Category Archives: Cars

Melbourne Road Trip Part 2


Good morning Zen.


Morning Hugs – Lauren and Matty.


A German, a Japanese and an Aussie walk in to a bar…


First Stop: Car Wash.


Then a quick bite to eat.


Wide Load – Checking out Matty’s place to be by the beach.

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Zen Cycling Squad. Couldn’t resist a blat on these hire bikes. Great fun for $2.60!


At Cookie’s rooftop bar for a refreshing bevy.


Then I forced the boys to choose a macaron each from  La Belle Miette on Hardware Lane. Minds were blown. Cute ladies serving asked about Zen, and thought we were a dance crew (lol).


The plan today was to get cuts at the Barbers on Hardware Lane, unfortunately we got there too late and they were shut. In desperation we came across a random hairdressers, not quite the same experience, but they did the job!


Happy Matty.


Happy Mark.

Posted in Cars, Travel | 1 Comment

Can of Worms


Photo Credit: http://www.iheartstance.com

I love generating discussion and I’ve been known to open can of worm discussion threads on the JDMST forums for years. Tiring for some, but inspiring for others.

The other day I had a situation on the forums where a group of long standing members banned together to blast an individual about his choice of car tuning (stance). Worst thing is they did it in the guys build thread. One of my priorities is to inspire people to create and share their builds by running a build thread/diary on the forums. I can’t have haters destroy build threads as it’ll just scare people off from creating them (takes a lot of effort to run one to be honest).

In an attempt to stand up for the stance guys I wrote a facebook status that ended up getting over 250 comments in a matter of hours, the next morning I wrote a feature which yesterday had over 23,656 views on the Zen Garage web site. Not all the feedback has been positive, but that’s got to be expected when you’re voicing your opinion in public, the main thing is I’ve generated a bit of discussion, and it’s gotten a few people thinking I’m sure.

Check it out here: http://zengarage.com.au/2013/11/so-over-people-hating-on-stanced-cars

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So over people hating on “stance”

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Has been an interesting and entertaining 48hrs on the JDMST forums/facebook group. I couldn’t help but write a feature this morning, so therapeutic!

Read up:http://zengarage.com.au/2013/11/so-over-people-hating-on-stanced-cars/

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Behind the Scenes: Simone Peres Ferrari 328 GTS Shoot

I so need to clone myself. Last night I wanted to be at 2 places at the same time; The Harley-Davidson art show (check the previous post) and shooting Simmy with a 328 GTS with Photographer Matthew Mead for Zen Garage.

Whilst I didn’t make it to my own shoot, I spent some of today hanging out with Simmy and editing Sergio’s behind the scenes shots which made me feel a little better (she’s gorgeous and he’s getting good at shooting! All I did was a bit of dynamic cropping and slight colour adjustments).

Check out the shots: http://zengarage.com.au/2013/11/behind-the-scenes-simone-peres-ferrari-328-gts-shoot

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Posted in Cars, Zen Garage | 1 Comment

Caged


Parked at the Dendy cinema carpark in Newtown yesterday, couldn’t help but snap this shot form outside. I love how it turned out!

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Fix2Car iPhone 5 holder/charger

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I’m using my very old tomtom less and less, and lately I’ve been using my iPhone 5 with Google Maps for a sat nav. It’s been awesome except that I usually get to my destination with a drained battery, not to mention having the phone in the centre console means I can’t hear it well, or see it well.

I knew there was going to be a simple charger/holder available, didn’t know there were going to be so many available though!

I hit up MobileZap, was overwhelmed by the choices initially but ended up going for the Fix2Car unit with Griffin Charging Cable. The suction mount is super easy to use (very strong too) and mounting the phone sideways works a treat. Unit fits in the glovebox nice and easily too when not in use.

I’m happy. Visit: http://www.mobilezap.com.au/34173/apple/iphone-5s.htm

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NA8C update

OK so yesterday I spent some time installing the new stuff :)


ARC intake chamber is in and brace is in too BUT it hits the carbon extension on the Mani intake which connects to the hole in the firewall. I’ll have to use flexy piping later on.


I now understand why so many 2nd hand ARC intake chambers are super banged up, they do not fit! My bonnet now doesn’t shut right. I’ll have to stuff around with it some more, either dent it up, or hammer in some bonnet skeleton.


Next up, swapping rails over from stock seat to Mazdaspeed bucket seat. I was thinking there’s just no way the rumours are true…


… amazingly everything lined up perfectly! So so cool.


Fits perfectly, totally made for this car! Excuse the twigs and leaves still in the car from All Stars Spring Picnic (lol).

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New goodies for NA8C

Sourced some great 2nd hand Japanese gear for my MX-5 through Dan at jdmparts.rupewrecht.com. Very happy! Can’t wait to get it all on!


ARC Magic Super Intake Chamber for NA8 and a free Saebelt harness.


Mazdaspeed front 3 point strut brace.


Built in master cylinder stopper makes it such a great all-rounder.


Mazdaspeed seat which is super light and will apparently bolt right into the stock rails. Fingers crossed!

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NA8C Track Day

I’m absolutely wrecked. My body is so sore from bracing myself all day on the circuit (I really need a bucket seat). The only thing working for me right now is red wine.

Just got back from Wakefield. Stayed the night before, but that just meant getting to the track at 7.30AM, thus more track time than I’ve ever had before. The car broke, my spirits broke when I failed to get a lap time I was after (silly I know)… none of that matters but. Right now I’m just really sore!


Dale from DM Motorsport dropped in to Zen Garage after hours to work some wheel alignment magic on my MX-5.


Unfortunately the bushings on my car are so far gone Dale couldn’t do a great alignment for me.


He just did the best he could.


9PM I’m at Pheasants Nest. KK’s!!!


I even got to watch some of the X-Factor Final. LOL.


Couldn’t resist taking a shot of NA8C, all alone outside.


After everyone got the Pheasants Nest we convoyed to our motel in Goulburn. I was the only one who got a room to myself. VIP YO!


7am, we’re up!


Breakfast of champions.


Morning Dave, morning Cordy!


Dom, who organised the day led the morning briefing.


Love this.


Love the 370Z wheels + rear wing on this S15. Fresh!


NA IS BEST!


This ISF has had a lot of engine work done apparently. Killed me on the straights but I caught him in the corners.


Dad let his son drive this all day long.


Mini scored the 2nd fastest lap time of the day. Seeing it get it’s rear wheels in the air on turns was rad!


DBS!


My best so far. Fuck fuck fuck you 1.16.


Then my car sounded a billion times louder. I pulled into pitt lane, kicked my exhaust and realised it was just dangling there. The weld on the cat had completely split!!!


I googled “exhaust shop Goulburn” and these guys rocked up. Pro-State Exhausts.


Luckily for me they were awesome guys who squeezed me in, got the car fixed and I was back out on the circuit in no time. Unfortunately the clutch gave way on me and that put a nail in it. What made things worse was my exhaust was rubbing against something at a certain rpm making my trip home hell hitting 110. The only way to stop the vibrations was to cruise at 130 which I did despite spotting MANY cops on the other side (I just hope I didn’t get done).

Posted in Cars | 3 Comments

V2LAB

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Inessa Tushkanova, from Russia with love! Zen sponsored drivers Adam Burgess and Hayley Swanson.

I’m now a contributor to V2LAB in the States! Check out my first feature here: http://v2lab.com/2013/10/2013-world-time-attack-challenge-sydney-australia/

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