Last entry, I talked about the M3 feeling a bit lacking in the power department. The S50B30US was never a monster, with a rated output of 240 hp and 225 lb-ft. It’s not bad, but not great, especially by modern standards. This build wasn’t meant to create huge amounts of power, but instead to create […]
Project: E36 M3 – First Upgrades: Under The Hood
It has been a while since we last saw my E36 M3 project car. With every project, there are surprises that come along. It’s inevitable. But sometimes these issues can be a lot more serious than originally expected. But after the basic maintenance items, we turned our attention to getting the car fit for use […]
Modified Cars and Modified Laws
There has been much talk and turmoil regarding new laws that may or may not outlaw everything from license plate covers to adjustable coilovers and everything in between. It’s been a long time since I’ve put thought to screen, and this, I think, merits a comeback. Let’s get one thing out of the way right […]
Life As A Car Guy, Interlude 3: A Love Letter to the Fast & Furious Movies
Before I begin, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Paul Walker – God rest his soul – not only for portraying characters in films that have been a part of my life (the Fast and the Furious movies, Pleasantville, Varsity Blues), but for his generosity and humanitarian efforts through the organization Reach Out […]
Life As A Car Guy, Interlude 2: The Petrolhead YouTube Hall of Fame
Here’s an idea I totally ripped off from my favorite sports blog, Grantland. I call this the Petrolhead YouTube Hall of Fame. Every so often, I’ll induct five new car-related videos I saw on YouTube that left an impression on me. There are, however, some ground rules: first, no videos of irresponsible driving in public […]
Life As A Car Guy, SEMA 2013 Part 4: Top 10 Import Tuner Cars, aka JDM/KDM Love
We call them JDM, but in the United States, they call them imports. The term can mean any car make that isn’t American, but when you say the term “import” to a gearhead (the American term for “petrolhead”), they usually think Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru or Mazda. The Japanese makes still dominate the import scene, […]
Life As A Car Guy, SEMA 2013 Part 3: Top 5 Exotic Cars
The SEMA Show is 100,000 square meters of petrolhead heaven. I saw every single display, every car, and took thousands of photos. I normally write a lot, but this time, I’ll let the pics do the talking. First up: my top 5 exotic cars of SEMA 2013. Honorable Mention: Number 5: De Tomaso Pantera Racer […]
Life As A Car Guy, SEMA 2013 Part 2: More Than Just A Car Show
Preparing for SEMA is a huge part of getting the most out of the show. For most of us Filipinos, a trip to SEMA could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so squeezing every last ounce of this incredible experience is incredibly important. The show lasts four days, so you might be tempted into thinking […]
Life As A Car Guy, SEMA 2013 Part 1: The Road to Las Vegas
The world-famous Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas, better known as the SEMA Show, is a bucket list event for any petrolhead. It’s a giant celebration of all things automotive, as well as a showcase for auto manufacturers, tuners, and parts makers of all sorts. There is a catch: SEMA is not open […]
Life As A Car Guy, Interlude 1: M3 vs Cossie, The DTM Debate Continues
Quite frankly, I’d like to say “I’ll take on of each, please,” but that would be a lame cop-out. The debate between the M3 and the 2.3-16v is basically the story of how the 1980’s era Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM for us normal folk) turned into the legendary series it has become. But before I […]