russellg

Cheers for the info. Looks like it could be a more difficult prospect that first thought. I actually just sold my Altezza a few months ago as one of the biggest problems for me was the fuel. At that time it was well over £1 a litre up here for Super Unleaded so I had a real problem justifying it. I was planning a BMW 330d to replace it, its true that diesel is a comparable price per litre now, but even after you get the 330 chipped the mpg is still a good 8-10 higher and prob as much as 15 on a good run. And if thats not enough to justify it there is the added bonus of cheaper tax and plenty of torque too. I remember back in the old days (about 12 year ago) there was a locl boy who converted his Calibra to Diesel. It was pretty cool, he had teh looks (of teh day) and the economy to match. Now days, with teh performance diesels, you can have the look, the economy and the performace too!! Anyway, the upshot is, as good as the BMW is, I want another Altezza, manual is preferred but there are so many cheap Autos going about that I wondered if that was a better option. Are there any companies that would undertake a conversion? Wheter its a AT to MT or a petrol for Diesel swap. I'd seriously give it a look.

Has anyone had any luck converting their Automatic IS or Altezza to a manual 6-speed box? I'm looking out for another Altezza but they are all AT up my way. I'd like to know if conversion is a viable option. Also, has anyone ever tried doing an engine conversion from Petrol to Diesel? The Toyota Dervs are so good these days that it might not be such a bad idea for the IS or Altezza. Maybe you could do both at the same time! What do you think? Russell

Do you have a favourite brand? In the old days I used to used semi-synthetic on my Cavalier Turbo, back then that was the best stuff for that particular engine. I'm planning going for mobil 1, allthough the comma range of high performace oils get a a good reception.

Hi aye, Its time for an oil change and unfortunatly I dont know what was used before. What are peoples preferences? Cheers for you help, Russell

I have a set of Infinity Kappa 693i's. There a few years old, I bought them back in the old days when I had my Cavalier Turbo. They are pretty deep (esp the mids). Are they likly to fit in the doors of teh Altezza without any hassle? Will I need any spacers to get them to fit nice? What about the tweeters? Any special instructions there too?

I've just checed the manual of my headunit DEH-7400MP It states that I can have a Load impedance of 4 Ω (4 – 8 Ω [2 Ω for 1 ch] allowable). Does that mean it will be able to drive the Lexus speakers (Im noot sure, but I believe these are 8Ω?) I really don't want to have to change any of teh speakers, never mind ALL!!!

Cheers for your replies. If the speakers are different impedance, does that mean my headunit wont be able to drive the speakers direct from the ISO connector on the back of the headunit then?

Sorry, its a long one, but i'm totally clueless. Please help me. Im kinda new to all the audio stuff, all I want to do is put my Pioneer headunit into my Altezza!!! My Altezza with an 18pin audio connector on the car. I was wondering if you knew of any Toyota/Lexus harnesses that I can use to fit my aftermarket Pioneer headunit, so that I don’t have to replace my amp and run new wires. I was looking for an adapter like the ones on autotoys.com At worst, I was thinking that I should be able to do the audio in mod (As shown here) and connect this up to tha amp output of the headunit, and just take teh power/ACC & ground from the stock harness. Has anyone don this already?? I have an 8 speaker system. If I do have to replace my amp, what kind of amp do I need? (forgive me for this, but do I need 8 channels for 8 speakers, 6 channels for 6 spoeakers and so on??) I’d rather not replace the speakers too, but I understand that I might have to replace the rear shelf ones as they have a woofer installed too. For example, can I choose an amp with a built-in low-pass crossover, just to drive the woofers in the speakers? So, can the new amp drive all the speakers? If not, will I have to replace the front speakers as well as the rear? Weill I need to replace the front tweeters? Can I not just get an amp with two extra channels (or woofer outputs) and connect them up to the amp? If I really, really do have to get an amp, what make/model do you suggest? So to cap it all. 1. Is there a harness available for the 18pin connector, or can I modify an existiong one? 2. Can I install the headunit without replacing the amp? 3. If I replace the amp, will it drive all the speakers? 4. If not, what speakers do I need to replace? 6. What amp do people suggest? Please help!!! russellg

Did anything come about from this? Im struggling to find the satnav housing. I saw a screen go on eBay recently for over £250!!! Does anyone have a scrren they want to sell? Russell

Does anyone want to sell their motorised screen housing seperately? I want to fit a lilliput screen in for a carputer too.... Russelll

I am also interested in the parts required too. Count me in for one. Russell

Are most aftermarket stereos able to power the 8 speakers that were driven by the amp before? For example, I heard the speakers have a different impedance (poss 8 Ohm instead of 4 Ohm) and that connecting up and aftermarket headuint direct to the speakers would kill them. Do you need line converters or somthing? I have a Pioneer headunit and want to do a smilar thing, but obviously I dont want to kill the speakers. Does anyone have a guide to show how to get the stock amp out? Cheers, Russell

Yip, Def got an Amp, I can see it when I flip down the glove box. Thing is, how do I get it out of there? Has anyone wriiten a guide? I have an ISO plug, can I just solder the ISO plug onto the output wires of the amp and leave the amp dissconnected? Thus, have the new headunit connected directly to the cars audio sysetm?

Hey all, I want to put in a Pioneer afetrmarket headunit. Can anyone point me in the direction of a wiring diagram? I think I have a seperate amp, do I need to bypass this or somthing? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

What about Rain-X? Has anyone used this on there car?

Ive attached a picture (50Kb) of two plugs I found in My boot. Can anyone tell me what they are for? What is the cylindrical Relay thing for? Where can I get a wiring diagram/wire colour chart for my Altezza? Cheers, Russell

Well, Just got my Altezza up the road and checked out the rear lights. It looks like both my outer side light bulbs at the rear were blown (but the brake light part of the buld was fine), thats why only the inner light on the boot lid lit up when on side lights. Phonedrome - I'll post up a wee pic once I get hold of replacement bulbs (tomorrow) of my rear fully lit up! Now, am I better converting the inner light to Brakelight/foglamp (like UK) or leave them as Jap standard Brakelight/sidelight. At present one of my reverse light is my fog light which looks a bit naff. Wotcha fink?

Hey there all, On my newly imported Altezza I, with regard to the rear lights I have a query: - On my car, wIth tail light switch in the ON Position - the two centre lights a (on the boot lid) are illuminated. With brake pedal depressed - all five light illuminate (both rear cluster, both boot light and high level brake light) At present one of my reverse lamps is my fog light. What I want to know is, on a Lexus IS200, what lights are illuminated when the lights are on, I.e. should it be the inner ones (on boot lid) or the outer ones (on clusters)? Cheers for your help, Russel

Ok, cheers for the info guys. Not taken delivery yet but Ive been to see the car now, its not got an intercooler or a chargecooler. Can anyone give me measurments of the intercooler fitted to their IS or Altezza so I can see about getting one made up? ANy help is good!! Cheers, Russell

Hey hey, Wow, I think im convinced, looks like its the Lexus stylee for me. Im getting my flexible friend out right now!! Cheers for all your input guys, I look forward to some serious fun filled motoring!! Scott, where about can I get hold of the bumper and grill like yours? I'm having a hard time sourcing one. Cheers again! Russell

Could I get hold of an intercooler form a supercharged Lexus and easily modify it to fit? Value for money is the name of the game, ive shelled out a fair wad of cash and I still need to insure it!! Cheers again, Russell p.s. Im looking for 4995 for the Astra.

Ive been doing some reseach for an intercooler, looks like i'll have to wait a while as they are all way out my price range. I guess I'll wait and see how th car performs, It's just a wee small IC on my current astra turbo, yet it appears to do an excellent job. It prob a bit lighter that teh Altezza though. Cheers for all your input, I'll keep you all posted when it arrives!! Incidentally, the wee Astra Turbo is for sale, check it out at http://www.doubtit.co.uk Maybe you have a wee sister in need of a quick wee runaround? Cheers lads, Russell

Alrighty, Im shortly gonna take delivery of a nice we Altezza from Japan. Im keep to learn some some more info about it, and join the gold club. The thing is, am I supposed to join the Toyota owners club or the Lexus owners club? I wouldnt want to shell out me cash and joing the wrong club!! Thanks! russellg

Kavey, Where can I get hold of a Neo customised front bumper like yours for a good price in th UK? I dont want to shell out loads, but I dont really like my current one. Thanks, russellg

Cheers Colin, I'll have a go. russellg