parrot

So old faithful Renault is slowly dying and I have decided to get a T31 series 2008 onward Nissan X-Trail. 6 speed manual (not CVT), petrol 4WD on demand. Anyone have any feedback on these? I can't find anything searching around, other than CVT concerns which aren't relevant, and potential frames cracking around towbar mounts which isn't necessarily a x-trail specific thing.

I suggest you go to your local pickapart and see what models are there, cause then you can get heaps of parts and panels cheaply if required. Even cars like the later Cressida's. They are a hell of a lot of car for bugger all money. I'm tipping also that your KE30 will have rust issues

Anything can go wrong, but is generally easy to fix, at least mechanically. What it doesn't have is modern safety aids and dynamics. If you can stretch your budget a little further, you may be able to get a late 90's model with better road handling and comfort. Just my 2 cents as a person with kids reaching teenage years.

I am certain they already have hardened valve seats

No way! No security thingies to get round or anything?

Harsh, but true

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They called today. Got the spiel, and told I get 365 days per year theft cover whilst it is sitting in the shed, which I think I knew. Seriously though, the premiums are out of all proportion for what will be a rarely driven car. I don't expect it to be free, but also I don't expect it to be that much. Our other current model daily driver cars are worth 5 - 6 times the value of the AE86, driven daily and the premium is roughly the same. I see Torque are part of Lumley's now, along with Swann etc. so will see what they have to say

Yes through Shannon's. I only got salvage rights due to having owned the car so long (early 90's). It would be fair to say I live in one of Melbourne's "blue ribbon" suburbs, so the postcode shouldn't really be contributing I wouldn't think. They are due to call me soon so perhaps I can query the extreme limited use thing. I also got them to quote me for laid up cover on the KE15 plus routine insurance on my daily which was additional cost (quite reasonable) years back I had a good relationship with Torque Insurance on the AE86. I might try them, if they still exist.

Been quoted $630 to insure a modified AE86 at $8000 agreed value plus salvage rights by a well known insurer of such things. This with my stating it will be on a 45 day club reg permit. That works out at $14 per trip, with every likelihood it will do less than 45 days a year. Is it just me, or is that a little pricey? Interested to know what others are paying for similar situations. Note, I'm a rating 1, no finance, locked in a garage and close to 50 years old.......

Did they give you a price estimate? Long time since I have had one done.

Not sure, as I can only see partially see it on the iphone. Would need an electron microscope for what I can see when I click on it here. I was referring to the manuals you posted above. Does the schematic you have make reference to European specific wiring variations? I am very happy to send you a copy of what I have if it doesn't.

When petrol is $1.50 litre, tuning is cheap. You put the carby on to produce more power presumably. If it isn't set up well, the standard setup is probably putting out more power and better driveability than what you have now..

Don't have that one so couldn't say. But that body manual is for USA / Canada so possibly not the GT diagrams

That schematic diagram looks the same as the one in my T18 manual. T18 is the Australian designation for a TE72 This is the same manual if you are really keen. Bit pricey http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TOYOTA-T-18-REPAIR-MANUAL-BODY-KE70-TE71-72-Series-1979-As-New-/261504914470?pt=AU_Non_Fiction_Books_2&hash=item3ce2e85426

I've got the factory T18 manual which covers the KE7x TE7x models. The schematic wiring diagram makes mention of various euro specific variations, and the combination meter and gauge section includes LHD with tachometer and LHD without tachometer. Presumably the former is the GT cluster? This has the pin outs. The tachometer cluster is referred to as the coupe and liftback cluster. Happy to scan and email if they may help

So for the first time in 12 years........ Now I just need to workout how to get the KE15 out of it's storage location and inside

Mmm. How good is it when you open that box and see all those OEM parts sitting there waiting to be fitted!

I'm a regular with them and also highly impressed. So much so I don't go to my local Toyota dealer for anything at all anymore. I'm convinced the pricing is substantially better too. That part number is for KE3x by the way, but hopefully will fit nicely. Let us know. The trick with Amayama is knowing your part numbers. You enter the part number and it may immediately tell you the part number isn't found (unavailable) or it may come up with options via japan or UAE. The latter doesn't guarantee availability. Once you actually submit a query, they come back to you within a couple of days with actual availability. Sometimes things actually are no longer available. I get a pretty good return on various KE1x TE2x and AE86 bits and bobs.

Swaggin wagon? Over here it would be a shaggin wagon! I'll let you find out what that means.

When I was a kid, my father was an engine fitter in the RAAF. Often I would spend my weekends mucking about at Point Cook whilst he did some paid weekend work on an old Hudson Bomber. Meanwhile there was a guy there who had an immaculate restored P51D Mustang which he wasn't allowed to fly as, I understand, the logbook was missing which had held up official flight certification. So he used to taxi it up and down the runway and do little hops. Until one day when he presumably couldn't restrain himself, and took off over the bay before returning and doing a low level run over the airfield, straight over my head as I ran for my life across the grass. I will never forget the roar which felt like it was inside me. It was F#$%^&*G awesome.

Not quite automotive discussion, but they do have engines. Didn't want this getting lost in a youtube thread. Having grown up around the RAAF, I just love old aircraft. If like me you were spellbound by the Battle of Britain and the subsequent movie, you will really enjoy this story. Once you have read that, watch the embedded movie. What a guy. http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/wilson-connie-edwards.html

Absolutely. http://www.performanceignition.com.au/

Got some Weds Albino's on the way in the latest import monster container. Does anyone know what the assembly bolts should be torqued up to?