Hikaru Sorano

I kindda like it. I only have to get used to it.

I know from my experience that maintaining a web site and updating it takes a lot of work, so changes like this are really worth to mention. May be not everyone is happy with it at first glance, but I think that all new implementations sometimes need little adjustments to make it better.

Great work guys!

Cheers

AB

Actually this picture of the plane covered all by volcanic ash, its a very common issue these days in argentina, as a result of the Chilean volcanoes eruption.

You know, all the cities, fields, animals covered with ash. Here some other pictures:

And our beloved Bariloche, surviving to the lack of turists:

Its really sad to see this. Also the ash travelled 1600km to Buenos Aires, where I live. A couple of days ago we though it was clouded and about to rain, but it was the ash coming back...

Cheers

AB

What about someone from Argentina....

Cheers

AB

Hi everyone

As I commented some time ago, I´m used to travel all around the country on holidays. I can tell that I´ve driven more than 200000km with only two of the cars that I had: the Silver Arrow (silver gray Corona d-Turbo 98) and the Black Pearl (Black Corolla Seg ´07). We went together from North to the extreme South, in Tierra del Fuego (the city of the end of the world, literally), crossing rivers, deserts, mountains, snow, gravel, floodings, etc.

A couple of days ago going to Iguazu falls, the Pearl achieved the first 100000kms of passion, so I´ve decided to give back some of the care the cars have given to us in those long trips and many hours away from home.

So this is how Black I.C.E Project is born, and I divided it in 4 stages:

Stage 1)

Factory 6 cd charger HU replacement for a double din DVD placer with the following specs:

- 5.8" (16:9) Wide QVGA Fully Motorised LCD Colour Display

- Built-in Bluetooth Handsfree

- MOS-FET 50W x 4 Max Power Output

- Selectable screen color (Blue/Red/Amber/Green/White)

- AG (Anti-Glare) coated LCD color screen

- Video/Audio connection for iPod and iPhone (Requires CD-IU200V)

- DivX®/MP3/WMA/AAC/JPEG playback on DVD/CD/SD/USB

- Front USB direct connection: USB 2.0 (full speed)

- SD Memory Card Slot

- Dolby Digital/DTS decoder

- Advanced Sound Retriever

- 8-band graphic equaliser with 7 presets

- IP-Bus input

- 3 RCA pre-outs (3v): selectable (front + rear/front + subwoofer)

- AM/FM Tuner (24 pre-set stations)

- Wired Remote control input (Works with PAC SWI-PS)

- Automatic rear view monitoring in reverse gear (Requires ND-BC4)

This is the HU I choose

It is a Pioneer AVH-P3350bt

I doesn´t have a GPS, because Pioneer maps are not available in Argentina, so I continue to use my beloved Garmin 205w that routed me EVERYWHERE

You can add sat-tv, a GPS using the AV in and a OBDII module, which is for now, on stand-by in the “may be” list.

Stage 2)

I’m so interested in this stage because is the reverse camera for the Pearl we are talking about. I saw it in other member and I looked for it in deal extreme. The funny thing is that in Argentina this bit is as much as 150usd aprox:

Specs:

- Model: ZH810CM

- Color: Black

- Built-in 2 IR LEDs

- Night vision range: 3 meters

- PAL video system

- 300KP image sensor

- Wide angle: 120 degree

- Frequency: 2.4GHz

- Working range: 50 meters

- Waterproof level: IP65

- Transmitter voltage: DC 12V

- Receiver voltage: DC 5V

There are some adaptations to make for the installation, but is not big deal.

Stage 3)

Today Im running with the piece of #$#$% factory speakers. So, the replacement will be Pioneer 120w 6.5" for front doors, just like these ones:

For the rear, well, I don´t like to cut the car, so I´ll install a MDF shelf behind the rear seats with 2 6x9 Pioneer 180w + 2 12" tubes:

Stage 4)

So, what I´m looking for is to use the Dual Zone feature of the HU. I have to get a 10” display for the passenger or rear seats. I still don´t know, but there´s time…

This is an idea

Well, this is all about Black I.C.E Project

AND I ALREADY STARTED TO DISMOUNT!!!.

I¨ll keep you posted

Cheers

AB

Welcome!, guess what? Im from Argentina too.

My best suggestion for you is to go to a dealership to get is scanned. The problem is that our Mercosur cars are not OBDII fully compliant, so a simple OBDII reader won´t help.

Where do you leave? I can suggest you to go to Zento in Lanus or Cerrito Car in Retiro (my favorite) to get is scanned.

Cheers!

AB

Well, I replaced the HU and installed this:

Of course, this is from the brochure and I dont have pics of mine. But soon I will...

Cheers

AB

Job done.

Just wanted to show you guys some photos.

Hi there, nice work!

I´m in the same stage you are installing a reverse camera. I have a couple of questions for you:

1) Why did you choose that spot to mount the camera? do you have a better view?

2) The colour lines you see in the screen, are part of the camera signal o is it a function of the HU you have to show you how far the sorrounding objects are ?

Cheers!

AB

I was a victim of road rage last nite, some dipsh!t in a bombadore speed between me and a parked car last night probably leaving about 10~20 cm between himself and both cars, he had absolute no control of his car at all, my brother said I should've gave him a love tap and he would've completely lost control.

Caught up to him at the lights and got out of my car to tell him that he almost killed me back there, he got out of his car all worked up screaming at me "WHAT C#NT!!" pushing out his chest like morons do when they want to start something, not that I wanted a fight, if it wasn't for my brother getting out of the car as well I reckon he would've taken a swing at me...

It just fkn annoys the absolute sh!t out of me when some moron acts like that when they know that they've done the wrong thing, there the real fkn hoons labelling actual car enthusiasts with bad names and the reason why car laws are so tough here in Australia! I got so worked up after that, actually took a real blow to my pride that I didn't want to knock his block off!! If only I got his rego, I wouldn't give it to the cops.. I'd post it on every car forum I'm a member of tho

I'd like to say, please be carefull with guys like that. At that moment you dont know if they are under the influence, they carry a gun or they simply give a "#"# and fight you for no reason.

Today I counted the number of times I was threatened by road rage==>>17 times! And I beat another record, somebody insulted me for not going at the speed of light over a speed bump, just 10 seconds after I got out of my garage. Amazing....

So is it frustrating?, yes, can we solve it?, no. What we can do is help new drivers to learn about this things and lead them by the example.

Cheers

AB

Yeah! have a nice birthday Sir!

B)

Cheers

AB

Oh! ,something I wanted to ask you, when you are taking pictures in an event, do you hide/blur the plates before posting? That is something we usually do in our club meets in Argentina.

Cheers

AB

PS: niiiice pics!.

Wonderful, amazing!!!

Seems to be that it was a great event! Congrats everyone!!!

Cant wait to join you in one...

Cheers

AB

Welcome mate!

May be I've not been here long enough, but it's always good to have a warm welcome to new members.

I used to have a corona, but I sold it. What about posting some photos to complete the presentation in society?

Cheers

AB

Hi there!

after being all day out I have some more:

- Since the moment I enter to the Valet Parking until I pick the car up, I spend the whole afternoon thinking if the valet parking boy scratched my car or not when he was moving it. So I cant enjoy what I'm doing because my head is there, not here!. I HATE THAT!

- When at a red light a beggar / windscreen washer / people that pretend to be sick (e.g. AIDS) demands money. And when I say no, they spit my car and insult me for not being in their situation. The thing is, Im not poor because I've chosen to work instead of living from others.

- Taxi drivers that think that they can text, read the paper, smoke and drive all at the same time.

- My neightbours that cut all the branches of the trees to the point to almost killing them. They say its for their benefit, but if it was, Nature would do it by itself, you idiot!

- My other neighbours that walk the dogs and leave all kinds of... you know... gifts on my garden. What if I move my toilet to your garden? Would you like it?

- Everytime I'm teaching my wife how to drive, I only see but examples of not what to do on the streets. And If I drive how it should be, I get highbeamed, insulted and yelled

- The fact that the streets in Argentina are a awfull battle zone...

- Did I mention Tailgaters?

Cheers

AB

Yes, related to the rotten eggs smell, there was a post in Club Toyota Argentina about a corolla (1zze engine) with that smell without a reason and some occasional engine knock in 2nd gear and check engine light on

Dealerships could not find the problem, tried even replacing the distribution chain. No luck.

Do you know what the problem was? Dirt in the injection circuit. A 10 $ bottle of Liqui Molly Injector cleaner fixed it all.

The smell is because the catalytic converter working harder to due to the poor combustion.

The Check Engine light is because the temperature of the catalytic converter and the poor combustion.

The Knocking was for the same reason.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

AB

Yes, I meant by track, a drag race (wrong words!)

Thanks Hiro for the correction!

Cheers

AB

Hi there!

If you are planning to go to the track to test times, be sure to have only the necessary amount of fuel in the tank. you might save up to 45~50kgr, depending on the tank size.

Cheers

AB

Yes, so true. Also may be a good option to go for the AT-X if you want to upgrade it but following your own style and taste.

For now I only can speak of it so I'll keep on dreaming of it...

Cheers!

AB

Hi everyone!

Personally, I love the Sportivos and as soon as I can, I´ll get me one.

But getting into the Toyota web page to see the model range, in the comparison between the At-x and the Sportivos, there are a lot of things that are in the sportivos like,

- 17'' alloy rims

- Body kit

- the 2 zone climate control

- Leather (in the ZR6)

- Sport seats

- CD Changer

- Alternate suspension.

My thinking is, all these stuff, isn't worthy the extra money? I prefer getting a car with factory gadgets, than buying aftermarket accesories.

Cheers

AB

Thanks for the quick answer to the quick question!.

Is it like in Europe that you must have automatic regulation in order to be able to install "legal" hids? I mean, can they give you a ticket for installing aftermarkef hids?

Cheers

AB

Niceeee work!

Quick question, Aurions have automatic headlight regulation?

Cheers

AB

Beautiful....

Hope pretty soon I'll do the same...

Cheers

AB

Well, her name is Black Pearl, but she's soooo "Shiny" that I cant stop looking at her. That's how I define her today

Cheers

AB

Hi everyone!

Today I increased the glass breakage sensitivity because factory settings are way to low.

Now if a hit the windshield, a pillar, a door or the bumper, it will BEEEEP once. A harder punch and it'll screaaaaammmm (I hate that siren, it has a volume so low...).

Let´s see how it goes, if it is too sensible i´ll turn back the knob.

Cheeers

AB

Should I talk to you in english or what?

hehe

Welcome! Now we're 2 from Argentina, which is A LOT!

See yaa around.

Cheers

AB

Wow!, Thanks guys!

Tomorrow we have the monthly meet of Club Toyota Argentina, and this is certainly a topic to discuss.B)

Kind regards!

AB