thorns 1990 GT Turbo

[thorns]

So finally back with an MR2 after a long layoff. Previous one was an absolute basket case to say the least and made me swear i'll never own another one....... yet here we are.

The good:
1990 MR2 turbo
91km on the clock
Near new paint job
air con blows cold
non cracked ash tray lid
still have targa top bags
Completely stock apart from the wheels and a momo steering wheel



The bad:
Wheels, I don't mind the look, but the offsets are out of whack and they are a square setup so need to go. They appear to be a SSA Raze and I think a 17x7, havent had a good look to get the proper offsets, but need to go either way.
Tyres, some junk which will also be getting the boot.


Will post some more pics once we get a nice day and the sun is shining.

[thorns]

So the wheel/tyre situation is first thing that needs to be sorted.
Options at moment are:
-wait for something second hand to pop up
-buy overnight parts directly out of japan ($$$$$)
-replace these wheels with the advanti version which are near enough (if not) identical look/style, perfect sizing and offset, and the wife will never know

[gruk]

I had been keeping an eye on this one on TM for a while, congrats!

[thorns]

Took the wheels off tonight to get exact specs.

Both front and rear
17x7.5 +42

Was kind of hoping the front rims could be saved, but really would need a 10mm spacer on the front to have any chance of looking almost flush, and to be honest don't really want to run spacers, would rather do it right and keep the car legal and dont want to have to worry about cert plates.
By my calcs they sit about 13mm in from flush on the front, and 20mm+ in from flush on the rear.

[GDII]

Put some wider tyres on then that will push them out a bit.

I used to run 15x6.5+45 all round with 205/55R15 and 225/50R15. So they were 6mm further out than stock front but 6mm further in than stock at the rear. Looked OK with wide tyres but nothing like getting that ideal 7/8 +23 or 8/9+35.

[thorns]

Few more pics. Only driven it maybe 20km so far, spent more time crawling over it being picky then anything else.
Interior: wouldnt mind changing the steering wheel to a Nardi, or even a classic style momo wheel


Engine bay - nice and clean, no plans for much here yet, maybe wait until winter and do some bolt ons for power.


Still has orignal mats


Need to tidy up the jack and tools, so added to list of things to grab when I get a chance

[thorns]

Also bought some new wheels, seem pretty controversial amongst my friends, but were a good price, and good size fitment, and I always had a habit of fitting these or Advan SA3r to my cars in gran turismo days. SA3R are next to impossible to find, but jumped on these as soon as they popped up. I like the style, just not 100% sold on the colours yet.......

Worst case though i can get them repainted down the track to something a little less out there, or move them on as they were a good price.
Quality wheels though by my googling and meant to be pretty lightweight.

Enkei RP-01
17x8 +38
17x9 +38

So only a couple of mm in from flush which I can live with.

Sample photo.

[thorns]

Current list of needs/wants:

Needs:
Tyres
Lowering springs
car cover
tool bag
Some nice weather so I can go out and have a good long drive through some twistys

Wants:
Change steering wheel
paint black strip that runs along side to match paint
new gear knob, more just to keep the OEM one in mint condition for if I sell the car one day
OEM steering wheel, again so it can be bolted back up to original condition

[thorns]

New wheels fitted today. Pretty happy with the look, just needs lowering now.

[GDII]

That does look good. The 4WD spec GEN1 springs do need to be replaced. Great for ground clearance but not so much for looks if you prefer the lowered look. Well the lowered look that should have been on the car from factory.

[thorns]

Not a whole lot has happened since last posting, only clicked up 600km since taking ownership nearly 6 months ago.
Changes, added a boost gauge and boost controller and that's about it.

Had a great drive today all over and around the port hills, had a smile on my face the whole time, so really need to get out more in it! Brought back memories of driving my old MR2 along the same roads many years ago.


Old

[Mrman]

Nice turbo, I have the later model oem steering wheel in good condition out of a gen 2 car if you are interested

[thorns]

landed a a nice score, had been hunting for months for a Trust Grex gear knob, a couple of used on on trademe for $150, and one at $395. One popped up for $60, so took a punt, turns out it was brand new in the packet. Was a Honda thread, but machinist at work managed to alter the thread to a Toyota pitch.

Just want to try find a blue top sticker now which in itself looks like costing more than the knob. Also thinking about grabbing a superklass C's replica short shifter to shorten it up and remove the gap between the boot and knob, might also grab a new shift boot to suit as well.

[mknz]

Your old shift boot looks fine?

[thorns]

Yes it's fine, just wanting to carry a blue theme with small details, carrying on from the blue trim on the wheels.