New Member has questions, New Member from AUS Options

[Aether92]

Hey guys
I'm fairly new to this forum but have found it's definately the most helpful and accessible out there!

I've fairly recently got my red ZR and its definatley the best car i've owned, im interested in making visual and performance upgrades
i just have a few questions for everyone

• first i've been looking into the possibilities of a short ram intake and i was just hoping for suggestions on whats the best/value?
  essentially I'm looking for something with a great sound like the injen but a bit more affordable
• my central locking doesn't work, when the car was first purchased you had to be practically on the car before it would work, but now it does nothing, I've obviously tried changing the battery in the remote but still nothing?
• also do any sydney siders have any suggestions on where to buy parts, i have a bit of a list of things i'm interested in buying (white face dials etc) but haven't had much luck finding anwhere or any members selling from sydney or close by...
• pretty much any suggestions for a new owner excited to get to work

keep your eyes open for a project post so you can follow me while i learn about this seemingly great car

[97lestyousay]

First of all welcome.
There is a wealth of info here, and a lot of helpful members. I know there are some Aussy members who can point you in the right direction for local parts sources. The interior/audio/electical/wiring forum is a good place to start for your central locking issues, try a search in that forum
I am sure someone has encountered the same problem before.

This post has been edited by 97lestyousay: Apr 6, 2012 - 6:07 AM

[Aether92]

Thanks!
this definately seems like the place to be.

could i also ask about the chat? is it just me it doesn't work for or everyone?
am i doing something wrong?
also, i can't find a tutorial or menu or anything to change my avatar/signature and stuff?

sorry for all the noobish questions, just wanted to cover all my bases

[97lestyousay]

I don't use the chat so, I don't know. The site administrator isn't around much so
I doubt it will be running again anytime soon. We don't have tutorials for that as far as I know.
I just poke and hope.

[UVZ164]

Hey mate,

Getting aftermarket parts can be a PITA especially exterior aesthetic mods. Your best bet is to either use ebay or look for importers who will occasionally get a load of stuff from japan or they can special order for you.
I use Auto one for spare parts or of course your toyota dealer, something big though look in a wreckers yard and haggle like your life depends on it coz they will try to rip you a new one.
Google is also your good friend. But expect things to be more expensive than you see on here as we generally have to pay double what the item is worth in shipping to get it here.
As for the SRI a cheap option(which i took) is to use this:
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=21648
its about $70 and you can just cut the pipes right to fit it inside the engine bay for SRI or go the full CAI.
The white dials you might be able to find in a wreckers yard. The 98&99 model SX-R used white dials so if you can find one of them you are in business.

Goodluck!

[Aether92]

Hey mate,

Getting aftermarket parts can be a PITA especially exterior aesthetic mods. Your best bet is to either use ebay or look for importers who will occasionally get a load of stuff from japan or they can special order for you.
I use Auto one for spare parts or of course your toyota dealer, something big though look in a wreckers yard and haggle like your life depends on it coz they will try to rip you a new one.
Google is also your good friend. But expect things to be more expensive than you see on here as we generally have to pay double what the item is worth in shipping to get it here.
As for the SRI a cheap option(which i took) is to use this:
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=21648
its about $70 and you can just cut the pipes right to fit it inside the engine bay for SRI or go the full CAI.
The white dials you might be able to find in a wreckers yard. The 98&99 model SX-R used white dials so if you can find one of them you are in business.

Goodluck!

I've definately noticed that the shipping is insane to try and get parts here!!!

in regards to the SRI, that thread is amazingly useful!
I have considered making a CAI instead, but I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to make an SRI and put in a custom hood scoop/vents for more cold air flow, opinions? (because due to weather in AUS the road can get extremely hot in summer so having the intake in the fender doesn't seem quite as beneficial as hoped, plus SRI sounds better and less chance of water problems, which is needed cause of all the recent flooding!!!)
also UVZ164 could you get a few pics of how it turned out, i'd love to see it? and did you use the 90-93 accord kit or something different? i saw a few suggestions floating around.

[RabidTRD]

Any intake for a 5SFE Camry will work too. Keep your eyes open on eBay for a good AEM, Injen or Weapon R one. I picked up my Injen SRI for $65 (MSRP $200+) and an AEM one for my gf's Civic for $70 (MSRP $150).

Granted, both are used... but who cares!? It's an aircraft aluminum pipe with a lifetime warranty filter / cleanable and reusable. Keep your eyes open. If they don't ship to Australia, have someone from America forward it for you

[Aether92]

Is the Injen you got for a celica or was it a Camry one?

[RabidTRD]

It's a Camry one.

[CelicaZR]

Welcome

[Aether92]

thanks celicazr I have to say, your car is a huge inspiration and one of my favourites on here

I know this is an incredibly n00b question but I read people talking about 7afe engines and wwhat not, how for I know what type mine is?

[RabidTRD]

Is it tiny? Or is it big? Rofl. Read your chassis code on the firewall. Or if you look at the bottom side of the hood, it will tell you emission info and it will either say 7AFE, 5SFE, 3SGE, 3SFE, or 3SGTE

[CelicaZR]

All Australian delivered 6GC are 5SFE 2.2L unless of course its a GT-4.

This post has been edited by CelicaZR: Apr 26, 2012 - 5:30 PM

[Aether92]

Thanks guys CelicaZR is right it is a 5S-FE

[S8S8]

Welcome. Good to have another Aussie ZR owner here.

Getting parts is pretty easy via ebay. Most of my parts have come that way, including all the usual 6GC bits like JDM tails and projectors etc.

Have fun.

[Aether92]

Yeah its good to see the Aussies in here.
For the eBay stuff, is that from one off sellers or eBay shops?
Any reccomendation on sellers?

[S8S8]

I think it's been a mix of individuals and shops, most of which are in Japan or Hong Kong. There aren't any places that specialise in the Celica (that I know of) so it's just a matter of searching for the parts you're after.

The parts I've bought from ebay include the JDM projectors and tails, GT4 rear strut brace, side skirts, GT4 bonnet and bumper. I haven't had any problems with the sellers or the parts.

Toyota Australia dealers are a good source for parts too. Most of them will import JDM parts for you, but you need to know the part number first.

[Aether92]

Thanks guys for all the responses, sorry for the late reply.
I've been doing as much research as possible on everything, just non stop learning.
I'm in the process of making my build thread as things are finally starting to happen.
I really havent found much on eBay, I tried to avoid overseas to save money in shipping but it looks like I'm going to have to spend that bit extra.
Keep eyes out for the project, in about a month is when everything is all going to happen at once, stereo, body, fix the synchro, fix all damage and paint. Pretty excited, especially for the paint we're going a really nice deep purple, I know a lot of members on here wont like the non stock-ness but I want to my this car my own.

[CelicaZR]

Good luck with the build.
Take your time - do it once do it right
Look forward to your progress!

[S8S8]

I really havent found much on eBay, I tried to avoid overseas to save money in shipping but it looks like I'm going to have to spend that bit extra.

The shipping isn't exactly cheap, but it's the only way to get most of the stuff.

Most of the overseas sellers price their goods in US dollars, so with the Aussie dollar still being very strong at the moment it's a good time to get stuff for a lot less. If you wait until the dollar goes back down to 80c or so (which it will eventually) you'll be paying 20% more for all of the imported goodies!