Automotive culture is largely driven through the Internet. Technologies have taken over and anybody who isn’t seemingly “connected” could be considered almost as an outcast. Each day, there seems to become a new tuner-related website or blog appearing, recycling the identical automotive content you’ve seen on a similar site the day before along with the almighty “online feature” is one of the pinnacle that each enthusiast strives to attain. “We”, collectively, are becoming incredibly over-saturated and overwhelmed by cheap thrills, even cheaper trends and flooded with replicated parts. Quantity has consumed function and quality pushed aside rather than form. The tuning culture that our elders fought so desperately to build for all of us-is dying.
There are actually those who have fought very hard to keep tradition alive, however. These select few are the enthusiasts who have always held true to a more classic way of tuning and refuse to take shortcuts in favor of Internet fame. Japan is still seen as a source for inspiration along with their influence continues to be seen in the parts that they acquire, no matter the cost or wait time. They are unwavering with their ideas and do not bend their beliefs to aid companies that deliver counterfeit products to our community. Jay Bryan, or known by the Internet enthusiasts simply as “dropjay”, is one of these defenders from the old guard. If you have ever heard of “JDMEGO”, then you’ve probably encountered the name of someone or some website that has stolen or copied another site that has stolen/copied the authentic, original JDMEGO. The OG JDMEGO, was created by Jay Bryan years ago, back before blogging was very popular and in the period when the JDM acronym actually meant something. It was a little bit website that used to contain random and cool images of Japanese automotive builds, toys, and whatever Jay was taking care of at that particular moment. JDMEGO was one of the primary, true private tuner blogs. There was no funding besides out of Jay’s own pockets and as such, it also served as being a medium for Jay to show his ideas and displeasures about the tuner community. He doesn’t dedicate considerable time into providing constant updates anymore, though jDMEGO remains to be around even amongst the wild influx of car blogging the last few years. Why? Well, probably because he despises the current state of things. Every occasionally, he may also take the site offline completely and disappear for months, only to reappear at hisdiscuss a life he feels is utterly mundane. We, on the other hand, feel that now is pretty much as good a time as any to shed some light on this polarizing figure. Some love him, some hate on what he needs to say, but some if not all, simply don’t understand him. Individuals who have supported him through the years have probably never even seen him or know his face. He’s a bit of an enigma. You might know him more for his words than that is really is.
In reality, Jay is kind of a weirdo-and he will be the first to tell you that. His face is unknown to the present generation of enthusiasts because he’s a bit of a hermit and doesn’t ever step out. He spends much of his days playing video games, collecting rare Japanese toys and walking his dogs. He’s is also a remarkably talented graphic artist and contains a long-timeKaren and girlfriend, who seems to be as a good deal of car head as he is. They met at a car meet and this Evo MR that you see on these pages also once belonged to her. Back in the mid-2000s when it was in her possession, it was considerably more active in the community and was a MULTIPLE-time car show winner. It was probably the most dominant award-winning Mitsubishi of that particular period if anything. Jay has since transformed it in his own vision, but this car’s reputation precedes that from both Jay’s and every Evo-owning friend which you have. The most important feature of his personality that you ought to immediately come to understand is the fact he (excuse our French) just will not give a flying F*@k about most situations. Don’t let his indifference indicate anything about his character needless to say; he’s actually a very kind-hearted guy. Jay has just visit realize who and what he cares about and is unwavering in his beliefs, as we all should be.
With regards to his passion for cars, he’s been especially adamant as to what he stands by. “JDM” utilized to mean something much more, as stated previously. Not just did it represent goods specifically from the Japanese Domestic Market, it also stood for quality, rareness, and most of all, authenticity. He wants nothing concerning counterfeit/knock-off/fake parts because he feels that it ruins our industry and he’s never been afraid to voice his opinion. You will never find such parts in any of his builds, whether it be the Subaru WRX wagon he built during the early 2000s, the Evolution that followed, and definitely not inside the BNR34 he had at one point. It offers and will be a goal of his to guard authenticity. Every car which he has ever touched represents that principle. The backlash from his detractors has been fervent, but as you will see from this build, he has pressed forward within his mission.
2006 mitsubishi lancer evolution IX MR ADVAN racing RS D endless brakes
2006 mitsubishi lancer evolution IX MR HKS exhaust
2006 mitsubishi lancer evolution IX MR carbon fiber rear trunk and spoiler
After Karen retired the Evo from the competitive Southern California show circuit, and Jay had his R34 Skyline unceremoniously removed from him, they decided it that it was a good time to give the Mitsubishi a revamping. The two had teamed-up to make a collection of a few of the finest (and rarest) Japanese aftermarket upgrades ever produced for the chassis but Jay was itching to get some newer, more up-to-date components so a refresh was an appropriate plan. Today in 2013, Voltex aero is practically commonplace within the Mitsu-community but 7 yrs ago when both of these first started using Voltex gear, it absolutely was only a wish-list item for others here in the States. Low-grade Voltex copies are even popping-up inside our market now, allowing every Evo owner to achieve the look that took Jay years to save up for to acquire his complete Voltex kit! To further differentiate this Evo from the copycats, Jay sourced an authentic C-West carbon hood, Varis carbon trunk and rare Ganador side mirrors. The details are what are vital that you Jay so you’ll find other rare JDM goods like Ralliart wipers and carbon door trim from Japanese tuning shop, Colt Speed.
In the midst of his alterations, something catastrophic occurred-the 4G63 blew-up. He proceeded to utter every obscenity that ever existed, and even created some of their own, before ultimately deciding to choose a brand new long block. Though it was going to take a ton of time and money to obtain the car going again, he saw it as a an opportunity to find some good more reliable power away from his Evo IX. The vehicle was towed to Road Race Engineering where he entrusted them the task of pulling the dead motor out and installing the brand new 4G63 MIVEC block. RRE would then stroke the motor to your stout 2.3 liters utilizing a Manley crank and Wiseco pistons/rings. Boost would also see drastic improvement from a CBRD BBK turbine. The unit uses the stock Evo IX turbo housing with upgraded internals that also allows for it to mount correctly to his existing Tomei manifold. RRE removed the intake piping to make their own as a result of altered positioning from the new HKS Kansai intake manifold, even though the engine bay plays host with an ARC intercooler and signature Super Induction Box.assigned to just engine-swapping duties. During the months that the Evolution was at their shop, Jay also purchased a set of 42-way adjustable Ohlins coilovers. The automobile had ridden on HKS Hipermax RS over the years and was requiring a stiff upgrade. Mounted to the hubs of the all-wheel drive RS were brakes from Endless Racing Japan and over them a set of black 18-inch Advan RS-D. He jokes that he’s sorry that his car isn’t “stance-blog friendly” but does indicate that it is corner-balanced and floating high for function. In the cockpit is more Japanese goodness that he’s accumulated over time. Some are more traditional mods like the Bride Vorgas seats with matching custom-wrapped Bride rear seats and panels, whereas other people are recent additions like the less-commonly procured Prodrive steering wheel/safety harness combo.
We might spend days just informing you how many rare items Jay has amassed over the last decade but it still wouldn’t do that Evo IX MR any justice. Like the owner(s), the car has a incredibly rich history and will be invaluable to the fellow enthusiasts that had a chance to see it personally. You’d be lucky to have the prospect of seeing it nowadays since it rarely sees an event of any sort. Jay will remove it for a cruise to run errands but which is only just for giving the motor a quick jog round the block. Besides that, it takes in the life of a recluse like its owner. The times of the import scene may have changed, but the old hermit dog walker never will. He’s slowly been hoarding rare Japanese parts for his newest J-inspired project, a Scion FR-S-but you’ll probably never see that thing either.