MR2 Turbo - Legs on wheels

JapCarForum Cars, Cars, Cars! Project Cars MR2 Turbo - Legs on wheels

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legs-MR2
Member

12-07-2018, 11:34 AM

The seal of approval from the boss – Can I have a drive too?
[Image: DSC00236.jpg]

The MR2 had already been very slightly modified :lol: by Boosst and others before it arrived, so it is just down to me to keep it running, tidy it up and made a few minor modifications.

Unfortunately, due to the state of the roads nearby which includes some excellent potholes much loved by MR2s, a few things got shaken loose and needed attention.:crying:
In the first week, the following went wrong:
- Power Steering failed (but good for building up arm muscles)
- The coils twisted loose and scraped against the front wheels particularly noisy on corners (just to make sure the neighbours knew when I got home)
- One pop-up headlight could only be bothered to lift half way up so she looked like she was winking at everyone (such a floozy) :wink:
- 2 oil leaks decided to make a big mess on my drive – one from the distributor, the other from the sandwich plate – and then the garage broke the distributor when they tried to fix the leak
Every time I spoke to the previous owner, the conversation went along the lines of:
‘What the **** has happened now? It never did that before. It was perfect when I had it’ Rolleyes

I joined OJC and headed for my first meeting at Castle Coombe on a lovely sunny day and was welcomed by OJC members.

This is how the car looked then – still with the old number plate (yet to be transferred back to its rightful owner).
[Image: DSC00251.jpg]

Although I had washed the car (as instructed), I was informed I hadn’t cleaned it properly or polished it (oops in trouble already). Having expressed my lack of knowledge about this, I was then able to sit back with a cup of coffee donated by a friendly OJC neighbour and enjoy watching the men on their knees demonstrate how to clean it properly – how nice :wink:
[Image: DSC00248.jpg]

(Note the flat inspection panels – soon to be replaced)

Unfortunately, due to building work next door, this is how she ended up a few weeks later :glare:
[Image: DSC00365.jpg]

So I have now learnt how to claybar a car and polish it properly...
[Image: DSC00445.jpg]

... and am really pleased with the silky smooth shine on my ‘Legs’ :wink:....
[Image: DSC00454.jpg]

Yes, at long last the DVLA got their act together and swopped the registrations – it only took 3 months! We had to swop Boosst for the original L plate and then to the new Legs plate. The number plate has moved down off the bonnet leaving some holes to be filled.
[Image: P1020432.jpg]

I have also bought her some pyjamas to keep her clean and cosy Confused

leep:

legs-MR2

12-07-2018, 11:34 AM #1

I have been informed that it is about time I got my legs into gear and posted my project thread – so here goes......

I have owned a variety of cars from a Mini to an ex-police Range Rover, but never had a sports car (obviously led a deprived life) so decided to throw caution to the wind (yet again) and get an MR2.

Spring arrived and so did Boossts old MR2 (as he had decided to swop speed for noise). I did have an interesting test drive before buying it and found out the brakes worked better than expected – ask Boosst for details

The day she arrived - big smile getting the keys :thumbup::
[Image: P1010771.jpg]

The seal of approval from the boss – Can I have a drive too?
[Image: DSC00236.jpg]

The MR2 had already been very slightly modified :lol: by Boosst and others before it arrived, so it is just down to me to keep it running, tidy it up and made a few minor modifications.

Unfortunately, due to the state of the roads nearby which includes some excellent potholes much loved by MR2s, a few things got shaken loose and needed attention.:crying:
In the first week, the following went wrong:
- Power Steering failed (but good for building up arm muscles)
- The coils twisted loose and scraped against the front wheels particularly noisy on corners (just to make sure the neighbours knew when I got home)
- One pop-up headlight could only be bothered to lift half way up so she looked like she was winking at everyone (such a floozy) :wink:
- 2 oil leaks decided to make a big mess on my drive – one from the distributor, the other from the sandwich plate – and then the garage broke the distributor when they tried to fix the leak
Every time I spoke to the previous owner, the conversation went along the lines of:
‘What the **** has happened now? It never did that before. It was perfect when I had it’ Rolleyes
I joined OJC and headed for my first meeting at Castle Coombe on a lovely sunny day and was welcomed by OJC members.

This is how the car looked then – still with the old number plate (yet to be transferred back to its rightful owner).
[Image: DSC00251.jpg]
[Image: DSC00256.jpg]

Although I had washed the car (as instructed), I was informed I hadn’t cleaned it properly or polished it (oops in trouble already). Having expressed my lack of knowledge about this, I was then able to sit back with a cup of coffee donated by a friendly OJC neighbour and enjoy watching the men on their knees demonstrate how to clean it properly – how nice :wink:
[Image: DSC00248.jpg]
(Note the flat inspection panels – soon to be replaced)

Unfortunately, due to building work next door, this is how she ended up a few weeks later :glare:
[Image: DSC00365.jpg]

So I have now learnt how to claybar a car and polish it properly...
[Image: DSC00445.jpg]
... and am really pleased with the silky smooth shine on my ‘Legs’ :wink:....
[Image: DSC00454.jpg]

Yes, at long last the DVLA got their act together and swopped the registrations – it only took 3 months! We had to swop Boosst for the original L plate and then to the new Legs plate. The number plate has moved down off the bonnet leaving some holes to be filled.
[Image: P1020432.jpg]
[Image: P1020437.jpg]

I have also bought her some pyjamas to keep her clean and cosy Confused leep:
[Image: DSC00439.jpg]

legs-MR2
Member

12-07-2018, 11:42 AM

Everything seems to be running well at the moment, but there are some cosmetic things which need doing to tidy her up:

- The rear spoiler is splitting due to being so flexible and needs to be taken apart, cleaned up and sorted – any ideas on the best way to do that?
[Image: DSC00477.jpg]

- The holes where the number plate was attached to the bonnet need filling

- Changing the wing mirrors to ones with indicator lights built in (which I have got ready) and means that the original indicators can be thrown away and the holes filled

- Getting rid of the ugly fog lights and probably moving the DRLs to where the fog lights were and meshing behind somehow.

- A new rear panel with small round reversing lights instead of the old ugly rectangular ones. Have got a new blank panel, but am looking for the Leds – about an inch in diameter I think – where can I get them from?

- Complete respray - looking for a really crisp clean bright white – possibly Audi White – any other suggestions for a good white?

- The white part of the leather seats need to be replaced – some of the leather has gone too far to be worth just refinishing as it wouldn’t last

- Some of the leds need replacing – interior behind the heater unit and exterior in the brake lights

The plan is to keep her mostly white, but have a few bits in the engine coloured blue and of course some nice shiny silver/chrome bling bits too. The oil filler cap, intercooler pipe and some other bits (which I have forgotten the names of!) have already been changed.
[Image: DSC00438.jpg]

Was very lucky to buy some special inspection panels at Japfest – a very limited edition which are now on the car and even have mesh in the ends now. Thinking of putting red leds inside to come on when braking
[Image: DSC00339.jpg]

and now with mesh (v fiddly!)
[Image: P1020436.jpg]

The inside of the engine lid is very tired and not much can be done to clean it up...
[Image: DSC00434.jpg]

...so am thinking of going blue - had a go with photoshop to see what it might look like - not quite the right shade of blue but gives a general idea.
[Image: DSC00434-Blue.jpg]

Well it will certainly be noticed!:

But would be using this paint which is a great match for the Subaru blue bits already in the engine and looks amazing when lit up – so that means having some lighting in there!
[Image: DSC00463.jpg]

Have got a lovely blue rocker cover to replace the chipped one – maybe I should make that sparkly blue too?
[Image: DSC00429.jpg]

Just need some good weather in the meantime to be able to go out and enjoy driving her. :thumbup:

legs-MR2

12-07-2018, 11:42 AM #2

One thing that needed fixing (and apparently hadn’t ever worked) was the oil pressure gauge (one of a set of 3 Drift gauges). We weren’t sure whether it was the gauge, the wiring, the sender unit or the connections so got a complete new set from the States. I took it into the garage for a quote and when they had a quick check discovered the sender unit was missing (possibly one reason it wasn’t working). This meant a treasure hunt to work out which of the unconnected wires was the one connected to the gauge. When the new sender was attached, the gauge still didn’t work and after tracing and checking the whole length of wiring and connections, he found that it was wired into the wrong part of the block connector going into the gauge which is how it was made at the factory – oh joy! :confused1:
[Image: DSC00483.jpg]

Everything seems to be running well at the moment, but there are some cosmetic things which need doing to tidy her up:

- The rear spoiler is splitting due to being so flexible and needs to be taken apart, cleaned up and sorted – any ideas on the best way to do that?
[Image: DSC00477.jpg]

- The holes where the number plate was attached to the bonnet need filling

- Changing the wing mirrors to ones with indicator lights built in (which I have got ready) and means that the original indicators can be thrown away and the holes filled

- Getting rid of the ugly fog lights and probably moving the DRLs to where the fog lights were and meshing behind somehow.

- A new rear panel with small round reversing lights instead of the old ugly rectangular ones. Have got a new blank panel, but am looking for the Leds – about an inch in diameter I think – where can I get them from?

- Complete respray - looking for a really crisp clean bright white – possibly Audi White – any other suggestions for a good white?

- The white part of the leather seats need to be replaced – some of the leather has gone too far to be worth just refinishing as it wouldn’t last

- Some of the leds need replacing – interior behind the heater unit and exterior in the brake lights

The plan is to keep her mostly white, but have a few bits in the engine coloured blue and of course some nice shiny silver/chrome bling bits too. The oil filler cap, intercooler pipe and some other bits (which I have forgotten the names of!) have already been changed.
[Image: DSC00438.jpg]
[Image: DSC00437.jpg]

Was very lucky to buy some special inspection panels at Japfest – a very limited edition which are now on the car and even have mesh in the ends now. Thinking of putting red leds inside to come on when braking
[Image: DSC00339.jpg] [Image: DSC00368.jpg] [Image: DSC00370.jpg]
and now with mesh (v fiddly!)
[Image: P1020436.jpg]

The inside of the engine lid is very tired and not much can be done to clean it up...
[Image: DSC00434.jpg]
...so am thinking of going blue - had a go with photoshop to see what it might look like - not quite the right shade of blue but gives a general idea.
[Image: DSC00434-Blue.jpg]
Well it will certainly be noticed!:

But would be using this paint which is a great match for the Subaru blue bits already in the engine and looks amazing when lit up – so that means having some lighting in there!
[Image: DSC00463.jpg]

Have got a lovely blue rocker cover to replace the chipped one – maybe I should make that sparkly blue too?
[Image: DSC00429.jpg]

Just need some good weather in the meantime to be able to go out and enjoy driving her. :thumbup:

~~BOOSST~~
Banned

1,080

12-07-2018, 12:06 PM

You have so "got the bug" for modding now :thumbup:

and far to much cheek too :whistling:

But very glad to help you put your own stamp on the car and really make it your own :biggrin:

PS.. so, gonna spank ya ass for the "swop speed for noise" remark :w00t:

BOOSST

12-07-2018, 12:06 PM #3

DaveEdin
Posting Freak

5,657

12-07-2018, 12:07 PM

Looking good so far! Keep the updates and pics coming :biggrin:

IS200 Sport - Sold
Mazda 6 MPS - Zoom Zoom!

Modifications
Completed:
Currently 280bhp/295lbft; 3" Meercat custom exhaust; KW Suspension; FMIC; SSP; HPFP; Custom Stainless Steel Dials - for the moment, the only set in the world!! (Till the group buy for MPSOC anyway :lol: )

In Progress:
E-Tuning remap ongoing via Cobb Accessport; Braided brake lines; Stubby aerial; Tinted repeaters and sidelights; 3 Port Boost Control Solenoid; 3" HTP Intake

DaveEdin

12-07-2018, 12:07 PM #4

Looking good so far! Keep the updates and pics coming :biggrin:

mplavery
Posting Freak

906

12-07-2018, 12:10 PM

Very nice, I do miss my old MR2's.. lovin those wheels too !

You certainly sorted out a shopping list for your self that's for sure

The crack in the spoiler, from my experience you need to go to a good body shop to get it sorted, if it's not done right it will look good for a few months then crack again.

If it was me I would buy a new spoiler so I know it won't come back.

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[/COLOR]
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mplavery

12-07-2018, 12:10 PM #5

[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
[COLOR="Orange"]JAPANESE PERFORMANCE FEATURE SEPT 2011 Big Grin

legs-MR2
Member

12-07-2018, 12:18 PM

BOOSST and far to much cheek too :whistling:

Well it's a good thing I cut out the really cheeky comments then!

... and as for the PS -you can try, but you will just have to follow slowly behind me in your super cool and noisy machine and admire my rear view Wink

legs-MR2

12-07-2018, 12:18 PM #6

BOOSST and far to much cheek too :whistling:

legs-MR2
Member

12-07-2018, 12:23 PM

mplavery The crack in the spoiler, from my experience you need to go to a good body shop to get it sorted, if it's not done right it will look good for a few months then crack again.

If it was me I would buy a new spoiler so I know it won't come back.

I really like the shape of the spoiler - it is a Rev 6 spoiler and I am told (and I quote) ' it is as rare as rocking horse poo', so it would be good to get it repaired properly - but how????

legs-MR2

12-07-2018, 12:23 PM #7

mplavery The crack in the spoiler, from my experience you need to go to a good body shop to get it sorted, if it's not done right it will look good for a few months then crack again.

If it was me I would buy a new spoiler so I know it won't come back.

I really like the shape of the spoiler - it is a Rev 6 spoiler and I am told (and I quote) ' it is as rare as rocking horse poo', so it would be good to get it repaired properly - but how????

ormi
Posting Freak

3,006

12-07-2018, 12:25 PM

if its plastic you could get it plastic welded by someone that knows what they are doing...

TTE supercharger,pr0lex manifold,hks fcd,larger intercooler,apexi induction kit,silicone hose kit,IK22's,polished engine parts,TTE front bumper mod'd for intercooler,TRD side skirts,TRD rear lip,JDM headlights and fogs,10k hid headlights 8k full beam,L8XSS p/plate,fog/brake/light conversion,18"fox rs's,lowered 90mm(f)100mm®,moleys under bars,yellow trd anti rollbars,full stainless exhaust,carbon fiber intake plus so much more

ormi

12-07-2018, 12:25 PM #8

if its plastic you could get it plastic welded by someone that knows what they are doing...

Moley
Posting Freak

6,230

12-07-2018, 12:32 PM

Its looking well sleek now and the mods you have done are very nice .

I think the rocker cover would look good with that blue paint , but then you will need some lights to get it to sparkle Big Grin

.

Keep the pics coming

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Moley

12-07-2018, 12:32 PM #9

Its looking well sleek now and the mods you have done are very nice .

I think the rocker cover would look good with that blue paint , but then you will need some lights to get it to sparkle Big Grin .

Keep the pics coming