Today while on the way to work, saw a saphire silver X20 on the road:
Go X20!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Tire Sound Proofing
Had a discussion on sound proofing the rear tires. Some approaches:
1. Install a full plastic cover. Currently, only the cover only runs halfway through the rear tires. Have to look around chop shops for this, and may require modification. Will be hard to install, cos not much mounting area. Not much sound proofing performance, but reduce stones hitting the car sound.
2. Sound proof the interior. A long process, have to remove all seasts. Very very expensive. Adds weight to the car. But best performance in sound proofing.
3. Rust proofing. Dunno much, but SA mention, it will help to sound proof.
4. DIY sound proofing:
No time to spray-on, most probably will do it next weekend.
1. Install a full plastic cover. Currently, only the cover only runs halfway through the rear tires. Have to look around chop shops for this, and may require modification. Will be hard to install, cos not much mounting area. Not much sound proofing performance, but reduce stones hitting the car sound.
2. Sound proof the interior. A long process, have to remove all seasts. Very very expensive. Adds weight to the car. But best performance in sound proofing.
3. Rust proofing. Dunno much, but SA mention, it will help to sound proof.
4. DIY sound proofing:
- Mix bitumen with turpentine, and apply a few layers above the tires
- Or get a can of spray - sound proofing
No time to spray-on, most probably will do it next weekend.
Mini TT with other X20 owners
Date: 5 April 2008
Time: 6.00pm
Place: Kah Bintang, Jalan 223 and then at Old Town White Coffee, Three Two Square.
Who: Kumar, cK, mtuc, alfee and wifey.
What:
- mtuc brought his highly modified (CBU) Matrix, while others with X20
- Kumar bought drinks @ old town white coffee (THANKS!)
- found out Dr.Is is warded for Dengue (Get well soon!)
- cK's X20 has some uneven paint job on his C-Pillar... to be rectified by 223 service. He's hoping for an Accent as a replacement car! :)
- Kumar and I to get PPS or VPS done soon, hopefully coming Saturday.
- Ultra-Racing strut bar for cK and I on 19 April 2008 (Saturday)
- mtuc will be ordering the auto-fold side mirrors on April 2008 (Thursday)
The 3 X20s at night:
Arrived at Old Town White Coffee:
mtuc, alfee, kumar, cK:
Time: 6.00pm
Place: Kah Bintang, Jalan 223 and then at Old Town White Coffee, Three Two Square.
Who: Kumar, cK, mtuc, alfee and wifey.
What:
- mtuc brought his highly modified (CBU) Matrix, while others with X20
- Kumar bought drinks @ old town white coffee (THANKS!)
- found out Dr.Is is warded for Dengue (Get well soon!)
- cK's X20 has some uneven paint job on his C-Pillar... to be rectified by 223 service. He's hoping for an Accent as a replacement car! :)
- Kumar and I to get PPS or VPS done soon, hopefully coming Saturday.
- Ultra-Racing strut bar for cK and I on 19 April 2008 (Saturday)
- mtuc will be ordering the auto-fold side mirrors on April 2008 (Thursday)
The 3 X20s at night:
Arrived at Old Town White Coffee:
mtuc, alfee, kumar, cK:
Its a wet, wet, week
I washed my car on Wednesday, then it rained.
I washed my car on Saturday, then it rained.
So frustrating.
I washed my car on Saturday, then it rained.
So frustrating.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Subbie Pics & Review (2)
My previous car had an Alpine HU and front components, with a Blaupunkt 2x8" all-in-one sub (Class D amp with crossover built-in). Also had a Tru Technology 4x65W amp to drive the components for a while, but sold it due to $$$ constraints. For 4 years, I had a pretty decent sound system in the car, so with the X20, it was just a matter of time...
The X20 comes with component set in the front, and some mid speakers on the rear door panels. I don't have the specs for the speakers, but the original setup sounded quite decent. For the components, the high frequencies are a little harsh, with a weak mid-range. The rear speakers provide the lower end sounds. I've always wondered how a "real" sub will improve the sound stage.
I've sat (auditioned) quite a few good sounding subs in the market. A few notable ones are:
- 2 x JL audio W7, dual voice coil with 2 monoblock class-D amps driving it in a wira (andrew)
- 1 x 12 Peerless sub, in a city (simple and effective)
- 1 x 12 RS sub in a jazz, very nice and tight
- 1 x 10" Seas Lotus in Uncle's camry with Tru Tech amps driving them... omg, pure joy
...and many others, some i cannot remember with details.
So... I thought with my experience in ICE, getting that nice, tight, sub sound should be quite simple. Wrong.
I ended up buying a Kenwood Amp and Kenwood Sub from Brothers (*sigh*) due to their wide range of selection, audition available, and promotions that they were running. Also the sales guy sounded "quite" knowledgeable about what he was talking about. The specs are already linked up, a few postings below, so go to their website for more info.
This is what happened:
- Scratches on my car dash (WTH!)
- No rubber insulation was installed for +ve and -ve terminals on the amp. The rubber insulator was tucked in a plastic bag and given to me with the warranty card. Another accessory shop offer to fixed it in for me FOC.
- The power and grounding cables were not clipped and terminated professionally. I feel it will shortcircuit any moment and fry the wiring in the car.
- The box they gave me was too small, and had to remove the "free" fancy cover. I asked for a custom made enclosure, but after the sales guy consulted the installation guys, they said,"this one can already..."
- After installation, the whole boot was rattling really badly. I asked if they did sound proofing and they said:
The X20 comes with component set in the front, and some mid speakers on the rear door panels. I don't have the specs for the speakers, but the original setup sounded quite decent. For the components, the high frequencies are a little harsh, with a weak mid-range. The rear speakers provide the lower end sounds. I've always wondered how a "real" sub will improve the sound stage.
I've sat (auditioned) quite a few good sounding subs in the market. A few notable ones are:
- 2 x JL audio W7, dual voice coil with 2 monoblock class-D amps driving it in a wira (andrew)
- 1 x 12 Peerless sub, in a city (simple and effective)
- 1 x 12 RS sub in a jazz, very nice and tight
- 1 x 10" Seas Lotus in Uncle's camry with Tru Tech amps driving them... omg, pure joy
...and many others, some i cannot remember with details.
So... I thought with my experience in ICE, getting that nice, tight, sub sound should be quite simple. Wrong.
I ended up buying a Kenwood Amp and Kenwood Sub from Brothers (*sigh*) due to their wide range of selection, audition available, and promotions that they were running. Also the sales guy sounded "quite" knowledgeable about what he was talking about. The specs are already linked up, a few postings below, so go to their website for more info.
This is what happened:
- Scratches on my car dash (WTH!)
- No rubber insulation was installed for +ve and -ve terminals on the amp. The rubber insulator was tucked in a plastic bag and given to me with the warranty card. Another accessory shop offer to fixed it in for me FOC.
- The power and grounding cables were not clipped and terminated professionally. I feel it will shortcircuit any moment and fry the wiring in the car.
- The box they gave me was too small, and had to remove the "free" fancy cover. I asked for a custom made enclosure, but after the sales guy consulted the installation guys, they said,"this one can already..."
- After installation, the whole boot was rattling really badly. I asked if they did sound proofing and they said:
- No we don't do sound proofing
- Even if you did did the sound proofing, it won't help. The boot will still rattle, due to the metal there. (WTH?!!!!!)
The Micro Antenna Pics
The micro antenna pic is already up on kah bintang website. Availability in April. Be patient.
Air-Con Update!
Good news. As posted by KBHO on Team Hyundai Malaysia, the climate control works in a very smart way after all.
When using AUTO mode, pressing another air-con button will not disable the AUTO mode. Here's his post, explained clearly:
"I finally finished reading the manual last night. I found out some answers for the auto-climate control system which have been bugging me for awhile. So, here is the finding.
If we turn the Auto mode on and later change any of the other settings (air intake, fan speed, mode, etc...). The settings that were not manually adjusted stay Auto. Example: I turn Auto on at temp set to 24C (others untouched) and then I turn on internal air-circulation. The fan speed, temperature and mode remains auto even the Auto sign is turned off. I tested this morning and it works. Hope this is useful information."
Indeed very useful information. I've tried it out and it works. Two thumbs up for Hyundai.
When using AUTO mode, pressing another air-con button will not disable the AUTO mode. Here's his post, explained clearly:
"I finally finished reading the manual last night. I found out some answers for the auto-climate control system which have been bugging me for awhile. So, here is the finding.
If we turn the Auto mode on and later change any of the other settings (air intake, fan speed, mode, etc...). The settings that were not manually adjusted stay Auto. Example: I turn Auto on at temp set to 24C (others untouched) and then I turn on internal air-circulation. The fan speed, temperature and mode remains auto even the Auto sign is turned off. I tested this morning and it works. Hope this is useful information."
Indeed very useful information. I've tried it out and it works. Two thumbs up for Hyundai.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sick wifey
No time to post pics... my (real) wifey is sick...
Still to come, Halogen and Sub pics and review.
Still to come, Halogen and Sub pics and review.
Stripping the booty...
Went to Brother Peter at DU to check out their sound proofing services. Here's what I found.
According to the box, its an Australian product of tar & bitumen mixture. The sheets are sticky black stuff on 1 side and aluminum foil at the other, with size 25cm x 50cm.
The X20 has almost NO sound proofing in the boot. There's a tiny strip of hardened rubber in the pic below (right above the tire):
Besides that, its hollow and rattling metal parts:
Sound proofing is a tedious job. The workmanship is very important. For my Kenari, it took a whole day (about 5 hours), to do up 2 doors and another day to do the boot.
This guy below, is sound proofing the C-pillars:
The last bits are the top of the boot, where Mr. Peter assured me that it won't fall off.
The whole process took about 4 hours.
After completing the sound proofing, the spare tire screw did not want to go in (due to the raised boot floor level). Their guys "modified" the screw to add length to it. Will get pics next time.
Subbie!
It happened all so fast. Here's whats new:
- Kenwood Class-D 1800W Monoblock amp
- Kenwood 12" Double voicecoil, double magnet subwoofer (the website shows the 10" version)
Installed in a small but solid, ported box. The box had a fancy cover, but it didn't fit the huge sub. After installation, I auditioned the sub, and I was quite disappointed with the sound.
It was boomy. The boot and 3rd brake light was rattling continuously. The sound just didn't blend. I asked the technician to reduce the bass and drove off, looking for boot sound proofing.
- Kenwood Class-D 1800W Monoblock amp
- Kenwood 12" Double voicecoil, double magnet subwoofer (the website shows the 10" version)
Installed in a small but solid, ported box. The box had a fancy cover, but it didn't fit the huge sub. After installation, I auditioned the sub, and I was quite disappointed with the sound.
It was boomy. The boot and 3rd brake light was rattling continuously. The sound just didn't blend. I asked the technician to reduce the bass and drove off, looking for boot sound proofing.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
The HID Battle... is lost.
After weeks of HID problems research on its legality, I've changed back to halogen lights. The last straw was an article in Utusan that was Paul Tan linked up. Read HERE (Paul Tan) and HERE (Utusan-BM).
Anyway, the new halogen bulbs are PIAA Xtreme Force 4700k, bought & installed at Eneos at RM 258. (after 15% discount and RM20 installation fee). Took out my made-in-China HIDs to be sent back to Kluang for warranty claim. After the claim, I dunno what I'm gonna do with the new set. Maybe sell it at a loss... *sigh*
The new lights are so dim, compared to the HID, but at least its legal and therefore, my wife won't get in trouble with JPJ/coppers if she's driving alone at night. Will post pics later, as its been a busy weekend.
Anyway, the new halogen bulbs are PIAA Xtreme Force 4700k, bought & installed at Eneos at RM 258. (after 15% discount and RM20 installation fee). Took out my made-in-China HIDs to be sent back to Kluang for warranty claim. After the claim, I dunno what I'm gonna do with the new set. Maybe sell it at a loss... *sigh*
The new lights are so dim, compared to the HID, but at least its legal and therefore, my wife won't get in trouble with JPJ/coppers if she's driving alone at night. Will post pics later, as its been a busy weekend.
Automatic Transmission Fluid (2)
In Penang, its part of the 1st service package to change ATF and some other stuff, as posted by Vovoa:
But mtuc mentioned that his technican and workshop supervisor said only need to change ATF every 40K mileage.
- gasket oil plug rm1.50
- transmission oil plug washer rm3.00
- w/screen cleaner rm5.50
- oil filter rm14.50
- auto gear oil tqm - sp rm98
- semi-syn engine oil 4.0l rm85.00
- less discount for parts 15% (rm2.17)
But mtuc mentioned that his technican and workshop supervisor said only need to change ATF every 40K mileage.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Posted by Vegatron on TeamHyundaiMalaysia:
Topic: Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
This topic was discussed extensively over in AW. It's confirmed that our cars must run on SPIII or compatible ATF. It seems some SCs are using DexronIII fluid when they service elantra.
All elantra owners please check back what ATF did your SC use the last time u changed your ATF. If it is DexronIII please quickly change it to SPIII otherwise your gearbox will be damaged in the long run.
ATF suitable for elantra:
Mitsubishi Diamond SPIII
SK SPIII
Hyundai SPIII
Castrol TQM-ST
Proton SPIII
Later on, mtuc posted on this issue:
At the KB SC Jln Ipoh..I saw them using Caltex ATF with SPIII. Also confirm X20 not require to replace the ATF filter.Just flush or change ATF fluid, that all.
Topic: Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
This topic was discussed extensively over in AW. It's confirmed that our cars must run on SPIII or compatible ATF. It seems some SCs are using DexronIII fluid when they service elantra.
All elantra owners please check back what ATF did your SC use the last time u changed your ATF. If it is DexronIII please quickly change it to SPIII otherwise your gearbox will be damaged in the long run.
ATF suitable for elantra:
Mitsubishi Diamond SPIII
SK SPIII
Hyundai SPIII
Castrol TQM-ST
Proton SPIII
Later on, mtuc posted on this issue:
At the KB SC Jln Ipoh..I saw them using Caltex ATF with SPIII. Also confirm X20 not require to replace the ATF filter.Just flush or change ATF fluid, that all.
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