| Author |
Message |
Kim Anthony
TryHard
QLD
v8
Posts: 376
Reg: 09-2007
|
So i've been away from soarercentral for a while. Sold my last soarer about 2 years ago.
I've bought/sold and parted out cars on this site and now that I am thinking about buying another soarer I thought I'd visit.
Its seems activity on this site has dropped of dramatically.... or is it just me?
sign of the times? |
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.
Posts: 1906
Reg: 07-2005
|
I think its a sign of the times. Faceless Book, and Twit have taken over as the means of communicating it seems these days.
Its only us old blokes who dont use that other rubbish that keep coming on here
Welcome back |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
SA
Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car, plus a spare shell
Posts: 3472
Reg: 04-2006
|
LOL. I finally joined facebook this week. Seems like too much work. Constantly bombarded with likes and friend requests and other rubbish. Only joined because it seems some event promoters don't want normal humans to know about their events- they only advertise, accept entries and communicate on facebook. Sh!ts me to tears...
Oh well, with the drop in posters, there is way less rubbish than there was 3-4 years ago when every thread became a penis measuring contest by about the 7th post. |
Kurt Atzmuller
DieHard
Victoria
TT`s
Posts: 560
Reg: 05-2011
|
Mines bigger... haha
Sorry couldn't help myself! |
Hays Sleiman
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ31
Posts: 275
Reg: 11-2009
|
I've been feeling the same way! Miss the days when there was constant movement on this site  |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
TT (for sale $5.2k), 97 Blk UZZ31, 97 JZZ30 vvti turbo white manual, 96 vvti turbo manual, Legnum VR4, MR2 sw20, Alfa 156
Posts: 3311
Reg: 09-2006
|
Yep same. I miss it especially the dick measuring banter. I never participated because I already know why I purchased an elongated vehicle.
I don't touch the Facebook stuff and I totally understand you Ben most racing events are all face booked up. Very hard to enter etc without. |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
UZZ30 UZZ31
Posts: 12532
Reg: 11-2004
|
Back in the busy times, we averaged over 400 posts a day. Miss a few days and it was overwhelming trying to catch up. |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
UZZ30 UZZ31
Posts: 12533
Reg: 11-2004
|
Keep in mind too, that most issues with Soarers has been discussed so there are less new issues coming up. |
Daniel Clarke
Goo Roo
NSW
TT 2.5L 6 cylinder
Posts: 7457
Reg: 03-2006
|
Peter is spot on I think . All issues have been covered , and some posts are reposts where a user could search . |
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.
Posts: 1908
Reg: 07-2005
|
Also, the regulars, and older members pretty well know most of the issues, and fixes, so just a quick search is usually all thats needed.
Because of the heaps of •••• that are on the market(not all), the younger set are going to Nissans of different sorts for performance, and the turbo Falcon/GEN series Commodores are getting into a price bracket that gives cheaper cars/performance
for the rev heads.
Soarers arent "cool" anymore in some cicles. |
Mark Tierney
DieHard
NSW
Soarer GTT-L, Celsior, Ducati
Posts: 605
Reg: 09-2005
|
I still use this site very regularly and all "pocket pissing" aside is still one of my favourites. Peter, you've done an excellent job for many years now.... please keep the dream alive.
I have no intention of selling my Soarer and like being able to come here for any/many issues.
I've just sent a 2JZ-GTE block & crank off to be tested, with the intention of a 1.5jz build. I'll post up all the fun once it commences, along with all the new suspension mods i've yet to install.
The witty banter ain't too shabby either. Besides, where else can you become a "Diehard" member... yippie ki yay...... |
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
SA
Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car, plus a spare shell
Posts: 3476
Reg: 04-2006
|
I also think that now drifting has started to die off (ie not every kid with a car is a wannabe drifter) and time attack has got serious that there is less excitement about entry level cars spilling over the internet.
Time attack is all about evos now, and drifting has died so much that no one is building new cars in the lower ranks- so the same old Nissans are getting recycled. Big rear drive Toyotas don't have a niche, you either like them or you don't.
A lot of Soarer owners like them for their Lexus qualities, and are less likely to feel the need to tell the world about how nice they are. Those of us into the performance side of things are more likely to want everyone to know about it.
Just my opinion. There are probably heaps of other factors, and being that this is the internet I could very well be completely wrong. |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
TT (for sale $5.2k), 97 Blk UZZ31, 97 JZZ30 vvti turbo white manual, 96 vvti turbo manual, Legnum VR4, MR2 sw20, Alfa 156
Posts: 3313
Reg: 09-2006
|
That may explain why I have an Evo now...perhaps |
Eric Lam
TryHard
NSW
SC-400 V8 Stock
Posts: 121
Reg: 02-2012
|
keep it alive!!!
So much info to source for out here and I am having quite a bit of fun learning, taking apart, replacing parts etc. |
Gary Redman
TryHard
NSW
Accord Euro Luxury
Posts: 485
Reg: 09-2005
|
I haven' had my Soarer now for around 3 years but I still have read here at least once a week.
When I first got it I was on every night for hours (well that other site anyway back then) |
Boris Siljanoski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
LS400 + Soarer.
Posts: 2079
Reg: 11-2007
|
The same thing has happened in the 80's Soarer Group aswell, died down a lot.
Have had my Soarer for many years now and have no Intention of selling it despite offers. For the last two years I have not been driving it at all but just storing it and doing small mods to it and improving it's condition day by day.
Many Soarer drivers that I have met mention the same thing. It's a great car to sit back in and Relax in, Both Turbo and V8 engines are nothing short of amazing.
I thought things have died down because many of the cars just got passed down to people who don't appreciate them, or people just moved on and wrecked/sold them off which just left the chosen few in the end.
I hardly see any of them on the Road Now, where as like it was mentioned, the V8 Holdens and Turbo Fords are much more common these days |
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.
Posts: 1911
Reg: 07-2005
|
I drive mine every day. I just love driving it. It fits me more than any other car I have.
There seems to be more Soarers in my town now than ever, but some are pretty average. |
Mark Pattel
TryHard
Queensland
1JZ-GTE RT142 Corona and SR20DET KE55 Corolla
Posts: 210
Reg: 04-2006
|
Have noticed in the last year or so all forums have died down. I assume everyone is on facebook or something. |
Shane Haverkamp
DieHard
nsw
soarer TT
Posts: 998
Reg: 10-2007
|
the two main issue with the facebook version are:
every 2nd post is someone trying to sell something
every 3rd post starts on online fight between two people and
soarer central as a forum is a bit "unique" as well, in its layout, searching, picture posting etc. i think it confuses alot of non tech savy people and so they just goto the simple facebook |
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.
Posts: 1912
Reg: 07-2005
|
It may not be perfect, but its usefull, and Peter does a great job of running this site on his own(well, I presume he does??)
I have had my break periods away from the forum, but still come back when needed, or I get the Soarer drive again. |
Hays Sleiman
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ31
Posts: 280
Reg: 11-2009
|
Also, don't forget the "eye candy"... |
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.
Posts: 1914
Reg: 07-2005
|
Dont get us started on that, some of those girls are now as old as Peter |
James Johnson
DieHard
Auckland
95 UZZ31 with R154 
Posts: 600
Reg: 03-2009
|
Hays Sleiman wrote on Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 08:02 pm:Also, don't forget the "eye candy"...
Ha ha ha do I even need to mention the Camel Toe thread......? |
Gary Poloskei
DieHard
A.C.T
Soarer JZZ30
Posts: 958
Reg: 01-2008
|
yeah def slowed down a lot.
The die hards are still around like me lol.
I don't post that much anymore admittedly.
I do check back every now and again...
its a great site. with a wealth of info.
but lets face it, buying a Soarer for people isnt really on their priority list especially when they can get a brand new car for 15k with 5 years warranty..
oh and i get to drive my car at least 4 days a week! yepeeee! i just love blasting past slow cars. bleep the throttle the back end steps out at 60km/h while passing the slow ass car in front of me sideways! yeeehaaaa! |
Mike Triggs
Goo Roo
Mid-Northern WA
3.0GT G-Pack
Posts: 1869
Reg: 07-2005
|
I've noticed a slowdown too, and agree FB may be a factor. While I'm on FB, its biggest problem is that there are few standards, unlike this fine site, so any illiterate pleb can post whatever they like in whatever version of "English" struggle through life with. Agree too that many of the issues with Soarers have been covered and don't need to be rehashed (except perhaps by newbies who can't search). |
Shane Haverkamp
Goo Roo
nsw
soarer TT
Posts: 1011
Reg: 10-2007
|
some of us are still trying to ad to the knowledge. can a forum mod please ad/host my accumulator "how to" in the brake section |
Mike Triggs
Goo Roo
Mid-Northern WA
3.0GT G-Pack
Posts: 1871
Reg: 07-2005
|
Great work, Shane, it's always good to see new tutorials added. |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 6887
Reg: 10-2005
|
I did my water pump/cam seals/main seals/timing tensioner/idler and cam belt last weekend - thought about taking pictures and updating the guide I did last time (2006 I think it was?) - but it took me most of the weekend as it was, and I don't even know if it was of any use to anyone last time - so in the end I had an attack of the couldn't be bothereds. |
Mike Triggs
Goo Roo
Mid-Northern WA
3.0GT G-Pack
Posts: 1872
Reg: 07-2005
|
I'm sure many people have found your guide useful, Matthew. I can understand not wanting to update it though, they are a lot of work when you already have enough on your plate. I'd imagine, too, that it would break the flow of work having to stop, clean hands, take pic, restart etc then writing it up later would take forever.
Frankly, I'd consider your exploits beyond my abilities, hence me having all this work done before we left Norfolk Island (where labour was cheap) even though the car wasn't due for it. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
BMW E36 Coupe 1UZFE V8 340i
Posts: 5755
Reg: 11-2005
|
Mmm I've also notice the slow decline too, I've hardly been on here this year.
I suppose not having a Soarer has been part of that.. and it being less interesting with many regulars not frequenting here as much.
That said this forums has had a very good run, helping 100's of people and it's still all here as a long lasting record, provided Peter keeps the servers going! |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 6890
Reg: 10-2005
|
Mike Triggs wrote on Monday, September 09, 2013 - 10:08 am:Frankly, I'd consider your exploits beyond my abilities, hence me having all this work done before we left Norfolk Island (where labour was cheap) even though the car wasn't due for it.
I think a lot of people get put off thinking it's a tough job - but it's really not difficult, just time consuming - as long as you understand the way the mechanical timing works it's pretty hard to get wrong. Having the right tools helps a lot too - last time I did it I didn't have half the stuff I have now - having an impact wrench for example made it much easier.
The water pump is dead easy on the 2JZ as it seals with o-rings and you don't need one of those stupid paper gaskets that are always tricky to line up, or form-in-place gasket cement.
Interestingly I pulled the old water pump apart to take a look - it's the original as I didn't bother replacing it last time - it's done 230,000km's now - and despite what people report about them not lasting - it doesn't look too badly worn at all! Mind you I have flushed the system 3 times in 8 years and always use Toyota long life - so maybe that is why.
The biggest problem I had was getting the old exhaust cam seal out - it was totally glued in from the oil that had been seeping around it. I had to pick away at it very carefully with a screwdriver & eventually it came out in two pieces. Inlet popped out no problems, as did the crank seal. |
Mike Triggs
Goo Roo
Mid-Northern WA
3.0GT G-Pack
Posts: 1875
Reg: 07-2005
|
Matthew Sharpe wrote on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 12:54 pm:I think a lot of people get put off thinking it's a tough job - but it's really not difficult, just time consuming - as long as you understand the way the mechanical timing works it's pretty hard to get wrong. Having the right tools helps a lot too - last time I did it I didn't have half the stuff I have now - having an impact wrench for example made it much easier.
It's not a job I'd find impossible, Matthew, it's just one I'd rather not do. As you mention, there's always a tool you find you need that you don't have, and although we have a pretty good Repco store here (that's even open on Sundays!!) I find it annoying to have to buy a new tool I may never use again. Also, I'm simply physically and mentally "over" these sorts of challenges. Changing a flat tyre is simply awful now, and when I recently wanted to rotate/change two over, the local tyre place charged me 10 bucks! Given the pain for an arthritic old guy bending and kneeling and whatnot, I'd rather spend the $10!
The other issue I have with doing stuff at home is the availabily of parts- the ones you didn't know you needed and the motor's now in bits
When I had the waterpump done on Norfolk, I got the "old" one back. It seems that it might have been changed at the 100k service (which was done at 129km according to the sticker) so it'd only done 40,000km. It was a genuine Toyota item while the one mechanic put on came from NZ and wasn't genuine- and became noisy very quickly and had to be changed. Should have put the genuine one back on! |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 6892
Reg: 10-2005
|
Ah, fair enough - I'd get someone else to do it too but I was looking to save a buck :-)
I did have to go to Repco on the Sunday to get an o-ring the (genuine) water pump was missing the external o-ring for the cylinder head return pipe for some reason! Fortunately Repco had one that was the right size (Size is 21F if anyone ever needs one)
Prices weren't too bad from Waikato Toyota...
timing belt was $55
idler was $63.25 (old idler definitely had some movement/noise so glad I replaced it)
tensioner was $63.25 (old tensioner still seemed fine but it's one of those things you can't really check very well being that its a sealed unit)
water pump was $130
Crank seal was $25
Coolant was $47.65 (times 3)
Cam seals I bought ages ago, but were I think, $11 each.
Didn't bother replacing the thermostat as I did it a few years ago and it was still fine. The water pump came with a new mounting rubber, so I just put that on the old thermostat and put it back in. Handy hint, remember to align the float bubble valve with the mark on the housing.
Really should replace the radiator cap as it's looking pretty nasty.
Inspected the crank pulley closely for signs it was in danger of separating like my last one did - but it still looked fine so I put it back on. V-Belt was only a few years old so I put that back on too. |
Mike Triggs
Goo Roo
Mid-Northern WA
3.0GT G-Pack
Posts: 1876
Reg: 07-2005
|
I don't recall what my parts cost me, the water pump came via Norfolk Is Toyota "dealer" while the timing belt etc I mainly got off Ebay, from US. Any other parts I needed I got through Tasman Toyota in New Plymouth which Don Bagnall put me onto. |
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