Let exhaust exit freely will increase the power, isn’t true? There is something that need to consider too, like, back pressure, upgrade or you will downgrade your exhaust system, but I believe at Mugen R&D department.

Exhaust piping diameter is a crucial part in the exhaust system. For those with 1600cc engines and below, stick with anything less than 2.0″ except if you had extensive jobs on the engine such as higher compression pistons or performance camshaft upgrades. For stock VTEC or MIVEC 1600cc and above, around 2.0″ to 2.25″ is acceptable. Some people even use 2.5″ on stock VTEC (like myself) but the result is poor at lower rpm because the exhaust gas have less velocity to travel. Apart from the diameter, the piping route is also important. Straight pipes are not really advisable for street because they tend to get in the way when you’re running on a road bump. It is annoying and you will get scratches on the bottom of the pipe, or worse bent pipes. Piping that follows the original route is the best. While it gives you stock appearance, many people claim that it gives better low end to midrange power compare to straight piping. While weak at low end, straight piping somehow tend to give better acceleration power because exhaust gas gets out easily because of the shorter pipe compare to stock. Source : http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=251308

Made from only the highest grade polished 304 stainless steel!

From Mugen catalog,

This is my old system, 2.0″ piping, time to say goodbye…

Catalyst converter deleted (de-cat)! Catalyst converters are the biggest restriction to the exhaust gas flow. Removing it will definitely release some more power, but it is bad for environment.

My new system, fits! what the beautiful bend!

Muffler is more to cosmetic rather than performance. There is minimal difference in power output if we compare straight-thru type muffler (also known as N1 type) with s-flow type muffler (which usually have big resonator box). The later is seemed to be more preferable for street usage because more silent, thus giving more pleasant driving experience especially while in cruising mode. Personally, I would recommend Tanabe s-flow like the G-Medallion series because they are very silent when idling and cruising. This avoids attention from the authority. If you are going for N1 type, make sure it is made of good quality. Avoid imitations, they are widely sold by Wei Yip (tidak tipu customer) at surprisingly cheap price. Good exhaust doesn’t come cheap but they are worth it. Try to spend some time to go to ‘kedai potong’ and try look for used branded exhaust. They are worth it. Other than that, exhaust with JASMA tag (not JASMA brand) should be good enough for street. From my experience and observations, JASMA approved exhaust tend to be quiet, unless the used mufflers are already running out of fiber. If your setup is still noisy, it is advisable to install a resonator (bullet silencer) in the middle. Source : http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=251308

Even I didn’t do dyno test, but I could feel, the sound and the power, gentle sound at the low RPM (1-4K), sporty sound without being too loud or raspy at the high RPM (5-7K), silent but deadly! overall sound is just amazing though.

Don’t give up!

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Lately, my entry seems inconsistent, but I am  just being myself, I write/post based on my interest, I am just a single normal person that has multiple interest, this world is so wide, but our mind even wide, just waiting for us to explore.

Sharing is good, it’s will gain our knowledge, even if we’re sharing about the past, why? Because that will make us remember or will upgrade it, so, that knowledge will not lose or slowly disappear somewhere  in our mind, that is the gain!

Today, I would like to share the step by step how I draw using Corel Painter, the reason I used this magical software is, there are more closed to the traditional technique, more artistic and wonderful variety of brush variants the program offers.

Usually, I only make this 7 steps, enough, I didn’t make of tutorial or something like that, didn’t want to teach you to do this and that (in fact, I still in learning process), just want to share, if you want to draw, draw from your inner heart, that better…

Step 1: I start out by making a rough sketch at new layer, build the simple structure. I often use simple airbrushes.

Step 2: Then I add basic color using difference layer.

Step 3: Make structure more solid and start to build the background.

Step 4: Touch up a little bit. Create a new layers for the fire ball and stone.

Step 5: I create more details using oils and digital watercolor and focusing on the relationship between light and shadows.

Step 6: Need more details.

Step 7: Then, until, I have to force my mind to stop before I continue this forever… click here for Full Preview

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You are newbie? Don’t worry, let’s read a little bit about history subject, for hardcore, you can skip.

-Spoon Sport History -

Spoon Sports is a Japanese company formed in 1988. It is an engine tuner and parts manufacturer specializing in cars made by Honda. Their concept is to create vehicles that provide “total technology” and “real comfort”. The company logo of Spoon Sports is a play of words on Ichishima’s name. Ichishima’s first name is Tatsuru, and the Japanese name for crane is Tsuru, hence the logo of a crane. “The company name Spoon comes from an impregnable fortress of a corner at Suzuka Circuit 20 years ago.”

The company tunes and races Honda vehicles in numerous endurance races, and, additionally sells aftermarket parts to automotive enthusiasts. Spoon Sports provides many aftermarket parts for Honda cars. These include powertrain, suspension, aero-parts, wheels, drivetrain, braking system, cooling system and so on.

Some of the races Spoon has competed in include:

• All Japan GT Championship
• Tsukuba 9 Hours Endurance Race
• 24 Hours Nürburgring
• 25 Hours of Thunderhill
• USTCC (United States Touring Car Championship)

The founder, Ichishima Tatsuru was originally a racer. So just like Honda themselves, racing has always been in Spoon Sport’s blood. The first car that Ichishima-san raced was a Honda Civic.

Spoon was founded to specialize in tuning Honda engines in Takaido, Suginami, Tokyo along the Kōshū Kaidō Avenue. In 1988, Spoon started house development of a racing computer for use on Honda vehicles. Spoon designs and builds both major and minor components for Honda engines for use on Spoon Sports racing vehicles as well as for sale to the general public.

In 1996, Spoon began selling Honda B engine assemblies which Spoon precision balances and blueprints to ensure optimum performance during endurance racing. Since then, Spoon Sports have moved on to tune other Honda engines like the venerable K20A from the Civic/Integra and the L15A from the Honda Fit/Jazz.

In 1997, Spoon moved to a brand new building in Ogikubo, Suginami. They also began providing “Engine Lectures” as a part of their customer service program.

-Type-One History -

In 2001, Spoon opened “Speed Shop Type-One” across the street from the Spoon headquarters. This shop specializes in modifications to Honda’s “Type-R” vehicles and other performance oriented Hondas which include the Civic Type-R, Integra Type-R, Accord Euro-R and NSX-R. However, Spoon has also modified non-R vehicles like the Civic SiR, Honda S2000, Honda Legend and the Honda Fit/Jazz. The racing versions of the 2001 S2000 and 2003 Honda Fit models (both in Spoon’s then-current blue-and-yellow livery) were featured in Gran Turismo 4.

Type-One is Ichishima’s vision of how a Spoon Sports dealer should be. And that vision is the offer of a “complete tuned car, not just individual parts thrown in without consideration of whether they will work in harmony or simply interfere with each other.” Also, Ichishima wants to make it known this shop was not created to sell parts, but to provide customers with Type-One’s installation skills and know-how of Spoon products.

-END of history subject-

I would recommend you to read this article –> INTERVIEW>> TATSURU ICHISHIMA, below is my highlight Q & A, all credit and copyright belong to speedhunters.com ,

Speedhunters: How and why did Spoon Sports begin and what was the main philosophy and objectives that you set out for the company?

Ichishima:  Around 1980 I began to realize that enthusiasts were starting to get interested in bringing their cars to the track. Back in those days soukoukai (track day) events where people took their street-registered cars to the local circuit didn’t exist, but I knew it would be something that would pick up quickly so that’s when I began to get the initial idea. At that time I was doing durability and development testing for Honda under the “Tatsuru Ichishima Company,” then eventually in 1988 I set up Spoon Sports as a separate company that developed and sold tuning and racing parts. As for the concept it was and still is very simple, make cars fun, not fast. Obviously slow cars are not fun but what I mean is to create a well-balanced package that doesn’t break or fail and thrills in every way. A good balance between power, handling and light weight. For example a GT-R is exciting because of its power but then in a corner, a small well prepared Civic will easily overtake it. So balance through tuning is our philosophy.

Speedhunters: I’m sure a lot or readers will be wondering what the difference between Spoon Sports and Type One is. Can you give a brief explanation?

Ichishima: Spoon takes care of parts development, special works and testing while Type One is where the end user takes his car for maintenance and tuning, like a speed shop or workshop. Type One opened back in 2000.

Speedhunters: At Speedhunters we are lucky enough to have readers that follow us from around the world. You obviously travel a lot and have had a chance to observe how people modify and personalize their cars. What do you think of the various styles you have see in the US, Europe, Australia or other parts of the world? How do they compare to Japan?

Ichishima: It’s hard to say by individual country but generally it’s obvious that a lot of passion exists and enthusiasts enjoy power. I’m not saying that’s bad but for example shooting for 500 HP in a car that is not designed to take that level of performance will lead to failures. I think some Japanese people are different, they tend to focus more on the background and mechanical side of a car to fully understand its history and lineage. It’s just a different way of appreciating cars.

Speedhunters: What is your favorite Honda?

Ichishima: Uhm, (laughs) I can’t really choose one car but one of my most favorite is the Civic.

Speedhunters: Why?

Ichishima: Well first of all it’s affordable and is small and compact.

Speedhunters: Which particular model of the Civic?

Ichishima: Uhm the old EG, also the EK. Up until then it was a three-door hatch back, useful to carry people and stuff but was sporty at the same time, enjoyable to drive. It was the first car in Japan to offer all these factors. That’s why I like it.

Speedhunters: What is your favorite Honda engine?

Ichishima: The B16A and B16B and also the B18C, I really like the whole B-series of engines. They are real screamers! (lots of engine screaming sounds follow!) I’ll give you an example. Ferraris and Lamborghinis are like women that are great in bed, but not so great at cleaning the house or cooking.

The B-series is a more balanced engine; it’s great in bed but also great at doing the chores. Frugal and civilized. You get the idea? Also, the most important thing about an engine is the noise and sound (more engine noises follow!). It has to give you goose bumps. Anyway, I like non-gimmicky cars, I like simple cars and engines.

-END of interview-

Wow! Honda Civic Eg is one of Ichisma favorite car, make me proud of my beloved EG

Since Honda already builds its engines to very high standards, it’s hard to improve more without compromising longevity and usability, We’ve all heard stories of people bolting on pod filters and large bore exhausts to their Honda in the pursuit of power gains when, in actual fact, they were achieving the exact opposite. You certainly can’t disrupt the fine-tuning and precise balance between intake and exhaust on high-compression naturally aspirated engines. It’s precisely this way of thinking that has pushed Spoon to further fine-tune Honda powerplants, rather than “disturb” their natural balance.

You may think engine build is simple as just assemble each parts. But the most important thing when you build engine is how build it to. For example, if built a standard engine with more care like cleaning individual parts carefully and measure those parts correctly, the engine should perform better even if it’s standard specification. Even it will be possible to change character of the engine. This is what their specialty, fine-tuning and took restriction away from the engine, from what I read from their browser, their skilled engine builder  spends three days for cleaning and parts and build engine as same as racing engine standard.

Below is several pictures I take from Type-One Official Blog & speedhunters.com, all credit and copyright belong to them. I hope you will find some idea and inspiration,

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Must view!

Anand Vs. Ivanchuk blitz game – A missed mate in one

DISCLAIMER: I didn’t make of tutorial or something like that,
didn’t want to teach you to do this and that
(in fact, I’m still in the learning process), just want to share,
if you want to draw, draw from your inner heart, that better…

For the equipment and preparation, you can refer introduction of my previous entry : DIY : Oil Painting – Portrait  , I start with rough pencil sketch,  It doesn’t have to be exact, just for composition.

I use dark color for background to help me choose the right tone to mix and and to see relationship between main character and the background, lets it dry…

Didn’t hesitated,  just put the color that I feel right, put creamy white for the sky, and a little mix black with green for the mass of leafs,  lets it dry…

Use light green mix with white for the rose’s leaf, adjust and put some details in the background,  lets it dry…

I re-sketch them with ball pen, yes ball pen…

Concentrate more on light, color, shadow and shape…lets it dry…

Continue for concentrate more on light, color, shadow and shape…draw details with small size brush, lets it dry…

For finishing, I draw some water drop at the petals and put more detail in the background and bloom with shadows and highlights, until I said to my self  ‘yes this is my art!’  and I stop before it becomes somebody else art.

Make sure painting completely dry, then apply the varnish oil, put the frame and done! You question me what is the thing below the flower? That for mysterious effect 

Motivation: What important is, don’t give up and don’t be hesitate, this your arts, be proud