1) Day Of Collection

This Page is dedicated to my old and humble Ride which I had enjoyed driving it for the past 1yr and 3 months. It’s a Crystal Grey Subaru Impreza TS, On, 12/10/2006, I took an urgent leave from my daily hectic work, citing a reason of car collection from CAR TIMES Leng Kee.. At that point of time, my Sales Executive (SE) was by the name of a friendly guy called Kelvin.

Well, unfortunately, he was not around on the day of my collection and upon checking, found out that he had crossed over to a rival company. Thank god, I still got my Car at the exact location and time.

The next few paragraphs, I will share with you on the numerous modifications (mods) which I had done to my car as a hobby. Just a word of caution, I had never calculate the total cost of the modifications so as not to feel the pinch or heart pain from spending my hard earned money.

My Car when in Stock Condition (after changing the tyres of coz)

2) Exhaust tip, sensor and tyres.

Well, a day after getting the car, I proceeded to Paya Ubi Industrial at level 5 of a shop introduced by my colleague. There, I did some cosmetic touch up on my car by installing a bigger exhaust tip by just a piece of screw as the stock exhaust look so thin. Other than tat, I also installed a reverse sensor as my SE did not do it for me.

Later, again introduced by my friend, I proceeded to Stamford tyres located at Loyang as he had a friend working there. I Bought myself a 2^nd hand WRX tyres and RIMS which had just been taken out from the 1^st owner on that day itself, the day that he collected his new car. Very lucky am I to get a good price.

About to change the Exhaust Tip

WRX Rims and Tyres

3) Springs, Vortex, Hurricane, Broquet

Next up, I was introduced by my colleague (AGAIN), to this respectable and well known workshop at AMK Autopoint, which is called MERLIN MOTOR WORKS and the person in charge was Jacky. Well, he gave me an advice on my car and what can be done to improve the car performance.

After hearing much from him, decided to get myself Tein S-TECH lowering spring which basically makes my car lower by 3 fingers front and 2 fingers back. That makes the car look nicer and more stable. Next was the Vortex generator which is also called the “fin”, of coz this makes the car look sportier isn’t it.

My air filter was changed to the Hurricane Stainless Steel Drop In filter and I also installed the Broquet Boostmaster 30 so as to have an improvement in performance and also so called, saving fuel consumption. (Haha too bad after some time don’t feel any difference either)

So after spending much on a single day, tested my car and oh gosh, can feel a deep improvement wise in terms of pick up. Well prior to buying the car, I had already known that TS has a slow pick-up among the 1.6L cars but I still love the handling wise.

Vortex Generator aka Fin

Broquet B30

4) Groundings, Voltage Stabilizer, Ignition Spark cable

Ok after reading reviews on car magazines and hearing from friends, my next mod was concerning the electric current within my car, therefore, this time decided to install the 5 points Grounding by Spit Fire, Pivot Voltage Stabilizer, and Pivot Yellow Ignition Stabilizer.

Yup this time, didn’t go to Merlin, but went to a shop across the causeway as my uncle had a friend who owns the shop. Well, honestly, didn’t trust that guy to handle my car as most of the cars there were either proton or Mitsubishi but that guy live up to my expectation and eventually did a proper and neat grounding.

This time, my car or either I felt that the car a bit lighter and can really feel the slight improvement in its pickup.

Pivot Voltage Stabilizer with SpitFire Groundings

5) Turbo Timer and Shift Lamp

Hey don’t get it wrong, I didn’t install any turbo to my car but as my friend was demodding his MY05 WRX, he decided to let go of his Pivot Turbo Timer and Pivot Shift lamp as a package at a good deal. Well, might as well grab it

This was of coz for cosmetic purpose only and looks cool when u off your car and still have a turbo timer in it. Well, some of u might disagree and highlighted of wasting the fuel but its ok, got to love it.

Pivot Shift Lamp

6) Infra Tint

So after months of driving in a car which felt like a sauna under the hot sun, found a place which was recommended in the Subaru Forum for the tinting. I went over to this place, located in Commonwealth, called Infra Tint and the contact person was, Sherman.

My first impression of Sherman was like a typical Ah Beng Headman but after some conversation with him, found out he’s a friendly guy after all, giving tips and tricks on how to “Zheng” my ride or so called improve the performance.

So I choose a package with 60% Heat Rejection but with a reasonable price. Did the whole car and this time was poisoned by Sherman’s Mark X car which look like the Japanese YAKUZA all black and tinted car. Unfortunately didn’t do mine like him, but I decided to choose an all fail design whereas my whole car is tinted with the same colour so as to flush with the car.

Called it a bad move or stupid decision, I decided to go ahead at my own Risk of getting fine or caught. Well almost immediately after collecting my car, no more feeling of Sauna as the HEAT escape from the car quite fast and can feel very cooling inside.

Of coz cooling plus the well flushed look from outside and inside. Very impressed indeed with the workmanship and quality of the tinting. I would strongly recommend to any soul out there doing the tinting at his shop.

Tinting in Process

7) Exhaust and Extractor

Ok so reach a point of time where the greatly anticipated bonus came in and the first thing that came into my mind. Aftermarket Legal Exhaust. Well, as you know, Subaru Impreza TS only Legal Exhaust was Remus and Supersprint. Of coz I went over to Jeep Chee in Ubi to install the Supersprint plus the 4-2-1 Clarke’s Unequal Length Extractor.

This was the best mod ever I had done to my car as I can greatly feel the power surge in terms of performance wise and of coz FC. Feel so much better on hearing the sound of the exhaust although not loud, still the sound is much bassier.

Supersprint Exhaust

Defi Meters and Defi VSD II and Red Interior

So after one of the servicing done in Merlin, I was offered by Jacky a set of used Defi Amber Black Face meter with the Defi Hood and sensor with installation at a good price. Of coz, I grabbed it and had it installed, now really look like a trackie huh but too bad I didn’t go tracking either.

So getting the Defi meters was the best deal ever and after browsing through the Defi website, I got myself from a guy in Singapore Honda Club Forum a DEFI VSD II Heads Up display that shows the Speed which would be reflected onto the windscreen.

With this, whenever I go up north to Malaysia as I travel frequently there, to concentrate more on the roads and at the same time only glance at the side of the windscreen to monitor the speed, thus minimizing the look on the speedometer.

Ok so to complement with the amber or red looking meters, I contacted a guy by the name of Suparu who does a freelance conversion of your interior lighting system to the choice of your colour. I did an all red conversion to my car ranging from the center console, the speedometers and my stock headunit at a cool price.

Defi Amber Meters (oil temp,oil pressure,water temp) with Defi Triple Meter Hood

Defi VSD II Head UP Display

9) Coilovers, Bars, D1 spec VSD II, K&N Open Pod aka Apollo Air Intake

Again, poisoned by Jacky from Merlin, I was given a good price in installing a brand new set of BC Coilovers, Front and Rear Alutec Struct Bars, Rear WRX anti-roll bar with C and I links.

This time the motive of the mod is to improve the handling wise and of coz greatly felt after it. Now most cornering can be done at a breeze without compromising or thinking that the car would overturn.

In terms of voltage management, I installed the D1 Spec VSD II which increases the normal voltage in cars of 12 volts to 16 volts. This mod improves the pick-up and also to manage the current in the car.

Next up, its an open pod setup by K&N. Its a new breed of K&N open pod also known as Apollo. This time, it comes with an in built heat shield. Can really feel the car surge when in high rev.

BC Coilover Installation

D1 Spec VSD II in cabin Area

WRX Rear Anti-Roll Bar with C Links

K&N Open Pod (Apollo System)

10) High Mount Spoiler

Well, again one of my friend, courtesy of Yazid Aka Beefz of RSK decided to get rid of his replica High Mount and I grabbed it again to complement the handling capabilities of my car.

This mod enables me to exert the great down force on my car especially at high speeds. Oh by the way, dun get me wrong, I don’t speed and only follow the stipulated Speed limit on all roads in Singapore.

It’s only when I go down to North-South Highway that the devil in me unleashed. Hehehe.

High Mount Spoiler

11) Steel-Mate 2 Way alarm

Ok, it’s after when I have done with all the above stuff that I realized Security is the most important in having a car. No point having all the above stuff and security is being compromised.

Thanks to Ariel aka Surreal of RSK during one of our TCSS (Talk-Cock-Sing-Song) session at KTM, that he asked me this very important question. He said “ Wan, don’t u think it’s a waste of time and resources and money if all the mods that u had done get into the wrong hands? “

This immediately wakes me up and truly, the following day, I went to Miracle Body works located in Turf City to install the alarm. The workmanship was neat and the guys there were friendly.

Very impressed with the quality of the work and not bad for a two-way alarm that is equipped with a Remote Start, Auto-Lock upon stepping the break and of course not too sensitive for an alarm. I have seen or so called heard of an alarm the sounded off early in the morning in my neighbourhood when there’s lighting. Very irritating indeed.

12) Disk Brake Conversion

Subaru Impreza TS are equipped with front 1 pot Disk brake and Rear Drum brakes. Most of the time, during braking, I have to really tap my break from far and had nearly gone into a near miss accident when the front car suddenly jam brakes (of coz alternative is to use the hand brake when Really Need To).

So was browsing my all time favourite Subaru Forum and finally chance upon this guy who is about to Demod his Car as he was leaving for Australia. Not bad for a price of a Subaru WRX Front 4-Pot and Rear 1-Pot Disc Brake with all the necessary Handbrake Mechanism for TS. Hokkien term, “Mai Tuu Liao Lah” , I grabbed it again and did all the necessary at Merlin.

Front 4 Pot

Disk Brakes Conversion (Rear 1 Pot Brakes)

Bad Experiences with The Car

Ok from here onwards, I would share with you all the past accidents that I had with my Car. Some of it caused by inconsiderate drivers while others EHEM of coz by My own miscalculation and mistakes ok?

19/12/2006

a) Accident on PIE towards Jurong after BKE exit

It was a rainy and cold morning, traffic was crawling at a snail pace and suddenly heard a screeching noise and Bang! There goes my rear right side. A lorry had miscalculated his Braking power and kiss my rear. So whose Fault ? OF coz lah his fault !

There Goes my Rear

The Culprit

b) Broken Windscreen at my Kampung In Melaka

Ok, the most interesting and stupidest thing, parked my car in my Kampung. Of coz lah, there’s kids around playing here and there, but normally they would ignore my car. However, this little devil came with a Catapult and took a stone and “PIANG” goes my front windscreen, slightly cracked due to the tinting and saw the crack on it.

I almost fainted and nearly want to Slap that kid and was holding on to his collar when my mum stepped in and prevented me. Was advised, “Wan, u touch that kid and the whole kampong will go after you although it’s his fault”

Damn lucky for the boy as I cooled down but all the Vulgarities in my vulgarities Dictionary came out. Of coz I bear the repair cost back in Singapore with Hagrid (MI for short)

c) What ? Broken Windscreen Again?

On my 2^nd trip to my kampong, I was smart enough to park my car far from the area where the kids usually play but of coz within my sight. Never trust my car to be alone in my kampong. Heheheh , so damn kiasu lah.

Anyway on my way back traveling at the North South Highway near the Pagoh Exit, heard a loud Crack and Oh My God, a stone chipped from a lorry that I overtook and hit exactly at the same Spot (too bad no luck, 4D also never come out my car number)

Again went to Hagrid for the 2^nd time. The Receptionist though I was joking when I told her I broke again as I had seen her the 2^nd time. (OK lah, not pretty but very sweet. HAHAHA)

d) I REVERSE, I BANG !!!!

Ok, this is the most F%&*& Up Stupidity in my whole life. Went to Tampines to pick up a friend and usually I wont just pick her up by the road side but this time went to her void deck. Was reversing when suddenly “BANG”

Oh shit, not again, I Hit a Cyclist Bollard ( 3 Metal Bollard that prevent cyclist from cycling through it and the height is quite short to be seen from the Rear Mirror)

My friends were laughing at me and I was there in vain, frustrating and kept telling myself on why I was so reckless). So off I went to an authorized workshop and did my repairs and of coz off to Sherman of Infratint for the front Tint.

On the next meetup with my RSK Kakis, I was the subject of a laughing stock among them. Too bad I dun take it seriously as I laugh with them and one of them said this to me, “ I REVERSE, I BANG, CIKOLATINO) hahaha.. which is the nick in my email.

My own Mistakes .

So That’s all I have to share about my previous car, my all time Humble Subaru Impreza TS. I love the Car very much considering with all the mods and pain that I had gone through with the car.

However, things are getting better for me, and enjoying my life and therefore have to part with it, next up, Also from Subaru but this time, is the Real Thing, a car that I wanted to get but not enough resources, which is the JDM WRX (Auto of coz due to my left lazy foot and recovered from an injury). Will share about the new Ride.

After all the mods,final Results……..

Exterior

Engine Compartment

Interior