tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
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This section of the forum is a great resource if you're looking for ideas, and it's a cool way of obtaining technical information that may otherwise not have been posted. (Members can use the Search functionality at top right of the forum to speed up finding things) Please respect others' contributions and don't diss anyone - keep comments helpful, factual, positive and polite. One thread per vehicle or owner please - don't start lots of threads about just one car. And if you need assistance with your car and want to host a spanner day, please use the appropriate section of the forum: http://mr2.org.nz/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=35 Thank you.
- tw2
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tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Just picked it up today from a member in Wellington. In pretty good condition but any car of this age is always going to need some work. My main concern was decent interior as this is not easy to replace. Most I have seen have had ripped seats which usually makes rails and aftermarket seats the most viable (and expensive option). The other was rust, in particular none of the suspension mounting points have any rust. The worst I could find was in the bottom of the frunk. No money shots yet, just cleaning it up and working out what needs replacement.
Amazing what some tyre shine can do for a car. Already has brand new potenza RE003's I will get the front bumper resprayed at some point and maybe a couple of other panels too.
I won't post before photos, lets just say a lot of vacuuming was involved. I am a bit of a clean freak. I will take the seats out at some point and get the carpet cleaning guy to give the seats and whole carpet a good going over.
Amazing what some tyre shine can do for a car. Already has brand new potenza RE003's I will get the front bumper resprayed at some point and maybe a couple of other panels too.
I won't post before photos, lets just say a lot of vacuuming was involved. I am a bit of a clean freak. I will take the seats out at some point and get the carpet cleaning guy to give the seats and whole carpet a good going over.
Last edited by tw2 on Sat Apr 14, 2018 2:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- tw2
- Area Coordinator - MR2OCNZ
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
For some reason it jumbled up all the pictures, duplicated and overwrote them and deleted text. I can't see how to edit the post so I guess I will try and tidy it up later.
- GDII
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Good buy. I didn't know the member down here was selling this. Awesome TOMS CR wheels and quite fresh RE003 tyres.tw2 wrote:For some reason it jumbled up all the pictures, duplicated and overwrote them and deleted text. I can't see how to edit the post so I guess I will try and tidy it up later.
I found when posting things would jumble. I'm sure there is a method to not have this happen. You'll need to become a paid member to edit.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
- tw2
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Thanks, yep just paid up a couple of hours ago, I expect my status will be updated next week. I saved the original post in word in case this happened.
He PM'd me when I posted in one of the for-sale threads, not publicly advertised. My shopping list is embarrassingly long. I will have to sort out what is best sorted locally and what will come from twosrus, primedriven or mr2heaven. Is there still a contact for discount toyota parts? I remember we used to use northshore toyota.
First thing though is to find the AVS alarm and disable it until I can get to a shop to make it work how I want it, ie not auto-arming after 15 seconds unless engine is on.
He PM'd me when I posted in one of the for-sale threads, not publicly advertised. My shopping list is embarrassingly long. I will have to sort out what is best sorted locally and what will come from twosrus, primedriven or mr2heaven. Is there still a contact for discount toyota parts? I remember we used to use northshore toyota.
First thing though is to find the AVS alarm and disable it until I can get to a shop to make it work how I want it, ie not auto-arming after 15 seconds unless engine is on.
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
As soon as confirmation is gotten I'll change your forum profile.tw2 wrote:Thanks, yep just paid up a couple of hours ago, I expect my status will be updated next week. I saved the original post in word in case this happened.
He PM'd me when I posted in one of the for-sale threads, not publicly advertised. My shopping list is embarrassingly long. I will have to sort out what is best sorted locally and what will come from twosrus, primedriven or mr2heaven. Is there still a contact for discount toyota parts? I remember we used to use northshore toyota.
First thing though is to find the AVS alarm and disable it until I can get to a shop to make it work how I want it, ie not auto-arming after 15 seconds unless engine is on.
Yes, NST is still great and probably about the same price as aftermarket
Get POR15 for the rust
- tw2
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Thanks for that. I forgot about POR15, I did my gt4's fuel tank with it years ago. I will try just doing a few photos per post.
A new air filter is on the list. New iridiums, leads and valve cover gasket is also coming soon.
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
Area Coordinator Waikato
Area Coordinator Waikato
- tw2
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Rotor and distributor cap too...
Every car has had this happen...
I guess I know why the aerial won't go up. Someone has removed the two bolts and nuts that hold the motor on, I found them behind the carpet, also the motor cover but no signs of insides. Does anyone know what the best option is to seal the hole the aerial sits in to make it weatherproof? Toyota doesn't have a part for the seal on top, or is the seal in the body underneath rather than the top of the spoiler?
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
Area Coordinator Waikato
Area Coordinator Waikato
- tw2
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Cleaning continues bit by bit.
I will be getting new upper mounts when I attack the suspension.
I went to Hamilton Toyota this morning and priced up heaps of parts, they were great to deal with. I will start with the most critical parts. Unfortunately a lot of the suspension components will need to come from overseas as it is a lot cheaper. They were happy to do the mr2oc club discount.Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
Area Coordinator Waikato
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- Jabeo
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Oh cool you live in Hamilton, should come to club fest with us on June 2nd. Hopefully i see you cruising around some time
1992 MR2 GT Turbo Complete with Traction control!
1997 N/A Honda Civic EK3
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Whoops, sorry Michael, I updated Thomas' forum status as I know he'll be SWeet. Goes back a long way, good bloke.mknz wrote:As soon as confirmation is gotten I'll change your forum profile.tw2 wrote:Thanks, yep just paid up a couple of hours ago, I expect my status will be updated next week.... Is there still a contact for discount toyota parts? I remember we used to use northshore toyota.
Yes, NST is still great and probably about the same price as aftermarket
Nice to hear Hamilton Toyota are doing you a good deal Thomas. Nick at NST supplied me with most of the parts for an AW engine rebuild cheaper than I could get the bits after-market. Can't complain about that!
Regards the aerial, maybe hunt down a rather large blanking grommet...? On our '92 SW we used a circular bit of aluminium tape. Looks a bit odd but keeps the water out.
Is yours a '92? Does it have the later longer rear trailing arms and narrower rear cross-member?
Our 92 na is just an auto but it handles real well.
I hope those RE003's are significantly wider on the rear than on the front? I'm using T1R on the 92 with 205 front and 225 rear. What size are your Potenzas mate?
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When you're nearing the end of the drag-strip and you have no 'chute, you may as well keep your foot to the floor... Live life. There ain't no second pass.
Retired - President 2012 - 2018
Retired - Committee Member 2009 - 2018
Retired - Auckland Area Coordinator 2009 - 2018
Retired - Webmaster, Forum Host & Admin 2010 - 2018 - Now it's mknz
Financial Club Member since 2004 and thanks to *84vvt and co-conspirators, Life Member since April 2017
100+ MR2OCNZ runs and counting... When going hard, good rubber's your best protection against unwanted accidents. Buy good tyres!
When you're nearing the end of the drag-strip and you have no 'chute, you may as well keep your foot to the floor... Live life. There ain't no second pass.
- tw2
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Thanks Charlie, it is a 91. 205/50/16 front 225/50/16 back, no power steering to leak but does have ABS. Not sure about the cross member.
I took it for a slightly spirited drive today. The steering doesn't feel as tight as I think it should be so I will get some new tie rod ends + alignment and see if that helps. Maybe get one of you guys to take it for a spin next time I am up and compare. And of course a proper steering wheel. Otherwise feels pretty planted. Polyurethane kit will be on order too. Blanking grommet is a good idea, I will look into that.
I took it for a slightly spirited drive today. The steering doesn't feel as tight as I think it should be so I will get some new tie rod ends + alignment and see if that helps. Maybe get one of you guys to take it for a spin next time I am up and compare. And of course a proper steering wheel. Otherwise feels pretty planted. Polyurethane kit will be on order too. Blanking grommet is a good idea, I will look into that.
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
Area Coordinator Waikato
Area Coordinator Waikato
- tw2
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Sounds good. I will certainly try and make any waikato and maybe BOP events.Jabeo wrote:Oh cool you live in Hamilton, should come to club fest with us on June 2nd. Hopefully i see you cruising around some time
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
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- GDII
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
I think this is a G model hence not having power steering. It would have had a low spec stereo system. Like the NZDM models but they were called GTi-16.
What year is it? Looks like a GEN1 based on the black side stripes and rear grille so it would have the short suspension arms in the rear. Makes for a bit more fun I hear. Even though mine is a 1990 it had the 92+ subframe when I bought it so never experienced the short arms handling characteristics.
What year is it? Looks like a GEN1 based on the black side stripes and rear grille so it would have the short suspension arms in the rear. Makes for a bit more fun I hear. Even though mine is a 1990 it had the 92+ subframe when I bought it so never experienced the short arms handling characteristics.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Algoods, I figured.mickeyduck wrote:mknz wrote: As soon as confirmation is gotten I'll change your forum profile.
Yes, NST is still great and probably about the same price as aftermarket
If you're in the south or central of Auckland one day or if a run passes through/near I can drive and tell you. You can just take out the outer tie rod ends and steering rack ends as one piece and either see which sides of each has play or just replace all of them because they're pretty cheap.
Things that affect steering feel:
-Tyres: RE003 is great
-Tie rods in good condition
-the rubber in the steering shaft where it collapses in accident should be in good condition
-steering wheel diameter (angular displacement is constant but you feel the distance tangentially which proportional to diameter)
-steering rack bushes (internal and mounting)
-general suspension being in good condition e.g a wheel bearing doesn't have axial play, wheel nuts aren't loose etc.
- tw2
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Re: tw2's mr2 - the journey to a clean 2
Yes it is a G, 1991. I had a 90 G limited followed by a 94 turbo quite a few years ago. This time I wanted a very basic sports car for throwing around. I wanted the most basic stereo, I will replace the head unit (has a fusion one currently), door (not sure what they are) and B pillar speakers (definitely look stock). I never liked the stock "sub" behind the passenger seat but I really liked the storage. For some reason although the turbo was much faster I didn't like the powerband and how the torque came on or the threat of needing further mods. My other car is fast enough so I figured I would go a different way with this one.GDII wrote:I think this is a G model hence not having power steering. It would have had a low spec stereo system. Like the NZDM models but they were called GTi-16.
What year is it? Looks like a GEN1 based on the black side stripes and rear grille so it would have the short suspension arms in the rear. Makes for a bit more fun I hear. Even though mine is a 1990 it had the 92+ subframe when I bought it so never experienced the short arms handling characteristics.
I know they did a suspension revision but I wasn't aware it was a huge issue. I have always assumed that whatever speed you go into the corner you will need to exit the same speed. I have only had a couple of times in the past where the front wheels started sliding. I plan to get some koni's, eibach springs and both whiteline swaybars sometime in the future. Should I be going a different route?
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
Area Coordinator Waikato
Area Coordinator Waikato