Making Moves...Wolfpack Flako's Drift Story [Archive] - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

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Flako

05-18-2017, 08:37 PM

This is the story of how I got into drifting, S-chasis, Wolfpack Drift Club, and everything related.

I have always been into cars, since I was a little kid. I remember hauling around shoe boxes full of hotwheels and playing with them on my carpet that looked like city streets.

I had been following drifting and drift builds on the internet and was amazed by all the cool videos of guys drifting in japan.

So it all began for me back in Nov of 2011.

I decided to buy my first 240. Without having a clue for what to look for, or what to look out for.

That brings us to my first car. My worse purchase ever.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/IMG_20111122_093746.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/IMG_20111122_093746.jpg.html)

I paid waaayyy too much for this thing. It had all kinds of problems including limo tint, and the interior was brown...WTF???? There was rust ever where and the thing smelled horrible.

But I was super pumped to finally own one of the cars that I had been seeing in youtube videos sliding around. So I didnt care. I immediately began to buy dumb shit to make it cool.

I drove it around bone stock for the winter and began ordering stuff for it to put into it in the spring of 2012.

Got some BC coils, XXR wheels, strut bar,s ISIS dual n1 exhaust, some side skirts, and tein tie rods and a stainless power steering line.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/imagejpeg_2_18.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/imagejpeg_2_18.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/20c521ee-6ac5-454d-9edb-e1bcb6808ab1_zpsrsdmpzqx.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/20c521ee-6ac5-454d-9edb-e1bcb6808ab1_zpsrsdmpzqx.png.html)

Scored some kouki tails for a ridiculous price.... too ridiculous to post.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/IMG_20120908_144158.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/IMG_20120908_144158.jpg.html)

Slapped all the stuff on my car and fixed a few more things, got rid of the brown interior and went to a few meets and met a bunch of local dudes.
It was fun meeting new people and seeing the different types of builds.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_0295_zpsf25629fe.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_0295_zpsf25629fe.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_0292_zps894603fb.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_0292_zps894603fb.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_0149_zps28aa40ce.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_0149_zps28aa40ce.jpg.html)

At one of these meets I met, my now good friend and team mate Nick Pullin.

He rolled up to a meet at a local engine distributor in this thing fresh outta paint.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_0088_zps3124b1d6.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_0088_zps3124b1d6.jpg.html)

I was floored. Even though I had met a few of the locals I hadn't seen a car this nice with this much attention to detail and this low....being drifted. The entire car just had a 'effortless cool' to it, it had a theme, it wasn't just a bunch of part slapped together with no purpose in sight. Meeting Nick and his coupe started a relationship that from that moment on changed my life and made me realize I also needed to have a purpose built drift car.

I went to a few more meets and MAbbq's and started coming along with a plan.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_0244_zps287fe9fe.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_0244_zps287fe9fe.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/938040EF-F2D0-468D-8787-1DFE09FB54C1-2313-0000037F49721B65_zpsd7c2530d.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/938040EF-F2D0-468D-8787-1DFE09FB54C1-2313-0000037F49721B65_zpsd7c2530d.jpg.html)

Around this time it was mid 2013 and I made a hearbreaking discovery. when I bought the car I knew it had a rusted rocker panel... However, it was much worse than that... it had rusted through the floor....previous owner just put a piece of plywood under the carpet and never fixed it.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/C5727ACA-B454-4195-8AE0-C7F6E3F0E987_zpsv0b78hij.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/C5727ACA-B454-4195-8AE0-C7F6E3F0E987_zpsv0b78hij.jpg.html)

and then I discovered more and more rust....in the firewall, the front wheel wells, subframe trunk area.... I mean it was like my car had been under water or something. It was real saddening because I had picked this up to drop in over the winter and be ready for the 2014 drift season.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/a93bf2cc-d189-4fdb-af64-9b548549b232_zpsioyxrszt.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/a93bf2cc-d189-4fdb-af64-9b548549b232_zpsioyxrszt.png.html)

So then I made my decision and decided to purchase a new chasis. One that was clean and had no rust, or at least not as bad as my first car, I would put the SR in that and do it right from the begining.

I would still begin to learn to drift in the rusted hatch with the trusty KA until it would either split in half or blow up.

My friend Kevin Soria was parting out his hatch and I went over to take a look at it.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/null_zps0e0a26bc.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/null_zps0e0a26bc.jpg.html)

A couple hundred bucks and a tow truck later and I was on my way home with my new car....

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/B5BBD8F6-3870-44F0-8267-B5029B257B3F_zpsuy1o7wtt.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/B5BBD8F6-3870-44F0-8267-B5029B257B3F_zpsuy1o7wtt.jpg.html)

This brings us to the winter of 2013 into 2014. I started buying all the parts that I thought I would need for the swap....
Spec stage 2 clutch
wiring specialties pro harness
intercooler kit
turbo elbow
mishi radiator
e-fans
new turbo lines
all kinds of hoses, gaskets, and misc items

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/79E2F1A3-E5CC-4835-AEDB-2E3552016712_zps8xtgbypl.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/79E2F1A3-E5CC-4835-AEDB-2E3552016712_zps8xtgbypl.jpg.html)

Fast forward to spring time 2014.

Whenever the weather was nice I would drive over to my friends dad's house where the car was at and started working on it... I was spending every chance I got to get the car put together.

Painted the engine bay black
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/CA56C58A-F0EA-46E1-A3F2-AE9769910F4A_zpsffaqheyk.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/CA56C58A-F0EA-46E1-A3F2-AE9769910F4A_zpsffaqheyk.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/2228E351-A342-4382-9558-76DC1ABD5FC0_zpsgbms6v56.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/2228E351-A342-4382-9558-76DC1ABD5FC0_zpsgbms6v56.jpg.html)

Had to take the classic moron in the engine bay pic

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/92604365-E395-4C91-BEA5-0C3DC84EC4B1_zpsdmgvxpny.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/92604365-E395-4C91-BEA5-0C3DC84EC4B1_zpsdmgvxpny.jpg.html)

Slapped on the clutch n trans and dropped that sucker in.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/EA32515A-A4E1-431E-B033-19050537CAB6_zpspza1rxpo.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/EA32515A-A4E1-431E-B033-19050537CAB6_zpspza1rxpo.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/403318B2-6820-4C62-960A-6EE3D1BAA8A8_zps7kvuyzsy.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/403318B2-6820-4C62-960A-6EE3D1BAA8A8_zps7kvuyzsy.jpg.html)

Then the 2014 Drift Season started and I was off to Drift Valley9.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/65b565d0-067c-410d-af80-c453bdbd324e_zpsdmwao2q8.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/65b565d0-067c-410d-af80-c453bdbd324e_zpsdmwao2q8.png.html)

My first drift event. I was so nervous I almost puked when I arrived. However, I was welcomed by Nicks dad, Bill Pullin, and he could tell how antsy I was.... he pulled me to the side and told me something I will never forget. "Look Flako, no one comes out the puss knowin how to drift, just go and have fun. Thats the only thing that matters"

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/7067B005-E1EB-4724-AA8C-D444C411B334_zps8njvlv9s.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/7067B005-E1EB-4724-AA8C-D444C411B334_zps8njvlv9s.jpg.html)

I was hooked...

Even though my first event in the KA all I did was spin out, it was so much fun to be able to jst try to get the damn thing side ways. After all, cars are not meant to do that.

Nick helped me out a lot and began giving me pointers on things I should work on and also started giving me tips on my SR that was in my other hatch so I could finish it.

So then I went to another Drift Valley.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/fc542156-ecfc-4170-b134-e6cd3729d58c_zpsgzo8wq9s.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/fc542156-ecfc-4170-b134-e6cd3729d58c_zpsgzo8wq9s.png.html)

And another one...

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/98CCB267-A2F5-48A0-AB7C-5BD98A18D156_zpsgo3f5q5c.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/98CCB267-A2F5-48A0-AB7C-5BD98A18D156_zpsgo3f5q5c.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/408828ED-1B72-437C-AF2B-3436C2886609_zpsjzscksmt.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/408828ED-1B72-437C-AF2B-3436C2886609_zpsjzscksmt.jpg.html)

At this last event the rusty hatch met its demise. I blew the headgasket, cylinder 4 spark plug hole was full of a nasty coolant and oil mix. At this point there was no point in swapping it out since the chasis was super rusted. I decided to part it out and focus all of my attention on the SR hatch.

Adios SWERVE mobile......
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/D77A51E0-532A-4BD2-80A3-41ACFDBEF2AE_zpsozwboech.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/D77A51E0-532A-4BD2-80A3-41ACFDBEF2AE_zpsozwboech.jpg.html)

So now its Fall of 2014. The rusty hatch is gone.

I kept whatever I could use on the new hatch like the coils and Nardi wheel and proceeded to finish up the hatch.

I ordered a version select type x replica bumper. Slapped it on, and drove the car home. Finally.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/9A88426D-E4B4-41BC-823F-91ABB7FD8603_zpsl8nucfa4.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/9A88426D-E4B4-41BC-823F-91ABB7FD8603_zpsl8nucfa4.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/E5335AB9-7476-4110-8337-471E07DA426C_zpsilfaz8wb.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/E5335AB9-7476-4110-8337-471E07DA426C_zpsilfaz8wb.jpg.html)

Maaaaan, that drive home was sketchy... All I kept telling myself was...please dont break, please dont break. I could hear all kinds of noises everywhere and I was just waiting for the thing to blow up on the highway.... but to my surprise, nothing happened. The car was runnin and drivin. I couldn't believe I had put this thing together. Had an emotional "frankenstein is alive" moment when I pulled into my place.

The firs Wolfpack Birthday Bash came around and even though I wasn't able to drive my car. I helped my friend Felix take his caged coupe out and had a blast with all the homies.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/7A3AA1F3-B779-4A8B-A49A-7F4DC9EB59D6_zpsqnc53zqy.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/7A3AA1F3-B779-4A8B-A49A-7F4DC9EB59D6_zpsqnc53zqy.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/11683d56-b103-4451-a8b2-156fbdee4e79_zpsqher49vw.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/11683d56-b103-4451-a8b2-156fbdee4e79_zpsqher49vw.png.html)

So then we hit Winter 2014-2015

and I made a few more purchases....

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/97FDC7EB-35EB-48BE-ACBE-A9ABDE092D43_zpswuw8nvqq.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/97FDC7EB-35EB-48BE-ACBE-A9ABDE092D43_zpswuw8nvqq.jpg.html)

Got some OEM type X side skirts from GTR garage.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/AF553ABF-689A-4988-8A07-9A9AA6B0CCFB_zpsgbehmc4m.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/AF553ABF-689A-4988-8A07-9A9AA6B0CCFB_zpsgbehmc4m.jpg.html)

Got some Tomei Rocker Arm Stoppers and had brendan at Bmore Kreative powdercoat my valve cover

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/AADE5605-CDBA-48D5-8C59-7592BDDD0077_zpsm1qi6acj.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/AADE5605-CDBA-48D5-8C59-7592BDDD0077_zpsm1qi6acj.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/21727405-8090-497D-830B-1A539C66D546_zpsb4hvsdc2.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/21727405-8090-497D-830B-1A539C66D546_zpsb4hvsdc2.jpg.html)

Drove up to Jersey and picked up these puppies...

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/8C3FCA9C-45EB-4B23-AFD9-CA1A1A7CA1ED_zpsqpdtzcks.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/8C3FCA9C-45EB-4B23-AFD9-CA1A1A7CA1ED_zpsqpdtzcks.jpg.html)

Got power steering...wooohooo

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/6B4E083D-0BEF-4D1E-A403-FAD20C0C8602_zpsulrzprhx.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/6B4E083D-0BEF-4D1E-A403-FAD20C0C8602_zpsulrzprhx.jpg.html)

Scored some GP sports G sonic rear valence on Yahoo Auctions

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/9A6E9A79-EEC1-4C19-87A3-2625C0EC7CA5_zps0v29yijm.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/9A6E9A79-EEC1-4C19-87A3-2625C0EC7CA5_zps0v29yijm.jpg.html)

Got the end caps for my side skirts and some tomei goodies

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/78A3B359-D57F-408B-8BEA-CAAF1931E665_zps3kofsavi.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/78A3B359-D57F-408B-8BEA-CAAF1931E665_zps3kofsavi.jpg.html)

Nick had been busy getting his hatch painted over the winter. So I drove out to the first Drift Valley of 2015 to see what the final product was.... and man was it awesome.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/7E4B2169-4800-4F6F-83E8-995F05045519_zpshmxua08t.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/7E4B2169-4800-4F6F-83E8-995F05045519_zpshmxua08t.jpg.html)

This is what I had envisioned my car to look like. White type x. I couldn't stop now.

So I decided to get my shit together for the first Drift Nirvana of 2015. I was finally going to drift my SR20

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/21E60053-F607-40C8-9A35-3536EB0DC5D7_zpsqkemczub.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/21E60053-F607-40C8-9A35-3536EB0DC5D7_zpsqkemczub.jpg.html)

The entire day was going good. I was realizing this was no picnic compared to the KA. A lot more feathering and masaging the throttle....and on my last run on the washington circuit. I pizza'd when I shoulda french fried....and well this happened.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/8F51F4A3-703B-47C9-AF99-8152EEC0AC2C_zpstj5xot0z.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/8F51F4A3-703B-47C9-AF99-8152EEC0AC2C_zpstj5xot0z.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/084D22AF-F174-4454-B95E-C0DAA7EBF61D_zpszq45wsk4.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/084D22AF-F174-4454-B95E-C0DAA7EBF61D_zpszq45wsk4.jpg.html)

My first drift event with the SR and I could barely make it back to the pits.... the intercooler and piping cracked so the car would sputter and barely stay on.... the version select bumper was toast... I remember pulling into the pits after the crash and lowkey seeing people laughing at me and probably thinking "Look at this dude, crashed on his first event, probably never gonna come back out"... At least thats what I had thought. But that just pushed me harder to show everyone.... Its gonna take a lot more to stop Flako from makin moves.

I got it on the trailer and got to Dario's house and immediately started working on it. Dario had a spare intercooler core and we "fixed" the piping and she was back to runnin like a champ that night. Phew, what a relief!

The next day I hopped on the interwebz and found a local selling an OEM type x bumper... So I drove over and scooped it up.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/2377B6FA-EF69-4647-95F3-44DE6F0B2607_zpsesf4adko.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/2377B6FA-EF69-4647-95F3-44DE6F0B2607_zpsesf4adko.jpg.html)

The next Drift Valley was only a few weeks away so I got the bumper on, had my buddy Felix do an alignment and I was off to the track.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/F5C825EF-1DF6-44D8-AF8F-2B3FC4DFECD3_zpsospclg5u.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/F5C825EF-1DF6-44D8-AF8F-2B3FC4DFECD3_zpsospclg5u.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/46CB4E93-4ED0-4633-9146-BFB8E2F86198_zpsg2vmvphx.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/46CB4E93-4ED0-4633-9146-BFB8E2F86198_zpsg2vmvphx.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/A334EEFF-9076-436C-A424-A4FB45647CE1_zpsec78jhnj.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/A334EEFF-9076-436C-A424-A4FB45647CE1_zpsec78jhnj.jpg.html)

Around this time my buddy Dario had purchased a hatch from an old friend and had gotten the drift bug too. So we were also busy trying to get his car finished and get him out there sliding. A lot of weekends were spent working in his backyard trying to make our dreams come true.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/767E48A6-0B6D-4210-88A9-A7848D44D20D_zpsvrq71rbb.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/767E48A6-0B6D-4210-88A9-A7848D44D20D_zpsvrq71rbb.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/C5ECFE77-A817-4EEF-8632-FA39D42968AB_zpsfyirs7as.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/C5ECFE77-A817-4EEF-8632-FA39D42968AB_zpsfyirs7as.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/4B36F52D-071A-4498-AA66-23338F99D19E_zps1tsdniwx.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/4B36F52D-071A-4498-AA66-23338F99D19E_zps1tsdniwx.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/B8AAA56F-35CC-43E5-8E42-22C144962D06_zpshex79gpd.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/B8AAA56F-35CC-43E5-8E42-22C144962D06_zpshex79gpd.jpg.html)

That brings us to the next post...... Shit was about to start getting really real.... HAHAA

wolfpack

05-19-2017, 09:37 AM

Hell yeah Flako!

tougefactory

05-19-2017, 10:01 AM

Keep this going..

JrDarknes

05-19-2017, 11:01 AM

Nice story with the build, can't wait for the next post.

d_nice

05-19-2017, 11:07 AM

looking good man keep it up

Flako

05-19-2017, 11:12 AM

Hell yeah Flako!

Thanks Homie.

Keep this going..

Nice story with the build, can't wait for the next post.

looking good man keep it up

Next post comin tonight. Stay tuned.

xataustin

05-19-2017, 11:35 AM

Radd, keep it coming flaccooo

Sansone

05-19-2017, 02:33 PM

Such a rad set of cars at Low Style.

Flako

05-19-2017, 03:26 PM

Such a rad set of cars at Low Style.

Thanks dude. Likewise...

Flako

05-19-2017, 04:33 PM

Sooooooooooo

Up to this point I was progressing with my driving. I was loosing the fear of chuckin the thing sideways and unleash the throttle on the SR. I wasn't linking the entire course, but I was having a blast. I was spinning out less and less and really getting comfortable.

But to be honest the appearance of the car was bothering me. I hated all the mismatched panels. I'm a firm believer that appearance should be a priority when it comes to drifting. Just as your driving progresses, so should the looks of your car. There is no point in being a badass driver if your car looks like a bag of dingalings... And also there is no point in having a sexy ass car that never gets thrashed around....Its all about balance. Now this is just me, I'm sure there is a whole squadron of people that think otherwise, but that's cool. To each their own.

So with that in mind, I knew the next big thing I had to do was paint.

So I called the body shop that had painted my buddy Darios hatch. Agreed on price and dropped the car off...

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/D85808FF-5ADF-4A84-825B-B74379706624_zpssih53nkj.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/D85808FF-5ADF-4A84-825B-B74379706624_zpssih53nkj.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/3FB6A818-10FF-493B-9E19-07D04F6A295C_zps72hjalz6.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/3FB6A818-10FF-493B-9E19-07D04F6A295C_zps72hjalz6.jpg.html)

I got the call 2 weeks later to pick it up. Dario even got out of work early so I could scoop him up on the way to go see the finished product.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/A818C1E8-6FB5-4543-8F72-2A50CEABF264_zps5dmdcper.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/A818C1E8-6FB5-4543-8F72-2A50CEABF264_zps5dmdcper.jpg.html)

Man, what a difference. It felt like I was picking up a new car. Like it was never my car. I was soooo stoked. My car was no longer ratchet.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/11331BBE-BFCB-47B2-87E9-B1D1C6D1A686_zpsfzmoycou.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/11331BBE-BFCB-47B2-87E9-B1D1C6D1A686_zpsfzmoycou.jpg.html)

So the next Drift Valley was up and I showed up in one color......

No ratchetness here.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/A886F177-140E-4BF7-871A-552B3B59506A_zps3fdmjflz.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/A886F177-140E-4BF7-871A-552B3B59506A_zps3fdmjflz.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/99565346-B653-4AD2-957F-F978CF71D574_zps724biwqd.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/99565346-B653-4AD2-957F-F978CF71D574_zps724biwqd.jpg.html)

Ordered a street faction bash bar to protect the intercooler and also take care of the bumper fitment... I highly recommend their bash bars.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/4237C731-F8B7-4DA6-BBBB-E3A8F1AC6FA3_zpsjyp5aqmz.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/4237C731-F8B7-4DA6-BBBB-E3A8F1AC6FA3_zpsjyp5aqmz.jpg.html)

We had a nasty storm come through after putting on the bash bar and the sky was on fire so I had to take a pic

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/B4D15819-DA07-45A8-AE05-083631984F8B_zpscbmjf2y2.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/B4D15819-DA07-45A8-AE05-083631984F8B_zpscbmjf2y2.jpg.html)

So after this I went on vacation, but before I left I dropped off the rest of the kit to get painted. I came back from vaca and picked up the parts and got them mounted....

DRO approved.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/A826633A-FF33-4879-8C2C-B90F22E568A4_zpsm1pnlskj.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/A826633A-FF33-4879-8C2C-B90F22E568A4_zpsm1pnlskj.jpg.html)

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/4B712EBE-BD32-4F4D-973F-6448D9BB51B3_zpsfovjstzy.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/4B712EBE-BD32-4F4D-973F-6448D9BB51B3_zpsfovjstzy.jpg.html)

So there was one more drift valley coming up I loaded up and went back out to make a move.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/6A5B52FF-E8C5-440C-B4DA-39A0C448A2BD_zps0j06yjzx.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/6A5B52FF-E8C5-440C-B4DA-39A0C448A2BD_zps0j06yjzx.jpg.html)

Had a blast at this event.... I really felt like things were coming along.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/EC2BEBB8-8546-4B42-98B6-929037E959B4_zps8r2lsftg.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/EC2BEBB8-8546-4B42-98B6-929037E959B4_zps8r2lsftg.jpg.html)

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/6F834516-987E-43DC-A051-31B6E6330216_zpsukg3kyyj.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/6F834516-987E-43DC-A051-31B6E6330216_zpsukg3kyyj.jpg.html)

After this event Nick was telling me about the importance of camber up front on a drift car so he went ahead and cooked up some boxed and extended LCA's....

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/9C7E390E-4D87-440A-9DD8-19D9E96E741F_zpsro5ljnma.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/9C7E390E-4D87-440A-9DD8-19D9E96E741F_zpsro5ljnma.jpg.html)

I also noticed, from in car gopro footage, that I needed a bucket seat. I was not comfortable when drifting because I was all over the damn place. If I was gonna take this serious I was gonna need a fixed back seat.

Dario and I saw a pair of BRIDE ZETA II's for sale so we decided to scoop them up.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/48432139-F9A3-45F5-9513-A59C4C4798E0_zpsliovnfxr.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/48432139-F9A3-45F5-9513-A59C4C4798E0_zpsliovnfxr.jpg.html)

The seats were so clean and comfy for being old seats... but they fit the style and era of the car and that's all that made sense.

Ordered a BRIDE FG rail and put the seat in....

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/0CDECCD9-7402-40BF-B10B-E853383F40CB_zpsq4wdx2xb.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/0CDECCD9-7402-40BF-B10B-E853383F40CB_zpsq4wdx2xb.jpg.html)

The last event of the year was coming up... The second WOLFPACK BDAY BASH.

Got the car all cleaned up and ready to go smoke some tires with my homies.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/B529E629-AE2E-46D2-BF80-43B61C0C57A6_zpsjrvwulae.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/B529E629-AE2E-46D2-BF80-43B61C0C57A6_zpsjrvwulae.jpg.html)

We got Darios KA runnin the night before the bash.... and here I learned a valuable lesson....Never rush anything. When u rush things and force em, things end up going wrong...

We headed out to Shenandoah and started to have tons of fun...

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/1E42D371-C2D3-4BEF-88D0-FE44021BC345_zpsd6vmjghq.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/1E42D371-C2D3-4BEF-88D0-FE44021BC345_zpsd6vmjghq.jpg.html)

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/13E8194B-B0A8-4844-8E6D-50CA15D7E31E_zpslzs0nbjs.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/13E8194B-B0A8-4844-8E6D-50CA15D7E31E_zpslzs0nbjs.jpg.html)

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/63786E3B-6F51-4588-9C08-B0654F162457_zps6mnradl4.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/63786E3B-6F51-4588-9C08-B0654F162457_zps6mnradl4.jpg.html)

However, from the car being lowered and the wheels being pushed out a little more from the LCA's I rubbed straight through the body harness under the passenger wheel well. I had relocated the harness under the driver side fender, but I never paid attention to the passenger side.

I ended up shorting out the ecu and frying a few components, including the fuel pump relay and a couple other things....

Dario ended up with a blown KA due to an oil filter relocation malfunction and the filter coming loose and pissing out the oil...

However, none of these things could remove the joy we felt to be out there rippin it with our homies. The day was awesome, Nick and Juan were really doing great and it was fun to just be out there care free and hit whatever line we wanted.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/8E8BC5F7-2856-4876-8085-34D11AE45234_zpsjzcnywyz.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/8E8BC5F7-2856-4876-8085-34D11AE45234_zpsjzcnywyz.jpg.html)

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/904D1DF5-CEB2-4092-975D-944C20B8D31C_zpsxsamoqru.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/904D1DF5-CEB2-4092-975D-944C20B8D31C_zpsxsamoqru.jpg.html)

WHAT AN ENDING TO THE 2015 SEASON.

It was now winter time 2015-2016 and it was time to make some more moves....

After the bash we had to figure out what we were gonna do. Both mine and Darios cars were hurt and needed some lovin...

Dario came and saved the day once again. He had a spare wiring specialties body harness that the previous owner had left in his car....(previous owner had an SR).... so I swapped it out and got another ECU and my car was back to normal....

We pulled out the KA that was in Dario's car and Nick had a spare one laying around. We drove up to the wolfapack shop....or as we call it "THE DEN" and scooped up a fresh KA.

So Dario went to work....he was gonna do this motor right...no rushing. He changed every hose and gasket on this thing and had it lookin like it came out of a surgical procedure. And then began the heart transplant once again....We were getting pretty good at this. His new KA went in, in under 20 minutes.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/67F3180D-6114-41C5-BEA7-0F888A575352_zpsbw9ffpyu.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/67F3180D-6114-41C5-BEA7-0F888A575352_zpsbw9ffpyu.jpg.html)

At this point, I knew my next big project I wanted to tackle was the 5 lug hubs. Which also brought the dilema of wheel choice.

Up to now I had been rockin some cheap xxr's I had on my first car. But if I was gonna go 5 lug I wanted to make sure I stepped my wheel game up....I mean comon. I wasn't gonna have a type X, SR20 car on some XXR'S. Thats like getting invited to a formal diner and u roll up in ur tuxedo, but wearing flip flops....WTF...... Like Bill says "The shoes make the man."

So I started searchin... I already had the chrome KF's...but I was gonna need more spares.

So I picked up some MODEL 5's from GTR Garage.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/F26BBAD0-758A-4648-A6EC-EBD612B001B8_zpsbdwhbzrb.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/F26BBAD0-758A-4648-A6EC-EBD612B001B8_zpsbdwhbzrb.jpg.html)

I had a set of 18 inch NISMO LMGT4'S. I had them powdercoated by BMORE KREATIVE again....I planned to run them but the sizing wasn't all that great for S13 so I ended up selling them.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/BA6C53F9-77FE-4071-9A44-F5A1714B560A_zpsul4wvsf2.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/BA6C53F9-77FE-4071-9A44-F5A1714B560A_zpsul4wvsf2.jpg.html)

BALCONY FURNITURE GAME STRONG....AHAHAH

So I got the 5 lug hubs on and got a set of battles....cuz comon who hasn't...and started getting the car ready for the 2016 season.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/D3E2878B-F1B2-4440-8CE1-EC6F1561E71A_zpsu0fm5cw3.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/D3E2878B-F1B2-4440-8CE1-EC6F1561E71A_zpsu0fm5cw3.jpg.html)

I finally got the elusive type x bumper extensions along with the brackets.... got them painted and had the car looking complete....FINALLY!!!!!!!!

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/5FE41C46-44DF-41E3-8F07-F59938B1D11E_zpsacxxkm07.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/5FE41C46-44DF-41E3-8F07-F59938B1D11E_zpsacxxkm07.jpg.html)

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO That brings us to the next post.... The 2016 Drift season.....

Flako

05-19-2017, 08:39 PM

The 2016 Drift Season was upon us.

The first Drift Valley event of the year....It felt so good to be heading back to Shenandoah Speedway. The cars were feeling solid and we were ready to shake the cobwebs off.

When we arrived, we all parked our trailers like we normally do and after saying our greetings.... We realized something... The whole team aspect was in our grasp.

Up to now we all had been hanging out a lot at every Drift Valley. Nick, Juan, Dario and I had all been drifting together for a season or two... but now when we unloaded our cars we knew this was gonna be the beginning of a great ride.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/926D3451-A705-42E7-8B31-285F93A3F62A_zpsgumxq00o.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/926D3451-A705-42E7-8B31-285F93A3F62A_zpsgumxq00o.jpg.html)

No one in the area had done this before.... a group of friends sharing the same idea, the same goal, and actually put it in a physical form with matching cars. Seeing them all the same color really made it feel special and unique.

WOLFPACK DRIFT CLUB was in full effect.

Leaving the tech line all in a PACK had us hype and we proceeded to start cookin the tires.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/1E367A34-B206-4BFB-83EF-92AB97317333_zpsk5ypw4k2.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/1E367A34-B206-4BFB-83EF-92AB97317333_zpsk5ypw4k2.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/31123DB4-E8C3-4619-9B52-455A2CC425A3_zps4s8ylxad.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/31123DB4-E8C3-4619-9B52-455A2CC425A3_zps4s8ylxad.jpg.html)
Photos courtesy of Daniel Kiser

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/64881FC1-AD74-4342-BE45-5EF8D92C88CB_zpsbj3zci0j.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/64881FC1-AD74-4342-BE45-5EF8D92C88CB_zpsbj3zci0j.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/8FCAB04B-2D3D-4EDE-973E-64E388FFDE9E_zpsokvirfpk.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/8FCAB04B-2D3D-4EDE-973E-64E388FFDE9E_zpsokvirfpk.jpg.html)
Photos courtesy of Nick Green from ADMedia

Our friend Marc Pitts took some dope shots as well.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/3375D108-3AD9-4F75-9410-FFCE9C2CE313_zpsurh4g2xd.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/3375D108-3AD9-4F75-9410-FFCE9C2CE313_zpsurh4g2xd.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/5AAB9AA8-3926-4B2A-B125-B863C3659188_zpsflwhkng5.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/5AAB9AA8-3926-4B2A-B125-B863C3659188_zpsflwhkng5.jpg.html)

The event was awesome....The car felt amazing.... The memories of our first event as a team will last forever. We then packed up and headed home.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/811DE881-A0CB-4FB2-9A8B-24483AB46431_zps2f0lpyvr.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/811DE881-A0CB-4FB2-9A8B-24483AB46431_zps2f0lpyvr.jpg.html)

After the event I had a thorn in my side.... I was having fun, but for some odd reason, my transitions were always sketchy. Sometimes the car would transition smoothly, other times it would straighten out, or it would spin out violently... At this point I felt like I knew how to chuck the car sideways and keep it that way. But as soon as I would go to transition to the next corner it was a russian roulette.

This bothered me and I spoke to the guys about it. Nick dug up some footage of the event, and upon inspection we realized that my diff would sometimes lock and sometimes wouldn't. I had a VLSD in the car and we came to the conclusion that...that was the culprit....STUPID VLSD....don't get one if u want to drift.....

So I made my way to the Den and after some pictures and some quarter pounders from Mickey D's we swapped out the diff for an old trusty stock S13 diff. Nick welded the center section and Juan and I put it back in the car.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/49C6232E-9247-429D-9F1C-174D6FB16418_zpsavvqyxvy.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/49C6232E-9247-429D-9F1C-174D6FB16418_zpsavvqyxvy.jpg.html)

We had to get ready for the next event at Shenandoah....Swing Set Matsuri....

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/E5F84D45-8410-4D13-830F-294C7F073898_zpsx3bxmkoh.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/E5F84D45-8410-4D13-830F-294C7F073898_zpsx3bxmkoh.jpg.html)

It was my first Matsuri ever....drifting till 10 pm. I couldn't wait to see how the car was gonna act with the welded....I mean, was it really gonna make a huge difference????

Well..........

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/42B37284-A1AD-4180-B871-368C5EB8B792_zpsuti5ie3d.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/42B37284-A1AD-4180-B871-368C5EB8B792_zpsuti5ie3d.jpg.html)

HOLY CRAP!!! Weird transitions were a thing of the past.... I started linking the entire course by mid day and only spinning out a few times. I was actually makin some smoke!!!! Whooohooo!!!

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/82345D9D-2BE6-4D67-BE9C-8AB879D499A3_zpsopbsvan4.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/82345D9D-2BE6-4D67-BE9C-8AB879D499A3_zpsopbsvan4.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/17C3383C-C792-4877-9A82-562C2CC6800D_zpsdkkhx5rz.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/17C3383C-C792-4877-9A82-562C2CC6800D_zpsdkkhx5rz.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/E7D51480-926D-4324-B9CD-904A22042CF2_zpssvtmvd5v.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/E7D51480-926D-4324-B9CD-904A22042CF2_zpssvtmvd5v.jpg.html)

I was having so much fun. I had smoked like 2 sets of tires and when I went to change my tires... Juan approached me and said "dude ur killin it, wanna tandem?". I didn't know what to say... I had planned to tandem until the end of the season. Here we are second event and Juan is egging me on to tandem.... So I said F*ck it lets go...

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/55193178-CF28-46F3-8E45-9434D0C22BD9_zpszqsvlfc6.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/55193178-CF28-46F3-8E45-9434D0C22BD9_zpszqsvlfc6.jpg.html)
Photo Courtesy of Bill Pullin

MAN WHAT A RUSH... by the end of the night we were linking the course together as a team. Tandem was a whole 'nother animal. It was crazy to be sideways and trying to keep your line, all while the other 2 cars in front of you are doin the same thing.

My first Matsuri was a success... at this point I was way ahead of my own personal goals so I had to keep the steam rollin.

Since the Matsuri events go into the darkness of night I decided to add some rice to the car.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/2740C547-1453-42DC-B17C-4D84A01963DB_zps6mg5hp0p.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/2740C547-1453-42DC-B17C-4D84A01963DB_zps6mg5hp0p.jpg.html)

I also dyed the stock passenger seat to match the Zeta.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/F46DC64E-24DE-4A84-8E2F-375955E87CB5_zpsgdaspww1.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/F46DC64E-24DE-4A84-8E2F-375955E87CB5_zpsgdaspww1.jpg.html)

Got an oil catch can and decided to move some things around in the bay.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DB89F6C9-0A39-42D6-AEF6-0A52408001DC_zpsiix21dmx.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DB89F6C9-0A39-42D6-AEF6-0A52408001DC_zpsiix21dmx.jpg.html)

Up next was Drift Valley/US Drift event.

The only thing different between my car and Nick n Juan's was the black roof... So I made an appt with Driven Motorsports and got the roof wrapped.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/EDB2398E-CBC5-44A8-9A66-C9A2344EE37E_zpsoncvdfar.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/EDB2398E-CBC5-44A8-9A66-C9A2344EE37E_zpsoncvdfar.jpg.html)

Now we talkin....

Dario and I got all ready and proceeded to hit the road.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/7C95CAF0-313D-4C0A-8D2C-F1BB639CD3EF_zpslous9pkb.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/7C95CAF0-313D-4C0A-8D2C-F1BB639CD3EF_zpslous9pkb.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_1021_zpsfrvjssx5.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_1021_zpsfrvjssx5.jpg.html)

Our good friend and team mate Paul was in town from AZ so the whole team was gonna be sliding together.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_1034_zpstil8wp9f.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_1034_zpstil8wp9f.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_1174_zps6vtznfuu.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_1174_zps6vtznfuu.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/F3489A0A-8D6B-4C7C-89FE-C7A7E5B544F8_zpstkbia8ts.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/F3489A0A-8D6B-4C7C-89FE-C7A7E5B544F8_zpstkbia8ts.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/A26876F1-32A2-494A-A27C-7EC6CA7636A0_zpse8k3o5f2.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/A26876F1-32A2-494A-A27C-7EC6CA7636A0_zpse8k3o5f2.jpg.html)

Paul took some sweet shots as well....

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/IMG_7937_zpsv9slin6i.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/IMG_7937_zpsv9slin6i.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/IMG_7942_zps5nb9tmft.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/IMG_7942_zps5nb9tmft.jpg.html)

Nick did an awesome job, smoked every tire he brought. It was great to help him and cheer him on as a team.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/IMG_7949_zpsxl0yj3y2.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/IMG_7949_zpsxl0yj3y2.jpg.html)

We packed it up and went home. We had planned to get together at the Den the next day since Paul was back in town and he was going to head back to AZ.

So we drove the cars out to the Den and had a great time.... Perfect way to say goodbye to Paul and end the gnarly weekend.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/IMG_6188_zpsrmqf0yon.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/IMG_6188_zpsrmqf0yon.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/D6FCB006-7282-4963-9489-4CA563963891_zps2e91nomo.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/D6FCB006-7282-4963-9489-4CA563963891_zps2e91nomo.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/BAC687B8-AD35-4A5D-995D-32D0BA7C9CB4_zps7wiyd23c.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/BAC687B8-AD35-4A5D-995D-32D0BA7C9CB4_zps7wiyd23c.jpg.html)

Dario's son Adam approves of the 'Pack.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/730A9417-4315-4ADB-A090-97E850382978_zpsyvzex77p.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/730A9417-4315-4ADB-A090-97E850382978_zpsyvzex77p.jpg.html)

After the US Drift event my car developed a weird sputtering issue. I swapped out a few sensors that I thought were going bad, but had no luck...

I went to the Den to see what we could figure out, maybe try a different maf or adjust the tps....

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/Photo%20Jun%2009%202%2002%2023%20AM_zpszuykkay1.jp g (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/Photo%20Jun%2009%202%2002%2023%20AM_zpszuykkay1.jp g.html)

But before we did that I gave Juan a ride to pick up some parts from another local. Upon arrival, we started talkin with the guy and he told me about how he had an SR that had a similar issue. He told me it was a bad 02 sensor and that when he unplugged it, it went away....so I unplugged mine just to see if it had gone bad...........and VOILA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO MORE SPUTTERING. It's funny how the universe works sometimes....things happen for a reason.

After that weekend, a local put up for sale a pair of work Kiwami's in GT silver. So I made the trek down to VA beach and picked them up.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/1EC49EDA-FA2A-4557-9D7F-91BE14C77E8B_zpsjgrnrodj.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/1EC49EDA-FA2A-4557-9D7F-91BE14C77E8B_zpsjgrnrodj.jpg.html)

Also rattle canned my battles.....LOL.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/9C93B299-04FB-484B-9D3E-3F6DFE9114F3_zpsz2ytcwcq.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/9C93B299-04FB-484B-9D3E-3F6DFE9114F3_zpsz2ytcwcq.jpg.html)

So we loaded up once more and headed back out to Action Matsuri.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/32951458-A5B0-4E04-BEFB-490E2AF6B4BE_zpsgkrk5hcx.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/32951458-A5B0-4E04-BEFB-490E2AF6B4BE_zpsgkrk5hcx.jpg.html)
Photo courtesy of Brody Thomas

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/D689BA33-23D5-4CB8-8870-598D4D1C1A36_zpsjzjhox7r.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/D689BA33-23D5-4CB8-8870-598D4D1C1A36_zpsjzjhox7r.jpg.html)

Droooo was hype, his car was also lookin good.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/D8BC7C5B-5380-4766-A081-B740119FEC7E_zps7sjfekjr.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/D8BC7C5B-5380-4766-A081-B740119FEC7E_zps7sjfekjr.jpg.html)

We kept progressing as a team....

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/14057ED7-FD55-4700-ADF5-94C732D8D307_zpscvqgf90q.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/14057ED7-FD55-4700-ADF5-94C732D8D307_zpscvqgf90q.jpg.html)

After this event, we decided to help out the SR and swap out my ring n pinion for a more aggresive ratio.

So we met up at the Den and had one of the craziest nights at the shop. We didn't make it home till the sun came up.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/6E3A081D-E571-41CC-8267-50AAD0F183BC_zpsopnpyb8t.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/6E3A081D-E571-41CC-8267-50AAD0F183BC_zpsopnpyb8t.jpg.html)

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_0488_zpspbme6ybt.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_0488_zpspbme6ybt.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_0493_zpseavybvxu.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_0493_zpseavybvxu.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/DSC_0408_zps0azutt0d.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/DSC_0408_zps0azutt0d.jpg.html)
Photos courtesy of Juan Camargo

Then we went to Shenandoah for a private event. This day was Epic and one for the ages.... At this event I felt like I was no longer in the learning stage, I had made huge progress and I felt like I knew what I was doing. I was simply working on expanding my skills...

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/14124964_329596604051175_7379902946443264250_o_zps xybj51ka.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/14124964_329596604051175_7379902946443264250_o_zps xybj51ka.png.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/14124258_329597320717770_4854807119179643663_o_zps gektwejn.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/14124258_329597320717770_4854807119179643663_o_zps gektwejn.png.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/14102956_329597304051105_7554124678513466684_o_zps spqmju93.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/14102956_329597304051105_7554124678513466684_o_zps spqmju93.png.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/14138865_342253669461921_3681269935105282626_o_zps ppi72fic.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/14138865_342253669461921_3681269935105282626_o_zps ppi72fic.png.html)
Photos Courtesy of Big Bill

We went to one more Matsuri event in September and had some more fun. The runs were getting more and more exciting and we were really becoming comfortable with each others driving abilities.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/14352232_337346903276145_2976307799497341835_o_zps ayxhv4wd.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/14352232_337346903276145_2976307799497341835_o_zps ayxhv4wd.png.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/14310387_337346399942862_6847899032500699856_o_zps nkkx1njn.png (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/14310387_337346399942862_6847899032500699856_o_zps nkkx1njn.png.html)

After this event I went on Vacation and while I was away Nick and the guys decided to make me a set of Knuckles....

I COULDNT BELIEVE IT.... I WAS SO EXCITED. I had to get them on the car asap.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/AA058C5B-A17A-44C6-B018-BA12ED247B98_zpssnpqdo2v.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/AA058C5B-A17A-44C6-B018-BA12ED247B98_zpssnpqdo2v.jpg.html)

Flako

05-19-2017, 09:15 PM

However, I had no time to put on the knuckles, the last Drift Valley event ever was around the corner, and we weren't going to miss it. These events were special to us, we had all come together because of them. So we had to show our support and line up the wolves for one more event with the Drift Valley crew. Even Paul made it back out from AZ for it. Woohooo!

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/AB355BBA-42D4-4096-BB98-32FD1B963931_zpsippiyzrb.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/AB355BBA-42D4-4096-BB98-32FD1B963931_zpsippiyzrb.jpg.html)
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/7226B901-542A-48FE-B6F1-4A0C06187FF1_zps13y3ra2d.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/7226B901-542A-48FE-B6F1-4A0C06187FF1_zps13y3ra2d.jpg.html)
Photo courtesy of Elliot Golden

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/F6210CA5-00D0-4F85-B132-8409D4A6AAC9_zpsjsnxao8e.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/F6210CA5-00D0-4F85-B132-8409D4A6AAC9_zpsjsnxao8e.jpg.html)
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Gray

It was a wet and wild event but it was awesome...

After this event I decided to head back to the Den and get the knuckles on the car.

The whole crew came out to make moves.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/A0264718-154F-45A5-82E0-539D3D55EF59_zpsunnkiab6.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/A0264718-154F-45A5-82E0-539D3D55EF59_zpsunnkiab6.jpg.html)

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/E9622E29-B454-4981-B1E7-D50DC9B77738_zpsvriu8ke2.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/E9622E29-B454-4981-B1E7-D50DC9B77738_zpsvriu8ke2.jpg.html)

We also got matching banners on the cars....these are so cooooool.

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/159DE794-ACAF-4273-9C84-2C2776E4CF57_zpsn1syjjk8.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/159DE794-ACAF-4273-9C84-2C2776E4CF57_zpsn1syjjk8.jpg.html)

So we got the cars ready for one last event of the season. One last hoorah....
The 3rd WOLFPACK DRIFT CLUB BASH.

We got there early and made it one of the best bashes so far...

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/A777B41C-45F9-4328-9151-C9F489F066DD_zpsgegciieq.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/A777B41C-45F9-4328-9151-C9F489F066DD_zpsgegciieq.jpg.html)

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/F53F76FD-9C65-4BC5-98B9-41733F47D944_zpsejqbdgem.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/F53F76FD-9C65-4BC5-98B9-41733F47D944_zpsejqbdgem.jpg.html)

The Wolfpack knuckles were awesome. The car felt amazing. The added angle was super cool...

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/7B6647F6-9F7B-401F-9E97-15DBABB4F818_zps9dqw27hd.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/7B6647F6-9F7B-401F-9E97-15DBABB4F818_zps9dqw27hd.jpg.html)

We all brought every tire and wheel combo we had and I think we roasted every single tire that was on site....

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/erickflako/1B77538E-3E9C-40EF-A155-211A348CE720_zps3ljqps1g.jpg (http://s571.photobucket.com/user/erickflako/media/1B77538E-3E9C-40EF-A155-211A348CE720_zps3ljqps1g.jpg.html)

Up to this point we had been roasting tires for 8 events. We didn't miss a beat. We were at every event held at Shenandoah that year. We kept the cars simple but reliable. If something needed to be done or fixed we jumped on it together as a team. This year marked a new chapter in our lives. We pushed each other and the results were highly rewarding. But the best part of it all, and the most important part at that, was that we were having fun. After all that's what its all about. What a great way to end the season... WOLFPACK!!!

Now it was winter time 2016-2017, and you know what that means. Time to make winter moves.... and boy did we make a move. The winter's project to get us ready for the 2017 season was going to be HUGEEEE!!!!

Stay tuned...

KAT-PWR

05-19-2017, 09:26 PM

The whole pack ain't follow me back on insta :-/

MightyMouse13

05-19-2017, 09:55 PM

The whole pack ain't follow me back on insta :-/

Guess that makes you a

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170520/838de4d314384483ea77bd50e3dea0d7.jpg

But anyway, fun thread. Sub'd

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reece

05-20-2017, 09:51 AM

Love it. Can't wait for more.

relaxamigo

05-21-2017, 08:15 AM

Awesome post flako! There were a few things in here I never knew about your car!