My Toyota MR2 build thread - 1994 GT-S
My Toyota MR2 build thread - 1994 GT-S
I did an oil + coolant change and fitted a new thermostat a few weeks ago. There was an alarming amount of metal in the oil that drained out (and attached to the magnetic sump plug). The plug was covered and there were bits 1.5mm / 2mm squared floating around in the oil. It also looked very much like when the head was off and rebuilt the old oil was put back in. I put new oil + filter in and immediately booked the car in for an engine inspection at Rogue Motorsport. They're not the garage I usually use but they have recently moved premesis so they're a lot closer than they used to be, and I find it's good to get a second opinion sometimes!
It went in Tuesday and I got it back today. I also got them to sort out the perpetual oil leak while they were in there, and there was certainly no oil smell on the way home! The owner personally test drove my car before handing it back. It's had a head and bottom end inspection (short of splitting the head from the block or removing the pistons) and had the oil pump off and rebuilt with new seals, and the sump resealed properly. There were a few other little bits and pieces put right as well. Apparently my main bearings "look like new" and there was no sign of any more metal debris or any scoring anywhere. They have also changed the oil and filter again, to act as a flush to get any other crud out.
So I am a few hundred quid lighter but I have the confidence in my engine restored that I lost when I found a sump full of metal!
Many thanks for Dan and purplewitch for their help and taxi services
Updatey time...
I did an oil + coolant change and fitted a new thermostat a few weeks ago. There was an alarming amount of metal in the oil that drained out (and attached to the magnetic sump plug). The plug was covered and there were bits 1.5mm / 2mm squared floating around in the oil. It also looked very much like when the head was off and rebuilt the old oil was put back in. I put new oil + filter in and immediately booked the car in for an engine inspection at Rogue Motorsport. They're not the garage I usually use but they have recently moved premesis so they're a lot closer than they used to be, and I find it's good to get a second opinion sometimes!
It went in Tuesday and I got it back today. I also got them to sort out the perpetual oil leak while they were in there, and there was certainly no oil smell on the way home! The owner personally test drove my car before handing it back. It's had a head and bottom end inspection (short of splitting the head from the block or removing the pistons) and had the oil pump off and rebuilt with new seals, and the sump resealed properly. There were a few other little bits and pieces put right as well. Apparently my main bearings "look like new" and there was no sign of any more metal debris or any scoring anywhere. They have also changed the oil and filter again, to act as a flush to get any other crud out.
So I am a few hundred quid lighter but I have the confidence in my engine restored that I lost when I found a sump full of metal!
Many thanks for Dan and purplewitch for their help and taxi services
![[Image: LexuS-Copy.jpg]](http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/Sparkystav/LexuS-Copy.jpg)
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
Sparkystav
21-01-2018, 10:29 AM #552Sounds a good service and glad it came out well
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
Sparkystav Sounds a good service ....
are you on about the taxi service? :glare:
My Garage
Supra Build Thread
' Nothing feels quick when your other car has a 1000bhp - JamieP
Quote:A Supra without a spoiler is like a Gypsy's dog without a Nob.
Dan_Turism0
21-01-2018, 10:37 AM #553Sparkystav Sounds a good service ....
are you on about the taxi service? :glare:
My Garage
Supra Build Thread
' Nothing feels quick when your other car has a 1000bhp - JamieP
Quote:A Supra without a spoiler is like a Gypsy's dog without a Nob.
![[Image: exhaustOff.jpg]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/exhaustOff.jpg)
I found out the mild steel pipe that runs from the silencer to the flexi pipe is knackered, it's got holes in it the size of my thumb!! And it's all a bit more flexible than it should be. Oh joy, something else to add to the list. So I decided to polish it up and stick it back on the car and I'll sort it out later.
![[Image: exhaustShiny.jpg]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/exhaustShiny.jpg)
On another note, got some shiny new Cusco parts from our club sponsor New Era. Brake master cylinder stopper and adjustable front tension arms. Tony Bones pointed out that my existing tension arms are bent, and the Cusco parts imported from Japan were still cheaper than getting new ones from Toyota (and I don't want 2nd hand ones).
![[Image: cuscoBoxes.jpg]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/cuscoBoxes.jpg)
These feel really chunky and solid, well constructed. And the metallic blue paint matches my car
![[Image: cuscoArms.jpg]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/cuscoArms.jpg)
The pillowball joint on the end of the arms (instead of bushes) is sealed using a thick rubber boot, unlike the TEIN alternatives to these arms which are just left open to the elements. :thumbup1:
![[Image: cuscoArmsPillowballSeal.jpg]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/cuscoArmsPillowballSeal.jpg)
The stock arms aren't adjustable either, so this will give Tony something else to swear at when he's under my car :lol:
I have been having charging issues for the last few months. If I leave my car overnight battery voltage is at about 9V. I also noticed from a voltmeter I have installed that my alternator was producing 12.1V at idle. Now I expected there to be a drop as the GT4 ECU idles lower than the MR2 one but not that low!! That'll be my cheap pattern alternator at work. So I ordered a 130A uprated item from the US which turned up on Monday. Fitting it is a pain, as it's sandwiched inbetween the boot and the block, on top of the subframe. Most cars it's easiest to remove the front and rear engine mounts and rock the engine out of the way, but my car's had the exhaust off so many times there's no danger of snapping bolts, so I decided to go that way instead.
I found out the mild steel pipe that runs from the silencer to the flexi pipe is knackered, it's got holes in it the size of my thumb!! And it's all a bit more flexible than it should be. Oh joy, something else to add to the list. So I decided to polish it up and stick it back on the car and I'll sort it out later.
On another note, got some shiny new Cusco parts from our club sponsor New Era. Brake master cylinder stopper and adjustable front tension arms. Tony Bones pointed out that my existing tension arms are bent, and the Cusco parts imported from Japan were still cheaper than getting new ones from Toyota (and I don't want 2nd hand ones).
These feel really chunky and solid, well constructed. And the metallic blue paint matches my car
The pillowball joint on the end of the arms (instead of bushes) is sealed using a thick rubber boot, unlike the TEIN alternatives to these arms which are just left open to the elements. :thumbup1:
The stock arms aren't adjustable either, so this will give Tony something else to swear at when he's under my car :lol:
Rabster sounding good poor tony when he does your geo lol
Well his complaint is usually that a) some bits of MR2s aren't adjustable, or b) that the bits are all seized up and all need the oxy-torch on them. Mine are now all adjustable, and have all recently been off and on again for polybushing. So he can't whinge :lol:
Rabster sounding good poor tony when he does your geo lol
Well his complaint is usually that a) some bits of MR2s aren't adjustable, or b) that the bits are all seized up and all need the oxy-torch on them. Mine are now all adjustable, and have all recently been off and on again for polybushing. So he can't whinge :lol:
"Life's goal is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways........
totally worn out and broken, shouting 'Holy ****, WHAT A RIDE!'"
FirebirdPhil
05-02-2018, 05:18 AM #557Think you will find he can whinge....
"Life's goal is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways........
totally worn out and broken, shouting 'Holy ****, WHAT A RIDE!'"
![[Image: cuscoBrakeStopperBefore.jpg]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/cuscoBrakeStopperBefore.jpg)
![[Image: cuscoBrakeStopperAfter.jpg]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/cuscoBrakeStopperAfter.jpg)
Makes a negligible difference - no change at all under light to moderate braking, however moderate to heavy braking now comes on full force immediately. Before was a bit more analogue when you stamped the pedal, you could feel it take a split second for the brakes to take effect. Now it's instant. Every little helps :thumbup1:
Got bored at lunchtime:
Makes a negligible difference - no change at all under light to moderate braking, however moderate to heavy braking now comes on full force immediately. Before was a bit more analogue when you stamped the pedal, you could feel it take a split second for the brakes to take effect. Now it's instant. Every little helps :thumbup1:
toxo Found this pic on someone's flikr photostream and I love it! Proof my car does get cleaned occasionally
![[Image: 4703143136_229e8f2fc9_b.jpg]](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/4703143136_229e8f2fc9_b.jpg)
Nice!
Rabster amazing what happens when someone photoshops your number plate mate
lol!!
Tinted Glass-Sports Grill-Debadged-TTE Spoiler-TTE Lowering Springs-PLUK Kazama Exhaust-18" Aero Alloys-K&N Air Filter-Denso Iridium Power Spark Plugs-Quad Tail Light Conversion-6000K HID-X-White High Beam-6 LED Sidelights-Quad LED Boot Light-JDM OEM Smoked Front Fogs-JDM Blue Reverse Bulbs-LS430 Smoked Side Repeaters-6 LED Side Repeaters-Chrome Indicator Bulbs-Alpine HU-Rear Headrest Monitors-PIAA Super Sporza-Fan Washer Jets-Lex Tax Disc Holder-Chrome Gear Knob-2003 Cup Holder-Toyo Proxes T1-R
toxo Found this pic on someone's flikr photostream and I love it! Proof my car does get cleaned occasionally
Nice!
Rabster amazing what happens when someone photoshops your number plate mate
lol!!
Tinted Glass-Sports Grill-Debadged-TTE Spoiler-TTE Lowering Springs-PLUK Kazama Exhaust-18" Aero Alloys-K&N Air Filter-Denso Iridium Power Spark Plugs-Quad Tail Light Conversion-6000K HID-X-White High Beam-6 LED Sidelights-Quad LED Boot Light-JDM OEM Smoked Front Fogs-JDM Blue Reverse Bulbs-LS430 Smoked Side Repeaters-6 LED Side Repeaters-Chrome Indicator Bulbs-Alpine HU-Rear Headrest Monitors-PIAA Super Sporza-Fan Washer Jets-Lex Tax Disc Holder-Chrome Gear Knob-2003 Cup Holder-Toyo Proxes T1-R
Before:
![[Image: IMGP2489.JPG]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/cuscoArms/IMGP2489.JPG)
After:
![[Image: IMGP2504.JPG]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/cuscoArms/IMGP2504.JPG)
Passenger side:
![[Image: IMGP2491.JPG]](http://theshado.ws/images/imoc/cuscoArms/IMGP2491.JPG)
The Cusco arms add castor adjustment to the MR2 which is not adjustable normally. When the locknuts are released you can literally grab the blue section and rotate it by hand to move the hub backwards and forwards in the wheel arch which makes adjustment a doddle! You have to be careful that the pillowball joint (the lighter blue bit inside the black bracket) is vertical when the car is on its suspension - it looks like it's on the **** here but that's because the hubs aren't supported by anything. I aligned it all with a trolley jack underneath the hub so the suspension was sat as though the car was sat on its wheels. You can see this in the 2nd photo.
Need some new ARB droplinks though!! Knackered on both sides. Both front balljoints are solid fortunately
I have fitted my Cusco front strut arms and my Toyota lower arms this week. The Cusco arms are the blue items in these photos and the Toyota ones are the black ones. This replaces all the bits that I found out were bent when I polybushed the car last year. Removing the polybushes from my old lower arms was a bit of an **** and I've lost a few captive nuts along the way, which I'll sort out soon. Obviously because the new Cusco arms have pillowball joints at the end they don't use the new polybushes I fitted last year (red in this photo).
Before:
After:
Passenger side:
The Cusco arms add castor adjustment to the MR2 which is not adjustable normally. When the locknuts are released you can literally grab the blue section and rotate it by hand to move the hub backwards and forwards in the wheel arch which makes adjustment a doddle! You have to be careful that the pillowball joint (the lighter blue bit inside the black bracket) is vertical when the car is on its suspension - it looks like it's on the **** here but that's because the hubs aren't supported by anything. I aligned it all with a trolley jack underneath the hub so the suspension was sat as though the car was sat on its wheels. You can see this in the 2nd photo.
Need some new ARB droplinks though!! Knackered on both sides. Both front balljoints are solid fortunately
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