geemannz's 1997 SW20
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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.
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.
- geemannz
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
So I got some pictures of the interior and engine bay today. It is a little bit messy as I do use it as a daily, but it's not damaged and a lot of it can be touched up reasonably easily. I need to get some sun visors (the brackets off them broke unfortunately), get a new drivers seat (or somehow fix the massive rip on the side), get a new shift surround and shift boot, and generally just clean it up.
The engine bay isn't tidy, but its also not completely filthy as well. Just another thing to add to the list of things to do.
Some mods I forgot to mention before is that it has an aftermarket Fenix radiator installed and has a short shift kit installed (I prefer the shorter shifts).
The list of things to do is growing very rapidly at this stage. I guess it lives up to its name as a "project car".
The engine bay isn't tidy, but its also not completely filthy as well. Just another thing to add to the list of things to do.
Some mods I forgot to mention before is that it has an aftermarket Fenix radiator installed and has a short shift kit installed (I prefer the shorter shifts).
The list of things to do is growing very rapidly at this stage. I guess it lives up to its name as a "project car".
- Benckj
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Looks quite nice for the money you paid. That engine strut brace is certainly sturdy enough.
Won't take much work to get the interior looking the part.
Keep up the good work!
Won't take much work to get the interior looking the part.
Keep up the good work!
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
- geemannz
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Here's hoping it doesn't take too much work!Benckj wrote:Looks quite nice for the money you paid. That engine strut brace is certainly sturdy enough.
Won't take much work to get the interior looking the part.
Keep up the good work!
Still havent decided on what i'm going to do with the seats. Might go for a bucket setup, but I still want it to be somewhat practical for daily purposes.
Any suggestions?
- Benckj
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Easy answer is to replace seats with a set of other MR2 ones. Often a decent set of the gen 1/2 leather ones come up for a low price.
If you wanted something nicer you can import a set of custom made covers which look as good if not better than OEM. Think someone on the forum got a set here and fitted for under $1k.
Taking another approach a set of aftermarket or seats from another car be used. I went this route with Recaros that come from a BMW and some other imported Toyota. This can take some fab work as well as compliance issues. Like most mods, it all comes down to what you want and how much you can spend (time & money).
If you wanted something nicer you can import a set of custom made covers which look as good if not better than OEM. Think someone on the forum got a set here and fitted for under $1k.
Taking another approach a set of aftermarket or seats from another car be used. I went this route with Recaros that come from a BMW and some other imported Toyota. This can take some fab work as well as compliance issues. Like most mods, it all comes down to what you want and how much you can spend (time & money).
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
- geemannz
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
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- First name: Gareth
Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Ill have a think about it and decide later I suppose. I do like the Recaro idea, might look into that.Benckj wrote:Easy answer is to replace seats with a set of other MR2 ones. Often a decent set of the gen 1/2 leather ones come up for a low price.
If you wanted something nicer you can import a set of custom made covers which look as good if not better than OEM. Think someone on the forum got a set here and fitted for under $1k.
Taking another approach a set of aftermarket or seats from another car be used. I went this route with Recaros that come from a BMW and some other imported Toyota. This can take some fab work as well as compliance issues. Like most mods, it all comes down to what you want and how much you can spend (time & money).
- Benckj
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
I would get your mechanical/maintenance bits taken care of first like -brakes, suspension, engine, trans, tyres, etc, etc.
Following success with that then look at improving the fun bits like wheels, paint, ICE & interior. From my experience most MR2 owners do it the wrong way around.
Following success with that then look at improving the fun bits like wheels, paint, ICE & interior. From my experience most MR2 owners do it the wrong way around.
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
- GDII
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
That because TRD Although painted black and missing the badge.Benckj wrote:That engine strut brace is certainly sturdy enough.
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/
- geemannz
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Im not sure if its actual TRD or just a replicaGDII wrote:That because TRD Although painted black and missing the badge.Benckj wrote:That engine strut brace is certainly sturdy enough.
- geemannz
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
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- Joined: Wed May 30, 2018 11:00 pm
- Stomping Ground: Waikato
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- First name: Gareth
Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Of course. Not much to do on the engine/mechanical side, which is why i'm starting to think about cosmetic/interior projects. In terms of mechanical I need to fix the oil leak (doing that next week), rebuild the rear calipers (they stick sometimes, can get really annoying), and re-gas the A/C. Other than that the mechanical components of the car actually seem pretty good.Benckj wrote:I would get your mechanical/maintenance bits taken care of first like -brakes, suspension, engine, trans, tyres, etc, etc.
Following success with that then look at improving the fun bits like wheels, paint, ICE & interior. From my experience most MR2 owners do it the wrong way around.
- GDII
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- First name: Phill
Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Replicas have welds in places the TRD doesn't. They also used mild steel and MIG welding where the replicas are stainless and TIG welded.
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/
- geemannz
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Got any reference photos?GDII wrote:Replicas have welds in places the TRD doesn't. They also used mild steel and MIG welding where the replicas are stainless and TIG welded.
- GDII
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
I have just had confirmation from a previous owner that it is genuine but was received as black with no badge.
1320 Performance make one but have a badge welded to the left side.
TCS have one. Note the welds around the tubes at the brackets. The TRD brace does not have this.
https://www.tcsmotorsports.com/collecti ... ar-x-brace
1320 Performance make one but have a badge welded to the left side.
TCS have one. Note the welds around the tubes at the brackets. The TRD brace does not have this.
https://www.tcsmotorsports.com/collecti ... ar-x-brace
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/
- geemannz
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 131
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2018 11:00 pm
- Stomping Ground: Waikato
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Gareth
Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Previous owner? And that's pretty cool that if it is genuine.GDII wrote:I have just had confirmation from a previous owner that it is genuine but was received as black with no badge.
1320 Performance make one but have a badge welded to the left side.
TCS have one. Note the welds around the tubes at the brackets. The TRD brace does not have this.
https://www.tcsmotorsports.com/collecti ... ar-x-brace
- GDII
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
Previous owner of the brace, not the car.
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/
- ClanFever
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Re: geemannz's 1997 SW20
I like how you can find the owners of not just mr2s, but mr2 partsGDII wrote:Previous owner of the brace, not the car.
Ex-President & Wellington Area Coordinator & Lower North MR2 Leader
Current: 1992 Toyota MR2 G-Limited with Gen 4 3S-GTE + CT20B (APEXED), 2005 Toyota IST, 2008 Toyota Vanguard - 2GR!
Past: 1990 Toyota MR2 G-Limited, "Semi Parts Car" 1991 Toyota MR2 G-Limited, '91 G-Limited, '89 G-Limited, '91 NZ New MR2, '91 G-Limited, '91 GT (Parts Car), '99 Altezza 3SGE, '98 Altezza 1GFE, '88 Corolla, '96 Curren, '94 Ceres Corolla, '94 Levin, '90 Hiace Super Custom 4x4, '91 Mirage, '93 MX-6 J-Spec, '91 Familia, '91 Galant, '90 Navara, '96 Commodore, '94 Pajero, '89 Lancer, '93 Pajero, '92 Pajero, '89 Mirage, '92 Terrano, '87 Familia, '03 Colt, '91 Pajero, '91 Pajero, '97 Carib, '96 Carina, '02 Turbo Forester
Current: 1992 Toyota MR2 G-Limited with Gen 4 3S-GTE + CT20B (APEXED), 2005 Toyota IST, 2008 Toyota Vanguard - 2GR!
Past: 1990 Toyota MR2 G-Limited, "Semi Parts Car" 1991 Toyota MR2 G-Limited, '91 G-Limited, '89 G-Limited, '91 NZ New MR2, '91 G-Limited, '91 GT (Parts Car), '99 Altezza 3SGE, '98 Altezza 1GFE, '88 Corolla, '96 Curren, '94 Ceres Corolla, '94 Levin, '90 Hiace Super Custom 4x4, '91 Mirage, '93 MX-6 J-Spec, '91 Familia, '91 Galant, '90 Navara, '96 Commodore, '94 Pajero, '89 Lancer, '93 Pajero, '92 Pajero, '89 Mirage, '92 Terrano, '87 Familia, '03 Colt, '91 Pajero, '91 Pajero, '97 Carib, '96 Carina, '02 Turbo Forester