on a trackday a few months back, I'd just been using a breaker bar to prop the lid open. Not ideal, and now with the extra weight of the wing I wanted something a little sturdier and on both sides to prevent sagging. I bought the gas strut set off eBay, and it arrived yesterday. Managed to find a spare half hour today, so my daughter and I headed out to the car to get them on!

Step one: grab a 10mm socket. Doesn't need to be deep.

7E6626CF-8A1D-47EF-BD05-D0CB39CED243.jpeg

Step two: undo the screws where the ball joints will go, pop on the brackets as marked, screw back up.

DA8FAC73-CE56-4D5D-B019-C91CBB4C5448.jpeg

Step three: grease the ball joints with the supplied cotton bud and grease.

51143B24-CAB4-488A-82CF-5DDC80F24EBE.jpeg

Step four: pop the struts in to place, then fiddle the retaining clips in to position.

8F74771F-CF6C-4FD1-8389-D7185B0B4528.jpeg

Et voila! So easy a 4 year old can do it ☺️

E707CA61-4444-4E99-AE18-C486987D234B.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Hammond on August 3, 2021, 20:30
Quote from: moca2cv on July 31, 2021, 23:32So after losing my engine lid pin on a trackday a few months back, I'd just been using a breaker bar to prop the lid open. Not ideal, and now with the extra weight of the wing I wanted something a little sturdier and on both sides to prevent sagging. I bought the gas strut set off eBay, and it arrived yesterday. Managed to find a spare half hour today, so my daughter and I headed out to the car to get them on!

Step one: grab a 10mm socket. Doesn't need to be deep.

7E6626CF-8A1D-47EF-BD05-D0CB39CED243.jpeg

Step two: undo the screws where the ball joints will go, pop on the brackets as marked, screw back up.

DA8FAC73-CE56-4D5D-B019-C91CBB4C5448.jpeg

Step three: grease the ball joints with the supplied cotton bud and grease.

51143B24-CAB4-488A-82CF-5DDC80F24EBE.jpeg

Step four: pop the struts in to place, then fiddle the retaining clips in to position.

8F74771F-CF6C-4FD1-8389-D7185B0B4528.jpeg

Et voila! So easy a 4 year old can do it ☺️

E707CA61-4444-4E99-AE18-C486987D234B.jpeg

Great job team! 😎
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 5, 2021, 00:45
Last couple of days have had me feeling a bit all over the place!

First, I helped a friend swap his o2 sensor out. But swapped the wrong one, as I got bank 2 sensor 1 muddled with bank 1 sensor 2. Doh. Will have to revisit that one...

Then I helped another friend with some pics to help sell his wheels. To do this, I popped them on my car. And now I want to buy them, even though tyre selection is limited...

And today I've been trying to set up my old Windows 7 laptop to run techstream. What a faff. Hate computers, always give me the runaround!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: The Other Stu on August 5, 2021, 10:08
I've been trying to get Techstream to work too.
I found an old laptop and rebuilt it using 32 bit Windows 7 as it's what you're supposed to do.
Struggling.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 6, 2021, 08:54
Quote from: The Other Stu on August  5, 2021, 10:08I've been trying to get Techstream to work too.
I found an old laptop and rebuilt it using 32 bit Windows 7 as it's what you're supposed to do.
Struggling.

I got it to work! Feel like a pro. My laptop is W7 32bit though, so maybe that's not a huge achievement! The cable I bought came with a really useful how to video, I can see if I can share it?

Anyway, activating the solenoids in the ABS showed all manner of funny things going on so there's definitely air in there. So back to the bleeding drawing board it is!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: The Other Stu on August 6, 2021, 10:28
Quote from: moca2cv on August  6, 2021, 08:54
Quote from: The Other Stu on August  5, 2021, 10:08I've been trying to get Techstream to work too.
I found an old laptop and rebuilt it using 32 bit Windows 7 as it's what you're supposed to do.
Struggling.

I got it to work! Feel like a pro. My laptop is W7 32bit though, so maybe that's not a huge achievement! The cable I bought came with a really useful how to video, I can see if I can share it?

Anyway, activating the solenoids in the ABS showed all manner of funny things going on so there's definitely air in there. So back to the bleeding drawing board it is!
Would be great!
I've got my other one to work by pre-loading code, but can't see where to do that with techstream.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 11, 2021, 18:40
Finally got around to buying some (more!) brake fluid to get bleeding these brakes again. I WILL get the air out the ABS... :D
I went for RBF600 this time. 660 wasn't much more but I don't usually change fluid religiously so wet boiling point is probably more important. Debating whether to get the Stahlbus brake bleeding nipples - they're a lot of money but do look like they'd make brake bleeding very easy... Maybe next time. But I'm definitely trying their sump plug! I'm all for super easy oil changes given I try to do them before every track day...
I'm also ready to start messing about with the Apexi PFC and have all the tools I need to get tweaking, but before that I need to install my wideband, so have a little gauge pod project in the works. Having face masks for Covid is very useful, as it involves cutting fibreglass, which is nasty. More to come on that.

In the meantime, on Saturday my daughter will get her first taste of track action on Brands GP, as part of their Drive! experiences. She is excited :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 11, 2021, 21:50
Nothing better to do this evening so I engaged in some intimate time with the Dremel.

Popped half the contents of the engine bay off to get the old filter box abs pipework out.

5BF2E1CE-513E-420B-8F5A-E31B5ED5EA90.jpeg

Dremel time! Chopped up the airbox to leave just the MAF and associated tube work. Had to glue the inlet as it was a bit wobbly.

340EE347-4F15-4DBF-883B-A1B15AED5CCB.jpeg

Assembled with Silicon Hose UK elbow and RamAir filter (my go to filter guys because they are reasonable, have good customer service, and DORTS).

C71C941E-14DA-4D48-A63C-F1E465E70B0A.jpeg

Everything back together in time for dinner. A post meal blat is next!

68F8F428-4DA1-41DA-A19E-16D44DCBE695.jpeg

Again, apologies for the rotation. No idea why it makes it landscape.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 12, 2021, 09:22
Did a little test drive last night to see how the intake sounded. Didn't get off to a good start, got 100 yards down the road and the engine light came on! Whoops. I had done my usual 'forgetting to reconnect the MAF' trick, which now being behind the battery was a mega faff! Managed to squeeze may hands in to get it on though, and carried on my way, although the light stayed on. Will have to reset that today.

So observations:
- You can hear the IACV really loudly (or at least I assume it's that, as the sound comes and goes around idle/light throttle).
- The MAF is rattling against the bulkhead at certain RPMs, which is fairly irritating. Will have to figure out a solution for that.
- The sound isn't much louder than a stock airbox - until you hit 4k rpm, then all hell breaks loose. It's really quite loud at the top end.
- It feels faster no doubt because of the sound. Will it be faster? I don't know. I'll hang on to the old panel filter and parts in case I want to revert to stock again though.

Overall, it's a pretty easy job to get a bit more D R A M A in your life.

Update: EML turned off on its own after the third restart - didn't know it could do that! Saved me finding the code reader :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 23, 2021, 14:45
The great wiring project has begun. I am pretty rubbish at auto-electrics, so this will be a long and painful process for me! I will be wiring in:
- DRE Shift Lights
- Innovate MTX-L Wideband and serial connection
- Oil Temperature
- Oil Pressure
- FC Hako serial connection

To do this, I have purchased a lot of wire, connectors and heatshrink/conduit. The plan is to use connector blocks rather than regular crimp connectors to keep it relatively easy to take out/put back in should I need to do any behind dash work, and reduce the need for extra joins when extending the wires.

Gauges will be powered via the radio wiring - I have no radio, so all the IGN+, GND and illumination wiring is there to easily tap in to with an ISO wiring harness. Also gives me a common ground for that lot.

Still undecided how best to splice in to the tacho feed though.

Wish me luck :D
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 23, 2021, 17:19
Some piccies of progress below.
Looks like I'm not the first to have got behind the dash... half the HVAC panel screws are missing 😂 J-Spec to the rescue.

0A63FAA6-B627-4F7F-AAD4-CA364719B6C2.jpeg
Gauges out.

1D296AE4-B392-4B9A-BE93-9A3812998BFE.jpeg
My high beam light was out, swapped it with another and it worked. Ordered some spares.

F58AC96E-EA9C-4074-9525-FB8031AF9764.jpeg
Identified the tacho feed.

A0F6160A-6E6D-4845-8DF6-F13A42A29E48.jpeg
Test fit of gauge pod.

A8D6D4DB-FBED-4B93-ADBB-F67A2ED863DD.jpeg
Changed the face/bezel of the wideband to match (ish) the Autometer gauges.

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Wires for the back of the gauges. Will go to a connector so it's just plug/unplug.

F4D5EADC-0165-487F-ACF9-56D1291EF12C.jpeg
Little slot dremeled to accommodate wire for shift lights. Nice and snug.

755D78B1-39B9-47B4-8FA6-713A7A5EB855.jpeg
Cheat mode engaged - half an ISO connector repurposed to get power to the gauges.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 24, 2021, 23:06
So making a start on the wiring loom for the gauges highlighted some issues.
First up - my soldering iron has gone missing. So I bought a new one.
Then - I couldn't find my F crimp tool. So I've bought a new one of those too.
I've also lost one of the bulbs to illuminate a gauge. Autometer stuff is about thruppence in the USA, but to get a replacement here is a nightmare. I've ordered a generic T10 bulb holder in the hope that it will fit ok...

All in all, not much progress! My replacement HVAC screws arrived from J Spec though, so that's all back together and as solid as ever. Phew.

I've also read horror stories of drilling the dash for gauge wiring and destroying the dash loom, so drilled a nice big hole in the back corner - I stuck my head under the dash and noticed I could see the corner, so stuck the hole there. Not sure if I'll bother with a grommet... No reason to have one really.

So once all my new tools and stuff arrives, I'll get down to it and build the loom. It's already all measured up, just a case of sticking it all together. Each gauge will get it's own sub-loom with connector so each can be easily removed from the car without having to undo 3/4 connections.

I hate wiring... If I didn't care so much about doing a professional job and not hacking up OEM wiring so much, it'd be done by now! Still, better to do it right first time.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 25, 2021, 14:25
Made a solid start and now have connectors for all gauges. Going to be a fair bit of excess weight in just slightly too long wires 😂 but I don't have the time or the patience to mess about trying to get it perfect. Plus if I ever need to repurpose anything I can do so without worrying about how short the wires are.

DED4E107-0344-48F1-B6B8-7953EF75DAA9.jpeg
Spot the home brew vs professionally done :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 26, 2021, 21:20
Well after some sort of minor miracle it's all done and in the car. The wideband gauge powers up, the lights come on (or dim in the wideband's case), and the shift lights are programmed. Just need to check that they are getting a signal, as the stall flash function didn't work (I tried that instead of revving the nuts off it!). Another day.

F8B5A852-4B9A-4D5F-B90C-C1BA308FCBE7.jpeg
My loom in all its glory.

A6636393-BF5E-49C5-996F-32277D5F8EB2.jpeg
And in the dash.

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Just plug in the gauges and go!

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Shift lights look right at home.

AD6375BF-0FB0-44A5-9059-A8D80811B3C0.jpeg
Also got hold of the pics from taking my daughter out on track at Brands! A few laps of the GP circuit in the race car... I wish I could bottle the joy. I always feel bad that she can't get involved when we go to the track. A few years to go yet.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Roj on August 27, 2021, 10:11
Nice work, neat and tidy. I'd be chuffed with that.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 28, 2021, 01:08
Quote from: Roj on August 27, 2021, 10:11Nice work, neat and tidy. I'd be chuffed with that.
Thanks! Tried my patience but got there in the end :) Hope it all works 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 31, 2021, 01:39
It works 😁 Finally managed to get some time to take the car out to test the shift lights. It's a bit antisocial to rev the tits off a car in a residential area at any time of the day so hadn't actually checked they worked yet! Happy to report no issues at all.

13A9C5CD-EFA4-47A2-A248-4D7EE5B07FA2.jpeg

Now to get the senders installed so I can test the gauges!

Also now understand why the previous owner disabled the high beam indicator light. OMG it's hard to drive with that in your face 😱
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on August 31, 2021, 06:46
Well done mate
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on August 31, 2021, 11:37
Quote from: 1979scotte on August 31, 2021, 06:46Well done mate

Thanks! Fairly simple on its own but happy with how I've kept it as OE looking as possible :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 29, 2021, 11:09
Been a long time without an update... got a few things done but mostly just let life get in the way.
When the fuel crisis started I siphoned the petrol out of the MR2 to use in the daily. And it's pretty much just sat since then.

I got some hubcentric 20mm spacers on the rear, the stance is 100% improved.
63FFD061-7798-4A7B-89AB-4A76CF72F15D.jpeg
I fitted a fire extinguisher bracket from F4Fabrications, nice product, check them out.7EFEB59F-098E-4B5A-B51B-6F4BCC26BAE4.jpeg

The bucket seat is out as my friend I was borrowing it from needed it back for his latest fun project, a T Sport Yaris. Had fun getting it in that, genuinely! So much space to work around it! Helped fit a cone filter, oil catch can and charcoal canister delete. Ready for track!

Anyway, I'm looking for a seat now. I have a plastic bucket (playskool- think budget Tillett) but they're not really GT enough for me. Anyone got a Motamec MRX for sale? 😁

All in all, not found a lot of enthusiasm for working on the car lately though, but have been working on a little side project that some of you might be interested in... I have acquired the Formula G Championship! So I'll be running that in 2022 (assuming venues actually reply). The best bit about it is all the gear, timing setups, gazebos etc. so I'm ready for any event!

Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 2, 2022, 01:52
Exciting development courtesy of Fyse Split Rimz... These rims were in a bit of a sorry state, so they aren't going to be perfect, but new lips were going to be best part of a grand so I'll survive!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYCM8hxoH6p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Internet point if you can guess the wheel :D

Split Lip.JPG
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 6, 2022, 02:05
Booked myself in for a holiday to a specialist to help get my brakes sorted, fit ARBs, turn up the camber, and get my gearbox swapped for something with shorter ratios!

I've had for a while now what I believe to be an MRS box. It came out of a UK car, no LSD, but felt very different to the UK box I have in my car now. To confirm I have a short ratio box, I attached my patent pending gearbox ratio dial.
0D00A9F5-51D5-4E00-A484-83949E7DF885.jpeg
Counting the number of turns of the input shaft per turn of the diff (super easy with an open diff!) I think I have UK gear ratios and a 4.3 diff... I guess that means it's a C50 of some sort, maybe off an early MRS? It has MRS written on the box by whoever the breaker was that supplied it to the previous owner, but it doesn't appear to have the shorter 3/4... Either way, the 4.3 CWP will be a good addition to the track car regardless. I'll pop in a fresh flywheel and clutch while it's apart too, for maximum fun.

I also received an update from the wheel refurber:

90224DE4-AC9A-4D5A-9412-A963AF9B1094.jpeg

The colour is so good. I can't wait to see these built up!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 6, 2022, 14:11
Took a lunch break to work on the car and decided to start the process of getting the new exhaust system on. So off with the old one!
Everything came off suspiciously easily...

FBD977AE-EC65-4F16-BC43-8D00EF7AD0B6.jpeg

The fibreglass wrap is nasty, just disintegrated in my hands. Much prefer Funk stuff.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 9, 2022, 23:16
Latest on the wheels - lips are shiny, centres and barrels are painted, and the first one is assembled...

Racing Beats Refurbed 2.jpeg

Racing Beats Refurbed 1.jpeg

On a scale of 1 - 10 I am 11 chuffed with how these look. I'm not even fussed about the lack of centre caps!

A few exciting bits arrived in the post too - HEL sandwich plate, with AN10 connections, thermostat and TWO sensor ports. Hard to find one that isn't delivery from China. Also received some fresh ex mani studs and nuts, and a MLS gasket too. I also got a battery for the relocation to the front - I was going to use the OE battery but decided to smaller - but they sent the wrong one, so back that goes. Fun. Guess I'll stick with the OE battery for now!

Job for lunch tomorrow is to get the studs in (do I use threadlock?), and wrap the manifold in Funk's finest, and get it on! Car needs to move under its own steam again soon, it's been toooooo long.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 16, 2022, 10:18
So over the last week I've been using lunch breaks to stand outside in the glorious sunshine to get some bits on the car!
Wrapped the manifold (challenging) using Funk Motorsport titanium lava wrap, it's nice to work with though a little itchy if you get it on yourself! Then I fitted fresh studs, and got the manifold fitted on the car.
83AF1060-57C9-44A0-85E0-8524C32E6A83.jpeg
Next up, wrapped a little bit of the silencer (easy):
8AF99BCD-8919-4611-B4B0-CFB3D33DD505.jpeg
Then hung it on the car. Tips need adjusting... 😂
B6F232F8-5D6E-4896-A79B-C7295563464E.jpeg
Finally wrapped the mid pipe (mildly challenging).
A5421F1C-B8DF-417F-9CF1-66EFF955FCC9.jpeg
I hung that on the car yesterday, but no pictures as I finished in the dark.
Quite proud of myself that there were no blows the first time round! Just need to tweak the hangers and the tips to get them just so 👌🏻
Just need to fit a seat before Thursday now.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on January 16, 2022, 10:45
@moca2cv

While I have no intention of modifying my 2, I am always interested in what others do and the way they go about it. I've never wrapped an exhaust but have seen several pictured on here. I seem to remember that others have used Jubilee type clips at each end of the wrap to secure the ends, but non such on yours. What have you done?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 16, 2022, 11:40
Quote from: Joesson on January 16, 2022, 10:45@moca2cv

While I have no intention of modifying my 2, I am always interested in what others do and the way they go about it. I've never wrapped an exhaust but have seen several pictured on here. I seem to remember that others have used Jubilee type clips at each end of the wrap to secure the ends, but non such on yours. What have you done?

They're the steel ties that come with most wrap kits. They're a pain to get tight, a pain to get off too! You don't NEED to secure both ends, if you wrap the Funk stuff tight enough the friction from the overlap is enough. Funk have a good video on their website on how to that I followed.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on January 16, 2022, 14:13
Thank you @moca2cv , I can now see the ties you used, more subtle than some, a nice neat job.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 16, 2022, 14:29
Quote from: Joesson on January 16, 2022, 14:13Thank you @moca2cv , I can now see the ties you used, more subtle than some, a nice neat job.
Thanks! It's not really as good as I'd like it but it'll do the job :)
Now to sort everything else 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on January 16, 2022, 15:07
@moca2cv

So, did you use "thread lock" on the new mani studs?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 16, 2022, 15:18
Quote from: Joesson on January 16, 2022, 15:07@moca2cv

So, did you use "thread lock" on the new mani studs?

I did use a little bit, yes! Figured it probably didn't really matter :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 17, 2022, 23:06
While I'm waiting for my new seat, I still need something to sit on. Now I only have harnesses a standard seat is just going to be plain dangerous, so I opted to drop in a Playskool FRP bucket seat.

Not ideal, as the seat is very narrow between the mounting points and the Rogue side mounts are better suited to... the shorter chap.

Long story short, right side mount couldn't move to the inside as it would foul the mounting bolt, I've had to fit the seat offset from centre. It will drive me mad, but not much else o can do!

Anyway. Introducing... Darth Vader seat:

1B0A9248-E68E-4FA1-B039-658CA435E5BD.jpeg

2EA8F88F-2188-464F-A36F-492A8E077E03.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on January 18, 2022, 11:16
@moca2cv said:
Long story short, right side mount couldn't move to the inside as it would foul the mounting bolt, I've had to fit the seat offset from centre. It will drive me mad, but not much else o can do!



"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to Improve"

With apologies to Sir Walter Scott, 1808
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 18, 2022, 11:29
Quote from: Joesson on January 18, 2022, 11:16@moca2cv said:
Long story short, right side mount couldn't move to the inside as it would foul the mounting bolt, I've had to fit the seat offset from centre. It will drive me mad, but not much else o can do!



"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to Improve"

With apologies to Sir Walter Scott, 1808

😂 The plastic seat is definitely not an improvement. And now the supplier has offered a discount on an alternative seat which is available now and I think I prefer... but it's more money. I think I need to put my hand in my pocket! 😁
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on January 18, 2022, 13:44
@moca2cv said:

I think I need to put my hand in my pocket! 😁

The solution to many problems!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 21, 2022, 21:39
Had a very productive day on the car yesterday!

With a lot to do before the first trackday of the year at the end of February, I thought I'd give the guys at Hooligan racing a shout to see if they could help with a few things. Naturally the list grew and grew... So I loaded up the car, left warm sunny Kent at 5:45, and drove non stop to Malvern to start "The List":

- Most importantly, brakes. I've suffered with rubbish pedal feel for ages. Rhys has a funky compressor driven bleeder that pulls fluid through. No more air! He also sorted some brake line routing as he wasn't happy with it. Pedal is strong. Handbrake now works too! Bonus 🙂 10/10, small effort, big difference.

- Swap gearbox - I had one with a shorter final drive but no LSD, so some swapping to do. Turns out my old gearbox was past it anyway 😅 Jimmy had that switched over without too much drama. Shorter final drive is mega - car feels much more eager now, but motorways are boring (no change there). 10/10 would recommend a lower top speed.

- Install RoadsterSport oil cooler kit - got this yonks ago but didn't feel confident doing it myself. Took some figuring out, as it's a bit of a puzzle, but it's in, it's working, and I now have more oil capacity, better cooling, and provision for oil pressure and temp gauges in my thermostatic sandwich plate. 10/10 would not recommend doing this. Pay someone else to, just isn't worth it 😂

- Whiteline anti roll bars - pretty straightforward swap, but a drop link died so need to get another. Malvern needs more motor factors. Can't comment on whether the ARBs make much difference as a result, but can report that no front ARB is surprisingly... quite nice in the wet! 10/10 would disconnect in bad weather again.

- Whiteline camber bolts all round - again, pretty straightforward, can now dial in all the camber! 10/10 would recommend joining Camber Gang. Did a quick alignment to get me started, and Rhys gave me lots of tips (that I've already forgotten) on tackling a DIY alignment too. Man officially taught to fish.

- Hardtop solid side mounts - Rogue mounts, as I don't have the soft top frame, sadly don't work with the hardtop trim, ruining my dream of having a GT esque interior. Nothing a dremel won't fix 😈 5/10 wish I had more trim.

- Fresh clutch as the gearbox was out. Was going to do flywheel as well, but I was sent an MX5 one in error. They are good, but not that that good! 😂 10/10 for light clutch pedal. 0/10 to the eBay retailer who sold me the flywheel.

As you can imagine that was a lot to do in a day, but do it they did. Was a fun way to spend a day off! Great value too. The drive home was... long and tiring. I had to stop every other services for a break, but glad I did as I got to hang with an AE86 Sprinter Trueno and an S2000 for a bit.

10/10 would recommend Hooligan Racing as a pleasant retreat for a day off, good chat and banter, lots learned, and a good result for the car too. Bring a Creme Egg for Rhys if you go. Worth the trip for sure.

Now, what next? 😁
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Chilli Girl on January 21, 2022, 21:46
Yeh, that was a brilliant productive day, well done. ;D
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 27, 2022, 01:24
Bought new droplinks for the front. Really struggled to find a set with nuts on both sides in the UK - guess it's just not a thing, so went for the 21mm RoadNutz ones.
The company that sold me the flywheel has agreed to swap it too, which is decent considering how long ago it was!
And I just watched a video of Max Orido and Tsuchiya changing the fuses on an AE86 and netting 6hp, so guess I'm shopping for fuses now too 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 27, 2022, 11:39
The drop links arrived this morning - now that's service! Thanks to Spring Loaded for that! Better pop out to the car and get some stuff done then :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 27, 2022, 16:46
Got distracted by other bits so didn't get to the droplinks, but did get a few useful bits done:
- Swapped 02 sensors as one was duff. Hope the replacement is ok, it's my last spare! Reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery.
- Tweaked the mounting for the oil cooler to give it a bit more clearance from the engine mount, and nipped up some screws that weren't tight. Need some spring washers on them really... Next time. Unfortunately one of the mounting screws snapped 😣 so I'll have to drill that out and retap sometime. It's solid enough for now.
- Reconnected a rogue earth cable.
- Found there was no noise suppressor. I don't have a radio, so not the end of the world, but I did have a spare so bunged it on. Can't hurt. Zip tied the evap solenoid to it to secure.
- Tweaked the exhaust tips. Still not sitting perfect. Malian quality 👌🏻 If there was a single exit with a similarly sized silencer, I'd be all ears 👀
- Secured a coolant hose - should be supported by the airbox, but that's gone now. May invest in a plastic welder and fashion a new mount.
- Emptied the car after my trip to Hooligan Racing, hoovered and cleaned the carpet on the passenger side, and put the passenger seat, mat and fire extinguisher back in. Gave the plastics a scrub too.
- coppaslipped a number of screws at the front, when I get a spare few days I'll strip the front end and give it a good brush and a spray. Some crusty looking bits in there. Snapped a rad bracket screw 😣 another one to drill out.
- Went to swap a whole bunch of fuses but most seem to be mini blades, and I had none. So knocked that on the head and ordered a bunch. Need to do an inventory of the J case fuses too, so I can replace them as well.

So lots of little bits, but all needed to be done and all take too much time!

Bedford in a month - will get the droplinks done before then, and hopefully get it on a Hunter too.

Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 28, 2022, 23:28
Fitted the droplinks today.

C3791D50-0FC7-4D37-BFA2-733A97A847D6.jpeg

Pretty straightforward, only one on there to remove and that came off without a fight which was nice. Set to full soft to start with.

Also, on the drive home from having the gearbox fitted (amongst other things) I noticed I had very little self centering. I'd rotated the top mounts so adjusting would give me more caster as I increased the camber, with the camber bolts making up the rest. Probably should have started at the top and worked down, but live and learn! So cranked up the caster each side:

09A4DE97-BC1D-4C53-98CB-BA44C0346FCB.jpeg

Now a member of camber gang and my toe out looks a little ridiculous, so time to get some string and make a box! That will get me to the alignment place at least.

Removed the wing to clean up the brackets etc. Also couldn't help a look at the Stage 2 bumper I acquired 🥰

3FF1649C-C8F7-4F2F-82E9-5454CA49CBCB.jpeg

I measured the plinth recess at 343mm wide, and the minimum size for a 5 digit plate is 338mm! It's a sign. Time to transfer my reg 😈
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on January 30, 2022, 09:12
Drove the car to my parents, handling sucked 😂 self centering is no better, time to try something else! I wonder if the the polybushes are adjustable...
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 4, 2022, 14:45
On today's episode of "Jobs you wish you hadn't started":

Broken bolt extraction!

I got some Grabit bits - only heard good things about them - and set to it. I used the dremel to take off the top, and then the first end of the Grabit to drill a little hole. Flip the bit down and boy did it grab!

Then it shattered.

C8CAF6B1-5315-432E-8641-D12ADAC86182.jpeg

First I tried mole grips to grab the remnants, but they just crumbled. I tried knocking it out. Then I ground it down. Then I tried drilling it - with regular drill bits, then the Grabit bits. I tried grinding some more. I tried every other Dremel bit, some broke, some did nothing, tried a drill, nothing, then they snapped too.

So that's that for now! Closed the bonnet and walked away.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 8, 2022, 00:18
Washed the car today. The I plucked up the courage to tackle a different snapped bolt today. Armed with all the tools, I noticed that the end of the bolt protruded in to the wheel well... so slotted it and used a screwdriver 😂 it came out so easy I can't imagine how on Earth the bolt snapped in the first place. The radiator bracket bolt needs the frunk taking out to get to the other end, so saved that for another day.

Removed the spacers on the rear in prep for a track day while the wheel was off for the extraction.

As I had the dremel out, I thought I'd have a crack at the hardtop trims that no longer fit due to the Rogue brackets. I think I did ok. One side done, will do the other tomorrow. Really need to grab some trim for the door frame...

FA8B209D-C553-49AA-942B-47459BCE7830.jpeg

As I was washing the naff TRD badge came off so removed the sticky stuff. Looks much better, will remove the vvti badge next. I have an MR-S badge... I may use it...

99E4E89A-0002-4EA4-B884-842DF53A568F.jpeg

Slowly ticking off things on the to do list!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 8, 2022, 10:51
So I was pretty unhappy with how the expansion tank hose was secured in the engine bay, and really the right solution is to re-route the hose so it's travelling around the engine bay rather than across it, but I'll do that when I do the coolant next.

For now I present... Hose hook v1.0! Chopped up an old air box to retrieve the mount that goes through the V brace, and a hook.

E0156810-C770-4568-A61B-84760E0D0861.jpeg

Then glued them together!

B45853D9-C073-466D-B2EF-81289BA93F9D.jpeg

Once that's set I'll pop it on the car :)

Update: the hook fell off, trying a different glue 😂 Must have been too much man handling for it.

I tried securing it in the hole with a ziptie, but it just wouldn't hold well. But I was prepared for this - you'll notice the hook isn't central, that's so I could drill a hole for a bolt :)

4FEA3353-C842-41F5-B7F0-F76CF5CE375B.jpeg

Excuse the cut on the rubber hose, was a rush to test it will work - and it does!

Update: v2.0 was a raging success. The wonky cut actually helped straighten everything out, just used it on the hook side. Happy with this.

660C22C9-9728-426D-AE3C-D82D890BF830.jpeg

36FC0C79-BBF9-49B0-9280-779A73F5A368.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 8, 2022, 22:13
Also chopped up the drivers side hardtop plastic today.

DA46C791-6628-47C7-978E-794945E1DE74.jpeg

9E7FEE7D-01EC-496F-AACF-D43916605D31.jpeg

Fairly happy with the nip/tuck. I'll get the brackets coated black at some point so it's less janky. Should probably carpet those sides too, so scrappy!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 22, 2022, 00:39
The Border bucket seat now belongs to me and is in its rightful home in the MR2 again 😁
I am a happy bunny.
Bedford on Saturday... if I get a chance I will be removing the anti squeal shims on the pads to see if that's affecting the pedal feel, and also refitting the wing. Otherwise I think I'm pretty much ready to roll!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Topdownman on February 22, 2022, 07:55
Interesting comment about the fuses, is the plan just to replace every fuse with similar new ones?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 22, 2022, 13:17
Quote from: Topdownman on February 22, 2022, 07:55Interesting comment about the fuses, is the plan just to replace every fuse with similar new ones?
Don't seem to be able to get the magic fuses so easily over here, so thought I'd try regular ones for now. Makes sense that they might degrade over time, but at the same time, I don't have replacements for the big ones so it'll only be a half job... figured it can't hurt either way! I expect zero change though 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Topdownman on February 22, 2022, 14:19
I do remember getting stuck in a friends fully rebuilt, immaculate mk1 golf when it overheated on the way to an early season show in his first use of the car after winter. It turned out to be a bit of corrosion on a fuse for the fan.

Quite embarassing as everyone else going to the show drove past us!

Probably a good idea to pull out and replace every fuse every few years to clean the contacts.

Looking forward to seeing your link to the magic fuses!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on February 22, 2022, 17:43
Quote from: Topdownman on February 22, 2022, 14:19I do remember getting stuck in a friends fully rebuilt, immaculate mk1 golf when it overheated on the way to an early season show in his first use of the car after winter. It turned out to be a bit of corrosion on a fuse for the fan.

Quite embarassing as everyone else going to the show drove past us!




I have experienced that. We were four in my Imp in the early 60's at the entrance to Brands Hatch, such is the benefit of a light, small car so easy to push when it won't go!
A tool kit then  an essential item of ballast.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 23, 2022, 22:37
Quote from: Joesson on February 22, 2022, 17:43I have experienced that. We were four in my Imp in the early 60's at the entrance to Brands Hatch, such is the benefit of a light, small car so easy to push when it won't go!
A tool kit then  an essential item of ballast.

Not that embarrassing at all! It happens 🤷🏼�♂️ My most embarrassing 'breakdown' was popping a spark plug in the 2CV on a slip road... car suddenly sounded like a machine gun and lost power... upon seeing the plug dangling from the HT lead I grabbed it to pop it back in and burned my hand too 😂 had to sit and let it cool down while waiting for mum to bring the spark plug spanner, fortunately just wound straight back in so given I'd only just changed them, definitely an ID10T error 😬
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 23, 2022, 22:39
Quote from: Topdownman on February 22, 2022, 14:19Looking forward to seeing your link to the magic fuses!

Here you go: https://www.rhdjapan.com/max-orido-x-magical-fuse-standard-version-full-kit-a-t-brz-zc6-86-zn6.html
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Topdownman on February 24, 2022, 07:24
Wow, they are actually sold as magic fuses!

You would have thought they would have sold them individually so people could make their own kit.

Out of curiousity, how much is 60k yen?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: J88TEO on February 24, 2022, 09:18
£393.40 at yesterday's rate.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Topdownman on February 24, 2022, 09:47
Itai!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: J88TEO on February 24, 2022, 10:35
Quote from: Topdownman on February 24, 2022, 09:47Itai!
Ouch!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on February 24, 2022, 11:14
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on February 24, 2022, 12:20
Quote from: J88TEO on February 24, 2022, 10:35Ouch!

A bit more than ouch!

Itai-itai disease (イタイイタイ病, itai-itai byō, "it hurts-it hurts disease") was the name given to the mass cadmium poisoning of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, starting around 1912. The term "itai-itai disease" was coined by locals for the severe pains (Japanese: 痛い itai) people with the condition felt in the spine and joints.

Wiki

Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: J88TEO on February 24, 2022, 13:58
 ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 25, 2022, 01:11
Quote from: J88TEO on February 24, 2022, 09:18£393.40 at yesterday's rate.
Bit mad isn't it!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 25, 2022, 13:40
All packed and ready for Bedford 😁

72602605-D756-4082-9806-59C1649E0C78.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: J88TEO on February 25, 2022, 14:58
Cool!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 27, 2022, 12:06
Trackday at Bedford was just brilliant! The GT track was long - the straights were a lot of work in a slow car but there were a really good mix of corners and challenges and I really enjoyed it. A couple of silly mistakes (both going by slower cars and then instantly overcooking it 😂) saw me keeping the grass short but if you're going to make a mistake, this is the place to do it.
The car is pulling to the left now and the steering wheel is off centre so off-roading definitely isn't the car's strong point!
Let a couple of other people drive the car and did very few laps on my own, car felt as good with a passenger in than without, so got some good feedback on my driving, and the car!
Brake pads are pretty dead on the rear (yellows) so will give EBC a shout for some Blues I think. Can't justify the expense of carbotech just yet... and I might need some fresh rubber too, they are looking a little on the low side!
Main feedback was that the car felt very neutral, and stable in the corners, so really happy that the handling is about there. I ran the recommended road tyre pressures (when hot) so 32R/26F with 14 clicks from soft on the front and 12 clicks from soft on the rear, ARBs set to full soft. Really liked it and so did everyone else!
I'm not chasing lap times (yet) so for now I think I have my maximum fun setup dialled in. Whoop!
Forgot to take pics but here's one.

A2D08C3D-51DC-4DA4-B73B-543C4DC82216.jpeg
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on February 27, 2022, 18:05
Rotate the photo on your phone before you upload it.

Your hot pressures are surprisingly high. I aim for 30psi all round when hot.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 27, 2022, 20:28
Quote from: Alex Knight on February 27, 2022, 18:05Rotate the photo on your phone before you upload it.

Your hot pressures are surprisingly high. I aim for 30psi all round when hot.

It's all pointing the right way on the phone, only when it uploads to the site does it rotate... Oh well, cock your head :D

I tried lowering the pressures before, didn't really get on with it - the stock wheels are too skinny for the tyres for lower pressures I think, just wobbles a lot more. If I can get a set of 7"/8" wide wheels for not silly money that would be ideal for what I run I think (195/50r15 and 205/50r15).
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Gibla on February 27, 2022, 21:33
Quote from: moca2cv on February 27, 2022, 20:28It's all pointing the right way on the phone, only when it uploads to the site does it rotate... Oh well, shuttlecock your head :D

I tried lowering the pressures before, didn't really get on with it - the stock wheels are too skinny for the tyres for lower pressures I think, just wobbles a lot more. If I can get a set of 7"/8" wide wheels for not silly money that would be ideal for what I run I think (195/50r15 and 205/50r15).

Dunno if of any use but have a set of 6.5 and 7J OZ wheels up for sale(just about to come off the car on Tuesday)  see Private Sales if 1/2 tempted
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on February 27, 2022, 22:45
Quote from: moca2cv on February 27, 2022, 20:28It's all pointing the right way on the phone, only when it uploads to the site does it rotate... Oh well, shuttlecock your head :D

I tried lowering the pressures before, didn't really get on with it - the stock wheels are too skinny for the tyres for lower pressures I think, just wobbles a lot more. If I can get a set of 7"/8" wide wheels for not silly money that would be ideal for what I run I think (195/50r15 and 205/50r15).

Interesting point.

Those are the size I run btw, on a 7J all round wheel.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on February 27, 2022, 23:36
Quote from: Alex Knight on February 27, 2022, 22:45Interesting point.

Those are the size I run btw, on a 7J all round wheel.

Considering 7s, as they're readily available... any extra width is better I think, and lots of lighter than stock wheels out there too. How do you find yours?

Couple more images from Bedford courtesy of a friend who was on his first ever trackday!


(https://i.ibb.co/GcjMXpD/76-B2-BD7-C-CA16-4-C34-A603-33-A1-FF99-CA0-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GcjMXpD)

(https://i.ibb.co/NsSgnNg/E969094-E-134-F-4508-85-E0-13-E3-ADCD627-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NsSgnNg)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on February 28, 2022, 10:15
Quote from: moca2cv on February 27, 2022, 23:36Considering 7s, as they're readily available... any extra width is better I think, and lots of lighter than stock wheels out there too. How do you find yours?

To be honest, I've had my TD 1.2s on for so long, I've forgotten what the stock wheels feel like!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on March 2, 2022, 00:19
Some footage from Bedford! Rate my driving:


I've left so much time on the table, best time from GoPro footage was 3:10 (with passenger), and I know I can save seconds in the chicanes alone. Watching it back it looks so relaxed and drama free, I'm not even close to the limits of the car! I think I just need to take a brave pill, I am definitely the limiting factor.

It doesn't always go right, but if you are going to get it wrong do it at Bedford:


This was my first spin on track! Hopefully (but probably not) my last. I took a good long break after that to assess my life choices 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: MrChris on March 2, 2022, 14:30
Quote from: moca2cv on March  2, 2022, 00:19Some footage from Bedford! Rate my driving:

Looking good, I remember doing Bedford in my 130i last year. That corner/chicane you spun out on I got faster and faster on through the day, I'm guessing it's less sympathetic to mid-engined cars though. Looks like you took too much speed into the first corner leading to the back coming around?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on March 2, 2022, 18:22
Quote from: MrChris on March  2, 2022, 14:30Looking good, I remember doing Bedford in my 130i last year. That corner/chicane you spun out on I got faster and faster on through the day, I'm guessing it's less sympathetic to mid-engined cars though. Looks like you took too much speed into the first corner leading to the back coming around?

Agreed. Too much apex speed.
You would have gotten away with it if you hadn't have have clipped the kerb I reckon.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on March 3, 2022, 01:30
Quote from: Alex Knight on March  2, 2022, 18:22Agreed. Too much apex speed.
You would have gotten away with it if you hadn't have have clipped the kerb I reckon.

Definitely went in way too hot! Not really sure what I was trying to prove as it was about 10am 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: MrChris on March 3, 2022, 08:06
Quote from: moca2cv on March  3, 2022, 01:30Definitely went in way too hot! Not really sure what I was trying to prove as it was about 10am 😂

Good to find the car's limits though as it will make you better. I assume you didn't spin after this?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on March 3, 2022, 09:12
Quote from: MrChris on March  3, 2022, 08:06Good to find the car's limits though as it will make you better. I assume you didn't spin after this?
I had to bail on one corner late in the day as I completely missed the braking zone so rather than try to take the corner I just mowed the lawn. Sun in eyes / tired / excuses excuses :)
Don't know about finding the cars limits, but definitely mine!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on April 29, 2022, 10:32
It's been a while since I've done anything on the car, been busy with work, Formula G, and holidays. But with a show on Monday, time to pull my finger out and do something.

Before I left for holiday, I moved the car in to a safer spot. Parked up, switched off, decided I wanted to adjust the position, nothing. Dead. Great. Locked up, went on holiday, forgot about it.

Came home, took the battery out to stick it on the CTeK, and it failed to hold charge 5 times (I repeat it because I've had batteries in the past respond well to multiple attempts). Checked for a date on the battery, as it was a Halfords, no marks but the sticker only went up to 2015 so it's had a good run! New one hopefully arriving today.

My friends also challenged me to get the new wheels on for the show (even though the rest of the car looks like trash 😂) so I busily went about buying what I needed: valves, tyres and nuts!

Good old eBay and speedy delivery times, and Tire Streets for next day delivery too! Everything arrived yesterday morning so since work was pissing me off I popped down my loc tyre place to get them all fitted. Can't wait to get these on the car!!!


(https://i.ibb.co/ZWnC7ZR/C6-DA1-B32-1006-45-CF-A325-5-AD8-C8-EF90-BA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZWnC7ZR)

(https://i.ibb.co/JQtbHnW/7889-C231-2-AEA-4-AED-9-B31-04967-B6-F62-A6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JQtbHnW)

(https://i.ibb.co/zQpcbxB/4-CCADC8-A-565-D-4-AF0-BCD0-D052-CE02-B025.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zQpcbxB)

(https://i.ibb.co/ssbhGg1/875722-EF-A331-4-D01-95-EF-9-AF3-F88-B9-DAD.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ssbhGg1)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on April 29, 2022, 19:09
OK @moca2cv after several looks and re reading your post I believe the top photo is of new valves for your new wheels, it would seem that  simplicity is not on your agenda.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on April 29, 2022, 19:39
Nice wheels.

Shite tyres.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on April 30, 2022, 04:22
Quote from: Joesson on April 29, 2022, 19:09OK @moca2cv after several looks and re reading your post I believe the top photo is of new valves for your new wheels, it would seem that  simplicity is not on your agenda.
Yeah it's gone out the window in some aspects 😂 90deg valves are needed for these wheels though, as the hole is in the barrel rather than the lip. I assume there's a reason for that but damned if I know what it is. Look nicer than the rubber ones at least I guess...
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on April 30, 2022, 04:27
Quote from: Alex Knight on April 29, 2022, 19:39Nice wheels.

Shite tyres.

Have you tried them? I thought I'd give them a go, as Tire Streets are sponsoring our series. They don't need to be out and out performance tyres, just good enough to get to and from shows, these wheels aren't seeing a track day! Worst case they go in the bin and I get some TR1s 🤷🏼�♂️
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on April 30, 2022, 04:40
Spent yesterday afternoon / evening getting a few bits done before BHP Performance show on Monday.
Washed the car, then had a crack at polishing the headlights. I had a Holts restoration kit, which had good reviews, and came with various grits, polish and sealant (plus the drill attachment). Masked up the OS headlight and set to it with the 800, then working through the grades. Filled up an old Method spray bottle with water to make wetting it really easy.

(https://i.ibb.co/Pwf0cn3/35-DD0-ED7-1-D29-4459-983-A-C3-A0-DD067638.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Pwf0cn3)

(https://i.ibb.co/rwNVDvt/6-D6-FD943-C1-DA-4-A17-8-E5-F-861-D11-BC8320.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rwNVDvt)

800:

(https://i.ibb.co/m4f1GJY/A6722864-7255-42-DD-9615-183-B46-C05671.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m4f1GJY)

1000:

(https://i.ibb.co/JvPBrpw/9-F83-FAFB-E7-DE-42-B6-8-D60-F10971-C79-F8-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JvPBrpw)

1500:

(https://i.ibb.co/H7gNf52/C953-AB0-C-80-D8-43-F0-8-C09-4-B84-CAD3-EAB0.jpg) (https://ibb.co/H7gNf52)

3000:

(https://i.ibb.co/3hYGxkG/594-E9714-FED1-4946-9796-32-EFF38390-DC.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3hYGxkG)

Polish next:

(https://i.ibb.co/GxR39qR/9-DE571-FE-E3-C2-419-B-BDE1-0-D18-D08-F273-D.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GxR39qR)

(https://i.ibb.co/CB1C6YF/A16-C3234-5536-442-C-A8-C5-477-AE7-D38284.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CB1C6YF)

Big difference when compared side by side, so happy with the result. Rinse and repeat for the other side, then wash it all down and sealant on.

(https://i.ibb.co/CMzjXyN/65567303-8-CD6-45-D8-984-C-BC4427-F01-CC6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CMzjXyN)

I'll give the car a wax later.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on April 30, 2022, 04:50
I also fitted my LuxuryPart gauge pod.

A quick note about these: if you can afford it, get it in CF. They are HEAVY! The units are about 4 times thicker than they need to be really. They also have 60mm ish holes, and come with an adaptor for 52mm gauges, but the holes are about 50mm. The adaptor plate I received was banana shaped so rather than try to force it in to place with clamps, and working on the holes to make the gauges fit, I had a friend 3D print some 60mm > 52mm adaptor rings that just push in.
The unit is also sealed, so you need to cut the bottom off:

(https://i.ibb.co/n8GHxpQ/12182-CDF-E0-A8-4074-8-AF9-2-E1-A4-BBEC460.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8GHxpQ)

Fibre glass is horrible stuff, wear glasses and a mask when chopping it up.

I'd lost the light by this point so no photos other than this:

(https://i.ibb.co/TBFgbJ7/7609416-A-63-A0-4303-8-A6-C-FE45-ED27-BC5-D.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TBFgbJ7)

I'm missing a bulb for a gauge, so need to sort that out! But it looks like a Christmas tree at night now 😂 I might put the lights on a switch so I can turn them off...

None of the gauges are connected to the sensors yet. I need a temp sender too as the one I had has gone walkies. I'll do that next oil change. The wideband and pressure sender are all fitted so just a case of getting the wires through the bulkhead now. Easy, right? 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on April 30, 2022, 08:24
Quote from: moca2cv on April 30, 2022, 04:22Yeah it's gone out the window in some aspects 😂 90deg valves are needed for these wheels though, as the hole is in the barrel rather than the lip. I assume there's a reason for that but damned if I know what it is. Look nicer than the rubber ones at least I guess...

I guess because there are a lot of fixings around the outer circumference, standard rubber valves would not suit practically nor aesthetically. I had some st stl sleeves fitted to the rubber valve stems together with st stl caps when I had my OE wheels powder coated silver.

PS
I'm sure you will cope with the wiring to your gauges.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on April 30, 2022, 10:35
Would you reccomend Bromley tyres?
I usually just go on black circles.
Last set I had fitted in Shirley and before that had them fitted at home.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on April 30, 2022, 19:04
Quote from: moca2cv on April 30, 2022, 04:27Have you tried them? I thought I'd give them a go, as Tire Streets are sponsoring our series. They don't need to be out and out performance tyres, just good enough to get to and from shows, these wheels aren't seeing a track day! Worst case they go in the bin and I get some TR1s 🤷🏼�♂️

I've not tried them personally, nor would I from the reviews I've read.
Wet grip appears to be especially poor.

It's not in my nature to ever fit budget tyres, so I guess I'll never know first hand.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 1, 2022, 08:39
Quote from: 1979scotte on April 30, 2022, 10:35Would you reccomend Bromley tyres?
I usually just go on black circles.
Last set I had fitted in Shirley and before that had them fitted at home.

Yeah I like Lev a lot, and it helps he's 2 minutes from my house. He's a black circles trader, so just order your tyres there and book them to fit. You'll get them cheaper and they (oddly) make more money than if they ordered the tyres themselves. Go figure.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 1, 2022, 08:44
Quote from: Alex Knight on April 30, 2022, 19:04I've not tried them personally, nor would I from the reviews I've read.
Wet grip appears to be especially poor.

It's not in my nature to ever fit budget tyres, so I guess I'll never know first hand.

Ah thanks. Some reviews are good, others bad, it depends what you're expecting from the tyre. I think a lot of people expect budgets to perform much better than they do, and are then disappointed they don't... These are clearly not going to be setting the best lap times. I have the track wheels for going quick :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 1, 2022, 08:47
Managed to run the wiring to the wideband and calibrate that, so happy that's all working.

Ran wires for the pressure and temp senders but ran out of time to figure out which wires to connect them to. I helpfully forgot to label the loom. Whoops. I'll have to take the gauge pod off to check doh.

Fitted the rear wheels while it was up in the air too. Looks good 😊


(https://i.ibb.co/Y2vWsWZ/3914710-D-0-C68-41-C2-B9-A2-DFD3-EF2-C9296.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y2vWsWZ)

(https://i.ibb.co/TbDJfKC/017-B4-CC4-EC7-B-4-FD2-AAE0-39-F822260796.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TbDJfKC)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 1, 2022, 22:49
Fronts are on! Carpets hoovered! Car packed! First car show in 12 years for me tomorrow.

(https://i.ibb.co/Gnj9dM7/CA68-C157-D17-B-4132-8-A41-A807-E3136-CFF.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gnj9dM7)

(https://i.ibb.co/bRSLK3t/A01-FA52-A-33-E1-4883-96-C6-2-FC086-CD5-DFA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bRSLK3t)

I can't get over how much I love these wheels on the car 🥰 it's a shame they won't be on that often as they are too nice for the track, but for the occasional outing for maximum clout it's worth the time to swap them over.

My daughter helped with the swap today, I was going to do it after she went to bed but I'm glad we persevered (I was solo parenting so couldn't leave her in the house alone as the garage isn't nearby, no McCanning here). One of the fronts was flat as a pancake! It's clearly not holding air, but I don't know where the leak is - I couldn't find any bubbles after pumping it up again, so whacked in 30psi, chucked it on the car, and popped to the tyre shop. They were too busy so decided to leave the car standing and see what happened over time. 8 hours later and they're still round, I didn't check the pressure but I'll top it up in the morning anyway. It's slow enough to not worry. Problem with splits is the leak could be anywhere 😂 guess I'll find out during the week.

In the meantime, here's my daughter doing the wheel nuts.

(https://i.ibb.co/XZ0nJk1/F1-E48322-8124-47-A4-9-E5-B-FC59-AE7-BDD26.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XZ0nJk1)

If any of you are at Lydden for BHP, I'm on stand 41 / Formula G - come say hi!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Joesson on May 2, 2022, 17:50
@moca2cv
I have been looking around for replacement parts, including new brake hoses.
I noticed your report on getting yours from Matt Lewis Racing
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?msg=860765
Have you any update on these please?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 2, 2022, 22:14
Quote from: Joesson on May  2, 2022, 17:50@moca2cv
I have been looking around for replacement parts, including new brake hoses.
I noticed your report on getting yours from Matt Lewis Racing
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?msg=860765
Have you any update on these please?

All fitted and working fine! They're brake hoses, not much too them, well made and good quality for the price. I'd get them again if they're still doing them in a couple of years.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 2, 2022, 22:24
Quote from: Alex Knight on April 30, 2022, 19:04I've not tried them personally, nor would I from the reviews I've read.
Wet grip appears to be especially poor.

It's not in my nature to ever fit budget tyres, so I guess I'll never know first hand.

Thought I'd update you on the tyres... Bearing in mind I'm coming from semi-slicks so am quite used to having a lot of grip. These are nowhere close to performing as well as the RSRs, but I don't think anyone would expect them to. So...

On road: they're tyres. The car goes, turns and stops. I had a little drive around some lanes and I drove as quickly as is sensible on public roads and they were fine. Very comfortable actually, and not particularly noisy.

On track: not a lot of grip, but consistent throughout a whole 15 minute session. I didn't feel like I could push on and got a lot of very progressive slip, just much earlier than with semi-slicks (predictably). Under braking I measured -0.8G - after that the wheels were locking.

I have not used them in the rain but would guess on the road you'd just have to slow down a bit. On track it would probably be terrifying.

Overall: a solid 6/10 for performance, 9/10 for value. Would I recommend these for someone who is chasing lap times or driving hard on roads? Nope. Would I stick them on my daily? Probably. Are they good enough to run on the splits for the occasional show? Absolutely.

Here's a pic of the tyres after getting them hot on track:

(https://i.ibb.co/gj8DhJg/86724119-4461-479-A-91-F3-5-ECA1-B47-A0-A6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gj8DhJg)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 4, 2022, 08:50
Also a quick review of the new dragy lap timer function, video here:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdHQVYzDquI/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

It's a neat tool! It's been a very long time coming, they've been promising it for years, but I'm really glad it's separate from the drag timer. I'd already signed up for a RaceBox Mini, so I'll be comparing the two at some point.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 25, 2022, 00:45
It had been a while since I've done anything on the car, then a mate called to ask if he could borrow the car for a trackday at Anglesey - his car's oil pump disintegrated after Bedford earlier in the year, and he'd run out of time.

"Sure, but it's not ready..."

So we met up one evening and bashed it out!

We started with an oil and filter change, no dramas there. Tried out my stahlbus drain tap - worked great, just slow, probably better if the oil is warm. Fresh K&N oil filter on and fresh oil in. Attempted to fit the temperature sender but the hole in the adapter plug wasn't big enough - I need a different type of sender, from Autometer, which is predictably 4x more expensive 😂 [A note about filling with oil with an oil cooler - thermostatic coolers are always slightly open, but oil is subject to the laws of gravity too so although the oil looked perfect on the dipstick after filling, after a run and a check the following morning it needed half a litre more.]

Next up - remove the anti rattle shims from the pads. I've not been happy with the feel of the pads since fitting them, but with new discs, calipers, hoses, fluid... it was all pointing to the pads. We found one pad had TWO shims on. Whoops. Was like a spring. Can't have helped at all...

Then we adjusted the seat. I need a slider set up... if other people are going to have a go, unbolting it all each time is going to drive me mad. I think the Bride rail is probably my best bet, as I also need the seat to basically sit on the floor.

My friend took it for a drive and reported no problems with seating position or anything else.

I'll share more about the trackday when I get some pics, and a review of the car too :)

I picked up some Carbotech XP8s, and some fresh front discs from Pagid (£5ea at ECP). I'll get some rears and fit them at some point. Also bought a set of 195/50r15 semi slicks from Tirestreets in their sale, under £200 a set I figured what can go wrong, the road tyres were alright so these probably will be too.

I need another bucket seat and harness, standard seat is just not good enough for a passenger at a track day...


(https://i.ibb.co/D51YF9p/BB32518-B-FD4-B-4-A7-A-8728-E6185036674-D.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D51YF9p)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on June 28, 2022, 01:44
Llandow is creeping up fast. I haven't managed to get a matching bucket yet, so standard seat will have to do for now.
I did fit sliders to the drivers seat though - the seat is half an inch higher, not great for me, but makes the car more versatile.

(https://i.ibb.co/41F7vQb/32-ED9-B2-B-5-A98-43-FA-BBC5-B4-F881-D8-A2-A4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/41F7vQb)

I need to find double lock rails with the single arm level that rotates rather than lifts up and down - that will allow me to lower the seat some more. At the moment, with the seat lower, you can't use the lever, negating the point of the sliders! I am glad however that it all lined up ok on the Rogue mounts!

I also fitted the XP8s - got a deal on front discs so fitted those at the same time. I rubbed the rear discs down instead of replacing them. The yellows have managed 6 track days - and the rears are near the metal, but the fronts have loads of meat. Not sure what's going on there. All four calipers are new, free and braking... maybe it's heat?

(https://i.ibb.co/h2wyGkX/E5234-FB9-18-DF-4-BC2-9-B18-A25-EA3-D219-BB.jpg) (https://ibb.co/h2wyGkX)

Racing Beats on, ready for an alignment and replacement tyres on tomorrow.

(https://i.ibb.co/NFdJ5qC/84-B97-EB1-1-AA9-42-B4-A350-F95787165-A4-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NFdJ5qC)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on June 28, 2022, 22:13
Quote from: Anon on June 28, 2022, 14:37Are you hand brake cables good? People often over adjust the cable to try to make the handbrake work in desperation come MOT time, and thus tend to drag when the handbrake is released as the cable in not moving freely inside the inner.

Good thought. They do move, and the handbrake is wound right off for track days. The car is barely used on road these days... but even so I dial in a bit of slack at the handle. The caliper mech moves freely, and even on the slightest incline the car rolls. So I'm faiiiiirly confident it's not that, but I will double check that the mechs aren't under any tension...
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on June 28, 2022, 22:14
Didn't get around to the alignment but the semi slicks are on. I'm giving the Accelera 651 Sport (200TW) a go as a) cheap and b) heard good things about the 100TW. Unfortunately they only do a 195 in 15s so I'm square for this weekend, so let's see how that goes!


(https://i.ibb.co/3mq4cDF/79-D9-E643-2-AF0-4875-94-D2-2-ACEFD240396.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3mq4cDF)

(https://i.ibb.co/fQV5bRc/9-A63-F70-F-D0-C2-4-D18-9-DE2-A6-D4255-AAFE1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fQV5bRc)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 3, 2022, 21:15
Well this weekend was a mixed bag.
First of all, I had a good time, and my mum got to go out on track and really enjoyed herself. This was the goal, that's a tick in that box.
I spent much too much time under my car. Loose oil line fittings, leaking coolant hose, easy fixes, but time sinks.
Everyone thought the car was great, and I got some passenger laps in some cool cars.
My friend had a go in mine and spun in to a tyre wall 😖
I'll do a proper download when I've processed it all, but I'm feeling pretty emotionally drained...
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Hammond on July 4, 2022, 21:29
Quote from: moca2cv on July  3, 2022, 21:15Well this weekend was a mixed bag.
First of all, I had a good time, and my mum got to go out on track and really enjoyed herself. This was the goal, that's a tick in that box.
I spent much too much time under my car. Loose oil line fittings, leaking coolant hose, easy fixes, but time sinks.
Everyone thought the car was great, and I got some passenger laps in some cool cars.
My friend had a go in mine and spun in to a tyre wall 😖
I'll do a proper download when I've processed it all, but I'm feeling pretty emotionally drained...

Bugger. How is the car?
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 4, 2022, 22:11
Quote from: Hammond on July  4, 2022, 21:29Bugger. How is the car?
It's a little bent, but it'll see a track again soon 😈
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: 1979scotte on July 4, 2022, 22:13
Quote from: moca2cv on July  3, 2022, 21:15Well this weekend was a mixed bag.
First of all, I had a good time, and my mum got to go out on track and really enjoyed herself. This was the goal, that's a tick in that box.
I spent much too much time under my car. Loose oil line fittings, leaking coolant hose, easy fixes, but time sinks.
Everyone thought the car was great, and I got some passenger laps in some cool cars.
My friend had a go in mine and spun in to a tyre wall 😖
I'll do a proper download when I've processed it all, but I'm feeling pretty emotionally drained...

Oops sorry about that
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 5, 2022, 00:22
Alright let's rip this plaster off!

Every year a buddy from my MX5 days organised a track day at Llandow - it's a great day, everyone knows everyone, chilled and good vibes all round. The perfect track day for my mum to have a go for the first time. She's been out as a passenger before but never driven on track, and wanted to have a go!

So we load up the car and start the schlep over to Bridgend. We pick up a friend in his Supra along the way, and convoy down the M4 to J35 Premier Inn, where we meet up with even more friends. A bunch of us head to the 24hr car wash in Bridgend so our cars are clean for the track day:


(https://i.ibb.co/9HzNK2w/418-BFF4-E-2588-4-D1-A-B618-5981-D8-E8-D417.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9HzNK2w)

(https://i.ibb.co/Tm1hbg7/A34918-E8-DFFB-453-F-BA83-8-A01887-B502-B.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Tm1hbg7)

A good nights sleep followed by a massive breakfast sets us up for the day and after filling up our tanks we convoy to the track. It's starting to rain... the semi slick brigade is getting nervous!

We catch up with old friends, make new friends, and then it's time for the noise test! I roll the car forward and notice an oil slick on the wet tarmac 😱

(https://i.ibb.co/Pc1bdp4/468-D5-AF2-8-A10-40-D3-B66-E-62-FBA6-B4-CE6-B.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Pc1bdp4)

I get the car in the air and dive under to find the leak. I find a whole bunch of oil fittings relating to the cooler are loose 😮 so I torque them up, clean up the underside, and hope that's done the trick...

We finish getting the car ready (I.e. empty) and then it's time for mum to have a go! It's wet, but this first session has the sighting laps and I want her to have the chance to go round slowly first. A new friend has given us a novice sticker so at least people know to give her space.

(https://i.ibb.co/qjV4cKy/5-E90-E758-8-E23-470-E-994-C-07-DB7-BADDF85.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qjV4cKy)

It's a great success! Mum did really well for her first time and came in buzzing 😊 it's a great feeling to share the joy!

(https://i.ibb.co/qBVGtFk/C998-F86-C-743-B-4896-8115-EC6-DEFE521-CD.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qBVGtFk)

My turn next and I really struggle to gel with the car - I don't know if it's tyres, or me, or what. But it doesn't feel great and I'm very slow. It's still fun though :)

(https://i.ibb.co/5kzzWN9/1-B8-D3-EBE-6115-4925-808-E-0-AA1-C4-BE26-C1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5kzzWN9)
Chasing down a 350z - and failing!

At lunch we line up the Toyotas for a little shoot, such great cars!

(https://i.ibb.co/LZh0PVL/C08-E622-B-79-C1-4208-AE70-C0357-BB39113.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LZh0PVL)

I also saw another leak on the floor... back under I go!

(https://i.ibb.co/cTGjTQ0/BB518-BDB-EDD3-4-CB7-A965-EA73-B9853223.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cTGjTQ0)

This time I found a coolant hose weeping. I managed to scrounge a jubilee clip and get that fixed up.

I took mum out again. And this time she's pushing harder!

A friend had a go and really enjoyed it.

(https://i.ibb.co/0syQgDK/3520-E515-916-D-4-FA4-B674-990-C7-A6-FDA82.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0syQgDK)

Then another friend had a go. He was doing really well and then... disaster...

Part 2 tomorrow, I'm tired!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 5, 2022, 07:43
So while he was out another friend gave me same passenger laps in his ~500bhp S14 2JZ, which was fun 😁
I can back in just in time to hear the oohs and aahs and see the car wedged in the tyre wall at Gluepot. The car was driving still but the wheel arch liner was hanging out and the wing rubbing, but he managed to limp back to the pits. Not ashamed to admit I shed a tear at seeing it come back like this... we all put so much effort in to our cars so it's sad to see this happen, and there are so many emotions and thoughts running through your brain that it's all a bit overwhelming...

But then survival mode kicks in and you're ready for action in an instant! So when the car arrived back in the pits, it was time to figure out whether we could get it back on the road, or if I was calling a tow truck.

(https://i.ibb.co/SrjDDhV/FADD0-F01-9019-48-F8-B4-A4-F2-D772-EC4928.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SrjDDhV)

You can see the poor guy is devastated. It's actually heartbreaking to see someone like this. That's me in the driver seat getting it back to somewhere to work on it. It drove ok at 5mph, with Max holding the wing and bumper off the wheel, so I was feeling confident it would make it at least to the hotel.

(https://i.ibb.co/x6wSgdP/2-E47-EB13-A9-CE-494-B-BDE1-D70-B95-CB5587.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x6wSgdP)

(https://i.ibb.co/jf9670r/A268890-F-28-B6-4498-A868-32-A10-CD57-EFD.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jf9670r)

imagehosting (https://imgbb.com/)

We wasted no time getting the light off and the bumper off to assess the damage. The light was smashed, the wing was bent, and the crash bar had punched a hole in the bumper. The crash bar itself was pretty bent up, as was all the flimsy stuff, and the chassis leg had concertinered(?). The LH exhaust tip had also bent in the middle of the pipe and split where the hanger attached.

With the help of a few friends, we hammered the wing back in to some sort of shape, popped the bumper back to roughly the right way, and gaffer taped the light to the wing. The exhaust got squatted back in to pointing the right way until it looked like... this (excuse the finger):

(https://i.ibb.co/VHXV5mt/93-A9-C988-65-F0-43-A4-870-D-1-F5-AF879-E425.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VHXV5mt)

It was the end of the day when this happened so I packed up, chucked all the bits of trim that had fallen off in to a friend's boot, and gingerly drove back to the hotel. Filled up, parked up, and went straight to the pub for a beer 😂

I didn't want to drive home with a broken light (bulbs worked but brake lights are important) so I put a shout out on Facebook to see if anyone had one nearby. As luck would have it, another MR2 owner had one in Swansea! He didn't have both, he'd spun and smashed that at Llandow too 😂 What are the chances?

We picked that up in the morning, and with a little more hammer massage the replacement and now legal light was on:

(https://i.ibb.co/ZYdCfqL/859-C5267-FB10-486-F-A12-E-BF6402-B78764.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZYdCfqL)

Good as new! 🥲

It was a long journey home, lots of stops, traffic jams, road closures... but it was worse going the other way so not the worst it could have been! I got home quite late and moped for a bit, but then decided I might as well start pulling the broken bits off while I had some time and get the repairs moving!

I popped out to the car and got to work. The crash bar was a challenge to get off and I fell on my behind, tailbone straight on to a can of WD40
😖 but off it came and I could get a better look.

What it should look like:

(https://i.ibb.co/2dx9Vcy/12-CD53-C4-C974-4-BB1-A3-CA-00-E260-C57-E0-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2dx9Vcy)

And what it actually looks like:

(https://i.ibb.co/PTTtkmL/C8-ED65-C1-BECC-46-D1-826-A-7-ECC23-A6913-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTTtkmL)

(https://i.ibb.co/P4Bqy3q/48-EC52-B2-F7-F6-4222-9-A7-F-388310-EB75-EB.jpg) (https://ibb.co/P4Bqy3q)

Exhaust tip:

(https://i.ibb.co/3yL7Mvg/FE7-FB77-A-2-AF0-4-B7-C-9-BD7-5-FDC08-EAF419.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3yL7Mvg)

We have hatched a plan to get it to a garage to pull it out straight enough to get another crash bar on and replace the pipe in the exhaust tip. I already have one in the garage. I think we've found a wing... and I've already got a bumper I can use. The skirt had to come off to get the wing off, so it's time for the TRD stage 2 bodykit...

I spent yesterday lunchtime offering up the front bumper... it looks mega:

(https://i.ibb.co/GVNk7jH/3-B4-B3-F1-F-670-D-44-D5-A0-B3-1-B7081477-D1-B.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GVNk7jH)

(https://i.ibb.co/wNPNSWk/C86-E3-CB6-A25-F-426-B-A1-AA-A1-ADC6-C6-C056.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wNPNSWk)

(https://i.ibb.co/mvdVnZ6/954-C64-D1-2506-4778-9873-6-FEBC2-C28862.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mvdVnZ6)

And I straightened out the wing tip on the BGW that had taken a whack too.

No new broken bolts yet, but I will take some time now to extract the snapped bolts that should hold on the bottom of the bumper and there are a couple others around too. Fun times ahead!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Hammond on July 5, 2022, 15:23
Nice work! Quick turnaround that :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 5, 2022, 19:20
Quote from: Hammond on July  5, 2022, 15:23Nice work! Quick turnaround that :)
Not quite there yet, but give it a couple of weeks and it'll be good again 😁
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Hammond on July 5, 2022, 23:16
Quote from: moca2cv on July  5, 2022, 19:20Not quite there yet, but give it a couple of weeks and it'll be good again 😁

So far so good! Keep it up :)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 7, 2022, 08:29
Side skirts are off and up for sale for FREE (check Private Sale section), and I test fitted the TRD skirts I acquired a while back from Matt Lee.


(https://i.ibb.co/Ldxr00R/ECF0-E582-7282-4-A26-BBC1-641-FF6-C9-C6-CC.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Ldxr00R)

(https://i.ibb.co/RD4gQ4S/30872418-9-D03-4-BC1-80-AC-C2-BE1991276-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RD4gQ4S)

Phwoar, it's going to look mega! But my god the amount of filler and tigerseal used before 😂 I've got an extra half an inch of sill to remove 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 7, 2022, 01:13
Well it's been a while as I've been busy running Formula G - the last two rounds are the end of this month then I can take a break from that and focus on getting the car ready for a track day at Brands on 26 November. There's a lot to do! So what's happened?

The car is back from the shop and is now all one colour! Whoop.

I've also had a lightened flywheel fitted, along with silicone hoses and innovate side mounts for the engine / box.

Updating the V5 was a pretty painless process, and I also put a personal plate on that I bought for my daughter (she's 6 but it'll last forever 😁).

A note on the innovate mounts - the battery tray isn't stable enough fitted in the original position so I'm going to take the opportunity to relocate the battery, fit a smaller one, as well as a cut off in the cabin. Bit of extra security!

I also need to figure out a solution for the rear number plate as the new bash bar doesn't have the fixing points for the bumper supports which in turn means no plate mount. Hoping to get a TTE infill copy soon.

Then I need to fit grilles front and rear so they all match.

Bought some new wheels to go with the new look, noughties Tsukuba is what I'm going for, let's see if I pull it off...

One little but satisfying job to do was 'rebadging', putting the MR-S badge back on. It's not really an MR-S but the body kit came off one and I don't have an MR2 badge so I'm using that. Used some double sided tape, cut to shape, and then carefully lined everything up and marked with tape before committing to the permanence of 3M! Looks alright.

Other than that, a lot more tidying up and then go enjoy, turn a few heads and make people smile :)

Oh and my insurance renewal was less than last year - score! Big up REIS.


(https://i.ibb.co/y5xvRJ8/F2878071-EF9-C-4-F51-A365-9059-A1621565.jpg) (https://ibb.co/y5xvRJ8)

(https://i.ibb.co/KWJkC4g/E243417-E-791-D-4-C8-D-A358-729-D68199242.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KWJkC4g)

Yes it's a bit loud 😁
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: puma2 on October 7, 2022, 07:11
 :) brilliant end result 8)
must have stomach  turning and bag of nerves when you look at your 2  when damage >:(  >:(
just such a horrible feeling for you. :(  :(

Hopeful your mate helped you out big time from this :(  :(

i bet your mum and you had a great time and what quality time together will never be forgotten 8)  8)

now enjoy your 2 all looking spot on and ready for its next outing  :)  :)

think it may to good looking now to use on the trac :))  :))     
 
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on October 7, 2022, 21:20
Quote from: puma2 on October  7, 2022, 07:11:) brilliant end result 8)
must have stomach  turning and bag of nerves when you look at your 2  when damage >:(  >:(
just such a horrible feeling for you. :(  :(

Hopeful your mate helped you out big time from this :(  :(

i bet your mum and you had a great time and what quality time together will never be forgotten 8)  8)

now enjoy your 2 all looking spot on and ready for its next outing  :)  :)

think it may to good looking now to use on the trac :))  :))     
 

Thanks! No ill will towards my friend, he's a good mate who made a mistake, it's just a car :) I was more worried for him than the car if I'm honest, fortunately a reverse entry into a tyre wall is fairly kind on the body. Heartbreaking to see someone so gutted about something.

Mum had a great time and is keen to have another go, I'll get her out at Brands if I can, although that's a slightly scarier track!

Car is definitely a 10 footer, but it'll look good out on track 😁
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 14, 2022, 00:21
So my daughter wanted to bring the race car in to school for show and tell, and it's this Friday 😬 so I was forced to pull my finger out and get some sh*t done. I've also booked an alignment and corner weighting the following Monday, so had to get even more sh*t done.

First up: battery relocation. The Innovative mount has no proper mounting point for the OEM battery tray, so in the bin that goes. I considered my options and decided to go for the frunk. Reasons being: I'm adding a fair bit of weight over the rear with some bracing, and moving the battery to the front means I can take the spare wheel out and hopefully end up with a net zero weight loss/gain and not upset the balance.
I started with the engine end - a junction box connected the OEM +ve cables to the extension cable, which I ran down under the car and along the tunnel with the coolant hoses. No A/C so loads of room. The box was then bolted to the strut tower. Earth cable - battery terminal straightened out and looped round to secure on strut tower. Additional earth cable run from gearbox to under the car along with +ve, probably overkill but can't hurt. So much room for activities now.
At the other end, I decided to put the battery in the bin. I like having the storage space, it's useful! I found that the smaller battery I had actually fitted under the spare wheel!!! Which means I have a spare when out and about, and a gazebo weight at the track, too. Handy! Bolted in my battery tray, and secured the battery. Now because the bin needs to be removed for some jobs, I wanted to make it as easy to remove as possible, so rather than design it so that it requires a huge amount of dismantling, I installed a cut off switch for the -ve (it's only to save the battery, I won't be able to disconnect it while driving), and a battery fuse for the +ve, and run cables to each. I just need to disconnect an Earth point and the fuse and I can lift the whole bin and battery out in one piece. Nifty! See my Instagram for a tour 😉 Thankfully my crimps and wiring were good enough as the car started. Big relief!!!

As I've got corner weighting booked, I needed to get the braces in. Better to have those all fitted as I don't want to have to do it too often!
In between coats of rust converter and black paint for my second hand FL front brace, I fitted a Snelbaard RMB and TAB (Rear Member Brace and Toe Arm Brace). The RMB comes in three parts - a main X brace between subframe and fuel tank mounts, and a trailing arm brace either side. The hardest bit about this job was getting the suspension arm nut off. My impact wrench ran out of juice so I had to resort to muscle, and there's just not a lot of room to swing a breaker bar on axles stands, plus I'm a bit of a weed 😂 Once they were off, I stuck a jack under the fuel tank, and whipped out the two bolts there.
A little bit of jiggling was required - I suspect having a tyre wall bump has knocked everything out ever so slightly, I was expecting a lot worse! - but I was able to jimmy it in to place ok.
I tackled the TAB next to give myself a break, and the Ed impact wrench had power at this point, so that took all of 5 minutes.
The trailing arm braces were a bit of a d*ck as I couldn't get the impact wrench on the bolts, so had to use ratchets, and, again, I am a weed. Wheels off really helped speed things up as it meant I didn't need to crawl under from the back. I made this job harder for myself as I wanted the nuts on top of the brace, which made it fiddly, but there's nothing I hate more than bolts sticking out at the floor, even if there's loads of clearance... you won't see any on my car 😁 Braces look great, super happy with them! 11/10 would recommend for ease of fitting and quality, tap up Boris on here or IG.

On to the front FL brace. I had originally ordered (and paid for) a Megillian front brace. But despite the car going to their shop for a half cage and other braces, I didn't get this one. I eventually gave up hope of ever seeing it and started shopping for a different one. Boris was the first port of call - sexy AF braces - but I'd also found an undertray that bolts straight to the FL front brace made by some company that went out of business, this was unfitted and not silly money so I went for the FL brace! The fancy aftermarket ones are probably no stiffer anyway, and with the undertray it's bound to be even stiffer.
As mentioned, the brace got a few liberal coats of rust converter after a good wire brush, and some black paint to finish it off (worst job ever, I suck at painting and I ran out of paint 😂). The original PFL braces came out ok, no drama there. I tried putting all the separate arms in one by one, as having a centre brace pushes the rear mating surface inwards, but that meant I couldn't get a nut on to secure the tray... so I had to assemble off the car and then lift in in one piece. The holes on the tray weren't slotted, but very accurate. A few love taps with a hammer to bend the rear mounts inwards a mm and the whole lot went in great. Looks the business but I am worried about it drumming... time will tell.

Other jobs I had to do include putting a grill on the front bumper. It came with some aftermarket aluminium mesh but it looks tired so quickly. I went for some ABS honeycomb instead, and I'm glad I did - it looks great. Fitting was a doddle - I started with a rectangle bigger than the opening, secured it all down, then trimmed off the excess. I did have to trim the fog light screw posts to make the honeycomb sit flush with the opening, but since I won't be spending big bucks on the fogs for this bumper I attacked them with a Stanley knife. Some of the OEM mounting tabs needed a trim, too, to get the honeycomb to line up, but I was surprised how close it was from the off.
I did both sides, just need to figure out if it's worth doing the centre top vent. I'll probably leave it for now, it's an awkward shape and angle for the honeycomb.
Tomorrow I'm going to slap some at the back so I have something to put a number plate on. I've placed an order for a fibreglass TTE copy infill which will look spot on with the short plates, but that won't be ready for show and tell.

All in all a very productive weekend! I'm hoping to be able to take the new wheels and tyres (I went for 888s) to the tyre shop tomorrow, and also get those last few bits finished off, then I think apart from some tidying up here and there it'll be good to go for a track day on 26th November!

Some pics:


(https://i.ibb.co/GJhCGkm/C1-B5-D391-7580-472-C-A603-30684-B443-B59.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GJhCGkm) (https://i.ibb.co/jZxVjF1/F0-E04-DFB-4199-48-B7-A0-E0-C781-A6-AC8-AB5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jZxVjF1) (https://i.ibb.co/q1Ydj3y/E4-F5176-B-0-B22-49-A5-9-F39-141-DE4389082.jpg) (https://ibb.co/q1Ydj3y) (https://i.ibb.co/b6kMjSC/D517-E9-A1-AF36-4-F98-9-B53-B66-C24-EADE6-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b6kMjSC) (https://i.ibb.co/xLxFtng/60-B101-D7-7185-4-BEE-A615-71893001-ED19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xLxFtng) (https://i.ibb.co/86512R9/BB2-C30-C9-8-BD9-4310-9-FD6-F03-B7-F74-BEDF.jpg) (https://ibb.co/86512R9) (https://i.ibb.co/c1WzNfC/155-F78-D7-F912-4568-AA38-CF5-FF22-F8175.jpg) (https://ibb.co/c1WzNfC) (https://i.ibb.co/PjFzKxt/C2-B6517-F-74-AA-48-B8-8-C03-1-BB71323-EE69.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PjFzKxt) (https://i.ibb.co/fFmZnKs/9503-EFC6-AE6-F-4962-8-A28-CBEF8-D43995-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fFmZnKs) (https://i.ibb.co/dk8mLpz/4-BBD7306-809-B-4-C98-8-E87-DE8776-E21-C3-D.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dk8mLpz)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 14, 2022, 14:22
Spent lunchtime finishing off the last few bits:

Fitted honeycomb mesh to the upper bumper vent - fiddly but worthwhile, looks great.

Was about to put bumper on when I suddenly had a brainwave to check the lights worked first! Glad I did, the side light on the nearside wasn't working. But then it was. Then it wasn't. The legs had relocated to the side so not making a good connection, easy fix :)

Bumper back on and lined up best I can.

Tow hooks on front and rear. Put the rear on the offside as that leg hasn't been smacked. Don't need a tow doing more damage...

Rear number plate plinth. Screwed the plate to my old shortened plinth (cut the middle out to make it overall the same length as the opening), then screwed that to the side trim pieces. Looks a bit... cobbled together, but will do until I get a TTE infill.

Happy with how it looks! Dropped the new wheels and tyres at the tyre shop this morning so hoping they'll be ready today or tomorrow. Fingers crossed!


(https://i.ibb.co/cY2Zp6v/631-B6-B48-12-C8-4-F9-E-8-D7-F-D7-B959-FB163-F.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cY2Zp6v)

(https://i.ibb.co/7tz664q/76514554-77-F4-4-C3-A-80-FD-60-BE21-DA91-B8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7tz664q)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Topdownman on November 15, 2022, 16:10
I'm sure the kids will be impressed by your hover car!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 15, 2022, 16:55
Quote from: Topdownman on November 15, 2022, 16:10I'm sure the kids will be impressed by your hover car!

😂😂😂 it's an MR2 Skyster at the moment 😂😂😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 20, 2022, 21:11
Got the wheels on, wiped it down, did the show and tell. The kids loved it, and my daughter's teacher was something of a petrolhead when she was younger as it turns out! Used to own an RSturbo... Explains why it got approved 😂


(https://i.ibb.co/kSkcMbB/01165-A7-B-5-E68-472-D-9-F4-B-C62-AE5-C3417-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kSkcMbB)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Hammond on November 29, 2022, 19:03
Love the colour! The graft has paid off, looking really smart now.
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on November 30, 2022, 02:14
Quote from: Hammond on November 29, 2022, 19:03Love the colour! The graft has paid off, looking really smart now.

Thanks! But hold that thought...

In preparation for my upcoming trackday at Brands Hatch, I booked myself in for an alignment and corner weighting. Well on arrival I unfortunately found out that the poor chap had Covid! So that didn't happen. As I was going to be chilling at a mate's nearby anyway I just hung out there, and he suggested we pop down to the place he uses for alignments, so we did. The guys took their time and got some decent numbers, but they didn't quite tally up with what my eyes were seeing. But it's a hunter, right? I was in a hurry to get back for a call so left it at that.

A few days later I was just eyeballing the car and it was obvious something was wrong with the rear toe - it looked like it was crabbing! So I tweaked that until it looked right. I trust my eyes, I managed to align a Caterham perfectly with no equipment before and I figured anything would be better than how it was. I also tweaked the front camber a bit, too.

I packed up the car for the track day, along with all the tools to tweak settings as necessary.

The track day started well - arrived in plenty of time, signed on, car unloaded, sighting laps done. It was cold and the track damp, but should be no issue for the 888s. The track then opened, and I gave it the customary 10 minutes to let the heroes go out for a bit and calm down (I'd already had a civic overtaking on the sighting laps!) and then joined the queue to go out.

I pootled round Paddock, dilly-dallied around Druids, then fed in some power then WEEEEEE the car span so quickly I had no idea what was happening. On to the grass and slowly bumped the tyre wall square on. F**K.

The car had stalled on impact and I just waited there for a moment stunned that I'd lasted an entire 30 seconds before ruining my car. Again. Then I came to, restarted the car, and managed to turn around on the wet grass and rejoin the track, heading slowly back to the pits.

At this point I had no idea what the damage was, and my passenger remarked that no one we drove past was grimacing so it can't be that bad. He was right - the bumper had lost a couple more mounting points, lost a bit of paint, and gained a crack, and the tow hook bracket was a little bent. The crash bar hadn't even been touched, the bonnet was fine, and so were the lights. Result!

We whipped off the bumper, removed some clumps of grass, straightened out the tow hook, got the bumper back on with the help of a couple of zip ties, and we were good to go again. The chap from MSV came over to check in on us, and we had a good chat, then I chilled for a bit to mull over what happened.

It didn't take long to figure out that driver error was not the only factor at play... You might remember that I'd recently fitted the 888s to the new wheels. Well, not only were they not scrubbed in yet, but in my excitement to be back on track I hadn't checked the pressures after fitting... they were all at around 40 psi 😭 Basically Fisher Price wheels. I am a total idiot.

I consulted with some friends on pressures, went for 24/26 cold to start with, then went out to try to find my confidence again. It took a while but by the end of the day, I was having a great time again. Phew.

Did some measuring using the Dragy Lap Timer, and recorded a 1:03.23 as my best time. I was hoping for sun-1:05 (roughly what I did in the dry last year) so was really happy with that! I have a few more kgs to lose and a lot more skill to acquire so fingers crossed for a sub-1:00 next year! I know the car can do it, just a question of whether I can.


(https://i.ibb.co/6gW2wgX/90711004-7-E43-4158-9-B88-E71-D5-E8475-EB.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6gW2wgX)

(https://i.ibb.co/86R2xZs/5-B8-C7-B35-941-D-410-F-AE7-C-C2-DE72-E3-DC0-D.jpg) (https://ibb.co/86R2xZs)

(https://i.ibb.co/XD8NPv7/4-F0-DA061-F4-F1-4986-BC1-C-3-A0-B82-BCFDCD.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XD8NPv7)

(https://i.ibb.co/fXspQqQ/0-B8-E29-CC-55-E7-4-C38-B1-E3-53-D27-ED9449-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fXspQqQ)

(https://i.ibb.co/hYwmbv9/FFC4-C094-F61-F-4-BE7-9663-CD4-F36-A39848.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hYwmbv9)

(https://i.ibb.co/R4pQBQP/413-A39-C0-3-E2-A-4-CA0-9-AD3-873-C027-CCEAB.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R4pQBQP)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: puma2 on November 30, 2022, 07:33
 :-* sounds like you did just kiss that tyre wall luckily :)
is all a learning curve for next time and back to basic checks having said that all the excitement to just get out on trac i can understand :)

most important thing is your safe and so little work needed on the 2  :)

so get back out to what the 2 does best witch is put the fun into a drive even more so when set up for the trac.

get out there and enjoy that a order :))  :))  :))
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on May 31, 2023, 16:39
Oh man have I neglected this thread. And the car...

So what's happened since last year? Not a lot really. I've barely driven the thing. I've been extremely busy organising Formula G and also had a baby (our second) in January, so life has been a bit full on.

I organised a novice day for Formula G, and my brother in law borrowed the car for it. Turns out the MR2 is not a bad little platform for gymkhana. It wasn't the only MR2 there, either!

Prep for that was basically throw some tools in the car and hope it'll be fine. I didn't even check the oil. Only one issue all day and that was the steering wheel nut loosening itself - easy fix. But I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit odd watching everyone enjoy my car but me :(

Looked good going round at least.

Fast forward a few weeks and I heard about a new car show local to me, so decided to support it and have a stand for Formula G there. To make it stand out, I thought I'd stick the MR2 on the stand, but that meant I needed to sort my bumper. My friend persuaded me to DIY (I've never done bodywork) and I honestly found it incredibly painful. The finish isn't great, the match isn't great, and the bumper doesn't fit all that well anymore either having been bumped. Better than it was though I guess.

The stand was a success, lots of kids enjoyed jumping in the car, and we set up the lights too so people could test their reaction times.

Now rounds 1 & 2 at Santa Pod are looming this week - I've been flat out and completely neglected the car. I've got a track day at Llandow on 8 July, so will do an oil change before if I can, I also want to bleed the brakes. I did manage to fit a JDM airbag cubby, but apart from the stickers I have been remiss...


(https://i.ibb.co/L8JhNQZ/88065-FD8-9-B38-4668-BA7-D-C93-F97-CD122-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/L8JhNQZ)

(https://i.ibb.co/2y2mrRz/0-F2532-A4-CD8-A-4-FD9-ACEF-7-D9091-C74-C0-D.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2y2mrRz)

(https://i.ibb.co/W3RrPmB/AA0-AC57-E-7-ED8-44-C2-AEF2-14-FFF4-DC4-FC8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/W3RrPmB)

(https://i.ibb.co/X4QhjMq/A798-DD77-25-E3-43-C0-AA1-C-0568-EF1-B1-BE8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/X4QhjMq)

(https://i.ibb.co/sm6Y10v/A89-DF4-CA-621-C-4486-98-E7-1738-F65-D2919.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sm6Y10v)

image ru (https://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on June 17, 2023, 01:20
Replaced my brake booster yesterday as I was getting a better brake pedal when shutting off the throttle at higher rpms than low rpm. Figured it might be to do with the increased vacuum at high rpm/0% throttle. Was very grateful for putting in the effort to make the front bin easy to remove! Shoved the MC to one side, swapped them over, job done.
The nuts holding the booster... what a pain 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 4, 2023, 16:57
Is it really track day prep if it's not just before the track day? 😁

Off to Llandow for our annual all the boys trackday on Saturday, so figured I should actually check a few things.

Popped the car up on stands, whipped the wheels off. Then I got distracted and dremelled the frunk bin to fit a strap for securing the spare tyre (the battery is in the way of the usual bolt). Works ok, feel much happier about having the wheel in there. Must remember to put the wheel nuts in the tool bag!

Back to business. I started with a power steering fluid change(ish), sucking the old black fluid out of the reservoir, adding new, cycling it a few times, and repeating. Did this four times and it's now looking fairly clear. Will see if that improves things.

Next I did a spanner check on all the main fixings, methodically went around ticking off the ones I checked and torqued to spec. Managed to do a righty-loosey conversion on one of the Whiteline camber bolts at the rear, fortunately kept the old ones so whacked that back in and went for max camber - hoping it's close to the other side, so will tweak the other side to match if I can.

Gave all the poly bushes their annual spray with grease, and did the UJ and ARBs too.

Fitted my fancy carbon engine cover I snagged on FB, used wing nuts, so fancy.

Then it chucked it down so called it a day, and will do oil and brake fluid tomorrow. Then if I have time get the toe sorted on Thursday. Let's see how it goes!

(https://i.ibb.co/3c3qHXj/E762-EBEA-1120-4378-92-FD-3-AA9-D00-BE905.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3c3qHXj)

(https://i.ibb.co/DCKFwx0/AB01-D58-E-E4-DF-41-FA-A02-C-40-F99-C80676-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DCKFwx0)

(https://i.ibb.co/2cfXySv/A69-D35-F4-14-B6-4-A85-A3-B9-BA673-A26-E7-ED.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2cfXySv)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 6, 2023, 18:39
Attempted bleeding the brakes on my own yesterday, wasn't happy so a friend came over today to help and managed to get a big bubble out of the front left caliper. Glad we caught that.
Oil change done, couldn't do the filter as the 2ZZ filter is too long with a sandwich plate and Snelbaard's brace fitted, so as the old one is only 2k miles old I left it on. I'll get another K&N, it fits.
Topped up coolant as it was on the min mark, tightened up a few hardtop bolts, made some good progress.
Tweaked the camber by eye, got it good enough, then off to the tyre shop to get the tracking sorted. Was a bit of a challenge with a couple seized nuts but got it good enough. Camber measurements showed my eyes were good enough :)
Just about ready now I think!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 11, 2023, 00:43
Llandow was great! Was so nice to be really gelling with the car and felt like it was flying! Not really in reality, my best time I recorded was 52.8s, so not the speediest thing out there, but I've come a long way at least.
I am very happy with the car 🥰


(https://i.ibb.co/FwDyRvJ/A34-D28-C7-5856-434-F-9-C14-067216-B56419.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FwDyRvJ)
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on July 11, 2023, 07:54
Glad you had a great day!

Llandow is a nice fun, short circuit, though not ideal for the 2ZZ to stretch its legs.

I managed a 49.11 lap with a passenger and some suspect RE002 tyres, so a bit to find if you feel like being competitive!

Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 12, 2023, 07:08
Quote from: Alex Knight on July 11, 2023, 07:54Glad you had a great day!

Llandow is a nice fun, short circuit, though not ideal for the 2ZZ to stretch its legs.

I managed a 49.11 lap with a passenger and some suspect RE002 tyres, so a bit to find if you feel like being competitive!



Very nice! I'm only 1ZZ so even though the straights are short I lose a lot of time there, but I know I can go faster round Gluepot, if I didn't have last year playing on my mind 😂
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: Alex Knight on July 12, 2023, 08:30
Ah, I thought you were 2ZZ.

In that case, great going!
Title: Re: Project Scope Creep
Post by: moca2cv on July 12, 2023, 10:36
Quote from: Alex Knight on July 12, 2023, 08:30Ah, I thought you were 2ZZ.

In that case, great going!

#1zz4lyfe 😁

Thanks! I actually really like the 1ZZ, it's a good little motor and plenty of poke to have lots of fun. Plus I don't have to worry too much about it grenading 😁