Stinky Rooster

Dude - it is buried behind the rocker cover just slightly toward the drivers side, hard up against the firewall. It took me 10 minutes of searching before my wife came out, pointed straight at it and batted her eyelids at me....

Keeping in mind that they are a standard fitment to most RS fours and 25X models, it would be worth talking to a couple of the wreckers in the parts sticky for a standard one - you might even be able to save a few bucks?

SILLY QUESTION TIME - (HENCE THE HANDLE) If there is no centre diff, what in the hell is the massive lump for in the floor on the passenger front side for? I just assumed it was a centre diff. Front transfer case maybe? Also, to confirm, trans fluid should be checked with engine on and gearbox warmed up? if so, then I have the right fluid levels, but as I said, I have only had the car for a week and a half and I think I would have noticed if there was a massive leak by now. Next question - how seperated is the gearbox and the ATTESSA system? Is there any way one could leak fluid into the pther?

My baby (S1 '97 Stagea 25X RS Four) has developed a rawther distressing noise and I am really hoping someone out there will have some ideas. When the gearbox is under load, there is a rattle coming from the top of the gearbox/centre diff that sounds a bit like a loose bit of plastic or something, but it is coming from under the shifter console. Before anyone asks, yes I am sure it isn't just a loose bit of plastic. I had a similar sound in an old falcon once and it turned out to be the speedo drive working its way out of its retaining bush in the gearbox, but isn't the speedo in these things electronic? The noise is only apparent when the gearbox is under any load (accelerating or maintaining constant speed) and it is getting louder everytime I drive it. Another thing it is doing, and I don't know if this is related or not, is there is a slight "shudder" apparent at low speed and constant speeds I have only had the car a week and a half and I am really glad I chickened out of a personal import because at least I have a warranty, but I still want to hear any opinions. HEEEEELLLPPP!

I second the groupbuy idea - I would do it myself but I am a complete and utter noob at this and have no idea how to go about it, but looking down the barrel of another Perth summer, I won't be able to put my hand up fast enough if someone else does. BTW, how much difference is there between the skyline and stagea dash shape? (never actually been in a skyline before )

Flip a coin? I voted for the 28th, but only because I'm keen to meet all you fine people in Stagea land, so I can wait another week or so I suppose. Just my 2 cents

Holy Snapping Ducksh1t batman!!! It looks like he reversed into a tupperware factory at high speed! The colour is pretty gross too

Yay! At least I'm not the only one who remebers Charles law from high school.... The Charles Law Jacques Charles (1746-1823) experimented with gas under constant pressure. In today's language, his discovery is that the volume of a gas is proportional to the temperature in K (kelvin). Therefore, as the gas cools, the volume (or pressure in a closed environment) will also decrease.... So to, a glass and a half of full cream etc etc

Oooooohh I SO want one! I love the way the Japanese put all this stuff in a car that you didn't even know you wanted until you saw it.

I was having a chat to the guys at DC imports the other day, and he reckons that there have been almost 70 stag's complied for WA now, so I want to know where they are all hiding? In the last 18 months I have only seen about 4 or 5 on the road. BTW, the thought of going on a cruise with 10 other stageas has me grinning like a lunatic

ok - now I'm worried..

I have put a couple of cars and bikes over the pits at Kelmscott over the last few years and I have always found them really easy to deal with, and the guys that I have dealt with all seem to be really clued in to what they are doing. Where ever you decide to go, just remember that your attitude will have a large part to play in exactly how anal they will be, so play nice, use your manners and you will be fine.

The car park at the Margaret River Chocolate factory is vivble from the tasting counter while we are in the swan valley... Mmmmmm.....chocolate *drools*

well, I saw one about 2 years ago and fell in love, it took me another 12 months to find out what the heck it was and then I saw one being used as a course car at the TargaWest 2005 and I was sold from then on. I am married with 2 kids (7 & 11) and a rottwheiler so that made the decision to buy one a little easier, but the turbo and 4WD made it a snap. I even abandoned my rather unhealthy obsession with Fords to make it happen and I can't say I regret the decision.

Nah - I had to put it back until Thursday due to work commitments, and I will be busy all thursday and friday rolling naked across the bonnet moaning "mine mine mine" so I may be able to chuck some pics up on Saturday sometime

Am I the only one that thinks that dash is possibly the ugliest since the Subaru Vortex?

Steve, Yes the aircon belt does spin all the time, but the next time you have the bonnet up and the engine running, have a close look at the front of the air con compressor and you will see that there is a clutch in the front that means the compressor is only turning when the air con is on. If the compressor is on its way out, the power required to turn it wil slowly become higher and higher. This can be caused by the belt being too tight, but in my experience this usually causes the clutch to let go rather than the compressor. Have a good look at the body of the compressor because they (usually) only run a bush type bearing in the rear of the case and if this has been knocked about it will lead to a slight binding that MAY cause the symptoms you are describing. Just my 2 cents worth...

I will be getting it on Tues this week so I will know for sure, but when I went to have a look at it, there were no obvious holes etc from where it might have been removed, but don't quote me on it yet. The really weird thing about the car is the fact that it has been in the country since 2003. It was actually the 3rd Stagea to be complianced in WA. More details as they come to hand.

One word - SCHWIIIIIING!

Once I have my sweaty lil mits on the keys to "Z Beast" then I may change my handle, but I am having toomuch fun learning from all you fine people to bother right now

I think the crystal would bring in the punters if there is a photo with any ad, but make sure the paint is matchable and repairable (re touch ups) or it will lose its appeal pretty quickly

has any one ever told you that you have some seriously hairy arms? I know a good beautician if you ever consider the whole brazillian

as its my first cruise I am up for just about anything, but as I will have my 2 daughters with me (7 & 11) a nice interesting destination with something for the kids to do at the end is mandatory. Otherwise the chances of me getting to do this with my family, ever again will be fairly low and its not an interest I am planning on following without them. REEEEAAALLY looking forward to placing some faces to names too.

Isn't that the weekend of motorvation anyway? Last weekend in Jan will be 28-29th ....

I dunno if I can wait that long to get amongst it...:lol: Last sunday in Jan is good for me. No idea where le-sha-nal-t-arr is but I will be up for it any way. It does seem a shame to not go to Mandurah right in the middle of crabbing season tho - we could all kick back and talk cars and send all the kids off with scoop nets to get lunch