smooth1

r u workin this out?

Johnnie Walker

Well, I'll tell you what, go and drive an 04' Aviator. Then drive an 04' Toyota Highlander. And make the real decision for yourself. I wouldn't say any car is better manufactured than another these days. There is just too much competition. No manufacturer can afford to have issues anymore. Most americans still remember the OLD Dodge days, when starters would fall off the cars, alternators would go bad quickly, and AMC transmissions would freeze up. So there has been this air of Honda makes a high quality car and Dodges fall apart in the driveway mentality far to long. Yes, there was a time when the gaps exsisted. But not so much anymore. I would say The Reliant K car closed that gap back in 85. And the real performer in history was not a Japanese make but a German made VW Beetle. So, to answer your question, I think you have just as much a chance of having problems with the highlander as you do with the Aviator, they just may be different problems. I guess because I have been so exposed to cars that I have come to appreciate cars on a different level. I guess you would be surprised to find out that Nissan sold cars in Austrailia rebadged as Ford ( the Nissan Bluebird was sold as a Ford Corsair, and the Nissan Pulsar was sold as the Chevy Astra. Toyota has a very checkered past as well. 1993 they won the Rally division world championship, and in 1995 were banned for 1 year for using illegal turbos, the biggest punishment ever handed down. In 96' they tried to make a comeback, but in 99 pulled out all together and no longer even race in that division. In the world Cart series, from 1998-2002, they never even led a lap until the last year when again they just pulled out, and no longer race in that division. In Formula 1, they have just dumped millions of dollars into that, and have no wins to show for it. Meanwhile, Ford's Lola division is kickin a$$ in Formula 1, and of course we all know what's happening to Toyota in Nascar right now. I know, your not buying a race car. But What it shows is that other companies have alot of technology and quality. Far more than what you will ever see on the dealership showroom floor. I kie the style and ride of my Lexus. I think the 2JZ inline 6 is the best engine Toyota ever made, besides the R22 4 cylinder that they no longer produce. The rest of the Toyota engine line is good, I wouldn't classify it as great or technology marvels that far exceed any other. And the trannies in these cars are weak!!!!!! A stock Ford tranny will hold twice the power of any Toyota tranny any day!!!!

subject

Perception

That wouldn't be the same person, who is the best friend of my sister's ex-boyfriend who dated my neighbor's step daughter who saw Ferris Bueller pass out at 31 Flavors last night, was it? Hahaha... Ford is catching my eye lately. I like that beefed up Mustang, the Taurus looks clean and sharp, and if they're building the new focus/fussions on the Volvo 3/Mazda 3 frame, it'll be a great little car to drive too. Our Mazda 3 has some Ford in it, specifically the engine and tranny "stamped Ford underneath", and they're great! Honestly, and not to hijack this thread into one of the million others like it, but the American boys are turning it around, if you ask me. The new Tahoe is beautiful & would buy one in a hearbeat if I could afford it, even over the LX/GX/etc! Haven't seen the new Malibu yet, but it sure looks nice on TV. I've rented several of those Chevy-version PT Cruisers, and they drive great. My neighbor "immediate neighbor, not twice removed/relocated by tornado/etc.." has a 04 Expedition that has been in the shop countless times for a leaking front axle "burrs chew up the seals". He's filed a suit against Ford for it, and might actually win. But, what does he want? ANOTHER Expedition, just one that doesn't leak. Now, that says something... Just made me spill my dam soda!!! LOL!!

appointment

complete

Happy New year to everyone!

So let's do a dry run here. First, do you nominate yourself or does someone else have to nominate you? How do we go about this first obstacle? If you just nominate yourself, then I don't know, seems kinda corny, don't cha think? ??????? Hey, I have an idea. Lets use the show and shine as a general pool to pull from. If you have you car posted in there, then you are automatically entered. Then once a month, a panel of members get together and nominate 3 threads from there. Everyone can vote after the 3 have been nominated each month. I think we still have some details to work out on this...

Yeah, I know, everyone knows someone with the nightmare car issue. I don't know how much I beleive that it is so manufacture specific anymore though. The Mazda Tribute gets great reviews, but is essentially the same as the Escape. The Bazda B-sreies pick up trucks are the same as the Ford Ranger, and now share the same platform with the Explorer, but those are great trucks, and Fords are not? Iv'e seen Ford Explorers with 250,000 miles on them and run just fine, with barely any service. But let me clearify, I'm not a proFord person. I just don't think Ford makes poor quality products. Kia made poor quality products. But I bet someone will jump up and say they owned one for 18 years and have 3 million miles on it and have never had a problem with it. Yeah yeah, whatever....I mean go to the 92-06 ES thread and read about the problems they are having. Does tha make The Lexus ES junk also then?

It should, it is an Explorer ;) How different is the aviator from the explorer? We both know that the explorer's aren't very reliable, but does that mean the aviator will most likely have the same problems? All i think about when i think of the aviator is that it's just an explorer with a different badge. Where did you hear about the Ford Explorer not being very reliable? I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with that statement. Ford motors are my background. We build mustangs for a living. In 1998 Ford had the SUV roll over issue with the tire blow outs. Even though it was not a design flaw, it hit Ford hard. And they knew it was going to really hurt their image. So, rather than discontinue the Explorer, they made a decision to face the music and turned to the European Ford Falcon division and redesigned the entire vehicle. And, they used the 60 degree V6, although a very detuned version, downed to 210 hp from the 380 original hp design. The explorer was actually over built, and one of the best ever produced. The only issue that Ford seems to deal with is that they are still using frame over assemblies, and not unibody designs like most imports, hence the truckish ride. And if you ever pop the hood of the Ford, I really have to say, that they are very easy to access everything from spark plugs, to throttlebodys, and everthing in between. I just wish they had all the toys. Ford has the truck market by far. But in the car market, it's either granny luxo or raw mustang with nothing in between. I had an 03 Ford Explorer with a Kenny Bell pushing 650 RWHP and knockin down 11 sec. 1/4 miles. My dad has a Mustang the runs high 7's, low 8's. When it comes to motors, Ford has a great pool to pull from. I wish the Ford executives would roll up thier sleeves and put some real thought into the designs and products. That's what ails Ford.

I like Unorthodox Racing Cam gears, or the new Tru-time adjustable cam gears from AEM. AEM is a little less money, but Unorthodox has proven itself. They both have 10 degrees marked from advance to !Removed!, which makes things a bit easier. Personally, I like the way the Unorthodox looks to. I've seen alot of people use the HKS, but they are only 3 bolt and Iv'e seen them slip.IMHO, Tomei, Greddy and Fidanza's are all better then HKS.

threat

ridiculous

Looks like it will be Jan. 26th. Location is coming, but it looks like Kirkman Rd.

Agreed agreed they should pm votes to one person for tallying and tracking. Also so they can vote annonimously. ( Oh how ever you spell that!!) LOL!! Agreed. but then we should have some point system. in case of ties. Like all stock is worth 5 points. And each mod is worth is worth 1 point. So they would have to have 6 real mods to beat the all stock opponent. Also, we need to limit the amount of pics they can submit. I say around 5. That way they can submit all four sides of the car and 1 interior shot. Also, I will donate a Car of the Month plaque award to each winner. So hows that for a cookie to reach for?? LOL!! We put this up in the General discussion forum? and notify each model subforum? Yeah I had a great Christmas. I was surrounded by a huge family and pummeled and pounded with love and joy. LOL!!! And you? BTW, MErry Christmas, and I hope your New Year is awsome and the first step to a great year to come.

Did you double check all the connections? Usually the issue is that the grounds aren't strapped down well enouph, some of the hot wires run too close to the ground wires, and if your using wire taps. So you may need to find a better place to ground to and see if the works, also while your in there, just go over all the connections. I have my notes from when I did my install, but I hard wired everything and ran new amps and speakers as well.

Oh yeah, your in California. I keep forgeting the strict emmisions they have there. You see, that would make me go full stand alone ECU then. I would have a seperate emmissions fuel map for that day saved on my computer. Run full out turbo hp race maps or street maps, then switch maps, go in and get emmisions tested, go home and switch back. Is that how it works? you go in once a year or something and get the sticker?

They're probly racing!! LOL!!!

So this list is not by price catagory? It's just the all time top 10, no money barred?

I just looked at the scanner you have listed. That's an ok one. I didn't see anything about enhanced code reading and mfgr specific code interpretation, but that's doesn't mean it doesn't do those. It does have freeze frame and datalog on it, so that's good. It should also detect impending codes so, for less than 200 bucks, and from what you describe your needs as, I think that unit would suit you fine. If you have emmissions controls in your state, then this unit could prove even more useful to you.

Freeze frame is a feature that allows you to read an error as it happens, then freeze it for analysis. So you don't have to continually reproduce the error over and over again to see whats going on. For example, on cylinder 6 you get an occasional misfire. As your data logging, the misfire occurs. You can then freeze that frame and look at the timing, air fuel mix, 02 sensor reads, etc.etc. at the very moment the misfire occured to determine what is causing it rather than having to check each reading individually, and then sitting there and waiting for the misfire to happen again to check the next read. So again, it comes down to fixing problems with it, as you have stated yours has fixed some problems. You hooked it up to your freinds car, it read what the code was, if the 02 sensor was bad or what not. And they then replaced or repaired that item, and you were able to clear the DTC code. That is what most of the ODBII scanners can do. BUt for a few bucks more, you can go to your car before there is ever a problem, hook it up and datalog the motor as it running, and determine that cleaning or replacing a bank 2 sensor will give you better gas mileage. During your datalogging you notice an occassional knock read. Or the battery is starting to fluctauate in voltage, and or your engine temp. is now 3 degrees above normal operating range. Hmm, could be a sign of things to come. Maybe look at the t-stat and see at what temp it's opening and closing. Also you can read engine data under throttle conditions. For example the car hesitates from take off. But there is no cel that comes up. You can hook up the ODBII scanner, take the car out for a drive and then get back home and freeze the data to read what is going on to find out what the problem is. Of course it's more involved, but if you want to be more involved, then this is how you do it. Oh, and one other thing you'll need that no one ever thinks about, is a Lexus part number catalog. There are alot of dealer part only's. And when you go to the parts counter, the first thing they need is a part number. MOst of the time they can just look it up for you, but if you want say, the Denso stock spark plug, but 1 heat range colder, you'll need the part number then because they have know way to look up stuff like that. I don't know if he can give out the catalog, but twinturbo2jz, a member here works for lexus and can get the part numbers for you if you need.

Is it worth it? That my freind is the ever so internal question you must ask, and answer yourself. Most people don't think a turbo is worth the trouble and price either. But there are a few who do it anyway. I can tell you that there are hp gains there. If memory serves me though, the Mazzuri was like 600-800 bucks? The Megan header is half that in price. When it comes to headers, here is the deal. The header is flow designed and tuned to the exhaust valves. You have two motion factors, one is the air push from the engine. When the exhaust valve opens the piston forces air out of the cylinder thru the exhaust port and into the header. The other motion factor is the sound, or sonic wave. The length of the header pipe is tuned to the sonic wave, which helps the air flow thru the pipe better, imagine a surfer paddling along and then the wave comes and propells him. That's what the sonic wave does in a header. ( I'm keeping it simple for ease of understading for everyone.) In the old days they used to have "tuners" in racing. That was their job, tuning headers. It was an art. But now with cad designs, they have it worked out. That's why long tube headers flow a bit better, as they can carry the sonic wave further before hitting the end of the header and returning. But, in order to fully use the capability of a performance header you should also consider cams and adjustable cam gears, ( get five bolt, all three bolt cam gears are junk!) But also remember that with long tubes, if you have your car lowered, you may, I say may as I'm not sure with the IS 300, but you may have clearance issues. I know that on the older SC300's, if you run long tubes they were like 2 inches above the ground. So if your car was lowered, every bump tapped them on the concrete. NOT a good idea. So make sure you ask that question before buying them if your car is or you plan on lowering your car. So if your not going that far, then save your money and get the Megan race header. Mazzuri claims like 25 hp, Megan claims 18 hp. It's all up to u man.

dance