BMW body with Chevrolet Corvette LS3 Engine: BMW Corvette Series 3 (E46)

One that I am glad and made my day is this car at the 2011 Manila Auto Salon. A BMW Series-3 (E46) with a Corvette LS3 engine swap. At first I thought this would be another BMW show-car at that event; but, out of curiousity I checked the engine bay of it. I'm looking on the engine a BMW badge or an RB25DETT Nissan engine because this car is a drift car and compete in drift competition here in the Philippines. Instead of a BMW or Nissan badge inside, a shocking "Corvette LS6" word engrave on the cover.



Oh my, a Chevrolet Corvette C6 engine was installed on a BMW E46 chassis. This would be the first time and I think the only engine swap that I heard and saw here in the Philippines and I am assuming in ASIA as well — There is still true old car enthusiast still alive in these times besides me of course and the Australians. So I talked to the owner of the car, how did he do it?

The story began when he was informed that there was a wrecked Chevrolet Corvette C6 that was placed in a yard in the US. Because those kind of engines are very fast to dissapear or to dispose on those places, without second thought, he purchased the engine and shipped here in the Philippines instantly. What I like about American engines especially their monster engines are, they are straight-forward and simple to install with a minimal conversion compare to other engine manufacturers from Europe or in Japan which require specific procedures and complicated conversion but still acquiring that big horsepower — That's why I like the engine modification of Australians because the engines that they are using are from American manufacturers.



Because it is a simple and straight engine conversion, procedures that was made on the car and with the engine were customized engine bracket, Chevrolet Corvette C6 wiring and harness, BMW M3 propeller-shaft, BMW M5 rear-differentials, Chevrolet Corvette ECU, and because we all know that this engine has a strong torque and I'm sure that the BMW chassis will definitely cannot handle it and will tear apart, they reinforced the body to make sure it can handle the demand of the engine.


When you go inside of the cockpit, another world will be introduced to the driver; because this is a drift-machine, do not expect any luxurious feature and amenities that BMW provide to their consumers. Bucket-seats, roll-cage, and more are the amenities of the car; but, still retaining its dashboard from the original BMW E46 model. Producing a 600 horsepower and 500+ NM of torque at whopping 2800 rpm will definitely satisfied your adrenaline needs.

Here is the video of the said car:



I hope I can see this kind of setup and car-modification in other carshows here in the Philippines. This car definitely already made my day.

Hyundai Genesis 2.0 Turbo: Sound-setup spotted @ 2011 Manila Auto Salon

One thing that I have high expectation in every car-show events is someone will exhibit a Hyundai Genesis, whether engine modded, clean detailed, or sound-setup. At the 2011 Manila Auto-Salon, I've spotted one and the only Hyundai Genesis that gone through a modification; they setup the audio system on this one.



If you look at the back, it is very apparent that this Hyundai Genesis is ment for sounds because the trunk has no extra space for grocery bags.




On the engine department, the owner of this car bought the turbo version as compared to other Hyundai Genesis owner of a natural-aspirated V6. A Rockford-Fosgate amplifier, JVC headunit, and Kicker Speakers was used on this car. That time, the staff of this exhibitor plays a track by Rihanna — Rude Boy. Factory rims was used on this car.



With the tremoring its bass at the floor, this setup would definitely a show-stopper or eye-catcher when you hit the road.

Highly-Modified 2007 Honda Civic FD Turbo @ 2011 Manila Auto Salon Philippines

Walking around at the event staring at those honda civics which is very common in every car-shows and even on the road once you see them.



I just stare at this blue Honda Civic again at the floor. I noticed an aluminum plate below — thought it was a radiator because the engine bay of this car was all stuffed that there are no room for the radiator cap to see.


Out of nowhere I saw the intake with an engrave of a vtec turbo plus a dyno graph on the floor. So I was curious because all of the Honda Civics at the event maybe this one will stand out the herd. When I asked the personnel to take a look on the dyno-graph; I was shocked because this car produce a staggering 527.93 horsepower at the wheels and a 365 Newton meter of torque to the fact that this car is daily driven car. This would be a perfect sleeper car; don't be deceive with its eye-catching paint and Volks TE-37 wheels — Oh, by the way those kits was also imported from Japan as per advise by their personnel. Inside of this monster is equipped with the following parts; an engine of a K20A type R engine,

a BorgWarner ball-bearing 650 turbo — this turbos are used in german cars like Porsche, Volkswagen and other European cars, nice taste by the owner when it comes to turbo and the turbo almost covered the whole space of its engine room; Wiseco 86mm low compression lightened pistons, Wiseco piston rings, Eagle H-beam lightened chrome connecting rods, balanced TODA Racing K20a crankshaft, TODA Racing connecting rod race bearings, TODA Racing VTEC Killer Stage-3 camshaft, TODA Racing camgears, TODA Racing retainers, TODA Racing valve-springs, TODA Racing cylinder-head gasket, TODA Racing heavy-duty timing-chain — this modification is wicked, TODA Racing heavy-duty timing-chain tensioner, Skunk2 pro-series valves, and a HONDATA K-pro engine-management system. Other procedure done to this car are polished cylinder-head and correction on its valve friction; and DEFI Advance cr boost.


So be very careful not to engage on a race on this car just because the looks is more of a car-show type, you never know what's inside of it.

The said will run until November 27, 2011 at the SMX Convention center, Pasay City, Philippines.

Girls Of 2011 Manila Auto Salon

Besides cars, sounds, engines, freebies, bonding with friends, and games. Car-shows will not be complete without girls or models of every exhibitors. This is one of the factors why car-shows is a must to visit, especially for guys — whether single or taken. Here in the Philippines, it is already embraced that every car-show event that you will attend, definitely there will a babes in every booth or in every event.

At the 2011 Manila Auto Salon; it is very apparent, car-show models rock the event with there gorgeous bodies and angelic faces to the point that either you will buy from them, or, you will inquire something about the exhibitor's car products or services.


Familiar face like Jem Milton—FHM Philippines sexiest babes—was present at the event, and representing one of the exhibitors. I am glad that she gave me a chance to take a picture of her.

The said event will run until November 27,2011 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Philippines.

Here are some images of the girls of 2011 Manila Auto Salon. If anyone is into cars please do share this link.

2012 Toyota Avanza/Xenia

In the Philippines, Toyota Avanza is one of the Toyota vehicles used as a taxicab besided Toyota Vios, at first, it was very popular because of the retail price — low retail price with small discount; can be bought as a color white from the dealership — I want to kill my boss that time because I lost a huge deal over a Hyundai Accent that time; he is pushing this one over the vios which my client wants.



But, that popularity faded because of the terrible fuel-consumption of the vehicle — small Toyota badge daihatsu engine with a big body, not a wise choice; so transport business-owner and taxi-operators return to Toyota Vios or opted to Hyundai Accent which is very reasonable because of the diesel engine that the vehicle offered to the consumer or clients.



Today, Toyota yet again release the 2012 Toyota Avanza/Xenia to asian market. On the appearance, it is impressive because there is a mix of the Toyota Prius and the 2012 Toyota Yaris; the back of the 2012 Toyota Avanza/Xenia has the resemblance of the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. But, if you will observe the upper part of the vehicle it is very apparent of the first-generation Toyota Avanza — looks like a Toyota Avanza facelift again here. Changes made outside of the vehicle where the headlights, tailights, grilles, bumper, and alloy wheel design — guess the J grade version of this will be steel rims maybe; the major make-over on the vehicle is the interior like the dash-inboard, steering wheel design, meter gauge, and more.



Quite dissapointed because they retain its engine; the 1.3 variant still uses the K3-VE and the 1.5 variant uses 3SZ-VE — quite a facelift, just like their 2012 Toyota Fortuner and 2012 Toyota Hilux right? Thought they will offer a new engine on their new Toyota Avanza, or at least they can offer a 1ND-TV diesel engine which is offered in Toyota Etios only in India — how come they cannot install or offer this to the Toyota Avanza/Xenia and compete to other car-manufacturers that offers diesel engines to their small cars, are they lacking analysis here?

I expect that Toyota Motors Philippines will definitely offerring this to the Philippine Market and hope they would not stripped it down and sell the parts by piece.

By the way, if you are going to purchase a Toyota Avanza; I recommend to wait for this model to come out. Don't easily believe to your sales agent that they will offer you the 2012 Toyota Avanza/Xenia unless they hit to their showroom.

2013 Honda Jazz / Honda FIT EV - for asian market

Well, in terms Hybrid technology, Toyota dominates the asian market with their Toyota Prius hybrid. Honda did make its counter-attack with any car model; even the Honda Civic hybrid did not pacify the demand of its competitor in terms of sales. Now, with rising cost of fuel, Honda will be producing a hybrid on their one of their model Honda Jazz or Honda Fit in other countries.



This is the image of the Hybrid version of the 2013 Honda Jazz/Fit. Minor facelift from the present 2010/2011 Honda Fit/Jazz — What's going on right here, does Honda are lacking talents on their car-design department? Do they have any new idea on their new car? Anyway, the motor on this EV model will be based on their Honda FCX which is sold in other countries. Technology will be based on their Honda CR-Z which is sold in the US.



On this model, Honda are focusing on the eco-friendly materials especially on the upholstery department.



The Honda Jazz/Fit EV, will be equipped with a Telemetric System that you can download or link to your smartphone or phone — Wow! A telemetry system on this car, they got to be kidding; so there will be analytics whether the driver is making a hard press on the gas through bar graphs or something, driver will be having a hard-time to analyze on this one. A connection also on your computer will detemine the status of your batteries or the power level of the batteries.

How if this will be materialized, hope they made it simple just like systems used on Hyundai and Isuzu; and one more thing is I wish that the door handle will be more friendly.

Hope the Honda Motors Philippines will bring this model to the Philippine Market.