Homers '98 RSP TT project

[evinX]

8 minutes ago, mwilkinson said:

I think I have a spare SMIC duct.  It has a small notch cut out of it from memory.

I've got a brand new one, so it is surplus to requirement.

I'll look in my garage this evening and confirm I still have it and I'll send you some images to see if you want it.

Niceee if guigsy can do a 3d print that would be wicked

 

Failing that some sheet plastic from b&q would make nicely for a DIY job on the duct to fill any big gaps with lots of tiny rivets

[mwilkinson]

I've got a Wurth plastic welder so I may be able to effect a repair myself - assuming I still have it.

[mwilkinson]

Sorry Darryl, I've checked for the SMIC duct and it's gone. I only have my new one.

I have a memory now of giving this to Mike Thompson whilst Chris W was working on his car a few years back.

Sorry for the false hope.

[TuneR]

On 9/17/2024 at 9:56 PM, Homer said:

They’re not particularly expensive (I think most are a 5/8ths conversion), but just need one that fixes the pas issue. It’s a shame the TRL ones aren’t available as they were perfect.

Funny you should say that, it turns out to be a TRL one. Doesn't say anything on the unit itself but where they had it fitted they had a sticker which i snapped a pic of before i took it out. Pics attached, it did come out of my old TT VVTi Aristo. Only thing i'd be afraid of is posting it and customs not letting it through as im in southern Ireland. Anyone have any experience in this?

[Homer]

On 9/18/2024 at 5:54 PM, mwilkinson said:

Sorry Darryl, I've checked for the SMIC duct and it's gone. I only have my new one.

I have a memory now of giving this to Mike Thompson whilst Chris W was working on his car a few years back.

Sorry for the false hope.

No worries and thanks for checking, much appreciated. I’ll check with Mike as I didn’t have any response on the WhatsApp group.

On 9/23/2024 at 2:26 PM, TuneR said:

Funny you should say that, it turns out to be a TRL one. Doesn't say anything on the unit itself but where they had it fitted they had a sticker which i snapped a pic of before i took it out. Pics attached, it did come out of my old TT VVTi Aristo. Only thing i'd be afraid of is posting it and customs not letting it through as im in southern Ireland. Anyone have any experience in this?

What are the chances! If that’s available I’ll buy it from you. Can you let me know your mobile number or alternatively message me from the WhatsApp group. I’m not entirely sure it will work as I have a jspec shell and uk Ecu. The active spoiler comes down at 60mph as it should so the speed signal appears to be correct at the moment. It’s just the instrument cluster that’s wrong. Who knows… might just be worth a try.

[Homer]

The new/cleaned up brake calipers are finally ready to be installed. I bought new non-oem ones for the front as the ones in the car could do with a refresh. Rears have been cleaned of multiple layers of paint and repainted. This took many more hours than I anticipated! Thankfully no more issues with seizing on these.

I’ve painted them using the closest colour that Toyota use for the late model calipers. If you buy new from Toyota the fronts come in this grey colour and the rears are weirdly mat black.

I bought some new rear discs (non oem). The old ones were okay wear wise but were drilled and slotted, while that looks good, they’re prone to cracking on track. I attempted to paint them the same as the oem ones come out except using 2K paint. After fitting I realised the front faces need some paint too so I’ll correct that another time.

For now I’ve used some Mintex pads for road use, they were inexpensive and I don’t drive the car hard on the road so I’ll see how they perform. For track days I picked up a bargain set of new race pads from a forum member.

 

[Homer]

I’ve ran into an issue bleeding the brakes of all things. Calipers have been off and back on in all 4 corners, new pads, new discs. I’m changing fluid over to motul RBF700.

I’ve got round to bleeding but can’t seem to get any fluid pushing through to the rears. It’s just pushing air out and the odd spec of fluid. I’ve done this 5 or 6 times on other supras and never had an issue.

I can’t find any leaks and the fluid level remains the same in the master cylinder. I’ve tried it with engine both on and off.  I’ve had a good search through the forum but everywhere says I’m doing it correctly. Could it be an air lock or something related to the abs?

Any ideas? 
 

New calipers, pads and OEM discs for the front:

[Burna]

The only thing I can think it may be is, on a UK spec the stock traction control also operates the rear brakes, so there may be a restriction due to the stock ABS/Traction control mate.

[TuneR]

If thats the case, you could try activating the ABS/TC multiple times to see if it pushes the air from the ABS pump to the caliper.

[Homer]

Thanks guys, that was my concern. It doesn’t have the TC Ecu plugged in because it’s not possible.

It’s got a facelift abs unit with a uk engine. I have only one of the two plugs for the TC. 

[Burna]

Jesus! Lol Homer you have 100% convinced me to never build a Frankenstein car! Lol 

[Homer]

3 hours ago, Burna said:

Jesus! Lol Homer you have 100% convinced me to never build a Frankenstein car! Lol 

It wasn’t my idea, honest!

Managed to fix it in the end by manually bleeding the abs pump using a child’s medicine syringe. If it works it’s not a bodge!

[Homer]

Track day at Bedford GT circuit on Monday so I’m getting the car prepared.

1) First job was to get the car on a 4 poster lift and get all the suspension and subframe bolts torqued down. I used a local garage for this for a very reasonable cost. The guy that runs it used to prep rally cars and did a very thorough job. 
I also had the diff oil changed. 75/145 LSD oil since it’s a plated diff, no additional additive. The old oil came out like new and no filings in the sump plug, not bad since it’s been in there for 15 years
2) The brake pads from daily ones to Porterfield R4 race ones. They need bedding in so I’ll do that either late at night or early morning.

3) The oem drivers seat had an issue where it shifted forward slightly under hard braking. I’ve replaced this with a Recaro one and Recaro seat frame from a forum member. It was inexpensive and is extremely comfortable! I don’t know how I’ve put up with stock seats for so many years. Game changer!

4) The exhaust is also changed over to an oem one. It now has a UK spec 1st and 2nd cat and a genuine UK spec rear section. It’s quiet as hell and I hate it. Good for the strict noise limits at Bedford though. Once again, huge thanks to @evinX for helping getting this thing fitted. It’s a lot longer process than first appears.

Only down side is I can now hear there is an exhaust gasket leak on either the manifold or between the manifold and turbo. That would explain the poor idle and turbo whistle. No chance to fix this before the track day so I’ll take my chances. Either way it looks like the exhaust side is coming off…. I’m not entirely sure if it’s going to go back on.

 

All the UK stock stuff. I was going to decat as I have the pipes, but no point while it’s stock boost:

Sounds crap:

 

Recaro driver seat, very comfy! I think this is the larger person version so no lower side bolsters. Massive improvement over stock and for not much money:

Race pads. These are nearly £500 new, luckily a member was selling a brand new set for a fraction of that.

[Homer]

The car performed brilliantly on the track day. No issues at all during the day aside from a slightly loose water hose. The w58 is still going too

I did around 35 laps of Bedford GT circuit, which for those that aren’t familiar with it is a long and high speed track. It’s around 4.5 miles per lap. The brakes were incredible, I never found the limit on them. No fade and no loss of pedal even when abusing them. I put a lot of that down to the race fluid and pads. Supratronix non oem front brake calipers held up just as well as stock. Very impressed for such a low price!

I did find some issues:

- The ARB’s need to be uprated.

- The w58 is not well suited to the TT power delivery, I was constantly dropping off the 2nd turbo in lower speed corners. I’m impressed it didn’t lose any gears though!

Kev also came along for some passenger rides, which he seemed to enjoy

 

 

 

[Dieter]

Congratulations.....You have made it, I am very happy for your success   

[Iky]

Awesome update Darryl and Kev.