Thursday, March 24, 2011

How Much Do You Spend?

Everytime people greet me, one of the question that will be asked is this; "How much had you spent on the car?"

Even me myself asked the same question; how much had I spent on the car? So lets do some maths. I'll only calculate on the upgrading, and repairing. Tires, runner, and maintenance (engine oil, etc) will not be included. So lets get going. Oh, its just an estimation and the currency is in Ringgit Malaysia.


Once upon a time..
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/22432_216701722001_643222001_3059887_6110804_n.jpg

11000 - The car. (Okay, I only have 9000 that time. 2000 was given to me by my parents. Happy?)

90 - Bullet mirror. (Now it cost RM300+ for the same mirror.)

900 - Advan Oni and spacers.

200 - Tinted. (Which did not pass Puspakom inspection later on. Zzzz.)
500 - Brand new re-pro complete DX set.
1400 - Paint job.

500 - New BOV, intercooler hoses.
400 - Exhaust and cable plug.
150 - Ultra Racing bar.
350 - Half cage.
1300 - Top overhaul.
500 - Plus minus the miscellaneous stuffs.
17000 - Total.


After the car failed the inspection when I tried to sell it, here's the second life of the car:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/37468_417832727001_643222001_4555039_6720511_n.jpg

5000 - Engine, LSD, coilover, workmanship and etc.
200 - Exhaust work.
700 - Work Equip 01.
250 - Nardi.
350 - Sound system.
500 - Wiring job.
600 - KE74 facelift.
500 - Custom bodywork and paint job.

400 - Plus minus the miscellaneous stuffs.
8500 - Total.

Overall:
17000 + 8500 = 25500.

I'm sure the actual cost is more than this. So where does the money come from? MLM (:D), selling car parts, photography job, savings from pocket money and etc. How much had you guys spent on your car?

Project : Face Lifted. Part III.

What? Still not finish kah da project? Nope. Looks like it gonna take some more time now. Anyway, tons of assignments and lab report need to be submitted this month. Kinda havoc. Back to Rolla, wiring job so far had been done. Here's some pics during the progress:

Should be wire-less now.

Even the fuse box was thrown out. Replace it with individual fuse now.

After the wires had been tube, this is how it looks now. No more mee goreng mamak. I even sprayed the side panel and the lower panel with tar anti rust.

Found out my spark plug had worn out due to excessive fuel coming in (My setting is always a bit rich), them at workshop suggested me to use this spark plug. Price should be less than RM100 if normal market, should be wayy cheaper if you buy it at sparepart shop. Oh, I test the car after fitting this plug. There's obvious power improvement damn it.


Actually, them told me that the TPS sensor had been fixed (wiring issue), plus there's a vacuum leak somewhere, so after fixing both of it and with the new plug; that's the reason why I'd feel so much improvement. Even the idle now stay at 1000rpm. No more idling at 2000rpm.

Another thing that need altering? And another reason why the progress is so slow. It does not fit liao! GL fender cannot fit the KE74/KE76 facelift. Hnngh! So? Send it to a body shop to custom fit it. Cut and welding job I guess.

One more thing that I might be reconsider is the overfender. I guess I am not gonna use it anymore. This looks very naisuu. Just need some rolling so that I can get more clearance. I guess I have to stick to low profile sotong tires eh?

Should I use the overfender or not?

Friday, March 18, 2011

Project : Face Lifted. Part II.

The next day after checking the stuffs that had been sent to me, only to found out that the square headlight is from a Datsun B310. Also in other word, the square headlight used here is the universal square type. Can fit most car, such as B310, Blackbelt, the KE72, KE74, and also noticed that the 180SX also using the same head light.

Knew about the 180SX headlight coz the other day, decided to have a shotgun ride with the foreman during testing. Although it end up on a roadside after having a clutch pump failure.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200557_10150125859237002_643222001_6473095_5167230_n.jpg

Back to the observation, I noticed that the lamp given to me is a seal beam type. Meaning that there's no bulb change. Once broken, replacement is a new unit of this thing. Which also mean I cannot use my trademark Blue/White H4 bulb if I am using this. Anyone interested with my used set? Selling it at RM40 only.

Although they said that seal beam produce brighter light, I still prefer my old bulb. So, asked them to order a new non-seal beam headlight. Depo from Taiwan.

There goes my favorite blue reflection on a headlamp.

Interior had been stripped out for major rewiring.

Since I got a lot of free time, and was provided with this stuff:

Polished my old bumper to its glorious shine. As good as new.

Some Autosol and polishing in progress.

What else can be shine? The Equip - Yes. The Riverside - No.

See how buff it is!

Done!

End of Part II.

Project : Face Lifted. Part I.

Rolla had been inside workshop for like a week already. Progress is pretty slow as I told them to take their time especially when it comes to wiring stuff. Others? I do it myself to save up their time. Plus why not? Its my own car. Anyway, the car is at Speedster Garage just in case you guys are searching for a suitable workshop to do stuffs. Been spending my time a lot there now.



Goodbye DX face. Not gonna use you anymore.



Also took the opportunity to install the anti-roll bar. Red color looks striking on the plain bottom.



Selling my used chrome bumper for RM230. Complete stuff and also bought new last year. Except for the plate no which I will use it back. :P



Earlier, the plan was to convert to a GL facelift. Which then I got a GL set when I swapped everything from my DX with a friend. Shown here was during the painting process. This time I am only going to use can spray to save budget. Used up to 6 cans for white color and clear coat. This will do for the time being.



After taking some time and few seller approach me with a different type of face lift, I decided to go for it and instead of swapping to GL, I am going to use the KE74 face lift. Which is quite rare and pretty expensive. Shown here is the RG bumper. Bought a used one. Reason wise? I want the bracket.


Bumper is from Perlis, while the face lift is from Penang. Here's another box arrived at the same week. A complete set of KE74 face, a new RG side cap and a new RG signal.



Still in a good condition. Thanks to the honest seller from Penang.



End of Part I.

Featured In : FreshPhysics. Round II.

http://freshphysics.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/toon_ke_amar_gencos.jpg?w=334&h=399

Again, another art created by Nenok. Had been using this as my handphone wallpaper and also my Avatar for most forum I lurked. Unfortunately; I am not going to sport this facelift anymore. Thanks again bro.

KE70 Variants.

Finally at home again with a proper internet. Celcom Broadband sucks. Anyway, its time to do some updates. A week ago I learned that there's a few more types of model for Corolla KE70. Other than the three common type, there's a few more actually.


First, the DX. Which have a quad headlight feature.

http://noriyaro.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ke70_corolla_at_nikko_002.jpg


Then, there's also a DX Blackbelt. Which feature a small square head lamp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2734621601_d191081905.jpg


And finally the GL facelift.
http://speedhunters.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.PostAttachments/00.00.14.72.42/KE70_2D00_STD.jpg_2D00_672x9999999.jpg


And the not so famous; which I called slanting face. Mostly on wagon here in Malaysia.
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/754/ke70sprint01jv1.jpg

And then, after lurking and asking around a seller during my purchase, only then I knew that there's three more types for wagon version. From what I understand,


This is a KE72. Confirm fit a GL fender set and a Blackbelt face. Mix-match combo.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189375_104008046348989_100002193810372_34728_558847_n.jpg

And this is a KE74. Different type of fender and still retain the same square headlamp for Blackbelt and KE72.

And finally, the rarest of em all, the KE76. Actually the same with KE74 but with different grill.

As you can see, most wagon were fitted with an RG bumper. Its different from the DX nor rubber GL bumper. Which is the nicest of em all if you asked me. There's still a lot if I am going to explain and compare the variants but I think this should be enough.

*Photo credits belong to original photographer ya. I am just Googling it.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Retro Bodykits New Stuff.

Back to Rolla, there's some updates but all had been quite slow since I was busy with exams, with the model kits, and also the new love for 125z. LOL. I guess I cannot focus on a few things. Gotta straight up again.

Okay so Retro Bodykits has a new type of front spoiler, and the tokey, Mr. Jeya had sent me one as a sponsor stuff and as for promotional use. Big thanks to him for the new spoiler. Before I proceed, here's my old front spoiler, which I called it Retro Bodykits Type 1.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/67195_133005476750548_100001232899353_201161_6059968_n.jpg

While on Rolla:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/76816_468659822001_643222001_5542925_614753_n.jpg

Here's the new front spoiler, which I called it Type 2. There's various sizes to fit most old schools. Retro Bodykits had send two of it. And one of it had been sold to a nice couple from Brunei which had been so determine to restore their Corolla. Best luck for them. Will do some update when I actually meet them maybe at the end of the month.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182923_10150110540777002_643222001_6334311_2237295_n.jpg

After fitting it on Rolla, this new spoiler fitted more nicely compare to Type 1 since my body part is not properly aligned thanks to the previous accident.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181752_10150110605547002_643222001_6335076_5290852_n.jpg

Side view:
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184704_10150110689972002_643222001_6335705_1401149_n.jpg

My new top mount screw as the old one kept loosen. A wheel stud!
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184310_10150110697842002_643222001_6335739_6023926_n.jpg

Another new stuff going in.. A recondition anti-roll bar.
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183029_10150110540437002_643222001_6334308_4084196_n.jpg

After this, a GL face lift and then its time to repaint back Rolla to its glorious white color.