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

 

Review: Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013 (12th-14th April 2013)

Last weekend (12th-14th April 2013) was the Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013. Many automotive folks around the region were very excited at the prospect that the Tokyo Auto Salon is coming to Singapore. Being in Singapore and not in Japan would mean better accessibility as it is nearer and cheaper than to travel to Japan especially for those in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Why does it bears the name Tokyo Auto Salon while it's not happening in Japan? The organizers, MediaCorp and Muse Group aims to bring the select best of Tokyo Auto Salon to Singapore and capture the essence of the actual show in a smaller scale; this is the very first time in its illustrious 30 years history of the Tokyo Auto Salon! On top of that, the group, AKB48 will be performing at the show - at no extra charge!

To me that was properly communicated by the organizers. It is also announced that 20 cars from the Tokyo Auto Salon will be making a presence while the rest would not be. As such I am quite bewildered as I've been hearing a lot of bad comments and/or reviews from visitors to the show. 

 
It ranges from:-

1) Just a handful of cars were from Tokyo Auto Salon
2) Poor selection of cars
3) Most cars were from Singapore and Malaysia
4) A waste of time
5) A waste of money
6) The group, AKB48 was on the B list of acts from Japan

I would have to disagree whole heartedly with those comments. I took a flight down to Singapore from Malaysia in the wee hours of the morning to catch the show and to fly out of Singapore back home in the evening. Was it worth the effort? I would say definitly yes.

If one were to understand what would be at the show, one would not be disappointed. If you were expecting a full fledged Tokyo Auto Salon, then by golly, you'll go home feeling shortchanged.

Actually, there were 19 cars and not 20 as announced. While not all of the 19 selected Tokyo Auto Salon cars were the top of the show back home in Japan, most of them were not bad in my opinion. The cars that made it were as below:-

1) Saitama Institute of Automotive Technology SIAT500 (Nissan March Cabriolet)
2) Top Secret Super 86 (Toyota GT-86)
3) Amuse S2000 GT1 (Honda S2000)
4) Scuderia Ciociaro Corse Giappone 500 Maxi (Fiat 500)
5) Spoon Sports NSX-R GT Racing (Honda NSX)
6) Zesty Racing FD3S (Mazda RX-7)
7) Varis GT-R (Nissan GT-R)
8) Mugen RR Advanced Concept (Honda Civic Type-R)
9) Abflug Aloof 01-R Ver. 2 (Nissan GT-R)
10) RE Amemiya NA Super-7 (Mazda RX-7)
11) Veilside 4509 GTR (Toyota Supra)
12) Damd LFT-86 (Toyota GT-86)
13) Tommy Kaira LS-F Premium Sports (Lexus LS460)
14) Top Fuel S2000 Type RR (Honda S2000)
15) Kazuki-kun Open Aristo (Toyota Aristo)
16) Car Sense Patrol-kun Moe-Moe Version (Toyota Crown)
17) Job Design Jdred Lexus (Lexus LS460L)
18) RK Design Laguna Niguel ZR1 (Chevrolet Corvette ZR1)
19) KRX RX-7 Hirameki (Mazda RX-7)

 
I spent 7 hours at the show basically just looking at the cars; chatting with like minded automotive enthusiasts, local Singapore booth owners and also the Japanese chaps that were around representing their respective vehicle on display. 

In those hours there, I also witness how crazed Singaporean youths are towards AKB48. They literally went crazy at the sight of AKB48. - shouting, chanting, singing and dancing to their tunes.

I've to admit I've not heard of AKB48 till of late but damn those fans surely and definitely are super thrilled that AKB48 are here. I would only imagine that they think the entrance fee of just SGD 25 (About USD 20) is really value for money!

 
Besides the vehicles from Tokyo Auto Salon, they were also a few supercars from Italy and Germany and loads of modified JDM rides from Singapore and Malaysia. There were a notable few that were done very well.  

In my opinion, Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013 is a great start and a good first step in bringing Tokyo Auto Salon out of Japan. I can only hope and wish that the organizers see fit to do this again in the future.  

For more pictures from the show, go to this photo album in JDM Auto Link Facebook page. There are 171 worth of pictures in there. Enjoy!

Rocker Cover Gasket & Crank Oil Seals

Pic 1: Removing the rocker covers

Recently notice that the ER34 have a wee bit of oil leak. It's actually quite minor to the point there isn't even oil stains on the floor where I usually park. Nevertheless, it needs to be looked into.

I got new Nissan Rocker Cover Gasket (Part No. 13270-58S01 & 13270-58S11) and also three new Nissan Crank Oil Seals (Part No. 13510-50B10) to replace the old ones. After the replacement, I got the stains on the engine bay cleaned and it's all back to its old good self. :)

Pic 2: Nissan Rocker Cover Gasket & Crank Oil Seals

Pic 3: Oil Leak!

Pic 4: Oil Leak!

Pic 5: New Rocker Cover Gasket

IMPUL Emblem

Pic 1: IMPUL Emblem

I've been looking for this IMPUL emblem for quite a long time and finally got my hands on one. Needless to say this is a pretty rare find. Need it on my grille to add a complete touch to the IMPUL 534S bodykit. With the addition of this emblem, the front now looks more finished in my eyes.

Pic 2: IMPUL Emblem

This screws on the grille and thus is pretty secure to keep away peeps with itchy fingers, who loves to flick emblems.

Shall it be the only emblem on the car or do I need another lettered IMPUL emblem at the rear? I have actually bought the lettered IMPUL emblem and it's awaiting shipment in from Japan. Hmmm.....

Pic 3: Against the Grille

Pic 4: Halfway through fitment

Pic 5: Fitment Done

Pic 6: Fitment Done

Pic 7: Frontal Look

   

Rear BIOT 322mm Rotors Upgrade (Biot Offset Kit)

If you have followed my built, you'll notice that the braking system have been upgraded to BNR34 Brembos all round. The front got bigger rotors courtesy of the BIOT 345mm Front Brake Offset Kit. The rears remain the stock BNR34 Brembo rotors measuring 300mm.

Pic 1: Comparison between stock Brembo 300mm rotors with BIOT 322mm rotors

I always thought that the fronts fills up the wheels nicely while the rear is a tad small in size. The rear BNR34 Brembo rotors are 300mm rotors in size. As luck would have it,  JDM Auto Link finally sourced me a set of a BIOT Rear Brake Offset Kit that would bring the rotors up to 322mm. 

Although many might not have heard of BIOT, they makes excellent brakes, but does costs a lot as well. The BIOT Front Brake Offset Kit is JPY 160,000 new and the BIOT Rear Brake Offset Kit is JPY 90,000 new. Yikes!!

Anyway, I finally got the rotors fitted but not without some "massaging" of parts to make it fit/clear everything. Just like the fronts, the calipers needed to be grinded off a wee bit to clear the brackets. It's all hidden from view as it's at the back hence does not have any visual impact. The rotor brake duct covers/shields also need to be 'enlarged' to clear the rotors. Unfortunately, a small part of the knuckle would also need to be cut away.

Below are pictures of how it looks fitted. In all honestly, I would think it's still a bit small. Works great though. I wonder if I'll be satisfied or will go for even bigger brakes in the future......

Pic 2: Grinding off a bit of the rear calipers

Pic 3: Grinding off a bit of the rear calipers

Pic 4: Enlarging the brake duct cover/shield

 
Pic 5: Fitting in the brackets. Note a small part of the knuckle is cut off

Pic 6: Fitting in the brackets


Pic 7: The end result

Pic 8: The end result