hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Just sign up? Feel free to tell your fellow Standardshifters about yourself, your car or anything else.
User avatar
alfredjp
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:31 pm
Cars: WRX STI 2008
Location: Tokyo, Japan

hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by alfredjp »

Hi to everyone!

Im new to this forum (and based on what Ive read until now, a very informative/helpful one)...

To give a brief introduction of myself....

----------

Im a foreigner based in Japan, and got my driver's license only last November 2007 (never havent driven a car until then, embarrasingly, since Im now in my late 20s). For the next six months, I used rented cars to get around (all automatic transmission); until I finally took the plunge and got myself my first car, a Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2008 (JDM).

Since then, driving for me is just plain fun (well, except, at the moment - traffic jams and SLOW inclines)...!!! And, I cant imagine myself going back to an automatic.

In the months until now, Ive modded my car to around Stage 2; and just last week had my first circuit/track run! Oh, how it exhilirating, _except_ for the small part where I make miss my shifts and either/both unsettle the car or probably damage the drivetrain (hope not).

I was searching through the web to find some resource to become a better shifter, and here I am...

So, far, with about a 100-km driving a week (not much driving is needed in Tokyo due to the advanced modes of public transportation), I can do the following (if I make a mistake in my use of terminology, please let me know):

- single clutch rev-match downshifts (fairly well, but suck at 3-2, and 2-1)
- single clutch heel-and-toe downshifts (still practicing, suck at low to mid-revs, but better at higher revs)
- no clutch upshifts (i rarely want to do, but it did help in learning the proper timing for smooth upshifts)

Cheers to all...
Alfred
- drives a WRX STi 2008 JDM
- got his license in Nov 2007
- wanting to become a better StandardShifter
blauenlanze
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 1708
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 1:47 am
Cars: 2017 BMW M240i 6MT
Location: San Francisco/Los Angeles, CA

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by blauenlanze »

Welcome, nice car! Any pictures/videos?
2007 BMW M240i 6MT
2006 Honda S2000 6MT (old)
2001 Honda Prelude SH 5MT (old)
2000 Toyota Camry V6 (old) auto
User avatar
AHTOXA
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 14693
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:31 pm
Cars: '19 4RUNNER TRD ORP
Location: Irving, TX

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by AHTOXA »

Kick-ass car. Welcome!
'19 Toyota 4Runner TRD ORP
'12 Suzuki V-Strom 650
Evicatos
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:09 pm
Cars: 2008 Mazdaspeed 3
Location: California

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by Evicatos »

Welcome!

That's one hell of a first car...
Hello world.
User avatar
Brass
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:58 pm
Cars: 2007 Tacoma X-Runner
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Contact:

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by Brass »

yep, I'm going to Japan :wink:

Greetings! If you don't mind me asking, how much was your WRX over there?
:) God Bless
.......Yay my avy workz!
User avatar
jomotopia
Moderator
Posts: 10230
Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 1:01 pm
Cars: 04 STi, 05 Matrix XR (AT)
Location: AWD Turbo Nirvana
Contact:

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by jomotopia »

welcome to the site! :D

nice car, yay another Suby!

let's see some pics of that mad tyte JDM STI yo! :lol: :mrgreen:
2013 Subaru Impreza WRX in Orange
User avatar
alfredjp
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:31 pm
Cars: WRX STI 2008
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by alfredjp »

hey, guys, thanks for the welcome!!! it is much appreciated...

please find pics of my ride below (mind you, im not a very good photographer at all):

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

the modified engine room:
Image

Image

Image

Image
- drives a WRX STi 2008 JDM
- got his license in Nov 2007
- wanting to become a better StandardShifter
User avatar
alfredjp
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:31 pm
Cars: WRX STI 2008
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by alfredjp »

here are two dyno tests...

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=5bRqLbOlAjs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7jrX3bmEbw (just uploaded you may not be able to see it, yet)
- drives a WRX STi 2008 JDM
- got his license in Nov 2007
- wanting to become a better StandardShifter
Evicatos
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:09 pm
Cars: 2008 Mazdaspeed 3
Location: California

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by Evicatos »

Is it bad that I got a little bit aroused looking at those pictures?
Hello world.
94Corolla5Speed
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 6927
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:51 pm
Cars: 1994 Corolla, 1990 Miata
Location: Chicago, IL

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by 94Corolla5Speed »

Welcome! Sweet car, (I didn't know they revved to 8k this time around! :shock:) and if you don't mind me asking, where are you from originally?
User avatar
alfredjp
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:31 pm
Cars: WRX STI 2008
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by alfredjp »

Brass wrote:yep, I'm going to Japan :wink:

Greetings! If you don't mind me asking, how much was your WRX over there?
are you talking about the Impreza WRX (USDM)? if so, there are no WRX over there...

however, the WRX STI cost me about US$39K including misc fees and taxes - i was able to get a discount of about US$5K from my dealer (which ive used for modding it)...
- drives a WRX STi 2008 JDM
- got his license in Nov 2007
- wanting to become a better StandardShifter
User avatar
alfredjp
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:31 pm
Cars: WRX STI 2008
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by alfredjp »

94Corolla5Speed wrote:Welcome! Sweet car, (I didn't know they revved to 8k this time around! :shock:) and if you don't mind me asking, where are you from originally?
because we dont have the US emissions stuff, etc. and of the high octane content of Japanese gasoline, the JDM version is a 1.99L engine with a rev limit of 8,000 rpm (if my memory serves me correct, the USDM is a 2.5L engine with a much lower rev limit)

on the other hand, im originally from the philippines - but came to Japan (and been here ever since) when i was 19/20...
- drives a WRX STi 2008 JDM
- got his license in Nov 2007
- wanting to become a better StandardShifter
ColJessip
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 2364
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:10 pm

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by ColJessip »

Slick car yo... Also welcome to SS.
User avatar
jomotopia
Moderator
Posts: 10230
Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 1:01 pm
Cars: 04 STi, 05 Matrix XR (AT)
Location: AWD Turbo Nirvana
Contact:

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by jomotopia »

alfredjp wrote:because we dont have the US emissions stuff, etc. and of the high octane content of Japanese gasoline, the JDM version is a 1.99L engine with a rev limit of 8,000 rpm (if my memory serves me correct, the USDM is a 2.5L engine with a much lower rev limit)
yes, USDM is a 2.5L but i wouldn't say the redline is much lower. it's 7k, at least on 04-07, but i assume it still is with the 08.
2013 Subaru Impreza WRX in Orange
blauenlanze
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 1708
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 1:47 am
Cars: 2017 BMW M240i 6MT
Location: San Francisco/Los Angeles, CA

Re: hello to all... this is alfred from japan...

Post by blauenlanze »

6600 on 08-09 which makes for some shift to 3rd for 60mph action again after disappearing on the 07.
2007 BMW M240i 6MT
2006 Honda S2000 6MT (old)
2001 Honda Prelude SH 5MT (old)
2000 Toyota Camry V6 (old) auto
Post Reply