Automotive Related / Help Thread

This is a thread where people can post work they do whether to their car, work on the side, or even questions or feedback.
I will be using this thread posting work I do daily since I am a Toyota technician and it's my current passion (forcibly), since I'm doing it almost 50 hrs weekly. So if you have any questions, comments or need any help with one of your own projects, please, feel free to ask.

I'm going to try and start taking pictures of jobs from start to finish to kind of show the way things are done. Even simple things like brakes have precise steps you take such as machining the vehicle's rotors to speculation requirements. If you take it to Brakes for Less, and they simply do a cheap pad slap (just putting new pads in the calipers, without machining the rotors), or do it yourself this same way, you will feel pulsation when braking after time or squealing from your pads letting you know something was not done properly. This is when you take your vehicle to any reputable shop that handles brakes and ask to have your rotors machined.

I look forward to seeing some pictures and comments of other Royalers who enjoy mechanics as well, automotive or not!

 

Going to be using this thread a bit for questions about my own car. I've spent so much money repairing it the past few months that I'm seriously considering ditching it for a new car.

It's a 2000 Sienna and my parents got it back when it was new. Just the past few weeks, I've had to deal with a flat tire, getting it stolen, replacing the front breaks, going back to the shop because the front breaks were installed incorrectly, A/C not working and a bunch of other issues in probably forgetting.

I'm going to keep this car for the foreseeable future, but if you lived in San Francisco and had to deal with all the steep hills being a delivery driver at night, what car would you recommend? I don't need a lot of room and would prefer a more compact car because parking is the bane of my existence in downtown SF. Keep in mind that I'm on a budget and would like to keep within 20k. If you feel like there's a car perfectly suited for my situation and believe that spending an extra fee thousand is worth, I'll definitely consider it.

 

Id recommend an all wheel drive like a Subaru or even toyota venza awd model.
All wheel drive deems perfect for constant downhill - incline situations.
Look into Subaru WRX they are amazing cars and last extremely long!
Goodluck!
Also it's brakes, not breaks hahaha luv it
@Plenty

 

Touche. I'm using swype on my phone. Hows the mileage/size of that car?

 

Mileage per gallon is about 25-30 but you won't do much better than that no matter what they advertise in your situation.
Size is a compact 4 door sedan stock turbo. You may want to look into other AWD Subaru models also if turbo isnt your fancy

 

My shitbox. I do everything myself. Picking up a rustang soon because 'murica.

Spoiler

Plentea, get like a yaris or some shit.

 

Within 20k u can get a wrx and venza?? Wow
Subaru has a new compact mini suv u can look into. I forgot the model name but it has like green and orange color , u can look into that. New car starting at low 22k , u can look if there's any used for cheaper.

 

Subaru Legacy also have a 4 liter model. Handling is amazing. I drove it on the highway and I had a quick stop cuz the car ahead was a dick. 70-5mile/hr in less than 3 sec and no stuttering or slipping

 

No, not brand new. I wouldn't recommend a new WRX. I'd recommend anything before 12 honestly. My favorite year was 07. The newer ones are too heavy.
Venza yea new is around 20k in Florida atleast.

 

Transmission flush and coolant flush
Same damn time

Middle process of v6 valve cover gaskets on a sienna.
@Plenty lol

 

I have no idea what I just saw or read

 

I've always lease cars. Bring it back to the dealer when there are problems haha. So far my a5 has no problem. Knock on wood!!

 

Leasing is rarely a good idea.

 

My god yes... That is the car I plan one getting this spring/summer. Ive been wanting one for some time now and hopefully it ends up working out. I currently work for a car dealership every Saturday as it was my "highschool job", I have a full time job as well, I just try not to burn those bridges if I don't need too {I'm lucky enough to have a good connection with many businesses around my area}. The owner there is trying to get a WRX that has about 25~30k miles, standard, fairly new. I'm hoping to snag that if it doesn't end up being to pricey. If I do... i'll make sure to post ALL my modifications. Hopefully that will include: TT*, Pressure release, Rims/Tires, Exhaust, Wheel spacers, Fender Flares, etc...

*If you know enough about them, would you recommend one larger turbo or twin? Why?

 

I would def lookup on subaru forums which works better for the car because though my favorite car, I've never owned one or tuned a turbo on one and have no idea what the back pressure specs and efi specs are when it comes to the lbs of boost you can run with twin compared to a larger single. But of course, AWD, twin turbo...cmon. Thats gonna be 400+ to the AWD trans... you'll be smokin those spoiled kids in their hipster garbage daily.
Just dont forget to do your spark plugs at 120k miles. That boxer engine NEEDS spark theyre notorious for rough idle / no start oridium plugs etc.

 

Why would you twin turbo? That shouldn't even be a consideration, idc how deep your pockets are. 2 turbos, 2 downpipes, 2 wastegates, 2 oil feeds, 2 return lines, twice as much piping...twice as much to go wrong.

Bolt ons, E85, injectors, upgraded fuel pump, cobb accessport and a reputable tuner = ez 350whp on stock turbo. Do not buy an ebay turbokit. Do not buy any parts you aren't comfortable installing yourself.

Subies are hella overpriced. Get it if you love the "boxer rumble" (caused by unequal length headers...engineering fail) otherwise it's not worth it. Dollar for dollar an evo will walk a subie any day.

 

Touche
A good ass turbo, upgraded, with all the correct boost gauges, remote controls and bolt ons is gonna be at least 8,000 dollars. Upgrade the stock turbo. And like ol goofy said ebay turbo will blow your motor. I had a shitty turbo on an old lancer evo III and it shot a piston out of the head and bent the valves, cams and warped the head. Rip 3 grand

 

Must be awesome living in the philippines. We only have evo 8+ here.

 

Bro I'm Florida

 

Lancer evolution III @Goofy

My girl's fam is from there one day gonna retire in Sebu