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Clemens Zangl

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    • Nissan Sunny B12 Rz1 Digital Cluster

4A-GE Cold Idle Speed Adjustment

2025-07-272025-10-04 Clemens Zangl

Like many others, the idle of my AE86 was too high, even when fully warmed up. The engine would idle at slightly above 1000rpm. This wasn’t too bad, but I wanted to fix it. Some countries also test the idle Read More

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4A-GE Engine Failure After 60km Due To Stuck Valve

2025-04-262025-10-04 Clemens Zangl

After my Levin finally passed inspection, and the issue with the leaking clutch was fixed, a friend an I went on a drive to Yokosuka, to eat some American burritos and enjoy the seaside. The 86 ran well, and we Read More

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How to Restore the AE86 Levin Zenki Headlights

2025-03-082025-04-26 Clemens Zangl

The headlights on my Levin were in terrible condition. The adjustment screws didn’t work, the lights were not aligned, and the light yield was terrible. I decided to rebuild them. The headlight removed from the car, and superficially cleaned. My Read More

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Replacement Gaskets for a Toyota AE86 Fujitsubo Legalis R Exhaust

2025-03-082025-03-08 Clemens Zangl

Recently, I had to remove the Fujitsubo Legalis R catback exhaust from my AE86, and renew the gaskets. The original gaskets from Fujitsubo are hard to find, so I searched for suitable replacements. It took me some time to find Read More

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My AE86 in Japan (3): A Long Way Home

2024-12-15 Clemens Zangl

I bought a rusty AE86 unseen of yahoo auctions. The car had been sitting for over eight years, has rust, faded paint, and an expired vehicle inspection. I plan to restore this car as my weekend car. My Japanese is Read More

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Pictures of the GM EV1 and Impact

2024-12-15 Clemens Zangl

Last week, I visited the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. I am a huge fan of the GM EV1 electric car pioneer, and I wanted to see one of the few surviving examples. The Petersen Automotive Museum has both Read More

Posted in CarsTagged EV Pioneer, GM EV1, GM ImpactLeave a Comment on Pictures of the GM EV1 and Impact

My AE86 in Japan (2): Desperately Needed Maintenance

2024-11-082024-11-19 Clemens Zangl

I bought a rusty AE86 unseen of yahoo auctions. The car had been sitting for over eight years, has rust, faded paint, and an expired vehicle inspection. I plan to restore this car as my weekend car. My Japanese is Read More

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My AE86 in Japan (1): Buying A Car Unseen of Yahoo Auctions

2024-11-052024-11-19 Clemens Zangl

I bought an AE86 shitbox off Yahoo Auctions in Japan, and plan to bring it home.

Posted in Cars, Corolla AE86, JapanTagged Japan, Levin, Shitbox in Japan, Yahoo AuctionLeave a Comment on My AE86 in Japan (1): Buying A Car Unseen of Yahoo Auctions

How to Transfer Your Car Home in Japan Without Shaken (車検)

2024-11-032024-11-03 Clemens Zangl

If you buy an old car in Japan (for example, on yahoo auctions), there’s a chance that the car doesn’t possess a valid car inspection (車検 – Shaken). Bringing such a car home is quite a hassle, as hauling companies Read More

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How to Remove the BIOS Password from an IBM ThinkPad 240

2024-05-062024-05-06 Clemens Zangl

I bought a second-hand classic ThinkPad in great condition, but it had a BIOS password (supervisor password) set. The ThinkPad was in very good condition and barely used, so I decided to un-brick it. To retrieve the BIOS password, you Read More

Posted in RetroLeave a Comment on How to Remove the BIOS Password from an IBM ThinkPad 240

What goes wrong in the Battery Monitoring System (BMS) of the Honda Insight ZE1

2024-05-032024-08-23 Clemens Zangl

When Honda built the first generation Insight, Automotive battery technology was in its infancy. When the Honda engineers were tasked of building the energy storage for the hybrid system of the Insight ZE1, the new Nickel-Metal-Hydride cell types were cutting Read More

Posted in Honda Insight ZE1, SoftwareTagged Automotive Battery Technology, Honda ZE1, NiMH BMS, SW in carsLeave a Comment on What goes wrong in the Battery Monitoring System (BMS) of the Honda Insight ZE1

Typical Rust Spots of a Nissan Skyline DR30 “Tekkamen”

2024-05-022024-05-02 Clemens Zangl

I visited a DR30 Skyline and shot some pictures of the body, documenting the usual rust spots. I evaluated the Skyline mainly based on restoration effort: what needs to be welded, what are the typical rust spots, and what kind Read More

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The Story of my Nissan Sunny B12 GTI #1

2024-05-022024-08-23 Clemens Zangl

My Nissan Sunny B12 GTI was owned by a caring elderly couple for 16 years. It should have become a pristine classic car, but instead it went through the misery of being a beater car, being abused, and failing inspections due to lots of rust. It went through several hands before I took care of it and restored it. This is its story, part 1.

Posted in Cars, Nissan Sunny B12 Rz-1Tagged Nissan Sunny B12, Sunny B12 GTI, Sunny Rz1, サニーRz1Leave a Comment on The Story of my Nissan Sunny B12 GTI #1

What is the “Vinegar Syndrome” and how to fix it?

2024-03-182024-04-25 Clemens Zangl

My ThinkPad 240 from 1999 suffers from a warped and bubbled LCD panel surface, emitting a strong vinegar odor. In today’s blog post, I want to explain to you the chemical process behind this aging process called “Vinegar Syndrome”, and Read More

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How to Refurbish a Sony Discman D-10/D-100

2024-03-102025-09-13 Clemens Zangl

The Sony Discman D-10/D-100 portable CD player is a neat piece of retro audio equipment, but being introduced in 1986 means that they usually stopped working at some point. I bought a few off yahoo auctions and have a good Read More

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The Parking Lot of the Tokyo Mobility Show 2023

2024-03-09 Clemens Zangl

In today’s blog post, I would like to share my experiences from the Tokyo Mobility Show 2023. However, it may be different to what you may expect: if you are looking for impressions of brand-new concept cars, new BEV-powered vehicles Read More

Posted in Corolla AE86, JapanTagged AE86, DR30, Japan, Tekkamen, Tokyo Mobility ShowLeave a Comment on The Parking Lot of the Tokyo Mobility Show 2023

1979 Honda Civic Found Rotting on the Roadside in Malaysia

2024-02-242024-03-12 Clemens Zangl

Honda built the second generation Honda Civic from summer 1979 till fall 1983. In 1980, it was upgraded with a more angular styling to be ready for the 80ies. I’ve found this rusty pre-facelift model on a vacation in Penang, Read More

Posted in Cars, Junkyard TourismTagged Honda Civic, Junkyard, Malaysia, Roadside Classic, RustLeave a Comment on 1979 Honda Civic Found Rotting on the Roadside in Malaysia

Why I Love the Automotive Section in Japanese Bookstores

2024-02-232024-02-27 Clemens Zangl

As a car guy, the Automotive section in Japanese bookstores is a great place to spend some time. Within the first few weeks after moving to Japan, I became a frequent visitor to Tokyo’s bookstores, buying reprint car magazines about Read More

Posted in Cars, Honda Insight ZE1, JapanLeave a Comment on Why I Love the Automotive Section in Japanese Bookstores

Impressions From Japan’s Largest Classic Motor Show: Nostalgic 2days 2024

2024-02-232024-03-12 Clemens Zangl

After seeing the poster for the Nostalgic 2days (“The largest classic motor show in Japan”) at a 7-11 in a busy Tokyo metro station, I immediately made a note in my calendar, and asked my friends if we want to Read More

Posted in Cars, JapanTagged AE86, Classic Car Show Tokyo, JDM vintage cars, Nissan Silvia, Nostalgic 2daysLeave a Comment on Impressions From Japan’s Largest Classic Motor Show: Nostalgic 2days 2024

My Secret Love for Malaysia’s National Car: The Proton Saga

2024-02-192024-03-12 Clemens Zangl

When you visit a country for the first time, it usually doesn’t take long to get a sense of the local car culture. In Germany, you’ll find the occasional lowered BMW with custom exhaust sprinting well over 200km/h on the Read More

Posted in CarsTagged Malaysia car culture, Mitsubishi Lancer, Proton, SagaLeave a Comment on My Secret Love for Malaysia’s National Car: The Proton Saga

Skyline C211 Awaits Restoration in a Small Workshop in Chiba

2024-02-172024-08-23 Clemens Zangl

In July 2022, I went to pluck strawberries in the Chiba prefecture, two hours from Tokyo, when I spotted today’s junkyard roadside find. Not much is left of the beautiful Skylines exterior, It took my quite a while to find Read More

Posted in Japan, Junkyard TourismTagged Japan, Junkyard, Nissan Skyline, SchrottplatzLeave a Comment on Skyline C211 Awaits Restoration in a Small Workshop in Chiba

A Snowy 1987 Nissan Sunny Coupe

2024-02-172024-08-23 Clemens Zangl

This snow-covered low mileage 1987 Nissan Sunny B12 Coupe crossed my path on a cold winter day in November 2010. Parked on the roof of a second generation Ford Probe on a junkyard in Lustadt, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany, these two Read More

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Proton Saga Being Parted Out in Malaysia

2024-02-152024-08-23 Clemens Zangl

Have you ever heard of the Proton Saga? No? I don’t blame you. Allow me to explain: Proton Holdings was founded in 1979 as a government project in Malaysia, with the goal of boosting the national automotive industry. Initially selling Read More

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’89 Nissan Sunny Hatchback with rare German Pfeba Body Kit

2024-02-132024-08-23 Clemens Zangl

In Germany, the Pulsar N13 is known as the Nissan Sunny: for the European market, Nissan decided to market the B12 sports coupe and the N13 both under the Sunny name, and both were quite successful on the European market. Read More

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An Unmolested Toyota AE85 Survivor Hidden in Downtown Tokyo

2024-02-112024-03-11 Clemens Zangl

If you lived in Japan for a while, chances are high that you have been infected by the foodie obsession: you are constantly looking for new tasty restaurants to try, and topic no. 1 among your friend network becomes food Read More

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Visiting the Largest AE86 Festival 2023 in Japan

2024-02-082024-03-11 Clemens Zangl

Shortly after I moved to Japan in late 2022, I learned about Japans most famous AE86 meetup in Japan: the AE86 festival, held annually at the Okayama circuit. I decided that I need to take advantage of the first possible Read More

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The Ultimate Nissan Sunny B12 Rz-1 Wheel Guide

2024-02-082025-07-25 Clemens Zangl

Over here, I listed an extensive list of popular wheels for the Nissan Sunny B12 Coupe. I listed wheels that are (1) period-correct (i.e. produced in the 80ies or early 90ies), and (2) are commonly seen as aftermarket options. The Read More

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Mazda MX-5 NA “Hot Rod Flames” Edition

2024-02-052024-02-05 Clemens Zangl

I encountered this exciting hot MX-5, resting at its final resting place on a junkyard in Hamburg, in November 2015. The day was cold, rainy and gray, well in contrast to the hot flames put on the side. In 2015, Read More

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How does a Worthless Car turn into a Valuable Classic 15 Years later?

2024-02-052024-03-09 Clemens Zangl

Browsing through the pictures of junkyards I took 15 years ago, it astonishes me what kind of cars were discarded back then, which I consider by now to be valuable classics. For example, look at the Golf GTI in the Read More

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1987 Silver Nissan Sunny Coupe SLX

2024-02-052024-02-11 Clemens Zangl

In Germany, when you are living on the countryside and turn 18, one of the most yearningly awaited rights is to be able to legally drive a car by yourself. When it was my turn to reach the magic date Read More

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USDM Corolla GT-S AE92 Being Scrapped in Germany

2024-02-042024-08-23 Clemens Zangl

The AE92 Corolla 2-door coupe was never officially sold in Germany, which – I assume – is due to its American styling, which would not appeal to continental European customers. In fact, I never heard about a sporty coupe variant Read More

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Rare Sunny B11 Coupe Awaits the Crusher

2024-02-042024-08-23 Clemens Zangl

The B11 generation of the Nissan Sunny Coupe is a car that has vanished from the roads and most people’s memories. While the older, rear-wheel drive Sunny generations possess motorsport pedigree and are preserved by a careful group of enthusiasts, Read More

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This Flashy Opel Manta B CC Waits for the Crusher

2024-02-042024-02-23 Clemens Zangl

In March 2012, during a regular visit to a junkyard in Lustadt, Germany, I found this bright green 1980 Opel Manta B CC awaiting the crusher claw. Back then, I was more interested in Japanese cars, so I only took Read More

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Nissan Sunny with a big Peace Sign on the Bonnet

2024-02-042024-03-11 Clemens Zangl

I found this ’90 Nissan Sunny B12 Coupe, resting on the roof of a Seat Marbella, on a junkyard in Landau/Pfalz, Germany, in October 2009. Featuring a big peace sign painted on the bonnet and several smileys painted over the Read More

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A Complete Skyline R33 ends on a German Junkyard

2024-02-032024-03-11 Clemens Zangl

This scrapped Skyline R33 was the most incredible finding during my junkyard visits over the years. It turned up on April 2010 on a small junkyard in rural Landau in der Pfalz, Germany. Even more surprising, it was not only Read More

Posted in Cars, Junkyard TourismTagged Junkyard, R33, skylineLeave a Comment on A Complete Skyline R33 ends on a German Junkyard

In Japan, you can Buy This 1/8 Scale AE86 Model Car Kit

2024-02-032024-11-05 Clemens Zangl

Update: follow my AE86 model car build on YouTube. During my weekly visits to the Japanese bookstores, I saw this huge AE86 model car being advertised in the store window. Scaled at 1/8, it measures more than 50cm in length. Read More

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How to Use PayEasy in Japan

2023-10-192024-02-04 Clemens Zangl

A few days ago, I had to request some tax certificates, which I have done online via the Japanese eTax website. The payment information is provided using three numbers: Some banks allow making the Payment online, but the usual foreigner-friendly Read More

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How to Convert your 80ies Sony Discman D-10/100 to Li-ion Battery

2023-10-192024-02-23 Clemens Zangl

In 2023, Japanese textbooks still come with Audio CDs. If you want to listen to them during your commute, you’ll have to go through the hassle to convert them to MP3 and store on your phone. Or, you could get Read More

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How to Replace the Li-Ion Cells of a Classic IBM ThinkPad 240 Battery Pack

2023-07-012024-03-18 Clemens Zangl

A while ago, I purchased a ThinkPad 240 online, and upon receiving it, my excitement grew as I discovered its almost pristine condition. The keyboard displayed only minimal signs of wear, and the Intel Celeron and Windows 98 stickers on Read More

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Mein Honda Insight ZE1

2023-01-222024-07-25 Clemens Zangl

Fakten: Baujahr 2000 Deutsches Modell Historie und Verbrauchswerte: https://www.spritmonitor.de/de/detailansicht/829879.html 410,000km TÜV bis 10-2023 Mängel: mangelhaft reparierter Frontschaden: Motorhaube und Stoßfänger sind krumm. Der Vorbesitzer ist an eine Ampel gefahren, und ich konnte keine Ersatzteile bekommen. Die Karosserie ist gerade, und Read More

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Nissan Sunny Rz1 Digital Cluster Adapter Schematics and CAD

2022-10-232024-02-11 Clemens Zangl

I would like to make the Nissan Sunny Rz1 Digital Cluster Adapter open-source and allow DIYers to build the project themselves. To build the adapter yourself, you will need to: Build the Adapter ECU First, you need to order the Read More

Posted in Allgemein, Nissan Sunny B12 Rz-1, ProjectsLeave a Comment on Nissan Sunny Rz1 Digital Cluster Adapter Schematics and CAD

Original German Press Kit for the Honda Insight ZE1

2021-09-222024-02-23 Clemens Zangl

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on the original press kit released in Germany in the year 2000, when the first generation Honda Insight was released. I scanned all pictures and documents, and even digitalized the VHS tape. Read More

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Digital Cluster Conversion Kit Launch

2021-03-112023-07-01 Clemens Zangl

I am pleased to announce that for the Nissan Rz1 digital cluster conversion kit project, all development and testing steps are complete. The product will be launched in April 2021. To put it simply, this kit allows you to put Read More

Posted in Nissan Sunny B12 Rz1 Digital Cluster3 Comments on Digital Cluster Conversion Kit Launch

My Honda Insight ZE1 Hybrid Car

2020-12-082024-08-23 Clemens Zangl

After driving my Nissan Sunny B12 Coupés for many years, I felt I needed something more environment-friendly and a bit safer. Due to my work, I had the opportunity to drive a fourth-gen Toyota Prius as a test vehicle. Most Read More

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How to Implement 3D Object Triangle Selection?

2020-09-11 Clemens Zangl

keywords: 3D geometry; triangle selection; vertex selection; When developing 3D software, you might want to allow the user to select specific polygons or vertices from your 3D model. Different parts of the geometry, such as corner points (vertices), triangles or Read More

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Honda CRZ ZE2 CAN Bit Assignment Sheet

2020-05-202024-02-23 Clemens Zangl

A while ago I hooked a CAN logger to a friends CRZ, and reverse-engineered the CAN bus on both thr vehicle CAN and the secondary IMA CAN bus. Hope it helps for your projects 😉 Vehicle CAN Message ID Bit Read More

Posted in Cars, SoftwareTagged Bit Assignment Sheet, CAN Honda Insight, Honda CRZ CAN, ZE2 CANLeave a Comment on Honda CRZ ZE2 CAN Bit Assignment Sheet

How to fix “Can not find free FPB Comparator!” Error When Using OpenOCD in Eclipse

2020-02-152024-03-09 Clemens Zangl

TL;DR: What is my Problem?You have too many breakpoints set. If you have no breakpoints set, look out for implicitly set breakpoints (e.g. main or exception handlers). In my scenario, I had multiple class member functions Class::main(), and the debugger Read More

Posted in SoftwareTagged Can not find free FPB Comparator!, Eclipse, OpenOCD, STM32Leave a Comment on How to fix “Can not find free FPB Comparator!” Error When Using OpenOCD in Eclipse

Building a Digital Cluster Converter

2020-02-122021-03-13 Clemens Zangl

Today I would like to share some exciting news for you, and make it official – I am building a converter to allow you to fit a digital cluster into your eighties oldschool vintage car! In the last few months, Read More

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Nissan Sunny B12 Rz-1 Digital Speed Sensor

2019-11-28 Clemens Zangl

Today I finally managed to measure the signals on the digital speed sensor. I don’t own any of the Rz-1 digital cluster parts, but luckily, a friend borrowed me his sensor and allowed me to reverse-engineer it. The speed sensor Read More

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Honda Insight ZE1 OBDII Smartphone App

2019-06-222021-03-13 Clemens Zangl

I’ve been using Peters OBDII C&C for quite a while now, and while I like it’s features, it lacks the intuitiveness of a modern smartphone app. So I thought it’s about time to improve this! System Architecture Two MCUs are Read More

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Recent Posts

  • 4A-GE Cold Idle Speed Adjustment
  • 4A-GE Engine Failure After 60km Due To Stuck Valve
  • How to Restore the AE86 Levin Zenki Headlights
  • Replacement Gaskets for a Toyota AE86 Fujitsubo Legalis R Exhaust
  • My AE86 in Japan (3): A Long Way Home
  • Pictures of the GM EV1 and Impact
  • My AE86 in Japan (2): Desperately Needed Maintenance
  • My AE86 in Japan (1): Buying A Car Unseen of Yahoo Auctions
  • How to Transfer Your Car Home in Japan Without Shaken (車検)
  • How to Remove the BIOS Password from an IBM ThinkPad 240
  • What goes wrong in the Battery Monitoring System (BMS) of the Honda Insight ZE1
  • Typical Rust Spots of a Nissan Skyline DR30 “Tekkamen”
  • The Story of my Nissan Sunny B12 GTI #1
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