Toyota MR2

[Tony]

Hmm.  I hope you remember where all those plugs go

[lozzzzzz]

I got some more done this weekend, between jobs on the 106

I've finally got all the loom out and labelled everything up.  I've got a nasty feeling there is no speed sensor on the gearbox at all, I imagine it must use one of more of the ABS sensors    thats a bummer as I've cut them all off. 

Anyway, progress so far. 

The loom is now completely free from the car and all the bits I need (minus the ABS sensors) are in tact. 


The engine is nearly free and ready to come out:



More to come

[Julian]

Rather you than me.

I struggled this afternoon with eight bolts to remove the front prop from the Disco!

[Tony]

Definitely an automotive epic adventure.  The final result will certainly be quite unique

[Head Womble]

Tony, we neeeeeed pictures of your old kit car.

[Tony]

Oh crikey, they're on 35mm film under the bed somewhere!

The internet is amazing though, there's pictures of a couple of them here:

http://www.allcarindex.com/auto-car-model/United-Kingdom-Lightning-1-Targa-Sport--TS/

Mine looked like the white one on the right, but in black.

It's pretty amazing there are pictures on the internet considering that only 10 kits were made (and one of which was soft top).  Mine had the 2 litre Pinto engine in but this was replaced with the Granada 2.8 V6.

[Head Womble]

Looks like a Corvette, very nice.

[lozzzzzz]

I like it, I'd have to go with the slotmags rather than the wheels on the red car though. 

[lozzzzzz]

I'm really wrestling with time at the moment, the new job requires 7 more hours a week than my last job and its an hour away where the last job was 11mins.  That and making bio has meant a huge reduction in car time  

I'm working on it though (getting more time and the car)

The engine is finally out    



There are a few more bits to harvest from the toledo then its off to the scrap yard in the sky:


There is a nice DOC to sell under there somewhere.  There diesel in the tank to extract and some sections of exhaust might come in useful too. 

I'm still undecided on which direction to go now.  Strip the loom, learn more about the MR2 loom, or just get stuck in stripping and tuning the TDI motor first??? 

Well I've got to stop the scimitar exhaust tapping on the floor of the car first and fit new track rod ends to the pug.  But hopefully in the not too distant future I can get a solid 8 hours on this. 

More to come

[Dickjotec]

Oh to be young with the drive to undertake something like this.
Can I scavenge a rear caliper and carrier off it if they are any good? I assume you are using all the sensors? Has it got remote central locking?
Don't forget to clean the turbo inside before you put it in the MR and check the actuator as they force limp mode for a pastime.
Are you using the intercooler from the vag or the MR?

[lozzzzzz]

I can have a look at the calipers for you no problem.  I believe its the same car as yours underneath you're welcome to bits more if you want.  I'll be using all the sensors associated with the engine yes. 

The MR2 was an NA, I'd llike to fit a massive intercooler as its a no brainer in terms of getting more power, but this is something of a packaging problem on a mid engined car, so i might stick with the VAG one and put in in the little side vent that the MR2 has. 

As for the turbo, I though it had your name on it.    I might hang on to it for a while, at least until I get a PD13-.PD150 unit.  But at that point the turbo is yours if I can borrow VAGCOM for a while. 

[lozzzzzz]

I spent most of this morning pulling the last few bits off the toledo, the first length of exhaust pipe, the gear linkage and a few nuts and bolts.  I put the bumper back on, and the bonnet.  Drained the tank and put it in the daily driver. 

Then out came the Scimitar and in went the MR2.  I've taken a few bits off it and had a good look over it.  I think I'm going to do something like what I did with the Toledo.  Label everything up as I disconnect it, take the engine and box out, then open up the loom and check there is nothing in that stretch of loom that I need. 

So this is where I'm at at the moment.  It still doesn't look like much progress, but I really have run out of other things to do now

This might sound strange, but I really like working on Toyotas, this is the fourth Toyota I've worked on and they just seem to be so well put together. Everything is in a sensible place, well made with dimple topped captive washer bolts, and all rather well thought out. 



More to come. 

[Dickjotec]

It's the Japanese way. In my experience they come apart easily, even after years, and are designed to go back together correctly. Can't say the same about the European cars.

[Tony]

Yes I'm with Dick on that one, Jap cars are the way to go when it comes to mechanics designed with maintenance in mind.

[lozzzzzz]

I took a day off today and was in the garage all day   It was like old times, a pig in s***    

I made another 150L of bio diesel.  I stripped the Toyota engine loom in an attempt to understanding it and see if I could get the engine bay fan to work in the absence of the engine (I couldn't).  So the engine loom now consists of just the reverse light wiring

Then stripped the loom to the dials and have identified what I need to make the following warning lights work: main beam, fog lights, handbrake, doors open, and indicators.  Then took it to pieces and was delighted to find that the VAG dials will fit in the gap where the Toyota dials used to reside.  Result! 

As well as that, I've done my usual looking at it for ages and figuring things out, got lots of ideas in my head now.  What a great day!




More to come