silverra23

It's a very long time since I got a forum post notification... never did a compression test, when captain corolla heard the symptoms he diagnosed cracked piston too. Think that is where my enthusiasm began to die haha. Look forward to progress!

I had those caps made in the machine shop where I worked at the time as a bit of a thank you for matt's help with my cars. We had some ideas of doing a production run back then but now I rather like the fact they are a one off. Not sure I could get a set done again either as I don't work there any more and neither do most of the good blokes!

Its probably not the done thing any more, but I still like to keep a build thread on my rides so I remember what I did to them along the journey! So introducing my latest acquistion, a very clean 1978 MX32 Cressida. I wanted to get something I could put the kids in the back of, that had power steering and aircon, and was generally going to be a comfortable family cruiser. This popped up on ebay for quite a bit of cash, and was all the way over in Albany WA. But it looked immaculate and I fell in love. Spoke with the owners and they had bought it from a car yard, who had bought it from the original owner, an old bloke who had handed in his licence. They were going to let their daughter learn to drive in it, but after a few people told them they had a gem on their hands, they decided to resell it. Apparently the power (!!) was a bit too much for her too. A bit of research (thanks Loz!) told me it was less than a grand to get the car delivered door to door from Albany to Melbourne, so a deal was done and I was the proud new owner of this gorgeous Cressy. She took about three weeks to get over to me, and involved 4 trucks and a train. Not bad value really!! When it arrived it was even cleaner than I hoped. Extremely clean. Drives really well, though man its a boat! I guess I wanted plush, but this is not so much plush as aquatic. Plans? Lower it. Nice wheels. A Nardi. Some kind of arrangement for sounds, though the radio is perfectly adequate. An electronic dizzy conversion, and that will do for the moment. 1UZ dreams one day maybe?! First mod was fitting baby seat bolts in the back parcel shelf. Oh how life has changed :) Will let the photos do the talking for now...

Not weirder. Cooler :)

Do it. Been one or two of those at the show before, the bikes are marvels with some of the weirdness!!

Its on again! The Toyota Car Club of Australia (Vic) is proud to present the 5th Annual Classic Japan car and bike show. All the details and registration can be done at http://www.classicjapan.org.au and keep an eye on http://www.facebook.com/classicjapanshow Venue: Como Park North, South Yarra. Melbourne, Australia. Date: Sunday, December 6, 2015 Event Schedule: 7:00am – 8:00am. Vendor set up and trailered vehicle arrival. 8:00am – 9:3oam. Gates open for entrant arrival. 9:30am – 2:00pm. Gates Closed (No vehicles to be moved or started during this time). 2:00pm – 3:00pm. Gates open for entrant exit. 3:00pm. Event closed. Eligibility criteria: Vehicles sold by a Japanese manufacturer with a build date up to (and including) December 31st, 1990. (25 years or older) As per previous years vehicles sold by an Australian subsidiary such as the Holden (Isuzu) Gemini and Chrysler (Mitsubishi) Galant are eligible. If your unsure of your vehicles eligibility please send us a message via the Facebook page or email [email protected]

Its been positively eons since I visited the forums. Old faithful is up for sale, returned to stock form to appeal to a wider market. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/eltham-north/cars-vans-utes/1991-toyota-corolla-wagon/1089335799

New update... still hating the lowered front end in terms of ride... maybe the shocks I bought second hand are stuffed... or I need heavier duty springs.... I found a really good grille at Centre Rd wreckers on the weekend when I was there for other things. Always wanted to try this grille on my 95, so I grabbed it and love it :) There is also a AE93 SX Seca at home that I recently acquired. Bway keeps telling me I should install the smallport 4AGE in the 95.... damn its tempting :)

Ah so its more about having an LSD than necessarily a beefier diff. There isn't really a cheap way out of acquiring something with an LSD. I think in terms of longevity and serviceability getting a R31 diff converted to LSD and installed in the Corolla is probably the way to go, though they are a heavy ass thing. Alternatively keeping an eye on the ae86drivingclub forums and being quick on the draw will see you acquire a relatively cheap t-series rear end complete with LSD when someone needs quick cash and is bailing out of a project. There was another option that used to be talked about on these forums, but I haven't managed to use the correct search words to bring it back up - there was some place in Melbourne who were making a quasi-LSD by fitting springs or something to the stock Corolla diff. Someone else might know what I am on about....

Poor old girl has sat in the shed for a few months with no love. I gave her a run last weekend around the block to show I still loved her. And bought her some new induction parts this week too :) Stripes and door numbers were done by a signwriter mate Jim who lives down Frankston way. If you want his details send me a PM :)

Sweet :) You blokes didn't buy the blue one that was on carsales last week did you?!

Plenty of information in the wiki on lowering an early girl...

What have you done to the car to warrant needing upgrading the diff out of interest?

altezzaclub if you find any KE15's that are in decent nick for $2000, I will buy them all day every day

Well the weather was not perfect, but over 250 cars and 20 bikes is testament to the commitment of the classic jap car community. Thanks to every one who helped, attended and supported another awesome event! Photos photos photos here (same as what was on the CJ facebook page): https://picasaweb.google.com/113432889999220868273/ClassicJapan2014?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Facebook be the death of forums. Sadly. So our event is this Sunday. Be there! Facebook page has all the updates, best to follow that. www.facebook.com/classicjapanshow

TCCAV is pleased to announce that Classic Japan will once again be held in 2014, this year on Sunday December 7th. This year we will again return to the great grounds at Como Park in South Yarra. As well as having no numbers restrictions for entries, this venue will allow us to host the event with the Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club in making Classic Japan 2014 again a show for cars and bikes made in Japan pre 1989. The event is a huge celebration of Japanese car and bike culture. No trophies, no egos, just a bunch of enthusiasts coming out for a picnic on the grass with their classic J-tin bike or car. Vehicle entry will be via Alexandra Ave, South Yarra and once again we will be taking folding note donations at the gate to raise funds for the Fred Hollows Foundation. Gates open at 8am and close at 9am for entries. Spectator parking will be in the streets around the venue.

Did a road trip in the old girl last week - roughly 2000kmm from Melbourne to Bathurst to Sydney and then back home to Melbourne again. Impressed the hell out of me - didn't miss a beat despite relatively high km's and averaged around 8.5L/100km despite a hard flogging on some country back roads. I reckon she would do better again if I actually spent some time working out what sensor brought the check engine light on and replaced it! I did come to the conclusion that the suspension set up is OK for Victorian roads, but would be unbearable if you lived in NSW. The AE92 KYB struts in the front just don't seem to cope all that well with the extra weight of the 4WD drivetrain and when you hit a big bump they struggle to control the body properly. Its not so noticeable on the better roads in Vic, but it is still there. I think it probably needs a better quality shock, but I think Koni's would be too firm, so not sure what the next option might be. Probably just leave well enough alone! Here is a photo of her in one of the streets of Bathurst

You are a man of few photos and updates Parrot :)

So did some playing with the suspension set up today. In the front I installed KYB strut housings from an AE92 Corolla, with king spring lows. In the rear I installed standard KE70 Corolla sedan rear springs. Pre install guard to ground measurements at front were 655mm, and rear was 645mm Post install guard to ground measurements at front were 595mm, and rear was 625mm Front crossmember is now about 125mm off the ground with no load in the car, so I reckon that is low enough, especially as my jack was stuck under it! The rear hasn't come down as far as I had hoped, so I reckon the next step is a set of king lows from an ae86/ae71/ke70. She will do for now. Photo time. It has come a long way!

Quite remarkable really, all plugs went click click (we did check that the power was still at the right pin before we did that). With these head units apparently most people don't have the security code enabled, so you don't have to worry about it. It is hard up against the vent in behind there so the fit is tight, but it looks good. That was probably the hardest part of the whole install - Mick was pushing hard on it while I go the screws started. I will likely obtain another surround from the wreckers (perhaps a black one from a Nova) and have another go at cutting the opening out to fit.I didn't do a bad job, but I would like to do better. This photo makes it look worse than it looks in person.

Now with added late model Landcruiser head unit... gives me bluetooth for phone calls, 6 stack CD, AM/FM (god I have missed FM radio over the last 6 months!!) and an aux in for my ipod. Blew us away when it plugged straight into the factory wiring loom - just had to pull the connectors down into the right part of the dash. Thanks to Mick for his help! Next stop SX dash conversion and some lowering :)

So I did a few appearance tweaks for All Toyota Winterfest last weekend. All in the name of bringing it closer to the club racer that it will one day be... inspired by the Group Nc racers of decades past. Race stripes and numbers Harness just for show.. not actually connected to anything ;) After much dicking about with steering wheel bosses, Parrot came to my rescue and I could fit this lovely Momo wheel Rear view Another interior shot

Great day, thanks to every one who turned up, helped out and generally made it so good! Here is a link to my photos https://picasaweb.google.com/113432889999220868273/AllToyotaWinterfest2014?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Winterfest this Sunday. Be there!