It doesn't take much to get my inner-otaku to shine through. All you have to do is mention a few magic key words like counterbalanced crank, external wastegate or titanium valves and you got my attention. It's precisely why I get more excited about smaller shows than big yearly events like Tokyo Auto Salon. Yes I am a nerd, but there is nothing wrong with that as staring at newly-created custom engine parts is far more appealing to me than looking at yet another wildly colored show car with vertical doors. At shows like Tuning Powers I am in my element, surrounded by true modified performance cars and stalls set up by small companies exhibiting their latest parts and products. Unfortunately my sentiments are not shared by a lot of other people in the JDM scene, as could be obviously seen by the size of the show, which was about half of what it was last year. It's a pity that it doesn't get more attention because, as you can see, there were some pretty nice cars to feast ones eyes on!

This is the first car that caught my attention as I came in, an AE86 Levin built by Westfactory.

On top of the very clean exterior with bolted on overfenders, it was the engine that really deserves a better look. This is the way a fully tuned engine bay should be presented, spotless, neatly organized and uncluttered with the engine taking center stage. The 20V (from and AE111) runs Toda 82 mm forged pistons, AE101 connecting rods and a balanced stock crank which raise the capacity to 1,627 cc.  The direct sports injection and Toda 272º cams guarantee explosive performance, but since the car hasn't been put on a dyno yet, there is no way in knowing the actual power it develops. Around 200 HP would be a good guess.

The Hayashi wheels are a great choice.

The interior had me salivating, so simple but yet so much to look at. The carbon dash, the custom instrumentation, the bolted-in roll cage, and of course that curiously positioned gear selector. The lever sits behind its usual stock position because the guys at Westfactory fitted an HKS sequential transmission usually used for the FD3S RX-7! This thing must be incredible to drive!

The Sparco bucket seats complete the interior.

Drag specialists Escort were there to show off their drag 180SX and R32 Skyline. 

Looks like things get pretty busy when you are behind the wheel of one of these things!

With the big HKS T62R this RB26 can crank out well in excess of 1000 HP, and when boost alone won't do it nitrous oxide will take over.

Lip spoiler!

When I saw this so called "Evil" Supra I thought it didn't have an engine fitted seeing how height it was riding up front. Of course that is a drag set-up to help the car squat under power when launching.

The interior was very industrial looking, and yes it's an auto!

The 3.1L 2JZ runs a curiously low-mounted HKS T04Z turbine…

…and a little bit of nitrous for added boost. The industrial look is carried through to the engine bay!

I've always though the R33 was the GT-R that looked best when set-up for drag. 32s & 34s can also look pretty menacing when given the drag look but the R33 wins it hands down IMO.

This Jun-built car runs a HKS T51R and 2.8L stroked engine good for 780 HP.

You gotta have that drag-spec lip spoiler.

How about this for a fast family car! JZS147 Aristo…

…running a 3.4L stroked 2JZ and obligatory T04Z.

Ok ok, so the R32 does look pretty mean with a full-on drag stance! This Artech built car has managed a 9.51 sec pass…

…thanks to the 800 HP that the 2.7L RB26 crank out. The Trust TD06S-20GG turbines provide the boost while the OS Giken sequential gearbox helps shave precious tenths when blasting down the strip.

This car has participated at quite a few JDDA events over the last few years.

One of the best things about the Tuning Powers show has to be the broad variety of cars that are on display, cars that have been long forgotten like this Skyline R31 GTS-X.

Under the hood it runs a very factory looking RB26DETT swap. The stock motor has been remapped and its boost upped to help it develop around 450 HP. Notice the emblem on the cam cover has been changed with a machined and varnished piece of wood. Something different!

Spotless 80's interior!

Carbon composites specialist Sabulive was there to show off its latest custom carbon parts which the company often makes for its customers. I found the dry carbon dog bowl the coolest!

And this is something I will be getting for my R34! Fully molded dry-carbon radiator mounts, something the otaku in me has been dreaming for so long!

Out of all the cool engine and gearbox products on display…

…I found the Rising RB29 kit the most interesting! Nice way to get extra capacity from your RB!

Car Boy magazine collaborates in organizing the show and it was really cool to see the whole collection of their publication on display! Car Boy was one of the biggest players in the JDM tuning world back when it all started. 

Naprec came up all the way from Nagoya with some of their most well known engine parts.  This is an SR20 head fitted with their full valve-train components.

Despite being smaller than previous years the show floor was packed with very interesting machinery and I still have a lot to show you. Until I post Part 2 I'll leave you with a shot of this beautiful Rauh Welt Porsche!

-Dino Dalle Carbonare