Wednesday 25 February 2009

HardRace Engine Mounts Installed

Got the engine mounts fitted on Sunday. Easy job for someone that knows what they are doing. Was done in my mates garage with 2 axle stands and a wind up jack :)
Fitment was perfect with no installation problems at all.

So, after fitting them I could tell there was a different straight away just from start up. Everything just seemed more firm and rigid..its hard to explain. The engine note is also louder, but in a nice way.

Driving the car, it feels a lot better. Turn in seems to be sharper and the engine is definitely more responsive through the rev's now.
I used to get a thud sometimes when slamming through the gears, which I assumed was because the OEM mounts were on the way out. Pictures below will tell the story on that.

Also amazingly (maybe this is in my head), but the crunch I got in 4th gear while way up in the rev's seems to have disappeared? :confused:
I have just recently changed to Redline gearbox oil, but it still crunched when I tested it..maybe it took sometime to settle? Who knows, I'm sure someone will clear this up for me..maybe it is in my head. I'll do some further testing.

The only negative with fitting these mounts in the slight vibration coming from the dash on idle, but I totally expected this and accept it. While driving, it is not a problem anyway.

So overall I am happy with the mounts and would recommend them..thumbs up from me :nice:
No wonder the car feels so much better compared to OEM mounts though, check out the pictures below. Yes..the rubber fell out as soon as the mounts were removed!





Friday 20 February 2009

Toyota-Subaru Project Is Still On!


The car market as a whole is looking pretty miserable right now, but as a JDM fan it was the news of the new S2000, NSX etc being scrapped that was the most upsetting.

However, I came across a bit of good news today!

The joint project between Toyota and Subaru is still going ahead. The car is known to be the predecessor of the infamous AE86 (HACHIROKU) has a sporty FR layout like the original but this time with a boxer engine.

Lets hope development continues and is released on the scheduled 2012 date.

Tuesday 17 February 2009

HardRace Engine Mount Set

So, my latest modifications have turned up...

Reinforced engine and transmission mounts made by HardRace.

Here is what they have to say:

-Hardness rubber mounts create more strength than OE rubber mounts.
-Immediately experience the feedback from engine acceleration.
-Reduce Engine movement significantly.
-Provide the maximum output under engine acceleration.
-Compound with high anti-vibration and durometer rubber material




I have never come across this manufacturer before and I came across them while searching for alternatives to the likes of Mugen and SPOON. I'm sorry, but the SPOON and Mugen engine mount sets are outrageously priced in my opinion.

The mounts still use rubber, so won't rattle your teeth out but are 50% stiffer to OEM which should be a good compromise compared to stock and polyurethane mounts.

Going by using TRD uprated mounts in my previous car which was a Toyota, the benefits listed can indeed be expected. I noticed the difference in engine response and overall feel of the car when installed.

Another reason I opted for the mounts is after discussing chassis and suspension related components with a member of a forum I frequent on, the member advised his mounts were shot even though the car did not have that much mileage on it.

These should be fitted this Sunday, so I will let you all know how I find them.


Sunday 15 February 2009

Sock It To Me....

I'm sure some have forgotten to fully screw their oil cap on tightly at some point after topping up with oil...or even forgotten to put it back on.

Well, one guy kind of dropped his cap behind the back of his engine and could not find it as it was dark. Well he came up with the genius idea of...wait for it....sticking a sock in it!

See here for more!

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=311931

Saturday 14 February 2009

Another One Bites The Dust


Autocar Magazine are reporting that the successor of the Nissan Silvia has been canned due to cost cutting measures.

The Silvia is the latest victim of new development JDM's being cut, which include the new Honda S2000, Toyota's and Subaru's successor to the AE86 and the NSX replacement.

It leaves us Japanese car fans wondering about the future of Japanese sports cars!

This dam recession is hitting hard!

Wednesday 11 February 2009

First Service Done

So, got my first service done today.

Managed to get it done FOC by a mechanic friend, nice one!

We did:

Engine and gearbox oil with new seals and J's Racing magnetic sump plug
HAMP oil filter
HAMP fuel filter
Denso Iridium spark plugs

OK, so engine wise the car is standard apart from uprated ignition leads and would of been fine on the stock NGK plugs, but I opted for iridium's.

I have actually read some articles where the iridium plugs have helped gain 1-2 hp. I'm not expecting anything, but at least I don't have to worry about changing them for a while.

I have a track day in March, which I will give more details about in a future post, but there are a few things that I want to get done before then!

I have a modification on the way from the states which should be here within the next few days. More on that when it arrives!

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Best Motoring Release 03 - 2009

A new Best Motoring release is now available.

This release is not a Best Motoring International release, so does not have any subtitles but the battles themselves are still worth a watch.

Translate the below page if you would like a description of this release:

http://www.bestmotoring.jp/BM/200903/


Monday 9 February 2009

Garage Labour Prices

What do you guys think of garage labour prices these days?

I don't own a business, so I do not know the whole ins and outs of running a business but I do understand they have overheads and employee's to pay etc.

Recently I have been enquiring about getting a basic service done on the car. Engine and gearbox oil change, spark plug change and oil filter change.

One particular garage quoted me about 2 hours work at £50+VAT per hour. You may consider this garage to be a 'tuner' garage, either way do you consider these costs to be reasonable?

There is a backstreet garage around my area that usually do an oil and filter change for £10. Probably would only charge another £20 or so for the rest I'm guessing, but I don't feel comfortable with them doing anything but basic stuff!

Anyway, one of my mechanic friends is doing it for free anyway this weekend..hee hee..because I get him discount on his mobile bill :)

Sunday 8 February 2009

BMI International - GTR Evolution -

If you do not know of Best Motoring International (BMI) then shame on you!

Best Motoring is THE source of all your JDM tuner cars, Touge and circuit battles!

I remember the first time I watched a Best Motoring video, it was like watching Gran Turismo but real! All of my favorite JDM's on track!

Since that day I was hooked and now probably have almost every copy of the Best Motoring collection.

Most of the video's are actually Japanese with no subtitles, ranging from:

Best Motoring
Best Motoring - Hot Version
Best Motoring - Platinum Series
Best Motoring - AE86 Club

Plus many other special versions of particular cars, such as the Nissan Skyline GTR for example.

Best Motoring International (BMI) is basically the best bits from various Hot Versions and edited with subtitles and voice overs.

The latest edition is due for release this month and is called BMI - GTR Evolution.

Some of the action includes:

Amuse R35 'phantom' GTR Tsukuba time attack
BMW M3 vs Lexus IS-F
Giant Touge test and Tsukuba battle
And much more...

I may update you once I have taken delivery and watched it many times over!



Saturday 7 February 2009

First Service

OK, so I've had the car a couple of weeks now and when I bought it the seller said it had just been serviced...well I'm not taking any chances!

So, I have the following gathered for it's first service:

-OEM cambelt & tensioner
-OEM fuel filter
-HAMP oil filter
-J's Racing magnetic sump plug
-Denso Iridium spark plugs

And for the lubricants:

-Silkolene fully synthetic oil, 5w/40
-Red Line MTL gearbox oil

A little bit more on the HAMP oil filter.

If you are new to Honda's like I am, then you may not of heard of HAMP before, so here is some generic information on HAMP/oil filter:

Hamp is Honda's Japanese aftermarket product "Hamp Synergy".
The Hamp Synergy is set up after the Honda original parts products.

The unique spring-controlled by-pass valve regulates the oil flow to ensure that the oil pressure is maintained constant under various operating conditions.

The body of the Hamp oil filter covered by anti-corrosion paint.







Turbo EK9 on track

Hi all,

There will be minor updates on the progression of my EK9 shortly.

In the meantime, I thought I would post up this video which has made its rounds around the internet for a while now.

The car is believed to be turbocharged on the B16B engine. Information is hard to obtain on this vehicle and a lot of the information aquired from the net is in Japanese.

The video speaks for itself :)

Friday 6 February 2009

SPOON EK9 Touge 'Check!'

Here we have a video of the infamous SPOON EK9 with K20A engine from a DC5 (Integra).

For those who are unfamiliar with the Touge, this video will give you some insight. I will post an article in a few days which will explain more in depth about the Touge.


Here are some stats on the SPOON EK9:

-K20A engine producing 250hp
-SPOON ECU
-SPOON LSD

-Weight 950kb




Thursday 5 February 2009

In the beginning....

So here we are...the first post on the blog!

This blog will follow the modification story of my Honda Civic Type R, EK9 and other JDM related news and material will be thrown in a long the way.

So, the emphasis of this vehicle will be to keep it 'street'.

A fast street car that can also be used on the track and driven back home again.
All luxuries and interior trim will be kept intact, there will be no removal of backseats, air con or even the spare wheel! Any removal of OEM parts will be subject to a lightweight replacement such as carbon fibre.
I have only had the car around 2 weeks, but the modifications are already starting. More about this in another post!
Currently the only modifications are:

Cusco Zero II coilovers
MOMO steering wheel
SPOON 'socks'
NGK Blue ignition leads


For now I will leave you with sale pictures from when I bought the car. My own better quality and more detailed pictures will be added shortly.