Changed my mind - stereo

Well, my JVC header unit hasn't even arrived and I've changed my mind. I'm going to sell it for a slight loss and just sit on the existing, working-perfectly-fine factory setup.

School of thought is that I'm going to ride what I have until it doesn't work anymore - looking to the day when I can do a thorough restoration of the vehicle. I'm thinking when that happens, I'm going to have the interior paneling sound-proofed better so the ride is quieter, and have a really snappy A/V system installed that will sound all the more better as a consequence.

I know, I know - just call me Morris the Cat; I'm finicky...

Definitely keeping the OEM floor mats, though. :) Very excited for them to arrive.

God bless eBay...and about the 5SFE

Man, there's no better place to find the hard-to-find. Picked myself up a brand-new (well, not brand-new, but never-used) OEM floor mats with the "MR2" embroidered logos. Will look GREAT and follows my plan to keep it stock but make it rock, baby...

The more I've read on the definition of "ricer", the LESS modification I want to do to the body. In fact, at this point the only thing I'd like to do externally is repaint it in the original factory metallic turquoise.

The engine, however, is a different story. There is a school of thought that the 5SFE engine, while made for fuel economy, can be tweaked naturally with other parts (cams, especially) to increase HP considerably without turboing it.

Sounds like that's right up my alley...

New header unit for stereo on its way

In keeping with the stock theme of my car (and avoiding anything that looks "ghettoized"), I've ordered a JVC double-DIN replacement for my stock header unit. Got it from eBay - would have ordered from Crutchfield Canada but they didn't have it. The US version did and their info said it was compatible with my speaker setup. This ones has white, not red, labeled buttons - a clean look with lots of symmetry and curvy lines. More than one review said that when installed, it looked like a factory unit, and performed better than the one they had, including many late model vehicles like the Shaker unit in the new Mustangs. That's what I'm looking for!

Here's the Crutchfield link:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-kqdHQhR8D0C/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=wx&i=105KWGX700

Also ordered, from Best Buy, the JVC iPod direct-wire attachment for my iPod. With it, the header unit lets you control the iPod while you stash it safely in your glove box, out of sight and locked away. Makes it less obvious to theives, I think. Some people asked why I didn't just get a video double-DIN unit - same reason. :)

Will post pics of installation when it comes over the holidays.

One of my inspriations

The guy in the driver's seat is Bill. The car is a '64 MGB. After retiring, Bill figured this would be a good project car. Boy, was he right. I helped him on a few finishing touches last summer and we were able to take it for a ride.

Bill, thanks for inspiring me to do my own long-term project. Hope to bring it down there one day and do a run with the Deuce and the B to Gold River, your ragtop down and my T-bars open, on a nice, sunny day.

Hand-stitched leather goodness...

My steering wheel cover came the other day - nice and black and smooth! Took me about an hour to fit and stitch it on properly. The end result is pretty good, IMHO.

The first smod

Here it is ... the OEM shift knob and boot for a '93 MR2. Shiny, and definitely not cheap, even for a vinyl boot.

The Two in question...

1993 Toyota MR2 (manufactured 05/92)

5spd 5SFE (135hp, 144 lb/ft. torque)

Metallic turquoise w/black cloth interior

T-bar roof

Stock, stock, stock..

Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_MR2

The history...

Hi, folks,

Well, the journey has begun. From the first time I got a close-up look at the 2nd gen. MR2, I knew that was a car I would own someday. In October 2007, that dream came true courtesy of a great guy out in Sherwood Park. This car is now on its fifth owner and is still in excellent shape - a testament to the love it has seen over the years. Came with a fair amount of documentation - back to 1996 - and I intent to add to it.

The stock 5SFE engine is now at 195K and still pulling strong, but an occassional squeaking noise on start up tells me a tune up is in order next spring. Shifting is smooth and the clutch was replaced not too long ago. Alignment needs to be fixed and rear tires are almost done, but what surprise is that? :)

Did I mention I put it away for the winter? Yes, this will only be a fairweather car, folks, as much as possible. I cleaned it up, inside and out, changed the oil, replaced the spark plugs with Bosch Platinum +4's, which some of you don't like and we'll see how they perform, waxed it up, lubbed the seals with silicone lube, stuffed metal scrubbies up its tailpipes, and said goodnight. Battery will soon follow.

Will show a picture of my first "smod" - stock modification - the replacement of the OEM shift knob and boot with another OEM set from Toyota, very soon.

The adventure begins!