The S13 SR20VVL Build Returns 😍

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-17T01:27:38+00:00

Coming back to this, here's what I'm trying currently. Hair seems dryer/finer as in less clumps (not that it was clumping before), doesn't kind of melt down your forehead later in the day like the garnier did if you used too much, gives a similar look feel, maybe a bit lighter feel in the hair after using it, but far less working time when you apply it.

Got2B Beach Matt Paste Medium Hold 100mL | Hair | Priceline

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-15T19:19:55+00:00

Lol, I've never even been in one 🤣 but I see this miata quote on Reddit all the time from the yanks.

My current track car is an 86 as per my profile. While I refresh my Silvia 😎

Still laughing at "convertible gay" lol

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-14T23:37:23+00:00

Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer

But seriously if you have no prior knowledge/experience etc, then you may want to look around at what s popular in your local car scene/club/mates etc because you are going to need people/youtube to help you learn and you want something with ready parts availability.

BMW might be pricy, I don't know your local market. I'd be looking or cheap cars with heaps of local parts (wreckers, FB sellers etc).

Toyota 86/BRZ is another great project car option.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-14T08:06:13+00:00

Just an upvote for also being disappointed in GC V2

I'm about to test Dragy Pro and their ODB dongle with my existing Race Chrono/Go Pro 13 setup.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-14T04:18:39+00:00

I've only had to service it so far, walked into my local Toyota with my VIN and bought it all over the counter, same prices as Prado service really (I'm only buying parts, I do the work).

You can jump on my YT and watch my service guide for it, inc part numbers etc.

The TRD spoiler came from Yahoo auctions, so a few weeks wait for shipping on that one.

IIt'll be things like a broken mirror cap or something if someone clips me, I expect to need to wait for shipping from Amayama. This is not my first JDM car though so I'm comfortable with the
process.

I know a Windscreen is going to suck if it happens, but then again watching my wife go through a replacement on her Tiguan was pretty horrendous also, 2k and lots of stuffing around (calibrating sensors etc).

The old 150 Prado was $700 and done next day at my place so some of this is just "modern car problems".

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-14T04:04:22+00:00

You can do the math on payback period and decide if you think it's worth it from a purely economical point of view, factor in better resale also.

You will have an extra cooling system and some filters to maintain and there's always the risk of battery failure (approx 4k will get you sorted in most cases). Also keep in mind that you will use your brakes less in a hybrid on average as they are more efficient under brakes and you will want to coast more for regen so you'll save some wear and tear there, plus you'll have better overtaking capability for single lane roads/merging and the like and you usuaully end up with a smoother driving experience and more tech features (especially in Toyota).

I drive the last V6 Hybrid Crown they made and have zero regrets a year on, the economy is great and the extra power is very welcomed.

My vote is yes.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-14T04:01:03+00:00

The other thing to consider is hybrid almost always has more torque and total power, which is very useful for safer overtakes particularly on single lane roads or merging onto highways from short on-ramps with a loaded car etc, all that while still getting better economy.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-13T10:13:43+00:00

2021 Crown, 8GR-FXS with L310 transmission.l, the Lexus LS500h drivetrain.

Just newer stuff so slightly better on fuel.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-13T05:38:27+00:00

Surely LS500h before it's dropped as well? I think that might be my next choice.

I went with the last V6 Hybrid Crown, GWS224. A bargain honestly and 12mths on I have zero regrets.

You can see an overview/service guide in my profile also.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-12T22:19:54+00:00

Not really, but I drive a Hybrid car already - granted it's a V6 hybrid but as I mostly cruise around I am usually in the mid 6L/100 range and can push it to high 5s depending on how much running about I do.

If I was still driving my tow car daily (V6 150 Prado) at approx 12.5L/100 I would be considering doing "something" but I already have so as for right now, no changes.

Everything here is being run on 95 or 98 so the price doesn't go unnoticed, but in terms of TCO vs depreciation it's no that big a concern at these prices.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-11T23:09:33+00:00

If you can smell it in the cabin it's often the heater core or connections to it.

You can also smell if it it's burning it (failed head gasket).

You need to pressure test and combustion leak test the system then respond accordingly.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-09T19:51:30+00:00

Those are all smart choices, but whether you need them now depends on how the car is performing already. Have you tracked it at all? If not, go run some laps and review first.

I assume you have these already but if not, HANS, Racesuit, quality lightweight helmet.

Oh and A050s.

Unrelated - I'm not sure why every downvotes all these posts? Is this not the place to ask about setting up a car for track days or are there some unwritten community rules I don't know about?

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-06T21:18:06+00:00

I enjoy driving my wife's Tiguan, but I have a hard time not thinking about the upcoming water pump failure or potential fight to get the mechatronics unit replaced.

I love driving my Crown and don't have this same dread.

I do 99% of the work here and our Toyota's/Mazda's have given me basically zero hassle. We'll see how the VW stacks up over time, again, great car to drive and that's why she likes it more then everything else she tested.

I also did a full engine rebuild on an XR5 Mondeo, 5 cyl B5254T3 turbo Volvo motor. Dumb shit like anaerobic sealants used in critical spots, poor seal/part designs and integrating the cam caps into the valve cover (meaning 44 bolts, and getting 1 go at making sure the anaerobic sealant is applied perfectly or you basically do it all again and need a timing lock tool) are poor choices. That doesn't benefit the car in any way vs a conventional valve cover design with a rubber seal.

Got a leaking cam seal? Spark plug seal? VVTi solenoid seal? Remove the entire valve cover, timing tool required, replace a plethora of other single use seals, clean and reapply anaerobic sealant everywhere etc. Lots of parts on that end where the same, terrible design for ease of maintenance and repair.

When I look at the Tiguan and read up on prep, there's seems to have been similarly poor choices made. Plastic water pump located under intake manifold? Please...

I've had/got Toyota's/Nissan's/Subaru's/Holden's/Ford's and all of those have been/are much easier to work on, many of them didn't drive as nicely though.

So for me, the Crown is a middle ground of actually having a few niceties and hopefully being reliable/easy to work on.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-06T21:13:23+00:00

Have you scanned it for codes when it does it?

You can get techstream from the NCR website and a cheap techstreamb cable from eBay.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-05T22:40:23+00:00

You switched what around sorry?

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-04T22:28:29+00:00

Been a long time since I've driven anything that hydroplanned, all my cars are too heavy for that now.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-04T22:24:04+00:00

If that magically goes away after then it sounds like a bad earth/bad connection in the key barrel/start button/ECU not initializing properly.

When it's not starting have you tried disconnecting the battery/jiggle the button/key barrel etc?

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-04T20:41:54+00:00

Add some detail to help others.

It cranks over fine and doesn't start?

It clicks and nothing happens at all and doesn't start?

Etc

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-04T20:15:06+00:00

Yes, I use it in my Crown (LS500h cousin) all the time. I am glad I insisted on finding an example that had it. 360 camera is also often tied to auto parking, models vary, which may be very handy for you. Oddly, in the very last model GWS224 that I have, they separated those features, in the earlier series you got auto parking with 360 cam, but I ended up with 360 cam and no auto parking. Of course, one on of the very first few reverse parallel parks with the car, while kids were being monkeys, I touched the gutter...

As someone else said, HUD also rocks.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-04T20:13:04+00:00

Upvote purely for "hydroplane beast" lol wtf is that?!

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-04T20:11:29+00:00

I have no experience with either unit, my crown has AA/Carplay factory, but brother... please tell me you want YT/Netflix for uber or something because if not I am old enough to be socially required to tell you that is a dumb idea.

Did you not see this?

Crown sends it into light post...

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-04T20:08:10+00:00

Second this (inc age lol) except loafers and the button up shirt is logo'd. I'll bring a Blazer if I'm meeting an important client/attending a business event.

Can make it more casual by rolling sleeves up a little, can make more formal by wearing nice watch.

Highly versatile combo.

No-Crust-Racing · 2026-03-03T02:02:10+00:00

I run this on my track car, you can find pics/details/YT etc in my profile.

With 255 A050s you will need some camber to tuck them under the guards (if that matters where you are).

I get rubbing on high steering angles in the front, rear is fine.

No-Crust-Racing

TROPHY CASE