Track car Attempt 2

[mr bognor]

I have done one track day at Brands Hatch short course in the 1ZZ mr2 on stock tyres and suspension but will be going to Castle comb next with coilovers , suspension upgrades and Nankang AR1 track tyres and am thinking will the stock 1ZZ sump be ok for oil starvation ?

It is a Windage style sump ( Basically a flat plate on top of the sump )

The other option is the Elises parts baffled sump that is £ 480 but is this really needed im thinking ?

 

[JB21]

I have done one track day at Brands Hatch short course in the 1ZZ mr2 on stock tyres and suspension but will be going to Castle comb next with coilovers , suspension upgrades and Nankang AR1 track tyres and am thinking will the stock 1ZZ sump be ok for oil starvation ?

It is a Windage style sump ( Basically a flat plate on top of the sump )

The other option is the Elises parts baffled sump that is £ 480 but is this really needed im thinking ?

Have a look at my Celica 190 thread were I've fitted an oil pick up extension coupled with the 1zz sump and thicker 5w 40 oil. Mine was fine at Aintree were the track is long fast high g corners.

 

[mr bognor]

Have a look at my Celica 190 thread were I've fitted an oil pick up extension coupled with the 1zz sump and thicker 5w 40 oil. Mine was fine at Aintree were the track is long fast high g corners.

Do you have a link to the thread .

I know the 2ZZ came just with a bucket sump so the 1ZZ has a better one as stock .

 

[JB21]

Do you have a link to the thread .

I know the 2ZZ came just with a bucket sump so the 1ZZ has a better one as stock .

https://www.cliosport.net/threads/jb21s-celica-vvtl-i-190-track-project.817190/

My advice would be to pull the sump and check the gap from pick up to sump floor. If over 9mm then defo look at an extension. I've still got a 3mm extension spare if it will fit an mr2.

 

[mr bognor]

Back again with some more questions about tyres now .

I will be swapping the wheeles to 15 inch units all round with 195/50/15 front and 205/50/15 rear and was going to go for Nankang AR1 tyres at £ 404 for the set .

Just thinking about it would it be better to go for the Nankang NS-2R at £ 232 for set .

For the life of them as well as the price would the NS-2R be the better option .

I will be doing Castle Combe , Brands hatch and the Ring this year .

The car will be driven to the track with the stock wheels on so the new tyres will only ever be used on the track and not the road .

What do people think ?

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Wow those are some changes!

Food for thought then but what are the common problems that come up .

I was thinking about getting rouge motorsport to do the full conversion with the gearbox upgrade and manifold as well .

Not cheep but then fewer problems you would think ???

Go have a read of any of the tragedy stories on mr2oc... It's only when people try and do it on the cheap mind you.

Once you're paying someone to do the conversion, that's where you have many options engine-wise and where I'd be very reticent to pick a 2zz over the other options. For what you're doing I'd be looking at a K20. They're meant to be hideous if you want a road car (solid engine mounts), but yours doesn't look like a road going car anymore so why not go all out?

 

[mr bognor]

So another weekend and more new parts put on the car this time in the form of some new and shiny Meister R Zeta CRD + coilovers .


The front units have adjustments for height and damping as well as camber adjustment and pillow ball bearings .

Removal of the old units was nice and simple and gave me chance to have a look at the strut pillars and like the complete car there is no rust and they are in great condition .


The old unit are 15 years old and are looking a little tired and have some rust on the springs and mounts .


Old unit

Old Vs new

Front installed

Rear installed

 

[mr bognor]

I have been doing some thinking about the 2ZZ plan and have two options I think as if I go for the 2ZZ I will only want to have this done by a tried and tested garage that has done a few conversions and the only one is Rogue Motorsport .

I have got a quote for a full 2ZZ conversion along with the gearbox swap and it come in at £ 4,675

Option two would be to keep with the 1ZZ and look at the PPE 4-1 manifold + sports cat that should see around 160 BHP from the 1ZZ lump and this is £ 850 delivered from the USA .

I think option tow will be better as I have already spent way over what I was planning on the car and a MR2 roadster with 160BHP and 900 Kg kerb weight should still be respectable .

Wow those are some changes!



Go have a read of any of the tragedy stories on mr2oc... It's only when people try and do it on the cheap mind you.

Once you're paying someone to do the conversion, that's where you have many options engine-wise and where I'd be very reticent to pick a 2zz over the other options. For what you're doing I'd be looking at a K20. They're meant to be hideous if you want a road car (solid engine mounts), but yours doesn't look like a road going car anymore so why not go all out?

 

[JB21]

The guy who has just bought my 'spares or repair' 190 for the engine does the mr2 1zz-2zz conversion. Some of his work here...i should have gone down the mr2 2zz route!

 

[mr bognor]

What has happened to the Celica ?

Do you know who the guy is as I think a few people do the conversion but have read that there have been some problems after .

The guy who has just bought my 'spares or repair' 190 for the engine does the mr2 1zz-2zz conversion. Some of his work here...i should have gone down the mr2 2zz route!

 

[JB21]

Celica was a rust pit and I'd just had enough of things going wrong. I'll speak with the guy Saturday when he collects the car.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Over £4500 to fit a different engine is mental...

 

[mr bognor]

Celica was a rust pit and I'd just had enough of things going wrong. I'll speak with the guy Saturday when he collects the car.

Ok thanks mate .

Do you have any plans on a replacement ?

Over £4500 to fit a different engine is mental...

Yes it is and the car was only £ 1950 so that is over double of what the car is worth .
You could do it cheaper if you did it your self but then there are problems and at the moment my little 1ZZ is running very sweetly so I think I will put the 2ZZ plan on hold .

 

[mr bognor]

Dyno chart from another MR2 owner with the PPE 4-1 exhaust manifold so some good gains and a lot cheaper than the 2ZZ conversion .

 

[mr bognor]

Late last week I received my Innovative Uprated Engine Mount Kit from the USA and looked in to installing this at the weekend .

The kit is for all three engine mounts and one gear box mount and is in Track spec 75A .

Old mount in ok condition but does feel soft and had a bit of movement .

New vs old mounts and installed

 

[mr bognor]

Just booked for a few track days next month with Castle Combe on the 23/07/18 and Brands Hatch on the 31/07/18 .

Is anyone going to them ?

 

[Akay]

What are the Meisters like on the road @mr bognor ?

 

[mr bognor]

I will let you know when it is back on the ground but have a few more bits to finish off first then will give it a good shake down .

I did have them on my old 350Z and they were very good .

What are the Meisters like on the road @mr bognor ?

 

[mr bognor]

Another small update

I managed to get some new CG locks ( finding them now is not easy ) that I have been after as any half cage and racing seats will not be this year and on the stock leather seats you can slide around a bit .

X 2 new units

And installed

 

[mr bognor]

Another small job I got done at the weekend .

The rear arms I have changed to some Hardrace units and they have a pillow ball end but the other fixing goes on to the stock hub bush so I have got some pollybush units to replace this unit .


New pollybush unit

Old rubber unit

And installed

I’m off to Castle Combe on the 23/07/18 and have just a few more bits to do in the shape of the below

Fit the Lotus Elise EP baffled sump
Bleed all the brakes
Set up the coilovers ride height
Fit Nankang NS-2R tyres
Get tracking done


I have got round to removing the stock Toyota sump and it does have a windage plate it is not really a fully baffled sump


Old stock sump

New Elise EP baffled sump with trap doors .

This should keep everything in check on track and no oil surge issues and the EP sump has an extra 1 liter of oil capacity so will help to keep engine temps down as well .


So 2 weeks to go till the next track day and lots still to do I cant see any problems at all

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Love the door hinges.

You'll have a great time at Brands. I had fun in my stock car and yours look like it's got some good mods toward making it that bit more fun for a whole day.

 

[mr bognor]

That is £ 400 worth of door hinges I will have you know

Does work well tho I was testing this with seeing how the oil flows and it really does keep it in the spot you need .

I have already done Brands hatch a few months ago and the car was good then so it will be Castle coombe next on the 23/07/18 then back to Brnads hatch on the 31/07/18 the off the ring on the 06/08/18 .

Love the door hinges.

You'll have a great time at Brands. I had fun in my stock car and yours look like it's got some good mods toward making it that bit more fun for a whole day.

 

[mr bognor]

One of that last jobs before Castle Combe was to fit the baffled sump and a new oil filter with new 10-W40 racing oil .

Just need to check for leeks and then get the new tyres on tracking done then we are good to go for next Monday .

 

[20vKarlos]

Don’t know where I’ve been, but this has been a no expense spared build so far! The next owner of this car will be a very happy person!

 

[imprezaworks]

Yeah you don’t mess about.

 

[mr bognor]

Don’t know where I’ve been, but this has been a no expense spared build so far! The next owner of this car will be a very happy person!

I have spent far too much money on it and way more what the car is worth .

I do plan on keeping this one but I have said that before

Yeah you don’t mess about.

I do tend to say I will do one thing then that turns in to another and then another

 

[mr bognor]

So after about 7 weeks in the air in the garage on axel stands the car is now back on the ground after a load of upgrades to the chassis and other bits .

The coilovers seem spot on ride height wise for me and the bigger rubber going on tomorrow will sit just fine on this .

Before on stock suspension

After

The car drives fine and even tho the tracking will be off it feels great and I know it will be a lot of fun on Monday .

One thing to note is that the engine mounts have made the car a proper track car now and the whole car shakes and is so loud inside but this just adds to the special feel of a track car .

 

[JB21]

And i thought i ploughed money into track cars, lol.

Should be a good little roadster once all set up, albeit not the quickest on track but you'll still be having as much fun as the other cars out there.

I'd defo look into the 2ZZ conversion once you've hit the limit of its performance as is.

Had a good chat to the guy who bought my Celica for a 1zz-2zz conversion and he said its not a hard job at all and even the 2zz ecu is a straight bolt on job.

 

[mr bognor]

I have spent far far far too much on this car but there you go .

I have only driven it a handful of times so I will get used to how the car drives first then look at any more power or engine swaps I think .

The car is in today for some wider rubber in the form of Nankang NS2R 195/50/15 and 225/45/16 and to have the tracking done then we should be all set for Castle Combe on Monday .

And i thought i ploughed money into track cars, lol.

Should be a good little roadster once all set up, albeit not the quickest on track but you'll still be having as much fun as the other cars out there.

I'd defo look into the 2ZZ conversion once you've hit the limit of its performance as is.

Had a good chat to the guy who bought my Celica for a 1zz-2zz conversion and he said its not a hard job at all and even the 2zz ecu is a straight bolt on job.

 

[mr bognor]

Last update was to have the Nankang NS2R tyres put on that are bigger at 195/50/18 front and 225/45/16 Rear ( stock is 185/50/15 215/45/16 )

Then a front wheel alignment only as I could not get booked in for a 4 wheel one in time .

Then a quick shake down to check everything was ok before Monday at Castle Combe .

I checked everything again Saturday morning and there was a puddle of brake fluid on the front drivers side .

This was just a lose pipe that was a quick fix and a re bleed and all was fine again .

 

[JB21]

Looking good. Got a set of really nice light weight 16" Advan RG1 wheels that will look ace on this. Also got really nice 17" gram lights with tyres as well. PM me if interested.

 

[mr bognor]

Got bigger problems

Update to post coming

Looking good. Got a set of really nice light weight 16" Advan RG1 wheels that will look ace on this. Also got really nice 17" gram lights with tyres as well. PM me if interested.

 

[mr bognor]

So yesterday we went to Castle Combe for the first time and the below is how we got on .

It is about 2 and a half hours from where we live so we set off at 4.20 AM in the morning and got there for 7.00 AM

Did all the signing on and safety briefing and noise test .

A few pics

Then it was out for some sighting laps then off out for my first session .

The car has had lots of suspension upgrades from our last track day at Brands Hatch 7 weeks ago and felt amazing and much quicker than before with loads more grip and traction than before .


The vids are not the best for sound or picture as we had a few problems im afraid .


My session 1


https://youtu.be/IKJjMwjXI2E


After my first session the car felt great and I was getting quicker and quicker and the car felt really good and planted so I started to push a bit harder and then came off for a cool down and so Lucy could have a go .


Lucy session 1


https://youtu.be/QbGCy5B0pno


Then it was time for my second session and things did not go according to plan LOL


I was really enjoying myself and pushing harder and harder each lap and then had some fun keeping an Prelude and Boxster behind me before a racing instant happened or me running out of talent and driving past my limits .


I hold my hands up it was Just down to pushing too hard , turning in too early and driving past my limits so no oil on the track or something broke on the car just driver error .


My session 2 ( 3.40 for the good bit )


https://youtu.be/9ECayQu9HUw

With a bit of luck the damage was just cosmetic ( front bumper , light , door , wing and rear panel ) as the radiator , PAS pump and steering / suspension was all un touched and fine so after a really nice guy ( sorry forgot your name ) gave me some duck tape the car was allowed back on track again .

Lucy had the first go and drove great again .


Lucy session 2


https://youtu.be/02kwFSAFnhg


Then I wanted to get back on track and it’s the first time I have had a crash so lost a bit of confidence and was lapping slowly and was not feeling confident driving the car .
I started to push a little bit more but called it a day and went back in .


My Session 3


https://youtu.be/XqwcQSkfmDI


We were planning on heading home as it was 3.00 PM but I wanted another go as I think I needed to get some confidence back .

I think I did about 4/5 laps and by the end I was back to the sort of pace I was having fun at in session two all be it with some more care and not pushing over my limits .


My Session 4


https://youtu.be/SoKAR0LDKE8


It is funny how a shunt can change the way you drive and I think I needed to go back out and push a bit hard again and it was the best thing of the day I think for me having fun again ( Lucy did say slow down as I was pushing a bit too hard on the last lap again )

Then it was time to pack up and head back home for the 2 and a half hour drive that was not fun with a lot of road works so was more like 3 hours .

So all in all it was a great day and great fun and I learnt a lot and now just need to get some replacement bumpers , wing and headlight fast as we are booked in to Brands Hatch next Tuesday then off the Nurburgring on the Monday after 06/08//18 .

 

[JB21]

The only way to learn the limit of the car is to go past it. Just unlucky with the tyre stack being there.

 

[mr bognor]

Yeah I know if it was left or right I would have just been on the grass but you live and learn .

Just need to get it patched up fro next Tuesday .

The only way to learn the limit of the car is to go past it. Just unlucky with the tyre stack being there.

 

[Speedy300]

Good to see the damage was only cosmetic and you were able to drive home. Easily done, I was pushing my Clio a couple of months ago at a Goodwood, unfortunately I hit something more solid...

Hopefully you get the car sorted for next trip, great little project.

 

[mr bognor]

Yeah its just cosmetic but im back at Brands Hatch on Tuesday so running out of time .

Regards

Good to see the damage was only cosmetic and you were able to drive home. Easily done, I was pushing my Clio a couple of months ago at a Goodwood, unfortunately I hit something more solid...

Hopefully you get the car sorted for next trip, great little project.

 

[mr bognor]

So in order to sort out the damaged car I got in contact with an MR2 specialist and got up at 4.00 AM on Saturday to drive the 180 Miles to pick up the replacement units I need to fix the car .

Rutland was the company and had lots of MR2s and loads of replacement parts .

All back home with the replacement bumper , front wing and headlight .

I also got some new rear camber bolts from Powerflex with 1.75 adjustment .

The car is booked in to Eurospec in Guildford tomorrow at 9.00 AM to have a full Geo set up and to make sure everything is set up correctly then it is off to Brands Hatch in the afternoon for the afternoon track session . ( hoping not to have any more moments as we have only driver the car twice on track and have both had spins )

I just need to get all the replacement units bolted on and we are all ready to go for tomorrow .

 

[Akay]

Dean is sound, I went a few weeks ago to get a bumper and bonnet.

What geo are you going for? I need to sort mine when I decide on springs or coilovers!

 

[mr bognor]

So yesterday we set off at 6.45 AM up to Guildford to have a full GEO settings done at Eurospec before we went to the Brands Hatch evening session at 5.00 PM .


After talking to Ben at Eurospec we asked for a better rear set up that would be more forgiving and after talking with him the rear end should be more planted but he did say with this set up if you do lose the back end it will be harder to catch .


The night before I did set the rear anti roll bar to full soft as well .


Before and after measurements .

Not ever having a car set up correctly in not too sure on the numbers but am happy that is has been set correctly ( if anyone wants to explain this more this would be helpful for me )


We got to Brands Hatch and did the sign on and then parked up .

New wing , bumper and light fitted .

Then noise test and that is where problem one started .


Doing the noise test it became clear that the hand brake was not holding the car enough so we will have to look to get this sorted but not the end of the world and we just parked the car in gear .


We did some sighting laps then I went out for the first session and after one lap the car had hesitation and missing under load so it was back in to the pits to take a look .


My first session

https://youtu.be/Edljb-uoBsM


Having had this on a few cars over the years I thought this would be an O2 sensor , injector , coil pack or spark plug .


With no replacement units and reading that the O2 sensors are a common problem ( there are 3 of them ) I disconnected the three O2 sensors and we took the car out to see if this fix the problem for the day .

We met a really nice guy ( James I think as I’m not great with names ) that had his Mini cooper S and said we could have a passenger ride in his car if we could not get the MR2 running .


After about 40 mins of checking bits and unplugging O2 sensors the car was running ok again so we managed to have another couple of goes each .


Me session 2

https://youtu.be/k5es5f-fxw0


Lucy session 1

https://youtu.be/kIrVDpgxqks


Lucy session 2

https://youtu.be/rp9JL-BFO-0


I was still a bit tentative as I did not want us to have another spin or moment as we are off next Monday to the Nurburgring and did not want to stuff it but by my last session was pushing a bit harder but still not committing fully but I could feel that the car was handling very well and that the GEO set up was much better but was still holding back a bit .


Lucy did the last session and was getting better and quicker and it was a shame the day came to a close as she was getting more confident and better each lap .


So I now have 5 days to get some replacement O2 sensors and some replacement coil packs and injectors as back-ups before we set off for Germany to the Nurburgring on Monday for the next outing .