I was quoted $280 for one CV yesterday, then I asked the right person who told me of a place to go and I was quoted $130, although I have to wait a week as they are so busy, which dosn't surprise me.
Also, I put a new set of plugs in the old TN, it realy sparks up and goes so much better and is just smoother.
I asked about the irridum (sp) plugs and two blokes that seemed to know what they were taking about said that they are ok in cars where it is difficult to get to the plugs (gotta love the Astron) and they also said that unless the ignition system was in top shape they will often foul as they need a very strong power supply, which I doubt my old girl would have. At $20 a plug I would want to get a significant improvement, so have any of you guys used them in an Astron, and would you spent $80 again or be happy with the standard at $15?

I wouldnt bother. Buy the standard ones and spend the rest on new leads or something.

Yeah they're good for the 3.5 v6's cause you gotta take the plenum off etc so it just saves the hassle and the cost of labour but for the astron just get some bosch super fours and change them every 3 months and you'll get great plug performance. I think they were about $60 for a set that i used to get, that and i had 8.8mm custom pro leads, made a BIG improvement! (put them both on at the same time) better fuel economy (50k's a tank but 50k's can sometimes get you outa trouble)

It seems that quite a few people talk about the plug leads. And I am used to old cars that generally don't require changing their leads, but I have thought a couple of times that the Astron leads seem quite thin, I will get some good ones next time I change the plugs, or before if I see them.

I should probably change the fuel and air filter some time, I had the air filter out and it is the size of a trucks, what does all the gizmo inside the air filter do?
I started her up and it seemed to rev better with out the air filter, like I used to do on some of my old bikes to make them rev harder. You could hear the air being sucked in to the EFI housing, tempting to take it for a spin, but not that stupid.

Cheers guys, I am getting some good info.

OK, I know it is the mass air flow thingy, but whats it do?

I run Bosch super plugs in my car, pull them out every 3 months (or when I do an oil change) to inspect them. If they need a clean, clean them, if they look worn, replace them. That simple!

I got my right CV done yesterday and no more clicking, it just goes to show that it pays to ask around before getting work done, the top price I was quoted was $280 for one CV, and I had it done for $135, although only time will tell if he did a good job or not.

So the moral here is, ring around, or ask friends; and you may save a fortune.

It seems that quite a few people talk about the plug leads. And I am used to old cars that generally don't require changing their leads, but I have thought a couple of times that the Astron leads seem quite thin, I will get some good ones next time I change the plugs, or before if I see them.

I should probably change the fuel and air filter some time, I had the air filter out and it is the size of a trucks, what does all the gizmo inside the air filter do?
I started her up and it seemed to rev better with out the air filter, like I used to do on some of my old bikes to make them rev harder. You could hear the air being sucked in to the EFI housing, tempting to take it for a spin, but not that stupid.

Cheers guys, I am getting some good info.

OK, I know it is the mass air flow thingy, but whats it do?

Yeah leads are a bit thin stock, get some top guns or something from autobarn, shouldn't be that expensive.. $40? maybe less? the gizmo is the mass air sensor and its a pain in the arse. You have to use a proper 1st gen magna K&N filter or stock filter, you can't use pods or anything with these unless you get a full EMS system and take it out (like a wolf $1100 plus) I have my old K&N on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/K-N-Air-Filter-for-TN-TP-Magna-E-2875_W0QQitemZ4614732019QQcategoryZ72469QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem) at the moment if you're interested, only used it for like 4 days until a girl went through a give-way sign and i t-boned her destroying my TP GT. K&N still perfect and still has that newly washed smell (you rewash them every 3 months-ish depending on what it looks like) if your interested this is the link to my ebay sale (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/K-N-Air-Filter-for-TN-TP-Magna-E-2875_W0QQitemZ4614732019QQcategoryZ72469QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem).

Hi Nick, I will put a bid on that, my car has had minimal matanace before I got it, and my lack of $'s means things are only getting done slowly.
My main gripe with the paper filter, is how can you tell if it is ok?

Cheers

You really can't. When i got my TP the mild steel casing was rusty! they're more of a yearly thing. Built robust yet flow like concrete.