Gizmo and Nutter34
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This section of the forum is a great resource if you're looking for ideas, and it's a cool way of obtaining technical information that may otherwise not have been posted. (Members can use the Search functionality at top right of the forum to speed up finding things) Please respect others' contributions and don't diss anyone - keep comments helpful, factual, positive and polite. One thread per vehicle or owner please - don't start lots of threads about just one car. And if you need assistance with your car and want to host a spanner day, please use the appropriate section of the forum: http://mr2.org.nz/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=35 Thank you.
This section of the forum is a great resource if you're looking for ideas, and it's a cool way of obtaining technical information that may otherwise not have been posted. (Members can use the Search functionality at top right of the forum to speed up finding things) Please respect others' contributions and don't diss anyone - keep comments helpful, factual, positive and polite. One thread per vehicle or owner please - don't start lots of threads about just one car. And if you need assistance with your car and want to host a spanner day, please use the appropriate section of the forum: http://mr2.org.nz/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=35 Thank you.
- Nutter34
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 4:55 pm
- Stomping Ground: Nelson
- Prime Mover: AW11
- First name: Paul
Gizmo and Nutter34
Well, I bought Gizmo on Friday the 13th February. So far though, I haven't really had a nightmare experience...
As many of you may know, this was Adrienne's car, so the car has a lot of history. I have been given a box of records and I must admit, she was passionate about the car. Fortunately, the subsequent owners have kept the record keeping up to date.
Anyway, onto the ownership and driving, etc...
After a short initial drive, purchase, etc. I took the car into the Napier hills. Initial observations... The gearbox and clutch are quirky. A lot of patience is required. Or maybe technique. Or both.
I also noticed the front suspension rides rather low and bumps into the stops over bad bumps. The standard profile tyres certainly help with plushness, considering how low it rides.
The motor pulls very well! It has so much torque. Compared to the n/a auto, where I had to change down gears on hills, this car just pulls in almost any gear. There's a small twitch as the supercharger clutch kicks in, then the car just accelerates, lol...
The wind noise is a bit worse compared to a hard top. I guess it's normal for a T-top...
Small findings... The passenger window doesn't work from the passenger door but does from the drivers door.
When the indicators flash, the voltmeter also twitches. This also happens with the wipers on intermittent.
There is a small spot of rust in the rear boot, which I'll need to sort. There's also some rust on one of the sills where someone has bent the sill, when jacking the car.
Apart from that, the car is really well presented.
As of 16 Feb, Gizmo has 15" wheels fitted. They are off the red MR2. Current tyres are Neuton NT5000's.
As many of you may know, this was Adrienne's car, so the car has a lot of history. I have been given a box of records and I must admit, she was passionate about the car. Fortunately, the subsequent owners have kept the record keeping up to date.
Anyway, onto the ownership and driving, etc...
After a short initial drive, purchase, etc. I took the car into the Napier hills. Initial observations... The gearbox and clutch are quirky. A lot of patience is required. Or maybe technique. Or both.
I also noticed the front suspension rides rather low and bumps into the stops over bad bumps. The standard profile tyres certainly help with plushness, considering how low it rides.
The motor pulls very well! It has so much torque. Compared to the n/a auto, where I had to change down gears on hills, this car just pulls in almost any gear. There's a small twitch as the supercharger clutch kicks in, then the car just accelerates, lol...
The wind noise is a bit worse compared to a hard top. I guess it's normal for a T-top...
Small findings... The passenger window doesn't work from the passenger door but does from the drivers door.
When the indicators flash, the voltmeter also twitches. This also happens with the wipers on intermittent.
There is a small spot of rust in the rear boot, which I'll need to sort. There's also some rust on one of the sills where someone has bent the sill, when jacking the car.
Apart from that, the car is really well presented.
As of 16 Feb, Gizmo has 15" wheels fitted. They are off the red MR2. Current tyres are Neuton NT5000's.
Last edited by Nutter34 on Tue Feb 17, 2015 9:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- KWAFA
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:26 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: ZZW30 (MRS / Spyder)
- First name: Brandon
Re: Gizmo and Nutter34
Nice. I contemplated buying it, but I really need the money for other things... like a wedding!
Enjoy though.
Enjoy though.
- JasonFriday13
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 2503
- Joined: Mon May 21, 2007 5:19 pm
- Stomping Ground: Taranaki
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Jason
Re: Gizmo and Nutter34
Congrats on your purchase.
This is normal, it happened on my old 87 SC 5sp too. The passenger window not working could be the wires in the door hinge area finally giving up and breaking after years of open and close.Nutter34 wrote:Small findings... The passenger window doesn't work from the passenger door but does from the drivers door.
When the indicators flash, the voltmeter also twitches. This also happens with the wipers on intermittent.
Jason Ross, current cars:
Project: 1990 SW20 GT, 1992+ brake swap, 1992+ subframe swap, 1996 Celica turbo engine swap, 1996 MR2 LSD gearbox swap, Caldina Turbo coil-on-plug ignition, Link G4 Storm, 161kw @ 10psi.
Daily: 2004 Toyota Vitz RS, 1.5L, 5sp
Tow rig: 2009 Camry, 2.4L, auto
Scrapped: 1989 SW20 GT, 1992 SW20 G-Limited, ex EssDub car, donor, 1997 Toyota Tercel 3dr hatch, front crash, 1990 SW20, G-Limited, ex EssDub car, roll crashed, donor
Sold: 1987 AW11 Supercharged, 1991 SW20 G-Limited, ex EssDub car
Project: 1990 SW20 GT, 1992+ brake swap, 1992+ subframe swap, 1996 Celica turbo engine swap, 1996 MR2 LSD gearbox swap, Caldina Turbo coil-on-plug ignition, Link G4 Storm, 161kw @ 10psi.
Daily: 2004 Toyota Vitz RS, 1.5L, 5sp
Tow rig: 2009 Camry, 2.4L, auto
Scrapped: 1989 SW20 GT, 1992 SW20 G-Limited, ex EssDub car, donor, 1997 Toyota Tercel 3dr hatch, front crash, 1990 SW20, G-Limited, ex EssDub car, roll crashed, donor
Sold: 1987 AW11 Supercharged, 1991 SW20 G-Limited, ex EssDub car
- mickeyduck
- Life Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 6144
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:30 am
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Charlie
Re: Gizmo and Nutter34
Good score Paul, look after it!
I guess you've seen the wee plaque I had made for Ade which she fitted to the firewall? She's holding it up on the Gizmo Goodbye thread.
There is a button that you can push down in the drivers door window switch and it disables the passenger door window switch. It's a kiddie proofing thing. Maybe that's all it is?
I like those rims mate.
See if the front shocks are adjustable and if they are, harden them up one click and see if that stops it hitting the bump stops. My T-top AW is like that and all you need do is harden up the shocks until the front doesn't hit the bump stops anymore. Hopefully that's all it is. My front shocks have a weeny dialer in their centre on top which you turn with a very small screwdriver. At my age you need a magnifying glass to read the numbers on the dial cos they are so small...
If you deal to any rust, treat it with a neutraliser such as Tergo or Wurth, to super-oxidise it. Alternately there is a steel treatment paint I used recently which I think I might have referred to on my Rides thread that works very well.
Wind noise from the T-top when the roof is off? Heaps. Unless you put the windows up in which case it's almost still in the cabin. Few things beat an AW11SC with the roof off and windows down in summer. But I must admit the aero on a sweepy SW is cleaner than that on an angular AW. The drag coefficient is almost the same though, close as don't matter...
Gearbox: oil makes all the difference. Penrite EP90 or Redline MT90 are good in these boxes.
Next time you buy tyres get some Potenza RE002. Then you'll be able to really enjoy the car for what it can do!
And remember the golden rule - if you think you've over-cooked it on a corner, gently add more power.
Have fun! And keep us all updated on any driving you do. I remember there are a few really fun roads down your way, and some spectacular scenery too. Driving from Renwick to Richmond over the hills was always a real blast!
I guess you've seen the wee plaque I had made for Ade which she fitted to the firewall? She's holding it up on the Gizmo Goodbye thread.
There is a button that you can push down in the drivers door window switch and it disables the passenger door window switch. It's a kiddie proofing thing. Maybe that's all it is?
I like those rims mate.
See if the front shocks are adjustable and if they are, harden them up one click and see if that stops it hitting the bump stops. My T-top AW is like that and all you need do is harden up the shocks until the front doesn't hit the bump stops anymore. Hopefully that's all it is. My front shocks have a weeny dialer in their centre on top which you turn with a very small screwdriver. At my age you need a magnifying glass to read the numbers on the dial cos they are so small...
If you deal to any rust, treat it with a neutraliser such as Tergo or Wurth, to super-oxidise it. Alternately there is a steel treatment paint I used recently which I think I might have referred to on my Rides thread that works very well.
Wind noise from the T-top when the roof is off? Heaps. Unless you put the windows up in which case it's almost still in the cabin. Few things beat an AW11SC with the roof off and windows down in summer. But I must admit the aero on a sweepy SW is cleaner than that on an angular AW. The drag coefficient is almost the same though, close as don't matter...
Gearbox: oil makes all the difference. Penrite EP90 or Redline MT90 are good in these boxes.
Next time you buy tyres get some Potenza RE002. Then you'll be able to really enjoy the car for what it can do!
And remember the golden rule - if you think you've over-cooked it on a corner, gently add more power.
Have fun! And keep us all updated on any driving you do. I remember there are a few really fun roads down your way, and some spectacular scenery too. Driving from Renwick to Richmond over the hills was always a real blast!
#8^) Charlie the certified Westie
Retired - President 2012 - 2018
Retired - Committee Member 2009 - 2018
Retired - Auckland Area Coordinator 2009 - 2018
Retired - Webmaster, Forum Host & Admin 2010 - 2018 - Now it's mknz
Financial Club Member since 2004 and thanks to *84vvt and co-conspirators, Life Member since April 2017
100+ MR2OCNZ runs and counting... When going hard, good rubber's your best protection against unwanted accidents. Buy good tyres!
When you're nearing the end of the drag-strip and you have no 'chute, you may as well keep your foot to the floor... Live life. There ain't no second pass.
Retired - President 2012 - 2018
Retired - Committee Member 2009 - 2018
Retired - Auckland Area Coordinator 2009 - 2018
Retired - Webmaster, Forum Host & Admin 2010 - 2018 - Now it's mknz
Financial Club Member since 2004 and thanks to *84vvt and co-conspirators, Life Member since April 2017
100+ MR2OCNZ runs and counting... When going hard, good rubber's your best protection against unwanted accidents. Buy good tyres!
When you're nearing the end of the drag-strip and you have no 'chute, you may as well keep your foot to the floor... Live life. There ain't no second pass.
- Statek
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 590
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:56 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Kris
Re: Gizmo and Nutter34
Congrats! Spanish cars are much more fun to drive than autos!
It'll likely be the switch in the passenger door. You can (carefully) pull it apart, and it will probably have dirty contacts.
It'll likely be the switch in the passenger door. You can (carefully) pull it apart, and it will probably have dirty contacts.
1986 Toyota MR2 AW11 20v ST - SOLD
- mickeyduck
- Life Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 6144
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:30 am
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Charlie
Re: Gizmo and Nutter34
Yeah the rain drips on the switch if the window's down at all when driving too. Not that Gizmo went out in the rain that much. But it is a common AW problem. Hey every mass produced thing has a couple of gotchas some place.
Manuel, Kris? Come on man nothing Fawlty about an auto when attached to a GZE.
Manuel, Kris? Come on man nothing Fawlty about an auto when attached to a GZE.
#8^) Charlie the certified Westie
Retired - President 2012 - 2018
Retired - Committee Member 2009 - 2018
Retired - Auckland Area Coordinator 2009 - 2018
Retired - Webmaster, Forum Host & Admin 2010 - 2018 - Now it's mknz
Financial Club Member since 2004 and thanks to *84vvt and co-conspirators, Life Member since April 2017
100+ MR2OCNZ runs and counting... When going hard, good rubber's your best protection against unwanted accidents. Buy good tyres!
When you're nearing the end of the drag-strip and you have no 'chute, you may as well keep your foot to the floor... Live life. There ain't no second pass.
Retired - President 2012 - 2018
Retired - Committee Member 2009 - 2018
Retired - Auckland Area Coordinator 2009 - 2018
Retired - Webmaster, Forum Host & Admin 2010 - 2018 - Now it's mknz
Financial Club Member since 2004 and thanks to *84vvt and co-conspirators, Life Member since April 2017
100+ MR2OCNZ runs and counting... When going hard, good rubber's your best protection against unwanted accidents. Buy good tyres!
When you're nearing the end of the drag-strip and you have no 'chute, you may as well keep your foot to the floor... Live life. There ain't no second pass.
- Statek
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 590
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:56 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Kris
Re: Gizmo and Nutter34
I just like downshifting and blipping the throttle heel-toe heel-toe haha
1986 Toyota MR2 AW11 20v ST - SOLD
- mickeyduck
- Life Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 6144
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:30 am
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Charlie
Re: Gizmo and Nutter34
Me too. In Stripe. Gizmo's alter-ego. Gremlins aside...
#8^) Charlie the certified Westie
Retired - President 2012 - 2018
Retired - Committee Member 2009 - 2018
Retired - Auckland Area Coordinator 2009 - 2018
Retired - Webmaster, Forum Host & Admin 2010 - 2018 - Now it's mknz
Financial Club Member since 2004 and thanks to *84vvt and co-conspirators, Life Member since April 2017
100+ MR2OCNZ runs and counting... When going hard, good rubber's your best protection against unwanted accidents. Buy good tyres!
When you're nearing the end of the drag-strip and you have no 'chute, you may as well keep your foot to the floor... Live life. There ain't no second pass.
Retired - President 2012 - 2018
Retired - Committee Member 2009 - 2018
Retired - Auckland Area Coordinator 2009 - 2018
Retired - Webmaster, Forum Host & Admin 2010 - 2018 - Now it's mknz
Financial Club Member since 2004 and thanks to *84vvt and co-conspirators, Life Member since April 2017
100+ MR2OCNZ runs and counting... When going hard, good rubber's your best protection against unwanted accidents. Buy good tyres!
When you're nearing the end of the drag-strip and you have no 'chute, you may as well keep your foot to the floor... Live life. There ain't no second pass.
- Nutter34
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 4:55 pm
- Stomping Ground: Nelson
- Prime Mover: AW11
- First name: Paul
Re: Gizmo and Nutter34
Hi Guys.
Yes, the plaque is still there. I guess none of the previous owners wanted to remove or alter the heritage of the car. I'll leave it there too...
I had a look on the top of the shock struts. There is no adjustment there. I was told standard Toyota shocks were fitted again, which is why I suspect they cannot cope.
As for the window switch, at this stage it isn't an issue but down the line I'll look into it. Playing with the 'window lock' switch doesn't do anything.
As for the T-tops... I have as yet not driven the car with them removed. I'll give it a try. The weather on the drive down was scattered showers, so kept them in.
As for oil... The mileage is almost at 140 000, so may do oils and filters then. I'll go through all the papers again and see if I can trace any gearbox servicing...
As for today, gave Gizmo a clean. Never really had time yesterday after fitting the wheels and test driving...
Thanks for the advice...
Yes, the plaque is still there. I guess none of the previous owners wanted to remove or alter the heritage of the car. I'll leave it there too...
I had a look on the top of the shock struts. There is no adjustment there. I was told standard Toyota shocks were fitted again, which is why I suspect they cannot cope.
As for the window switch, at this stage it isn't an issue but down the line I'll look into it. Playing with the 'window lock' switch doesn't do anything.
As for the T-tops... I have as yet not driven the car with them removed. I'll give it a try. The weather on the drive down was scattered showers, so kept them in.
As for oil... The mileage is almost at 140 000, so may do oils and filters then. I'll go through all the papers again and see if I can trace any gearbox servicing...
As for today, gave Gizmo a clean. Never really had time yesterday after fitting the wheels and test driving...
Thanks for the advice...
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Last edited by Nutter34 on Tue Feb 17, 2015 9:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Nutter34
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 4:55 pm
- Stomping Ground: Nelson
- Prime Mover: AW11
- First name: Paul
Re: Gizmo and Nutter34
I have to ask... Is there more than one Gizmo?