Power House Amuse 350Z
This Z is fitted with all the proper hardware: Amuse Hi-Tech ROM VTC, R1 EX manifold, Extra Titan Muffler; R1 VTC camshaft 272 degrees intake and exhaust, Hi-Tech Damper kit (with Bilstein base); ARC Micro conditioner; Endless CCR brake pads; Cusco MZ Type RS one-way LSD; Potenza S03 Pole Position tires (265/30R19 F, 275/35R19 R); Volk Racing CE28N wheels (19x9.5 F, 19x10.5 R); Amuse front lip spoiler, side step, rear under spoiler, rear wing, dry carbon hood, door and hatch, and lightweight fender. The exotic exhaust and body pieces make for a 287-pound weight savings, and this more than likely contributes to the most noticeable power difference. It feels like more than 49 additional my little ponies going to the rear wheels, and the powerband is noticeably smoother. The sound of the Extra Titan exhaust provides an overly intoxicating buzz with none of the embarrassing clean up afterwards. The nervousness I felt in the stock 350Z has vanished. This is one sweet ride.
Stock S2000
Not much to report here except that this car tends to exhibit that typical S2 oversteer at the limit. And Tetsu's still faster than me-damn!
Power House Amuse Street Version S2000
This is the PHA recipe for daily driven performance: Amuse Hi-Tech ROM REV (only raises rev limiter to 9,200 rpm), R1 EX manifold, Extra Titan exhaust, '04 spec Hi-Tech damper kit, R1 brake pads, front bumper spoiler; Yokohama Advan Neova tires (245/40R17 F, 255/40R17 R); Volk Racing CE 28N wheels (17x9). The handling was greatly improved on this customer's car. The few extra ticks on the tach make for a few extra milliseconds to enjoy the orgasmic wail of the F20C.
Power House Amuse Touge Monster S2000
We give you...The Touge Monster: Amuse Hi-Tech ROM, R1 EX manifold, R1000 muffler, Hi-Tech damper kit, R1 brake pads, front lip spoiler, dry carbon bonnet, dry carbon trunk, dry carbon GT wing, dry carbon hard top; Mugen air cleaner; GReddy plugs; Cusco MZ Type RS LSD; Yokohama Advan A048 tires (255/40R17); Volk Racing CE 28N wheels (17x9); Craft Square mirrors. This car was named for its ability to devour mountain roads. It is, quite simply, the finest-and fiercest-S2 I've ever driven. Keiichi Tsuchiya also said the same thing in a recent Best Motoring drive of this car. The power could stand to be increased slightly, but it's the overall balance that makes this S2 a star. The spring rates on the Hi-Tech Damper kit are stiffer than those on the Street Version, and the A048s are gummier, making this one very neutral AP1 with a limit well beyond mine.
Power House Amuse may be bringing its sexual chocolate Stateside. Take a Japanese class with JDM Blond and then check out the Web site at www.webamuse.co.jp.
JDM Wong Proudly Goes Where Few Have Gone Before
Although my main purpose for this year's Japan trip was to visit the Tokyo Auto Salon, I did take one detour before my departure back to Los Angeles. Roughly one and a half hours away from Tokyo, by Shinkansen (bullet train), is the head facility for Enkei International, located in the city of Hamamatsu. With an invitation to tour its factory, I was able to see up close the technology behind Enkei's performance wheel line, a process rarely seen by the public eye. Nestled within an area that's densely populated, Enkei Japan is more than just a wheel-producing machine. This part of the company is actually just one piece of a bigger conglomerate (that being Enkei International), but this is the one part you'll find that's as equally amusing as Charmaine Star's Web site.