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.