mr2-digest Saturday, 11 November 1995 Volume 01 : Number 028 MR2 Braking cold Weather Noises, -n- stuff cooler temps == higher hp? Re: Seat Wear & MR2 Articles Re: Factory Boost Guage A Mustang Story Willow Springs Driving School ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uunet!arthor.cais.com!scott_maclean (Scott Maclean) Date: 10 Nov 1995 5:00 EST Subject: MR2 Braking Reply-To: scott_maclean@arthor.cais.com (Scott Maclean) to: uunet!uk.oracle.com!JOSHAUGH I've just got a few questions. Under braking (moderately, I've not tried braking too hard) the car feels as though it's fighting with you. the front end doesn't feel that stable and it kicks side to side a little on the stearing. Is this normal? Is it just 'cos of the stiffness of the front suspension or maybe the ABS. This is most noticable on a country lane where the surface isn't too good, so I've put it down to stiff suspension and the road surface. I'm a bit unsure of this tough as my 1963 MGB (with pretty stiff suspension) doesn't jump around so much down the same roads under braking and it's a bit of a dog on bad road surfaces. My MKII does the exact same thing. If you brake on an uneven surface (like the ruts that develop at stop lights), you'd better have a good hold on the steering wheel, because there's a good chance your car is going to dart unexpectedly into the next lane otherwise. Scott MacLean CASMEL-I Artificial Horizons BBS arthor@cais.com Aviation! (301) 417-9341 http://www.cais.com/arthor/www/index.html 300-33,600 bps V.FC/V.34+ * Free Access * Aviation Files * Usenet Newsgroups * CD-ROMs Online * ** Via PMail 2.3h Reg#658976 ------------------------------ From: uunet!diane.csg.mot.com!mikep (Mike Pittelkow) Date: Fri, 10 Nov 1995 08:44:18 -0600 Subject: cold Weather Noises, -n- stuff As the cold winter rolls into us again, I seem to have aquired my first ever cold weather noise. (93 Turbo) When accelerating from a stop, just as the car starts to move there is a noise from the right rear corner somewhere, about halfway between a clunk and a creak. Doesn't sound like it's coming from under the car, but could very well be. Makes the same noise, to a smaller degree, just as the car comes to a stop. It's much louder in the cold, but I've noticed it when it's warm as well. Is this the infamous stabilizer bar bushings? Possibly an engine mount bushing is broken? Ideas anyone? I've been thinking of replacing the stabilizer bar bushings w/ aftermarket bushings, anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm starting to get some rusty colored stains of unknown origin around the edges of the t-cover inserts. Can't figure out where they came from, but I'd like to clean these covers. What's safe to use? I'd hate to damage them (at $200, they're ridiculously expensive!) Turbo vs. NA question - Someone w/ a NA car please respond: Do the NA cars have the front and rear tower bars the turbo cars do? In regards to the Celica's 3SGTE being twin entry or not.... Yes, it is twin entry, just like the MR2's 3SGTE. Personally, I'm much more interested in the 300hp racing version of this car... This months Sports Car International includes a review of the F50 and a fairly unknown mid that looked particularly interesting. Also a review of the Lotus Elise. I want one. Our European friends should be able to purchase one (retail price at around $30k) April 96, should be reaching the US a few months later. All around, pretty good issue. Some good pictures of the Elise. - -Mike +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | mikep@diane.csg.mot.com | Email to mr2_faq_request@diane.csg.mot.com | +--------------------------+ with subject "FAQ" for a copy of the most recent| |1993 MR2Turbo #223 FRINGE1| MR2 FAQ. Suggestions to mr2@diane.csg.mot.com | +--------------------------+-------------------------------------------------+ | The views, information and opinions in this message are mine, not my | | employers, unless explicitly stated. Nyah. Don't set fire to strangers. | | Motorola Cordless, Libertyville, IL 60089 (w)708-523-2454 (h)708-520-3783 | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ ------------------------------ From: uunet!rsa.cirrus.com!AARONC Date: 10 Nov 95 08:03:00 EST Subject: cooler temps == higher hp? Good morning. I was driving into work this morning. Temperature around 26 degrees F. And I was delighted to notice that my 89 NA MR2 was a bit zippier than usual (e.g., yesterday afternoon). After thinking about it, I remembered reading an article in Popular Mechanics about jet engines (including the new GE90) and how colder intake air yields more horsepower. I'm thinking that this priciple also applies to internal combustion engines after the engine has had a chance to warm up. A colleague at work suggested that the denser oxygen from cooler temperatures is the major contributor to this effect. Anyone else have any experiences with this phenomenon? Thanks, Aaron aaronc@rsainc.com P.S. I think I'll plan my next road trup to Alaska. ------------------------------ From: uunet!touch.caltech.edu!charlesg (Charles Grosjean) Date: 10 Nov 95 08:21:56 GMT Subject: Re: Seat Wear & MR2 Articles mr2-digest@validgh.com writes: >a stock-looking (except for some lowering) '93T that ran a 12.27 quarter >mile. It was the fastest turbocharged import at some drag race. It had an >aftermarket turbo and intercooler, but the engine internals were stock. It >was running 20 psi of boost, which sounds awfully high for a stock engine. >Brad Burns I haven't seen that issue yet, but if it is a white 93T, I talked to the owner at that race where it ran a 12.27 at Palmdale, several thousand feet up and over 110 F, so I suspect it would be in the 11's. Kinda funny watching people put bags of ice on their engines. Anyways, it has a Turbonetics turbo, DFI and I recall an HKS EVC controlling boost. I don't remember if there was any porting work, but the exhaust was a 3" UltraFlo. The work was done by RPS who had two white MR2's there, both basically the same although one driver had a much better day. Charles ------------------------------ From: uunet!touch.caltech.edu!charlesg (Charles Grosjean) Date: 10 Nov 95 08:25:51 GMT Subject: Re: Factory Boost Guage mr2-digest@validgh.com writes: > BTW, I am developing an inexpensive, adjustable mechanical boost > controller for the MR2. I Increased my boost to 14.5 PSI "guage" > (just before the factory over boost fuel cut occurs at 5200 ft. > altitude). What the world needs is an electronic boost gauge, with rpm adjustable boost settings like the Superchips Boost Graphic (not that I am in any way endorsing that product having never used nor seen one) and atmospheric compensation to allow tailoring for different altitudes, and maybe a speed sensor so that boost can be reduced in 1st for those people that like to play at the strip. Oh, it should be about $500. So, does anyone know how to control the valves? I'd be willing to do the electronics/interface/sensing, I just don't know the proper way to modulate a bleeder valve. [you lurking out there Cal?] > John Broderick Charles ------------------------------ From: uunet!aol.com!Casey7970 Date: Fri, 10 Nov 1995 12:06:59 -0500 Subject: A Mustang Story Hi. I own a 90 Ford Mustang 5.0 GT Convertible. I like my car. It's very fast and can beat anything . . . well almost anything. So here's the story: I was cruising along down HWY 4 this morning on may way over to Bob's house. Not too much traffic so I am able to weave in and out of traffic and pretty much go as fast as I want. I spot this car pulling onto the road about a half mile ahead . . . has some pretty fat tires on it for a small car . . .rats darn traffic . . . gotta catch up and see what that bright yellow low slung sports car is. Alright, I catch up to him. It's a Toyota? MR2? I think I've heard of those. Pretty slick lookin . . . I pull alongside . . . and glance to my right at the driver. We're already doin close to fifty so he declines the invite to waste some gas. I pull ahead abruptly with a rumble. . . feeling a bit cocky now. What's this? A stoplight ahead and no traffic. That yellow rice burner pulls up on my left. There's no way he could decline now and save his pride. He gives me a quick glance and I know it's on. Ready now . . . waiting for the green . . . revving the engine . . . can't even hear his . . . THE SILLY FOOL!!! GREEN LIGHT!!! GO! GO! GO! My tires bark under the strain . . . HAH . . . smokin you off the line . . . you should have known . . . . . . did he just shift gears? Tail lights! . . . He just hit third! He's pulling away! He's pulling away! . . . . . . . . . . Reflecting back: There's no way that was a Toyota. Must be a joke. What kind of idiot would put a Toyota badge on a Ferrari MR2 Turbo. Sheeesh! *** This is a true story.*** *** The names and places have been changed to protect the innocent and save embarrassment to that poor Ford 5-point-slow owner. *** Kip Anderson 91 "Rice burning" MR2 Turbo Casey7970@aol.com ------------------------------ From: "Iwohara.Steve" Date: 10 Nov 1995 09:25:14 U Subject: Willow Springs Driving School Found this on the Miata list. Seems like the guys with the MR2s don't know how to drive. __________________ >From archive-owner Mon Oct 30 13:10:19 1995 From: "Richard D. Buhl" Subject: Willow Springs Driving School Date: Mon, 30 Oct 1995 13:07:23 -0500 Well I just got back from the Willow Springs Percision Driving School. There were three of us Miataters (like mouse-ca-ters, Jeannie what's the proper way to say that?!?). Cindy, Brian and myself. Before the class we drew straws, and I get to do the quick and dirty write up. So.... The class had 12 cars in it (I think), among the more elite cars were the Miata, Acura NSX, Ferrari 328, Porsche Carrea, Corvette Sport 88, and a newer MR2 Turbo. The Miata and the MR2 were put in with the econo boxes for some reason ;). Anyway the day started a little late (20mins) with a classroom session. They discribed proper sitting position, oversteer, understeer, etc. Then we split into 2 groups. Ours went out to the Streets of Willow Springs race track first. We started with the follow the leader stuff. Each car receiving 2 laps behind the pace car. Then the instructer (Todd) stood at the side of the track and watched us go around. After each lap he would give us some feedback on what we needed to do. After doing this for a while (10-15 laps?) we started free laps. The only proviso was to hold up if you started getting to close to the car in front of you (this seemed to happen a lot for me). Then Todd started riding with the students. Student drives 3 or 4 laps then Todd drives 3 or 4 laps. Smooooth. I mean smooooooooooooooooooooooooooth. Todd was amazing. Braking, shifting, accelerating and most of all turning were seamlessly smooth. It was kinda fun to feel they way it should be. Then lunch. Afternoon. We start at the wet skidpad. Induce understeer, oversteer and learn how to react. In the schools specially preped car they could stay in oversteer all the way aroung the pad (the record is 3 laps). I made it about 1/4 lap then let the instructer (Ryan) try he made it about 1/2 lap. The Miata behaves pretty well, and you can get it to do anything you want. After all of us (7 cars in my group) had our 5 mins or so they did a high speed 180 and 360 spin in their specially preped car. Kinda fun but not very useful and IMHO took way to long. Lunch ended at about 1:30, by 3:30 we were still playing on the skid pad. I wanted more laps. However, we started doing threshold braking on dry and wet pavement (2 of each). This really gave a sense of the differnce in stopping distance required. Then they opened up the full track to all cars (the morning session was on an abrevviated track). They stuck some pylons on the only straight to keep speeds down. We started playing follow the leader, I got stuck behind the Carrea. This guy was running the middle of the course SLOW! We fell so far behind I had to find the lines through the corners myself. Then the guy couldn't figure out how to go through the slalom cones. He keep making 1 out of 5 then deciding he didn't want to turn the wheel anymore (must be to much work). Anyway they finally pulled the pace car off and we were free to go to it. Only the carrea was being driven so SLOW that it was frustrating. The instructers finally pulled him over and then I had all kinds of track to play with. I caught up with an older MR2 and we started hauling. It was great, but the light was fading. Finally we caught up to the turbo MR2, and in his zeal to push things the old MR2 locked all his tires right in front of me. Fortunately, he recovered in time with no problems. Then he let me go by and he tried to follow me. No dice. I was even on my stock Bridgerocks with 52K miles on them. Then the daylight was gone and the class was over. Impresions. They are a bit unorganized. I wanted a lot more laps, but realize now that after 3 hours of laps (2 in the morning and 1 in the late afternoon) I didn't need to abuse my car anymore. The next class I go to will be their Intro to Racing where I get to abuse their cars. The skidpad was great, and so was the breaking. I wanted more than 2 runs of braking, although for those with ABS it was probably enough. This track was BUILT for a Miata. I left me new SP8000's at home, but if I had it to do over I would have put them on. Overall it was a good class. I learned a lot about how my car handles on the edge (almost spun it once, but had the skidpad lessons under my belt so I was able to pull it out). I wanted more of a race oriented class, this spends about half the time on the race stuff and the rest on defensive driving. It was a good intro class. I wanted to thank Brian Wolf for being kind enough to let me cruise his 95 Merlot for a couple of laps. The power steering was wierd. Too much isolation. He has good tires and beefier sway bars so the car really hooked up. It was quicker while feeling slower. For comparison my car is a 92 base which is bone stock. Finally I wanted to thank both Brian and Cindy for driving up to the school so I would have some company. It is definitly more fun with a couple of Miatas. I hope they had a good time. And last but not least both Todd and Ryan (two of the instructers) said that the Miata was the best car for the course followed by the corvette. Like I said it is the perfect track for a Miata. Too Cool. Rick B. PS it was wierd but seemed that those in the lower priced cars were pushing medium to very hard, while those in the high priced toys were in the not at all to medium range, with the noted exception of the Ferrari 328 driver who goes to this class every couple of months. ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V1 #28