Project 'OutRun' Mk1.5 MR2 Turbo 31/10 Fuck off!

[overrun]

 

An awesome game, I am sure we can all agree. I used to love hoying in 20p pieces in the arcade at the front of Dickens DIY in Washington.

 

So now that I have a car that looks just* like the Testarossa, the plan is coming together (I hope the blonde seat cover isn't far behind).

 

 

For those who don't know, 'mk1.5' is the name given to a mk1 MR2, fitted with the 3SGTE 2.0 turbo engine from the mk2.

 

I had initially planned to source a good mk1 t-bar and convert it myself, but this is a fairly involved conversion and after I put some feelers out, this one fit the bill. Shame about the shit Mica blue paint it is festooned with!

 

To fit the engine, the original 4AGE mounting brackets need to ground off and the mk2 turbo ones welded in their place, the rear bulkhead needs a removable panel fitted, gear linkages have to be adapted, exhaust, wiring, intercooler or charge cooler pipework etc. So with this one already done, it was ideal.

 

At present, the engine is a Rev 1, meaning it runs 215-225 bhp as standard and this one was dyno'd at 229, iirc.

It already has the CT20 turbo and metal head gasket from a Rev 3, Celical ST185 GT4 charge cooler and MASSIVE pump (fucked) meaning it can handle up to around 250/260 bhp, but I plan to run around 300.

 

To do this, I need the Rev 3 injectors, MAP sensor, loom, ECU and labda sensor - or aftermarket alternatives. I also plan to upgrade the charger cooler to a Celica ST205 GT4 item, replace the pipework and add a much smaller and better water pump.

 

As well as different wheels, exhaust, interior etc. Even the number plate is going to be changed.

 

For now though, it's bodywork time. Luckily, I am not doing it...

 

The car is insured, but not taxed or MOT'd. So I booked a cheeky test that I had no intention of attending and took a spin up the body shop, to get a quote - before I started to pull the car apart, as I may have decided against it - for the welding repairs it needs and a full colour change.

 

Ferrari Rosso Corsa in base over lacquer is my choice.

 

I was quoted a price I am happy with, so I have started to strip the car down.

I prefer this is many ways, yes it is a lot more work, but it ensures no bodges (unless done by me!) and gives me a chance to apply cavity wax and underseal etc.

 

 

Skirts off and the bad arch/lower rear quarter attacked with tools

 

This was the only fastener that gave me any issues.

Crusty door switch area. I already knew about this.

Just managed to turn a blister into a small hole on this side.

There's more rust on the jack, than the car, in this pic.

Spare parts.

 

It came with a couple of nicely made repair panels.

 

 

Luckily, the company also make rear arch sections and sills. I shall be ordering enough panels to renew both rear arches, lower rear quarters - both side of arch and the sills. The current sills aren't too bad, neither is the N/S/R arch, but I would rather catch it and cut it out at this stage.

 

I tried to remove the rear bumper and was swiftly defeated.

 

I'm gonna borrow my mates bolt grips. Hopefully they will stop the grinder coming out.

 

Front valance after splitter removal;

 

O/S is going to need plating

N/S is better news.

 

Ignore the wings, they will be replaced.

 

 

There is a lot of bracketery to be remade and parts to replace etc.

 

Sail panel trims with broken fastenings.

These things.

 

Splitter hardware.

 

I am happy with the state of it, so far. It is as I had hoped/assumed, from the brief look before I bought it.

 

 

KILLA TUNEZ

 

I also started stripping the interior out, trims, plastics, weather strips etc.

 

 

It's always a good sign when your car comes with a complimentary bottle of this;

 

 

 

BECAUSE RACECAR - This thing has actually been a track car in a past life and some of the 'that'll do' attitude is evident in the fitment of certain things.

It won't be rebuilt in the same way.

 

Right, time to make a shopping list.

 

Anyone know how to remove the headlights? They have me beat, atm.

All loose, but seem to be held in by either the adjuster, where it protrudes into the frunk, or the bracket, holding the motor.

 

Just realised I don't have an engine shot, either.

It is a turbo. Honest, mister!

[Jim Bell]

Nice car Mr.

Does it go fast?

 

I like it even though youre painting it.

[overrun]

So you were inspired by an arcade game Ferrari, bought an MR2 and are going to paint it Ferrari red...

 

 

I really do hope there's not a exact* replica bodykit on the cards.

 

Not inspired to that extent. It's just a game that I loved playing.

 

I want the car red, so Rosso is the obvious choice. Standard bodykit, all the way.

[Skizzer]

I rather like the colour.   

 

Looking forward to following progress!

[overrun]

Nice car Mr.

Does it go fast?

 

I like it even though youre painting it.

 

Mr 2?

 

It does 70 mph. As you saw on collection night.

 

You will like it more when it is done. Or you're not reet in the heed!

[overrun]

I rather like the colour.   

 

Looking forward to following progress!

 

You are not alone. It is a very popular colour.

IMO, it does SFA for the shape of the car, though.

[stuboy]

Looked all right till strip down.. Least not a sieve

[overrun]

Looked all right till strip down.. Least not a sieve

 

So far, it's not bad for one of these. They rot with the best of them!

[londonm]

Interesting. These cars always had an image problem in my opinion.

[philsford]

Always fancied one of these. Back in 98 my brother brought a new lotus elise and the garage he brought it from had a mint low mileage g plate one in red with leather for 5k outside, I was hooked but at 18 insurance was out of my budget.

I think it will look much better in red and the engine is going to make it entertaining. Good luck.

[KruJoe]

Bloody hell, going balls deep on this one, eh?

I'd hate to think what state mine would be in if I started pulling it to bits.

[overrun]

Interesting. These cars always had an image problem in my opinion.

 

Yeah? Suppose they were always a bit of a hairdressers car. I think they (can) look great, these days and are generally just missing a bit of go!

 

Always fancied one of these. Back in 98 my brother brought a new lotus elise and the garage he brought it from had a mint low mileage g plate one in red with leather for 5k outside, I was hooked but at 18 insurance was out of my budget.

I think it will look much better in red and the engine is going to make it entertaining. Good luck.

 

A mint, low mileage G plate red one with leather would be about the same price, now lol.

I also looked at them, around 3/4 years after you and couldn't insure one, either.

 

I wanted leather, but it wasn't a deal breaker. At least all of the blue stuff has been replaced for black!

 

Bloody hell, going balls deep on this one, eh?

I'd hate to think what state mine would be in if I started pulling it to bits.

 

I reckon it will be worthwhile, Joe. I have a vision. Hopefully the car also sees it.

 

I didn't realise you had one. I know you have/had mk2's and know plenty about them, though.

If yours doesn't need pulling apart, I wouldn't start. Not unless you plan to just run it in dry weather and keep it garaged!

[KruJoe]

Yes, it's the Mk2 I have. (Though a mate of mine has a supercharged Mk1, same colour as yours.)

I re-fitted my wheels after a re-furb this week, stuck the battery back on, and the bugger fired right up first try! Bloody Toyotas! (Meant to put that int' grin thread.) It's been on bricks in the back of the shed for nearly a year covered it tat. I went for a bez down our private* test track, then did some doughnuts on the top field, which boosted my mojo no end. It needs the back brakes freeing off, and the other jobs it always needed, but I promise to have it back on the road next spring. I hope.

[overrun]

Sounds good, Joe! MR2's and siezed brakes go hand in hand, as I am sure you know!

Spring is when I hope to be out, too.

 

You might be alright for rust.

My mate is on his third mk2 Turbo and none have had any issues. I recently helped him with fitting a Toms kit and charge cooler to it, so we had the current skirts off, undertrays etc.

 

Spotless.

Not all of them are shot.

 

I like the sound of the donuts. I spun this round 180, instead of a three point turn, when coming back from the 'MOT. Can't beat RWD fun!

 

Nick your mates rear lights for me lol. Or see if he has any spares?

[jakebullet]

Shirley this should be lotus turbo challenge on megadrive, not outrun?

[overrun]

Shirley this should be lotus turbo challenge on megadrive, not outrun?

Computerised driving over logs at WOT in plastic bodied sports cars were but the thing of dreams, back then. As was the Mega Drive.

[fordperv]

I do like mk1 mr2s I remember when I was about 6 and my dad's mate came down ours as soon as he bought his then 2 year old (e reg) one in black to show us, it was the nuts,

 

This looks like a good project

[brickwall]

I too, think this is the most pleasing to look at.

[overrun]

Here's the business end

And the 'functional' rear boot

Removable bulkhead allows inlet maninfol to be took off via the boot

 

50% IMPORT

Reckon that is genuine JDM bird shit?

 

Been stripping more off it. This will be the theme for a (hopefully short) while, as I get it ready for bodywork and paint.

 

Side air intake, ducting and now redundant fan

 

Tight squeeze

Then I remebered an MR2 party piece. The removable side panels

Happy enough with condition in here. The only fucked bit is the sill and that is being replaced.

 

ST165 GT-4 brakes. Supposedly up to the job.

 

N/S/F inner arch

 

 

Bit disappointed with the state of it in here, once I removed the plastic shit guards. This is going to need a fair bit of work

 

Thankfully - and as expected, due to the rest of the car, the N/S/F is much better

 

Just the one hole to contend with and it had already been (badly) patched from inside the boot

 

Rear end

 

 

Front lights out, wings and bumper off

Nice

'Pretty' tight

Front bumper reinforcer is serviceable, at least

 

 

What a fuck on. I have snapped bolts everywhere and as you can see, I had to mangle the crusty wings, to access knackered fasteners.

 

Gutted the trims and carpets etc from the inside. The T-Bar seals didn't wanna really budge, though.

I am going to need to find some new ones, I reckon

 

 

All good in here, too. Just a very small hole in passenger footwell and a bit of separation on the drivers side, where it meets the sill, so something that will be sorted when replacing the sills.

 

 

What is it with MR2's and stupidly tight/rounded mirror screws?! IRWINBOLTGRIPSLOANREQDNAYLORPLZ

 

 

Looks like the interior mirror will come out easily.

 

Bought this plate for it, too.

 

[fordperv]

I like the plate

[overrun]

Cheers, Pervy!

[DVee8]

[mercrocker]

Always makes me warm inside seeing stuff like this being done - true car love beyond the call of bank balance.   I have never been a Jap fancier (outside of certain Amsterdam establishments) but always wondered why these early MR2s are not worth more.   A workmate had one off another workmate for about six hundred squid a while back and he reckoned it was one of the best drivers he ever had (that from a bloke who raced Mk2 Jags in the Seventies...).   The Mk2 has growed on me (only a bit, though) as well but that's probably due to the amount of clusterfuck styling that has happened since then....

[Jim Bell]

They are very striking things.

Styling is undeniably cool, and absolutey of its time.

And that time was a great time for car design. When cars used to look different from each other.

[overrun]

mercrocker, they are going up in value. Good ones can change hands for £5K. I reckon (hope) they will appreciate a bit more in the next few years.

 

I have been stripping more parts from this, since the last update. Shock horror, eh?

Hard to tell, but I have put hours in, stripping out the interior and frunk, removing pissy rubber seals, windows, bits of trim etc.

 

Plus, I CBA with hods of pix. Getting there, though.

 

Missed this live wire dangling about, when driving the car home.

 

Original* battery tray, evicted.

 

Shite, wanker steering wheel and equivalent boss. The boss is stuck fast atm and as jikovron suggests, a pusher of some description will have to be made. Nice to see that the one rounded allen bolt wasn't actually doing anything, though.

 

 

Half-arsed pipework. For the [strikeout]win[/strikeout] bin. Same for the ridiculous GT4 pump and RX7 rad.

I will keep the Cinquecento rad, for charge cooler purposes - although I may renew it.

 

The log book isn't back yet, but I reckon these lads names have been on it, at some stage.

 

 

Finally, a job my 1/4" drive bolt grips can manage. Yes, MR2 mirrors are that awkward to remove.

 

 

More holes. At least these ones haven't been caused by the Big C. They are about as welcome, though.

 

Might need that Kurust.

 

 

I never abuse my tools and yet, even with the right stuff, used in the right way, these bolts still wouldn't undo.

 

 

The hammer must be out of shot.

 

The plan for the rear bumper reinforcer is to sling the middle section and reattach it to the car with just the main anchorage points - after a tickle with the welder.

 

IN RUST WE TRUST (Any spotty little herbert that has that stuck to their car, has never experienced the stuff)

[philsford]

_{I had an alloy steering wheel boss like that on a mini once. I tried pullers on it and eventually broke the complete ring off where yours has a piece missing. I changed the whole colum in the end.}

[Noel Tidybeard]

a momo race is shit?? wtf

[overrun]

_{I had an alloy steering wheel boss like that on a mini once. I tried pullers on it and eventually broke the complete ring off where yours has a piece missing. I changed the whole colum in the end.}

 

Hopefully I can avoid that. Changing the column is fair enough, but the added expense of all these 'cheap' parts, soon spoils the party.

[overrun]

a momo race is shit?? wtf

 

I'm not a fan. Too barry.

Plus that one's a mess.

[jonny69]

_{I had an alloy steering wheel boss like that on a mini once. I tried pullers on it and eventually broke the complete ring off where yours has a piece missing. I changed the whole colum in the end.}

 

Jesus, SPEAK UP MAN! Don't you know some of us are hard of hearing and can't hear it when you speak that quietly