Project 740 #4: What?!

Noticed this yesterday, don't know exactly when it happened or even why anyone would do such an evil thing. Or maybe it's just a sign of things to come.

For the JDM Geeks and Fanboys

Let's take a break for this message from RS Watanabe.
But I still rather have Hoshino

Nissan PSA: Responsibility

To all those who own a R35 Nissan GTR or thought of purchasing was soon, make sure you read your owners manual and take responsibility for your actions. Please don't be like this guy.

Be Safe

Unlike most circuit enthusiasts/specialists I have yet to attend my first track day of the year. With the new year let's all be safe when participating at an open track event. Try not to be this guy.

Make it work.

A strut bar can make life just a tad more difficult. Sigh...

AE82 in for check up.

The AE82 I posted up awhile back has finally returned. But just for check up and some minor maintenance. I tell this car was big headache. From looking for my spring compressors, to suspension fiasco. Just wasn't going smoothly this weekend.

The clutch master was leaking though it still operated correctly. Owner had to keep adding fluid. A quick check revealed a leak on the rear of the housing.


So a new one was quickly ordered up...


and installed very straight forward, unlike AE86. Removal of brake booster is required for install. booo...

The shocks on the other hand provide another headache I wasn't expecting. But before we start let's take a look at the shocks first just to provide some insight.

L-R SW20, AE82, SW20?,AE92

Unfortuantely, the maintenance history of the car is hella sketchy so I myself wasn't sure what was what.The KYB shock for this AE82 did not fit. The shock that was installed was from a SW20, aka 2nd generation MR2. So he had to hunt for the MR2 front so he can get the car back on the road. When the shock arrived good friend Herb swings by to drop off spring compressors (he had them for 6 months, thanks dood) and actually has AE92 strut inserts he wasn't using and was giving to me. Ends up the inserts that Brian supplies and Herb's shock are the same size. Confused yet, I am. So now I think the shock Brian provided is an AE92 and not the SW20, and the housing that's in this car is an AE92. WTH?? Anyways everything is finally good with the car back on all fours.

Hoshino Appreciation

When I think of Hoshino, I usually think of the super sexy Aki Hoshino. But in the automotive world only the Hoshino Impul G5 racing wheel is what stands out in my mind. Let's take a look at this unique wheel. For me that wheel defined 80's Japanese automotive design, with it's angular lines and wedge shapes.


It just fits all the cars of that era, like this early 80's Toyota Supra. Even though it they were made with Nissan in mind, I can't help myself but rock them on the ol' Corolla. People will call you retarded or stupid, or just say its blasphemy. Then again building a show car to look like a race is just as bad.


The wheel has been long discontinued and is now a rare wheel sought out by many enthusiasts, especially in the crazy offsets. Like this pair on ad in Club4AG 14x8.5 -15 you probably want to poop in your pants right now don't you.


Here's the Corolla rocking Hoshino back in 2002 Speedtrial open track day at Streets of Willow. Back when they allowed drifting.


Corolla with Hoshino in 2006. PASS 4AG Challenge at Big Willow. Keeping true to the game i still race this wheel.

Gosh I love these wheels. Probably one of my all time favorite pics with the ridiculous offset Hoshino. Just don't really care about the car itself. An 80's Nissan Silvia/Gazelle (200SX for u.s. markets) Super Silhouette race car.

But before we go let's take one last look of Hoshino. Aki Hoshino.

It's delicious

I present you with the most fascinating drink yet. Tentacle Grape a caffeine laced beverage with delicious grape punch. For those late nights in the garage wrenching cause you were too lazy to fix it before the event. If you're tired of all the same old Red Bull then maybe this is for you. Check out their site

Do you prefer wet or dry

Were not talking about burritos from Albertos either. Check this out, an all out Formula Atlantic dry sump system is up for sale on ebay. I'm just droooling to get my oily paws on this setup. the starting bid is 1800 and there's one bid so far. There's about a day left on it so you better get going. If you wanna be the popular guy at the show or at the track this is a must have item.

Check it out here

Only in Japan

a drifting traffic jam can occur. A nice video if you long to see the grassroots drifters in it's natural setting, the touge. No crazy stickers, wide bodies, or ginormous wheels. Just enthusiasts having fun.

Go Yellow Tail

It seems Wesley H. has come to terms with himself and has finally decided to get his car ready for battle. It's been about 2 years since he's been behind the wheel of AE86. How will he do? Find out February when Grip Day makes a stop at Horsethief Mile. Maybe he'll do o.k., but i'll be sure he'll be seeing alot purple tail.

Homecoming

Picked up the car last night after spending sometime at the body shop. Didn't get any body work done, just had the frame pulled. Looks o.k. to me. But damn thing looks like my neighbors car.

It's been a while since i've been out of the splint. My hand isn't a 100%,not til next month according to the doctor, but this isn't going to stop me in doing my impression norcal homie Al.

Hey Al, this one is for you.

Improvise, yes we do.

I used to spend alot of money on tools when I wrenched for a living. Since i've all but given up the profession. I have a lot more money to spend on other things. But there's days I won't have the tools I need to get the job done. This is where being filipino comes into play. Yes I did use a connecting rod, pinion bearing and a socket to press a couple of ball joints in. And yes it did work take that bitches! Unfortunately, a Snap On tool was sacraficed in the line of duty.

What happens to former

DTM cars. Some may see the crusher others will spend the rest of their lives in a museum. But in the Netherlands, they are reborn. For BMW enthusiast, Ton Vink, his passion E30 chassis M3 to the extreme. Taking a former DTM car and rebuilding from the ground up...


from this..


to this.

As fan DTM racing late 80's/ early 90's before they became NASCAR ish. I used to love watching in Speedvision before they became NASCARish. To have piece of racing history and to race it, is what many dream of and what some may do. I hopefully I one day will have the latter.

If you live or plan to visit the Netherlands please drop by and say hi or visit their site http://www.vinkmotorsport.nl/index.php

Rollin'

It's not car related but still silly. A competition between Korea (Blue helmet) and Japan (White helmet) on who's the master in rolling 55 gal. drums. Looks like these guys have been doing it for a long time.

Project 740 #3 Junkyard hopping

Well it's been a while since i've actually been to the yard, mostly because I'm too lazy to grab parts. I'd rather have someone else do it for me. Anyways just looking for stuff for Hell Boy's Wagon, when I came across these two beasts of burden.



Jaguars both equipped with Chevy v8 engines. I normally don't come across these at the yard, but I thought it quite the coincidence that there was two of them. I assume they came from the same place. Both in different states of disrepair, one looking worse than the other. Unfortunately, as many Volvos I did find at the yard they didn't have anything I wanted.

Though I also found this little gem

50's era Desoto at the front of the yard. I don't know if it was for sale or not, but it really looked to be in pretty good shape. Something I wouldn't mind picking up and making into a nice little cruiser.

the review

as this year comes to a close, i look back and i have to say i have been truly blessed. things i thought i was never able to to do, i did. i think i should start a list of 101 one things that a car junky must do list.

I dropped by and visited Japan. definitely an uplifting experience for the japan motorsports aficionado. and yes i do like greddy

Competed in Pro-Am. with not so good results. but at least i tried my best.

went to a ton of driving events. no i didn't drive in all of them.




Had the opportunity to see the filming of Top Gear USA pilot show. It's actually pretty good contrary to popular internet belief. too bad they're going to cable.


Viewed the Monterey Historics. if you wanna see some old stuff this is it. next time it'll be goodwood.

including a vara event earlier this year.


Attended the Jim Hall Karting school. i should give up cars and race karts. it seems alot less maintenance.


decided to make the race car into a show car and entered my car at TORC. didn't win anything, but it was the easiest event i entered. maybe i should start doing these from now on.

Visited the toyota and datsun museum.

enjoyed a few import shows of with the old school flavor of course.

sevenstock

spring fling

jccs

torc

west coast z nationals

picked up a new race car

early 90's volvo 740 turbo wagon. and no i don't smoke meth. maybe my neighbor

as this year comes to a close let's wave one last good bye to 2008 and say hi to 2009.