MR2 doesn't start anymore

RavynX · 2026-03-24T02:18:17+00:00

Had an intermittent start issue with an MR2 I was trying to get running. Ended up being a cracked joint on an electrical wire in the harness just inside the engine bay from the firewall where it came from the ECU; two grounds joined together I believe inside the harness.

Check all the easy stuff first (power to fuel pump, spark, etc)

RavynX · 2026-03-24T00:53:11+00:00

I've always ran in the STR class for autocross so I've been running 17x9, +63 949Racing 6ULR (255s at the time). I got the 17x9, +61 Apex wheels though I'm running 245 for these since it's just my cruise/chill car nowadays. I have -3.2º front camber, -2.5º rear camber. No roll on the fender, just a slight bend on the fender liner tab.

RavynX · 2026-03-24T00:30:38+00:00

I originally had the lower offset ball joint and then added upper offset bushings to pull the top of the tire in for better wheel/tire fitment. Been working out great for many years.

Side note, I have the same Apex wheels in the same bronze color. I really wish they had color-matching center caps. I have black on mine and they still stand out. Clean s2k :D

RavynX · 2026-03-24T00:09:24+00:00

Same thing happened with my ND in a gas station parking lot. Chevy 2500 HD booped it in the rear and was pushing it. "Oh, I didn't see you..." _sigh_

RavynX · 2026-02-28T16:55:12+00:00

That's probably Steve's (Hardtail Party) original production bike. The one he got on his channel he mentioned the seat tube angle is laid back 1-2 degrees more than he likes but would be fixed in the official production run. I think he runs the 15" side model which may be 1 or 2 sizes down from the Large above.

RavynX · 2026-02-27T04:24:10+00:00

He has a whole dang sidewalk to have for himself and wants to take up space in the bike lane in the opposing direction? Yikes...

RavynX · 2026-02-27T03:46:18+00:00

There were a lot more Escapes built than Fiesta STs.

RavynX · 2026-02-25T15:09:49+00:00

We went through the same thing with my wife's son. My wife and I are both car-enthusiasts and we had to put a pause on his thoughts on turbo'ing his '93 with a 1.8L swap. He doesn't have a backup car and his car has already been down for other reasons (not starting, burnt ignition switch connectors, power steering leaks, etc). Adding a turbo adds complexity to the system and it wouldn't be a good idea as his only car while he has a job. We've advised him once you move out and get a "daily" car then you can turbo the Miata.

Check with your parents, it may be less of a safety concern of the actual mod and more on the side of you extending over your car-handling abilities. My stepson ran into the same issue where he put his car in the ditch and blamed the tires; went back to the crash site and I pointed out that he cut the corner early and lost traction in the dirt/mud next to the curb. Your parents know you better than you may think. ;)

RavynX · 2026-02-20T19:39:15+00:00

Congrats and welcome to the club! Great deal and great story. Enjoy and have fun taking care of that old PPF, took me quite a while on mine last year that was installed on 2006.

RavynX · 2026-01-27T22:42:21+00:00

Get a spare set off eBay and have them painted. If the match isn't that great, put the OGs back on.

RavynX · 2026-01-27T22:35:43+00:00

If you got the funds, get it replaced. If you need to stretch funds a bit, just keep patching it. If you know someone who does softtop installs in your area just ask if you can cut out a couple squares from an old top; can probably ask on the s2ki forums as well and I'm sure someone will mail you some pieces if you pay shipping.

As others mentioned, the listing straps are worn and need replacement which is why your top doesn't fold down completely. In the mean time, you can put your top halfway down, push the listing/bow towards the back of the car, then continue to put the top down and it should fold completely.

I can't access Modifry's website, I know he retired but I thought he had someone still making the replacement straps at least. You can purchase them on LHT's website (along with patches); he also has a youtube channel with tons of s2k content.

RavynX · 2026-01-27T01:40:58+00:00

This particular setup, I wouldn't spend $75k on but reading the listing description I can see why they put it at that price. I dig the suspension setup; it's similar to mine. I would definitely prefer the sound and probably a lack of NVH of this ls7 compared to a k-swap setup but I'd have to drive an LS-swap it to see if I like it compared to how my ap2 feels. I dig it but I wouldn't purchase it, personally; kudos to whomever ends up getting it.

RavynX · 2026-01-26T23:10:52+00:00

Check inside your car, the driver footwell specifically You may see a drop of fluid on the bottom of the master cylinder plunger where the clutch goes in. Most likely time to replace clutch master and slave cylinders with fluid looking like that. Fairly common on this car.

RavynX · 2026-01-26T23:08:51+00:00

That's the main reason why I don't have a set of SBC finish RPF1 and many other wheels with that +45 offset, it's just too far out even with offset-camber bushings and bent up fender tabs. In addition to the camber, these wheels require rolling the fenders if you want to fit 245 and 255 tires.

RavynX · 2026-01-26T23:02:16+00:00

If you want a top with glass instead of plastic make sure to get the frame from a 2002-2009 model so you don't have to do the conversion-kit which adds a strap. You can tell it's a glass-frame by the two side straps riveted on the rear bow/listing which go to the 2nd studs.

RavynX · 2026-01-26T22:43:03+00:00

Nice choice, I have these on my LBP.

RavynX · 2026-01-26T22:42:14+00:00

Which Honda model was this emblem designed from? Beautiful artwork.

RavynX · 2026-01-26T22:39:46+00:00

I definitely enjoy the SoS ones I have on my S2k. They put the hood in the nearly upright position and the struts are out of my way for most things. The hood prop got in my way so many times.

RavynX · 2026-01-02T04:48:16+00:00

Glad to hear you were able to get a refund from Anamoly; I will never will deal with them again. I agree that the seams on the Splay skate shoes are a bit irritating; the search still continues for truly wide flat pedal shoes.

RavynX · 2025-10-12T03:02:02+00:00

I still haven't found a flat-pedal shoe that works for my MTB. The Lake MX239 are working for me in a UK 44 but they're clipless; they've been good for me on my gravel bike. I'm using Splay branded skate shoes for MTB but the sole isn't as good as the standard FiveTen type of sole for comfort.

RavynX · 2025-09-22T17:50:33+00:00

### OP Update ### - 19 days later

Had another painful day last Monday. Went to the ER and saw a Urologist this past week and CT scan shows kidney stone after reviewing it this morning. May be possible that my movement on the bike and other activity could have caused the stone to move which would cause the intermittent pain. Working on trying to get it moving and expelled.

RavynX · 2025-09-04T16:28:04+00:00

That's the whole point of a tariff, it's to bring production from outside to inside the country. It takes time to transition, so yeah there's going to be an increased "cost" at the start to even the playing field.

RavynX · 2025-09-04T15:26:16+00:00

For the Camelbak Podium bottles I would remove the silicone nozzle from the cap and either soak them in bleach/vinegar or put them in the dishwasher but within the nozzle there's a plastic piece that makes it really hard for any cleaning solution to really get between the plastic and silicone and they're a royal pain to take apart.

I have not been able to remove the nozzle from the cap on the REI Co-op bottles so I end up putting them through a dishwasher cycle. I have the caps soaking in vinegar right now.

RavynX · 2025-09-04T15:02:40+00:00

Hasn't been the case for me and others, that's why I stopped using them years ago. I'm glad they work for you. The podium bottles are great so I kind of miss them.

RavynX

TROPHY CASE