Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 02:57 pm, by: Ben Boynton(82_lux)
I have just joined the board. I need and will get a V8 soarer. Is there any hints or tips or things in particular that I should look at when buying a V8 Soarer. All help is appreciated...
Don Bagnall Moderator New Zealand I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(
Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 03:06 pm, by: Don Bagnall(Baggs)
Ben.
Don't freak when you read this list. It is a compilation of ALL things (Common, or otherwise) that have/can go phut on a Soarer. Most cars MAY have 2 or 3 things at most.
I will PM you a list of useful links for your viewing pleasure. Also, make use of the "Search" button, as there is a wealth of info in there.
Soarer/Lexus SC300/SC400 WEAR ITEMS
1) PS pump can go bad and can also leak fluid onto the alternator which is right below it and take that out as well (UZZ30 & UZZ31 ONLY). 2) Lower Control Arm bushings (ALL) 3) Blinki Dash (COMMON) (ALL) 4) Climate control LCD display (TT) 5) Torque converter weakness (ALL) 6) Window regulator (ALL) 7) Headlamp fogging/yellowing (COMMON) (ALL) 8) Heater control valve (ALL) 9) CD changer skipping (ALL WITH STACKER) 10) EMV screen backlight invertor (UZZ31 & 32 ONLY) 11) EMV main board faulty capacitors (UZZ31 & 32 ONLY) 12) EMV cars can have faulty capacitors in the radio tuner (UZZ31 & 32 ONLY) 13) TV tuners with "Error 12" power supply fault (UZZ31 & 32 ONLY) 14) Radiator/Top tank leak (ALL) 15) Boot Struts weak / failed (ALL) 16) Door trim splits (COMMON) (ALL) 17) Ignitor pack cracks (TT ONLY) 18) Door hinge sagging problems (ALL) 19) looseness in front seat anchors (ALL) 20) Centre dash air vent cracking/splitting (ALL) 21) Mustiness in aircon system (ALL) 22) Noise around sunroof 23) Fuel pump ECU causing starting/running problems (COMMON at higher kms) (ALL) 24) Steering rack bushes (ALL) 25) A few mm slack in drivers seat fore/aft adjustment (POWER SEATS ONLY) 26) Air con pipe(s) corrosion & susequent failure (ALL) 27) Air Suspension Struts (UZZ31 ONLY) 28) Anti-roll bar bushes. (ALL) 29) Water pump faliure (ALL) 30) Air con pump faliure. (ALL) 31) Engine mounts (ALL) 32) Transmission mount (ALL) 33) Loose front cross member mounting bolts (ALL) 34) Battery earthing cables at various points in engine bay (ALL)
Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 03:09 pm, by: Justin Hughes(Juzza)
Ben Boynton wrote on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 02:57 pm:
I need and will get a V8 soarer.
...... neeeeeed a V8 Soarer !!! - I like the lad already
Mate - check the power steering isn't leaking onto the alternator, make sure blinky dash is fixed, get one with Vlamos LCA bushes, look at the drivers door interior and drivers seat to ascertain the "life" the vehicle has had (a worn seat, interior door trim and rough steering wheel will indicate a high mileage Soarer regardless of what the ODO says), make sure the TEMS struts (assuming you get a '31) are not sagging/leaking, check the radiator top tank for leaks ...... ahhhh shoite; just buy one off Neil or Lew or Rob and you cant go wrong
Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 04:58 pm, by: Ben Boynton(82_lux)
Would love a manual. But will have to look really hard and may be out of the price range at present.. But will try and fit a supra box later down the track maybe???
Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 05:07 pm, by: Ben Boynton(82_lux)
I will chase them up. I need to see the bank first to extend the mortgage a little, then sell the lux and the missus celica. Will be within the next two months hopefully. Had enough of diesels.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 07:52 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
The clutch is brand new so it is still pretty sensitive and grabs within a couple of centimetres of the floor but I have the knack now and it is just soooooo nice to roll through a fast roundabout in 3rd, plant it and have the car accelerate in the way you expect (connectedness) rather than have tiny japanese men inside the ECU spend time in committee slushing about in the torque converter before deciding you do not want to be in 4th and then at the last possible moment shoving you back into 2nd exactly when you did not want it
With the V8's ample torque and power you have a big speed range in any gear so it is really easy to trickle about, cruise up a hill in 5th or drop a gear or three and nail it out of a curve. LSD helps in the tight ones .
There are a couple of electronic glitches we are still working through but to answer your question: Bloody marvelous
My only problem is that it seems half the Canberra Soarer community saw my converted car before I did. They even rang me to say so!
Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 09:10 am, by: Cameron Nurcombe(Cambo)
Hi there im new the board, thought i would join and say hello, I just bought a 93 v8 last week and im so happy with it!Already made my BFI and made such a big differents, Only thing is i snapped the door rod clip, then the rod, now i have to pull the whole lock out
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Ben. 
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