“Bigger is better.” In some cases, this statement can prove to be true, especially when comparisons are made between components of similar technology. Babe Ruth found that a bigger and heavier bat could make a ball travel farther. His bat choice for the biggest and heaviest bats influenced other power […]
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Bolt Basics and Beyond | Know your Fasteners… Win your Races
This isn’t 1960, but some of the “upgrades” and “solutions” that many “respectable” tuners, engine builders and manufacturers rely upon are the medical equivalents of bloodletting, drilling holes in your skull and tobacco smoke enemas. While not everyone cringes when they hear about a ½-inch head stud upgrade on an […]
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Less is More | The Case for the RB26 Long Rod
The old saying goes, “There is no replacement for displacement.” However, the majority of DSPORT readers could name more than a few replacements for displacement including higher engine speeds (increased redline), forced induction and nitrous-oxide injection. While it is true that all other factors being equal, more displacement will deliver […]
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Quick Test: HKS LA (Light Action) Clutch, Single and Twin
The perfect clutch. Is it a dream, or is it a reality? The reality is that there is no one clutch that is the perfect clutch for every application and every driving style. As a result, even clutch manufacturers will generally have multiple offerings for a particular vehicle based on […]
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The Eagle Has Landed: Part 1 | Dart’s Iron Eagle 2JZ vs OEM 2JZ
As Uncle Ben once said, “with great power comes great responsibility.” There is no denying that properly-built 2JZ engines are capable of generating great power in a host of applications from daily-driven street cars to competition vehicles in drift, drag and land-speed applications. Being responsible with your parts selection and […]
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Quick Tech: MEGA-LiFe Lithium Iron Phosphate Smart Batteries | Buddy Please…Double the Cranking Amps, 5x the Life at 1/3 the Weight
DSPORT Issue #242 By Michael Ferrara For more than a decade, we’ve been preaching about the advantages of “lithium” batteries (technically lithium-iron-phosphate or LiFePO4 to be exact). We’ve tested many offerings from different manufacturers. Some LiFePO4 batteries tested have been on the budget side while others have been big-dollar, top-shelf […]
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Holeshot Advantage | Portatree’s Eliminator Next Gen Practice Tree
DSPORT Issue #266 Staff Report // Images by DSPORT Staff and Portatree In drag racing, the margin of victory can be measured in thousandths of a second. The race can be won or lost at the starting line. Racers who cut a quicker light take control of the race and […]
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Pre-Dyno Preparation | Following this Ritual will Get you the Best Results
DSPORT Issue #265 Text by Michael Ferrara // Photos by Joe Singleton It’s been said that “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” While making an appointment to get your car on a dyno is one of the smartest moves you can make, failing to have your car […]
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DIY or Don’t Even Try? | Powder Coating: Can you Do it Yourself?
DSPORT Issue #199 Text by Michael Ferrara // Photos by Joe Singleton and Michael Ferrara Product provided by Eastwood DIY (do it yourself) or PSE (pay someone else) is a decision that everyone has to make with regard to vehicle repairs and upgrades. Taking the DIY path is nearly always […]
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Part 1: Chassis | Minimizing Flex and Maximizing Torsional Rigidity
DSPORT Issue #224 Text by Michael Ferrara Take two nearly identical vehicles equipped with the same drivetrain, brakes, suspension and aero. Set both vehicles to have the same exact final weight and weight balance. If the only difference is the rigidity of the chassis, do you think it will make […]
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Painting a Picture | The Basic Stages of Automotive Paint
DSPORT Issue #236 Text by Bassem Girgis // Photos by Joe Singleton In 2017, we picked up a second generation Lexus LS400. After wondering why our intern would do that, we all started believing in the project based solely on her passion. It was set to turn into a VIP […]
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Learning Curves | Recognizing a Race-Friendy Dyno Graph
DSPORT Issue #241 By Allan Lockheed Continued from Learning Curves Revisited | Are You Running the Right Curve? Dyno graphs don’t race. However, dyno charts can provide the roadmap to go faster than the competition. By understanding how peak horsepower, the powerband, area under the horsepower curve and the actual shape […]
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Learning Curves Revisited | Are You Running the Right Curve?
DSPORT Issue #241 By Michael Ferrara About a dozen years ago, DSPORT published Allan Lockheed’s Learning Curves article in the June 2010 edition. This article was created to raise the awareness of the importance of the shape of dyno graphs, during a time where everyone was fixated solely on peak […]
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Bad-Ass Bolt-On | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) offers 500+whp Bolt-On Turbo Solution for Civic Type-R
DSPORT Issue #247 By Michael Ferrara // Photos by Joe Singleton More power without the lag. That’s the desire of nearly every turbo upgrade, but historically it’s often not the case. Fortunately, there are some real standouts in the latest generation of performance turbochargers that deliver increased power without a sacrifice […]
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CDS TECH: 34DD for RB26 | Club DSPORT’s 34mm Diameter DLC Valvetrain Welcomes Ultra High Lift Cams to RB26
DSPORT Issue #249 Text and Photos By Michael Ferrara Some people are gearheads, but my Dad would call me a camhead. Before learning about forced induction and focusing on import performance, my goal was on getting the maximum power out of my small block 350cid V8 in my 1969 Camaro. As […]
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