EarL Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 UPDATED - SEE LAST POST.Ok, a fair few of you peeps know I also own a 1990 MR2 Turbo. I've owned the car since 2002, and have loved every minute of it. That was, until it was stolen just before Christmas 2006!And so the story starts...HistoryThe car was originaly purchased from a US airman (an ex member of IMOC - RacerX) in July 2002. He'd made a few mods to the car, both cosmetically and mechanically, but more importantly, it had been really well looked after, and had virtually every reciept and invoice for every nut bolt and washer that had been put on it since it's import in 2000.Engine modifications included: HSR stainless downpipe, Blitz induction kit, Paul Port fuel cut defencer.Handling mods were: Koni adjustables & Eibach Sportline springs all round, Konig Imagine 17x7 rims with Goodyear rubber.Cosmetically, the car was not brilliant. The laquer was peeling from the driver side rear flank and the original Super Red paint was fading badly, but apart from that, the car was mint. It drove superbly and went like sh*t off a shovel (or at least I thought that at the time).It wasn't long before I joined IMOC and found out just how little it takes to make an already quick car near ballistic, and performed my first mod on the 2. A decent boost guage, and a grainger valve.I'd been warned not to turn the boost up too much, so I found a nice quiet stretch of road and started winding it up. Quarter turn at a time... nothing, nothing, ooh, OH, HOLY CRAP!!! That was the start, and I'm sure many of you guys will attest to the fact that once you've had a taste of increased boost, it's an addictive beast. You just want more! Well I've driven the car in more or less that state of tune for quite a while, with the exception of swapping to a GReddy e-01 electronic boost controller and a CT20 turbo (which was later stolen - long story nwhich I won't go into here). Just got to have more boost...The car was then stolen just before Christmas and thankfully recovered albeit with a fair amount of rear end damage. That was the turning point! I was going to break the car and buy something else, but my mate Phil (MRV6) made me think twice about it and I decided to rebuild the old girl.So with that in mind...Here's a couple of pics to establish what's been done cosmetically so far.BodyworkBorder (replica from StylingFX) front bumper, Toms side skirts & Phoenix Power rear splitters.The car is painted in Super Red IIIThe car was put back on the road for a short time before starting to sort the engine, box and suspension.I was lucky enough to sell my house and have enough disposable cash to have a load of work done and have the car come back a real monster to the tune of (hopefully) over 450bhp.Here is a basic spec (it's changed several times since)86mm JE pistonsEagle H beam rods1.2mm HKS head gasketARP head studsARP flywheel studsWalbro 255lph fuel pumpFidanza flywheelRPS Max cluch (rated to 650lbs ft of torque)Rev 2 box with TRD LSDRevision 2 rear subframeMoTeC M400 stand alone ecu and sensorsATS GT3071r Turbo with external wastegate & screamer pipe4in intake with filterRadtech Chargecooler & pre-radPiper 264 cams880cc SARD injectors Wolfkatz fuel railHigh pressure oil pumpTRD thermostatNew valve lifters (lightweight)Cylinder Head work (1mm over size valves, opened ports etc)RM Racing inlet manifoldHKS valve springsFidanza vernier cam gearsTB Developments antiroll barsTein type flex coilovers with EDFCPolyflex bush set Apexi N1 Single exit exhaustHiSpec 335 4 pot brake conversion front and rearSSR Professor SP1 wheels (7.5J front, 8.5J rear)Toyo T1-R tyres (215x40x17 front, 245x40x17 rear)Ask Sport carbon trunk lid & bonnet (only one in the UK)Pheonix Power carbon engine lidHiSpec Brakes/Tein coilovers/TB Developments anti roll bars...with SSR wheel mounted for clearance testingShort block assemblyJust waiting for the turbo kit to come from the US now. Recieved a text from the supplier that it's on it's way, so looks like blast off in a couple of weeks.For the full story and more pics, check here: Full StoryEarL. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Enzo Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 that car is plain beautiful Earl,id love to begin to imagine what it must be like to drive that thing!!! "insane in the membrane!!!"nothing more can be said as im close to speachless buddy!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EarL Posted September 29, 2006 Author Share Posted September 29, 2006 Cheers Enz,It's not finished yet bud, but you'll know when it is mate, you'll know when it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shelly_star Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 bloody hell, gonna look the nuts when it's finished Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jozinobi Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Incredible Story & Incredible Work Glen!Really glad to have you on the site bro, really doing us proud.Im a big fan of Super Red too Looking forward to the near day she is fully restored to her kickass self!Peace OutJoz p.s How did u get on at the post office? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wastegate_flutter Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 sweet Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wylo Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Not really of a fan of MR2's but that is absolutely lovely mate. Engine spec is brilliant, be interested to see what power it makes when its done. Only thing i'd change is the mesh, i'd paint it black but i'm just being picky Quote Link to post Share on other sites
miracle411 Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 That looks gorgeous, i totally love the kit, sets it off a treat especially with the red too. Good work dude, thats definately hardcore. Hope your Starlet gets the same treatment. Peace. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nanglebadger Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Speachless...thats absolutely stunning! I love MR2s and thats without doubt the nicest example I've ever seen, its so damn tidy, cant wait to see wot else u have in store for her Earl mate!Phil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EarL Posted September 29, 2006 Author Share Posted September 29, 2006 Not really of a fan of MR2's but that is absolutely lovely mate. Engine spec is brilliant, be interested to see what power it makes when its done. Only thing i'd change is the mesh, i'd paint it black but i'm just being picky Cheers for the reply's peeps. It's been over 6 months since the 2 was on the road, but she'll be back with a vengance soon.We're hoping for around 450rwhp when it's finally been mapped (by Dave Rowe), but the way it's been built will mean that it's really torquey low down in the rev range. It should pull full boost (28psi) by around 3200rpm, by which time I'll have a face like a cheshire cat! Wylo, the silver mesh was removed the same day those pics were taken mate. The bodyshop guy thought he was doing me a favour by fitting it, but I don't like silver on a red motor so out it came. It's having a real fine black poly mesh fitted when it comes back to Cardiff mate.In the mean time, I'm really enjoying driving the Starlet. Reminds me of my old race mini. You can just stuff it into corners and balance it on the throttle. Way cool. L8er,EarL. PS. Joz, didn't get time to go there today, been up to my eyes believe it or not. I'll pop down there tomorrow morning. Got some other stuff to pick up too.Cheers bud. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Ive said it before and il say it again.......I LOVE THIS CAR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SiCaln Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 smart as dude, no other words for it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bourkey Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Sweeeeeeet. That has to be one of the best MR2's I've ever seen.Bourkey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Seen a Ferrari 355 kitted MR2 today looked sweet Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raffi Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 A VERY COOL CAR, hehe...I like the colour, the wheels, the bodykit, the brakes, I like it all!!!hehe... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EarL Posted October 17, 2006 Author Share Posted October 17, 2006 UPDATEEngine in and run for the first time on Saturday.My engine builder said "it sounds like a f**ing monster!!"Can't wait to drive it now! ;-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nanglebadger Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 ;) IMMENSE!!!!!!!!!! ;) Phil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ian Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 ;) is all i can put! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Enzo Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 it looks like a fuckin monsta!! haha. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Yea looks like a monster!!!!! would like to hear the beast !!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EarL Posted February 1, 2007 Author Share Posted February 1, 2007 UPDATEOk, since selling the Starlet to my mate Mark Edwards, I've had chance to do a little more to the MR2 to get it ready for it's first season of racing.Here's what it looks like now...It's done a little over 1000 miles on the new engine, and is ready for it's final oil change to full race synthetic (Silkolene Pro S 10w-50), before being mapped next Monday (5th of Feb). From there, It'll be run with colder grade plugs and generally given a good seeing to, to make sure it's ready for it's first event on the 22nd of Feb.... Weston Performance rolling road day.The day before the rr, it'll be mapped again, but this time, it'll be the full hit! 1.8/2.0 bar of boost, and as near as we can get to 500bhp. ;) Pics & vids to follow.EarL. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Enzo Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 holy shit 500 hourses, looks like your gona have a happy year,that rear spoiler suites it soo soo muchlookin forward to seing dyno results and vids of any mischeaf you get up to with it ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SiCaln Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 not normally my fave car, but very nice big man Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Love these cars!!!! get a video of it on the rollers!!!!! Good luck with racing the beast ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
woody Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 looks amazingyeah you should get a video of it on the rollers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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