snakesau

Thanks CHA54. Where can I locate a ZZT231 kit - still from Toyota Australia Spare Parts? I might go down that route instead of the Exedy then...

Thanks again for your info Trent :-) My engine is still stock so I doubt it would be putting too much power through it yeah? Lastly should I be changing the rear main seal + machine the flywheel + replace the ARP bolts?

Hi Trent, Thanks for replying. Are you saying I should look at getting a new clutch release bearing as well, or just to keep an eye out for it if I go down the Exedy route? Should I go with an Exedy then, or is there another brand / model that would be better suited? Also my old man was saying that the Pressure plate & the Carbon thrust bearing might need to be replaced as well - what do you reckon?

Bump, any advice would be appreciated :-)

Hi Guys & Gals, Well, the Sportivo is probably due for a clutch replacement after over 200K kms. It's put up with me, 2 learners, my Dad & a few others over the years so it's lasted longer than expected lol I've been reading up on here about what I can put into it. I'm thinking an Exedy HD clutch, but know what other parts I should look at as well. Probably can't afford a flywheel at the same time sadly, but are there any other parts that may have worn out at the same time? From what I've read, this is what I've got in mind - please feel free to add any feedback as I'm no expert in cars / gearboxes, bu fix your computer lol Exedy Sports Tuff TYK 7334HD, Spigot Bearing + Bush, Clutch Alignment tool. Need to change the rear main seal + machine the flywheel + ARP bolts. Recondition the synchros (if necessary). Replace gearbox oil with Nulon 75W-90 gearbox oil & put in some Nulon G70. Thanks in advance! Tim

please read the buy and sell rules.

I have 5 Sportivo stock rims for sale if you are interested.

I have 5 Sportivo rims for sale - send me a PM if you are interested.

If Bill's car is moving, the camera needs all the extra flash & shutter speed it can get

My car can't be that dirty, I only had it detailed 3 weeks ago lol!

5 star service, very happy with the purchase, car feels a bit more solid on the road. Thanks again Bill for your time :)

PM Sent

After doing some research, the CES system (manifold back) + CAI is what I am going for. Will let you guys know how it goes when I get the work done :D

Not sure what all the Ultratune bashing is about... The business was never going to be theirs as I explained to them that the car was going to Toyota for service

Got the car back from Toyota yesterday. Toyota report "no fault / leak found" Obviously it is something that I will keep an eye on in future. Thanks for your replies guys :D

Hey 123R, I asked Ultratune to give the car an extra look over as the car was coming off lease & I wanted an independant check outside of Toyota done on the car (which they did at no cost - so I have no issue with Ultratune, only good things to say about them after this mornings 20 minute convo on the phone with them). I'm unsure of what you mean in the second paragraph.... Could you translate into english :P

Thanks for the explanation SuperDave, I've been back on the phone to Ultratune this morning to see what they think. They say only sign was a very small oil leak coming from that area. It could last another 6 months (more likely) than die tomorrow. The other explanation for the cost could be that Toyota may replace the timing chain at the same time (I would be happy with that since the car has 160 000 on the clock). And that according to the guide the Ultratune guy was reading to me the time frame to do both these jobs would be around the 10 hour labour mark. If we include parts into that equation, then $2-2500 is not so out of the question...

I only had the rego done at Ultratune. I told the guy there that the car is going to Toyota for 160000km service. Since I have driven the car pretty hard, I just wanted a 3rd party opinion if there was anything wrong with it. Ultratune didn't even charge me for the extra time they spent checking the vehicle out. Its Toyota who are breaking my balls

A week ago, I had the rego on my car done at my local Ultratune. They mention that the head gasket looks to be on the way out (oil leaking was the indicator). The guy at Ultratune said that without actually taking the head off, it would be difficult to tell if the head gasket had another month or year left in it. So I talk to the guy at Toyota today & mention the above. The guy says that it would cost approx $2500 & that he would need the car for a week!!!! I call BS on time & cost, but am keen to hear from others on here from their experiences Also what is the risk if I don't replace it now & keep driving it (nanny style ) Cheers Tim

Thanks for your input Xoom. My plan is (loosely) as follows. Plan1: I would like to replace the clutch (car has 160 000kms on the clock) and I can tell it is starting to slip a bit. I wold also like to replace with a lighter flywheel & then crack open the gearbox & replace the Sportivo 6th gear with the Celica 6th gear (If I remember correctly from reading on here, the Celica 6th gear will result in lower RPM's at the same speed yeah?) Staying N/A means that I won't be developing huge amounts of torque so I don't require anything fully hardcore. Just something solid that will hold up to a few repeated beatings over time. LSD may be something that I could look into, once I take my plan, talk to a mechanic and work out what my budget is going to get me. Also if the engine is going to be taken out, I would like the timing chain checked & replaced if necessary. Where this would fit into the plan(s) I am uncertain as to when this would be best addressed. Plan2: Full manifold back exhaust + CAI. CES is the plan. I would like to get the most out of the car breathing better, in case I want to do some internal work later down the track, I don't need to spend any more on the exhaust. Plan3: Suspension. Don't want to lower the car ridiculously - too many speed humps & dodgy driveways in my hood. Further down the track I may put 17" rims onto her, but for now, wheels & tyres are staying stock, simply cos there is nothing wrong with them & I would rather direct money elsewhere initially. So with suspension, probably nothing hardcore - I can't see the need for coilovers, just something that will lower the centre of gravity, but still give a nice ride (note that my wife & I like to go for drives, so she needs to feel comfortable sitting in the car for 2-8 hours at a time.) I would like struts / braces to be part of the package if they are going to help improve the quality of the ride which is clearly what you are suggesting. Plan4: Breaks (yes, I don't want it to break lol!) Again, since I am not turboing or s/charging the car, it won't be developing huge amounts of speed quickly, so I don't feel that I need to go overboard with the brakes. I am open to suggestions as to what might be approapriate in this area. Again balancing in with the budget. Budget: Yes I can has I won't be carrying all this work out in 1 go, rather I see it progressing over time (hopefully plan1, then plan2...). I get the feeling that I do need to act sooner rather than later, with the fact that the Sportivo's are well & truly phased out & getting parts for them (whether Toyota or otherwise) will only get more difficult with time. Note that the car is just about to come off lease which is why I couldn't do anything sooner. Essentially I want to try to get a bit more performance out of her, better handling & stopping without losing too much ride comfort, and I need it to last for at least another 5 years. She gets driven quite hard, but the mileage per year will drop when it comes off lease. Ultimately what ever I end up doing, I need it to last with the investment I am going to put into her - I can't afford to buy another vehicle for at least 5 years. So I want to do it right, first time and have it done by someone / some people who know what they are talking about & have experience to match in carrying out the work. Also since there is quite a variety of ideas listed above, having someone familiar with the scope of works listed above would help me in being able to plan it in such a way in that the car is off the road for minimal periods of time & that labour charges are kept to reasonable levels. Obviously you can see that I know that you get what you pay for, but would like to cover as many plans as possible within my budget. Sorry for the long reply, this is the first time that I have been able to think clearly & actually write out what I would like done & how I feel would be the best way to go about it. I am however, open to suggestions when I am able to speak with someone who has knowledge & experience in carrying out these types of works :D Cheers Tim

Bump for anyone else with some suggestions

Thanks guys for your replies :D

Hey Guys, I am looking at launching my project shortly & are looking for a mechanic / engineer who has had previous experience with modifying Sportivo's Unfortunately I'm sticking with NA - turbo / SC is out of my league, but I have some plans with CAI, exhaust, gearbox, clutch, flywheel, suspension, brakes & maybe some engine internals (just strengthening things up). Possibly further down the track, I may look at PowerFC, CAMs... Obviously there is quite a bit of variety in what I am looking at doing - ideally I would like 1 person / shop to carry out the work (if possible). I have some particular brands in mind, (e.g. CES) but are open to listening to those who have 1st hand knowledge with the kinds of mods I am looking at. Are you able to recommend someone in Sydney - I'm in the North Ryde area, but are willing to travel around. Post here or feel free to PM me if you have anyone in mind :D Cheers Tim

^^ Cheers, thanks for the info :D

the timing chain will only need to be replaced if the chain links are out of specification. otherwise, there is no need to replace it unless you like fixing things that ain't broke. a car that has been driven hard will not necessarily be in poor mechanical condition. if the owner actually has a sound mechanical understanding and therefore drives the car properly, in addition to the vehicle being serviced correctly, there shouldn't be any issues in the short term. I understand what you are saying, maybe I am just being overly paranoid but from what I understand about twin cam engines is, that if the timing chain does break, it can destroy the internals & require an engine rebuild - yeah? Obviously this is something I would prefer to avoid. I do understand that replacing the timing chain would require serious labour $$$ with the engine needing to be taken out. I was thinking of doing this when I start to mod the car at the end of the year. Not being overly mechanical, how would I tell if the timing chain was on the way out? Would I get much notice? My car is an 05 Sportivo & has 150 000 kms on the dial. I get it serviced by Toyota every 10 000 kms.