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March 17, 2010
Honda CR-Z Tuning Begins In Japan
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
While the tuning world waits for the release of the Toyota FT-86, the CR-Z is quietly becoming the latest hot tuner car in Japan. Already HKS has outfitted a CR-Z and run the car at Fuji Speedway (I suspect quite slowly). As an old Honda tuning lover, I cant help but get a little excited seeing the evolution of the beloved CR-X with this CR-Z. I never really imagined a CR-Z existing back when I first started modifying my Honda Prelude…and you know what, I have to admit the CR-Z looks pretty cool to me!
At the moment Mugen as expected has the jump on the CR-Z tuning as they already have released a complete tuning package. At the moment Mugen has come out with a full aero kit, suspension, wheels, an intake and a very curious looking exhaust.
November 23, 2009
ASI F430 Murders For Fun
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
I’ve said too much about ASI. And I know I need to calm down and stop blogging about the company, but how could I not share this amazing F430? ASI is just killing everyone.
If only this car had used one of the three super nice ASI Dry Carbon F430 wings, this car would have put people in the hospital. Get me an ASI street version dry carbon wing and some Amuse B type gold ring titan exhaust tips on here and game over.
June 17, 2009
Dispelling a Popular Misconception: Endless Brakes
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
Have a look at the image below. Yes, it’s one of the GT-Rs I produced for SEMA last year and yes it sticks with some of the tried and true JDM brands that I trust and love. One of them is Endless brakes. It also so happens that the midnight purple GT-R I made for Mobil 1 ran Endless brakes, and yes it also so happens that my gold S2000 runs Endless brakes (although re-badged as J’s Racing).
So why do these cars run Endless brakes? Why do so many top cars at the shows and in the magazines run Endless brakes? Why do so many Japanese tuning shops make brakes that are re-branded Endless brakes to promote their brand? Is it because Endless is trendy and cool? Because it is JDM Tite YO!?
Continue reading "Dispelling a Popular Misconception: Endless Brakes" »
Garage Saurus: R35 GT-R Engine Bay
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
Garage Saurus with a super nice engine bay. Looks like they’re running the Garage Defend GT cooling plate like a lot of our client cars. More importantly however is that prototype Greddy Twin Turbo kit that GT-RR.COM put the press release out on a few days ago. Also pictured is Saurus’s own dry carbon engine cover. This is one of the nicest R35 GT-R engine bay shots yet.
June 16, 2009
More Pics of ASI’s Ferrari F430
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
This is supremely great. Notice that this unfinished design (they’re still finishing it up) allows a Scuderia exhaust (coming soon by ASI) or the traditional side exit exhausts. This is the supreme rear profile of a Ferrari F430. And while some will criticize the front of the kit and say it is not different enough from the factory bumper, there are certainly differences. The side profile (not shown here) gives a better perspective on ASI’s design differences. One more pic after the jump.
March 20, 2009
Super Clean S30 Nisan Fairlady (240Z)
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
This particular car caught Colin’s eye at the weekly Cars and Coffee meet in Irvine, CA last summer. He doesn’t have much information about the car other than it’s a genuine JDM Fairlady Z with an immaculately done RB25DET swap. Talk about a fantastic update, bringing a beautiful classic up to modern day standards. The best part about this car is how well integrated the swap was done. To a normal person, the swap is almost imperceptible. This is a great example of doing it right and paying attention to the details.
March 13, 2009
Carbon Fiber Roll Cage
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
While browsing through some European magazines at a local book store I came across a company called Oakley Design (no relation to Oakley sunglasses) who was advertising some innovative products for the Porsche 997. This was nearly a year ago that I saw their advertisement but something really caught my eye…it was a carbon fiber roll cage.
Now at this point I’m used to seeing carbon fiber wrapped roll bars, strut tower bars, etc. But the extent of carbon fiber on chassis-reinforcement bars that I’ve seen has been entirely cosmetic and simply hiding the metal underneath a carbon fiber skin. More…
March 2, 2009
Stagea: the GT-R Wagon
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
I’ve always had respect for the Nissan Stagea. This often overlooked gem of the tuning world is Nissan’s only other car that ever received the GT-R’s R34 spec RB26DETT engine. The GT-R powered version Stageas were not very common but the Autech RB26 version did indeed exist as a regular production vehicle by Nissan and enough examples were made in Japan to allow for healthy aftermarket support. As I was browsing through my old photos of Tokyo Auto Salon 2005 I came across two fine examples of well tuned RB powered Nissan Stageas. The two cars were both produced in collaboration with Takeros which a wagon specialist for aero parts. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Two more pics after the jump!
February 24, 2009
Craftsquare New Mirror Shape
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
I’ve been a fan of craft square mirrors for what feels like forever now. The design has never really changed in the past decade, and yet they still look as functional and fresh as they ever did. That however didn’t stop Craft Square from developing a new shape. Will this ever see its way onto street cars? Perhaps. You can bet it’s functional—the Xanavi Super GT car runs them.
February 18, 2009
Hater Fodder: The CorZonda
By Ben Schaffer
The Real JDM
First off, I must give props to Jalopnik for amusing me greatly with their “Doing It Wrong V3″. This picture I took from their gallery, which contains other examples of tragic/comedic greatness.
For my chosen example (due to my love of Pagani and their Zonda), I’ve selected what I dub the CorZonda. Although the owner was creative in achieving what he did with the rear of the car, it is a complete disaster from my eyes. Here’s some food for the haters… I present you with the CorZonda.
