My 2004 Red Edition (Heidi)

househead · October 9, 2019, 13:10

Smoked side repeater lights (another thanks to @wotugonado )

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househead · October 9, 2019, 13:12

Audi A4 armrest (velcro'd on). A vast improvement on the rover (45 or 75 can't remember) one I had

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wotugonado · October 9, 2019, 13:13

Looking smart, but then I'm slightly biased.

househead · October 10, 2019, 16:59

Today, chrome style exterior door handles installed. I think they look pretty cool, especially if one has the chrome rear strikers installed for the hardtop, and the standard wheels. It's quite a pig of a job to do though and I did end up with a bodywork scratch due to slipping with a screwdriver when releasing the door open "arms". Got a paint man coming soon to do my hard top so I'll get that cleaned up then. Took a bunch of photos so I'll put together a howto soon. Couple of vanity pics for now (and one showing my new scratch)

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Petrus · October 10, 2019, 18:13

They look decidedly classic. I like it.
Congrats!

Like the chrome rings too btw.
I put them in mine last week and was rather skeptical but they really lift the dash up.

househead · October 10, 2019, 18:43

Quote from: Petrus on October 10, 2019, 18:13They look decidedly classic. I like it.
Congrats!

Like the chrome rings too btw.
I put them in mine last week and was rather skeptical but they really lift the dash up.

Thanks mate, I'm really pleased with how she's shaping up!

The chrome handles aren't to everyone's taste but I think they look sweet, especially on a sable

Adds a nice classic look as you say.

Now just to find the chrome mirrors which are rarer than unicorn piss.

Petrus · October 10, 2019, 18:58

Quote from: househead on October 10, 2019, 18:43Now just to find the chrome mirrors which are rarer than unicorn piddle.

I want to drop by the local wrapper and ask him about chrome wrapping them.

wotugonado · October 10, 2019, 19:24

I like the handles, is it compulsory to have the scratch?
Because that could be a deal breaker for me

Petrus · October 10, 2019, 20:18

Quote from: househead on October 10, 2019, 18:43Now just to find the chrome mirrors which are rarer than unicorn piddle.

There is alwasy ebay.com New Side Mirror trim chrome molding accent - fortoyota2

1979scotte · October 10, 2019, 20:42

All looks really pretty.

Now where are the power mods?

househead · October 10, 2019, 21:07

Quote from: wotugonado on October 10, 2019, 19:24I like the handles, is it compulsory to have the scratch?
Because that could be a deal breaker for me

Nah that's just me being a muppet and using a sharp instrument near paintwork. There's two metal arms that the door handle operates, one for the door open and one for the door unlock. In the case of the door open one, it is a nightmare to get out as it's got a push-clip type end. Bloody thing. Got myself a little screwdriver cut too!

househead · October 10, 2019, 21:08

Quote from: Petrus on October 10, 2019, 20:18
Quote from: househead on October 10, 2019, 18:43Now just to find the chrome mirrors which are rarer than unicorn piddle.

There is alwasy ebay.com New Side Mirror trim chrome molding accent - fortoyota2

I want the official ones, or failing that I am interested in how your local wrapper might work on the OEM ones.

househead · October 10, 2019, 21:14

Quote from: 1979scotte on October 10, 2019, 20:42All looks really pretty.

Now where are the power mods?

That's a real good question mate!

I'm still deliberating over which direction to go with that. My thoughts so far...

1zz turbo DIY - Lot to learn for me to DIY one aka lot to go wrong. Does seem the cheapest power:money wise
2zz swap - Seems potentially like the "easiest" engine swap, and I love NA as less to go wrong down the line. Get the feeling it would not be much different from 1zz at low revs though, and that would be a pity for me
2zz turbo - (see 1zz turbo)
v6 - expensive and more complex. New gearbox and also Thinking I may need new clutch and possibly suspension (got KYB/OEM shocks refreshed <10k miles ago). Loads of power though and all the way through the range, crucially at the bottom end too which is where I think I'll enjoy it most.

wotugonado · October 10, 2019, 21:26

Quote from: househead on October 10, 2019, 21:07
Quote from: wotugonado on October 10, 2019, 19:24I like the handles, is it compulsory to have the scratch?
Because that could be a deal breaker for me

Nah that's just me being a muppet and using a sharp instrument near paintwork. There's two metal arms that the door handle operates, one for the door open and one for the door unlock. In the case of the door open one, it is a nightmare to get out as it's got a push-clip type end. Bloody thing. Got myself a little screwdriver cut too!

I would recommend Masking tape but I think you posted recently about how much you didn't rate the stuff

1979scotte · October 10, 2019, 21:29

V6 swap need something with height adjustment.

As far as I am aware those who have tried stock went coil overs quickly

househead · October 10, 2019, 21:45

Quote from: 1979scotte on October 10, 2019, 21:29V6 swap need something with height adjustment.

As far as I am aware those who have tried stock went coil overs quickly

I think I'd be more inclined to go with the Koni sports shocks. Don't think I have the knowledge or patience for too much adjusting and tweaking.

Tbh I'm hesitant to touch suspension because it does feel great as it is and they were refreshed so recently by previous owner (got receipts). As for height, it's on Tein S right now which I think is 30mm lowered front and back.

househead · October 10, 2019, 21:46

Quote from: wotugonado on October 10, 2019, 21:26
Quote from: househead on October 10, 2019, 21:07
Quote from: wotugonado on October 10, 2019, 19:24I like the handles, is it compulsory to have the scratch?
Because that could be a deal breaker for me

Nah that's just me being a muppet and using a sharp instrument near paintwork. There's two metal arms that the door handle operates, one for the door open and one for the door unlock. In the case of the door open one, it is a nightmare to get out as it's got a push-clip type end. Bloody thing. Got myself a little screwdriver cut too!

I would recommend Masking tape but I think you posted recently about how much you didn't rate the stuff

It's fine ... until you get the damn stuff wet. It would have saved me in this situation tho. I hadn't banked on being such a twit. Lessons learnt!

wotugonado · October 10, 2019, 21:54

Petrus · October 10, 2019, 21:55

Quote from: househead on October 10, 2019, 21:14
Quote from: 1979scotte on October 10, 2019, 20:42All looks really pretty.

Now where are the power mods?

That's a real good question mate!

I'm still deliberating over which direction to go with that. My thoughts so far...

1zz turbo DIY - Lot to learn for me to DIY one aka lot to go wrong. Does seem the cheapest power:money wise
2zz swap - Seems potentially like the "easiest" engine swap, and I love NA as less to go wrong down the line. Get the feeling it would not be much different from 1zz at low revs though, and that would be a pity for me
2zz turbo - (see 1zz turbo)
v6 - expensive and more complex. New gearbox and also Thinking I may need new clutch and possibly suspension (got KYB/OEM shocks refreshed <10k miles ago). Loads of power though and all the way through the range, crucially at the bottom end too which is where I think I'll enjoy it most.

For me, on a budget I would try source a TRD compressor kit for the 1ZZ (modified it would fit without bulkhead mods) and if a money tree would sprout on the farm, I´d go Rotrex or V.A.G. VR6.

I have no hands-on experience/knowledge base in the whole of Spain to fall back on but even so stíll have the TRD compressor on my wish list. From what I can find, on the larger pully and 8 psi it gives about 190 hp but the cracker is grunt from low down. Supersimpel, hardly a weight penalty.

househead · October 10, 2019, 23:34

I'd hardly even considered the supercharger option due to the lack of availability of options that aren't stupid expensive. Would happily pickup a TRD supercharger at reasonable price if one was to come along!

Carolyn · October 11, 2019, 09:33

'Picking up a supercharger' would only be the start of it. To accommodate it you have to chop the car about quite a bit. Then there's the ducting and making it work.....

An Eaton M45 will fit. Same basic unit as the TRD.

If you go that route (I have) you'll be making a custom exhaust too.

Petrus · October 11, 2019, 09:50

Quote from: Carolyn on October 11, 2019, 09:33'Picking up a supercharger' would only be the start of it. To accommodate it you have to chop the car about quite a bit. Then there's the ducting and making it work.....

The complete TRD kit was a dealer fit plug&play for all 1ZZ-FE engined cars.
It was designed to fit with the OEM layout and was even legal in California.
Bolting it to the inlet side sets the pully in line with the OEM belt and an idler to wrap the belt around correctly comes in the kit.
From what I read on other models´ fora the OEM intake is used and a fifth injector takes care of the extra fuel with a TRD piggy back ECU sorting the settings.

On the MR2 the bulkhead is in the way but I read on several Spyderchat threads that they* modified the compressor to fit without interference. Not even needing to hammer dents in the bulkhead.
* The ´Corky´ bloke of brace fame was involved.

IF, big IF, this is founded, then the TRD kit is rather a dark horse ideal set up.
Because of lack of info I have passed up on it but over the year have seen a fex complete kits sold for under 1k $. I would budget 2k € nów if that would get me a running car.
The huge thing of this kit is that it is a TRD dealer fit and should not raise eybrwos at periodic inspection. It should even be possible to have it entered in the vehicle documentation.

p.s. your Mini solution looks brilliant. There is more space at the exhaust side but by Jove is the routing of inlet and exhaust trick! Looks WOW!! Can´t see it pass periodic inspection though and now way Toyota will write a conformity brief :-(

househead · October 11, 2019, 10:00

I would have expected the TRD kit to come with all that's needed and some handy instructions. I realise that they're pretty much unobtainable now in that kit form.

Step 1 - source supercharger
Step 2 - contact @Carolyn and cry for help

Seriously tho ... if I diy forced induction, I have a hell of a lot to learn. I do like to diy and learn though, and I like to save money. Only thing that worries me is screwing it up and/or having the car in an undriveable state for long periods

Zxrob · October 11, 2019, 10:05

Quote from: househead on October 9, 2019, 13:04Couple of pics I just took after some small appearance based mods. Split over a few posts due to massive iPhone photo files sizes and per-post restrictions!

First up, the headlights...

The decent one...

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The less decent one...

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I have an 04 RED model, just gonna keep mine standard though, I did revamp my headlights recently and so far so good, came up really well, time will tell

Rob

Petrus · October 11, 2019, 10:12

Quote from: househead on October 11, 2019, 10:00Step 1 - source supercharger
Step 2 - contact @Carolyn and cry for help

I would like to assure step 2. before ending up with step 1. in the box ;-)

The TRD kit is supposed to be such that Carolynne, with her experience and assorted parts stock would sort it in a short time. Not so over here and that has stopped me from making an offer on stuff.