Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Grip Day 3: coming full circle

Well it's that time again for AE86 sports enthusiasts to gather in 24 degree weather in the morning at Rosamond, California for the annual Grip Day 3 (aka AE86 jamboree) where super boro to jccs clean and everything in between come out to play.

Oddly enough this was my first time participating in this event.  The first year I had injured myself with a concrete k rail at long beach so I was down for the count.  The next year, I was recovering from depression and really didn't participate in much motorsports like the previous year.  This year was a slow come back. But I wanted to make this epic event, so I borrowed a car.

There quite a few interesting heads that showed up to the event.

Mark E., formerly known as next door neighbor, brought out the former 24hour of lemons racer.  Planning for a repeat victory, he did a few more modifications on the car.  Unfortunately, the extra nitrous grenaded the motor in a cloud of smoke.  But he still was able to podium.

What's a grip day without the drifters, damn hooligans.


 This is pilun he cheats with a big wing and hoosier tires.

 AE92 corolla, very rare to see on track.  I used to have one of these.

With the sight of all the corollas doing what they do best, and the sound of 4A engines filling the air, I realize the corolla scene has come full circle by returning to the grassroots. 

But all this wouldn't be possible without the help.  Thanks to:


Naoki K. and drift association staff

Morgan M. (right) and AE86 night staff

 Until next year, here are the rest of the pics here.
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Monday, November 29, 2010

'10 champions


Congratulations to the victors in Grip Day 3.  For some, their hard work paid off and rewarded with respect from their peers.  For the others, try cheating next time, it does help.  I'll have some pics up from this epic event soon, just lazy right now.

The winners from race tire class and street tire class in no particular order.



 






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Friday, November 26, 2010

One more battle

Doing final stuff before the grip day coming up this weekend.  Though I'll be dropping times on sunday, it's best to get everything that needs to be done today.  Since saturday may be a rainy day.


Swung by SR motorcars in the morning to get a dyno session, unfortunately the numbers tell a different story.  Low on power which was due to a well worn motor.  No matter, like a true warrior, it'll do battle one last time. 

Cleaned up and lubed the brakes, it's been out of action for quite some time.  Gotta make sure that it'll stop.  Hopefully the project mu brake pads and rotors are up to the task.

Can't forget the simplest of maintenance since half the battle is getting through tech inspection.  Make sure you got them batter posts covered.

To all battling it out on track this weekend, be safe and have fun out there.



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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Toyota Museum: Growing bigger and better

Made a visit to the Toyota Museum during a rainy weekend.  Last time I visited they were located in small unmarked warehouse.  This time they're in larger unmarked warehouse located next to Toyota corporate headquarters


The museum shows off vehicles from Toyota's long history in America.  So no RHD this or Trueno that.  I'm sure many JDM whores will be very disappointed.  But for the general Toyota aficionado this would be your cup of green tea


With the larger facility, more cars were on display. 

 
Especially from Toyota's racing efforts on American soil.

A row of celicas on display.  Celica was the first Toyota my family bought, similar to the black one in the center.  Traded in a 66 Ford Mustang.  Wish we still had the Mustang, but that Celica was plain bulletproof.



The trucks, tough as nails.


Can't forget the Corollas.


Respect 2000GT 007 would be proud.

It's open by appointment only, so if you need more info you can visit their site. http://toyota50th.com/

The rest of the photos are here.


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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Hold it

Built a simple hold down for the battery, since tech inspectors probably wouldn't take too kindly to zip tied/ ratchet strapped battery.



Painted it a stunning red so that it can't be missed.


If you're going to the track, a rubber hold down is a no no.  Maybe for spo com a yes.  But i'd deducted points for bad taste.

Since the hood was already up, it was time to service the fluids.  As far as I know, the fluids have been in the car for more than 2 years.  I think it's time for a change.


 In goes the Rotella.

Flushing out old brake fluid and adding something better.  Well at least I hope it's better, it say racing on it.


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Monday, November 22, 2010

Top Gear v2.0

Watched the premiere of the American version of Top Gear.  I have to say it wasn't as good as I was expecting.  Maybe I was expecting too much.  But i'm also not an avid watcher of the uk version, just seen a few clips.  Then you maybe saying how can a criticize the show.  I did watch, in live audience, the first pilot.  The one with Carolla, Foust and the home improvement guy.  I really thought this show was going to be funny, even though arm chair car guys say otherwise.  I'd like to show pick up and exceed to a higher level.  So i'll be waiting to see what hoonage they'll be getting into next week.

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Up lift

 
Installed the hatch shocks on the corolla.  What I thought would be an easy job ends up being such a pain. 



So why does Toyota make thing more complicated by adding loctite to the bolts.  It's not like these shocks will last a life time.  


But in the end, the shocks were installed.  It now requires no more effort the lift the hatch, it actually goes up all by itself.
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Part of the job.



Wow gotta have alot of confidence in the pilot and big balls.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Shocks


Stopped by RPM auto parts to pick up some parts for the corolla a few days ago.  It's nice to have a place that actually knows what you got instead of asking if it FWD or RWD or tell you that their system tells them that GTS were only coupes.  So if you're in or around Costa Mesa stop by.  They're located at 1113 Baker St, #F, Costa Mesa, CA 92626



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Sunday, November 14, 2010

one fitty

Headed out to Fontana over the weekend to preview the 2011 Ford F150. I'm not really in the market for a new rig, at least not yet. But offering real performance test drives, not some drive around a neighborhood, how could I pass it up.

Trying out the different powertrains that were available, the Ecoboost engine was a real eye opener. The engine is a twin turbo V6 with direct injection, and you know I love my turbo! Using trailer weighing ~6600lb. felt like it was towing a set of Seadoos.  Coupled with the 6 speed transmission, was very smooth. I'm already falling in love with this combo.

 
At the make shift drag strip, the Ecoboost engine once again amazes me. It definitely has more juice than the 5.0 that was offered in the line up. Didn't try the 6.2, but I'm sure it'll put the smack down on the Ecoboost. But then again I don't think the 6.2 can pull off +20mpg.

 
Afterwards I came out looking at my own '01 thinking it maybe time for an upgrade.
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Thursday, November 11, 2010

4 six or 8?

If you own a mk1 Toyota MR2 they'll cater to any number of cylinders your heart may desire.

3sgte MR2

Supercharged 1MZ  (Toyota V6)

Audi V8

They are truely mad.
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

AE86 Tech #86-19: Fuel line

Doing swaps on the ol' corolla can be done cheap and easy.  But there are times I cringe at the stuff that people tend to do.  Like this fuel line seen above.  Since Toyota's use banjo fittings for their fuel system.  Cutting and pasting would be the easiest way extend the fuel line.  This was found on the backup, and since I was planning to drive this thing, I couldn't let this thing go like this, something must be done.
It's very easy to extend lines and look good for the next meet, show, or what ever floats your boat.  First off cut the metal crimp, for best results use a cut off tool.  Make 2 cuts, one on each side.  Pry off the old crimp and cut off the old hose.

 Here's one of the fittings with hose removed and ready for the it's next lease on life.

Do the same for the other end and find the appropriate fuel line and assemble.  You should end up with something similar.  Looks much pretty don't you think.
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