Gearheads heaven isnt here!

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:09 pm

Back in the UK, I used to drive Triumphs - Started with a Herald ragtop, progressed to a Mk111 Spitfire, Mk11 GT6 & TRs. Had a short excursion to a Pug 105 - very nimble.

These days I have settled with a Honda Civic for the Bangkok Commute and running around.

Have to say that we bought it new 6 1/2 years ago and it has been totally faultless. It's well serviced but driven hard - seems to love it.

But - I look forward to the weekends when Mrs. T lets me play with the Chevy 3.0 Colorado. I know it's a 'Yank Tank' but it sure has 'grunt' - and it's much needed on the back roads around Hua Hin.

JW · Post by JW » Tue Feb 05, 2008 6:24 pm

Buksi,

I know someone in BKK who does the whole job. You buy a standard 1.8 manual Civic, he ships a engine from Japan and does the job. They are about 230bhp - more than enough for a fwd car. Ends up costing around 1.3mil.

The Lancer is 1.6 if i remember right - i reckon you could maybe get 130bhp out of it by playing with the ecu (know a demon guy from Israel who does this) decent exhaust, but just sell it and get something proper tasty!! Give me a buzz if your around this weekend and will take you for a spin!

Post by **fach3003** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:09 pm

JW,

That sounds a hoot!

Question to the floor....

Has anyone seen any interesting classic imports
on their travels. around LOS...

ive seen
VW Beetles
Fiat 500s
Old Minis
Various MG's
a Mustang Mk1

Part of my Holidays whilst travelling i always keep an eye
out for old bikes and cars.....

What else have you seen over there????

JW · Post by JW » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:24 am

The Civic Type R as its called is an awesome drive - its a great chassis and hopefully will get one of these. The BM is great but cars like this are pretty high maintenance - something always need attention, the good thing is that labour and most parts are cheap here.

Post by **buksida** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:40 am

JW wrote: The Lancer is 1.6 if i remember right - i reckon you could maybe get 130bhp out of it by playing with the ecu (know a demon guy from Israel who does this) decent exhaust, but just sell it and get something proper tasty!! Give me a buzz if your around this weekend and will take you for a spin!

I'll hold you to that ... expect a call!

Sure the stock ecu is limited and you can tell and I guess it could do with a better intake but as you say I wont get much out of that 1600 Mitsu. Not looking for a race car, just something with more acceleration than rickshaw and more horses than Hua Hin beach!

VincentD · Post by **VincentD** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:45 am

JW

I think you'll like this website.
http://www.autospeed.com/

Most of the automotive-related shops (mainly Japanese makes) can be found around Worajak Road in Bangkok.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:18 am

Apologies for being slightly off topic but as I seem to have the attention of some local gearheads

I will soon be fitting out the pickup with a couple of rear facing spots to utilise when hitching / unhitching a boat trailer.

Does anyone know of a good reliable vehicle electrician who can supply / fit these add-ons without wrecking the whole vehicle?

And I did say good reliable since me and vehicle electrics don't mix.

Thanks in advance

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:30 am

JW

Can confirm that that the Civic 2.0R is pretty good!!

A buddy of mine in BKK has just taken delivery of one in white with white mag wheels & all the fully loaded goodies.

Looks the dogs borreaux.

I've been promised a test drive - soon

Post by **Nereus** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:33 pm

Terry wrote:Apologies for being slightly off topic but as I seem to have the attention of some local gearheads
I will soon be fitting out the pickup with a couple of rear facing spots to utilise when hitching / unhitching a boat trailer.
Does anyone know of a good reliable vehicle electrician who can supply / fit these add-ons without wrecking the whole vehicle?
And I did say good reliable since me and vehicle electrics don't mix.
Thanks in advance

Terry, I do not know the name of the shop, but I just saw some of his work a couple of days ago--quality work that I have not seen the likes of before. If you can go and ask "Viwat", that owns the car cleaning place next to the Cabinet Shop, he can show you / help you. He speaks a bit of English and also has some restored Jeeps there. 032 51 5156,
081 995 1534

Post by **buksida** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:40 pm

Terry wrote:JW
Can confirm that that the Civic 2.0R is pretty good!!

Does it come with three pedals and a stick or is it another "Thai style" sports car thats automatic?

I looked at the Civic and this was the only model that interested me but gave up on them as I couldn't get a 2 litre with a manual box and the 1.8 which you can get in manual is slower than my Lancer and has less interior space (it does look nice though)!

Another thing that made me laugh is that you can get an automatic Audi TT here .... only in Thailand

Post by da » Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:52 pm

I am pretty sure the Turbos Vios I had promoted earlier came with a six speed. At the time they were well under million baht new (799,000 baht???) and could be special ordered through the dealer from the factory in Rayong.

I read reviews where supposedly it could walk away from the Civic 2.0 as well as one of the Vigo trucks with the most hypo package in fact there were u-tube videos showing this.

If its outta production too bad, it was a true pocket rocket with an affordable price tag. But like all turbo motors---- they are fast but they don't last.

Forced induction is a dangerous game.

I'd still rather rather be blown than bored and stroked!

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:46 pm

Thanks Nereus, I know who you mean - been using his car wash for years.
Will follow up.

Buksi

Of course it'a an automatic

But it's still sweet.

Post by **Vital Spark** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:16 pm

Terry, so you're a Triumph fan too.

When I passed my test, at the tender age of 18, I was eager to buy my first car. I looked at a lovely GT6, but the insurance company just laughed when I enquired about insurance. I settled for an absolutely gorgeous MkIII Spitfire (black). It cost me 250 pounds to buy and about 130 pounds to insure (this was in 1979). It came with a hard-top, but I wanted the wind in my hair so I bought a second-hand frame from a scrap yard, and a new vinyl cover from Exchange & Mart and I had my dream car.

I swapped it for a day for my friends MG Roadster. Yes, the MG had more power, but it felt clumsy compared to the Spitfire. Oh, halcyon days. Single, young and not a care in the world...(dumped it gently into a ditch once while I was trying to change the eight track

).

VS

Post by **The understudy** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:23 pm

[quote="buksida"][quote="Terry"]JW
Can confirm that that the Civic 2.0R is pretty good!!
[/quote]

Does it come with three pedals and a stick or is it another "Thai style" sports car thats automatic?

I looked at the Civic and this was the only model that interested me but gave up on them as I couldn't get a 2 litre with a manual box and the 1.8 which you can get in manual is slower than my Lancer and has less interior space (it does look nice though)!

Another thing that made me laugh is that you can get an automatic Audi TT here .... only in Thailand

[/quote]

I know what you mean Buksida!

having an Automatic Gearbox in a 2.0 Civic is quite odd and not really pracical for Gearheads.

About the Audi TT's Automatic Gearboxes I had seen them offering it in Germany too but with so little success though. Drivers know what they want with the Audi TT and the High Performance RS models with manual to really enjoy the Speed!!! If there's an Automaic Gearbox that delivers the crunchy power distribution of a Stickshift/manual Gearbox that would be a consideration but there is None!

One Car that I also Miss overhere in Thailand is the VW Golf. They have decent 1.8 and 2.0 Engines plus a GTI with 205 Horses und the Hood and the brute and beautiful Golf R32 with 250 HP.

The understudy!!!

Post by **nevets** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:50 pm

I think most car,s in the USA are automatic i much prefer the stick shift. And if you pass a test in an auto you can,t drive a manual in England . But you can drive an auto if you pass a test in a manual. I had a 2.2 ltr austin princess once it was a nice drive ,but did,nt get good revues.
I had a 105e anglia in 1970 with a 1500 cortina engine ,2 40dcoe Weber twin choke carburetors, and 4.4 to 1 limited slip diff , and the body lowered to 4inch off the ground , on some very nice 4.1/2 j mag wheels , at 120 bhp not bad for the day , a girl puller with a nice paint job those were the days.