Drive It Like You Stole It #11 - Frasiers Hill

Pic 1: The gang

With the last drive about 3 months ago, driver rust is setting in really bad. With a free weekend, some of us went for the 11th installment of the Drive It Like You Stole It (DILYSI) session. We head to Frasiers Hill again but extended the route from there onwards to Bentong, then Janda Baik and finally Genting Sempah. From there, we joined onto Karak Highway back to Kuala Lumpur.

That’s 220km of pure twisties. Woohoo!!

A total of 8 cars met up at our usual rendezvous point before heading off. There were:-
2 Nissan Skyline 25GT-t
1 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II

1 Nissan 180SX
1 Subaru Impreza Sti Ver. 8
1 Mazda RX-7
1 Toyota MR2
1 BMW E34 5 series (with 1JZ-GTE heart!)

Pic 2: The cars

Yeap. There was a continental. This is the second time a continental make joined our drive. The 1st one was the BMW E60 5 series before DILYSI was started way back in October 2006. The difference is that this E34 has a Japanese heart. LOL :D

The day started off with some setback. As Danial had a nail embedded in one of his tyre, we had to push off without him while he scouts for a tyre shop that is open on an early Sunday morning! Amazingly, he managed fix his tyre and catch up to us not too long after we stopped for breakfast in Frasiers Hill. He must be tearing the roads apart with his SW20. :O

Pic 3: Danial's SW20

This drive is also my getting-to-know-you session with my new tyres. I've only covered 500km in 'em and have not come to grips with it (pun intended). Furthermore, after fitting in the tyres I find the car felt a bit weird when I chuck it into corners. Can't exactly put my finger to it yet.

I was quite worried about the weather report as it predicted clouds in the morning and rain in the afternoon. We were pleasantly surprised to see glorious clear skies during the whole duration of the drive. Rain only started in mid afternoon by which we're already back in Kuala Lumpur. :)

Pic 4: The cars at Frasiers Hill

The drive from Frasiers Hill to Bentong and Janda Baik to Genting Sempah was great fun! Much like The Gap where there is sparse traffic but the corners are a little faster here as it's much less tighter. Very much still Scooby and Evo habitats. ;P

I was not pushing as hard right after Frasiers Hill when the ER34 started giving out a continuous tick-tick sound when the steering is turned. Everything else seems fine except for the worrisome ticking sound. I really hope nothing major is wrong with the ER34.

Oh, someone got himself a battle scar this trip; and was exceptionally cool about it. LOL :D

Many folks have been messaging me for pictures, so I'll keep my writting short and here's the pictures PLUS a video. :)

Man, I need to get the ER34 for a check-up soon.

Vid 1: ER34 at Janda Baik (Part 1 of 2)


Vid 2: ER34 at Janda Baik (Part 2 of 2)

Pic 5: The cars at Frasiers Hill

Pic 6: The whites

Pic 7: Butt shot

Pic 8: The whites (again!)

Pic 9: Woay Chee's mean-looking FD3S

Pic 10: Breakfast in Frasiers Hill

Pic 11: Not your 'normal' E34

Pic 12: ER34 carves some corners

Pic 13: Optimus Prime leading the way to Cybertron

Pic 14: A quick stop for a breather enroute to Janda Baik

Pic 15: Waiting for a bus?

Pic 16: At the bus stop

Pic 17: Off we go again......

Pic 18: Regrouped at Janda Baik Village

Pic 19: At Genting Sempah R&R along Karak Highway

Pic 20: BMW E34 with a grin

Pic 21: Toyota 1JZ-GTE heart

Pic 22: The pop-up headlights gang

Weds Sport SA-90

Pic 1: Weds Sport SA-90 wheels

How does these Weds Sport SA-90 wheels looks? These babies are lighter than my Work wheels. At 17" tyres are also heaps cheaper.
*grins*

A true Ferrari F430 ?!?!?

Pic 1: Side view of the 'F430'

Came across this Ferrari F430 look-a-like when I was cruising. Couldn't resist and parked my car to sneak a couple of pictures for you guys. There seems to be a lot of interest in the BNCR33/BNR34 hybrid post thus this should interest you guys too.

I must say the conversion done jives pretty well overall. Now all it needs is a 4,300cc V8 engine to complete the 'sound' department.

So you guys can guess what car it is? :)

Pic 2: Front 3/4 view of the 'F430'

Pic 3: Rear 3/4 view of the 'F430'

Pic 4: Front view of the 'F430'

Pic 5: Rear view of the 'F430'

Subaru Impreza WRX STi Ver. 10

Pic 1: Front view

Had a good look and once-over the new (and controversially styled) Subaru Impreza WRX STi Ver. 10. Didn't managed to drive the vehicle as the 'good folks' over at Motor Image does not allow test drives. All I managed was to be a passenger which sucks BUT better than nothing isn’t it? Oh well.....

This WRX STi is the UK version thus it's a 2,500cc instead of the Japanese specs 2,000cc. The hatchback design will surely takes time to get accustomed to especially it's been a sedan for the last 9 generations! This 6-speed baby pumps outs a whopping 300ps@6,000rpm and 407Nm@4,000rpm. Tremendous amount of torque! The pull from the car is awesome; even on 4th gear the Sti rockets ahead! I wish my ER34 has 400Nm of torque! :(

Pic 2: 2,500cc Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine

Besides displacement differences, the UK Spec sports a single-scroll VF48 turbocharger instead of the twin scroll turbocharger in the Japanese Spec. On top of the expected Driver’s Control Centre Differential (DCCD), a new addition would be the SI-Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) which offers three driving experience.

Intelligent Mode - Silky smooth performance, comfort and ideal fuel economy around town and for cruising.

Sports Mode - Provides linear response in everyday driving or on the highway

Sports Sharp Mode - Enables the turbocharged 2.5 litre engine to be fully exploited with instant throttle response and precise revving into the red zone.

Pic 3: Interior shot

The interior is nothing much to shout about but luckily it still retains the Defi-like "opening ceremony" in the instrument cluster. The seats can be better though; like those in the Version 8 and 9. It just doesn't 'hug' me enough.

Going over the body lines, I come to appreciate the wider rear and front guards compared to the run-of-the-mill Imprezas. This is indeed a stunning car once you begins to appreciate the lines.

I did drive the Impreza SG-T with 250ps and 333Nm. Was impressed with the power but not the auto transmission. But then again, that's of no interest in this post. Hehehe :)

Here are some pictures I took.

Pic 4: Rear view

Pic 5: The badge says it all

Pic 6: Super wide fenders with air outlets

Pic 7: Wide ass. Why 17" wheels instead of 18"!!!

Pic 7: That's how much wider it is

Pic 9: Stock quad exhaust - very muted tho.

Pic 10: Another interior shot

BCNR33/BN34 hybrid?

Pic 1: BNR34 front

Guess what I saw on my way to work today? This is a unique and one of its kind 'Skyline'. It has a R34 front and R33 rear. It even has a ER34 rear spoiler out at the back.

Do you know what car it is? :P

Pic 2: Rear 3/4 view

Pic 3: BCNR33 rear

R33 Skyline GTS25t vs. R34 Skyline 25GTt

This is an interesting video where the R33 Skyline GTS25t is pitted against the R34 Skyline 25GTt. This video done by Best Motoring took place on the south track of the Suzuka Circuit recorded the below best lap out of 3 laps (in the rain!):-

ER34 - 1'02"92
ECR33 - 1'03"92

On the last lap's first corner, the cars were so close together I thought it'll be a fender bender (5'30"-5'40"). Also when the ECR33 oversteered at 6'13" with the ER34 right at its tail!

I'm quite surprised that both cars are pretty much equal.

Enjoy the video.

ER34 for sale?

Out of the blue, someone offered to purchase my ER34 today. He seems quite serious about it. And the seller is willing to wait for me to part with it. Hmmmm......interesting indeed, eh? :P

I wonder how much it will fetch with all the parts in it...........