An odd night

This setting, reminds me of a movie I once saw on TV.  Though the cars here are in rougher shape and style, than what I saw in the movie.  Don’t expect Bow Wow is going to cruise by in his bB. 

AE86 nights where most things corolla make their annual pilgrimmage.  The last time I was here, it was held near Longo Toyota’s service entrance.  Now it’s held in their parking structure.  Very different but interesting. 

 

Haven’t really kept up with the automotive scene as of lately, so I’m like a tourist trying to understand the latest fashion.   So is adding these types stickers a new thing? 

Years ago it was about representing the club/teamweather it be fo’ sho’ and race, yeah really did both.  Just like in the movies. Or the uber cool parts manufactuer, cause that’s all they can afford.

Team Hella flush hentai.

Corvette style wheels on an MK1 MR2.  For some reason, i’m digging it.  It’s not an LS motor but i’ll do.

Moar sticka, it seems to be the theme for this event.

Reminds me of the JGTC AE86 years ago.  Was this a kit or custom made?

Owners come in all ages.  But most only last a few years before they realize it’s ruining their lives.

As usual, it’s good to see old friends who still have a genuine passion for the AE86.  Kudos for keeping this meet going.  Maybe when I stop being lazy picky, i’ll get another corolla in the stable.  I think next years sticker should probably say’ fanboys ruining corollas’ and show the same pic. 

Until then mooowaaa stiiiikkkaaaa. 

Happy Star Wars Day: TIE Fighter - short film

Another DIY

Building for another project that’s yearning to switch to the dark side.  Don’t build too many of these, but when I do, they’re quite fun. 

Looks can be deceiving

Playing dress up, the hobby of many to make the chariot of choice pretty for others to see.  As pleasing to the eye as this crank pulley may seem, it may not all be it’s cracked up to be.

Just a drizzle

As much as I like this Mercedes AMG Petronas umbrella, I thought it would be sitting in the display after it’s first and only use in Austin.  Since this is Socal, there’s not much use for rain gear.  So when the opportunity to attend a Formula D event, with a possibly of rain.  Just couldn’t pass that up to watch some drifiting use this high performance umbrella.

Chnange of plan

I probably had one more year left on these (one on the left), but due to problems with el global climate nino, (ie lots of rain) it’s time to get the tires replaced ahead of schdule. 

Showing others

Those who hit the tarmac on a constant basis, beating up differentials, can be expensive.  I’ll always be glad to take someone’s money if they want to get it built, but if they want to learn I can show.  Just don’t borrow my tools.

Backup plan 2x

Blowing out a tire is never a good thing.  That’s why most vehicles have spare tires as backup.  But if you fail to maintain the spares air pressure, make sure you have an air compressor as backup.  Luckily the fifty is equipped to deal with these type of situation. 

2 less tires

Been on the hunt, for an adventure, that requires 2 less wheels.  But out of all the bikes I checked out, I’m always drawn to the Monster.  It’s styling just doesn’t compare to the bikes from the rising sun.  Trolling forums and talking to some owners, all of them say they get lots of looks and .  But it’s usually from all the bros and hipsters.  I guess they appreciate the bike as much as I do.  But getting attention isn’t my thing, though I should be used to it by now, since fanboys always to the AE86.  So for now I’ll pass on this one and stick with the more humble japanese counter part.

Weber Carb: The other rebuild

The last time I did a  Weber build, it was the family heirloom Weber grill.  But yellow bee, decided it didn’t want to play after sitting around for almost a year.  So just like the grill, it was time to rebuild the Weber carb.

AE86 Tech #86-33: Pad shim

Weather doing hub bearing, and/or differential service, requires the removal of the  brake caliper, pads, and bracket.  It’s a bit of a chore to remove the pieces and I’m a bit on the lazy side, I’ll usually take care of it in fewer steps.  Rather than doing all that nonsense.  Just undo the caliper bracket assembly and then shove a rolled up newspaper or cardboard in between the brake pads.  This will ensure they don’t fall out, while the caliper assembly is set off to the side safely while the main work is done.  Once done with installing them sick cross slotted rotors, reinstall the brake assembly.  Ready fo’ sho’.

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Bulletproof

First time I saw one of these was back at Battle of the Imports in the 90’s, when drag racing Hondas were setting new 1/4 mile records.   Nowadays programmable ecus are commonplace and uber cheap that you can fuel inject anything.  Why would anyone use one of these anymore?  But to last this long we’ll just call it bulletproof.

Waasaabee

If you’ve watched a youtube channel called wasabi cars you’ll know what i’m talking about when you see this car.  But if you’re not and too lazy to check, it’s an australian living in Japan who’s hobby is searching and documenting derelict Japanese cars, that are slowly rusting away.  But would I have never guessed that a car, like the ones in his videos would show up on this side of the pacific. 

The middle child

One thing about the early Datsun Zs, was that you either loved the 280 and wanted a 240, or was it the other way around.  But the dirty laundry that was a 260 was left out to hang.  So picking one of these up is pretty reasonable and since it probably won’t be missed, modifying them isn’t much of an issue.   Behold the new adventure.   

Using good ‘ol boy techniques

I was on an interweb search on how to fix an axle housing.  Since there was one sitting out back that was slightly bent and not really usable at the moment.  Many techniques I came across were found on the on dirt track and stock car boards.  Makes a lot of sense, since the thing that the oval racers and dirt trackers in the east share with the AE86, is the use of the rear solid axle.

Does it matter?

I’m sure ford ain’t too pleased.

It begins with L

Santa san dropped off a package for the next adventure.  The dark side is strong with this one.

Buying a Palm Springs AE86

I used to comment, about never getting cars from Oakland, now I should add Palm Springs to that list.  It shouldn’t be no surprise, as the AE86 is traded hands by many bandwagon enthusiasts.  Cars are violated modified by many hands.   With a unique set of problems, I think this is only the beginning.

My “buddy” rebuilt it

Buying stuff sight unseen has always been a gamble.  Owner bought this on the net and brought me it to for installation.  The seller informed him it was rebuilt by his “buddy”.  Upon initial inspection, everything looked in order and function properly.  Disassembly revealed something completely different.  While taking apart the differential, all the bolts were loose.  Bits and pieces of the LSD were falling out as I continued the disassembly.  My guess is that the LSD was subjected to a lot of horsepower.  Then the “buddy” took it apart for inspection, found out it’s been grenaded, put it back together and sold it off to an unsuspecting buyer.  That’s why sometimes it’s better to pay a little extra and buy local so that parts can be physically inspected.

Turf and Tarmac

Some say trouble comes in threes.  Others may look at it as third time’s the charm.  For me I got the latter.  After failing 2 times to attend another F1 event, since my last one in 2012.  It took me a third try to get it right.  It was an austin trip to remember.

30 years in the making

A stack of tags from the Grey Hound’s 30 year life in California.

Enter the Neo

As the 80’s Japanese cars enter their mid 30’s, the people who brought you the Japanese Classic Car show, have done it again, with the Neo Classic Car show.  Bringing out the next generation of Japanese classics from the 80’s and 90’s.  I figured it would be cool to check 80’s cars with side markers and fuba antennas and 90’s cars decked out in ridiculous amount of stickers and colored vinyl interior.  But that wasn’t the case.

Back to the future day

In commemoration of Marty’s arrival, I picked up this kit for my collection.

Mazda RX-7 race car | evo REVIEW

Maybe they'll make one for a racing AE86.  One can only hope.

Some things never change

Trunk/fuel door latch:
1985 Toyota Corolla GT-S on the left.
2005 Toyota Corolla LE on the right.
Even after 20 years something's were never meant for change.

Flickr Tags: AE86,Toyota,Corolla,ZZE120

Production line

I seem to be getting a lot of requests to get differentials built.  These guys didn’t have a solid pinion spacer.  But that won’t be the case after I’m done with them.

JCCS 2015 Fo' Sho'

Visiting car shows is not a yearly pilgrimage, for me, unlike others in this automotive game.  Just seems boring see same cars and people year after year.  So when I can't remember when the last time I went to a JCCS show it's about time.

How I feel about the Corolla (sometimes)

Maybe it’s not as prestigious as the M3, but it invokes the same feeling.

It’s bent

As greater number of fans/drivers acquire the most sacred Corolla GT-S.  Parts are becoming more and more scarce.  One such part are the rear end axles.  What to do when one gets bent?

Yamaha XSR 700

I found my dream bike

The salesman

Selling exhaust system with a smile.

Restomod RX3

Nicely done up 73 Mazda RX3 sets foot in Jay Leno’s garage.

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AE86 Tech #86-32: Who are you and what is your function.

There are things that we'd always wonder it's function. But for the AE86 owner, there's 3 little plugs that hang on the harness.  What the do these plugs that hang on the bulkhead do? Since I was bored, I decided to do a bit of digging.

Summer break with Sauber F1

86 flash back

Back in the late 90's, the trend was hondas and FWD drag racing.  The 86 owners were a tight knit group back then, and were more or less doing their own thing and keeping a pretty low profile.  Here's an old flash back of Moto's supercharged coupe at a Hollywood park autocross.  This was taken back in the late 90's.  Happy 86 day.

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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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