It’s been a while since there’s been food on here and ironically I’ve been meaning to put up this particular bowl for a while too. Just been forgetting my camera week after week.
Mitsuwa in Costa Mesa has a dope ramen stand. I love Shin Sen and Orochon but this one is definitely up there in terms of what hits the spot.

Chashu shio ramen and a Calpico. Perfect for a lax Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

On another note.. I remember a conversation Fred and I were having about a particular event last year that we didn’t enjoy.. The gentleman (an overstatement) in question had a lot to say about the opinion Fred and I shared. He even tried to discredit what I wrote about the event by saying “I hope the editor of the blog will someday understand also. I’m sure whoever wrote that is probably a J Fanatic all the way down to the ramen.”

Figured it’d be appropriate in this case.

People have been wondering about our disc rotor construction for quite some time now. Hopefully, the following will help. It gets kind of technical. First off, our disc rotors are produced of cast iron steel. For our 2-piece disks, the bell housing (or hat) is produced of duralumin. Google “Duralumin” to get insight on it.
People have mentioned or brought up the idea of “forged” disks, but I’m not sure this exists.
In any case, the most important material in “ferro alloy” is carbon. Ferro alloy refers to various alloys of iron with a high proportion of other elements such as manganese, carbon and silicone. In pure iron, the carbon content is below 0.006%. In steel, the carbon content varies between 0.006% to 2%. And in cast iron, the carbon content varies from 2.0% to 6.67%. The condition of the carbon differs depending on the metal as well.

This cast iron is categorized depending on its specific carbon content and cooling speed. It is categorized into the following types:

(FC) Flake Graphite aka Gray Cast Iron
Most high-quality disc rotors are produced of this. It transfers heat well, cools quickly, and works well with brake pad materials allowing anti-shake. Gray Cast Iron is considered best for high performance disc rotors. Endless disc rotors are produced of this.

(FCD) Spheroidal Graphite Ductile Cast Iron
Ductile cast iron as compared to cast iron is stronger and stretches well. Therefore, it’s used often for suspension knuckle arms. Yet, it doesn’t transfer heat well and doesn’t cool quickly.

(CV) Carbon Cast Iron
This used to be a failed outcome of the FCD, but it’s stronger than gray cast iron. However, it doesn’t transfer heat well, thus isn’t considered ideal for disc rotors.

Normal disc rotor surface after usage.

Carbon content close-up of a normal disc rotor.

Endless disc rotor surface after usage.

Carbon content close-up of an Endless disc rotor.

Endless disc rotors are heat-treated. They are baked in an oven slowly for a number of hours until reaching very high temperatures. It is then baked for an addiitional number of hours consistently at a specific temperature. Then, a couple of more hours to slowly cool down. This step-by-step time process is crucial as it enables heating equally to the core. This helps result in the golden-brownish hue on the surface of certain Endless discs. This “coating” will disappear after initial use and is intended to match the compound for correct bedding procedures and initial set-up. On another note, not only are Japan’s manufacturing skills superior, but the materials they use are much finer. For instance, forged calipers made in Taiwan from manufacturers such as VTTR have decent machining and production quality. Their alumite calipers are, in fact, clean. (I bring up VTTR because there was rumor that Endless produces their calipers there. Not true.). What makes the product inferior currently is the materials used. The quality/grade of FC steel in Japan is much higher in Japan than in Taiwan. And importing this finer material from Japan costs way too much. Also, the machinery in Taiwan is not yet properly “tuned” for the finer material. So, it’s a catch 22. They don’t have the greatest of goods, and if they did, they wouldn’t quite know what to do with it. Last, but not least, their calipers are forged from an aluminum block. This causes unbalanced structural rigidity with “thinner” portions of the caliper being hard and “thicker” portions of the caliper being softer. Endless calipers are produced in a different manner which keeps the entire body balanced and solid. A few things learned from Mr. Inamoto of Endless Japan that I thought I’d share.

It’s been a pretty long and busy week, but Friday slowed things down. We’ve all been multitasking. April comes to an end and I wonder what May has in store for us. All of our new wheels arrive in May so that should be interesting. Dom’s been working on his project. Jin has been frantically searching for a car ever since he totalled his TL and I’ve been trying to decide btw MFxBlack and Sparkle Finish for my Gracers. Norio looked beat after coming back from Buttonwillow today. No, but really, it’s been getting quite hectic. Rumor has it that Weld may be working on something over here in the states. We’ll have to wait and see. In anycase, enjoy your weekend. Thought I’d leave you with an AIM conversation I had with Logan from ASpec. I had to get him back. Nonsense indeed. Computer screen hip hop gangsters.

Dude. Toshi’s latest blog. Probably the best entry I’ve read on a blog in a long time.

I gotta say I’m a fan of the King too. I usually serve it up in a special Chinese soup, but by itself it’s heaven too. A lot of other people say they like Snow as well. I’m not sure why but I can’t say I agree.

All hail the King.

Okay that was lame, but Drift Unit keeps it official and makes sure the drifters are always on top of their game. Can’t wait to see the next series of DU tees..

Christmas came again this morning, in exorbitant amounts. Mr. J Bryan and I are in the Moonface club together. I love the way Moonface packages stuff. Even their bag of newspaper shreds has their logos on it.

The first of a few items from Moonface for my coche; titanium shift knob and engine torque damper.

Got a package from Craftsquare too, my TC-N1’s came in. They even gave me an extra pair of spare mirrors. I’m expecting a set of TC-F’s next month.

The mirrors are unbelievably light.

Speaks for itself, doesn’t it?

My new suspension came in as well.

But here’s my crown jewel of all the goodies.

My 6-pot mini’s in “Race Alumite”. First set of Race Alumite calipers stateside. Race alumite is the alumite finish without any coloring added, the ideal finish for withstanding extreme race conditions.

The first set of AME Tracer FS-01’s stateside was put to good use on the Works time attack EVO.

They bolted on the new shoes for SCC’s g-force shootout out at Buttonwillow.

You know a company is serious business when they have a trackside location. Check out Works’ at their new spot in Infineon Raceway.

I got the panicked phone call an hour ago. Representatives at ENKEI were at a trade show in Taiwan spying and researching. Their jaws must’ve dropped when they saw this. An FS-01 copy!

Japan was shocked, annoyed, and surprised that the FS-01 was copied so quickly. Yet, I don’t quite feel the same negative sentiment as the majority of our Japanese counterparts. Why you might ask?

1) Less and less want copies because more and more are realizing the difference between real and fake.
2) It’s a sign that this wheel might do really well in Japan.
3) Imitation is the best form of flattery.

In all honesty however, for Enkei / Kyoho / AME, it’s quite the slap in the face. Better that we bring you the news before anyone else does. Besides, copies always look cheesy. What else can I say except..

1) Don’t judge a book by its cover
2) Shame on you copycats
3) KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING AND DO NOT SUPPORT COPIES (You’ll regret it in the end if you do)

Got another shipment in today. Henry keeps bugging me to take pix even though he’ll see them in 2 days. Our Shallen SX in 3D Chrome.

Here’s Justin Pawlak’s Shallen CX in 3D Chrome. He has a green FC. Crazy negative offset. He won the Just Drift Top Drift series in 2006 and now has a Formula D license.

This is how bodykits come to us. Crated. Meticulous. Sessions and G Corp up inside that thing.

This is how we ship out our wheels. Edge protectors. 4 on top. 4 on bottom. Meticulous.
Every single box is checked prior to being shipped out.

Last, but not least, our ad in the new digital C16. Thanks Mark!

Love at first sight. Simply breathtaking.

Heard it here first. Endless USA is now official importer for Craft Square.

When newly designed cars come out for the first time I’m almost never a fan right away. I have this thing where I cling to the older designs. I guess I can’t deal with change initially. In any case, here’s a commercial for the new GTR. The performance numbers seem great, I can’t deny that at all, but does it look good to everyone else? The profile looks pretty good to me. Rear quarter panels and fenders are still reminiscent of the 34, which is nice. The front end is kinda strange to me though. The headlamps are cool, but the air ducts below are a bit different for me to have an affinity for them right away. It’s kinda like the new GTR has a goatee. What’s my biggest qualm about the new GTR though? That it’ll be available here in the US. Call me a jerk but I kind of like the fact that previous GTR’s are limited to those with hook ups. Oh well, what can you do.