#MR2sday is best Tuesday

"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
02/21/2017 at 11:33 • Filed to: AW11, mr2, mr2sday

Fact.

DISCUSSION (14)

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/21/2017 at 11:42

Some day I’m getting an AW11, and I’m going to drive it at least every Tuesday. Unless it’s snowing.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/21/2017 at 11:42

Yeah, keep it away from salt. It will be rusted by the end of the drive.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/21/2017 at 11:44

Indeed. It’s going to be challenge enough finding one rust-free.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/21/2017 at 11:48

Look at it this way... I’m looking to get a non-runner without an engine shipped across the country. That’s how hard to find they are.

BJohnson11 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/21/2017 at 19:07

That yours? Nice! I just started looking into getting a mk1 today. Thoughts? Recommendations? Things to look out for?

I’m in CA, so rust shouldn’t be an issue!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BJohnson11
02/21/2017 at 19:13

Yep, that’s mine. Love it. It’s a forever car. The engines are hardy in them, so if it runs well when you try it, it should stay running well, though they’re still 30 year old cars and tend to leak from everywhere. The T-Tops will never seal either, even if you replace the rubber. Rust is really the only major issue to look out for, even in a California car. I’d be willing to overlook some major issues if I were looking at a rust free one. They’re super solid and an absolute blast to drive though, and surprisingly functional.

BJohnson11 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/21/2017 at 19:16

Yea I was thinking about one for a second car. Just something to tool around with, throw a little money in mods into (or a lot-I know how these things go) and take to some autox/rallyx.

Doing some reading, seems like the motors are pretty stout and relatively easy to build up a bit with just pistons and a cam?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BJohnson11
02/21/2017 at 19:34

The stock guts are surprisingly high quality. The pistons and crank are all cast and they’re lighter than the lightweight pistons my brother got for his Fiat if that’s any indication. The stock crank’s supposedly good for like 9k rpms. What’s common for very cheap simple stroker builds are hybrids where you take the head of a 4AGE and put it on a 7AFE for a 1.8L engine, but I wouldn’t want to mess with the short stroke of the 4AGE personally. I’d be looking at the head first. There are alot of guys who do 4AGE heads and people report good results and have the dyno tests to prove them. If doing autoX though, I’d be starting with the suspension and tires. I’d also be looking at the wheel bearings since they tend to go and if you want to put sticky tires on it, it could be too much for the old ones. Happened to me the first time I put Direzzas on. The cornering force pulled the bearing apart and I almost lost a wheel.

Nauraushaun > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/22/2017 at 05:37

YASSSSS

Nauraushaun > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/22/2017 at 05:51

This is great to hear! I think my SW20 is a forever car, it’s great fun and it’s practical to boot! Is there much boot in an AW11?

T-tops never seal properly. Park it undercover when you can, brave it when you can’t, it’s not too bad :)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nauraushaun
02/22/2017 at 08:40

I think it’s pretty much the same. Might have slightly more space in the frunk because it doesn’t have power steering, but I’ve never looked at the two side by side. I moved my spare to behind the passenger seat, so the frunk is huge now. The only other car I’ve had with anything similar to T-tops was my Del Sol, which sealed very well with the stock roof. My clear plastic aftermarket one didn’t seal as well, but was still better than my MR2 tops. Braving it isn’t really an issue. It’s worst when it’s wet and first moves, but I also have the interior stripped and there are still some rust holes in the floor, so I’m getting pelted in the legs with water and dirt from the road anyway.

Nauraushaun > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/22/2017 at 16:24

It sealed well?! Wow. Good job Honda. That clear plastic roof sounds awesome, I had no idea they were a thing. I’ve had 2 Z32s, a Z31, an EXA and now an MR2 and there were 2 constants amongst them all: the owner’s claims that they never leak , and their tendency to leak. Mostly only in heavy rain and during washing, but leaks are leaks.

My N13 Pulsar also leaked a bit from the windshield seals, go figure I guess.

Water and dirt from the road! Rust holes in the floor! It sounds glorious.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nauraushaun
02/22/2017 at 18:55

It is. He had a name by the first stop for gas and I’ve never named a car before. His name is Charlie after Charlie from Always Sunny. Like that Charlie, my Charlie’s small, ugly, loud, high pitched when angry, seemingly unkillable, and likely to try to kill you out of the blue. When I got it, it had straight pipes, and if you’ve never heard a 16V revving to 8000 without a muffler, you’re missing out. It’s easily the most visceral car I’ve ever driven.

Nauraushaun > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/22/2017 at 20:21

God DAMN. Next time I’m in America maybe I’ll scab a lift