FC BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 11:46 Page 1

DCT SUPRA TYPE R TURBO

First seven-speed Mk4 Integra with a boosted kick

JAPANESE CARS

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TECH TALK:
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STANCE SHOW Street-le in 8.3 seconds!
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@banzaimag
JAN 2016
Issue 171
4.50

TIME
MACHINE
400bhp front-wheel drive Celica built
to take on Time Attack in Holland
002 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 11:32 Page 2



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003 BNZ 0116 30/11/2015 17:25 Page 3
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005-007 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 15:11 Page 5

henever I come across a car fitted with an unusual engine

W
conversion, the first thing I do is try and get an idea of
how its been done, rather than understand the reasoning
why. I like to know whats changed, why its been
adjusted or how its been made to fit. I suppose you could
say I appreciate the technical details of executing the
conversion as much as the result. Its what I really love about modifying cars
at that level; the ingenuity behind facing a problem and solving it.
That same thesis extends further than fabricating an engine mount or
modifying a bracket. It also covers the mentality some people possess to
strive for something better and think outside-of-the-box. With that in mind, the
Toyota Supra in this issue fitted with a seven-speed Dual Clutch
Transmission, is one such example. I thoroughly enjoyed having a good poke
around the complex gearbox conversion earlier this month and was blown
away by the thought process and execution of taking on such a huge task.
Read all about the finer points of the car and the conversion on pages 58-63. COVER: 1500hp Skyline by Matt Woods
On my same wavelength in terms of technical admiration is David EDITOR: Simon Holmes
/BanzaiMagazine Greenhalghs Skyline, featured on the cover. Forcing a car that weighs 1660kg FEATURES WRITER: Sam Preston
@BanzaiMag to cover the quarter-mile in just 8.3-seconds is barely believable and its made ADVERTISEMENT SALES: Alex Oliver (01732 445325 or
more impressive by the cars MoT certificate. You can read Davids story on [email protected])
@BanzaiMag SUB EDITORS: Christian Shelton, Rachael Harper
pages 70-76 and hopefully, youll appreciate it as much as I do.

sue!
SENIOR DESIGNER: Aaron Batson

oy the is
DESIGNERS: Dave Powney, Lorna Mansford

Enj
RETOUCHER: Laurence Green
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jo Claydon-Smith
REPROGRAPHIC CONTROLLER: Marion Jenkins
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR: Helen Lawson
CONTRIBUTORS: Wim Woeber, Daniel Bevis,
Ron V Photography, Steve McCann, Chris Wallbank,
Andrew Thompson, Matt Woods, Adrian Brannan,
hoskingindustries.com.au, Jamie King, Brad Sillars

Paul Whiffin showed

me around the Supras
TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL
seven-speed gearbox
conversion and I loved
01732 748084
every minute of it! All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or
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without the consent of the publisher. Registered at
Stationers Hall Copyright.
Direct Input by Unity Media Plc.
Editorial, advertising & subscriptions enquiries
Banzai, Unity Media plc, The Manor, Nepicar House,
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Subscribe online at: www.banzaimagazine.com
Independence: Banzai (est Jan 1999) is published by
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Japanese cars. It is entirely independent of manufacturers, dealers
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We speak as we find.
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DIGITAL EDITION FROM:

2015 UNITY MEDIA PLC

ISSN: 1468-456X IF YOUR
NEWSAGENT
DOESNT STOCK
BANZAI ASK THEM
TO ORDER IT IN
FOR YOU

January 2016 005

005-007 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 15:12 Page 6

Contents

FEATURES
020 GRAN TURISMO: SUBSCRIBE TO
SUZUKI SWIFT GTi
Japans offering to the hot hatch boom of the Eighties was
relatively thin on the ground. We look back at one of the best,
and are pleasantly surprised with what we find AND SAVE 30%
GO TO PAGE 64

034 CAR OF THE YEAR

We take a look back over the past year of feature cars for
the stand-out candidates worthy of taking Banzais coveted
Car of the Year award

042 TOTALLY ADDICTED TO BOOST

Just another Integra, right? Wrong. Darrens unassuming DC2 is
now packing more than double the intended power under the
bonnet thanks to a little turbo trickery

050 THUNDER IN PARADISE

Checking out Maltas car scene for ourselves has been on the
to-do list for a while now, and when it finally happened, it
exceeded all our expectations

058 LUCKY NUMBER 7

There are big things happening in the Toyota Supra world
down at Garage Whifbitz, so we went there to check it
out for ourselves

070 GONE IN 8-SECONDS

There are fast cars and then theres this: David Greenhalghs
1500hp Skyline that covers the quarter-mile in just
8.3-seconds. And the best bit? Its fully street-legal!

078 THE LAST STANCE

It might have been the last big show of the year, but there was
plenty at this years Ultimate Stance to keep you going through
026
Time Machine
Michel de Zeeuw has created a
seventh-gen Celica that builds on
those tough winter nights
the models performance legacy and
takes it to its logical conclusion
082 THE ALL-ROUNDER
Johnny Marjanovics SR20-powered Datsun 200B SSS mixes
vintage styling with modern magic for the perfect mix of style
and substance. REGULARS
009 NEWS 102 PROJECT PAGES
090 TECH TALK: DAMPERS 014 THE COLUMNIST 108 STREET LIFE
This month Tech Talk looks at the dark art of suspension
tuning, and in particular gives a full lowdown on the complex 016 LETTERS 112 CLUB SCENE
subject of performance dampers

100 QUICK BUYER:

Mk1 MAZDA MX-5
Everyones favourite 1990s sports car was a lesson on how to
provide fun motoring without hoards of power or breaking the
bank, and now is a better time than ever to buy one

118 THE MAGNIFICENT MILE

Looking for a new load-lugger for work thatll be practical,
sensible and reliable? Forget about that Ford Transit youve got
your eye on, lifes too short an Impreza STI will turn your
commute into a cracking thrill-ride!
082
006 www.banzaimagazine.com
005-007 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 15:13 Page 7

ISSUE 171 January 2016

/BanzaiMagazine
@BanzaiMag
@BanzaiMag

090 102

116 MOTORSPORT
126 NEXT MONTH
128 WHAT IS IT?

118

070
January 2016 007
008 BNZ 0116 30/11/2015 17:27 Page 8

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009-012 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 12:09 Page 9

News

VOSSEN x WORK WHEELS COLLABORATION

We love Vossen wheels. And we also love States and manufactured in Japan (sounds
Work wheels. But thats going to be a like the perfect recipe, doesnt it?). Sizing
problem if you only have one car, right? will range from 19-22, so these are aimed
Not anymore! Because these two hugely at the more VIP end of the market, with
celebrated wheel brands have teamed up widths coming in between 8-12.5.
to produce an upcoming line of Hopefully these images will give you a
collaboration alloys which are set to be taste of what to expect in terms of styles,
pretty special indeed. but rest assured almost an infinite
The rumours have already succeeded in combination of colour options will
breaking the internet, but we now have all be available when the range is released
of the exclusive info you need to know in March.
about this upcoming venture. Well keep you updated when more
Theres going to be three styles of information is leaked!
wheels, which will be engineered in the CONTACT: www.vossenwheels.co.uk

LIBERTY WALK HITS UK SOIL

It used to be reserve of only the finest JDM Wellingborough-based The Performance BMW Minis all the way through to top-spec
and Italian exotica, but Liberty Walk Company has gained exclusive rights to Lambos. The firm can also offer fitting and
wide-body conversion kits are now available distribute the entire Liberty Walk range in finishing guidance.
officially in the UK. Britain, with applications stemming from CONTACT: www.theperformance.co

January 2016 009

009-012 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 12:09 Page 10

News

MX-5 LIMITED
EDITIONS
SPOTTED AT SEMA
Mazda has seriously outdone itself
recently when it comes to futuristic
sports car concepts. Not only has the
manufacturer hinted at bringing back
rotary power in the RX Vision concept
which could eventually become the
RX-9 (fingers crossed), but its also
been busy revealing two new gorgeous
MX-5 based concepts at the recent
SEMA show.
The Spyder and Speedster cars both
draw inspiration from vintage roadsters,
both incorporate genuinely impressive
tuning parts into their designs, and are
both absolutely awesome!
We particularly like the super-
lightweight Speedster concept, with its
retro tyre paint and lopped-off roof.
Heres hoping something similar
eventually reaches production
CONTACT: www.mazda.co.uk

SUBARU CREATES
McRAE TRIBUTE
If you saw coverage of the Wales Rally GB
in November, youll have spotted this
familiar looking WRX STI tearing up the
stages. Piloted by Brits David Higgins and
Craig Drew, the 2015 car was prepared by
Subaru (in conjunction with JRM) in a
livery similar to the 555-sponsored
Impreza made famous by Colin McRae, to
commemorate the 20th anniversary of the
legends WRC championship win in 1995.
Although a Group N (production) car,
the team brought home an impressive top
20 overall finish. Driver Higgins said after
the race: Our Subaru ran very well and
the team did an excellent job pulling this
project together. Having a Subaru back in
action at the WRC was brilliant and seeing
the response from the crowd made it all
worth the effort. We had a great event and
this was the perfect way to finish off our
season. We cant wait to see some more
of this car soon!
CONTACT: www.subaru.com/rally

SPOON BREAKS TIME ATTACK RECORD

Great news from Spoon season in the form of a Super
Sports USA this month, which Lap Battle. Here, a
managed to win in its class at race-prepped FD2 Civic Type
a recent Global Time Attack R, piloted by Formula Drift
event, smashing a new lap champion Daijiro Dai Yoshiara,
record in the process. achieved a brilliant time of
Back in November, the 01:45:585; a record for a front-
third round of the wheel-drive car!
international race series Stay tuned as we bring you
headed to Californias much more from this exciting
Buttonwillow Raceway Park race series in 2016
for the final event of the CONTACT: www.spoonsports.eu

010 www.banzaimagazine.com
009-012 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 12:09 Page 11

AIR LIFT 3P/3H

Theyre finally here! Weve been waiting a cross over, but 3P doesnt have Height nicer looking than before and now houses
long time, but were pleased to report that Sensing Technology or Anti-Cross Loading + the ECU and pressure manifold, to take up
the Air Lift 3H and 3P management systems Axle Equalisation. However, its worth noting less space than multiple components. The
have finally dropped. Put simply, the chassis that you can upgrade 3P to 3H later on if you new controller app looks a lot better too.
guru has redesigned its popular management havent just been working on the Suffice to say, we are sure to see a lot
setup to improve virtually all areas of it. 3P is management side of things on your car. of 3P and 3H systems at shows in 2016!
pressure only while 3H is height and The new iPod-style controller looks PRICE: From 839 for the 3P system
pressure adjustable. A lot of the features fantastic, the manifold is more compact and CONTACT: www.airliftperformance.com

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PD03K Kit Yellowstuff highest friction pads and Geomet black OEM
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PD06K Kit Greenstuff sport pads and USR slotted black Geomet discs
PD07K Kit Redstuff premium fast street pads and USR slotted black Geomet discs
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premium Geomet corrosion resistant G3000+ iron discs of your pattern choice. Geomet is the NUMBER ONE brake disc anti corrosion surface coating used
by OEM builders (they use silver, we prefer black Geomet). Coating withstands severe salt spray tests for corrosion resistance. Kit prices from 45. www.ebcbrakes.com

January 2016 011

009-012 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 12:09 Page 12

News

DODO JUICE AIR NEW

WHEELS
FRESHENERS
Youve probably used a
Dodo Juice car cleaning
product in the past. If so,
youll have no doubt noticed
STRASSE SV5
just how good they smell SIZES: 18-24 diameters,
when applying them to your 4-14 widths
pride and joy! NOTES: Luxury,
So, by popular demand, made-to-order
the company has now monoblock beauties,
released a range of in-car air available in any size and
fresheners, meaning that colour you can imagine!
owners can enjoy the scents PRICE: POA
whenever they want not CONTACT:
just whilst detailing their car. www.strassewheels.com
Available in 11 different
flavours and taking the form
of a 100ml spray bottle
instead of the more traditional
FORGELINE AR1
scented cardboard-jobbies, SIZES: 18-21
these affordable and NOTES: Fully custom
downright delicious smelling monoblock rims from
delights are certainly a treat well-known
for your nose! motorsport firm.
PRICE: 3.95 PRICE: POA
CONTACT: www.dodojuice.com CONTACT:
www.forgeline.com

PIMP MY GARAGE ULTRALITE UL52

If you like to give out truly bonkers
Christmas pressies, you might want
TITANIUM
to take a look at this SIZES: 18, various widths
German firm Style-Your-Garage NOTES: Superb six-spoker
specialises in creating ultra-realistic from motorsport legend.
tarpaulin covers to spice up your This time finished in tasty
dreary garage door. In line with the Titanium bronze.
winter season, the firms latest range PRICE: 118.80 per wheel
depicts glorious winter scenes to CONTACT:
complement the treacherous www.japshop.co.uk
amounts of snow we may (or may
not) receive this year. Sure to give
your neighbours a smile as they drive
past your house! FIFTEEN52 R43
PRICE: From 113 SIZES: Various
CONTACT: www.style-your-garage.com NOTES: As seen on Ken
Blocks mental
Mustang, the latest in
the already superb
TOMEI AE86 EXHAUSTS range from one
of the coolest
JDM tuning powerhouse TOMEI has this month released two new ultra-lightweight brands around
exhaust systems for the Corolla AE86. The cat-back systems come in either the PRICE: POA
Type-R (full-on race) or Type-S (street-friendly) guise and both offer huge CONTACT: www.fifteen52.co.uk
performance and weight advantages out-of-the-box.
A straight-through de-cat pipe is also available to add to your system for the
ultimate rasp. Hit up TOMEI USA now to see what it can do for you. ROTA GRID-V
PRICE: From 717.21
CONTACT: www.tomeiusa.com SIZES: 9x16, 4x100
PCD, ET0
NOTES: Available in an
important size/PCD
combo. Finished in
bronze or white (titanium
chrome soon to come).
PRICE: From 160 per wheel
CONTACT: www.rarerims.co.uk

012 www.banzaimagazine.com
013 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 09:58 Page 13

Now Available Outside the USA www.eeffectapparel.com

Honda Official Licensed Product. Designed, manufactured, and distributed by Eeffect Apparel. Honda, the H logo Honda vehicles and their
trade dress, all associated with vehicle emblems, marks, and names are trademarks and intellectual property of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. used under
license from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
014 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 10:53 Page 14

THE
Columnist By Steve Stav Neophytou

Steve Neophytou, better known as

Stav, is a professional motoring
journalist and life-long petrolhead.
He has been writing for UK tuning
magazines for over ten years and
was previously deputy editor at
Redline magazine.

SPONSORSHIP ou know what makes me cringe in the youve been sponsored to the tune of 50p. Competing in

Y
Japanese car scene at the moment? Well, a some race or drift championship, or going to a lot of car
lot of things actually, but at this very shows doesnt automatically make you a media darling
moment, as I write this, its certain peoples either; like it or not, 90% of competition or show cars
obsession, no, expectation, of sponsorship almost never stand out from the crowd enough to get
for their cars. serious amounts of coverage.
Some people seem to think being sponsored and The fact is, unless your car is truly special, and by that
blagging free stuff is a main goal for their project, in fact I dont just mean a nice car thats popular in your local
many see it as an expectation, and they deserve it just area or club, but truly something stand-out and world-
because theyve got a nice car. Well let me tell you, class that has a serious following, its unlikely it can
sponsorship isnt like that, its a two-way thing, and justify any serious amount of sponsorship over a
unless they get their moneys worth out of you, theyre company simply spending the equivalent amount of
either not going to give you sponsorship in the first place, money on conventional advertising.
or youll ruin it for everyone else by short-changing them; Unfortunately this sponsorship craze has become such
putting them off doing so in the future. a big deal to some that its become a badge of honour.
While it seems pretty obvious when you think about it, Some will even happily plaster their cars in company
a lot of people dont get the concept of car sponsorship, logos in exchange for 5% off an exhaust and a free T-
so let me spell it out for you. First of all, its not a charity, shirt, but in reality they mostly want sponsorship so they
its not like asking your gran to sponsor you for a charity can try and show off about being a big shot sponsored
bike ride, theres no Tuners In Need fundraising events, car/driver to anyone who will listen.
and its certainly not some free stuff you automatically get If people spent more time truly working out how to
by having, or indeed thinking you have, a cool car. make a good car, rather than mass-emailing badly written
Car sponsorship is simply exchanging goods, services, begging letters to companies for undeserved sponsorship,
Below: Stavs old
or maybe even money, for advertising, and a big problem the tuning world would be a better place; especially as so Cosworth-powered
is people seem to grossly overestimate the advertising many sponsored cars arent as good as they could be. MX-5. Note
value of their cars. Sticking a few stickers on a car almost Instead theyre just a clothes horse for a companys the distinct lack
nobody sees isnt value for money advertising unless products, no matter how unsuitable they are of stickers

014 www.banzaimagazine.com
015 BNZ 0116 30/11/2015 17:29 Page 15
016-017 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 10:48 Page 16

Letters

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

WHAT IS THE
DREAM ENGINE
SWAP YOUD
PERFORM ON
YOUR CAR?

Want to have your voice heard?

Like our Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/
banzaimagazine) and keep your
eyes peeled for our next question.

NEW SHOW CALENDAR WEBSITE

Hey guys, I thought the new www.teamtarmac.com/ retaining the freedom to do it
website Ive created might events-main/uks-biggest-car- their own way.
appeal to Banzai readers. It was shows-of-2016/ The result is a fantastic
really bugging me that there So what is Team Tarmac? website that has expanded to
wasnt a central website out Well its basically a group of cater for all the car-related
there for all of the UKs car like-minded modified and track events anyone could possibly
shows throughout the year car enthusiasts who focus on be interested in signing up to,
(basically a big, easy-to-use the Japanese scene in and it just keeps evolving!
calendar). So here at Team particular. Team Tarmac came If the page gathers more
Tarmac, I created a page on the about when four friends, interest, we would be happy to
website listing most of the major sponsored by Tarmac Sportz, publish any other events if
UK shows for people to easily wanted to be able to expand organisers get in touch with us
navigate around on. To check it their circle of attended through the website. Enjoy!
out, the link to the website is: automotive shows whilst still Matt Grundy, via Facebook

CONTACT US
Do you want to comment on what you like in Banzai? Have you got a Then please feel free to contact us using one of the following methods:
suggestion that you think would make each issue even better?
Do you need our help with technical queries or advice, or do you E: [email protected]
just want to share something cool with the community at large? W: www.banzaimagazine.com

016 www.banzaimagazine.com
016-017 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 10:50 Page 17

ANOTHER HAKO GT-R PROJECT

Ive been working closely with a ship soon, and the plan is to
Torque GT, and can now finally get it over to Bob at Zealou5 to
reveal that Ive imported this restore it once its home (we
1971 Hakosuka Nissan GT-R dont even think its currently in
over to the UK from Tokyo. an original colour).
We were either after a car that I spotted the GTR Shops
was mint, or something well similar cars (see Nov 15 issue)
priced which needed some after buying this, which is
restoration. This meant I was strange I cant believe there
initially looking at cars which are so many rare Nissans in this
went up to around 140,000 country! Ill be blogging about
(plus VAT and taxes)! my experiences, so be sure to
Anyway, we eventually found check out regular updates over
this car at the auction which was at Banzais Facebook page for
in need of a little TLC a couple links to regular updates.
of weeks ago. Itll be rolling onto Ian Griffiths, via email
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018 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 11:34 Page 18

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would be a neat idea to build our new range of products so everything is reversible... by this we mean you wont
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Pro Spec Intercooler Kit 0RVWRIWKHRULJLQDOERRVWSLSHZRUNDQGRHPOWHUVRU

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019 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 11:37 Page 19
020-024 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 10:58 Page 20

Gran
Turismo

SUZUKI
SWIFT GTI [86-88]
Japans offering to the hot hatch boom of the
Eighties was relatively thin on the ground.
We look back at one of the best, and are
pleasantly surprised with what we find
Words: Sam Preston Photos: Wim Woeber

uzuki recently threw a party in Frankfurt to celebrate being active in

S
Germany for 35 years. With the firms entire back-catalogue of
vehicles in attendance for guests to drive on some fantastic back-
roads, we thought it would be a great chance to swat up on our
knowledge of this small-but-mighty company. On our way out to the
event, though, a thought suddenly struck us: what cars had Suzuki
made over the past few decades that were really that relevant to Banzai? Sure,
theres the quirky little Cappuccino (more on this soon), but what else carried a
Suzuki badge that would get our pulses going?
We neednt have worried, though. Because tucked away in a corner upon
arrival and catching our attention immediately was this: an extremely rare first-
generation Swift GTi. Oozing Eighties retro-ness with those boxy lines and two-
tone colour scheme, we couldnt wait to find out more about this underdog of
the hot hatch heyday

020 www.banzaimagazine.com
020-024 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 10:59 Page 21

In Gran Turismo, we look back at some of the

most iconic Japanese cars ever created

January 2016 021

020-024 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 10:59 Page 22

Gran
Turismo

Enhanced interior on the GTi incorporated sportier steering wheel and rev counter in the dash

WHY IS IT SO SPECIAL?
The little sporty Swift couldnt have entered the lesser models. On the outside, we had a
the market at a worse time when it comes to limited range of special colours (with our test
an abundance of decent rivals, with legends car being finish in arguably the best of them
such as the 205 GTI, Fiesta XR2 and Mk1 all the delicious two-tone combo of Bernard
Golf GTI already beginning to re-define what red over Saxony black metallic), along with a
a hot hatch was capable of by the time it hit redesigned front bumper (with foglights,
European shores in 1986. naturally), side skirts, rear bumper and spoiler.
This will help to explain why Suzuki only The three-door-only model also got some
managed to sell 1114 examples in the UK
then, and why wed forgive you if youd never
sportier, wider 13 alloys for good measure.
The complete overhaul continued on the
We can imagine
actually seen one on the road. Thats not to inside, too. A bespoke velour interior with red being blown away
say it was any worse than the aforementioned details, designed by Recaro, was a must-
models. Far from it, actually, as we will find have feature of any self-respecting Eighties by the humble
out later
The GTi formed the flagship model of the
hot hatch, which was complemented here
with a new dash incorporating a rev counter.
hatchs capabilities
Swift range (or Cultus, as it was known in But enough about the little details. We were back in 1986
other markets), with some pretty itching to get behind the wheel for a thrash
comprehensive upgrades setting it apart from around some German mountain roads

022 www.banzaimagazine.com
020-024 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 10:59 Page 23

In Gran Turismo, we look back at some of the

most iconic Japanese cars ever created

HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

Weve saved the most important upgrade that
GTi models received until last that 1.3-litre
twin-cam brute of an engine that provides the
car with much more get-up-and-go that you
might have imagined.
First of all, lets remind ourselves that cars
of this era usually weighed a lot less than
their contemporary counterparts. At 750kg,
this was one of the lightest of them all, and
meant that the 100bhp on tap went a very
long way. A 0-60mph time of 8.6 seconds, for
example, wouldnt be frowned at by a hot
hatch of today, and trumps that of nigh-on
all of the rivals of the time.
Add to that the deeply analogue, raw feel
experienced through all of the contact points,
and youre left with a car thats genuinely a lot
of fun on a twisty road. Sure, the gearbox
feels a bit loose and the steering wheel is
about the same size as that of a bus, but we
can imagine being blown away by the humble
hatchs capabilities back in 1986.
Were just gutted that it wasnt more of a hit
on British soil, as this is one car that well and
truly deserves a reputation up there with the
best of them.

January 2016 023

020-024 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 15:13 Page 24

Gran
Turismo

Left: Its hard not to

love that bold two-tone
colour scheme

Performance:
100bhp at 6500rpm
83lb ft of torque at 5000rpm
114mph top speed

Engine: 1298cc G13B

DOHC 16-valve engine
with multi-point electronic
fuel injection

Transmission: Five-speed
close-ratio manual gearbox

Chassis: 13 alloy wheels,

165/65/13 Yokohama tyres

Brakes: Ventilated discs

(front), drum brakes (rear)

Suspension: Independent
with strut and coils
(front), torsion beam
with coils (rear)
BUYING A SWIFT GTi
If you thought they were rare in the Eighties, Exterior: GTi-specific rear
youll be even more disappointed if searching spoiler, side skirts and front
for a GTi now. We couldnt find a single bumper including foglights,
example for sale in the UK, aside from a few This is one car that well and electric folding wing mirrors
heavily modified rally versions.
If youre really desperate to own one and truly deserves a reputation up Interior: Recaro-designed
grey velour GTi-specific
willing to pay import costs, wed recommend
looking in markets such as Australia and
there with the best of them front and rear sports
seats with red highlights,
Japan where the car was far more readily GTi-specific dashboard
available upon its release with tachometer

024 www.banzaimagazine.com
025 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 12:23 Page 25

Passion. Performance. Precision.

Unveiling the all new line of Vossen Forged Wheels
made of 6061-T6 Forged Aluminum Alloy in the USA.

Available at:

VossenForged.com
026-031 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 12:07 Page 26

Time attack celica

Words: Daniel Bevis Photos: Ron V Photography

026 www.banzaimagazine.com
026-031 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 12:08 Page 27

Cast your preconceptions about the seventh-generation Celica

aside Michel de Zeeuw has created something that builds
on the models performance legacy and takes it to its logical
conclusion. And he did it all at home in his spare time

January 2016 027

026-031 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 12:08 Page 28

Time attack celica Boosted 1ZZ

packaged neatly
and finished with
a host of custom
fabricated parts

028 www.banzaimagazine.com
026-031 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 12:08 Page 29

You dont see many of these in racing

circles [but] the Celica is an attractive
model, and it has an interesting history

f you had plans to build a competition car way for the iconic name to bow out after 36 project then? A car thats lived a pampered

I
using all the right bits, with a keenness to years of production. It doesnt help that, while life, just the odd low-speed trip to the shops
do it properly and youd always liked more eager and exciting states of tune were and no element of any real stress?
Celicas which generation would you available, a lot of folk seem fixated on the Er, no, not really, Michel laughs. It was
choose? Its tricky, as the back catalogue base models modest 140bhp output. Not sold to us in poor condition; the paint was
of Toyotas sports car is studded with great enough, they cry, and what happened to the terrible and the engine had a major oil
hits. The name itself comes from the Latin tech-fest chassis of previous models? consumption issue. Ah, so were not looking
coelica meaning heavenly, and thats Well, thats just being defeatist, isnt it? Look at good, but good value thats just as
appropriate: look at the 1973 Liftback variant at what Fensport achieved with its seventh-gen useful. After all, who cares about ropey paint
of the first-gen Celica, with its Mustang- Celica GT4 X fourth fastest up the hill at the and oil leaks when youre going to tear the
esque tail-lights, or the boxy splendour of the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, showing a whole thing back to first principles anyway?
turbocharged third-generation GT-TR, or the clean pair of heels to the Group C Lancia LC2, You dont see many of these in racing
pop-up lights and four-wheel steering of the the Brabham-Cosworth BT42 and the Penske- circles, he continues, which is a bonus. It
T180 series. We took a straw poll around the Ilmor PC19. That certainly generated interest. pays to stand out. The Celica is an attractive
office and most people immediately called And one man who was watching closely was model, and it has an interesting history. And
out the GT-Four, either in ST185 or ST205 the Netherlands Michel de Zeeuw. so, with an eye on the Time Attack rule book,
flavour, as the tool for the job preferably in I really admire the work that the boys at he rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in.
Castrol livery, with huge rally mudflaps and a Fensport do, Id say that was my principle But what exactly is Time Attack? Well, Time
snorkel. But funnily enough, few people seem motivation to build this car the way I have, Attack grew from Japanese race cars of the
to single out the seventh-generation, end-of- he says, which is praise indeed given the 1960s that were built to celebrate the art of
the-line Celica. Interesting, isnt it? amount of time and effort hes lavished upon the aftermarket tuner the doors were open to
You see, there comes a time in a long- it. I work as a mechanic at a dealership, everyone from low-budget home-spannerers
running models life when peoples affections Toyota De Bruijn Blokker, and this car came to big-bucks corporate showcases, with
start to wobble. It happened with the Mk3 to us because the owner was no longer able everyone racing on, as it were, a level playing
Escort, the Mk4 Golf GTI, the Fox-body to use it being 83 years old, he just couldnt field. And this is still the ethos today. You just
Mustang tinkering with an established fit into it any more. Thats quite an image, need to start with a production car as a
formula seems to irritate people. While the isnt it? My grandma used to pootle to the project base, and then the tuning potential is
T230-series Celicas of 1999-2006 were shops in a K11 Micra, I cant imagine her near-limitless. Throw in a load of horsepower,
acceptable coups, theres an undercurrent of tackling the rakish profile of a Celica. So tinker with the chassis and drivetrain, develop
feeling that perhaps it wasnt the most stellar were probably dealing with a solid base for a some custom aero, do whatever it takes to

January 2016 029

026-031 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 12:09 Page 30

Time attack celica

make the car as fast as it can be.
Time Attack today exists in numerous series
across the globe, with competitors bracketed
into various groups; Clubman, for instance, is
a UK class for cars with basic modifications
roll-cages are merely recommended the
ladder climbs through Club Challenge, Club
Pro, Pro and Pro Extreme, with the cars
getting incrementally madder as you go. In
essence, then, Time Attack is the dream
series for aftermarket tuners you can do
pretty much what you like to the car without
having to worry about a governing body
disqualifying you for running the wrong
thickness of head gasket or a frowned-upon
diameter of air intake. It follows, then, that
cars built for this series tend to be somewhat
on the bonkers side. But youd deduced that
from looking at the photos, hadnt you? although this is no random shopping list build kit) to generate significant downforce.
My brother and I did all of the work on the everything in the car has been selected for Moving to the interior, youll find that its
car together, aside from boring the engine out function and purpose. That its ended up been gutted. No sign of the previous owners
for the oversized pistons, which was done by looking sensational is a happy by-product. flat cap here; instead, youll simply find an
Zwakman Motors, Michel explains. And And remember, this is all home-built by just ample square-footage of clean, clear steel,
anyone whos ever decried the effectiveness one man and his brother. The hardest job augmented by a racers bucket, a sturdy
of the 1ZZ motor should take note, as this was fabricating the exhaust manifold, he cage, and a minimalist dash of supreme
400bhp screamer is certainly out to take a few recalls. Theres not a lot of room in there, flockage. Oh, and a datalogger. All the better
names. It features forged pistons, Crower and you really dont want to compromise on to tame that honed and optimised chassis
cams and rods, a dry sump system and, the the construction equal lengths, pipe with no distractions and a focus on the vital
cherry on the cake, a turbo conversion diameters, it all has to be correct. That did signs, its all about unleashing those 400-odd
boosting hard through a Garrett GT3071; a take us a bit of time to figure out horses with sublime controllability.
custom-fitted MR2 turbo transmission This level of thoroughness can be found The suspension was custom-made for me
channels the thrust through a KAAZ diff, all throughout the build. Arguably the most by Intrax, says Michel. Its based around its
with the aim of surprising anyone who thought impressive angle to view the car at is from 1K2 shocks with everything tuned for track use.
that the Celica had gone soft in its dotage. below when its up on a ramp; save for a Its service really is top! Its all nicely finished
The pistons were specially cast by channel for the exhaust, the alloy floor is with Powerflex Black Series bushes in the
Wiseco, and the Crower rods are specific to entirely flat, neatly flowing into a sweeping wishbones front and rear. The brakes are Tarox
turbo applications, he says The fuelling and carbon-fibre diffuser at the rear. This GT10 at the front with K-Sport X4 at the back,
cooling systems are bespoke, and its all aerodynamic advance works in tandem with as this was the best combination in terms of
managed by APEXi Power FC standalone the reworked APR Performance rear wing and sizes and performance. It sounds like hes got
engine management. Check out the spec the huge front splitter (look at the pictures it all stitched up neatly theres not an ounce
list, it reads like a whos-who of quality parts, with the front bumper off, its a vast piece of of chaff on this car, everything you see has

Above: Motorsport-spec interior features single bucket and cage

030 www.banzaimagazine.com
026-031 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 12:09 Page 31

Left: Almost entirely flat

underside works hand-in-
hand with the collection of
wings and splitters up top

been selected for optimal TechSpec

performance which is all logical when
it comes to Time Attack, and Michels Engine and transmission: 1ZZFE four-
been decimating all comers with cylinder, Wiseco forged pistons, Crower con
devastating force: The Celicas been rods, ARP head bolt kit, knife-edged crankshaft,
custom ARE dry-sump system, Crower Stage 2
active in the Time Attack series in the
camshafts, Crower valve springs with titanium
Netherlands for four years now, he says. retainers, Garrett GT3071 turbo, custom full-race
It took a second place in the Pro Street exhaust manifold, Magnaflow 3 exhaust
class in 2012, and that was when it was system, custom turbo intake manifold,
running 200bhp, half what it has now. The real DeatschWerks 700cc injectors and DW300 fuel
power transformation began the following year, pump, AEM fuel pressure regulator, Okada
and it was completed in 2014, ready for circuit Project coils, Denso IK22 spark plugs, Precision
testing. I competed in the Super Pro class this intercooler, Mishimoto rad, Forge blow-off valve,
year and finished up sixth overall, which isnt APEXi Power FC with Power Commander,
GReddy Profec boost controller, Innovate MTX-L
bad for a front wheel-drive car! Next year Im air/fuel controller, E153 MR2 Turbo transmission
aiming for the podium with custom adapter plate and custom flywheel,
Ah yes, did we forget to mention? Michels Clutch Masters FX400 clutch, KAAZ 1.5-way
Celica is staying true to its roots and remains LSD, Ikeya sequential shifter with gear indicator,
front wheel-drive, making his achievements custom Carlos Sainz GT4 axles 400bhp on E85
all the more impressive. Its what makes the
car so special, he grins. Its unique no-one Chassis: 17 WedsSport TC105N wheels with
else in Time Attack has a FWD Celica this Toyo R888, titanium lugnuts, Tarox GT10 front
calipers with 330mm discs, K-Sport X4 rear
fast. And hes not boasting, thats a fact. This
calipers with 300mm discs, custom Intrax 1K2
astonishing, ultra-clean, super-focused suspension, custom alloy flat floor
creation, improbably pieced together at home
by two brothers in their spare time, has burst Interior: OMP HTE driver seat, L-Tec six-point
forth into the Dutch sunlight with the harness, NRG harness bar, Cusco six-point roll-
performance and prowess to give many a pro cage, Sparco Racing steering wheel, Aim MXL
race team something to worry about. dash with EVO 4 datalogging system, plumbed-
Sure, the seventh-generation variant may in Sparco extinguisher system, carbon fibre
not have been your go-to Celica when the doorcards, race battery relocated to centre
question was first posed but how are you
Exterior: Carbon-fibre bonnet and boot, Lexan
feeling about it now? This incredible race car windows, carbon-fibre roof intake, APR
makes a strong case for it. Even keeping the Performance GTC300 rear wing with custom
ZZ motor and FWD layout, you can turn one support system, APR Performance Formula
into something ballistic and aspirational. GT3 carbon-fibre side mirrors, custom APR
Youd better go and check the classifieds, Performance front splitter
before the tuning world really catches on

January 2016 031

032 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:25 Page 32

Call today: 01883 732 331

www.abbeymotorsport.co.uk

Servicing
Everything Japanese
routine service / alignment
tuning / parts supply / dyno
maintenance / repairs

/AbbeyMotorsportUK @AbbeyMotorsport
033 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 15:20 Page 33

 

















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034-041 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 10:15 Page 34

CAR OF THE

YEAR
2015
We take a look back over the past year of feature
cars for the stand-out candidates worthy of
taking Banzais coveted Car of the Year award
nother year is over and so its once again time to reflect on what

A
has passed through the pages of Banzai. Theres been plenty of
content over the last 12 months, with a lot of variation, from near-
standard retro classics to big power competition cars and
everything else in between. So weve rounded up a selection of the
finest features with a view for you, the readers, to choose the best.
All you have to do is look over the options on the following pages, choose
which you think is best and then vote for your favourite (for free) by logging on
to our website www.banzaimagazine.co.uk/coty2015. By doing so, you could
win a one year subscription to the magazine as a prize and weve got three to
give away

VOTE NOW! For your chance to WIN

one of three subscriptions to Banzai!

034 www.banzaimagazine.com
034-041 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 10:15 Page 35

January 2016 035

034-041 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 10:16 Page 36

JANUARY JANUARY

ERIC BIZEK STAR ROAD

Retro racer RX-7 KGC10 Skyline
This wide-arch RX-7 was inspired by a Hot Wheels model and This stunning Hako-shaped Skyline had us weak at the knees with
graced our first cover at the beginning of 2015. It certainly set the its classically gorgeous curves. Adding a heavily reworked engine
standard high for the rest to follow, as the build was beautifully pumping out 300bhp with some period tuning methods only
executed and the overall finish was superb. increased the want level.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY

KAMIKAZE GARAGE CHRIS JEANNERET

Retro perfection 240Z Boosted Honda S2000
It doesnt take a whole lot to make a 240Z a truly stand-out car and An S2K with a heavily boosted K24 engine and a dash of nitrous
this example was proof of that. Retro split-rims tucked under wide isnt necessarily the perfect recipe for a drift car, but this big-power
arches set the tone wonderfully, and the extra low ride height was American work of art has more than proved itself on track in the
due to air bag suspension. Formula D series.

MARCH MARCH

ANTHONY SCALI RAVSPEC

Big power R32 GT-R Rocket Bunny RX-7
The beauty of Anthonys Skyline was the combination of A true SEMA show-stopper, this car really did have it all: Rocket
understated looks together with huge amounts of power. And there Bunny curves, over 500bhp of rotary madness on tap, and a set of
was plenty of the latter, as this R32 was producing nearly 900whp the shiniest Work wheels weve ever seen! Its everything a show
beneath that subtle exterior. car should be.

036 www.banzaimagazine.com
034-041 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 10:16 Page 37

MARCH MARCH

SHAUN FARMER RA MOTORSPORT

Toyota Cressida Turbocharged GT86
What began as a chance eBay buy soon turned into something far When Subaru tuner RA Motorsport chose to do a Toyota GT86
more exciting for owner Shaun. The retro-look saloon was sporting project, it really went to town and this was the delightful result. With
the straight-six engine from a Lexus and there was trick suspension a turbocharged heart and custom wide-arch kit, it certainly stood
to back it up. out from the crowds.

APRIL APRIL

MD PERFORMANCE D.TWO INDUSTRIES

Flawless 500bhp Impreza Liberty Walk GT-R
It may seem relatively simple on the outside but that was the beauty Weve seen plenty of Liberty Walk GT-Rs since, but this was one of
of this Impreza. Underneath the surface was a genuine 500bhp the first we came across and summed up a new wave of JDM
engine build but the overall finish throughout the car was truly tuning in one solid hit. Wide arches, wide wheels to fill them and
incredible in terms of cleanliness. super low stance.

APRIL MAY

DAVID TAYLOR PATRICK SOLIMAN

Supercharged Type R RB26 Kenmeri Skyline
There was something wonderfully simple but effective about this Undoubtedly one of the coolest cars patrolling the streets of
EP3 Civic that appealed to us, with its Jackson Racing California, this Kenmeri-shaped Skyline was sporting a special
supercharger kit and standard looks set off perfectly with those surprise under the bonnet; one of the tidiest RB26 engine
unusual red-themed Advan wheels. conversions you could ever come across.

January 2016 037

034-041 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 10:16 Page 38

MAY MAY

MERCURY ENTERPRISES KENNETH BONELLO

1000bhp 2JZ 350Z Time Attack FD3S RX-7
Adding a four-figure-power 2JZ engine and insane wide-body kit to This bridge-ported, single-turbo machine has had quite an impact
a 350Z is one way to make an impression in the Formula D Japan on the Maltese motorsport scene. With aggressive looks to back up
drift series. We loved all the little JDM quirks this monster had to the performance, it was the full package. And the best bit about it?
offer, including the awesome aero. It was still fully road legal!

JUNE JUNE

BRUCE WIER HONDA YUASA RACING

Track weapon 240Z BTCC Civic Type R
A proper old-school bruiser, this historic racer managed to pack Matt Neal and Gordon Sheddens weapons of choice for 2015
over 300bhp from its carb-fed engine. Add in the story of the were these brutal FK2-shaped racers. Featuring sci-fi levels of
cars late, great owner, Willie Robertson, and its become something tech and finished to perfection, its no wonder the team won the
of a legend. constructers trophy last year!

JUNE JULY

JAMIE MARSHALL LUKE CROWLEY

13B turbo RX-3 drag car Subaru Impreza WRX
Packing over 700bhp, with scope for more, and coupled to a One of the very finest road-going examples of the original shape
clutch-less Liberty five-speed box, the goal for this build was to Impreza, Lukes car featured a heavily reworked, big-power engine
become the fastest rotary-powered car in Australia, but it was also and there was, of course, the all-important anti-lag. A beast from
finished with impeccable quality. the Down Under

038 www.banzaimagazine.com
034-041 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 10:17 Page 39

JULY AUGUST

ADY ABBOTT TEAM JAPSPEED

Turbocharged FN2 370Z drift car
This humble looking turbocharged Civic made a monstrous 651bhp Shane Lynchs new drift car was never going to be understated and
but was turned down to 500bhp to save the gearbox. Backed up Japspeed was always going to deliver, which is why we saw this
with big brakes and a full interior helped to create the ultimate road- supercharged V8-powered 370Z unveiled in the middle of last year.
going FN2 and we loved it. It certainly hit the spot!

AUGUST SEPTEMBER

NATHAN HOWELL LEE BURLEY

Subaru Impreza WRX Single-turbo Supra
Proving that airbags can be fitted to performance cars as well as Lee had owned his twin-turbo Supra for 18 years and used it as a
all-out show cars, Nathans WRX both looked the part and went daily driver for the majority of those, but gave it a recent makeover
well too. Finished off perfectly with those split-rims, it did with great results. The Lamborghini grey paint and single turbo
everything it was meant to and then some. conversion made sure of that.

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER

RON KIDDELL DIETRICH WULTEPUT

R32 Skyline Retro Celica TA22
When legendary Skyline tuner Ron Kiddell of RK Tuning decided to You cant beat a bit of retro and Dietrichs Celica certainly nailed
build himself a Touring car replica, we knew it would be good, but that to a tee. It was a simple approach, but the way it sat on those
Ron created something truly spectacular, thanks to the high quality rare Gotti split-rims worked wonderfully well with the 1970s styling
finish and feel. and deep blue paint job.

January 2016 039

034-041 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 10:17 Page 40

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

FRAIZER COHEN BRUNO FERNANDES

570+bhp WRX Spoon S2000
Fraziers WRX was a lesson in how to develop the ultimate road- There was just enough of everything without too much of anything
going package in just about every way. Since the photoshoot, the to make Brunos track-ready S2000 stand out as something special.
car has evolved much further, taking it firmly on to the next level of The choice of rare and high end parts ensured the car performed
excellence in our eyes. just as well as it looked.

OCTOBER NOVEMBER

SIMON PERRY HOND-R

Rear-wheel drive R35 GT-R Supercharged K20 Prelude
Youve got to appreciate the engineering that goes into When Maz at Hond-R decided to build himself a Prelude, he raised
transforming a four-wheel drive GT-R with a transaxle to become a the bar for UK builds as we know them by fitting a supercharged
rear-wheel drive drift car. But the conversion had been very well K20 and installing it with such clean-cut precision its unlike any
executed and the car was still street legal! other example weve come across.

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER

PETER AND STEVE DONNELLY BOBBY PROCTOR

1JZ-powered FD3 RX-7 R32 Skyline GT-R
It might be a dedicated drift car but that doesnt mean the fit and Bobbys Skyline was the whole package and then some. Stunning
finish of the build, including the unusual 1JZ engine installation, was looks (thanks to that unusual blue paint job) were backed up by
nothing short of stunning. Plenty of time and effort had clearly been thoroughly reworked underpinnings hiding beneath to ensure this
invested and we liked it. Skyline very much had it all.

040 www.banzaimagazine.com
034-041 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 10:18 Page 41

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

MAX FLECKNEY MARK KELLY

Retro Toyota Starlet Single-turbo 3000GT
This sumptuous, unmolested second-gen Starlet lets those classic It may be a bit of an oddball in the JDM tuning world but theres no
lines do all the talking, with the help of some period-perfect Advan denying Marks car had all the right credentials. From the tasteful
split-rims and a set of custom coilovers. The fact that its rear-wheel looks to the single turbo conversion, Marks approach was possibly
drive too only adds to the appeal! the best weve ever seen.

DECEMBER DECEMBER

STUART LAWSON MAC MOTORSPORT

FC3S RX-7 drifter 2JZ-powered Honda S2000
Stuarts RX-7 was an awesome example of how a drift car can be Shoe-horning Toyotas finest straight-six turbo into a lightweight
fun in every sense of the word. From its capabilities to go sideways Honda S2000 shell and then tuning it to produce over 700bhp
on track, thanks to the 13B turbo, to the lairy paint job, wide-arch sounds like a whole lot of hard work, but Marcin at MAC built it all
kit and those stunning split-rims, this car had it all. himself and managed to make it look easy!

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January 2016 041

042-046 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 11:54 Page 42

440BHP INTEGRA

Just another Integra, right? Wrong.

Darrens unassuming DC2 is now
packing more than double the
intended power under the bonnet
thanks to a little turbo trickery
Words: Sam Preston
Photos: Steve McCann

042 www.banzaimagazine.com
042-046 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 11:54 Page 43

January 2016 043

042-046 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 11:54 Page 44

440BHP INTEGRA

BOOSTING A B-SERIES
The brakes are Because old-school Honda Type R
engines are famous for being cranked
amazing my up to 11 from the word go, many reckon
its not wise to add a turbocharger
favourite mod on the without doing some groundwork first.
car after the turbo! Darren therefore opted to start his
project with a lower compression GS-R
block (10.6:1 instead of the standard
11.1:1), which was also built with much
sturdier internals for good measure
before being fitted.
Once a solid base was in place,
Darren opted for one of the many off-
the-shelf turbo conversion kits available
for this application in the form of a Full-
Race Motorsports package. Depending
on your budget, these kits can supply
you with near enough everything youll
need to get a running, turbocharged
VTEC engine in your car, from the
charger itself through to the intercooler
and custom manifolds.
Then, in theory, its just a case of
uprating most of the other aspects of
the car to handle the extra power, such
as the brakes, suspension and fuelling
systems, and you should be good to go!

etting yourself hooked on

G
something rarely ends well.
But when harnessed and used
in the right way, sometimes,
just sometimes, obsessions
can lead to ground-breaking,
earth-shattering feats being achieved.
Take Darrens DC2 Integra here as a prime
example. A self-confessed boost junkie, the
190-odd horses available through the cars
NA engine were certainly not high up the list
of factors that led him into buying the car six
years ago. With a little inventiveness,
however, hes managed to create the mother
of all sleeper cars by combining this cars
standard curves with a much more
substantial heart
At this point, you may be wondering why
exactly Darren here opted for an Integra in the
first place, especially considering his previous
car was an Impreza WRX STI. I saw a DC2 in

044 www.banzaimagazine.com
042-046 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 11:54 Page 45

a copy of Banzai and really liked the look of from supercharging and back to what Darren meaning that in theory as much boost as
it, our man of a clearly fine taste says, knew best. Because, lets face it, for some physically possible could be thrown at the
unravelling the story of how it all began. people theres just no getting away from that engine with very little drama in the process.
I then took this very car for a test-drive, and alluring whoosh and kick-up-the-rear that When the engine finally arrived on home
was hooked! I loved those tight seats and the only a turbo can supply. soil, Darren wasted no time in getting it over
handling was spot-on. But where to begin? As we all know, red- to Jonathans now-well established premises,
He may well have liked the image his rev- top Hondas come with a pretty angry engine AI Autosport (which has since become one of
happy coup was allowing him to express but setup as it is, which means that bolting on a the go-to tuners of Northern Ireland), where
unlike many happy Type R owners, this isnt turbo often ends in tears. The starting point he was advised to run the engine in the car as
quite where are story ends. But you probably was therefore a GS-R-spec block from the it was for at least 1000 miles to break it in.
guessed as much, didnt you? I met a guy States. This sister engine of the one sitting in A lot of careful driving and some small
called Jonathan Armstrong when my brother Darrens car originally offers a lower hiccups later, the green light was finally given
was getting some work done on his Evo, compression ratio and allegedly acts as a for the power hikes to commence. I went for
Darren continues. After discussing more much stronger base for builds like this one. the Full-Race Motorsports turbo conversion
power for my car, he suggested After some long discussions with the guys because Id heard good things about its
supercharging it at Laskey Racing, the firm offered to whip up quality, Darren justifies. This came with
A spot of cyber surfing led Darren to the just what Darren was after for a surprisingly everything Jonathan would need to bolt a
site of California-based Laskey Racing a good price (thats the way the dollar was a few Garrett snail onto the block, which would be
firm renown for some of the most brutally years ago), which comprised a GS-R block managed by a speciality of AI Motorsport: a
powerful turbocharged Honda builds of late rebored with Darton sleeves and strengthened Vi-PEC standalone ECU fettled to deliver
which ultimately swayed the search away internals for optimum power and longevity, power in a fast road manner. It took just one

January 2016 045

042-046 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 11:55 Page 46

440BHP INTEGRA

Every time I drive it,

it still surprises me

Power: Approx. 440bhp

Engine: 1797cc Honda B18 GS-R VTEC

block, rebored with 84mm Darton sleeves,
Arias pistons, Brian Crower camshafts,
standard crankshaft, Full-Race Motorsports
turbo kit comprising Garrett GT35R
turbocharger, downpipe, manifolds, intercooler
and radiator, full HKS exhaust system, custom
screamer pipe, Cusco oil catch can, HKS boost
controller, Vi-PEC standalone ECU, three-bar
MAP sensor, Innovative engine mounts

Transmission: Standard DC2 five-speed,

close-ratio gearbox with Kaaz plated limited-
slip differential, Exedy clutch and flywheel

Chassis: 7.5x17 Rota Boost wheels with

215/40/17 Yokohama Neova AD08 tyres, XYZ
adjustable coilovers, Spoon Sports front and
rear strut braces

Brakes: XYZ six-pot front brake calipers,

HEL braided brake lines throughout

Exterior: Full respray in original Championship

white, black roof and wing mirrors

Interior: Standard Recaro interior with HKS oil

temperature, oil pressure and boost gauges
installed in dashboard

Contacts/Thanks: A massive thanks goes

to Jonathan Armstrong at AI Autosport
(www.aiautosport.co.uk) for building the engine
and looking after the car and Laskey Racing
(www.laskeyracing.com) for supplying all
the parts

week of excruciating waiting before Darren chunky XYZ six-pot stoppers up front to this car has caused more than one confused
got the call hed been waiting for. Jonathan match the newfound grunt. It soon became driver demanding to see whats under the
told me the work had been done and the car obvious that the standard brakes werent bonnet after being smoked off the lights or
was now making 440bhp on a safe map! he going to be up for the job, Darren rather on the track.
recalls delightedly. unsurprisingly admits. But these brakes are Darrens grin while talking about his car is
Youre probably expecting us to tell you amazing probably my favourite mod on the one that could only be emitted by someone
that this is where Darrens story comes to a car after the turbo, of course! thats recently received their latest fix for a
happy ending, driving off into the sunset with We all know that a well-sorted DC2 can deeply-rooted addiction, which in this case is
one of the UKs most powerful road-going demolish a lot of much more substantial a hefty dose of boost. By opting for
Hondas at his disposal. But doubling your metal in the right hands, even in nigh-on something he merely liked the look of as the
cars power output overnight rarely comes standard trim but what does this legendary basis of his build was a bold move by Darren
without some minor teething troubles, which chassis feel like with 440 horses being but one thats paid off, as some added
he found out the hard way over the next few propelled to the front wheels? Every time I creativity and determination have resulted in
weeks. First, the dizzy melted. Then the drive it, it still surprises me, Darren explains. a car that is not only faster than most but
gearbox started making noises after racing an It gives you the biggest adrenaline rush! also a whole lot more unique. If you happen
Evo he sheepishly says. When you drive it normally, it still feels just to stumble upon this car on your travels, just
The solutions came in the shape of a much like a Type R but when you plant it keep an eye out for that intercooler lurking
more substantial Kaaz LSD which took the everything changes. Youre probably not behind the front grille before taking it on to
place of the standard Honda item, along with surprised to hear that since its completion, avoid any embarrassment

046 www.banzaimagazine.com
047 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 12:24 Page 47
048 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:30 Page 48

Japanese & Modified Car Insurance Scheme

All Makes, Models and Modifications Covered
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Multiple Car and Introductory NCB Discounts Available
Instalments Available
Car Club Member Discounts

03303 331250
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Sky Insurance are the preferred insurer for
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Unit 13, Horcott Industrial Estate, Horcott Road, Fairford, Glos GL7 4BX
If youre not getting mounted by Hasport . . .
. . . youre just getting screwed .
049 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 09:25 Page 49
050-055 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:26 Page 50

Show Report: HondaFest #6

WHERE? Hal Far Raceway, Malta
WHEN? 23/10/2015
CONTACT: www.source-rautostyling.com
Words: Sam Preston Photos: Chris Wallbank

lthough a relatively tiny speck of ourselves to sample one of the countrys

Checking out Maltas car

A
land (its about the same size as most popular string of car shows
the city of Manchester, with less HondaFest we probably couldnt have said
scene for ourselves has been than a quarter of the population), yes any quicker if we tried.
on the to-do list for a while the humble island of Malta has Now on its sixth installment, HondaFest
now, and when it finally always been alluring to us due to brings the islands love of all things VTEC to
the seemingly endless stream of top-notch the scenic Hal Far Raceway a drag strip
happened, it exceeded all feature cars that hail from there. complex with a backdrop to make most other
our expectations So when we were asked to head down for European circuits feel truly embarrassed.

050 www.banzaimagazine.com
050-055 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:26 Page 51

The events are organised by Jason Cini, Below: Show organiser Jason Cinis stunning
something of a Honda guru on the island who DC2 was one of the highlights of the show
is also the front man of the Source-R
Autostyling garage (more on this fascinating
place in a future issue). Unlike many
UK events, HondaFest starts in the early
evening and carries on well into the night.
Thats what happens when you live
somewhere hot, we guess
As we arrived, the event was already filling
up fairly rapidly with some serious looking
cars, ranging from Kanjo-styled EF hatches all
the way through to an immaculately modified
NSX. Were not quite sure where all of the
hundreds of cars came from, but we certainly
werent complaining.
As darkness fell, the gates of the sticky
quarter mile strip were opened for business. It
was nice to see virtually all of the cars in
attendance having a pop, and the night-time
setting merely added to the excitement.
If you begin getting autumn blues early this
year, we thoroughly recommend hopping on a
plane to this rather magical place for some
Japanese car thrills, excellent company and a
spot of last-minute sun, of course

January 2016 051

050-055 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:27 Page 52

Show Report: HondaFest #6

Below: Box-fresh first-gen Civic

was nothing short of beautiful!

Above: Lovely NSX sitting pretty in the late evening sun

052 www.banzaimagazine.com
050-055 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:28 Page 53

Right: EK Civic racer was

finished just in time for the
show by Source-R Autostyling

Below: As dusk fell, the drag strip opened for

business to create some stunning scenes

January 2016 053

050-055 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:28 Page 54

Show Report: HondaFest #6

Above: Youll be seeing much more from this

nine-second DC2 drag racer very soon

054 www.banzaimagazine.com
050-055 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:29 Page 55

Above: Savage B18-swapped EF was part of

the Kanjo-inspired Kanshaku Racing team

January 2016 055

056 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:38 Page 56
057 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:40 Page 57

RACING COMPONENTS for JAPANESE CARS

Stroker Kits Pistons Clutch & Flywheel Cambelts

Camshafts Valve Springs Suspension Exhaust Sytems

Throttle Bodies Exhaust Manifolds Injection Kits Power Kits

-Honda K20A Type R & S TODA Racing Components are available from:
Honda S2000 Abbey Motorsport TDi North Ltd
Honda B16 & B18C Units 1/2 Stonehall Far, Woodhurst Lane, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 9H Unit 22, Aston Court, Kingsland Grange, Woolston, Warrington, Cheshire
Honda NSX Tel: 01883 732331 www.abbeymotorsport.co.uk WA1 4SG
Tel: 0800 0196055
Mazda Miata B6 & BP Dastek UK
Dastek House, 16 Ridgeway, Hillend Business Park,Dalgety Bay, TDi plc
Toyota 4AG, 3SG, 7M Fife KY11 9JN Unit 5, The I.O. Centre, Motherwell Way, Thurrock, Essex. RM20 3LE
Nissan SR20DE ( T ) Tel: 0845 345 4035 www.dastek.co.u Tel: 0800 107 3250 www.g-force-motorsport.co.uk
Mitsubishi 4G63 Mardi Gras Racing Racecomponents.com
Subaru Impreza WRX Units 45-46, Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Nothants. NN12 8TL Swedens leading web based distributor of Japanese tuning parts
Tel: 01327 858006 www.mardigras.co.uk www.racecomponents.com

More distributors required - contact Torque Developments plc for details

Main Distributors: Torque Developments International plc.

Unit 5, The I.O. Centre, Motherwell Way, Thurrock, Essex. RM20 3LE Tel: 0800 107 3250
www.tdi-plc.com
058-063 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 13:30 Page 58

seven-speed supra

058 www.banzaimagazine.com
058-063 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 13:31 Page 59

There are big things

happening in the Toyota
Supra world down at Garage
Whifbitz, so we went there
to check it out for ourselves

on
mps
Tho
rew
And
tos:
Pho
es
olm
on H
Sim
ds:
Wor

ruly great innovations in this

T
tuning scene we know and love
are relatively few and far between.
Yes, there are often plenty of
significant advances, such as
more responsive turbochargers
and smarter standalone ECUs, but these kind
of developments can rarely be considered
genuinely ground-breaking in the grand
scheme of things. However, whats been
accomplished here, with this car, is ground-
breaking as far as were concerned.
Underneath the skin of this not-too-subtle
Toyota Supra sits a moderately tuned, single
turbo 2JZ but theres nothing too special
there. What is special is the transmission
mounted behind it. Instead of a simple
manual gearbox, or slow-shifting automatic,
theres the Getrag seven-speed, Dual-Clutch
Transmission (DCT) harvested from a modern
BMW M3 of all things. If youve ever
experienced these gearboxes first hand you
will know they shift cogs as fast as you can
blink, quite literally. Working with the engine,
changes are seamless, both up and down,
and its even able to rev match for downshifts.
Its about as good as it gets when it comes to

January 2016 059

058-063 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 13:32 Page 60

seven-speed supra
WHAT IS A DOUBLE-CLUTCH GEARBOX? WHERE DOES THE DCT
GEARBOX COME FROM?
Its best to think of a Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) as two separate gearboxes inside
a single casing. That means there are two sets of gears on separate shafts that can Not to be confused with the older
each engage a single, shared mainshaft that sends drive to the propshaft. Gears first, Sequential Manual Gearboxes
third, fifth and seventh are located on one layshaft and the opposing gears, second, (SMG) that came on the previous
fourth and sixth are on the other. A set of clutch packs are attached to the shafts and generations of BMW M cars, the M
its through engaging and disengaging these that drive can swap between the two sets DCT arrived in 2008 with the
of gears. These shafts work independently of each other so that the gear selectors, introduction of the V8-powered
controlled by complex hydro-electronics, are able to physically select the next gear on E92 BMW M3. Its not actually
the opposing shaft without interrupting drive to the other. It therefore allows lightening- produced by BMW, but by German
fast changes to take place as when the gear lever is pulled, the clutches simply flick transmission manufacturer Getrag.
between the two gearsets. Just like an automatic, there is no clutch pedal and gears It instantly proved to be more
can be selected by pulling or pushing the gear lever, using the steering wheel paddles popular than the six-speed manual
or it can be left in full automatic mode so it will change for you. gearbox option, thanks largely to
the superior acceleration times it
offered. Since then, the same unit
has been offered on virtually every
M car, including the M3, M4, M5
and M6, spanning several
generations. Its also fitted to
varied configurations, from
naturally aspirated V8s to
turbocharged straight-sixes. The
gearbox has remained virtually free
from change during its life span
and is still in current use.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This will largely depend on where
the gearbox is sourced, but the
Syvecs S6Plus ECU, Toucan
display, paddle shifters, drive-by-
wire throttle conversion, plug-and-
play wiring loom, billet mounts,
adapter and custom flywheel cost
a total of 7350. That might sound
like a lot, but then a manual
gearbox conversion, complete with
uprated clutch, still costs a huge
gearboxes; think of a race-derived, flat- So, Paul began looking for suitable amount and isnt as capable.
shifting sequential but without the straight-cut candidates, and soon realised rear-wheel
gear whine and then add a full auto mode, for drive DCTs were thin on the ground, which is
ease of use when you pop to the shops. why it didnt take long to come across the
It all sounds ideal for a modified Supra, but seven-speed fitted to virtually all late model
grafting all of that modern technology into a BMW M cars. Things became more
car that was designed and built nearly 20 interesting when he discovered they were
years earlier is the really impressive part. Paul relatively cheap to buy and proven to be very
Whiffin at Supra specialist Whifbitz, is the reliable. A plan was soon hatched, but Paul
man responsible for getting the conversion was well aware that the hard part of the
where it is and he is now offering it as a drive- conversion wouldnt be physically fitting the
in, drive-out package. He tells us the idea of new gearbox in to position, but making it
fitting a modern DCT came about from simply work in perfect harmony with the engine.
weighing up the options. Manual Supra After all, BMW employed a complex network
boxes are getting thin on the ground and, as of electronics to allow the full throttle gear
a result, are expensive to buy, whilst the changes and rev-matching downshifts.
automatic transmissions are plentiful and Thats where mastermind Ryan Griffiths at
reliable, but they lack response and change Syvecs came in. He worked alongside Paul to
gear too slowly. This is made much worse as program a top-of-the-range Syvecs S6Plus to
turbo technology and the like improves to take control of everything from the engines
create hugely powerful yet highly responsive fuelling to the gearboxs shifting patterns. The
engines, which makes the self-shifting auto next stage of development saw Paul buy an
boxes feel massively dated. With more and E90 M3 to use as a mobile test bed and then
more big power builds emerging from the source a second-hand DCT, along with the
Whifbitz garage doors, it was time to consider matching gear lever assembly. These were
a gearbox conversion and after experiencing sized up and then sent away to be 3D
how fast his R35 GTR swapped cogs, it was scanned so a billet adapter plate, mount and
clear that converting a production car-derived custom flywheel assembly could be made to
DCT made the most sense. mate the engine to the 2JZ and Supra shell.

060 www.banzaimagazine.com
058-063 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 13:32 Page 61

HOW DOES IT PHYSICALLY FIT?

Surprisingly, the gearbox fits better than you would expect it would in a 1990s
Japanese car. In fact, Paul jokes that its almost meant to be! Once the custom
flywheel is fitted along with the bellhousing adapter plate, the gearbox can then bolt
up in place. However, its taller in size than the original Toyota automatic or manual
gearbox, which means the standard Supra transmission tunnel needs to be cut,
mildly modified and rewelded to accommodate it. Its not noticeable from the inside
and the original centre console trim still fits in place just fine. Luckily, the BMW
transmission also happens to be shorter than the Toyota predecessor, so a simple
billet propshaft adapter can be bolted in place to allow the original prop to bolt up in
place. The gearbox mount itself is a carefully designed billet item that utilises the
existing Supra bolt holes and allows everything to sit nice and level.

HOW STRONG ARE THEY?

For a start, the transmission has its
own lubrication system and the oil
lasts the lifetime of the box. But
the real beauty of the BMW-derived
DCT is that it appears no standard
BMW can break one. Bearing in
mind some M5 and M6 models
produce over 600bhp and 500lb ft
of torque, thats impressive. It also
means there are many used DCTs
available from scrap yards with
little demand from the second-
hand market. However, Paul found
that a tuned, torque-happy 2JZ
engine did make the internal clutch
packs slip. However, upgraded
clutch packs capable of taking
700bhp or even 900bhp already
exist from Dodson Motorsport. Paul
has become its UK dealer so is
now able to supply these.

January 2016 061

058-063 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 14:13 Page 62

seven-speed supra WHAT ELSE IS REQUIRED?

This conversion is much more
complex than any other transmission
swap because of the electronics side
of things. The clever new gearbox has
to be able to communicate with the
engine very closely, which means that
the standard Toyota ECU becomes
obsolete. A replacement is required,
one that is clever enough to take
control of the gearboxs shifting
patterns as well, which is why a
Syvecs S6Plus is employed in this
conversion. A fly-by-wire throttle
conversion is also required so the new
ECU can take full control of the throttle
body for rev-matching downshifts.
That means that both the throttle body
and pedal assembly is also changed
for suitable replacements. Its also
easy to lose count of the gears once
on the move when theres seven of
them, so a Toucan touch display that
links to the Syvecs ECU is required to
display a gear indicator.

Fast forward a good few months of intense, acceleration where it really shines. Once the
in-depth development and this Supra, which 2JZ has come on boost the car is able to gain
Paul bought originally off a customer, has pace with ferocious force as the upshifts are
become the working show case. Keen to so short and sharp that it simply forces you
experience how it drives, and having spent back into the set in one huge wave of power.
much time behind the wheel of a DCT- The initial hit of acceleration is therefore
equipped BMW, I was keen to see just how sustained as it goes through the gears and,
well it all integrated. The conversion is, as the large dash-mounted indicator informs
undoubtedly, well-executed and aside from you, it takes no time to get into the higher
the engineering side of things, its the fact gears. Its the ideal gearbox for a Supra
that the BMW gear lever fits in the factory in many ways, as even with a huge turbo
centre console that help make it feel refined. the DCT doesnt allow the engine enough
On the road, all you have to do is flick the time to fall off boost during its lightening-
gear lever to the right to select drive and the fast changes.
gearbox takes over in full automatic mode. It Theres no doubt that the DCT conversion
acts just like a normal auto, but the speed and is huge news for Supra owners not just in the
urgency of the shifts can be increased using UK but around the globe. It combines the
the original BMW Drivelogic control button, best modern technology has to offer and its
located in the centre armrest. When the urge what modifying cars is all about. Ground-
takes over to engage upshifts yourself, all you breaking? We would certainly say so as Paul
have to do is flick the right-hand steering also tells us now the conversion has been
wheel paddle or pull the gear lever back. performed on the Supra, other platforms
But its the integration between the should be possible, so that could mean a
gearbox and engine which is the truly DCT can be mounted behind virtually any
impressive part and its on full-chat rear-wheel drive car

062 www.banzaimagazine.com
058-063 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 13:33 Page 63

CONTACT
Garage Whifbitz
01291 420500
www.garagewhifbitz.co.uk

January 2016 063

064-065 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 12:12 Page 64

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066-067 BNZ 0116 27/11/2015 11:21 Page 66

JAPANESE CARS
066-067 BNZ 0116 27/11/2015 11:21 Page 67
068 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 16:11 Page 68

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069 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:04 Page 69
070-076 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 15:19 Page 70

R34 Skyline Drag Car

There are fast cars and then theres this: David Greenhalghs
1500hp Skyline that covers the quarter-mile in just
8.3-seconds. And the best bit? Its fully street-legal!
Words: Simon Holmes
Photos: Matt Woods

070 www.banzaimagazine.com
070-076 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 15:20 Page 71

January 2016 071

070-076 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 15:36 Page 72

R34 Skyline Drag Car

ero to 80mph in less than two to sell it. It was already heavily modified with Robert (Robbie) Ward and a few other

Z
seconds. Just stop and take that in running twin-GT3040s (that are now on my people, I decided to ship the complete car to
for a minute. Perhaps read it again. R33), a JUN stroked engine, a six-speed RIPS in New Zealand and have him strip it
To be fair, no matter how times you sequential gearbox, a water injection system, a down and prepare the car for 2013.
read over that statistic, it will still six-point roll-cage, carbon seats and an HKS Shipping a car half way around the world
be impossible to imagine what that exhaust, amongst others. The previous owner might sound a bit extreme but Davids
feels like, or just how fast that is. Plenty of had spent very heavily modifying the car. reasoning was sound: there simply wasnt
people are happy to band impressive It seemed like a good base to begin Davids anyone else for the job in his eyes. Robbie has
sounding figures around but there are only a next campaign in the Street Class of the HKS built many high-powered cars, many with RB
handful of cars on this planet capable of that Japanese Drag Series (now known as the engines, that have been unbelievably reliable.
kind of performance whilst remaining street- Millers Oil Japanese Drag Series) as the new Plus, whilst the boat trip might be inconvenient,
legal. Yep, this car still has a valid UK MoT Skyline featured a proper roll-cage, which the cost saving is fantastic. Bundle in Robbies
certificate. It even has electric windows. Thats meant he wasnt constrained to the ten-second engineering expertise, attention to detail and
not to say it gets driven down to the shops passes his R33 was. Now he was eligible to free thinking in how to make things work, he,
everyday but its still a huge accomplishment. run as low as 8.5 seconds without breaking the along with tuner, Jason (Jas) Cutelli at
Of course, the iconic Bayside Blue Skyline safety regulations at Santa Pod and elsewhere, Informotive, are simply the best.
wasnt always quite this hardcore. Its story of although the car still had to remain street-legal Once in the capable of hands of RIPS, the
development to get where it is today begins to run in the class, which lays down stringent plan was set. At the time the quickest cars in
with the owner David Greenhalgh. Davids rules and regulations you must comply with, the Japanese Drag Series Street Class were
love affair with Nissans greatest supercar including having a current MoT. running around the 8.8-second mark, so
slayer began more than 15 years ago when he However, things didnt start off quite as well David simply asked RIPS to basically build a
first purchased an R32 GT-R. He quickly got a as David hoped. After a good shakedown road-legal eight-second car. After many
taste for them and a heavily modified R33 season converting the setup from circuit to
followed in the form of the Garage Bomber drag strip in 2011 (culminating in a
demo car from Japan. Although David has, 9.8 second run) we did some upgrades over
over the years, become very involved in drag winter to take the car a step further.
racing, it wasnt actually his first preference of Unfortunately the result in 2012 was I lost
motorsport, but buying the hugely capable three engines to major blow-ups.
R33 changed that. I actually preferred circuit The original engine that came with the car
racing but the potential of the R33 to failed early on in the year. In fact, it was on
consistently run low ten-seconds meant at the the very first outing of the year at Marham,
time it was reasonably competitive in the HKS during a 30-130 event, when a rod went
Drag Series at Santa Pod and the Pro Drag through the block. That engine was replaced
Series at Shakespeare Raceway. by another big power replacement that
Having enjoyed using and abusing the unluckily failed during a Ten Of The Best
Skyline on both the drag strip and road, event David was competing in. So then the
around five years ago he decided to buy the engine was removed from Davids faithful R33
R34 you see here. It was being stored at the to be fitted into the R34. Sadly, that unit failed
garage that was looking after his R33 and was, on the dyno whilst being mapped. I decided
originally, set up to be a track car. However, it at that point that if this was the direction
had laid dormant for some time, as David things were going in it was the time to stop as
explains: The owner had not had opportunity it was way too expensive to continue at that
to drive it for some time and so he was happy rate. However, following several discussions

072 www.banzaimagazine.com
070-076 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 15:20 Page 73

MAKING HEADWAY
The head is a heavily
reworked RB26 item, built TURBO TERRORS
up by Kelford Cams. The
Providing the boost is
RIPS plenum is fed via a
huge GTX47 turbo on a
matching RIPS throttle
custom-made tubular
body, whilst huge 2500cc
manifold. A pair of rather
injectors supply the E85
large Turbosmart 60mm
the engine drinks on.
wastegates, along with a
five-inch downpipe, get rid
of all the excess exhaust
gases no longer needed.

STRETCHED OUT RB30

The original RB26 has long since gone and
at the heart of the build is now an RB30-
based engine, fitted with a stroker kit
comprising of a billet crank and rods,
connected to forged pistons in order to
stretch capacity out to 3.2-litres.

January 2016 073

070-076 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 16:04 Page 74

R34 Skyline Drag Car

Performance: 1500hp, best quarter-mile of
8.32secs at 165mph

Engine: RIPS RB32 build, Nitto Performance CO BOOST CONTROL

Engineering 3.2-litre stroker kit, JE/Nitto This clever gadget is for
forged pistons, 4340 billet steel I-beam rods, the CO boost control
4340 billet steel crankshaft, RB26 DOHC 24v system. It uses CO from a
cylinder head, Kelford Cams cylinder head bottle mounted in the rear,
race prep/flowing, Kelford Cams camshafts, to carefully and accurately
custom tubular exhaust manifold, Garrett
control the wastegate
GTX47 turbocharger, two Turbosmart
pressures as the car
PowerGate60 60mm wastegates, five-inch
makes a pass.
exhaust, SMD custom air/water intercooler
with integrated water tank, SMD custom 17L
fuel cell, three Bosch Motorsport 044 fuel
pumps, braided fuel lines, RIPS plenum, RIPS
throttle body, RIPS adjustable fuel rail,
Turbosmart adjustable fuel pressure regulator,
2500c injectors (E85), RIPS/Ross
Performance dry sump system, RIPS/Ross
Crankshaft damper system, 150 single-shot
NOS nitrous oxide system, Vi-PECs engine
management system, M&W Drag Ignition
system, Bosch ignition coilpacks, Boost Leash
CO boost control system

Transmission: RIPS modified Pro Mod two-

speed automatic transmission, adjustable
torque split, transbrake, limited-slip differentials
(front/rear), drag staging bump box

Chassis: 15-inch Advan RG alloys, Mickey

Thompson 26.0/10.0-15 front and rear,
custom-built GT1 MEISTER R advanced
suspension units

Exterior: SMD custom front bumper, Do-

Luck rear bumper, carbon fibre boot, doors
and wing mirrors, Perspex windows rear and
side, SMD custom rear wing, SMD custom flat
bottom undertray, Air Tab vortex generators,
parachute and RIPS custom turbo bonnet vent

Interior: Twin carbon lightweight race seats,

five-point harness driver and passenger,
custom Andy Robinson Race Cars 7.5-second
fully enclosed roll-cage, 11kg nitrous oxide
bottle, removable multi-button steering wheel

Contacts/Thanks: Robbie and the guys at

RIPS, Jason Cutelli at Informotive, Brent and
the guys at SMD Southern Motor Services,
Andy Robinson Race Cars

discussions, arguments (like what do you says. He went and bought a Nissan Stagea Out of respect for another New Zealand
mean dump the six-speed sequential?!) and as the test mule basically a Skyline estate monster which destroyed all before it, the
reviews, it was agreed Robbie would develop car people do their shopping in. He took it to engine was christened Jonah Tali Lomu after
a complete new engine/transmission package an event to test in New Zealand and initially the legendary New Zealand rugby player, his
using all his record-breaking, championship- everyone laughed until he went up the strip. name is engraved on many of the cars
winning knowledge. He smashed all the records by a substantial custom parts, as seen in the pictures.
The package would be put together and margin for the class of car. No one had seen The car arrived back on UK shores just in
developed using a test mule that would anything like it. Nine-second runs straight- time for round three of the Jap Drag Series at
become known as MGAWOT1, or MW1 for out-the-box like it was nothing, running the the 2013 Jap Show. Both Robbie and Jas
short, a reference to the word megawatt. suspension the factory fitted when they built flew in to attend the event and show the UK
Thats because Robbies aim was to build an it and street-legal tyres. With the testing team, led by Brent Crook of Sussex-based
engine producing at least a megawatt of having proved very successful, all that SMD Southern Motor Developments, around
power, which equates to 1340hp. To achieve was then needed was for the R34 to arrive the car. They were also there to ensure David
this, an RB30 block was fitted with a Nitto and be adapted to house the newly was happy with the performance and after
stroker kit to stretch capacity out to 3.2-litres, developed package. running a blistering 8.57-second run at
whilst a heavily fettled RB26 head was fitted Once it had all been fitted, and the hole cut 161mph first time out its safe to say David
with a custom tubular manifold to mount the in the bonnet, it was a time for a test run. was more than satisfied! It meant I was over
huge GTX47 turbo. It was then coupled to a Robbie said when he finished the car he 0.4 seconds quicker than anyone else in a car
Powerglide two-speed automatic gearbox would test it to prove it would do 8.8 seconds I had effectively never driven before.
usually found on high-end Pro Mod V8- and my specification was met. It went straight He reached the final at that event and, under
powered dragsters, modified to work with the into the 8s, with a best of 8.51 seconds, Robbies instructions for using the Formula
four-wheel drive system still. The complete effectively the fastest street-legal R34 on the One-style shift buttons on the steering wheel,
package was then fitted to a rather unusual planet by a country mile, running E85 fuel. A swiftly polished it off with a 8.69-second run.
mule car for testing. Robbie, being Robbie, monster had been born and I just had to wait At the first event, after six weeks on a boat,
never does anything conventional, David the six weeks for it to come back. we won in dominant fashion. I went on to win

074 www.banzaimagazine.com
070-076 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 15:36 Page 75

SIMPLE SHIFTING
The original six-speed
manual gearbox has
made way for a smoother
and more reliable two-
speed Powerglide
automatic. The blue lever
is used to pump pressure
back into the 4WD system
after a burnout.

GO-BABY-GO
Just in case the engine
ever needs a helping
hand theres a healthy
150 shot of nitrous oxide
on standby. Its activated
by the button on the
steering wheel and works
to help bring the huge
turbo on boost.

SMOKE EM
At Ten Of The Best one year I forgot
to prime the 4WD clutch pack and
went up the strip at full power in just
rear-wheel drive. The car felt a bit
squirrelly and like it wasnt pulling right
but I kept my foot in! Crossing the line
and lifting I was engulfed with white
tyre smoke and I could hardly see
anything. I was coughing and my eyes
streaming. I managed to make the
turning at the end, opened the window
and looked back. The strip and
grandstand had disappeared in a huge
cloud of white smoke! When I got back
to the paddock everyone was
laughing. Id left two huge black lines
the whole length of the strip, having
effectively done a quarter-mile
burnout. I engulfed the strip, the
grandstand and the handling circuit
behind it to the point where everything
had to stop until the breeze took the
smoke away. Oops!

January 2016 075

070-076 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 16:05 Page 76

R34 Skyline Drag Car

the Jap Drag Series Street Class as switch from ethanol (E85) to methanol but But for David, this cars about much more
Championship in 2013, again in 2014 and given we rarely run the car flat-out on its than just a setting times or breaking a
again in 2015, along the way capturing records current build, why bother? The RIPS engine records although he enjoys that, too! When
for quickest 4WD at 8.36 seconds and highest and transmission has been perfectly reliable asked what his favourite moment has been
top speed at 166.07mph. and strip downs show minimal wear; the car with it so far he answers: There have been
Instant success then, and well worth the seems capable of going on forever. so many its impossible to say: that first win
trip around the world, but since then the car So, the obvious question is, whats it like to at the Jap Show in 2013; the first
has received further engine developments by drive? Incredible, states David. It just picks Championship in 2013; the first sub-8.5-
Robbie whilst Brent has focused on reducing up and goes; even when it feels slow it is still second run; taking the Jap Drag Series 4WD
the weight of the car which, at 1660kg with doing eight-second quarters. When you hear records that had stood for many years; the
the driver, is 660kg above minimum class the turbo come on boost, the exhaust note second championship in 2014; the third
weight and some 400kg heavier than other changes and you are gone. Cant be bothered championship in 2015; the look on childrens
cars in class. Its like racing with four or five to wait? Just hit the NOS button. 150 shot of faces when I ask if they would like to sit in
adults as passengers, notes David. Part of NOS and the turbo is on and youre gone. the drivers seat (but dont fiddle with
Brents work involved redesigning the water The 0-80mph time is 1.8 seconds and the car anything!); the people who come up and ask
intercooler/chargecooler to reduce the does it effortlessly. We run low 1.3-second about the car, take photos and say nice
amount of water in the system, fitting a lighter 60-foots and are chasing a 1.2secs. If the grip things about it; when Brent goes out for a
fuel cell, and changes were made to the isnt so good, the car does get a bit bedding-in run and comes back saying
aerodynamics such as the fully enclosed squirrelly, which keeps me on my toes and thats a new PB for me for the quarter-
front end, rear wing and vortex generators on alert. Brent downloads the logs after every mile I have real pride in how well Robbie
the roof. He also added carbon doors, boot run and we can see lots of parameters, and his team at RIPS built the car and how
and mirrors, managing to shed around 50kg including throttle position. Brent and his team have taken care of the car
of weight in total, despite having to add an Although the car is still fully street-legal despite my best efforts to (unsuccessfully)
additional 30+kg of roll-cage added by Andy Dave admits its not driven on UK roads too break it.
Robinson Race Cars to make the car safety often: Whilst the engine is like a pussycat, Plans now are to continue developing both
compliant for sub 8.5-second quarter-mile pulling from minimal revs, aided by the the car and Davids successes, with the long-
times. The competition is getting faster, Powerglide and torque converter, the car term goal perhaps pushing for that seven-
however, we have stayed ahead so far, does tend to be a bit of a handful unless you second run. The quick runs do need the
currently being the only street car in the keep the revs down and use a feather touch track and conditions to be just right, though.
championship to have run sub-8.5-second on the throttle. Its also inconvenient to keep There is the 2016 Street Class
times, with a best of 8.32secs. In the future stopping to put fuel in the smallish fuel cell Championship. Four in a row; wouldnt that
we could upgrade to the GTX55 turbo as well and ice in the water intercooler too! be something?

It just picks up and goes;

even when it feels slow it is
still doing eight-second quarters

076 www.banzaimagazine.com
077 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:00 Page 77

worlds
quickest
gtr
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Rips Racing

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SMD Southern Motor Developments

Vehicles

WELDING
SERVICING
CAR MODIFICATION
REPAIR & MAINTENANCE TEL: 01273 611746
AUTO ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS
Working together with
078-081 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:10 Page 78

Show Report: Ultimate Stance

WHERE? Telford, Shropshire
WHEN? 01/11/2015
CONTACT: www.ultimate-stance.co.uk

It might have been the last big show

of the year, but there was plenty at
this years event to keep you going
through those tough winter nights
Words: Simon Holmes
Photos: Adrian Brannan

he Ultimate Stance show marks

T
the end of a busy season for a
majority of UK show-goers. Held
indoors at The Telford International
Centre, there was a wide and
varied mix of cars from all UK
scenes in attendance this year.
Banzai was there, with a stand displaying
James Cowleys stunning supercharged Honda
S2000, which you can see a feature on in next
months issue. We also had the Japspeed-built
370Z, driven by Shane Lynch that was featured
in August last year. Both looked great and
reflected different sides of the Jap tuning
scene. Other stand-out cars were Richard
Tapps R32 Skyline sat on air-ride suspension
and Phil Morrisons V8-powered AE86 drift car,
complete with recent battle scars. There was
also Ben Szantos awesome Mk1 Escort
Estate, complete with a turbocharged Honda
S2000 engine, whilst splitting opinion was
Richard Colvills Porsche 911.
With trophies up for grabs at the end of the
day there was plenty to see at Ultimate Stance
and even more to take in as inspiration for
those winter builds as we look forward to the Simple-but-effective S2K dropped
new show season on some CCW split rims glorious!

078 www.banzaimagazine.com
078-081 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:41 Page 79

Juliens bagged WRX on custom

VN Line wheels certainly looked the part

January 2016 079

078-081 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:11 Page 80

Show Report: Ultimate Stance

Driftworks battle-scarred DW86 monster

showing off some drifting stance

Jons awesome carbon-clad Evo from the June 13 issue

080 www.banzaimagazine.com
078-081 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 10:12 Page 81

Below: Japspeeds 370Z took pride of place

on the Banzai stand, and went down a storm!

January 2016 081

082-087 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:20 Page 82

500+bhp SR20 Datsun 200B

Johnny Marjanovics SR20-powered Datsun 200B

SSS mixes vintage styling with modern magic
for the perfect mix of style and substance.
Words and photos:
hoskingindustries.com.au

082 www.banzaimagazine.com
082-087 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:20 Page 83

January 2016 083

082-087 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 15:11 Page 84

500+bhp SR20 Datsun 200B

These cars are quite

rare and look unique.
I like to be different
and enjoy a challenge

Power: 478rwhp (auto), 556rwhp (manual) (running E85), custom 7L surge tank, Petersen fuel Teflon braided brake lines
filters, 15gal fuel cell, dash-10 supply and dash-8
Engine and transmission: Nissan S13 return fuel lines, C4 automatic box, 6800rwpm Exterior: Custom silver with crushed blue glass
SR20DET, grout-filled block, ARP head and stall, reverse pattern/fully manual valve body, mica, colour-matched bumpers and window
mains studs, King competition bearings, Eagle transbrake, B&M transmission cooler, R200 diff moulds, shaved guard indicators, deleted
H-beam rods, 8.7:1 forged CP pistons, ported housing, 4.39:1 final drive, S13 mechanical LSD, numberplate lights, shaved side mirrors
head, 1mm-oversized Supertech valves, Brian S13 half shafts, custom Mark Axisa drive shafts
Crower double valve springs, titanium retainers, Interior: Suede Momo steering wheel, Cobra
Camtech hydraulic roller cams, Nissan lifters, Chassis: 17 Weld RTS rims (7 front, 8.5 rear), Daytona Trophy fixed buckets, suede roof lining,
Tomei adjustable cam gears, Tomei sump, ATI Hankook tyres, custom R31 coilovers, adjustable custom carbon dash fascia, Autometer gauges,
balancer, custom manifold, single 3.5 mandrel- MADDAT strut tops, adjustable MADDAT 28mm six-point cage with intrusion bars, RPM four-
bent stainless system, X-Force metallic cat, 3.5 front sway bar, MADDAT adjustable lower point harnesses, B&M Pro Ratchet shifter,
Hooker stainless muffler, Garrett T04Z (0.82 rear control arms and castor arms, Pedders rear custom door trims, leather-covered dash,
housing) at 32psi, 48mm Turbosmart external camber/castor kit, notched rear control arms, deleted rear bench
wastegate, deburred and match-ported GReddy stitch welded undercarriage
S13 intake manifold, 67mm BMI throttle, Bosch Contacts/thanks: Advanced Performance
ID2000 injectors, BMI fuel rail, Turbosmart Brakes: 296mm front slotted and drilled rotors Machining, Sinister Customs, TWR
Raceport BOV, GM LS2 ignition coils, twin 10 (260mm rear), R33 Skyline front calipers, R31 Racing, Insight Motorsports, Performance
thermo fans, three-core alloy radiator, EMS 4860 rear calipers, Bendix pads, MADDAT 7/8 Automatics, Gearbox Express, Miller Chassis,
ECU, Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump and regulator master cylinder, Wilwood brake bias adjuster, TQ Motor Trimming

084 www.banzaimagazine.com
082-087 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:21 Page 85

ome people follow the well- my attentions turned to family. About a year

S
beaten path. And thats okay. A later the owner turned up at my workshop
person can be entirely happy asking if I was still interested.
with the usual boosted Silvia, $3200 later and the Datsun was in Johnnys
Skyline, Civic, Integra, RX-7, garage, where he and his mates decided to
S2000 you get the idea. slap it together for the upcoming
However, some folks lust after something a Powercruise event. With a stock SR20 on
little left of centre something they know not 17psi bolted in up front, backed by an R33
many other people are going to have even Skyline gearbox, Johnny says the car made
seen cruising around, let alone own. 255rwhp. The first test drive was in front of
Johnny Marjanovic is one such guy. The my workshop with no front guards or
36-year-old, Sydney-based mechanic has windscreens and my mate Brett was driving,
owned a long list of disparate makes and he says. It was hilarious. He decided to show
models over the years, including an RS2000 off his driving skills by executing some donuts
Escort, V8-powered Holden Commodores, but failed miserably, with the steering wheel
turbocharged six-cylinder Ford Falcons and coming off in his hands! So to be safe we
more. But this 1979 Datsun 200B SSS coup decided to go over the whole car to ensure it
is probably the most unique vehicle hes would make it through the Powercruise
owned thus far. Id never seen one before I weekend. Fortunately it was all worthwhile as
found this, Johnny says. I always knew the car didnt miss a beat all weekend.
about the other Datsun coups which were The following Monday, Johnny no doubt
more popular like the 1200, 1600 and 180B amped by the fun he had on the track
etc. My first thoughts were that these cars are dropped the car off at the fabricator for some
quite rare and look unique especially with quick cage work. Six years later and its clear
the opera window in the rear pillar. I like to be things got out of hand: I was keen to get the
different and enjoy a challenge. car back on track as quick as possible, he
Johnny certainly had a challenge on his laughs. The intention was to have a well-
hands with this 200B, finding the car as an rounded car that could be used for circuit
unfinished project back in 2007. A friend was racing, drifting and drag racing nothing
building the car for his brother back in 2007, fancy, just something that could be thrashed.
but the new provisional licence laws were What hes ended up with is a car thats
coming into effect which meant he wouldnt equally at home on the show judging circuit
have been able to drive it, Johnny says. I as the racing circuit. What began as a quick
was about to buy it when my mother fell ill, so respray turned into a bare metal finish and

Exterior remains remarkably

restrained, with gorgeous
custom paint job and Weld
wheels the only clues to the
madness under the bonnet

January 2016 085

082-087 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:21 Page 86

500+bhp SR20 Datsun 200B

Right: Clean enough for you? Shaved
engine bay houses fully built SR20 fed by
Garrett T04Z charger, offering up over
470 horses to the dainty rear wheels

more than 120 hours of hard labour into the Up top, the factory head has been bucket seats and four-point harnesses. But,
smoothing of the engine bay. From the strut extensively ported and uses oversized valves like the rest of the car, the cabin in the 200B
towers down to the chassis rails, everything for heavier breathing, which is a good thing is no mere utilitarian fare. The cage was
was stitch-welded for added strength, he considering the modified Garrett T04Z is smoothed and painted and the trim a mix of
says. We then shaved the whole engine bay. currently forcing 32psi into it. A GReddy suede, leather and carbon-effect vinyl
From there on there was no turning back. intake has been deburred and match ported, makes the car a true trophy hunter. This is
Once the bodywork was complete, it was with a 67mm throttle further increasing joined by a custom dash fascia thats full of
lathered in a custom silver metallic paint that airflow. With all this air coming in, the fuel Autometer gauges and an Alpine stereo
features crushed blue glass mica, followed system had to match and it boasts an makes sure any rare dull moments are filled
by several generous layers of a clear coat for Aeromotive A1000 pump and regulator, with with the right aural stimulation.
a deep, lustrous finish. This also covers the big Bosch ID2000 injectors and a BMI rail The hardest part of the build was sourcing
roll-cage, bumpers, window trims and any feeding E85 into the mix, which is lit by GM parts and finding the time to work on it,
part of the undercarriage that wasnt LS2 ignition coils via an EMS 4860 ECU. Johnny says. Also, trying to decide when to
refinished in gloss black. With the final tune dialled in, it made stop was a challenge in itself, as it is never
Johnny has serious motorsport aspirations 478rwhp through the C4 auto gearbox that ending! If I was to do it again, I would mini-
with this car, so he made sure he built a currently sits in the car. When briefly backed by tub the car, go solid axle and fit a simpler six-
combo that offered the necessary grunt and a manual box, the car made an impressive point cage so I could have retained the back
reliability to cope with the punishment he 556rwhp! For those who think real performance seat. Otherwise Im very happy with how the
planned to dish out. The SR block was grout- is registered on track, the Datsuns run a best car turned out; its an awesome package.
filled to provide support to the steel sleeves of 10.6 seconds at 132mph, with Johnny Future plans for the car are to simply enjoy
under big boost and forged pistons and H- confident its got a high nine in it. driving and racing it. However, I do have
beam rods swing on the factory crank, which Given its quick ETs, the six-point cage was plans in the pipeline for a new engine combo,
is held in place with ARP studs. a necessity, as are the Cobra fixed-back parachute and maybe laughing gas

Trying to decide when to

stop was a challenge in
itself but Im happy with
how the car turned out

086 www.banzaimagazine.com
082-087 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:22 Page 87

SMOOTH OPERATOR
So much for building something he could
thrash around and wouldnt worry about
bending on the track! Around 120 hours
have been poured into the engine bay
alone, smoothing out any and all factory
imperfections, before coating everything
in matching custom silver. Not only that,
but Johnny himself spent weeks piecing
together new wiring looms, rewiring the
entire car and hiding as much of the
engine bay wiring as possible. The
ultra-clean effect has been intensified via
the limited colour palette used, with little
more than the odd spot of red breaking
up the silver, alloy and black look.

January 2016 087

088 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:42 Page 88
089 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 15:56 Page 89

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090-096 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 14:48 Page 90

Tech
Talk

REBOUND

BUMP
WHAT IS A DAMPER?

DAMPERS
Often incorrectly called shock absorbers, the
damper doesnt actually absorb any of the
shock from running over an uneven surface.
That is the job of the springs. What the
damper does is control the constant
movement, or oscillation, of spring to give
control over the ride quality. Dampers that are
too soft will cause the car to pitch and roll all
This month Tech Talk looks at the dark art of suspension over the place because the damper wont be
tuning, and in particular gives a full lowdown on the able to react quickly enough to the oscillation
complex subject of performance dampers in the spring. Dampers that are too hard will
cause a very bumpy and uncomfortable ride
Words: Jamie King Photos: Various as they restrict the oscillation and therefore
shock-absorbing effect of the spring. The art
of suspension tuning is getting this balance
etting the perfect handling car setup either too harsh or too soft? Or that on just right for the intended use.

G
involves much more than just some roads the car handles fantastically and
bolting on a set of lowering on others its horrific? Well, thats all to do with
springs and stiffer dampers how the cars dampers are built and their BUMP AND REBOUND
every finite adjustment of a specific characteristics. Suspension dampers
cars suspension can, and are more complex than people think, or give When talking about performance dampers
often will, make a huge difference to the way them credit for. Why do you think race teams there is lots of jargon to contend with, but the
it drives. Thats why suspension tuning is a all over the world invest millions in the main terms to understand are bump and
very specialist game, and has been seen as research and development of dampers? rebound. These are actually really quite easy
somewhat of a dark art for many years. Here we will take a closer a look at the to get your head around; bump refers to the
But upgrading suspension is easy, isnt it? different types of damper available, how they dampers behaviour when the spring is being
Just buy a kit and bolt it on? Or if youve got work, and how they affect a cars handling. compressed, and rebound refers to the
a bit more pocket money fit for a set of Armed with this knowledge youll be able to dampers behaviour when the spring expands
coilovers, twiddle a few knobs, adjust the ride ensure you get the right kit for your car and again after being compressed. Different
height and thats it, job done? your needs, and youll get the handling damper types will control both bump and
Not quite. Ever done just that and found the characteristics youve always dreamed of rebound effects in different ways.

090 www.banzaimagazine.com
090-096 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 14:48 Page 91

Taking an in-depth and technical look at all

your favourite and most topical subjects

HIGH SPEED AND LOW

SPEED DAMPING
Youll also hear about high speed and low Theres more to the
speed settings in regards to performance internals of a damper
dampers. Within a damper youll find a piston than you might think,
and a cylinder. When this piston moves up but each part is crucial
and down within the cylinder, movement of oil
above and below the piston is known as high
speed settings. However, the piston is also
able to allow oil to pass through; this is known
as low speed settings. It may sound odd to
need both but imagine youre on a race track
and you run over a kerb. The fast and
aggressive compression of the damper means
the piston needs to move the oil quickly,
whereas if youre driving round a long
sweeping corner the load put on the damper
is more progressive and the movement of oil
is slower. Being able to control both high and
slow speed settings gives you more control
over the dampers (and the cars) behaviour.
Most fast road kits feature an adjuster that
controls the high speed movement of oil, while
the low speed settings are fixed specified
during the initial build stage, which is why its
vital to tell the suspension specialist what you
want from the car. Some top-end motorsport
applications will also have adjustable low
speed settings too, with the pinnacle of
dampers offering four-way adjustment (high
speed bump, high speed rebound, low speed
bump, and low speed rebound).

TWIN-TUBE DAMPERS
GAS BAG
GAS BAG

There are two main types of damper design; through the holes in the piston (the rate of
twin tube and monotube. Twin-tube, as the which is controlled by the shim stacks used
name suggests, features a secondary tube to well cover that later) and up the cylinder into
allow movement of fluid within the damper the piston rod guide at the top of the unit. The
body. Whereas in a monotube damper rod guide has a hole cross-drilled in it, which
the damper body itself is the tube filled allows the oil to flow through it and into the
OIL
with fluid.
Twin-tube dampers have been around for
capillary tube at higher pressure. The capillary
tube then flows back down the length of the OIL
years, and most standard production damper and into the damping control
dampers use this design. Inside the outer assembly at the bottom. When the pressure in
body are two tubes, a smaller high-pressure the capillary tube exceeds the preload on the BASE
capillary tube, and a precision-honed adjuster spring, the oil is allowed to bleed off VALVE
pressure tube. into the rest of the damper thus controlling
The piston fits inside the larger of the two the rate of damping.
tubes (often referred to as the cylinder to On the rebound stroke, as the piston is
avoid confusion), and has precision machined travelling back up the cylinder, the pressure
holes that allow the oil within the damper to above the piston forces oil through the
flow through it. When the damper is capillary tube and into the adjuster screw.
compressed on the bump stroke, the piston is This is how a single adjuster can control both GAS BAG GAS BAG
forced into this cylinder. The oil then flows the bump and rebound settings. (NORMAL) (COMPRESSED)

January 2016 091

090-096 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 14:48 Page 92

Tech
Talk

OIL MOVES
THROUGH
PISTON

REBOUND
BUMP

FLOATING
PISTON

GAS FLOATING
PISTON

GAS

MONOTUBE DAMPERS
On a monotube damper the body itself becomes the tube, and
the piston is an exact fit for the inside diameter of the body. This
allows the use of a larger piston than in a twin-tube damper, and
a larger piston offers more damping control because it displaces
more oil. Also a monotube damper is usually able to react
quicker than a twin-tube damper.
The oil still flows through the piston in exactly the same way
and is still controlled by the shim stacks used. The difference is
in the adjustment. Instead of having the control valve at the
bottom of the damper, the adjustment is made from the top. The
piston rod is gun-drilled and has a shaft running through the
centre. Attached to the end of the shaft is either a needle valve,
which alters the amount of oil allowed to pass through the centre
of the piston, or a spring that alters the amount of preload on the
shims, and therefore controls the oil flow through the pistons.

REMOTE RESERVOIR
Some high performance monotube name suggests, a remote canister. race cars. However, the main advantage
dampers have remote reservoirs. They This has several advantages over a single over a single bodied unit is that a remote
work in the same way as single-bodied bodied damper such as the ability to carry canister allows adjustment of both the
dampers but rather than all the oil being more oil, which helps with cooling and high and low speed settings on the
stored in the one body, there is, as the degrading issues, especially on endurance rebound stroke.

092 www.banzaimagazine.com
090-096 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 14:49 Page 93

Taking an in-depth and technical look at all

your favourite and most topical subjects

Coilovers feature height

adjustment using a
threaded body that allows
the spring platforms to
be wound up or down

ADJUSTMENT
Most performance dampers have an element pressure that exceeds this, the blanking plug is the bump settings. The rebound settings are
of adjustment built into them. This can vary forced back and the oil from the capillary tube adjusted in the same way as normal, but the
from simple ride-height adjustment on is allowed to bleed past, therefore giving bump settings are controlled by a combination
coilover-type dampers to four-way control as to how stiff the damper is. of a needle valve (for low speed) and a spring
adjustment of high and low speed settings on This setup controls bump and rebound (for high speed). When the damper is
both the bump and rebound of the damper. settings with a single adjuster, for individual compressed oil is forced into the remote
Ride height adjustment is fairly self- bump and rebound control and second canister through either the needle valve or the
explanatory and is controlled by the length of adjuster is needed. The bump settings are sprung valve. Which route it takes depends on
the spring. In traditional kits this just means a controlled in the same way as before with an the speed at which the oil needs to flow. High
shorter (or lowering) spring and with coilover- adjuster at the bottom of the damper body, but speed damping (like running over a kerb)
type units you can alter the length of the to control the rebound settings another requires the oil to move quickly, and as the oil
spring by adjusting the spring platform height. adjuster is introduced at the top. The piston wont be able to pass through the needle valve
The bump and rebound adjustment can get rod will have a shaft running through its centre fast enough the pressure will build up and
more complicated however. Most fast road with either a needle valve or a spring and a cause the spring to open. Controlling the rate
applications will be a twin-tube design with a plate at the end of it. The needle valve will at which the spring opens determines the high
single adjuster found at the bottom of the allow more or less oil to flow through the speed damping settings. Likewise, low speed
damper body. This adjuster works in a similar centre of the piston, therefore bypassing the damping (like driving round a long sweeping
way to a bleed valve. When the piston moves shim stacks and giving a softer setting. The corner) requires the oil to flow slowly so
either up or down the rate at which the oil can spring and plate setup will allow more or less pressures will be lower, the spring wont open,
flow through the piston determines how stiff it preload to be put on the shim stacks and the oil will be forced to move through the
is. This depends mainly on the shim stacks or themselves, therefore altering the rate at which needle valve. Controlling the rate the oil can
valves used (specified at the build stage) but if the oil can actually pass through the piston. move through this needle valve determines the
you allow some of the oil to bypass this piston Monotube dampers can be controlled in the low speed damping settings.
you can alter the stiffness of the damper. same way; with either a single adjuster It is possible to control the rebound settings
This type of adjuster sits at the bottom of the controlling both bump and rebound at the in the same way, resulting in a four-way
damper. It comprises a blanking plug, a spring, same time, or individual adjusters top and adjustable damper. These are the pinnacle of
and an adjuster screw. The screw allows more bottom. However, dampers with remote damper technology but are so expensive and
or less preload to be put on the spring, and reservoirs allow you to add a further element of complex theyre rare even in motorsport, and
when the oil in the capillary tube reaches a control both high and low speed control of are almost never seen on a road-going car!

January 2016 093

094 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:43 Page 94

Dealer enquires welcome.

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UK Time Attack multiple winners in 2015.
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road, dont just fit better suspension
Choose Nitron and fit THE best.

Check out our full range of kits at nitron.co.uk

For sales and technical enquires, call 01993 849449 or email [email protected]
090-096 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 14:49 Page 95

Taking an in-depth and technical look at all

your favourite and most topical subjects

SHIM STACK
Weve established that a within a damper of the shims used. A thinner, larger diameter The shims are held in place by a spacer
theres a cylinder, and within that cylinder shim will bend more easily than a thicker, shim, then a plate of the same diameter as
theres a piston. Weve also established that smaller diameter one. A combination of the piston, and then finally a securing nut.
as the damper operates this piston moves up varying thickness and diameter shims are The thickness and diameter of the spacer
and down, and as such oil is required to pass used to give progressive control over the oil shim also has an effect on how much oil can
through it. It does this by passing through flowing through the piston, known as the pass through the piston because it restricts
small holes drilled into the piston. To control shim stack. Typically this will include a large the amount the blanking shims can move. For
the rate of flow through the piston, and diameter thin shim at the base of the stack, example a 1mm thick spacer shim will allow
therefore the rate of damping, small sprung followed by a number of shims of decreasing the blanking shims to move much more (and
steel shims are used to partially cover these diameter but increasing thickness. Oil will therefore allow more oil to flow through) than
holes. These shims will bend as oil passes quickly and easily pass the first shim but itll a 0.5mm thick spacer shim. The shim stacks
through. The amount they bend, and become progressively more difficult for the oil are used on both sides of the piston; the
therefore the amount of oil that can pass to pass through the shim stack, therefore topside stack controls the bump settings,
through will depend on the size and thickness progressively increasing the damping force. while the underside stack controls rebound.

MOVEMENT
OF OIL ON SPACER
The way in which
BUMP
these simple shims
are stacked together
defines how the
damper reacts SHIMS

PISTON

SHIMS

SPACER MOVEMENT
OF OIL ON
REBOUND

January 2016 095

090-096 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 14:50 Page 96

Tech
Talk

GAS-FILLED
One common misconception with dampers it
that the term gas-filled means the unit is
charged with gas instead of oil, which is
incorrect! Think about it for a second, it
wouldnt work at all gas is compressible
and a damper by its very nature needs to
resist compression. A purely gas-filled unit
would offer no damping at all. However, gas-
filled dampers do exist and they do contain a
small amount of gas, but this gas has almost
no effect on the rate of damping. Instead it is
used to aid reliability and longevity.
Ironically, it is because gas is indeed
compressible. Without gas the damper cannot
be completely filled with oil and there will need
to be an air gap. This is to allow space for the
oil that piston rod displaces as it moves in and
out of the damper body. Without the air gap
the damper would hydraulically lock. However, displaces causes the airbag to compress.
an air gap can cause cavitations and aeration Whereas on a monotube damper the bottom
of the oil, reducing the dampers performance. of the unit is charged with gas, and the gas
So a compressible gas is used to eliminate the and oil are separated by a floating piston.
problem. It can compress enough to Theres a circlip on the inside of the damper to
compensate for the oil the piston rod prevent the floating piston from rising too far
displaces, and allows the unit to be up the damper, and the gas is kept underneath
completely filled with oil to avoid cavitation this piston. When the oil is displaced by the
problems. Therefore the amount of gas used piston rod entering the damper the floating
in a damper needs only be equal to the piston is forced downward, compressing the
amount of oil the piston rod displaces. gas beneath it. As with the gas-filled bag
On a twin-tube damper a gas-filled bag is the amount of gas charge only needs to
inserted into the body of damper. When the be equal to the amount of oil that the
piston rod is forced into the cylinder, the oil it piston rod displaces.

096 www.banzaimagazine.com
097 BNZ 0116 03/12/2015 14:26 Page 97

READY FOR
CHALLENGING
MISSIONS.

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coilover suspension kits, right through to the BILSTEIN B16 with
parallel rebound and bump level settings.

bilstein.com
098 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 09:30 Page 98

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099 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 15:30 Page 99

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100-101 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 15:07 Page 100

QUICK
BUYER

MK1 MX-5 1.8

Everyones favourite 1990s sports car was
Tech Spec

Engine: 1840cc four-cylinder

a lesson on how to provide fun motoring Power: 131-133bhp@6500rpm
without hoards of power or breaking Torque: 110lb ft@5000rpm
the bank, and now is a better time
than ever to buy one 0-62mph: 8.1sec

Top speed: 123mph

Words: Simon Holmes Photos: Mazda

HISTORY
The first generation of MX-5 arrived in the UK producing 115bhp. But thanks to a feather- and later peaked at 133bhp, but although
in 1990 and promptly filled the huge gap left like sub-980kg weight with near-perfect there wasnt exactly huge amounts of power
by the distinct lack of cheap and accessible distribution and a focused chassis feel, the on tap, there didnt need to be. The 1.8-litre
sports cars at the time. Its credentials were MX-5 made the most of it. It was very versions also featured bigger brakes and
obvious, offering a traditional front engine, successful and sowed the seed for the bigger stiffened shells through additional bracing,
rear-wheel drive layout housed inside a stylish and better version that arrived around four and the option of an all-important LSD,
body with petite dimensions. At first came a years later. This time powered by a beefier among other extras. After huge success, the
1.6-litre version, powered by a naturally 1.8-version of the faithful twin-cam engine, Mk1 was eventually phased out when the
aspirated, 16-valve twin-cam engine power output rose to a respectable 131bhp, replacement Mk2 came along in 1998.

100 www.banzaimagazine.com
100-101 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 15:08 Page 101

If youre considering a new project car soon,

then take a look at our brief buying guide

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Engine and transmission:
This is where the MX-5 generally shines as
mechanically these cars offer a bullet-proof
package. They take huge mileage and
serious problems are few and far between,
but smaller issues can occur, such as a
misfire. This is usually caused by worn plugs
or leads, or if youre unlucky it will be a coil
pack, which is more costly. These engines
are known to sound tappety on start up,
which is normal but the noise should quieten
down when it gets warm. If it doesnt, an oil
change will likely cure it. Under the bonnet,
check for signs of oil leaks from the cam
cover area, it will be due to a failed gasket or
cam sensor seal. Gearbox wise, failures are
rare, but make sure it engages all gears
positively. Even if there are issues, second-
hand replacements are cheap.

Chassis: Interior:
On the test drive, listen out for a noisy Inside, its usual to see wear on the seats,
wheel bearing, and make sure the brakes especially if they are leather, so dont be put
are all in good working order. The calipers off or expect to find a mint set very easily.
tend to seize over time, especially if the car Next, check the electric windows both work
has been left for an extended period, so freely, as failures are known. Dont ignore it
check the car pulls up straight under as it can let the glass drop down and its
braking and that there isnt excess heat usually down to a snapped cable thats an
build up from any one caliper a sign its easy fix. Check the interior carpets for
binding. Make sure the car feels steady and damp, especially in the boot floor and
planted both off and on the power and if its around the sills. Either will indicate that
displaying any strange tendencies, such as water is getting in due to blocked or
pulling lightly from one side to the other, damaged drainage holes or rain water rails
check for a snapped spring or bad wheel but can be cleared or replaced easily
alignment. It can be as simple as enough. Last of all check import models
mismatched tyres, which seems to affect for dodgy wiring that can cause issues at
the MX-5, so check these too. MoT time.

Exterior: Prices:
Rust is your problem here. By now its Its still possible to pick up a 1.8 MX-5 for
affected a majority of cars, so expect to find pennies, but be careful what you wish for.
signs of corrosion or signs of repairs. UK The cheapest we found was for an ex-drift
cars generally fair worse than imports but car, priced at 650. But cheap cars are
you should carefully inspect the sills and usually cheap for a reason, so make sure
arches, which are the most common areas, you check over any potential purchases
on all cars. It also tends to affect chassis carefully. Rust is a bigger and more
rails, bootlids, A-pillars and front wings. Rust expensive fix than virtually anything
can, of course, be repaired, but doing so mechanical and its usually safer to pay
properly is costly as its usually worse than it more and get more. Based on that,
looks, so weigh up your options. Otherwise, spending over the 1000 mark is usually a
you need to be on the lookout for broken safer bet but numbers are now decreasing.
wing mirrors or other bits of trim and a Cleaner cars are commanding more, so
damaged roof. Inspect it for wear and tear expect to pay 1500-2000 for a nicer
and make sure it goes up and down easily as example. Also, be aware of modified cars.
any damage can let water in, but these can That doesnt mean avoid them, just be sure
be replaced for a couple of hundred pounds. of what youre looking at.

January 2016 101

102-107 BNZ 0116 07/12/2015 13:42 Page 102

PROJECT
PAGES

THE FLEET
THIS MONTH
Banzai magazine
FK2 Civic Type R

Steve Stav Neophytou Contributor

FC3S Mazda RX-7

Banzai magazine
Dave Powney Designer
Lexus IS 220d FK2 Civic Type R
So far: Arranged a six-month loan
from Honda, tested the power
This month: Put it on the dyno
Next month: Mimms show
Thanks: Devil Developments
in Littlehampton
(www.devil-developments.co.uk)

ur little Civic is continuing to impress,

Simon Holmes Editor
R32 Skyline GT-R O and the more we drive it, the more
were discovering just how quick it
really is on the road. It simply devours
stretches of Tarmac with such relentless
pace it feels like it covers ground just as
quickly as cars with a lot more power. It
seems to be able to use virtually all of its
power, all of the time. It comes on boost
early with a spike of power you can feel and
hold until late so you dont need to rev it
quite so hard although you find yourself
doing that anyway! It puts down the power
with staggering ability, too, and although you
Paul Cowland Contributor can feel the mechanical LSD working hard
Subaru BRZ its generally a very easy car to drive fast for
the power it does have. And that got us
thinking. Just what power is our Type R? A
trip to Devil Developments, down in mighty 313hp, which was brought down by a
Littlehampton, for a go on its super-accurate little heat soak, which is to be expected.
Dyno Dynamics rollers would tell us for sure. Still, we were happy with that and it would
Officially, these cars are listed as having explain why the car felt nippy!
306hp but weve seen others dyno at slightly It was interesting to look at the graph and
more and as it was a fairly cold morning we see where the power comes in and where it
were quietly confident. Sure enough, the first starts to tail off. The graph lines indicated
run was an impressive 316hp! A total of four that the torque span was impressive, making
runs were performed and the average was a its peak figure of just over 300lb ft from

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Note the anti-lag valves

mounted just below either
side of the throttle body

Steve Stav Neophytou

FC3S Mazda RX-7
So far: Toyota 1UZ V8 swap with
Kelford cams, Zurawski Motorsport
turbo conversion, six point bolt-in cage,
BN Sports wide-body kit, modified
suspension and steering for drift use
This month: Swapping ITBs for boost
Next month: The turbo arrives!
Thanks: Zurawski Motorsport for all the
incredible engine work
(www.zurawskimotorsport.com /
www.zurawskimotorsport.com) road cars in the UK with it at the time, and
the difference it makes to how a car drives
and sounds is incredible, a genuine
transformation, so its one thing this car just
nybody that knows me will tell you Ill had to have.

A never be happy with an engine unless it

has a turbo fitted. Thats not because I
need power for drifting (in fact I often have
When it came to creating the turbo
conversion itself, there was only one man for
the job: Thomas Zurawski. His amazing
more fun drifting underpowered cars like fabrication skills combined with a genuine
MX-5s) but because Im obsessed with high-end tuning and motorsport knowledge
turbos. My first ever car had a tuned turbo means hes about the only person Ive ever
and almost every car Ive ever owned has met who I can tell my crazy tuning plans to
been a turbo. and not only does he know what Im on
Of course, adding a turbo gives huge about but he can fabricate the parts Im
power potential, but its not about that. For describing with no problem at all.
me its about the noise, the feel, the torque While the Zurawski tubular exhaust
and, most of all, the powerband. The turbo is manifold setup you see is indeed a work of
likely to be on full boost by barely above art, my favourite part is the inlet, which is a
Editor Simon and Lee from Devil 3000rpm with no let up until way beyond super trick equal flow design most
Developments talking over the 8000rpm, making it a huge amount of fun to commonly seen on things like Le Mans and
impressive power curve
drive; and thats without the anti-lag Rallycross turbo engines. We tried this inlet
switched on. style with incredible success on the 470bhp
3000rpm and tailing off around the 5000rpm Yes, anti-lag. I dont mean the pops and RB20DET engine Zurawski previously built
mark. This is what we could feel on the road bangs of launch control or full throttle gear for me, and while it would take a separate
and it works well. Peak power actually change setups but proper full-boost-even- technical article to explain the inlet design,
arrived a little later than expected, at around at-zero throttle, WRC-style anti-lag. See the transformation that part alone gave on
the 6800rpm mark. those two valves near the external the RB was beyond even what we expected,
So, now we know what were dealing with wastegates on the exhaust manifold? and Im hoping for the same on the 1UZ.
and were getting used to it, its time to Theyre the anti-lag valves. My first car with In other news, my chosen turbo has
explore the Type R further, perhaps on a proper anti-lag like this was 15 years ago arrived, too, but Im out of space so youll
track for instance now. In fact, it was one of only a handful of have to wait until next month to see that

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PAGES

Dave Powney
Lexus IS 220d
So far: Bought it fixed a few bits
This month: Picked it up
Next month: Replace A/C drive belt
and belt tensioner
Thanks: Edd for his advice and
The new addition to the fleet is Daves Lexus which may look sensible right now but plans are afoot!
help on car

o, Im Dave Powney, the graphic

S designer who works behind the scenes

on Banzai and, as you can see, Ive
become the lucky owner of a Lexus IS 220d!
Whilst it may not be as mad as Stavs
turbocharged V8 RX-7 project, this is my
daily driver, so it has to be at least slightly
sensible. After owning a few hot hatches, I
decided I wanted something bigger and
more grown-up, so I bought the car a month
ago from a local garage after seeing it side headlight switches itself off. I turned they agreed to fix it for no charge which
advertised on the internet. I booked a test- the headlights off, then back on, which was a bit of a result.
drive, took it for a spin and put down a seemed to fix the problem until it happened In the short-term a few more things need
deposit, picking it up it a few weeks later. twice more. A search on the internet to be fixed, such as the bodywork and paint,
Its pretty well specd, with grey leather, revealed it to be a common problem with but its the long-term plan Im not sure
electric/heated front seats, 17 wheels, an the Lexus. So I phoned up a local motor about. Since I cant weld the diff (its
electronic diff and plenty more! factor and got quoted 120 for one bulb! electronic) and drift it, Ive been thinking of
The car itself is a proper armchair on My mate Edd searched eBay and found a going for a VIP-look. Im considering
wheels. Sixth gear is pretty much redundant pair for 20. Bargain! So a few weekends lowering it on coilovers, changing the
on UK motorways as you need to be doing back, with the help of Edd we changed wheels to 18s with a bit of camber, getting a
90mph+ to make use of it. If you do use both HIDs and since then theyve worked new exhaust, rear spoiler and roof spoiler,
sixth at 70mph the engine sounds as if its without any problems (fingers crossed). lip kit, exterior pillar covers and wind
barely ticking over. The other part to be fixed was the deflectors. In the interior Ive already
Since owning the car there have been a passenger side rear reflector as the installed a broadway mirror. Other potential
few things that have needed to be someone seems to have scraped the rear modifications will be VIP trays (front and
fixed/changed. The most major thing has bumper, cracking the reflector. I took it rear), window curtains, neck pads well,
been the headlights. At night the drivers back to the garage I bought it from and you get the idea. Stay tuned

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about its products, logon to: www.nipponshine.com

Simon Holmes
R32 Skyline GT-R
So far: Ex-track car, coilovers,
suspension mods, N1 spoiler kit,
half-cage
This month: Had it checked out
Next month: Bushes, among
other things
Thanks: The Tyre Shop in Chingford
(www.thetyreshop.com)

his month I decided to get the up to him for a bit, but weve got plenty to

T suspension checked over as it struck

me that other than checking the fluids
and keeping a careful eye on the gauges I
talk about it seems, as the R32 has also
developed a mild misfire at the top of the
higher gears. Now Ive got used to driving it
hadnt actually done much to the car to a bit, I think its time to move the Skyline on
make sure all was healthy. After buying a with some carefully selected modifications.
car, especially a modified car, I usually have Read that as a big power increase as Ive got
the tracking and alignment checked just to bored of the existing power and cant help
make sure all is as it should be. And thinking another 200bhp or so will make
although the R32 generally feels pretty good things interesting watch this space!
to drive, the strong vibration through the
wheel on the motorway dictated that a trip to
the local friendly tyre shop (which is literally
called The Tyre Shop) was necessary.
The experts there hooked my car up to a
proper laser alignment system to see what
was going on and if anything looked out of
sync. Thankfully all seemed pretty good,
although the three degrees of negative
camber dialled-in on the front hinted at a
track day past! Ill more than likely have that
changed in the future to be a bit more
conservative, as it is a road car. Aside from
that, having a good look underneath the car
for the first time revealed it was all as clean
as it should be, although the cause for the
vibrations soon became obvious as the front
tension rod bushes were thoroughly worn.
Ill get those sorted for next month, along
with a few other little bits that need doing,
such as having the car undersealed in
preparation for the winter weather. The car
hasnt been in the UK long, and its in good
nick but it will need attention sooner rather
than later if I want it to stay looking good.
So, Ive booked the car in with Bobby at
Skyline specialist Zealou5, over in the South
West. Hes got quite the reputation as the
man to see when it comes to these cars and
a waiting list to prove it! So the car wont be

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PROJECT
PAGES

swap out and uprate the stoppers. As I have

Paul Cowland been so happy with the front Tarox brakes, it
made sense both dynamically and
Subaru BRZ aesthetically to opt for a set of Taroxs
matching OEM-sized upgrades to add a little
So far: Interior, exhaust, remap, extra bite to the rear end. Ordering them
wheels, springs and front brakes direct is blissfully simple, just log on to
This month: Rear brakes www.tarox.co.uk and delivery is next day for
Next month: New dampers stock items. Perfect. My matching F2000
Thanks: www.tarox.co.uk and my discs and Strada pads certainly looked a lot
mate Adam off the telleh! nicer than the OEM numbers that they were
to replace and, as you might imagine for a
manufacturer that looks after the likes of
Koenigsegg, these new Tarox stoppers
ubarus generally make pretty great dropped straight on, like factory parts, with

S noises, so when my BRZ started

producing the kind of scraping and
grinding sounds that wouldnt look out of
no bother!
Twirling the spanners was my long
suffering mate and TV sidekick, Adam
place at a Stomp concert, I felt I ought to Hornby, who can swap brakes like this in a
take heed and find out what was wrong. matter of minutes, even taking a moment or
The answer was easy to find and pretty two to make sure my handbrake was fully
understandable, too. After a significant series tightened up well, you never know when
of thrashings at many of Europes finest race you might need it!
tracks, my rear brake pads had literally worn With everything nipped up and the wheels
away to nothing. I had finally gone metal to back on, it was clear that they looked far
metal and it really didnt look pretty. I knew better than the originals, and its great now
that they were getting low but a particularly that all my discs match. Bedding them in
fierce track day had really finished them off, revealed a great deal more bite and
resulting in iron filings piling up on the once- retardation, meaning that Im now ready for
mint Speedlines oops! my next track day outing and a bit of fast
Although the wheels will need attention road action. Double hurrahs all-round! Until
another time, the urgent need now was to next time

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about its products, logon to: www.nipponshine.com

Above: The standard discs were past their

prime, to say the least! The replacements
from Tarox both look and feel much better

Now tucked neatly behind the Speedline wheels, the new brakes look right at home we reckon

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Street
life

CHRISTOPHER MANN
MITSUBISHI LANCER
EVOLUTION IX
I got into the Jap car scene around seven years ago but due
to my age, insurance was too high to buy something like this Throughout 2015, our proud owner here has adorned his rally
to start with, Christopher explains. But back in January, his brute with some tasteful and functional upgrades, including HKS
time finally came when he picked up this stunning Electric timing and balancer belts, Ralliart mudflaps, along with a HKS
blue Evo IX FQ-320. exhaust system. As a budding photographer, hes also managed
The car was pretty standard when purchased, and came to get some gorgeous pictures of his motor. This love affair is set
with an all-important full service history. It just needed a to last a long time, too, with plans including a new radiator, oil
good service and detailing! Christopher tells us. cooler and uprated brakes on the cards

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Street Life is the place for Banzai readers to show off their cars!
Want yours included? Get in touch at: [email protected]

BEN BAKER
NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R V-SPEC
We cant remember the last time we saw an R33 Skyline as classy adding some more, he sensibly tells us. The RB26 lump already
as this just check out that Midnight purple bodywork and benefits from a pair of R34 GT-R turbos and an APEXi exhaust
sumptuous leather interior! system, along with a raft of other little bits and bobs all tied
Ben has recently had this already-modified car imported from together with a Link G4 ECU. On each corner, a set of Impul NS
Japan by the guys at Harlow Jap Autos. Its my first real GT-II rims prop up Bens pride and joy, while a set of Biot coilovers
performance car, so Ill get used to the power available before take care of the twisties. Its a truly desirable piece of JDM history.
Photos: Harlow Jap Autos (www.harlow-jap-autos.co.uk)

NIGEL CARUANA
HONDA INTEGRA TYPE RX
During our recent visit to Malta (see p50 for more), we were delighted to make it look awesome. We couldnt possibly list all of the
to stumble upon young Nigel and his mightily impressive JDM DC2. painstaking work Nigel has performed, but highlights include
Although not even old enough to drive yet, it looks like Nigel has an BuddyClub P1 alloys, an RPC Stage 2 racing clutch and Fidanza
extremely enjoyable driving future ahead of him if this, his first car, is flywheel, a KSport six-pot brake conversion and a full Tegiwa
anything to go by! exhaust system.
One of just 2500 ever made, this rare Type RX model was shipped Hes already managed a time of 13.9 seconds down his local
over to the island from Japan in 2008. Nigel picked it up in standard quarter-mile drag strip, which shows just how much potential this truly
trim around 18 months ago and, after a gearbox rebuild, it was time immaculate car has. We cant wait to see whats next, Nigel
Photos: Chris Wallbank

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Street
life

JOSH BRIGHTON
MAZDA MX-5
Its fair to say that third generation MX-5s arent the most popular
model of the roadster for tuners at present. Thankfully, people like
Josh here are turning that around with cars like this truly unique
Photos: Lee Cant (www.wipdesigns.com)

black example.
Boldly going where not many have gone before, he started with
a static drop of 70mm on some V-Maxx coilovers, before adding
some Bola B10 alloys which complement the smooth curves of the
car perfectly.
Under the bonnet, the 2.0-litre lump is spruced up with a Cobra
Sport Race V1 rear exhaust silencer and a super-cool Skuzzle
TorqIntake induction kit. The plan is to look into smoothing the
engine bay, eventually, to match modifications such as the
smoothed front grille and tinted lights on the outside. Sometimes,
it clearly pays to be different!

DARREN ARMITAGE
SUBARU IMPREZA WRX
Never heard of the limited-edition Series McRae Impreza before? interior and other limited-run goodies.
With only 200 being produced, were not surprised if you havent. Darrens here has been further enhanced with some period perfect
These UK-specific cars were based on the WRXs of the time, and Speedline ST2 wheels in the all-important gold colour, along with a
tuned up by Prodrive to celebrate McRaes 1995 championship win new exhaust system and remap to get the very best out of the
(can you believe that was 20 years ago?!) boosted flat-four.
The cars came in the rare Mica blue paintwork the same used on This cars sure to be an all-time classic, so youd better hang onto
the winning WRC car, and also featured a motorsport-themed Recaro this one, Darren

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Club
scene

LC ROTARY TRACK DAY

SNETTERTON 300
We headed up to Norfolks finest circuit for one of
our final track days of the year.
Back in November, we were kindly invited along to Snetterton Circuit
by the guys at Mazda specialist LC Rotary to keep our cravings for
rotary power at bay whilst our Pettit Racing project RX-8 is off the
road for a little while (more on that one soon).
The team had brought along a healthy selection of RX-8s for us to
have a play with, on what turned out to be a very enjoyable track day
on the venues full-length 300 layout the second longest circuit in
the country at a smidgen under three miles.
First up was some hot passenger laps in sales manager Reeces
seriously impressive car. Mods are limited to chassis work, including
MeisterR coilovers and Racing Beat roll bars, along with an easy-
breathing exhaust system. This subtle but gorgeous car devoured the
corners in an almost unhealthy manner.
Once we had got to know the track a little better, we were offered
up the drivers seat of LC Rotary customer Steves RX-8, which had
also been fettled by the team to prove bucketloads of fun on track.
Amongst the other highlights included Marcels R3-spec car. This
was in almost standard trim apart from some custom bodywork mods
(also performed by LC Rotary), but with some expert driving by the
owner, we were blown away with its capabilities.
Big thanks to Reece, Lewis and the team for the invite to what
proved to be a fantastic day!
CONTACT: www.lcrotary.co.uk

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The lowdown on events, club profiles and everything

else thats going on in the world of Japanese cars

January 2016 113

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Club
scene

FWD OUTLAW TRUE STREET SHOOTOUT

Words: Jeremy Cookson Photos: Mike Burrows

Entering its fifth year of competition, a sunny weekend in September

saw the UK Outlaw FWD True Street racers assembled at the
Shakespeare County Raceway in Stratford-upon-Avon for The
Driveshaft Shop Shootout.
From the three rounds of qualifying held during Saturdays RWYB
Public Track Day, Honda CR-X racer Errol Huell made small
improvements to the cars ETs to become top qualifier with a
10.399sec quarter-mile and a top speed of 153.48mph obtained from
the 700-brake B18 block and Garret GT35 turbo for assistance.
Second quickest was Paul Atkinsons 1600cc turbo EK Honda.
Having come from being a runner-up to Glenn Robson the previous
month at Santa Pod, Paul was all fired up for this weekends event by qualifying Carl managed to lower that to a 12.380sec especially as
cracking off a 10.583sec from the 700bhp standard five-speed this was one of the lower powered entries with just 320bhp.
geared DR Performance Civic. Mixing things up a bit was VW racer On the deciding run for The Driveshaft Shop title and King of the
James Lord. Competing with a Mk2 Golf, the former GTi Festival UK Outlaw FWD True Street Shootout Paul Atkinson and his DWR
class winner rattled off a days best of 10.644sec from the 1.8-litre Performance Civic gave it his best shot with a quicker reacting
turbo. Topping the charts early in the first qualifying round was Amy (0.419sec) 10.615sec but at the finishing stripe was no match for
Bradleys EG Civic (from the March 15 issue of Banzai). Although the Errols race-winning 10.283 at 151.14mph to join the other previous
cars good for 10.1secs, Amy struggled in her other two qualification four winners named on the shootout shield: Adam Buckley, Andy
outings without taking a green light start. The crew seemed a little Nicholls, Calvin Skerritt and race organiser Richard Batty. All in all a
dumbfounded as to what the problem could be! Bringing up the rear good weekends racing was had by all as the organisers look forward
was the EP3 Civic of Carl Owen. Sporting a stock K20 block with to 2016s event a date for which will be announced in due course.
bolt-ons, Carls previous best had been a 12.8sec but at the end of CONTACT: www.outlawshootout.co.uk

EVENTS DIARY 2016

10 APRIL 22 MAY 9 JULY 8-11 SEPTEMBER
FAST SHOW HONDAFEST TUNERFEST NORTH JAE
Santa Pod, Northants Venlo, Holland Oulton Park Newark Showground, Notts
www.thefastshow.com www.hondafest.eu www.tunerfest.co.uk www.japcarclub.org

24 APRIL 19 JUNE 10 JULY 2 OCTOBER

JAPFEST TUNERFEST SOUTH JAPSHOW JAPSHOW FINALE
Silverstone (new venue) Brands Hatch Santa Pod, Northants Santa Pod, Northants
www.japfest.co.uk www.tunerfest.co.uk www.japshow.com www.japshowfinale.com

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Each month we interview a driver from a

different race series to find out more

DRIVER:

Dale Gent CAR:

GC8 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
RACE SERIES:
Nippon Challenge/Motorsport News Saloon Car
Championship/Hammerite Classic Thunder Saloons

Photos: Jonathan and Lindsey Fletcher

SPECIFICATION: GC8 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

PERFORMANCE
500bhp and 500lb ft of torque (approx)
ENGINE
Stroked 2.35-litre EJ22G closed deck Lateral
Performance short block, Arrow crankshaft, custom
Carrillo stroker con rods, Wiseco pistons, ported
heads, uprated cams and valves, Zen Performance
dry sump, Blouch Performance GT35R turbo (with
58mm restrictor), drive-by-wire conversion, Syvecs
S6 ECU (mapped by Romain Levesque), JC Weldfab
3 exhaust system, 60-litre fuel cell, twin fuel
pumps with Aeroquip hoses
TRANSMISSION
Six-speed Modena sequential gearbox, plated
differentials, Driveshaft Shop rear driveshafts and
CV joints
The car started life as my road car CHASSIS
originally. I then put an EJ22 engine in it and EXE-TC four-way competition coilovers, SDM rear
decided it was just too fast for the road! subframe, Alcon six-pot calipers and 365mm discs
At the end of 2009, it was therefore BEST RESULT SO FAR? (front), AP Racing four-pot calipers and 330mm
stripped-out and built up as a race car over Ive had various race wins in all of the discs (rear)
the winter, ready to compete in the 2010 championships Ive competed in. EXTERIOR

FUTURE PLANS?
season of the Nippon Challenge. I did a full Relentless Performance-prepared shell with large
year there, before moving to the Saloon front and rear tubs, ABW Motorsport two-door
Car Championship in 2011 where I stayed Further development changes to wide-arch body kit, removable tubular front end
until 2014. improve our race pace. And to race INTERIOR
Due to rule changes in this series, the in as many championships as I can, SHP Engineering multi-point roll-cage, single Kirkey
2015 season was instead competed in of course! aluminium racing seat with six-point harness,
Classic Thunder Saloons. custom dash with Stack gauges

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Saturday 14th May 2016

www.japday.co.uk

Castle Combe Circuit

Advance tickets just 15
Track Time only 30 a session
Clubs 20 per car

Castle Combe Circuit, SN14 7EY

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01249 782417
118-122 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 15:44 Page 118

Show-stopping Subaru

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Looking for a new load-lugger for

work thatll be practical, sensible
and reliable? Forget about that
Ford Transit youve got your eye
on, lifes too short an Impreza
STI will turn your commute into
a cracking thrill-ride!
Words: Daniel Bevis Photos: Brad Sillars

hicago. The Windy City. Home Jacek Pikul, a man who knows what he likes

C
of the Cubs, wild garlic, Al and doesnt mess about in the act of getting
Capone, freaky elevated it. And what were seeing here, his 2010
railways above the roads, and a Impreza STI, is his difficult second album
big weird reflective bean thing the follow-up to a strong debut, which can
in the park. The harbour freezes often be a touch-and-go endeavour, but in
in winter, the river turns green for St Patricks this case hes deftly pulled it off.
Day, and the chili dogs are so juicy you get Like many other people, I first got into the
meat running down your sleeves. This is not modified car scene after watching The Fast
a city for the meek or the shy and while and the Furious the original movie back in
NYC may be the spiritual home of the brash 2001, he explains. (An alarm buzzes in the
and boisterous, Chicago proudly wears the Banzai office every time this movie is
badge of a metropolis thats comfortable in mentioned, with a big red flashing light that
its own skin but likes to shout about its says DANGER TO MANIFOLD. It takes some
prowess anyway. time to get things back on track as everyone
Into this shimmering cityscape neatly slots starts looking up Mitsubishi Eclipses on eBay

January 2016 119

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Show-stopping Subaru

Right: The engine puts out more power thanks

largely to the E85 conversion but its the look
of the bay that has changed significantly
thanks to those stunning carbon covers

Above: The subtle carbon theme is continued on

the outside, thanks to items like the rear spoiler

and making jokes about VW Jettas with no

brake calipers)
My first modded car was an Infiniti G35,
One of the key considerations was Jacek continues, gamely ignoring the
wisecracks about how no one likes the tuna
power I wanted more of it! here. I kept it pretty basic and went through
the typical modifications and some trial-and-
error: wheels, coilovers, lip kit, and so on. It
was a learning curve but there were a few
things that were drawing me towards
replacing it with an Impreza. Living in the
Chicago area, where we get lots of cold and
snow, the all-wheel drive was definitely a
selling point for me. Another factor was the
amount of space this hatchback has inside. I
work as a low-voltage electrician and always
have ladders, boxes, drills, conduit, etc inside
my car. As much as I wanted a 370Z I knew
that it was very impractical and couldnt be
done. I only had room for one vehicle at the
time, too, so I had to find a fun all-rounder.
In essence, then, Jacek was after a work
van that also happened to be a ballistic AWD
weapon, and the STI fitted the bill nicely. The
fact that it comes from the factory with
massive and aggressively flared arches is,
naturally, something of a bonus.
With the decision made, the Infiniti was sold
on and the hunt began for a suitable Subaru.
I started to search forums, Craigslist, all over
the web and beyond, trying to find the perfect
example, he says. I knew I wanted a low-
mileage STI. I wasnt too picky about the
colour. I found a grey one about five hours
away and was planning on making the drive
the following weekend but then a blue STI

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Engine & Transmission: EJ257 2.5-litre

boxer turbo, Cobb Accessport V2, Invidia
Q300 titanium-tip exhaust system, Invidia
cat-less downpipe, ID1000 injectors, DW65C
fuel pump, Cobb SF intake, tuned by JR at
P&L Motorsports: 93 tune 310whp/340wtq,
E85 tune 350whp/410wtq, Password:JDM
carbon-fibre engine bay covers, STI
six-speed transmission

Chassis: 10x18 Avant Garde F120 wheels

with Technica titanium faces, liquid bronze lips
and gold hardware, 325/35 General Exclaim
SS585 tyres, Air Lift suspension with digital V2
management, Agency Power rear lower
control arms, Perrin front and rear anti-roll bars

Exterior: World Rally blue, 2011-14 front

bumper conversion, ChargeSpeed carbon-
fibre side skirts, Blacktop Aero carbon-fibre
front lip, ChargeSpeed carbon-fibre rear
aprons, Varis double-deck carbon-fibre spoiler,
JDM R205 side badges, STI front
delete/marque plate, 20% window tints, OEM
rain visors

Interior: GTSpec D-shaped steering wheel,

WC Lathe Werks titanium gear knob, SMY
Cluster dual gauge dash, Alcantara shift gaiter
and handbrake, Defi boost gauge and oil
pressure gauge, Status Racing seats, Pioneer
AVH-X8500BHS head unit, Audio Integrations
sub box, 10 JL Audio subwoofer, Cadence
ZRS Type C amplifier

Contacts/Thanks: Id like to thank my

brother Greg for giving me some advice and
direction with certain mods. Id also like to
thank my parents for supporting my crazy
habit and allowing me to keep a garage full of
parts in the house. Furthermore, Id like to
thank Yuya at Avant Garde Wheels, JR at P&L
Motorsports, Password:JDM, and lastly,
Chitown Subarus

popped up on Craigslist only 15 miles away the fact that its made from renewable
from me. The price was right, the mileage was resources. Jacek says it also magically cools
just 15k, and the colour was beautiful. I the intake charge, keeps the fuelling system
quickly messaged the guy and by the end of clean, and can tolerate higher boost and
the week the car was on my driveway. No compression ratios than pump gas. A clever
mods, no blemishes, it was perfect! fuel, then, its witchcraft borne out by the fact
A blank canvas, then, and a perfect starting that Jaceks STI kicks out a robust 350whp
point for the inevitable madness that was to on E85, compared to 310whp on 93-octane
follow. The vague idea to build a sort of Fast pump fuel.
and Furious sparkys van was starting to Youll probably have spotted, of course,
coalesce in the swirling storm clouds over that this build is as much about aesthetics as
downtown Chicago, and things were about to performance. I used to have BC Racing
get hectic. coilovers, says Jacek, and while they rode
The original plan was just to do a few nicely, I absolutely loved the way slammed
subtle mods to keep it a reliable daily driver cars looked. With me working in many
for work, Jacek recalls. Yeah, sure it was. Ah, construction sites and driving around
but here it comes Okay, the more mods I Chicago which is filled with speed bumps and
did, the more I was bitten by the bug and the potholes, I knew it wasnt feasible to ride as
parts list just kept growing and growing. low as Id like, but when I found a great deal
Thats more like it. So, what happened? Well, on Air Lift suspension from Bag Riders, I
the builds currently in its fourth year, he jumped on it and never looked back! The ride
laughs. One of the key considerations was comfort is tip-top and the digital control at the
power I wanted more of it! But I didnt want fingertips is just so convenient. Ride low, air-
it to be too ridiculous, as I wanted to keep it up on speed bumps, and then completely lay
safe for the stock block. So I spoke to P&L it on the ground during car shows. All
Motorsports, which is a shop nearby who do sounds very practical. And those presets on
top-notch work. Their tuner, JR from JR the V2 management are probably pretty
Tuned, is absolutely the best when it comes handy when the boots full of drills and
to tweaking Subarus, so it was a no-brainer whatnot.The carbon-fibre lip kit, spoiler, and
to go to that shop. engine bay covers were all added to make the
The first major change that was car unique, Jacek enthuses, clearly excited
undertaken was an E85 conversion, which by his outstanding creation. At the time,
involved switching the injectors and fuel there were very few people who had the Varis
pump as well as the downpipe; E85 is 85% spoiler. It was a unique and aggressive wing
ethanol along with 15% of various additives, and I figured it would look great on my car.
and has the advantages of a clean burn and This is complemented by a pretty

January 2016 121

118-122 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 15:45 Page 122

Show-stopping Subaru

aggressive set of wheels, too. In a previous a +10 offset. To get the rims to fit, I bought a as possible. Im a member of a few different
guise, this car was rolling white CCW LM20s, set of 235/35s for a bit of stretch. After groups, including Chitown Subaru and
but you know what these fervent wheel guys dialling-in the camber and suspension, it was SubaruRuinedCrew that I like to hang out
are like theres always something fresh and a beautiful fender-to-lip fit. with. Sure, some people say Ive ruined a
tantalising hovering over the horizon. While Its perhaps inevitable that this full-on STI perfectly good rally car but I love the way
searching for rims, I came across Avant build wouldnt last forever as a daily work everything has come together to make it my
Garde, who made so many unique wheels hack; we suspect none of you will be own unique build. Im just enjoying the car as
that I was spoilt for choice, Jacek surprised to learn that. Jaceks actually much as I can and Im looking forward to
remembers. I emailed the guys there, told bought himself a Forester to fill that role (fully doing some autocross and racing events in
them my plans, and was able to secure a indoctrinated in the wacky world of boxer 2016. Thatll show a thing or two to the
sponsorship deal. After a good bit of thinking, engines, then!), although hes eager to roll the people hating on the stance!
I decided that I wanted a grey face and STI every chance he gets it is a thrill seeking Itll certainly raise a few eyebrows, thats for
bronze lip. Id seen a set on a Porsche before drivers car, after all. What was also fun was sure. The aesthetics may be more than a little
and I fell in love. There were very few Subarus the reactions itd get at work, before I got the polarising but that robust turbocharged
that had this colour combination so I decided Forester, he grins. While working at various performance has been taking names across
to go with it. To make the wheels pop even construction sites filled with big SUVs and Chicago for a few years now; we cant wait to
more, we decided to add gold rivets to accent pickup trucks, my lowered blue import car see what happens when Jacek starts claiming
the two darker colours. I also went with a was definitely the oddball of the group! But scalps on track. And you know how tuneable
pretty aggressive setup. I wanted maximum now the cars more focused on leisure I try that EJ engine is we bet that 350hp is just
lip size, so we decided to go with 10x18 with to go to as many car shows around the area the beginning!

Ride low, air-up on speed bumps,

and then completely lay it on the
ground during car shows

122 www.banzaimagazine.com
123 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 12:47 Page 123
124-125 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 12:14 Page 124

SPECIALIST
TUNING & SERVICING CAR SALES / IMPORTERS
ABBEY MOTORSPORT 01883 732331 or www.abbeymotorsport.co.uk NEWERA IMPORTS 0207 193 3979 or www.neweraimports.com
Japanese car and Skyline specialist Importers of all Japanese cars individually hand-picked for the customer

ABP MOTORSPORT 01270 567177 or www.abpmotorsport.co.uk JPN IMPORTS 07540 940743

Retail tuning shop, workshop fitting service, mail order Up-and-coming Crawley-based specialist importers

AREA 52 AUTOSPORT 0115 9859555 or www.area52autosport.com

2- and 4WD dyno, custom remapping, tuning, engine builds, servicing, Subaru specialist PARTS & STYLING
ACT 001 661 940 7555 or www.advancedclutch.com
DYNODAZE 07970 639968 or www.dynodaze.com Race performance clutch kits for Evos
One-stop shop for your tuning, servicing and dyno needs
AEROKIT 01279 726888 or www.aerokit.eu
GARAGE WHIFBITZ 01291 420500 or www.garagewhifbitz.co.uk Body kit manufacturer all products made in the UK
Tuning and parts specialist, focusing on Supras, Skylines and R35 GT-Rs
AMBER PERFORMANCE 01582 572500 or www.amber-performance.co.uk
IOBD2 www.iobd2.co.uk Mail order performance parts
Turn your smartphone into an advanced engine data reader, with two-year warranty
APEX PERFORMANCE 01274 683633 or www.apexperformance.co.uk
LCROTARY 07738 177996 or www.lcrotary.co.uk Nissan 200SX performance parts specialist
Rotary engine specialist based in Kent APEX SUSPENSION 020 8782 2485 or [email protected]
Suspension spring and coilover manufacturer
LITCHFIELD IMPORTS 01684 850999 or www.litchfieldimports.co.uk
Nissan GT-R and Subaru specialist, creating performance cars for 15 years AUTO EXTREME 0845 009 5641 or www.autoextreme.co.uk
Full range of performance tuning and styling parts, shipping worldwide
MILLERS OILS 01484 713201 or www.millersoils.co.uk
AUTO GLYM 0845 130 4536 or www.autoglym.com
Award-winning, high performance motorsport products
Car cleaning products, car care products, car valeting, car detailing
THE MOFF SHOP 01189 793 098 or www.themoffshop.co.uk AUTOPERFORMANCEUK LTD 01933 390220 or www.autoperformanceuk.com
Nissan Skyline tuning, servicing, repairs & fitting. New & used parts shipped worldwide Performance parts and accessories for Japanese vehicles

ROGER CLARK MOTORSPORT 01455 828610 or www.rogerclarkmotorsport.co.uk BILSTEIN 0116 247 8930 or www.bilstein.com
Specialist in Imprezas & Evos, import and performance parts, servicing and car prep Precision, reliability, success the suspension specialist
BMC AIR FILTERS 020 8782 2485 or [email protected]
ROSS SPORT 01945 580066 or www.rosssport.com High performance air filters
Bespoke Lancer Evo turbo systems & engine ancillary fabrication
BUDDY CLUB 01772 299825 or [email protected]
ROTARYMOTION 01249 704209 or www.rotarymotion.net Motorsports equipment workshop
Rotary rebuilds, single turbo conversions, full RX-7 and RX-8 engine conversions
BURN! MOTORSPORT 01934 751085 or www.burnmotorsport.com
SCOOBYBITS 01872 561687 or www.scoobybits.co.uk European distributor for premium performance and race products
Everything from regular servicing to performance upgrades and engine builds CARBONETIC EUROPE [email protected] or www.carboneticeurope.com
Manufacturer of high-performance carbon clutches and LSDs
SCOOBYCLINIC 01246 590807 or www.scoobyclinic.com
Subaru specialist. Accident repairs, paintwork, engine tuning and accessories CARBON GOODIES - 01226 764161 or www.carbongoodies.co.uk
Description: Custom carbon fibre parts for all cars
SCOOBYWORLD - 01509 266400 or www.scoobyworld.co.uk
Servicing, tuning, remapping and installation for all Subarus. Huge range of COBRA SPORT 0800 0480755 or www.exhaustsuk.com Performance exhausts
aftermarket parts including exhausts, brakes, suspension and spares, too
CO-ORDSPORT 0121 661 6263 or www.coordsport.com
SEVERNVALLEY MOTORSPORT 01952 583917 or www.severnvalleymotorsport.co.uk Power, sports and styling products
UKs only dedicated R35 specialist & builder of some of the fastest GT-Rs in the world
CORBY MOTORSPORT 01536 744256 or www.corbymotorsport.com
STEVE SIMPSON MOTORSPORT 07836 635001 or www.simtekecu.co.uk Huge stocks of coilovers, brakes, diffs, cages corner quicker and stop faster
4WD rolling road tuning and SimTek main dealer
CR TURBOS 01425 638426 or www.crturbos.co.uk
SUPERPRO 01823 690821 or www.superpro.eu.com Supplier and repairer of turbochargers for all makes standard or uprated
Poly suspension bushes, official supplier of bushes to Time Attack and EDC
DEMON TWEEKS 0844 375 4419 or www.demontweeks.co.uk
Performance and tuning partsts
SSC AUTOS 01428 751796 or www.sscautos.co.uk
Hampshire-based RX-7 and RX-8 specialist rebuilds, spares and servicing DODO JUICE [email protected] or www.dodojuice.com
Hand-made car care, lovingly created in the UK just for your car
SRD TUNING 01444 616771 or www.srdtuning.com
Supra and R35 specialist, servicing, high-end builds and race prep EBC BRAKES www.ebcbrakes.com
Premium quality EBC brake pads and rotors for cars, trucks and motorcycles
SYVECS 01483 831169 or www.syvecs.com
Powertrain controls, ECUs, power distribution units, displays and accessories EDO PERFORMANCE 0161 870 6832 or www.edoperformance.co.uk
Performance parts specialist, distributor for M7 Japan,Tomioka Racing, and more
TORQUE DEVELOPMENTS INTERNATIONAL 0800 107 3260 or www.tdi-plc.com
EIBACH UK 01455 286524 or www.eibach.co.uk
Tuning and servicing for all Japanese marques, 2600bhp Rototest dyno
Suspension specialist proven on the track, perfected on the street
TTS PERFORMANCE 01327 858212 or www.tts-performance.co.uk ELITE DIRECT 01780 525577 or www.elitedirect.com
Supplier of Rotrex superchargers. Rolling road tuning and mapping Specialist supplier of tyres, alloy wheels, exhausts, suspension and brakes

WALLACE PERFORMANCE 01224 708444 or www.wallaceperformance.co.uk ENVY VALETING 07787 160462 or www.envyvaleting.co.uk
Impreza and Evo specialist. Rolling road, tuning and parts for all Jap cars Car detailing and car care products

WGT AUTO 01606 837277 or www.wgtautodevelopments.co.uk EURO CAR PARTS 020 8956 5049 or www.eurocarparts.com
RX-7 specialist. Parts and tuning Performance, styling and general parts, tools and accessories

EMAIL US AT:
[email protected] WITH A FEW PHOTOS,
A FULL SPEC LIST, AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK
MIGHT BE RELEVANT. THEN LEAVE IT TO US!
NB: YOUR EMAILS MAY ALSO BE USED TO COMPILE OUR STREET LIFE PAGES

124 www.banzaimagazine.com
124-125 BNZ 0116 04/12/2015 12:14 Page 125

Welcome to Banzais guide to the world

of japanese tuning and parts suppliers

EXEDY CLUTCH EUROPE 01928 571850 or www.exedy.co.uk SKUNK2 RACING EUROPE 01782 344440 or www.skunk2.eu.com
Performance and racing clutch specialist Engine, intake, exhaust, suspension, supercharger & fuel injection performance upgrades

EXHAUSTS UK 0114 244 7333 or www.exhaustsuk.com SUMO POWER 01797 222281 or www.sumopower.com
Custom stainless exhaust systems Servicing, tuning and track/race prep. Engine builds, rolling road, and machine shop

FORGE MOTORSPORT 01452 380999 or www.forgemotorsport.co.uk SPOON SPORTS EU 01934 751085 or www.spoonsports.eu
Alloy parts and motorsport accessories Official European distributor for Spoon tuning products
SRB POWER 01375 392777 or www.srbpower.com
FUNKY POWER 01563 850240 or www.funkypower.co.uk Performance parts distribution
Mail order performance and styling. AEM, DC Sports and Tenzo-R distributor
SYTEC FUEL TECHNOLOGY 01784 493 555 or www.fuelsystems.co.uk
GARAGE WHIFBITZ 01291 420500 or www.garagewhifbitz.co.uk Motorsport fuel pump upgrades
Japanese tuning and parts, specialising in Supra and R35 GT-Rs
TARMAC SPORTZ [email protected] or www.tarmacsportz.co.uk
HAMMONDS SUBARU 01986 834747 or www.subarupartsstore.co.uk Aftermarket performance specialist full range of 350Z, 370Z and R35 GT-R parts
Subaru and official Pro-R dealer, servicing, diagnostics and approved bodyshop
TEGIWA IMPORTS 01782 344440 or www.tegiwaimports.com
HEL PERFORMANCE 01455 828311 or www.brake-lines.co.uk Specialists in new performance parts for all Japanese marques
Silicone and braided hoses, including brake and clutch lines
TEIN UK 0870 606 6543 or www.tein.co.uk
HTEC ELITE PERFORMANCE 01455 828311 or www.htecelite.com Road and race suspension specialist for Europe, Africa and Middle East
Specialist in Japanese performance parts we love the Colt!
TMS MOTORSPORT 01189 485132 or www.tmsmotorsport.co.uk
Brakes, engine, exhaust, interior, styling and suspension parts
JAP PERFORMANCE PARTS 01293 520090 or www.japperformanceparts.co.uk
High performance spares, tuning and salvage TODA EUROPE 0800 107 3250 or www.toda-europe.com
Official Toda Racing products sold exclusively in the UK by TDI plc
JAPSPEED 08450 212 312 or www.japspeed.co.uk
Aftermarket performance parts for most Japanese sports cars WP PRO www.wpprobrakes.com
Performance aftermarket brake kits, hundreds of applications
J PERFORMANCE www.jperformance.co.uk
High performance tuning upgrades incl. exhausts, suspension and cooling parts Z CENTRE 0115 967 6356 or www.zcentre.co.uk
Body styling and performance parts for Nissan Z-cars
K&N FILTERS 01925 418948 or www.knfilters.com
High performance air filters, air intakes, oil filters the worlds best air filter BODYSHOPS & TRIMMERS ALEXANDERS 01942 223448 or 07738 332917
Body and paint shop in north-west, years of experience with Japanese cars
KNIGHT RACER 07957 559344 or www.knight-racer.co.uk
Body kits and car imports, fitting and spraying. Skyline and Supra specialist MV DEVELOPMENTS 01763 241188 or [email protected]
Thatcham-approved body shop, interior retrimmers, wheel refurbishment
K-SPORT 01274 683633 or www.ksport.co.uk RT-PERFORMANCE 020 8747 8318 or www.rt-performance.com
Brake upgrade kits for over 400 European and Japanese models Londons one-stop car bodyshop and vinyl wrapping centre
M7 UK 0161 870 6832 or www.m7uk.com SPIT AND POLISH 01732 367771 or www.spitandpolish.co.uk
UK distributor for performance specialist M7 Japan, full range of upgrades online Alloy wheel refurbishment
MEGUIARS 0870 241 6696 or www.meguiars.co.uk XTREME CLUTCH www.xtremeclutch.com
Car care specialist catering to professionals, detailing enthusiasts & proud owners High-performance motorsport clutch manufacturer

MONGOOSE 01260 279604 or www.mongooseexhausts.com

Performance exhausts INSURANCE
ADRIAN FLUX 0800 505 3000 or www.adrianflux.co.uk/banzai
MUGEN EURO CO. LTD www.mugeneuro.com Specialist insurance for imported cars
Development and sales of competition engines, specialist in Honda tuning products ADVANCE INSURANCE 0800 970 2566 or www.advanceinsurance.co.uk
Japanese import insurance specialist
MX-5 PARTS 0845 345 2384 or www.mx5parts.co.uk
Mazda MX-5 and Eunos specialist. Secure online ordering ELEPHANT www.elephant.co.uk Cheap online car insurance
OBP MOTORSPORT 01487 812301 or www.obpltd.com INSURANCE FACTORY 0800 440 2018 or www.insurancefactory.co.uk/car
UKs No1 pedalbox, hydraulic handbrake manufacturer, pro & performance m/sport parts Specialist car insurance rates for Japanese imports

OPIE OILS 01209 202949 or www.opieoils.co.uk LLOYD LATCHFORD 0800 6781092 or www.lloydelatchford.com
Comprehensive range of quality and specialist oils, fluids and parts Competitive prices for all Japanese models including imports

PAGID 020 8782 2485 or www.pagid.co.uk MARK RICHARD 01275 792270 or www.mark-richard.co.uk
World-leading supplier of OE brake products Japanese import specialist
NEED TO INSURE 01623 720081 or www.needtoinsure.co.uk
PIPERCROSS 01604 707750 or www.pipercross.net Japanese car insurance specialist
UK manufacturer of high performance air filters and air intakes
SKY INSURANCE 03303 331250 or www.skyinsurance.co.uk
RACELOGIC 01280 823803 or www.racelogic.co.uk Japanese and modified car insurance scheme
Traction control systems, GPS-based timing and drift measuring equipment
SWINTON SPECIALIST 0800 072 6619 or www.swintonspecialist.co.uk
RPC RACING PERFORMANCE CLUTCH [email protected] or www.rpclutch.com Competitive insurance rates for modified, imported or performance cars
Performance clutches for all Japanese marques

RARE RIMS 01363 777007 or www.rarerims.co.uk LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

Ultra-lightweight alloy wheels, most fitments available. Rota distributor DRIVEN THREADS [email protected]
Automotive clothing and apparel created by car people for car people
REVOLUTION PERFORMANCE MOTORSTORE 0845 002 3000 or www.revolution247.com IMSOJDM CLOTHING & APPAREL [email protected] or www.imsojdm.co.uk
Alloys, tyres, performance parts and wheel alignment JDM car culture-inspired clothing, stickers, and custom uniforms
SCOOBYPARTS 01234 300630 or www.scoobyparts.com TOUGE AUTOMOTIVE 07791 652760 or www.touge.co.uk
Quality Subaru Impreza parts and accessories Car clothing, vinyl graphics and automotive apparel
SEIBON 0845 260 0015 or www.seiboncarbon.co.uk SHED MOTORSPORT CLOTHING & APPAREL www.shedmotorsport.com
Carbon fibre styling accessories Automotive and car culture clothing, apparel and stickers

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January 2016 125

134 BNZ 0116 01/12/2015 16:32 Page 134

K24 turbo
Dry sump
Sequential six-speed box
Motorsport-spec installation

The most
impressive JDM build ever?

Track-ready R35 Supercharged S2000

February issue on sale 21 January

(Available to download from 18 January)

Contents subject to change

127 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 09:21 Page 127

THE REAL
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Over 2200 Clutch Kits available to suit Street, Race, Rally, Drag and Drift applications
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Performance Flywheels and Hydraulics

Contact UK: Clark Motorsport xtremeclutchuk.com

128 BNZ 0116 27/11/2015 12:23 Page 128

What is it?

Air Jack
Many of you will have noticed the way various high-end race cars rise up into
the air themselves for pit stop wheel changes, but what exactly is going on?
n air jack does exactly what it of AP Racing are capable of lifting over ground when required.

A
says on the tin: it uses 650kg each. They operate at up to 30bar of A complete air jack system isnt cheap,
compressed air to force an pressure, which is a huge amount, and the which is why its something usually reserved
extension support out to raise compressed air required is not carried on- for high-end competition cars that require
the car off the ground. But board the car but fed into the system quick and/or regular wheel changes, such as
theres more to the ins and outs externally from a bottle. It enters the system trackside during a race. However, due to
of a system than that. through what is known as a lance via an their operation, air jacks are not considered
The jacks themselves are mounted external port mounted on the outside of the safe to work under for extended periods of
permanently in strengthened holders that are car. This can be located anywhere but its time, which is why dedicated air jack
welded into place around the cars often positioned somewhere out of the way support stands are often used. The only real
bodyshell. For balance, theres usually a jack but easily accessible, such as the rear down side to the system is the added
located at each corner, either in front or quarter panel or window. From there, theres weight, which is never a good thing, but the
behind the wheels, and they all work in a complete circuit of high-pressure air lines time saved from quicker tyre changes far
unison. Some cars can get away with using that to distribute the compressed air around outweighs this negative. Over the years
three jacks, two at the front and a single, the car to feed each of the jacks. Pressure is weve slowly seen air jack systems
central mounted jack at the rear to save then released via an designated exhaust introduced into high-end drift car builds and
weight as the latest air jacks from the likes valve, which brings the car back down to the even show cars on rare occasions

128 www.banzaimagazine.com
129 BNZ 0116 02/12/2015 12:27 Page 129

WATERLESS ENGINE COOLANTS

MAXIMISE
ENGINE
PERFORMANCE
Evans Power Cool 180 keeps our engines cool, reduces
pressure on the cooling system and helps deliver greater power.
www.evanscoolants.co.uk available from Garage Whifbitz www.evanscoolants.co.uk

FOR ALL YOUR ADVERTISING NEEDS

CALL ALEX OLIVER ON 01732 441642
OR EMAIL
[email protected]
130 BNZ 0116 30/11/2015 17:18 Page 130
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