RECENT POSTS
There is absolutely no point in going fast if you can’t stop in time. While most factory brakes can do a decent job on the streets, they can be a hazard when engine power is increased and track conditions are introduced. Performance brakes focus on brake feel, brake fade, and stopping in the shortest distance possible. Brake rotors play one of the biggest roles in stopping power. As the brake pads clamp onto the rotors, friction is generated to slow down the car. To maximize stopping power, the rotors need to be quickly cooled. Vented brake rotors can cool down…
Honda Civic SI – the Type R’s less-liked brother. Think of the SI as the first child. It may not be as cute or funny as the new kid, but secretly, the SI hides a few tricks up its sleeves. It may not have the red badge or the crazy spoiler, but like Abel should’ve kept an eye out for Cain, the Type R needs to watch its back. For 10 generations straight, the Honda Civic SI has been one of the go-to budget compact sports cars in America. If you think the Type R can finally grace the United…
Unless you enjoy spending countless hours working on your engine and spending even more money repairing it, proper engine lubrication should come first on your list when a race-track is part of your plans. The basic engine lubrication starts in the oil pan on the bottom of your engine. The oil is sucked up by the pickup, pressurized at the oil pump, then sent through the oil galleys and onto the remaining passages in your block to reach the parts that need lubrication. Certain additives are incorporated in the engine oil, which reduces start-up wear. The formulas in these oil…
With the rising popularity of the Toyota 86, Scion FR-S, and Subaru BRZ, owners are seeking more and more power-adder modifications to enhance this platform’s performance. Although bolt-on modifications can increase the FA20 engine’s performance, true power can only be realized with a forced-induction solution. No two forced-induction systems behave the same, and while some drivers may be looking for the most power they can get out of their 86/FR-S/BRZ, others may be seeking a street-friendly system that will complement their car. To ensure no questions are left unanswered, DSPORT Magazine collaborated with ENEOS to create the ultimate forced-induction guide…
There are many ways to explore Tokyo, but there is only one way you can do it in style. If you’re a fan of the Super Mario game, if you’re an automotive enthusiast, or if you’re simply an adventure-seeker, driving around Japan in Mari Cars is a unique and crazy experience. On the 2018 DSPORT Tokyo Auto Salon tour, the itinerary included this adrenaline-pumping activity. We basically got to drive Mari Cars around Tokyo, Japan in the middle of traffic and in nothing but style. The Mari Cars are extremely responsive and can reach up to 50 MPH, so there…
The Mobara Twin Circuit was filled with the smoke of the drifting cars, the music of the screeching tires, and the exhilarated sighs of the DSPORT TAS attendees. Many described the DSPORT Tuner Challenge as some of the best experiences of their lives. Riding along in D1 Grand Prix and Formula D Japan cars on the main track is difficult to put in words; however, high-speed drifting in cars piloted by Japan’s best simply speaks for itself. Tour attendees firmly gripped the roll cages as they learned what it felt like to be in real drift cars. D1GP driver Takahiro…
As we walked through the valuable collection, we learned about the evolution of the company in both street cars and its motorsports heritage. The floors were a shrine to the GT-R that displayed its creation, as well as some of the first Nissan cars to compete in the African Safari, which were preserved in their original post-race conditions; some of the most competitive World Sportcar Championship Nissan cars that competed globally, including the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans race, and everything in between, even the start of Nissan’s electric cars. After the museum tour, attendees had some time to…
Toyota started the SEMA 2018 Show with a few surprises. On the first day, one hour into the event, Toyota unveiled a few cars and trucks that are sure to keep spectators hanging around their booth. The highlight of the Toyota booth, however, was the new Toyota Corolla Hatchback, debuting a few versions of the hot-hatch. On display was the Hoonigan-built Corolla Hatchback built specifically for Larry Chen as a film-pursuit vehicle. On the floor was also Papadakis Racing’s Corolla drift car. The new hatch can be seen at the Toyota booth in all shapes and forms, including wider fenders…
Well before the Fast and the Furious franchise turned everyone into an enthusiast, the hardcore fans were in-touch with the Japanese performance scene through Option Magazine. Option Magazine was founded by Daijiro Inada in 1981 to open the gates for the aftermarket automotive performance market. The magazine gained readership around the world and started the tuner trend in Japan. Amongst the millions of readers around the globe, Andy Lin was a true fan. Inspired by Inada’s handy work, Andy dove deep into the world of RX-7. Text by Bassem Girgis // Photos by Khiem Pham RX-7 FD Originally debuted in…
If you’re looking for a combination of adventure, thrill, fun, and culture exploration, this tour should be the first on your list. DSPORT Magazine started the new year off with another successful DSPORT Tokyo Auto Salon Tour. The journey was the ultimate experience for car-people, and even a few attendees that had little interest in cars considered it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the Nissan Heritage Museum, the Tokyo Auto Salon, to the heart-dropping DSPORT Tuner Challenge, where attendees received ride-alongs with D1 Grand Prix legends like Takahiro Ueno; this was a tour to remember. Text by Bassem Girgis // Photos…
During a turbulent era in American history, Hippies were protesting the Vietnam war. President Nixon was about to resign. While the tragic events at the 1972 Munich Olympics were unfolding on new color TV sets, the oil crisis had officially killed off American muscle cars. Through it all, the Honda Civic was born as the much needed compact car that can operate on both leaded and unleaded fuel. With the oil shortage and the EPA emission standards, the Civic became an instant hit in America. Text by Bassem Girgis // Photos by Orry Perce EP3 Honda Civic Si For 45…
The TOKYO AUTO SALON TOUR is the flagship tour featuring VIP access to the Tokyo Auto Salon show and exclusive access to the private NISSAN Heritage Collection Museum. The tour also includes a visit to UPGARAGE for parts shopping, city exploration and much, much more! With one extra day added to the tour, it’s the ultimate chance to visit Japan! Visit dsporttas.com to book your spot today! Full Tour: $3,850 Includes: • Round trip airfare from Los Angeles, CA to Tokyo, Japan • Hotel accommodation (Shared w/ Roomate) • VIP Tokyo Auto Salon Tickets • Free Portable Pocket WIFI rental •…
2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE When you see fashionable clothes, modern scarves, fancy billboards, and pedestrians in a rush, you know you’re in the city. Toyota recognized that the city knows what’s cool and introduced the 2019 Corolla Hatchback XSE: the ultimate city car. Stylish, compact, modern, and a tad crazy, this car is far from boring. Although the Corolla was never on DSPORT’s radar, seeing Formula Drift’s driver Fredric Aasbo shred the tires off of his Corolla Hatchback was enough motivation for us to explore what the factory version can do. We had to give this sharp-looking 2019 Toyota…
There was once a time when people were shocked to see a humble-looking four-door sedan destroy supercars on twisty roads. Today, this car has evolved into an enthusiast favorite that is capable of achieving great power. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has been a force to be reckoned with since its debut in 1992. A 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with an all-wheel drive drivetrain, what’s not to love? The 4G63 engine powered every single generation of the Evo until the very last generation that debuted in 2007. If you asked for the best of all worlds, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was your…
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Mitsubishi Starion. When it comes to the ‘80s, we think of wide-fenders, pop-up headlights, and hard-lines. The Starion was exactly what that era represented. When the Mitsubishi Starion debuted in 1983, it hit the roads running as a performance competitor to the Mazda RX-7, the Toyota Supra, and some even described it as a budget rival to the Porsche 944. Originally equipped with a 2.6-liter motor that delivered 145 horsepower, Mitsubishi’s original advertisement read, “It ain’t the one you learn on.” Aesthetically, the Starion was offered in a widebody configuration that quickly…