Drive It Like You Stole It #07 - Frasiers Hill & Genting Highlands

Pic 1: Charging up Frasiers Hill

Goodness! My last drive to Frasiers Hill was like 6 months ago. Been pretty busy with work and life to devote much of my time to pursue my driving fix. Sigh....:(

This drive is sort of like a last minute thing and together with Mun Kit in his SGTi and Arun in his S15, we blasted off to Frasiers Hill to cure our addiction to driving on touge routes. Bro Isma rode shotgun with me. :P

We took our usual route up and this time I'm noticeably rusty in my driving. Been a while since I really 'drove' the ER34. Heavy downpour the night before has dampened most parts of the route especially on The Gap and the way up to Frasiers Hill. The ER34's tail was a wee bit too happy for my liking. TCS being not 100% fail safe is not that reassuring especially on some corners whereby the car swung out more and longer than expected. Shudder.....

I tried running the ER34 on 0.6 bar and 0.7 bar of boost but the power cut is too erratic and thus the additional power does more harm than good. Boost even spiked to 0.8 bar and these sort of power cut is not something I want to encounter when powering in mid corners. Switching off the EVC fixes that problem but the reduction in power is a sad thing indeed. Oh well, that’s one thing I have to live for until I get it sorted out.

Pic 2: Stopped for a breather at The Gap

Upon reaching The Gap, I'm utterly surprised that they have reverted back to the old format of going up Frasiers Hill. The new road up was closed and we have to use the old way up and down based on a time schedule. Oh darn....looks like we will be stuck up in Frasiers Hill longer than expected. The road up Frasiers was really damp; from wet patches to wet leaves to all sort of fallen debris from overhanging trees. Surprisingly, instead of the super bikers, we have huge number of cyclist on our routes. Practising for the Tour De Langkawi perhaps??

Up in Frasiers Hill, we had our breakfast in our usual joint before heading back down. Arun just got his hands on the S15 and wanted to try some donuts with the car. Hmmm...where else?? This initiated a detour to Genting Highlands open air carpark!!! We have had fun here before in April '07 (write-up here). That was a fun drive indeed. Hehehehe

Pic 3: The group....

Genting Highlands it is....so we proceed back downhill and took the turnoff to Goh Tong Jaya via the old route before joining back the road up to Genting Highlands. I am not particularly fond of driving up Genting Highlands and this is no exception. Arun tried to do some donuts in the carpark but wasn't that successful. I gave it a shot and found that I too can't do donuts anymore. Horrors!!! Those darn 18 inch wheels and fat tyres are such a pain. Looks like there will be no more donut days for me. :(

After trying and failing a couple of rounds, we left Genting Highlands and headed back to Kuala Lumpur via Karak Highway. All in we clocked in about 220km of nice twisties. Can't wait to do this again. :P

Pic 4: At the Genting Highlands open air carpark

HKS EVC IV Updates....

I thought after dialling the boost down on the EVC from 0.8 bar to 0.7 bar, it will be fine but guess I was wrong. Took the ER34 out on the highway yesterday and the cut still comes in albeit at a higher speed now, circa 160km/h in 5th gear. Boost even spiked to 0.75 bar!

Stopped the car in a rest area and fiddle the setting to 0.6 bar and the ER34 will go till circa 180km/h before power was cut. I doubt it's misfiring as there's no 'firecracker' popping sound from the exhaust.

Tried running the car with the EVC off and it's just fine as per before.....well with the exception that the car suddenly feels very sluggish. Oh darn, I think I got too used to how the car behaves at higher boost. :P

Shall I really go for a Apexi S-AFC to settle this problem or live with it until I can really afford an Apexi Power FC? :P

But I guess, in the meantime, I'll just run three boost settings on the ER34. With the EVC off on 0.5 bar; and 0.6 bar and 0.7 bar on setting A & B on the EVC. Interestingly, at stock boost setting, the turbine did not produce a rattling sound as with when the boost was wound up. Hmmmmm………

Oh darn........need to strike lottery man.

R35 GT-R SUV concept

Pic 1: R35 GT-R SUV

The new R35 GT-R has created waves of awe the world over. While fans across the globe are still dreaming of seeing the vehicle in flesh; a fresh new development has just been leaked.

I am shocked to see a picture of the R35 GT-R in the form of an SUV very much like the Porsche Cayenne concept. A high powered performance SUV to cater to those who can't decide to get a proper sports car or to get an SUV to ferry the kids around comfortably.

Imagining a SUV with a 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine producing 473hp barrelling down the North-South Highway send shivers down my spine. If Nissan decides to go ahead with the project, do you think this totally kills the GT-R personality?

Source: Best Car Magazine, Japan

Pic 2: Best Car Magazine cover

HKS EVC IV Black Limited

The stock boost was more than enough but somehow, my hands started to itch for a 'lil bit more power. Thus I ordered the HKS EVC IV Black Limited; and got it installed onto the ER34.

The HKS EVC IV is a full-featured digital electronic boost controller that utilizes a precision "closed-loop" boost regulating stepping motor. Stepping motors are used because they can handle higher boost levels and are quicker to react to various conditions, thus offering quicker boost response and higher stable boost levels throughout each gear.

The unit is adjustable up to 2.5bar (36.25psi) of boost pressure and incorporates a real time digital boost and vacuum display. One can setup 2 boost levels (one high and one low) to accommodate for varying power needs. If a short burst of additional power is need, there is a scramble boost feature will add a specified amount of additional boost over the current boost setting for a preset duration between 1-30 seconds. A darn cool feature!

Pic 1: HKS EVC IV has landed!

Pic 2: This is whats inside the box

Pic 3: A closer look

I mounted the display unit where the ashtray used to reside. Ditched the ashtray and covered the hole with a carbon fibre panel. Then the display unit is mounted onto the carbon fibre panel. The controller unit is mounted below the dash under the TCS button. Yea, this is where my HKS Turbo Timer Type 1 used to be. The stepper motor is mounted in the engine bay with around 6ft of Samco hoses replacing the stock rubber vacuum hoses.

After installation and adjusting the boost from the factory 0.5 bar to 0.8 bar, the ER34 is a joy to drive. More power is available lower down, I could just drive and shift at 3,000rpm - 4,000rpm and that would make me happy for my daily commute to work and back.

After setting the boost to run at 0.8 bar and driving the ER34 for a couple of days, I encountered some problems. The ER34 experiences power cut (I think its fuel cut) intermittently at high revs in 3rd, 4th and 5th. This would be pretty dangerous if one were to be on full throttle into and out of a sweeping bend. The abrupt power cut could unsettle the balance of the car in mid corner. Not something I want to experience at all! I have got to dial the boost down to be below that of the factory ECU's fail safe level. Any higher boost will require a new aftermarket ECU at the very least. I think I will run on 0.7 bar for now. Of course one can trick the factory ECU via electronic units such as the HKS Fuel Cut Defender and Apexi Air Fuel Ratio Controller but I'll rather not go that route of tricking the ECU. An Apexi Power FC would be nice but it's just way too costly for me...... :(

The higher boost level now also brings out another problem. The turbine is giving out an audible clatter at above 4,500rpm. Perhaps the shaft is loose. I have no idea how long more the turbine can stand but I sure do hope it will hang in there lest someone offers me a cheap replacement aftermarket unit. :P

Oh darn, with a non-cooperative wallet, it's a such a pain to 'play' with the ER34.

Pic 4: The display and controller unit

Pic 5: A closer view of the display unit

Pic 6: 6ft of Samco hoses out from the stepping motor

Electrical Gremlins and Blitz FATT DCIV

Pic 1: Wiring madness

Darn it .... the ER34 has been acting up lately. Ever since December 2007, the ER34 is sometimes difficult to start/crank up as if power is running really low. It got so bad that at times, the starter can't even get enough power supply to crank the engine up.

Something is definitely really wrong. After consultations with a couple of car freaks and some mechanics, the problem could be either one of the below:-

1) Faulty alternator
2) Battery power running low
3) Need a bigger battery (now on NS40, needs at least NS60)
4) Current/Electricity leakage

Well I've already changed my alternator to a BCNR33 unit in December 2007 and got a new AC Delco NS40 battery in January 2008. So that rules out item 1 and 2. Many have commented that the battery I have on the ER34 is way too small. It's the same sized as those used in Perodua Kancil 660cc Kei-Cars (Kei Jidosha - Japanese for 'light vehicle'). Hmmmmm .... I've been using NS40 sized battery since I got the car and there's no problem so I've ruled that out. I'll will probably change to a bigger NS60 sized battery next time.

So that means there have to be some leakage of current somewhere. My volt meter fluctuates and dips dangerously low on every usage of the flash, signal lights and power windows. The leakage has even claimed the 'life' of my HKS Turbo Timer Type 1. The turbo timer still functions as normal except it is unable to keep the engine running when the ignition is shut. Oh darn, got to spend on a new replacement turbo timer now. :(

Eventhough I like the HKS Turbo Timer Type 1, I've decided against getting the same unit but instead opted for either the Apexi Turbo Timer or the Blitz Full Auto Turbo Timer DCIV. Since the Apexi offering are so common and there even exists an imitation version, I opted for the Blitz FATT DCIV. Never did come across anyone using this though. Great, I love novelty.

Pic 2: The Blitz FATT DCIV

Pic 3: The contents inside the Blitz FATT DCIV box

Pic 4: Blitz FATT DCIV installed on meter console

Anyway, I left the car with my mechanic to iron out the issue. All the wirings have got to be checked. After 5 days of going through the ER34, the car was finally returned back to me all ok. The engine purrs to life within a single or two crank and voltage readings are back to normal. Apparently, some wirings is not done properly and the cable to the positive terminal of the battery isn’t that good.

Boy am I glad that the ER34 is back!!!

"Evolusi KL Drift" movie trailer

If you remember one of my earlier blog entries, the ER34 made some small time appearences for the film "Evolusi KL Drift". That was way back in June 2007 (you can read about it here). After months of waiting, the movie trailer was finally released.

The movie will be in the cinemas in April 2008. Can't wait to watch the movie and hope to catch a glimpse of the ER34 in there. :P

Autobacs Bangkok

Pic 1: In front of Autobacs, Sathon

I was in Bangkok, Thailand last weekend for a bit of an R&R and hanging out at the usual shopping places such as Chatuchak weekend market, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, wholesale markets around Pratunam and luxurious shopping malls such as Siam Paragon.

Besides enjoying the lovely seafood at Yaowarat (Chinatown) and at Soomboon Seafood　(สมบูรณ์ ชีฟูดส์), I found time to visit Autobacs in Bangkok. There are actually two Autobacs in Bangkok! Yes two of them, one in Sathon and the other one at Pattanakarn. I went to the one located in Sathon as it was nearer to my hotel.

I wasn't expecting much especially since this is Thailand and it will never compare to the Super Autobacs in Tokyo Bay Shinonome. But nevertheless, the store wasn't too bad ... except not much parts for the Skyline (or JDM cars for that matter). But it was an eye opener. Came across many chassis reinforcement bars for the Toyota Yaris and Vios though. If I drove one, I bet I'll grab a whole lot of bars back. :P

The setup is basically more or less like the ones in Japan; just smaller in size. You will find rows of air filters, wiper blades, brake pads, rotors, engine oils, bulbs, wheels, tyres, meters, air fresheners, audio equipments, bodykits, etc.....

Here are some pictures that I took of Autobacs....

Pic 2: The store's exterior

Pic 3: Rows of HKS, K&N and Trust air filters

Pic 4: Wheels galore!

Pic 5: Springs for your ride?

Pic 6: Exhausts from Trust, Blitz and Nitto for Jazz, Yaris and Vios

Pic 7: Bulbs from PIAA, HKS, Osram, Polarg, IPF, Raybrig and Philips

Pic 8: Stuffs from NISMO, Mugen, Ralliart, Sti and TRD

Pic 9: Chassis reinforcement bars

Pic 10: D1 counter with magazines and DVDs

Pic 11: Bodykits for Toyota Yaris

Pic 12: Anyone wanna order the new Nissan GTR (R35)?