Low Mileage (40k) Ragtop lookin' for some love

[RagtopI]

I am trying to do a few things to my MKI ragtop, to spruce it back up closer to showroom condition...

I'm looking for:
1) a new exhaust manifold,
2) a (passenger's side) seat belt retraction mechanism,
3) a shifter boot/cover
4) a new shifter knob.

I think I can get a stock exhaust manifold, but I would really like to get a ceramic coated one that is suitably sized for my normally aspirated MKI engine.

For the seat belt retractor, I still have the old one, but it only wants to move one way-- tighter and tighter-- it won't seem to relax its grip to spool out the belt... don't know if all MKIs are interchangeable on this or not-- can anyone tell me?

For the shifter boot cover, I would really like to get a leather one, but the ones on Twos R Us seem to only be for MKIIs.

As for the shifter knob, I really don't need a new knob, I just want to replace the leather on the outside of my (penis-shaped) stock knob-- anywhere to get that?

[1985MR2]

I've been lucky to find most of my replacement parts on eBay.

There are some current listing for replacement shift boots - see
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyot...20441414QQrdZ1

Occasionally a "nearly new" original MR2 leather shift knob comes up for sale on eBay. I'd keep my eyes open for them as they do get snapped up for a good price ~$60. As for your seatbelt retractor, there is a gentleman in Texas named Ed who sells used 85-89 MR2 parts on eBay. email him at cmstexas2@yahoo.com with what you want and he will list it for you. His prices are very reasonable, the items are well packed and the quality is excellent.

[RagtopI]

I am also looking for a side air intake cover (the straked louver for the intake) from a 1987 or 1988 model MKI.

[canadam]

Is your car a factory convertible ?!

[1985MR2]

Originally Posted by RagtopI

I am also looking for a side air intake cover (the straked louver for the intake) from a 1987 or 1988 model MKI.

If you would like one from an 1986, Dennis has one ...http://www.mr2board.com/forums/mk-1-...ut-86-mr2.html

[RagtopI]

Yes, my car is a factory convertible-- but no, I am looking for a 1987 or 1988 intake louvre (the one which has fewer, larger strakes).

[PETC]

You have quite possibly one of the rarest MR2s ever made!!!

Please post pictures! Please take good care of it!

[RagtopI]

I just spent a lot to have the top replaced--after 20 years, some dry rot had caused the old canvas to be less than fully waterproof-- that's OK most of the time because I don't take him out in bad weather... but every once in a while, you get caught in an unexpected downpour.

[1985MR2]

Originally Posted by PETC

You have quite possibly one of the rarest MR2s ever made!!!

Please post pictures! Please take good care of it!

There is an interesting posting of the MK1 convertible complete with pics at http://www.mr2ownersclub.com/mk1convertible/

[RagtopI]

This car is nearly identical to mine (car color, top color, etc.)-- I have the first one produced, which was an '86... I was told that eventually, 6 of the '86's and 19 of the '87's were made... I was later told by Toyota that they decided not to take the car into a larger production run because of the amount of handwork involved in creating the car-- Toyota didn't think that they could sell enough of them, when the cost of making the convertible version nearly doubled the price of the car... even though, as I understand it, they sold every one they could get their hands on at the Marina Del Rey dealership, without any discounts... you have to remember, at that time, practically the only convertible available in America was the Mustang, with the Corvette being reintroduced as a convertible just at the time that I bought my car. If you wanted a highly reliable convertible, there were no choices-- the Celica convertible, the 300ZX convertible, the Mitsubishi 3000 GT Spyder all came later.

[CpuZapper]

As to the manifold, there are several companies that make an aftermarket header, with varying degrees of quality. Probably the best is TRD, however it will be difficult to find one, and it will not be ceramic coated. If you are looking for any performance gain though, look elsewhere, as it will net you maybe 5hp under perfect conditions. For reliability, quality, and a quieter ride, stick with a stock cast manifold with the heat shields on it. As to the seatbelt retractors, on the '86 passenger side, if you pull the belt out all the way, it will engage the child seat mechanism which does exactly what you describe. It will get tighter and tighter without releasing tension till it is completely retracted. At that point, it is supposed to release, and revert back to normal function. I'm not sure if the belt your car has is any different from a full top version though, as the shoulder belt attaches about halfway up the B-pillar. It may very well be the same part, but it would be best if you could remove the old retractor mechanism and get us a part number off of it. Also, I am definately looking forward to seeing some photos of your car, and hopefully one day seeing it in person. I have always been curious how they changed the chassis to cope without the added strength of the top, and just how they modified the rear of the interior. Again, welcome to the MR2Board, and if there is anything I can help you find, please let me know.

[AceX]

I have the side vent you are looking for. Two of them actually. One's white, the other is some macco special blueish black. Anyway, let me know if you want one and I'll be more than obliged to make you a deal on it...

[RagtopI]

My original manifold is cracked (I assume), because it intermittently makes the engine sound like a boat (or a VW Beetle-- my other passion). I would be receptive to just getting a stock manifold with the heat shields, but I was told by the guy who owns High & Tight that the stock manifolds tended to crack, so that if I bought a used one, it might crack quickly on me... on the other hand, the original one lasted about 16 years before it cracked.

On the seat belt mechanism, I had completely disassembled the retractor spool, and tried to get it to work properly. Before I disassembled it, the belt was stuck such that it wouldn't spool out or retract; after I re-assembled it, it now only retracts... I wrote the part number down somewhere, when I had it open-- I'll try to find it-- is it better to just get a new/old retractor & belt than fussing with this one?

[1985MR2]

Originally Posted by RagtopI

My original manifold is cracked (I assume), because it intermittently makes the engine sound like a boat (or a VW Beetle-- my other passion). I would be receptive to just getting a stock manifold with the heat shields, but I was told by the guy who owns High & Tight that the stock manifolds tended to crack, so that if I bought a used one, it might crack quickly on me... on the other hand, the original one lasted about 16 years before it cracked.

On the seat belt mechanism, I had completely disassembled the retractor spool, and tried to get it to work properly. Before I disassembled it, the belt was stuck such that it wouldn't spool out or retract; after I re-assembled it, it now only retracts... I wrote the part number down somewhere, when I had it open-- I'll try to find it-- is it better to just get a new/old retractor & belt than fussing with this one?

I had a lot of luck with a gentleman from Texas named Ed who parts out AW11's and sells the parts on eBay. Anything that can be unbolted from an MR2 is what he sells, so I'm sure he could set you up with the parts you need.

His eBay store is http://stores.ebay.com/MR2-924S-944-...QQftidZ2QQtZkm or you can email him with the parts you want and he will post them on eBay for you to bid on. His email address is cmstexas2@yahoo.com