A Father's Day Mid-engine Happy Time Options

[bkrantz]

Nothing as fun for fathers, on any day, than to spend happy time with kids. I got to FaceTime with my daughter and grand daughter in another state while staying with my son for the weekend. He has the car thing, and last year started a mid-engine race car build project. No, not a 914 (he did help often with my build). Instead he found a 1986 MR2. And for more fun (and revs and power) he will set it up with a Honda K motor.

[bkrantz]

He bought this as a roller, but otherwise mostly complete. The body is almost rust-free--just like a 914! And it once had a collision front left, with a crappy repair (I know about that).

Anyway, yesterday and today we got the Honda motor and transaxle bolted in, using an adapter mount kit. That worked with just a few minor hiccups. Like the 914, the engine inserts from below.

[bkrantz]

Almost like it was designed to fit!

[bkrantz]

I had my own project, restoring some very bent sheet metal to a reasonable shape. This photo does not show the ugly details, but the forward part of the inner fender liner panel was crumpled, with a couple of tight folds of metal, and overall shortening of about 2 inches.

[bkrantz]

I worked it for a few hours, and at least restored the basic shape. Ugly but at least ready to weld in the attaching panels.

I hope you enjoyed (or tolerated) seeing another brand, and listening. And happy Father's Day to all dads.

[Blue6]

A Father’s Day spent working on a project with your son, is a great day in my opinion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[worn]

A Father’s Day spent working on a project with your son, is a great day in my opinion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Thanks for the story. Such fun!

[technicalninja]

My family has had 4 MR2s

2 first gens like yours. We called them "Traffic Weasels"

And 2 second gens. "Sharks"

We still have a 91 turbo that is in surgery for a forged motor and 350+ Hp with a 3071.

The "Weasels" are more fun to drive. Like a big adult go-cart.

Only problem with the weasels was lack of torque; You have to rev the piss out of them to have fun.

A K series will make that a BLAST!

The early seats are awesome, look kind of weird but fit me just fine.
I've kept a nice set of those to go into something else.

[bkrantz]

My family has had 4 MR2s

2 first gens like yours. We called them "Traffic Weasels"

And 2 second gens. "Sharks"

We still have a 91 turbo that is in surgery for a forged motor and 350+ Hp with a 3071.

The "Weasels" are more fun to drive. Like a big adult go-cart.

Only problem with the weasels was lack of torque; You have to rev the piss out of them to have fun.

A K series will make that a BLAST!

The early seats are awesome, look kind of weird but fit me just fine.
I've kept a nice set of those to go into something else.

Thanks for the history. My son is on a path towards a pure track car with options to race in whatever accommodating clubs and classes come along. So the car will stay mostly stripped, and with a shell-style racing seat and full cage.

BTW back in the mid-80s I was really getting into autocrossing, and in my area, the MR2 was the car to beat in small bore classes. My X1/9 had even less power!

[wonkipop]

the mister twos are great little cars. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
heaps of them in australia.
still see plenty of the mk2 (mini me ferrari) later ones on the road on weekends.

the last of the line (mini me boxster) are a much rarer beast.
didn't sell in big numbers down here - dudded in the showrooms.
i kinda like em. along with the first ones. mk1 is a very light car.

you will be enjoying that one.
should go like sh$t off a shovel with the honda donk. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[JmuRiz]

Great project…having had a 4AGE (in a Prizm GSi hatchback (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) ) it hurts to see the swap…but I understand (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)