For most of us in the tuning market, warranty claims become a huge hassle when the dealer denies service based on modifications. Although some dealers are “mod-friendly”, service managers come and go and usually the hook-ups don’t last long. In the aftermarket world, tuning companies looking to offer a factory […]
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Vortech / Universal Technical Institute 2014 Ford Focus ST
One glance at the Universal Technical Institute’s 2014 Ford Focus ST will spark a nostalgic feeling deep within any car enthusiast. That emotion which bridges the past with the present is exactly what the collaborators of this vehicle had in mind. UTI, Gulf Racing, Ford Motor Company and Tjin Edition […]
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IDRC West Coast Nationals 2014
Lousy neighbors and noise complaints practically killed the legitimate quarter-mile drag racing scene in Southern California. But after more than a year of silence at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, the newly constructed sound attenuation wall signaled the return of drag racing action. Text by Richard Fong // Photos […]
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Science of Performance Spark Plugs
Today’s performance spark plugs perform feats never before attempted by spark plugs of years past. Factory engines and race engines are pushing more horsepower per liter than ever before thanks in part to forced induction and direct injection. Both of these technologies put an additional stress on the engine’s ignition […]
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Turbocharged E46 BMW M3
Mash ups are inevitable. Fusion can be found in foods, fashion and lifestyle. So what happens when European automotive style gets blended with JDM? Well, you might end up with a build like Patrick Estudillo’s turbocharged, E46 M3 GTR. Text and Photos by Richard Fong Estudillo first fell in love […]
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Top Fuel S2000 Monster WTAC Contender
An invitation to race in the Pro Class of the World Time Attack Challenge (WTAC) is like qualifying for the Olympics. Only a handful of teams receive an invitation to represent their country, and this fiercely contested class features the quickest time-attack cars in the world. In the first two years […]
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First Drive | 2014 Ford Fiesta ST
The Smaller, The Better? Don’t go to the grocery store when you’re starving. Why? Because you’ll probably end up with mountains of junk food. Despite most people’s best intentions to diet and eat consciously, obesity now plagues more than one-third of U.S. adults. Unfortunately, the “more is better” motto has […]
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850 Horsepower Street-Driven Nissan GT-R
Since their invention, video games have impacted the lives of millions around the world. These simulators allow players to hone their skills on virtual racetracks from around the world. For fanatics of driving games, winning races and earning racecar upgrades fuel the gaming addiction. Alex Robinson, a business owner from […]
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Nano Paint Protection
Prudence demands that you protect your investments. When that investment is your vehicle’s paint, it’s easy to see how difficult it is to defend. Rock chips, oxidation, ultraviolet light, bird droppings, sap, tar, brake dust…the list is long and harrowing. Fortunately, paint-protection technology has come a long way. Prior to […]
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SARD Toyota 86 GT3 Concept
Credibility and experience, especially in the world of racing, can take years to develop. In the case of SARD Co., Ltd., this heritage began in 1972, when it was known as Sigma Automotive Company. Within a year, Sigma Automotive began competing on an international level, becoming the first Japanese team […]
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Wagon GT
Specialists excel at what they do, and customers that know what they want are drawn to them. In the case of Naohisa Tazawa of Garage G-Force, he became a specialist by default. Tazawa recalled, “I worked on Galant VR-4 rally engines at my work, so I was already familiar with […]
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Engine Tech: 1000whp Honda B-Series Build Part 6
Jesus was forced to resort to resurrection before being able to convince billions he is the real deal. Of course, even God has only been able to convince one third of the population that he is legit (according to Christian math). Today, nearly 15 percent of the world population isn’t […]
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First Drive | 2015 Subaru WRX STI
At the LA Auto Show in November 2013, Subaru unveiled its new and improved WRX. Its new exterior, turbocharged FA20 engine, six-speed driveline and active torque vectoring worked well with the stiffer chassis to deliver a fun driving experience. As Subaru fans would expect, when a new WRX is released, […]
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GReddy Time Attack Scion FR-S
In the world of time attack in Japan, one of the most venerable tracks and benchmarked venues is Tsukuba Circuit. This famous racetrack could arguably be the birthplace of time attack competition. Although Tsukuba opened in the late 1960s, tuning shops didn’t start to actively compete in time attack-style venues […]
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Revyou Supercharged Nissan 370Z
Where one is good, wouldn’t two be better? This is sometimes true, and for Takayuki Maezuka, operator of a tuning shop in Chiba, Japan, called Car Making Revyou, it was an option to explore. Maezuka got his start in the industry, working at JUN AUTO for two years and at […]
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