Among all the colours, gold has always been a favorite of mine as its sparkle has never fails to bedazzle me. Just like the colour gold, a beautiful lady with a sultry and vivacious body affects me the same, more so if this lady is one that is more than willing to go topless at the mere press of a button, mine you, this done even in public without being bashful ! Now, don’t start getting dirty images in your mind as what I am referring to is this featured convertible Nissan Fairlady, which has a combination of both and at its mere sight, gave me a nose bleed!
For this car, the creativity of the owner really shows as the choice of the wide body kit with its shining gold color scheme really does makes this car standout from the rest. As can be seen the car is now adorned with Top Secret designed kit. The front now appears sleeker and sharper, this thanks to the ‘ longnose’ design type bumper. For better aerodynamics, the owner had also added canards at both side of the bumper. After this, the wheel arch was widened, giving the car a more curvy yet menacing appearance. To complement all these and to give the car an appearance of a lower stance, bigger side skirts were fitted. As for the rear, a wider rear bumper that incorporates a custom made diffuser and a carbon fiber wing from Voltex can be seen fitted.
A lady dress to the ‘nines’ would definitely needs shoes to match, and for this, the owner had opted for Works 2-piece, 19-inch chrome wheels, snug nicely inside the widen wheel arch. I must admit that these 6-spokes rims do really enhance the car’s appearance. These are then shod with Yokohama 245/35R19 for the front and 275/30R19 at the rear…
| Specification | |
| Model | Nissan Fairlady 350Z |
| Year | 2005 |
| Engine Mods & Upgrade | VQ35DE, Works lighten pulleys, K&N air filter, Hot Inazma battery stabilizer, ZEX nitrous kit |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Exhaust | Trust |
| Suspension | Tein |
| Brakes | Endless |
| Rims & Tyres | Works 19-inch with Yokohama tires 245/35R19 (front), 275/30R19 (rear) |
| Exterior | Top Secret |
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As we have mentioned in previous issues, the Nissan Cefiro A32, is considered one of the more popular platform for VIP styling amongst its enthusiasts who are in the market for an executive sedan that is affordable, even to those drawing a worker’s salary. Once acquiring this, all the owner has to do is drop a pretty penny, and in the hands of a VIP styling maestro, will transform this make and model to one that looks and upon entering the cockpit, feels like it is worth much more than what had been paid for in the first place!
A fine example of this is these two featured Nissan Cefiro A32, which belongs to Kelvin and Kenny, both who hails from Johor. As the saying goes … birds of a feather do flock together, and it was by no coincidence that we have both this guys in this photo session of ours. Just take a look at both this rides, they are almost identical. Both cars have almost the same styling theme and upgrades, and last but not least... same colour scheme and year of manufacture!
OK, we’ll start as usual, from the exterior. Firstly, a Garson mascot is a must have item, and as such both cars have this on their car hood. As both guys are big fans of Fabulous products, it was not surprising that most of the exterior component are those from Fabulous, which comprises of the front and rear bumper, side skirt and the spoiler, except an addition of a sun-roof on Kelvin’s car…
| Specification | |
| Model | Nissan Cefiro A32 |
| Engine | 3.0 VQ30DE |
| Engine Mods & Upgrade | NIL |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Exhaust | Fabulous muffler |
| Suspension | Canover air suspension system |
| Brakes | Standard |
| Rims & Tyres | 20” Fabulous Profound & Ventus 225/35R20 |
| Garage | NIL |
Recommended Readings
A shinning star of the import world, the Subaru Impreza is nearly unstoppable. These rally-bred machines are able to deliver a totally new experience in acceleration and handling. Here we have the rundown on a mean-looking Impreza ver 8, ‘wrenched’ to near perfection in terms of performance by the guys at ST Wangan. Much like everything that comes out of ST Wangan’s accented garage, this Impreza is seen to have been given the ‘wrench’ with meticulous care.
Getting a facelift and a Varis CF hood surely isn’t the end of the mod story for this featured Impreza ver 8, as you’ll see. The facelift with a version 9 kit surely adds some points to its appearance with an up-to-date look for this Impreza, although the consequence is that it makes the stock BBS wheels look microscopic. In a crowd of forged Japanese rims, the owner has opted for a set of Rays RE30 partnered with a set of 235/40R17 Advan Neova tyres.
In achieving a nice performance setup with powerbands suitable for the streets, a few mod and upgrading were done onto the EJ-20 engine. All these were achieved without taking any chances in the reliability department, which has always been taken into consideration. Looking at the list of mods done, I’d say the use of a re-flashed or re-mapped E.C.U with a more suitable fuel mapping that keeps the vital mixture of fuel, air and spark consistent play an important role in the performance upgrading of this EJ-20 engine. The upgraded 255lph Walbro fuel pump was handed the task of feeding fuel while the SARD fuel pressure regulator manages the supply. Airflow capability for this EJ-20 is further enhanced with the presence of a complete HKS Racing suction kit while a HKS SSQV blow-off valve thwarts compressor surge. Among other added items include the Tomei timing belt guide and Power Enterprise belting…
| Specification | |
| Model | Subaru STI Version 8 |
| Engine | EJ-20 @ 1.5-boost bar |
| Engine Mods & Upgrade | HKS Racing Suction Kit / Tomei Timing Belt Guide / Greddy Oil Cooler / Power Belt / HKS SSQV Blow-off Valve / Koyo Radiator / Custom Intercooler / Walbro Fuel Pump / SARD Fuel Pressure Regulator / Greddy Profec B |
| Transmission | 6-MT & Ogura Clutch |
| E.C.U. | Re-Mapped |
| Suspension | Tein |
| Brakes | Endless – 6-pot FR / 4-pot RR |
| Rims & Tyres | Rays RE30 & Advan Neova |
| Garage | ST Wangan |
Recommended Readings
Ever since he was a kid, Jeffery, the owner of this featured bimmer had always wanted to be in the police force, assigned to a patrol car. Now, all grown up, and not attached to the police force, Jeffery did the next best thing in realizing a part of his younger days ambition, and the outcome is what you see before you, a very good replica of a police patrol car. Just kidding, I made this up just to spice up the article.
OK, what actually happened was Jeffery decided on transforming his ride after he got close and personal with an Audi TT with a vinyl design concept that was inspired from the video game Need for Speed at the Toms Stickers booth during the Extreme International Autoshow that was held late last year. This design concept was proposed by Vincent, the manager of Toms Stickers, and was readily accepted by the owner of the Audi TT.
Jeffery, being a member of the B1 Bodykitclub, whose members are known for their extreme body styling concept that never fails to impress, decided to go the full distance in transforming his ride, which is only natural, and what we have here is a car that is dress to trill in the most severe way. …
| Specification | |
| Model | BMW E46 318 |
| Engine | 1.9-litre |
| Engine Mods & Upgrade | Head port & polish, Greddy oil cooler, AC Schnitzer cable plug cover, remap ECU |
| Transmission | Stock automatic gearbox |
| Exhaust | AC Schnitzer |
| Suspension | Bilstein |
| Brakes | UUC Motowerks |
| Rims & Tyres | 19-inch SSR rims with Falken 235/35R19 (front) and 275/35R19 (rear) tyres |
| Garage | V-Extreme Car Hifi Centre & TSD Bodykit |
Recommended Readings
At the mere mentioned of the word Brabus, one would visualize a Mercedes Benz that is elegant with refined sportiness and is harness with more than sufficient horses to satisfy the hunger pangs for those who has a need for speed.
Besides focusing on extracting maximum performance from the engine, Brabus, the renowned German tuner for Mercedes Benz vehicles, also offers a variety of accessories upgrades for discerning owners who are out to customized their car to their individual preference, more often than not, for a theme that is stylish yet functional.
At Naza-Brabus Motor Sdn. Bhd, new buyers and existing owners of the C-Class will have the opportunity to realize this, by ‘adorning’ their W204 with Brabus products, introduced by Naza-Brabus Motor Sdn. Bhd. as the C-Class Brabus Premier Line package.
| Specification | |
| Model | Mercedes Benz W204, C200K Avantgarde |
| Max Power | 135kW/184bhp |
| Max Torque | 250Nm at 5500rpm |
| Exterior | Brabus front spoiler, Brabus fog lamp set, Brabus side skirts, Brabus rear bumper & spoiler, Brabus sport quad exhaust, Brabus emblems |
| Interior | Brabus backlit entrance panels, Brabus pedal pads |
| Brakes | NIL |
| Rims & Tyres | Brabus Monoblock A |
| ENGINE MODS & COMPONENTS UPGRADE | NIL |
| Garage | NIL |
Recommended Readings
Once again what we have here is another car owner that chose not to follow the VIP style ‘rules’. A true VIP car, or "bippu" if you are going to pronounce it ala Japanese, more often than not is a JDM sedan, but like I’ve mentioned many a times we Malaysians are a creative lot and bending the rules are not uncommon (in car mods that is!). So, what we have featured here is a VIP Proton Waja. Yes, it just a W.A.J.A!
Why a Waja as a VIP platform one might question? Well, according to the owner, Johnvk, the reasoning is simple; being a true blue Malaysian, it is only proper that the car of choice should be one of our very own national cars and for him personally the Proton Waja fits the bill. As to why he chose a VIP styling theme for his ride? “I just wanted something different that would make me stand out from the crowd and I felt that going for the VIP theme would help me realize this. Most Waja owners would go for the Wajalution looks, but nowadays there is just too many of those plying on our Malaysian roads,” answered Johnvk.
Morphing his ride into what he desired was left in the capable hands of the guys at J-Lux, a renowned VIP styling specialist located in Bandar Sunway. For this styling program, J-Lux had started off with the installation of a bigger lower front lip and rear apron to the original front and rear bumper. Each side of these was then completed with side marker. After these, a pair of simple yet elegant custom designed side skirt were installed, which really complemented the front and rear lips. Other add-ons seen are a ‘duct tail’ spoiler, fender vents, Waja CPS side mirror, Carozcraft sunroof and a must have item in any respectable VIP styled vehicle; chrome Junction Produce mascot on top of the front hood.
| Specification | |
| Engine Mods & Upgrade | Open pod air filter, Arospeed fuel pressure regulator, 5-point grounding wire and custom made oil catch tank
|
| E.C.U | Stock |
| Transmission | Automatic, Waja CPS gear lever
|
| Exhaust | 4-2-1 manifold, custom muffler
|
| Suspension | Tein Superstreet
|
| Brakes | Stock
|
| Rims & Tyres | 18-inch MAE rims / 215/40R18 Firenza tires
|
| Garage | J-Lux, Sunway
|
Recommended Readings
For me personally, this article is a ‘memorable’ one, as it is written during the first day of Ramadan, or fasting month. At the time of writing this, I’m hungry, sleepy and tired, but then, these are not excuses for me not to finish this article on time. Although my eyelids are beginning to droop and at times the words just seems to be a blur, I would like to assure you guys that this article is not done in haste just to meet my date-line. Read on and you be the judge!
Looking at the photos of this MRS does conjures up an image of a plump, juicy orange, great for extracting juices that would be perfect as a thirst quencher for my “buka puasa”. Ok! Enough thoughts about food… concentrate man! OK, back to the story of this hot looking MRS that is owned by a certified MR2 / MRS junkie, Mickey, who has a garage full of MR2 / MRS and has a specially modified MR2 for autokhana – which he is a serious competitor.
This featured MRS is used primarily as a show car with no stones left unturned in turning it for this sole purpose. The small stature of this car is beefed-up with the installation of a custom built Monocraft GT300 widebody kit. This bodykit is inspired from the Japan GT MRS and further enhancement was made to make this little roadster look even better than a freshly rolled popiah. After this, the front and rear lights were replaced with DAMD light clusters and the stock soft top was replaced with a TRD hard top unit, which in my opinion is more practical in our hot humid climate. The tonneau cover which once held the rag top of this car was also replaced with a DAMD cover. As for the very interesting looking rear spoilers, it too is from DAMN, and I must say really does complement the new rear light cluster
Specification
|
|
Engine Mods & Upgrade
| Holley NOS 50 shot wet kit, A’pexi Air Intake Kit, Racecraft carbon fibre engine cover
|
E.C.U
| HKS F-Con SZ ECU
|
Transmission
| TRD 1.5 way LSD, Ogura Clutch + Flywheel
|
Exhaust
| Fujitsubo Exhaust system
|
Suspension
| Cusco Anti-Roll Bars, Kei Office coil over suspension set, TRD Front Strut Bar, TRD Rear Strut Bar, TRD Chassis Underbody Bracing
|
Brakes
| NA
|
Rims & Tyres
| Ray Engineering VOLK racing Limited Edition TE37 17x7.5, 17X8.5 Offset 0, Ray Engineering Aluminum Lug Nuts, Goodyear Eagle 245/40/17, Advan Neova 215/40/17
|
Garage
| NA
|
Recommended Readings
In my line of work I am given the opportunity to get close and personal with many makes and models of modded cars. Even at times when they are from the same make and model, you can rest assured that after their tuning program, be it for body styling or performance, more often than not, the outcome of no two cars are alike. And this is one of the reasons that make my job interesting.
Even then, once in a while this interest of mine is push a notch up, like this very moment, coming face to face with a car that is seldom seen plying on our Malaysian roads, the Toyota Ist, and as an added bonus this featured unit is one that is heavily modded.
The owner of this featured Toyota Ist is a petrolhead by nature, whose previous rides had consisted of highly tune modified cars before deciding to settle down (or so he thought) and had thus bought this Toyota Ist as a daily commute. But like most performance car enthusiasts, this ‘settling down’ phase did not last, and his pang of hunger for speed was in dire need of feeding, and thus the journey begins …
| Specification | |
| Engine Mods & Upgrade | Holley NOS 50 shot wet kit, A’pexi Air Intake Kit, Racecraft carbon fibre engine cover
|
| E.C.U | HKS F-Con SZ ECU |
| Transmission | TRD 1.5 way LSD, Ogura Clutch + Flywheel
|
| Exhaust | Fujitsubo Exhaust system
|
| Suspension | Cusco Anti-Roll Bars, Kei Office coil over suspension set, TRD Front Strut Bar, TRD Rear Strut Bar, TRD Chassis Underbody Bracing
|
| Brakes | NA
|
| Rims & Tyres | Ray Engineering VOLK racing Limited Edition TE37 17x7.5, 17X8.5 Offset 0, Ray Engineering Aluminum Lug Nuts, Goodyear Eagle 245/40/17, Advan Neova 215/40/17
|
| Garage | NA
|
Recommended Readings
You might be the owner of a JDM spec car, but more often than not, it’s a stock standard machine from Japan. Getting it tuned will be an all Malaysian affair, which is good as this will directly be a boom for our local aftermarket tuning industry. Believe me; our local tuning specialists are more than capable of getting the job done right.
However, there is this little group that does not need the expertise of our locals as these guys are fortunate owners of JDM machine that is already tuned by the Japanese. We are not talking about those super rich yuppies who could afford to send their cars to Japan for tuning, but students or expatriates who at one time had studied or worked in Japan and had acquired a JDM car that is tuned in the land of the rising sun.
As you all know that used cars in Japan are dirt cheap and for a guy to own a Skyline is really no big deal. Due to this economical pricing, Amirul, a 25 year old lad while studying in Japan had purchased this featured 1998 Skyline, which is his pride and joy, without burning a hole in his pocket. As Malaysian students are entitled for the precious AP (Approved Permit), Amirul, after completing his studies had thus shipped his ride back to our local shores as even with the cost of freight, the overall cost was deemed much cheaper than getting a unit back here.
| Specification | |
| Engine Mods & Upgrade | APEX’i air filter, HKS 2530GT turbine, Trust GReddy intercooler, Profec B boost controller, max boost 1.1bar
|
| E.C.U | Power FC commander |
| Transmission | Cusco single plate, Kaaz 2-way LSD
|
| Exhaust | Japan custom front pipe, HKS centre bullet, HKS muffler
|
| Suspension | Cusco, Kazama tie rod end, Adjustable rear upper arm
|
| Brakes | Stock
|
| Rims & Tyres | 17-inch Works CR Kaz, Hankook 235/40/17 (front), Falken 245/40/17 (rear)
|
| Garage | NA
|
Recommended Readings
The SLK is one of the top range in the Mercedes stable of vehicles and is produced with the aim of rivaling the BMW Z4, Porsche Boxster and Audi TT. It is made available in a few variants; namely the SLK 200, 280, 350 and 55 AMG. Amongst these, the SLK 200 has the lowest spec … but don’t get me wrong, overall it’s still a very good car and a real chick magnet. Who doesn’t want to own and drive a SLK, right? But the problem is, even with a sleek and sporty appearance, if it was to be park side by side with its other siblings, the 350 or 55 AMG, I’m sure this SLK 200 will look kind of ‘dull’.
Cliff, the owner of this featured SLK 200 acknowledges this and had thus decided to give his ride a make- over, one that is clearly different from his monstrous Mitsubishi EVO Tommy Makinen Edition that was featured some time back in our magazine. Then it was all about brute power, but now, the focus is on cosmetics. Let’s face it, the SLK 200 in its standard design is already a gorgeous and most would be satisfied in the looks department, but for Cliff, his ride just had to be drop dead gorgeous.
To realize this, Cliff had installed onto his SLK a full set of SLK55 AMG body kit, which is a higher version among the SLK variant. The magic word is AMG, a renowned tuner for the Mercedes marquees and has a long history with this German car manufacturer in motorsport event such as the DTM races.
Specification
|
|
Engine Mods & Upgrade
| Stock
|
E.C.U
| VSL Reflash
|
Transmission
| Stock
|
Exhaust
| AMG exhaust system
|
Suspension
| Eibach
|
Brakes
| AMG 6-pot (front), AMG 4-pot (rear)
|
Rims & Tyres
| 18-inch AMG Titanium / Dunlop tires 235/40/18 (front), 255/35R18 (rear)
|
Garage
| Podium Auto Gallery & Progressive Motorsports
|
Recommended Readings
Looking at this car took me back to my childhood days when the symbol of masculinity is the image of a tough looking cowboy smoking cigarette. The “Marlboro Man” is so famous; he was even mentioned in songs and movies – all which refer him as the last true macho man before the emergence of the metrosexuals.
Those were the days when cigarette companies could sponsor most major sporting events, locally and internationally. Remember the days when Dunhill used to sponsor our football league, Rothman could have its name etched at the most famous corner at the (late) Batu Tiga Speedway and Mitsubishi rally cars proudly marked with the famous Marlboro decal and colours? (FYI there is even a colour mix known as Marlboro red!).
All I’ve mentioned is history and almost forgotten by the younger generations. Mitsubishi and Subaru still maintained the colour of their former cigarette sponsors but the brand names had been totally emitted. Subaru has replaced the famous “555” decal with the now familiar boomerang shaped decal while Mitsubishi had removed the Marlboro name but still retains its original red and white colour.
| Specification | |
| Engine Mods & Upgrade | Forged piston 86mm, high cam HKS, Sard blow off valve, HKS adjustable cam pulley, crankshaft balance, Blitz air filter, 3” sus304 stainless intercooler pipe and Samco hoses, NGK Iridium spark plug (no9), Sard injectors 750cc, Sard fuel regulator
|
| E.C.U | Apexi AVCR, Apexi AFC and Apexi ignition control |
| Transmission | Stock 4wd, Ogura twin plate racing clutch, Exedy lighten flywheel
|
| Exhaust | 3” sus304 stainless steel, HKS racing muffler
|
| Suspension | D2 adjustable
|
| Brakes | Stock Brembo- 4pot (front), 2 pot (rear), Endless brake pads
|
| Rims & Tyres | RalliArt racing 17 x 8.5jj, Yokohama 235/45ZR17 tires
|
| Garage | Venis Bodykit & Sticker design
|
Recommended Readings
Under the bonnet of the ‘biru-bas-kilang’ AE86, is a four-throttle 1.6L, 16 valve, 4 cylinders 4AGE rev happy engine, which produces an estimated 160 bhp @ 7400 rpm. Although it may be enough for others, it definitely isn’t for the owner of the ‘blue bus’ as the power needed while drifting on a dry track is really demanding. As such, the whole engine internals was dismantled to ensure reliability is taken to the next level, which is near to perfection. Before being resembled, worn bearings and seals were replaced.
Specification
|
|
Engine Mods & Upgrade
| 4AGE Four Throttle Conversion, Standalone Ignition, Fully Rebuilt, Custom Intake Trumpet, Enlargen Throttle Body, Nitrous Oxide System
|
E.C.U
| NA
|
Transmission
| 5-Speed Manual, Super Single Clutch, LSD Rear Axle
|
Exhaust
| 4 to 1, Straigh Flow, Sports Muffler (Jasma)
|
Suspension
| Titan Adjustable
|
Brakes
| AE86 All Round Disc
|
Rims & Tyres
| 15-inch Volks Racing TE37 Wheels, Yokohama Advan Tyres
|
Garage
| NA
|
Recommended Readings
