Tommy Kaira 25R Digital Meter Cluster

Pic 1: Tommy Kaira 25R Digital Meter Cluster

Ever since I got the ER34, I've been looking for the Tommy Kaira 25R Digital Meter Cluster. It's basically a stock meter cluster but embedded in it is the speedometer in digital format instead of an analogue dial. In addition, it also have warning lights to indicate "Peak Torque" and "Shift Up Point".

As you can imagine, this meter cluster is as rare as hen's teeth! These were only found in Tommy Kaira 25R. And only 163 units were ever made. From this number it is again divided in to automatic transmission and manual transmission version. During the course of these few years, I've managed to track down a couple of automatic transmission meter cluster but not the manual version until now. And boy does it cost me! Paid mighty good money for it.

Pic 2: Tommy Kaira 25R Digital Meter Cluster

Actually I've also gone to the extend of requesting Tommy Kaira to produce the meter but they rather not entertain my request unfortunately. 

  

Anyway, when the Tommy Kaira 25R Digital Meter Cluster arrived, I got it fitted onto the ER34. Looks good but one major issue. The calibration is totally off. It's reading perhaps around 4 times the actual speed. And I hit the speed limit of the meter cluster easily, at a speedy 400km/h. :P

There are some work around ways to this after consulting a mate in Australia that have had the same issue. I'll need to sent it to a instrument specialist. They will hook up the meter cluster to two devices called SINE Wave Electronic Ratio Box. One each for the speed reading and  the odometer reading. 

Before I courier down my meter to those guys in Australia, I looked around my part of the world and thankfully, a friend here can get it done for me. And I do not need those SINE Wave Electronic Ratio Box. The Tommy Kaira 25R Digital Meter Cluster will be worked on directly. The meter cluster was disassembled and long story short, I got it back after a couple of months. It's working great!

Pic 3: Tommy Kaira 25R Digital Meter Being Worked On


Pic 4: Tommy Kaira 25R Digital Meter Being Worked On 

Here is how it looks fitted in.

Pic 5: Tommy Kaira 25R Digital Meter Cluster Fitted In

New Rubbers: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric II

I've been neglecting the tyres of the ER34 real bad. Until one day it just gave in. While traveling on the expressway going at 140km/h just cruising behind a McLaren MP4-12C, the drivers side front tyres gave out a loud snap and decided to end its life there and then. No, I wasn't blasting down the expressway, I was just cruising and admiring the fine lines of the MP4-12C.

Anyway, I found a safe spot to park the car and inspect the damage and it turns out pretty bad as the pictures below would illustrate.

Deciding on replacement tyres aren't a problem as I've already knew my next tyres will be the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric II. I have nothing but praises on the previous set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric, so why not continue with the improved Asymmetric II.

Here is what tirerack have got to say about them:-

"The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 is Goodyear's Max Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans. In addition to being designed to deliver improved handling and steering response, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 features Goodyear ActiveBraking Technology to enhance stopping performance on dry and wet roads. However, like all summer tires, it is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2's tread compound combines Goodyear race traction resins for dry grip, high surface silica for wet traction and high molecular weight polymers to optimize tread stiffness. This compound is molded into an asymmetric tread design with a wide, solid outboard shoulder to increase cornering traction and continuous notched inboard ribs to improve high speed stability. Goodyear's ActiveBraking Technology 3-dimensional tread element designs increase surface contact with the road to reduce stopping distances during heavy braking, while its wide circumferential grooves disperse water from the tire footprint.

The internal structure of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 includes twin steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped polyamide cord to enhance tread stability and high-speed capability. Goodyear's lightweight, racing-derived construction lowers unsprung mass to increase performance while their crossed plies casing improves steering precision, handling and stopping power."

And the ratings from Tyre Reviews in the UK.

And finally, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric II fitted onto the ER34. :)

Cusco Rear Brace

Pic 1: Cusco Rear Brace

Just got the Cusco Rear Brace fitted to the ER34. It's supposed to tie in the rear and provide that extra bit of rigidity. It's plug and play thus no holes needs to be drilled but being the fitting position is in the boot/trunk of the car, some carpet would need to be trimmed to make way for the bar.

Nothing major, just need to make some slits for the bar to pass through behind the trimmings. One disadvantage about this bar is that the parcel shelf in the trunk would not be accessible anymore as the bar is smack in the middle blocking access to it. I guess some trade-off needs to be made.

Below are pictures of the install to give a clearer understanding.

Pic 2: Cusco Rear Brace

Pic 3: Cusco Rear Brace

Pic 4: Mounting point

Pic 5: One side with carpet trim and another without

Pic 6: Carpet trim back on

Pic 7: This is how it looks like when finally fitted

2013 Super GT Round 3 at Sepang International Circuit

Come June every year, it's an exciting time for motorsports fan in Malaysia. That's right, it's the round 3 of the Super GT that is held in Sepang International Circuit. This is the only round of the series out of Japan.

Last weekend was the race day and boy did it deliver with massive off track activities and on track excitement. There were a wide collection of classic/vintage and custom street cars on display at the mall area amongst the display of new cars by local car distributors. 

Before the race, the fans were treated to the sights and noise of 1,300 high-powered motorcycles on the main straight of the Sepang International Circuit. There were also a gathering of hundreds of Honda CR-Z for the fans to admire.

It is estimated that 100,000 spectators were at the circuit over the two days race weekend. That surpasses the previous turnouts by a fair bit. Looks like Super GT is now strongly engraved onto the motorsports calender of more Malaysians.

The GT500 class race was won by the CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R driven by Tsugio Matsuda and Joao Paulo de Oliveira and the GT300 class race by the ARTA CR-Z GT driven by Shinichi Takagi and Takashi Kobayashi.

In the GT500, pole-starting No. 12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R was leading the way admist strong challengers from ZENT CERUMO SC430, and then KeePer TOM'S SC430 followed by Weider Modulo HSV-010. On lap four the ZENT CERUMO SC430 hit the rear of the CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R but no major damages as both vehicles continues the race without stopping at the pits.

In the GT300, the start of the race immediately turned into a fierce battle between the two CR-Z machines starting from the front row. The pole-starting ARTA CR-Z GT and MUGEN CR-Z GT battle it out bumper to bumper for the the 5 laps until the ARTA CR-Z GT was able to pull through and open up a few seconds of gap.
 

Below are the comments from the race winners:-

GT500 class

No.12 CALSONICI MPUL GT-R

Tsugio Matsuda
“Having won pole position in yesterday’s qualifying, I wanted to begin today’s race by making a good start. I thought that would be the first step. I managed to get through that step successfully, but thinking about maintaining the tires’ life prevented me from increasing the pace, and I was also bothered by an over-steering tendency during braking. But the speed of car No. 18 (Weider Modulo HSV-010) was something else, so all I could do was simply try to stay with it as best I could. Thanks to the difference in pit work, we were able to get the lead again and JP (Joao Paulo de Oliveira) managed to keep the lead and give us the win, even though we were not as fast as them. So, now we have to work again to improve our speed.”

Joao Paulo de Oliveira
“In the first stint, Tsugi [Matsuda] kept up a good pace and the team did a great job in the pit work during the routine stop that put me on the track in the lead. So, this victory was really the result of the whole team’s efforts. Also our plan to make an earlier pit stop than our rival put me into the race with a clear track for several laps. This also brought good results. However, the machine is still not in the best condition, so I think we need to work more on the machine’s speed.”

GT300 class

No.55 ARTA CR-Z GT

Shinichi Takagi
“We got disappointing results in the last two races, so I have to admit that I felt pressure coming into this race at Sepang. But from the very start of the official qualifying things went well and we were able to win pole position. M-TEC prepared the car very well for us and the team set it up well. Also, Bridgestone prepared some good tires for us. It worried me that our biggest rival (MUGEN CR-Z GT) had the same machine and the same tires as us., but I knew that without the weight handicap they were carrying, I knew we had at least that much of an advantage. I wanted to get a win for the CR-Z as soon as possible CR-Z, so it feels great that we were able to do that.”

Takashi Kobayashi
“We were in 2nd position when I got out on the track for my stint, but I was gradually able to narrow the gap on the leader. I was told that once I caught up with No. 16 (MUGEN CR-Z GT) I should hold back and spare my tires until five laps remained, and then make my move. But, to tell the truth, I didn’t have the reserves or the confidence to do that, so I just charged on, thinking that if I caught it I would try to pass it then and there. My driving is still rough and lacking in that level of polish, so the fact that we were able to win with my level of driving is because of the great car M-TEC and the team prepared and the winning tires that Bridgestone prepared for us, so I am really grateful to all of them.”

Below are some pics of the event. For more pics in higher resolutions, click here: MORE PICS. 
Enjoy!!

      

  

    

 

    

   
     

BNR34 Multi Function Display (MFD) into the ER34

Pic 1: The Multi Function Display (MFD) set

Been wanting to get the Multi Function Display (MFD) off the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R (BNR34) into my ER34 for the longest time. Finally I got it done and boy does it totally transform the interior of the car. Those triple meters are removed and in goes the MFD which fits perfectly on the dashboard. 

There would be a bit of wiring to be done but nothing too major as wiring diagrams are available off the internet. And in my case, my set already come with the proper wirings all done and labelled by the Japanese chap I got it off from. So fitment wise was a bit easier.

With those trick MFD displays, the ER34 now looks a tad more modern and the most important thing is that I don't need those external gauges as it displays:-

Boost pressure

Throttle position

Injector duty

Oil temperature

Water temperature

Exhaust temperature

Intake temperature

Well, for now I only have the first five parameters displayed as I do not have sensors for the exhaust temperature and intake temperature. Perhaps one day I'll hook those up to complete up the display.

My MFD is off a late model R34 GT-R, hence it uses the Toshiba LCD screen instead of the earlier model Sharp LCD screens. Should be much more robust as the Sharp LCD screen tend to develop display problems due to age. 

Below are some pictures that were taken during the install.  

 

Pic 2: The Multi Function Display (MFD) set 

 
Pic 3: The Multi Function Display (MFD) unit

 
Pic 4: The Multi Function Display (MFD) cover

 
Pic 5: The Multi Function Display (MFD) wirings and sockets

 
Pic 6: Triple meter and AC vents are removed

 
Pic 7: Wiring it into the ER34 wiring harness

 
Pic 8: Wiring it into the ER34 wiring harness

 
Pic 9: Wiring work