Happy Thanksgiving from JDMphasis...

Today is the one day of the year that we are expected to reflect upon those things in our lives for which we are appreciative. I'm afraid that many take this holiday for granted, so, while watching football, inhaling mashed potatoes by the shovelful, or prepping for an early-morning shopping expedition, I urge you to take a minute or two and acknowledge, if only to yourself, all that you have for which to be thankful.

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but of recognizing and appreciating what we do. - Frederick Keonig

JDMphasis... Innovation over Imitation

Vitamin C, please...

Volk Racing TE37

Amusing Photography...

My compulsion towards the parts of the Japanese Domestic Market is not based on a personal assessment of performance superiority. It is about design, quality, and attention to detail. Likely my biggest obsession of the industry, Power House Amuse is quite possibly the superlative of JDM parts. Hardly boring or run-of-the-mill, the products that come out of their facility in Chiba are not simply functional components to be admired momentarily pre-installation only to be forsaken shortly after brusque acknowledgment of any performance benefit or gain. Every Amuse part contains an all-too-real element of genuine automotive artistry.

                    Beautiful Titanium Intake Pipe on a Nissan Z33

JM's Evo X in Import Tuner

JDMphasis reader, JM Yang's, stellar 2010 Evo X was recently featured in Import Tuner. These are the types of builds that need to be recognized and praised more often. We would like to say thank you to JM not only for executing such a top-notch build with quality parts from legitimate companies, but for giving us a shout-out in the article. (He even references our Innovation over Imitation adage!)

"There are a lot of people in the industry who I look up to, both locally and abroad. Jay of JDMEGO, Bill of JDMphasis, Ben of Bulletproof Automotive, and countless other builds have served as inspiration for me," JM says. "They have been advocates of innovation over imitation, and that motto I have used as a cornerstone in my build philosophy."

Link to the full article: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR - Dream Come True

Thank you, JM. This recognition is well-deserved. We cannot wait to see what you do next...

JDMphasis... Innovation over Imitation

Passion? My $.02...

I have seen this picture posted and reposted on different Facebook pages and blogs over the course of the past few months. I get it. I understand the premise of the quote and I understand why people LIKE it on those pages. I also understand that it is borne from the ever-increasing "internet mentality," where any unfavorable commentary, critique or criticism of a picture posted on the immeasurable technological web of the world is perceived as a personal attack. And, yes, I understand why people subscribe to the spirit of the message, but, being a contrarian, I must take issue with it.

I take issue with throwing the word "passion" around in a way that allows for the loss of the true essence of what it means. Passion is rapture. It is ardor, fascination, and intense affection. It is a word used to describe the most zealous form of love, devotion, and obsession. Passion is an enthusiastic infatuation or dedication to someone or some thing. I am in no way suggesting that one cannot be passionate about cars or modifying cars or driving cars. I do believe, however, that, when this word is used in the realm of the aftermarket culture, if one is to announce a passion for modifying, that the commodity put forth should reflect that passion. 

Of course, we here at JDMphasis believe in supporting original designs and authenticity. The 'Innovation over Imitation' ethos is something about which we are, in fact, passionate. We discourage corner-cutting when modifying and urge enthusiasts to pinch their pennies just a little longer to afford the real deal products, as opposed to buying the cheaper replica or knock-off part. My belief is that the object of one's "passion" should reflect and embrace that passion. It should be something of which one retains great pride. A car riddled with knock-off and replica parts does not illustrate an overwhelming enthusiasm for the culture. It does not illustrate a passion. Is it actually possible to be proud of something knowing that, in its conception, corners were cut? Once again, my opinions are not always popular (and, I'm sure, are the direct reason that I am often labeled a "hater"). However, I would not willingly skimp or cheap out on something about which I declare I am passionate. The very nature of such a declaration contradicts logic. To make an analogy, I cannot envision someone who brands himself a passionate collector of timepieces walking around with a replica Rolex watch on his wrist. It is ludicrous. To me, he is not actually passionate at all. It is a ruse. He is pretending; faking the funk. His "passion" is based on a lie. Therefore, that "passion" is phony.

I believe in the idea that a project belongs to the owner and he/she is free to do to it what they desire. I believe there is a difference between taking a position on issues of subjectivity and issues of objectivity. For instance, who I am to tell someone that they should not cut their springs to position their car an inch off the ground, while stretching a 225 Nankang tire on a 11" wheel, and running a camber setting that resembles subarctic temperatures? That is a matter of taste. Some like that style; some do not. Like everyone else, I have opinions on these types of issues, but they are just that - my opinions. It is not my car. However, the replica/knock-off issue is based on a reality. The reality is that supporting replica companies harms the real innovators of the tuning world. Copying the design of another is stealing. Plain and simple. That is why, at JDMphasis, we are more apt to write about supporting the true talent of the aftermarket world by encouraging people to buy real, as opposed to preaching that stancing a car or stretching tires is dumb. And, yes, some agree with my viewpoints and others do not.

So, to address the above quote, yes, I, too, urge you to "do it your way" and do not let the opinions of others dismay you (mine included), but at least understand why I may question your "passion" for the tuning culture or for modifying when you are rolling down the street in your project on which you knowingly and willingly chose to cut corners. I do not buy that passion as genuine.

Furthermore, and on a separate note, I would like to post the original photograph from above.

Notice anything about it?

Yes, of course, it was altered to add the script, but the original watermark was also cropped out of the image and a new one was added. Oh, the irony of affixing a quotation apropos the subject of passion while falsely ascribing credit to yourself! Do I even need to point out the obvious fact that photography is a passion to many and, in a growing social media world, a watermark is often the only means of acknowledgment for photographers? Is it not hypocritical to write a quote about rejecting the thoughts and opinions of others all while stealing someone else's work and crediting yourself? Sadly, I cannot say that I am surprised...

JDMphasis... Innovation over Imitation

Nissan Silvia S16 Announcement?

There has been much buzz as of late about an upcoming announcement by Nissan that the Silvia is due to return to the Nissan line-up. I have heard the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show will be the venue. There have been rumors about the new S16 for a couple years now. I do not know what to believe. I remember reading about it back in 2008 or 2009. I have heard 2016 as a possible release date. I do believe Nissan should be considering something to compete with the 86 because, as expected (and evidenced by the SEMA show last week in Las Vegas), the Toyota/Subaru/Scion is taking the tuning world by storm. A marketing expert I am not, but I do believe a light-weight, well-balanced sports car with horsepower numbers in the low 200's (Perhaps powered by a variation of the Nissan Juke's 1.6L Turbo-charged 4-cylinder?) set to fall in the Nissan line-up below the Z could potentially do well (and make some Nissan-heritage-loyalists happy). But who knows?

Here is a recent rendering I have seen of the Nissan Silvia S16 Concept:

Now, I do not know how much stock I would put in the final product looking like this, as I remember the Infiniti Essence Concept from a few years back looking quite similar. No. Pretty much exactly the same...

 

 

 

And an "unofficial" teaser video:

 

Diffused Bruise

Black & Blue S2Ks...

In the hopes that I will stumble upon that captivating JDM styling cue that unites me with my next project, I have recently found myself attracted to a few different platforms. Still undecided, I am toying with a few different possibilities, but among those potential future projects is the S2000. Here are a few shots of some nicely-done S2Ks... (The black S has been a favorite of mine for quite some time.)

Standing the test of time...

Ridox JZA80 Supra is ageless...

Love Varis.

So much win.

A couple legit Nissans...

OriGinality...

We posted up a unique Amuse exhaust set-up in our Amusing Photography... segment back in July (seen here). The vehicle on which the Amuse titanium exhaust was featured is a V35 sedan with quad tips, but with a rather funky twist. For those who may not know, Access Evolution and Power House Amuse collaborate to make some pretty epic exhaust systems that can be seen mostly on G and Z cars. This set-up is no different, but, since the exhaust build, Access has done some further work on this car. They have added some vent work above the carbon diffuser. Even if the design is not something with which to fall in love, one can certainly appreciate the originality and craftsmanship on display here.

JDMphasis... Innovation over Imitation