“Super Potential”

One of my favorite things about being in an online business is being able to meet and talk to people from all over the world.  I met Jason about a month or so ago when he purchased some Cusco camber plates from us for his Starion – all the way from Australia.  I can tell Jason has “the sickness” and lives, eats and breathes cars like we do!  He was good enough to send me some pictures of a race prepped Starion owned by his friend Ron Masing the other day.  Jason is building his Starion for track use as well and we can’t wait to see how it turns out.  Onto the pics – this thing is awesome!

I have a fondness for the Starion, as Mike, one of the founders of the company, had one when I first met him in the early 90’s.  While it wasn’t blessed with a real sports car engine out of the box, it did have a wonderful chassis IMHO.  A very neutral car that with some well planned mods, turned it into a screamer.  It was Mitsubishi’s answer to the 944.  In the late 80’s the car really started to look the part with the giant fender flares, and low front lip spoiler.  It’s rare to see a clean one today but man, what a neat car they are.  Dodge also jumped on the bandwagon in the late 80’s and came out with their version, the Conquest.  I don’t know the technical differences, if any, except for colors.  I remember seeing bright blue Starions (looked similar to the WR Blue of the Subaru), and a nice yellow, that reminds me of the hue later found on 300ZX Twin Turbos.  I’ll see if I can dig up any other differences though.  These collaborations eventually lead to the 3000GT/Stealth, Mirage/Colt, Montero/Raider, and a bunch of others.  We’ll have to get our resident Mitsubishi expert Mike Ko to chime in with more.  He is a encylopedia of all things Mitsubishi!

I did a little searching and found this awesome old school Japanese commerical for the Starion.  I love these old car commercials…they are so cheesy, but it’s history, so it’s cool in my book!  And of course the tagline “Super Potential” is just genius.

Jason – not sure if you’ve seen this, but this video is for you! Plus it’s got a neat Rammstein song, and while I don’t understand a single word, and it almost makes me think a German invasion is near, it’s great music to drive to (or toture small furry animals to – whatever your scene is)

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Greddy Spectrum Elite (SE) Exhaust Systems…

Adam linked this to me a few minutes ago. We both agree that Greddy put together two great exhaust systems for their Spectrum Elite line so far and we hope that they continue on with this type of styling for the additional applications that they plan to service. As of now they currently only have systems for the ’09 STI and the EVO X.

SPECTRUM ELITE EXHAUST SYSTEMS:

Today’s sophisticated tuners want it all, and GReddy’s SE exhaust systems deliver the full spectrum of features desired in a street performance system. SE exhausts increase flow via tuned piping and larger, free-flowing mufflers for improved power, but provide discreet sound levels that won’t attract the wrong kind of attention. The exhaust note is comfortable and sporty, not loud.  Each application is tested and tuned for USA spec. vehicles, so fitment and sound is confirmed.   All SE Exhaust are test to be well below the 95dBA standard.  Our new smaller Spectrum exhaust tip(s) help disguise the system from the rear of the vehicle, but reveal show-quality appearance from the side and underneath. Whether you are cruising down the road or at wide-open throttle down the track, the Spectrum Elite is ready. Refined sound. Hard-hitting power.   Superb looks.  Excellent fitment.  GReddy quality.  – A true Sports Exhaust.

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SE Applications: (more coming soon!)

MAKE		MODEL		YEAR		PIPING		MUFFLER STYLE	TIP(S)
Subaru		STI		2009		70mm		1x sideways	4x
Mitsubishi		EVO X		2009		70mm		2x sideways	2x

The quad tips looks sick on the back of the STI! If anyone is interested in any of these, drop us a line.

BMW M3 ALMS Race Car…

Adam and I saw this car in person at the New York International Auto Show back in April of this year. This car isn’t groundbreaking news to most car enthusiasts but its still dope none the less.

Check the stats:

Engine: 4.0 litre V8
Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
Maximum Power: 485 hp (362 kW)
Maximum Torque: 368 lb-ft (498 Nm)
Transmission: Six-speed sequential racing transmission
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive

Weight: 2,535 lbs

The reason why I am bringing it up on our blog is because today I peeped this video of the car with some action footage and I thought I would share.

So cool, that you should be bitchslapped…

Seriously who thinks of this stuff?

I read about this company on Autoblog. There is a company called Alchemist that specializes in get this, 24-Karat gold rooftops for automobiles. If gold isn’t “baller” {insert ghey ass Jim Jones “We Fly High” music video gif file here} enough for you then they offer gemstones set in the gold leaf and even platinum or palladium!

Dayum I gots ta get me one of dem right der! I predict that Shaun gets this done on his next daily driver. 🙂

Alchemist is a company specializing in covering or decorating cars and cars’ rooftops in pure 24-carat gold leaf.

This London-based company is run by Jacques Blanc, a former French art director whose acclaimed advertising campaigns in Paris include beauty, fashion and car manufacturers.

Alchemist uses a newly patented process to cover the car with gold, and it takes its team of specialist gilders about a week to complete a rooftop.

The roof is first polished to provide a shiny surface for the gold leaf to reflect. Skilled craftsmen then place individual gold leaves onto a layer of a special base. Finally an invisible shield is laid down to make the surface scratch-proof – and impossible to pick off.

Gold is not affected by air, heat, moisture or oxygen, and so is well-suited to car rooftops.

As a rooftop provides a symbolic protection, it is suitable for such an attention.

Each roof is signed, numbered and a certificate of authenticity is supplied, along with a guarantee.

If you’re determined to go one better you could opt for gemstones set into the gold leaf – or choose a precious film of platinum or palladium.

International publications / media, including Time magazine (see Press) have published articles highlighting these golden rooftops.

Check the site:

http://www.goldenrooftop.com

Track Dayz

I had an entirely different post written up for my first post, but it started getting a little too angry and a little too long, so I’ll save this post for later.

When you read any car related forum, you’re going to overwhelmed by the posts by people looking for best go-fast goodies for their cars; whether it be turbo kits, light weight/uber durable racing wheels, or big brakes kits with more pistons that I have fingers and toes.

The sad part is, only a small fraction of people are getting any real benefit from all of these go fast parts.  I can’t comprehend why anybody would spend all of that time and money to make their car faster, stop shorter, and handle better …. to drive around in stop and go traffic to and from work.  Why not take your car to the one place where you can take advantage of all of that time and money you spent … the race track. 

My first HPDE in a quite a long time was this past May at Homestead, and I forgot ALOT of shit.  So in preparation for my next event, I decided it would be a good idea to make a check list to go through before heading out.  Walking around the paddock area looking to bum tools and brake fluid is not fun.

This may not be everything you need, but I figured this would be a great starting place for the track day virgin looking to test out all of those go-fast parts for the first time.  Please leave comments if you think there are some important items I left off of my list.

Your basic track side needs: helmet, registration paperwork, tech inspection paperwork, a cooler filled with ice/snacks/water/gatorade, tire gauge, air pump, wrench/socket set, torque wrench, jack/jack stands, spare quart or two of oil, extra brake fluid, speed bleeder, glass cleaner, quick detailer (gotta keep the whip looking good for the track side photographers), race pads, spare set of rotors, track wheels/tires, extra set of lugs nuts, folding chair, portable fan, and finally zip ties and duct tape incase something breaks.

Here is a word file with these items.  It makes it easy to go down and check off what you’ve already packed TRACK CHECK LIST.

And just to jazz up the post a little – a picture of my track car as it sits now.  There are going to be some major changes coming up in the next few weeks that will be chronicled here – new aero, a full color change, a new dedicated set of track wheels, new brakes, a full roll cage, the list goes on.  I’m hoping for the car to make it’s new debut at Sebring in October. 

I reminisce for a spell, or shall I say think back…

Just came upon some pictures of back when our good friend Tommy’s EVO was still streetable.

This car has always been heavily modded but now with the help of AMS its just {insert synonym for insane here}…

Dang! You got shocks, pegs… lucky!

Old picture but still hot to def!

Front brake and suspension setup of the 2001 Xanavi Hiroto Nismo Skyline R34 GT-R. AP’s and Center locking hubs mmm!

5Zigen Proracer SP Exhaust – Nissan 350Z/Z33

Its nice to see that with the arrival of the 350Z’s big brother, the GTR, after market companies are still showing the Z33 platform love in the way of still bringing new products to the market. 5Zigen has just introduced their Proracer SP exhaust for the Z33.

I like what I see, I just wish the demo car wasn’t rocking those cheezy taillights. Oh well…

I love the smell of race gas in the morning!

Here on Long Island, Captree State Park is a little known park mostly visited by boaters.  However, on any given Sunday (while most people are still sleeping) you’ll find car enthusiasts representing nearly all makes and models gathering to peep the local eye candy.

Here are just a few of the more interesting pics from Z1’s outing on August 24th:

Finally, a few snaps of what we drove to the meet:

All Around the ‘Ring

Here’s a neat thing one of our UK customers linked me to – a live cam at the Nurburgring!  Open in a new page and Click F5 to keep refreshing (or just let it be and it will refresh every minute on its own according to the site)

http://www.nuerburgring.de/fileadmin/webcam/webcam.jpg

Cool thing to check out randomly when you’re bored at work – you never know what you’ll see!

This was earlier today!

You Sexy Thing

Just wanted to show you guys another customer car.  This sweet G35 Coupe is owned by our good customer Giovanni.  Awesome car and a great guy!  This car has more mods than we have room to type, so I’ll just show you a quick video.  This was shot this past weekend at E-Town.  Not bad – a clean, clean daily driver that can click off solid 12’s on pump gas and street tires (even with a crappy 60 ft – gotta work on that boss!), and get you back home in style!  He’s also an autocross freak too, and hopefully we’ll get him out to a track day this fall and see what she’ll really do!

The G rips it at 2:00 minute mark in the video, but before that you’ll see a few other nice cars from Englishtown this weekend.

A Real American Hero

While I’ve never been much of an American car guy, ya gotta give credit where credit is due.  Lately, there is alot of very cool things that are happening in the American performance world, and most of it involves the legendary Corvette.  Some of you might have seen this video by now, but it’s worth watching.   This is the forthcoming ZR1 lapping the Nurburgring.   While the GTR has received a ton of well deserved press, this really does step it up to another level.

Need more proof that these are legit supercars?  How about the Pratt and Miller C6RS.  This car defines cool.   I mean come on…an 8.2 liter engine, full carbon body, fully sorted suspension.  Your very own LeMans racer is just a phone call away!   Take one Z06, add in a motorsports engineering company that just might know a thing or two about building a fast car, and the net result is a full fledged monster.  This takes a Z06 to a whole other level, and I think represents the pinnacle of what properly engineered modifications can achieve.

COBB Tuning R35 GTR Accessport Now Available!

Cobb Accessport Control Unit

 

COBB Tuning has been hard at work getting ready for the US debut of the R35 GTR and now that the time has finally come they are ready to release an onslaught of new products for this new beast from overseas.

COBB’s Accessport already has a great reputation from its success on other platforms and it surely has shown that nothing will change now that it is being tailored for use with the new R35.

Here are some whp results from both their Stage 1 and Stage 2 calibration maps.

Stage 1 is for a stock vehicle or a vehicle with just a cat-back exhaust. Stage 2 is for a vehicle with high flow cats or cat deletes and cat-back exhaust. Both stages require the use of the stock intake.

 

Stage 1 – 91 Oct – +55HP and +60TQ

Stage 1 – 93 Oct – +63HP and +70TQ

Stage 1 – 97 Ron – +63HP and +70TQ

 

Stage 2 – 91 Oct – +65HP and +80TQ

Stage 2 – 93 Oct – +70HP and +90TQ

Stage 2 – 97 Ron – +70HP and +90TQ

We are currently taking orders!

Monster under the hood…

I’m sure most if not all of you remember this E55 commercial as its only a couple of years old…

It definitely ranks up there as being one of my all-time favorite commercials period. The reason why I am even mentioning that commercial is because I was reminded of it today as I pulled up to new model Audi RS4 at a traffic light just a few minutes ago.

I’m a big fan of the new Audi RS4 and in my opinion the it (or the new RS6 if it ever makes it stateside which is still unknown) is the ultimate daily driver for someone in our region (the Northeast). 4 doors, AWD, a luxurious interior and a 420hp V8 that makes peak power at 7800 rpms and redlines at 8250rpms! Honestly whats not to like?

The car that I pulled up to today was extra special though. Not only because it was the dope ass Imola Yellow, but because the owner had already fitted it with an aftermarket exhaust. Most of you whom have heard how a stock RS4 sounds will agree that it is rather audibly pleasing in stock form so you can only imagine what it sounds like with a high flowing exhaust. I wish I had a camcorder handy so that I could have recorded it but I didn’t so this description will have to do. It sound as if a pissed off beast from deep within the jungles of some third-world country had been captured within the hood of this automobile and was bellowing out for freedom. If that description isn’t enough, I remember seeing this video on youtube awhile back and it sounds close enough to the car I heard today. I think you have to agree that this thing just sounds insane!

JP Vizage 07-UP IS250/350 GSE Kit…

I think this kit looks really good, which is something thats hard to do on a car that looks as good as the IS does right off of the lot. The kit is comprised of a front under spoiler, full replacement side skirts and a rear under spoiler. Not to mention its made out of Super Polyurethane. I’m definitely a fan!

Like always if you are interested in this or any other JP Vizage product give us a shout.