Stag's SW20
Moderator: Moderators
Forum rules
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.
- stag
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:28 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Steven
Stag's SW20
Hi guys, I'm new to the forums! Thought I'd introduce both new car and myself.
I'm Steve aka Stag on the forums, and just over a month ago I rocked down to Wellington and picked up my first 1990 G-Limited ! An MR2 that i can call my own...WHOOP!!
So currently I'm going through the motions and replacing small bits and pieces.
Here is what she currently looks like: The previous owner had done some plati-dip on the mags. -Do.Not.Like- So I will clean (by "clean" i mean peal and tear) the plasti-dip off the mags, and give them a good clean. So ill try and update this post once a week with anything I end up fixing or changing.
I'm Steve aka Stag on the forums, and just over a month ago I rocked down to Wellington and picked up my first 1990 G-Limited ! An MR2 that i can call my own...WHOOP!!
So currently I'm going through the motions and replacing small bits and pieces.
Here is what she currently looks like: The previous owner had done some plati-dip on the mags. -Do.Not.Like- So I will clean (by "clean" i mean peal and tear) the plasti-dip off the mags, and give them a good clean. So ill try and update this post once a week with anything I end up fixing or changing.
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2015 9:55 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Will
Re: Stag's SW20
Looks good man. When are you getting the new wheels?
Current: None
Past: '92 NA Hardtop manual
Past: '92 NA Hardtop manual
- stag
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:28 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Steven
Re: Stag's SW20
Got the rims mostly cleaned off!
Have a look at the difference. Looks so much better without the plasti-dip.
old plasti-dip > in progress >clean-ish This makes me happy. Just looks so much better i think
Have a look at the difference. Looks so much better without the plasti-dip.
old plasti-dip > in progress >clean-ish This makes me happy. Just looks so much better i think
Last edited by stag on Sun Oct 11, 2015 2:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- stag
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:28 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Steven
Re: Stag's SW20
OK. So with the help of Logan and Spykerwolf we had set out to start replacing a few interior bits as a lot was either broken or far from ideal.
Starting with removing the speakers behind the seats that the previous owner had installed. It looked bad.
Old: In place of the speakers we installed the storage covers from a donor car from the wreckers. So that makes it looks better already! -Will update this with a new image of what it now looks like soon.
Next thing was to replace the tweeter housing on the doors. Again the previous owner though it was a good idea to break though these to install
a set of tweeters. Thanks to the donor car these could be restored and the tweeters could be dumped.
After that the next thing was to replace the horrible rear view mirror. As you can see in the picture below its has seen better days.
The mirror had somehow been damaged and was wobbling as you drive. It was held inplace by some electrical tape...
Old: New mirror installed and way more stable. I can see whats going on now. Went ahead and replaced the cracked door handle bezels with...cracked ones. They are in better shape though so its half a win.
Old: Along with these we also replace a number of other plastic bits around the interior as well as swapped out the center console for a cleaner one.
Starting with removing the speakers behind the seats that the previous owner had installed. It looked bad.
Old: In place of the speakers we installed the storage covers from a donor car from the wreckers. So that makes it looks better already! -Will update this with a new image of what it now looks like soon.
Next thing was to replace the tweeter housing on the doors. Again the previous owner though it was a good idea to break though these to install
a set of tweeters. Thanks to the donor car these could be restored and the tweeters could be dumped.
After that the next thing was to replace the horrible rear view mirror. As you can see in the picture below its has seen better days.
The mirror had somehow been damaged and was wobbling as you drive. It was held inplace by some electrical tape...
Old: New mirror installed and way more stable. I can see whats going on now. Went ahead and replaced the cracked door handle bezels with...cracked ones. They are in better shape though so its half a win.
Old: Along with these we also replace a number of other plastic bits around the interior as well as swapped out the center console for a cleaner one.
- stag
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:28 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Steven
Re: Stag's SW20
Oh boy...so as i went through the interior i found that after removing the floor mats there is a HUGE hole in the carpet at the drivers footwell.
"New" carpet (not the best image but you get the idea) Will post updates one done.
So went over to Zebra and sourced a carpet out of a donor car. Gave it a quick clean and now just need to make time to install it."New" carpet (not the best image but you get the idea) Will post updates one done.
Last edited by stag on Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
- stag
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:28 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Steven
Re: Stag's SW20
As my car knowledge is lacking, i asked Logan and Spykerwolf to help me out with a few things.
With their help we ran through and replaced the sparkplugs. While doing this we saw the plugs were covered in oil. So was advised to get the rocker gasket replaced asap.
1st thing was to let the car warm up a bit, then drain all the oil.
During this i removed (with much effort and rage) the oil filter. It simply did not want to budge.
This is what it looked like after i was able to get it removed Ok! Oil filter now replaced. So off came the rocker cover...and man was it nasty So after much time and effort...cleaned if off real good! I wanted to paint it red, but i was at the stage where i just wanted the car to run. So in went the replacement gasket and topped up the oils.
With their help we ran through and replaced the sparkplugs. While doing this we saw the plugs were covered in oil. So was advised to get the rocker gasket replaced asap.
1st thing was to let the car warm up a bit, then drain all the oil.
During this i removed (with much effort and rage) the oil filter. It simply did not want to budge.
This is what it looked like after i was able to get it removed Ok! Oil filter now replaced. So off came the rocker cover...and man was it nasty So after much time and effort...cleaned if off real good! I wanted to paint it red, but i was at the stage where i just wanted the car to run. So in went the replacement gasket and topped up the oils.
Last edited by stag on Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2015 9:55 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Will
Re: Stag's SW20
Looking very good man, especially the wheels.
Saying that - I can't wait to see the new ones!
Saying that - I can't wait to see the new ones!
Current: None
Past: '92 NA Hardtop manual
Past: '92 NA Hardtop manual
- Benckj
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 7148
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:44 pm
- Stomping Ground: Otago
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Jim
Re: Stag's SW20
Good work with restoration. From the outside the car seemed to be well looked after but after seeing the broken interior and engine gunk I'd be more inclined to get on top of maintainance. Bushes, fluids and brakes are not as exciting as wheels and tyres but very important to keep top notch. Glad you have an experienced MR owner to help you along the way.
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
- Logan
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2011 3:36 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Logan
Re: Stag's SW20
Good to finally see that build thread
Those wheels look much nicer without the plastidip. Can't wait to see some full car shots with them on.
Those wheels look much nicer without the plastidip. Can't wait to see some full car shots with them on.
Good points Jim, although Stag's bank account might need a short recovery after getting some RE003's fitted all round to replace the old, crap, mismatched tyres!Benckj wrote:Good work with restoration. From the outside the car seemed to be well looked after but after seeing the broken interior and engine gunk I'd be more inclined to get on top of maintainance. Bushes, fluids and brakes are not as exciting as wheels and tyres but very important to keep top notch. Glad you have an experienced MR owner to help you along the way.
- Benckj
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 7148
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:44 pm
- Stomping Ground: Otago
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Jim
Re: Stag's SW20
Yes, its easy to drop a bucket of money into these cars without any increase in value. Leaning to do things yourself will keep the costs down and give you the confidence to tackle bigger and more complex projects. The members on this forum have done most of the basic work and are only too happy to help when required. We also have a good pool of spare parts so if you get stuck ask and generally you will receive.
There is a write-up I brought over to this forum awhile back which gives new owners a priority list on what to do. I'll see if I can locate for you as its a good reference.
There is a write-up I brought over to this forum awhile back which gives new owners a priority list on what to do. I'll see if I can locate for you as its a good reference.
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
- Benckj
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 7148
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:44 pm
- Stomping Ground: Otago
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Jim
Re: Stag's SW20
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
- stag
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:28 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Steven
Re: Stag's SW20
Thanks! I'll have a read through this asap. Will write up a list of things to do and knock them off.Benckj wrote:Here ya go, might help sort out priorities.
http://mr2.org.nz/phpbb3/viewtopic.php? ... it=+sticky
- stag
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:28 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: Looking for an MR2
- First name: Steven
Re: Stag's SW20
Been having issues with the water temperature needle not moving when the cars at temperature. Replaced the thermostat and that seems to have solved the problem. But looking at the old thermostat I can't see any issues with it. So will monitor it for the next wee bit.
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 5719
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:13 pm
- Stomping Ground: Wellington
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Phill
Re: Stag's SW20
What do mean by not moving when at temperature? The needle should get to half way on the gauge and not move if the cooling system is working properly.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
- Benckj
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 7148
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:44 pm
- Stomping Ground: Otago
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Jim
Re: Stag's SW20
Pop the old t-stat into a pot of water on the stove. Bring to boil and watch operation. Not many OEM's go bad.
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods