Latest News

Apr 29, 2007

Redline Time Attack




Redline: Time Attack! Over All Grand Champion: Tyler McQuarrie 1:48.766 Hankook/JIC Magic S-15 Silvia
** New Overall Time Attack Track Record of 1:48.766, besting the old time held by the Sun Automotive Cyber EVO of 1:48.906.

Street Class FWD:

1st Place 2:07.729 Sports Car Motion Integra
2nd Place 2:11.087 Lorin Mueller BDX Ford Focus
3rd Place 2:14.128 John Lindeman Dynamic Tuning 94 Civic

Street Class RWD:

1st Place 2:02.834 Tim Kuo S2000
2nd Place 2:05.174 Salah Uddin 300ZX TT
3rd Place 2:06.541 Manly Kao Track HQ Lotus Elise

Street Class AWD:

1st Place 1:58.452 Nils Leufven GSC/Robispec Evo
2nd Place 2:02.887 Jean Meynet Harmon Motive Subaru
3rd Place 2:05.343 Frank Lin Mach III WRX

Street Class Champion:

Nils Leufven 1:58.452 GSC/RobiSpec Evo



Modified Class FWD:

1st Place 2:02.452 Craig Dabbs/Janos Garaczi SRT-4
2nd Place 2:05.906 Frank Yeung Baker Precision/
Kure Automotive CRX
3rd Place 2:06.177 Kenny Yim KMC Motorsports Civic

Modified Class RWD

1st Place 1:54.379 Billy Johnson Factor X NSX
2nd Place 1:55.319 Ryan Hampton SPL Parts 300zx TT
3rd Place 1:58.178 Robert Walker Evasive Motorsports S2000

Modified Class AWD

1st Place 1:56.381 Robert Walker Evasive Motorsports EVO
2nd Place 1:58.314 Robi RobiSpec EVO
3rd Place 2:00.054 Christian Miller 034 Motorsport Audi

Modified Class Overall Champion:

Billy Johnson 1:54.379 Factor X NSX


Unlimited Class FWD:

1st Place 1:58.749 Andrie Hartanto Redzone/Rota Civic
2nd Place 2:00.763 Chris Rado Scion tC
3rd Place 2:16.222 Ron Chapman C2 Motorsports Protégé


Unlimited Class RWD:

1st Place 1:48.766 Tyler McQuarrie Hankook/JIC Nissan S-15
2nd Place 1:58.551 Scott Bush Relentless 350Z
3rd Place 2:01.218 Allan Crockett BDX 88 Mustang

Unlimited Class AWD:

1st Place 1:50.383 Brian Lock GST Motorsports Impreza
2nd Place 1:51.697 Gean Sigal The Speed Gallery 996 Turbo
3rd Place 1:53.818 Russ Warr Crawford Performance Subaru STI

Apr 27, 2007

Panda Express

Organizing RB wheel section

Apr 26, 2007

Sodeska

Volks for everyone



19's on the X-Runner. 18's on the M5.

ALTERNATIVE-FUEL AUTOS CLIMB 17% IN CALIFORNIA

SEMA eNews, Vol. 10, No. 17 – April 25, 2007

ALTERNATIVE-FUEL AUTOS CLIMB 17% IN CALIFORNIA
Why the Largest Automotive Market in the United States Has More Hybrids, Diesels and E85 Vehicles

Residents of the Golden State continue to push for energy alternatives in automotive fuels. In a press release by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the group’s president, Dave McCurdy expresses, “The auto industry is a dynamic high-tech sector, and manufacturers are committed to selling vehicles that can run on something other than just gasoline. Consumers are taking notice.”

Figures from R.L. Polk & Co. verify the recent surge with vehicle data making the case for consumer interest. In 2006, hybrid-electric, ethanol-capable E85 and clean diesel autos numbered 837,743 on California roads. This illustrates a 17% jump from the previous year. National figures are equally significant. Over 1.5 million alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) were put on the streets in 2006—surpassing automaker expectations by 50%. At the end of 2006, the total number of AFVs on national roads exceeded 10.5 million.

Currently, automobile manufacturers have released 60 models for the year including cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans—a stark contrast to the 12 models offered in 2000. Vehicle technology has played the largest role in bringing AFVs to market. Modern engineering incorporates variable value timing, continuously variable transmissions, cylinder deactivation and other creations to increase fuel efficiency and improve power delivery. But, in addition to these advances, the latest buzz has come from the popularity of “green” products. “One of the most effective ways to increase fuel efficiency and to achieve energy independence is through the growing number of alternative-fuel automobiles,” said Brian Maas, director, government affairs for the California Motor Car Dealers Association. He added, “It’s clear that manufacturers and dealers are responding to the wants and needs of today’s drivers.”

California represents the largest vehicle market in the country in terms of total vehicles registered yet subscribes to one of the strictest emissions programs in the nation. Despite the addition of 200 new ethanol fueling stations throughout the county, there are only four E85 stations in California. Only a handful of diesel car models are available in this area with more coming in the near future. Presently, the majority of vehicles applying alternative fuels in the state are hybrid-electrics and diesel trucks.

Source: Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. (4/17/2007). “Number of Alternative Fuel Autos on California’s Roads Increased 17% in 2006.” Press release via PR Newswire.

SEMA news.

http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=57233

Apr 25, 2007

Sexual Harrassment....Panda



Bdubb needs a Panda suit for Halloween. He can be the Sexual Harassment Panda.

Tomei Oil Pan Baffle Plate

Biodiesel

Watching MTV today, 65 Impala- Biodiesel...

Apr 24, 2007

Double tap - Kill for Power FC D-Jetro sensors

Apr 20, 2007

2009 Nissan GT-R interior



Edmunds.com posted a couple of pictures of the interior of the Nissan GT-R prototype.

Its about six months before the car debuts at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show.

Apr 19, 2007

ARE GAS PRICES REALLY CAUSING SHIFTS IN THE VEHICLES CONSUMERS BUY?

ARE GAS PRICES REALLY CAUSING SHIFTS IN THE VEHICLES CONSUMERS BUY?

Another volatile gas-price season is here, but are consumers ready to give up their pickups and SUVs? According to a recent The Wall Street Journal article, automakers are pressured by consumers to build more fuel-efficient vehicles, but consumers are saying one thing and doing another. Consumer polls say they recognize global warming, but new-vehicle buyers are less willing to sacrifice performance in exchange for subcompact cars. Consumers have also said that $3.00-per-gallon gasoline prices make them think twice about the type of vehicles they drive. But there has not been a substantial shift in the types of vehicles consumers are buying, nor has there been a reduction in the number of miles consumers drive.

According to The Wall Street Journal article, “Small cars, small crossover wagons and compact trucks make up only about 25% of total retail sales in the United States, compared to 40% for small vehicles in Europe, where gas prices are about double U.S. levels.” For example, the article states that GM dealers have had to offer rebates in order to sell Chevrolet Aveo subcompacts, whereas these same vehicles sell for nearly $5,000 dollars more in Europe. First-quarter sales in the United States do show some shifts in the types of vehicles consumers are buying, but these shift may be largely due to the increase in the number of CUV and subcompact car offerings by the OEMs compared to last year.



Gasoline prices are expected to remain roughly the same over the summer as they are now, according to the Federal Energy Information Administration (EIA). This may not necessarily drive consumers into the direction of more fuel-economic vehicles. The difference between a 15-mpg vehicle and a 22-mpg vehicle averages $2.26 per day, according to the article. Consumers begin to realize that if they cut back on some of their unnecessary daily expeditors, they can drive the type of vehicle they really want.

Source: “Gas Prices Rise and Consumers Shrug,” The Wall Street Journal/Automotive Digest, www.automotivedigest.com.


From SEMA.SEMA.org


Consumers, saying one thing, doing something else. Its the "you should do something good". Emphasis on the "you" Lots of people try and blame the vehicle manufacturers will make what they can sell. The market is shifting, but the market doesn't know what it wants. Here in LA, we see a ton of Prius and other Hybrids. Other parts of the country, a lot less.

Sometimes, I feel that the whole global warming thing is a "Chicken Little" scenario. "The sky is falling, the sky is falling." Maybe I just feel beat up being in the auto industry. The environmentalists being the first to blame automobiles. I see people say that automobiles are responsible for 25% of the gasses that contribute to global warming. Then 75% of the gasses come from other sources ? Cows emit a pretty substaincial amount of greenhouse gasses. I'll do my part, walk to McDonalds, and get a Big Mac. Just don't go to a car dealer and burn some Hummers, it really doesn't get anyone, anywhere.

Apr 17, 2007

Kat in Hollywood

Apr 16, 2007

Formula Drift Long Beach 2007








Team Milano - team Green



Andrew from www.vqswap.com, Jonas, and myself investigating the cause of the noise in Chris's motor. Just before the previous picture of the exhaust cam broken in two pieces.

Apr 14, 2007

VQ35 broke exhaust cam. Cam cap bolt broke



The cam shouldn't be in my hand with the engine still together.

Hubert in Chris's RB25 powered S14



Team Milano in the Team Drift competition at Long Beach during the Grand Prix.

Orchid Karaoke club

Night before practice 12:45am.

Apr 13, 2007

Team Drift Long Beach

Apr 12, 2007

Performance Auto Express

NISSAN INTRODUCES VALVE-CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

NISSAN INTRODUCES VALVE-CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. recently introduced an engine-valve-control technology that “delivers a balance of responsiveness and power, fuel efficiency and low emissions.” The new system combines Nissan’s Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) and continuous valve-timing control (C-VTC).

The first product to feature the VVEL technology is the Infiniti G37 coupe, scheduled to be unveiled at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. The new technology will be available to customers worldwide through both the Nissan and Infiniti product lines. Whereas conventional engines control air intake using a throttle valve, VVEL-equipped engines do this directly at the intake valves. Valve events and lifts are thereby continuously controlled. C-VTC and VVEL together control the valve phases and valve events and lifts, allowing free control of the valve timing and lift. This will result in more efficient air flow through the cylinder and will significantly improve responsiveness.

In low- and medium-rpm ranges, intake-valve lift is kept low in order to reduce camshaft friction and improve fuel efficiency. Controlling air intake at the intake valves improves acceleration response by allowing more dense air into the cylinders from the start of acceleration. In the high-rpm range, greater intake-valve lift allows increased air intake to deliver greater torque inputs. Intake-valve timing is optimized when the motor starts up in order to quickly raise the temperature of exhaust gases and more quickly activate the catalytic converter. Because hydrocarbon emissions are reduced in the low-to-medium range by keeping intake-valve lift low and dispersing fuel into a fine mist, more efficient full combustion is achieved. Fuel efficiency is improved most effectively in the low-to-medium operating range.

Source: “Nissan introduces innovative engine valve control technology,” Nissan Motor Co.

Apr 11, 2007

The never die ballon

Since January 10th. Three months

Apr 8, 2007

Dromo1 24's



Ken killed me at 24.3. I did beat Ernie this time. Last time he got me by a bit, this time I got him by about a hundredth of a second. Inch or a mile man... Victor still taking up the rear. He has a weight disadvantage

Apr 5, 2007

Formula Drift Long Beach

Milano RB25 powered S14 driven by Hubert Young

Geo Metro Convertible

Oh yeah

Dromo 1

Finished 1st, but only managed a 25.0. Ernie and Ken both in the 24s.

Chris's 350Z at CSLB drift demo

Speed of light



Converted to imperial units, the speed of light is approximately 186,282.397 miles per second, or 670,616,629.384 miles per hour, or almost one foot per nanosecond.

Not quiet 186,282, but this car took about 16 years to reach that mileage. 140160 hours over 16 years. Averaging 1.329 mph over the 16 years.

Apr 2, 2007

Long Beach