Building a shroud for the radiator fan should insure maximum air flow through the cooling fins. It is a slow process but I want the shroud to fit perfectly. I mounted the fan to the shroud first to make sure that nothing was in a bind. I then cut out the opening and mounted it to the radiator and condenser assembly. It fits, so now I must relocate the power steering fluid can and also the overflow bottle.
I have been waiting on some parts to arrive for the redesign of the radiator assembly. The car starts to get a little bit too warm on hot days here in Dallas. The redesign starts with a large 2 core Griffin radiator and a rear mounted AC condenser. I am also building a shroud for the new 3600 CFM fan unit from FR dynamics.
The dashboard is slowly coming along. I have fit the MR2s gauge package into the VW bug dashboard. I have also finished installing all 3 aftermarket gauges as well as the AC controls and vents. Now I just have to test fit it back into the car.
With the dash panel figured out, I can start to position the MR2’s gauge package. I will use the MR2’s gauges by modifying the gauge surround. I am fitting the gauge pod behind the new aluminum dash panel and cutting out an opening to match. It’s tight but I think I can make it work.
Damn I can work fast when I want to. This video reminds me of an old Benny Hill episode. I am lifting up the 3SGTE passenger side motor mount with the shop crane to bring the engine up off the support blocking. I will then tack the brackets in place on the VW bug frame.
After cutting out the 3SGTE motor mount pieces with the plasma cutter, I will now drill out for the bolt hole. The holes in the VW Bug motor mount need to be exactly in the same location on each side of the mount. I have clamped them together back to back to insure the hole is the same on each side.
After transfering the VW Bug’s passenger side motor mount profile to the steel angle, I can now cut them out with the plasma cutter. These two pieces will be used to create the Toyota MR2’s passenger side motor mount. Continuing work on the custom VW Bug.
With the VW’s driver side motor mount in place I must create the passenger side motor mount. I have cut out a piece of the foam board to match the desired profile of the 3SGTE’s passenger side motor mount.
After carefully aligning the 3SGTE’s driver side motor mount, I can now tack weld it on to the VW Bug’s frame and remove the shop crane. I am planning the same technique for the passenger side motor mount.
I have added some photos of the creation and positioning of the 3SGTE’s rear driver side motor mount. Check out the pics on the MR2 VW Bug Turbo Photos page.