Mk3 Mr2 Racecar
Discussion
Thought I’d start to document my time with this car.
I’d always wanted to start racing and I’m sure my wife would tell you it became an obsession and I somehow managed to convince her to buy my Go Racing pack/ARDS test for Christmas 2017. Had my medical done as soon as I could in January 2018 then booked my ARDS test at Knockhill in early February but unfortunately it was snowed off.
I was off with work to the Falkland Islands mid Feb so rescheduled for June which turned out great as on the day it was glorious sunshine and I had a fantastic day throwing the FK2 circuit cars around Knockhill and came away with that pass certificate and some great tips and advice from the instructors.
I didn’t own a race car and thought I would dip my toe in with hiring a drive in a Fiesta Xr2 but grids seemed small and the money needed for a weekend didn’t make sense so no racing for me in 2018.
I was on the hunt for a competition ready car and scoured eBay/Gumtree/Facebook every day and almost bought a Ford Puma Cup car but it sold before I could get to it when I came across the car below (pictured on my drive)
Raced in the Mr2 Championship in England and pretty much just what I was after. I got some photos and a video walk round and made the deal, jumped on a plane from Inverness to Luton and had a very loud and surprisingly comfortable drive north to Elgin (550 miles).
More to come
I’d always wanted to start racing and I’m sure my wife would tell you it became an obsession and I somehow managed to convince her to buy my Go Racing pack/ARDS test for Christmas 2017. Had my medical done as soon as I could in January 2018 then booked my ARDS test at Knockhill in early February but unfortunately it was snowed off.
I was off with work to the Falkland Islands mid Feb so rescheduled for June which turned out great as on the day it was glorious sunshine and I had a fantastic day throwing the FK2 circuit cars around Knockhill and came away with that pass certificate and some great tips and advice from the instructors.
I didn’t own a race car and thought I would dip my toe in with hiring a drive in a Fiesta Xr2 but grids seemed small and the money needed for a weekend didn’t make sense so no racing for me in 2018.
I was on the hunt for a competition ready car and scoured eBay/Gumtree/Facebook every day and almost bought a Ford Puma Cup car but it sold before I could get to it when I came across the car below (pictured on my drive)
Raced in the Mr2 Championship in England and pretty much just what I was after. I got some photos and a video walk round and made the deal, jumped on a plane from Inverness to Luton and had a very loud and surprisingly comfortable drive north to Elgin (550 miles).
More to come
First job was getting rid of all the decals on it, what a pain in the **** that was but with a hair dryer and some tar and glue remover over a few evenings it was done
Then a fresh set of Brembo discs and some EBC Yellowstuff pads all round were fitted in the snow 🥶
Managed to pick up a set of OZ wheels that came from a track Clio 182, they were in ok state being rattle can matte black came fitted with a shot set of slicks that I swapped out for some Toyo R888r’s, bit heavier than stock and wider too so these didn’t last long As they ruined the handling
The seat that came with the car was a Steel Framed OMP, really comfy as I found out on the journey to collect the car but weighed quite a bit so that was swapped out for a Motamec Firbreglass shell seat saving about 4kg in the process
This is up to March 2019
More to come
Then a fresh set of Brembo discs and some EBC Yellowstuff pads all round were fitted in the snow 🥶
Managed to pick up a set of OZ wheels that came from a track Clio 182, they were in ok state being rattle can matte black came fitted with a shot set of slicks that I swapped out for some Toyo R888r’s, bit heavier than stock and wider too so these didn’t last long As they ruined the handling
The seat that came with the car was a Steel Framed OMP, really comfy as I found out on the journey to collect the car but weighed quite a bit so that was swapped out for a Motamec Firbreglass shell seat saving about 4kg in the process
This is up to March 2019
More to come
I was registered for the SMRC Sports & Saloon Championship with the 1st round being start of April so I booked in for a Trackday a few weeks before to get my eye in and iron out any issues
It was soaking wet but I learned a lot, I owned a Mk1 Mazda Mx5 in the past so not totally new to RWD but being mid engined the Mr2 was very different
The car was still road legal so I’d risked it and driven to/from Knockhill for the trackday but obviously racing was going to be a different ball game and I’d need a trailer.
But I’m young enough to not just get that given to me so I booked a course through a local company and did a days training & test to achieve my B+E licence.
The car all loaded for the first Race weekend, the nerves were off the charts at this point.
It was soaking wet but I learned a lot, I owned a Mk1 Mazda Mx5 in the past so not totally new to RWD but being mid engined the Mr2 was very different
The car was still road legal so I’d risked it and driven to/from Knockhill for the trackday but obviously racing was going to be a different ball game and I’d need a trailer.
But I’m young enough to not just get that given to me so I booked a course through a local company and did a days training & test to achieve my B+E licence.
The car all loaded for the first Race weekend, the nerves were off the charts at this point.
So first race weekend arrived and I had booked onto the test day on the Saturday to get my eye in.
Testing was ok and I got some help from the guys to bodge my Rain light wiring to work and a few other things for Scrutineering like tethering my camera mount (cable ties) and some yellow tape on the earth lead of the battery. Scrutineering passed and off back to the hotel for what was the worst nights sleep ever.
Come Sunday it was raining, I had no wets so R888r’s it was and actually without severe standing water they are good. I managed to get 1st in class (out of 3) so I was buzzing with excitement at that.
Our championship was first up after lunch with a public grid walk etc which I didn’t need at that point, so out of the comfort zone having people poke around the car and generally be weird haha
Anyone who has driven Knockhill will know the Start/Finish straight has a crest in the middle and my grid slot was on the upslope so needing a handbrake hill start which just adds to the complication.
First race went well, I aimed to play it safe and bring it home and that’s pretty much how it went, Andy Paterson in his BMW 318is got past before turn 1 and I arrived down Duffus dip facing cars sideways across the track after contact. Heart in mouth I squeezed past and settled into a rythm and was being lapped by the faster cars (Escort Cosworths, Focus RS’s etc) within about 6 laps and brought it home for 2nd in class.
I lined up for the 2nd race with the same aim of just finishing and learning some more, the Mr2 has great traction of the line and I gained massively for about 10m before the turbo cars in front got on boost then they were gone.
A couple of laps in Andy Patterson’s BMW expired on the straight (threw a rod) and I didn’t even click that this promoted me to 1st in class so when I was directed off to the side at the end of the race I had to ask the Marshall what was going on (thinking it was random scrutineering check or something) he said “you won, for the podium”!!!!!!
At this point I learned that interviews are horrible and didn’t know where to look with the camera in my face etc
So a podium on my first weekend due to others unreliability and I don’t think I stopped smiling for a week or two.
I was hooked.
Testing was ok and I got some help from the guys to bodge my Rain light wiring to work and a few other things for Scrutineering like tethering my camera mount (cable ties) and some yellow tape on the earth lead of the battery. Scrutineering passed and off back to the hotel for what was the worst nights sleep ever.
Come Sunday it was raining, I had no wets so R888r’s it was and actually without severe standing water they are good. I managed to get 1st in class (out of 3) so I was buzzing with excitement at that.
Our championship was first up after lunch with a public grid walk etc which I didn’t need at that point, so out of the comfort zone having people poke around the car and generally be weird haha
Anyone who has driven Knockhill will know the Start/Finish straight has a crest in the middle and my grid slot was on the upslope so needing a handbrake hill start which just adds to the complication.
First race went well, I aimed to play it safe and bring it home and that’s pretty much how it went, Andy Paterson in his BMW 318is got past before turn 1 and I arrived down Duffus dip facing cars sideways across the track after contact. Heart in mouth I squeezed past and settled into a rythm and was being lapped by the faster cars (Escort Cosworths, Focus RS’s etc) within about 6 laps and brought it home for 2nd in class.
I lined up for the 2nd race with the same aim of just finishing and learning some more, the Mr2 has great traction of the line and I gained massively for about 10m before the turbo cars in front got on boost then they were gone.
A couple of laps in Andy Patterson’s BMW expired on the straight (threw a rod) and I didn’t even click that this promoted me to 1st in class so when I was directed off to the side at the end of the race I had to ask the Marshall what was going on (thinking it was random scrutineering check or something) he said “you won, for the podium”!!!!!!
At this point I learned that interviews are horrible and didn’t know where to look with the camera in my face etc
So a podium on my first weekend due to others unreliability and I don’t think I stopped smiling for a week or two.
I was hooked.
She’s in!! I was so happy at this point, never doing an engine swap on a driveway again.
Some new Hardrace rear arms and fresh bolts from Toyota
Back on its wheels for the first time in a while
The ECU needed to chat to a computer, the software is windows only and I only own a MacBook so a bit mad but this worked a treat
threespires said:
Excellent, well done.
What class do you race in?
Will the Honda engine move you to another class?
Thank you, What class do you race in?
Will the Honda engine move you to another class?
I raced in Class B3 which is up to 2000cc N/A on road tyres and although the championship has kind of dissolved and a new one sprung up in its place I still fit in that class (now C3 I believe)
Seen you race!
I love the SMRC, so much racing and the variety of cars and classes it is brilliant. I am genuinely surprised that more Scottish motorsport fans dont watch it (obviulsy this year excluded). It's never very busy with spectators.
The minis of course are a great watch, 20+ into Dufus is crazy to watch, the classics with John Kimond in the SD1. There are some crazy quick cars in that sports and saloons too.
It's great to put some background to the cars and driver, good luck when it all returns! I believe there have been a couple of rounds this year but the grids understandably have not been great.
I am 1 of 5 that stand in solitude about 50m round from Dufus
I love the SMRC, so much racing and the variety of cars and classes it is brilliant. I am genuinely surprised that more Scottish motorsport fans dont watch it (obviulsy this year excluded). It's never very busy with spectators.
The minis of course are a great watch, 20+ into Dufus is crazy to watch, the classics with John Kimond in the SD1. There are some crazy quick cars in that sports and saloons too.
It's great to put some background to the cars and driver, good luck when it all returns! I believe there have been a couple of rounds this year but the grids understandably have not been great.
I am 1 of 5 that stand in solitude about 50m round from Dufus
Congrats on an excellent start to your racing career!!!
I keep looking at Mk3 MR2s as they seem very good value for money, we are very lucky in the UK to be able to get them for sub£3k, in Japan these are now pushing £10k.
A semi stripped out pre face lift with a hard top + K20 conversion would be my ideal toy, I'm thinking buying a mr2+k20+ additional conversion gubbins is still significantly cheaper than any Lotus Elise with similar performance.
Am I right in thinking that you will be using a Hondata KPro ECU with a Honda engine loom and then use a OBD linked/Kpro logger digi display for the dash information to save integrating additional wiring ? Were the engine mounts easy to source an is there some kind of conversion kit for the gear linkage and are there any other odd hurdles ?
Lastly, respect for being part of the "engine swaps on the drive in any weather" gang, it's tough but always rewarding once you're done.
I keep looking at Mk3 MR2s as they seem very good value for money, we are very lucky in the UK to be able to get them for sub£3k, in Japan these are now pushing £10k.
A semi stripped out pre face lift with a hard top + K20 conversion would be my ideal toy, I'm thinking buying a mr2+k20+ additional conversion gubbins is still significantly cheaper than any Lotus Elise with similar performance.
Am I right in thinking that you will be using a Hondata KPro ECU with a Honda engine loom and then use a OBD linked/Kpro logger digi display for the dash information to save integrating additional wiring ? Were the engine mounts easy to source an is there some kind of conversion kit for the gear linkage and are there any other odd hurdles ?
Lastly, respect for being part of the "engine swaps on the drive in any weather" gang, it's tough but always rewarding once you're done.
Scooobydont said:
Seen you race!
I love the SMRC, so much racing and the variety of cars and classes it is brilliant. I am genuinely surprised that more Scottish motorsport fans dont watch it (obviulsy this year excluded). It's never very busy with spectators.
The minis of course are a great watch, 20+ into Dufus is crazy to watch, the classics with John Kimond in the SD1. There are some crazy quick cars in that sports and saloons too.
It's great to put some background to the cars and driver, good luck when it all returns! I believe there have been a couple of rounds this year but the grids understandably have not been great.
I am 1 of 5 that stand in solitude about 50m round from Dufus
Thanks, yeah COVID coincided with me screwing up my knee and needing an operation so even with the condensed calendar this year I kinda had to sit it out.I love the SMRC, so much racing and the variety of cars and classes it is brilliant. I am genuinely surprised that more Scottish motorsport fans dont watch it (obviulsy this year excluded). It's never very busy with spectators.
The minis of course are a great watch, 20+ into Dufus is crazy to watch, the classics with John Kimond in the SD1. There are some crazy quick cars in that sports and saloons too.
It's great to put some background to the cars and driver, good luck when it all returns! I believe there have been a couple of rounds this year but the grids understandably have not been great.
I am 1 of 5 that stand in solitude about 50m round from Dufus
I’ll be back out next year hopefully in this but also want to guest in Formula Ford and maybe Fiestas for a bit of experience
aka_kerrly said:
Congrats on an excellent start to your racing career!!!
I keep looking at Mk3 MR2s as they seem very good value for money, we are very lucky in the UK to be able to get them for sub£3k, in Japan these are now pushing £10k.
A semi stripped out pre face lift with a hard top + K20 conversion would be my ideal toy, I'm thinking buying a mr2+k20+ additional conversion gubbins is still significantly cheaper than any Lotus Elise with similar performance.
Am I right in thinking that you will be using a Hondata KPro ECU with a Honda engine loom and then use a OBD linked/Kpro logger digi display for the dash information to save integrating additional wiring ? Were the engine mounts easy to source an is there some kind of conversion kit for the gear linkage and are there any other odd hurdles ?
Lastly, respect for being part of the "engine swaps on the drive in any weather" gang, it's tough but always rewarding once you're done.
Thank you very much.I keep looking at Mk3 MR2s as they seem very good value for money, we are very lucky in the UK to be able to get them for sub£3k, in Japan these are now pushing £10k.
A semi stripped out pre face lift with a hard top + K20 conversion would be my ideal toy, I'm thinking buying a mr2+k20+ additional conversion gubbins is still significantly cheaper than any Lotus Elise with similar performance.
Am I right in thinking that you will be using a Hondata KPro ECU with a Honda engine loom and then use a OBD linked/Kpro logger digi display for the dash information to save integrating additional wiring ? Were the engine mounts easy to source an is there some kind of conversion kit for the gear linkage and are there any other odd hurdles ?
Lastly, respect for being part of the "engine swaps on the drive in any weather" gang, it's tough but always rewarding once you're done.
The K20 swap is definitely not the cheapest conversion, most people go with the 2ZZ from the Celica which almost just drops in but is then limited for further tuning unless big $$$.
Mounts and most conversion parts come from the USA and I’m using a Hondata KPro V4 with a conversion harness that marries the car and engine (again from USA). The Mounts are from
innovative and when I bought were the only ones on the market but there is another option now from Mitch’s Auto Parts (USA), these look better and are slightly cheaper too. The gear linkage is from Innovative too and simply bolts on and uses the original gear cables so nice and simple there.
If you search Mitch’s Auto Parts on google they have a well written basic guide on swapping the K20/K24 into the Mr2 and sell all the associated parts required.
I am lucky I’m moving house in just over a month to a house with a rather spacious single garage so my driveway mechanic days are almost over thank god
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