Now for the ol' razzle shnazzle

Started by MrChris, March 20, 2022, 19:52

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MrChris

Quote from: shnazzle on September 27, 2022, 12:48Get in!!
Freakin sweet

 >:D

I cannot believe how well the BCs performed too. They're getting some new bearings soon, but the dampers are still good. I'll just replace those as and when they actually fail. I met a guy there with a 300bhp Nissan 370z, when I saw him later in the day he said he wished he had a light car like my MR2  ;D

Carolyn

Quote from: MrChris on September 27, 2022, 10:18The only problems were fuel starvation at the end of the day where I didn't realise the fuel had got so low, a sharp right-hander sloshed it all away from the fuel pump.

If you're going to do a lot of this track stuff, you want to be careful about oil pressure on right-handers too.  Especially long right handers.  The oil can go the the left hand side of the pan and uncover the scoop in the sump.  Result a spun bearing or two!  Make sure you keep the oil level right up.
Perry Byrnes Memorial Award 2016, 2018.  Love this club. 
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=63866.0

shnazzle

Did I include the extra baffled sump or the OEM sump?
I'm pretty sure I put the one that Carolyn modified in the passenger footwell 
...neutiquam erro.

cptspaulding

Quote from: shnazzle on September 28, 2022, 15:31I put the one that Carolyn modified in the passenger footwell
That might help on the long right handers. Would you move it into the driver's footwell for the left handers? Sounds like a faff to me.
Former owner 2003, 2zz conversion.

MrChris

Quote from: Carolyn on September 28, 2022, 12:04If you're going to do a lot of this track stuff, you want to be careful about oil pressure on right-handers too.  Especially long right handers.  The oil can go the the left hand side of the pan and uncover the scoop in the sump.  Result a spun bearing or two!  Make sure you keep the oil level right up.

I absolutely plan to do more track driving! Interestingly, the fellow owner of the blue 2 said he had recently replaced spun bearings on his 2. Fairly bodge job he seemed to be saying but he was amazed that the engine just continued to work. I don't personally know what is involved as I've not done that sort of work before but he did seem to suggest it was quite easy work? :o

Quote from: shnazzle on September 28, 2022, 15:31Did I include the extra baffled sump or the OEM sump?
I'm pretty sure I put the one that Carolyn modified in the passenger footwell

Yup you did include the baffled one, the OEM was already installed. Swapping them over was one of the first jobs I did. Gives a lot of peace of mind and very glad it was there.

@cptspaulding  ;D

Carolyn

@MrChris:  Dropping the pan and swapping out a couple of spun bearings is fine- until you damage the big end of the con-rod or the surface of the crank.  Best to avoid it.  The quick fix with standard shells will get you by, but remember you've just dumped metal into the oil and round your engine. 
Perry Byrnes Memorial Award 2016, 2018.  Love this club. 
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=63866.0

Call the midlife!

Quote from: MrChris on September 28, 2022, 16:00I absolutely plan to do more track driving! Interestingly, the fellow owner of the blue 2 said he had recently replaced spun bearings on his 2. Fairly bodge job he seemed to be saying but he was amazed that the engine just continued to work. I don't personally know what is involved as I've not done that sort of work before but he did seem to suggest it was quite easy work? :o

Yup you did include the baffled one, the OEM was already installed. Swapping them over was one of the first jobs I did. Gives a lot of peace of mind and very glad it was there.

@cptspaulding  ;D

Replacing spun bearings with the engine out and on a stand is tricky enough to do right, doing it right with the engine in place and dropping the pan is a massive pain in the rear, especially if you can't get it on a lift.
You need a fair degree of competence either way and if you "bodge" them you stand as much chance of them spinning or knocking the first turn of the key.
60% of the time it works everytime...

MrChris

@Carolyn @Call the midlife!  - I guess I will be treading very carefully then if I'm ever in that situation (hopefully not).

In other news, went out to have a look at the brakes to see if anything was leaking and noticed bubbles in the master cylinder. Am thinking it might be done.

MrChris

Very small update. As per my maintenance thread, my brakes are slightly better than they were but I've not got a solid pedal.

Next steps are to try bleeding again. Failing that I will try and double check things like the brake booster.

Had some goodies show up from BC Racing today. 2 sets of bearings for the front shocks. I'm hoping this should make quite the difference because the existing bearings are pretty much shot. They look and feel great anyway:




MrChris

Weekend in the Yorkshire dales, rain and fog spoiled the views somewhat but still enjoyable. Brakes still not perfect, one or two quick pumps while driving and the pedal feels as it should, definitely some air still in the system then.

Car performing well otherwise.




shnazzle

Quote from: MrChris on November  2, 2022, 21:34Weekend in the Yorkshire dales, rain and fog spoiled the views somewhat but still enjoyable. Brakes still not perfect, one or two quick pumps while driving and the pedal feels as it should, definitely some air still in the system then.

Car performing well otherwise.




It's well familiar with those roads :) 
...neutiquam erro.

Alex Knight

Quote from: MrChris on November  2, 2022, 21:34Weekend in the Yorkshire dales, rain and fog spoiled the views somewhat but still enjoyable. Brakes still not perfect, one or two quick pumps while driving and the pedal feels as it should, definitely some air still in the system then.

Car performing well otherwise.





Many years ago, I fitted a set of brand new Tarox grooved discs to my ST205 GT-Four.

I had terrible problems trying to get a good pedal, and bled the system many, many times. It didn't work.

I put the old discs back on in desperation and the pedal feel was immediately back to form all the time.

It turned out that the brand new discs were warped very, very slightly and causing pad knock off.

MrChris

Quote from: Alex Knight on November  6, 2022, 08:29Many years ago, I fitted a set of brand new Tarox grooved discs to my ST205 GT-Four.

I had terrible problems trying to get a good pedal, and bled the system many, many times. It didn't work.

I put the old discs back on in desperation and the pedal feel was immediately back to form all the time.

It turned out that the brand new discs were warped very, very slightly and causing pad knock off.

Now that is interesting... I believe the fronts on mine are newish discs and the rears are quite old (drilled and grooved).

One thing I have noticed is the car is diving to the left sometimes under braking, making me think the front calipers are past there best. The rears have been replaced recently.

Alex Knight

Quote from: MrChris on November  6, 2022, 20:33Now that is interesting... I believe the fronts on mine are newish discs and the rears are quite old (drilled and grooved).

One thing I have noticed is the car is diving to the left sometimes under braking, making me think the front calipers are past there best. The rears have been replaced recently.

I also had an issue way back in circa 2013/14 with my car diving to the left under braking. After much investigation it was traced to a goosed damper (I can't remember which side), so bear in mind it's not always related to brakes.

MrChris

Quote from: Alex Knight on November  7, 2022, 16:58I also had an issue way back in circa 2013/14 with my car diving to the left under braking. After much investigation it was traced to a goosed damper (I can't remember which side), so bear in mind it's not always related to brakes.

Thanks, good to know... was hoping my dampers would last a bit longer. Going to start with the brakes first, got a rebuild kit on the way including new pistons. Hopefully this will resolve the brake issue first!

MrChris

Had a look at the brakes today. Offside front had clearly seen better days.




Replaced the piston and boot with new. Test drive revealed a moderate improvement in braking. Need to do the other side for sure.

Also found that the rear pads are not moving particularly freely in their mounts so I will need to clean them up.

But yes... Progress. The car is definitely braking better, stronger and I can rule out the shock absorber being at fault too.

MrChris

Time for an update: a very, very cold day at Donington.

There was a late start due to ice and sub-zero temperatures (which didn't really improve until after midday). The organiser was gritting the track and trying to melt the ice.

Red flags were a relatively constant feature of the day and I ended up leaving early due to a number of factors, one being the driving standards. The time I had out was enjoyable though.

As for the car:
Doesn't miss a beat really.

Great fun as always, love rotating it round the corners and the great balance.

Tyres are still the same ones that came with it when I bought it off @shnazzle - they've got plenty of life left but I'm learning that the Dunlop Sport Maxx on the rear are abysmal when they have no heat and struggle in the wet, resulting in the rear stepping out quite a bit.

My next track day will be a warmer one and I plan on getting some AD08Rs at some point. Hoping these will help the general track holding of the car.

Suspension seems to be holding up well, it's all been refurbished including new bearings and springs (as detailed in my previous posts). I'm really surprised the dampers are still going, I might look to replace these later this year, but if it ain't broke...

Brakes are good, Yellowstuff pads are still going! Refurbished/new calipers inspires confidence though I've still got a bit of mushyness in the pedal, going to have to spend some more time bleeding, possibly get a new master cylinder just to rule that out (though I'll be damned if I can find one for sale that's not left-hand drive?!).

Really starting to feel like I need more power as too many things were overtaking me on the straights. Corners: not so much. Chatted to a nice chap with a GT86 - a car I've been eyeing up as a potential successor to my MR2 - he advised to stick with the MR2.

Where are my manners? Here's some pictures  ;D




shnazzle

Warms the cockles that does.
Thanks for posting

Insane how little body roll it has. 
...neutiquam erro.

MrChris

#143
Quote from: shnazzle on January 24, 2023, 21:13Warms the cockles that does.
Thanks for posting

Insane how little body roll it has.

Yeah it's so flat through the corners, the guy in the 86 (with coilovers, corner weighted and a remap :o ) said he was struggling to get past until he got to the straight and even then it was a struggle. Amazing that the cars are 10 years apart.

cptspaulding

Quote from: MrChris on January 24, 2023, 20:55Time for an update: a very, very cold day at Donington.

There was a late start due to ice and sub-zero temperatures (which didn't really improve until after midday). The organiser was gritting the track and trying to melt the ice.

Red flags were a relatively constant feature of the day and I ended up leaving early due to a number of factors, one being the driving standards. The time I had out was enjoyable though.

As for the car:
Doesn't miss a beat really.

Great fun as always, love rotating it round the corners and the great balance.

Tyres are still the same ones that came with it when I bought it off @shnazzle - they've got plenty of life left but I'm learning that the Dunlop Sport Maxx on the rear are abysmal when they have no heat and struggle in the wet, resulting in the rear stepping out quite a bit.

My next track day will be a warmer one and I plan on getting some AD08Rs at some point. Hoping these will help the general track holding of the car.

Suspension seems to be holding up well, it's all been refurbished including new bearings and springs (as detailed in my previous posts). I'm really surprised the dampers are still going, I might look to replace these later this year, but if it ain't broke...

Brakes are good, Yellowstuff pads are still going! Refurbished/new calipers inspires confidence though I've still got a bit of mushyness in the pedal, going to have to spend some more time bleeding, possibly get a new master cylinder just to rule that out (though I'll be damned if I can find one for sale that's not left-hand drive?!).

Really starting to feel like I need more power as too many things were overtaking me on the straights. Corners: not so much. Chatted to a nice chap with a GT86 - a car I've been eyeing up as a potential successor to my MR2 - he advised to stick with the MR2.

Where are my manners? Here's some pictures  ;D





Good to see this car finally being driven properly  :P
Former owner 2003, 2zz conversion.

shnazzle

Quote from: cptspaulding on January 24, 2023, 21:28Good to see this car finally being driven properly  :P
... In a legal setting... 
...neutiquam erro.

MrChris

#146
Exactly 1 year to the day and I've still got this 2! Previously I was changing cars more than my underwear...

So I thought I'd give a little summary of all work to date. I also gave it a blast out earlier today to celebrate ;D

March 2022
Installed baffled sump
Full service including oil and all filters.

April 2022
Subframe welded and replaced.
Refurbed rear control arms installed.
Full underbody rust treatment and prevention.
2 new rear calipers installed.

June 2022
Rear subframe bolts replaced.

July 2022
MOT failure x2 :(

September 2022
Replacement of rear springs from @AJRFulton.
Replacement of front springs from BC Racing.
Full refurb of front suspension top mounts from BC Racing.
New rear anti-roll bar links.
MOT passed with no advisories!
4-wheel Hunter alignment.

January 2023
Brake fluid replaced with Motul RBF 600.

March 2023
Replaced 2x front calipers and carriers/sliders.
New rear discs installed.
Gearbox oil change.
Full service with all filters.

Various 2022/23
New pads as and when required.
Air filter cleaning and oiling as and when.
Bought a radiator (because one went pop on my old 2) but still to be installed as this one seems good so far.

It's been a little bit of a rollercoaster this one. And I do believe @shnazzle thought it was destined for the scrapper at one point too. After all the work I must say that it has been worth it. Yes, it was quite (very) cheap but I've learned a hell of a lot along the way. It's now running pretty much perfectly as far as I can tell (touch wood) and it's standing up to repeated track days and trips when the weather is good.

My original plan for the car was to get something cheap as a track hack. It's certainly fulfilled that role but I've not been on as many track days as I'd have liked, mainly on account of it being SORNd for the best part of last year.

I will certainly be keeping this 2 for another year at least and then perhaps beyond. I'm looking to treat myself to something a bit more "serious" in the next year or two but I'm hoping whatever happens I can just keep this little 2 as well.

Some pics below to mark the 1st year (including one of my little helper who sadly passed recently). I particularly like the first one where I was trying to provoke it more and more every time around this corner at Bedford but it just gripped/slid beautifully.







MrChris

MOT time has rolled around again. Started with a fail due to the handbrake being inoperative on one side. Readjusted it by rotating the piston in and then back out a bit to engage the handbrake mechanism. Passed today at 24% efficiency (so way above minimum apparently and rock solid). For those interested the cables I used are ABS brand from Autodoc and working well, both cables moving in unison etc.

This 2 just keeps going, it's still mechanically sound and drives impeccably. I could do with replacing some of the screws in the interior (mainly for the luggage compartments) to stop some rattles. The exterior has looked better given that the rear quarter panel on the driver's side is still dented and it has a few scratches not that you'd necessarily know from the picture below.

With everything I've been through with this 2 and despite its battle scars I've decided to keep this for longer than my initial thought of 1-2 years so will not be parting with it for at least another year... and even then, I'm not sure it's really worth a lot on the second hand market so may just keep it full stop.



puma2

 :) well document and good way to show and remember what has been done if you ever sell as well :)  :)

MrChris

Quote from: puma2 on August 31, 2023, 11:45:) well document and good way to show and remember what has been done if you ever sell as well :)  :)

Thanks yeah it's also cathartic in a way to be able to write about it to a semi-interested audience ;)

I should also note: NO advisories  ;D

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