mr2-digest Tuesday, April 13 1999 Volume 02 : Number 2742 To be removed from this mail list, send the word "unsubscribe" in the body of a message to mr2-digest-request@mr2.com - For further MR2 and Toyota mail list information, see http://www.mr2.com/EMail.html --- Subjects ---- Re: mr2 MKII Turbo valve cover gasket replacement [MR2Turbo91@aol.com] mr2 MR2 Rear caliper piston needed! [Steve Durman ] mr2 NEED STOCK WORKING CAT. Converter ASAP!!! [MICHAELMR2@aol.com] mr2 re: [gen] Track Dates [Dave Hillman ] Re: mr2 Porterfield brake pads finally on the car [bluemr2@juno.co] Re: mr2 intercooler fans vs new IC? ["Chris S." ] mr2 FS: 15" TSW 5 star rims ! [christian rohde ] mr2 FIPK-ala-Dave [Dave Aucott ] Re: mr2 MKI brake suspension questions [HandsomeMR2 Brake Q [parashooter@juno.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 17:23:41 EDT From: MR2Turbo91@aol.com Subject: Re: mr2 MKII Turbo valve cover gasket replacement In a message dated 4/13/99 2:20:11 PM US Mountain Standard Time, rickm@kdi.com writes: > I'd like to replace my valve cover gasket this weekend and I need a rough > estimate of how long it will take. A couple of hours or a full day? > Also, does the intake manifold have to be removed or just the throttle > body? I figure I need the valve cover gaskets, throttle body gasket, and > all the screws and rubber washers that hold the valve cover on. Any thing > else? Thanks. > > Rick Martinez about two hours... remove the intake piping and the TB and you can remove it with no problems and a big screwdriver... Austin T ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 18:11:15 -0400 From: Steve Durman Subject: mr2 MR2 Rear caliper piston needed! Okay, down to the final stretch on the 2 week long brake project. It's taking this long because the garage that I rent has no electricity and I only have about 1 hour after work before it gets dark. Anyway, the piston in the rear caliper that was binding could use to be replaced. I called Pep Girls and they said they'd order it, but then they couldn't find one! Hard to believe. Then they proceeded to tell me that there are only 2 rear calipers for the MKI on the east coast. Shows how much they know. The dealer wants almost $70 for this piston. Way too much...I refuse to pay it, especially when the one from Pep Girls was $32. I'm going to try to see if I can just reuse the one I have, but I'm doubtfull. If anyone can get one to me by early next week (Tuesday) I'll pay a fair price. Thanks! - -- Steve D Red 86 MR2 NA (1993 Mazda 626 5-speed Daily Driver) red86mr2@earthlink.net South Jersey's MR2 Web Site: http://home.earthlink.net/~red86mr2 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 15:10:35 -0700 From: wongsun@WellsFargo.COM Subject: mr2 RE: Stickerkid Lifestyle (was: jackson racing and ...) Tony Wang wrote: In reality, if you compare, say a Civic DX Hatch to a MKI NA, the real edge the MKI has is in the handling. Power-wise the two are in the same ballpark. But if you think about it, you can make the Civic handle comptetively for about $2000. Yeah you're right regarding the power, but that $2k you spend on suspension stuff still doesn't bring it close to the feeling of driving the old na. My girl has a 98 civic dx (sorry, her parents' fault) and when I drive it I wonder to myself what are these people thinking who fix these things up (without swaps). I am bored to death driving it around. I insist on taking mister 2 out instead of her little civie ALL the time. I don't hate all hondas. The new si is a great improvement over that ex that everyone buys. To be honest, I'm lucky since I bought the mk1 from my bro for like $500. I wouldn't have known all this stuff about cars because I was going to be a honda owner myself. Thank you list. Sunny -----Original Message----- From: Tony Wang [SMTP:tony@nette.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 1999 5:58 PM To: wongsun@WellsFargo.COM Cc: mr2 Subject: RE: Stickerkid Lifestyle (was: jackson racing and ...) Sunny [wongsun@wellsfargo.com] wrote: ...the only commercial Honda and Acura cars I consider sports cars are vtec preludes(I'll let them slide) and type r/gsr integras. My goal is to be able to drag my mk1 with full interior and still be my daily driver. Well, I don't care for Honda's either, but there is some guy in Hawaii with a full interior, daily driven, 10-second Civic. I rather be able to drive it everyday and experience the fun of taking curves than prepare it for a race every couple of months. I feel the same way, but then again some people have RACE cars, and some people have SPORTS cars. The stripped out Civics fall into the first category. Honda has become successful in making cheap mass production cars, but it also created a culture of wannabes who think that stickers and clear corners add 5 hp. I'd better stop before the "Us against Them" philosophy in me comes out. Take care. No matter how goofy those kids are, I really doubt they believe that such trim items add HP. Let's face it- they do it LOOK COOL and ATTRACT [certain types of] WOMEN. The kids who spend money on "rims and headers" (why that combination?) and a "phat exhaust" and maybe even a "cold air box"- now they are unfortunate victims of good advertising, IMHO. "Springs, yo, I got my new springs." They have many delusions of grandeur, they do, all quickly dissolved when they try and rudely pass vehicles such as my humbling '84 533i (195hp/210ft.lbs). In reality, if you compare, say a Civic DX Hatch to a MKI NA, the real edge the MKI has is in the handling. Power-wise the two are in the same ballpark. But if you think about it, you can make the Civic handle comptetively for about $2000. Let the sticker-folk have their fun. It doesn't hurt me any. When it comes down to it, I've no fear of a challenge from a "bitchin' Prelude- VTEC man, he's got REAL VTEC!"... But then again I have over 200hp at beck and call... What defines a sports car again? It's what's behind the wheel. My $1.49 (that's one whole gallon)- Tony 93T ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 18:19:19 -0400 (EDT) From: "Chris S." Subject: Re: mr2 '92 Turbo... Should I run????? It would probably run around $500-$600 for rims, depending on what you get and where you get them from. Try the classifieds on MR2.com, and you may find a good deal. I would definitely get 15", though, just for the fact that it is generally easier to get good tires for them. Maintenance items I wouldn't worry about. 3. I would check to see what it would cost to get the head gasket replaced, or how much time and tell the seller to either deduct it, or have it fixed. I don't think it is that major, but I could be wrong. Hope any of this helps Chris 91 Turbo On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Scott, Chris wrote: > Hey All, > I went and checked out the '92 Turbo this weekend (thanks for > everybody's advice on the Turbo vs NA issue), and I immediately fell in love > with it. I ran it to Firestone real quick just to have them do their $12.99 > inspection, and the following problems were found. > 1) Needs 4 new tires. I expected this and was also wondering what the cost > and effort would be to step up to 15" wheels. > 2) Maintenance items need taken care of (air filter, oil change, etc.) > 3) Here's the kicker. The guy at Firestone thought that the head gasket was > leaking and causing the turbo to blow some oil (not much, but some). Should > I run as fast as I can, or is this not a major problem? The owner is taking > it to the dealer today for an estimate. What type of cost should I expect > him to came back with? The price right now is $7500 (the car has 102k > miles). > > I love the car, but I don't want to be stuck with some huge repair bills in > the near future if I can help it. Any and all advice would be appreciated. > Thanks, > Chris > '86 NA > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 18:24:11 EDT From: MICHAELMR2@aol.com Subject: mr2 NEED STOCK WORKING CAT. Converter ASAP!!! My friends 91 turbo was bought in nov of 98 and we discovered that his primary cat was gutted. now its emissions time and he failed. (even with Garunteed to pass in the tank). Anyone have a Stock working Catolytic converter lying around from when they got a straight pipe or Blitz DOWNPIPE? we only need to borrow it for a couple of days. We will pay for shipping both ways. or if you are local to MD we will drive to get it. Thanks, Mike Tomasello ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 18:41:23 -0400 (EDT) From: Dave Hillman Subject: mr2 re: [gen] Track Dates Tommy Guttmann mentioned a few track dates in the last Digest, so I thought this might also be of use to some folks. http://planet-torque.com/sche.html I have not checked the availability, but there is an open track event this Friday at Gingerman, with some Miata folks, and the first Midwestern Council Driver's School this weekend at Blackhawk Farms. Also, I have listed every autocross within a reasonable drive of Chicago, which means at least one event every weekend from now until November 21. Some drives are more reasonable than others, YMMV. Have fun, and keep the shiny side up! - -- D a v i d H i l l m a n nma, scca, scscc, imoc ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 06:06:34 -0500 From: bluemr2@juno.com Subject: Re: mr2 Porterfield brake pads finally on the car On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 21:47:10 -0400 parashooter@juno.com writes: >Those pads sound like I want them.....who has them? Porterfield Enterprises Ltd. 1767 Placentia Ave. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Voice (714) 548-4470 or (800) 537-6842 Fax (714) 548-7783 http://www.porterfieldbrakes.com I've been using them a couple days and have noticed now the downside to the Carbon Kevlar pads. Driving around in 50 degrees (actually, closer to mid 30s in the morning), they feel a little "weak" the first stop (until you get a little heat into them). They don't need much heat (one stop from just about any speed will do), but when they're still "stone cold", they are maybe 80-90% of stock. Warmed up, they are noticably better than stock. Something to keep in mind... Brian '91 MR2 4em http://www3.sscorp.com/~briank ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 19:05:33 -0400 (EDT) From: "Chris S." Subject: Re: mr2 intercooler fans vs new IC? I believe that upgrading the piping would be good because the rubber hoses tend to balloon a bit and get hot. Upgrading the stock IC fan to a SPAL would be good because it would lower temps about 25 deg. Upgrading the IC itself can either hurt or help, depends on what you do. A large core is more likely to heat soak and cause problems if you are in stop and go driving. it will work better as long as it has constant air supply. let me know if you are going to upgrade the IC piping bc I have been wanting to do that for a while and I don't have any ideas. Hope this helps, Chris 91 Turbo On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Nick Yee wrote: > Hey all > > I remember a thread a week ago or so about upgrading the IC fans. > Supposedly this was a good mod since the design of the stock IC was > perfect for the placement and size of location on the MK II, versus > getting a totally new IC, since it's larger size might actually hinder > performance. What was the outcome of this thread? I'm about to upgrade > my IC piping, fan, and even core, but wouldn't mind saving money > wherever possible. > > thanks in advance.... > > > nick > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 19:15:35 -0400 From: christian rohde Subject: mr2 FS: 15" TSW 5 star rims ! hey, ok...I had a really good deal for some 16" wheels come through today...so I decided to sell my 15" TSW 5 stars off. I had them for 2 years, and they are in "n e a r" perfext condition...they ran and looked GREAT on my MK2 Have a looksee for yourself: http://www.mindspring.com/~tfd/wheels/ you can see them on the car also at: www.mindspring.com/~tfd The fourth wheel on the right has a small dent in the front of the rim. I enlarged picture 3 to show the extent of the scratch. Butler tire here in Atlanta wanted $75.- to have the scratch filled... Otherwise the rims look good. My shop removed the tires since they wanted them to discount me for the new wheel deal... All wheels have the nice rubber air hoses with the metal head on them...One wheel is missing a metal head... If this is a problem, I can get you the head for free... I'm not really selling this for a provit...please make me an offer that you consider fair and would not be insulted by if you were to sell these...remember buyer pays shipping. This is a great deal for you guys running stock wheels and wanna upgrade! as always, thanx in advance, chris 91 mk2 crimson red turbo ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 20:00:18 -0400 From: Dave Aucott Subject: mr2 FIPK-ala-Dave I finally had a decent day to go outside and fab an intake for the MR2T. I had purchased the HKS AFM adaptor plate for the '93T and a 7 inch S&B cone filter... it was just a matter of getting the right PVC pipes and making some brackets. So, a trip to Home Depot and $1.68 later I had what I needed. I removed all the stock intake and positioned everything... instant "Davemax" filter! :-) I bolted it down and took it for a drive, and I honestly don't know if I feel a difference. The turbo *might* spool a smidge faster, but I think I just made it louder. However, I can now really hear the BOV venting into the intake pipes. I'll give it a couple days. This was the first step in trying to reduce turbo lag. Next is the Apexi GT exhaust... BTW, has anyone successfully removed the B-pipe without a lift? If so, how? I have the BGB and know the "procedure" for removal, but I remember when I did the transaxle it was seemingly impossible to remove, and I ended up dropping the rear subframe with the pipe still on it. Cheers. - -- Dave A. daucott@home.com http://members.home.net/daucott '93 MR2 Turbo, '72 Datsun 240Z, '85 CRX CSP Autocrosser ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 17:07:19 -0700 (PDT) From: HandsomeMR2 Subject: Re: mr2 MKI brake suspension questions > I believe that most of us agree that slotted rotors > are fine, but drilled rotors are prone to cracking. the CD rotors are fine. urban folklore as well my brake guy says stillen CD rotors are crap. i ride my CD rotors on the track as well as the street and backcountry twisties. ive gone through 2 sets of Powerstop X Drilled rotors. they have never cracked, warped, rusted, chased my pet cat around the house, or called my wife a nasty name. there is a place here in san diego called "One Stop" were we can get these rotors for ~$87 each. im due for another set of rotors soon and will get my 3rd set of CD rotors from them. i have set up a mr2 club pricing structure with them, hence the bitchin price. if you have the money and want that "mad racer" look, strap on a set of CD rotors.....your love life will improve....donno bout your lap times though. terry (lots of holes and liking it) _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 20:18:23 -0400 From: Dave Aucott Subject: Re: mr2 MKII Turbo valve cover gasket replacement Rick Martinez wrote: > > I'd like to replace my valve cover gasket this weekend and I need a rough > estimate of how long it will take. A couple of hours or a full day? > Also, does the intake manifold have to be removed or just the throttle > body? I figure I need the valve cover gaskets, throttle body gasket, and > all the screws and rubber washers that hold the valve cover on. Any thing > else? Thanks. That's it. Just remember there are TWO valve cover gaskets. You only need to remove the throttle body. - -- Dave A. daucott@home.com http://members.home.net/daucott '93 MR2 Turbo, '72 Datsun 240Z, '85 CRX CSP Autocrosser ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 20:19:59 -0400 From: "Jeffery Condon" Subject: Re: mr2 [Mk1] Looking for track wheels Andrew, I have a set of 4 stock 4 spoke wheels with new unmatched tires available. These are from my 87 MKI parts car. You can view them at the linked page below. I also wanted to let you know that I spoke to Arlyn at Strano Performance parts. She is familiar with the MR2 and supports over 700 different products. I mentioned that we were looking to incorporate and were looking for sponsorship money. She replied "like what?" I don't think she is going to shell out $250 per month for advertising but she will supply stuff for events. I don't know where you would like me to take this but give some guidance and I will see what I can do. Jeff Condon 85 MR2 87 MR2 NA Parts Car http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Lane/6602/87MR2parts.html 91 MR2 NA 90 Nissan 240SX ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 20:21:56 -0400 From: parashooter@juno.com Subject: Re: mr2 Brake Q Dave, I get the same thing with my '91T, I'm planning on bleeding the system thoroughly this weekend to see if that helps. (it is annoying isn't it...) this could also be caused by worn/loose wheel bearings, a caliper that is cockeyed (not parallel to the rotor) or very hard cornering (guilty). I may pull the rotors and cut them for good measure, I think pads are about due anyway.... Do you have ABS? (I do) that pump makes it much more of a PITA to bleed, you have to bleed all the fittings from the master to the pump, from the pump, and at the calipers. I know on some cars a SST is needed to activate the pump to proerly bleed ABS brakes, but the BGB doesn't mention this. On Tue, 13 Apr 1999 17:05:52 -0400 Dave Aucott writes: >I have an interesting question for the masses. My '93T has been >doing >this for a while now... I noticed it late last summer. When I first >press on the brake pedal there is a slight delay in brake pressure - >in >other words I need to press the pedal in a bit before getting >stopping >power. If I let off just a touch and then re-apply the brakes, I get >pressure immediately and at the top of the brake pedal travel. > >This seems to be that as the brakes sit or are not used, the calipers >"open up" and the pads get further from the rotor. Upon first brake >application the pads are pressed through a longer distance to meet >the >rotor - hence the longer pedal travel. When I do a quick re-apply of >the brakes the pads are already at the rotor, so the braking is >immediate. > >So, possibilities are warped rotors pushing the pads away, but the >rotors are true with no vibration - strike one. There could be air >in >the system, but it has been bled - strike two. The master cylinder >could be bad, but why would it be so consistent, and why would it >back >off the pads? Maybe the pads aren't actually backed off. The >calipers >could be bad, allowing the slider bolt locations to flex slightly >causing the pads to back off, or to flex during braking. > >Ideas, or am I at strike three (new calipers)? > >-- >Dave A. >daucott@home.com >http://members.home.net/daucott >'93 MR2 Turbo, '72 Datsun 240Z, '85 CRX CSP Autocrosser > Pete '91T (2#7) ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #2742