Ok guys,
So I've spent most the morning looking over alot of faqs related to performance and maintanence of mr2 mkII vehicles. It seems though, the more I read the less I know.
Here's my ultimate outcome: To get this car in the best shape of it's life. Getting all the maintanence things done as well as just getting it in it's prime condition. After that I would consider doing aftermarket upgrades so I wouldn't want to blow a ton of money on an oem part when it would ultimately be replaced with something that solved some sort of shortcoming that toyota didnt notice previously(it seems alot of cars have this sort of issue).
Here's what i have on my list of to-do items.
NOTE: If I am being a pain because I haven't read something somewhere that would address all this, please know I am not above doing that leg work myself. Just tell me to go RTFM and I will do so, but I figured I would throw all this out and see what happens, seeing as how my questions are getting more specific.
1. Replace the valve cover gasket.
--This looks like alot of fun. I never had to work on an engine that had so much stuff strewn about the top of the valve cover, lol...
2. Flush coolant.
-- This seems like something best left to my friend and his shop. I don't have any vacuum tools and I certainly don't want to chance hotspots.
3. replace clutch and possibly install a lightened flywheel.
--I don't know if doing this is a good idea. Sometimes it's best to stick with stock on something like this, but your guidance would be appreciated. I wouldn't want to go with a ceramic clutch or anything. I don't need or want a performance clutch that is so touchy that you can't just cruise up to the grocery store to get some cereal...
4. Set up some snow tires.
--I would really really like to get away with doing this as cheap as possible. I read that certain camry wheels would work fine for this and I just want something I can put on when the roads get nasty. Would going to a junkyard and yanking the wheels off a totalled camry work?
5. Installing aftermarket boost gauge.
--the stock one is worthless, unless it's a grounding issue that I can fix easily or something. It seems to work intermitently.
6. Getting a keyless entry remote.
--My car has a mad alarm system on it. I looked into getting one from toyota, and parts and labor add up to 100 bucks. Can you get a factory remote online somewhere for cheaper and then just have the shop program it?
7. Replacing any miscelaneous hoses that need attention.
--I know that alot of the hoses in older cars need attention, specifically any that involve vacuum.
These are in no specific order. If you notice an order that it needs to be in and want to comment feel free.
So let's say I get all that done.
Are there any performance upgrades that would correct any oversights by the original design? By that I mean I don't necessarily want to do anything above and beyond what the car is capable of naturally producing, keeping the integrity of the overall mechanics of the car. I don't want to be stooped over my engine bay every weekend adjusting the fuel curve and what not. I know a certain amount is necessary, but I want to limit it.
Perhaps a turbo upgrade would be a sensible yet beneficial project for the car?
enlighten me if you care to...
So I've spent most the morning looking over alot of faqs related to performance and maintanence of mr2 mkII vehicles. It seems though, the more I read the less I know.
Here's my ultimate outcome: To get this car in the best shape of it's life. Getting all the maintanence things done as well as just getting it in it's prime condition. After that I would consider doing aftermarket upgrades so I wouldn't want to blow a ton of money on an oem part when it would ultimately be replaced with something that solved some sort of shortcoming that toyota didnt notice previously(it seems alot of cars have this sort of issue).
Here's what i have on my list of to-do items.
NOTE: If I am being a pain because I haven't read something somewhere that would address all this, please know I am not above doing that leg work myself. Just tell me to go RTFM and I will do so, but I figured I would throw all this out and see what happens, seeing as how my questions are getting more specific.
1. Replace the valve cover gasket.
--This looks like alot of fun. I never had to work on an engine that had so much stuff strewn about the top of the valve cover, lol...
2. Flush coolant.
-- This seems like something best left to my friend and his shop. I don't have any vacuum tools and I certainly don't want to chance hotspots.
3. replace clutch and possibly install a lightened flywheel.
--I don't know if doing this is a good idea. Sometimes it's best to stick with stock on something like this, but your guidance would be appreciated. I wouldn't want to go with a ceramic clutch or anything. I don't need or want a performance clutch that is so touchy that you can't just cruise up to the grocery store to get some cereal...
4. Set up some snow tires.
--I would really really like to get away with doing this as cheap as possible. I read that certain camry wheels would work fine for this and I just want something I can put on when the roads get nasty. Would going to a junkyard and yanking the wheels off a totalled camry work?
5. Installing aftermarket boost gauge.
--the stock one is worthless, unless it's a grounding issue that I can fix easily or something. It seems to work intermitently.
6. Getting a keyless entry remote.
--My car has a mad alarm system on it. I looked into getting one from toyota, and parts and labor add up to 100 bucks. Can you get a factory remote online somewhere for cheaper and then just have the shop program it?
7. Replacing any miscelaneous hoses that need attention.
--I know that alot of the hoses in older cars need attention, specifically any that involve vacuum.
These are in no specific order. If you notice an order that it needs to be in and want to comment feel free.
So let's say I get all that done.
Are there any performance upgrades that would correct any oversights by the original design? By that I mean I don't necessarily want to do anything above and beyond what the car is capable of naturally producing, keeping the integrity of the overall mechanics of the car. I don't want to be stooped over my engine bay every weekend adjusting the fuel curve and what not. I know a certain amount is necessary, but I want to limit it.
Perhaps a turbo upgrade would be a sensible yet beneficial project for the car?
enlighten me if you care to...
