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Further bringing the dollar (Yen) amount up of this build is the addition of a Toyota J160, close-gear, 6-speed transmission (say that fast 3 times); often found in an Altezza. Power is then transferred through an ATS standard metal differential, instead of the typical Deftforce given that Habuchi (& Impulse) is more of a touge/road-racer.
Ashimawari, is literally translated into “around the foot” and refers to suspension related components. Struts/Shocks are Endless-Zeal based bodies with Impulse-Trace proprietary elements. Springs are of a 14kg front and 5.3kg rear, X-Coil-R variety. Front and rear TRD sway bars, and Cusco strut bars help keep the car stiff and planted. Speaking of stiff and planted, it’s hard to talk about suspension and exclude the chassis. Tajima does full body and spot weld restorations. The undercarriage is so clean that after a simple wipe of a towel I wouldn’t hesitate to eat off the up-side-down car. Lastly, I’ve seen alignments done on a floor with fishing string, but Tajima’s method involves putting the car on four identical sturdy tool carts is a first.
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| 15×8 Volk TE37Vs nicely fame the Endless racing 4 pot calipers and large 278 mm Impulse rotors. |
A glance at the exterior displays us a set of four eight-inch wide, fifteen inch TE37Vs. Each wrapped in 195/50-15 Advan Neova tires. Behind the spokes lies a pair of Endless Racing 4 pots with an Impulse 278 mm rotor. The rears sport stock calipers, but do so on an Impulse original 258 mm discs and brackets. Carbon bits include a Techno Pro Spirits Hood, Impulse original trunk and spoiler, mirrors. CBY provided the side skirts and Good Line-the replica bumpers.
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The cockpit is clean, simple, and amazingly intact for a twenty-six-year old car, but Tajima seems to know all the right people that make reproduction parts. Driver and passenger both sit on Recaro RS-G seats, piloted by a Momo steering wheel. Vital engine data is packed into a Defi DSSC display.
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| Levin: A sneak peak for the next Impulse feature (left). In the background, a Levin about to be set on tool carts for alignment. |
Like I said, they’re anal… in a good way. When asked about his tuning philosophy about this car versus his all-out N2 racing car (in a later feature), Tajima’s goal on this street-car was to build balance into the car. In essence what he wants to do is to match the driver’s abilities to the car he builds. Habuchi wanted this car built equally for a date night with his favorite girl, a spirited drive through mountain roads, or a weekend track day. The relationships between builder and driver are strong in Japan, something rarely seen in DIY ethos America. We think Tajima has built Habuchi an ideal ride.
Also, please look to our media partner GT Channel for accompanying video, in the near future.
