Steve B's 1995 UK GTi 16 - Sunroof, White

[steve b]

[craig]

nice job buddy, looks really need to do mine now

[Rob]

Looks good steve - will have to come and see you soon.

[steve b]

Did another trackday in it and its still working perfectly, thats 3 full days since purchase.

The hissy background interferance on the stereo finally got to me so I ripped out the stock system all except the sub speakers last weekend. Put my Eunos Stereo in Pioneer front door speakers with inbuilt tweeters and wired them direct to head unit and wireed the rear subs direct to head unit. Doesn't sound quite as good but it does now give perfect clear sound.

So if anyones interested I have the Premium audio system 3 amps, 2x tweeters, 2 x shoulder speakers from the car available.

[steve b]

[steve b]

[steve b]

Got a new windscreen put in today, forget how much better is is not having a bi-focal sreen due to the 2' crack that did run across it

[steve b]

Did the flash to pass mod so if you've the side lights on you can flash the headlights and they retract rather than sty up but turned off. Every MR2 should have this done.

[Rob]

Steve - how are you finding your brakes? Ive had all 4 calipers overhauled with the Sbits kit, goodridge braided hoses and Motul 600 fluid put in. Admittedly Im on stock pads / discs but I was expecting the brakes to be noticeably different and they are not. What setup do you have???

[steve b]

Hi Rob,

I'm on generic "Brakes International" standard discs and pads. I've always felt the stock brakes good enough, only replaced my hoses as the old ones needed changing, s othey did make the pedal a touch firmer, no difference to performance though. From what I read the only worthwhile brake upgrade is the Carbotech pads for track use and they are too expensive to justify for this car as it's ust the daily driver with odd track outing.

[Rob]

Maybe my brakes are in need of total replacement then - My Celica easily outbrakes the 2.

[steve b]

MOT today and only issues were number plate illumination bulb needs replacing, offside front indicator bulb needs replacing and nearside headlamp loose in mount.

Very happy with that for the ebay machine! Car was a bargin!

[steve b]

[steve b]

Weight saving mod just ordered, Turbo engine cover, think I once read it saves a Kg or so.

Also going to order a pair of fibreglass wings so loose some more weight.

[BenF]

Steve - how are you finding your brakes? Ive had all 4 calipers overhauled with the Sbits kit, goodridge braided hoses and Motul 600 fluid put in. Admittedly Im on stock pads / discs but I was expecting the brakes to be noticeably different and they are not. What setup do you have???

Good to see you're enjoying the Mk2 Steve

Rob - You got the alignment checked, and good tyres on?

FWIW I found that with the ABS in my old Mk2 the top of the brake pedal always felt a little soft, compared to a Mk2 without ABS.

Braided hoses, plus new disks and pads should firm up the pedal nicely. Stock pads are fine for occasional trackday use - I used to use the Pagid Fast Road pads on track and they worked well too.

[steve b]

Good to see you're enjoying the Mk2 Steve

Yes I do like it, does make a good daily driver. I have been having thoughts of selling it and replacing it with a Boxster 2.7, but i'm swaying more now to keep it and 1MZ-FE transplant as its been such a good purchase, i've not had the slightest issue with it.

Thinking of the following now :-

1MZ-FE with cams to push the power band up a bit so its a bit happier to rev
Link G4
Tein Super Streets
Glass fibre boot lid & bonnet
Race Logic traction control (as the filth on the car shows its my all weather commuter)

I quite want to drop the weight of the car but retain its comparative luxary compaired to my Eunos. The Alloy V6 is lighter than the 3sge, replaced steel engine cover for plastic tubby one, replace metal wings with glass, metal boot lid & bonnet for glass. It should make a bit of a difference.

[BenF]

Hmm, sounds like some good plans there - have you spoken to Patrick @ Rogue Motorsport about the work they do on their race Mk2 NAs?

He may have some pointers as to what you can do short of engine swaps to keep it a fun trackday car.

FWIW - didn't the GT race series in Japan which raced Supras actually use a tuned 3S engine rather than their I6 lump to save weight ?

[steve b]

The MR2 will remain daily driver so I don't want to go stripping it out, it only hit the track the three times this year as my track car was having MOT isues (melted CAT) and there was a long wait for one from the USA. Trying to make it the ideal road car, where I think the V6 maybe a winner. I don't want to have it running out of puff at 5000rpm though so will need to modify it to keep making power until 7000rpm though, 6500rpm at worse.

I've had a MR2 turbo before and not really interested in that route.

[Rob]

Ben - yeah decent tyres all round but Im awaiting alignment. Hoping that will make a difference as I have changed a fair bit on the suspension.

Think some better pads and discs will make a difference too.

[steve b]

Cleaned it 1st time this winter today, also got the other car out for a spin, a dry but cold day... the Eunos on full boost in every gear hitting 5400rpm would spin the wheels and start wanting to go sideways, glad i've got the MR2 as a daily driver



Got a GRP Turbo engine cover, lighter than the n/a one as its lacking the inner liner.