[Nick]

Overview:

Current modification list:

Mechanical:
HKS Silent Hi-Power Exhaust
Apexi Induction Kit
Magnecor Ignition Leads
HSD Coilovers
RPS Clutch
Fidanza Flywheel
17" and 16" staggered BuddyClub P1's
Kaaz 2-way Limited Slip Diff
XS Power Intercooler
Goodridge Brake Lines and 5.1 fluid
TRD ARB's with chassis plates + TRD Bushes
Fully Polybushed
Rev5 Calipers (overhauled Feb 09) with Carbotech Pads
TRD antiroll bars
Cusco strut braces front and rear
Front underbrace from TBdev
Ultra Racing wing braces

Electrical
Greddy Profec Spec B Electronic Boost Controller
Racelogic Traction Control + Launch Control
Odyssey Lightweight Racing Battery
Greddy Fuel Cut

Interior
Bride Kevlar Drivers Bucket Seat with 6-point Schroth Harness.
MSA-Approved Rollcage
Carbonfibre doorcards

Exterior
Exige Style Engine Cover
Smoked Front Indicators
Raybrigs

Performance
238bhp when rr'ed in 2006

Car History:
The car was imported from Japan in 2003 by the previous owner. I've owned it since 2006.

Some general construction photos:

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[Nick]

My full car diary is located here:

http://www.talkford....launch-control/

I'll cut out all the prior stuff and add today's update

Moved house, so got the car transported to my new place. Seeing as the car had been sat for a year in the garage, and I'm now back from HK, I thought this winter will be a good chance to give it a thorough going over and service. First thing on my list is the cooling system. I've never had any issues with it, but in the five ish years I've owned the car, I've never changed the coolant. So I've dumped the old stuff out, and removed the radiator to give it a thorough clean. It's in pretty good condition actually, no rust, no damaged fins, nothing really. Whilst I'm giving the car an overhaul, I'm also stripping out all unnecessary weight, so the first thing to go from the front of the car is the aircon radiator. It was completely knackered anyway, was literally falling to pieces. So whilst both rads are out (the aircon rad sits in front of the cooling rad) I'm also removing all old brackets, pipework etc. I'm also going to change the two heavy fans with a modern, lightweight kenlowe or similar.

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[Nick]

These wheels and tyres I've had sitting around in my garage for over a year, finally got them mated to each other today!

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The rears are going to need some archwork though...

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[rich@vrdevelopments]

Love the wheels

Winter rebuilds are fun. Got any major changes coming?

[Nick]

Not at the moment, the main aim for the winter is just to overhaul the car top to bottom really, strip out all unnecessary weight, and finish off all the little jobs I started by never finished. I've got some bolt-on wide arches to fit, and a fire extinguisher to plumb in. After that, I then want more power, and am undecided on whether to up the boost (well, fuelling, new turbo, injectors, mapping etc) or swap the engine over for a 3.0 V6 n/a, and then fit a supercharger. I prefer n/a power over turbo power tbh.

[rich@vrdevelopments]

NA power is more satisfying. We used to do an NA and FI version of the cars I used to build at Ginetta and although obviously the FI cars had bags more power, the NA cars just felt more natural and raw. A 3L V6 will sound awesome as well

[Nick]

Aircon rad removed, along with dash - weight saving has begun Hell of a lot of tidying up and stripping out to do in the cabin though.

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[Nick]

Progress has been slow...

I stripped out all the aircon gubbins and started stripping down the loom. That gave me some issues, so reverted back to a full loom. At least the car now works again

Currently refilling the cooling system, so todays job will be to bleed that and refit the front bumper. Then it's back to sorting out the interior, it's a jungle of wires at the moment!

[rich@vrdevelopments]

I stripped some of the wiring out of mine when I was at college with my friends and I'm amazed to this day how it still works lol!

At least putting it back together is a good excuse to escape any annoying family members

[Nick]

Turned out quite successful yesterday. The cooling system has now been flushed, refilled and all appears ok. Managed to wire in three quarters of my instrument panel yesterday as well. The last thing to sort out electrically is the ABS ECU, due to the difference in looms, one of the plugs is different.

[rich@vrdevelopments]

She back together now?

[Nick]

Slow!

The arrival of a baby daughter over Christmas put paid to that

I did manage to get a few hours in the garage yesterday afternoon though, slowly starting to put the car back together. I got as far as fixing the radiator and fan back in place, and then jacked the car up and placed on axle stands so I can remove the rest of the aircon. And that's about it!

This Thursday evening though the missus is off to stay with her sister with the baby, so I'll be able to spend all evening in the garage

[rich@vrdevelopments]

Congrats

Beer and pizza in the garage then You got any days booked yet for this year?

[squelch]

Nick i never knew you were going to be a daddy, you kept that quiet, congrats
Be good to see the old MR2 back out on track but hopefully not popping the intercooler pipe off

[Nick]

Thanks guys

Hopefully will get it out later this year, I just need to spend some time on it and stop breaking fiddling with it

[Nick]

2GR-FE.

3.5l V6, Toyota engine. Same as what's in the Lotus Evora. There is now someone who can supply them from the states, and they fit in an MR2. A groupbuy is commencing on one of the MR2 forums, but it's pricey (looking at £3k).

Oh what to do

[Nick]

No photos (nothing to look at really), but I've had a successful weekend in the garage. Wheels have been swapped over for the ones in my post above, and front bumper and lights refitted. Looks like a car again

Next job is to continue in the cabin, I need to tidy up all the wiring, complete the re-wiring of the clocks, and figure out how to wire up my ABS ECU.

[Nick]

2GR-FE conversion kit ordered.

Consists of:

-headers
-water neck with oil cooler port
-pedal adapter
-right side engine brackets.
-formed hose for coolant filler
-gaskets for both ends of the headers (toyota on one side, embossed copper on the other)
-gaskets for coolant neck
-required hardware
-stainless header flange

Should be here in May... (part of a GB in America, parts need to be made, hence the time frame).

[squelch]

should be fun to do and more fun when its done

[Nick]

My engine is one of these

Should be on it's way via a slow boat very shortly.

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