Anime Expo 2015

While attending the Robotech panel and Anime Expo 2015, a visitor I'd never expect to be here.  Sitting in front of me was Takumi Fujiwara.  Didn't know he was such a big Robotech fan.  No I didn't ask for his autograph.

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Real GTA

Rascally Rabbit

Sometimes old cars do kick ass

Zip tie and the tire

Just like duct tape, no tool box should be complete without some zip ties.  Never know when you'll need to replace a tire.

Rebuilding weber

This isn't about the weber carburetor, so click that back button if that's what you were expecting.  This is about BBQ.  This is a small side project that I've been wanting to do, ever since I've returned from Texas.  When it comes to BBQ, Texas and the midwest has the west coast beat.  I have yet to find a "BBQ" joint here in Socal that even compares.  Unless I make flights out to the midwest to get some BBQ, i've taken it upon myself to build my own smoker. 

Russian women

Here in the States we complain about women drivers.  In Russia they complain about women crossing the street.

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This ain't in San Diego

Even though I don't own a Z car, I always try and make it a point to check out the Z car west coast nationals.  Put on by Motorsport Auto in the city of Orange every year in April.  What I always loved about the show is the different styles of builds that are displayed.  Compared to other events where it's usually cookie cutter styling, following everyone else's styling that different cars start to look the same.  

Happy Star Wars day

327 days til The Force Awakens.

AE86 Club Nights

On a chilly night in April, on the Longo Toyota back parking lot.  The not so secretive members of AE86 Fight Club, the old and graying Club4AG members and the nocturnal members of AE86 nights, get together for it's annual meet.  Where all things corolla happen.

Top Gear Korea

When it comes to boobs, England's Top Gear has Jeremy Clarkson.  But Top Gear Korea has a different concept on what it should be.

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Topak 2015

A brisk friday in late March brought me out to Streets of Willow for another Team Topak track day.  The last time I drove with this group was in 2013, sigh can't believe it's like 2 years ago.  Even though I was more of a spectator/observer this time around, they do put on great events.  I think i'll need to start renting a car or something to get back into it.

Tie Fighter Anime

Watching reminds me of the Japanese mecha animation of the 80s.

Outlive cockroaches

The most over built spacer I've seen for the Toyota 6.7 diff is made by Weir Performance.  Compared to the others i've come across over the years of building diffs for AE86, I truly believe this will out live the cockroaches.

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Oxwall, XXR, and steel

The recipe for making a vise stand.

Because stance

What is the reason for chopping springs?

AE86 tech #86-31: Idler bearings

Those who still rock the power steering, there will come a time when the idler pulley will finally give in to age.  I rarely see these things go, i've only had 1 go out since the owner ship to silver moon.  It used to be I can find a spare at the yard.  Nowadays not so much.  But don't chuck the system just yet.

Late night canyon run

Bring lots of credits.

Not snake oil

It's smurf oil.

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Mini project

Just changing out the alternator on this Mini Cooper.  It requires removal of the front end?!?! Lame.

Brake is life

Something i've always been meaning to do with the Corolla was make brake cooling ducts.  Even though Barney has moved on, I still make time to tinker with the parts of AE86. The stock brake system hasn't never given me much trouble.  Though it's ~9in diameter brake disc doesn't really give much of a fight.

A place to meet

No place better for a having an AE86 meet than at Cafe 86.

Vintage J Bike

Most of the stuff I play around with, from the land of the rising sun, comes in the form of 4 wheels.  Now that I have some time I can now toy with a two wheel project that's been collecting dust in the back for a bunch of years.

Faulty injectors

Fuel injectors, do they go bad?  Of course they do, but I don't see it happening very often. Usually spark plugs and/or parts of the ignition system would go out before an injector.  But I guess when these have been ticking for almost 25 years they just let themselves go.

Motoring in the country

Out in the countryside of the Philippines, life is a bit more simple than in the big city of Manila.  Things aren't as crazy and there's alot less cars.  Where the main of transportation is the iconic tricycle.

Motoring in Manila

It's been over 15 since I last visited this place.  At the time the family didn't have a car so the only mode of transportation was taking public transportation, which consisted hopping on jeepneys, triccyles and buses.  Times have changed the second time around.

MotorWeek | Flashback Friday

A nice review when they were first introduced.  Never really knew what the stock performance on these cars were, until now.

LAX international mall

 It's been a couple of years since I been here, and  alot has changed.    The place looks more like a shopping mall than an international airport.  Make you spend more money even before you get to your destination. 

Adam's Cool Cave

A man cave I can really appreciate. 

Wasabi RX3

A cool RX3 review from Daniel at Wasabi cars.  Hmm I still need to get mine going.

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Another type of charcoal

One thing about swaps is the need to make sure that all smog devices are transferred over to the receiving vehicle.  This time it's the charcoal canister.  A while back, I fabbed up a tray for charcoal briquets.  This time around were dealing with charcoal of the automotive kind. 

Euro Takumi

He drives green AE86.  Though it didn't sound like 4AG

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A little bit of Denmark

Took a trip to Denmark not too long, or should I say it's american copy.  A couple hours outside of Los Angeles, the town of Solvang is for those who want to visit another country but don't want or can't leave the country.  I'm cheap so I saved alot on the plane ticket. 

A tray for coals

Small project for the last days of summer.  Broke out an old propane grill that's been sitting dormant for a few years. I'm too cheap to buy propane, and I think it's better to grill with charcoal.  Sorry Mr. Hill.  Since propane grills don't use charcoal, I decided to fabricate a removable  tray to hold the briquets.  So I can switch between the two fuels.

Change of scenery

Spent a few days out in the Utah desert. Don't get to do this as often, but it's always refreshing when I do.  Helps clear the head.

Project blanco surf

As the latest project that's been sitting out front, I've been tasked to complete a stalled 5VZ engine conversion.  Luckily for me the engine has been installed and pretty much  all that's left for me to do is the cleanup work.

Wall of fortitude

In honor of those who fell crashed in battle.  Your memory will live on!  Oh and Happy 8/6 day.

101 basics

Sometimes getting a refresher course in the basics, is a good thing.

A load of AE86

Seeing an infestation of AE86 filling up a run group is a rare sight.  Especially when there's a broad range of skill levels sharing the same piece of tarmac.  Luckily everyone left in one piece.

Go Go KP

Toyota Starlets climbing the hills in Japan.  Takumi no where to be found.

Bye purple wonder

When I first picked up Barney in late 2003, he told me that if I ever decide to sell, let him have first dibs.  I looked at him and said I'm not in the market of buying and selling, I got it so I could enjoy it.  The only time i'd ever get rid of it would be a castastrophic event.  I guess barney's time has come.   No it didn't go up in a blaze of glory, but go out as true warrior it did.  An event few weeks back compromised the frame bad enough that I decided it wasn't worth fixing.

All things anime

 Anime expo 2014 turning 2d characters into 3d.

Bumped in to Fujiwara Takumi's car

Stayed for Kill la Kill's Matoi Ryuko

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White ranger

Now that red lion has landed in Las Vegas,  it's time for the next headache.  It's been about over 10 years since a 1st gen 4Runner laid foot at the orange grove.  I thought I'd never see another here again.  But as luck would have it, one has appeared at my door step.  Another incomplete project that needs rescuing.  At least it's keeping me busy.

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Try Natural

One thing i've never done on a personal level is a try an individual throttle body equipped motor.  I've built this type of setup for a bunch of other people and always enjoyed the music it makes.  So I think it's about time to do one for myself. 

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Farewell Red Lion

It's been about a year since Red Lion showed up on my door step.  Incomplete and needing little bit of TLC.  But now the work is complete and the owner is now ready for it's return.  It'll be missed, but now this gives me some space for another project.

Dash cam in asia

In Russia, they record accidents and meteors.  But in Asia, they record people trying to get a payday.

Regulators

I don't normally work on Porsche s, but when I do, I make them pay a lot.

From zero to demon

About a year ago I was in search of some camber plates for Yellow Lion.  To find a bolt on set is pretty rare and not too many aftermarket sources are available, even china doesn't make some.  Fortunately, Ground Control up in northern california still has some support for this old rotary beast.

Always an adventure

Defend freedom and get some lunch too.  A cool recruiting video.  Go Navy!

Toyota MR2 hybrid

I'm not much into drag racing, but when I do, it will be in a Honda engine stuffed into a Toyota MR2.  Just won't take it to TORC.

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Rules of the road

If you don't follow them, bad things happen.

Working with fiberglass (again)

 A couple years ago a side skit demolished at a local event battle. Me being cheap tried to fix it rather than throw it away.  This was the end result.  Not so pretty, but not too shabby for a rookie.  Now I want to try my hand a fiberglass work again and make it right this time.

Star Wars day

Have a great 4th.