MadaboutKitcars

Well that looks awesome... no even a little bit jealous

Is the screen to act as a stereo and/or gauges? 3d printed panel? I assume you've gone along with the plan of removing the whole dash and replacing it with bars hanging off the roll cage? So many questions...

OK - so here is the update - slightly mixed up order but to make it easy to follow I've done it in sections!

ENGINE

It was at that point when I realised that I was going to have to IVA the car as I'd created a notch in the chassis (instant IVA). After MONTHS of thinking about it I decided that I was not going to do that - way too much complication for what was meant to be a simple kit. So I went 2ZZGE - a common swap for the MR2 Roadster - this will produce half the power that the Volvo would, but still a pretty good 200bhp per tonne so enough.... I do plan to turbo it at some point ($$$) so will be looking around the 400bhp area once done. I just want to get it on the road first before I do.... it's been too long!

This did mean that I had to weld up the hole again though!



2ZZ arrived in early Jan




With downpipe and header from Rogue Motorsport via SJ autosport




6 Speed box with LSD and custom Gear Selector too:


And unlocked Celica ECU


First thing was to splice the Celica ECU with with MR2 one - this took ages to get my head around, however was really actually quite simple once done - it took me a day and a half to do, but would probably take me an hour to do if I did it again now I know what I'm doing!



I then removed the head to check the lift bolts and condition inside (as the outside was filthy!) - all seemed pretty good!



And did a very bad job of wrinkle paint on the cam cover!





Before installing it



And it fired up pretty much first time (other than an immobiliser issue that was quickly solved)

Here is a vid of it starting:

https://youtu.be/2nXUdBjyIZY

Really pleased!

So, this has been a long time in the making.... but inspired by a flurry of MRS200 activity here I thought it was time!

The Roll cage took a very long time - mainly because I'm not a great welder, didn't have much free time and only had a tiny space to work in!

Tacked into place:



Then welded in sections:


Then assembled in the car and welded in:


I then mocked up a centre consol:






I managed to re-use the existing heater controls too

I then painted the cage and centre consol




That took ages.... ages and ages!

Then comes the beginning of the 3D printing - started with the guage pod - I bought a set of VDO guages then started CAD modelling them.







The part was deisgned to fit around the cross bar on the roll cage - it bolts straight on there with a bracket.

It then modelled the handbreak surround too:




and send them to print - here are the printed items in their natural finish off our SLS machines.







The parts were then dyed black and polished

And assembled






And then installed:





Followed by some seriously amateur upholstery!





Which was then installed

I also did a bit more printing after that for the heater control guages - I had the OEM unit, but no facia to match - I also had to relocate the buttons as they would clash with the cage.




I also integerated the hazard light switch too:





And dyed black to match



Similar with the gear gator surround:



I then took the old gator and cut it up:



Did my first bit of sewing ever:

Then Double Din Stereo - Because RALLY MAPS!






In the mean time I'd also painted the interior, engine bay and roll cage - all with Raptor bed liner paint with a roller - it works pretty well if you use a lot of rollers and do it in sections as it cures quite fast. Makes it a bit more expensive.... but worth it!





Seats have arrived too:

Finally it is time for assembly!

It looks awesome...








I've still got a little way to go..... but then I'm on the the body.... FINALLY!

Wow that looks great

Good move on the engine ....imagine doing all the work to have a messy Iva ...you do hear of horror stories

This is impressive.

Man, that looks awesome! Really impressed with the 3d designed and printed dash. Reminiscent of the original without being a carbon copy. I'd like to point out that you felted the other side of the bit that says felt this side joking aside, great job! Good idea on the rally maps. You'll need to find a GPS sat Nov voice that sounds like Robert Reid.

Impressive!

Very impressive, love the 3D printed parts and the overall look of the interior, great job

I echo what all have said.

Well done that man!

Wow Badrep - how fantastic! 3D printed parts would put many production kits to shame.

Thanks for the kind words guys!

Nostromo - I made that mistake on literally every panel I upholstered!

Most of the work has come together since Christmas - before that it was quite slow and mainly roll cage, hence the big gap in update - it just looked so samey to keep the updates coming! The big moneyshot was really in the last 2 weeks!

Badrep - As others have said, your 3D printing work and the interior in general is setting a very high standard.

Good luck, Paul.

Great work

Thanks Guys!

Small update, engine is in, driveshafts back in place, all crossmembers, arms, and exhaust are back in place amking the car mobile. All I need to do is put the wheels on, bleed the brakes and clutch and get out the garage. Then I can start on the body finally!




There's also a nice amount of space for a turbo here (hehehe)

Looking good buddy! Tidy job. That's a 2zz? Nice clean looking sub frame down there too. Apparently they have a very bad habit of eating themselves from the inside.

It might be worth your while getting that enormous air filter out of the engine bay a bit.

Haha - the subframe has been cleaned... but it far from clean - I didn't bother painting it as I think I'll get a replacement!

Yup - it's a 2zz. I'm hoping to turbo it over the winter as well so should go like the clappers when done

Finally had a chance to clear the garage (LOL 'clear' the garage!) and get the body on in it's mocked up position.

Still on stands:





Then off the stands, maneuvered into a better position and the body placed on top.













Things are going to get exciting soon!