Alabama 24x30 makeover -- The MR2 house

wyowrx · Feb 4, 2012

Moved into this house almost three years ago. Was working on a supercharger upgrade for my '00 MR2 until now, so the garage was in working condition... This winter I started the makeover. After reading the 12 gauge garage thread, I'm torn on which way to go (open storage or closed storage).

Here's the exterior, 24 wide/30 deep:

Here's the interior as of last year:

This is the typical mess/work I am anticipating in the next few years as I have a another engine swap planned for my '85 MR2 and an overhaul on my '88 K5.

Here's the finished shot (minus a floor solution):

MacmanSW20 · Feb 4, 2012

Awesome space, makes me miss my 91 MR2 Turbo!

wyowrx · Feb 4, 2012

So far, I've hung drywall and added 7 4' strip lights. Trying to finish the mudding...

You'll notice that I left part of the ceiling without drywall. This is to allow my MR2's windshield to go between the rafters for added lift. I think the ceilings are only 9'.

I will be relocating all of my tools and old w/b to the other side:

This is where the tool box, old w/b and new 8-10ft homebuilt w/b will go:

Pegboard will go behind the door for large tool storage (where the extra drywall is sitting:

wyowrx · Feb 4, 2012

The red one is the project. White one is the parts car ($400).

SW20, not sure why, but I've never owned a second gen. Love the looks, but I'm just hooked on the first and third gens.

wyowrx · Feb 4, 2012

Here's the VCT I picked up 4 years ago, and plan to put in the garage. It's Tarkett/Nafco commercial grade tile. I used to be an engineer in the factory where it was produced, so I got it for real cheap.

Nighttrain · Feb 4, 2012

Nice progress, I vote for closed storage. It keeps things cleaner. I really never gave the MR2 a second thought until this thread, I will be watching now.

wyowrx · Feb 4, 2012

Here's the build thread for my '00 MR2, 2zzge with a rotrex. 2000 lbs with 284 hp.

http://spyderchat.com/forums/showthread.php?44925-Another-Rotrex-thread&highlight=

N/T, thanks for the response. I am definitely leaning towards closed storage now. Looked at your thread and would like to do wall cabinets like yours. Need to figure out a theme for the space. 80's beer cave is what I'm leaning towards...

evildky · Feb 5, 2012

I also prefer the first gen

although I did think it was a good idea to use the larger turbo motor in the first gen

honestly I kinda wish I had found a running aw11 and just turbo'd and megasquirted it

wyowrx · Feb 5, 2012

Very nice mk1.5! I'm leaning towards a 1mzfe v6 from a Camry. The 3sgte's are just to expensive for this project. I previously built an 86 with a late Japanese model GZE. Was a blast for autox. I bet your 1.5 is a perfect autox toy.

regguy1 · Feb 5, 2012

Nice progress so far, I'd go with closed storage to keep a neater look.
Check my remodel out in the video link below

evildky · Feb 5, 2012

wyowrx said:
Very nice mk1.5! I'm leaning towards a 1mzfe v6 from a Camry. The 3sgte's are just to expensive for this project. I previously built an 86 with a late Japanese model GZE. Was a blast for autox. I bet your 1.5 is a perfect autox toy.

actually it was built on a budget, for the GRM $2010 challenge, someone did the v6 conversion which I think makes for a better swap, I've got some suspension tuning to work out but yeah fun autocross toy

but I'd still like to have built a 4agte

wyowrx · Feb 6, 2012

regguy1 said:
Nice progress so far, I'd go with closed storage to kepp a neater look.
Check my remodel out in the video link below

Awesome garage! I've been surfing since I posted and that is definitely what I will do. Thanks for the post.

wyowrx · Feb 6, 2012

Nighttrain said:
Nice progress, I vote for closed storage. It keeps things cleaner. I really never gave the MR2 a second thought until this thread, I will be watching now.

N/T, thanks for posting as well, and awesome garage. I'm definitely stealing some of your ideas too. I also liked your closed storage solutions. Also would like to use Jams4j's/XcYz's designs/features. So many great ideas out there.

I'm actually thinking about a tinted plexiglass for sliding doors (maybe red?). Need to do some searching...

wyowrx · Feb 6, 2012

Just found this. A bit pricey ($40 per 24"x48" sheet).

Link:
http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Colored_Plexiglass_Acrylic_Sheet_Transparent/ACRY20690-125CCM24X48

I think it would look kinda cool, kinda like there are skylights all along the top of the garage. Searched here and didn't find anyone using it, so let me know what you think.

Jack

wyowrx · Feb 6, 2012

This is how I'm heading for my storage, so using a soffit would be ideal. I like the plexiglass idea, since you can still see through a bit to get an idea of where things are. I have to make things easy to find for my gearhead neighbor for when I'm not home. We have open door policies...

82_454_shorty · Feb 7, 2012

I had a 1st gen Mister Two (red). One of the most fun cars I've ever driven. Looking at yours takes me back to the '80's.

wyowrx · Feb 12, 2012

As I previously mentioned, I bought my tile four or so years ago. When I bought it, I was in a smaller garage. Now I don't have enough... So, if anyone's interested, I'm selling it for $1.00 per tile/obo. This tile retailed for $4+ per sq ft when new. I have around 630 sq ft of it based on a stack measurement. If anyone bites, I will actually count it... Shipping probably won't be an option, unless you're willing to pay for the weight. This is actually Azrock VET (vinyl enhance tile), and has a urethane layer to it. I actually posted some details when I bought it in this thread, post #53: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=182863&highlight=azrock#post182863

On to the garage. Painted some chalkboard up, so I could use it to plan the rest of the build:

I also experimented with some drop ceiling light covers and blue spray paint for sliding doors for the soffit storage. They are just too flimsy and fragile. I think I will be using wood veneer paneling painted white or gray...

wyowrx · Feb 12, 2012

BTW, did I say how much a pain in the **** sanding mud is??

On another note, trying to figure out where to put the soffit storage. I was initially going to put it on the side where the lift is going, but now I'm thinking about just putting it over the w/b side. Trying to maximize the space, so I can fit two cars in; one on the lift and one on the w/b side. I have an attic to store long term items, so I'm thinking I really don't need that much storage. However, the attic long term plans include a poker room...

wheelerlunker · Feb 13, 2012

wyowrx, I am looking to build the exact shop that you have.

Where did you get the plans for it?

JimVonBaden · Feb 13, 2012

wyowrx said:
BTW, did I say how much a pain in the **** sanding mud is??

Tell me about it!

On the other hand, I discovered sponge sanding. No dust, and much easier to get a reasonable finish for a garage.

Jim

wyowrx · Feb 13, 2012

wheelerlunker said:
wyowrx, I am looking to build the exact shop that you have.

Where did you get the plans for it?

It was already here when I bought the house, so I'm not sure which plan it is. I would say that if I were to build one from scratch, I would make sure to put in 11+ foot ceilings. Right now, it's kind of a pain using the lift because the ceilings are so low.

Dickey · Feb 13, 2012

Pretty car. Some time ago, I had a blue one that I put a 2zz in after rolling it at the Dragon during one of our Fall trips. One of the best handling mobiles I've ever pedaled around on course too. You've got an excellent collection and the shop looks pretty good too.

takeiteasy · Feb 13, 2012

wyowrx said:
It was already here when I bought the house, so I'm not sure which plan it is. I would say that if I were to build one from scratch, I would make sure to put in 11+ foot ceilings. Right now, it's kind of a pain using the lift because the ceilings are so low.

I like the shop too. The first shot of your buildings looks great. I just wish I had this complaint

supra90turbo · Feb 13, 2012

My kind of thread! AW11 was my first car. '88 NA. I have wanted another ever since I sold it when I was 18. Probably find another, but they're getting tough to find in the NE. I'd travel to get one in good shape.
I'll be watching this thread!

wyowrx · Feb 18, 2012

Dickey said:
Pretty car. Some time ago, I had a blue one that I put a 2zz in after rolling it at the Dragon during one of our Fall trips. One of the best handling mobiles I've ever pedaled around on course too. You've got an excellent collection and the shop looks pretty good too.

The black one has a 2zz and a rotrex supercharger. Now I need an LSD...

wyowrx · Mar 4, 2012

Got this from Sam's Club. $10 for the holder, and $30 for six rolls. Paint is done, starting on the soffit storage....

alotaboost · Mar 9, 2012

Ahh, no SW20 love? I had a 93 turbo for years. Sure do miss her!

DARK AGE 53 · Mar 9, 2012

wyowrx said:
Got this from Sam's Club. $10 for the holder, and $30 for six rolls. Paint is done, starting on the soffit storage....

I'll have to check that out next time I'm at the Daphne Sam's Club.

frank1380 · Mar 10, 2012

I am jealous of that drywall work. Not looking forward to doing that.

Where in AL are you? Huntsville here.

wyowrx · Mar 11, 2012

Almost done with painting. Need to put up two more sheets of drywall over the stair area and hang a door to make a closet. Here's the chalkboard in use and the paper towel dispenser hung:

wyowrx · Mar 11, 2012

frank1380 said:
I am jealous of that drywall work. Not looking forward to doing that.

Where in AL are you? Huntsville here.

In Madison. I think the key to the drywall is less mud is best. Sanding *****!

Shoottx · Mar 11, 2012

Thanks for the hint on the chalkboard paint. I have been wrestling with a quick usable board for notes and sketches while working.

Oh and great build.

Mike

wyowrx · Mar 18, 2012

Started the soffit storage today. Hung an 8 foot section. The storage will extend to the middle window. The same storage will be placed on the other side of the garage too, above the workbench. I left a 4' section in the middle to hang some T5 strip lights. The stereo will go up in the soffit storage and the second speaker is already wired up through the ceiling to a spot by the garage door.

wyowrx · Mar 18, 2012

BTW, I used lag screws on the wall and ceiling studs. Let me know if anyone thinks this structure may be too weak for about 150 lbs of storage.

I also scored some solid door cores from Habitat for Humanity. $30 each. 84x34 for my workbenches.

This one i did about 2 months ago. Used some frosted glass rattle can paint to paint the door windows. Excuse the mess, I'm also building a storage shed off of the back of the garage to take care of the bikes and other non-car related storage needs.

Dickey · Mar 19, 2012

wyowrx said:
The black one has a 2zz and a rotrex supercharger. Now I need an LSD...

With that kind of power I suspect you just might, hehe. I'd have liked a torsen style for mine when I had it but quaifes were too spendy for me back then. Did you do your swap yourself or pick the car up with it already done?

With mine, I developed a habit of pulling that engine/transmission every 3-6 weeks either for diagnostic/tuning work or hunting a coolant leak that hassled me for nearly a month before I broke down and pulled the engine again. It got so commonplace that I finally just did a write up on it because we didn't have one available then.

wyowrx · Mar 19, 2012

Dickey said:
With that kind of power I suspect you just might, hehe. I'd have liked a torsen style for mine when I had it but quaifes were too spendy for me back then. Did you do your swap yourself or pick the car up with it already done?

With mine, I developed a habit of pulling that engine/transmission every 3-6 weeks either for diagnostic/tuning work or hunting a coolant leak that hassled me for nearly a month before I broke down and pulled the engine again. It got so commonplace that I finally just did a write up on it because we didn't have one available then.

I did the rotrex by myself over the last year, which included pulling the engine. Having the lift made it a cinch. I built an engine box that matches the way the engine sits in the car and just lowered it down and unbolted. No hoist needed. A friend of mine did the 2zz with me helping back in 2006 or so.

wyowrx · Mar 22, 2012

So, with the lag screws in the top side, anyone have any ideas on how to instal the sliding doors? I'm thinking a 1x2" trim piece, with holes or recess to fit the lag screw heads and then the plastic sliding door trim. Thoughts??

wyowrx · Mar 23, 2012

I finished the one side of cabinets, with the exception of doors and paint. I added the end panel and one panel in the middle of the first section for strength. I read a few posts on here about cabinets being supported by the sides, and it finally clicked for me. With the panels, it's way stronger.

Also started on the other side.

The workbench will sit under this and in the corner.

And the soffit will extend to about 12 inches short of the chalkboard

Finally splurged and bought myself some decent cordless tools. I've used them all except the light in the last day. The impact driver is awesome. I have the little craftsman one and I love it as well. I'll never drive a screw with a cordless drill again:

wyowrx · Mar 30, 2012

Came up with a solution for the sliding doors. For the top, which was an issue due to the lag screws, I counter sunk them:

Here is the frame of the workbench side. Still need to put up some endplates and section plates for weight bearing.

Ordered 24' of this door track:

http://www.doitbest.com/Sliding+door+hardware-Knape+and+Vogt+Mfg+Co-model-P2417TAN72-doitbest-sku-224055.dib

wyowrx · Apr 6, 2012

Made a portable workbench. Fits most of the table saw underneath and has a step down for my miter saw to keep long pieces in place. I will add a shelf under the miter saw for storing the miter saw and add casters to the middle legs. There are casters on the outer legs and it rolls around like a dream.

Alabama 24x30 makeover -- The MR2 house

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