Author: VendettaMoyo
Top 6 Japanese Tuners: Respected List
The ones I feel bad for not having on the list, I know some of you guys might also give me sh*t about some on the list lol. Get ready for number one!
Greddy
Ings
VeilSide
Fujita
MCR
HKS
Ben Sopra (more of a new company though)
Top 6 Japanese Tuners: #2 Mine’s
Simple, Beautiful, & Fast
That is the philosophy of Mine’s
Michizo Niikura opened the doors of his beloved company around 1985, to establish this philosophy of building daily street cars with the ability to be used on the track as well. I honestly believe their cars are works of art. So simple yet unique; their modifications aren’t too over the top yet they excel for the purpose they were built for. Niikura-san is a very confident man in his products, but is not quick to boast on the quality and achievement of his vehicles, he instead wants the driver to feel that experience. My favorite build from them is the BNR34, such a quick and agile machine that isn’t too heavily tuned that you can’t drive it every day.
I enjoy seeing these cars on videos such as best motoring as well as on gaming platforms like GT5. It seems that they focus more on what parts are restricting the production model of the car and build from there. I know that might seem trivial but most tuners also change the exterior dramatically to achieve this where Mine’s doesn’t focus on the exterior until internal components are accomplished. Its very important to understand how to improve the quality and power of the car, without having to remove/modify most of its components in order for it to be compatible on the street.
Seriously check these guys out, they provide simple upgrades to your ride producing outstanding performance. Although the upgrades might set you back, it will be worth the investment for you to build a quality ride with quality parts that won’t cause major damage to your engine.
Pretty 2012
#6 Gemballa GT McLaren MP4-12c
adding aggression
This was the dose of medicine that McLaren’s new super car needed. In all honesty the F1 looked perfect and performed well, as for its brother it has everything you would expect from McLaren, but greatly lacked in individuality. A perfect example was during a cars and coffee event; myself and other car enthusiasts didn’t even notice the McLaren besides the LFA–which was flooded with attention–until the owner started its engine and left. I felt sad cause I like the car, but knew why I didn’t even notice it was there! The name even lacks identity. Anyways Gemballa tries to revive it with this new 2012 package they offer; includes new aero-kit, outer and exterior accessories. Also look out for the spider edition, it looks much better. Oh and one last thing, I’m glad Gemballa got revived as well I always loved them!
Engine: V8 Twin Turbo
Power & Torque: 608BHP/ 442.5 ft*lbs
0-60: 2.9
Top Speed: 205 mph
Price: $241,800 (kit~30,000k+)
Next Lesson: Engine Types
The next lesson will pick up with the various engine types we have around. From I4 to V8’s and from rotarys to boxers!
Top 6 Japanese Tuners: #3 Top Secret
Nagata-san
Smoookkeeeyyyyy, one of a few names in the auto industry that I like to hear about, but a guy that I would think twice before getting in a car with him.
Top Secret was started by Kazuhiko “Smokey” Nagata in……..yes its really hard to find this answer, but I came up with a solution. Smokey seems to be a very soft spoken man and gets right to the point when talking about the work he does. His love for cars started while working at a family farm, then continued on when he began working for Greddy/Trust. Bear with me I’m getting to the point; he began spending time during after hours in the Greddy shop building up his car as well as parts for it. This almost ended when top executives found this out, but to his surprise they admired his work and what he had been doing for the company and ultimately deciding to keep this between the two parties. A few years later he opens his shop named Top Secret, due to the fact he gained his knowledge on building cars by the executives of Greddy keeping a secret between themselves. So to the point; Greddy was established around 1977, so most likely Nagata would have ended his work with Greddy around 1988-1992 (I believe he was born in 1963), so when he was 25-28!
I’m not going to keep giving out my opinions as if I know everything about they guy, but what I do know is that I love his style. Like his companys name it seems to me that’s exactly what kind of man he is, very secretive, not quick to answer, and very calm. Top Secret is a company that knows what they build is outstanding, but they don’t talk about why it is they let you see, feel, and hear this statement. Even the very few replicas out there cannot keep up with the brands standard, this being the reason why there are barely any replications of Top Secret products. I find them highly respectable in the products they offer and its disappointing that there isn’t that much information out there on the history of such a wonderful company. Maybe this is the way they want it, to only show their work to people who find the time to visit the workshop or hunt down Smokey as he travels testing out his insane car builds.
The cars they build are high power machines that can be used on the street, as you have probably seen the insane videos of Smokey with his 1000HP machines. He was also inspired by Amemiya-San so check them out, I like them.
Rotary Engine Power
Check out Isami Amemiya towards the end!
Top 6 Japanese Tuners: #4 Spoon
Giving Honda Fans a place to go
Here we go, Spoon Motorsports I swear all these tuner companys that I know and have grown to respect started out with Gran Turismo. In the case for spoon it was the well known yellow and blue S2000, which has been further improved as the company’s R&D team keeps doing more work on it. Spoon along with Mugen (more of a honda in house brand) help bring multiple tuning upgrades for Honda owners. Whether it may be the CR-X, Civic, or Accord these two tuning companies bring out the capability and potential of the VTEC engines.
Ichishima Tatsuru started the company in 1988, with a concept of bringing together cars with impeccable technology and power, but also being able to be driven during daily activities. The superb thing about this company are the products they offer for their customers. I can’t think of many company’s that offer engines that have been built as an item for sale, usually they will build from the platform you bring to them, but a personally built engine for sale is beyond me. At around 2000-2001, Spoon decided to open up Type One auto shop to help tune their customers cars and assist them with their everyday needs–only Honda customers–instead of just offering products made by them.
Tatsuru-san is a very confident man on what his brand stands for and the quality of the products. Watching the Hot Version and Import Bible episodes, you can tell he has a very cocky attitude about his company. At first I didn’t like the attitude he carried around, but then warmed up to it because its important to have someone who is confident on what they produce and accept criticism to some degree. So check out Spoon Sports, :p.
Pretty 2012
#7 2012 GT3 RS 4.0
Engine: 4.0L I6 ( DOHC 24-valve flat-6)
Power&Torque: 500 hp/ 339 lb-ft
0-60: 3.6 sec
Top Speed: 193 mph
Price: ~$190,000
Well one of my favorite editions of the 997 Porsche’s are the GT2 and GT3 models. They look so good and are meant for the track, although you can also use them for daily driving. I think that’s one of the things I commend Porsche on is how they make supercars that are obtainable and can also be used in most everyday situations. This car comes with components from the RSR race version of the GT3 models and is packed with a 4.0L straight six engine tucked nicely behind its bum. Only 600 copies are to be produced all fixed with an only manual transmission :).
Top 6 Japanese Tuners: #5 Re Amemiya
Aiii Nihonnnn!
Founded by Isami Amemiya, this Japanese tuning company started around the 1970’s focusing primarily on rotary engines powered by Mazda. They have had great success in JGTC (now called Super GT) and have also been featured in various media (GT5, Hot version, Import Bible, etc.)
The reason why I love this company so much is because of the RX-7 itself and the offerings they have brought for it and its younger sister the RX-8. They suit up a car to look pretty and go fast. Growing up I loved seeing the little FD tackling the hot shot GTR’s and super cars from Europe. Its an engine and platform with great potential if you follow the correct rules of tuning it. Oh and if you didn’t know the RE = Rotary Engine! My favorite car by Amemiya is the d1 FD3S, I love the light blue color and I saw a replica in California and fell in love instantly, so cool!
pics: top gear, ra64freddy, speedhunters
ENDAGTR 