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what would you recommend smt or manual?

16K views 31 replies 8 participants last post by  nicko  
#1 ·
I am looking to buy mr2 spider but want to know what tranny is most reliable? and what I should look for when purchasing like how many miles etc. Thanks for the help
 
#3 ·
A little definition - the transmissions are identical. The SMT has an electric/hydraulic system added to the car that shifts the transmission for you. The SMT system is great while it's working. If it fails, it can be troublesome to repair. Parts are getting hard to locate, and absolutely no repair shops can fix it for you. If you're fairly mechanically minded you can keep it working but you'll need to count on yourself (and forums / Facebook groups).

I have one of each. I prefer driving the SMT through heavy traffic, and when I'm going cycling. It's just easier to jump in and go, without rowing through the gears. However I also have enough tools and helpful friends to keep the SMT system working.
 
#10 ·
I bought my first MRS last year, it was a SMT. Honestly I liked it up to the point it went into gear, locked up and wouldn’t work anymore. Turned out it was a little low on fluid (a little has spilled out from when I took the transmission out and installed a lsd, and clutch/flywheel (since I was there already))
Before I discovered that it was low on fluid, I ordered all the stuff to convert to MT from monkeywrenchracing. Conversion is not terribly difficult, but is time consuming.

Things I observed/learned
The SMT shifting was just as fast as manual shifting if you do the SMT mods.
Driving SMT vs Manual, just as fun. Maybe a little more fun with the MT because ... reasons... but SMT shifting was fun too. There are still days where I miss just being able to tap and shift gears.
You can be SMT and boosted. I had assumed you needed to be MT but was wrong.
The SMT robot shifter is kinda cool how it’s designed. The engineering that was put into it is actually quite respectable when you consider all the check and fail safe reactions to the environment and every possible condition. It borders on over engineered, but looking at like some of the high end exotic autoshifters, they arent any better, some are even worse.IMHO

If I were to do it again, I would couple the conversion with either a 2zz or K20/24 swap. It could save roughly $1k when buying kits over the entire level of effort. Because the kits have a lot of the same parts. Plus if you go to a different transmission, you won’t need to buy as much swap parts, if it comes with what you need.

If your SMT is working, drive it till it breaks. Then convert.
If you want to do an engine swap, do a MT convert at the same time.
 
#14 ·
I bought my first MRS last year, it was a SMT. Honestly I liked it up to the point it went into gear, locked up and wouldn’t work anymore. Turned out it was a little low on fluid (a little has spilled out from when I took the transmission out and installed a lsd, and clutch/flywheel (since I was there already))
Before I discovered that it was low on fluid, I ordered all the stuff to convert to MT from monkeywrenchracing. Conversion is not terribly difficult, but is time consuming.

Things I observed/learned
The SMT shifting was just as fast as manual shifting if you do the SMT mods.
Driving SMT vs Manual, just as fun. Maybe a little more fun with the MT because ... reasons... but SMT shifting was fun too. There are still days where I miss just being able to tap and shift gears.
You can be SMT and boosted. I had assumed you needed to be MT but was wrong.
The SMT robot shifter is kinda cool how it’s designed. The engineering that was put into it is actually quite respectable when you consider all the check and fail safe reactions to the environment and every possible condition. It borders on over engineered, but looking at like some of the high end exotic autoshifters, they arent any better, some are even worse.IMHO

If I were to do it again, I would couple the conversion with either a 2zz or K20/24 swap. It could save roughly $1k when buying kits over the entire level of effort. Because the kits have a lot of the same parts. Plus if you go to a different transmission, you won’t need to buy as much swap parts, if it comes with what you need.

If your SMT is working, drive it till it breaks. Then convert.
If you want to do an engine swap, do a MT convert at the same time.
yea I am going to wait and find manual seems to be much more reliable and I love old school stick shifts
 
#12 ·
There is ONE reason why I'd might look for a SMT. (Frank please let me know if this is untrue)

This is conjecture, but enthusiasts who want to beat up on this car will usually overlook the SMT. Therefore, there are a lot more single owner + unmodified SMT's out there that haven't been driven hard and put away wet.

If there is a correlation between well-kept (body/paint/etc) Spyders AND them being SMT - I wonder if it would be cheaper to convert to M/T, than to make the rest of the car look nice - assuming the correlation is true.
 
#15 ·
This is conjecture,
This is a decent enough conjecture. Considering the expense involved in body work, paint, and interior restoration, if you ever see a clean Spyder, no rust, no dents, nice paint, nice top, no interior rips and tears, et cetera, buy it, no matter what the mechanical condition. Engines and drive train components are cheap as dirt, and easy as frig to fix.
 
#18 ·
The 2001 is potentially an oil burning car. This affects all Spyders sold in the US prior to 2003 (search for "pre-cat failure," "excessive oil consumption," et cetera). The engine should be considered suspect. There is no quick and easy diagnosis for oil consumption other than visible oil smoke coming out the tailpipe. On a lark you can check the oil level, I've had many 1zz and 2az vehicles come to me with not a drop of oil registering on the dipstick I kid you not. In these situations I give them the last rites and send them on their way. IMO $4k is a high price for a car with cosmetic issues that is likely to need a engine replacement or swap.
 
#20 ·
am going to look at it on Sunday did a vin search came back great question I have no reason to have a catalytic converter as there is no inspection here should I have my local mechanic take it off and would this be good? I got the guy down to 3500 so is not bad depending on condition which wont know until Sunday. Thanks
 
#19 ·
There’s a lot of good advice on this board so it’s up to you to make a good decision based on the information here. I’d look at the engine failure threads and if fact I did before picking my 05 the first of June. I wouldn’t just buy a MR2 thinking that you can always do the many repairs some of the early models require. Some of the early model repairs are expensive and time consuming. I did consider buying a white 03 with the ( Simulated Manual Transmission) I backed away from it based on a conversation I had with Monkey Wrench Racing. The price they quoted on all the parts to convert to an M/T was over 5k. The tech said they could do some work on the tranny but the SMT repairs may only last six months. I just couldn’t see buying a car then possibly having to drop a ton of cash to fix it.

I’d stay away from anything from 2000 to 2002 and avoid the SMT entirely. But it’s your call. Keep us posted on your decision
 
#21 ·
am going to look at it on Sunday did a vin search came back great question I have no reason to have a catalytic converter as there is no inspection here should I have my local mechanic take it off and would this be good? I got the guy down to 3500 so is not bad depending on condition which wont know until Sunday. Thank
 
#31 ·
So are we talking about something supernatural here?
I mean, I’ve replaced TCUs and recently removed the entire ass-end of my car into tiny bits and havent gotten a code. If you disconnect anything electrical then power it up, you get an instant code. What are we to believe, son?
I do want to thank you for the great idea you gave about the two modified bolts in the top of the transmission; I think it facilitated the mating up to the engine.
 
#32 ·
I bought my 2003 with 146-kmiles. The SMT fluid was never changed nor added. It is unbelievable the SMT system still operating given the fluid is DOT-3 based. Toyota failed to recommend changing the fluid...It is mind boggling!

I LOVE SMT! I drive it to work in stop-and-go traffic, so regular manual is not an option.