SVi is delighted to announce we have just added the hugely popular Aristo to our compliance schedule.  This means SVi can now manage the whole import process for you internally saving you considerable dollars!

So if you’re in the market for a great car, won’t compromise on quality but still want great value for money, give Mick a call on 07) 3865 8999.

 ARISTO, ARISTO, ARISTO

Now there are two 2JZ-GTEs in the family.

 It’s true that I bang on about Toyotas a lot these days, in particular the mighty 1JZ and the 2JZ-GTE engines. They are without doubt the engine of choice for almost any engine conversion you could care to mention (so long as it physically fits in the engine bay) as the bulletproof construction makes them near – indestructible.

It’s common sense, then, that when anyone asks my advise on what type of car they should buy or which engine they should use for an engine conversion, they get exactly the same answer, “buy a JZA80 Supra or get hold of a 1JZ or 2JZ front cut.” Is shouldn’t come as such of a surprise then when my Dad was considering buying a second runabout car that he asked my advise.

 Now I know you are opening yourself up to a world of pain when you offer advice and / or mechanical repairs on family members’ cars but I simply couldn’t help myself. “You should get a Toyota Aristo,” I said, felling quite chuffed with myself. This was followed by the obvious “what’s one of those?” question; to answer which I whipped out a stack of car magazines that I had conveniently stashed close by.

 Much to my girlfriend’s displeasure I then proceeded to tell him how good they war, how fuel efficient, how reliable topped off with how roomy they are. “Did I mention they have the same engine as the twin turbo supra?” Ultimately even my mum had to approve after the exact same pep talk I gave my dad, so I pretty much had them sold.

 In all seriousness it’s not exactly a hard sell given what is currently available second – hand these days, with the Aristo out performing, out classing and out pricing anything locally made. It’s just the Japanese way. Now to the test drive. This was all to easy with Mr. Ellis recently taking delivery of his very own 1991 Aristo. This was the first Aristo registered in NSW and boy does it turn heads.

 So with the keys in hand I dropped by my parent’s house to show them the Aristo and take them for a spin. Impressed doesn’t even come close to describing my Dad’s reaction and the brief was simple.: “I want a silver one, in tip top shape and I want it now.”

 With the ball firmly in my court I jumped straight on the phone to Mick Martin at SVI Imports in QLD. What this guy doesn’t know about importing isn’t worth knowing and no sooner had I discussed the requirements than I had three separate emails, each with a different Aristo. All were grade 4 cars (grade 4 being a near new car) with even the smallest dent or scratch noted.

 My Dad settled on the silver car pictured and went through the hassle-free process of purchasing his first import through SVI. To say the buying process was quick and easy would be an understatement with SVI giving my dad regular updates as to where the car was in transit and when it would be ready for compliance. The whole process took less than a month and as you can see my dad is one happy customer. He and I were so rapt in the condition of the car that he even wanted to drive it back to Sydney. Given I was in QLD for Jamboree 16, how funny would it have been to see two Aristo driving down the Pacific Hwy, one of which towing a Mitsubishi Cyborg!

 Fast forward to today, as I find myself organizing a weighbridge certificate. It shows the Aristo weighs in at 1680kg and the Blue Slip and rego will be done tomorrow. In all seriousness I’m glad he listened to me as I would have been disappointed had he bought a VZ Commodore and been utterly bored with it. The Aristo has enough grunt under the bonnet to keep him excited but sadly I’ve been banned from doing any form of ‘upgrade’ whatsoever. That’s okay, he’ll come around soon enough.

 A Big thanks goes out to Mick Martin and everyone at SVI Imports for finding and delivering such an excellent car. If you’re in the market for a new car (especially and Aristo) log onto www.svi.com.au

 Grant Warne

 gwarne@expresspublications.com.au

Under Body Sump Guard 

The other design flaw is the location of the oil filter, the oil filter is

prone to damage when impacted, even lightly from underneath. A soft sand

bank, a small animal like a wallaby even gravel in a river-bed. The three

pieces that make up the covers under the engine bay are bolted together in

such a way as to actually damage the filter with one of the securing bolts.

If the object hit doesn't damage the filter the guard bolts probably will.

This results in a rapid loss of oil and major engine damage / failure.

After a marathon tow along 95 klms of beach in failing light with no power

steering and no boosted brakes late for the last ferry off Fraser Island it

was decided that there must be a sensible solution to the problem. The sixth

version developed is spot on, it protects the filter, replaces the three

offending guards/ bolts and it looks pretty good too. To avoid possible

disastrous results the SVi sump guard and fitting kit is a bargain at $440

inc freight to any major city in Australia. Transport to the UK is extra.

We have these in stock all the time so there is no waiting. We send all the

parts needed first time and are very easy to fit your self. We supply most of

our Delica customers with one of these as we believe they have saved

many vehicles before. Call us on (07) 3865 8999.

Coolant Expansion Tank

The Mitsubishi Delica 2.8 intercooled turbo diesel has only a couple of

faults to watch out for, the coolant expansion tank cracking is one, the

solution there is simply buy and fit a new one taking care to "bleed" the

system via the special valve in the engine bay. The degradation of the tank

is caused by UV rays on the tank through the gap in the bonnet and guard

area. We get phone calls a lot of the time for these so we do have some in stock if you need one so just call us.

Published in Hot 4’s & Performance cars XTRA.