Goodbye 2006, Welcome 2007

Well, 2006 has been one eventful year for me. Man time sure flies, it felt just like yesterday when I really wanted to sell off 7474 . Eversince I decided to keep it , I had done quite a number of things. Basically it's like starting from scratch. Actually, it has it's pros and cons.

The Pros ;

1). I get to do up the car according to my taste.
2). It's more satisfying when you see the end results.

The Cons;

1). I had to spend more money. That is something that I don't have in abundance unless I got a money tree growing in my backyard.


Anyway, when I look back when I first started this blog back in October, 7474 basically has nothing. I mean it's bone stock apart from the custom intake piping, K&N air filter and Ralliart radiator cap. Okay, here goes nothing let's re-cap what I had spent on and how big is the hole in my pocket. LOL!!

1. Thermo wrapped aircond hoses & powersteering hose.

I've done this to prolong the lifespan of those rubber hoses.



Damaged:
1). Thermo wrap ~ RM: 0 (Thermo wrap was donated by Zuhaili)


2. Painted the manifold cover.

Did this simply because the manifold cover looks kind of pathetic and faded.



Damaged:
1). Aerosol canned spray paint ~ RM: 0 (Left over)


3.GReddy AirRinx air filter

Initially, I had no intention of changing my air filter since I'm already using a K&N. But since Zoo made me an offer that I cannot refuse. A swap with his GReddy Air Rinx. I just jumped at the offer.



Damaged:
1). GReddy AirRinx ~ RM: 0 (Swapped with Zuhaili)
2). Air Filter bracket ~RM:15 (JFA Motorsport)


4. APP Steel braided Brake hoses

Although this may not contribute in terms of car power. But it does help the car to stop more efficiently. What's the use of horse power if you cannot stop.


Stock brake hose


APP Steel Braided Hoses

Damaged :

1). APP Steel Braided Hoses (KSP) ~ RM: 560
2). Installation (N1) ~ RM: 80
3). Motul RBF 600 ~ RM: 0

Total : RM: 640


5. Evo 7 Sports Rims

Actually I didin't bought this rims, just borrowed it from Ijud while waiting for my share money to get a new rims. But it does gives that affect in the car in terms of looks.



Damaged :

1). Evo 7 sports rim ~ RM: 0 (On loan from Ijud aka Hulk)


6. HKS Universal Titanium Tip Muffler

Since I was using the straight flow piping without any muffler. I was kind of popular especially with cops. After looking around , I finally found the muffler that looks good and with a affordable price.

What I like about this muffler is the titanium tip. It looks cool especially when it's hot.



Damaged :

1). 3" HKS Hi-Power with titanium tip(N1) ~ RM: 900 (Normal price : RM: 980)
2). Installation (JFA) ~ RM: 50


7. HKS Elbow

Wel,, this was one of the first performance mod that I've done so far since I decided to keep the car. Got it second hand from one of the MEOC member. The results was immediate especially in the response department. But no dyno chart to prove any horsepower gain. Will only know after I install the boost controller.



Comparison between stock and the HKS elbow

Damaged:

1). HKS Elbow (2nd. Hand) ~ RM: 800
2). Installation (JFA) ~ RM: 150Total: RM: 950


8). GReedy Radiator Cap

This is one of those none performance goodies that I've added. Although, I already have a Ralliart radiator cap but it doesn't look nice and furthermore it doesn't suit my GReddy engine bay theme.






Damaged :1). GReddy radiator Cap (N1RAcing) ~ RM: 90 (normal price 110)


9). Manifold Cover Re-loaded

I've sprayed the manifold cover before this but after a while the paint started to fade. This was due to the wrong paint used. This time around I got myself a high temp paint. I am quite satisfied with the results. The paint came out like a flat black finished. It gives that racy kinda looks.


The results speaks for itself

Damaged :
1). High temp spray can (Ace Hardware) - RM: 29
2). Sand paper (Ace Hardware) - RM: 2
3). Spray holder (Ace Hardware) - RM: 9.90


10). GReddy Oil Filler Cap

Something to make the engine bay more livelier. Another on of those none performance upgrades. It sure gives the engine bay a new look with just a simple change of oil cap.





Damaged :1). GReddy oil cap (N1 Racing) ~ RM: 190 (normal price RM: 220)


11). ARC Titanium Manifold Cover

This was something that had been in my wish list since the very first time I got my TME. Finally I got it. Not only it looks good, it's functional too.


it came with thermo sticker & ARC sticker


Sticking the thermo sticker was a pain but I did it anyway


Close-up view : gave 3 layers of autosol and voila nice and shinny..


new look with the ARC manifold cover..

Damaged :1). ARC Titanium Manifold Cover ~ RM:450 nor mal price RM: 430 (N1 Racing)


12). ARC Radiator Cooling plate

Eventhough, the TME came with a stock radiator cooling plate. It looks kind of cheap due to the plastic design. Been contemplating between the monster carbon fiber or the ARC radiator cooling plate. Since I've already got myself an ARC manifold cover. I guess I just have to complete the ARC ensemble.

Close up on the ARC cooling plate. It matches the ARC manifold cover


Another look from a different angle.

Damaged:

1). ARC Radiator Cooling Plate ~ RM: 400 normal price RM:450 (N1 Racing)


13). Trust Gearknob

Been contemplating between Ralliart and Trust gear knob. Since N1 ran out of the Ralliart gear knob, I guess there is only one gear knob left for me then. Actually after looking at it for quite a while I realise the Trust gear knob actually looks better than the Ralliart one. It must be the chrome thinggy.






Damaged:
1). Trust gear knob ~ RM: 180 normal price RM:200 (Wangan) -1st item purchase from them


13). Boot Board

This is part of the preparation for the battery relocation kit. The end result was a neat carpeted board.


Easy access to the spare tyres


Completed rear board

Damaged:1). Custom boot board ~ RM: 160 (Shop beside JC Racing)


14). Battery Relocation Kit

This is the same battery relocation kit as Hazry's. It has to be cause it was design by him. After the boot board , I guess it time for the battery relocation kit to be installed.


Side View


Front view


Close-up

Damaged:
1). Battery Relocation kit + new bracket ~ RM: 195 (GME~ Suhaimi's backyard)


15). Battery Relocation.

Relocated the battery from the engine bay to the boot.


Battery in the box ; Got myself a battery terminal protector as well.


After : Battery out of the engine of the bay (Front View)

Damaged :
1). Battery relocation ~ RM: 150 (N1 Racing)

Well, I guess that's all for now. Believe it or not. This is not even half od the things I have on my list. that's the beauty about modding cars. I hope 2007 would be a better year for me and hope I get more things done this year.

7474 Battery Head Protector

Since my box is made out of stainless steel. I have this phobia, if the battery holder for my bracket might broke. If it does broke the battery head would be expose. The last time I went to ACE Hardware I remember seeing this battery head protector.

It's such a simple but effective device. If the positive touches any metal there'll a a short circuit and that might caused the car electrical system to go hay-wire. So the next logical thing to do would be to get one of this battery head protector.


Red for positive and blue for negative

Since I am using Delkor battery so it's not possible to me to use this battery protector due to the head size is rather small. Currently N1 racing wireman just wrapped the head with a rubber piece to protect it.

I had surveyed a new battery at N1 Racing. It's made by Panasonic about RM: 170. I guess the battery change inevitable .

Damaged:
1). Battery head protector ~ RM:15 (ACE Hardware)

7474 Battery Relocation

Since the battery relocation kit was already in placed. It's time for me to relocate the battery to the rear. I guess , the first question running through your mind would be why the heck you need to relocate your battery? There must a good reason right. It's not all about looks.

1). It gives the car batter balance ~

The battery was located on the left hand side and so does the gearbox. What it does is add more weight to one side of the car. with the battery out of the way it lighten the load. The battery might not weight much but it does makes a difference.

2). More space ~

Originally the battery is located right behind front left headlamp. Since I have changed the route of the air-ram to the turbo inlet. The battery had to be relocated to the back a bit. As a result we have less space.

3). Neater engine bay ~

With the current set-up it does look kind of messy especially with all those wires dangling. Since this is not the factory set-up we had to do some modifications or adjustment to the way the battery mounting location. It's actually tilted a bit to the right side. It a sight for sore eyes. At least I've tolerate it thus far.



Battery out of the bracket


Ah Lek hard at work


Battery in the box ; Got myself a battery terminal protector as well.


The bracket is out (Noticed all the dirt & grime collected underneath and behind the bracket)


Before: Battery in the engines bay


After : Battery out of the engine of the bay (Side View)


After : Battery out of the engine of the bay (Front View)


I've approached N1 Racing for the battery relocation. Since I've already have my battery relocation kit set-up for this. They only charge me for the audio cable and labour. So for those who wanted to relocate their battery, my advice is to have the bracket or get the battery relocation kit before hand. It will make life easier for your mechanics and you can also cuts down the time by half.

The work was done by one of N1 wireman his name is Ah Lek. I am very impress with his work. It's a neat work. The work isn't as simple as it sounds. Actually it's quite difficult. It took about 3 and half hours to be completed and the results as shown below.



Close-up : All cleaned up

Since the battery is out of the way, now I guess would be the best time to proceed with my next fabrication work. This time will be for the air- filter box or heat shield.

Damaged :

1). Battery relocation ~ RM: 150 (N1 Racing)

TEAMRICE Windshield Decal day..

I guess you have seen this sticker before on my car. Well, 2 other member decided to put the new TEAMRICE windshield decal. It was Hanafi and Hazry. It was really cool especially when 3 of us convoy back to Shah Alam. All with the TEAMRICE windshield decal.


Hazry's monster


Avang Hanafi AHAKS.. Monster


Haze Satria 40 & Darkside 7474

Hazry, Napy and I really hope that other TEAMRICE member would follow us and put their windshield decal prior to our year end dinner. It will be really cool and at least we can try to be more unified. Especially the seniors and other regular Carlos member Patayya, Zuhaili, Ijot, Jason, Victor, Daniel, Bobo, Adrian (once he have his car that is) and all TEAMRICE member.

It's a calling for all TEAMRICE to unite despite our differences in our opinion and feelings. No matter what creed/ race/ background/ opinion, we are TEAMRICE that's what matter the most. As long as we stick together, we should be okay.

7474 Battery Relocation Kit

Earlier in my blog, I mentioned about Hazry's battery relocation kit. Guess now it's my turn. The battery relocation kit is actually Hazry's idea and mine is identical to his. It should be since we did it together. The only difference is the size of the cable inlet and the breather hole. I've chosen a larger diameter holes.


Front View


Side view


Close up


Close-Up : Another angle

Eventhough the TME has quite a big bonnet space but there aren't many places where I can actually mount the new battery box. If you noticed from the picture taken below the space is quite limited due to the spare tyre.

Limited space

We did encounter some problem during the fitment process. As we all know the space where we can mount the battery relocation kit was already quire limited and to make matters worst the trunk lid has this kinda bracket. Clearance is very crucial in order to the trunk lid to be closed properly.

Ayee had done a very good job from fabrication right up to the actual fitment itself. He's very meticulous on what he's doing. I'm very happy with the results and impressed on how it's done.

Next would be to relocate the battery from the engine bay to the back boot. That would be a different story.

Damaged:

1). Battery Relocation kit + new bracket ~ RM: 195 (GME~ Suhaimi's backyard)

7474 Boot Board project

The rear board is actually just a board inside the rear boot. I've been toying with the idea of changing it to custom board since I got the car. Well, the idea came about since I had the same board in my Honda last time and that was actually done by the previous owner of the car (Nazlee).

The stock board is rather flimsy. It's quite troublesome, especially when you wanted to take out or check your spare tyre. The other advantage of having the custom board is that it's quite thick and it could support loads like Subwoofer. In my case would be my battery relocation kit project.

Stock rear board set-up (one piece of plywood with carpet)


Without the board


Easy access to the spare tyres


Completed rear board

The shop is located actually located besides AMOIL(now known as JC Racing). Sorry I can't recall the name of the shop. I had approached them ealier and asked them whether they can fabricate the rear boot board for the Evo. They answer to my question was yes. Since my battery relocation project is in motion, the next thing to do would be to finish up the rear board project soonest possible.

The work actually took almost 4 hours to be complete. The work may sound easy but it's actually a lot of hard work. A lot of fitting and cutting, like a taylor making a dress. I am very impressed the way it was done and the quality of the work as well.

Since the board is already in place. I guess the next project would be battery relocation kit project and to relocate the battery from the engine bay to the rear boot.

Damaged:

1). Custom boot board ~ RM: 160 (Shop beside JC Racing)

Hazry's Battery Relocation Kit

Haze and I had always talk about the SARD battery relocation kit but never actually go to the extend of buying them. For your information the SARD battery relocation kit would set you back like RM:1000++. For poor people like me that's a very huge amount to fork up.

To cut the story short, since we know Suhaimi could actually fabricate something like a battery box. So decided to approach him with the ides. Haze took the initiative to actually drew a mock-up battery box. Suhaimi and me both were so impressed with the details of the drawing. Not to mentioned a very well though drawing.

It shows that he had really put his thought into this project. From the picture you can see how the battery relocation kid looks like.


How it started. Look like just an ordinary metal box


With battery inside


Checking for clearance


Ayee hard at work


Haze having a closer look


From the drivers side view


Top view


With the lid closed


Fitting the cable and conduit


Voila the finish product


Kudos to Haze for a job well done. From IDEA to PAPER and to the Finish product.Now that is something for us to be proud of.

Damaged :

1). Custom Battery Relocation Kid ~ RM: 180 (GME -Suhaimi's backyard)
2). Satisfaction ~ Priceless