Pistol's Red Edition 2zz Sprint ~ now going road car!

Started by pistol pete, April 24, 2019, 23:09

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Gaz2405

Great project, love the cage!
1zz turbo. Home built and home mapped.

Now 2zz turbo. Home built and home mapped

Build thread https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=67004.0

pistol pete

Big day today.
I borrowed some graphite sheet from work to make my own gaskets for the exhaust
I have always run these on my race/sprint track cars and never had one blow




Then worked on getting the exhaust in and mounted



Love the tail pipe!!




I had one hanger with nothing to hang on, luckily i had a spare Poly hanger so managed to get it like this which is holding it nice



I fitted up the rear ARB at this point to make sure nothing rubbed.. all was good.

Plugged in the Lambda sensors..some rerouting/cable adjustment required before putting bumpers etc back on

mocked up the inlet, butched the 1zz and 2zz intake piping. I need to get a bit of tubing to finalize it so i am happy..

but it was ready for a test start!

connected the battery checked everything over...
battery was dead..

charged it for an hour to give it some life that it could do the ignistion system, then jumped it off my civic battery

This is first start up..first turn of the key

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45QimL1stwU
I was pretty happy!

checked everything for leaks.. left it running till it got up to temp and fans kicked in. then turned off, as its in the garage no air for the fans to cool the rads.

heres a vid of once up to temp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctGHgufqx4g

ran well could not see any evidence of leaks anywhere.

there was an exhaust leak from the end of one the repackable boxes, so ill whip the end cap off and reseal it.

come to work today very happy..

next up is get the ARBs mounted and brakes suspension all bolted together. (tomorrows job)
then swap the ECU's and repin to match.
the try again see if it runs. if not i know its something in the wiring


thanks for all the comments guys
fingers a crossed for a trackday in october and a sprint in november

pistol pete

#27
no Huge update today
had to do the school run and go to work early..
but managed to get couple bits done.. first was the number plate lights on the trailer.. swapped out..
then the tow car/now daily shogun has a parrot system in it which i hate. and when using bluetooth it would distort..
Pulled it all apart and found this rats nest in there!!



Found a couple loose connections, also a bent pin in one of the plugs.. then taped and tidied everything and mounted the blue box nicely behind the dash rather than let it rattle around
all back together


beast


anyways.. jumped into the garage. got the rear ARB in place again as it was upside down, swapped over. Fitted new drop links, and camber bolts.. all together apart from the brakes now.. (yes the discs cover rust pile needs to come off)


Got both rears done.
I moved to the front got the front ARB mounted, after having two bolts snap and having to drill them out in the worst place ever to get a drill in!! and got new drop links fitted, unfortunately no pics.

that'll be it till next week i expect. I am work early tomorrow, funeral on friday (BOO ), then off to blyton park Saturday/Sunday for race day in the RX8!!! woohoo So more work on Monday

pistol pete

Update time!!

I went away for a week for work, whilst i was away i made a list of all the little bits left.
As we all know the last 5% takes the most time. its all the fiddly stuff
Here was the list

60mm intake pipe (measure)
Finish air box
Bleed brakes
Extend lambda wiring
Mount lambda plugs
Secure carbon canister valve
Re pin ecu and mount celica key and transponder
Tyres on wheels
Alignment
Refit rear lights and bumper.
Tow hook.
Oil filter change
Compression test
Decal kit
Tighten steering wheel attach face plate
Wire in fan for windscreen
Mount go pro


I got home early on Thursday so manage to hit on with the jobs, managing to start to tick them off pretty quickly
Unfortunately as i was rattling though i did not take loads of pictures..

Of all of them i was most worried about was the Re pinning of the Ecu for the 2zz ecu, I didn't want to damage any ECU plugs.
But after reading all the guides and a few you tube vids, i started. after about an hour of head scratching and moving around, and a phone call to Patrick chambers it was done.
I then held my breath as i turned the key.. It fired straight into life.. big sigh of relief!!

I done a compression test for my own peace of mind..
It was good results all round





Bled all the breaks, done all the little jobs.. got the lights and bumper back one.. wheels back on.
got the car outside



here is the car sat running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEgk7-SqFX0

then it was loaded on the trailer


taken up to local alignment place. done to my investigations settings..
not all corner weighted yet, that will be later then i have done all the polybushing
But it does sit level. When all arms are done i will take it up to fensport get it set nicely.



Also got the tyres mounted so the car is currently sitting on the uniroyal rain sport 3s, and here are the Soft Avon ZZrs




Couple little jobs i had on the list.. was the intake link pipe, was using a temporary red silicon hose. i have found some tube at work and just need to re fit



also the carbon canister was rubbing on the dipstick, so some slight alteration to the canistor bracket


Just means i can move it by 1/2 inch will be enough..


Next came up on how i was going to actually test the car.
It was going to be book a brands hatch track day this week and get there and see how it goes, my big worry was i would do one lap and inevitably it something would break and the day would be lost.
It was still the best option until i phoned AIB insurance. They managed to sort me insurance on the car with all mods declared (basically a race car) and 1000 miles a year, for £200 which was same cost of the track day. but this covered me where i could drive up road (sensibly as its on road!!) but i could make sure the car runs all okay before going to track and driving it properly..
So fingers crossed one eve this week i can have a little drive in it!!!

It does have a small coolant leak, or the coolant is settling as i haven't seen any evidence of a leak yaet, so need to investigate that properly



Watch this space


As for the list of jobs above

60mm intake pipe (measure)     Made, to fit tonight
Finish air box                             DONE
Bleed brakes                              DONE
Extend lambda wiring                DONE
Mount lambda plugs                  DONE
Secure carbon canister valve     DONE
Re pin ecu and mount celica key and transponder    DONE
Tyres on wheels                         DONE
Alignment                                  DONE
Refit rear lights and bumper.     DONE
Tow hook.                                  Rear Done need to sort front
Oil filter change                          DONE
Compression test                      DONE
Decal kit                                    NEED TO ORDER
Tighten steering wheel attach face plate       DONE
 Wire in fan for windscreen         DONE
Mount go pro                             DONE
Remount carbon canister           Bracket made, to fit tonight
Find the coolant leak                     :(

Joesson

@pistol pete said   "It does have a small coolant leak, or the coolant is settling as i haven't seen any evidence of a leak yaet, so need to investigate that properly"

The only coolant leaks that I have experienced on my 2 were radiator related. The first when the OE radiator corroded. The second was when a plug of some sort blew out of the Coolparts replacement radiator.
The coolant level in my experience and what I have read on here does have a mind of its own and can go up and down quite alarmingly in comparison with "standard" arrangements. I suggest keep an eye on the levels when hot and cold and top up as necessary when cold, the system, I believe does entrap air and it takes a while to get it all out.

thetyrant

What size ZZR's have you gone for ?  its one of tyres im pondering next as meant to be very impressive!
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

pistol pete

cheers. after playing last night it seems i have a air lock, so job for tonight.

as for the tyres.
205 15 front
225 16 rears :)
looking forward to trying them!

1979scotte

Quote from: pistol pete on October 15, 2019, 12:23cheers. after playing last night it seems i have a air lock, so job for tonight.

as for the tyres.
205 15 front
225 16 rears :)
looking forward to trying them!

Hated 205 front.

Honestly think pfl 185 205 is the most fun if a little lively in the wet.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Free Ukraine 🇺🇦

pistol pete

that may be true.. but this is a track car.. not road car.. i would rather grip.. and these are the sizes teh zzr came in.
for the wet i have rainsports, 195 front and 215 rears

found the air lock, it was just after the thermostat.. all sorted and temps seem to be staying where they should be!

An utterly boring and pointless video for anyone but me...
but i done one as a momento of its first drives out
at the alignment shop.
then last night.
It drive well. went into lift .. pulled as it should i think (never been in one) and as said before its on the road and its wet so no hard pulls etc.. and stopping to check everything was okay every mile..

touch wood it seems okay..
hopefully the next video will be much more interesting on the track!! what it needs to be

https://youtu.be/3bk-7_Po5t8


pistol pete

Well..
A track day has happened..
very very nervous leading up to it.. I didn't get much sleep the night before.. It went like this..

Friday morning. the wife said i had to get the car on track before going to compete at snet (she isn't wrong)
Brands is my closest track, its more expensive to book but by the time i have paid for fuel and hotel to go further afield brands was the best option.

Booked up with MSVT, weather was supposed to be cloudy, not raining. but the weekend and monday it had done nothing but rain so i wasn't expecting anything other than rain

Woke up nice and early (5am) as i am on earlies for work anyway, got to track and 6.45, i wanted to try and bags a spare garage before everyone got there, brands is always a busy trackday

I got garage 27!! my birthday is october 27th so i was happy. (small things small minds all that :) )





Got the car all unloaded. signed on, had some breakfast. car started, idled perfectly my nerves were starting to subside.
Next up nose test.. 94db. pleased with that,
there seemed to be a lack of cars. at the briefing it was told it was a low number day only 30 people signed on to drive.
sighting laps done, i went straight out, which is unlike me, but i wanted to get a couple laps done..


But most importantly there was no rain.. lots of fog!!
had the rainsports on to start with (that is how optimistic i was) three laps done felt good, went in and fitted the avons


by now the sun was coming out. and car was running well.. i was having an issue that it was dropping out of lift between gears, i also felt it seems very long gearing for what i was told would be short!
Had a chat with Patrick, he asked which air box i was using and the intake etc,
we found that the standard MR2 inlet pipe to the filter housing has a massive restriction in, removed this and it then rev'd more freely got right round to the redline, but still dropped out of lift. but nothing i could do while there so i  just had fun

the inlet pipe




the car moved around on track but handled brilliantly it was great being back in a mr2,









It drove great ran well all day, and was a great success, And we had sunshine all day!!!!


there were quite a few red flags through the day, tended to be the race cars testing (ginetta juniors and fiestas as they seems to be pushing very very hard)]

In the afternoon my wife and daughter, and family friend came to watch, she got some good pictures and it was nice to have them there after all the do to help me get the car done.
also Harry the previous owner came and had a sit in the car



Overall I am very pleased with the car and great to be in a mr2 again. there is plently to do(lots of ideas).. but i will take it to Snetterton as it is.
Firstly will be the gearbox, looking back at video then at others, im changing at 8200 it drops back to 5800 lift doesn't come in till 6200 so i am always waiting for it, i also can do 80 in second and 110 in third. where as all others are 3rd at 55 4th at 85ish and 5th at 110.. so it seems my celica had a gearbox change at some point and the wrong box was put in it..damn! anyways it hasn't spoiled the day or the car, its just something to add to the Todo list..



Here is the video of last run of the day
https://youtu.be/dT5f3zaM64c

thetyrant

Good result :) Pete bet your pleased overall despite the niggles, as you found the stock intake tube has the restriction which isnt a major issue with 1zz but no doubt extra air 2zz needs it is, i got one of the markIII pipes on mine which replaces that with same bore all the way but retains stock routing, nice mod if your staying with stock airbox layout which to be fair is probably best unless going aftermarket ecu, my pipe will be for sale once turbo goes on if any interest

What gearbox have you got ?  as sounds like 1zz ratios which do drop out of lift and hence why people fit the 2zz box or gear clusters, im sure you said you were doing that but cant remember.

Glad it all stayed together for you though bud and im looking forward to some mk3 competition at sprints next year :)



Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

pistol pete

#36
cheers man
box wise. yes was a the gearbox from the celica 2zz but suspect that at somepoint in the celica lift it was changed and the wrong one put in, just a 1zz 6 speed

As for the intake pipe, ill make one out of ducting, thanks for offer though

looking forward to next year..
gearbox coming out this evening :)

pistol pete

I was going to sort the gearbox out over winter.. but it was bugging me
And patrick sorted another for me.
so started at 4pm, stopped for dinner out by 8pm.
So i am pretty pleased.
I am on holiday from moday to friday. dropping box off to patrick ths friday and picking up next saturday for him to swap the gearsets etc over



thetyrant

Haha nice job, i would of been same and can't rest when something is niggling me

Any tips on Box removal? I will have to do mine soon for clutch upgrade I'm sure!
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

pistol pete

Quote from: thetyrant on October 24, 2019, 06:35Haha nice job, i would of been same and can't rest when something is niggling me

Any tips on Box removal? I will have to do mine soon for clutch upgrade I'm sure!

 I wouldn't upgrade clutch.. i'm running a stock one, i think this one is exedy, my mk2 i ran a LUK, they cope fine on stock power.
We have a 6 paddle in the RX its horrible!

I made a simple removal list for a friend last night who asked the same
Battery + tray
intake pipe and airbok
unclip gear linkage cables (check you tube on simple trick to do this, i always struggle with the one closest to engine)
under car
exhaust centre section off
trailing arms off where meet body and braces from there to subframe
hubs off coilovers
brakes off and out of way
ABS sensors unplugged and pulled back to hubs
front and rear engine mounts
slave cylinder
drivers drive shaft holder/bearing
pop passenger side drive shaft (i use a clutch fork now for this after someone tipped me how to)
drop subframe
passenger mount (supporting engine/box)
drop box

I am sure you can do it with out dropping sub frame, but for sake of 4 bolts i always find it easier

thetyrant

Nice on thanks :), i will need to upgrade clutch as im going Turbo so need the extra torque capacity :D  im trying to avoid paddles and the like as you say they are just not nice to drive, im hoping either the Corolla 2zz Compressor clutch will cope or maybe go for the uprated Exedy i just need to go over specs, its next thing for me to sort once the turbo is on before i wind up boost.
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

pistol pete

got an message from patrick saying the new gearbox had arrived and was stripped. so i ran my box down there, that is now back together and ready for pick up this afternoon!





so itll start going back in this evening!

thetyrant

Nice fast job, has he checked its a celica 2zz box this time ? :)
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

Joesson

@pistol pete , I know you won't but please don't forget to refill the gearbox with oil.
When in my teens (some time ago) a work colleague rebuilt his motor bike and almost got it flat out on the Chertsey bypass when he remembered! Not so physically painful in a car, but it certainly hurt him on / off a bike.

pistol pete

Just taken for a run out
Refitted week before last but been on holiday last week

It runs good. So much better with the 2zz box!!

pistol pete

Update time...

I got the gearbox in on that Friday evening. Finished off very early Saturday morning.
Whilst there i finished off a few other odd jobs i hadn't been happy with. none of which I can remember
Where i had removed that huge restriction on the intake pipe I used to brake ducting to make a new pipe



Took the car for a quick drive out.. hugely different with this gearbox.. So much better on pick up. A lot better out of lift too as it isn't so long geared. Looking forward to trying it on track now!

This was an important day the Saturday.. It was time to say good bye to the Racecat, Ben had come to collect and put it in his lockup..
Quick picture together



It has been an awesome bit of kit, and look forward to loosing to it over the next season :)

We had stripped all its decals as they were mine and Ben's. He has started a fresh and I assisted in fitting his new decals.. This is just the Base, he will be adding more to these


I went off on a lovely holiday for the following week.. nice week in Norfolk.. it was cold but sunny!!


Few more jobs I wanted done. First up.. Decals!!
Same decal kit as Ben, but different colours and due to size of the car, different placement.. also added the Zombie response.. (yes this is not to a lot of peoples tastes a lot will hate it,, but RACECAR!!! And all my race cars have it.. Its my Livery now)
]If you want to see where the zombie decals started from see here
https://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=176621





Next up I got an OMP steering wheel for my birthday, as well as a really nice race-bag that I can now fit my helmet, Hans race-suit etc in neatly which is a huge help.
Ordered the Boss from Fensport while on holiday and got it fitted up as soon as we were back.


Ben gave me some money for my birthday, and for the racecat, which i did not expect and very kind of him. This I was told by him was to purchase a new race-seat, get rid of the puke smelling Sparco..

Road trip to corbeau who are about an hour from me.
I looked at the club sport, but this is just a road seat and not as strong as i would want, but was the price i wanted to spend.
Next was the Sprint which we have in the RX. standard was slightly to tight (im a 30-32inch waist) I fit fine but was cramped and the next size the EXCEL was far too loose
the happy medium was the next seat up in the series the pro-series X
https://www.corbeau-seats.com/product/pro-series-x-racing-seat/

This was slightly larger than the sprint standard. but was obviously a lot of monies, over double where I had started
So homebound, spoke with the wife, safety etc.. phoned Corbeau and order placed.
They phoned the next day to say it was ready, as i was on lates i had time in the morning to jump in the little Kia drive down and get it,


The next day was a lot of faffing. trying to get the seat to fit correctly. First position was too high. Managed to get it in a location that was as low as it would go but i still sat too high
After a quick hone call to Corbeau again they did a seat base with a lot less padding.. perfect.
Run down there again for a straight swap (3rd day in a row!!!)
While I was there I picked up a set of their side mounts, as my mounts were for 8mm bolts, but the seat used 10mm.. i did not fancy opening up the current holes

There side mounts holes were a little different in location too which meant I could actually sit the car a little lower.
Again lots of faffing, then full race suit hans etc on to get the harness set just right, glad I done this as found the with harness tight i was leaned too far back, adjustment and all sorted.. Its the little jobs that take time..
It has taken me longer to fit and set up the seat where i am happy with it that it did to removed and replace the gearbox!
Now it is in i am very happy, also managed whilst all out to wash any remnants of stains off the harnesses as well



so it all smells lovely

Got the car loaded on the trailer before work ready for alignment again nice and early tomorrow



there i think that's everything

Hopefully next up date will be a positive one after Snetterton on the 16th of November with a video too. We shall see all fingers a crossed!!


ayresyboy

I really liked the cage when I popped over.  this machine is looking very professional now! andy
SW20 Gen4 Turbo // SW20 1MZ V6

pistol pete

Well..  little over due an update isn't it

Before I could go to snet I had to sort some kind of door cards..
Before


after


Snetterton... as expected it was very damp all day. Very greasy and slippery

I found (again later on as well). the Avons do not like to cold or damp at all so I feel I lost a lot of time to them and will be changing them out for sprinting, keep the avons just for trackdays as they really needed heat to work

Arriving for its first sprint event


letting a friend share the garage also running a 2zz (yes i beat him but quite a lot)


next to racecat (which yes beat me as expected)


It was a great day, the car ran brilliantly all day, was very pleased. I just struggled getting any heat into the Avons..
here is a clip from the day. inc some sideways actions at the end

https://youtu.be/R3nfBtsTIak

The car go its first trophy.. woohoo
 \:D/  \:D/



Also got this for the year in the racecat


Super pleased to receive this.. it really meant something to me, made my year it really did


We got home and promptly booked a track day at Silverstone full GP low numbers day

At this time the Shogun was my daily and costing me a fortune in fuel. I still wanted to tow so shogun went up for sale and sold pretty quickly. Sad day but it was time..
Unfortunately it went 2 days before silverstone
but i was lucky enough to borrow a van for the weekend



Again I struggled with grip at on track in the damp.. it was just sideways every single corner... It did do some fantastic drifts though I had a lot of fun. was not fast though..
The afternoon dried up and the tyres soon starting working.. when they did the car was fantastic. they will make great track day tyres for next year

Silverstone was a low numbers day on the full GP curcuit , there were a few mad Ferrari's going round total of only 30 cars so i could get many laps in without seeing a single person. it was great to really get to feel with the car.
Ended the day running with the MR2 turbo the we were sharing a garage with. It was a brilliant 6 laps, was pleasantly surprised how well it done against a Turbo.


In silverstone garage

Managed to get a picture of racecat popping some flames (top work Ben)


My go pro decided to stop working. so no videos except one where Ben is following in the RX8. the yokos handle the damp sooo much better than the avons.

https://youtu.be/as5P-dqtAJU

My lines in the vid a awful, simply trying to find somewhere where the car might get some grip! afternoon sessions were soo much better, i was not happy at all in the morning

anyway

Back home first off was to find a more economical replacement for the shogun (it done 20mpg daily.)
I started looking at estates. but i am very much one for wanting the weights to be right, also i really want to put a tyre rack on the trailer at somepoint so nose weigh can become an issue

After much hunting and looking around at different things. i decided on a freelander 2. they have a pretty good rep, loads of toys on them, and they can take 250kg nose weight if you have the right tow bar (i don't need that much)

I then became picky. i wanted Heated seats, leather, cruise control, front rear parking sensors, Auto (as the manual clutches are made from chocolate) and most importantly working nights in winter, a heated front windscreen
I had to have either a HSE or an SE, i was not fussed about colour.

After a couple weeks one came up with a full land rover history. if it needed work (or they told the lady it needed something) it got it. They lived south london and money did not seem to be an issue.

So here it is


I do like the interior


Unfortunately it did not come with a tow bar, after looking around i decided to buy and fit one myself.
These cars are made to tow, they have the plug in the back for the lights. and everything ready on the chassis just to bolt to, so it was easy plug and play
I went for a trust tow bar, with a nose weight of 150kg. that'll be plenty



I have not had a chance to test tow yet, but it has the same power and a bit more torque the the shogun did so i am sure it will be fine, looking forward to trying it

Like said I am a stickler when it comes to tow weights etc and being safe. I weighed the landy just to see



That'll be plenty!

The only issue I have had is a noisy front wheel bearing which I changed last week, other than that its been a joy to drive and easy return over 30mpg. which has made a huge difference



Also got a new phone, so managed to get a good pic of the JCW I get to drive often (its a brilliant little car)



Back to the MR2.
It sat under its cover after Silverstone until a couple of weeks ago. One of the jobs I wanted to tackle before going back on track was the alignment and bushes. We really struggled to get the rear tow to adjust to where I wanted, so used it as an excuse to poly bush everything.

Only issue is it can be fairly expensive. I also like to make things myself. so after a friend mentioned it, I decided to make my own bushes and bought some polyurethane rod

I wanted to changed the engine mounts too but it worked out cheaper to buy the mounts done also the front rear wishbone bushes as they have a large diameter

I got the Sub frame and all the arms out
the front wishbone front bolts were seized in the bush ended up having to cut them out (which was not fun)
also could not release the rear toe bolts so ended up removing the whole sub frame again!





Took into the workshop and lots of heat later and some pressing, the bolts did not give way.. instead it split the sub frame


bugger!

I still needed the arm, by this time some work colleagues were interested and decided to assist

bye bye subframe


next up was pressing out all the old bushes
they were not a good state



some time later a pile appeared




I then washed all the arms in the solvent pressure cleaner and sprayed them all black.

New engine mounts arrived


Then we set about making these into my poly bushes



Here is a friend starting make up the centre bar of the bushes




Our first time turning Polyurethane
 


Pretty pleased how it all turned out





If it helps anyone here are the measurements if you want to make your own

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1N2CKZ21ClVkI7JyXMYDJiIteovVteiOxZMyAmiYqJ6Q/edit?usp=sharing

The full kit is about £277, I paid £35 for the rod.. so some price difference

I used the diagram as reference



Have since cut out the last bush from the hub as did not want to remove the hub from the car and made the last bush tonight, also my brand new sub frame has arrived, soon will get getting it back together.

Whilst I have been doing that I have started some more weight saving.
Removing the rear crash bar, the a little bumper modification (yes the exhaust will get altered at some point)
But I am pleased with the new rear end look





More will be coming soon, a few jobs on the list!

Also the little Silver MR2. has spun a bearing so it will be getting the this cars old engine, which means it will have its roof, seats and engine.
Job for this weekend!!!

pistol pete

Well..  little over due an update isn't it

Before I could go to snet I had to sort some kind of door cards..
Before


after


Snetterton... as expected it was very damp all day. Very greasy and slippery

I found (again later on as well). the Avons do not like to cold or damp at all so I feel I lost a lot of time to them and will be changing them out for sprinting, keep the avons just for trackdays as they really needed heat to work

Arriving for its first sprint event


letting a friend share the garage also running a 2zz (yes i beat him but quite a lot)


next to racecat (which yes beat me as expected)


It was a great day, the car ran brilliantly all day, was very pleased. I just struggled getting any heat into the Avons..
here is a clip from the day. inc some sideways actions at the end

https://youtu.be/R3nfBtsTIak

The car go its first trophy.. woohoo
 \:D/  \:D/



Also got this for the year in the racecat


Super pleased to receive this.. it really meant something to me, made my year it really did


We got home and promptly booked a track day at Silverstone full GP low numbers day

At this time the Shogun was my daily and costing me a fortune in fuel. I still wanted to tow so shogun went up for sale and sold pretty quickly. Sad day but it was time..
Unfortunately it went 2 days before silverstone
but i was lucky enough to borrow a van for the weekend



Again I struggled with grip at on track in the damp.. it was just sideways every single corner... It did do some fantastic drifts though I had a lot of fun. was not fast though..
The afternoon dried up and the tyres soon starting working.. when they did the car was fantastic. they will make great track day tyres for next year

Silverstone was a low numbers day on the full GP curcuit , there were a few mad Ferrari's going round total of only 30 cars so i could get many laps in without seeing a single person. it was great to really get to feel with the car.
Ended the day running with the MR2 turbo the we were sharing a garage with. It was a brilliant 6 laps, was pleasantly surprised how well it done against a Turbo.


In silverstone garage

Managed to get a picture of racecat popping some flames (top work Ben)


My go pro decided to stop working. so no videos except one where Ben is following in the RX8. the yokos handle the damp sooo much better than the avons.

https://youtu.be/as5P-dqtAJU

My lines in the vid a awful, simply trying to find somewhere where the car might get some grip! afternoon sessions were soo much better, i was not happy at all in the morning

anyway

Back home first off was to find a more economical replacement for the shogun (it done 20mpg daily.)
I started looking at estates. but i am very much one for wanting the weights to be right, also i really want to put a tyre rack on the trailer at somepoint so nose weigh can become an issue

After much hunting and looking around at different things. i decided on a freelander 2. they have a pretty good rep, loads of toys on them, and they can take 250kg nose weight if you have the right tow bar (i don't need that much)

I then became picky. i wanted Heated seats, leather, cruise control, front rear parking sensors, Auto (as the manual clutches are made from chocolate) and most importantly working nights in winter, a heated front windscreen
I had to have either a HSE or an SE, i was not fussed about colour.

After a couple weeks one came up with a full land rover history. if it needed work (or they told the lady it needed something) it got it. They lived south london and money did not seem to be an issue.

So here it is


I do like the interior


Unfortunately it did not come with a tow bar, after looking around i decided to buy and fit one myself.
These cars are made to tow, they have the plug in the back for the lights. and everything ready on the chassis just to bolt to, so it was easy plug and play
I went for a trust tow bar, with a nose weight of 150kg. that'll be plenty



I have not had a chance to test tow yet, but it has the same power and a bit more torque the the shogun did so i am sure it will be fine, looking forward to trying it

Like said I am a stickler when it comes to tow weights etc and being safe. I weighed the landy just to see



That'll be plenty!

The only issue I have had is a noisy front wheel bearing which I changed last week, other than that its been a joy to drive and easy return over 30mpg. which has made a huge difference



Also got a new phone, so managed to get a good pic of the JCW I get to drive often (its a brilliant little car)



Back to the MR2.
It sat under its cover after Silverstone until a couple of weeks ago. One of the jobs I wanted to tackle before going back on track was the alignment and bushes. We really struggled to get the rear tow to adjust to where I wanted, so used it as an excuse to poly bush everything.

Only issue is it can be fairly expensive. I also like to make things myself. so after a friend mentioned it, I decided to make my own bushes and bought some polyurethane rod

I wanted to changed the engine mounts too but it worked out cheaper to buy the mounts done also the front rear wishbone bushes as they have a large diameter

I got the Sub frame and all the arms out
the front wishbone front bolts were seized in the bush ended up having to cut them out (which was not fun)
also could not release the rear toe bolts so ended up removing the whole sub frame again!





Took into the workshop and lots of heat later and some pressing, the bolts did not give way.. instead it split the sub frame


bugger!

I still needed the arm, by this time some work colleagues were interested and decided to assist

bye bye subframe


next up was pressing out all the old bushes
they were not a good state



some time later a pile appeared




I then washed all the arms in the solvent pressure cleaner and sprayed them all black.

New engine mounts arrived


Then we set about making these into my poly bushes



Here is a friend starting make up the centre bar of the bushes




Our first time turning Polyurethane
 


Pretty pleased how it all turned out





If it helps anyone here are the measurements if you want to make your own

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1N2CKZ21ClVkI7JyXMYDJiIteovVteiOxZMyAmiYqJ6Q/edit?usp=sharing

The full kit is about £277, I paid £35 for the rod.. so some price difference

I used the diagram as reference



Have since cut out the last bush from the hub as did not want to remove the hub from the car and made the last bush tonight, also my brand new sub frame has arrived, soon will get getting it back together.

Whilst I have been doing that I have started some more weight saving.
Removing the rear crash bar, the a little bumper modification (yes the exhaust will get altered at some point)
But I am pleased with the new rear end look





More will be coming soon, a few jobs on the list!

Also the little Silver MR2. has spun a bearing so it will be getting the this cars old engine, which means it will have its roof, seats and engine.
Job for this weekend!!!

thetyrant

Nice work Pete i was wondering what you were upto, hopefully we meet at the sprints again this year :D
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

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