Recaro Side Protector

Pic 1: Recaro Side Protector

It is common for bucket seats to have worn side bolsters. The high sides of the bucket seats means that the driver will often rub against it when entering and exiting the vehicle. Friction, over time will wear off the cloth trim of the seats and expose the insides. Not a pretty sight and not something that I hope to happen to my Recaro RS-G.

To prevent that from happening, I got myself a Recaro side protector. Basically, it's just a piece of leatherly material to wrap around the sides of the seat. With it on, the fabric underneath is protected from wear and tear.

A simple thing but works a treat!

Pic 2: Before fitment


Pic 1: After fitment

Willans 4 point harness

Pic 1: Willans harness

I bet most if not all motorsports fan will have heard of Willans. They are the world’s leading harness manufacturer. You'll be able to see their product in all forms of motorsports – from club racing and rallying to Formula One and Nascar. Yeap even Formula One teams uses Willans harness.

I got a Willans 4 point harness to complement the Recaro RS-G seat. Well, might as well right? Afterall, the factory 3 point seat belt will be massively brushing against the Recaro RS-G shoulder support. It's going to definitely worn out that portion of the seat mighty quick if I keep on using that.

Pic 2: Camlock

The version I got is with the Camlock twist buckle quick release version and it work wonders. With a quick twist and all the harness straps unbuckles itself. It even has provision in the twist buckle to accept a fifth harness strap to convert it to a five point or six point harness.

The downside is that it's now a mighty chore just to get strapped in. And once you're strapped in you can't even reach for the glovebox let alone to look over your shoulders when you wanna reverse the car. Eeekk!

Here are some pictures of the harness.

Pic 3: Willans harness


Pic 4: Installed along with the Recaro RS-G

Recaro RS-G

Pic 1: Recaro RS-G

Ever since I started "playing around" with cars, I've always wanted a fixed back bucket seat. The closest I got was a pair of Recaro SR3 in my previous car, the Perdana V6. Those were very comfortable yet provides enough grip on hard cornering. Too bad, I removed it out from the car and had it sold off 3 years ago. I didn't want to put it into the ER34 then as my plans with the car was not that extreme; just wanna keep it lightly modded and close to stock; well at least that's what I told myself.

Hummph, looked at how it turned out now!

Pic 2: Rear of the Recaro RS-G

So anyway, one day a buddy of mine offered me something I find it hard to resist, a Recaro RS-G along with railings for the R34. It's just plug and play. Now ain't that mighty convenient? :P

Pic 3: Recaro railings for the R34

The Recaro RS-G is the replacement model for the ever popular Recaro SP-G. It's a current model and still is highly popular especially in Japan. I've seen many pictures of it installed onto the R35 GT-R and also the S2000.

Pic 4: Side view of the Recaro RS-G

The Recaro RS-G that I have is wrapped in cloth material. I wished mine were wrapped in alcantara but I guess cloth will do for now unless someone wanna sponsor a re-trim. :)

Here are some pictures of the seat. :)

PS. Time for a harness to compliment the Recaro RS-G? :P

Pic 5: Harness guide holes


Pic 6: Compatible with 5/6 point harness


Pic 7: I wished mine were wrapped in Alcantara

Copy Version of Takata Harness (MPH341)

Pic 1: Original version do make a difference :P

Some say imitation is the highest form of flatery. This transcends beyond the fashion world with its now world famous 'copy versions' of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, etc..So renowned that there are certain cities in the world that churns out these world class copies (so called A-grades) by the truckloads.

Pic 2: Louis Vuitton bags of every kind

Unfortunately, there are also copy versions of the automotive kind. No I don't mean the likes of chinese automakers making a getaway with look-a-likes Chevrolet Spark, BMW X5, Smart Fortwo, etc.. It boils to a more micro level. We are looking at copy version of automotive parts.

Should they fail, some of these parts could be deadly and dangerous to the life of the driver and/or the vehicle itself. Eg. are brake pads, engine oil, fuel pump, oil filter, sensors, etc....

Pic 3: Having an interior like this is a dream

Now fake parts have gone aftermarket too. It's quite disturbing to see many renowned parts have been copied. You have copy version of GReddy & Cusco oil catch tank, copy version of HKS blow off valves & circle earth, copy version of Recaro and Bride bucket seats, copy version of Apexi turbo timers, copy version of GReddy Emanage ECU, copy version of many JDM intercoolers and also copy version of Takata harness. And yes, the list does goes on.

Well of course there are market demands for these items. Lets face it, there will always be buyers on either end of the spectrum. So why am I making a blog entry about this? Well, because of the availability of copy version of aftermarket parts, this has invariable affected my path in the way I equip the ER34. Like how I opted the use of a Blitz turbo timer instead of an Apexi item or how I opted for a Mocal oil catch tank (yet to be installed tho) instead of GReddy/Cusco items.

Pic 4: The real deal MPH341 Takata Harness

I'm sure you would have heard of the rage now over Takata harness. Copy versions have spread everywhere the world over. Part of my wish list is a Takata harness. Been wanting one even before I got the ER34 (serious!). But looks like my direction will have to change due to the many copy units out there. Who know I might be conned into paying real deal price for a copy version. Price differential could be in the ratio of 1:4. Shocked!

JDM concept came out with a guide on how to tell the differences thus am sharing it here with you. The fake Takata Harnesses are almost the same in everyway. You'll be hard pressed to tell it apart without comparing with a genuine unit. Amongst the differences are the eyebolt, cross stitching (fakes have 7, genuine have 4), brackets, CAMS quick release mechanism and FIA label.

Pic 5: Eye bolt differences

Pic 6: 4 versus 7 cross stitching

Pic 7: Note difference in material and design of the bracket

Pic 8: Note difference in material and design of the bracket

Pic 9: Colour is a bit off too

Pic 10: FIA tag

Pic 11: Note difference in material and design of the bracket

Pic 12: No TAKATA engraving at the rear of the CAM lock

Pic 13: Note different coloured CAM lock and the faux carbon fibre on the fake unit

Pic 14: Unique serial number on the genuine unit

Fake version will always have (at this point of time) a FIA label to 2010 and carries the serial number 1E25 (should be a unique running number in the genuine items).

I dunno about you but although it might serve the same function at a fraction of the price, it's effectiveness in the event of a crash is highly questionable. I've seen many people selling off their used Takata harness without the knowledge that they have paid for a fake when it was first bought. Hope this guide helps if you're aftering a unit.

On another note, actually a Bride bucket seat is also part of my wish list but it's got to be abandoned now. There are just too many copy versions out there in the market. That is kinda sucky.
Sigh :(

Pic 15: Perhaps fake harness are better used this way :P

My Proton Perdana V6 has moved on........

It is with great sadness that my ever faithful Proton Perdana V6 that had served me since year 2000 has moved on. It is officially handed over to the new owner on Tuesday, 25th July 2006. During these 6 years, many effort and time has been poured into turning the vehicle to handle better, brake better and gives out a tad more power than it originally had. It is also my only weapon for my speed fixes. Took the babe out for many autocross/gymkhana competitions, track days in Batu Tiga and Sepang International Circuit and of course not discounting the countless hill drives up to Bukit Tinggi, Frasiers Hill and Genting Highland.

The only memory of it now are just some pictures as below:-

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine
Apexi Dual Funnel Power Intake
Transmission Oil Cooler
Transmission Oil Cooler Water Spray System
Hot Bits Manifold/Extractors
Hot Bits Mid Pipe
Decat

Electronics
Apexi S-AFC
Apexi RSM
HKS Turbo Timer Type-1

Suspension
Eibach Pro Kit Springs
Eibach Anti Roll Bar
Koni Adjustable Dampers
Hot Bits Front Strut Bar
Hot Bits Rear Strut Bar
Ultra Racing 3 Point Fender Bars
Polyurethane Foaming (Doorsills, B Pillars, Front & Rear Sub Frame Chassis)

Brakes
Eterna Twin Turbo Twin Pot Calipers (Fr)
Slotted Fr 276mm Disc Brakes
Pro-RS Stainless Steel
Brake Hoses (With Teflon inserts)
EBC Brake Pads

Footwork
17 inch Prodrive GC-06D Wheels
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (215/45/17)

Interior
Recaro SR3 Viper Red
Razo Pedals
Eclipse E7703AVX – Head Unit
Eclipse 8052 5" Mid – Fr Speakers
Eclipse Passive Crossovers
Eclipse 3/4" Tweeters
Kenwood KFC-6907 6X9 200W – Rear Speakers
Epsilon ESQ 75.4 4 channel Amp 75W

Styling / Cosmetic
R3 Carbon Fibre Hood
Carbon Fibre Number Plates
OMP Hood Pins
Eterna Rear Spoiler
Roof Spoiler
Custom Grille

The above took me 5 years to built and at the end of it, there is nothing left to be done anymore except for an engine change to a 6A12 Twin Turbo or a transmission change. Both of which I'm not willing to do which means Project 8110 has drawn to an end.

You will be missed.........