Performance Parts

[Angelfox]

How's it going everybody? Sitting in school and thinking. On a somewhat Small budget. ( around $1,500 ) What is some of the cheapest Biggest horsepower gains? Also. I've seen alot of Mr2's with the "Snorkel" ? Is that a coldair intake? Not sure but Any idea what it does or if it would help out alot?
Buddy of mine told me to check around on Ebay, but i'm looking for a more specific part. I honestly don't know what i'm looking at when i see these parts, Only what the description reads. So i'm trying to learn as i go here.
As i said, Small budget. Any certain parts that would help my car get a bit faster without burning a hole in my pocket or killing me on Labor costs for sombody to install it.
Thanks Everybody !!! (>^_^)>
-Rock

[PHOENIX]

There is a huge debate on the snorkels "air scoops" whether they work or not. I might be able to find the thread but there is still no real data to verify functionality. Most people buy it for aesthetics.

Honestly, with $1500 dollars and the year of our cars, I would spend that money making sure your car was running well. I know when people get a few extra bucks here and there its awesome and we run out to buy the first performance part we can find.....but sometimes thats not the best idea. Honestly, I would use it to get to know your car. Give it a tune-up, new fluids, maybe redo the brakes and some suspension pieces.

Regaining lost horsepower and drivability is most of the time, better than gaining horspower with mod.

Just a suggestion.

[MR2 Drifter]

What modifications do you already have on your 2???

For $1500 you can do quite a bit

[Angelfox]

Originally Posted by PHOENIX

Honestly, with $1500 dollars and the year of our cars, I would spend that money making sure your car was running well.

Regaining lost horsepower and drivability is most of the time, better than gaining horspower with mod.

Just a suggestion.

Thanks. I'm sure your right. As you may have noticed, The body is in need of some aid as well as the motor. It's a bit rusted. I'll take it to Jiffylube or some local shop.
Any idea what Bleeding the colant and changing the oil as well as the Temp gauge, since my car still over heats ( overflow coolant boils after long or hard drives).
Thanks for the help! ^.^
-Rock

[PHOENIX]

Can I make a suggestion to you?

Do it yourself! If your into cars and your into your car, you will enjoy it 10 times more knowing that the work to your car was done by you. I'm not suggestion removing the engine and giving it a full rework, but the simple things like oil chance, coolant flush, transmission flush, thermostat, ignition stuff can be easily done by you in your garage or driveway.

Here is a section of the MR2Board that can help with some of those things......

MK1 - MR2 Links Directory

As far as anything else, honestly....just ask and you will have 5 people telling you tips, tricks, and specifically how to do what you want to do....like an oil change.

Taking a day with nothing to do and doing it yourself will save you a ton of money and if your into cars, a nice feeling of satisfaction.

If your truly afraid of doing some of these things on your own......Just ask! Go to a meet. You would be suprised how nice the MR2 community is and the willingness to help out other members are in this community.

I know if you were local to me, id tell you to take a day off, and drive out for the day and ill show you how to do everything. I like working on MR2's and meeting new people.

[lsgheero]

Agreed ^^

[Angelfox]

Originally Posted by PHOENIX

.

Taking a day with nothing to do and doing it yourself will save you a ton of money and if your into cars, a nice feeling of satisfaction.

If your truly afraid of doing some of these things on your own......Just ask! Go to a meet. You would be suprised how nice the MR2 community is and the willingness to help out other members are in this community.

I know if you were local to me, id tell you to take a day off, and drive out for the day and ill show you how to do everything. I like working on MR2's and meeting new people.

Hahah, if only you were local. But, if i recall right. ( don't be mad if i'm wrong* your in Japan? I've looked around the fourms and noticed that. Go to a meet? Like what do you mean? Group of people getting together all with a mr2? I live in Chambersburg Pa, Close to Maryland border and Gettysburg. I doubt there would be anything within the area. Also. About changing the oil and everything. A Buddy on the mountain is gonna help me bleed the coolant and change the oil. I'll help and i hope next time i won't have to rely on sombody else's knowledge to do it. ^.^
I also have that body kit to put on to mabey fix the Rust hole and the bumper dents. It's a bolt on, but not sure if i could put it on myself or if my friend could do it. Any Thoughts on a bolt on body kit for the mk1?
Just want to say thanks for everybody helping me out.
As far as that 1,500 going far into performance, Everything on my car is stock right now but the exhaust tips. So the snorkle is just a myth on if it helps? Odd. Like, any idea on what some of the 1st parts i should look into putting Performance wise?
Thanks to Everybody for helping out Much Appreciated!
-Rock

[lsgheero]

I agree with phoenix I would replace things like tie rods, shocks, engine mounts?, etc before worrying about the typical performance mods.

I say typical because with the car being as old as it is refreshing all these basic parts is a performance mod lol.

As for mods that will help basically on a NA all you can really do is tune the engine and put on a good oil/air filter. The rest on a NA would be internals like cams, pulleys, etc.

But refresh all the old parts give it a good tuneup and you will be amazed the difference.

[mr220v]

$1400 gets you a 4age 20v, or 4agze maybe. Doing all the work yourself of course.

[lsgheero]

^ good point :P

[4AGTE]

Guys, he can't even change oil or coolant, don't put swap ideas into his minds and set him off on the wrong path. What he should do is focus in getting his car to run right, fixing the body and miscellaneous stuffs. Spend a couple of bucks on an intake, or even a different muffler is a good start. Dont pour 1500 all at once in something he will get stuck on.

[Timon]

^ Exactly. Let him learn from a basic set up before worrying about swapping out an engine. Besides, if he doesn't take care of it properly, and just does a swap then he probably won't take care of the swapped engine either (no offense - hypothetically speaking).

The best thing you can do is get your vehicle back to OEM specs (maybe slightly better) through maintenance parts.

Logically thinking here:
If your engine dies, you're out a car.
If the suspension drops, you can't drive your car.
If the body looks bad... meh.
If the car is faster than stock... meh.

That should be your priority list - Engine > Suspension > Looks/Mods

You're in a good situation right now, the car is yours, free and clean. You can do as you'd like to it. We're just giving you advice to protect your new investment. Honestly, you don't have to follow any of it. It's all up to you.

[suprarx7nut]

As others here have said, don't be hasty with the mods. Get your car nice and clean and running well. If your car overheats you NEED to address that FIRST. Your car should NEVER overheat and any time it does, it means something is awry. You need to fix that before anything else if you want to have a reliable car.

I was once young and "mod" happy and wanted a stylin ride, but trust me: Having a clean, stock car can be much faster/funner than a run down, beat-up, modded car.

[Angelfox]

Ok. Just wanted to say thank you to everybody for you input. As of now. Here is the things Wrong with the car.. That i can remeber. Exhaust Leak, Gasket is blown, Radiator fan's don't work properly, Hardcore rust and dirt in the engine, Doesn't shift smoothly. Air pockets in the coolant. Windshield wiper arms are fully rusted.
WoW. I Didn't think the car was this bad when i bought it. The body work i understood was an issue. As you can tell, the body needs alot of work.
FREAKING LAST NIGHT I GOT A DARN SPEEDING TICKET!!!!! 50 in a 35. WoW. 139.50 Bucks. Anybody knows what that would be, Points wise on my license would be a great to know! Can't believe it.
The last time this car has inspection was 03 of 08. If it doesn't pass inspection then i am going to buy a buddy's truck for 1,300 and just keep the Mr2 as a fixer and start learning about cars with that one.
I just don't have another 1,000 Bucks to spend on Repairs to get it Road ready and pass inspection and fix the car. I'd rather just buy a good 4x4 for the winter then be 6 foot 4 driving a MK1 That needs all that work and has over heating problems.
1,300 On a Truck >>>>> Blown Engine Mr2 ( if i don't speend the couple grand to get it fixed. Or warped head.
If anybody is Located Near PA or Close by that would want to buy it from me, or help me fix it, Or just plan known where i can take it to Have some body work done that'd be wonderful Also.
As of everybody posting on Their opinions, Thanks ^.^ I Read everyone and take into consideration my plans and possibilities. So Any more post would be nice, as i DO still check everything. =D Thanks Everybody!

Any other comments on My car or just simple Mr2 things that may help would be greatly appreciated!

-Rock

[muffinman]

I think points for tickets might be different in some states but in Florida usually speeding tickets are 3 points. Once you get the MR2 exactly how you want it it will be a great car for you. You never know you might run into the same problems with your friends truck if you buy it , he's obviously selling it for a reason. Good luck with making a decision because after all is said and done it's you that has to live with either vehicle not us so choose the right one for you.

[Teado]

As far as inspection goes, I'm not sure about your state, but here in Oregon if the car is over 20years it's exempt... Another reason I love my 86'

Might be worth looking into

[mr3]

I'm in Plymouth Mtg Pa. I'll give you 300 for the car lol. jk. I could use another back up car so I can swap my 20v into.

[86tymr2]

heres another good site for repairs http://www.mr2mk1club.com/repairsindex.html