CBY does it better

Vising automotive web forums can be quite amusing when you take into account that about 75% of the people posting have no idea what they're talking about. To make matters worse, they end up influencing the people who know even less than they do, leading to what I believe will be the downfall of America. If you've seen Idiocracy, you know what I mean (don't bother me, I'm 'batin). Lately, I've been reading some posts on some of the builds that people have going on, and reading the responses. Some of these people really do believe they have the be all end all of builds, but in reality what they've done is barely scratch the surface of what can be done to their vehicle. The build is probably radical to them, but in the large scope of things its usually pretty mild.

This is a clip from CARBOY magazine, which features some of the innovations that Crystal Body Yokohama in Japan is using to improve their N2 AE86 machine. In a class where 200+ naturally aspirated AE86's battle for supremacy, any modification that can give you the slightest competitive edge (whether it be for reliability or improved lap times) can determine who finishes first, and who doesn't finish at all.

Here, we have a transmission bell housing that mates an Altezza 6-speed manual to a 4AG. Crystal Body Yokohama's kit (which is now for sale, and can even be found on Yahoo auctions) includes almost everything you need to run the Altezza transmission including the bell housing, transmission mount and bracket, and other misc. odds and ends. Earn small car show points or get that extra mpg with that 6th gear for most you thinking this will work well on your street car (you are also lame).

Here, we see some good 'ol boy engineering, in the form of making the solid rear axle have negative camber. In order to improve rear end traction, CBY cut and re-welded the rear axle to add negative camber, 1.6 degrees to be exact. Since the solid rear axle design of the AE86 can be adjusted, this small amount of negative camber could potentially shave a decent amount of time off their laps, and greatly improve handling. We'll just have to see if it helps in the '09 N2 Challenge!

Option Flashback

If you're an Option Video fan like myself, you've probably noticed that over the past few years, Option Video is almost now exclusively covering D1. While I am a D1 fan, I certain miss what Option Video used to cover in the past. Many people ask me which ones to buy, or which volumes contain what because I have quite a large collection of old, new and rare Japanese DVD's. To satiate the demand of the masses, I will now try to do reviews of exciting or especially important Option DVD's, Drift Tengoku's and other videos which are well worth a watch, or even a purchase. To start, we will review Option Video vol. 89.

This volume of Option video covers lots of ground, as many of the old ones do. It pretty much has something for everybody, especially AE86 and S13 fans. If you've watched some old volumes, you may recognize the guy above. I'll have to get the translation of his name, but he's been seen in multiple volumes and is a simple grassroots AE86 fanatic. He is usually touted as the grumpy, cynical co-hort of Orido and Akira Iida's Mitto Natto crew, but in this episode we get to visit him more in dept.

Here, we can see that AE86 fanatics all over the world have garages that all pretty much look the same. We see that he's just a regular guy, with a normal day job and a wife and kid to boot. Yet he still finds time....

To build this thing. I'd be lying if I said this thing wasn't one of the visual influences I had in mind when I started to build my car.

Like any REAL AE86 fanatic, he also drives the car. This is from him hitting up his local togue, but in other volumes he does one make races and many open track days.

Old Option isn't complete without some Orido hijinks. Here, we see him actually participating in a Super Taiku race in this livery. Talk about an interesting race series. In addition, they go relatively in depth by showing the suspensions, engines, and various chassis setups that his Altezza runs, as well as a few other cars.

Most importantly, they also show Orido in the heat of battle. He may look silly in the photos, but he's all business when its game time. In the opening lap before the 3rd corner, he passes about 4 people.

When I say there's something for everyone, I really mean it. Here's a bit about Keiichi searching for the next D1 Grand Prix girls. Keiichi at his comedic finest.

Finally, we have the centerpiece of this issue, which is a history of Koguchi. If you guys don't know who Yoshinori Koguchi is, you better ask somebody. Or, I can tell you. Anyhow Yoshinori Koguchi is probably one of the most celebrated drifters in the community. Anybody who followed D1 from its inception will recognize this guy and most find him to be quite captivating. To most of us, he captures the true essence of drifting. His style and vehicle construction truly reflect what it means to be a drifter. I'm not even an S13 guy but sweet jesus do I find him entertaining to watch and I do love his builds.


Does anyone even remember when his car looked like this?

The story covers Koguchi from the first time Option Video filmed him during an Ikaten competition while he was in his nearly stock S13, and covers ground all the way to the timeframe of when his S13 had the green and white Falken livery. Truly an interesting piece.

This issue is just a small sample of how exciting some of the older volumes of Option really are. Its become quite difficult to get some of the older volumes, but they are out there. I happened to pick this one up used at a Japanese book store for $3! Anyhow good luck and stay tuned for more review of exciting videos!

Takuma or Sebastien?

You know, whats funny is that this was supposed to be an article comparing the two drivers because they are both up for the last position on the Scuderia Torro Rosso team. However in my attempts to find highlight videos for each driver, I couldn't find one for Bourdais except the one below. I think that says a little something.

Wishy Washy.

Every day I think about throwing my turbo setup in early. I think about how nice it would be to finally hang in the straights with EVO's and STi's, how I could finally put to rest those jackasses that can only keep up on straights, and how glorious it would be to hear the turbo spool, blow off, and do it all over again. However, right as soon as I convince myself that big power is the way to go, I think about my throttle bodies. I think about the sound. I think about the response. I think about the excitement that's generated from a simple, under 200hp engine. I really have never driven anything like it before in my life. Sure I've driven EVO's, S2000's, and even Corvettes. Still, nothing compares to the feeling of an N/A 4AG with individual throttle bodies at wide open throttle.

I think I'll keep the setup a little longer.

TURN THE VOLUME WAAAAAY UP!

Car show scene is dangerous, man

Full details have yet to be released, but according to the OC Register (photos courtesy of them too) Benjamin Nolasco was arrested for robbing a bank in broad daylight. He escaped, but not before an undercover officer intercepted a transmission for officers to be on the lookout for a "white sports car with the bumper missing". Turns out Benjamin was using a JZA80 Supra Turbo as his escape vehicle. Shortly afterwards, authorities stopped him in Irvine but before they could get to him, he tried to slit his own throat using a box cutter.


Another reason why this is interesting, is because apparently Benjamin was part of the ever so popular "Team Hybrid" car show crew, as exemplified by the lanyard below. Now I'm not sure if they give those things out to every idiot at car shows, and its just a coincidence that he has one, or if he indeed is/was part of the crew. One can only speculate that the passion to pay someone to mold bodykits to your car and spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to install parts to impress onlookers forced him to rob a bank so he could beat somebody else at a car show.

This is an EPIC FAIL for several reasons:

1) When you're going to rob a bank, perhaps you should use an inconspicuous car, or something that blends in and will be difficult to pick out. NOT A WHITE SUPRA, WITH A FRONT MOUNT INTERCOOLER, AND MISSING BUMPER.

2) If you must use a white Supra Turbo with a front mount intercooler and no front bumper, MAKE SURE ITS NOT A SHOW CAR, REALLY DOES HAVE 800HP AND CAN REALLY SMOKE COPS. The cops aren't going to let you go because you won "Best JDM" at China town showoff in '99.

3) If you decide that after getting caught after robbing a bank, in broad daylight, driving a white Supra Turbo with no front bumper and front mount intercooler, that its time to end your life, don't fail to kill yourself. Since he did indeed fail at ending his own life, he has the rest of his life to look forward to as the idiot who tried to rob a bank in Brian Earl Spilner's car.

Friends don't let friends join show crews.

Funny Habits

TRD Short Stroke 8-way Adjustable Race Shocks

So I helped old man Hamachi pull his motor last weekend, and while I was there it became a show and tell of sorts of some interesting stuff he has lying around. He knows I am certainly nerdy about race car parts and he has quite the collection of unique knick knacks that make me ooh and ahh. Then out of nowhere, the fool pulls out a completely race machined and milled head from Hasselgren. I then asked him "Where the hell did this come from?". He quickly replied, "The good stuff is in my room". I laughed, but then thought about it, and I do the same thing. For some reason I keep some car parts in my room which I deem too valuable to leave anywhere else.

Formula Atlantic valve cover, Toyota OEM oil filters from the N2/Group A racing days

I have other stuff lying around but its kind of silly to think that my already crowded room has things in it that seem to be totally unnecessary.

Why do we do such silly shit? What do YOU have in YOUR room?