My regular service time for my Celica has once again came and it was time to head down to my trusted mechanic. Today, besides the regular oil changing maintenance services, I had other things I wanted him to take care of. I have driven the car for more than a year and the skirting are all starting to come out. So, I wanted him to refurbish it and fix my passenger side window that is faulty for months.
When my car was jacked up, my mechanic saw that my tires are not in good shape. It's time to change I guess. After he serviced my Celica, he dismantled my passenger side door to test what is faulty and it was the motor that has ran its course. He checked for the price and I discussed with my dad. At the end, I was forced to let it be as it will be costly and I seldom use that window anyway. The skirting part was a no go either as my guy is a mechanic and don't deal with bodykit.
So, I did not get all the item on my checklist done but I talked with my mechanic and he has many contacts that could be useful to me. Among those contacts are a bodykit guy and a guy with dyno machine. I guess I have no worries there. While I was waiting for him, there was a Mazda RX-8 next door being cleaned inside out. Now I await the next service and hope that my window would be fixed.
Last Friday, 27th May, Celica Club Malaysia had another TT. We first gathered at BHP Kuchai Lama then moved to a mamak in Bukit Jalil. There I met with a few new CCM members and got to know their cars. At around midnight, we convoyed to V1 pub again in Puchong but when we reached there, it had already closed. Lucky for us, one of the member is very close with the owner and they let us in.
Suddenly, they all had the idea have drag races on the road outside of V1 as it is wide and has no car. I jumped at that chance and got excited coming up with a legendary phrase, "Sprit versus Sprit" as we just wanna have fun. There were 1 turbocharged, 2 supercharged and 1 TRD M-Sport along with a mixture of 1zz and 2zz in manual and auto transmission with a special guest, Midnight Owl's Nissan GT-R R35.
At first, I was excited to just watch all the other members race around and listen to their exhaust sound and I had the chance of driving not only my first manual Celica but also a rare TRD M-Sport Celica. My manual driving is rusty especially from still and felt the clutch was very hard and hard to see as it was heavily tinted. Since it was not my car, I was careful with it and did not go too fast.
Next, I took the chance and sat in the Turbo Celica and a Blitz supercharger equipped Celica. My experience in the Turbo Celica was very exciting. When he accelerated, the pressure was instantly felt and I was nailed to his SSCUS seat and couldn't move. His brakes was very smooth and stops effortlessly. This made me want to put on my new brakes quickly.
The supercharged Celica on the other hand was not that fast as it was tune to RON 98 petrol from Japan. However the sound of the rotors was very enticing. I really had a lot of fun. After all that, one member with 1zz auto asked me to race with him. I just agreed and played 2 rounds with him. I lost the first time and the 2nd time I was away 2 cm from him. My fault was not knowing how to launch an auto and my heavy rim caused wheel spin.
The final event was the race between the Turbo Celica and our special guest, the R35. They were playing around and we listened to its roar with anticipation. I recorded few videos of it and would like to share it. Overall it was a very enjoyable night and I would like to have another TT like this. I got to practice my racing skills. Thanks to the organizer, the owners of Celica who I drove and sat on.
Recently my best friend from high school just bought a new car, Hyundai Tucson High Spec with a 2.0 engine. From the spec sheet of this car, I gathered information such as max output of 160 hp and max torque of 197nM. It has a 6-speed auto transmission and it's a 2 wheel drive. From its exterior, it looks great and trendy for a Korean car.
When she arrive at my house with that white SUV, I immediately asked her to open all doors, front hood and the boot. I investigated every part of the car. On the inside, it has a very modern cluster meter with blue theme. The start/stop button is very advance with sensors. So, you will only need the key inside the car to start the car. Next is the test drive.
I drove the car to the Semenyih Silk Highway to test the car as it would be empty and has many elements that test the car's ability. From driving it I noticed a few things that I really like about the car. First of all it's the transmission. I have always wanted to try a tiptronic transmission that is changed gear to gear at the console with up and down instead of paddle shifts or buttons like my Celica. The gear changes were smooth and no drag when you hit the wrong gear.
Secondly, it was very quiet and comfortable. I could imagine my self driving in between states or to Singapore. I would not complain but there are a few things I do not prefer. As I drive a sports car, handling is very important to me. While I was driving the Tucson, I move the steering by 1 mm and I can feel the car weight shift left and right. Totally opposite of what I like. In addition, there is no excitement from driving it. In conclusion, this is a great car for people who have a family and want comfortable rides. Not for me. Here are some photos for sharing.
When I first got my Celica, I went to buy a magazine from Japan (HyperRev Vol.87) that is all about Celica to improve my knowledge and what to do with my Celica. From the magazine, I realized that the main mod for braking systems is the conversion of front brakes to the Celica ST205 GT4. It has bigger calipers with 4 pots front and 2 pots rear.
I was interested as it is the size of a Brembo brake caliper but has the Celica wording engraved on the calipers. However, it is hard to find these brakes and it would cost a bomb for me. So, I did not had high hopes for this mod. As I drive more of my Celica, I realized that the stock brakes are not good enough and I have had an accident due to that. This gave me a reason to change my brakes but the problem is locating one set of it.
Recently, I found someone selling a full front and rear calipers set with knuckles at mudah.my and selling at a cheap price. Immediately, I took action and contacted that seller. After a few days, I finally reached him and gave him my proposal. It all sounded great and I went to view the product last night and bought it. I was happy with the cheap buy as front calipers usually sell for RM900 to RM1000.
I can't wait to get it fixed on my car but it would be troublesome and take some time to do it. I still have no idea when it would be implemented. I hope it would be soon.
This is what I paid RM1100 for :
2 x Front 4 Pots Brake Calipers
2 x Front Disc plus knuckles
2 x Rear 2 Pots Brake Calipers
2 x Rear Disc plus knuckles
8 x OEM Brake Pads
All calipers were painted gold and that saves me money from painting it but I would have to get it reconditioned.
Since my exams are over and my summer holidays have officially started, I decided to do something that I have not done for some time. Yesterday, I went to the Sunway area to look at car parts for fun with a friend. I brought my iPod to take photos as there would be many performance cars lurking around that area as it is famous for car tuning and modification.
While I was walking around, I saw one white Celica inside a shop doing some work. I recognize the car number plate to be a member's car and I chatted with him and another member. Apparently, they bought a Celica TRD M-Sport halfcut with many goodies. So, the both of them were sharing parts and work on their Celicas. It was a surprise meeting them there.
Here are the photos I got from yesterday's visit. There were some old cars, some rare cars, some with cool car number plate and a few Toyota cars. I always say why no Toyota sports cars. Hope you enjoy.
Last Thursday while I was having my 4th exam, 2 Celica Club members called and texted me and invited me to another member's birthday bash. I was going to have another exam the next day and I still have not prepared fully for that exam. However, I was tempted to join my fellow club members for a ride and celebration, a break from my dull exam-studying month. So, after the exam, I called my member and told them I would go that night.
Everyone was sad because of the exam as it was out of the usual format but I was super excited for the celebration that was going to happen on that night. I went home and studied then I went out. I had some chat with other members and saw a lot of other Celicas along with 3 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9, 2 Nissan Fairlady 350z, 1 Nissan Fairlady 300zx, 1 Honda Integra DC5, 1 Toyota Corolla, 1 Toyota Celica ST202 GT2 (convert) and around 10 Toyota Celica ZZT-231. This is the largest gathering I went to.
After the Satay dinner (Bernard's treat), it was decided to convoy to the V1 pub in Puchong. Before I went there, I wanted to leave early to study before I sleep but the temptation of convoy influenced me and I agreed to it. I always loved the convoys because driving fast with other Celicas is fun. To my disappointment, it was a short drive. As I enter the pub, another member wanted to head home. So, I head home too. I did not know the way home and got lost. I found myself near KLIA and only reached home around 1:30 a.m.. After all, I had fun. Here are some photos of the gathering.
Ps. I hope my results is not affected by this outing.
Birthday Boy's Black Turbo Celica, Blue Honda Integra,
Red Nissan 350z, White Nissan 300zx
3 White Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
Above 2 photos and 2 Celicas
The whole line of guests
3 Celica (including mine), Black Nissan 350z and Toyota Corolla
