Mild 86 MX72 Cressida Build

[MR2_FTW]

So my radiator sprung a leak and I decided to upgrade.

I got the old radiator out, as well as the AC condenser and lines, and got the new radiator in. It's a aluminum unit for a MK3 Supra Turbo (found it for only like $20 more than a new stock replacement).



Due to the fact that this thing is like twice as thick as the stock radiator, my awesome Volvo electric fan setup won't clear the pulleys on the engine. I'm going to shop around for a new fan and see what I can find.

I also plan to use either sheet metal or coroplast to properly duct the radiator, and maybe re-position my oil cooler to get more airflow, as well as adding a power steering cooler. This thing is gonna have one hell of a cooling system.

[MR2_FTW]

I've been concerned that the rear axle limit straps might pull through the floor of the car, so I added some reinforcement with some scrap steel I had laying around just for my own peace of mind.
Disclaimer: that's totally NOT a stop sign.....>_> <_< >_>

[reiernumans]

Dude, this thing is awesome! Great work, keep it up!

[MR2_FTW]

Driving to work today I noticed several dummy lights on the dash were lit up. Battery, brake, and the tail light bulb outage warning lights were all lit up. Tested my alternator at work and it's putting out precisely one amp. I have ordered a Denso reman unit from RockAuto, and will probably order a voltage regulator and brushes to rebuild the old one to keep as a spare.

[Sir Stancelot]

Dude, phenominal build! Makes me want a cressy wagon so bad!! Keep up the great work.

[Guarantities]

AWESOME! thank you very much man!

[MR2_FTW]

I got in contact with a rep from Coilsprings.com, told them I wanted like 2-2.5" lower and 400lb/in rate. I had to send them my stock springs for them to examine, and the turnaround was a couple weeks, but the springs I got in return fit perfectly. That said, to lower the car and raise the rate so much (stock springs are like 120lb/in) the new springs are dramatically shorter than stock, so I'm using an old offroad trick of using limit straps to keep the axle from drooping when you jack the car up, otherwise the springs could come unseated if you ever caught air or put it up on a lift.

[Guarantities]

Hey man. Awesome build! Could you explain the "custom" rear springs to me. I have sedan megan coils in the rear, needless to say, it BARELY works haha. Always slips off the perch. The megan adjustable rear shock is also way to tall, especially at my height. thanks!

[MR2_FTW]

Took a little trip out to the mountains this past weekend to pick up some bits for a long, slow engine build for this car





And here's the goods:



That's a nearly-complete 7M-GTE with new pistons, rings, gasket set, etc

The things I'm missing off the top of my head are injectors, turbo, head gasket, head studs, exhaust manifold, ignition, and intercooler.

The plan is to build this very slowly over the next year or two back to mostly stock spec with metal head gasket and ARP studs. Stock turbo, stock electronics (I pulled an engine harness and ECU out of a junkyard car for stupid cheap a month or so back). Supra radiator, 5M oil pump/oil pan, new uprated clutch, custom exhaust (likely based off of a modified aftermarket downpipe, and custom intercooler piping will be needed, but the motor itself will be pretty much stock to be as reliable as possible (yes, 7M's are just as reliable as every other Toyota motor given studs and headgasket).

I got all this stuff for an insane deal and this is by far the easiest swap there is so keep your "Why don't you just swap in a 2J/1J/1UZ" crap to yourself.

[MR2_FTW]

I'm not a tech, but I do work at a Toyota dealership. They let us use the lifts after hours as long as nobody else is using it.

[ChanceTheNapper]

dude... this thing is wicked and i absolutely love everything you've done. mind if i ask where you work? i assume you might be a tech at a dealer from the most recent pictures?

[AGentry]

Wow! You've really turned this thing around! Nice work.

[MR2_FTW]

After much swearing, prying, hammering, dropping little spacers and having to look for them, and more swearing, I finally got them in after work today.



After putting the car on the ground and pulling it out of the shop, the difference was immediate. The horrible HORRIBLE clunking that had plagued the car was completely gone. It had actually gotten so bad I dreaded driving the car, and now it's perfect! Also, it was raining, and now that all the power is going straight to the ground, this is an incredible wet-weather drifter. Burnouts for days (rainy days), and long controllable slides. It's seriously fantastic and I couldn't be happier. Worth every freaking penny.

[MR2_FTW]

Goodies!

[MR2_FTW]

I've notice while driving around that while going over bumps the shifter will actually bounce up and down through the tunnel. The whole transmission could just bob around.
Here's why. The mount is super old and tearing.



One of my #1 peeves on cars is crappy rubber connectors, like bushings, mounts, things like that. So last week I ordered this baby from Xcessive.



It took a little finagling to get everything to fit right (the thru bolts didn't clear where it sits down in the crossmember by like a hair, so I put a washer in between the upper and lower parts of the mount and it's pretty much perfect now).



I haven't driven it yet, but I'm making a trip tomorrow to gather supplies for a future long-term project. Details to follow depending on the results on my treasure hunt tomorrow.