My first Mr2

[matt86]

Sounds good, give me shout if you are breaking one as I could definitely take some pieces off your hands, I can pop up to yours and we can have a line up of 3 white Mk1's!

I haven't got round to fitting exhaust rings yet - I'm going to get the system off and do a proper job...new studs and nuts, new rings, check condition of manifold, remove all the hangers as I now have two full sets so wil refit the best hangers, and hopefully sort the heat shield/s out!

The vibration is only a problem at 3000-3100 rpm, so as long as you stay above this then no noise problems!

Definitely have been giving the car more of a thrash, really can't beat the nosie when you get to the top of the rev range Think I may want stiffer, lower springs as a cheap handling upgrade... going to see what happens at MOT time, its possible some parts may need replacing in that area as there is a slight damper leak up front (advisory at last MOT).

[matt86]

Okay, finally some pictures! Taken on a grey day and isn't particularly clean either.

[IanParkhouse]

Gald you're enjoying her, Any luck with the pinking on the 306?

My old car came lowered, I found it introduced understeer as the weight wasn't moving forward during braking, I ended up going back to stockt.

Best thing to do is to just put on the best tyres you can, on 14s Toyo T1Rs are good, but if you've got 15s you have a much beter choice of premium tryes.

Theres's a rear ARB mod from the Mk2 that's good

[Lauren]

You can run less toe in, though MK1s do understeer by definition really, so you just have to drive around it.

Koni's and sensible springs are a good handling upgrade. Changing the rear ARB for a Whiteline ARB makes a fair difference.

[matt86]

To be honest I really need to resist temptation to make any modifications as this was meant to be my 'standard' cheap fun car! The only way I may go down the upgrade route is if/when parts wear out or second hand bargain parts come up for sale.

I've located a pair second hand Eagle F1 GSD3's with lots of tread which I should be picking up this weekend, I assume I'll be best fitting these on the front in order to get most benefit.

[IanParkhouse]

Matt what's the DOT code (date) on those tyres?

You're running 15s?
Good new tyres don't have to be expensive

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... 1667&rs=gb

[matt86]

Haven't got full details from the guy yet, talking to him about them tomorrow, should be able to get them for £20 each, with 6+mm tread.

I know they are the older (better?) type that are now discontinued. I have a full set of GSD3's on the Peugeot and they are pretty awesome

[un1eash]

Toyo's in the Wet on my 15's werent the best but then my geo may need setting up for 15's as it currently runs excellent on 14" yoko C.drives

[Lauren]

I think when it comes to tyres, you do really get what you pay for, but it depends what you want. Not a massive Toyo fan personally, prefer Yoko's and Bridgestone.

[matt86]

Tackled the manual choke conversion on Friday afternoon, seems to have gone on with no problems - took the car out for a quick spin to check it and what a difference the kit makes! So much nicer to start the car and not have it roaring away at 2500rpm

[PW@Woodsport]

One of the best mods you can do to a Mk1 in my opinion, Toyota got the cold start mechansim horribly wrong on the 4a-ge.

[matt86]

Got the exhaust blow sorted yesterday New gasket rings, studs and nuts fitted, manifold re-tapped. Seems to be a god job so far!

The previous exhaust fitter definitely didn't do the best job fitting the Magnex, hence the blowing! Really nice to have it sorted so I can appreciate the 4AGE sound

Also have been investigating the rather poor sound system in the MR2, turns out the dash speakers have been upgraded by a previous owner, and that the standard rear speakers were both COMPLETELY blown! I have now rerouted the rear speaker wiring to floor behind the seats - will be installing some 6x9's that I fitted into home made wooden boxes for one of my previous cars, should be a good improvement!

[matt86]

Okay, next job is the front drop links. In the last week the knocking noise from the front end has got a lot worse and a quick inspection yesterday showed that my OSF drop link is worn out.

I know the ones from eBay may not last as long as the genuine Toyota part, but I am going to give them a try as you can't beat the price! I just wanted to check if anyone had bought these exact ones before:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... _986wt_905

I take it that it should be fairly straight forward to change these? The old ones are pretty rusted up, but other than that I am hoping it'll be okay. Is it easiest to change them with some weight on the suspension (wheels on floor) or with the front end jacked up?

[BIGBOBO]

I have those, the boots on them ripped after a couple of months.

Still good though (but I don't drive my car that much)

[matt86]

I'll only be covering about 4000 miles a year, so hopefully they will be ample.

Have yours started making any knocks or noises since the boots went? Is a ripped boot an MOT advisory or fail do you know?

[BIGBOBO]

No they don't rattle.

I have no idea if it would cause problems on a MOT, I live in Belgium .

(didn't cause problems here during our mot equivalent)

[matt86]

Realised your location after I sent my last post!

Thanks for all the info, I have just ordered myself a pair of the front drop links... will stick them on next week hopefully, will be nice to get rid of the clonking noise (although once that is gone, I'll probable be able to hear a new noise!)

[matt86]

Finally got round to replacing the offending drop link on Wednesday evening last week...had to use a special 'drop link removal' tool (available from all good Asda's) a.k.a. hacksaw to get it off. I must say, the tool access for the locknut and hex in the link itself wasn't exactly ideal!

[matt86]

The MR2 has just passed its MOT today - I didn't doubt it for one minute

[pk_090]

great news matt!
Whats this about the jimi bracket? mine looks abit worse for ware was going sand blast it down and spray it up!

Car looks fantastic bet your chuffed its passed its MOT!
Alex