Project Fuel Cap

Hello again,

So what do you think of the satria neo fuel cap? Looks kinda ugly, right? Well, Top Gear used to condemn it and I personally felt that it doesn't match the car. So, time for another cheap mod to improve this aspect of the car. I noticed that there are some neo owners out there who put CF stickers on their fuel cap, some spray the whole fuel cap to blend with the car. Well, for me, I sprayed the fuel cap and stick a CF sticker.

Ta-da

There ya go, now that is what I call, a fuel cap :D

Project Front Speaker

Recently I was in the market for a decent front speakers as my neo does not come with any front speakers. Driving without the front speakers can be a little frustrating especially when you are driving on the highway because the sound at that speed will definitely drown out the radio sound and affects your in-car entertainment enjoyment as you struggle to hear what is coming out of the radio.

Actually I am not an ICE guy and I definitely don't want to spend hundreds on speakers. On this note, I cannot understand why some are willing to spend $$$ on ICE. Well, that is their preference I guess. Oh, since we're on this, to "those blonde chinese lala who blast their trance music in their car as if it's some kind of mobile disco", you look dumb and stupid. Go to hell ah beng. We don't like your music and you look like a fool :(

Well I got my front speakers from my sifu who is selling to let go his satria neo OEM front speakers. I paid at a bargain and got it installed by Howie from EA Autoworks.

With just a mere RM100, I am now driving with front speakers. A huge improvement :-)
Also, for those who are installing new speakers in their neo, make sure your installer installs them properly otherwise your car will be a fish tank each time you park under heavy rain :)

Michelin PS3 [Tyre Review]

The stock rubber that comes with my neo is theContinental Comfort Contact CC5 195/55/15. Initially, I thought of shifting to higher performance rubber after I finish stock rubbers but unfortunately, after a night run at Klawang, I decided that the stock rubber has to go. It cannot accommodate my driving style as it was screeching all over and if you keep 'torturing' it, trust me, you'll understeer and go off the road. Nearly happened to me once. In other words, the CC5 is just a comfort tyre.

So went around asking for a good performance tyres for beginners like me. For this purpose, I even had a TT session with my sifu. Basically, there were 3 options, (1) Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE001; (2) Michelin Pilot Sport 3; and (3) Yokohama Advan Neova AD07. After discussion with my sifu, I decided to drop AD07 from the list as it belongs to the extreme category and I agree with my sifu that, one must learn how to utilize UHP/Max Performance tyres before going to Extreme Performance tyres. For some reason, I opted for the PS3 as it was enjoying great reviews and it is said to perform relatively well in wet. 

So changed all tyres into PS3 and viola. I almost cannot believe the amount of grip that I'm having and most importantly, this is just PS3 and not some RE001, AD07 or R1R. Ok back to the topic, PS3 is rather silent and comfortable, I guess it's due to the softer sidewall. Anyway, it is a major improvements over the stock tyres. Another trip to Klawang and I am able to push much harder without the tyres screaming for mercy and the car was able to hold it lines through those sharp corners especially when I throttle out of the apex. 

Additionally, PS3 performs reasonably well in wet condition. At least I feel that way when I'm driving in wet condition. Anyway, I recommend this tyre to all who is looking for a decent performance rubber. I can only compare this to my previous stock tyres and I have yet to experience other performance rubber. Maybe I'll have a change of view once I try other tyres. As for now, PS3 is the best tyre I have used but I wish it had stiffer sidewall.

What happened to my CC5? Well, I sold it off at a bargain due to lack of space

Project Bucket Seat (Chapter 2)

In Chapter 1, I wrote about my replica Sparco Fighter. Well, although I enjoyed relatively good headroom, as time goes on, the seats emit some weird squeaking plastic shrieking sound. Initially I thought it was due to the rails but it turns out to be the seat itself. I went to ask a few people and got a good lecture from someone about the replica seat. Apparently, these replica seats are a serious danger hazard to anyone who decides to sit on it. The risk is multiplied when you belongs to the heavier group. Due to the poor quality, the seat might snap on impact and the sharp edges of the seat may just impale your vital organs in an accident.

So, I decided to get the seat out of my car and look for a long term solution. At the end of the day, I got myself a SSCUS Viper. Well, I use it with the SSCUS rails and brackets and feel rather uncomfortable as the headroom is now reduced (as compared to earlier). In other words, I'm sitting closer to the roof as opposed to away from it. Dang, defeats the purpose.Mind you, the SSCUS subframe which I use is supposed to be made lower.

So I took out the SSCUS subframe and use my previously customized bracket. Viola. Problem solved.

Project Momo and NRG

Many people overlook the importance of driving position. There's a saying goes, learn to walk before you run. Instead of focus on the big things eg. performance etc., one must not overlook the basics such as driving position.

I find myself unable to get a good driving position. Due to the length of my legs, I had to sit far away from the steering and when I do, both my arms will be outstretched. Totally uncomfortable and not the safest driving position in case of untoward incidents. Therefore I decided to extend the steering a little closer to me. There were two options, (1) add a steering wheel spacer) or (2) a quick release.

A good steering wheel spacer in the market is the R3 wheel spacer. Costs around RM200+ and it is supposedly, of high quality.

An example of R3 wheel spacer

I opted for a quick release kit as not only that it allows me to extend the steering closer, it enables me to release the steering as and when I like. Especially when you're parking unfamiliar places or under a hot sun where you want to cover your precious steering wheel from the scorching sun :)
Bought it from kakimotor, the Quick release is priced around RM200+, quick lock is around RM100 +
Now I enjoy a good driving position :)


Oh as for the steering, i got the MOMO Race- Loving every second of it. Holding a momo while driving it a completely different experience. Try it out yourself :)

This is the NRG quick release CF look :)

Removed steering

NRG Quick Lock for added security

My MOMO Race + NRG Quick Release

Project Sport Rims (Wedsport SA55-M)

There's a difference between facts and opinion, opinion differs from one and another and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. On the contrary, facts doesn't differ because, a fact is a fact. Those who differ from facts are labelled as ignorant. Back to the topic, it is a fact that the SNeo Lite's steel rims + cover and the alloy wheels of the higher end version of the SNeo is ugly. Now that is a fact and not an opinion because if you ask 100, you'll most likely hear 101 answers saying that the Sneo stock rims are ugly (1 additional answer here is the echo resulted from the 100 answers given at the same time in a firm manner)

So I went around looking for sport rims...and spotted the Wedsport SA55-M with redlining.

Project Bucket Seat (Chapter 1)

It is common knowledge that Satria Neo is the antonym of the word 'comfort'. Being 185cm in height, the word of 'comfort' would seem like a farcry. The reason for this is due to the design of the car and the stock seats that comes with the car which results in a very, very limited headroom. So if you're as tall as me, you'll find myself sitting inches from the roof of the car.

For those who are above average in height, it is almost a necessity to 'do something' to release more headroom.  Also, the height adjuster which comes with some versions of the SNeo, would serve no purpose if you're looking to release more headroom. So the only real solution to the headroom issue is aftermarket.

There are few options to release more headroom, some resort to removing chunk of cushion from their stock seat to allow them to sit lower, while some take the bold move and completely remove and replace the stock seats. I for one, chose the latter option.

I considered a few bucket seats ranging from Bride to Recaro and from original to imitation. Since the sole purpose of this project is to release more headroom, I was of the view that there's no point in going for original which can be very costly. Say, one Sparco Evo costs RM2400 +/- a piece excluding rails and brackets. So I decided to go for a replica ones (a decision which I soon regret)

Having considered a few bucket seats, I opted for the Sparco Fighter due to its price and design. It looks reasonably nice and is able to fit large size people like myself.

This is how the original Sparco Fighter looks like

And this is my Sparco Fighter replica. Doesn't look as good but what about its quality?

I bought the seat for around RM500. The seat comes with rails, thereafter I went to customize a bracket for my SNeo. I paid another RM200 for the bracket and installation (feels a bit pricey) but the workmanship, i feel, is really good.

The result? AWESOME. I was able to release a substantial amount of headroom though coming in and out of the car has become a challenge. If you're parking close to a car at your driver's side, be rest assured that you'll never be able to climb out.

Well for the headroom? I think it's a worthwhile price to pay. I found out that the headroom increase is attributed to my customized bracket because it's designed in such a way that it's almost stick to the ground :P coupled with the bucket seat which has minimal cushion pad.