Thank you for watching the videos and supporting my channel all of these years, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! Life is still too hectic for me to post more regularly, but I am kicking around some ways I can ramp it up in 2019. Let's get to work!
Tom's Turbo Garage instead of a swap wut about some head work or maybe boring out the block and optimizing the down pipe . You could squeeze out a few more ponies
@Tavarish To be honest after all the high powered cars you have I honestly think you would greatly enjoy a super light and nimble little fun car to wrench on, modify and drive. I kinda did it my self going from a string of GM V8's to a Subaru BRZ. With a lighter NA car you can wring its neck out and access most of its performance envelope at far lower speeds. That good old saying of its more fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slow. For something modern there's the Honda S660 and my god you should see a Mugen decked out one. For older Kei class imports from Japan and the same period as the AZ1, the Suzuki Cappuccino or the Honda Beat.
@@Leofred2000 Come on, an AZ1 JDM car would be only a smallish project, wouldn't it? You can park it in almost any american glovebox, three cyl is only a quarter of what normal size projects have (and less than a third of average Mopar-projects ...) only thing You gotta have are nuts'n spanners in real world measurements, like a Lamborghini tool kit for example. 😂
It 15years of being a diesel mechanic iv never seen a truck destroy a clutch like this. Great work Tom, at making quality videos and destroying a clutch like no one else.
I'm all for cool engine swaps (and a Hayabusa-powered AZ-1 sounds awesome to me), but I think that the AZ-1 is too awesome and unique in stock configuration and should keep its original engine.
Thank you sir. I recorded footage of me talking about various combos and their measurements, etc. but when I looked at the video, it was so dang dry and boring. So I just put the short version in this video to spare y'all. 😀
I can't say I am against engine swaps- but with this car the engine is just part of the concept that makes this thing special- it would be something completely different with a different engine (which obviously also could be the goal). You know if you take a Audi 5 cylinder and put a LS in it- the unique part is gone- doesn't mean you shouldn't do it- but you should have that in mind
@@TomsTurboGarage You can get around 100hp with ECU + turbo swap kit ($1200-ish). I posted on the facebook group, K6A (replacement of the F6A motor found in later Cappuccinos) can get 150hp, it's mostly the same motor with a timing chain. The Arctic Cat T660 snowmobile has the F6A with a factory tune of 150hp. Also a direct bolt-on. If my AZ-1 motor was to die, this would be one of my first interest for a swap
I put BMW 4valves bike-two-cyls in 2cv, I put 3 litre V6 in an Alfetta mk 1, I even put a Roots charged two chamber Rotary Diesel in a Fiat Panda mk 1 Selecta once back in the eighties, but You'll ruin the little JDM car with any other engine it wasn't designed around, I'm afraid. There's supposed to be some more power with tuning, though. Edit: read Nicanor Santillan just after posting; that ideas of his both sound like a decent way to go high power.
I’m really hooked on your channel now! Like someone else mentioned, I could almost guarantee that the clutch was made out of asbestos. This is frighteningly dangerous stuff, even in microscopic amounts. Still, you’re very entertaining to watch. Well, off to part 6 now.
What comes to mind are power packs made by companies like Rotax/BRP. Many of which are small form factor engines designed for recreational vehicles, marine, etc. Heck, Rotax makes a 300 HP, inline 3-cyclinder that is pretty small. As you've pointed out though, it would require a lot of work. Also, keeping it almost perfectly stock in the condition you have it, should keep its value up (who knows how that'll will go, as more of them are starting to trickling into NA). I'm really enjoying rewatching this series!
Yeah Tom no need to swap anything else in there, the standard engine is fine just needs to be tuned a bit, after all the usual maintenance items like timing belt/water pump/cap/rotor/wires etc like you’re doing and an upgraded clutch and flywheel, drop a hybrid turbo and sick exhaust on that sucker and maybe a proper EMS. 3 cylinders sound awesome uncorked.
Have you considered sourcing a second block/head for the purposes of a full rebuild? Keep the engine it came with as a backup. At that point its a "swap" of sorts, and you might find ways to push the output a bit along the way. Seeing as the car is rare you might need it one day? Love this channel, and the car :)
I like how you took the blame for the clutch. One of the things that makes me wary of buying a used car with a manual transmission is the attitude that most people who think that they can drive a car with a manual transmission don't know what they are doing and they rest their foot on the pedal or slip it too much or any number of other things. More than likely the clutch was ready to go before you got the car. I hope that finding parts for it won't be too difficult. it looks like a neat little car.
Yeah, well it happened while I was driving so no one else to blame! I was surprised and didn't expect to hear about others having this problem with all sorts of other cars though. The clutch parts were fairly easy to get my hands on, other stuff is much more difficult to find. Thanks for watching!
I can appreciate the dorky cut scenes but I really liked the shorter, to the point update video. Sweet content as always Tom, pat yourself on the back-- it takes a legend to do that kind of damage to a clutch. Phil Swift would be proud.
Great little car you got there! I would check if the valve clearance is in need of adjusting, and other maintenance stuff that is soo much easier to do with the engine out. Does it have a timing belt? If yes, change it now!
Can't imagine why a 25 year old clutch would give up.😏. I don't know why the internet can't ever be happy. The car has balance the way it is. My $.02, take a few years to enjoy the car. Master it for what it is. Then if you're not still in love, go nuts. You get a few years to enjoy your hard work, and you'll have a much better idea of where you want to go. Tl;Dr: How about a video of an epic road trip? Has anyone ever driven an AZ-1 to Yellowstone?
This is like car mechanic simulator's game but in real live way, this is just great, keep it up man, I would love to be able to work on my car like this.
Guess I won’t be popping across the pond with my donor busa then. I think you made the best choice Tom, I approve. I do think you spelled your name wrong on your coveralls though 🤣 looking forward to the next exciting instalment 👍🏽 thanks for the video
No engine swap. It is so much more interesting, to watch you work your magic with the original engine. They respond pretty well to modification, ecu upgrade is something to definetly consider. As the original is pretty restrictive. But if anyone can, it is Turbo Tom Man, and is sassy sidekick Torch. :) I just love your videos man.
When i was a kid, my dad had a 65 VW Beetle that was cut up and lifted with a full cage (Baja). Out playing in the mountains snow and mud with a built 1776CC engine making about 130hp, we climb out a bad mud hole and onto the main road, I yell "Get on it dad"! so he does. Right when he hit second gear the clutch exploded not to far off from what yours did. we drove home in 2nd, with bump starts at every light. That was very long and slow drive home. Any way, we get home and pull the engine. The clutch had went boom, one of the little metal pucks and jammed itself between the pressure plate and fly wheel in such a way, it nearly welded itself together. That is how we got home. the strangest damn thing. Even now, 15 years later, i still cant believe they way it failed that let us get home. I mean, we did have several other Baja's and a lifted 97 f150 with a tilt trailer for support. Never off-road alone.
Haha! Thanks for watching Joe! According to RU-vid even that bell doesn’t guarantee you’ll be notified when a channel posts a video- like everything else on here “it’s an algorithm” 🤔
Sooooooooo, Japanese auto manufacturers stopped using asbestos in auto parts completely in 1996. Not trying to freak you out or anything, but when I saw that clutch material like that it was the first thing to my mind. Now, it doesn't mean that clutch had asbestos in it, but it could have and that powdered clutch is exactly the worst case scenario for asbestos fiber release. I would have stopped and tested at that point. YIKES!
Not a big deal doing it ONCE, and usually not a big deal as long as dust isn't blown all over the place with compressed air either. Suck it up with a well filtered vacuum, and it becomes half as wild a risk.
@@manfredschmalbach9023 WRONG! A vacuum! You can't be serious? You might as well blow it all over your garage with an air hose. I grew up with my stepfather in asbestos remediation and demolition and "once" is one too many. Please, please, PLEASE everyone. If you value your health and those around you, DO NOT DO WHAT THIS GUY POSTED!
@@TickleFingers Yeah, that stuff is... Nasty, to put it politely. I'd be getting a respirator at the very least. Not sure how else you'd clean it, other then chucking the whole engine in the bin, because you're never getting all of that powdered clutch out of there or out of the shop.
I Love love love that you clean the stuff before you fix it. Pet peeve to watch build shows where its a mess even after upgrades or repairs. Cough carthrottle Cough ....
That is absolutely insane. Awesome video, I have never seen a busted up clutch before so that was very insightful. I'm new to the channel but very much enjoying your videos, keep up the good work and thank you.
Take pics if you can, but another thing I like to do is thread in screws by hand. Have to take out the alternator? Just screw them back in when you are done so you know which is which when you are done. You also know exactly where the screws are when you come back! Not always applicable for major engine teardowns, but it can help if you don't label beforehand and have some downtime before you switch over to another project. Trust me, it's terrible to have to wait on some misplaced bolts to come in the mail, or the endless digging through the "magic bolt bucket." Like my dad always said, it's a magic bucket, if you dig around in it long enough you'll find the right bolt sitting on top.
Hi Tom, just recently found your channel and love your enthusiasm and attention to detail. Tough luck with the “ blown” clutch situation in procuring replacement parts. I’m USAF retired, living in Tokyo and own a small auto repair garage. If I can be of any assistance, I’d be glad to help in any way. Cheers, Dave
That happened to me in my turbo ll rx7 on interstate racing a camaro.... it let go at 140 mph and wasnt good haha! Very cool little car Tom thanks for sharing!!
This car is too rare to do an engine swap. But I'd definitely change the exhaust and maybe the turbo with something fresher and more modern. Thank you for sharing with us another wonderful video.
Yes take pictures! I pretty much ruined my 240sx gasket job when I was throwing parts here and there and not keeping track of which bolt went where cause I didn't forsee having to stop what I was doing. Something did end up happening and I had to go away for a month and I come back to utter pandemonium
I think you should keep it the way it is, and it's just too much fuss re engineering the body and panels and what now. I really love this little monster. Keep up the good work man. And yes, that transmission cleaning was so satisfying, i could watch it all day .. lol 🤣
I was about to comment asking if you've looked into a motorcycle engine then you read my mind. It could be much worse, at least the motor that's in there is already awesome. Goes to show how much thought and work they put into this powertrain if you exhausted all your options and couldn't find anything reasonable to fit. Great stuff TTG
Yay, another Turbo Tom vid! It's been too long, man XD On a serious note, you should definitely use a ventilator around clutch material. It often has VERY nasty stuff in it, and though you often can't see it, you're swimming in a cloud of particulates when you're around it.
@@Ralph2 keeping the original setup and bolt something else in for a while would be ok, but You gotta hack the tiny thing to pieces to rape it with a big (-ish 😂) block, that's what makes it a nono.
Stock engine with a little overboost or mild upgrade turbo! I think it would be easy to get 100HP out of the stock hardware, maybe change injectors and boost higher....
That is probably the original clutch for the AZ-1. It most likely was dogged a good bit during it's life in Japan. Good luck on finding a new one, and possibly another pressure plate, if it's needed.
that clutch has been REALLY hot. not only does the fact it exploded show that but also the 'blueness' of the pressure plate! either it was slipping a decent amount for a while before it exploded OR there is a lot of time with the pedal depressed/partly depressed and riding the clutch. we see it often on cars here in the UK that are owned by elderly drivers (who are less sympathetic on clutch versus engine RPMs) or, to a degree, cars used in a lot of stop/start driving
OK is it me, or could that little transmission just have been put in the dishwasher.... Here let me get that transmission out of my pocket and just drop it in the silverware basket.
I'm surprised that you're not wearing a particle mask given the age of the car and how much longer japan was using asbestos in clutches and brake pads, in fact isn't Japan and North America the only ones that still allow it
Tom, I believe your are doing the right thing not attempting a swap...it would ruin the spirit of the car. The only thing I would consider is upping the boost, but not familiar with these engines or what would be involved (likely would require an aftermarket ECU). You do good work...very careful on labeling and cleaning. On the clutch, consider that it it is likely original and aged as well, and a great opportunity to tackle the needed maintenance items. Such a cool little car!
When I saw your first video about the Autozam I thought, "great little car". But after seeing you've to pop the complete engine out to do anything?? You can keep it!! :-D
People, asbestosis (as well as lung cancer) is a real thing but what you may not know is that being a smoker increases its deadliness a thousand fold. People who don't smoke have little to fear from asbestos in real- world situations. Just don't snort it and then fire up your favorite cigar lol. Thanks for the video, Tom!
Asbestos also causes mesothelioma, Tom has small children, there is no upside to having these particles around - even the wives who washed the clothes of asbestos workers have significant increases in the chance of mesothelioma. There is no downside to handling materials like this properly.
@@PirataSports He did a pretty good job of that. Wetting down the immediate area and washing rather than blowing off with shop air. It's exactly what we do when replacing brake parts as well. The instance you cited above was obviously caused from massive repeated exposures, workers coming home literally covered with asbestos every day and wife shakes their clothes out before washing them. This is an exponentially higher exposure than replacing one clutch, one time.
Tom! Another interesting video from you! Thanks for sharing your experience with this tiny little car, and I don't envy your next task of trying to source parts. I mean, it's not like you can run down to the Autozam AZ-1 store to get what you need. I'm amazed at the damage that you found. There was no warning, right? It just stopped running? Well, I suppose that's the perils of owning a rare car. When it breaks, even for a "routine" problem like a clutch replacement, you're considering an engine swap!
Awesome video as always Tom! A few suggestions that might be a little left of field. First and largest would be to swap out the DIFF gears. I did it to my Subaru BRZ and went from a 4.1 to a 4.556 ratio and that made EVERY gear around 11% faster. It made the car a lot peppier without even touching the engine. I myself pared this with a single piece aluminum drive shaft, but I'm not sure how much you'd gain on that front as the stock one is likely pretty tiny anyway. I'd then look at some forged wheels as the lightening those provide will pay dividends to handing, acceleration and breaking. This one might be not so great given your desire to keep the car looking period specific and have already invested in a set of wheels from Japan as it is. That and being the size they are, some even lighter ones won't likely be lighter buy much. Perhaps simply change the brake rotors out for something more modern and lighter? Then look to any after market coil over suspension options that might improve ride and handing to get power down by keeping more rubber on the road at all times. Sometimes the after market suspension kits reduce weight. At the same time you can look at camber and caster adjustability options. From the engine side I'd look at whether there are any benefits to improving the cold air intake and associated filter? Consider whether swapping the older battery out for a super light Li-Ion one could help with a little weight reduction. From the engine side you can see whether there were any kits released for upgrading engine displacement for the existing engine and last but not least get an after market ECU to help fine tune the setup and maximise what can safely be done with the final setup. To be honest I would not want to chop anything up on that amazing car and would rather this all be an under the skin type thing. This is all pie in the sky arm chair pondering, but hey perhaps one of those could help you?
I’ve never seen a clutch die like that. You really murdered that guy lol And I’m glad it’s not swapable. That car wouldn’t be what it is with a new engine. Some cars just shouldn’t be swapped.
Hey Tom, love the videos! Just a suggestion, maybe a small shirt mic that attaches so there is less echo when you're wrenching in the shop? Maybe it'd help ! Thanks again for the great videos
I've had the exact same clutch failure before in a different car, twice using off the shelf clutch discs from the local auto part store. Get in touch with Tampa Clutch and they can build you a new disc, with springs and normal friction material, that will work great and last.
A v4 would be really fun!! It's a shame nothing else will fit though. I'd love to see a v4 in some other car. Also I think you could tune the car and get more horses out of it because it's a kei car and hp is so limited by laws and not by the engine.
