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GARAGE UPDATE:
A New Hope

DATE POSTED: 02/01/11

It has been almost 3 years without any real update about our underdog project cars. Post have been nonexistent because progress has been basically nonexistent. That all ends today!

This update is for all those that have forgotten us, forgotten what we have done or what we worked so hard to do, forgotten what lurks inside the Home of JDM & DTM Motorsports! Remember Project Käfer and Project Hachi-Roku may have not been seen, but they are still here, and they WILL be heard again. It is time to return to our roots and re-champion the cause.


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?

 


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...

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