My Blue 2002 MR2 - Meeerrk's Track car build (LOCKED)

[tomaky]

picked up off FB.

[js1mr2]

sorry to hijack how much difference does matt's brace make on facelift?

I fitted a Corky's under car brace and noticed a significant difference with the handling feeling noticeably sharper. I then changed to Matt's brace, was nightmare to fit as one of the 6 bolts snapped which cost quite a bit to be re-tapped by a garage and had to adjust the 'H' brace which fits on top of it at the front. When I finally got it on I didn't notice much improvement over the Corky's to be honest (which I must get round to selling!)

When I was messing around trying to fit Matt's brace I had to remove the FL 'H' brace and drove it for a week and the front end felt alarmingly vague without it, going in to roundabouts at the same speed as I previously had resulted in the front end washing wide with little warning. I'd definitely recommend trying to find one if you can.

[shnazzle]

Odd that you had so much trouble fitting it. I'm on a Facelift but nothing needed removing. Also,  6 bolts? I only remember 4 unless I've forgotten already.

[Anonymous]

You can get a x brace from corky as well that is 10 bolts from memory. Also the lower corky front is better than stock fl because it has cross bracing as well. Also the rear lower corky attaches at more points than anything else I have seen, honestly worth a look.

[MilesH]

Incase anybody is thinking of getting the Corky brace/s, I emailed him last night and he said he is retiring and has limited stock, so might be worth getting in quick!

[Anonymous]

I'm going to see how mine is with the ARBs, Coilovers, and cage fitted.

To be honest I found it really good as it was, just needed less body roll to stop the weight shifting.

If I find i need to dial out some understeer I'll look at options then.

[tomaky]

ARB's might be the next thing on my lift then i will probably stop i hope/think/probably not.

[Anonymous]

100% not!

[MilesH]

From chatting to people it appears that with a decent cage, the need for additional under bracing is largely irrelvant, and that along with adjustable arb's front and rear and a decent set of coilovers there is enough stiffness and adjustment to create a well handling car - wet and dry.

[js1mr2]

Odd that you had so much trouble fitting it. I'm on a Facelift but nothing needed removing. Also,  6 bolts? I only remember 4 unless I've forgotten already.

On mine there was a bolt at each corner and then two in the centre towards the rear where the standard 'mechano' brace bolts. I haven't come across anyone else having any issues fitting but mine was a bit of a nightmare and in hindsight probably would have just stuck with the corkys breastplate.

[Anonymous]

Well it's been all quiet on the mr2 front since the suspension marathon.

I've ordered the bits to finish the arb install.

I'm also planning to remove the stereo, centre console and build a new one a bit like the rouge centre panel, but with an oil gauge, battery shut off, go pro remote and usb power outlet. Oh, and also a charging connector for my CTEk charger.

I'll also buy or make door cards like rouge sell too and still waiting for my rear cage / roll hoop to be delivered.

Been a bit busy tarting up the tow car, after taking us 4 up around Germany, Belgium and Netherlands at Christmas, coving 750 miles in a single tank of fuel (58mpg!) I felt like treating it to some upgrades; retro fit xenon headlights and gloss grills up front and Dark line rears, plus a much needed clean!!





Unfortunately for the MR2, I won't be doing any more work / anything that requires money to be spent until May now, because we booked a rather elaborate holiday yesterday for April, so not much time to save up! Bit of a shame because I was hoping to do a few track days in the next couple of months - but we haven't had a proper holiday for a few years so something's got to give  s:) s:)

[MrStev3]

Bmw looks good.
The car will still be there after the holiday so go enjoy !!

[MilesH]

I used a 530d as a tow car for a while, it was a great car to tow with and far better than my current Freelander!

Do you know the max tow weight of the 320d as the idea of a 'slightly' smaller estate than a 5 series is appealing.

[Sadlebag]

Just a had a really good read of your thread, you have done some very good work far and I take my hat off to you sir for some of your track days in the wet, ballsy!!!

I have just picked up my car to start my 2zz conversion, I have a celica sat on my drive with a fully rebuilt 2zzge and stage 2 cams in so I think im probably go to do a very similar build to you just backwards, all booked in with a guy called Patrick, over on IMOC, for March 1st so my aim is for a short track sprint for 20 mins at castle combe in May!

Also noticed you are in Hampshire, i live in Fareham myself!

[Anonymous]

I used a 530d as a tow car for a while, it was a great car to tow with and far better than my current Freelander!

Do you know the max tow weight of the 320d as the idea of a 'slightly' smaller estate than a 5 series is appealing.

I was looking at a 530d but I didn't like the interior (cheap feel) and was a bit big for my every day car. The 3er is great I really do love it, which I'm surprised about.

I think the tow limit is 1600kg for this one. Enough for the MR2 and a heavy trailer.

[Anonymous]

Just a had a really good read of your thread, you have done some very good work far and I take my hat off to you sir for some of your track days in the wet, ballsy!!!

I have just picked up my car to start my 2zz conversion, I have a celica sat on my drive with a fully rebuilt 2zzge and stage 2 cams in so I think I'm probably go to do a very similar build to you just backwards, all booked in with a guy called Patrick, over on IMOC, for March 1st so my aim is for a short track sprint for 20 mins at castle combe in May!

Also noticed you are in Hampshire, i live in Fareham myself!

Hiya, sounds really interesting! Farnham isn't all that far really, we often go down to gunwharf.

Interested to hear about Patrick, where is he based?

What swap manifold are you going for? What are you doing regarding wiring, rep inning the loom and. Adding the vvtli plugs?

[Anonymous]

Bmw looks good.
The car will still be there after the holiday so go enjoy !!

When you going to Vegas...might see you there  s:D s:D

[MrStev3]

I'm in Arizona until the 12th then Vegas  :-) :-) :-)  until the 19th

[Anonymous]

I'm in Arizona until the 12th then Vegas  :-) :-) :-)  until the 19th

Which month?

[MrStev3]

This month sorry ooops
Yeah going Friday hence the track car in hold so I can shoot guns, gamble, drive and get drunk and fat yes fat lol

[tommyzoom99]

Cars looking good mate, just been looking through the thread especially the front end tidy up looks good, hopefully mine won't take too long getting the wishbone of was a nightmare tho

Cheers Tommy

[Sadlebag]

Hiya, sounds really interesting! Farnham isn't all that far really, we often go down to gunwharf.

Interested to hear about Patrick, where is he based?

What swap manifold are you going for? What are you doing regarding wiring, rep inning the loom and. Adding the vvtli plugs?

Not at all, Im a regular on Celica club UK as ive owned celicas for the last 6 years, i even organise an annual meet up portsdown hill with about 35 cars.

He is based in Eastbourne so going to drive down with the new engine where the passenger seat goes. He charges Approx £1000 for the conversion but you have to supply the engine and box and the manifold, I'm going with the one off Monkey Wrench Racing (£300) as it was recommended by him by to be honest I'm not all that clued up to what a good manifold is on the MR2???

He uses the 1zzge wiring loom and solders in the VVTLI solenoid and oil pressure switch into it. He then re pins the ECU plug to suit. I have a fair old big list on my car which i need to sort on mine first ideally... Should really start a thread.

[Anonymous]

This month sorry ooops
Yeah going Friday hence the track car in hold so I can shoot guns, gamble, drive and get drunk and fat yes fat lol

Have a great time bet you can't wait

[Anonymous]

Just paid for my roll hoop and arranged delivery for next Monday ... Can't wait  s:) s:)

[js1mr2]

Where did you buy the roll over hoop from?