JLee's 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo build thread

[jlee]

Speedo is fixed - the replacement sensor squared it away.

The car died today. Same symptoms as last time (which was a bad coil). Drove ~40 miles this morning, drove another ~4mi, then wouldn't start. So, it's sitting in the parking lot until I get back out there. I ordered another coil just in case that's the problem, but this is getting aggravating. Someone suggested going COP, which I might consider...dunno.

Edit: New coil is here. Laptop & tools are in the truck...going to check it out once I get out of work. I also ordered a set of white LEDs for the instrument cluster. I have red in there now, which kinda washes everything out (and one of them is dead anyway).

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Speedo is fixed - the replacement sensor squared it away.

The car died today. Same symptoms as last time (which was a bad coil). Drove ~40 miles this morning, drove another ~4mi, then wouldn't start. So, it's sitting in the parking lot until I get back out there. I ordered another coil just in case that's the problem, but this is getting aggravating. Someone suggested going COP, which I might consider...dunno.

Edit: New coil is here. Laptop & tools are in the truck...going to check it out once I get out of work. I also ordered a set of white LEDs for the instrument cluster. I have red in there now, which kinda washes everything out (and one of them is dead anyway).

gah, thats gotta be getting frustrating. There must be a reason it would keep happening.
Did you get it going?

 

[jlee]

gah, thats gotta be getting frustrating. There must be a reason it would keep happening.
Did you get it going?

Yeah, the EFI fuse was melted and the ECU wasn't getting power. I am hoping that was the cause for the low voltage I was seeing at the ECU...melted means high heat, which means high resistance, which means voltage drop?

 

[jlee]

Have to check the voltage drop this weekend - I had an intermittent jumpy tach/ignition which might be caused by a poor igniter ground (it grounds through the bracket to the chassis). I'm going to clean everything up and try again- see if it's any better.

 

[JCH13]

Yeah, the EFI fuse was melted and the ECU wasn't getting power. I am hoping that was the cause for the low voltage I was seeing at the ECU...melted means high heat, which means high resistance, which means voltage drop?

A melted fuse is... really scary. Basically it means that the fuse didn't do it's job or some other heat source melted things. Take a very close look...

 

[jlee]

A melted fuse is... really scary. Basically it means that the fuse didn't do it's job or some other heat source melted things. Take a very close look...

I am hoping that it was a long-ago problem that finally aged its way into breaking, but yeah - it definitely needs further research.

 

[jlee]

I now have ~13.8v at the ECU (same as the stereo), instead of 11.x!

Scott at ATS is going to review my tune for me so I might self-tune this now that I have a base map on there. I need to order cams and a flex fuel sensor. I also verified that the fuel pump configuration was incorrect in the current tune, so I set it to high voltage mode - should now have plenty of fuel above 370whp.

 

[NutBucket]

I can't say for sure if it's the same but my coworker had a melted fuse/wiring issue as a result of trying to jump start his MR2.

 

[jlee]

I can't say for sure if it's the same but my coworker had a melted fuse/wiring issue as a result of trying to jump start his MR2.

Interesting. Do you recall which fuse?

Just ordered a GM flexfuel sensor and wiring harness. I can now sell my Walbro 400, as I shouldn't need it anymore, and then all I'll need is a set of GSC 268 cams and some tuning work!

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Interesting. Do you recall which fuse?

Just ordered a GM flexfuel sensor and wiring harness. I can now sell my Walbro 400, as I shouldn't need it anymore, and then all I'll need is a set of GSC 268 cams and some tuning work!

So awesome when things align, start working and making sense. Yes, getting the fuel pump configured properly would probably be a key component to have working for a solid tune haha. Nice find.
Will you have to dyno after butt-tune?

 

[jlee]

So awesome when things align, start working and making sense. Yes, getting the fuel pump configured properly would probably be a key component to have working for a solid tune haha. Nice find.
Will you have to dyno after butt-tune?

I'm sure I will, if only to see the power numbers.

I'd like to have the time available to road trip out to ATS for a final tune review/cleanup/dyno, but it's 1000 miles each way so that'll have to be planned in advance (and I'll have to have the available time off/etc as well).

 

[jlee]

Finally truly diagnosed my intermittent hiccup!

Noisy cam/crank trigger signals - there should be a direct 24:1 ratio. Note the duplicate inputs in both cam/crank signal. Scott @ ATS had me upgrade the ECU's firmware (better noise filtering) so we'll try that, but if that doesn't work it might be time for a brand new distributor harness.

 

[jlee]

Flexfuel sensor is installed and working - car starts and idles fine at ~40% ethanol. I'm going to take it out in a bit and make sure boost control is working properly - planning on going on a group drive on Saturday and the route has no E85, so I want to make sure I'm not going to be running 20+psi on pisswater 91 octane fuel. That would be...bad.

The car runs MUCH better with the new firmware.

 

[jlee]

HID's/projector housings are here! Complete replacement for the OEM headlight assemblies.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Thanks for keeping us up to date!!

 

[jlee]

Thanks for keeping us up to date!!

HIDs are in and the headlight buckets are leveled when up - have to take it out and aim the headlights properly now.

 

[jlee]

Headlights are aimed now - just need to put the covers on them.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

This is a stupid question for a build thread like this, but how large a person will fit in an MR2? I'd really like to pick up an old beat up cheap coupe to turn track rat at some point and the MR2 really has my interest, but at 6'3" I'm not sure I'd fit, especially with a helmet.

 

[BlueMeanie]

I am 6'4" 250lbs. The MR2 is just about the only small car I fit into. However, I don't think I would fit with a helmet.

For reference, I don't fit in the BRZ/FR-S or the Miata.

You should go sit in one.

 

[jlee]

I'm getting shipping quotes - planning on sending the car to ATS for a flexfuel tune, and then out to NJ so I can drive it.

This is a stupid question for a build thread like this, but how large a person will fit in an MR2? I'd really like to pick up an old beat up cheap coupe to turn track rat at some point and the MR2 really has my interest, but at 6'3" I'm not sure I'd fit, especially with a helmet.

I'm 6' and in a street car, it's a tight fit with a helmet. In a race car, there's a bit more room (different seat). If you got a lower profile seat and bolted it in without sliders, you'd probably be able to get enough room to fit with a helmet.

 

[XavierMace]

I am 6'4" 250lbs. The MR2 is just about the only small car I fit into. However, I don't think I would fit with a helmet.

For reference, I don't fit in the BRZ/FR-S or the Miata.

You should go sit in one.

This goes to show it depends your body shape. I'm about your size but I found my BRZ fine, maybe a hair snug on the sides but I find JLee's MR2 even tighter.

 

[JEDIYoda]

1 piece rotors. If I powdercoat the calipers, what color - black?

Be bold -- you only live once ---PINK works!!

 

[jlee]

I can't decide if I should pay ATS ~$1000 to put cams in my car before they tune it...should put me around 430whp on E85 and 350whp on pump gas. Decisions, decisions...

 

[XavierMace]

I assume your kitchen out there has never had an MR2 engine in pieces all over it. Wouldn't it feel more like home if it did?

 

[jlee]

I assume your kitchen out there has never had an MR2 engine in pieces all over it. Wouldn't it feel more like home if it did?

Once the tune is done, I'm not touching the engine. Tuning is expensive.