MR2 MK3 FL Track Car

[Kaveney]

I have got a MR2 MK3 FL that I will be using as my track day car so thought I would start a build thread .


So after my Ring trip in August the track car I had built ( see below ) I just about managed to bring the Saxo VTS home but after going through a few bits and weighing up all options i have had a change of plans sold the Saxo .


 m http://www.cliosport.net/threads/saxo-v ... ar.803723/ m



On Saturday I picked up the Saxo VTS replacement .



It's a MK3 MR2 facelift that had the 6 speed gear box and does not suffer the engine problems like the first ones pre 2003 .



The car is in great condition with no to very little rust under the car and divers very well indeed .



I was looking at an MX5 but the problems with rust have just put me off and I like the MR2 better ( I did run a MR2 REV 3 Turbo )



WP_20170826_15_09_30_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20170828_19_26_42_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr



WP_20170828_19_27_13_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


The plan is to build it up ready for next year where we will be going to the Ring again but will look to take in some UK track days as well .



Plans are Suspension coilovers , ARB , tyres , brakes , exhaust , induction , bracing and any other things .



The T sport 190 BHP engine swap is said to be easy so I might look in to that later .



The car is 975 KG in stock form so I plan to get this down to around 930 KG



The car is now sat in the garage and will be until the new year but first thing done is a Mat performance chassis brace .



V__DA93[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


At the weekend work has started on the MR2 .


Fist things done have been to strip the car of some weight so removed has been the below


Wind deflector

Front storage trunk

Front mats

Sound carpet

Pop up aerial

Fog lights

Mud guards

Storage bins and doors

Sound Tar stuff

Spear wheel

Tool kit

Jack

Exhaust Heat shield

Other plastic / metal bits and bobs



With this little lit removed I make it 35 Kg taken out of the car so with the stock weight at 975 Kg the car is now at around 940 Kg .



And a few photos of the work done .


WP_20170916_12_43_59_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20170916_12_44_56_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20170917_13_29_32_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20170917_13_31_08_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr



At the weekend I cracked on with some more work on the MR2 .


To gain access to the exhaust and other bits I removed the rear bumper to free up some room .


WP_20170930_12_59_40_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Then removed the manifold , cat and exhaust system .


WP_20170930_16_34_13_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Old exhaust and manifold .


WP_20170930_16_35_34_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr

WP_20170930_16_35_57_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


The problem with the pre cat manifold is that the cat structure can break down and be sucked back in to the engine causing damage so it was good to see they are all in tact .


WP_20170930_16_36_31_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


And to finish off I removed the MAP sensor and gave it a clean .


WP_20171001_16_13_21_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr

[1979scotte]

Hi
FL cars can be as heavy as 1050kg if you have AC and SMT.
Sorry to tell you this but unless you have a late 05 onwards car you can still have oil control ring problems.
Check the oil every week to start with and change it if you aren't 100% certain that it has been done recently.
2zz swap is great option for a track car.
Enjoy it's a great car for road or track.

[mikek]

Exhaust and manifold swap will save you a load of weight

[smarty72]

The FL cars have heavier doors too as a result of side impact beams.

[Kaveney]

I will keep an eye on the oil but there is a leek coming from the head I think but only small .

The pre cats don't have any oil stains on them and are not burnt / broken so if the car was burning some oil would this not be visible on the pre cats .

The car does not have air con and SMT so should be a few Kg lighter .

[smarty72]

Does the leak appear to be coming from the right hand side (as you look from the rear of the car)?

If so, it's likely to be leaking from the chain tensioner, fixed by replacing the 'O' ring, a simple ten minute job.

[Kaveney]

Yes that's the one it is from the right hand side if you are looking from behind the car .

Its hard to see if it is from the top then dripping down the block .

Regards

Does the leak appear to be coming from the right hand side (as you look from the rear of the car)?

If so, it's likely to be leaking from the chain tensioner, fixed by replacing the 'O' ring, a simple ten minute job.

[smarty72]

Sounds like the chain tensioner.
Carolyn has written an excellent 'how to' with regards to its replacement;

Understanding your chain tensioner.

 m https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_ ... are_type=t m

[J03]

That looks extremely tidy underneath!

[Kaveney]

Many thanks I will take a look .

Regards

Sounds like the chain tensioner.
Carolyn has written an excellent 'how to' with regards to its replacement;

Understanding your chain tensioner.

 m https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_ ... are_type=t m

[Kaveney]

It is very clean and very little to no rust on the sub frame or under the car so it looks like a good base to start with .

Regards

That looks extremely tidy underneath!

[Kaveney]

Another little update


I installed my PPE induction intake that I got from the USA that sits behind the battery where the side air scoop is .


WP_20171007_12_55_53_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20171007_12_56_04_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Then I change the shifter bush to solid brass units .


WP_20171007_13_08_45_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Old OEM rubber and new brass unit


WP_20171007_13_09_56_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20171007_13_10_08_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Installed


WP_20171007_13_17_47_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Then I fitted a front Ultra Racing strut brace


WP_20171007_14_34_18_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20171007_14_34_26_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Then to finish off I remover the old rear ARB and drop links .


WP_20171007_15_12_46_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20171007_15_12_52_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


There is still loads to do but we are off and running .

[Kaveney]

I got some more things done on the MR2 at the weekend .



 I rubbed down and sprayed up the rear sub frame in black stone chip .



WP_20171015_16_32_39_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20171015_16_32_33_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr



 The it was on to install the short shifter with solid shifter bush .



 Removed the cover and disconnected the shifter .



WP_20171014_14_12_14_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr



 Old and new shifter


WP_20171014_15_01_53_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20171014_15_02_05_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr



 Old warn rubber bush and new solid bush



WP_20171014_15_33_21_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr



 Installed and re greased


WP_20171014_15_33_32_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr



 Installed and working very well with a nice solid short shift action



WP_20171014_16_39_29_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr



 I won a Toyosports manifold on bay so gave it a bit of a clean and will heat wrap it before installing .


WP_20171014_10_55_52_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20171014_10_55_46_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20171014_10_55_32_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr



 And to finish up I installed the battery back in the car that sits just in front of the PPE induction .


WP_20171015_16_46_31_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr

[shnazzle]

Nice progress and kit

[Kaveney]

Its getting there a few more thins to do tho .

Nice progress and kit

[m1tch]

How are you finding that induction setup?

[Kaveney]

Im not yet as the car is still in bits

Looks a good bit of kit and I can see it would be good sitting behind the battery .

I will report later when it is back on the road .

How are you finding that induction setup?

[m1tch]

I'm not yet as the car is still in bits

Looks a good bit of kit and I can see it would be good sitting behind the battery .

I will report later when it is back on the road .

How are you finding that induction setup?

Might be worth plugging an OBD reader into the car and check the intake air temps, although with it in front of the battery it should be shielded from the exhaust and get fresh air from the side vent.

[shnazzle]

It'll be grand back there. Fresh flow of air and while driving the hot air will be going in the opposite direction. It'll get hot at standstill but not noticeable.
Could shield it if you're handy with sheet alu

[ilovejapcrap]

Great thread

[Kaveney]

A few more updates done at the weekend .


Rear Whiteline ARB installed with new bush .


WP_20171028_12_53_49_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr

WP_20171028_12_54_05_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Thicker new vs old .


WP_20171028_13_05_50_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


HD drop links .


WP_20171028_13_25_05_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


And installed .


WP_20171028_13_30_30_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Manifold all heat wrapped and O2 spacers installed


WP_20171028_12_23_20_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


WP_20171028_17_30_04_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


Cobra exhaust ready to be installed .


WP_20171028_15_16_54_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr


And installed .


WP_20171028_17_29_49_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr

[JNikas7]

Old and new shifter


ImageWP_20171014_15_01_53_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr

Hello! Is this the TRD short shifter or just the common e-bay one?

Most of the parts you have fitted are on my watching list!  s:D s:D    s:D s:D  

By the way your car looks fantastic!

[Kaveney]

It is just the Ebay one but installed with the solid shifter bush the gear throw is very nice very solid and a nice shorter throw .

Thanks you its coming along ok so far and I cant wait to get it on track soon .

Regards

Old and new shifter


ImageWP_20171014_15_01_53_Pro[1] by Alan Kaveney, on Flickr

Hello! Is this the TRD short shifter or just the common e-bay one?

Most of the parts you have fitted are on my watching list!  s:D s:D    s:D s:D  

By the way your car looks fantastic!

[JNikas7]

Ok thnx for that.
I will just replace the gear bushes with the brass for now and change the oil with the MT90.
Planning to go on my 2nd track day this month.
Hopefully that's going to improve the shifting as on my 1st track day on Mallory Park I was really really struggling to go from 3rd to 2nd and the opposite even if I heel-toeing after a few quick laps.

[Kaveney]

I would really recommend the short shift as for £ 40.00 ish you get the solid base bush and it really makes the throw super short and stiff and takes out any soft movement .

Regards

Ok thnx for that.
I will just replace the gear bushes with the brass for now and change the oil with the MT90.
Planning to go on my 2nd track day this month.
Hopefully that's going to improve the shifting as on my 1st track day on Mallory Park I was really really struggling to go from 3rd to 2nd and the opposite even if I heel-toeing after a few quick laps.