Monthly Archives: December 2012

HR Visits: Carland in Kyoto, Japan

December 24, 2012 in HR Originals by

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Back in February, I took a trip to Japan with a bunch of friends including tuner Anthony Kellam from Kaizen Garage and Queensland AE86 drifter Sam Holz. We braved the cold morning in Osaka, jumped on the Shinkansen and set off to find the shining star of the Kyoto AE86 scene.

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OEM Fresh Trueno With a Turbo BEAMS Twist

December 22, 2012 in Feature Cars by

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Illmotion has a unique grasp on some of the Canada’s cleanest builds. This time it’s Orlando Tan’s 1986 Corolla GT-S, otherwise known as a Sprinter Trueno outside of North America – but this factory-spec minter has an ace up it’s sleeve…

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Help Support: Tomei Titanium Exhaust

December 20, 2012 in Parts & Accessories by

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HRs own Allen Lorenzo who works at Tomei Powered in Japan has been striving for years to push Tomei produce more AE86 parts, but after a lot of persuading it’s about to get better! He writes:

AE86 brothers, your support is needed! It has taken me years of persistence and finally I am close!

The head management at Tomei Powered Inc in Japan is now considering going ahead with the development and production of a Full Titanium cat back system for the AE86!

Yes that’s right, FULL as in the piping and hanger arms are completely 100% Titanium!
The only parts that aren’t Titanium are: 

– The springs that connect the piping.
– The Clamp Band that connect the piping.

However, the prototype hasn’t been made yet, so more details will come later if it gets the go ahead.

FYI: The Tomei EXPREME Ti for the MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 10: weight comparison is:

– Stock is 20.05kg (44.2lbs) 
– Tomei EXPREME Ti is 4.4kg (9.7lbs) 

For full details on the product, view the official blog here.

Ref: My Toda Racing stainless steel cat back system weights around 16-18kg from memory.

As you all know, the key characteristic of the AE86 is being lightweight. For those of you whom have been fortunate enough to have a right in a sub 800kg AE86, at full throttle, high speed drift or at the limits of circuit driving, will understand the difference.

So I urge you all, please complete this simple online survey, so that the key members at Tomei can see your valued comments.

In the comments at the end; please feel free to add any other requests.
Even suggestions on: 

– Pipe diameter size (due to regulations in events or laws in your country/region).
– Layout (over the rear axle or under it).
– Tail tip diameter; nice cool subtle size or a big ass American sized cannon! 
– The exit angle of the tail pipe (straight out or on an angle)
– Straight / De-cat pipe; (do you want it included with the kit or not).

Complete the survey HERE

PS: Even if you’re not going to buy it, please spread the word and get as many enthusiasts  as possible to complete this form!

AE86 Reproduction Metal Body Parts

December 20, 2012 in Parts & Accessories by

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That’s right. Manufacturing of some of the long out-of-production metal body panels for the 3-Door (hatchback) AE86 are underway again.

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Brothers In Arms: HR Interview Vu & Van Quach

December 19, 2012 in Feature Cars, HR Originals by

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It’s not often that you see two street-driven cars this well presented and tastefully modified. It’s even more uncommon that they originate from the same family garage.

But in this case, where brotherly admiration and excitement for one car has spiraled out of control, you have possibly the two most succinct, and complete pair of hachirokus Australia has seen in years.

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Some of you 86 die-hards reading this have choosen to stick with one car and toil away, others are up to the count of ‘several’ chassis of chopping and changing, swapping panels and engines and buying whole projects just for parts and papers.

However, these brothers from Melbourne’s south-east have seen over 10 different AE86s between them since 2002, and have now reached, what they consider, their final ‘masterpiece’ hachiroku builds.

So we thought to ourselves, ‘What inspires dedication this intense? What drives two guys to search endlessly for the perfect AE86?’. So we asked them!

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Initial D: Fifth Stage Ep’s 3 & 4

December 17, 2012 in Videos by

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So far only the Low Quality 360p raws are out and subbed. SAGE fansubs is waiting for the 720p HD rip, but for now you can watch them here:

Episode 3 – 360p LQ English Subtitle (360p LQ with Closed Captioning)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TryrxA4YhNI

Episode 4 – 360p LQ English Subtitle (360p LQ with Closed Captioning)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YlaCOfgB7M