Shavi – Page 2 – Royal Origin

The Leopard | Suspension

Not too long ago I was looking for a second car to be my fun daily driver since driving the MS3 around was getting a little annoying to take to certain places, and it was limiting the amount customization I could be doing to the car itself. So, my search took me to Craig’s List, where I was looking for anything within my budget of below $2000.00 USD. In the end, I got the most unlikely car I was looking for, a 1991 Infiniti M30 coupe for less than $900.00.

The reason this car stood out to me was the body lines (basically the way it looked), the v6 motor, rear wheel drive, somewhat decent reliability, and the fact that it was compatible with many other Nissan parts from other models. Oh yeah and for the price (way below the budget) of the potential this car has was pretty worth it as well.

This is kind of a rare car being that it was one of the first Infiniti cars in North America, and about only about 6,000 coupes and 6,000 convertibles were made through the production years; 1990-1992. It is basically just a rebadged Nissan Leopard in Japan though, and shares similarities with the Nissan Z-chassis, R-chassis, Y-chasiss, and S-chassis. Because of that, I entered a world of mixing and matching parts.

Finding information was a definite mission with the downfall of forums, and the rise of social media, especially Facebook groups are to blame for that. First up was a 5 lug conversion and S13 coilover conversion. This pretty much meant upgrading most of the front suspension, which is straight forward plug and play, while the rear suspension had more modifications.

Front Suspension:
-S13 Powered By Max Competition front coilovers 5″ 30k
-S14 modified knuckles
-S14 stock 5 lug hubs
-S14 Duralast 5 lug brake rotors
-M30 stock brake calipers
-M30 Duralast brake pads
-S14 stock lower control arms
-GKTECH S14/S15 40mm roll center correction kit
-S14 MOOG outer tie rod ends
-Maxima MOOG inner tie rods
-S14 ISIS Pro tension rods

Rear Suspension:
-S13 Powered By Max Competition rear coilovers 5″ 22k
-Z31 5 lug rear stub axles
-Z32 Duralast 5 lug brake rotors
-Z32 stock brake calipers
-Z32 Duralast brake pads

Some of the main front suspension components.

The beautiful Powered By Max Competition coilovers. These are meant for S13, but with the right pieces and tweaks they should mount to the M30.

The front will mount with all the arms and knuckles. The rear will only be able to mount with modifying the M30 rear towers to match the S13 mounting points for the S13 top hats.

The stiffness.

The front coilovers maxed out with all the collars still placed at the top. Really short.

Added some paint onto certain items for protection and style.

Common on Nissan/Infiniti models for there to be wiring harness above the wheel well. This wiring harness above the driver side wheel well was labeled, cut, tucked, soldered, sleeved, and reloomed away inside and around the driver side front shock towers.

There was about 200 wires that needed attention after being cut and tucked inside the engine bay.

The biggest cock block for wanting to be low and somewhat functional.

Tucked inside the engine bay.

Also rerouted the hood latch cable inside the engine bay as well. Results are a worry free area to go low and run meatier tires.

The front was straight to the point, but required additional modifications to fix the roll center and tracking.

Because I was converting from 4 lug to 5 lug, this also meant that I needed wheels. After some research I found the appropriate wheel sizing I wanted to give the car. I went from the stock 4×114.3 wheels of 15×6.5 +20 to 5×114.3 15×10 +/-0. And of course did all that fender magic.

These are Vision 521 Nitro 15×10 +/- 0 with 205/50/15 tires all around.

The rear required new mounting points for the S13 top hats, Z31 rear 5 lug stub hubs, custom Z31 to M30 axle flanges, Z32 Duralast rear brake rotors, Z32 stock brake calipers, and Z32 Duralast brake pads.

Eventually, the whole rear end will be taken out to be replaced by S14 rear subframe and arms, but that isn’t until a later time.

Thanks. @shaviw

April 4, 2016

Car Meet & Calendar Launch |Toyo Tires x Super Street

To start things off in Southern California, Toyo Tires and Super Street put together a car meet and calendar launch at Boden AutoHaus in Costa Mesa, California. One of the biggest automotive events that was free for the masses in a long time. Check out some highlights from this event below:

Thanks.
@shaviw

January 31, 2016

Tokyo Auto Salon 2016 | Event Coverage

Tokyo Auto Salon is a world famous international auto show by Nippon Auto Parts Aftermarket Committee. It is held at Makuhari Messe convention in Chiba, Japan, where they display the latest and greatest in Japanese performance and dress-up display. We started the year off by attending this world famous event, and we were definitely more than impressed. It is quite similar to our famous auto trade event, SEMA, in Las Vegas, Nevada; however, just imagine seeing the awesome Japanese styling just consistently throughout the entire event.

One of about 11 halls filling up fast with media, attendees, and those involved in the Japanese automotive industry.

Over at Rush Motorsports we spotted a familiar face, Sara Choi.

Nissan GT-R R35 on Mikado Hayabusa wheels.

Rush Motorsports Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 on Mikado Hayabusa wheels.

Forgiato x Liberty Walk Audi R8.

Over at the Toyota Gazoo Racing booth you have school kids taking notes, and learning a thing or two about the history of Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Liberty Walk Mini Cooper R56.

Liberty Walk Audi R8.

Liberty Walk Nissan Fairlady Z S30.

Bunch of Liberty Walk merchandise everywhere.

The Subaru BRZ STi.

Liberty Walk Maserati.

WALD displaying the latest wheel and brake products.

Defi showing off the latest for the newest Mazda 2 Demio.

The latest from Vossen x Work.

This VW has a mixture of USDM and JDM styling.

The AIMGAIN ND Miata. One of the nicest ND builds of Tokyo Auto Salon.

Really love the rear end appearance of the whole AIMGAIN GT kit

The AIMGAIN X STANCENATION Toyota FRS. As you can see this version of the kit includes no rivets at all.

One of a few simulators around TAS.

326POWER suspension essentials.

Crazy 326POWER Toyota Prius.

Vertex was in the house. Quality steering wheels.

Kenda Nissan S15.

These two Nissan GT-R showcasing truly beautiful hand-crafted paint work.

The Kuhl Racing ND Miata.

Y33 Cima tucking ridiculously all around with butterfly doors.

Pandem Rocket Bunny E36 M3.

Microvans and K-cars were amazing. Something you definitely do not see in the US.

Probably our favorite build of Tokyo Auto Salon was this red Spirit Rei 180sx.

The fitment and everything was on point.

Garage RiseUP FD3S RX-7 bringing an update to the whole FD front end.

Car Modify Wonder; loved them all.

Greddy Rocket Bunny ND Miata. Another over fender build.

Got Aero?

BN SPORTS kitted Toyota 86.

COCKPIT TATEBAYASHI Nissan Skyline GT-R.

We highly recommend anyone that is able to head out to Japan to give Tokyo Auto Salon a look, because you surely will be impressed by nearly every car. And if you do, be sure to bring a long a good amount of money, because there are ridiculous deals on car parts for cheapy cheaps.

More photos in the gallery below.

Photos by @shaviw and @nguminh. Please check watermark to give credit to the correct photographer.

January 25, 2016

The Big Apple | RO Explore

H2Oi was the destination, but New York was the first stop. The cheapest flight we could find to get to H2oi in Ocean City, Maryland involved a stop in New York and a 4 hour drive down to Maryland. We start this trip with our flight from LAX to JFK…
I was extremely hungry, so I loaded up at Lemonade with some chicken chili and tuna avocado.
7 hours later and I woke up to a beautiful sunrise in New York.

After checking in, the first thing we did was head to The Halal Guys for their famous rice dishes.
It’s the sauce man, the sauce makes this dish. Coincidentally, Jerald was in New York already with his family and had a day to meet us up. Happy to say this is now available in OC, but the line for it is too ridiculous to wait in.This police station looks like a restaurant.

So much information in Time Square.

Shavi got a shot of me taking photos of Time Square.

A travel tip from us is to get the New York pass if you want to do the major tourist attractions.

The next stop on our New York tour was the Rockefeller Building where we will be visiting the Top of the Rock.

The view from up here is amazing,, hopefully these photos will do it’s justice.

Stand tall.

The famous Radio City Music Hall.\

Right by the Rockefeller Center is the beautiful St. Patrick Cathedral. A must check out if you’re in the area!

Shavi got a photo of me taking in the beauty of the cathedral.

The inside of the cathedral is amazing. and it’s free to come inside.

Next we stopped by 10 Below Ice Cream for some sweets. They roll up the ice cream here and make it right in front of you.

Cookies and cream.

Matcha made in heaven, green tea and strawberry flavor.

Just 15 minutes away was the 9/11 memorial, so we decided to pay our respects and check out the memorial.

The deep and lost feeling from this memorial was so powerful.

New York will bounce back.

October 17, 2015

Vankulture x Air Runner | Square Meet

Just another weekend in Southern California, where you can find all kinds of automotive events going on. This time around we have Vankulture bringing some of the coolest modified vans together, and Air Runner Systems provided quality suspension and the venue for the meet up.

Photo Dumpage:

Thanks

-@ShaviW

September 25, 2015

RO in Australia | Mr. Crackles & Harbour

Another day in Sydney, Australia, and Alan from AL Captures from Melbourne, Australia was still in town and was nice enough to take me around. We started out our day at a photo shoot and then drove into the city to check out some good food and a few typical tourist spots.

That is right. That is their Burger King.

Seeing my favorite Pepper Lunch here was a nice surprise, but still wouldn’t eat something I can already get back home.

Somewhere in downtown Sydney.

Alan: Thank you for hanging out with me down there. Truly appreciate the hospitality. Let me know when you are over the big pond.

Some weird bird.

Finally to the main location, Mr. Crackles. This spot is known for having crispy skinned succulent meats mixed with their dishes.

The crispiness.

Slow roasted 5 spiced pork belly with Vietnamese style salad inside a long roll.

Delicious and filling. Not real big on onion rings, but these were really enjoyable for me.

Fully laid out, and slammed on the floor.

Going through Harbour Bridge.

I am sure most of us have seen this on television at the 2000 summer Olympics, the Sydney Opera House.

The actual Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House all in one view.

Some Southern California love down under.

The city life in Sydney was really impressive. Definitely, one of the most lively and busy cities.

Ended the day in the city with some Golden Gaytime.

If I were to go back to Australia, I would definitely love to see more of the country; probably Melbourne area, the coral reefs, or what the real outback is.

September 11, 2015

RO in Australia | Evolution Eight

Just another day in Sydney, Australia. Jacob with the white Mitsubishi Evolution VIII on RSV Forged RS10D picked me up with his buddy to take some quick pictures, and just hang out.

It sure did feel a bit weird seeing everyone driving on the right hand side, and drive on the opposite side of the road.

These RSV Forged RS10D made me miss my old TMBs. Gotta love a good looking true directional wheel.

Simple equals clean.

BCHPLS, rim to fender fitment.

After hanging out and shooting pictures, a nice Australian pig decided to pull over and cite Jacob’s Evo for basically everything. I have heard the stories and first hand accounts of the Australian automotive regulations, and it really is the worst. You really just gotta pay to play to enjoy being an automotive enthusiast anywhere in the world.

Hope you enjoyed the photos.

September 8, 2015

RO in Australia | Cafe Roman & Photo Hang

Its the next day or so in Sydney, Australia, and the Built To Order guys started out our day by hitting up Cafe Roman for some bombass breakfast/brunch.

The menu.

Art x Food.

Hass x Carl.

The Mediterranean breakfast. Cumin spiced fried eggs, sujuk salsa, labneh, halloumi, eggplant, zaartar bread, olives, and with Lebanese bread.

Eggs Benedict. English muffin, wilted spinach, smoked salmon, poached eggs, and with hollandaise sauce.

The Roman breakfast. Eggs, sausage, beef rashes, sauteed mushrooms, roasted tomato, hash brown, and sourdough toast.

Posted up in front of Cafe Roman.

Tarik x Nitto x Carl.

After Cafe Roman, we spent the rest of the day light at the Sydney docks. Just hanging out and shooting some nice cars.

Jacob’s Evo was so photogenic in these settings.

Fitment shot on RSV Forged RS10D wheels.

I love me some directional wheels.

George x Nitto.

Matthew’s Toyota 86 on RSV Forged Retro Centre R1.

Group shot.

Diversity. What a spectrum of cars right there.

Jame’s S14 on AG wheels. He didn’t have much fun getting home later as you will see.

Astra Limousines & Wedding Cars Ferrari California T rolling on RSV Forged RS5Y wheels.

The hard top convertible adds a different look to it.

Mercedes-Benz CLS on RSV Forged RS10.

That’s about a 6.5 inch lip right there.

And around 5 inchs of lip in the front.

So due to minor technical difficulties from just moving to the spot you saw above, it had to be towed back home.

Headed back to the suburbs before the sunset, and went back into the city later that night for some night life. More posts on Australia coming.

September 1, 2015

RO in Australia | Fitted Friday III

I recently had the opportunity, thanks to Tarik at Built To Order, to go to Sydney, Australia to transport custom made trophies from California, and take pictures for a car meet called, Fitted Friday III. And thank you to Tarik, his family, and friends for showing me Australian car culture and for showing me around Sydney.

I started out my journey getting informed that I needed to go to Australia immediately, and the very next day. So, packed up my bags, and lost a day getting to Sydney. I always wanted to go to to Australia, just never thought it would be so soon, and so unprepared.

The moment I arrived into Sydney, it was already the day of the car meet. Fitted Friday III is a mega car meet held Friday night that shows a vast variety of Australian automotive culture. For someone who knows nearly nothing about the culture down here, this meet was filled with premium examples of what the current car culture is like.

Behind the scenes before Fitted Friday III. Official starts at 7:00PM, and ends around 11:00PM.

The car display and DJ stage being constructed.

Fitted Friday staff discussing their plans to be executed.

Things I don’t see in the US.

The ramps for the stage, which will be used to move the unveiling cars off and onto the stage.

Jacob’s Evo VIII bagged with AirRex, and on RSV Forged RS10 D. A lot more photos of this another day.

The Offset was in town from Melbourne, helping out with Fitted Friday III.

Matthew Morgan’s Built To Order x RSV Forged Australia Toyota 86 on RSV Forged Retro Centre R1.

Just a preview of the variety. A lot of awesome trucks and bikes showed up.

Heasman Steering Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG on RSV Forged RS5Y by Built To Order.

BMW E92 M3 on a Liberty Walk kit by Heasman Steering.

25 year import rule currently gets us the Nissan Skyline R32 in the US. Something you really won’t see in the US. And here we have the Nissan Skyline R34 GTR.

The ESTBLSHD crew from Melbourne, which is about a 9 hour drive from Sydney. Good meeting you guys.

Australians definitely love their drag.

Aussie muscle.

Bagged out on a block.

Love seeing these older rotary platforms.

Even in Australia you can’t escape the rice.

These are the custom trophies built by Built To Order x RSV Forged for Fitted Friday III. These needed to arrive before the meet, so I was commissioned to take the journey with them.

I guess its an Australian thing to put wedding ribbons on your car. Saw other cars with them too.

Some LA low rider flavor.

Back to the Future fans.

Another good car we do not have in America. Toyota Chaser.

Classic Ghia.

Its not a car meet without the Supra.

They had a hookah vendor, where you can enjoy a personal or group hookah while at the car meet.

Clean S15.

Food trucks were rolling in and setting up.

The stage is ready for the mega meet.

The trophies were ready to be given to 16 people.

Very clean skylines.

See plenty of these in the states, but here it is known as the Toyota 86.

Clean, but too donk for my taste.

Very complete build. Love the sense of rawness it gives off.

Seeing this felt like home.

Wet S14.

Plenty of people all around.

Rolling in.

Even more people pouring n.

Inside the underground structure were even more cars.

Fitted Toyota Vitz

Seeing a simple clean Supra is nice.

Classic Toyota Crown kept immaculate.

Stance House Honda Accord Euro. Great meeting you guys as well.

Leading into Fitted Friday III.

Overhead view. That is a lot of people.

Mega Meet.

Gold plated everything. It works.

Varis widebody Toyota 86.

Time for the unveiling.

James’ Brown S14 on AG wheels 18 x 10.5 with 5 inch lip front and 18 x 11.5 with 6.5 inch rear lip.
Accomplished by Australia’s premium outlet for custom wheels and crazy fitment, Built To Order.

Garage 88 x Micheal May’s Varis widebody Toyota 86 on SSR Professors.

Palms Customs 24kt gold plated bike with custom airbrushing, and pin striping.

Rocket Bunny FD3S RX-7. Painted by 2 Sus Custom Resprays, Built To Order supplied RSV Sport Line RS5Y wheels kit series and Rocket Bunny kit, and Heasman Steering for all suspension work and brakes.

Killer Customs Toyota Supra on Built To Order RSV Forged RS10.

That is 20×16 -101 in the rear.

Rear camber shot.

The lucky winners are below with guest New Zealand judge Carl Thompson.

The Fitted Friday staff. I am impressed by Tarik at Built To Order for putting such an experience for the Australian community, and everyone that helped make Fitted Friday III happen. These are the type of events that should be created to share automotive passion with each other.