The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

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Magic Beans
Posts: 4789
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:01 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Magic Beans »

They might as well be made from the burnt sugar on the top of a crème brûlée, they're so damn brittle! #-o
johnsonca9
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2015 9:24 am

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by johnsonca9 »

Just read the thread, and I love the cars mate. Had an Eunos, although it was nothing special like yours.

Having had a 350hp s14a, I can appreciate the comments in respect of the mx5s being more fun at 'legal' speeds.

I now have an NA MR2, as I couldn't pass it up at the price I got it, but I get the same sort of driving experience in that it isn't ludicrously fast, but is so much fun.

That Pitcrew is something else though! Absolutely gorgeous, but definately a Marmite car.
Madabout
Posts: 323
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:08 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

Magic Beans wrote:They might as well be made from the burnt sugar on the top of a crème brûlée, they're so damn brittle! #-o


Yeah the passenger side on mine was bad. Got to love JDM plastic from this era.

johnsonca9 wrote:Just read the thread, and I love the cars mate. Had an Eunos, although it was nothing special like yours.

Having had a 350hp s14a, I can appreciate the comments in respect of the mx5s being more fun at 'legal' speeds.

I now have an NA MR2, as I couldn't pass it up at the price I got it, but I get the same sort of driving experience in that it isn't ludicrously fast, but is so much fun.

That Pitcrew is something else though! Absolutely gorgeous, but definately a Marmite car.


Nice one mate. I hope you are enjoying your MR2. My first few MR2s back in the day were all G-Limited models and I always enjoyed the driving experience.

There is a great scene/community to the MX5 both here in the UK and internationally so I have had people turn up at my house from the USA, China, France, Finland all born from a enthusiasm to the MX5.

The Pitcrew is martmite as you say. Pitcrew Racing is a specialist tuner based near the Suzuka race circuit in Japan. My car appeared in Retro Cars a couple of years and at the Bromley Pageant Fuzz Townsend picked out as his favourite MX5 at the 25th anniversary. It is running on IRTB's so sounds quite retro the cabin I also did the interior a bit like a classic 60's sports car.

When it turned up it was a standard s limited eunos roadster missing the BBS wheels, solid if a little sorry for itself.

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Changed a fair bit.

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Interior

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On the MR2 front I got an issue yesterday where WOT it suddenly dropped power. It had been going great before that and felt super quick. I got home to find the hose from the actuator not connected to the boost solenoid so explains it somewhat as I had 'free boost.' Issue now sorted I hope as fitted a jubilee clip so the hose shouldn't come loose now and checked other hoses to make sure they had a jubilee clip or similar holding them on. Went for a test drive and felt a lot slower on low boost then yesterday WOT all OK.
Last edited by Madabout on Wed Jun 28, 2017 9:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Madabout
Posts: 323
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Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

Busy week in work so the MR2 has sat dormant.

A part turned up today I have bought off the forum. Since getting my MR2 in January this year I had seen a couple of these and liked the idea as like my unusual manufacturer extras in my Mazdas.

It is a genuine Toyota MR2 boot liner. From what I gather Toyota did two versions with this being the less rare.

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Madabout
Posts: 323
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:08 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

Sometimes the simple jobs and what you think a quick 30 minutes relaxation on the car after work will bring...

This evening got home and though a friend some parts had arrived to tidy up some bits on the car -

1. Decent condition glove box (mine had some scratches).
2. Lower dash trim under steering wheel (mine was missing the cubby box).
3. Blanking caps for windscreen plastic surround (missing on mine).

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Glove box was done easily enough so figured I would crack on and do the lower dash trim. Slight issue here was I had some custom wiring for the boost controller, rear fog light and switch for engine fan lid kit. Took some photos as figured it was easy enough so disconnected and switched in my new shiny lower dash trim with cubby box.

On wiring back up the photos I took seemed clear enough but had hid exactly where one wire went but took best guess!

Finished job and went to start car and nothing - power to dash but boost controller off and car wouldn't crank whatsoever.

Hours spent going back through wiring as believed the issue was here, checking fuses under dash, wiring in boot for engine fan lid kit and nothing. Into the dark and with my neighbour checked the front fuses to find the AM2 7.5 amp fuse blown. Changed it and boost controller came on which and turned ignition and car started fine. Did this a few times and no issues.

Looking back I accidently crimped a wire back onto a switch that should have gone through its own localized fuse so guessing this may have blown the fuse concerned.

Least to say what seemed like a nice 30 minute rest and relaxation after work on the car quickly became a PITA!
Madabout
Posts: 323
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:08 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

More work done on my 1995 Rev3 Turbo. This time I've gone back to a part from a Rev1 and fitted a black headliner to my car with the black sun visors, black interior light, etc. It's a part I've preferred the look of to the grey headliner and matches better in the interior so not sure why Toyota ever changed it. For those looking to do an easy job. Took me about an hour and biggest ar$e was removing the interior mirror screws, which seemed seized in place.

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It is a interesting one as when I was looking to buy a MR2 everyone said buy a Rev3 but didn't see anything about the nicer carpets and head liner (imo) in the earlier models.
JLW
Posts: 651
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:52 pm
Location: Tunbridge Wells

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by JLW »

God knows why toyota changed the black headlining from the Rev 1's
to the grey of the later models ! , did the conversion myself and its night and
day inside !
craig
Posts: 43936
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:44 am

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by craig »

Nice - I have the all black rev 1 headlining, T bar shades, sun visors and roof light in mine.

Much nicer that the grey that came out! I also have the thicker pile rev 1 carpets, including the firewall carpet and storage box lids :thumleft:

JLW wrote:God knows why toyota changed the black headlining from the Rev 1's
to the grey of the later models !


I presume it was to make the cabin appear more light/spacious. :-k
Madabout
Posts: 323
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:08 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

JLW wrote:God knows why toyota changed the black headlining from the Rev 1's
to the grey of the later models ! , did the conversion myself and its night and
day inside !


craig wrote:Nice - I have the all black rev 1 headlining, T bar shades, sun visors and roof light in mine.

Much nicer that the grey that came out! I also have the thicker pile rev 1 carpets, including the firewall carpet and storage box lids :thumleft:

JLW wrote:God knows why toyota changed the black headlining from the Rev 1's
to the grey of the later models !


I presume it was to make the cabin appear more light/spacious. :-k


It is a bit odd why they changed from the black headliner to the grey headliner. I guess it makes it look more spacious but the black headliner works better IMO. At least it is a easy changeover.

I have also bought a rev1 carpet last weekend, which I will fit at some stage. I have seen other manufacturers so this. 1st models often start with the better carpet, etc. and once successful the financial bean counters start getting involved of where they can strip cost to maximize profit margin.

In other news fresh parts from Japan. Zoom Engineering carbon fibre interior mirror for the SW20 MR2. I'm a fan of Zoom Engineering who are a specialist tuner and have many of their parts on other cars I own. A nice quality addition to the cars interior IMO. It is a while since I have imported any parts from Japan but got this and a something for my mx5s.


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craig
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Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by craig »

Nice mate! The problem with the stock mirror is due to the age of it, it seems to delaminate around the edges.

I've got a Gentex rear view mirror in mine. It's electric and senses dimming light levels, and senses glare from behind and automatically dims. Nice piece of kit. :thumleft:
Madabout
Posts: 323
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:08 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

craig wrote:Nice mate! The problem with the stock mirror is due to the age of it, it seems to delaminate around the edges.

I've got a Gentex rear view mirror in mine. It's electric and senses dimming light levels, and senses glare from behind and automatically dims. Nice piece of kit. :thumleft:


Thanks. It was pretty expensive given exchange rates, etc. I have a lot of Zoom Engineering products in other cars. Good quality parts and their interior mirrors are top notch IMO so when I worked out I could get on in a MR2 seemed a choice mod. Like you say the edges of the stock mirror delaminate.
Madabout
Posts: 323
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:08 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

Some more jobs done on the MR2.

Fitted the front arch liners I had bought recently as mine had been removed when the previous owner had undersealed all behind there and never refitted. A small job but something I wanted to get done.

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Likewise got the Rogue Rev6 engine fan lid kit working again as had stopped working. Turns out it was a bad earth issue now resolved.

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So some positive updates and frustrations.
Last edited by Madabout on Wed Jun 28, 2017 10:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
craig
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Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:44 am

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by craig »

Man this car looks fresh! =P~
Madabout
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Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

craig wrote:Man this car looks fresh! =P~


Thanks it got a good 3 hours driving yesterday. Compared to the daily car, a 320d BMW it feels noticeably quicker. I've only tried 2 of the 3 boost setttings on the boost controller. The acceleration is quite addictive.

Only owned the car since January 2017 and spent quite a bit on it already. The previous owner had done the same and not finished it so right now the spec looks like something like this:

1. 1995 MR2 GTS Rev3 (base spec it seems from the factory as came with the LSD but no T-Bar as tin top, no luxury sound system, folding mirrors, etc.)
2. Freshly built engine fitted done 8k since build using all branded parts ARP bolts, cometic head gasket, ACL race shells, new valves, etc.
3. MR2-Ben (Rev3) cam cover bolts.
4. LSD gearbox and shafts.
5. Rev 3 turbo and management rebuilt CT20B turbo.
6. Full turbo back Blitz NUR Spec Exhaust.
7. TurboSmart e-boost controller - 9/10psi, 13/14psi, 17/18psi.
8. Grooved discs with yellow stuff pads all round.
9. Goodrich flexi brake hoses.
10. HKS lowering springs.
11. Rear Subframe and trailing arms, rear anti-roll bar, inlet manifold all powder-coated white.
12. New Polybushes for anti-roll bar.
13. HKS side-mount intercooler.
14. Alloy radiator
15. Silicone coolant hoses throughout.
16. HKS Blow off valve.
17. Green cotton air-filter.
18. 550cc injectors.
19. TRD ball-type leather gear knob.
20. Black Leather seats.
21. Zoom Engineering carbon fibre interior mirror.
22. Genuine Toyota ‘Man in Dandism’ floor mats.
23. Firewall behind seats dynamatted and under seats.
24. Rev1 Full Black headliner, sun visors, interior light, etc.
25. Super Advan RC Limited Rally 17" alloys
26. Front arches and rear arches have all been undersealed.
27. Rogue Motorsport Rev6 Engine Lid fan kit.
28. Personal steering wheel.
29. Electrical aerial deleted and located to the boot.
30. Genuine Toyota MR2 tool kit.
31. Genuine Toyota MR2 trunk/boot lid liner.

Lots of maintenance, replacement interior parts in better condition also done so hopefully getting there. At the moment it feels like a lot of my project cars in the early days where its a constant stream of work and ££ which hopefully I get to the top of.
Last edited by Madabout on Sat Sep 09, 2017 4:22 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Madabout
Posts: 323
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Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

Not used the mr2 in a few weeks so today got it out and enjoyed a decent Sunday afternoon drive. Still more I need but was a nice drive out.

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Magic Beans
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Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:01 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Magic Beans »

Looks awesome, James :thumleft:
Madabout
Posts: 323
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:08 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

Magic Beans wrote:Looks awesome, James :thumleft:


Thanks Phil. Last few weekends had been busy so apart from a bit of detailing with it on the driveway it hadn't been used.

The car has been a bit of a project but part of me enjoys the this part of car ownership as satisfying to see the improvement. The jobs I need to do:

1. I have the rev1 deep pile carpet I bought from Scott on here which is a lot better then the rev3 carpet I want to get fitted before summer is out.
Last edited by Madabout on Wed Jun 28, 2017 10:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
JLW
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Location: Tunbridge Wells

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by JLW »

Car's looking great pal, really comping along nicely ( and at a fair pace also )
noticed from your FB post that your in Crawley, I'm about ten minutes from
East Grinstead pal, should hook up for a drive.

Try and get a few other local MR2 lads out also.
Madabout
Posts: 323
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:08 pm

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by Madabout »

JLW wrote:Car's looking great pal, really comping along nicely ( and at a fair pace also )
noticed from your FB post that your in Crawley, I'm about ten minutes from
East Grinstead pal, should hook up for a drive.

Try and get a few other local MR2 lads out also.


Thanks mate. A fair bit done so far. I want to get the rev1 carpet fitted next as so much better quality IMO.

I am just outside Crawley towards East Grinstead so a meet at some stage would be good. I have met a few people before in the mx5 scene at the Grasshopper Inn off the a25 outside Oxted which is a good meeting point.
JLW
Posts: 651
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:52 pm
Location: Tunbridge Wells

Re: The Ramblings and Diary of a Japanese Car Enthusiast

Post by JLW »

Madabout wrote:

I am just outside Crawley towards East Grinstead so a meet at some stage would be good. I have met a few people before in the mx5 scene at the Grasshopper Inn off the a25 outside Oxted which is a good meeting point.


Wicked pal, should do it in June, Oxted's 20 minutes with some good roads
from my gaff.
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