A ride in the Proton Satria Neo Super S2000

Pic 1: Riding shotgun with Alister McRae

I've always been a rally fan. The sport is so much more accessible to the petrol head than other forms of motorsports. You get to be right at the heat of the action rather than behind some cordoned off fences.

Another plus point is that rally drivers are a friendly lot. I've met, chatted and took photos with some of the world’s best known rally drivers and I can say they are a whole lot better than those F1 drivers that I bump into during the F1 races. Humble, down to earth and chatty with the fans. :)

Pic 2: The Proton Satria Neo Super S2000


Pic 3: Interior

Recently I had the opportunity to hitch a ride with Alister McRae in his Proton Satria Neo Super S2000 (Thanks Gary!). The car is based off the Proton Satria Neo but has been extensively redesigned and redeveloped by Chris Mellors of Mellors Elliott Motorsport (MEM) to FIA Super 2000 rally specifications. For those that are unaware, Proton is now competing in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.

I am mighty proud that Proton did a good season this year too. They took first and second placing at the APRC 2010 and also second and third placing for the Asia Cup. Overall the team came out second for the Manufacturer’s Championship. Now ain't that a feat for a team that is considered the underdogs!

Pic 4: Lovely seats!


Pic 5: GEMS system

The 2 litre Proton Super 2000 engine is derived from the 1.8 litre engine fitted to Proton Waja and has been further developed by MEM’s engineers to produce a reliable 278 bhp @ 7600rpm with a usable power band from 5,500 to 8,500rpm. Combined with the Xtrac 6-speed sequential 4WD Super 2000 transmission, the car sets new standards for engine performance and driveability. And all of this power is naturally aspirated!

I can still remember the first time I saw Alister McRae. It was in 1998 when he was driving the Volkswagen Golf GTi. Then in 1999, he was the works driver for Hyundai driving the Hyundai Coupe. Check out the pics below which I took way back then. A little walk down memory lane .....

Pic 6: Alister was driving the VW Golf GTi in 1998 (note autograph :P)


Pic 7: In 1999, Alister was works driver for Hyundai


Pic 8: During recce, Alister ran into an emu during Rally of Australia hence the damaged front end (Yes he autographed this pic too :P)


Pic 9: David Senior tightening back the wheel

Anyway, back to the experience in the Proton Satria Neo Super S2000, the drive was done in an oil palm estate somewhere in Sepang, Malaysia. Strapped in the TRS harness and donning the Stilo helmet with integrated intercom, I was able to chat with Alister enroute to the start of the SS. As my only experience in a rally car was on tarmac, he was telling me that real rallying is on the forest (gravel) and it will be a totally different experience. I agreed and look forward to going at crazy speeds admist oil palms on both sides of the road.

Observing Alister piloting the car, the agility and maneuverability of the vehicle is phenomenal. It's amazing how Alister controls the vehicle on the slippery gravel (it was raining!). What really amazes me is how responsive the brakes are. Braking was done very very late. For example, at a square turn, Alister yanks on the handbrake and the car slides thru with ease. Everytime, he pulls the handbrake it's like a ballerina on steroids!

Pic 10: Those buttons on the steering wheel are bluetooth linked - weight saving on wires


Pic 11: Those are AP pedals there

I did take a video of the experience but sadly it's not the best as I mounted it on the A pillar roll cage thus it's a tad slanted in view and my cam ain't the best out there. Hope you enjoy the video.

Pic 12: Gear indicator display


Pic 12: GEMS system with 12 scroll-able screens


Pic 13: GEMS system with 12 scroll-able screens


Pic 14: The rear - spare tyre, jack, first-aid kit, etc..


Pic 15: The heart of the Proton Satria Neo Super S2000


Pic 16: The heart of the Proton Satria Neo Super S2000


Pic 17: Roll cage and air vents on the roof


Pic 18: Side shot


Pic 19: With Alister McRae


Pic 20: The hardworking crew


Pic 21: Alister McRae


Pic 22: The Proton Satria Neo Super S2000


Pic 23: The Proton Satria Neo Super S2000


Pic 24: ER34 or Proton Satria Neo Super S2000? Hmmm.....


Pic 25: The Proton Satria Neo Super S2000


Pic 26: The Proton Satria Neo Super S2000


Pic 27: The Proton Satria Neo Super S2000


Pic 28: The Proton Satria Neo Super S2000

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R Z-Tune in Nismo Omori Factory

Was going through my PC and found this old video that I took in April 2007 when I visited Nismo Omori Factory. Had a good look at the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R Z-Tune when I was there. This is the first production unit (Vehicle Number P001).

Sorry about the video quality; didn't have a HD cam back then. :P

Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit (6 pot)

Pic 1: 6 pot Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit

Going back in time to April 2007, I posted an entry on the painting of the stock ER34 Sumitomo calipers to blue. Why blue? Well I always liked the blue Endless calipers; and thus, did the next best thing back then, i.e. blue stock calipers. Yeah, I'm sure some readers will be scorning at the decision. LOL :D

I've been on the lookout for stock BNR34 Brembo brakes (front + rear) off and on for a while now. Just too bad that I have yet to stumble upon a set that is reasonably priced and in mint condition. As luck would have it, out of the blue (pun intended!) and totally unplanned and un-budgeted for, I ended up with a set of front Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit.

Pic 2: 6 pot Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit

This set of Endless System Inch Up Brake Kit came off a R34 Skyline and thus is just plug and play into mine. Unfortunately I only have the front pair tho. Looks like the rear will have to do with stock calipers with the current Project Mu rotors. I hope there will not be too much of an irregular brake balance. But then it is said that only 20% of the brake force is at the rear, the front is doing most of the stopping anyway.

The set I got is in relatively good condition and it comes complete with:

1) 2X Endless 6 pot calipers
2) 2X Endless 345mm rotors
3) 2X Endless brackets to suit R34 fitment
4) 2 pairs of Endless brake pads (plenty of meat!)

Pic 3: 6 pot Endless 6 pot Calipers


Pic 4: 6 pot Endless 6 pot Calipers

Out of curiosity, I weight the parts on my home electronic scale and got the below readings:-

Endless calipers with brackets - 4.9kg each
Endless rotors - 9.7kg each

I would have expected it to be lighter tho, afterall it's made from diecast aluminium composite material. I can't wait to fit this on the ER34!!

PS. Looks like my Project Mu SCR Pro 2 piece floating rotors will be up for sale soon. :P

Pic 5: Endless 345mm rotors


Pic 6: Mockup behind a stock BNR34 wheel

Skyline, the movie

Pic 1: Skyline movie poster

Check out this latest movie that's coming to the big screen. Yes I don't do movie reviews and such but this is here because of the title of the movie, SKYLINE. I just thought that it's funny and apt for this blog in a weird kinda way.

The plot summary of the film reads, "Strange lights descend on the city of Los Angeles, drawing people outside like moths to a flame where an extraterrestrial force threatens to swallow the entire human population off the face of the Earth".

It seems like a really good movie not to be missed. Check out the trailer below:-

Pic 2: Snapshot from the movie

Darth Vader ECR33 Skyline

Pic 1: Darth Vader?

Not my taste but hey it's different all right. Makes it look kinda muscle car style. Or a grinning Cheshire Cat. LOL :D

Pic 2: Cheshire Cat

Nissan Hako-Stagea

Pic 1: Nissan Hako-Stagea - front

Now we have seen how the BNR34 and CBA-R35 front was grafted into the Nissan Stagea before but this conversion have to really take the cake!

Check out this Nissan Stagea that has a Hakosuka conversion done to it. The whole front is from the Hakosuka while the rear has neat chrome accents in an attempt to blend in the old skool style. It even has those nice flared arches all round.

Some might love it while others will loathe at it, but one thing for sure, it's damn hell of a unique conversion.

Pic 2: Nissan Hako-Stagea - rear

A retune of the ER34

Pic 1: Power FC Datalogit

I got the ER34 retuned again today. Basically need to fine tune some stuffs on the ignition map. I need to make some changes on the higher rpm thus arises the need to take the car up to high gear and high rpm. That means I have to go fast! Now, I do not condone speeding nor am I a top-speed freak but I had to do this to get the map tidied up. Yeah so there ya go.

I only managed to take the ER34 up to 6,188rpm on fifth gear before I ran out of road or had to slow down (way in advance!) due to traffic up ahead. The ER34 redlines at 7,000rpm thus there's still some room to go. As the stock instrument cluster only goes up to 180km/h, the actual speed thankfully can be viewed via the data logs. Now I can safely say the ER34 is VERY safe to run up on higher boost even on a hot sunny day. :)

Willans Harness Pad

Pic 1: Willans Harness Pad

Just got this in from the UK. Original Willans Harness Pad to replace my aging unit. Now the interior looks much better with these on. The crummy old ones are pretty much used past its useful life. :P

Pic 2: Willans Harness Pad


Pic 3: Now it does look much better eh?

Lamborghini 300ZX

Pic 1: This bumper looked familiar....

I spotted this Nissan Fairlady 300ZX (Z32) recently in a bodykit shop. Horrors it be, it's being converted to replicate the Lamborghini Gallardo. :O

While in standard form, the Z32 may not be that much of a looker but compliment it with a nice bodykit and the appropriate wheels, it'll stand out looking real handsome. If only the owner of this car did just that.

Well I have a lot of comments but I think I'll let the pictures speak for itself ..... plus I do not want to offend anyone. Hahaha

Enjoy!

Pic 2: Quadruple exhausts!?!?!

Pic 3: Some vents here ...

Pic 4: X-Wing :P

Pic 5: Mouth of 'da bull

Pic 6: Uhmm .....

Pic 7: Wonder if real Gallardo lights gonna be fitted there....guess probably not.

Pic 8: Another shot of the vents