Category: Life Style

Road Trip Runner

As a car builder I’ve come to the conclusion that for me personally, I want my car to be the one that can do it all. I want it to be able to handle being driven hard at the track, hold it’s own on the street, look good at the local car meets, yet stay practical enough to take to the store for a quick errand. Looking at my current car, I tend to ask myself all the time “what do I want to use it for?”
In the more recent years, I’ve gotten into traveling. Something about seeing new places, new sights, traveling a far distance from home, it’s always an exciting feeling. But if you are a driver, you know that it isn’t just the destination that is significant, it’s the journey to it as well. What better way to enjoy that journey than in your “fun car?”

So here it is, I’m going to put my car to the test. I’m going to take it on a 1400 mile road trip. After inspecting everything I could in the Private Runner garage and a few last minute tweaks, “ Daphne”was as ready as she ever would be. The drive began at 2 AM. The travel crew and I (yes we were a full car, plus luggage) enjoyed the cool night air for the first few hours. LA was our first main city to pass through and besides the occasional launch out of the seat due to the uneven freeway, we were all good.

A few more hours past and finally we were seeing the glorious structure of the Bay Bridge up ahead. This was surely a sign of victory! Of course it isn’t enough to just get to the destination, it was now time to explore it. Speaking from experience, navigating a lowered car through SF was a challenge. Many scrapes and hits, but we conquered. And of course had to document this in pictures.

On the way back down, we past through Santa Cruz for a quick stop. The drive there was awesome for a fun car, definitely beats having a rental on the twisty stuff. It was also a bonus that everywhere we went, we always had great parking spots. VIP status for sure. After walking the boardwalk, we got back in the car for the last long stretch home.

We got back down to SoCal just in time to make a pit stop for some Boba at 7leaves. Really good spot to go to for some fresh tea. Just enough caffeine to fuel me for the rest of the drive home.

Was it worth it? Taking the Civic on a road trip like that? All the wear and tear? Well for starters, I’m not one to care about keeping the mileage low on a car. It’s a car, that’s what you’re supposed to do with it: drive it! Of course, a 90’s civic hatch slammed with no AC or tint isn’t the most comfy ride for a long trip but knowing that the car that I’ve built and maintained with my own hands, as well as with the help of good friends, can successfully complete such a trip with no fuss… and in addition getting props from people along the way who have no idea the distance the car has traveled… I’d say hell yeah it’s totally worth. Put some miles on your builds, folks!

– Words by PVT Runner I. Delos Santos

Day Runs

I went for a drive the other day. On this particular day I got in my car, turned the key and warmed up the engine, preparing for a drive. It was an overcast morning, a weekday after prime commuting hours. The local streets and highways were clearing of the thick traffic that usually characterizes Southern California highways. The weather was cool, bearable for a ride in a non AC-equipped vehicle. I rolled both windows down, shifted into first gear and was on my way, with my soundtrack of choice playing through the speakers.

After passing through the local streets, I began to reach the on ramp for the freeway. Heading southbound, I accelerated up the on ramp, feeling the grip through the corner leading up to the freeway. The torquey pull of the 1.8 liter DOHC motor is more than plenty of power for the lightweight EK Civic to gain speed with ease as I merge alongside highway traffic.

The highway system of San Diego is a sensible one, with ample space and plenty of lanes to choose from and without any confusing freeway changes. As I traveled further south, I reach the portion of the 163 freeway where it begins to narrow into three lanes leading into sequence of medium speed turns ahead. Maintaining my current pace, I gripped the MOMO Monte Carlo steering and navigated through the turns as the F1 Spec bucket seat kept me firmly planted in a comfortable driving position. I dropped one gear lower with the K-Tuned shifter and was in a power range that made accelerating out of the exits of the turns exhilarating. The twisty section had passed and was thoroughly conquered, bringing me to the surface level streets of downtown San Diego.

Driving through the city during a weekday brings about a different aura, allowing you to connect at an almost personal level to the surrounding environment you’re in. There is no loud music, no festivities, no chaotic scenes and no large crowds of people in any particular corner of the town. Quite a contrast when compared to a Friday night in the Gaslamp quarter, where nightlife is the main attraction. I continued through the streets, careful of any potholes and rough surfaces. The Ground Control/Koni suspension combo is fairly compliant through the unevenly paved roads, but the low profile 205/40R16 Falken Azenis aren’t very forgiving when encountering sudden bumps.

I wandered through the cross streets, looping through the various blocks and passing local sights. Eventually I found myself at a location that felt like a good stopping point to take a break. The Civic posted, with the Dark Amethyst Peart paint still looking clean and the sight of the San Diego skyline in the foreground, it’s in those moments that I can slow down and allow the current moment to settle in. Therapeutic, in a sense. I ventured around the area, finding more good backdrops for pictures and just took my time moving around. It’s a good feeling when you can take a break from the usual time crunched routine. Eventually it was time to get back behind the wheel and drive again.

I retraced my steps through the city and finally found my way back to flow of the highway. It’s almost as if the speeds of the highway are a representation of my return back to fast paced daily life. Regardless, I enjoyed my brief moment of escape, my brief moment of solitude, my PRIVATE RUN. I savor each and every one, as if it’s another puzzle piece gained to complete the picture of my soul. I went for a drive the other day and I found my way.

– Words by PVT Runner I. Delos Santos

It’s Shark Week…

Did you guys see the opening of Shark Week? A little different huh? I don’t know how I feel about it…

Anyway, Peep this out

https://www.intothenowvr.com/#/

Michael Muller needs to be on Shark Week. That would be my kind of opening for a whole week dedicated to sharks.

Here’s a video review of the film:

“Through a special partnership with Stanford University’s Neurology department, the project is also part of an ongoing research project on the benefits of VR for people with PTSD, anxiety and other stress disorders. VR has been shown to alleviate many of the symptoms of PTSD and anxiety, making VR an invaluable therapeutic implement.”

That’s what’s up. Hopefully the film can make its way over to San Diego…

Now, for the kanjo version of Shart Shark Week:

🦈🦈🦈

It’s Alive!

Finally!

Took me long enough right? That’s what happens when you become a fath…

So the intake manifold gasket wasn’t just cracked, but also warped. The top circle shows a crack at the bolt hole and the bottom circle shows a crack at the coolant port. The middle circle shows the warpage along with a crack in the middle of it… That’s where it was leaking from!

Thank the car heavens it wasn’t anything super serious! It lasted 5 years of daily driving and hard running/redline hitting fun. Does anyone know how long that are supposed to last? 🤔

Now to the fun stuff:

PVT RUNR Ian bought my old bucket seat so he came by to install that with a PCI seat mount.

😎

Not bad for a beginner seat. I had to pass it down to the homie cuz I always wanna see my parts go into good hands. And plus, I picked up a new seat that’s big enough to fit Moltar 👺👹

Just need to get a few other shit done and King Run will be back on the streets…! 🌃👻

Peace.

[10:25PM]

Progress, Kinda

Last month I posted that I needed to change out my intake manifold gasket (hoping that is the problem…) because I noticed a coolant leak. Well, I have yet to dissemble that shit haha! In a matter of about 3 weeks this is how far I got:

GET TO WORK DAMN IT!
I was going to finish it but PVT Ian got tired of driving around without front lower motor mounts, so we installed them with ES inserts

😆

A hammer fixes anything hahahah

Anyway, here is a little bonus from my friend S. Hirokazu. He attended the Osaka Hunters car meet last weekend which got broken up by the police. If you follow some kanjozoku’s on social media, I am sure you can see better pics, but I love the raw un-edited pictures. S. Hirokazu, If you’re reading this, THANK YOU! I appreciate you always sending me pics of the events/meets you go to!

[2:04AM]

What is sleep?

That’s what I’ve been asking myself lately. Got me feeling like a cat, looking like I’m “always tired” and shit. But in the end, it’s worth it, especially if you’re a hard worker.

Speaking of cats, I purchased these dope stickers from Triple Cat Deluxe:

This one reminds me of the cat from Sailor Moon. Mrs. Runner loves this one lol

😼

“Aye yo, waddup Run?! How you feeling?”

And that’s an understatement by the way. When you are working long hours, you gotta ask yourself “what is sleep?” Cat naps has been my best friends when it comes to getting my energy back. It’s also hard to fit anything into your schedule, like chores, grocery shopping, and WORKING ON YOUR CAR. I started up the ol’ Runner the other day and when he warmed up I smelled coolant… I popped the hood, did a thorough inspection and found this:

Looks like the intake manifold gasket… I thought the Hondata heat shield gaskets are supposed to last forever? Well, nothing lasts forever unfortunately! I won’t know for sure until I take the intake manifold off, but from the looks of it, there might be a crack on the gasket

Whatever the issue may be, it can and will be fixed. The real question is, how do I fit the repair into my schedule? 🤔

[12:28AM]

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!
This is a new and clean slate! Well, everyday when you wake up is a new and clean slate… But anyway.

I ended 2017 with a lot of changes. I recently picked up a new daily which I dubbed the PVT Support Vehicle:

You know I had to celebrate with a brew after this purchase! LOL

Then I landed a new job(s)! Here is some pics of what I do when I’m at work :

It’s laid back and chill as fuck, which is what I have been lacking for years. EVERYONE NEEDS TO CHILL. It seems like that doesn’t exist anymore. Bunch of crazies in this world and it seems like people are always in a rush. I want to bring back the feelings I had when I was younger; staying up late watching Adult Swim and hearing all the dope Late Night Bumps. To add a little side note, Adult Swim and those bumps are the epitome of PVT Runners. It’s one of the many elements that molded me to who I am today. “A night time program that allows an adult-focused period in a space that’s generally for kids” because I am one of those adults that refuses to settle for an average adult bullshit job and life.

The new job I have is a late night shift which I am experienced in. It feels good to be a Late Riser again. Once I am off, the road is dead. I love that feeling, it feels like I own the road. Then I go to my “second job.” All in all, the total hours I am working is about 32 hours. Seems like a lot doesn’t it? But check this out, I watched a Myth Buster’s episode about sleep. Crab Fisherman work 30 hour shifts, for every six hours, they take a mandatory 20 min nap. Here’s more info on that episode. I’ve been doing that rhythm but at 30 min naps and it works!

Speaking of late nights, this thought came across my mind. I feel that not a lot of people can handle staying up late and/or late night life. Seeing people how they act in fast food drive thru’s, how they struggle to stay in their lanes while driving, their impatience, quick to get frustrated and all that. I ask myself, do those people not know how to handle late night life or just staying up late? Shit, or is it both!? PVT Runners was founded all around late night life, so it’s second nature to us. I feel safe in the darkness.

 Let’s start the year positive and stay that way. Learn to be chill y’all. If you lost your ways, learn to gain it back. Sometimes you need to retrace your old steps in life to find that happy place again, and/or use that as a foundation to build a new one. To conclude this post, I will finish it off by using a quote from Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def:
“My outlook on the future is two-fold, there’s a lot of bad things going on, lotta nonsense and strife in the world. I believe that you gotta tear old things down before you can set new things up. It all depends on your perspective.”

Peace y’all, go to bed.