Slow Month

It has been a slow month for me in the car department. Partially because my last year of degree studies have started and I am busy. Another reason is that I ran out of small and cheap mods for my car. Being lack of funds, I have to stay away from any big projects like a supercharger kit. My hands are really itchy and I am always thinking about modding any car.

Right now I could only hope I either find something cheap and useful as a project or a big pile of cash drops out from the sky so I can mod my car. Since non of this 2 would happen, I thought of sharing car related articles here. However, I am still busy with my school works. I hope to find some time to write some opinions on some of my favorite cars.

Until then this blog might be very quiet.

New Addition to the Family

I remember years ago when my best friend changed her car to a Hyundai Tucson and I had the review here on this blog. I remember it was a high tech korean SUV that is comfortable and not bad on the looks. I was quite impress with it and who knew that now there is one in my house. My sister has reached the age where she could drive and so as the tradition in my family, my brother gets a new car.
His choice is to get a SUV while my parents choice is the Tucson.

We got the same spec and version as my best friend did. Only the color is gray instead of white and this time I get to drive it more especially when my Celica was in the workshop. I got a sense of how it drives especially on a normal basis instead of just a test drive on a highway. The keyless entry system is my favorite without the need to take out the key whether to enter de car or start the car. However, the one that I don't really like is that the car is really wide. It is hard to go through tight spaces and to maneuver.

It is a fine addition to my house with a large sedan, a MPV, a small sedan and a sports coupe. Comfortable yet functional and the best part is my dad and I can drive it too. It also has the same number with my car.

Reunited

After a week at the workshop, my beloved Celica is back in my driveway again. There is no visible damage on the surface and the new paint is so smooth. I also had my rims to respray as 2 was damaged during this accident and before this. So, I have rims that look like new. I was happy but I need to get the payment from the aunty who did this to my Celica. I called her up and met up with her. I was worried that she would not pay the bill but luckily she paid everything in cash.

I also received the custom spark plug cover from USA. Since my engine bay covers is white, it would be obvious that I have the cover painted white. As for the design, there were many that was made before but I felt in love with the one with the old first generation Celica dragon emblem. So, I got one that is white with a gold dragon. It fits perfectly and is easy to assemble. The shipment also came with another cover with C-ONE design which I sold. Now, the engine bay looks nicer but I have to do something about the Toyota logo and VVTL-i wordings. Overall I am satisfied.

Small Consolation

Although the car is damaged and will be sent to the workshop, the fact that my brakes need new brake pad still stands. Besides, I already ordered the pads. So, I brought the car to the workshop the next morning after the accident. The brake pad is original parts that is made in Japan (or so the box states) and it is cheap as it includes installation. The pads were difficult to find and I am glad that this place could get their hand on it. I was considering to keep a few sets at home just in case.

The mechanics there were puzzled to see the dent on my car as just yesterday morning they saw the car without a scratch. I told them about the accident and how that stupid aunty hit my car. It was a sore sight driving it in bright day light as people can see the damage. However, at night it is ok as no one can see it. Let's move back to the brakes. The new pad gives me a more responsive braking feel and it fell good. This brightens my day after the accident. At least it is a small consolation to me.

Thanks Aunty

I have been experincing some back pain and decided to go look for chinese massage that is quite good but I am unfamiliar with the location. I had just ordered new brake pads for my 4 pot which is hard to get and then went to look for the place. I was driving at 30km/h as I was looking at shop signs. The aunty in a Toyota Corolla Altis reversed her car in my Celica. When I got hit I hit the horn and look at the Corolla.

It was a light gold Corolla and I went down to see the damaged to my Celica. The damage is severe where my rear fender, petrol lid, left door and rear bumper is damaged. The area affected was dented and paint scratched off. I was heartbroken that my baby was this damaged by a careless aunty. I could not careless whether that aunty could be dead or anything. How dare she knock my precious ? I had to deal with her.

After much dealing, I brought the car to be quoted how much the damaged would be. It needs 1 week time and cost RM 1000 (US$ 334). What a heartache and I hope that it drive like it used to. My beloved Celica, I hope you get well soon and that aunty better pay the bill.

New Logic

Back when I first tune my Camcon using the one-the-road tuning style, I got a drop of 4 wheel horsepower (whp) looking at my dyno graph. This time, after my EM-CON plus Camcon tuning I went for a dyno session to know how is my engine doing. After the last dyno power run, I was shocked at the low power level and came up with many reasons why dyno testing is not accurate. This time it further prove my logic regarding the dyno tuning style versus the on-the-road style. It seems there is a negative relationship between these 2 styles.

Max. Power & Max. Torque compared to stock

The hypothesis is that the more power and response you feel driving on the road using on-the-road style, the lower the power figure will be shown on graph. The last time I tune my Camcon on the dyno machine, I had a power of 149 whp with 15.5 kg-m of torque and when I switch to on-the-road style, I only got 145 whp with 14.53 kg-m of torque. This was a surprise and the response and power felt while driving is better than the last tuning. This time feeling the fastest response and highest power while I drive, I only got 142 whp with 14.81 kg-m of torque.

Power comparison with Stock

It seems to me the more power I feel, the lower my whp number would be following the evidence. There is no way that after spending a lot to mod my Celica and my power is getting lower. I can see there is an increase in torque which is a good thing and also there appears to be a gap between the previous dyno graph and the current one in the mid rpm range. The power in the mid range has increased around 11 whp. This is really amazing and given the car more power while remaining a low max. power.

Power comparison with first Camcon tuning

In conclusion, I see the benefits and the disadvantages of using the on-the-road tuning style. To many enthusiasts, the max. power is always crucial but to me the most important part is actually the feeling when you drive the car. Does it really pull and feels faster ? Some car might have a high power but feels sluggish but some car light mine, has a low power but feels light and nimble. I'm happy with how my car drives and that is most important. I also have to say goodbye to car modding as this is my last big project for the time being. I will still continue to update this blog. Who knows I may start a new project soon.

Strapped and ready for dyno testing

TRD Parts

Being a Toyota car owner, it is very normal to want parts made by Toyota Racing Development (TRD), a company who makes racing parts for all Toyota cars. This is also similar to Honda owners who craves MUGEN parts and Subaru owners who wants STI parts. Due to very less parts was developed for the Celica and most of those is discontinued, there is not much part I could get my hands on.

Up till now, I only have 2 TRD parts that is originally from the highest production spec Celica, the TRD Sports M Celica. One is the yellow anti roll bar and the other one is a suspension tower plates. Now I have acquired another TRD parts that have been eluding me not only once. Retailing at RM400 new, I have always waited for a cheap used one to appear in the market. Many times there were one that appeared but got sold very fast.

When I saw one selling, I quickly contacted the merchant and bought it. It arrived last night and I quickly inspect the good. It was cleaned but filled with my scratches and does not really look to be in good condition. However, it is still a beauty in sight. The TRD engine oil cap looks great in my engine bay and I can finally say I own one more TRD part.