Joji's KP61

Or at least it was owned by Joji way back when.  Last time I saw this car was probably around 2000.  It's changed hands a few times over the years according to it's new owner.  But at least it's still on the road and being driven, looking quite decent.  Most times cars just seem to disappear off the face of the planet or live out a horrible life of being stripped of it's dignity.

Back in it's show car days, this was the cleanest Toyota Starlets I ever saw.  This is what it looked liked.  Cute don't you think?

Related articles

• SEGA Venture: Yakuza 3 [Part 3/3] (thesegasource.wordpress.com)

Tekken 3d

Image via WikipediaWay back when I used go to the local arcade and play Tekken.  It's been a while since I played the game.  But when I heard a 3D movie was coming out for a one nite showing, I knew I must watch.  Have to say I wasn't disappointed.  The 3D wasn't the best but not completely terrible.  The storyline was o.k. but was a tad confusing if you're not up to date with the latest Tekken sequels. It had it's moments, but of course you need to wait til the last 30 minutes of the movie the to see the battle royale.  But the CG itself was superb, hence why I enjoyed watching start to finish.

Related articles

• Trailer reveals Tekken Tag Tournament 2 demo comes with PS3-exclusive Tekken Hybrid (Tekken Tag Tournament HD) (gamesradar.com)

Fixing the EGR

One of the problems, with ol' slow n dirty, was the NOx levels were on the high side. The problem may mean the egr wasn't functioning at it's fullest. 1st test was to pull vacuum on the egr valve itself. If it has a poor idle characteristics then it's functioning correctly, check. Next is to check the vacuum modulator to see if it's functioning correctly. Refering to the service manual for this one. Lastly cleaning of the EGR pipes and valve.

This ended up taking longer than expected.  The EGR bolt broke and I ended up removing the exhaust manifold to remove the bad bolt. Luckily I had a spare bolt in the back, accumulating hoarding parts for these cars over the years is finally starting to pay off.

Hopefully all the sweat today, will pay off with a pass grade at the smog station.

Related articles

• 1998 Volkswagen GTI failed NOx Emissions. Why? - SmogTips.com WordPress Blog (smogtipsblog.wordpress.com)

Hittin' switches J style

Toyota crown, in the land down under (Australia), on hydraulics. Usually these are reserved for old american iron, it's interesting to see it on a japanese car.  I wonder if anyone else does stuff like this to their toyotas?

Found only one

Rare Japan part from Noby Booth.  Never seen another one like it.  Probably never will.  Looks like something from Home Depot motorsports.

Related articles

• Home Depot looks to hire more people in the Carolinas (charlotte.news14.com)

It's that time again.

 

Took the car for smog. Didn't pass the test. It's getting tougher and tougher each passing year. But I refuse to give up the car.  Back to the lab and figure out what's wrong with it.

Related articles

• 1992 Toyota Paseo. Designated Gross Polluter, later passed. Is it OK now? - SmogTips.com WordPress Blog (smogtipsblog.wordpress.com)

A party for J. Mac

Good friend and old corolla buddy Jony M. is getting married this weekend, during the carpocalypse carmageddon no less.  But before that happens, a must was party held in his honor to celebrate that last few days of being single before stepping up to the responsibilities of married life.

So you may think boobs and beer will be the order of the day.  Not quite for a bunch gear heads, let's get on some tarmac and battle it out in Torrance.  So a small private competition was held at K1 Speed, with some electric go karts.  Never drove electric go karts before so it was definitely and interesting experience.  Though I really was terrible at it, I must say i'm hooked on it.  And must return another day whenever I need to fulfill my need for some turns and tarmac.

After some fierce competition, we were all quite spent.  So Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles was in order.  And it was very good, actually too good.  Stuffed myself so much I started to suffer from food coma and was barely functioning.  But yet there was one more to stop left.

Karaoke time, dunno why, can't sing and have no rythm.  But there was sake in these little bottles to round out the day.  Lots of fun after that.
 

A day well spent for an awesome guy.  Congratulations to Jony and his soon to be wife Athena.

Adam Carolla and 3 other guys

Since Adam's demise at Top Gear USA, he has gone on to host another car show, called The Car Show (that took alot of thought). I wanted to check out the show, so I attended one of the taping sessions this past weekend,to see what this has to offer. Let me tell you, don't expect Top Gear from this show. The show comes in on a different tangent and right up in your face. Very different and very raw. But then it kinda reminds me a car version of The View. But i'd rather watch this show. Leaving know no stone unturned the show let's the audience their true feelings in the automotive world. Adams potty mouth even takes a wack at the Corolla GTS. If you're a gear head or have any interest in cars and have an open mind, it's a show worth checking out. If you're thinking out side the bun, this show maybe for you.  Check it out July 13th on Speed.  At least they're starting to have more car related shows, instead of cooking and talent shows WTH?!

Gettin' air

I think they have this at 24 hours of lemons. I think the MR2 would be great at it.

Last year

Made romp down to Los Angeles Convention Center to attend the Anime Expo

Got my groove on at All Star Bash at Streets of Willow

This year I worked at the shop.  Very hot, no fun.

Beat the heat.

It's gonna be a hot one down in socal, gonna pick up some watermelon for later. Happy 4th of July and be safe out there.

Kombi stance

Tired of the slammed stance of the JDM cars, need to be unique and try something new?  The next possible trend to come from the land of the rising sun.  Slammed volkwagen vans, hippie vans for those who grew up or knew of that era.  But would it still be considered JDM or GDM?

Related articles

• A to Z of Kombi Life in SW France (holidaycampers.wordpress.com)

Used electronics

When it comes to buying used parts, people should take caution.  Most of the time it's basic parts that don't really go bad.  But when it comes to electronic devices, there have been times that i've installed them and they end up being junk. 

Now i'm back redoing a setup for a car cause the above ecu was bad from the get go.  Unfortunately, the owner is serving our country and can't get a hold of the seller of the item.  It really sucks for buyer who spends hard earned cash to purchase something that ends up being an expensive paper weight.

Related articles

• Beware iPad Scams on Facebook (pdresources.wordpress.com)

Gymkhanna MR2

I really like this mr2.  Moves with quickness and finesse of a water strider.  Simply a beautiful piece of work. Though the driver needs to work on his finishing move at the end.

AE86 Tech #86-22: Like Boxer engine

For some of us who like to use aftermarket spark plug wires may have experienced this at one point or another.  Spark plug wires slipping off the cap.  The way you can tell is when it starts to sound like the distinctive boxer engine of Subaru.  Unfortunately, it doesn't include the power.  Zip tie the leads, before a romp on your favorite piece of tarmac, is a must.  Though I wonder when the FT-86 arrives on our shores will it sound like a WRX.  If it does, at least you know you can make your AE86 sound like an FT-86 by disconnecting a spark plug lead. 

Related articles

• Subaru Impreza To Evolve Separately From WRX And STI (ridelust.com)

Dancing Tail

I like these lights.

Related articles

• "Steve Jobs To Announce iOS 5, Mac OS X Lion, iCloud At WWDC 2011" and related posts (huffingtonpost.com)

Corollas and Starlets

Cramming it all under one roof.

Related articles

• "HTC Sensation 4G Launching June 12th at Walmart, June 15th at T-Mobile" and related posts (gottabemobile.com)

RWD Meet

I don't know who may even remember this meet, since it was small.  A few years back, it was all about Honda, drag racing, and shows.  A small number of rwd enthusiasts decided to make a meet dedicated to import rwd cars.  It was mainly Toyotas with a sprinkle of Nissan.  I found a couple pics I took at the event.

Aiming for the top

When I first got my Corolla, canyon runs were quite the norm.  But then initial D began seeping into America.  Then all these chinese kids started showing up and crashing.  Cause the first bootleg copies were subbed in chinese.  Then I left and my dream of becoming king was left on the mountain.  But then I discovered track days.  It's much safer.

Related articles

• SlydeLife Trueno Meet 1 (slydelife.wordpress.com)

Like a Smart car

But way cooler.



For those who are curious on what it is. Daihatsu Midget II. That name would never fly in america.