Sad news.
I am now officially selling off the Track Refugee.
The B18CR'ed hatchback will make way for a Honda Civic EJ 6 / 7 / 8, whichever I get my grubby hands on.
The replacement must have at the very least :
- CTR '00 / Vi - RS / EK4 '99 complete front conversion,
- Vi - RS / EK4 '99 complete rear conversion [ hopefully with the taller EK4 / Vi - RS rear spoiler ]
- B16A + manual gearbox.
The initial mods would be :
- brakes [ double layer brake pump + DC2R / EK9 master pump, brand new Goodridge stainless steel brake hoses, brand new original Nissin pads front and rear, and maybe Motul RBF 600 brake fluid too ],
- ECU [ Crome - tuned for max power and max fuel consumption ],
- exterior [ flip side mirrors + relay + switch ].
The cash balance, if any, I'll ask my love to keep for me, and at least RM 1k for me to restart my forex career again.
Not to forget, once the Track Refugee is sold, this blog will no longer be updated, and a new blog for the 4 door will commence. Thanks to everyone who supported, read, criticized the build and this blog.
Sad, yes, very sad. But I have to let the Track Refugee go for a brighter future of me and my love Faatin Nordin.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Too Long For An Update
It's been so long since I've updated Track Refugee's blog.
There are changes to be made, especially plans for Track Refugee.
I may have to forget a lot of the so - called tuning dream for the Track Refugee.
Engine bay - wise, it'll only be :
- wire tuck
- B18CR complete intake manifold and throttle body
- a nice 4-1 header
- ECU retune
Gearbox :
- shorter 3rd and 4th gear
- LSD
- single plate clutch
Bodywork :
- flip mirrors with Spoon Hydro Blue mirror insert
- EG6 sunroof roof cap
- stock uncut bumper + stock lips
- second hand front lights
- complete repaint inside and outside, a brighter yellow tone
- and if I bump into one, a six point, or 7 point roll cage that clears the dashboard
Chassis :
- GAB Malaysia fully adjustable dampers, or worse come to worse, APM dampers custom made
- Full HardRace hard rubber bushings for the chassis, steering and gear shifter
Others :
- Strip sound system and rebuild into a simple HU + front component set, maybe an active subwoofer too
- Strip all plastic trim at the rear + box, replace with hard - wearing carpeting and custom MDF box
- Fire extinguisher
- Tool kit
- Wide rear mirror, Flaberg blue tint
- 3500k yellow HiD
- Driver bucket seat
- Momo Competition steering wheel
- removable steering wheel kit
- new alarm system + immobiliser
The car is in the workshop for troubleshooting the disappearing RBF 600 brake fluid, front light adjustment, sekon - han Type R clutch, change all wipers and sort out a lock nut for the spare tyre.
Next up [ if I got the budget ] is the sound system refurbishment, and maybe, the interior mod!
There are changes to be made, especially plans for Track Refugee.
I may have to forget a lot of the so - called tuning dream for the Track Refugee.
Engine bay - wise, it'll only be :
- wire tuck
- B18CR complete intake manifold and throttle body
- a nice 4-1 header
- ECU retune
Gearbox :
- shorter 3rd and 4th gear
- LSD
- single plate clutch
Bodywork :
- flip mirrors with Spoon Hydro Blue mirror insert
- EG6 sunroof roof cap
- stock uncut bumper + stock lips
- second hand front lights
- complete repaint inside and outside, a brighter yellow tone
- and if I bump into one, a six point, or 7 point roll cage that clears the dashboard
Chassis :
- GAB Malaysia fully adjustable dampers, or worse come to worse, APM dampers custom made
- Full HardRace hard rubber bushings for the chassis, steering and gear shifter
Others :
- Strip sound system and rebuild into a simple HU + front component set, maybe an active subwoofer too
- Strip all plastic trim at the rear + box, replace with hard - wearing carpeting and custom MDF box
- Fire extinguisher
- Tool kit
- Wide rear mirror, Flaberg blue tint
- 3500k yellow HiD
- Driver bucket seat
- Momo Competition steering wheel
- removable steering wheel kit
- new alarm system + immobiliser
The car is in the workshop for troubleshooting the disappearing RBF 600 brake fluid, front light adjustment, sekon - han Type R clutch, change all wipers and sort out a lock nut for the spare tyre.
Next up [ if I got the budget ] is the sound system refurbishment, and maybe, the interior mod!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Air - Condition - Less!
Finally, the car is now ready.
So I took the keys, and we hang out at the regular Al - Sameer mamak for late night drinks + makan + chit chat + watch Astro.
The rest of the fellas went home early, only me and my pal Arin left at the mamak.
Around 4am, I started my car thru remote start. Everything was fine and dandy, when, a good one minute later, I heard a bloody sharp screeching sound from the engine bay. I immediately shut the engine off thru the remote. Checked the engine bay and nothing was amiss! Hhhmmm...
I restarted the car again, and drove home. The torque was soooooooooo bloody addictive!
As soon as the rev needle reaches around 5800 - 6000 RPM, my neck got pulled back and the RPM needle goes all the way up to 8k RPM in less than 3 seconds lol!!!!!! Less than three seconds!!!
Not to forget, the fantastic EK9 shifter + linkage setup, which made shifting a real breeze, and short too. Shame about the fakey Mugen gearknob which no longer fits to the "newer" EK9 short + quick shifter setup. Will be buying a brand new Skunk2 weighted gear knob before the end of this month! It's over RM 200 a piece though....
When I arrived at my old man's shop, I popped open the bonnet to let the engine cool faster [ as I wanted to check the coolant's level ]. Around 2 hours later, I checked the engine oil, coolant level, clutch oil, brake oil, power steering oil and everything was fine and dandy.
So I started the car, at 1st, everything sounds okay. But 3 - 4 mins later, the screeching sound came back. I went around the engine bay, and it seems that the sound is emaniating from the power steering / air cond compressor area.
The next day drove back to the workshop without air cond [ luckily the sun was not that hot! ]. After some troubleshooting job by Dolah, one of the mechs at Avantech, the culprit is the air cond compressor.
Now the car is waiting for sekon - han replacement air cond compressor. If the replacement compressor is good, more R12 gas will topped - up. Then an alignment job [ because I replaced the front crossmember + front anti - roll bar + power steering rack ], and finally running - in both the engine and brake pads [ EBC Yellow Stuffs + Motul RBF 600 + Mugen stainless steel brake hoses setup yo! ].
In the near future, the next upgrade MUST be the clutch lol! Not to forget, ICE setup removal [ back to basic HU and front component set only ], plus custom interior jobbie.
So I took the keys, and we hang out at the regular Al - Sameer mamak for late night drinks + makan + chit chat + watch Astro.
The rest of the fellas went home early, only me and my pal Arin left at the mamak.
Around 4am, I started my car thru remote start. Everything was fine and dandy, when, a good one minute later, I heard a bloody sharp screeching sound from the engine bay. I immediately shut the engine off thru the remote. Checked the engine bay and nothing was amiss! Hhhmmm...
I restarted the car again, and drove home. The torque was soooooooooo bloody addictive!
As soon as the rev needle reaches around 5800 - 6000 RPM, my neck got pulled back and the RPM needle goes all the way up to 8k RPM in less than 3 seconds lol!!!!!! Less than three seconds!!!
Not to forget, the fantastic EK9 shifter + linkage setup, which made shifting a real breeze, and short too. Shame about the fakey Mugen gearknob which no longer fits to the "newer" EK9 short + quick shifter setup. Will be buying a brand new Skunk2 weighted gear knob before the end of this month! It's over RM 200 a piece though....
When I arrived at my old man's shop, I popped open the bonnet to let the engine cool faster [ as I wanted to check the coolant's level ]. Around 2 hours later, I checked the engine oil, coolant level, clutch oil, brake oil, power steering oil and everything was fine and dandy.
So I started the car, at 1st, everything sounds okay. But 3 - 4 mins later, the screeching sound came back. I went around the engine bay, and it seems that the sound is emaniating from the power steering / air cond compressor area.
The next day drove back to the workshop without air cond [ luckily the sun was not that hot! ]. After some troubleshooting job by Dolah, one of the mechs at Avantech, the culprit is the air cond compressor.
Now the car is waiting for sekon - han replacement air cond compressor. If the replacement compressor is good, more R12 gas will topped - up. Then an alignment job [ because I replaced the front crossmember + front anti - roll bar + power steering rack ], and finally running - in both the engine and brake pads [ EBC Yellow Stuffs + Motul RBF 600 + Mugen stainless steel brake hoses setup yo! ].
In the near future, the next upgrade MUST be the clutch lol! Not to forget, ICE setup removal [ back to basic HU and front component set only ], plus custom interior jobbie.
Monday, June 30, 2008
More Updates!
Days, weeks, now close to a month, my poor Track Refugee is being kept at Avantech.
Why? More and more new stuffs for the ride that is!
I've decided to fit ITR 1996's front crossmember + steering rack + anti roll bar to the Track Refugee. The decision was done after I driven Mie's EG9 daily driver [ which was fitted with the same item ]. Very nice steering feel, slightly heavier [ should be good for high - speed runs ] too.
Now I'm thinking of the proper rear ARB to go with the ITR 96's.
Next up will be sound system overhaul, and rear interior strip - out + customised box etc.
Why? More and more new stuffs for the ride that is!
I've decided to fit ITR 1996's front crossmember + steering rack + anti roll bar to the Track Refugee. The decision was done after I driven Mie's EG9 daily driver [ which was fitted with the same item ]. Very nice steering feel, slightly heavier [ should be good for high - speed runs ] too.
Now I'm thinking of the proper rear ARB to go with the ITR 96's.
Next up will be sound system overhaul, and rear interior strip - out + customised box etc.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
New Dream Setup
Now that I've acquired one of the best high - revving NA engines ever produced, that is, the famous 1996 B18C from a 1996 JDM Honda Integra Type R half cut, what I must concentrate now is on the chassis itself.
Although I enjoy watching drags. i.e straight line races, I'm more into track driving.
Hence, my car will be slowly tuned for track fun. Ha! I'm gonna be 31 years old this coming September, not much time left before I've got to settle down lol!
Here is my updated dream list :
- Clean up the rear hatch area, from the rear passanger onwards, cover it up with carpeting [ around RM 500.00 new ]. Custom - made MDF rear box [ around RM 300.00 - 500.00 new ], covering up the spare tyre with provision for a battery [ lightweight gel mat battery, RM 700.00 new ].
- Buy a EG hatch roof with sunroof, complete with relay and switch. Service the motor and change the rubber lining before installation to chassis [ roof RM 700.00 second - hand, service motor around RM 200.00, rubber lining around RM 500.00 new, installation + paint around RM 800.00 ].
- HardRace chassis stuff comprising of camber kits, chassis bushes, dampers top hat bushes, steering rack bushes and shifter bushes, front and rear [ around RM 3800.00 new ].
- Fully adjustable suspension [ high, low and soft, hard ] with the ability to adjust the height via the damper body mount itself. Spring rates 8 kg/m front and 6 kg/m rear. Current brand in view is the locally - produced Gab suspension [ around RM 3800.00 new ].
- Bigger rear anti - roll bar with new end - links [ RM 700.00 second - hand ].
- CTR front crossmember with steering rack [ RM 700.00 second - hand ].
- Bride driver side bucket seat [ RM 700.00 second - hand ].
- Complete repaint with the front bonnet, roof and rear hatch painted BMW Carbonschwarz Metallic, and the rest of the car PPG Flame Yellow Pearl Metallic. Price unsure.
- 15 inch wheels with +35 offset and 7 width, new or second hand.
- ITR [ RM 1700.00 second - hand, complete ] / Skunk2 intake manifold [ RM 1800.00 new ].
- Skunk2 throttle body [ new ].
- Samco radiator hoses [ RM 500.00, new ]. Or HardRace ones, new, price eunsure.
- Kaaz 3,4,5th gear ratios [ RM 2800.00 new ].
- 1.5 way aftermarket LSD, new or second - hand.
- Lightweight flywheel, new or second - hand.
- OS Giken or Ogura Racing Super Single clutch, RM 2400.00 - RM 3000.00 new.
- Skunk2 Pro Series camshaft, retainers, valve springs and valves, around RM 5000.00 new.
- Spoon CF rear spoiler, around RM 1800.00 new.
- Spoon CF front spoiler, around RM 2500.00 new.
- Custom fibreglass vented front bonnet, price unsure.
- Custom fibreglass rear hatch, price unsure.
I really wish that I can complete the whole interior and chassis modifications before the end of this year, which is sooooooooooooooooooooo impossible! I want to keep this car for as long as possible though, I love my EG6 wannabe!
Although I enjoy watching drags. i.e straight line races, I'm more into track driving.
Hence, my car will be slowly tuned for track fun. Ha! I'm gonna be 31 years old this coming September, not much time left before I've got to settle down lol!
Here is my updated dream list :
- Clean up the rear hatch area, from the rear passanger onwards, cover it up with carpeting [ around RM 500.00 new ]. Custom - made MDF rear box [ around RM 300.00 - 500.00 new ], covering up the spare tyre with provision for a battery [ lightweight gel mat battery, RM 700.00 new ].
- Buy a EG hatch roof with sunroof, complete with relay and switch. Service the motor and change the rubber lining before installation to chassis [ roof RM 700.00 second - hand, service motor around RM 200.00, rubber lining around RM 500.00 new, installation + paint around RM 800.00 ].
- HardRace chassis stuff comprising of camber kits, chassis bushes, dampers top hat bushes, steering rack bushes and shifter bushes, front and rear [ around RM 3800.00 new ].
- Fully adjustable suspension [ high, low and soft, hard ] with the ability to adjust the height via the damper body mount itself. Spring rates 8 kg/m front and 6 kg/m rear. Current brand in view is the locally - produced Gab suspension [ around RM 3800.00 new ].
- Bigger rear anti - roll bar with new end - links [ RM 700.00 second - hand ].
- CTR front crossmember with steering rack [ RM 700.00 second - hand ].
- Bride driver side bucket seat [ RM 700.00 second - hand ].
- Complete repaint with the front bonnet, roof and rear hatch painted BMW Carbonschwarz Metallic, and the rest of the car PPG Flame Yellow Pearl Metallic. Price unsure.
- 15 inch wheels with +35 offset and 7 width, new or second hand.
- ITR [ RM 1700.00 second - hand, complete ] / Skunk2 intake manifold [ RM 1800.00 new ].
- Skunk2 throttle body [ new ].
- Samco radiator hoses [ RM 500.00, new ]. Or HardRace ones, new, price eunsure.
- Kaaz 3,4,5th gear ratios [ RM 2800.00 new ].
- 1.5 way aftermarket LSD, new or second - hand.
- Lightweight flywheel, new or second - hand.
- OS Giken or Ogura Racing Super Single clutch, RM 2400.00 - RM 3000.00 new.
- Skunk2 Pro Series camshaft, retainers, valve springs and valves, around RM 5000.00 new.
- Spoon CF rear spoiler, around RM 1800.00 new.
- Spoon CF front spoiler, around RM 2500.00 new.
- Custom fibreglass vented front bonnet, price unsure.
- Custom fibreglass rear hatch, price unsure.
I really wish that I can complete the whole interior and chassis modifications before the end of this year, which is sooooooooooooooooooooo impossible! I want to keep this car for as long as possible though, I love my EG6 wannabe!
B18CR!!!!!
It's been months since I've updated this blog.
On the last topic, the overheating problem was due to the badly - skimmed head.
The work done was so bad, until there is almost, very little amount of metal left to the head that can be shaved!
There was sediments left on the cam caps, whitish in colour, which indicates that water have entered the combustion chamber and mixed with the engine oil, hence the creamy whitish sediments.
Fast forward to today, now there is a 1996 B18C from an Integra Type R waiting to be plonked into my engine bay. Yeay!!!!!! Type R blood in my Track Refugee!!!!!
The current workshop where my car is being operated, Avantech at Seri Kembangan, is quite a good workshop. This is one of the few VTEC workshops, that acutally uses quality tools like torque wrenches! The head honcho, Mie is also a very good tuner who uses Crome to tune VTECs.
I'm also going to change the shifter to CTR's quick shifter, then front brake pads to EBC Yellow Stuff [ perhaps ], Mugen stainless steel brake hoses all around, Motul RBF 600 brake fluid, locally - produced 3 layer aluminium radiator, new fan switch, Motul coolant + Redline Water Wetter too.
The ECU will then be tuned with Crome to let the B18C block + B18C stock header + B16A intake manifold + B16A throttle body + B16A injectors to work together. Mie promised me 160 HPs at the wheel is very likely!!!!!
Next immediate upgrades will be :
- Sound system removal, only keeping the head unit and the front component set. There goes the boomer lol!
Not to forget, will try to find and buy a complete EG6 black seat belt, front and rear.
On the last topic, the overheating problem was due to the badly - skimmed head.
The work done was so bad, until there is almost, very little amount of metal left to the head that can be shaved!
There was sediments left on the cam caps, whitish in colour, which indicates that water have entered the combustion chamber and mixed with the engine oil, hence the creamy whitish sediments.
Fast forward to today, now there is a 1996 B18C from an Integra Type R waiting to be plonked into my engine bay. Yeay!!!!!! Type R blood in my Track Refugee!!!!!
The current workshop where my car is being operated, Avantech at Seri Kembangan, is quite a good workshop. This is one of the few VTEC workshops, that acutally uses quality tools like torque wrenches! The head honcho, Mie is also a very good tuner who uses Crome to tune VTECs.
I'm also going to change the shifter to CTR's quick shifter, then front brake pads to EBC Yellow Stuff [ perhaps ], Mugen stainless steel brake hoses all around, Motul RBF 600 brake fluid, locally - produced 3 layer aluminium radiator, new fan switch, Motul coolant + Redline Water Wetter too.
The ECU will then be tuned with Crome to let the B18C block + B18C stock header + B16A intake manifold + B16A throttle body + B16A injectors to work together. Mie promised me 160 HPs at the wheel is very likely!!!!!
Next immediate upgrades will be :
- Sound system removal, only keeping the head unit and the front component set. There goes the boomer lol!
Not to forget, will try to find and buy a complete EG6 black seat belt, front and rear.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Overheating Problems Again!
Argh!
Once again, one of the famous known problems for Bee Series rears it's ugly head again : overheating.
I was stuck at Jalan 222, Petaling Jaya [ goddamned long traffic light wait ]. Then I saw the temperature meter slowly creeping up. I started to panic.
The temperature meter kept going up, until luckily, the traffic light turns green. As I was the first car, I immediately pulled out because the temperature meter is only 1cm away from the red mark [ because once the meter reaches the red mark, means the head gasket is blown! ].
After 2 - 3 seconds later as I drove away, the temp quickly dropped down to slightly under the middle mark. I was relieved!
On my way back to the shop, I encountered the same problem again, everytime I'm stuck at the traffic light, or crawling slowly with the rest of the morning traffic.
As soon as I arrived at the shop, I left the keys with the mechanic's staffs and quickly posted my problem in HCOC's forum.
After some lengthy discussion [ including face - to - face discussions with HCOC Committee members during the Honda Racing F1 party, which is in another blog of mine ], it's dictated that.....
The numero - uno culprit is suspected to be the fan. Yes, the fan do spin when the engine temperature reaches certain level, but how fast is it spinning?
Culprit number two is the water pump, and number three is the thermostat.
I think, I might want to replace all three with brand new original parts. Because all these parts are pretty old, and never got replaced [ whilst it's in my Track Refugee bay lar ]. Heck, the thermostat and fan switch came with the engine, which I dunno how many thousands of KMs worth of mileage the engine ran!
Once again, one of the famous known problems for Bee Series rears it's ugly head again : overheating.
I was stuck at Jalan 222, Petaling Jaya [ goddamned long traffic light wait ]. Then I saw the temperature meter slowly creeping up. I started to panic.
The temperature meter kept going up, until luckily, the traffic light turns green. As I was the first car, I immediately pulled out because the temperature meter is only 1cm away from the red mark [ because once the meter reaches the red mark, means the head gasket is blown! ].
After 2 - 3 seconds later as I drove away, the temp quickly dropped down to slightly under the middle mark. I was relieved!
On my way back to the shop, I encountered the same problem again, everytime I'm stuck at the traffic light, or crawling slowly with the rest of the morning traffic.
As soon as I arrived at the shop, I left the keys with the mechanic's staffs and quickly posted my problem in HCOC's forum.
After some lengthy discussion [ including face - to - face discussions with HCOC Committee members during the Honda Racing F1 party, which is in another blog of mine ], it's dictated that.....
The numero - uno culprit is suspected to be the fan. Yes, the fan do spin when the engine temperature reaches certain level, but how fast is it spinning?
Culprit number two is the water pump, and number three is the thermostat.
I think, I might want to replace all three with brand new original parts. Because all these parts are pretty old, and never got replaced [ whilst it's in my Track Refugee bay lar ]. Heck, the thermostat and fan switch came with the engine, which I dunno how many thousands of KMs worth of mileage the engine ran!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Oooopppsss!
Just scrapped a little bit of the RHD side of the rear bumper. Now how the hell am I going to drive the car around with a sekon - han bucket seat + my brand new Bride Type FG rails?
I love the feel of driving around with my head only peeking out a bit. Ha! My pal's setup [ he's a Spoon freak btw! ], Spoon's Kevlar bucket seat + old skool Bride rails : only his head is seen, and it's parked right on the bottom of the door [ more specifically, where the door glass ends lar when you scroll the window down! ].
The main problem with driving around in this setup is : you hafta see forward, much forward than previously. This can be a bit risky especially when driving fast on public roads, not a prob when in the track.
Also a prob when reversing etc. Remedy : place a clip - on large curvature rear view mirror, replace side mirrors with Spoon items [ those are blue - tinted so won't glare ] and practice parking often, especially reverse park!
I love the feel of driving around with my head only peeking out a bit. Ha! My pal's setup [ he's a Spoon freak btw! ], Spoon's Kevlar bucket seat + old skool Bride rails : only his head is seen, and it's parked right on the bottom of the door [ more specifically, where the door glass ends lar when you scroll the window down! ].
The main problem with driving around in this setup is : you hafta see forward, much forward than previously. This can be a bit risky especially when driving fast on public roads, not a prob when in the track.
Also a prob when reversing etc. Remedy : place a clip - on large curvature rear view mirror, replace side mirrors with Spoon items [ those are blue - tinted so won't glare ] and practice parking often, especially reverse park!
But to purchase a nice sekon - han bucket seat, at least RM 800.00, up to RM 1.5k for a nice CF one. Kevlars can reach RM 2k wooohhhh, used summore!
I'm going to try to replace the door locks by myself again tonight!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Fresh Update : March 2008
It's been such a long time. My poor Track Refugee have been sitting, collecting dirt, dust etc since September last year.
Then, fast forward to January 2008. I sent the Track Refugee to be repainted, all dents knocked out, replaced front left headlight, front bumper, the works. The cooling problem is now solved with the head skimmed, and a new 2nd hand radiator replaced.
All ancillary belts replaced, water pump hose replaced, fresh alignment job, aircond problem solved....the cost is quite long actually. Cost is around RM 3500++, not sure yet because my mechanic have yet to pass me the bill.
So, since about a week ago, I started driving the Track Refugee in short distances from the shop to check the feel of the car, especially the aircond and engine temperature. For this time, I'd say everything is ok.
Last Saturday night, I went for a really long drive. From the shop, I went to Bangsar [ from the Jalan Travers traffic light towards Bangsar, I revved the car up and it pushed to 180kph++ easily as I arrived near the Bangsar LRT station! :) ], then towards Taman Tun Dr Ismail. Aftewards, to Damansara Uptown, then Kelana Jaya, Sunway, Subang and finally Shah Alam.
Then I used the same route back to the shop. Result : chassis is bumpy! But I like it, a lot better than the previous suspension setup, which was too hard but, with really little sway when swinging from one fast corner to another. Now, the sway is slightly more pronounced, maybe due to the dampers now much stiffer than previous. Maybe a bigger rear ARB?
The car, with those Ohlins suspension kit, and those sticky AD-07's, made the car feeling slightly like a go - kart. Engine - wise, it's pretty yummy, with the exhaust spitting at high rev gear shifts, and spitting again when the rev drops to around the VTEC changeover point [ 4800 RPM ].
Sadly, there's some niggling squeking sound from the front left area of the car. Also, the old squeaking sounds from the rear panels and dashboard is still there [ hafta buy a 2nd hand good condition dash and fix it properly ].
Sound system is a bit problematic [ due to the stupid fuse again! ]. I've made up my mind to remove the sub and two amps at a later stage, then strip all the rear panels, cover with a good piece [ or pieced up? ] hard - wearing cloth / carpet trim, do a custom build rear box from MDF [ which I may want to tackle by myself! Hehehehe, I love DIY! ], wrap it up and bolt it to the car with some removable brackets!
Future plans are :
- Strip the rear panels + box, replace box with custom MDF box. Cover rear area with hard - wearing cloth / trim / carpeting. Place some sound deadening material around this area too.
- Relocate the battery to the rear with a battery relocation box / kit [ maybe custom aluminium? ], will try to fit it around / on the custom MDF box.
- Replace complete dashboard with a sekon - han EG6 / EG9 black dash.
- Replace the cupholders with a sekon - han EG6 / EG9 dual DIN black case [ oledi have it! ].
- Change all bushes with Hardrace hard rubber bushes.
- Change front camber, rear camber and rear toe with adjustable Hardrace items.
- Buy a brand new set of Defi 1 DIN meter cluster [ engine temperature, engine oil temperature, engine oil / fuel pressure ].
- Buy Mugen / Spoon etc fan switch and thermostat.
In my dreams :
- Complete vehicle knockdown [ remove all bumpers, fenders, bonnet, hatch, glass and all interior parts ] for a full repaint to super - sparkling - extra - metalflake graphite black.
- Custom 6 point rollcage that clears the dashboard and still allow passangers at the rear.
- Roof replacement with a sekon - han EG6 sunroof - fitted roof, with a working water escape hoses and rear wiper water spray.
- B16B block + EK9 4.785 FD gearbox, stroked up with B18CR internals, tuned with Crome.
- Toda 4-1 header.
- Buddy Club Spec II complete after cat exhaust system.
- Bride Zeta III CF / Kevlar driver seat with Takata's.
- Spoon Momo steering wheel.
- Complete EG6 yellow interior [ seats, door trims and long arm rest ].
- Spoon 4 piston front calipers with DC2R '99 rear brake kit.
- Fully adjustable dampers [ on budget, GAB SS Series. If really rich, Tein Mono Flex! ].
- Spoon CF front bonnet, front lip and rear spoiler.
Then, fast forward to January 2008. I sent the Track Refugee to be repainted, all dents knocked out, replaced front left headlight, front bumper, the works. The cooling problem is now solved with the head skimmed, and a new 2nd hand radiator replaced.
All ancillary belts replaced, water pump hose replaced, fresh alignment job, aircond problem solved....the cost is quite long actually. Cost is around RM 3500++, not sure yet because my mechanic have yet to pass me the bill.
So, since about a week ago, I started driving the Track Refugee in short distances from the shop to check the feel of the car, especially the aircond and engine temperature. For this time, I'd say everything is ok.
Last Saturday night, I went for a really long drive. From the shop, I went to Bangsar [ from the Jalan Travers traffic light towards Bangsar, I revved the car up and it pushed to 180kph++ easily as I arrived near the Bangsar LRT station! :) ], then towards Taman Tun Dr Ismail. Aftewards, to Damansara Uptown, then Kelana Jaya, Sunway, Subang and finally Shah Alam.
Then I used the same route back to the shop. Result : chassis is bumpy! But I like it, a lot better than the previous suspension setup, which was too hard but, with really little sway when swinging from one fast corner to another. Now, the sway is slightly more pronounced, maybe due to the dampers now much stiffer than previous. Maybe a bigger rear ARB?
The car, with those Ohlins suspension kit, and those sticky AD-07's, made the car feeling slightly like a go - kart. Engine - wise, it's pretty yummy, with the exhaust spitting at high rev gear shifts, and spitting again when the rev drops to around the VTEC changeover point [ 4800 RPM ].
Sadly, there's some niggling squeking sound from the front left area of the car. Also, the old squeaking sounds from the rear panels and dashboard is still there [ hafta buy a 2nd hand good condition dash and fix it properly ].
Sound system is a bit problematic [ due to the stupid fuse again! ]. I've made up my mind to remove the sub and two amps at a later stage, then strip all the rear panels, cover with a good piece [ or pieced up? ] hard - wearing cloth / carpet trim, do a custom build rear box from MDF [ which I may want to tackle by myself! Hehehehe, I love DIY! ], wrap it up and bolt it to the car with some removable brackets!
Future plans are :
- Strip the rear panels + box, replace box with custom MDF box. Cover rear area with hard - wearing cloth / trim / carpeting. Place some sound deadening material around this area too.
- Relocate the battery to the rear with a battery relocation box / kit [ maybe custom aluminium? ], will try to fit it around / on the custom MDF box.
- Replace complete dashboard with a sekon - han EG6 / EG9 black dash.
- Replace the cupholders with a sekon - han EG6 / EG9 dual DIN black case [ oledi have it! ].
- Change all bushes with Hardrace hard rubber bushes.
- Change front camber, rear camber and rear toe with adjustable Hardrace items.
- Buy a brand new set of Defi 1 DIN meter cluster [ engine temperature, engine oil temperature, engine oil / fuel pressure ].
- Buy Mugen / Spoon etc fan switch and thermostat.
In my dreams :
- Complete vehicle knockdown [ remove all bumpers, fenders, bonnet, hatch, glass and all interior parts ] for a full repaint to super - sparkling - extra - metalflake graphite black.
- Custom 6 point rollcage that clears the dashboard and still allow passangers at the rear.
- Roof replacement with a sekon - han EG6 sunroof - fitted roof, with a working water escape hoses and rear wiper water spray.
- B16B block + EK9 4.785 FD gearbox, stroked up with B18CR internals, tuned with Crome.
- Toda 4-1 header.
- Buddy Club Spec II complete after cat exhaust system.
- Bride Zeta III CF / Kevlar driver seat with Takata's.
- Spoon Momo steering wheel.
- Complete EG6 yellow interior [ seats, door trims and long arm rest ].
- Spoon 4 piston front calipers with DC2R '99 rear brake kit.
- Fully adjustable dampers [ on budget, GAB SS Series. If really rich, Tein Mono Flex! ].
- Spoon CF front bonnet, front lip and rear spoiler.
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