shelleys_man_06

I've always wondered what the deal was with the glorification of JDM parts. After reading Super Street, and other ricer rags, all I've seen are ads for JDM conversions for USDM cars. Well, I guess an SR20, or RB26 swap into a 240SX ain't so bad, but swapping in JDM Type-R B18C for the US-spec B18C5, just to gain an additional two horsepower, is ridiculous. Personally, there are some Japanese parts that I do like, such as turbochargers. I have yet to find companies that can outdo Garrett, MHI, and the like. The Japanese are the kings of compressors. Other parts like CUSCO carbon fiber strut bars, and J-spec headlamps, don't wet my whistle. They're a waste of money. There are companies in North America that can match, or better products in Japan. Am I ethnocentric? Hell no. It's just we shouldn't always have to look to Japan for all our styling and engine building techniques.

I do however admire their bodykits. They range from very classy to just plain weird. Same thing with wheels. I guess it's just the little JDM things that get on my nerves. Who in their right mind would search high and low just for JDM EG tail lamps? Yup. Some people actually look for those things. I can't tell the difference, which means you've wasted your money.

Do you have a JDM fetish? My fetish lies with softcore JDM.

truemagellen

I definitely do...American cars are too cheap looking, European cars are to stade looking...japanese cars are usually hot...besides I love Asian women (just ask my chinese gf)...and as I said before...the RX8 is like a hot Asian girl that you want to ride all day and all night

shelley...I agree withyou...cool but interesting (don't need to call them weird) parts, etc are what I like, such as the ADVAN SA3R Version 2 you posted a pic of a while back

I don't know if this post makes sense...I am half asleep

shelleys_man_06

Yeah. When I get some money, I'm building the weirdest RX-8 ever. SA3R's, or SSR Mesh's, BN Sports bodykit, orange corner lights. It will be as if Shelley and I had a baby. :D

Ike

Evo VII > EvoVIII
STi Spec C > USDM STi
Skyline GTR > Any USDM Japanese car
Prodrive > Any JDM parts :p

I have a weird thing for things Prodrive, but I tend to supress it due to common sense getting in the way. I've got some Prodrive stuff on my car but not nearly all that I would like to have. I've been able to talk myself out of a lot of Prodrive parts but really I want them all...

As for the JDM thing I think a lot of it stems from the fact that all the really good Japanese cars have not been available here in the past. S15 Silvia, any Turbo Silvia, Skyline GTR, Evo, STi, WRX, Turbo Legacy, Cosmo, I wanted all of them, and I don't think I was alone. I think those cars are what started the JDM craze (with a lot of help from Gran Turismo), and it just exists in a slightly different form today even though some of those cars have become available in the US.

cgrx

no

xSxxKxxYx

HELL YES!!!
but not those CRAZY wild no use body kits & etc....
nothing but to look stupid...
"FUNCTIONAL JDM"

RXE16T

"Heritage" is the reason why JDM parts are popular.

You drive a Jap car, so you use Jap parts (RX8 ~ RE Amemiya)
You drive a US car, so you use American parts (Mustang ~ Edelbrock)

Ever seen a HKS exhaust on a Mustang?

Magic8

No.

Grass is always greener on the other side. I remember reading somewhere on this forum that the Japanese RX-8 owners want the American colored corner lights instead of their clears corner lights that comes stock.

I think companies like Racing Beat will give most Japanese aftermarket company a run for their money. A good product is a good product, doesn't matter where it's from.

BTW people overseas lust after the Mustang and Corvett

hotpot

I'm happy with my JDM ECU.

ArvinC

...on your point. I have a hard time putting anything on my 8 that isn't Japanese...for example, for my next set of tires, I've pretty much decided to go with Yokohamas on Advan or MazadSpeed wheels. I know that Pilots and P-Zeros are considered tops in performance (as well as cost! ), but something irks me about putting euro rubber on my Japanese beauty. Same thing with any other parts...I'd have to stick with HKS, Apex i, Tien, etc. Weird, yes...but if you think about it...maybe not so much?

Now, if I had a 911 or F360...nothing but the Pilots or P-Zeros...although the Enzo comes with Bridgestones, but that's because they're a 7/10ths example of Ferrari/Bridgestone's actual F1 tire.

Arvin

BlueEyes

I like white cars, is that a JDM fetish??

I have never owned a car, school takes all my money, but I can imagine myself having the same attitude as Arvin C

PUR NRG

I like JDM stuff. Sure there are some icky body styles to be found but for the most part the curves are nice and the handling even better.
________
Coach Handbags

BlueEyes

ummmm JDM camel toe

Astor

I like Japanese girls, but I agree that some of those cars are really attractive, especially considering how hard they are to get here.
What about the 2+2 RX-7

shelleys_man_06

Holy crap! Very rare, that 2+2 RX-7.