FuzzyDunlops Toyota MR2 MK1.5 build thread.

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jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
This is the easy move, I dont know how I am going to move the MkII to my place due to all the damage.
Something like this should pull it up onto the trailer, assuming you have somewhere to hook it on the car and on the truck/trailer.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Dear god, I would not want to work on that engine bay. D:

lol, this is my old Mk1 with Dr. Tweak from what is now Tweak'd Performance:
mr2a.jpg
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Dear god, I would not want to work on that engine bay. D:

LOL, ya, I know, its tight in there. and this one is diiiiirtty.

Something like this should pull it up onto the trailer, assuming you have somewhere to hook it on the car and on the truck/trailer.

ya, I think I have an old electric winch from a quad lying aroud somewhere that might work. Ive been using a Lever Hoist, but the chain is only five feet long and takes alot of patience.
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
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ok, day 2 of swap! Its been a good one!
I am about 1/6 of the way done! The engine is out!

IMAG1073.jpg~original


I have to seriously work on my engine lifting and lowering technique before I attempt at putting the 3SGTE in. its tricky to get things balanced! But wow, is it ever nice having a crane! SO so SO much easier.
The one thing Im a little upset at myself over though, is that I didnt put down any cardboard under the car. A bunch of coolant and oil spilt on the concrete and made a big mess. Took a lot time to clean it up and now it looks like crap under there. :(
 
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FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
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Well I had a big afternoon today! I made a lot of progress though it doesn’t show much.
First off I bought a small $10 hand pump to take as much gas out of the tank as possible. I tried to short the fuel pump but couldn’t get it to go. Meh, this worked.
IMGP3940.jpg~original

Next was to drop the gas tank which is no easy feat with a pre-90's MR2. The reason for doing this is that I need to switch out the old Fuel Pump for a pump that can push 255LPH for the 3SGTE engine. The only way to access the fuel pump on these MR2s is to drop the whole friggen tank because the wise engineers at Toyota thought that was best. Jerks. What a pain in the ass this job is. First I had to remove the whole e-brake assembly which was tricky because most of the bolts on the undercarriage were rusted tight. A good soaking with PB-Blaster over night did the trick though.
IMGP3941.jpg~original

After that I had to disassemble the interior center column to unclip the fuel pump.
IMGP3943.jpg~original

IMGP3945.jpg~original


After that it was more rusty bolts and clips hold the hoses all together in the engine bay and also a couple straps holding the tank in… But in the end, I got it out!\ Funny looking thing eh?
IMGP3949.jpg~original

IMGP3951.jpg~original

Old fuel pump assembly
IMGP3953.jpg~original


After I had safely removed the gas tank and had all that fuel safely stored away from the car it was time to take out the Engine Mounts!
IMGP3921.jpg~original


I took the advice of a few people and bought a Spot Weld Cutter. What a difference this VERY expensive tool makes!
IMGP3926.jpg~original


The job was a cinch with it as well as my trusty pneumatic chisel and 5“ angle grinder.
IMGP3927.jpg~original
 
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FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
IMGP3928.jpg~original


And here is the new mount ready to be tacked in once I get the new 3SGTE engine out of the ‘92 Turbo MR2
IMGP3930.jpg~original


And just some more random photos of how awesome a spot weld cutter is
IMGP3932.jpg~original

IMGP3933.jpg~original

IMGP3934.jpg~original


In the end when I say to myself "I dropped the gas tank and cut out the motor mounts" it sure doenst sound like much, but it was by no means an easy day. Im beat. Tomorrow is another big day dedicated to the MK1.5!
 
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jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Very nice! I just started house shopping too, so hopefully I can join the project-garage club again :D
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Very nice! I just started house shopping too, so hopefully I can join the project-garage club again :D

LOL, a few months ago you were pretty much the only build going on. Now you'd be one of about half a dozen! Get on it! Mod up that CTS-V!

:thumbsup:

Awesome.

+all of it to buying good tools.

I have figured out that if TIME=MONEY that I can spend some MONEY and save some TIME. By having the correct tools, in the end, it comes out even. LOL!


Tonight I worked on fixing some patches of rust in the floorboards and other areas... again. Im having some MAJOR deja-vu with this. Im hoping it will go twice as fast this time... Im hoping.

First off I took and sanded down all the pealing paint in the Frunk (front-trunk). THis is usually caused by previous owners spilling brake fluid while filling the resevior. I forgot to take before picts, but here is an after shot once the 2K primer dried (ah, the joy of owning a heated garage- can paint in the middle of winter!). Instead of messing around with my paint gun I just used the formula to roll on the primer. This whole area will be covered by cloth so it doesnt need to look pretty. I just wanted to stop the spread of rust.
IMGP3959.jpg~original


Next I started cutting out the rusty spots in the floorboards

IMGP3958.jpg~original


IMGP3957.jpg~original


and here are the pieces I will eventually form to fit into the spots I cut out.

IMGP3968.jpg~original


Before I start welding I need to buy a good respirator. I decided I need to be more careful from now on with the potential health risks from welding. Say NO to manganese poisoning!
 
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manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
8
0
Wow we were doing the exact same thing today lol

Looks great man, hope your enjoying the bigger garage after getting your stuff sorted.
 
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FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Today I had a big shipment of parts come in thanks to David Hawkins of twosrus.com
This guy has pulled through continuously in quickly delivering the exact parts that I need. If you ever own a Toyota, that is the site to cruise. Nearly everything you need to spruce up your ride is at this site

List of arrivals…
Mounting Kit for 255lph in-tank fuel pump (forgot to order when I bought the pump, doh!)
Front Inner Tie Rod Ends
Front Outer Tie Rod Ends
Rear Tie Rod Pair and Tie Rod Ends
Ball Joints all around
Prothane Urethane Bushings - Total MR2 MK1 Kit
Sway Bar End Links - Front and Back
Goodridge SS Brakelines
Spark Plugs for the 3SGTE engine (cheap thru david so I just threw ‘em in the order)
And a gas powered engine lid prop - because the stock engine lid prop is pissing me off.

Some items I still need to source are some Struts and Springs - I may shop locally for these this time. I went over my receipts from my previous build and think that it would be cheaper to buy local rather than pay for shipping and customs costs - also it would be wiser for returns if any are needed (like the last time). Don’t know if I will go with Koni Yellows and Eibach this time - maybe for the time being Ill keep it all stock and see if the upgrade is really necessary.

Also came today
IMGP3969.jpg~original


I finished welding in the floor pans on the drivers side front and am experimenting with this supposed Miracle Rust Cure called POR15.
IMGP3971.jpg~original


I also applied a layer to the Tie Rods and Sway Bar End Links because I noticed that on my old silver MR2 that they are getting a thin layer of rust on them. This will cure that. Tomorrow once it dries I will apply a coat of the Chassis Top Coat to the suspension parts. The floor pans shouldn’t need Chassis Coat as Ill apply some rubberized crap on it later.
IMGP3972.jpg~original

Excuse the paper they are lying on... I was testing the rubberized coating that ill use later.

OK: so if you pros out there think that I am doing something drastically incorrect PLEASE tell me.
 
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Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
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Why didn't you tape off the hex heads? Did you tape/bag the rod ends to keep the threads and bearing surfaces clean?
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
66
91
David Hawkins is an awesome guy. Glad to see you supporting his business.

Looks like a good care package too!
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Now that my ATG ban has finally lifted I might as well post an update.

I spent a few hours taking out the suspension bits from the rear left side the other night. There was one bolt (the same damn bolt as on last vehicle) that took me 2 HOURS to get out. The bolt was fused to a brass bushing inside of a rubber bushing. First step was to cut away as much rubber as possible, then get a angle grinder in there to make notches on the brass, then clamp a vice grip to it and try to twist it out. Millimetre by millimetre it finally came out. I used all the tricks, PB Blaster, Heat, no impact through… I may need to invest in an impact gun. Any input from you guys on that?

So with the pieces out of the way I wire brushed the wheel well clean of heavy dirt. Then washed it down with soap and solvents. After that dried I coated the well with a rubberized coating. Here’s a shot after the second coat. I did two more after this.
IMGP3987.jpg~original


In between coats I popped out the bushings and wire brushed, and washed the suspension bits.
IMGP3994.jpg~original

IMGP3995.jpg~original


Also put POR15 on them.
IMGP3997.jpg~original


Today I started work on a battery tray in the Frunk (front trunk). The battery for the MK1 MR2 is originally located in the engine compartment. Since the 3SGTE is a much larger engine, I need more room back there, so the battery needs to be placed elsewhere.
Here is the base piece of the battery tray. Ill weld this piece to the bottom of the frunk.
IMGP3984.jpg~original


A nut to run a anchor bolt thru
IMGP3988.jpg~original


And a little knob to twist with. Please excuse my horrendous welding on this piece. I had my welder set WAY to hot. Nothing a little grinding cant cure.
IMGP3990.jpg~original


I welded this mount to the wall of the frunk. Then I drilled a hole in it and tapped it so a screw can fit into it.
IMGP3991.jpg~original


And voila, here is the tray welded into place. Its quite sturdy too.
IMGP3992.jpg~original

IMGP3993.jpg~original


Now all I need to do is paint it, put the rubber plugs back in the bottom of the Frunk, and put the carpet back in. The nice thing about this battery tray is that there will still be room for a small spare tire behind it. Ill take a picture of the set up once it complete, but right now the paint is drying.
 
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jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Very nice. My jealousy for a garage and welder is increasing exponentially!

Incredible job, dude. Glad to see those bushings finally go to good use - you need to move to AZ afterwards so I can drive the beast :D
 
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FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Very nice. My jealousy for a garage and welder is increasing exponentially!

Incredible job, dude. Glad to see those bushings finally go to good use - you need to move to AZ afterwards so I can drive the beast :D


actually the bushings you sent to me were put on the old silver car. Those were black too.
As far as moving to arizona. lol! From what I hear they dont take too kindly to immigrants down there.
 
Sep 7, 2009
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Great update; welcome back! I really enjoy your build thread, don't get dismayed at the way things have been handled lately - I hear a fix is on the way.


You've come a long way with that mr2 and it's looking really good. I'm excited to see how that new motor works for you!
 

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
actually the bushings you sent to me were put on the old silver car. Those were black too.
As far as moving to arizona. lol! From what I hear they dont take too kindly to immigrants down there.

LOL no problem with immigrants striving to be responsible Americans; just the disrespectful non assimilating leeches with no respect for other people and their property. Huge difference.
 

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
8
0
Cool updates man!!!!

If you ever drive through Indianapolis on your way to AZ I would love to see your car and buy you a beer:p

I immigrated here as well when I was young and will be the first to tell you can live or go anywhere you want.

BTW always meant to ask you is the cat in your picture a rag doll? He totally looks like one of our old cats.
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
My cat is just a Hienz-57 that I picked up at a local rescue shelter. Best. Cat. Ever. He's toilet trained (yup, human toilet), does tricks (sit, wave, high-5, turn around, stand up on hind legs), and eats bugs and spiders that come into my home. I have some videos that I could brag with once I get home lol.

And moving is probably out of the question at this stage in my life. My career has just taken off, is stable, and I have a very nice and spoiled life here. The only problem is that its in the middle of nowheresville Canada -- but really, thats not a big problem. Ive travelled and lived in many places and know that people are pretty much the same no matter where you go. The weather is more of the issue. And when it comes right down to it, Socialism isnt all that bad (other than its extremely innefficient and I am forced to hand a quarter of my paycheck over to lazy people who feed off the system).

And thanks for the encouragement guys. Its this kind of banter that makes ATG the place it is supposed to be. I wouldnt be here if all I saw was insults and trolling. I pray that this new 'attitude' will soon pass. This is my HOME garage, where it all began less than a year ago and Im proud to be a member of this community. (just wish I'd chosen a cooler name than "fuzzydunlop" lol)
 

mcvickj

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2001
4,602
0
76
I can't tell you why but every time I read your screen name and see that pic if the cat it brings a smile to my face. It would be cool to see a video or two of your cat in action. :) Keep doing what your doing Fuzzy. I really enjoy the updates.