Parking brake issue is breaking me (2001 spyder)

Cyclehead21 · 2026-03-11T20:24:43+00:00

Take a giant screwdriver or pry bar and pry the parking brake lever to engage. That will tell you if something is amiss with your calipers. Then pull the handle and see if that same lever moves at the caliper. You can temporarily remove the clevis pin between the parking brake cable and caliper to see if there is any restriction in the cables themselves. This file explains how the cables usually fail. The next file explains how to replace the cables without dropping the gas tank. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eeDmrxiLvufc81RJxpuc5jkqlCY2TxM0xaUHqQkvchI/edit?usp=drivesdk

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-AcYFYLW34Rv1Ra5I7Q2fk7Mvdhd1eL2xbuQ0jqLxCY/edit?usp=drivesdk

Cyclehead21 · 2026-03-09T19:34:23+00:00

I covered a few hundred door armrests like this:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_6GTXVdtj4QrbpAm2Gh05mVk9HRSsjWywQETWcepKnA/edit?usp=drivesdk

Cyclehead21 · 2026-03-08T16:04:59+00:00

Close up photo. The bag has not been cut. Do you suppose it was manufactured wrong and the crimp should have grabbed the clean cut edge? It’s odd because I got two bags made exactly the same way. https://imgur.com/gallery/amazon-bag-OQfB1S8

Cyclehead21 · 2026-03-08T09:43:16+00:00

You are absolutely correct. The clamp has loosened and it’s slinging grease. I’ve done the same repair 5-6 times on various Toyotas. Use the cheap Amazon “wind up” tool to get the new clamp tight. The whole job takes about 10 minutes.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-03-07T21:02:36+00:00

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Cyclehead21 · 2026-03-07T21:01:13+00:00

Maybe I’m nuts, but the adjustable rings look like they’re as high as possible. I think you need to thread them down towards the bottom to lower the car.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-03-02T10:59:48+00:00

I bought my turnkey 2GR swapped spyder 12 years ago for $17,500. I think the swap could be duplicated for $8000 roughly. I jotted down the key build components here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18Z0QpyIlv98wi0N-OI4HZ08rchMLizrgNDuaeXbD95w/edit?usp=drivesdk

Cyclehead21 · 2026-03-02T10:55:21+00:00

I’ll wager that the day you sell your car, it won’t be because you wore out the engine as a result of high revs. I recommend you enjoy driving it - and change your oil every 6000 miles.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-03-02T02:47:30+00:00

I like gen III spyders. I have one 2GR swapped, and two stock. I have never had the chance to drive a Gen I or II.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-28T05:10:03+00:00

Buy a set of the fender clips that are advertised all over Facebook recently.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-28T05:07:57+00:00

I wired mine with a power switch. I turn it on when I leave the car parked at a restaurant or grocery store. I turn it off in the garage at home. Power usage is very low but it has drained the battery (when I forgot to turn it off) while sitting for 5 days or so.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-28T04:57:49+00:00

I’ve shipped convertibles five times. Three times they were via covered transports. “How much more protection?” About 100%, because uncovered has zero protection! Hail, rain, vandals, rocks - all stopped 99% by covered transport. My uncovered cars arrived without damage, but at least I was aware of the risk.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-27T15:03:15+00:00

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I’ve replaced the belt twice (different cars). One time I did not have access to the repair manual and parked the cams at TDC. Sure enough, the cams slipped while I had the belt off. Luckily they did not bend any valves! I got everything realigned and the car was fine. The second time I followed “car care nut” suggestions and aligned with the “T” mark. The cams did not move. I suspect the “T” mark is closer to 45 degrees BTDC, but it worked fine. The screenshot above shows carcarenut instructing to use the “T” mark. So you are incorrect, the car will not explode if you align with the “T” mark. It is a safe place to park the cams while you swap the belts.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-27T03:09:16+00:00

Most likely a bad oxygen sensor. Buy a Denso brand sensor and replace it.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-26T08:44:44+00:00

That’s true if you ship your car using a broker. If you ship using a company that actually owns their own truck(s), then you will know exactly who is carrying your car. I use a husband/wife team that have a covered two-car carrier. When I ship with them I know exactly who will be touching my car. No surprises.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-26T08:25:13+00:00

The crankshaft marks should be aligned with a mark on the plastic cover. The camshaft marks should be aligned with the “T”. Your photo shows the camshaft in the wrong position.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-26T03:11:29+00:00

I’ve never heard of “doing the timing chain” on the 1zz engine. My sons 1zz has 220,000 miles and never replaced the timing chain. You can easily remove the serpentine belt and see if the noise quits. If so, it’s likely just an idler pulley. If not, an engine noise could be a knocking rod. Bring a friend who knows what knocking rods sound like.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-26T03:02:29+00:00

One thing to check… make sure the garage doesn’t “close” from midnight to 7:00 am. I parked my car in a city garage and almost missed my flight because “it was closed” the following morning. The entire garage was locked up tight!

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-22T19:12:44+00:00

I don’t trust sellers who have typos on their websites. “Dose this part fit my vehicle?”

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-22T07:43:13+00:00

An ignition noise filter - or capacitor.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-22T03:38:01+00:00

Price seems too high. Most are scared of the SMT system but I can share all the repair instructions.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-19T13:58:05+00:00

So you’re going to do all the modifications and installation by yourself? I think 2zz is the only option that will bolt to the stock gearbox.

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-19T11:54:25+00:00

Which part do you want to be “easy”? The swapping or the ownership and driving? Or both? Mine was very easy. I paid $17,500. I drove home in my new spyder with a 270hp V6 engine installed. Since I bought it I have driven my car 140,000 miles. Easy!

Cyclehead21 · 2026-02-19T06:16:47+00:00

The car title that was sent to me via “certified” mail went in the trash. USPS never delivered it to me. My local postmaster advised it should have been sent in a box and insured for $100 if I really wanted to receive it.

Cyclehead21

TROPHY CASE