The Aston

The Aston Photo Gallery

2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Not a Subaru. No forced induction. Pure, unadulterated (European) V8. We've had our eyes on Vantages for a few years now, but the few we've come across just weren't quite right - whether in color, price, or timing. Well no longer! I actually stumbled upon this car during my monthly puruse of of Japanese Classics looking for right-hand drive gems. While not Japanese, it is a classic! And this car has been meticulously maintained. It was one of the dealership owner's personal cars and primarily sat on the dealership floor, protected from the elements, other than the occassional saliva storms of gear heads as they oggled this beauty. She hasn't been without her typical "English car" problems, including a hood latch that refused to unlatch and a soft top that refused to go up (and down), but those issues have since been fixed and I'm IN LOVE. We don't have many modification plans for her as she's come to us pretty much set up how we'd like - lowered on BC Coilovers and on a set of wide SSR two-piece wheels.

Modifications

Cosmetic

• N/A (it's already perfect)

Interior

• Bluetooth to iPod adapter

Engine/Exhaust

• N/A (it's already perfect)

Suspension/Chassis/Brakes

• BC Coilovers
• SSR Koenig Wheels

Danger Toy

XSR700 Photo Gallery

2021 Yamaha XSR700, aka "Danger Toy." After 10 years of not being on two wheels, the bug bit and in short order I found myself back on a motorbike. In Atlanta. Where everyone is either on their phone, high, or high and on their phones. Not the best decision for my general well-being, but life is all about risk/reward tradeoffs. I will say, 10 years of not riding is a long time. I basically had to learn it all over and rebuild my confidence. And even after 2.5+ years, I still ride pretty conservatively. We've done a few "longer" trips together, including up to the mountains and back and out to Athens and back. And boy does she purr. She's understated, elegant, and deceptively quick. More bike that I'll ever be able to ride, but comfortable enough to enjoy the art of riding rather than constantly focusing on body position.

Modifications

Cosmetic

• Rhino Bar End Mirrors
• Yamaha Flat Seat Upgrade
• Motodemic LED Headlight
• TST LED Turn Signals with DRL module (front)
• Rizoma Action Turn Signals (rear)
• Fork Gaiters
• MT-07 Upper Fork Covers

The Beast

STI Photo Gallery

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, my second baby. JDM Bro. Track Day Bro. Stage 2 Bro. This car screams "LOOK AT ME, DAMMIT". Between it's massive hood scoop (that flaps in the wind) and it's massive spoiler (that flaps in the wind), unless you know anything about Japanese cars, you'll likely assume that this is just like any other honda/mitsubishi/toyota fanboy who spends more on plastic than on actual go-fast bits - but you would in fact be mistaken. This thing beats the same model-year Mustang cobra off the line and to 60 miles per hour... with a 4-cylinder engine no less. Throw in all-wheel-drive, tuned suspension, and an austere interior, and this thing is quick around corners too. Yes, I am proud of this car. Yes, it attracts every hoon in their Camaro, mustang, or challenger. And no, I won't race you - because I know my car can go fast, perhaps even faster than yours, but I also know how insurance premiums increase exponentially with points on one's license.

Modifications

Cosmetic

• Blacked-out headlight bezel
• Headlight Angel Eyes
• Hella Supertones
• Perrin Stiffies
• Yakima Roof Rack using Hector Truong's Roof brackets
• Rally Armor Mud Flaps

Interior

• LED Everything
• JVC Bluetooth Receiver
• JVC 5.25" Speakers

Engine/Exhaust

• Cobb Turbo Heat Shield
• Cobb Catback exhaust
• Cobb downpipe
• K&N drop-in air filter
• Custom Cobb Tune by DBW Motorsports
• Grimmspeed Hood Struts
• Grimmspeed Air/Oil Separator

Suspension/Chassis/Brakes

• Whiteline 24mm Rear Sway Bar
• Kartboy Rear Endlinks
• DBA "Kangaroo Paw" Rotors
• BF Goodrich Comp 2 A/S+ 225/45/17 Tires

Zed

BRZ Photo Gallery

My first (and thus far only) new car, the BRZ and I have grown up together. Purchased in my 20s, she remained stock for about a year before she saw some track use. And over the past 8 years she has slowly transformed into a (comfortable) track fiend. Starting with wheels and tires, followed by bushings and strut bars, and now aero and power upgrades, she's definitely transformed. In Spring 2021 she got her Cosworth top hat, which has made her pretty much the perfect track car. The best part about the car is I've been able to learn it's limits as I've grown, and improving them piecewise. Grip and handling first, then brakes, then finally power, I would not have done it any other way. While she's not the newest kid in town anymore, she still looks sharp and can hunt down more powerful and/or more expensive cars on track.

Modifications

Cosmetic

• Helix Clear Side Markers + LEDs
• Valenti Clear Red (CR) Tail Lights
• Chrome Stealth Turn Signal Bulbs
• LED reverse lights
• STi Gurney Flap
• Fourth Brake Light (LED)
• DiodeDynamics Always-On Module
• RPAC Bumper Quick Releases

Interior

• LED everything
• Rydeen Duo Backup Camera

Exterior

• Verus Engineering Two-Piece front Splitter
• Verus Engineering Aggressive Rear Diffuser

Suspension/Chassis/Brakes

• Eibach Pro Lowering Springs
• Enkei NT03+M 18x8 +35 Wheels
• Dunlop Direzza ZIII 235/40/18 Tires
• Motul 600 High-temperature Brake Fluid
• Grimmspeed Master Cylinder Brace
• Grimmspeed Strut Brace
• Removed Clutch Return Spring
• Cuzco Sports Accelerator Pedal
• Whiteline KDT922 Rear Subframe bushing inserts
• Whiteline KDT925 Differential Bushing Inserts
• Perrin PSP-DRV-160 Transmission Support
• Stoptech C43 309 x 32 Big Brake Kit

Engine/Exhaust

• Cosworth Stage 2 Supercharger
• Greddy Oil Pan Baffle
• Killer B Oil Pickup
• Grimmspeed hood struts
• Perrin 2.5" Resonated Catback Exhaust
• Perrin Inlet Hose
• KN Air Filter
• Moto-East Flex Fuel Kit
• ISR Overpipe
• JDL UEL Header
• EcuTek RaceROM Custom Tune by DBW Motorsports
• Custom Oil Cooler with Setrab core

Mia

MX5 Photo Gallery

1995 Mazda Miata M-Edition... for the fashionable hair stylist and track junkie. It had to happen - one can only go to so many track days before acquiring an NA miata. It's a right of passage, like the Chicken Pox or one's first STD (note I've never had either, the former I had the vaccine and the latter I exercised safe practices). I picked up the MX5 (that's what people call them who want to avoid the feminine stereotype of owning a Mazda Miata) for cheap with the help of a friend and recovering Miata owner (he has since moved on to a 2011 Ford GT500 Mustang). Purchased ostensibly as a project track car for my beloved fianceé, really it's another toy with which I can play and hopefully improve my driving abilities. No excuses here, if you get your corner wrong, there's no bandaid of having power to dig you out. It should be fun on the track and if it goes for a spin in the gravel, no harm no foul

Modifications

Cosmetic

• Plasti-dipped Exterior in Aviator Grey
• Pink lugs

Interior

• Boss Bluetooth Receiver
• Rockford Fosgate 6.75" Speakers
• Plastics and carpet stripped

Engine/Exhaust

• K&N Air Filter

Suspension/Chassis/Brakes

• Strut Bar off an NB Sport-Edition
• 15x8 Advanti DST Storm Wheels
• Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec 205/50/R15 Tires

Safety

• Harddog Hardcore M1 RollBar

Steve

Mustang Photo Gallery

1966 Ford Mustang, this is was my dream project car. Originally intended to be a mid-life crisis project, timelines were accelerated when this 'Stang popped up at a price at which I could not refuse. After helping a friend and her father restore a '67 convertible back in high school over a decade ago, I got bit by the Mustang bug and have wanted one ever since. Despite ambitions of resto-modding this Mustang with a new 302 roller motor pulled from a 97 Explorer, we ended up jettisoning the project around the time we purchased our home in August 2017 - essentially the timing wasn't right in terms of time and money. I'm sad to have to let it go, but perhaps another 66-67 Mustang is in my future when the timing suits better

Modifications

Cosmetic

• Wimbeldon White with Guardsman Blue Racing Stripes (planned)
• Quarter Panel Ornament Delete (planned)
• Sequential Flashers (planned)

Interior:

• Blue and White Pony Interior (planned)
• Bluetooth Head Unit (planned)

Suspension/Chassis/Brakes:

• Grab-A-Trak Front Suspension (planned)
• Grab-A-Trak Spring and Sway Bar (planned)
• 15x7 Mustang Style Steel Wheels (planned)

Engine/Drivetrain

• Ford 302 5L EFI Motor (planned)
• Ford E-303 Camshaft (planned)
• Upgrade valve springs (planned)
• 4R70W Automatic Transmission (planned)
• Ford 8.8" Rear-end with 5-stud hubs and disc brakes (planned)
• Wilwood Disc Brakes (planned)

Toohey Mobile

2002 Subaru Legacy GT, this is the offroad vehicle with a bit of luxury. Two, yes, TWO sunroofs, all-wheel-drive, and enough power to mow a lawn (maybe), this is probably the most utilitarian vehicle ever made, ever. She's pushing 200,000 miles and is still running strong despite a small head gasket and cam shaft leak (common problems on a Subaru boxer engine). This beast of a vehicle was purchased primarily as a means of transporting our puppy around (hence the name), and picking up Lesbians.

Modifications

Cosmetic/Body

• Yakima Bike Rack

Interior

• JVC Bluetooth Receiver
• Plasti Dipped Interior Paneling (Red)

Repairs/Maintenance

• A/C system flushed, replaced condensor, and receiver/dryer

Ninja

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, purchased used October, 2012, this was my first (and only) motorbike. I used this for getting around town while living in Melbourne, where conveniently one can park their motorbike on any footpath in the city. This was my learner bike and I miss it dearly.

Ze German

1996 VW Golf GL, purchased used February, 2012, this was the second car I've owned and the first right-hand drive. We used this for errands, camping trips, and the occasional road trip in Australia. We purchased it from a shady used-car dealer which we later came to find out spoofed the Roadworthy certificate. Arguably the only lemon I've ever owned, this Golf helped me shake my fandom of VW

Rice Rocket

1991 Acura Integra GS, generously inherited from my Grandmother in August of 2002, this was my first car, which carried me from high school all the way through until I left to move to Australia in Summer of 2011, 9 years later. I learned a lot off this car, including how to replace a car stereo, a front axel, an ECU, and of course handbrake turns. This car holds a special place in my heart and I sometimes regret that I sold it. This car is the paradigm of high school modifications; light-up exhaust tip, aftermarket stereo with subwoofer, and no performance modifications to speak of. I recall wanting to paint it black and install lowering springs - in retrospect, very glad I didn't.

Modifications

Cosmetic/Body

• Light-up exhaust tip

Interior

• Sony MP3 Receiver
• Pioneer Speakers
• Rampage 200watt Subwoofer