Fitted Advan Neova AD07 onto the ER34

I was thinking to 'torture' the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 before I fit 'em Yokohama Advan Neova AD07. Went to this empty car park located amongst some nice luxurious houses to do some rubber burning but my plans were short lived when some security guards came out of those uber luxurious bungalows and started shouting at me. Just managed a small clip before I was chased off (This reminds me of the time in Genting Highlands where we were escorted downhill by cops - read here). LOL :D

Here's the video. I know. I suck at doing these stuffs. :(

Anyway, I finally got 'em Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 fitted onto the ER34 over the weekend. Like before, the fronts are 225/40/18 88W while the rear are 255/35/18 90W. I got the rubbers fitted at this tyre shop that's kinda old skool. They use the manual alignment, caster and camber machine.

Pic 1: Manual allignment machine

These are getting rarer by the days as most shops use the electronic equivalents. I dunno about your guys but I prefer the manual way. Looking at the old tyres, gosh they are really goners. It's worn down to the thread wear indicators (TWI) all round. The side shoulders of the front tyres are completely gone from perhaps all those hard cornering. They're cracked at some portions too. Surprisingly, the rear wears out pretty even.

Pic 2: Thread down to its thread wear indicators (TWI) - RR

Pic 3: Cracked shoulders - FF

On balancing the wheels after fitment of the new rubbers, the rear wheels are balanced via machine while the front are balanced on-wheel. Balancing the rear wheels (LSD rquipped) on-wheel will invariably kill the viscous coupling, the differentials and probably the gearbox too. So be warned. :O

Oh btw, many people or rather almost everyone will not bother to line-up the marking on the tyres to the air valve stem. This match-mounting procedure is to ensure that the lightest weight of the tyres should be aligned with the air valve stem on the wheel assembly, which represents the heaviest weight point of the wheel assembly. After match-mounting the tyre and wheel assembly can be easily balanced. Perhaps not that important or makes that much of a difference but then again, I'm quite picky. LOL :D

Here's some pictures...

Pic 4: Off-wheel balancing for the rear tyres


Pic 5: On-wheel balancing for front tyres


Pic 6: Front Advan AD07s fitted


Pic 7: Rear Advan AD07s fitted

New rubbers for the ER34 - Yokohama Advan AD07

My previous set of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 has served me very well but after 18,000km of usage, it has begun to lose its grip. Almost wearing down to it's wear thread wear indicators, the ER34 now twitches its rear when throttling out of corners.

So what shall it be replaced with? I've looked at quite a number of tyres before deciding on the Yokohama Advan AD07. The tyres that I've seriously considered hard are:-

Bridgestone Potenza RE01R
Bridgestone Potenza RE050
Toyo Proxes T1R
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics
Yokohama Advan Sport V103

I would love the Potenza RE01R but can't seem to find the sizes to fit the rear wheels of the ER34. There were none in Malaysia nor in Singapore. It had to be ordered in from Japan. And I bet the prices are going be astronomical too. Shucks!

The Potenza RE050 are too OE of a tyre choice. Too bad there aren't any RE050A Pole Position available here. :(

I felt that the Toyo Proxes T1-R are overrated for what they are. Sorry my Toyo friends out there. :P

After using the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, I bet its new replacement, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric would be stupendous. And stupendous it is in terms of pricing too. It's a couple of hundred Riggit more dearer than the Advan AD07.

My last choice before the Advan AD07 was the Yokohama Advan Sport V103, this tyre are claimed to be the extreme high performance tyres that are fitted to some high end vehicles like Bentleys, AMG Mercedes Benz and Audi S6 and S8. Amazingly, it can withstand speeds of over 300km/h (not that the ER34 will ever see those speeds).

So why Advan AD07 instead of the Advan Sport V103? Well, sizes are available where I am immediately whereas for the Advan Sport V103, it had to be transported from Yokohama's warehouse cross state. Furthermore, many reviews are raving about the Advan AD07s.

The Advan Neova AD07 is designed to provide high levels of traction (AA rating), responsive handling and driving control in dry and wet road conditions. Well actually a bit skeptical about its ability in the wet. Yikes....and I've something against driving in the rain!

Pic 1: Micro Silica (MS) tread compound: The combination of more, smaller-size silica particles and high-grip carbon creates massive traction in hot, dry conditions as well as cold, wet conditions

"The Advan Neova AD07 molds a "fine particle" Micro Silica (MS) tread compound (to provide greater road surface adhesion) into a directional tread pattern that features massive tread blocks with rounded edges to increase cornering stability and steering response while promoting more even wear. Five large circumferential and multiple directionally aligned lateral grooves resist hydroplaning and enhance wet traction. The tire's structure includes two wide steel belts reinforced by spirally wound nylon to provide strength and uniform ride quality and high-speed capability while the sidewalls are tuned to resist lateral deflection providing handling control and cornering stability."

With a thread wear of a mere 180, I have a feeling that this set of new rubbers won't last too long. I hope I am wrong though. I really hope that I've made the right choice with these quasi semi-slicks. I've just collected the tyres today. It will in no way be able to fit in to the ER34 thus I had to squeeze 'em all into a Hyundai Coupe (GK). Errr....maybe some of you may be wondering what is my unusual pre-occupation with the Hyundai Coupe by now. LOL :D

I've yet to fit them into the ER34 though. It's still stuck inside the Hyundai Coupe as I post this. Maybe I'll find time this weekend to get 'em rubbers onto the ER34.

Stay tuned. :)

Pic 2: Need a trolley to cart 'em into my car

Pic 3: Tough work but still managed to stuff 'em all into the Hyundai Coupe

Pic 4: Single block with groove at the egdes

Pic 5: Optimun groove position

Pic 6: Serrated groove walls

Pic 7: Rounded block design

Pic 8: Dimples

Pic 9: What's insde...

Pic 10: Tyre construction

Skyline Hair Salon

Pic 1: Skyline Hair 'Saloon'

I made a day trip to Langkawi Island today and guess what I saw??

A Hair Salon for Skylines?!?! I think it should be salon instead of saloon tho. LOL :D

Nice rear end

Pic 1: Nice rear end

I think this is a great picture of a BNR34 taken in the UK. I can't help but to post it up. Such a great rear end yea?

Errrr....which is which first? :P

A lazy Sunday quick detailing session

Pic 1: Meguair's NXT Generation® Spray Wax

What to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon when your car is 'stranded' and are unfit for drives? Coupled with some free time on hand, guess it's a good excuse to pamper the ER34 with some tender loving care. Took out the Meguair's NXT Generation® Spray Wax and gave the car a good once over with some quick detailing work to maintain gloss and protect the paint work.

So what is needed? Just basically 4 items:-
Meguair's NXT Generation® Spray Wax
A 100% cotton terry cloth towel
Your labour and time
A can of beer

Its claimed Engineered Synthetic Polymers (ESP) restores the paint work and gives it the wet-look shine. What's of importance to me is it maximizes water beading during rain.

The product isn't exactly cheap but I just love it when water just rolls off the car along with all the dirt and grime. :)

Pic 2: Aussie Foster's beer in a makeshift cold box is optional :P

Pic 3: Spray 'em onto the cool washed surface of the ER34

Pic 4: Buff off with cotton terry cloth towel

Pic 5: Buff off with cotton terry cloth towel

Pic 6: Lovely twin stove taillights :)

Nissan R35 GT-R Le Mans Edition

Pic 1: Best Car Magazine cover

Best Car magazine from Japan published this in their magazine about the upcoming Le Mans Edition GT-R R35. The LM Edition will be produced in limited numbers and are rumoured to produce 600bhp. Will this be out before the V-Spec?

Pic 2: R35 GTR LM Edition

Pic 3: Comparo between the BCNR33 LM Edition and R35 GTR LM Edition

Hyundai Coupe GK F/L2

Pic 1: Front shot

Spend a weekend with the Hyundai Coupe GK facelifted version and I must say I'm quite impressed with the car. Also known as the Tiburon or Tuscani, this is the second facelift on the GK model. It is of course now replaced with the all new Genesis Coupe (BH) - some pictures here.

Comparing my experience with the pre-facelift GK (both the 2.0 and 2.7 litres version), I must say this facelifted GK provides a much more engaging driving experience. The 2.0 litres inline 4 cylinder Beta II CVVT powerplant produces 141hp @ 6000rpm and 184Nm of torque @ 4500rpm. Might not be much if compared to the ER34 but it's actually quite allright. The exhaust note is pretty good and the biggest improvement to me is the suspension and handling. It now rides firmer and tracks better. I drove it up to 200km/h and feel absolutely confident in the stability of the car.

Seems like I'm having a soft spot for the GK Coupe.

Hmmm......would be interesting to have a DILYSI session with all the Hyundai Coupes (Scoupe, RD1, RD2, and GK models). Anyone? *smirks* :P

Pic 2: Rear shot. Notice the ER34 carpark number? Know what it means? :P

ER34 Photoshoot #02

Pic 1: Side profile

Pursuant to my earlier post on photoshoot of the ER34, here is the second set of photos as promised. It looks like it's shot inside a studio eh?

What do you think? Comments welcomed.

Pic 2: Rear shot

Pic 3: Front view

Pic 4: Side view

Pic 5: Rear view

For sale: Sparco Race Suit

Pic 1: Front of the Sparco race suit

I have for sale a Sparco Race Suit with full Nissan and NISMO livery. It's a genuine Nomex Sparco race suit that conforms to strict F.I.A regulations. The suit is comfortable and are a two-layer suit that exceeds the F.I.A. regulations.

Its size is 58 which is equaliavent to USA size L. Interested? Shoot me an offer via email at eujin[at]hotmail.com

Pic 2: Rear of the Sparco race suit

Pic 3: Front - All suited up :P

Pic 4: Rear - All suited up :P

ER34 photoshoot #01

Pic 1: The ER34 with new clothes on :P

Here's the first set of photos from a quick photoshoot. The clouds were a bit dark and cloudy at the time; I think it made the photos looked better. Try to study the lines of the bodykit that joins seamlessly with those of the ER34. Very subtle and very OE indeed.

I hope these pictures will give you an idea of how the IMPUL 534S bodykit looked like overall. There will be a second set of pictures coming soon shot in another location.

Comments welcomed.

Pic 2: Front 3/4 view

Pic 3: Rear 3/4 view

Pic 4: Note how the bonnet lines join the bumper

Pic 5: Note how the rear bumper line and side skirt line matches that of the body

Pic 6: Rear bumper has an 'apron' of sort

Pic 7: Front 3/4 view

Pic 8: Front 3/4 view

Pic 9: Front 3/4 view

Pic 10: Side view

Pic 11: Front 3/4 view

Pic 12: The insides of the boot were repainted as well

Pic 13: Clean engine bay

Pic 14: Repainted engine bay

Pic 15: Repainted engine bay