Drive It Like You Stole It #02- Kuala Kelawang

Well today I just came back from another drive.

Drive It Like You Stole It (DILYSI) #02 was to Kuala Kelawang near Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. We got together the below cars this time 'round.

4 units of the Skyline (3 ER34 and 1 HCR32)
2 units of the Impreza WRX Sti (Ver. 7 and Ver.8)
1 unit of the S13 Silvia

Pic 1: The grouped stopped for a 'lil breather in Kuala Kelawang

Pic 2: Wonder what they are discussing.....

Pic 3: The twisties!!!

The route was from Kuala Lumpur - Hulu Langat - Kuala Kelawang - Seremban - Kuala Lumpur

Total distance travelled is around 250km. We move off around 7:40am towards Cheras via MRR2 to reach Hulu Langat. From here the route in Kuala Kelawang is made out of pure fast and winding left and right hander one after another. Imagine for miles you are just shuffling the steering wheel from the left to the right to the left to the right to the left ............. and so on. The roads are really isolated with little or no traffic at all except for certain sections that are dotted with small villages.

Pic 4: Breakfast stop half-way

Pic 5: Many twin stove tail lights!

What is scary to me is the existence of multiple FAST corners that tightens in the middle of the turn. I drove max-ed out, perhaps at tenth tenth at some parts to catch up with the faster Impreza STi. Those cars certainly are better adapted for these roads with their 4 wheel driven wheels.

Amongst the things I noticed about my ER34 in Kuala Kelawang is the need to have better brakes (yes finally planning on those!) for those late braking maneuvers and better tyres (for more grip!). Besides that perhaps I need to be a better driver too to link those endless corners in a smoother way.

I had the rear of the ER34 twitching on many of the corners as the car oversteers. On a few occasions, my heart beat a few beats faster as I braked too late and turn-in too fast into corners that only reveal its tightening characteristics in the middle of the corner.

Really adrenalin pumping stuffs!!

One of us even spun 180 degrees! Luckily there were no traffic and the car did not veer off the road. Phew....

Pic 6: Excellent roads!!!

Pic 7: Jeram Toi waterfalls

Pic 8: Relaxing in Jeram Toi waterfalls

Upon reaching Jelebu, we stopped by the Jeram Toi waterfalls. The Jeram Toi waterfalls is located about halfway between Seremban and Kuala Kelawang. They were discovered by the British in 1895 and became a popular place for a relaxing bath and a family picnic. The park has shelters, toilets, barbeque pits, and a cemented walkway with steps leading up the gorge. The place is quite desolate when we visited it. Furthermore it's facilities are in a state of decay and neglect. Looks like the local authorities need to do something about it......

After the waterfalls, we head to Seremban town and into the North-South Espressway towards Kuala Lumpur for our well deserved lunch. :)

Great drive guys. Can't wait for DILYSI #03

A week in Beijing, China

No. The ER34 did NOT spend a week in Beijing. I did. :P

I was in Beijing (北京), China for a week for some R&R and yea I did have some fun amidst some mixed emotions. The funny part was when I reached Beijing Capital International Airport, I saw a man holding the below signage. Weird but true. Hahaha

Pic 1: Skyline Connection Travel. Weird but true...

Well Beijing this time of the year is cold, really cold. Temperature ranges from 2 degrees Celsius to 8 degrees Celsius daily when I was there. Coupled with the chilly winter wind, it's not too comfy to stay outdoor for prolonged period of time. It was also really misty/foggy in Beijing and that spoils many of the photographs, sadly. :(

Pic 2: Soldiers marching in Forbidden City

This is my second trip to Beijing. The first being my maiden journey to dear old China many many years ago. It's nice to re-visit the usual tourist spots again after so many years. Went to Tiananmen Square (天安门广场), Mausoleum of Mao Zedong (毛主席纪念堂), Forbidden City (紫禁城), Temple of Heaven (天坛), Summer Palace (颐和园), Ming Dynasty Tombs (明朝十三陵), and of course the Great Wall of China (萬里長城). I find myself looking at all the above historical spots in a different light, during my 1st trip I was ooohhh-ing and ahhhhh-ing away at the grandeur of the buildings. This time around, I spend a 'lil bit of time to look at the more intricate details like the architecture and its surroundings.

Pic 3: Forbidden City

Pic 4: Summer Palace

Pic 5: The long corridor in Summer Palace

Pic 6: Great Wall of China (Juyong Pass)

Pic 7: Ming Dynasty Tombs

Pic 8: Temple of Heaven

There's intense development all around the city as many are preparing for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. I'm sure with the soaring development in properties and the governments' inherent limit on major developments to rid of ugly cranes and unfinished buildings during the Olympics, property prices is gonna boom. It's all good for those in the game and with money but for the common folk it would means harder to own a place to call their own. As of now, the cost of living is heading way high with double digits in inflation rates last year and perhaps this year as well.

Pic 9: Countdown to the 2008 Summer Olympics on the 8th August 2008

Automobiles

I'm sure many would be familiar with the diverse automobile manufacturers in China. There are just so many of them and many of which are only limited to a certain province. So you might see an automobile brand in one part of China and it will remain unknown to the rest of the country.

Pic 9: No parking dude.....

I can foresee within less than 10 years time, many of these manufacturers will consolidate into a few big giants and take on the world. Sure their products and quality may be a bit below par now but give them time, and the world will be shaken by Chinese Automobile Manufacturers.

Pic 10: Funny motorcyle with an enclosure

Just look at the Japanese when they first started and went to America. They are looked upon as trash and laughed at. Now?? Honda and Toyota is making General Motors sweat in its pants! Then came the Koreans. When the first vehicle (Pony) rolled off from Hyundai's production line, it's laughed upon the world over. Look at them now, in a shorter span of time than the Japanese, it has taken America and Europe by storm. Offering quality products at a cheaper price and providing the public an excellent alternative to offerings from America, Europe and Japan.

Now it's China's turn. With their experience in 'reverse engineering', I'm sure this objective will be fulfilled in a shorter span of time. When I was there, I did spot some products that are of familiar origins. I saw the Laibao SR-V (manufactured by Shuanghuan Motors) which is basically a clone of the Honda CR-V and also the Cherry QQ, the infamous clone of the Chevy Spark.

Ok enough about the automobile industry. Looking at subjects more close at heart, I have great respect for the vehicle drivers in Beijing. They're so well behaved. I was told that it costs around RMB 4,000 to obtain a driving license and the penalty for traffic offences are heavy in terms of monitory fines and suspension of license. During my stay there, I have not come across anyone speeding along the expressway. I can imagine if I was a resident in Beijing, I'll get my license suspended in no time for speeding. I would be tearing away along the Badaling Expressway at max speed. Perhaps I'll just stick to motorized bicycles. Hehehehe :P

Food and lodgings

Accomodation was allright. It's not too bad. Stayed in the Holiday Inn Downtown Beijing. Think it's a four star hotel. Some of the bigger hotels are just so nice. I wish and I miss staying in 5 star hotels in China. Simply heaven......

Food was nothing to shout about but I did see some weird stuffs in Wang Fu Jing Street. There's scorpions, sea horses, star fish, centipedes, beetles, baby sharks, grass hoppers, etc....

Errr....nope, I did not have the stomach to try any of those......

Pic 11: Food stalls along Wang Fu Jing Street

Pic 12: Food stalls along Wang Fu Jing Street

Pic 13: Peking Duck at Quanjude Restaurant

Also went to the most well known restaurant for the infamous Peking Duck, Quanjude (全聚德) Restaurant. Quanjude is nationally recognized as the most prestigious restaurant in China for the past 140 years. I went to the latest outlet in Silk Street. It is said that the restaurant chain sells over 2 million roast ducks annually. That’s a whole lots of ducks!

Weird antics?

Well there was this one chilly night around 11:00pm with nothing to do and feeling kinda below the wind. I went out from the hotel in my pajamas (track pants & t-shirt) and walked a block or two in what felt like perhaps 4 degrees Celsius! Many locals look at me with faces that say, "What the hell is this crazy guy doing dressed in t-shirt only".

Hahaha.....it was refreshingly cool and did indeed freshen me up. Luckily I did not catch a cold. :P

I also had a hair cut in Beijing. Yes a hair cut. Hey my hair was long so uhmmm...why not? It only costs RMB 25 for a hair cut and that includes a shoulder massage. Hey not too bad right? I was actually kinda afraid it turns out weird but it was ok at the end.... Thankfully.

Pic 14: Night shopping along Wang Fu Jing Street

Pic 15: Beijing. A blend of old, traditional and modernization

In conclusion?

Overall, Beijing is not a place that I would view as a home. It's just not my style unlike other cities that I've been to in China. I am particularly fond of Yunnan (云南). Especially the 'lil capital in the far southwestern corner of China.

Nevertheless, I'm gonna miss China and it's wonderful melting pot of people, culture and history. I'm looking forward to my 8th trip to China and hopefully it'll be to a place that's close to my heart.

Forever fascinated by China and it's wonderful people.......

More pics here.

Trust/GReddy Oil Cooler Kit arrived from Japan !!!

The ER34 oil temperature was running kinda high on prolonged high speed runs and also on enthusiastic driving with constant high revs. An oil cooler kit was one of the top priorities on my to-do list when I got the ER34. I have been clocking about 115 degrees Celsius on my 180km/h runs along the highways (yea speed are still limited until I fix my brakes!) and also on 'enthusiastic' drives along the local hill roads.

Overheated engine oil (which lubricates and cools the engine) has adverse effects as the temperature rises. Its efficiency decreases and breaks down the engine internals. Unless the temperature is properly managed, not only the engine oil breaks down faster, it is also a contributing cause of engine failure/blows.

Pic 1: The package via EMS from Japan.

Pic 2: Inside the package has two more boxes. The left box houses the cooler and the right box has all the hoses and fittings inside.

Pic 3: Errr....ok. I will not use it on the street. :P

I ordered the Trust/GReddy Oil Cooler Kit direct from Japan via air freight and it arrived last Friday. It got detained in Malaysian Customs and I only got to clear it out today. Why a week later? Well I was away from the country in Hatyai, Thailand for a couple of days; and it's the Chinese New Year week for God's Sake!!!

Speaking of Hatyai, boy did I had fun there. Chinese New Year celebration over there was splendid. They had dragon dance and lion dance along the main streets EVERY evening accompanied by deafening firecrackers. Later at night, fireworks lights up the sky. Can't say the same about our dear old Kuala Lumpur. Why is it that I'm beginning to like every other place I go to except where I am now? Sigh.......

Pic 4: Dragon dance along the streets of Hatyai

Pic 5: Chinese New Year night markets with lots of yummy food for sale. Heck they even sells fried insects. Nope, did not try 'em. :P

Pic 6: Hatyai City

Oh darn, SORRY strayed off topic a wee bit....

So ANYWAY, if you are wondering about taxes from Customs, well lets say I got that covered. Hehehehe :)

The Trust/GReddy Oil Cooler helps to maintain the engine oil temperature which is stabilized with high heat dissipation characteristics of the oil cooler design and lower pressure loss. The Kit comes with the below:-

Trust/GReddy Oil Cooler Kit (NS1310G / Part No. 12024629)

1) 1 X 13 rows Trust oil cooler

2) 2 X EARL'S steel braided hoses with EARL'S fittings

3) 1 X Plastic heat shealth

4) 1 X GREX sandwich block

5) 3 X Mounting brackets

6) 5 X Nuts

7) 4 X Oil seals / o-rings

8) 4 X Zip ties

9) 9 X Bolt and nuts

10) 1 X Instruction manual

Pic 7: Trust/GReddy Oil Cooler Kit

The best part is the steel braided hoses and its fittings. It's from EARL's, EARL'S is the supplier of high-quality military aircraft specification hoses and fittings that supplies to a spectrum of motorsport including F1, F3, A1GP, Indy, Touring Car, British Superbike, Sidecar and World Rally teams. In short, quality motorsports proven stuffs.

Pic 8: EARL'S hoses and fittings with a plastic heat shealth

Pic 9: EARL'S fittings

The sandwich block has a built in termostat to open/close the valve that leads to the oil cooler depending on temperature. If and when the engine oil is cold, the valve will close and engine oils will NOT flow to the oil cooler. It will re-open only when the temperature rises. Excellent! Wish I had one of those last time when I used to ran an ATF cooler on my previous ride, Project 8110.

Pic 10: GREX sandwich block

The Trust/GReddy Oil Cooler Kit measures 299mm X 185.4mm X 50mm and are mounted right in front of the radiator behind the front bumper. It will sit flush near the drivers side headlights. It has 13 rows as opposed to the other alternative of a 10 rows version. Well I figure 3 more rows would be better isn’t it? Well no harm to be on the extra precaution side eh? :P

Pic 11: Trust 13 rows oil cooler

I'm expecting my oil temperature to hover around 90 degrees Celsius even on all out hard driving after the installation. Actually I have also considered other alternatives before deciding on this unit. Among them are the HKS Oil Cooler Kit (Part No. 15004-AN008) and ASR Inductive Ceramic Coated Oil Cooler.

But at the end, nothing compares to the Trust/GReddy Oil Cooler Kit. :P

Pic 12: Nuts and o-rings

Pic 13: Nuts and bolts & zip ties

Pic 14: Mounting brackets

Drive It Like You Stole It #01- Frasiers Hill

Well the new year of 2007 brings to me new excitements in the way I approach driving enjoyment - just like a couple of years ago during Project 8110. :)

I had slowed down tremendously for the past two years or so.... BUT now, with the ER34, guess I can safely say I'm back to incorporate my weekends with 'drives'. Well, after some thought, I came up with a name for it and decided on "Drive It Like You Stole It" or DILYSI for short. :P

Anyway, the very first DILYSI for 2007 was none other than up my favorite route, Frasiers Hill.

For this drive, there were 2 ER34, 1 WRX Sti Ver.8 V Limited, 1 SGTi, 1 RX-8 and a dorifto HCR32. The usual route was taken, that is:- Batu Caves - Ulu Yam - Kuala Kubu Baru - Batang Kali - The Gap - Frasiers Hill

We pushed off at 7:30am sharp on a fine Saturday morning on 10th February 2007. This is a first time I'm organizing a morning drive on a Saturday. Guess it throws the term 'Sunday Drive' out the window. Hahaha....

Pic 1: First RV point, The Gap Rest House

Anyway, the traffic was surprisingly just as scarce as a typical Sunday morning.

Excellent!!!

Billy in his RX-8 was a first timer in this sort of drives thus we started out on a slightly slower pace than usual. The pace was gradually picked up and think we were doing about 8th tenth on most stretches up Frasiers. Ariff was having fun doing some drifts going up hill as well.

Pic 2: The trek

It was interesting to have our dear friend Mun Kit in his SGTi keeping up to pace (and giving them a run for their money!) with the more powerful cars. As Billy says, the car is not important; it's the person behind the steering wheel. Totally agreed!

There were however some casualties. Jason's Sti had its check engine light on, Ariff's HCR32 had a 'stuck' throttle body, any my navigator vomited quite a bit. :P

Pic 3: Breakfast in Frasiers Hill

Pic 4: 10:45am and it's time to head downhill

Thanks for the great drive guys and gals. Those that pull out last minute due to work commitments, ensure you are available for the next DILYSI #02! It will be to Kuala Kelawang, Negeri Sembilan via the trunk roads.

Stay tuned for it after Chinese New Year.

Can't wait ....................

More pics below:-

Pic 5: Touge roads are fun!!

Pic 6: HCR32 charging downhill

Pic 7: Sti Ver. 8 in its natural habitat

Pic 8: HCR32 when its not sideways. LOL

HKS Turbo Timer Type 1 in the ER34

Pic 1: R-Spec Turbo Timer on the ER34

The ER34 comes with a R Spec Auto Turbo Timer that worked really well except that at times I can't figure out the full functionality of it due to not having a manual and unable to source one online as well.

Pic 2: R-Spec Turbo Timer removed

Well since I have a HKS Turbo Timer Type 1 lying around in my parts bin, why not use that? This unit was removed from my previous ride (Project 8110) and I loved its functionality. Below are the specifications of it.

Pic 3: HKS Turbo Timer Type 1

HKS Turbo Timer Type 1 Specifications

Auto / user preset Turbo Timer

Speed Meter / Speed Peak Hold

Speed WarningRPM speed meter / RPM Peak Hold

2 stage RPM warning with shift light and audible beep

Quarter Mile Time (Section Time) / Acceleration Interval Calculation

- 0-100m, 0-200m, 0-400m, 0-100km/h, 0-150km/h, 0-200km/h, 50-100km/h, 100-150km/h

Stopwatch / Lap Timer

Battery Voltage / Voltage warning

Pic 4: HKS Turbo Timer Type 1 'living' below the TCS button

Got the R Spec unit removed and installed the HKS Turbo Timer Type 1 in the ER34 with much satisfaction. I placed it below the steering column just right underneath the TCS ON/OFF button. Everything worked well and dialed in my settings for my 2 stage shift warning. The funny thing is that the auto turbo timer function seems to idle the car for a waaaaay shorter time as compared to the R Spec unit.

Hmmmm.....perhaps I'll just fixed it to 60 seconds and leave it as it is.

Leaky Teins and new damping rates

Well well....so much for the infamous Teins. First it produces groaning sound over speed humps, now it leaked at the rear. Specifically, the rear right hand side of the vehicle.

Pic 1: Leaky Tein Super Street

I send it back to the distributor to take a look and they were quite surprised at it. They thought I abused it but I have never tracked the car (yet!) nor drifted in it (ho hum!). Well if I do, it's supposed to withstand the 'abuse' anyway.

But regardless, they took in my case. Got the leaked suspension removed, cleaned, o-rings changed, oil and gas replaced FOC. :P

Excellent!!

Pic 2: Squeaky clean and serviced Tein Super Street

New Damping Rates
Well, since I'm at it, I've decided to re-adjust the damping rates. The previous adjustment of 17 out of 26 clicks in front and 20 out of 30 clicks at the rear are totally WRONG!!!

The Tein Super Street should only have 16 point adjustments front and rear. Found out that the CORRECT way of adjustment is to dial it clockwise to the max, i.e the hardest setting and reduce the damping rate from there onwards to a minimum of 16 clicks. Anything more than 16 clicks does absolutely nothing!

So what’s the new rate? Decided to dial 6 clicks down, thus its 10 clicks out of 16 clicks all round. Initial impression is that it's a tad too stiff. Perhaps the rear should be 2 clicks softer else any passenger at the rear will bound to vomit after some enthusiastic driving. LOL :P

On the positive side of things, the ER34 corners much better now. There's noticeable improvement in roadholding now.

Cool, can't wait to take it up some touge roads....

Why silicone hoses must be blue in colour?

Sigh....it happened again. My boost sensor hose has split its ends. This time round, I decided once and for all to get replacements instead of trimming and reusing the current hose.

Went searching around for tougher silicone hoses from the local speedshops. Found those offerings by SAMCO and SARD but all of them are blue in colour! Why must silicone hose be blue in colour? Can't it be black like what a hose is supposed to be like? Aren't blue a bit on the riceboy side of things???

Anyway, since there's no silicone hoses in black, I got the normal black rubber hoses and replaced mine.

Now my boost meter is back in function. :)