Category: Life Style

Reflecting Back

Man, we used to do some crazy wild shit.

Me and @Tougel1 did a lot of Highway Loop runs in our home town of Sacramento. No one was doing that shit at that time. Though we would mock a kanjozoku highway course, we had to play it safe. Not only because we were doing something that was dangerous and illegal, but because our cultures and laws are different, as I mentioned before in a blog post years ago. To touch more on that post, I mentioned sometimes cars would follow us a few laps. Reminiscing about that made me think of this:

Exactly. Code of ethics is key when it comes to us looping the highways. At no point were any of us wreckless nor drove like a douchebag. The legendary Team Mid Night main code of ethics was not top speed and skill, it was the safety of other drivers. We followed that code as well. If anyone decided to participate in a run, we would to make sure to be smart about it. There were many times I paid no mind to someone trying to flex on me because of the way they were driving. It came off like they would just run me off the road. I had a few encounters like that and the funniest was when I would decide to run them. I would end up getting the jump on them and they couldn’t keep up, even if they had a more powerful engine.

But as you know, us Runners never cared about winning or losing. As a matter of fact we just cruised the highway majority of the time because we enjoyed how the city looked from that view. When mashing, we were wildin’; when cruising, we were free; when roaming the streets, we were ghosts.

Sacramento at Night

Sacramento at Night

Back then I would say “Live like you’re already dead. Haunt the streets.” but as of lately I have been saying “Live like you don’t exist. Bless the streets.” And indeed do so, especially if you left humble memories and a foundation there for others to remember. Peace.

[1:05AM]

How’s your week going?

Hope y’all having a good one. I start a new job on Monday.

Over the weekend I did some well needed maintenance on the daily. Some of the Runners came by to keep me company and throw back some beers.

Wrenching and bullshitting. Even talked about plans for this spring and summer: go fishing more! And from garage talk I relayed some info I found out through some research that’s hard to find even on Honda-Tech about which Brake Master Cylinders come on which cars when it comes to EG chassis’s as well as their proportional valve.

Note: do not use this blog post as a definitive guide for BMC’s and prop valves. I am simply stating my findings. These findings apply to the EG chassis.

The Findings:

The EG6 SiR comes with a 15/16 BMC. All other EG’s model comes with the 13/16 BMC like my VX seen here:

The only Civic in the USA that came with a 15/16 BMC is the EF EX sedan and Si. A lot of people swap over the 15/16 from the EF to their EG to have more brake pressure. The folks who upgraded to a rear disk on their EG’s opt for this swap as well, while others leave the 13/16 BMC on; it works. Especially if they can’t source the 1″ ITR BMC. From a source who has access to EG6 SiR’s and other model EG’s in their country (i.e., VTi) he stated that the EG’s that have the 15/16 BMC’s have a 30/40 proportional valve. Only the top model EG2 came with a 40/40 proportional valve along with some EK’s. So there you have it. Vital information.

My set up is DC2 GSR rear discs, 13/16 BMC (Stock USA EG BMC) with a 30/40 prop valve. I used to run a 40/40 with no problems, but it started leaking so I replaced it with a new 30/40. I felt no difference when I did go from 30/40 to 40/40 and back to 30/40. So in conclusion if you have a set up like mine, the 15/16 BMC it’s ok to use with a 30/40 proportional valve.

Theory:

There are other factors that come into play such as if you upgrade to bigger front discs/calipers etc., that you will have to research. Especially the 1″ BMC. Many would match it with a 40/40 proportional valve. I have no experience with that set up, perhaps you can still use the 30/40 if you only upgraded the rear to a DC2 rear calipers/disc setup and leave the fronts stock on a EG chassis. The difference from the 1″ to 15/16 is a 1/16 difference, so I don’t know if there will be any slop or gain. But if the 15/16 already increases pressure, I would assume the 1″ will also increase pressure as well. Non-ITR DC2 non abs has a 40/40 prop valve with a 15/16 BMC. If you upgrade the front calipers on the EG to a DC caliper, you need to match it with a 40/40 prop valve because the calipers are bigger.

Final Thoughts:

If myself and my source is wrong or if someone would like to add any other info please chime in because I would like to know as well, I am always a student. Many people have felt a significant difference when adding the 15/16 BMC to their EG. Since the 15/16 BMC & 30/40 prop valve come in that set up on the EG6 SiR, you know it works. Once you start upgrading to bigger discs and calipers, that’s when research comes in. I.e., 40/40 prop valve, ITR 1″ BMC.

Thank you to my buddy in France who sent me this BMC, you know who you are 😊 I plan to install the 15/16 BMC onto my EG some time this year, probably once the weather warms up.

Merci.

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:

🦈🦈🦈