Pistols Red Edition MR2 Mk3
Discussion
Big day today.
I borrowed some graphite sheet from work to make my own gaskets for the exhaust
I have always run these on my race/sprint track cars and never had one blow


Then worked on getting the exhaust in and mounted

Love the tail pipe!!


I had one hanger with nothing to hang on, luckily i had a spare Poly hanger so managed to get it like this which is holding it nice

I fitted up the rear ARB at this point to make sure nothing rubbed.. all was good.
Plugged in the Lambda sensors..some rerouting/cable adjustment required before putting bumpers etc back on
mocked up the inlet, butched the 1zz and 2zz intake piping. I need to get a bit of tubing to finalize it so i am happy..
but it was ready for a test start!
connected the battery checked everything over...
battery was dead..
charged it for an hour to give it some life that it could do the ignistion system, then jumped it off my civic battery
This is first start up..first turn of the key
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45QimL1stwU
I was pretty happy!
checked everything for leaks.. left it running till it got up to temp and fans kicked in. then turned off, as its in the garage no air for the fans to cool the rads.
heres a vid of once up to temp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctGHgufqx4g
ran well could not see any evidence of leaks anywhere.
there was an exhaust leak from the end of one the repackable boxes, so ill whip the end cap off and reseal it.
come to work today very happy..
next up is get the ARBs mounted and brakes suspension all bolted together. (tomorrows job)
then swap the ECU's and repin to match.
the try again see if it runs. if not i know its something in the wiring
thanks for all the comments guys
fingers a crossed for a trackday in october and a sprint in november
I borrowed some graphite sheet from work to make my own gaskets for the exhaust
I have always run these on my race/sprint track cars and never had one blow


Then worked on getting the exhaust in and mounted

Love the tail pipe!!


I had one hanger with nothing to hang on, luckily i had a spare Poly hanger so managed to get it like this which is holding it nice

I fitted up the rear ARB at this point to make sure nothing rubbed.. all was good.
Plugged in the Lambda sensors..some rerouting/cable adjustment required before putting bumpers etc back on
mocked up the inlet, butched the 1zz and 2zz intake piping. I need to get a bit of tubing to finalize it so i am happy..
but it was ready for a test start!
connected the battery checked everything over...
battery was dead..
charged it for an hour to give it some life that it could do the ignistion system, then jumped it off my civic battery
This is first start up..first turn of the key
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45QimL1stwU
I was pretty happy!
checked everything for leaks.. left it running till it got up to temp and fans kicked in. then turned off, as its in the garage no air for the fans to cool the rads.
heres a vid of once up to temp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctGHgufqx4g
ran well could not see any evidence of leaks anywhere.
there was an exhaust leak from the end of one the repackable boxes, so ill whip the end cap off and reseal it.
come to work today very happy..
next up is get the ARBs mounted and brakes suspension all bolted together. (tomorrows job)
then swap the ECU's and repin to match.
the try again see if it runs. if not i know its something in the wiring
thanks for all the comments guys
fingers a crossed for a trackday in october and a sprint in november
no Huge update today
had to do the school run and go to work early..
but managed to get couple bits done.. first was the number plate lights on the trailer.. swapped out..
then the tow car/now daily shogun has a parrot system in it which i hate. and when using bluetooth it would distort..
Pulled it all apart and found this rats nest in there!!

Found a couple loose connections, also a bent pin in one of the plugs.. then taped and tidied everything and mounted the blue box nicely behind the dash rather than let it rattle around
all back together

beast

anyways.. jumped into the garage. got the rear ARB in place again as it was upside down, swapped over. Fitted new drop links, and camber bolts.. all together apart from the brakes now.. (yes the discs cover rust pile needs to come off)

Got both rears done.
I moved to the front got the front ARB mounted, after having two bolts snap and having to drill them out in the worst place ever to get a drill in!! and got new drop links fitted, unfortunately no pics.
that'll be it till next week i expect. I am work early tomorrow, funeral on friday (BOO ), then off to blyton park Saturday/Sunday for race day in the RX8!!! woohoo So more work on Monday
had to do the school run and go to work early..
but managed to get couple bits done.. first was the number plate lights on the trailer.. swapped out..
then the tow car/now daily shogun has a parrot system in it which i hate. and when using bluetooth it would distort..
Pulled it all apart and found this rats nest in there!!

Found a couple loose connections, also a bent pin in one of the plugs.. then taped and tidied everything and mounted the blue box nicely behind the dash rather than let it rattle around
all back together

beast

anyways.. jumped into the garage. got the rear ARB in place again as it was upside down, swapped over. Fitted new drop links, and camber bolts.. all together apart from the brakes now.. (yes the discs cover rust pile needs to come off)

Got both rears done.
I moved to the front got the front ARB mounted, after having two bolts snap and having to drill them out in the worst place ever to get a drill in!! and got new drop links fitted, unfortunately no pics.
that'll be it till next week i expect. I am work early tomorrow, funeral on friday (BOO ), then off to blyton park Saturday/Sunday for race day in the RX8!!! woohoo So more work on Monday
Update time!!
I went away for a week for work, whilst i was away i made a list of all the little bits left.
As we all know the last 5% takes the most time. its all the fiddly stuff
Here was the list
60mm intake pipe (measure)
Finish air box
Bleed brakes
Extend lambda wiring
Mount lambda plugs
Secure carbon canister valve
Re pin ecu and mount celica key and transponder
Tyres on wheels
Alignment
Refit rear lights and bumper.
Tow hook.
Oil filter change
Compression test
Decal kit
Tighten steering wheel attach face plate
Wire in fan for windscreen
Mount go pro
I got home early on Thursday so manage to hit on with the jobs, managing to start to tick them off pretty quickly
Unfortunately as i was rattling though i did not take loads of pictures..
Of all of them i was most worried about was the Re pinning of the Ecu for the 2zz ecu, I didn't want to damage any ECU plugs.
But after reading all the guides and a few you tube vids, i started. after about an hour of head scratching and moving around, and a phone call to Patrick chambers it was done.
I then held my breath as i turned the key.. It fired straight into life.. big sigh of relief!!
I done a compression test for my own peace of mind..
It was good results all round




Bled all the breaks, done all the little jobs.. got the lights and bumper back one.. wheels back on.
got the car outside

here is the car sat running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEgk7-SqFX0
then it was loaded on the trailer

taken up to local alignment place. done to my investigations settings..
not all corner weighted yet, that will be later then i have done all the polybushing
But it does sit level. When all arms are done i will take it up to fensport get it set nicely.

Also got the tyres mounted so the car is currently sitting on the uniroyal rain sport 3s, and here are the Soft Avon ZZrs


Couple little jobs i had on the list.. was the intake link pipe, was using a temporary red silicon hose. i have found some tube at work and just need to re fit

also the carbon canister was rubbing on the dipstick, so some slight alteration to the canistor bracket


Just means i can move it by 1/2 inch will be enough..
Next came up on how i was going to actually test the car.
It was going to be book a brands hatch track day this week and get there and see how it goes, my big worry was i would do one lap and inevitably it something would break and the day would be lost.
It was still the best option until i phoned AIB insurance. They managed to sort me insurance on the car with all mods declared (basically a race car) and 1000 miles a year, for £200 which was same cost of the track day. but this covered me where i could drive up road (sensibly as its on road!!) but i could make sure the car runs all okay before going to track and driving it properly..
So fingers crossed one eve this week i can have a little drive in it!!!
It does have a small coolant leak, or the coolant is settling as i haven't seen any evidence of a leak yaet, so need to investigate that properly
Watch this space
As for the list of jobs above
60mm intake pipe (measure) Made, to fit tonight
Finish air box DONE
Bleed brakes DONE
Extend lambda wiring DONE
Mount lambda plugs DONE
Secure carbon canister valve DONE
Re pin ecu and mount celica key and transponder DONE
Tyres on wheels DONE
Alignment DONE
Refit rear lights and bumper. DONE
Tow hook. Rear Done need to sort front
Oil filter change DONE
Compression test DONE
Decal kit NEED TO ORDER
Tighten steering wheel attach face plate DONE
Wire in fan for windscreen DONE
Mount go pro DONE
Remount carbon canister Bracket made, to fit tonight
Find the coolant leak
I went away for a week for work, whilst i was away i made a list of all the little bits left.
As we all know the last 5% takes the most time. its all the fiddly stuff
Here was the list
60mm intake pipe (measure)
Finish air box
Bleed brakes
Extend lambda wiring
Mount lambda plugs
Secure carbon canister valve
Re pin ecu and mount celica key and transponder
Tyres on wheels
Alignment
Refit rear lights and bumper.
Tow hook.
Oil filter change
Compression test
Decal kit
Tighten steering wheel attach face plate
Wire in fan for windscreen
Mount go pro
I got home early on Thursday so manage to hit on with the jobs, managing to start to tick them off pretty quickly
Unfortunately as i was rattling though i did not take loads of pictures..
Of all of them i was most worried about was the Re pinning of the Ecu for the 2zz ecu, I didn't want to damage any ECU plugs.
But after reading all the guides and a few you tube vids, i started. after about an hour of head scratching and moving around, and a phone call to Patrick chambers it was done.
I then held my breath as i turned the key.. It fired straight into life.. big sigh of relief!!
I done a compression test for my own peace of mind..
It was good results all round




Bled all the breaks, done all the little jobs.. got the lights and bumper back one.. wheels back on.
got the car outside

here is the car sat running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEgk7-SqFX0
then it was loaded on the trailer

taken up to local alignment place. done to my investigations settings..
not all corner weighted yet, that will be later then i have done all the polybushing
But it does sit level. When all arms are done i will take it up to fensport get it set nicely.

Also got the tyres mounted so the car is currently sitting on the uniroyal rain sport 3s, and here are the Soft Avon ZZrs


Couple little jobs i had on the list.. was the intake link pipe, was using a temporary red silicon hose. i have found some tube at work and just need to re fit

also the carbon canister was rubbing on the dipstick, so some slight alteration to the canistor bracket


Just means i can move it by 1/2 inch will be enough..
Next came up on how i was going to actually test the car.
It was going to be book a brands hatch track day this week and get there and see how it goes, my big worry was i would do one lap and inevitably it something would break and the day would be lost.
It was still the best option until i phoned AIB insurance. They managed to sort me insurance on the car with all mods declared (basically a race car) and 1000 miles a year, for £200 which was same cost of the track day. but this covered me where i could drive up road (sensibly as its on road!!) but i could make sure the car runs all okay before going to track and driving it properly..
So fingers crossed one eve this week i can have a little drive in it!!!
It does have a small coolant leak, or the coolant is settling as i haven't seen any evidence of a leak yaet, so need to investigate that properly
Watch this space
As for the list of jobs above
60mm intake pipe (measure) Made, to fit tonight
Finish air box DONE
Bleed brakes DONE
Extend lambda wiring DONE
Mount lambda plugs DONE
Secure carbon canister valve DONE
Re pin ecu and mount celica key and transponder DONE
Tyres on wheels DONE
Alignment DONE
Refit rear lights and bumper. DONE
Tow hook. Rear Done need to sort front
Oil filter change DONE
Compression test DONE
Decal kit NEED TO ORDER
Tighten steering wheel attach face plate DONE
Wire in fan for windscreen DONE
Mount go pro DONE
Remount carbon canister Bracket made, to fit tonight
Find the coolant leak

found the air lock, it was just after the thermostat.. all sorted and temps seem to be staying where they should be!
An utterly boring and pointless video for anyone but me...
but i done one as a momento of its first drives out
at the alignment shop.
then last night.
It drive well. went into lift .. pulled as it should i think (never been in one) and as said before its on the road and its wet so no hard pulls etc.. and stopping to check everything was okay every mile..
touch wood it seems okay..
hopefully the next video will be much more interesting on the track!! what it needs to be
https://youtu.be/3bk-7_Po5t8
An utterly boring and pointless video for anyone but me...
but i done one as a momento of its first drives out
at the alignment shop.
then last night.
It drive well. went into lift .. pulled as it should i think (never been in one) and as said before its on the road and its wet so no hard pulls etc.. and stopping to check everything was okay every mile..
touch wood it seems okay..
hopefully the next video will be much more interesting on the track!! what it needs to be
https://youtu.be/3bk-7_Po5t8
pistolpete12 said:
Sounds about right to me. A clear noticeable change after 6200rpm. Well..
A track day has happened..
very very nervous leading up to it.. I didn't get much sleep the night before.. It went like this..
Friday morning. the wife said i had to get the car on track before going to compete at snet (she isn't wrong)
Brands is my closest track, its more expensive to book but by the time i have paid for fuel and hotel to go further afield brands was the best option.
Booked up with MSVT, weather was supposed to be cloudy, not raining. but the weekend and monday it had done nothing but rain so i wasn't expecting anything other than rain
Woke up nice and early (5am) as i am on earlies for work anyway, got to track and 6.45, i wanted to try and bags a spare garage before everyone got there, brands is always a busy trackday
I got garage 27!! my birthday is october 27th so i was happy. (small things small minds all that
)




Got the car all unloaded. signed on, had some breakfast. car started, idled perfectly my nerves were starting to subside.
Next up nose test.. 94db. pleased with that,
there seemed to be a lack of cars. at the briefing it was told it was a low number day only 30 people signed on to drive.
sighting laps done, i went straight out, which is unlike me, but i wanted to get a couple laps done..

But most importantly there was no rain.. lots of fog!!
had the rainsports on to start with (that is how optimistic i was) three laps done felt good, went in and fitted the avons

by now the sun was coming out. and car was running well.. i was having an issue that it was dropping out of lift between gears, i also felt it seems very long gearing for what i was told would be short!
Had a chat with Patrick, he asked which air box i was using and the intake etc,
we found that the standard MR2 inlet pipe to the filter housing has a massive restriction in, removed this and it then rev'd more freely got right round to the redline, but still dropped out of lift. but nothing i could do while there so i just had fun
the inlet pipe



the car moved around on track but handled brilliantly it was great being back in a mr2,







It drove great ran well all day, and was a great success, And we had sunshine all day!!!!

there were quite a few red flags through the day, tended to be the race cars testing (ginetta juniors and fiestas as they seems to be pushing very very hard)]
In the afternoon my wife and daughter, and family friend came to watch, she got some good pictures and it was nice to have them there after all the do to help me get the car done.
also Harry the previous owner came and had a sit in the car

Overall I am very pleased with the car and great to be in a mr2 again. there is plently to do(lots of ideas).. but i will take it to Snetterton as it is.
Firstly will be the gearbox, looking back at video then at others, im changing at 8200 it drops back to 5800 lift doesn't come in till 6200 so i am always waiting for it, i also can do 80 in second and 110 in third. where as all others are 3rd at 55 4th at 85ish and 5th at 110.. so it seems my celica had a gearbox change at some point and the wrong box was put in it..damn! anyways it hasn't spoiled the day or the car, its just something to add to the Todo list..

Here is the video of last run of the day
https://youtu.be/dT5f3zaM64c
A track day has happened..
very very nervous leading up to it.. I didn't get much sleep the night before.. It went like this..
Friday morning. the wife said i had to get the car on track before going to compete at snet (she isn't wrong)
Brands is my closest track, its more expensive to book but by the time i have paid for fuel and hotel to go further afield brands was the best option.
Booked up with MSVT, weather was supposed to be cloudy, not raining. but the weekend and monday it had done nothing but rain so i wasn't expecting anything other than rain
Woke up nice and early (5am) as i am on earlies for work anyway, got to track and 6.45, i wanted to try and bags a spare garage before everyone got there, brands is always a busy trackday
I got garage 27!! my birthday is october 27th so i was happy. (small things small minds all that





Got the car all unloaded. signed on, had some breakfast. car started, idled perfectly my nerves were starting to subside.
Next up nose test.. 94db. pleased with that,
there seemed to be a lack of cars. at the briefing it was told it was a low number day only 30 people signed on to drive.
sighting laps done, i went straight out, which is unlike me, but i wanted to get a couple laps done..

But most importantly there was no rain.. lots of fog!!
had the rainsports on to start with (that is how optimistic i was) three laps done felt good, went in and fitted the avons

by now the sun was coming out. and car was running well.. i was having an issue that it was dropping out of lift between gears, i also felt it seems very long gearing for what i was told would be short!
Had a chat with Patrick, he asked which air box i was using and the intake etc,
we found that the standard MR2 inlet pipe to the filter housing has a massive restriction in, removed this and it then rev'd more freely got right round to the redline, but still dropped out of lift. but nothing i could do while there so i just had fun
the inlet pipe



the car moved around on track but handled brilliantly it was great being back in a mr2,







It drove great ran well all day, and was a great success, And we had sunshine all day!!!!

there were quite a few red flags through the day, tended to be the race cars testing (ginetta juniors and fiestas as they seems to be pushing very very hard)]
In the afternoon my wife and daughter, and family friend came to watch, she got some good pictures and it was nice to have them there after all the do to help me get the car done.
also Harry the previous owner came and had a sit in the car

Overall I am very pleased with the car and great to be in a mr2 again. there is plently to do(lots of ideas).. but i will take it to Snetterton as it is.
Firstly will be the gearbox, looking back at video then at others, im changing at 8200 it drops back to 5800 lift doesn't come in till 6200 so i am always waiting for it, i also can do 80 in second and 110 in third. where as all others are 3rd at 55 4th at 85ish and 5th at 110.. so it seems my celica had a gearbox change at some point and the wrong box was put in it..damn! anyways it hasn't spoiled the day or the car, its just something to add to the Todo list..

Here is the video of last run of the day
https://youtu.be/dT5f3zaM64c
I was going to sort the gearbox out over winter.. but it was bugging me
And patrick sorted another for me.
so started at 4pm, stopped for dinner out by 8pm.
So i am pretty pleased.
I am on holiday from moday to friday. dropping box off to patrick ths friday and picking up next saturday for him to swap the gearsets etc over


And patrick sorted another for me.
so started at 4pm, stopped for dinner out by 8pm.
So i am pretty pleased.
I am on holiday from moday to friday. dropping box off to patrick ths friday and picking up next saturday for him to swap the gearsets etc over


Excellent stuff Pete - I reckon you must be the busiest man on PH!
Patrick is 'Headcase' on MR2OC yes? Good to know he's helpful, I'm certainly going to need some bits and plenty of pointers doing my own 2zz conversion in the spring no doubt!
How did the Rainsports feel? Looking at road tyres for mine at the moment and considering these (tyre choice seems quite limited for the oem facelift wheel sizes)
Patrick is 'Headcase' on MR2OC yes? Good to know he's helpful, I'm certainly going to need some bits and plenty of pointers doing my own 2zz conversion in the spring no doubt!
How did the Rainsports feel? Looking at road tyres for mine at the moment and considering these (tyre choice seems quite limited for the oem facelift wheel sizes)
mrtwisty said:
Excellent stuff Pete - I reckon you must be the busiest man on PH!
Patrick is 'Headcase' on MR2OC yes? Good to know he's helpful, I'm certainly going to need some bits and plenty of pointers doing my own 2zz conversion in the spring no doubt!
How did the Rainsports feel? Looking at road tyres for mine at the moment and considering these (tyre choice seems quite limited for the oem facelift wheel sizes)
Yep thats him Patrick is 'Headcase' on MR2OC yes? Good to know he's helpful, I'm certainly going to need some bits and plenty of pointers doing my own 2zz conversion in the spring no doubt!
How did the Rainsports feel? Looking at road tyres for mine at the moment and considering these (tyre choice seems quite limited for the oem facelift wheel sizes)

I like the rainsports, the are excellent in really bad weather and for the money they are good, just make sure you get the XL ones (extra load) standard have really soft side walls, they still soft sidewalls but are better.
I managed to get full set on ebay from demon tweeks for £220.. they do a 20% off deal if you keep an eye out
I have the on my road one, for the money i don't think you beat them. OBV pilot sports etc are better but they are lots of monies these are good compromise
On track in soaking wet conditions.. they are simply amazing, its the inbetween full wet and dry they not so good, but thats only noticable on track
Excellent - Rainsports going on next week then. May see if I can get hold of a second set of wheels to fit Yoko AD08R's to enjoy over the summer when the conversions done.
Keep up us up to date! If you're ever planning a day at Donington (10 minutes from me) do drop me a message, I'd love to see how it performs first hand.
Also, I currently have a whole stripped T-Sport Celica in my back room literally everything minus the shell), so if there are any interchangeable parts you might need to give me a shout (just haven't got round to selling any of it yet!)
Keep up us up to date! If you're ever planning a day at Donington (10 minutes from me) do drop me a message, I'd love to see how it performs first hand.
Also, I currently have a whole stripped T-Sport Celica in my back room literally everything minus the shell), so if there are any interchangeable parts you might need to give me a shout (just haven't got round to selling any of it yet!)
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