Bellissimo Animale

I love all things rare – and it doesn’t get much rarer than this!

The Lancia 037 was one of the Group B rally cars from the early/mid 80’s. The Group B setup was essentially a no holds barred setup that had to be based on a “production” vehicle. Production is in quotes intentionally, as there only had to be 200 models made in order to qualify.

These cars features a mid engine layout, with the 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder engine mounted longitudinally. The head featured 4 valves per cylinder,with early versions being carb’d, and later versions switching to fuel injection. The big power came by way of a Volumex supercharger. Group B had no restrictions on boost levels, so sky was tne limit in competition trim. Street cars left the factory with power ranging between 265 and 325 hp depending on the year they were made. Later versions even included water injection from the factory – pretty trick stuff considering when the car was made. Amazing car with a great history in rally – even more amazing that it was rear wheel drive! I wish modern rally was as good as it was in the 80’s and even early to mid 90’s. It’s just not the same anymore

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Adam’s Z33 Project Update

Had a little while to get some work done on my car today. Because we are temporarily disabling the drive by wire as part of the ongoing ITB project, I sent the ecu out to Injected to have it flashed so I can avoid any annoying CEL’s. When it came time to bolt the ecu back into place, I realized that I had accidentally sold the stock ecu bracket to the guy that purchased my UTEC! No big deal though, a quick email down to Jim at Turbo Toys and a new one was on it’s way to me. If you are ever in need of a part for your Z or Supra, Jim is the man to talk to – tons of stock, fair prices and he ships quickly.

With the ecu bracket in hand, I was able to bolt it back into place and put the passenger side interior panels back in. Sure beats having the stuff just hanging out on the floor. I really wish they would have developed some sort of bracket for the Haltech though. It’s a fairly big box, and what’s more, the harness that it takes is really bulky. It all fits in there, but it would be alot cleaner if they had some sort of hardware included.

Much cleaner now! The 2 wires on the bottom are the USB for the laptop, and the connector for the Racepak dash which will soon be occupying this space:

I sent my existing cluster/housing and the Racepak up to our stereo guru in Connecticut, Dave at Performance Outfitters Group to work his magic. I can’t wait till this chapter of the car is done and I can driver her again with the new additions!

BTW, I apologize for the blurry pics!

White R34…

I just really really love the way this car looks. I know my post title is lame but whatever, I’m tired and hungry.

Mediterannean Goodness

I got these pics a while ago from George, a customer of ours in Greece. He contacted us on a search for a specific JDM spec 5Zigen exhaust that is not normally available in the US. We arranged for the exhaust to be sent right from 5Zigen Japan to his door, and he was able to get back on the road. I’ve got a special place in my heart for the GC chassis STi’s – brings back alot of great memories.

George wrote: “Thanks Adam. The exhaust fits perfect. I had the same exhaust on my car from back in the year 2000. The muffler wrecked after 8 years, so I ordered a 5Zigen pro racer exhaust from 5Zigen Greece as I couldnt find the cannonball again. The circumference in the muffler and the two silences, yes it has two silences, was heaps smaller than the cannonball one and I lost performance even though they advertise the pro racer as a better performer. Not in my case nor my logic. With the pro racer, the car didnt pull or boost as high as it did with the cannonball either. It was then that I found you guys and enquired as I wanted to find the cannonball again. It is exactly the same as my old cannonball and fits perfect.”

New ACT Clutches for 93-05 WRX

ACT RELEASES SFI APPROVED HIGH PERFORMANCE
XTREME CLUTCH KITS FOR THE 02 – 05 SUBARU WRX
NEW PRODUCT FOR 2009
LANCASTER, CA May 28, 2009
ACT STREET CLUTCH KIT SB3-XTSS 505 ft/lbs 64%
ACT RACE CLUTCH KIT (4 PUCK) SB3-XTR4 646 ft/lbs 64%
ACT RACE CLUTCH KIT (4 PUCK SPRUNG HUB) SB3-XTG4 646 ft/lbs 64%
ACT RACE CLUTCH KIT (6 PUCK) SB3-XTR6 646 ft/lbs 64%
ACT RACE CLUTCH KIT (6 PUCK SPRUNG HUB) SB3-XTG6 646 ft/lbs 64%
ACT clutches deliver the maximum holding power by applying a series of sound engineering advancements to new (not rebuilt) components which maximizes load and reduces flex. The result is maximum torque
capacity, long life and clean, fast shifting. ACT is a premier clutch manufacturer that has more than 300 different applications and more than 500 performance clutch kits. The company’s product line features
clutches and forged flywheels for the most popular vehicles in the sport compact, domestic and truck market.

ACT is headquartered in Lancaster, California.
http://www.advancedclutch.com
All ACT Pressure Plates and discs for the Subaru WRX are SFI Certified. Kits include a new release bearing.

Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) has released a new Xtreme performance clutch kit and components for
the 02 – 05 Subaru WRX.

ACT’s new clutch kit for the WRX features an Xtreme Pressure Plate that incorporates hardened diaphragm fingers for decreased wear and provides a 64% increase in clamp force over the stock unit. The ACT Street Clutch Kit combines the Xtreme Pressure Plate and a Performance Organic Street Disc, a disc that features special performance organic friction materials to withstand increased heat and abuse, steel backed linings for high burst strength and modifications engineered for quicker shifting. The ACT Street Clutch Kit provides increased pedal feel, smooth engagement and significantly improved consistency, durability and increased torque capacity to 505 ft. lbs.
ACT Race Clutch Kits will hold 646 ft. lbs. of torque. Metallic Ceramic Xtreme Discs are available in 4 and 6 puck sprung and un-sprung hub designs and are very durable while allowing for quick shifting. The Xtreme Discs are designed for high power engines and are recommended for track use only.

Contact us to purchase yours, we will have them very soon!

Boeing 787

A good friend sent me this e-mail about this new Boeing model. I’m not a big follower of airplane technology but I love any new technology, so seeing pictures of this new plane did get me excited. This thing is sick!

Oh and so what if it’s not about cars? Once again, this thing is insane!

Another S30 with SSRs

Yeah so I’m on an old-school Z with SSRs thing today. Actually I’ve been sweating SSRs all week if you haven’t noticed.

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks…

Rare ‘Ish

This wheel is so cool it deserves it’s own post. Personal Fitti, 350mm, black suede, red stitching. Not too often you see it in this configuration, usually it has the yellow stitch. The attention to detail they put into these things is so nice, you have to touch it to appreciate it. The crossed stitches are perfectly symetrical throughout, the embossed “Personal” logo in the center. Plus, it’s got the offset center section, which further enhances it’s unique appearance. Aftermarket wheels like this are such a clean and simple way to dress up your interior and make it fresh again. And for your track whores, the suede rim gives much better grip than plain leather. 1 up for grabs if anyone wants it !

I’m done explaining why…

…we spend so much money on Endless products on our personal cars. Their stuff is top notch and since we don’t cut corners with our car builds here at Z1 what else should we be using? If you’re on the LIE in 2020 when my Z is done you better watch out, lol.

I swear if someone in the aftermarket world comes out with a quality Kinetic Energy Recovery System like the new Formula One cars use I will save up a ton of duckets for it. 🙂

Back to the point of this blog post… Endless products are quality and race proven. Congrats on the victories!

“Press Release – Endless Wins Across the Globe

Press Release – Race Victories

For Immediate Release

Contact: Dominic Chen

Endless USA

18421 Gothard St. Suite 200

Huntington Beach, CA. 92648

Phone: (714) 847-0694

Fax: (714) 847-0695

E-mail: Dominic@EndlessUSA.com

Endless Equipped Cars Dominate Motorsports Weekend

Huntington Beach, CA (May 28, 2009) – Endless equipped teams across the globe showed their dominance this past weekend of May 23rd and 24th. From World Rally Challenge to the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix to the Nurburgring 24 Hours, all teams clenching victory used Endless as an integral part of their brake package.

Italy was next on the WRC schedule and Ford occupied both the 1st and 2nd place steps on the podium. Ford’s rally cars use the ever popular Endless rally/sprint race brake pad compounds and Endless RF-650 brake fluid.

Brawn GP continued their dominance and further extended their lead in the Formula One championship by finishing one-two at the glamorous Monaco Grand Prix. Yet again Jensen Button and Rubens Barrichello drove their Brawns equipped with Endless RF-650 brake fluid straight to victory lane.

But perhaps the most success enjoyed by Endless and their supported teams was in the famous 24 Hour Endurance race at the Nurburgring. More than forty cars in the field used Endless product for the grueling race. It was a sizable presence of Endless equipped cars; including Mitsubishi Lancers, Nissan 350Zs, and Alpina BMWs. More impressive, however, were the overall 3rd place Manthey Racing Porsche GT3 Cup car, 2nd place ABT Audi R8 and 1st place Manthey Racing Porsche GT3 RSR, all running Endless brake pads and fluid.

“It was a phenomenal weekend for our global Endless group,” said Executive Director of Endless USA, Dominic Chen. “The product truly speaks for itself by means of race victories. We are extremely proud to be working with such high caliber, talented people.” Endless hopes to add another endurance race win when the Texas based Risi Competizione team heads to France in a few weeks time to defend their class victory from last years 24 Hours at Le Mans.

###

Press Release – Race Victories

For Immediate Release

Contact: Dominic Chen

Endless USA

Endless Equipped Cars Dominate Motorsports Weekend

Huntington Beach, CA (May 28, 2009) – Endless equipped teams across the globe showed their dominance this past weekend of May 23rd and 24th. From World Rally Challenge to the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix to the Nurburgring 24 Hours, all teams clenching victory used Endless as an integral part of their brake package.

Italy was next on the WRC schedule and Ford occupied both the 1st and 2nd place steps on the podium. Ford’s rally cars use the ever popular Endless rally/sprint race brake pad compounds and Endless RF-650 brake fluid.

Brawn GP continued their dominance and further extended their lead in the Formula One championship by finishing one-two at the glamorous Monaco Grand Prix. Yet again Jensen Button and Rubens Barrichello drove their Brawns equipped with Endless RF-650 brake fluid straight to victory lane.

But perhaps the most success enjoyed by Endless and their supported teams was in the famous 24 Hour Endurance race at the Nurburgring. More than forty cars in the field used Endless product for the grueling race. It was a sizable presence of Endless equipped cars; including Mitsubishi Lancers, Nissan 350Zs, and Alpina BMWs. More impressive, however, were the overall 3rd place Manthey Racing Porsche GT3 Cup car, 2nd place ABT Audi R8 and 1st place Manthey Racing Porsche GT3 RSR, all running Endless brake pads and fluid.

“It was a phenomenal weekend for our global Endless group,” said Executive Director of Endless USA, Dominic Chen. “The product truly speaks for itself by means of race victories. We are extremely proud to be working with such high caliber, talented people.” Endless hopes to add another endurance race win when the Texas based Risi Competizione team heads to France in a few weeks time to defend their class victory from last years 24 Hours at Le Mans.

###”

Press Release Page #1
Press Release Page #2

This is Funny!!!

Times are rough but this definitely can bring a smile to anyone’s face…

New ATS Clutches for 2007 + 350Z and 2009 +370Z/G37

When Nissan implemented the VQ35HR engine on the 350Z, they did away with the older slave cylinder setup, and employed a CSC (concentrical slave cylinder) inside the bellhousing. As many have found out, this piece has proven problematic, and prone to breaking. That means dropping the transmission, replacing it with a new one (hundreds of dollars each time) and keeping your fingers crossed. With an aftermarket clutch, the problem only seems to be maginified.

ATS has come up with their multi disk clutch setups that completely does away with the CSC! These are offered in several configurations, ranging from a twin metal disk version that reuses the stock dual mass flywheel, to a triple disk carbon that includes an integrated lightweight flywheel.

These come with your choice of an 1100 kg pressure plate, or 1350 kg pressure plate depending upon your torque requirements. A reinforced NISMO slave cylinder is also offered as an option.

Click Here for Info, or to order

Ferrari 599XX-Chester NG Photography

… I love his photos.

More 599XX Pictures

SSR Professor SP1(80)

I don’t like these 180SXs all that much, but I’d rock this one without a doubt.

UEFA Champions League Final Today @ 2:30pm!!!

ManU Vs. Barca (Manchester United vs. Barcelona for those not “in the know”). Should be a good game, I hope that Barcelona wins since I don’t like Manchester United at all. I’m a big Michael Essien fan and therefore a Chelsea supporter, but we know how their bid for the UEFA Championship went 😦 .

Tune into ESPN 360 if you’re not near a TV. If you’re not a soccer fan or never really got into it, today might be a good oppurtunity to see some really good players displaying some excellent skill.

 

ESPN @ 2:30pm EST