Show Car Competition

As mentioned in my previous post, my fellow Celica owner redid his interior just before the chinese new years. What he did was painted all interior plastics to black like my facelift Celica, wrapped his seats and redid a few parts of his interior. So it looks a little like my panda themed interior with major improvement. The company that did his car entered him in a Show Car Competition. 

Participant & Model

After modding

So as fellow owner and club member, I went down to support him and take a look of the event along with the others. There I saw many cars on display for their outrageous exterior and pimped out interior. There were even cars performing a fire show. It was my first time seeing a fire show and I was worried for their cars. We were given VIP treatment when the owner of the company invited us to the club located above the location of the event.

We had free flow of drinks and had some live show. Overall, it was a different experience for me. A fun night out. 

Toyota Alphard

Participant

Nissan Silvia S15

Sibling Surprise

Taking a break from my Celica story, I move your attention to my brother's car which is my previous Toyota Vios. As mentioned on this blog a couple of time, my brother is not the best driver and tend to get into a few mishaps ever since I handed the car to him. While I was in UK, the latest shenanigan has reached me. He got into one of his mishaps and the left side skirt became his latest victim. Paint was scrapped and the car looked more horrible than it already was.

When I came back and saw what he have done to the car, I told him that he managed to bring harm to the front bumper, side skirts and rims. The only part that was safe from him was the rear bumper until just 4 days ago when he told me he was in another accident. According to him, an aunty bumped into him in a traffic jam and ran away. He showed me a photo of a little crack and I thought it was a small case. However, when I inspect it, the middle part was cracked and on the driver side the bumper came off.

Now the car has became a freak show that I would be embarrassed to drive. Why ? My father was never keen on me using fiberglass bodykit because of the rigidity and fragility of it but it look good. So, similar to the time when he smashed the front bumper, my dad replaced my fiberglass bumper with the original bumper. Hence the freakish height of body parts. What puzzled me was why didn't he remove the side skirts since it was damaged too.

Uneven car ride

I can't look at the car that I used to drive that I put my effort into making it unique and awesome. All the best to him and I hope the Vios won't be a heap of junk when it is handed to my sister next year. I also hope he don't trash whatever his next car would be. God bless him.

First Japanese Turbo

Before I left for UK, there was one member whose Celica had a heart attack and passed away. The owner who was preparing for an upgrade saw that as a chance and decided not to fix the engine but decided to take upon the task of transplanting a new heart. His choice of heart is non other than the Toyota 3SGTE engine found in the famous MR2, GT4 Celicas and Caldina.

The 2.0 turbo engine has always been a favourite in the Toyota world besides the 1jz and 2jz from Supra. Since it has been allocated in the Celica GT4 variants since the 5th generation, it has been the in the wish list of 7th generation Celica. This project has been done in a few places but it was the first attempt in Malaysia. Many have doubt the possibility and the possible outcome. When I left,  it was in no progress but now it is out on the road and approved by the government.

As soon as the news of its completion reached me, it was something I had to see with my own eyes. The time has finally came for me to not only see the beast but drive the beast as well. Upon researching on the engine specs, you will know it is very fast engine but I never expect the ride that it gave me. I am very rusty with my manual driving but even I could drive it easily because of its soft clutch.

The power delivery is smooth unlike other Japanese turbo car I have come across with and there is no turbo lag that is famous on Evos. Even in the 4th gear, power would come just by pressing the pedal without the need to shift gears. The lightweight of 7th generation does help too. Overall it gave me the feeling that I could drive this car daily without much difficulty. Unbelievably smooth and tame yet powerful. He sure prove many people wrong. I hope I could have this too but from a ST205 Celica instead of his ST215 Caldina..

Birthday Fiesta

A few days after my return to my homeland, it was my birthday. While I was away, there were many club events that I couldn't attend due to the fact that I'm far away in UK. So, when I was informed that there will be an event, I jumped at the chance and agreed to participate. This was the first event I participated as a member of this club.

I thought it was an auto show where we would display our cars but it turned out to be a government carnival where we were special guests due to our registration with the government. The best part for me was the convoy to the place of event. Finally after 4 months, I got to race down the highways with my fellow owners of Celica.

At the end, I met up with friends I have not seen for 4 months (some mod their car and it's time I inspect it), met new owners, had free food, free drinks and even rode on the mechanical bull for the first time in my life. It was hard to not fall (I didn't fall) but it was fun. Not a bad welcome back. I look forward for more events with my club.

Parking

On the Way

Participation Certificate from Govt.

All wrapped and custom interior - The one I was anxious to meet.

Comeback TT

One of my firsts itinerary after I am back is to join the weekly TT with the Celica Club. On the way there I was anxious to meet all the members that I have missed when I was at UK especially those who mod their cars. There were a few I was expecting more than the others. When they saw me, all eyes were on my now long hair and some said I look thinner than they last saw me.

The whole session was a big catching up with my fellow owners. We talked a lot about cars, their mod, their breakdown and we celebrated one member and my birthday. It was both our first birthday with the club. There were cakes specially from one member's cake shop and special condom from Taiwan with real chocolate. The highlight of the night was catching up with the members and testing out the monster auto Celica with Blitz Supercharger and Power FC. 

Condom with treats

That particular car was something I look forward to for a long time because it would the first auto Celica with the Power FC management that I have encountered and equipped with the Blitz Supercharger (my choice of supercharger). So automatically, I am very intrigued with the outcome. I was lucky to have a drag test of his car. It was fast and makes you think that auto Celica ain't too bad after you tweak it up. I hope one day I could have that power for my car too. That night I went home all happy racing home. 

The Return

I finally finished my exchange study period in the UK and reached home few nights ago. As people who know me well will predict, the first thing I did after reaching home was driving out my Celica and go for some fast sprint. With 4 months away from the car, it was just the right gift to say "Welcome Home". It was exciting and I almost forgot this feeling of pure adrenaline.

Before I went to UK, I planned to bring back parts to sell or help my friends buy some parts and of course I did what I planned to do. However, as I was there for studies I didn't have much time to purchase many parts. So, I got some parts back that I hopefully can sell off to get some funding to mod my car.

Some of the parts are for sale and some to be collected by my friends. I hope I have good sales so I can't continue mod my car and may consider becoming a vendor for some side income. Wish me luck.

CCUK

Finally after 1 month away from home and ultimately my Celica, I have something to post on this blog. Before I came to the UK, I contacted some members on their homepage and was invited to their meet (TT) last night and I met one member on FaceBook and he drove me there (Thanks SJ). Being very excited to finally be in a Celica again, I headed to their meet with high hopes.

We talked during the drive and I've learned many differences between the 2 countries and I was glad to see the Celica scene in the UK. I was introduced to the 2 rotrex supercharger owners and learned more about the system as no one has attempted it back home in Malaysia. Other things that I've learned about UK Celica's are what's the best engine management, why there is no turbo 7 Generation and the difference between a JDM and an UKDM.

I'm gonna stop talking here and let the photos do the talking. There are 4 videos that would also be posted here as well. Hope you all will enjoy.