Here's what I've found (so far) for at least a starting point for the alignment
(starting with OEM numbers is for non-enthusiasts! Or people with less invested in suspension bits than the rest of the car)
Stolen from the "AW11 TRD Engine/Suspension Prep Guide"
Camber Front: -1 degree
Camber Rear : -1 "
Caster : +6 "
Toe in Front: 1/16 in.
Toe in rear : 1/8 in.
Buttoned everything up.
Even pre-alignment she's driving much better, no shake at freeway speeds.
Also, the e-brake responded well to my fiddling, it works now!
Alignment tomorrow and figure out how to re-center the steering wheel, she's cocked to the right at the moment... not a huge deal.
When you get an alignment ask the tech to center the rack and not the steering wheel. I learned that lesson the hard way
Just got back from almost getting an alignment.
Car looks to have been slid into something, which would explain the salvage title I suppose.
Now time to get a quote or two for getting the frame pulled.
I've an appointment for a quote in the morning, I suppose that's an upside to having a random Tuesday off?
Considering that I just finished yanking most of the suspension and throwing it back together all helter-skelter - plus the evidenced damage - I'm actually sorta happy with these numbers.
We'll see if she's ready to roll by the 12th of April, there's a rallycross down south that day that I'd like to make.
The Mister Two is now safely (?) in the hands of a local gentleman (who mostly speaks english and) comes highly recommended in the frame pulling department.
Should have her back by end of the week, back on the rack and good to go easily in time for that rallycross.
Nothing like a 500 mile (total ish) road trip - with some off-road hooning in the middle - in a mostly unproven car, right?
Automotive ADD strikes again, she should be listed on the ol' CL tomorrow after I take some pictures.
Let's see how much of a bath I take on this one 
(Not worried, get to check MR off the list of layouts to own AND now have experience with the pain in the ass of replacing bushings)
Curious; was it frame damage that scared you off, or something else? Why the sale now?
Frame damage doesn't concern me, certainly not after I got it straightened out enough to take an alignment.
Re-realized that there's no easily accessible rallycross, and I've already got a well set up autocross car in the miata...
And four cars is more than I need or can store without one in the street.
Well, seeing as the miata will supposedly be sold later today, have to resuscitate this thread.
Wheel and tire thoughts for ES?
Limited to 5.5' for width, is there any reason NOT to jump up to a 15' wheel?
Going to break out (and learn how to use) my timing light, as she currently makes just about zero power under 4k but doesn't exhibit any symptoms I associate with serious issues.
Other than that, I've got additional incentive to work out the little things, next autocross is in three weeks!
SnowMongoose wrote: Limited to 5.5' for width, is there any reason NOT to jump up to a 15' wheel? Going to break out (and learn how to use) my timing light, as she currently makes just about zero power under 4k but doesn't exhibit any symptoms I associate with serious issues.
Better tire choices in 15" sizes. Not much in the stock 14" sizes.
Power issues could be the TPS.
If the engine timing cannot be adjusted to within spec, the distributor may have been installed 180º (backwards). The only reason that would be the case is if the distributor gasket or distributor was replaced. They all leak at some point. Just unbolt the distributor, pull it out and rotate 180º and re-install. Set timing.
SnowMongoose wrote: Going to break out (and learn how to use) my timing light, as she currently makes just about zero power under 4k but doesn't exhibit any symptoms I associate with serious issues.
I've had a bunch of these cars and I've only ever check timing -- because it has never been off, ever. Is this a new development? I'd say check the timing belt too. 112hp isn't a lot to motivate the relatively heavy MR2, but it should be similar to a NA Miata.
So, as of last night, according to my awesome harbor freight timing gun...
it's advanced 10 degrees.
Which isn't enough.
Problem is... the distributor is already clocked as far as it'll go in the advance direction.
(assuming that the guide I found on the internet that says 'towards passenger' equals advance that is)
So, sounds like the next step is to see if the dizzy is 180 degrees off.
Good thing there's so much room in that section of the engine compartment :P
Update:
Fairly certain I found TDC, yanked dizzy, reinstalled dizzy, now she won't start.
Awesome.
Bonus points: managed to misplace one of the distributor bolts during the 30 seconds I had it detached from the car.
Snow needs to learn to keep projects within the scope of his meager abilities.
and/or make sure to have a backup car.
In reply to SnowMongoose:
Now I feel bad! Not sure why it won't start. They usually run when installed 180 off.
I know what you mean about losing hardware. Used to work on a gravel driveway.
Paved driveway, it's somewhere between the dizzy and the ground.
Too bad the car won't start for me to drive back and forth until it falls out.
Thankfully my parents have a spare car and are more than understanding, I really should have taken it to my buddy's shop already.
Bah.
The belt being off by two teeth might have had some effect on how she drove.
Maybe.
New belt, she's back on the road!
Let's see if I can get her ready for autocross in the next three weeks, while working and monkeying with the truckasaurus.
Running stock class, not much I can do beyond what's done already, yeah?
(Konis and alignment)
Brake pads, better tires, maybe lighter stockish sized wheels?
Turns out that the grinding/rubbing noise from the left rear was the wheel bearing AND hub being bad.
She's almost a real car now, other than the awful paint, dents everywhere, lack of stereo, and rattles.
Still haven't sold it!
It has however developed a clatter at around 2500 RPMs that I've as of yet been unable to diagnose.
The pictured pulley is tight but has a little bit of play, other than that I'm unsure where to start.
Naturally this comes up right as people resume responding to my CL ad.
Question now is, how much of a loss will Snow take?
You'll need to log in to post.
