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

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Excellent noises fella - you must be chuffed! Well done.

[spartacus]

Nice one, that'll surely boost the mojo!

[dome]

So, yeah, finally some progress

 

This morning I filled the MR2 with fluids, checked everything, checked it again and then cranked it over with the coils off to build up oil pressure

 

Then, as in the video above (which I can't get to embed for some reason?) , it fired up and ran a hell of a lot better than I thought it would with a bodged up MAF setup and some vacuum lines not connected up.

 

It seems to be holding fluids OK but I haven't ran it for long enough to get it up to temp, it's somewhat lacking in exhaust department at the minute and my neighbours likely wouldn't approve.

 

It's running on the 1zz ECU at the minute as that way i rule out any problems with the immobiliser transponder swap that I'll need to do to run it on the 2zz ECU. Now it's running I can swap that over, I have all the bits I need.

 

Next up, order up hoses and a cone filter for the intake then measure up the exhaust to see what we need-basically a selection of bends to make a cat and a silencer fit in the space between the engine and the number plate which is not very big.

 

A visit to a scrappy allowed me to rob a couple of bits from an MR2 and take some photos to remind myself what goes where. We also treated it to a set of facelift rear lights, for no other reason than we like them

 

 

Also, I plodded about in the Explorer today and it is much more enjoyable to drive when it's not leaking oil onto it's exhaust. Small victories and all that.

[dome]

Bought a battery for the MR2 today from Euro, got it home and discovered the terminals were the wrong way round.

 

I also got it to run on the 2zz ecu. Next up is induction pipework and an exhaust. I'll also reassemble the rear suspension and fit the new parts to the front too.

 

I gave the rest of the fleet some attention too, the machine polisher was broken out followed by some wax for the S4. I haven't waxed the Exploder yet but might treat it.

 

 

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[big_al_granvia]

the old ford is looking alright, see you have the issue with monobloc driveways, it shows up every drip of fluid... i like my old tarmac, hides where one of flat4's cars has been

[dome]

OK, some more progress has happened

 

It turned out that getting the wrong battery was a good move. I had the 063 battery off the Locost in the garage and it fitted perfectly in the battery tray, better than the standard MR2 battery which is taller and slimmer. After a bit of online battery sniffing I headed to Euro and swapped the wrong own brand battery for an Exide 065 which is higher rated and also got £10 back. Winner.

 

Air filter and gubbins arrived so I mocked everything up-the filter will get its nice, cold air from the passenger side vent.

 

 

With that sorted I had a look at the exhaust. We chopped up the Corolla system and mocked everything up in the bay to work out what we need to buy. The Corolla cat will see us legal and the mid box will be all the silencer we need. Hopefully...

 

 

 

Space is tight but we can do something here. A selection of Jetex bends has been ordered up which should arrive next week when I'm on holiday.

 

Onto today and some shiny parts were lined up for fitting...

 

 

[dome]

I set Duncan loose on fitting the front struts while I did some underbonnet fettling-I mounted the dipstick and sorted out the one engine mount that isn't standard. 

 

I then went underneath to fit the underchassis brace. Thankfully this time all the bolts came loose so that went OK. We then went round and tightened up the suspension bolts up and fitted the original wheels which we've fitted a set of track tyres to and Duncan had painted gold.

 

Finally, for the first time in months it was looking like a car. 

 

 

I'm off to do the North Coast 500 today in the S4, looking forward to that! The S4 was chosen because of working aircon and great lumbar support more than the power, it's not going to be that kind of trip.

 

The MR2 was meant to be our transport but sadly it wasn't to be. Still, next time!

[dome]

My sump sealing on the Exploder leaves a bit to be desired-I used (correct for this task) sealant due to lack of availability of a gasket.

This was fine for a week or so but it's starting to leak again from one corner where I may not have used enough sealant.

I suspect I'll have to buy the correct gasket which is a bit frustrating.

 

I did however buy a tyre paint pen to redo the writing on the tyres. Because, well priorities, right?

 

 

It's also had the knackered tint film removed from the windows but i need to remove the residue. I'm building up to that though, it looks like an arse of a job. New auxiliary belt fitted too, the old one was starting to split.

[Split_Pin]

Autoglym glass polish should get the residue off.

[beko1987]

That and Autosmart tardis is how I got some tint residue off the windows of Joe's Pleasure wagon at shitefest 17,wasnt too tricky either, the trick was to just rub gently until the glue broke down then it wiped off

[Dave_Q]

WD40 and a Wilko's glass scraper worked for me, quick too.

[dome]

So last Sunday we headed to Inverness which was to be the start of our North Coast 500 trip. The weather Gods were truly smiling on us so we got very lucky with the trip. High teens to low 20s and the only rain we got was overnight. It was a tad windy up at the far north but that's to be expected

 

 

There was me and my better half in the S4, Fraz who lurks on here and his girlfriend in his Saab 9-3 (soon to be for sale, hint hint) and another mate in his VW camper van.

 

 

We went anticlockwise heading to Wick on the first night and did it over 4 days, arriving back in Drumnadrochit (just South of Inverness on Thursday night. 500 miles might not sound like a lot over 4 days but the roads are challenging(usually in a good way) and plenty of stops were made. Very often just to say, "Fucking hell, look at the view!" We also detoured slightly to take in the Belach na Ba pass which is pretty amazing. I'd recommend allowing more time if you can, it's the scenery is absolutely stunning.

 

 

The 3 cars performed fine, although the S4 announced the beginnings of a dodgy wheelbearing on the way UP to Inverness. This got progressively worse and meant that it souned like a Lancaster bomber by the end of the trip. i was going to strip it down today but we've had rain and hail showers all day so that can wait...

 

 

 

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[dome]

And some more...

 

 

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[dome]

And again. Apologies for the Saab spoiling some of the pictures...

 

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[dome]

And again...

 

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[Split_Pin]

What a trip! I would love to do that in the Cabby.

[gm]

looks awesome, thats been 'on the list' for a while now but seeing those pics has put it 'ON THE LIST !'

[hairnet]

have done parts of that on the bike

 

are you gonna tune the s4 as the saab seems to be in front quite a lot

[Matty]

That must've been a hard work convoy. S4, Saab and....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

......vw camper van!

[hairnet]

camper = all the torques up the hills

[Fraz]

The Saab is pure rapid aw that mister..

 

Lol

 

T’was a great trip

[dome]

I stripped the Audi on the Sunday after getting back from the North Coast 500, or at least tried to. I managed to shear a caliper carrier bolt-it had seized into the alloy upright. Heat, penetrant and swearing got it out and a new one was purchased from the local VW dealers. 
I tried to get the bearing out without removing the driveshaft but this was a folly that wasted more time. Top links(that I'd had out before) removed and the driveshaft came out, I also noticed a split in the CV boot which was handy* 

The bearing was most likely original and it was a real fight to get it out. I actually broke my hammer in the process. #sadreactsonly

I also took the opportunity to replace the discs and pads as they were well down. Saturday morning and I was up bright and early and soon this was the situation at Dome Towers

Stripped down and ready for reassembly

Shiny parts ready for fitting

 

A big old set of discs on this thing, 345mm

 

 

And a word of caution, make sure you aren't too close to the house when letting the jack down. I jammed the jack handle and had to use another trolley jack under the front to free off this one...

 

This done and I can now hear the exhaust again. I need to attend to an oil leak from the front of the engine so will do the valley gasket and a few other jobs when it's in bits. But not until the MR2 is on the road.

[dome]

So, the exhaust parts arrived while I was up North. Careful* measuring had given us an idea of what we needed.

The exhaust gases will flow like this

Out of the manifold then turn 90 degrees left(as you look at the car from the rear) then across to the LHS and round a 180 degree bend bringing them up and back across the car into the cat. Up to this part the pipes are 3" The Corollas cat reduces the diameter down to 2.5" on exit so the rest of the system is this size.  Through another 180 degrees and back down and across to the left where it flows into the Corollas centre box which will hopefully give us enough silencing. 

 

Still with me? Good, here goes

 

A mixture of tape and offcut silicon was used to try and get the angles right

 

Once I was happy the welder was broke out to tack things in place

Those of a nervous disposition look away now, my welding abilities are still in their infancy. Cough.

More to follow...

 

 

 

[dome]

As you might be able to see the plan is to weld things up as far as the cat and then use clamps from then on. This will a) give us some adjustability and b) let us swap out the back box if need be.

Last night I took out new system into the garage, locked the door and got the welder out. The results may not be pretty but they seem to work Some cleaning up and rewelding may be required though.

 

Bolted back on along with new gasket for the manifold to downpipe and sprung bolts to allow some flex on the system.  There's only a couple of leaks as far as i can see, I'll run it properly and chase all of these. I also need to make some hangers up, I've got a couple of ideas for this. It also needs a tailpipe, I'm thinking side exit, just because i can!

 

Here's how it sounds now.

That's better!

And here's how our list looks now.

 

 

The throttle issue was that whilst it idled OK as soon as you touched the throttle it tried to die. I worked out this was because the 2zz throttle rotates the opposite way to the 1zz so I needed to swap over a couple of wires on the TPS. I did this tonight but it was pissing down when 'd finished so I never fired it up.

[dome]

Got a bit more done tonight. Lambdas from the mr2 swapped into the exhaust and wired in as the connectors from the corolla were different. 

Coolant bled, it's quite a nifty setup involving two pipes up the front that you hang off the opened bonnet to allow them to bleed.

I ran it up to temp with no EML so I'm calling that a win

Throttle issue seems fixed, still to actually drive it though of course.

More importantly, the 6 speed gearknob from the corolla is on and I discovered it has an electric aerial which works!

[The Moog]

Sounds proper winning ! Well done chaps

[Dick Cheeseburger]

I'm really regretting selling my 'Rolla T Sport donor... I'm also queetionning why I've bought a Z4 and dumped the MR2 at the top of the drive for the meantime. I think fate states the MR2 needs a 2ZZ conversion.

I'm intrigued to see what you think of yours once you've driven it in anger. 

[dome]

Exhaust mount fabrication* completed tonight. Not pretty but it'll do.

Don't worry, the bit of silicone hose is temporary. The other hanger in the picture will be getting scrapped.

Also patched up the manifold so it's less blowy. It's sounding better. Still running a wee bit rough, I suspect an air leak somewhere. Which will be fun to find as the inlet manifold is now up against the bulkhead...

[hairnet]

shit welding??

• naw if it dont leak its reet if its under the car

dot the fuck? ^

[nacho man]

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