Project Domes shonky autos - Grand Cherokee departs, Kangoo titivation and 911 dug out.

[dome]

1 hour ago, Danterzza said:

I think it will turn out a bit of a weapon when done, I had a standard one a few years back it was still a good steer and had just enough power to be fun.

I know this is k swapped but it flies.

Similar ish power outputs

 

 

I had my Type R at the same time as the black MR2 and I did squint very hard at both cars with a view to doing that.

It is VERY expensive though as you need custom EVERYTHING. Driveshafts, mounts, ECU. The costs were wild especially as it all has to come from the U.S. where it's a more common swap.

The 2zz will be similar performance as standard for less than half the costs. The K20 is much more tuneable though so would be the way to go if you wanted 200bhp+ naturally aspirated.

[dome]

So, as reported on the Grin thread this little beasty passed an MOT on Monday??

I spent Saturday afternoon generally fettling it for its MOT. We fitted the road wheels to it (Not gold. Boo) and at the same time I checked over everything. I was also trying to work out why the ABS light was on. Turns out I'd nicked a sensor wire whilst grinding off a recalcitrant drop link. It wasn't cut right the way through so I nearly missed it. I've connected it together and put heatshrink over it to keep it clean.

I also took the exhaust back off to chase a few holes that became apparent in the manifold once I'd made up the system. It's a lot better, and good enough to pass a test but there's still some wee holes I'd like to fix. I'd also like to  clean up my frankly terrible welding from modifying the manifold especially. 

It was running rough, idling with a slight misfire when cold and missing on initial throttle application. i chased air leaks and then put some fresh fuel in it, this seemed to cure it.

Back together and dropped off on Sunday night after a very brief test drive with no EMLs so I was happy.

After a nervous Monday spent mostly checking the MOT checker online i was eventually greeted with this

 

 

 

That'll do me!

Off to pick it up and here she is.

It's tatty but presentable and doesn't hint at being non standard, just the way I like them!

 

The idle from cold was still an issue but I'd managed to find one potential cause. The MAF housing I'd fitted was a larger diameter than the stock one and this can cause a false reading of how much air is going through it. I had some reducer rings which came with the cone filter so chopped up the smallest one and fitted it, this seems to have cured it.

So, I guess you all want to know if all the hassle was worth it?

FUCK YES!

Imagine your small sports car which had 140bhp at 6000rpm suddenly had an extra 2000rpm and 50bhp to play with? Well that's exactly what we have here.

The 2zz feels a bit more urgent at lower revs than the 1zz, probably down to the exhaust/filter. Put the foot down and it goes well with the lift kicking in around 6krpm with a noticeable shove and change in exhaust/induction noise and pulling strongly all the way to the 8200rpm redline. It's addictive!

The exhaust isn't too loud for normal driving but put the foot down though and it makes a great noise. Then it hits lift and sounds like an old Escort rallycar with a BDA? Having the air filter jammed in the side vent adds to the fun, just open the passenger window for full effect!

Here's a video recorded from the passenger seat. It doesn't do it justice but you get the idea. 

 

It's only done about 40 miles or so between Duncan and I but we're both smitten. Although both have commented that we seem to be arriving at corners a lot quicker than we used to ?

So, next up is tidy up the exhaust and make sure it's well hung. Also I'll need to refit the heatshield as with the cat in the bay it gets fooking hot in there. There's a couple of EML codes now, this being a Toyota at least one of these is for lambda heater wiring. I'd like to bleed the brakes before we go on track, the rear caliper and discs/pads all round were new about 4 years ago before it was laid up but he feel isn't great. I did forget to try and bed the pads in though which might not have helped...

 

 

[The Moog]

Well done chap - that video sounds amazing!

I would love an extra 50 hp.

 

[Tickman]

Glad all the effort has paid off.

[cort16]

Well done that dome

[gm]

oh yes, I'm liking that

 

[Matty]

Red cars look fucking mint. Im of the belief that evrything looks better painted red!

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Great result fella……….. although they do look a lot better black

[dome]

5 hours ago, Exiled_Tat_Gatherer said:

Great result fella……….. although they do look a lot better black

Yeah but red cars are fasterer!

[Matty]

^ ^

Scientifically proven that as well!

[dome]

Well we're at 200 gentle* miles now and all is well so far. Apart from this

That's the centre section of the corolla box which is now our silencer. A victim of me working out how to hang the exhaust (answer: better than it is currently). To be fair it was pretty rotten at that point.

I chopped the end off and welded on a new section I fashioned off an old part of S4 exhaust. It's back on and has a better but still temporary hanger arrangement. I also refitted the MR2 heat shield which has made a big difference to the temps

It'll need to come off again to seal up some pinhole leaks and clean up my welding, I've got a powerflex mount here to fit too and will get a new manifold gasket as ours is a bit shonky.

Just arrived at Scotoshite in it. It's fecking sketchy out-hit lift and it lights up the tyres. That may be more amusing when it's not rush hour traffic.

The alignment desperately needs sorted too, it's twitchy at the front end. Getting there though.

[hairnet]

youve a week to do that to yours

nice one dome ya insania ya

[The Moog]

And it is in hot track action today

Looks really good and sounds nice with half a silencer

[The Moog]

And it is in hot track action today

Looks really good and sounds nice with half a silencer

[dome]

Cheers Will! Good to see you!

Full report to follow but in summary

 

1. Went to Knockhill

2. Went line fuck(to the best of our ability)

3. Minor things fell off(who needs an exhaust anyway?)

4. After a discussion with the officials GLFery continued, minus back box 

Between 50 and 60 laps completed, wee car didn't miss a beat. 

Well chuffed.

Been in the pub for the rest of the day celebrating. Hic.

[cort16]

Great result, 60 hard laps of knockhill is certainly a good break in. If it didn't burst after that it's not going to!

I need to take a hard gulp on the price of going to Knockhill and get the Z4 up there at one point.

 

[dome]

23 minutes ago, cort16 said:

I need to take a hard gulp on the price of going to Knockhill and get the Z4 up there at one point.

 

https://www.dreadnoughtgarage.com/

These guys track nights are good, I hope to make at least one of the next two

[dome]

So, I'll get to MR2zz shennagins later. The Exploder was requiring some attention.

It still had a bent caliper carrier and I had a new set of pads for it. I also had bought a pair of timing chain tensioners for it and the idle was a bit high.

Last Monday, this was the site at dome mansions

Brakes went well, the new caliper carrier was fitted and the old pads. Well, this picture tells a story

 

Onto the tensioners and there's 2. One is on the back of the right hand head  and is easily accessed by removing a wheel and going in through the removable arch liner.

The other one, not so easy.

It's on the front of the LHS head and handily* has the thermostat in the way.

I watched a few redneck YouTube videos and learned that

The thermostat is in the way of the tensioner

The inlet manifold is in the way of the thermostat

Fuxake

Ah well, here goes nothing...

 

Further in, EGR had to be removed from the inlet to get access 

Tensioner is just visible below that cable, a 27mm socket takes it off

The new tensioner in place, you can see the extended body on this one, it's an upgraded part.

Both tensioners have to be primed by sticking them in oil and compressing them til they firm up. Oo err. Both old ones were tested and were fucked so this was a worthwhile enterprise.

[dome]

The Exploder got left til yesterday as smoll red cars were taking priority but I got it stuck back together. It ran shite at first as the EGR valve had a leak, i fixed this and took it a spin. Whilst fixing it I noticed that the EGR valve had been blanked off, this probably explains why the inlet was pretty clean

Brakes are a lot better, engine is quieter and the idle is better. Win!

 

[gm]

do you have any videos of the mr2 on track ? I bet it sounded great, especially with the missing backbox. those tyres look like you've had your moneys worth out of them, I presume they were part worns before you started ?

[dome]

1 hour ago, gm said:

do you have any videos of the mr2 on track ? I bet it sounded great, especially with the missing backbox. those tyres look like you've had your moneys worth out of them, I presume they were part worns before you started ?

Here's a vid that Duncan's mate shouldn't have been filming (hence the black flag at the end). It sounds better with the back box on to be honest. Duncan driving here.

The tyres were very cheap from a mate so yes, have seen better days. I don't think we troubled them much so we might get another track day out of them. They felt good though so were a good investment.

[hairnet]

Hooligan

[gm]

14 minutes ago, dome said:

Here's a vid that Duncan's mate shouldn't have been filming (hence the black flag at the end). It sounds better with the back box on to be honest. Duncan driving here.

The tyres were very cheap from a mate so yes, have seen better days. I don't think we troubled them much so we might get another track day out of them. They felt good though so were a good investment.

a black flag for hand held camera ? oopsie  sounds great though, that engine just wants to be thrashed  

[Fraz]

I was at knockhill and can confirm it went like the clappers. 

 

I can can now add to my cv “White gaffer tape expert”

[dome]

Went home via Duncan's to check over the MR2 tonight after Saturdays shenanigans.

Oil level ok, coolant too. Brakes ok and not too worn, proof we're not trying hard enough. 

Here's the exhaust after getting launched across the track at 70 odd mph

oops.

still, my weld on the tailpipe held up...

I put it back on just now with a coke can cut up to help space things out-its just a bit too loose where it sleeves into the system.

And back on road wheels. I actually prefer the gold now...

[dome]

Took it a quick spin and all seems healthy. No additional codes on the ECU and no additional rattles. Happy with that!

Here's some pictures of it taken by a man with the ability to make it look good...

[gm]

what's the story with the gaffer tape ? 

[Matty]

Commitment to faster lap times. He's taping up the joints in the bumper for better aerodynamics ?

[hairnet]

spare tape in case anything else falls off

[dome]

When the exhaust came off it damaged the bumper mount which was flapping about and got us black flagged.  I got a screw in it but Fraz went a bit nuts with the tape. Still, it showed we had made an effort to fix it...