Worth Watching: World's Greatest Drag Race!

With an empty airstrip and eleven of the best drivers cars in the world, Motortrend puts on the world's greatest drag race. 

Read the entire 2011 Best Drivers Car story here:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/1109_2011_motor_trend_best_drivers_car/

R33 GT-R Update: 493 whp / 551.15 N·m of torque

After 12 months of collecting engine parts and prepping a spare RB26 for the rebuild, this is the end result. And boy was it worth it.

At the dyno, my car put out 500.84 PS (493 whp) at 1.6 bar, displaying a good power band and a very healthy max torque of 56.24 kgm (551.15 N·m of torque). Full boost at 4000 rpm. That's the equivalent of how much power and torque a BMW E60 M5's 5.0L V10 engine makes when the "M" power button is switched on (Power: 507 PS; 500 bhp at 7750 rpm / Torque: 520 N·m at 6100 rpm).

Loving my 'new' R33 GT-R :).

So anyway folks, thank you so much for following my rebuild and for your continued support.

I'd like to wish our Muslim readers a Selamat Hari Raya and Maaf Zahir dan Batin. To everyone, please drive safe during this festive period and do take care.

- Loki

Parts Installed

* ARP Bolt and Studs
* ATI Super Harmonic Damper 1000hp
* BCNR33 4 and 2 Pot Brembo Calipers
* Billion Super Solid Coolant Line
* Blitz Nur Spec R Exhaust Full System
* Bridgestone Potenza S001 UHP Tyres
* Carbing Air Diversion Plate
* Cusco Adjustable Pillow Tension Rods
* Cusco Rear Adjustable Upper Arms
* Defi-Link BF Boost Meter
* Defi-Link Control Unit II
* Defi-Link Display
* Endless Racing CCR Brake Pads
* Exedy Twin Plate Racing Clutch
* Goodridge Braided Brake Hose
* GTROC R33 GT-R Stainless Steel Etched Fuse Box Cover
* GTROC R33 GT-R Stainless Steel ABS Box Cover
* Haltech Platinum Pro R33 Plug & Play EMS
* HKS 88mm Forged Pistons
* HKS GT-SS Twin Turbo Kit
* HKS Oil Cooler Kit
* HKS Kansai Service Twin Tube Alloy Strut Brace
* HKS Kansai Service Floor Mats
* HKS Special GT-R Piping Kit
* JVC KD-R816
* Koyo Radiator Type Z
* Motul 300V Le Mans 20W-60
* Motul Gear Competition 75W140
* NGK Iridium IX Spark Plugs
* Nismo 320km/h Speedometer
* Nismo Aluminium Shift Knob 10mm
* Nismo Engine Mounts
* Nismo Gearbox Mount
* Nismo Strengthened Rear Lower A-Arm Set
* Nismo Intake Collector RB26DETT
* Nismo Main and Conrod Bearings
* Nissan Factory Series III Xenon Headlights
* Nissan N1 Water Pump
* Pitwork Service Kit / Belts
* R34 GT-R Rocker Panel Emblem
* Rays Volk Racing RE30 18 x 9.5 + 12
* Red Stitched Leather Gearshift & Handbrake Trim
* Series III R33 GT-R Bumper
* Splitfire Super Direct DI Ignition
* Sun Line Racing Front Pillow Camber Arms
* Superpro Castor Rod Bushes
* TEIN Mono Flex Suspension with EDFC
* Tomei Forged H-Beam Conrods
* Tomei Fuel Pump (output 590PS 276 L/h)
* Tomei Fuel Regulator Type L
* Tomei Metal Head Gasket 88mm Bore
* Tomei Pon Camshafts + Pulley Set (260, EX 252, Lift 9.15)
* Tomei Oversized Oil Pump
* Top Secret R33 Oil Catch / Water Reservoir Tank
* Trust Extended Sump
* Whiteline Arm-adj upper radius-camber/toe
* Whiteline Arm-adj upper radius-camber/toe
* Whiteline Camber adj kit - front upper c/arm
* Whiteline Camber adj kit - rear upper c/arm
* Whiteline Front Swaybar-h/duty Blade adjustable
* Whiteline Rear Swaybar-h/duty Blade adjustable

What not to do to a BMW 1-Series Coupe

Some Singaporeans have REALLY bad taste when it comes to doing up their cars. This isn't the first time that I've seen a disaster on wheels surfacing from the island down south. To make thing worse, this is a genuine BMW 1 Series M Coupe.

I mean, whats with the horrible over-the-top paint / wrap job? And those mis-matched colored rims - a poor tribute to BMW's M Division ? Or that ludicrous roof mounted spoiler? Perhaps the owner uses it dry his or her clothes? After all, landed property is a luxury in the island metropolis that is Singapore, so most folks live in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. Is that even an aftermarket spoiler or did the owner ask a bodykit shop to cook one up? Aerodynamic properties anyone? Going back to the paint / wrap job, is the owner trying to achieve the 'liquid paper' look? 'Whited' front and rear tail lights instead of the more conventional 'Smoked' lights? And won't those wrapped brake lights, now somewhat dimmed, confuse other motorists?

I'm a fan of white cars but this is just crude and vulgar. And the sad thing is, that Singaporean registration plate is not cheap! Guess money really can't buy you class.

Before you view the following pictures, please make sure that you've not eaten anything heavy recently... Courtesy of http://www.worldcarfans.com and http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com.

To read more on this head on over to: http://www.worldcarfans.com/111081935894/tuned-bmw-1-series-m-coupe-offends-eyeballs-in-singapore/#ixzz1VviKBdtA

Audi / BMW Ad War Continues in the U.S. - Is that the best BMW can do?

As you all might well know, Audi and BMW have been at war with each other in the states, coming up with innovative ads to bash each others' cars.

It started with advertisement ads :


The conflict first began when BMW released an ad for its new 3-series and congratulated Audi for winning the South African car of the Year award, signing off with "From the winner of the world car of the year award 2006". Audi replied with an ad of their own proclaiming that the "world car of the year award" was great and all, but they've won at LeMans for six consecutive years. Subaru made it a three-way fight and jumped in with an ad proclaiming, "Well done to Audi and BMW for winning the beauty contest. From the winner of the 2006 International Engine of the Year". [Source - Curious Read?)

Followed by billboards in Los Angeles, California:

Source: The New York Times

Source - Autoblog

Things came to a head recently with Audi escalating tensions by releasing video commercials in conjunction with the 2010 Winter Olympics. In the first commercial, Audi targets the Ferrari California, Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz C-class and BMW 3-series. Their answer: the S4, Q5, A5 and the R8 V10. Additionally, the advertisement goes on to say that Audi is growing at a faster rate than BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. The next commercial's theme is that "There Is No Room For Second Place." The brand cites three recent Car And Driver comparisons where the S4, A6 and Q5 dominated competition from BMW [Source - Autospies]

So how did BMW reply?

Arriving in U.S. mailboxes was a deal from BMW aimed directly at Audi owners. It is a $1,500 USD credit that can be combined with any BMW promotion that is currently on offer. Potential customers will also get free servicing - "Leave those Audi maintenance bills behind," and "Try on a new 3-Series, recently named to Car and Driver's 10 Best list for an unmatched 19th year in a row." [Sources - Autospies and Ausmotive]

Pretty weak I reckon - something you'd expect GM to do (capitalizing on Toyota's recall woes) but not a prestige marque! And whats a $1500 credit to Americans who own luxury cars?

Not being biased here (owning an Audi and all) but BMW's marketing gurus need to go back to the drawing board.