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Mr. March do you know the designation of this Valk? It's a VF-2 but it looks like a VF-1J.

You posted the VF-2JA Icarus, it's an atmosphere type valk.

Basically the only colors you're missing from the VF-2 are the moon act colors; the second episode had a laser show on the moon that showcased VF-2SS' in monochrome schemes (entire valk is one color i.e.: red, green, blue, etc. a la Max & Millia type color saturation), i don't recall if their SAP packs carried over the monochrome scheme, i'd have to watch it again

This is what I drive.

I love the new Miata, can't wait until they make a SPEED version

thanks for the info, I am actually learning something everyday. Your file says you had 94 supra twin turbo , how is it, and how much.

Also what do you think would be a great japanese car that I can get my hands on for the same price and the same caliber, excluding hondas, levins, ae86, and the mr2.

I HAD a 94 Supra Twin Turbo 6Speed Targa red with biscuit interior. Mine was bone stock, it was awesome fast in a straight line but sucked around corners. Parts for the Supra's are expensive, i don't care how cheap you get the car for (and at the time i got mine pretty cheap), any of the good stuff you'll want to do to it is going to cost big bucks. I just wanted to replace the 3rd gear synchro (mine was bad) and just the parts alone were over 500 bucks; i was better off just buying a whole jdm transmission. The Supra was unique in that it's one of the few cars we got in the US that can be considered a Japanese "status" car due to its popularity and media attention. Outside of that though, i can say that there are much better cars out there if you keep an open mind, i've got quite the love affair with sports sedans and find their practicality and civil manners to be a fair trade when considering performance/price/practicality.

I'm not sure what you mean by same price (as the Supra?), but if you're comparing other cars to the Supra the only car i can say can match wits with it end to end is the new 335i. It has almost the exact same setup, 3.0L Twin Turbo RWD, except the added refinement of german engineering (which IMO means nothing, but in this case, the motor is fantastically engineered) with variable cam timing and direct injection as an added bonus along with the option of both coupe, sedan, and AWD (IMO the best of the 335 series is the 335xi sedan, it weighs the same as the coupe has the same motor but you get AWD and two extra doors as an extra bonus). Furthermore, with a few vishnu engineering parts, your 335 will undoubtedly smoke an e92 M3. Also if looks is not a priority, scope the soon to arrive 135i, it has the same motor/drivetrain as the 335i coupe but they gave it a LSD so it hooks up better and it weighs a couple hundred pounds less, would also make a formidable drift car if someone had that intent.

If you're looking for just a great Japanese car for a great price, i'd buy an RX-8, in fact, you should go test drive one. They're not the best looking car on the market (subjective) but their road manners and track performance are out of this world. What sweetens the deal is you can get a 2004/5 model with less than 20,000 miles for $16k-17k; that's nearly half what it MSRPs for new. In fact, i found one on a forum, touring model with the red/black interior with every package imaginable for $17k, it had 20k miles, this is also a RWD car with a few upgrades can be made into a drift/autox/street car. I'd say the FC and FD RX-7's so long as you upgrade to the newer JDM 13B since the 13B's we got blow up. Or do a lot of research and upgrade them properly, a lot of people use aftermarket or cast iron apex seals, no synthetic oil (or they'll do a mix), they'll upgrade a lot of the parts to the newer type JDM parts since in Japan the FD's (i forget what year, i think it was 96 and newer?) got a revised 13B-REW which fixed a lot of the reliability issues that the USDM models were plagued with.

This post has gone on too long, just research your options; basically any RWD car with the right parts will make for a good drift car, just try not to get a car that is balanced really well 'cause you won't be able to drift them without costly suspension mods (i.e.: Miata, S2000), i'm personally more into autoX and if it weren't so expensive, i'd love to get into Rally (looks like so much dangerous fun).

Mustang's and Camaro's make great drift cars, so do 3-series BMW's, LSD or not. It has a lot more to do with weight distribution, driving technique, and tires, and in that regard any of the cars mentioned are great drifting cars with different characteristics. The japanese cars since they're smaller, lighter and usually have better weight distribution have a narrower angle of drift than the american cars but are no more or less controllable, that's all based on the tires and the driver. The only reason you don't see as many American cars as drifters is because most American's are too busy turning rice rockets into drift cars instead of using their brain and utilizing what is more easily available. You can get Mustang's dirt cheap, and old 3 series BMW's will cost a little more up front, but you'll spend a lot less on parts later since their motors are bullet proof. I could continue on the debate, but it's subjective so everyone's right.

As for the 240SX/Silvia, our S13 240SX Hatchback is the equivalent body of a 180SX but with a KA24DE motor (truck motor) which now after much research and debate is considered no better/worse than the SR20 since it uses a stronger cast iron block and has higher displacement for better torque once force induced. The 240SX notch back is the equivalent body as the S13 Silvia but retains the 180SX front end (pop up headlights). The S14 Silvia and second gen 240SX have identical bodies and we still get the KA24DE no SR20DET. I found a Kouki S14 (sharp eyed S14) on craigslist not too long ago for 3800, so you can still find them cheap if you really want one.

2000 is my absolute maximum budget, I'd rather spend around 1500. Besides, I want to do 3d modelling and rendering on this thing and I want to be set for the next 3 to 4 years.

Even 1500 is going to build you a high end machine, since you're looking for a high end 22" wide display then that's going to be the most expensive part of your budget.

2000 dollars for a desktop, talk about a high end budget, that much money will build a SWEEEEETTTTT desktop, even with considerations for peripherals (high end monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc etc.)

^^^ Same

EDIT:

Doh'! posted a minute late, i meant same interest in the ARX-8 Laevatein

...

My computer is set up like so:

C: 74.5 (80) Gb Boot Drive

D: 189 (200) Gb Warehouse I

E: 298 (320) Gb Warehouse II

H: 298 (320) Gb Warehouse III

If you're wondering why the gap between the E and H drives it's because the H drive got added to the system after I did the inital format about a year ago. I know it seems silly that I have a total of 920 Gigs of storage space, but it just happened to work out that way. Each 320/200 Gig drive cost $100, and the 80 Gig cost I think $50.

...

You can go into computer Management and change the drive letters so they're consecutive, takes 5 minutes.

If it plays good, I'll play it. If it feels like crap, I'll stop playing it.

I hope there's more characters to come. The one new character they introduced looks like crap.

And as for a second thing to mention... I don't know where any arcades are anymore, except outside of the local theater. The one big good arcade I knew of is gone.

Same, all of our arcades closed down and there's only one movie theater that has arcade games and that's only because it's relatively new.

Photos courtesy of Pat (PFunk)

I think i like the Camaro better.

I've got 183,xxx on mine, still no issues, just bought new brake rotors and pads, haven't had time to install them.

I'm building a computer for an old friend; desktop PC, i have all of my parts priced out except one thing. He wants this computer to do a little of everything (gaming, business, music, storage, etc.) so it's pretty high end, but he also wants it to function as a PVR. I plan on adding an extra HDD (he doesn't want to run RAID so that makes things easier), but what PCI media card would be decent to perform PVR duties from cable TV. To be honest, i'm burnt out form work lately and too lazy to do research so anyone who is willing to do it for me would get a big thumbs up (Azreal, Mike ).

Are the figures in previous waves of the 07 movie still being included in the latest all spark wave? I have found the random classic camaro Bumblebee among them, I just wondering if there is still a chance of me finding a Concept Camaro Bumblebee.

I find the CC BB at Wal-mart all the time, in fact, i still have an extra new in package if you want it, cost (i think i paid 9.99 for it at wal-mart) + shipping

Item is being carried by Diamond so that's at least the US and Canada.

oh, hooray, i'll actually buy this then.

Thanks, the wonders of the internet!

http://legacycentral.org/library/literature/deck.htm

I never even knew they made open-deck blocks. To me, engine blocks were always solid lumps like the first pic!

Why bother with that flimsy looking open-deck crap! It looks shite! My view of Subaru has dimmed!

Back to the 2.5 vs 2.0. Well, the 2.5 STi is not an option for me as it never went into the Legacy. The main reason why I want a JDM 2.0t is because I wanted the manual box. The #$%%! local distributor only brings in Autos.

BTW, could you verify this last bit of info?

Apparently, the 2.5T also does not come with the aluminium suspension bits while the JDM does. Sounds strange to me that Subaru would make 2 different sets of suspension. I thought ALL the legacies would use the same aluminium gubbins.

Thanks!

I thought outside of the motors all of the other bits were the same; i have heard (though not confirmed) that the JDM STI's got longer sway bars than the USDM, so that may be true for the Legacy too. It's been awhile since i've been on any of the scooby forums, i should probably get myself back in the loop. I kind of gave up on them once i realized nobody had reliable information, everyone has only half of the truth, and that's frustrating especially when trying to purchase the right motor or in your case purchase the right car. Nobody knows which blocks are in what cars for some reason, there's a LOT of controversy over which uses semi-closed deck, open deck, which uses VF-39's which use TD04's, it's a real PIA since they varied it so much by MY. It's a lot of guess work, you can find the right information if you talk to the right people and scower the forums, but it's still not worth it.

As far as the EJ25 turbo in the Legacy, i believe it's semi-closed also (at least it is in the US) as it's any 2.5 turbo model from 05 and up (or is it 04 and up??? i have to reconfirm that) including STI and WRX. It's the STI JDM's that only came semi-closed, again it's convoluted and annoying to follow Subaru's, don't even get started on the transmissions.

I am actually in Singapore and the #$%! distributor only brings in the non-JDM spec 2.5 single AVCS single scroll. I can import a non-distributor 2.0 Dual AVCS Twin Scroll.

I think the current BL5 Legacy never had a twin-turbo in any guise. Only choice is between JDM twin-scroll and non-JDM 'single scroll'.

My dilemma is that I like the extra 500cc in displacement but not sure if its worth giving up the twin-scroll (not twin turbo) and Dual AVCS for it. I have the curves for the JDM 2.0T but I don't have the 2.5T graph to compare torque curves with (any chance you have it? The USDM 2.5T should be identical to what I have here since both do 250hp).

I know the JDM 2.0t is 276hp vs 250hp for the 2.5t but I am more concerned with the torque curve rather then that last fistful of horsepower at 5000-7500rpm.

Thanks!

Now I just have to find out WTF is open-deck and close-deck and whatnot.

I wasn't aware of that, it's actually better they just go to the twin scroll turbo (like the STI's) than stick with the twin turbo because the twin turbo setup on the Legacy's wasn't done in an efficient manner even if it did yield good results. I don't have a chart of the HP torque curves but i'm sure i could find it, IIRC the 2.5L STI's had more torque than the 2.0L JDM's but the curve was more peaked than flat, so i was basing my thoughts off of that comparison as opposed to the Legacy vs Legacy. Refreshed my knowledge on which ones are semi-closed and open decks, and it looks like the 05+ 2.5 (aka EJ255 EJ257) turbo models are semi closed deck and any JDM turbo EJ that isn't STI is open deck. I think in stock form the JDM model will offer better performance, but if you plan on doing a few performance upgrades i think the 2.5 turbo legacy will give you more reliable performance and you can always upgrade the turbo to something larger (VF-22) since you have the added displacement to make up for the low-end and mid range.

The term open, semi-closed, and closed deck block, in layman terms is the space between the cylinder bore and the block. I'm having trouble finding a proper photo, but if you take the head off of the EJ257 you won't be able to see straight through the block it'll look like it's partially blocked up at the bottom of each cylinder bore. The block partially closing off the bottom of each cylinder allows for extra reinforcement and helps prevent the block from warping/cracking which is especially useful in applications of force induction. Most aluminum block motors are semi-closed or closed deck, good example being the Turbocharged Duratec 2.0L, 2.3L and 2.5L that Ford/Mazda use and the EJ257 in the Subaru's.

Hey dude, so any comments on the Legacy?

As far as i'm aware (since i was interested in doing the TT Legacy swap for awhile), the 2.0L twin turbo setup is good because the power output is fantastic and gives you a lot of power throughout the entire power band (very flat power curve, the AVCS on intake/exhaust probably helps with that too), it's bad because the block is open deck so you shouldn't push the boost or try to get too much more out of the motor.

The EJ25 turbo isn't quite as flat in the power band, but still remains punchy (which i think is assisted by its higher displacement, probably why they decided to go AVCS on intake only), it's advantage being that it has a semi-closed deck block so it can take more of a beating if you decide to push some boost out of it or upgrade turbo components.

The one thing i dislike about the flat motors in general is that the turbo setups are a mess of plumbing*, and whether it's single turbo or twin turbo the exhaust plumbing is retarded, i still feel a quick redesign of the heads from Subaru could fix that problem. The other problem you run into with the JDM swap (if you're USDM) is wiring is going to be a bear, otherwise, it's a matter of what you're preference is.

Regardless of which motor you get, first thing to do is help it breathe, get a turbo back exhaust, get rid of as many cats as possible, bigger intercooler, and high flow intakes. From there either motor should put down more than enough power to be satisfied. If i recall, the JDM EJ20 has a bunch of cats while the USDM has a crappy intercooler, but i could be mistaken.

*The twin turbo is about as good as it's going to get in this configuration which is basically a U shape from the exhaust manifolds back to the turbos behind the rear cylinders and then under the trans.

EDIT:

I hope we're talking about the same car since i'm unsure of which country you're in; I'm not sure if the JDM still uses the twin turbo setup (i think they do with the B5, but unsure of the other models in the lineup) or if they have gone to a single turbo like the USDM model and just uses a better turbo. In any case though, it should still be open deck block, the only ones that have semi-closed deck version of the EJ20's are the STI's and i think it's only the later model STI's (EJ205 and up), so in regards to the performance (whether twin turbo, or twin scroll single turbo) it should remain about the same (since the twin scrolls spool up faster by design).

Have you seen the new Malibu? C&D placed it JUST behind the Accord and new Altima, (ahead of Camry, etc...) and Motortrend had it second in the COTY awards. I've driven one, and while it's not my cup of tea (I'm a pony car guy,) the interior's nice, little noise in the I4, decent power, and is attractive, for a family car. My only real complaint is the four speed auto, but that's gone come the end of this year.

Compacts, yeah, I don't know what Chevy's thinking, and Ford's Focus is nice looking, but HORRIBLY underpowered.

I've read the reviews on the Malibu, and my only complaint is that it's still called the Malibu. If GM had any sense they would rename it like they did with the Cavalier (Cobalt anyone?). The way Ford handles the US market frustrates me, the Focus should be 2.5L Turbo 3 door or 5 door hatchback, but instead they boast that it has "Euro inspired suspension" and "35MPG", well whoopty doo, where do i sign .

Of course the general public is none the wiser, but it'd be nice to get this at some point:

The job Cadillac has done reinventing itself should really be a lesson to the rest of the American car companies. Ford and Chevy are still turning out complete crap (Corvette aside), but the fact that Cadillac is making cars that are equal to European counterparts is really something.

What's also sad is Ford in Europe makes freakin awesome cars, but they refuse to bring them across the ocean. The Focus in Europe doesn't suck, and they have a bunch of other cars like the Mondeo and the Ka that could easily take on the likes of the Japanese. Mazda is the only company making Ford any money in the states, at least GM is slowly exploiting their European market, they're just doing it too slowly and in some cases through the wrong branch (Saturn...ugh, Pontiac is their best bet for bringing Europe to the states).

I actually like the new CTS-V, Cadillac has steered itself into a very good direction in the past decade, and i hope it continues on this path. For a long time it was on par with Lincoln, but has since elevated their status back up with the German standard.

I wish someone made model kits from the SNES game Metal Warriors. I'll try to find photos later.

Damn.....American Dollar......makes $280 SGD = $195ish USD.....Boooooooooo

Good thing I already made my preorder with LOS

that's weird, it was 230SGD (160USD) last time i looked, i guess he changed it.

That's awesome V3 SE.. er i mean V4 SE... well you know what i mean; new SE is exactly what i wanted; now just give me Alley Vipers!!

Anyone owns a Legacy GT around here?

I am hoping to get one.

Any comments on it?

what year were you looking for? early 2000's models compared to late 2000 models are night and day.

Wave 7 revealed today:

V4 Snake Eyes ftw!

This is a Snake Eyes based off of the original V4? I didn't really like that one too much, his colors were pastel and kinda fruity, i liked V3 better, but it all depends on how well the sculpt is done.