Multiple sets of 18×9, 18×10 Enkei RP03s
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The Tanabe engineers from Japan were here last week, so I dropped off the Mazdaspeed 3 at Tanabe so they could do some R&D work.
They test fitted a bunch of parts and realized that because of the intercooler ducting in the hood, the strut tower bar from a regular Mazda 3 (or Axela in Japan) would not fit. They also realized that the rear springs they thought would work wouldn’t due to the car’s bumpstop and damper dust boot cover. I never got to see or drive the car with the springs, but I imagine it would be a nice improvement. The car handles nice already, but it looks like a 4×4 sometimes.
What did work out though, is the front underbrace. As you can see below, the front underbrace goes right beneath the engine. Driving towards the freeway from Tanabe always provides for a nice suspension test because the roads are so junky and uneven. The car feels a bit more tight under uneven surfaces and initial turn in response is nice.
On a side note, gas mileage increased significantly after the 3,500 mile mark. Gas mileage went from 23-24 to 26-28! I’m amazed and so much happier with the car now.
I think pet peeves are natural expressions of passion for things you love. In this case, it’s Nissans, drifting, etc.
Over the years I’ve been kind of desensitized to a lot of my previous pet peeves, like when people compare my drifting to what they saw in the first Fast and the Furious. At first it made me want to hit something. Now I have no choice but to brush it off. Or how about when people pronounce “Greddy” as “g. ready” or “greedy”? I’ve heard that one too many times. Or how about when people say my car is a Silvia? Okay I’m starting to get fired up. Time to get to the point.
There is one major pet peeve that still bugs me. The use of “motor” in case of an “engine”… An engine is powered by some sort of fuel. A motor is always powered by electricity. Your B16a or SR20DET is NOT a motor – it’s an ENGINE! Don’t tell me about your motor swap unless your power window motor crapped out and you replaced it with a new one. Don’t tell me about your JDM turbo motor! Oh, and here is the most common abuse: “motor oil”.
Okay that concludes today’s class of Haters 101. Your essay on “Why I will let pet peeves ruin my life” will be due tomorrow, thanks.
Another part that I bought brand new that has lived its life and is now dead. After 6 years, my HKS has HAD IT… bugs, rocks, curbs, other cars… do me a favor and stay away from this new intercooler ok?!!
I picked up a new Greddy LS Type intercooler. I was a bit weary of Greddy’s last cheapo intercooler, but they updated it and have now released the LS type… the quality SEEMS better and doesn’t look like a carbon copy of those Taiwan pieces of junk. I wasn’t about to spend ANOTHER $1,000 on ANOTHER intercooler – I’m a new dad who has tons of bills to pay. Give me a break! Oh well, we’ll see how it holds up!
YEAH I KNOW – my car is filthy. Shut up!
So last night, while we were getting ready for bed, Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300 at Motegi, making history as the first woman to win an IndyCar race. After hearing about so much of her successes such as her multiple pole positions and finishing 7th overall last season, it’s kind of strange to learn that she’s been called the Anna Kournikova of racing. I guess it’s only right to learn about this nickname the same time I found out that she’s won her first IndyCar race. Air Tran, one of her sponsors, stated that they’re putting a picture of Danica’s face on one of their planes, that has 2 flights daily.
This is such exciting news, especially for me since I’m married to somebody who is so passionate about women empowerment in motorsports. Who am I kidding? I’ve become passionate about it too. Congratulations Danica! You’ve just inspired so many more people than you can imagine.
Related links:
Danica Patrick’s Official Website
Andretti Green Racing
Yahoo News
Danica on Wikipedia
First Dai gets a ride in the RMR Pontiac GTO and now Kenchan gets a ride in a factory backed Scion TC!
Toyo finally made a press release showing off Ken’s new car for 2008. How cool is that, to be sponsored by one factory team and then another? First Ford and now Scion. That would be a first in professional drifting in the USA.
The Scion TC has been converted from front wheel drive to rear wheel drive using some chassis matching engine and AWD setups available in Japan and is estimating 400+hp. That is pretty much a necessity these days in Formula D. I remember competing in Formula D with a stock SR20DET back in the days! Those days are long gone and Formula D has evolved so much over the years.
Well, I am glad that Scion finally got their act together and decided to get involved with drifting. I’ve been saying it for years – Scion markets so heavily to the youth of America that is is pretty much the most obvious thing to do – make a drift car! And they’ve found a great driver to represent them… the driver that their target market can relate to the most.
Pretty cool huh? I’m not sure, but it looks to be custom wide body and has a v-mount setup (which also means turbo – who would guess anything less from a Japanese engine making 400hp right). I also noticed the Rogue Status sticker on his fender, which is cool because I believe Rob Dyrdek is an owner of that company. I’ve been a big fan of MTV’s Rob & Big for a long time now. Do work son!
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