ARIon

Have you considered using a Lexus IS350 gear knob? It's slightly different to the Aurion one but of the same shape so would probably be the best fit. I've considered it but it's a low priority compared to other mods at the moment.

Yeah they do look nice and would probably suit the aurion interior so it is a possibility. The thing is that they can look good in pics on other cars on on their own, but may not look as good until you actually put them on.

Thats what I found with the ones I tried at AutoTek. The Momo Combat Chrome one had...well too much chrome for my liking. It distracted from the rest of the interior rather than complementing it. That lexus one may do the same.

I guess it comes down to personal taste.....speaking of, which one (including stock) do you guys think looks the best from all of the above options?

Toyota OBX Leather Shift Knob (US) on Ebay

Toyota US Camry Accessories

Looks very similar to some momo ones out there. I guess the advantage being that its a Toyota one and will fit without having to use adapters/screws etc.

Does it say Camry on the little badge though? I can't make it out. If it does I wouldn't get it.

Check this one out if people are feeling a little adventurous (and have the cash to spend) haha

Illuminated Shift Knob

Well I have mixed feelings about aftermarket knobs for the aurion.

Firstly the transmission shaft is quite narrow in comparison to other cars/manual transmission shafts, so the often bulky knobs look out of place on the skinny aurion shaft.

Secondly, as said above, most of them out there look tacky and cheap on a car like the Aurion.

I found one (see below) which I cant decide whether it looks nice or not in the Aurion. Even my mates are giving mixed opinions. Some saying it looks better than stock, while others say it glaringly looks like a cheap aftermarket add-on that you'd put on a ricer.

P.S. I didnt actually buy any of these, but went down to Auto Tek in Tullamarine VIC - best customer service Ive seen in a long time. They told me to drive my car in and pulled out all their knobs and let me play with them and take photos.... see below and tell me what you think! Which do you prefer? Stock or other?

Momo 1 (my favourite of the aftermarket ones)

Stock (for comparison sake)

Momo 2 (not a big fan but it matched the interior - not secured on so its sitting a bit crooked)

I reckon theyd have a bit of an issue around the track with the weight and torque coming in and out of corners compared to their standard setup - which is the Lotus strength.

I'd love to be proven wrong though.

Down the track I'm saving up for a red or gun metal grey Exige *drools*

Ive seen some nice looking MOMO (and other) transmission shift knobs for autos - namely this one:

Momo Combat Evo Chrome

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOMO-COMBAT-EVO-Chrome-Shift-Knob-Leather-CTECHR-/390256119101?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5add13cd3d#ht_3371wt_939

or this one:

http://www.autoanything.com/shifters/74A3882A0A0.aspx

I played with my knob... *snicker* earlier today in the Aurion to see how its attached, and to my surprise the whole things screws on and off with no nuts or screws required (oh gee the innuendo in this sentence is overwhelming).

So, I just want to know if most aftermarket shift knobs like the above will fit onto the screw shaft of the aurions before I purchase.

Any experience with these?

Oh....boy.... this is going to be a ball breaker hahaha

Ordered pedals from topsage and these are on the way.

Paid $150 for the scuffs.

How did you navigate the topsage page for the pedals? I cant seem to find them. Either my browser is playing up and/or my Chinese isn't up to scratch...

How much were they?

To keep it simple the headers are currently ILLEGAL in Australia. No catalytic converter = illegal. Simple.

You can take your chances with buying them and hoping no cop finds out but if you do get caught your wallet will have a massive hole in it.

Meh. Let them go ahead with it. One, I want to see more results and two, I want to see said results without getting done for it. I'd personally never remove a cat from my car, and if I was to get something like this, I'd either go custom or find a way to keep the factory emission's control setup intact.

As for ARIon, if you don't know what the Xede does, research helps:

http://www.xede.com.au/about.php

If you don't understand how that ties in, then more research will teach you.

Hmmm would it be possible to get a less restrictive cat further down the system to still get the performance benefit of these/custom headers? Or would it still be restrictive to the point where it wouldn't be worth the minimal performance increase?

Awesome! Looks like I know what headers I'll be ordering now. As for the Xede piggyback ECU - what exactly does it manage or allow that the regular ECU inhibits? Is it a necessary add-on to get the best performance out of these headers? Any complications or issues know when adding this on? Where is the best place to purchase it.

Once I know this information regarding the Xede Im gonna place an order and set it up with a full system and Varex mufflers.

Just need to bump up my previous question guys, Ill be placing my order for the exhaust system soon & need to know my options regarding Xede piggyback and those headers. Please help so I can put it through on time! :)

Beep beep, was thinking the supercharged route but it's too expensive for the final output Id get from it.

Thanks again for the help guys.

Awesome! Looks like I know what headers I'll be ordering now. As for the Xede piggyback ECU - what exactly does it manage or allow that the regular ECU inhibits? Is it a necessary add-on to get the best performance out of these headers? Any complications or issues know when adding this on? Where is the best place to purchase it.

Once I know this information regarding the Xede Im gonna place an order and set it up with a full system and Varex mufflers.

Now if only someone could make a DIY guide with pictures on how to connect the LEDs with the above method. I've checked but can't find one.

Oh well.

Thanks for the info guys. :-)

lol it's a costly excercise but not as expensive as we all first thought but still it would be pretty epic to get all the different little hoses and pipes etc you would need. the main things can be found if you look hard enough and in the right places or know people in the rigth places :P but still wouldnt be easy. Guys at work kee trying to get me to do it but after seeing some of the results from Aurions fitted with headers you get 3/4 of the TRD power and more torque if you want it for no where near the same outlay. seems like the easier option to me!

I'd love to supercharge, but bang for buck stops me from doing so. However, what caught my eye in this thread was the above quote. From what I've read most discussion on exhaust systems has been cat-back, with little knowledge of kW/torque loss/gain from a full system with headers.

Can you elaborate on what headers have been put in Aurions with such successful results? I'm planning on getting my exhaust done in the next few weeks and would love to know.

Anyone? Any suggestions?

I feel that this is a stupid question, but I recently purchased the offical footwell LEDs from Toyota (discount as I know someone on the inside), and was hoping to install them soon.

I'd like the fade out effect but I have set my interior cabin light to 'off' by default as I prefer the privacy at night when opening the doors.

Is there any way to get the fade effect with the footwell lights while still having the central cabin light not light up?

Hi,

I was thinking of just replacing the whole front grill of my Aurion with a Lexus style badgless chrome one, but to be honest I cant find one that I think has the build quality/look of the standard aurion chrome grill (that is still chrome). Same issue with the rear badge indentation left after removal.

So... I was thinking of just replacing the front badge with a custom made/aftermarket one which would fit the space left from the original badge/emblem. I am not after another car badge like AMG/Lexus etc as I think that just looks ****y, but would like a nice classy looking emblem that is unique and not easily identifiable, if at all.

Anyone know of any sites or places where I could either purchase one or get one made?

P.S. Im talking about the actual Toyota emblems, not the Aurion badging as that can easily be removed with any indentations or marks remaining.

Here is mine which was done a few weeks ago:

Keep in mind that this is with my lowered ride on Pedders Coilover kit and 19" wheels.

Speaking of alignment. The reason I got a re-alignment is because my car significantly pulls to the right when on a flat road. I thought it was an issue with alignment but the guys who did the above said it is fine. They suggested that it could possible be the tread pattern on my wheels and that I should swap them around. I will try this, but it feels like quite a significant pull. Are there any known issues regarding this with the 07 Aurions which may not be due to alignment or tread?

Any updates/extra details on the custom exhaust system would be much appreciated.

Personally I have been thinking of getting a high-flow cat with 2-2"1/4 exhuast with two Varex mufflers - possibly resonator removed (fearful of too much droning though - getting mixed answers here about this).

But now that I've heard that clip of the twin SuperCat mufflers it has me second-guessing the Varex. Despite the obious benefits of the Varex system, the SuperCats sound more raspy and thats the what I love (or is this just the result of the resonator being removed?)

Finally, biggest fear of a high-flow cat back setup is the loss of power through lack of backpressure etc. Anyone know for sure that any of these setups wont cause a loss of power or a significant drop in the torque curve down low?

As i have removed the resonator and running stock mufflers (for now) there has not been any loss of torque down low, naturally if you open up the exhaust too much you will lose this torque.

Thanks for the feedback. Any other advice and feedback on my other questions/concerns from anyone?

Can you post a picture of what it would look like? (perhaps a Camry one from the same manufacturer).

Any updates/extra details on the custom exhaust system would be much appreciated.

Personally I have been thinking of getting a high-flow cat with 2-2"1/4 exhuast with two Varex mufflers - possibly resonator removed (fearful of too much droning though - getting mixed answers here about this).

But now that I've heard that clip of the twin SuperCat mufflers it has me second-guessing the Varex. Despite the obious benefits of the Varex system, the SuperCats sound more raspy and thats the what I love (or is this just the result of the resonator being removed?)

Finally, biggest fear of a high-flow cat back setup is the loss of power through lack of backpressure etc. Anyone know for sure that any of these setups wont cause a loss of power or a significant drop in the torque curve down low?

Hey Ari Nice name...similar to mine ;-)

Do you also live in Melb?

I'm interested in seeing whether you still have the following items for sale:

1 x Badgeless Chrome grill

2 x metal scuff plates front and back "AURION" wording on them (are they the official? Pics?)

Also:

- What do the hybird tail lights look like?

- Are you still thinking of going with a custom body kit? I have been thinking the same thing. Who are you thinking of getting it through?

Also tried the PM but it wouldnt let me send one to you.

PM me any details that you may not wish to post here.

Thanks mate!

Me also, as long as they don't look tacky.