Previously, I had Powerbrake disks with street pads, and unfortunately pretty much killed them on the track. I’ve fitted a brand new set of Powerbrake front disks, as well as Endless CC-Rg pads and replaced the brake fluid with Endless RF-650 brake fluid.

As the pads are primarily meant for track use, they squeal like hell under light braking on the street, but that’s something I’m happy to live with, though I’m not sure the neighbours would agree when I come and go at night. Even though they’re not completely bedded in yet, they stop like nothing on earth.

Cannot wait to try the ‘zorst and brakes out at a proper track day next month (and also see how my ECU tune does)!

Apparently after writing multiple fairly large business-critical Java applications and services for the past few years, this certification means I now know how to write Java code so I should be able to make some fairly large business-critical applications and services. Yay!

A highlight was a pair of Integras out on the track, although I’m proud to say my ‘lil Type R was quite capable of outperforming them all day .

Grabbed a bunch of shots of the action.

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It’s a Toda Racing 4-2-1 Exhaust Manifold . I mention they’re building one, because to actually import one of these can cost in excess of R15 000, so they have created their own version, based on this Toda. They’ve also developed their own exhaust system for the Type R which they’re installing to replace my apparently awful sounding RGMotorsport system .

Average gains on other Type Rs have been around 15% kW a the wheels, although apparently I can’t expect much torque as I’m already making about 210Nm on their dyno. Will have to wait for the final results later today.

Also, after about 6 months of dragging my heels on the issue, I’ve finally got my Hondata FlashPro unit. This will help tune the ECU to make maximum use of the exhaust, and with sufficient tuning, should result in a significant improvement to mid-range power.

Also, WordPress is upgraded to version 3

Anyway, I spend more time mucking around with my car these days and attending various events and track days than doing anything this blog has usually been about . I thought I might as well start posting about how that stuff is going to fill some space and perhaps inspire me to write more stuff here, if only for myself.

To start with, here’s a gallery of images from a Honda Racing Club breakfast run, held in March. All manner of Honda vehicles were in attendance, our convoy from Northgate to Auto Cradle Estate was around 70 vehicles long, comprised of Civics, Accords, Ballades, S2000s, Type Rs, Jazzes, even the odd Integra. Fun was had by all

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Out of Eve has been fully updated to Quantum Rise spec, the promised journal feeds, API key security, and a number of other tweaks. OutofEve.com has been updated to the latest available version, and the source is available for download.

Please leave any feedback in the comments of this post. I’ll set up a proper OOE page on this site at some point, with download links and more detailed information.

I’ve wanted something to make browsing through largish JSON objects a bit easier for work for a long while now, and suddenly got the idea that 01:00 on Saturday morning would be a good time to create such an application.

The result is the rather simple but effective JSON Explorer.

Obviously first order of business is Empyrean Age compatibility. A number of table and field names have changed and require some code updates. Lots of icons have been added and updated, so I would also like to make use of those. Unfortunately a number of images are actually missing in the EA icon dump (drones, rookie ships), so a simple drop-in replacement doesn’t works so well.

Another essential requirement, which should probably have been included in the original release, is encrypted API keys. My plan is to simply encrypt and decrypt these with a simple key file stored elsewhere in the filesystem – away from the usual configuration file, database and published www documents, so if any of that is compromised, without the key file, the API keys are useless to anyone snooping them. This also requires a method to automatically update existing unencrypted API keys.

Another handy feature would be the introduction of Atom feeds for market and journal transactions. My initial idea was an entry for each new transaction, however anyone doing a lot of trading would find their feed reader overloaded quite quickly. The obviously better solution is to just generate entries with all transactions since the last feed poll (taking into account API caching delays as well). I know I’d find this one particularly useful.

Actually that’s all . If all goes well, it should be releasable by the end of the weekend.

Everything’s happily upgraded to the latest WordPress version, complete with reCAPTCHA spam protection.

I’ll begin updating things more frequently now, starting with some continuing development of my most recent project, Out of Eve.

Since there are certain people about how hosting a website on unreliable home ADSL is a generally bad idea, I’ve decided to move it to a more stable, permanent home on my little Linode.

Also, since my last post, a number of things have happened in my life in general. Firstly, I bought a really leet car. A brand spanking new Honda Civic hatch. It’s probably the single most awesome thing I’ve ever owned, and I love it to death .

Shortly after that, mother and I decided to club in together and buy a town house. We’ve only ever rented places before, so the whole buying thing was a bit new, but it pretty much sorts itself out after 3459094 different companies and institutions shove 459345 different documents in front of you to sign.

The place is in a nice small complex in a quiet corner of Ruimsig, on the very western edges of Roodepoort. Very nice little house, nice big garden (sometimes it’s very relaxing to feel real grass under bare feet ).

Anyway, work’s been keeping me pretty busy, so I haven’t had a lot of quality time with either of the above new things… Really need to take some leave I think…