iM Random Snaps
With the 2012 spring/summer season slowly on the rise, we are discussing the possibility of another road trip this upcoming season. Here we decided to take a look back at some pics we snapped from our first group road trip, which was to Vancouver for the DTP 2011 Show. Have a look back at a few more pics of this crazy track prepped STI which won best of show!
Enjoy the pics!
iM Decals
Sitting around reminiscing about 2 years of posts and how we got here it peaked my interest in what exactly you guys keep coming back to see. Pulled some of the site stats and figured it would be cool to post up the top 10 most popular posts since we started out 2 years ago. Some of the post have been active for a heck of a lot longer than others but that’s fine, there a nice mix of old and new stuff. There is even a couple very recent posts that are destroying it in the hit department.
#10 – iM Feature: Cee’s Honda S2000
This S2k might not be one of the most highly modded cars we’ve ever featured but the photos are on point and the rolling shot in front of the massive Bow high rise is one of my favorite shots ever.
#9 – iM Feature: Gabes 1990 Civic EF Hatch
It’s not surprising that Taylor’s feature of this ultra clean boosted EF hatch made the list. It’s one of the nicest features to come out of Vancouver and thank again to Taylor for holding down the west coast.
#8 – iM Highlight: Ger’s 350z
Was also nice to see one of Galens features make the list. He’s sent us tons of great coverage from the Toronto area and this Nismo 350z is no exception.
#7 – iM Random Snaps: Redlyne’s MR2 x Fall Shoot
We have shot Ryan’s car a couple times but the picture perfect autumn setting made this one of the most popular sets of pictures we’ve ever posted. These pics were reposted and linked all over the net within hours of it going live.
#6 – iM Feature: Dicken’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Lime green wheels, giant GT wing, roll cage…… the neck snapping parts go on and on. It’s no surprise this feature made the list. Continues to get tons of hits even to this day almost a year later.
#5 – iM Flashback: JC Tenchavez’s Toyota Echo RS Hatchback (Vitz RS)
JC didn’t believe me when I told him he made the list. But I think he underestimates the uniqueness of his past Echo project car. Yeah buddy!
#4 – Godzilla’s Special Child – R32 GT-R Nismo Edition #181
We covered guest contributions from Vancouver and Toronto already so what about Edmonton? Kevin’s feature of this ultra mint GTR was posted way back in 2010 and has been stacking up hits ever since then.
#3 – Gangster D Honda S2000
Daniel’s S2000 not only comes in this high on the list but this feature is right up there for most hits in a single day for any post we’ve ever made. When it was initially posted it spread like wildfire on facebook and vimeo and rightfully so. This post has only been active for a couple months and already is one of the most popular features ever.
#2 – iM Feature: Alex’s Turbo Integra
Alex’s insane turbo Integra is one of Calgary cleanest cars, it also doesn’t hurt that it’s ridiculously fast! It hasn’t been seen at too many events but that hasn’t stopped you guys from continuing to visit his feature. Can’t wait to see this car around this year.
#1 – iM Feature: Reggie Mah’s 1998 Acura Integra GS
Probably one of the best sets of photos we’ve done for any of the cars we’ve shot in the past. That combined with the aggressive styling and stance means people continue to check out this 2010 feature and it tops our list for most hits. Reggie has since moved on to another Integra which is mid-build right now, can’t wait to see what he has in store this time around.
iM Updates
Great things can happen in 2 years.
And with that in mind, everything illmotion is today would not be possible without the continuous love and support of our most loyal fans, friends and family. This of course, being all of you.
In the last two years, we’ve met a lot of people who are as passionate, if not more, about the lifestyle we live. It’s because of these amazing people our scene is what it is today. With the diverse styles of modding/tuning that has evolved over the years, one thing remains the same: It’s the passion that we have for our cars that ultimately brings us all together.
Our illmotion Features, Highlights, Shop Spotlights, Event Coverages, Random Snaps, etc. would not be on this site without the positive enthusiasm of the respective car owners, shop owners, event hosts, photographers and bloggers alike.
As illmotion continues to grow every year, expect nothing but bigger and better things in the future as we promise to keep delivering quality content, participate in local events and give back to the community.
To commemorate two amazing years in the game, we would like to present you all with a brand new decal. With the recent success and positive reception of the iM Era hoodies, we present you with our new iM Era decal.
Decals are available now in the store so cops yours now!
We cannot thank you guys enough and tell you how much we appreciate everything you guys have done to make illmotion what it is today, and what illmotion will be, in the years to come.
Here’s to another season under way! We hope you are as excited as we are to get the Spring/Summer season rolling. Until then…
Thank you and much love fams!
-The illmotion Crew
Japan
Finished off our Tokyo Auto Salon coverage a couple weeks back but I wanted to save one last post for all the wild, weird and crazy stuff that was on display at the show.
Lots of vans, lambo doors, crazy paint and diamond stitched interiors.
More wild TAS pictures can be found on our Flickr page HERE
Civic
The Honda Civic.
Without a doubt one of the most popular cars modified by car enthusiasts all over the world. What probably makes the Civic so popular is it’s appeal to the youth and it’s functionality, but more importantly it’s reliability.
As the Civic gained more and more popularity over the years, the more and more the aftermarket paid attention. Long story short, the Civic had so much aftermarket support that it started getting some negative attention with some of the parts that were applied by their owners.
Non-functional parts became the cancer for many modified Civics out there. It became such a ridiculous phase that some vehicles looked like they were not made from this planet and some even looked like they were ready to blast off into the atmosphere.
Forward to the present, and yes such Civics still exist. But thanks to an era where cleanliness matters, one Civic rises above all the ridicule and comes out getting the last laugh…
Enter Hoang Nguyen’s 2000 Honda Civic SiR.
Inside and out, Hoang’s SiR displays nothing but cleanliness and functionality. With Carbon Fiber flowing throughout the exterior of the car, authentic Mugen MF10s giving the car an aggressive stance, and a J’s Racing carbon wing, the rest of this SiR just has you wanting more.
Ask and you shall receive as under the hood, Hoang’s Civic ditches the stock SiR engine and is currently rocking a K20Z motor. Attention to detail follows as Mugen bolts and Baller Bolts are showcased throughout the engine bay.
Continuing on with attention to detail, Hoang’s SiR keeps it going “HAM” with suspension upgrades that make any other Civic feel completely irrelevant. Rocking Tein Flex coilovers with EDFC and chassis bars for days, this is one SIR that is strictly business when it comes to handling and balance.
The interior of Hoang’s Civic is just as crazy as the rest of the car with a pair of Bride Vios seats, and EK9 Type-R interior pieces that are in the most immaculate condition. The In Car Electronics and Audio are enough to make you wanna go on a permanent road trip.
With such a pristine Civic jam packed with functional mods and upgrades, we gotta give it up to people like Hoang who know exactly what this scene is all about.
Through all the phases and generations of the Civic, Hoang takes the best of every era and his SiR Coupe showcases that. In an era where functionality and cleanliness is everything nowadays, Hoang’s SiR steps up to the plate, and raises the bar for us all.
|OWNER:Hoang Nguyen
|CAR: 2000 Honda Civic SiR
|ENGINE
06 K20Z
Hasport engine mounts
Js racing valve cover
Js racing oil catch can
Js racing oil cap
J’s racing throttle body
J’s racing baffled oil pan
Tabata radiator
Tabata radiator cap
Exedy hyper single clutch/flywheel
Quaf LSD
DC race header
T1R 63mm cat back
H-Racing Cold air intake
RBC Intake manifold
Hondata K-pro
AEM fuel rail
AEM fuel pressure regulator
Tein hood dampers
Carbing cooling plate
Spoon carbon spark plug cover
Spoon radiator stays
Mugen bolts
Baller bolts titanium bolts
|SUSPENSION.AND.WHEELS
Tein Flex coilovers with EDFC
Js racing front strut bar
Spoon rear strut bar
Spoon front tie bar
Spoon rear tie bar
Alex c-pillar bar
H-Racing Rear truck bars
Function 7 LCA
DC2 front sub frame
DC2-R front sway bar
DC2-R rear sway bar
EK9 type R 5 lug conversion
Mugen MF10 16×7 42
Toyo T1R 205/45/16
T1R titanium lug nuts
|BRAKES
Spoon twin block calipers
Brigs brake pads
Brembo rotors
Goodridge stainless steal lienes
|EXTERIOR
VIS carbon hood
VIS carbon truck
VIS carbon lip
VIS carbon splitters
VIS carbon canards
Spoon carbon mirrors
J’s Racing carbon GT wing
J’s Racing front and rear tow hook
Spoon wiper blades
OEM optional rear lip
OEM optional fog lights
Ek9 type R headlights
EK9 type R grill
JDM EK9 window visor
6000K HID
|INTERIOR
Bride vios 3 bucket
Bride brix 2 recliner
Bride rails
Bride fabric door panels
Bride fabric rear seat
Takata harness
Takata shoulder pads
EK9 type R cluster
EK9 type R console
EK9 type R boot
EK9 type R red carpet
Ek9 type R floor mats
Momo tuner steering wheel
Momo steering hub
T1R quick release
Spoon titanium shift knob
|I.C.E
Clarion double din DVD player
Alpine RCA wires
Alpine V12 F550 4ch amp
Alpine V12 MR501 mono amp
Alpine 12inch type R sub
Alpine 7 inch monitor (in trunk)
Alpine type R speakers
Tsunami capacitor
iM Event Coverage
This past weekend (Feb 17-19, 2012) was the 46th annual World of Wheels show which is one of the first car shows in Calgary for the new year. Having been to the show the previous year and spending a large amount of time there we decided that we would make a quick visit this year. However it turned out that the show had grown and added a bunch of different things so we ended up staying for longer then we had planned.
Exploring the floor we found a lot of new muscle mixed in with vintage classics. There was a vast variety of everything at the show including everything from rat rods, to classic delivery vans, to motorcycle from every era. It was a great show and the place was packed due to a celebrity appearance by Chip Foose, a monster truck/bike show by BigFoot and some stuntmen, the SAIT engine build competition, and many local businesses showing off their hard work.
So take a look and if you missed out be sure to visit the next year as it looks like it’ll be a lot bigger and better. Don’t miss the videos at the bottom!
SAIT Engine Build Competition – Our homies Steve and Errol took home first place! Congrats to them.
BigFoot Monster Truck Show
Motorbike Stunt Show
Want to see more coverage…check it out HERE
Honda
“Money Pit”
A term that is eerily familiar to those among us with car projects/builds that are either just beginning or have been going on for quite some time, only to see the light of day during the spring/summer season. Although these “Money Pits” only live to see two seasons during the year, it’s best to believe that the time spent on the “Money Pit” whether it be at the track, cruising, or a trip to the local convenience store, is worth every penny.
It isn’t all joy and happiness, however. Like any other hobby or pastime, accidents can certainly happen, no matter how much one can try to avoid them. What goes through the mind of an owner at the time of an accident though? Does one give up entirely on the project? OR (to quote a Daft Punk song) does one make it harder, better, faster, and stronger?
Some of you may remember Terence Wah’s S2000 that we featured here on illmotion in our debut year, for those who do not, Terence’s S2K was built solely for driving pleasure on the track.
Since this S2000’s last feature, Terence changed wheels and is now rocking a new set of Volk RE30s with a Magnesium Blue finish. For better braking performance, Terence upgraded to Spoon stainless steel brake lines, slotted rotors and Spoon 4-Pot monoblock calipers on the front. Suspension and Chassis seem to play an important role on this S2000 as it performs with HKS Hipermax Sport III coilovers, a Spoon front X-Brace and a Spoon Rear Cross Beam Bar. For enhanced breathability on the track, this S2000 roars with a full Spoon N1 Exhaust System.
Without a doubt, every single modification to Terence’s S2000 had to serve a purpose on the track, and that it did.
One day (out of numerous occasions) at the track however, Terence had a minor incident that led to his car going off course and off the track. Suffering a few minor damages to his S2000, the only question that remained was, ‘What was Terence going to do?’.
Long story short, Terence did not see this as a set back and went in the route of the previously mentioned Daft Punk reference, and kept his “Money Pit” going harder, better, faster, stronger.
For the rebirth this S2000’s Aero and Appearance, it now sits sporting brand new 3-Stage Pearl Yellow paint, an AP1 rear bumper, Shine ASM Front Fenders, some carbon goodies from J’s Racing (Hood, GT Wing), and a CF Trunk.
With a newly refreshed exterior, CF aero pieces and a minor incident at the track taken as a learning experience, we commend people like Terence and the commitment he has for his “Money Pit”. With patience and time dedicated to his track toy, the end result of his “Money Pit” still proves to be worth it.
|OWNER: Terence Wah
|VEHICLE: Honda S2000
|SUSPENSION/HANDLING
Bridgestone Potenza RE11 – F: 255/40/17 R:255/40/17 (Track)
HKS Hipermax Sport III Coilovers
RAYS Black Short Lug Nuts (Anodized)
Volk RE30 (Mag Blue): 17×9 +54 x4
Volk Mag Blue Centercaps
|CHASSIS
Spoon Front X-Brace
Spoon Rear Cross Beam Bar
|BRAKING
Hawk HP+ Brake Pads – Front and Rear
PowerSlot Slotted Rotor – Front and Rear
Spoon 4-Pot Monoblock Front Calipers
Spoon SS Brake Lines
|EXHAUST & INTAKE
Spoon N1 Dual Full Exhaust System
|AERO/EXTERIOR
AP1 Rear Bumper
APR Front Air Dam Lip
Seibon CF Trunk
J’s Racing (Voltex) Type-1 GT Wing
J’s Racing Type-V CFRP Front Hood
Pearl Yellow Tri-Stage Paint
Shine ASM Front Fenders w/ CF Insert and Bumper Extensions
|INTERIOR & NON-PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS
Bride Vios III Racing Seat – driver
Compustar Alarm System
Pioneer Deck – USB + iPOD Integration
T1R Suede Shift Boot
Spoon Reclinable Seat – passenger
T1R Ti Shiftknob
For more pics visit the gallery HERE
Acura
Going back through some old pictures from Toronto’s ImportFest and this RSX caught my eye again. It’s been posted around the net more that once and it seems like its on a different sets of wheels each time. My favorite look is definitely this one, rocking the concave TE’s.
BMW
As some of you may have noticed, a recurring debate of “doing it right” versus “doing it wrong” has been a very heated topic amongst car enthusiasts as of late, especially on the internet. These days, it seems as though the influence of peers on forums, blogs and various social media outlets have affected the way cars are modified by their owners. Such an impact has brought both positive and negative aspects to this present day automotive lifestyle.
There are however a few out there who break this mold and do something based entirely on their own discretion, without the influence of peers on the web. A perfect example of this select few is Jason Close, and his Supercharged BMW M3. Although Jason’s M3 is posted online, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it remained his build, as his peers took a seat and enjoyed the show.
Jason, like many of us in the beginning, started off with basic mods like an exhaust (with cat deletes), lowering springs and a new set of rollers for the summer. What differs Jason from other BMW M owners is he spent a lot of his time on the track during the summer, gaining a better feel for the car and better knowledge of what needed to be modified to perform better on the road course.
Jason’s biggest goal for his E90 was without a doubt to get the car going faster on the track. Operation complete with a Supercharger system from ESS Tuning. Along with the intercooled supercharger install, Jason also had a few more goodies underway for his “TRAKRAT”. Performance Friction PFC-01 Race Pads were added to bring the beast to a sudden halt if need be. The TRAKRAT’s suspension was also upgraded to KW Clubsport Coilovers and his wheels and tires were upgraded to Diamond Black BBS LM-Rs wrapped in Yokohama Advan AD08 tires, giving the TRAKRAT some “form” with that “function”.
Because the BMW M3 is notorious for it’s weight, Jason decided it was time to put his E90 on an Aero diet, with a legit Carbon roof and Carbon CSL style trunk via Vorsteiner. In addition, Jason updated the taillights courtesy of LCI. If the Aero additions and the new taillights weren’t enough to aesthetically change the appearance of his TRAKRAT, his M3 also underwent a refreshed exterior paint job.
With a few minor tweaks here and there, this is how the BMW M3 TRAKRAT currently sits. And with that, it’s safe to say that this was all done without the influence of others on the internet, but more so by the influence of Jason himself, and the patience he had to get this M3 to perform and look how you see it today.
In a current state where the automotive society is on one side of the fence or the other, why not break that barrier and do something based entirely on your own decisions? …Are one’s opinions on the internet really going to make or break your plans? What are you waiting for? Release your inner “TRAKRAT”.
Extra pics can be found HERE
| OWNER: Jason Close
| VEHICLE: 2008 E90 M3
| ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN:
ESS VT2-650 Intercooled SuperCharger Kit
ESS Dircect Flash Handheld Programmer
Custom Header back exhaust
| SUSPENSION:
KW Clubsport Coilovers
| WHEELS:
19×9.5 et20 AND 19X10et20 BBS LM-R in Diamond Black
Yokohama Advan AD08 275/30/19 and 295/30/19
Peformance Friction PFC-01 Race Pads
Stoptech Street Pads
Stoptech Brakelines
| AERO
Vorsteiner Carbon Roof Skin and roof frame (one of 2 made)
Vorsteiner Double Sided Carbon Trunk
LCI Tail Light Upgrade
iM Updates
A few weeks back we released our iM Era Hoody and were blown away at the number of orders that flooded in. Even though we had so many orders we still get messages everyday asking when we are getting more or when they will arrive.
Well the time has come! We will be holding a second pre-order and this time it’s the last one. Starting tonight (Wednesday) around 9:30PM we will open the gates for the second round of orders for ALL FIVE of the original colors.
Pre-order will run until Sunday February 12th 11:59PM MST so don’t wait it out this time.
Here is some background and detail about the hoody in case you missed it the first time:
Because the illmotion era is continuing to grow with no signs of stopping, we’ve come up with a design that we felt best represents the “iM Era” movement.
The screen-printed design is featured on the chest of the hooded sweat shirt, with the ‘iM’ crown embroidered on the hood. Available in Blue, Red, Purple, Grey or Black and ranging from sizes XS to 2XL.
Hoodies are $40.00CDN pre-order and will not be for general sale.
It’s a new year, so let’s keep the iM Era going even harder with these fresh and new “iM Era” hoodies!
