sunny747

can i still go and play water at khao san?

rama 2 road is very busy than usual now at 18:00.

guys how is asoke today? blocked or not? is a good idea to go to my gym today evening?

from Daokanong to rama 9..how should i go? i'm driving. please let me know

thanks.

do you guys think i should sell my ecar 94 and get this proton? very confused. need to take wise decision. i'm not a guy with lots of buck.

i have been driving old ecar lancer for long time. i'm tired of spending for it every now and then. today i went to bitech and really loved the proton savvy. i have been hearing some positive reviews as the shock, handling and designed by LOTUS. i had a test drive and it does feel like go cart. quite fast for it's 1.2 cc. Exterior is ok. Interior is little plasticy.

the one i saw was MT and really value for price. just around 400,000 baht. i could actually sell my old car and pay for the down. they told me , for foreigner i have to pay 25% for down.

now is there any savvy owner? i need some feedback. i heard the company that distributes proton has some bad reputation.

do you guys think it's a good buy?

i went to the garage and he told me that my shock and spring is okai. No need to change as changing would cost me 17000 baht in total with shock and spring. Thai made shocks he said is not good and it's better to fix what i have built in. he said my shock is original and it could be lowered or upper depending on my choice. But thai made socks are stiff.

He said he can fix it with gas and stuff....didn't hear about that before..charging me 4500 baht for four shocks.

you need new spring packs, the suspension on your car is comprised of two seperate components

1.) the spring pack= this gives your car its ride height, the spring carries the weight of your vehicle as well as providing your ride smoothness or lack of. It is comprised of several arched metal leafs that are bound together if the springs are worn and bent of even cracked they will not provide any support to you sprung weight ie passengers, cargo ect. this is what you need to have replaced.

2.) shock absorbers- A gas or oil mix in a cylnder with a dampening piston attached to the frame and axle housing/a arms thses will dull out the roughness of the road, get new ones as well if your springs are gone its pretty likely you shocks are dead as well.

so you need for sure new springs, new shocks would be a good idea if your already spending the money,,,,forget about the bumpstops, if your springs are broken or collapsed your bumpstops will be coming in contact with each other on bumps due to the lack of your static ride height due to the worn out springs.....

very clear . Thank you. great information.

It seems your springs are weak and the bump-stops are missing,

All vehicles have bump-stops fitted, its an overload safety protection thats designed to stop the body work touching the wheel, without these, the body work can stop the steering and lock the wheel in severe cases.

On your rear axle should be a bump-stop either side near the wheel and spring, its usually a bonded rubber block fixed to the axle or body, sometimes inside a coil spring, or above a leaf spring with a buffer point above on the chassis.

If there is enough thread on the spring securing U-bolts [15mm] perhaps add another leaf to the springs, this would be a lot cheaper than new springs and shockers,

But check the bump-stops first,,

thanks for the inputs. this is the first time i heard about bump-stops. so u think it's spring problem, not the shock absorber?

I asked in one of the Thai forum and one thai dude suggested to change coil spring , strut insulator , spring seat upper and rubber bumper. Is this package necessary if i change shock absorber?

i'm getting really confused here. what to change? spring or shock? or both? then what is this packages? help me.

ya i know. I don't want to spend that much cash to get a new car. Not sure how long i will stay here. Getting bank loan is close to hel_l and i didn't even try for it. Just to get a credit card is so hard here. I'm fully qualified for CC still they make so much crap.

hence i got an old car so far enjoying it. slowly i'm modifying my car as i see many thai dudes does amazing job to their Ecar. I just want to get away from the farang price so i usually come ask the experts here. Before i go garage, i make sure i know my problem and the price.

Like when you are in the new car, it feels really comfortable and smooth. I just want that feel.

hi again, hope not asking too much. what is the difference between shock absorber and the spring? if i feel hard on rocky road, which one is responsible?

thanks>

hi all,

need to ask something to you guys.

i am not really sure what is the problem with my car but when 3 people seats at the back, my car usually goes very down and the body touches the wheel.

whenever there is a crack on the road, it feels really hard inside the car.It is not smooth and pleasant. It's an old lancer from 94. (ECAR).

is it a shock absorber problem? do i have to replace it? what exactly could be the problem?

>>why don't you get mitsubishi lancer 93 to 95 ?<<

He already bought a car ( a Volvo ) thick head !

i didn't notice that particular post. but you have noticed it and that made you very intelligent(!).

why don't you get mitsubishi lancer 93 to 95 ? here they call it ecar. wonderful car, cheap and plenty of parts around. this is very famous car here to young teenagers as they tend to swap it to evolution-3. Plenty of options for modifying. Many engines to swap.

they have many garage in Bangkok only for mitsubishi lancer. They have 2 active clubs here with members more than 500+ so you will never have problems. Club members are always happy to assist you.

i'm driving one which i bought for 150k with pre installed LPG. It's been one year so far i had to change the bearing and clutch pad. Now i'm planning to swap engines with better one so that i will get better speed.

you can check it at the websites.

Ok sunny looks you have done your homework... sorry if i sounded negative before, but your initial post led me to believe you hadn't. good luck and have fun.

Allan

no worries hehehe. I just needed to know if any of the members here done any conversion in Thailand. not sure about the odd experiences.

Done a lot of engine swaps. Mosthly 1JZ, 2 JZ, 1 UZ, or SR20 engines. Never got any bad engines. All this engines are imported from Japan and usally they don't have high milage. Make sure you get the engine registered in your blue book. The import tax ave to be payd by the seller. Otherwise you'll get in troubles.

thanks for the reply. yes i heard similar stories. these engines are imported from Japan and has very less millage . Looking for it and hoping to get one soon.

Ok sunny looks you have done your homework... sorry if i sounded negative before, but your initial post led me to believe you hadn't. good luck and have fun.

Allan

no worries hehehe. I just needed to know if any of the members here done any conversion in Thailand. not sure about the odd experiences.

If we are still talking about "lancer / Evo " I would like to recommend a garage I have been using for years since I have been here (11Yrs) Not so long ago ..I was a proud owner of a Mitsubishi Evo IV and I have a well earned" trust-worthy" Mechanic ..... Mr. Wit / Onnutch Rd. Soi 44 futher info ...please contact me ....(expat auto club : forum)

Engine conversion to me isn't all that scary ...I have done a few and owned a few Mod cars since I have been here , got to admit that it is a heck of alot Cheaper to mod / convert than in the States... Mechanics ...Yes they can be a problem .....but not when you talk and walk like a "THAI' and not a "walking ATM" like how they look at all " FARANGs " ... you should know a few things about your car and the engine(s) but "never" be too forceful with what you "think " you may know...and do allow them to work on your car but kept on a very short leash ... use that time to try and build up some kind of a friendly relationship with The Garage shop "little" Machanics / helpers ...they will come in handy one day !!! good luck

Yeah Simon i'm talking about lancer but not evo. i own a lancer 93 and would like to mod such as engine (4g93na, 1.8cc) and some body kits. I'm not choosing turbo coz of maintenance cost and oil consumption. However, i have talked with a reputed lancer garage at rama 9 and he quoted 50,000 baht for the whole project.

Engine is imported from Japan. He will verify by invoice. Later i'll verify that invoice by my japanese friend in tokyo. I'll request him at least to make a phone call and verify the invoice.

Engines comes with ecu, gearbox and electrical harness. cost 35,000 baht max. Installation / labor cost 15,000 baht. this engine is meant for lancer so i shouldn't be worry about mounting.

Most important thing is i'll get 6 month warranty if i make the conversation done by this garage.

I bought this car for 140K including LPG 8 months ago with no major problems. I had a budget of 200k. I was about to buy a new car but didn't have that much cash and didn't want to go with all these papers works for Bank loan. Al though, i have WP and other documents but for foreigners, getting a bank loan for cars is something close to hel_l. Even to apply for credit card , they asked my daddy name.

Yes Dotcom, i heard about the garage you mentioned at Latprao. The whole group used to work together until they had some internal conflicts. The mechanic at latprao walked out from the group and opened a separate garage. His old friends running the garage in rama 9.

I would also like to check the conversion price with him. Yes you are right, i usually very friendly with these guys. Sometimes they do free tuning for me and i treat them bears. before i go and talk i do full research at least i should know what they are talking about.

now looking for tips ....how to verify a naked engine regarding it's condition.

I don't know a lot about these cars, but I'd imagine the gearbox you have isn't compatible either. You could probably get a gearbox (get the clutch plate checked) and engine set. It will need to come with the ecu as well. A rear disc brake conversion would also be useful, but not totally necessary. Get a decent header and exhaust also. I'd imagine the engine, second hand would be 30-40K - and this is pulled from a wrecked car. Who knows if it will blow smoke after 5000Kms. These engines haven't been reconditioned, as far as I'm aware, and their driving history is unknown. I've seen some pretty decent looking turboed e-cars around for 300K or so. I would tend to go that route if you have the money. And it's going to be quite a bit faster than a NA 1.8. Either that or tweak your current engine a bit. Anyway, good luck with whatever you do:)

thanks for your reply. Well, if i have turbo, which means more oil consumption and expensive maintenance. As far as i know, Turbo engines are not suitable for long drive as it often gets hot. My intention is not to race but to have decent speed. I now get only 140km top.

welll, this engines are not pulled out from wrecked car. These engines are imported from Japan. I have known a guy who got a 10 years old engine which has been driven just 20k km. Not sure how he figure that out. Is it possible to know the total kilo it is driven from a naked engine?

But again, i would never know whether these engines are pulled out or imported.

yes in total, i was quoted 50,000 baht with labor/installation. I'm sure i can bargain in few months when they will face the aftermath of economic downgrade. I have also joined one of the lancer club here and i have met few guys who has done the conversion. But language is the problem so i can't communicate with them. and they are kinda afraid to talk to me. i have seen their car running just fine.

I'm going to a reputed garage where they only fix lancers.

yes i'll also look for exhaust and header. thanks.

Any RWD cars you can swap engines easly. FWD cars are a pain in the a... Very difficuly, problems with engine mounts, drive shafts, complicate ,not much room. I had a RR with always overheating problems. Original it had a shitty 3.5 liter SU carburetor engine inside, no power, bad fuel economy. After i fitted a 1UZ (V8) engine in the Range Rover, with ATM Tranmission and Landcruiser 4x4 box (eleronic switch for 4x4, no permanent). The hottest "cake" i ever done. I had to modify the chassis and the engine hood. 4 months of work, but i got a perfect car, double power, never had troubles anymore.

thanks for your inputs ppl. Thats why i'm choosing 4g93 na engine which is meant for lancer only. Just that it is 1.8 cc but it fits well on my current lancer. Several hundred thai's had swapped their lancer. I'm not choosing toyota or mazda engines for mitsubishi so installing shouldn't be complicated as i don't have to work on major mounting.

yes i don't have much trust on thai mechanic but i have no choice. I need to a powerful car but i don't want to spend that much money and get a new one specially during this economy crisis. so i was thinking of spending few bucks and get a powerful engine so that i can travel up countries with speed and durability. I won't get a penny if i sell my current car so getting a new car is really out of question. Again, hearing all these visa restriction so not really sure how long i'll have patient to stay here so not really interested to invest huge amount of money.

I'm researching online a lot and i came up with 4g93 na engines. I'm asking experts from Philippines and Malaysia as these Ecars are widely popular there also. Cant ask the Thai guys for the language barrier.

While choosing engines, i'll take the mechanic guy to check. Later i will also take my security guard who i have seen working on his old hilux . He took out the whole dam_n engine and cleaned it. So he should have some skills. I will pay him few bucks and have it checked by him.

however,

i still need to know what else i will have to consider. Like gearbox, suspension and others. Although i have some info, but need to know from guys who really experienced it.

i'm actually very excited about my new project.

thanks so much.

i'm thinking of swapping my 1.3cc mitsubishi engine to 4g93na engine which is about 1.8cc. Economy is pretty down at the moment so hoping to get a good deal with the Engine. I drive a lot in the city and occasionally i might travel to pattaya or khaoyai from Bangkok so need a bigger engine. I have discussed with a local mechanic here and the total cost might be around 40k with installation/labor.

Now, i don't have much idea about engine swap but i have few questions if any kind person could shed some lights.....

1. what I see from above is nicely painted color but since it is lancer from 1993, is it already rusted from underneath? can it hold that heavy engine? how do i know body/chassis is not rusted and in good condition? If i ask the mechanic obviously he will say its good coz he wants the work.

2. I'm looking for manual transmission so do i need to change my current gear box as well?

3. Do i need to change shock absorber and brake?

They call it Ecar here which is widely popular in Thailand. Parts and accessories for this car is available in reasonable price. I wouldnt' go for evu or turbo charged as maintenance would be costly and i have to drive a lot so oil consumption is a question.

I don't intend to change the car as i wont' get a good price for it so better modify to some extend.

looking for some quality inputs....thanks guys.

i had a chance to talk with one of the personal trainer (?) regarding this matter. I asked him about so many gays in this fitness. He gave me a shocking information. He said, most thai gay man at asoke fitness, are professionals. They are in entertainment business or in call centers. They also go to personal indoor party (kitty party where only woman allowed) and entertain them. And yes they are gay and mostly are not single.

He clearly said they are not in fitness to catch customers but to stay healthy for their business. He said , i'll never see them making out in the sauna or locker room as they do it professionally every night. He also said, after 9pm , i won't see a single gay there.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a "kitty party?"

girls here calls it kitty party , means only woman are allowed. They cook food, dance and chat at someones house. Just to get away from their bf or husband and calls these men from the wow fitness...

i had a chance to talk with one of the personal trainer (?) regarding this matter. I asked him about so many gays in this fitness. He gave me a shocking information. He said, most thai gay man at asoke fitness, are professionals. They are in entertainment business or in call centers. They also go to personal indoor party (kitty party where only woman allowed) and entertain them. And yes they are gay and mostly are not single.

He clearly said they are not in fitness to catch customers but to stay healthy for their business. He said , i'll never see them making out in the sauna or locker room as they do it professionally every night. He also said, after 9pm , i won't see a single gay there.

But they are quite unusual for me as i don't see them everyday back at home quite so often. so of course i'm uncomfortable when guys dreaming of my sweaty body or drooling their hungry eyes upon me. and how do i know who is flirting with me?

If that is the way you feel, then that is the way you feel. But to take this slightly off topic, there was a recent thread about leering at Thai women. Most men thought it was harmless (including myself, if the watching is not noticable), but a few women wrote that it was demeaning or made them feel uncomfortable.

I am going to assume that since you go to the gym, you are fit enough to fend for yourself. But many Thai women are significantly smaller than most men. So if you feel uncomfortable with men "drooling" at you, how do you think a much weaker and smaller Thai woman might feel if some huge foreigner is drooling at her?

I am not picking on you personally, but just using your statement to draw a parallel to the other thread.

no i'm not a super good lookin guy but i wonder why i'm attracted to gay man than woman. i have been approached several times in Bangkok by gays in an unusual places like Big C, panthip plaza or some restaurant. the guy at the BIG C wanted to go bathroom with me to see my chest!!! He just came next to me and unveil his intention. My GOD! very aggressive.

yes i do flirt with small thai woman but in a polite way. Thai woman are not so good at flirting specially with foreigners but the moment i feel they are uncomfortable , i just pass by or swap my attention to something else. Even if i get a positive node from them i still stand still. coz i know approaching towards a girl in public in Thailand doesn't go with their culture.

To me, to get a thai girl the best places should be gym, some disco or the net. And i prefer the gym as i go there almost everyday. So looking for the perfect gym to socialize.

^

^^You're free to start any poll you like, but I doubt it will show anything- after all, you have to show how the straight guys knew that the gay guys knew that they were straight. Unlike the OP, I don't seem to have the magic talisman that shows who is straight and who is gay.

Gotta go now, work calls- play nice, I'll be back later.

come on! unless you are here for few days,, it is very easy to tell certain thai gay man. i don't want to pin each points but i guess it is natural and they didn't adopt such movements or whatever. i respect the way they are and they are not obstacle for me not to go the asoke gym. I still go there because it is easy location for me.

But they are quite unusual for me as i don't see them everyday back at home quite so often. so of course i'm uncomfortable when guys dreaming of my sweaty body or drooling their hungry eyes upon me. and how do i know who is flirting with me? yes everyone knows when they are been flirted and if you don't know then it is the problem of your age.

but i'm very much available to socialize if they don't have any intention in their mind.