Some minor progress on the MR2. Kept it inside at work over the Christmas period, left all the doors and boot etc open to let it air out and dry out, it was getting a little damp but nothing too bad.
Been into work yesterday and today to do a few jobs to get started on it. First thing was something that everyone mentions on MR2 groups, which is to remove the foam from inside the bottom of the rear quarters, which as you can imagine just hold moisture and cause corrosion. Not bad of a job, just involves removing the side panels behind the seats then removing the seat belt mechanism and the mini amplifiers for the rear subs.
First side wasn't too bad, some minor corrosion but nothing serious. Coated with some rust treatment for now, will slow it down if nothing else.
The other side was a fair bit worse though. I forgot to grab a pic of down in the gap but the original 1" hole has definitely opened up somewhat. Not a massive concern as it's not causing any real harm, plus it can't be seen. It will be something that's addressed in future when it has new sills fitted. Honestly not upset by it at all though, for a mid 90's Jap car it's not terrible on the rust front at all, especially for having sat on a drive for 7 years too.
The other thing I've been sorting is the exhaust. I do plan on replacing the rear box with a Mongoose, but the downpipe and cat needed sorting. The downpipe had a nice blow to it, so peeled back the heat shield and found it had broken off completely just before the flex, no idea why, I guess the metal just got thin enough to be weaker than the flex.
So removed the downpipe, not before breaking off all 3 studs into the manifold, and having to cut the bolts off to the cat. Cut out the thin steel and welded in a new bit of tube. Should hold up fine I think.
Heat shield back on and you'd never know
That's about as far as I got. I got two studs out of the manifold and had to start drilling the third, but ran out of time in the end. Next step I need to order some new gaskets, studs and a flange, and then I can make a decat pipe up and put it all back together. I nearly bought a new downpipe as they're only around £75, but then I figured I'd rather repair the original as it's still perfectly serviceable. Plus aftermarket exhaust parts are generally a terrible fit.
ut the hatch.
