2011 BMW M3 - Frosty Welcome

You might have already seen “Another Shade of M” – a pulsing online video featuring two M3s in Verde Ithaca green and matte Reventon gray, both supercharged by Miami specialists, Active Autowerke.

One of those cars – this gray one – belongs to Omar Murray, Active’s own director of sales and marketing. And as awesome as it looks, he originally planned to let BMW modify his E92.

Customizing a BMW at the factory is possible with BMW’s Individual program. It features tons of options for buyers to change the exterior color, interior trim, leather seats and everything in between. However, Omar’s intention was to buy the limited-edition Frozen gray E92 M3 with DCT and Fox red interior that BMW released last year. He would then utilize the Individual program to order a six-speed manual instead of the DCT. Unfortunately, the 30 cars in North America were quickly snatched up, leaving Omar in their dust.

Not discouraged, he decided to simply build his own gray BMW E92 M3, adding Active’s 625hp supercharger conversion to crank up the volume. So the M3 was ordered and shipped directly to Martino Auto Concepts in Glen Cove, NY.

The company first added Vorsteiner’s carbon/kevlar GTS3 front bumper with a matching front splitter. Next came the company’s vented carbon/kevlar race hood, trunk and rear diffuser.

MAC regularly works on exotic cars, so Omar’s M3 naturally went the Lamborghini route, using the matte Reventon gray paint, followed by accents in Verde Ithica green on select parts – the same paint Joe Lapadula from Martino Auto Concepts would use on his own M3 (see Bimmerfest East report in this issue). The vivid green was applied to the rollcage, the six- and four-piston StopTech calipers on all four corners as well as the intake plenum under the composite hood.

The car was then shipped to Maimi where Active’s engineers carried out their modifications with only eight miles on the eight-cylinder engine!

The crew installed the HKS GTS8550 supercharger system with an eight-rib drive belt, front-mount intercooler as well as AA blow-off and bypass valves fitted to the vibrant green plenum with eight high-flow velocity stacks inside. With Active’s software controlling larger Bosch injectors, the blown 4.0 V8 puts out an astonishing 625hp and 450 lb-ft of torque at 6.5psi boost pressure.

Supercharged 4.0 V8 boasts 625hp with 450 lb-ft at 6.5psi

“The system works great; the power is linear like the stock powerband, only it has so much more thrust,” Omar told us.

The Active crew then turned its attention to the interior, replacing the stock seats with Recaro Profi XL chairs and the painted cage. Flicking through the BMW Performance catalog, they also specified its flat-bottomed, alcantara Type 2 steering wheel and shift knob along with an Active S1 short shifter.

The rims were replaced by aggressive 20x9.5" front and 20x11" rear ADV.1 5.0 Track Spec wheels. The wheel manufacturer finished the centers in matte black with polished gunmetal lips. They were then wrapped in Nitto Invo rubber tucked under the fenders by KW Clubsport coilovers.

As we mentioned, the M3 wears green StopTech Trophy calipers that clamp drilled 380mm front and 355mm rear rotors.

After everything was fitted and the M3 had completed its 1200-mile bed-in, it was time to star in the viral video. The shop photographer had noticed a location close to Miami airport used to test aircraft engines. So with the owner’s permission, the two M3s positioned themselves in one of the test bays for the first shots. As the cameras rolled, the location became darker when a tropical rain storm rolled in, allowing the drivers to pull donuts, accompanied by the roar of Active-tuned V8s.

Shooting video takes an incredibly long time, but the building owners gave Omar and his crew their keys and asked them to lockup when they finished! It’s nice to know there are still such generous people out there.

“Another Shade of M” does a great job to capturing these two highly modified M3s, so check the video out for yourself online at www.activeautowerke.com/shadeofm/

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1989 VW Fox Wagon - Armed & Dangerous

You can say a lot of things about the Euro scene: it’s repetitive, too competitive, expanding, improving, diverse. One thing’s for sure, though, we can all take things a bit too seriously.

We’ve all been there, on a forum where we see a comment that raises our ire and we feel impelled to respond. But why do that? Why be a hater?

Take a look at this Fox Wagon, for example. It’s guaranteed to split opinions about whether it’s cool and whether builder/owner John Ludwick should be applauded. But the best thing about John is that he and his buddies are having too much fun to care what you think!

A BMX pro from Center Harbor, NH, John didn’t select the most likely magazine candidate when he chose the Fox. Nor did he go the usual route to modify it.

He didn’t use off-the-shelf parts (not that many are available), and there’s no power swap. It’s pure DIY enthusiasm and a little hard work on a very modest budget. “I’ve got about $2500 into the car altogether,” John said. “Everything’s been built not bought.”

Influenced by his father, John Ludwick Sr, who used to ice-race in Mk1 Rabbits for years, Junior chose the Fox because of an affinity for wagons over his preference for muscle cars. Not to mention, his first car was a Fox Wagon – it was supposed to become an ice racer and he always wanted another. “The first one was a bone-stock rust-bucket. I found this one online belonging to a 95 year-old man who’d bought it brand-new – I’ve got the original window sticker and everything. It’s been babied it’s entire life. I got my hands on it and kinda wrecked it!” he laughed.

All joking aside, the car was pristine, but the original silver paint was faded badly. The solution was a quick re-spray in a flat tan, with a black roof and accents.

John wasn’t going to leave the stock ride height for long, but with no suspension systems commercially available, he had to get creative. “The spindle and strut combo is different to most other VWs, so we had to go a different route,” he explained. “We took a set of coilovers and modified them for the Fox, after which we had to modify more parts to get the suspension to work. But with some cutting and welding, we were finally able to get it to sit right.”

At the rear, John built 3" steel drop plates to match the front and maintain some suspension travel for ride comfort. As you can see, the result is one of the lowest static drops we’ve ever seen on a Fox, with the lowest points of the chassis only 1" off the pavement. Believe it or not, this is also John’s daily driver! “It’s my only vehicle. I drive it to work everyday,” he said.

The New Hampshire police haven’t found much they like about the car, and John has the tickets to prove it. “They’re not scared to slap you with a ticket!” he said. “Live free or die! You can do a lot of things, but you can’t lower you car below 16 inches…”

The slammed stance isn’t purely suspension: the tiny 13x6" wheels with 175/50 tires play their part as well. If the wheels look different, it’s because they’re two-tone steelies from a ’70s Chevy Vega. “My father ran them on his Mk1 when he was racing. On the ice, you ran tires chains and he always had problems with the chains hitting the strut bodies. So he ran Vega wheels with more offset. I grew up seeing this and wanted the same on my build.”

The wheels lend a unique look, and sit nicely in the arches, which were “self clearanced” on the tires. It’s a decidedly ratty look, but certainly adds to the overall theme.

“When we first built the suspension, we took it for a shakedown run at 3am and didn’t even make it out of the driveway because the exhaust got ripped off!” John said.

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1988 VW GTI 16V - Doing It Right

When you paint your Mk2 GTI in Lamborghini orange, you better be sure of two things: you like attention and you do it right. Fortunately, Peter Amaral from Berkely, MA is a professional autobody technician working on high-end exotic cars, so he had the skills to pull it off.

But it hasn’t been an overnight sensation for the 32 year-old. He’s owned the car since 1996, going out with his father to buy it when he was 17: “I’ve always been a VW fan and had fallen in love with the 2.0L 16v but it was way out of my price range at the time,” he told us. “So I settled for the 1.8L 16v that was about half the price with its small bumpers and Teardrop wheels.”

It was more than a year before he’d start ripping into the car, developing his taste in Euros as he learnt the body trade. “I took the car apart and painted it Porsche Polar silver,” he recalled. “At the time I thought it was an amazing job, but looking back now I realize it wasn’t the best in the world…” Yet it maintained his enthusiasm for the Mk2, even after he lost his license for a year.

With the car sat in the garage unable to be used, it presented Pete with another opportunity to work on it. He tore into the GTI, stripping it fully and discarding many parts that needed replacing. However, he also got distracted by a string of other cars, including a Rabbit, some Jettas and a VR6. He bought a house along the way and found the project dragging on almost five years. “I told myself to finish or sell it but, since I didn’t want to part with it, I got to work.”

Over time, parts he’d thrown out had become difficult to find and Pete spent months trying to source things: “There’s very few aftermarket parts on the car,” he told us. “I spent most of my time waiting for OEM parts to arrive so I could build it the way I wanted it.” The “big” bumpers, for example, were imported from Europe along with the G60 fenders flares. He chose to retain the stock headlights, but dressed them with a badgeless three-bar grille and eyebrow. He also deleted the rubbing strips, rear seams, badges, rear wiper and washer nozzle.

The body was sprayed Lambo’s three-stage Atlas orange after Pete painted a friend’s GSX-R the same color. “I liked the PPG paint but, dealing with exotic cars all day, I knew it would look better on four-wheels,” he told us.

The grille, bumper trim and flares were then painted in a catalyzed black base coat to avoid the unsightly fading that occurs when the plastic is left in the sun.

Once painted, Pete drove the car for a year or so with its stock 1.8L CIS engine. “I cleaned the motor and it looked immaculate but I struggled to keep up with friends. I needed more power, so removed the engine and had it rebuilt by Rui Mauricio at RM Pro Tune (before the company apparently closed). He installed 9:1 forged JE pistons, custom I-beam rods and an OE forged crank. Up top, a Euro intake cam was fitted along with a Bahn Brenner intake manifold, fuel rail and 440cc injectors.

The built motor was in preparation for the Garrett T3/T4 57-trim turbo Rui pulled off his shelf along with a cast exhaust manifold and front-mount intercooler. He then fabricated all the plumbing while Pete helped rewire the car to OBD2.

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2002 Mini Cooper S - Cooperman

After running into Randy Terwilliger with his ’02 Cooper S for several years at numerous events, we finally arranged a photo shoot with the man and his Mini in the LA canyons.

The 61 year-old tuner was able to get his hands on one of the first US-bound Cooper S, which later became an R&D tool for his company and hobby, M7 Tuning.

Eventually taking the Cooper S to the racetrack and even a wind tunnel, the guys started developing a range of performance parts in 2003. These now include items like a sequential shifter system, which controls gear selection in the stock six-speed transmission with paddles or a bumpstick, and incorporates an LED gear display and a clutch.

As you’d expect, the sequential system provides lightning gear selection. However, it also allows you to stack gears. “For example,” Randy explained, “you’re in fifth gear, coming into a third gear corner. Simply disengage the clutch, use the paddles or bumpstick to go down two gears, then engage the clutch and the computer in the back commands solenoids to select the chosen gear in 400 milliseconds.” The system provides sequential shifting for the stock transmission and is thrilling in the canyons!

R&D
Randy and partner Peter Horvath at M7 also designed parts like their 16% supercharger reduction pulley that allows boost to start earlier and climb higher than stock. It’s combined with a 2% larger crank pulley that’s lighter to increase throttle response.

The intercooler and hood scoop on Randy’s car were designed to channel air more efficiently through the intercooler, exiting from an extraction vent on the hood – a solution that’s since been patented by the company.

They also used 400cc injectors and a 65/62mm throttle body. The extra power is then tempered by an Alky Control that triggers methanol injection at 8psi boost to keep intake temperatures consistent, avoiding detonation.

Steve’s Auto Clinic in North Hills, CA provided Randy with a shop to help with the heavy stuff. “If it’s not at M7, it’s being worked on at Steve’s,” Randy said.

Steve’s shop fitted a Quaife LSD, ported and polished both the head and supercharger, installed a Schrick cam and a Jackson Racing header before Vitesse Pro tuned the ECU with Dimsport software.

In total, the engine modifications amount to 230hp at the wheels and 190 lb-ft of torque on the LAPD dyno in Chatsworth, CA. Of course, this doesn’t include the meth or nitrous systems that kicks in at full throttle for extra punch!

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2003 BMW M3 - Strip Teaser

When we asked Marcus Olson what it’s like to drive a 800hp BMW M3 he answered, “It feels like a normal car unless you want to turn it into a death machine. I’ve driven fast cars, but this type of fast seems to bend the seat as you accelerate. Nothing is comparable.”

Marcus has been a BMW fanatic since the age of nine. His dad still uses the home garage to restore BMWs, including an ongoing ’78 E24 Alpina project imported from Germany.

Marcus’ first BMW was a yellow E36 M3 Convertible, which he owned for five years, put 170,000 miles on it, and even used it to move from Minnesota to California.

When it came time for another M, he wanted a Laguna Seca blue E46 M3 with a manual six-speed, black interior and brushed aluminum. After looking for years he happened to drive past a dealership as the exact M3 was being traded in about a mile from his house.

Having bought it, the very first thing Marcus did was install staggered 19x8.5” and 19x10.5” COR Concord wheels with barrels painted by SIK Industries in Sunnyvale, CA to match the factory Laguna Seca blue.

The freshly-painted wheels were mounted with 245/35 front and 275/30 rear Falken tires. Even though the paint is relatively fragile and needs to be looked after, he was thrilled when some Hells Angels randomly complimented the look.

Marcus figured he couldn’t do any better than the stock exterior of the E46 M3, so he made his car stand out from the crowd by investing everything he had into the suspension and engine.

The plan was to create a quarter-mile car: Everybody said a 10sec E46 couldn’t be done, but HorsepowerFreaks in Portland, OR were more then willing to prove them wrong.

Working with David Nguygen at HPF, nothing seemed impossible as they planned to transform the six-cylinder S54 engine into an 800hp monster.

The work began by fitting Darton sleeves into the cylinders for the low-compression, forged pistons on stronger rods as part of HPF’s stage three turbo kit. The S54 was then ready for the Precision T71 billet turbo that pushes through a black-anodized intercooler and color-matched blue intake manifold.

The kit also includes 1200cc injectors and uprated fuel system, a carbon intake, Okada ignition coils, stainless steel exhaust, twin HKS BOVs and a 44mm TiAL wastegate, as well as an oil scavenge pump and new wiring harness among the never-ending list of parts.

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1988 VW Caddy - Marty Pants

By Claes Nilsson/cnfoto.se, Photography by Claes Nilsson/cnfoto.se

While most people can’t assemble an Ikea bookcase, some individuals rise above the rest, creating a masterpiece with their hands. Marty Cronvall from southern Sweden is the latter – a skilled fabricator with a humble approach and simple hardware who has created greatness. Transforming a beat-up poor man’s workhorse into an awe-inspiring street machine that would look at home next to a Group B rally car.

As a truck mechanic, Marty had all the technical knowledge, along with a knack for brute functionality and no-bullshit construction.

His building technique was especially cunning. While big car companies use CAD-software with advanced modeling, Marty kept it simple, developing the chassis mock-up in Lego so he could get a feel for the construction.

Armed with a Lego Technic-kit he constructed a plastic framework to evaluate the rigidity and function of the proposed chassis. Bending and flexing the prototype, he made changes until he thought a functional, real-world frame was ready to be built.

Steel tubes were laid out on the garage floor, measured, cut and welded to match the scale model. Armed with an electric saw and TIG-welder, he cut up the body of his ’88 VW Caddy and integrated the tubular chassis. A car was born.

Originally, the plan was to build a Golf truck – a GTI with a flatbed in the rear and lots of performance. It had to be unique, fast and (most importantly) a Volkswagen. But with a Volvo 240 rear axle in the garage, power slides were a major component in the plan.

Built to play on the drag strip, capable of time trials and drifting, but street-legal, the demands on this project were enormous. But as work progressed, it took a turn for the unexpected.

Volvo power
Having previously built several VWs, Marty found the small engines fragile and hard to tune. Being a Swede, he had access to an infinite number of Volvo engines, so this was deemed a much better choice.

After all, the parts could be found almost anywhere and everywhere in Sweden. Plus the favored 211hp B5204T engine from the Volvo 850 T5 was well documented, thoroughly built and very easily tuned.

As a result, a donor Volvo V70 was purchased and gutted to harvest its powerplant. But problems arose when trying to fit the turbocharged five-cylinder in the stock location.

“Fitting the engine up front was a tight fit,” Marty explained. “I’m quite tall, so there wasn’t room for my legs with the five-cylinder notched under the firewall. So I took a step back and decided to put it in the back, subframe and all!”

‘‘Taking the transverse-mounted, front-wheel driven, subframe-equipped Volvo engine and putting it in the back actually required ...

This was a stroke of genius. Taking the transverse-mounted, front-wheel driven, subframe-equipped Volvo engine and putting it in the back actually required minimal modifications. It also improved weight balance and made it possible to use the stock transmission, essentially making the Caddy a mid-engine supercar.

Bolting the subframe into his tubular chassis, the project started to look more Le Mans than Wolfsburg. And by putting a Porsche steering rack in the front, the Caddy got even more exotic.

Finding some rust during the teardown, Marty simply cut the roof out and replaced it with a custom composite panel, shaving top-heavy weight. He also created a thin fiberglass rear hatch to lighten the car further. And there’s still enough room to fit a few bags of cement in the rear if Marty should ever need to!

For now, the engine remains stone-cold stock, with the exception of the stainless steel exhaust needed for this one-off installation. And while 211hp is plenty of horsepower for this lightweight, rear-wheel drive machine, the owner is itching to play with the turbo and software…

Simple sophistication
As Leonardo da Vinci said, “sophistication is the ultimate form of simplicity.” Just as simple and cunning was the construction of the rear chassis bracing, which tied together the engine, shock towers and chassis.

The process involved creating a rope web to connect suspension points before replicating it in steel tubing for a triangulated rear chassis with supreme stiffness.

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Stillen, Cosworth, Alpine, Parrot, AEM and Hose Candy - Power Gear

Stillen Nissan 370Z/Infiniti G37 Supercharger System

Stillen recently announced 50-state CARB approval of their popular Nissan 370Z (Z34) G37 supercharger kit. The Stillen VQ37 supercharger features a cast-aluminum intake manifold, air-to-water intercooler system, and a Vortech V-3 Supercharger unit. The V-3 features a quiet V-belt design, and a self-contained oiling system for easy maintenance.
www.stillen.com

AEM Water/Methanol Fail-Safe Device

AEM’s water/methanol fail-safe device is introduced as a first in the water/methanol market. It checks the entire flow curve of your system to watch for an unsafe (low flow) condition to trigger an alarm, or alarms. Using the AEM software to monitor a graph with a curve than just a level of flow to trigger an alarm unlike most competitors systems, the fail-safe gives the most accurate way to trigger an alarm and a fail-safe to protect your engine. The AEM unit has both a high and a low side output, meaning it can trip a ground to an engine management system to switch to a safe map (for example, on an AEM EMS use the nitrous map to retard timing and add fuel) or trigger a solenoid to drop boost. The entire system is wrapped up inside a 52mm (2.0625 inches) standard-sized gauge, and comes with 500cc and 1,000cc gauge faces in both black and white, with both a silver and a black bezel.
www.aemelectronics.com

Hose Candy Quick-Coupler System

Oomph! Labs introduces Hose Candy, a quick-coupler system designed to transform the look, performance, and efficiency of vacuum and turbo hoses for any vehicle. The Hose Candy kits feature aluminum CNC quick couplers that prevent vacuum leaks, withstand high underhood temperatures, and allow users to quickly attach diagnostic equipment for vacuum and pressure gauge readings. Hose Candy is available for a variety of vehicles and also works on turbo systems.
www.hosecandy.com

Cosworth FSL Head Gasket

Cosworth expands upon their FSL head gasket lineup with 19 new applications including the Nissan VR38 and K24DE, Mitsubishi 4G63 and 4B11, and Lotus /Toyota 2ZZ with larger bore sizes and a range of thicknesses and sizes to accommodate standard and oversized cylinder bores. The FSL head gasket features true cylinder head sealing technology utilizing a precision-engineered stamped stainless steel gasket layer with a folded ridge acting as an imbedded cylinder bore sealing ring. Constructed from multiple layers of high-grade stainless steel, each application features superior construction compared to conventional multilayer steel gaskets.
www.cosworthperformance.com

Alpine SBR-S83V Type-R Enclosed Subwoofer

The Alpine SBR-S83V’s enclosure is designed to enhance the Type-R 8-inch subwoofer (300W max RMS/900W peak power) and is constructed of high-quality MDF with internal braces for added stiffness and durability. A Type-R grille protects the subwoofer’s cone, and flush-mounted spring-loaded terminals make for easy connection to large gauge wires. The enclosure itself measures just 11.5 inches wide by 19.25 inches long by 5.5 inches deep, allowing fitment in tight spaces.
www.alpine-usa.com

Parrot MINIKIT+ Wireless Bluetooth

Parrot announces the launch of the Parrot Minikit+, a portable car kit that enables users to simultaneously manage two Bluetooth mobile phones completely hands free. Thanks to Parrot’s “Dual Mode” multipoint technology, users can easily integrate both their personal and business phones into the device, associating unique tones for each phone. The Parrot Minikit+ automatically synchronizes its directory with the connected mobile phones, and can memorize up to 2,000 contacts per device (up to 10 mobile phones can be paired to the Minikit+). It is compatible with all Bluetooth mobile phones and smartphone’s available in the market.
www.parrott.com/usa

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AEM, Skunk2, AMS, Innovate Motorsports - Power Gear

 

AEM High-Flow Fuel Filter
AEM introduces their billet aluminum universal fuel filter: CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and hard anodized black. AEM’s engineers designed this filter with the racer in mind to maximize fuel flow, filtration (down to 7 microns), and ease of installation. The end caps are machined with -10AN female fittings and an O-ring receiver groove for added flow, and it is fully compatible with alcohol or gasoline/alcohol blended fuels.
AEM / 310.484.2322 / www.aemelectronics.com

Skunk2 Pro Series Throttle Body
Skunk2’s 74mm Pro Series throttle bodies for Honda’s B-series engines are CNC machined from forged, billet 6061-T6 aluminum and hard anodized for durability, as well as with Skunk2’s signature finish. The TB’s unique design relocates the MAP sensor underneath and eliminates the OEM water passages for cooler operation and a cleaner appearance. Pro Series throttle bodies are also compatible with OEM throttle cables and includes all the necessary hardware and a new throttle body gasket for a trouble-free installation.
Skunk2 / 951.808.9888 / www.skunk2.com

AMS GT-R Fuel System Upgrade Kit
Even with oversized injectors, the stock R35 GT-R’s fuel system is only able to deliver enough fuel to support roughly 800 hp. The AMS Nissan R35 GT-R Alpha Fuel System Upgrade Kit was designed to provide enough fuel to continuously sustain levels up to 1,300 hp. While most aftermarket GT-R fuel systems require extensive, permanent modifications to the factory sending units that are bulky in size and potentially dangerous when placed in the trunk of the vehicle, the AMS system fits neatly within the factory fuel tank. Each kit is equipped with two Bosch high-volume fuel pumps and is compatible with pump gas, ethanol (E85), and racing fuels of all types.
AMS Performance / 847.709.0530 / www.amsperformance.com

Innovate Wideband Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge
Innovate Motorsports introduces their Digital MTX wideband air/fuel ratio gauge. The gauge utilizes Innovate’s patented digital wideband technology that is 180 milliseconds faster and more accurate than analog technology. How fast are 180 milliseconds you ask? At 8,000 rpm, the Digital MTX gauge will see a change in air/fuel ratio at 24 revolutions of the crankshaft sooner than an analog gauge. Additional features include an integrated wideband controller for simplified installation where the 02 sensor can be plugged directly into the gauge, a weatherproof O-ring seal to protect the gauge from contaminants, and two interchangeable gauge bezels (black/silver) and faceplates (black/white) for customization.
Innovate Motorsports / 714.372.5910 / www.innovatemotorsports.com

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Blox, Work, Raceland, Pioneer, Boom and Flex - Power Gear

 

The Blox Racing roll center adjusters are extended ball joints designed to directly replace the factory ball joint inside the front knuckles. The roll center adjusters, with its increased length, are able to reposition and correct the angles of the front knuckles and lower control arms on lowered vehicles, improving steering response and handling and increasing tire contact patch and tread life, while making alignments more consistent.
Blox Racing
510.440.1605
www.bloxracing.com

Flex-a-lite introduces its first-ever engine-coolant additive, which improves heat transfer and reduces the temperature of the engine. With a lower pH level (8.5) than many competing products, Flex-a-chill is designed specifically to protect your expensive aluminum engine parts and radiator from electrolysis that corrodes the parts from the inside out. It is also 100 percent water-soluble so it leaves no films behind.
Flex-a-lite
253.922.2700
www.flex-a-lite.com

Work Meister CR 01 wheels come in a three-piece construction and are available in various offsets and sizes from 15x5 up to 15x12. These rereleased versions come come in matte gunmetal or polished, with black or bronze anodized barrels and are exclusive through A-Spec.
A-Spec Products
626.618.1100
www.aspecproducts.com

Raceland Ultimo Coilover kits feature larger and shortened shock pistons, designed specifically for lowered vehicles, along with stiffer spring rates and stronger shock valving to ensure that you achieve the perfect vehicle stance without sacrificing ride quality and handling. The powdercoated shock bodies and gold anodized spring perches add an extra level of surface-corrosion resistance for extended life.
Raceland
801.365.1440
www.racelandus.com

Boom Mat, a division of Design Engineering, introduces an acoustical and thermal insulation to reduce noise in an all-new leather look and feel. Available in moisture-resistant black leather-embossed material, this product was designed for insulating trunks, door panels, floors, speaker boxes, and package shelves—any interior area of a vehicle where a leather appearance would provide a finishing touch.
DEI
800.264.9472
www.boommat.com

Pioneer Electronics expands its lineup of earbud headphones with the release of the SE-CL331 for consumers with active lifestyles such as hiking and running. The SE-CL331 uses 9mm drivers to deliver deeper bass response for all types of music while featuring a water-resistant design, allowing consumers to rinse off damaging elements, such as perspiration and dust. The earbuds are available in four colors, including pink, blue, yellow, and white, and come equipped with a convenient carrying pouch.
Pioneer
800.228.7221
www.pioneerelectronics.com

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Cusco, Turbosmart, AEM, Kicker, and More - Powergear

 

Cusco Zero-3X Coilovers
Cusco’s top-of-the-line Zero-3X Honda Civic Type R (FD2 chassis code) coilovers feature three-way, 24-step independent rebound (bottom), low-speed (red) and high-speed (gold) damping force adjustability to dial in your custom setup for any track/driving condition. The inverted mono-tube dampers feature an external reservoir design for larger oil capacity, a redesigned inner piston valve for smooth damper engagement, pillow-ball upper mounts, and camber plates for adjustability, making the Zero-3X ideal for circuit driving, gymkhana racing, and endurance type motorsports.
Cusco / 714.907.0033 / www.cuscousainc.com

Turbosmart Ultra-Gate38 Wastegate
Turbosmart’s brand-new Ultra-Gate38 is a 38mm external wastegate packaged in a smaller, compact design that delivers maximum flow for street and racing applications. The new Ultra-Gate38 is smaller (3.71 inches versus 4.44) and lighter (1.79 pounds versus 2.37) than the previous model. It features Turbosmart’s unique locking collar design for reduced size and quicker spring changes, and a stainless steel valve to withstand abuse.
Turbosmart / 909.476.2570 / www.turbosmartusa.com

AEM AQ-1 Data Logger
AEM introduces the AQ-1 Data Logger, an easy-to-use and install vehicle data acquisition device designed for racers and performance enthusiasts of all types. The AQ-1 Data Logger offers accurate data-logging capability, with rates of up to 1,000Hz (1,000 samples/second) per channel and 2GB of logging memory, standard. It features an internal three-axis accelerometer, external sensor, and digital outputs, and compatibility with any four-channel UEGO controller or AEM Series 2 EMS. The AQ-1 Data Logger interfaces via USB connection to a laptop to record and store vehicle data so that it can be downloaded and analyzed at a later time to help users improve vehicle tuning, setup, and driving ability.
AEM / 310.484.2322 / www.aemelectronics.com

Ny-Trex Progressive Nitrous Controller and Data Logger
Ny-Trex, a division of Design Engineering, introduces a new progressive nitrous controller and data logger for tuning of nitrous systems through a Windows-based graphical interface, providing a wide range of data-logging aids for precision tuning, including throttle position, multiple inputs and outputs, rpm, and vehicle speed. This advanced nitrous controller and data logger also provides independent control of two stages of nitrous oxide injection and complete data-logging capabilities to help analyze critical data to quickly tune any nitrous system for maximum performance.
Design Engineering Inc. / 800.264.9472 / www.ny-trex

XtremeMac Wireless Auto Bluetooth
XtremeMac announces its new InCharge Bluetooth (BT) series that allows users to simultaneously charge and wirelessly stream from an iPod/iPhone through a car’s stereo. The InCharge Auto BT simply plugs into a car’s line-in jack and provides three unique functions in one compact device, including hands-free calling, wireless audio playback, and 10 watts of charging power. Through its one-touch, multifunction button users can answer calls and play/pause music via a Bluetooth connection. Additional features include a self-resetting fuse to protect devices, and a standard USB connection for maximum compatibility with most USB mobile devices. InCharge Auto BT includes a 4-foot, 30-pin-to-USB cable for charging.
XtremeMac / 866.392.9800 / www.xtrememac.com

Kicker Solo-Baric L3 Subwoofer
Kicker’s Solo-Baric L3 series debuts its square-designed subwoofer for increased cone area and air displacement over previous models. Utilizing Kicker’s most advanced cone design, the Solo-Baric L3’s SoloKon technology ensures strength for reliable performance and accurate response using an ultra-rigid design with vented, 360-degree back-bracing, long-lasting Spiralead tinsel leads, and high-temp dual voice coils to handle the extreme power and temperatures transferred through the motor structure and cone.
Kicker / 800.256.5425 / www.kicker.com

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