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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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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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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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.

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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Part of the job.

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

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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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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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.

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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Special K

Katayama Mazda RX 3 a car that brought down the Skyline GTR in the early Japanese Touring Car days.  And also influenced the bosozoku car treatment.  Would you believe this was put together in thailand, i wouldn't have guessed it.  Well done.

The backup

 

Since i'm really behind on Senor Barney.  I decided to make use of a friends car as backup.  It'll be a corolla just a bit different from what use.  But as long as it's a car and it drives who cares.  Since it hasn't driven in about 2 years.  I was thinking it was going to require just a small amount of maintenance, probably just a bunch of fluid changes. Actually, I believe the last time it drove was at the AE86 Grip Day in 2008 a bit ironic.
Upon arrival, I began going through a visual inspection to if there's any issue that need to be done. Unfortunately, there's a bit more than I was expecting.

 

 Battery hold down no up to snuff, I wonder how it got past tech at the last event?

Rear link bolt.  Looks like I may have to go through and torque every single bolt so something like this doesn't happen on track.

Broken header pipe.  It was broke previously before and looks like it broke again.

Ya know vacuum caps are pretty darn cheap now a days. I'll need to go find some.

There's probably more, but that's all I found for now.  I wonder if this was a good idea?

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Backup

Just in case I don't get french lilac special up in time. I'll be rocking this double barreled weapon at the AE86 grip day. More on this later.

Keep the fire alive

When I first picked up the ol' corolla, one of the first things I learned about the car was having a spare igniter. You don't know when they go out, but when they do it'll leave it's owner stranded. It's really more random than common. I've never had that issue, though i've known fellow corolla owners who have had their igniters go out unexpectedly. Didn't matter if was racing or daily driven.
  So during my regular treks to the yard i'd always search for the 4AG igniters. But found that they were a hot commodity, so were always removed before I could get my paws on them.   But when I do find them i'm all over it.  I look at the rookies that get into these cars, and it seems they don't realize 25 years of service makes them indestructible.  So they're on getting TRD, JBlood, etc. building drift/spo com style cars, instead keeping basic maintenance up to date.  When brand new I think they're around $200.  I'd be making sure at least get a spare for insurance.  Now I hear they're discontinued.  Times are getting tougher

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WRC

Since Speed keeps going down the drain with food channel and gong show knock offs. Giving WRC the boot.  I stumbled upon Hulu.com which is carrying episodes of all 2008 and 2009 seasons online. So happy now. I really missed watching WRC.

Link to WRC on Hulu.com

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Elevator music

Join the dark side.

Choices

Once again we get the opportunity to choose our favorites. If you don't wanna end up like the city of bell everyone should take this time and vote.