Thursday, July 30, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Amusing Photography...
My affinity for 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.
R1-derous...
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Reader thanks...
A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from a loyal reader of JDMphasis. In the message, among other things, he asked me for my mailing address. About a week or so later I received a small padded envelope in the mail. In it was the tag pictured below.
What a pleasant surprise. It is quite humbling to know that people appreciate the blog. I acknowledge that this modest little online journal is nothing compared to some of the other online automotive publications - especially given that over the past year I have not been nearly as active blogging as I once was. Nonetheless, to know that people are still reading and following is pretty cool. Further, the fact that someone would think of me when he came across something like the Top Secret tag now holding the key to my Z allows me to see that there are some enthusiasts out there who share the same ideals and passion that I do for this industry. So… Thanks, Jerry. An envelope with some JDMphasis decals is on its way to your door.
Oh, and keep an eye out! Jerry has a bad G37 that will be featured on the blog once he sends me some decent pictures…
What a pleasant surprise. It is quite humbling to know that people appreciate the blog. I acknowledge that this modest little online journal is nothing compared to some of the other online automotive publications - especially given that over the past year I have not been nearly as active blogging as I once was. Nonetheless, to know that people are still reading and following is pretty cool. Further, the fact that someone would think of me when he came across something like the Top Secret tag now holding the key to my Z allows me to see that there are some enthusiasts out there who share the same ideals and passion that I do for this industry. So… Thanks, Jerry. An envelope with some JDMphasis decals is on its way to your door.
Oh, and keep an eye out! Jerry has a bad G37 that will be featured on the blog once he sends me some decent pictures…
JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Project Z33… Wheel Teaser.
The TE37SL's are back from powdercoating!
I have to be honest, I was a bit leery of this venture. There are a few things about this undertaking that had me nervous, the first being that the final product would, quite simply, not be original. It would not be the original Rays Engineering finish. Of course this dilemma is not the end of the world and I do not categorize myself as a "purist," (I do not like that term when referring to automotive modification), but I do pride myself on the fact that I respect the original designs and the true innovators of the aftermarket world. It took a bit of convincing, but I eventually agreed that simply changing the color of a set of wheels is hardly blasphemous or hypocritical. I desired certain sizings, offsets, and a certain finish and I was able to obtain that combination without cutting any corners.
The second predicament I brought upon myself was the issue of the Rays Engineering stickers found on the inside of the barrel of authentic Volk Racing wheels (seen in this post). Well, this issue was addressed as well. I believe these wheels came back to me looking as though they came directly from Mackin this way. I think the only way you might know that this is not the original Rays finish is if you actually ran the serial numbers on these wheels.
The final "issue" I had lay with the Volk Racing TE37SL spoke decals. I was informed that the colored decals (or at least the color I desired) are no longer offered. Thus, I received the traditional red spoke decals. With the help of my friend Brian I was able to track down a good decal shop to develop an exact template of the Volk Racing decal and create new spoke decals in the color this project demanded. Boom.
Some pictures…
I know this combination will not meet the approval of everyone. That comes with the territory. However, I think once everything is installed, many of these parts will complement one and other nicely and the identity of this project will be a bit more apparent. We shall see… I am anticipating the arrival of a few additional parts within the coming weeks and do not see these rollers being mounted any time soon. I am in no rush. However, I think the wait will be worth it. Stay tuned…
I have to be honest, I was a bit leery of this venture. There are a few things about this undertaking that had me nervous, the first being that the final product would, quite simply, not be original. It would not be the original Rays Engineering finish. Of course this dilemma is not the end of the world and I do not categorize myself as a "purist," (I do not like that term when referring to automotive modification), but I do pride myself on the fact that I respect the original designs and the true innovators of the aftermarket world. It took a bit of convincing, but I eventually agreed that simply changing the color of a set of wheels is hardly blasphemous or hypocritical. I desired certain sizings, offsets, and a certain finish and I was able to obtain that combination without cutting any corners.
The second predicament I brought upon myself was the issue of the Rays Engineering stickers found on the inside of the barrel of authentic Volk Racing wheels (seen in this post). Well, this issue was addressed as well. I believe these wheels came back to me looking as though they came directly from Mackin this way. I think the only way you might know that this is not the original Rays finish is if you actually ran the serial numbers on these wheels.
The final "issue" I had lay with the Volk Racing TE37SL spoke decals. I was informed that the colored decals (or at least the color I desired) are no longer offered. Thus, I received the traditional red spoke decals. With the help of my friend Brian I was able to track down a good decal shop to develop an exact template of the Volk Racing decal and create new spoke decals in the color this project demanded. Boom.
Some pictures…
 |
| The obligatory "box shot"... |
 |
| It was a challenge capturing the true color of these custom stickers... |
 |
| Sans decals... |
 |
| Decal as it will appear when properly applied... |
 |
| Notice the identifying stickers on the inside of the barrel... |
I know this combination will not meet the approval of everyone. That comes with the territory. However, I think once everything is installed, many of these parts will complement one and other nicely and the identity of this project will be a bit more apparent. We shall see… I am anticipating the arrival of a few additional parts within the coming weeks and do not see these rollers being mounted any time soon. I am in no rush. However, I think the wait will be worth it. Stay tuned…
JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Project Z33… Rollers.
This is easily the fastest turnaround I have ever had when purchasing a set of JDM wheels. Mackin Industries had them in stock, so from order to delivery it was less than two weeks! I am quite excited about these. This is my 5th set of monoblock Volk Racing wheels, and fourth set of the TE37 variation.
Volk Racing TE37SL
Specifications:
18x10" (+20)
18x11" (+18)
I am not mounting these wheels any time soon. They are currently at the powdercoater. Stay tuned for the final product…
JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Ridiculous...
Cashing in on the designs of others…
I recently found myself scrolling through a thread on a 350Z forum. The owner of the car had recently installed a Rocket Bunny kit on his Z and was showing it off. A certain forum sponsor/vendor chimed in with the following:
Ripping off original designs is funny, I guess. This from the same company that, in a hilariously ironic and absurd promotional video, encouraged consumers to be aware of counterfeits.
I recently found myself scrolling through a thread on a 350Z forum. The owner of the car had recently installed a Rocket Bunny kit on his Z and was showing it off. A certain forum sponsor/vendor chimed in with the following:
"That came out nice, if you were in California I would hire you to make some kits for us haha."
Ripping off original designs is funny, I guess. This from the same company that, in a hilariously ironic and absurd promotional video, encouraged consumers to be aware of counterfeits.
"Don't buy your fake parts from other companies. Buy your fake parts from us!" - Extreme DimensionsABSURD. Be real. Buy real.
JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation
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