Category: MK1

The Original (1984-1989)

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First Generation MR2

The small and light MR2, chassis code AW11, was something no one had expected from Toyota, known for their economical and practical cars. The two-seat MR2 was definitely not practical as a family car, but the design criteria were different from that of most previous cars. Cars with a similar design and the same concept were the Lancia Beta Montecarlo, Fiat X 1/9 and the exotic Lancia Stratos, all produced in the 70s. The most important features of the AW11 were its light body (as low as 2,200 lb (998 kg) in Japan and 2,350 lb (1066 kg) in the US), superior handling and lightly powered, small-displacement engine. Toyota’s cooperation with Lotus during the prototype phase can be seen in the AW11, and it owes much to Lotus’s legendary sports cars of the 1960s and 1970s.

As a powerplant, Toyota chose to use the naturally aspirated 4A-GE 1587 cc I4 engine with Double overhead camshafts, which allowed the use of 16 valves for a better gas flow through the combustion chamber. The engine was also equipped with DENSO electronic multi-point fuel injection and a variable intake geometry (T-VIS), giving the engine a maximum power output of 128 hp (95 kW). US engines were rated at 112 hp (84 kW), European engines at 124 hp (93 kW), Australian engines at 118 hp (88 kW) and Japanese engines at 130hp (97 kW). The engine had already been introduced earlier on the Toyota AE86, gathering a lot of positive publicity. There was also a JDM model AW10 which used the more economical 1452 cc 3A-U engine, but it didn’t gain too much popularity. Some versions were also fitted with automatic climate control.

How To: Remove Rotor Dust Shield

ince I’m converting to the 87+ brakes, I need to remove the dust shields. What better time to do this with the steering knuckle off the car! I’m pretty sure you can do this...

How To: Replace Speedometer Cable

Just replaced my speedometer cable today. It ended up being pretty easy, but as always whenever you’re doing something for the first time, it takes longer. 1. disconnect the cable from the tranny. It’s...

How To: Swap a 20v by System

Changes that need to be made to accommodate the 20v by system 1. Exhaust -Silvertop The complete 16v exhaust system can be used with the 20v silvertop. The only needed modification will be to...

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2zz With C60 Swap

Write up for installing 2ZZ-GE with C-60 into MK1. If you choose to use an alternate transaxle, you will encounter other variables. Ill try my best to remember everything and add part #’s where...

How To: Install MR2 Spyder Seats

So you want to install Mk3 seats in your Mk1. It’s really not that hard.

Tools needed:

Torque wrench that can do 27 ft/lbs.
14mm socket/wrench
14mm combination wrench (ratcheting is a definite plus)
Drill (and a metric buttload of crappy bits or 3-4 really good ones)
Safety glasses (of course)
[…]

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Aftermarket Seats

ere’s a write-up that I’ve been meaning to get to for a while now. Every car has different seat mounting locations. Therefore aftermarket seat manufacturers must sell brackets specific to the car. Sometimes this...

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Dying headliner

After getting tired of looking at the old dull headliner and dirty sunvisors for the past 10 years, I decided to try out the Vinyl & Fabric paint/dye. You can purchase this at your...

AC Conversion 1

AC Conversion

The “proper” way to do a conversion is NOT the only way. THE reason that you have to remove all traces of R-12 in a system is because the introduction of R-134 turns the...