Since we’re on the Varis Tip, they have been doing some awesome job with their kit.  I’ve always loved Varis from the get go starting from the Evo VI love and so on.  Recently they released two new lines for the GTR and the 370Z and they look awesome.  I love the fact that they’re only lip kits but it totally alters the full look of the car especially the 370 Z. Check it!

Makes me want to get the 370Z.  I’ve never really got into that car when it first came out but it just grew on me like everything else.  But damn by seeing this, I think it looks gorgeous.  Here’s two more shots of the GTR and the Z.

Crazy dope status!

While we’re all out here in the rainy southern California drowning in the rain, GT Live drivers are testing their cars in the sunny Suzuka Circuit in Japan.  I would give a baby away to be there driving these cars.  Check out the Five, count them 5 Honda HSV’s running.  I think there’s a good chance of domination this year.  Well, too early to see but they seem pretty aggressive on the turns.  That Raybrig car looks dope even with the very minimal graphic it has.  Seriously Honda please bring these cars out.  If not baby Jesus will be mad.  Can’t wait to see these guys in actual race mode.  Road trip to Japan anyone?  Or … should I say Air Trip? Sea Trip?  Whatever it is, this race is meant to be seen live!!! Let’s do this!!

Well here’s the one for you…. McLaren F1 GTR.  On sale right now in Japan.  How much you ask?  If you’re asking then you can’t afford it.

This particular car was actually slightly damaged from shipping and was fully rebuilt.  It’s more of the back up car that they had instead of the main racer but it did see the track a few times.  Just makes me wonder…. Do you think they take trades?  If interested, head on to wintel.co.jp And if you do get it, can I drive it?

Been browsing through photos looking for a specific shot and I ended up staring at classic photos from old trips and random shenanigans.  Saw a few classic photos of our trip to Japan and our visit to Top Secret.  We all know what Top Secret has done over the years and it was an awesome experience checking out the shop back in 05.  Wow can’t believe that was 3 years ago.  Shop was fairly small but with a huge garage on the side and another side lot filled with GTR’s.  A enthusiast’s wet dream.  Here’s some classic photos from the visit.  It’s actually pretty funny because our Super Street cover with the High End Supra came out that month so we gave a signed copy to Smokey and in return he gave us 200 posters.  Dopeness!!

That trip was a lot of fun.  And I love the fact that you can pretty much just buy parts or anything and then take it home with you.  None of that waiting for 6 months bull shit.  Love it!  Been wanting to go back lately maybe soon.  Screw visiting shops and going for business.  I’m going there to party next time.  From north to south.  It’ll be amazing.

There are legends out there that that are pretty much it… Legends. Stories that has been passed on throughout generations. But by the end of the day all they are is just another story and nothing more. But there are real life legends that still exist. One of which is a car that I drove yesterday. Still yet to be just another story. This car is still writing the pages to it’s, so far, almost 20 year novel.

I was on the road driving from Garden Grove to our shop in Camarillo driving an HCR32. What’s an HCR32? It’s a 1989 – 94 (correct me if i’m wrong) Skyline GTS. The GTS Sports an RB20 motor (Among others) instead of the RB26 that the GT-R has. It’s also a RWD car instead of the AWD that the GT-R possesses. Now the awesome thing about this particular car is that it received a RB26 transplant replacing it’s RB20 heart. Not only that, this car is also fully built with all HKS internals, waste gate, turbo; the whole 9. The car is capable of doing well over 800 horses which was initially planned but was tuned down to 600whp for an easier, streetable drive. From what I’ve been told the car actually burns out even if you’re on fourth gear. Yeah, that’s scary. Now, with the car being a right hand drive vehicle, one of it’s best feature is that that you can give the car right next to you a kick ass High Five while running at 80mph. Unfortunately tho, with all my instigations, nobody is game enough to do it with me on the 405. Lame….

The car is setup for street driving but it was also intended to see some track time and since it’s a RWD, why not try drifting it in the process. Since this is the case the car is fully gutted, caged and is only rocking one bucket seat and a set of takata harness. The OE gauge cluster is also tossed out and replaced with a Stack gauge cluster and a defi heads up display that displays the car’s vital information with out the distraction of looking down and getting your eyes off the road.

Now, my gripe about this car is that with all that power you are going to need a new clutch system. The car is running an OS-Giken “heavy as hell” clutch system which makes the car hard to drive. No no don’t get me wrong I love it. The clutch is amazing but my problem is driving this car back on a crazy 405 traffic. By the time I got back my left leg was sore from stepping on the clutch. Still I love it. The roar of the engine, the deafening sound of the exhaust and smell of gas. Ok nevermind that wasn’t a gripe about the car. I just hated driving through the 405 traffic.

The thing I love the most on this car is the feel of the drive. It’s not the power, it’s not the speed, it’s the feeling that you’re actually driving the car. No computers that guides and controls the car for you. The way you shift into gear is hard, the way the steering wheel turns is precise and the way it takes the bumps on the road is uncomfortable yet satisfying. The car feels raw and unforgiving and with a little push on the gas pedal, the car launches you forward to oblivion. I just couldn’t help but smile while driving because it gives you the sense of control that you hardly feel on new cars nowadays. Why can’t they make new cars like this anymore? There were rumors that they are going to release the new R35 V-Spec with a standard manual transmission. I really hope they do so you can drive it the way it’s meant to be. Drive the new skyline like how it’s predecessors were driven.

doesn't look much now but wait a few months.

Congratulations to Xanavi for winning the Second Round of Super GT 500.  Xanavi, if you guys didn’t know is running the newly built R35 GT-500 Car that’s been kickin ass.  The also won the first round so it shows how good the car and drivers are even with the weight penalty disadvantages.  Coming in close second btw is the Calsonic team also driving the GT-R.  Seems like the GT-R’s will be kicking ass most of this season of Super GT.  Just like the Z’s did when they initially launched them a few years back.

*Pictures courtesy of Nihoncar.com*

Since I was looking for a new car to purchase, I started browsing global last night and found this neat Jem of a GTR.  Love that Color and engine bay.  Soooo Clean.  This car has HKS Everything even the clutch.  Yum…