Totally new

jsnod25 · 09-03-2009, 03:15 PM

May name is Jason, im 27, i live in Virginia Beach, VA. so anyone in the area that wants to help out and give me some deals if they might be looking to get rid of some parts (front left quarter panel) i would love to get in touch.

Im in the process of buying a 1988 MR2 (i think GT?!?!?) i do know that it is a T top, if that helps and that it has no turbo or anything and that the manifold says 1600(cc) on it. I dont even know how to tell what trim, or what engine it has other than what i just said. I have test driven it and it runs great. it has 238k original miles and less than 100k after engine rebuild. Clutch is solid, so is the trany, no slipping or grinding which shifting, no play on the clutch, engine starts right away and responds well to the throttle, idles well and everything sounds good, no pops, bangs, whistles, hissing or knocking.

The friend im buying it from knows a bit about them (cars in general), but mostly his friends know a bit more. it has alot of body work that needs to be adressed and the interior needs to be redone too (preferably). I just want to know though, what engine does it have, or how do i find out, and what can i add to it (turbo, intake, cooler etc...), where is the best places to shop for new and used parts? Also what should i be aware of imediatly of potential problems that are common with this car, and what other models can i part from which are compatible with the 88's?

I apreciate that this site exists and that you guys offer such good information. Thank you in advance, and i will be active on this site.

muffinman · 09-03-2009, 03:26 PM

Welcome

88 MR2 or MK1 came in supercharged (SC) or naturally aspirated (NA). if your looking for more power your best option is to swap for an SC or 20V. the 20V i think is the better option because it's easier to get everything you would need.GL

yours should be the 2nd one in the pic with the red lettering , AW11 16v 4age

traintech86 · 09-08-2009, 07:27 PM

no way hah i am out here in norfolk and i bought an 89 5 months or so ago. all the parts should be simular. mine too is a T-Top and i get this wonderful feeling after it rains and i go to sit down...well my ass gets wet. anyways the main problems i have had have been with my clutch. everything else has been great. this site will save you alot of time and money so def stick around!

jsnod25 · 09-14-2009, 07:30 AM

so i found out that the engine is infact the 4AGELC. And forunatly, right before i purchased it, the clutch has given out on it, and the seller has agreed to sell it to me for $500 since i will have to replace or fix that, and replace the exhaust manifold before it will pass state inspection. Does anyone think that would be a good buy? I have till friday to make my mind up.

The problem with the clutch is strange, and im not convinced its completely ruined. I engage the clutch to start the engine, and it purrr's like a kitten and starts on the first turn. But from there, i cannot engage the transmission into any gear. While the clutch is engaged and i try to shift into first, the car starts to roll, kinda, but will not set into gear. then strangely, when the car is off, and the clutch is, or is not engaged, i can change gears no problem, but only when its off. lastly, if i have the car off, shift into 1st gear, or reverse, then turn on the car with the clutch engaged, it will start, but imediatly start rolling in its respective direction, its really bizzarre. does that seem like the clutch? or the transmission?

muffinman · 09-14-2009, 09:47 AM

could be a bad slave or master cylinder or just air trapped in the system.

jsnod25 · 09-15-2009, 07:14 AM

well i went in to bleed the clutch, and the master looks brand new. The slave however looks old, maybe original, and whoever owned it before was not liking the bleed process and had an 18 inch semi-flexible aluminum pipe that let it extend to a more manageable area. The nut with the bleed nipple however was rusted beyond use (like wleded to it), and the slave itself where it mounts between the engine block and this adjustable plate mount thingy wasnt even bolted on anymore. There was one bolt left, and the adjustable plate was too far away that it wont even reach. so i know what the problem is (i hope) and im just going to get a new slave and have a shop throw it on because im quite limited in my tools as of now. i was really hoping it was just low on DOT3 or it had air in the line... nope... well maybe it does have that too, but with the new slave, it will have to be bleed anyways with new fluid. Thanks for your help and suggestions.

mr2tim · 09-15-2009, 07:37 AM

Jason,

Welcome to our Mid-engined Runabout 2 bunch.

It sounds like you will soon become a more knowledgeable mechanic very soon, as you are going to start updating and maintaining the car yourself. Good for you!.

As Traintech mentioned we might suggest you obtain a waterproof car cover since you have a 20 yr old T-top.

Yours should be a easy and fun adventure as your "friend" appears to have put the car into driveable condition. You just have to make it look "pretty?"

We might suggest you obtain our (BGB) Big Green Book, the Toyota Service Manual for 85-89 cars and start reading. There is a Body section which tells you what to do in the interior to "fix" things.

Good luck with your new baby!!

mr2tim
South Florida
(just down and to the left of ya!)

traintech86 · 09-15-2009, 09:39 PM

yeah man if you need help and want to save money hit me up, ill show you how to do the slave cyl work. also you can shoot me any questions! i just got paid so my next process is installing new head lamps(gotta love how the screws are rusted in) and then i get to replace new rotor's, brake pads, and a driver side caliper( the driver side rear brake is locked up)

jsnod25 · 09-16-2009, 09:10 AM

ROFL, thanks mr2tim, look forward to buying some inventory from you. And thanks traintech for offering your assistance. I would also like to offer my helping hand in anything your doing, i would love to be there as your assistant so that i can learn a few things while you tackle your next projects. and the t-top glass on mine is brand new, its tinted and the weather seals are perfect (brand new), no leaks... and i plan on parking this baby in the garage, mostly since im going to be working on it a bit too. thanks for the advice guys, i look forward to meeting you guys in person and comparing cars someday.

-jsnod25-

09-03-2009, 03:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
jsnod25 How did this get changed? Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Va beach, va Posts: 128 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Totally new May name is Jason, im 27, i live in Virginia Beach, VA. so anyone in the area that wants to help out and give me some deals if they might be looking to get rid of some parts (front left quarter panel) i would love to get in touch. Im in the process of buying a 1988 MR2 (i think GT?!?!?) i do know that it is a T top, if that helps and that it has no turbo or anything and that the manifold says 1600(cc) on it. I dont even know how to tell what trim, or what engine it has other than what i just said. I have test driven it and it runs great. it has 238k original miles and less than 100k after engine rebuild. Clutch is solid, so is the trany, no slipping or grinding which shifting, no play on the clutch, engine starts right away and responds well to the throttle, idles well and everything sounds good, no pops, bangs, whistles, hissing or knocking. The friend im buying it from knows a bit about them (cars in general), but mostly his friends know a bit more. it has alot of body work that needs to be adressed and the interior needs to be redone too (preferably). I just want to know though, what engine does it have, or how do i find out, and what can i add to it (turbo, intake, cooler etc...), where is the best places to shop for new and used parts? Also what should i be aware of imediatly of potential problems that are common with this car, and what other models can i part from which are compatible with the 88's? I apreciate that this site exists and that you guys offer such good information. Thank you in advance, and i will be active on this site.

09-15-2009, 07:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
mr2tim SUPERcharZed ToyZ RacZer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 690 Thanks: 2 Thanked 41 Times in 38 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Howdee Newbee Jason, Welcome to our Mid-engined Runabout 2 bunch. It sounds like you will soon become a more knowledgeable mechanic very soon, as you are going to start updating and maintaining the car yourself. Good for you!. As Traintech mentioned we might suggest you obtain a waterproof car cover since you have a 20 yr old T-top. Yours should be a easy and fun adventure as your "friend" appears to have put the car into driveable condition. You just have to make it look "pretty?" We might suggest you obtain our (BGB) Big Green Book, the Toyota Service Manual for 85-89 cars and start reading. There is a Body section which tells you what to do in the interior to "fix" things. Good luck with your new baby!! mr2tim South Florida (just down and to the left of ya!)

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09-03-2009, 03:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
muffinman Brain Surgeon Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,797 Thanks: 24 Thanked 102 Times in 99 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Welcome 88 MR2 or MK1 came in supercharged (SC) or naturally aspirated (NA). if your looking for more power your best option is to swap for an SC or 20V. the 20V i think is the better option because it's easier to get everything you would need.GL yours should be the 2nd one in the pic with the red lettering , AW11 16v 4age

09-08-2009, 07:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
traintech86 Traintech86 on all im's Join Date: May 2009 Location: Norfolk VA Posts: 920 Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 24 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	no way hah i am out here in norfolk and i bought an 89 5 months or so ago. all the parts should be simular. mine too is a T-Top and i get this wonderful feeling after it rains and i go to sit down...well my ass gets wet. anyways the main problems i have had have been with my clutch. everything else has been great. this site will save you alot of time and money so def stick around!

09-14-2009, 07:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
jsnod25 How did this get changed? Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Va beach, va Posts: 128 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	so i found out that the engine is infact the 4AGELC. And forunatly, right before i purchased it, the clutch has given out on it, and the seller has agreed to sell it to me for $500 since i will have to replace or fix that, and replace the exhaust manifold before it will pass state inspection. Does anyone think that would be a good buy? I have till friday to make my mind up. The problem with the clutch is strange, and im not convinced its completely ruined. I engage the clutch to start the engine, and it purrr's like a kitten and starts on the first turn. But from there, i cannot engage the transmission into any gear. While the clutch is engaged and i try to shift into first, the car starts to roll, kinda, but will not set into gear. then strangely, when the car is off, and the clutch is, or is not engaged, i can change gears no problem, but only when its off. lastly, if i have the car off, shift into 1st gear, or reverse, then turn on the car with the clutch engaged, it will start, but imediatly start rolling in its respective direction, its really bizzarre. does that seem like the clutch? or the transmission?

09-14-2009, 09:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
muffinman Brain Surgeon Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,797 Thanks: 24 Thanked 102 Times in 99 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	could be a bad slave or master cylinder or just air trapped in the system.

09-15-2009, 07:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
jsnod25 How did this get changed? Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Va beach, va Posts: 128 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	well i went in to bleed the clutch, and the master looks brand new. The slave however looks old, maybe original, and whoever owned it before was not liking the bleed process and had an 18 inch semi-flexible aluminum pipe that let it extend to a more manageable area. The nut with the bleed nipple however was rusted beyond use (like wleded to it), and the slave itself where it mounts between the engine block and this adjustable plate mount thingy wasnt even bolted on anymore. There was one bolt left, and the adjustable plate was too far away that it wont even reach. so i know what the problem is (i hope) and im just going to get a new slave and have a shop throw it on because im quite limited in my tools as of now. i was really hoping it was just low on DOT3 or it had air in the line... nope... well maybe it does have that too, but with the new slave, it will have to be bleed anyways with new fluid. Thanks for your help and suggestions.

09-15-2009, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
traintech86 Traintech86 on all im's Join Date: May 2009 Location: Norfolk VA Posts: 920 Thanks: 14 Thanked 25 Times in 24 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	yeah man if you need help and want to save money hit me up, ill show you how to do the slave cyl work. also you can shoot me any questions! i just got paid so my next process is installing new head lamps(gotta love how the screws are rusted in) and then i get to replace new rotor's, brake pads, and a driver side caliper( the driver side rear brake is locked up)

09-16-2009, 09:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
jsnod25 How did this get changed? Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Va beach, va Posts: 128 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	ROFL, thanks mr2tim, look forward to buying some inventory from you. And thanks traintech for offering your assistance. I would also like to offer my helping hand in anything your doing, i would love to be there as your assistant so that i can learn a few things while you tackle your next projects. and the t-top glass on mine is brand new, its tinted and the weather seals are perfect (brand new), no leaks... and i plan on parking this baby in the garage, mostly since im going to be working on it a bit too. thanks for the advice guys, i look forward to meeting you guys in person and comparing cars someday. -jsnod25-