GARAGE UPDATE:
The New Addition
DATE POSTED: 07/24/10
Holy shit... What is this!? That's right, tails of my untimely demise were greatly exaggerated! Well maybe I should not use the word "greatly" seeing Home of Underdog JDM and DTM Motorsports has been dormant for over a year. But here we are still twitching... er... I mean kicking!
Welcome to the unveiling of what has been being wrenched on for over the past month. Pictured before you is a 1991 Nissan 240SX; the new project that has been added to our home! I am proud to present to you Project Kouki.
"Kouki", meaning later period or "last", has multiple meanings for this project. This car is the later version of the USDM S13, with its DOHC KA24DE engine. It also has "Kouki" JDM S13 trim upgrades not offered in the U.S.A. This "latest" addition is also the "last hope", meaning it is the fall back car when the other projects are not up to the task. Be it something fun like autocross or something as simple as daily driving, 3rd string needs to be always ready to step up. A stock engine & aircon, but Cusco Coilovers and JIC Arms/Rods? Interesting combo eh?
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EVENT UPDATE:
CSCC Solo2 Practice
DATE POSTED: 01/24/09
Six months and no updates? What gives? Well just like the global economy, things have come to a screeching halt here at the Home of Underdog JDM and DTM Motorsports. With the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany all fighting terrible recessions, there really has been nothing to update... well... that is until today!
What is pictured before you may come to a surprise. This is not a project car, nor is this an underdog. This is a luxury sports car! Actually it a Tanabe/Nitto Sponsored Infiniti G37S. Yes that is me driving it, but no this is not my new car. Confused? Good!
I got an email with multiple Lug Nut team members planning to get together for their first practice. With both project cars being torn down and times being hard, I was going to have to pass. Then I got a call from good friend Ryan Sheeler. What? You need a driver to take your car to an event? Sure no problem! Next thing I know I am blasting though cones in a brand new car, with brand new prototype parts, whose wheels alone are worth more than Project: Hachi-Roku. Nice! |
CHASSIS UPDATE:
Project Hachi-Roku
DATE POSTED: 05/31/08
Last we left Project Hachi-Roku stripped of no apparent reason. So what is going on with Project Hachi-Roku? Well with the engine removed, the transmission removed, the steering rack and column removed, and most of the interior removed; I figured why stop there? There was plans to have Project Hachi-Roku painted and restored by the year 2010, but why put everything back just to remove it all again a year or two later? Now was the time to have the car painted. The decision was made to finish striping the car and to get all the body work done while the car is still torn down
The pictures here are from several days into the restoration. All the dents and rust have been removed. Even the time was taken to shaved the antenna. Everything is being painstakingly masked off, as if the color is being changed, even though the color is going to remain the stock Toyota 3E6 "Bright Red". Everything is planned to be painted, from the door jams to under the hatch to the engine bay, all in hopes to bring back that "just off the show room floor" look from 23 years ago. |
CHASSIS UPDATE:
Project Hachi-Roku
DATE POSTED: 05/04/08
Members of my team, Lug Nut Motorsports, know I was able to recently purchase an AE86 parts car for a great deal. The car may not be running, but there are quite a few parts I can strip, use, and/or keep for backup. Now what my team does not know is the parts car is a red Coupe and not a red Liftback. But wait, this is a picture of a stripped Liftback? Hey wait! Am I not starting to strip the wrong car? The answer is no, I am not stripping the wrong car, because both cars are being stripped. So then what is going on with Project Hachi-Roku?! Check back soon for more details! |
ENGINE / CHASSIS UPDATE:
Project Hachi-Roku
DATE POSTED: 03/16/08
The Cusco Type ALCOS Strut Bar pictured before you was picked up at P.A.S.S. Racing in City of Industry. It contains an oval section lightweight aluminum shaft with layered carbon fiber. It improves the body rigidity of the AE86 chassis by bracing the top of the two front shock towers together. The 4A-GE Timing Belt Covers and Cylinder Head Center Cover also receive a carbon fiber touch. For pure race applications, neither one of these covers is needed, and their removal would be an uncompromising performance option. But for street applications, the protection they offer is worth their inclusion, and so attention is paid to detail.
So carbon fiber; attention to detail, or a waste of time? Keep in mind an automobile that has been modified to give impression of high performance and does not necessarily have any high-performance capabilities, is generally looked down upon amongst people who perform "real" engine, suspension, and other performance racing modifications. But for those that think the attention paid to Project Hachi-Roku is only "carbon fiber skin" deep; are in for a "real" suprize. |
ENGINE UPDATE:
Project Hachi-Roku
DATE POSTED: 02/24/08
Racing parts that are used in Project Käfer's engine, also find their way into Project Hachi-Roku's block. Wiseco, Pauter, and ARP: Brand names of quality definitely not foreign to the Air Cooled VW Community, let alone most the tuning world. Pauter Machine makes X-Beam forged Chromoly connecting rod that has the same specs as a Formula Atlantic Series 4A-GE. Wiseco makes forged Aluminum high compression pistons in the over-bore size of 82mm. A balanced AE101 Crankshaft, a bored AE92 Block, and ARP Bolts holding it all together completes the "Heart of the Underdog".
The stock Toyota AE101 4A-GE Crank is not cast iron, but a true high performance forged unit. It is chosen for its journals being 2mm larger over the AE86 version. The oil return tube on the engine block signifies a later AE92 4A-GE block. It is chosen over the AE86 unit for its stiffer/stronger 7-rib design, piston oil squirters, and oil return tube that helps drain the cylinder head of excess oil. It is all painted TRD Gray, just to remind of what can not be seen once it is built. |
INTERIOR UPDATE:
Project Hachi-Roku
DATE POSTED: 02/04/08
Knowing there was going to be a little down time at the J.D.M. Garage this weekend, I thought it would be a good time to do some of the easier modifications on Project Hachi-Roku. The 23 year old stock speakers were finally removed and replaced with aftermarket speakers of the same size. A set of Pioneer 4" front and 5¼" rear speakers were installed, simply, with no cutting needed. Next a Kenwood CD/MP3 Receiver was chosen for its color matching, 80's era complimenting design. It too was installed with no cutting, just not so simply as all new units are of a larger size.
Yes, not the fastest modifications done to Project Hachi-Roku, but Japanese Race Car Driver and D1GP Judge Keiichi Tsuchiya has been quoted (translated) as saying; "The fastest car is not always the funnest car to drive". This is always something to keep in mind when tuning a street car, but then again, there is nothing wrong with trying to have you cake and eat it too. Speaking of AE86 Driver Keiichi Tsuchiya, whos signature is that on Project Hachi-Roku's glove box? |
SUSPENSION UPDATE:
Project Hachi-Roku
DATE POSTED: 01/27/08
Here you can see the major difference between a MR2 AW11 manual steering rack and a Corolla AE86 power steering rack, but there are 4 minor differences that concern this conversion. The inter and out tie rods are of different lengths. The AE86 tie rods have to be used on the AW11 rack. The steering pinion shafts are also of different lengths. The AE86 shaft is longer overall, and larger in diameter. The AW11 u-joint has to be retained for this conversion, but will not reach the the steering shaft do to the shorter length. The use of a longer Supra MA70 steering shaft (pictured below) will take care of this problem. Check back soon... |
SUSPENSION UPDATE:
Project Hachi-Roku
DATE POSTED: 01/13/08
Happy New Year! The 2007 racing season officially close two weeks ago. That means J.D.M. has been officially online for 1 year! Last we left 2007 with both projects gearing up for the 2008 season, so with so much going on, where are all the updates?!
And just when you thought I forgot about the "JDM" in J.D.MOTORSPORTS too, here is an update on Project Hachi-Roku! Things have been put into full motion for this project, with multiple changes taking place all at the same time; leaving little time for talk, as now is the time for action.
So what is new for 2008? The answer right now is "too much", but I will still give you an update. Project Hachi-Roku is making a switch over to Manual Steering! An AE86 Corolla with Manual Steering is rare, and Project Hachi-Roku had everything manual but this. The key word there is "had", as the conversion is taking place with the addition of P.A.S.S. Racing Outer Tie Rods and Prothane/T3 Rack Bushings. It starts here... |
GALLERY UPDATE:
D1 Grand Prix USA
DATE POSTED: 11/28/07
The Grandstands were packed at Irwindale Speedway, as 11,000 Drift Fans flocked for the D1GP. Saturday November 24th was the D1GP USA Season Finale. The final battle was Kumakubo, Nobushige in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX (CT9A) against Kuroi, Atsushi in his Nissan Silvia (PS13). After typical"One More Time" fashion, Kumakubo was declared the "Winner". Sunday November 25th was the Gran Turismo D1 All-Star World Championship. Kumakubo of Japan found himself once again in the finals, and gestured his assurance of his repeat win, but USA driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. had other plans. JR was on fire all night, and was showing signs of even a better performance than when he captured the title in 2005. After promising the fans he would bring it home for USA, and another "One More Time" battle that showed some error and understeer on Kuma's side, Vaughn Gittin was declared the "Winner" Congratulations to Vaughn Gittin Jr. of the USA, who took the 2007 D1 Grand Prix World All-Star Championship and solidified his win in 2005! Believe it or not, almost all these pictures were taken from behind a fence too! |
GARAGE UPDATE:
Looking Forward
DATE POSTED: 11/17/07
Things start to pick up again at the J.D.M. Garage. Even though 2007 has not come to a close yet, focus has shifted into preparing for 2008. This past year has been about learning and testing, next year will about application and utilization. In less than 7 weeks the year 2008 will be here, and just like the start of 2007, the changes will already be taking place. As a racer, I feel every year new challenges have to be made. Racing is not just about learning, but it is above evolving too. Look for rapid updates on BOTH projects in the next several weeks. |
EVENT UPDATE:
hotVW's DRAG DAY
DATE POSTED: 11/03/07
A week has passed since hotVW's Drag Day. Looking back I realize having a injury is hard in any sport, even in racing. After almost 3 months of not driving, I returned to the drivers seat for this event. The car and I stuggled most of the day, as the "Brothers" did not know if I was going to be able to make it until the last minute. The car and I ran a best of 7.4 @ 87 MPH at Irwindales Speedway's 1/8 mile track.
I was only able to get one clean run, as there had been a few changes done to the car that I had not yet been able to test. I am also sure the down time I had did not help either, but you do not get better at driving sitting at home or in the grandstands, and I had to start again somewhere. Even though the season is coming to a close for us, it was good to be back racing. J.D.MOTORSPORT and Brothers VW Machine Shop are looking forward to getting ready for 2008! |
EVENT UPDATE:
hotVW's DRAG DAY DATE POSTED: 10/22/07 This Sunday Brothers VW Machine Shop and J.D.M. team up for hotVW's Drag Day at Irwindale Speed. After a long down time, we are returning to the track for one more shake down before the season ends. Again, I will be driving Brothers VW Machine Shop's drag car.
Gates open to the public at 7:00am, tech inspection opens at 8:00am, and racing starts at 10:00am. The cost for spectators is only $15, and drivers can race for an additional $20. There are 5 classes, including a water-cooled class. Click on the embedded video to check out how crazy the action can get! For more information on the actual event, check out www.bugin.com. |
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