'86 Mr2

[kpg2713]

I've never done a build thread before, but I figured it was about time. The car in question is a 1986 aw11 Toyota Mr2. A little back story first. I browse craigslist regularly, it's an addiction really. So one day I happened to see this gold '86 mr2 for sale not running and in need of an alternator. It was pretty far away from me and needed to be trailered so I didn't call the guy. I showed a picture of it to my girlfriend (who drives a '91 Turbo with a swapped 93 motor) and she was all excited about the car. Anyway, about a month goes by and I see the car pop up again on craigslist, only this time it has a new alternator and is running. The guy was asking $800, so I called him.


We got down to $600 on the phone and my girlfriend and I headed up to take a look. It turns out, this kid bought it from the first guy and trailered it home. He then replaced the alternator, but couldn't get the car charging and just wanted off of it. So I talked him down a little more, and we charged the battery to try and drive it home. Of course the battery died soon after, it was junk, and AAA got it back the rest of the way for us.


So we got a new battery for it. Threw that in, and crawled under the car to start poking around. I found that the kid I bought it from never plugged the alternator in to the car, so that fixed the charging issue right off. Woot! I started getting parts together for a clutch replacement, as the one in the car was slipping badly. At this point the car sat for about a month as I was working on my e34 touring daily driver.

[kpg2713]

So at this point I am poking around the car and taking note of everything it needs. My girlfriend and I have plans of turning this into an auto-x car so we were not worried about the aesthetics. Though the car was definitely in need of some help in that department. Peeling clear, rusting out rear quarts, front bumper flaking and damaged, and mold growing in all corners was just the beginning. Mechanically the clutch was toast, interior lights weren't 't working, front brakes are iffy, has some exhaust leaks, leaking coolant, all the suspension is shot... Well I certainly plenty to do. Not to mention every square inch of the car is caked with mud. Was the P.O. into offroading?



So I arranged a 3 day weekend to get started on the car. I limped it over to my buddies shop to do the clutch. I had scored a nearly new oem clutch and pressure plate off craigslist for $40 bucks, picked up a new throw out bearing, as well as replaced the shifter bushings with brass units, and put in fresh synthetic gear oil. unfortunately I wasn't considering a build thread at this point so there is basically no pictures of the work I did besides this one cell shot. I have to thank Harbor Freight here, I did this swap alone and without this damn tranny jack I would have had a hell of time getting it done.


So I got it wrapped up pretty late sunday night, and managed to make it home without nodding off to sleep. 7 am the next morning I wake to the clatter of a ladder... WTF. Peek out the window and it appears that they are roofing the house next door, which is about 15 feet from my bedroom window. Sleep is but a dream at this point. So what do I do? Throw on some clothes and head off to the shop to get some more work done! Only that didn't go as planned. It was early, I was running on next to no sleep, and my radio was cranked form the night before. So I decided I wanted to plow into a dodge charger at the stop light basically in front of my house... This is what happened to his rear bumper.



wait for it.....









The front end of my e34.

[kpg2713]

This changed things... A lot. I have no more room for another project, and as much as it killed me to let it go, I said my good byes to me beautiful bmw. I sold off a couple sets of wheels I had for it, some audio equipment, and magically had a budget for the mr2.

So replaced the dry rotted tires, and cleaned it up enough to star driving.


Pulled the light switch and resoldered it to get my interior lights back. Changed the oil, plugs, air filter, fuel filter, flushed the brakes, wipers, threw in a kyb strut in the back to try and make it somewhat safe.

Found some wheels on craigslist. 13x8 et4 rota Rb's with correct hub rings. Test fitted on kumho race tires


Damn she needs suspension. This thing is rattling at every corner and has wheel gap like you read about. Enter BC racing coilovers.


Also ordered up a poly bushing kit, and some 185/60 tires to stretch on there.

[kpg2713]

Test fit of the 185's.




Damn, time to get that suspension installed. And bam!




Oops. Brake lines don't fit. Dremeled those bad boys out and all is well now. Also ran into a snag with the front top mount holes. Only 3 holes here.


So I drilled it out for the fourth of course.

[kpg2713]

So following a logical thought process I proceeded to lower it. All the way Sorry for the junk pictures to this point, it wasn't until I saw it lowered that I wanted to make this a build.

[kpg2713]

I have to replace a bunch more on the car. Rear tie rods, front tie rod ends, new front calipers pads and rotors are all on order. I have to pull the fenders a bit so I can get the front down lower as well. Still need to install a bunch of poly bushings, front engine mount, replace the oil pan gasket. The kicker is I brought it down to the exhaust shop to get checked out. The header is cracked... Looks like she will be getting a whole new exhaust as well.

[TheCrabMaster]

Nice start man, looks like a fun project

[kpg2713]

And more. I got a real camera, so no more junk pics. I finished rolling the fender lips. I also removed the rear spoiler. I am diggin' it. Whatcha think?

[anto125]

really nice,
i think she will appreciate some negative camber

[cams]

Looks good so far, a bit of camber would do it some good.

[kpg2713]

Agreed, and thanks guy! I have the tie-rods on order, so I wanna get those replaced and have it lined up. Then I will lower the front a bit more, and dial it in I think there is some fender work in her future as well. I have a buddy who does autobody who saw the car the other night. He said he would love to flare the fenders out so I could throw some spacers in there and get it a bit more aggressive.

[Miroteknik]

I like it without the wing. Looks good overall, but if you could touch up that bumper with some paint, I think it would do your front end wonders in terms of cleanliness. Keep it up!

[milano_red]

Looks awesome!

[B Rod]

Great start! Sucks about the e34. But looks like you are making quick progress with the mr2.

[kpg2713]

I like it without the wing. Looks good overall, but if you could touch up that bumper with some paint, I think it would do your front end wonders in terms of cleanliness. Keep it up!

Thanks man. I am actually kind of digging the "used" look of the car. But when I get tired of it, I am thinking satin gold with a complete trim refinish in satin black.

Great start! Sucks about the e34. But looks like you are making quick progress with the mr2.

Yeah, it does. It was seriously minty. Never mind the 5 speed swap and turbo that I never got to.