Two birds with one Car

I know some of you don't care when and how often we air the YouTube episodes, but I like to make strict schedules and procedures, and follow them to the letter. However, sometimes work and other things pile up, and these YouTube episodes get delayed. This week's episode will have to be delayed till next week. There is just no way I can maintain the quality I had intended for this episode, and air the episode in time.

The coming episode will touch upon the Bridgestone Potenza RE070s Extreme Summer Performance tires, as well as a slight overview of the current state of the STI on our show, our very own Project Impulse.

I'll be trying out some new editing techniques on this episode as well, and if successful we will be using it on many future episodes. All of the above takes time, so please be patient. However, because we aren't airing the episode on time this week, I thought it would be nice to show you guys some screen captures of our work in progress.

Three live cameras, synced together.

Spades doing most of the driving for the episode.

As mentioned earlier, there was an accident during our shoot. One of the GoPro cameras mounted on Puyang's lead camera car, fell off and made a huge tumble on the pavement. Camera C mounted on his car, caught the whole thing on film. Below are a sequence of four images, depicting what happened:

GoPro camera (Camera B) loses suction on the Honda Prelude and falls off. Both the Camera car and Subject car are moving at 40 MPH.

Distance between the two cars are consistent, as seen in the picture sequence. The camera is bouncing off the pavement, and flying towards the STI at an alarming rate. 

Spades behind the wheel, does a quick steering maneuver to avoid it. Not knowing it was the Camera at the time.

After the maneuver, Spades looks up and sees the missing Camera B on Puyang's car.

We actually have the footage from the falling camera as well. I went through that footage frame by frame, and counted the amount of times the Camera did a complete 360 degree tumble. It had done nine complete tumbles before coming to a complete stop on the pavement face down. In the footage, you see the back end of the Honda Prelude, and you see glimpses of the STI's hawkeye headlights coming towards it. There were some glimpses of the sky, trees, and other things as well. The footage was massively distorted, but I think I will include that footage for you guys anyways, lol.

It's just a thought right now, but I might use the footage we have right now for two episodes. Since this week's episode will be delayed, I'd like to make it up to you guys, and possibly give you guys two videos on back to back weeks. I'll see what I can do to keep you guys entertained.

That's it for now! Stay tuned!

The Good, the Bad, and the Handsome

This morning, the Machine Zealots team set in motion to do some massive filming for the next episode. One of the viewers had asked us to talk about the difference between Performance Summer tires and Performance Winter tires. The episode in progress was meant to touch upon that subject, but mainly, it has been a while since we've shown some good old driving videos! That is all the information we are going to release on this episode for now. However, if you are interested in todays process, feel free to continue reading.

GoPro Cameras setup!

We'd like to thank GoPro for sponsoring us these two new cameras, because for shots like these, having more than one camera is very benefitial. If you are a frequent race car driver, investing in one or two of these cameras are a must. More cameras, means more angles, means more footage in one pass. We actually had to rotate the three cameras around three times in different locations, giving us nine different angles to use in our final edit.

STI ready for action!

Puyang, as our second camera man today.

We woke up at 9 AM this morning, planning out our shooting route, pit stops, and the different angles needed for today. We left home base around 10 AM, packed up all the cameras, tripods, and other equipment. We proceeded to shoot on our most familiar location, which I like to call it, the Machine Zealots' Test Track, lol.

Puyang and the STI.

Admiring the STI, while the car cools down.

We finished shooting part one around 12 PM. We went back to home base and set up Puyang's car to be the camera car. This would give us more dynamic shots of the STI as it's driving. On the way to our destination, one of the GoPro cameras fell off his car and did a massive tumble on the pavement! I was behind Puyang at the time, thank God, and saw some plastic thing fly towards the STI. We went back to pick up the camera, and found it like this:

GoPro lens and case is beat up from falling off moving car.

As I ran for the dropped camera, several cars seem to have just ignored it, and drove on through it. Luckily the camera avoided its ruthless demise since it had dropped in the middle of the street, and avoided all the tires of the oncoming cars. We met up at the nearest pit stop, and checked the condition of the camera. The good news is, the camera was STILL SHOOTING! I'll be sure to include the dropping of the camera in our final edit, it made us all laugh. We finished up around 12:30 PM, giving today a total shooting time of two and a half hours. I'll have more previews from our edit for you guys to see as soon as I find the time to compile them!

Stay tuned.

Oh yes, one last thing, we are on Instagram, so be sure to follow us if you are interested in some Machine Zealots daily life adventures!

Turbocharged Timeline

I didn't make a post about this episode specifically because I was sort of ashamed of it. It was one of the most boring videos I have ever edited and uploaded. It was neither entertaining, nor informative, and frankly I had felt that this was a sinking ship. However, I had realized this after finishing the video, and because I had worked on it for a couple of weeks, I just had to upload it for the sake of hard work. If you'd actually enjoyed this video, you are too kind. If not, then you know I hate it too, lol.

In other news, I am working with Tracy from RevXtreme on a bracket solution for the Subaru STI RX Oil Catch Can. More information about this when there is something else to report, but I am very excited about this.

I also went ahead and purchased a Cobb AccessPORT for my 2006 Subaru WRX STI. For people who know what this does, yeah, I was smiling when I got it. For people who don't know what this does, I'll have a video about the Cobb AccessPORT in the weeks to come.

I also got to spend a lot of time with my car. I've been driving around late at night for the past couple of weekends. Going to car meets, cruising with friends, and just really enjoying the car and getting to know Subarus.

There are also some other packages coming in the mail, I can't wait! Very exciting. A new DIY Episode will be uploaded on Friday, so stay tuned ladies and gents. ;)

MZ Promo Trailer

This is a promotional trailer that I made over the past couple of days. I've been trying to establish more viewers, creating better content and videos. It's been hard since I've changed over to the STI though. However, I've turned over a new leaf and I'm approaching Machine Zealots a bit differently than SpadesV6. I've been aggressively contacting companies for sponsorships, most of them are nice enough to actually reply my e-mails, lol. However, other than that, nothing substantial has taken place... yet. However, one company and I are in the works of bringing a brand new, never before released product into the Subaru community. If my old Camaro readers are reading this, you would know this company quite well, since I've praised their products. Hopefully the package will come in the mail in a week or two. More updates on this later.

As of now, I am in the works of editing more videos, and will be online in the weeks to follow.

In Production

It's summer time, and the weather is awesome. Longer summer days means more daylight time to shoot videos. This is also the best time to just kick back, relax, hang out with friends, and drive.

Back when I was still doing the SpadesV6 videos, I had mentioned that two new semi-permanent cast members will be joining the show: Puyang, my brother, and our anonymous driver, Spades. Well we have been working hard to make videos for you guys to watch. I have a huge line up of videos shot. I just have to go through them, edit them, and process them. Here are a couple of production stills for the lulz:

Jagan directing Puyang and Spades.

Spades is having fun. I think. I can't really tell.

That's a wrap for the shooting day!

This episode will be aired on a later date. No empty promises this time though, I have most of the footage shot, I just need a couple of more shooting days to complete this episode. In the meantime, there are a couple of other episodes being shot and edited. Estimated air time for the next epsiode will be next week or, the latest, the week after that. If you are a fan of my video shenanigans, please feel free to check the tab above named MZ/SV6 Episodes for the latest information on what's in production.You can also subscribe to the Machine Zealots Youtube channel for instant updates and support our work! =D

Big Changes for SV6

What a week! I am currently waiting for my caliper paint to dry. They look super sexy by the way. Can't wait to show you guys. I've filmed a full DIY video for you guys who want to paint your own calipers. However, it will take a couple of days for me to edit and upload.

In the meantime, for those of you who are interested in the Team LLT T-shirts, I have some good news! I will be opening a Spades V6 online store very soon. You will see me wear the first Team LLT T-shirt in the caliper painting episode. I have to say, I am very happy with the quality, and I'm wearing that T-shirt proudly!

Jagan and Spades

When I mentioned that Spades V6 will be making a stronger comeback, I meant it. I've actually spent months upon months getting things done right. Finally, it seems that everything is coming together. I have two new cast members lined up, and ready to join Spades V6. My brother, PuYang and SV6's very own driver, Spades.

If it wasn't for you treasured viewers and readers, I wouldn't have gotten this far! Love you guys!

Another Jagan Story

You really just have to excuse my young at heart, guy fantasy story lol.
So yesterday, I took a friend out to check out an art show. I haven't seen her in a year, and she's been wanting a ride in my Camaro ever since. Our schedules just never really matched. Anyway, so when I picked her up, she and I were both a bit nervous I suppose, we've both changed, and so we interacted like strangers. She didn't really say much about the car at first, because she just got into the car so fast.

Alright, so whatever right? I start driving. We start talking about what's new and stuff... and on this one road, I had to pass this guy to get into the proper lane for the next turn, so I hit the throttle only ever so slightly, and she squeals in excitement.

Okay! Now I get into this state of euphoria, and I think to myself, "Does she get excited at speed? Because there is a lot more where that came from!"

She says, "Omg so fast."

I smile, and I say, "Really?"

She had broke all of my integrity, come on, she's just asking for it. What would you do? lol.

I would say that incident broke the ice. She ended up taking a lot of pictures of my car, interior and exterior, and told me how much she loved it. I had also re-tuned my car with Vince @ Trifecta's new found Horsepower tune, so I was really tempted to hit the pedal at any given moment.

On the way home, there was this empty straight, and she actually said, "GO GO GO!". ALRIGHT LITTLE LADY, YOU ASKED FOR IT. Floored it, I swore my little V6 reached 88MPH in around 8-9 seconds flat. Probably didn't, but it sure felt that fast. She was screaming the whole way lol.

Overall, an awesome night for my Camaro. I told her that she was my favorite passenger to date, and I would give her another ride anytime lol.

Winter sucks, Camaro awesome

I haven't washed my car since my blog post about Adam's Polishes products. Needless to say, my car is filthy. Anyway, the weather here is completely crap. It's been cold, icey, and snowy, therefore the salt trucks have been super active, and my Camaro is a daily driver. Sigh.

Well, I had some free time this weekend, and I just decided to give the car a good wash. No detailing, or tire dressing, but I just had to get all that crap off of the car. Wanted to show you guys just HOW dirty my car was.

I wash my car with two different wash pads, one for the top half and the other for the bottom half. I use two buckets, with grit guards, and I change the water and soap for the top and bottom half of the car as well. The pictures above are just from the bottom half of the car. LOOK AT HOW FILTHY THAT IS! All of that dirt and grime washed off my Camaro.

Good to see the car is back to black.

This is it, this is the Golden Egg

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting Spades 1.0.2. Click the above picture for the full size.

Now, I've been on the quest for gold for a couple of weeks now. It just looks good on a black or white car. Most importantly, I have yet to see a Camaro with gold wheels. I MAY BE the first, when I get them of course. These are TSW Nurburgrings, painted gold for the concept. I have contacted a vendor who also does powdercoats and paints the wheels he sells as a service. He said I could make them any color I want! =O

Honestly, these wheels are great looking, and probably one of the best bang for buck wheels out there. They are averaging around $350 per wheel out in the market, and they are FORGED! Another great aspect of these wheels: they are super lightweight. I believe the stock 20" Camaro wheels are around 30-33 lbs each, whereas these Nurburgrings are only 25 lbs each. Shedding a good 5 pounds per wheel is a lot, if you add it all up. I have decided the largest wheel size I'd go would be 19", so that should shed off another couple of pounds. =D Eitherway, if I made you guys excited, I'm sorry... these wheels won't be on this car for at least another year lol. Heck, I'm teasing MYSELF by making these awesome concept images =(.

In other news, my tune is here. Yes, the mods are piling up, but for now, that's it. All packages have been delivered to my door. I might tune my car this weekend though. So stay tuned for the full story and review!

Project Concept

Stock Camaro image from Tire Rack. Luckily, they are using the V6. Obviously, there are some differences compared to my stock car, but it works.

My ideal finished project car in my mind so far. I think gold wheels might be the way to go on this car. Can't really decide. Black, Gunmetal, Bronze, I just don't know.

Eitherway, I have most of the mods already done on this car. I have the Front Splitter, Logo Blackout, and Light Blackouts already applied. I have the Caliper Paints, Rotors, Grand Sport Stripes, in my house and ready to go. All I'm missing now is the Rear Spoiler, Window tints, Wheels, and Coilovers for lowering.

UPDATED: These are O.Z. Racing wheels, but sadly, they don't come with the right lug nut specs. I would prefer this style of wheel over the previous one though. Too bad =(

Spades V6 Intro v1

 

Well, work has been slow, and I miss modding my car, so to keep myself being productive, I've decided to play around with planar tracking and other visual effects. As you can see with my other videos, I love taking the time to edit them, making them a bit nicer to watch.

This is just a concept intro scene for future videos. I'll most likely be working on making it better over time, so just call this concept version 1.