so anyone got any tips on stuff I can clean this with? I reckon it's gonna need soaking or some crazy penetrating -ie seafoam or a few cans of degreeser - it's on there REALLY bad.

Thats def not good man.firstly someone was running a airfilter with a hole in it or no airfilter at all. Secondly you have too much blowby. Catch csn should fix that problem.if the compressor side is like this.then your hot pipe and cooler are going to be similar.

Have you checked how much oil is in ur catch can?

blowby is to be expected in a 20 year old engine though.........
 
If it were the turbo seals, it would be AFTER the turbo though, the hot side, wouldn't it??.
It's just a bad Toyota design, since the gen3 comes with a "catch can" factory. They wouldn't have added it if it were unnecessary.
 
You work for Qantas?? lol 
 

Turbo seals will show up after turbo yes. Have a look at the pcv valve hose and see if it's the same condition.most likely will be. More boost will only make it worse. Your intercooler it's probably now coated with all this stuff too making heat transfer non existant. I suspect the previous owner had s pod filter on there and didnt secure it properly which then started rubbing on the fuel pipes and has ripped the material which lets dust in that combined with heavy blowby will give you whats in your intake. Id use a lot of deglreaser and shove s rag in one end and poul out the other

Thanks Guys :) MUCH appreciate the advice :) will start on this tomorrow.  I expect the intercooler to be a coated mess!
 
if you read previous things in my thread, the car hasn't had a gentle life (before me), wasn't maintained that well, but is slowly getting there. :)
 
 

it's been a day and something new has gone wrong :P
 
my hornet alarm keyfob that came with the car broke where it attaches to the keyring.  ATM I'm looking at options, since it's my only keyfob, I'm thinking of getting a replacement housing and a replacement keyfob.  But in all honestly a whole new alarm (same model) is $99 delivered :p
 
Will see how expensive a replacement housing (and second keyfob) costs first.
 
that being said, I'd love to get a 2 way system with remote start and window closer.  Not sure if I can justify the cost / time to install it.
 
 

oh man.... 
 
I'm really excited about this:
 
you CAN get clear side marker replacements, to replace the toblerones! 
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1991-1995-TOYOTA-MR2-SW20-CLEAR-SIDE-MARKER-LIGHTS-JDM-/300630677065?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45fefc1649#ht_5481wt_905
 
I'm strongly thinking of painting the strips white from black, and with the clear sides, will give it quite a good look.  This would be easier than drilling holes in the front quarters and putting a clear side indicator there (which I do have spares from my supra).
 
I don't have a good history with painting parts, and am slightly concerned how badly I could stuff up the side rubber bits :P