While they may share many similarities, the differences between the cylinder head on the FA20 engine found in the WRX and the BRZ/FR-S/86 are vast. Instead of taking the “let’s keep it simple” approach to making a turbo and non-turbo variant of an engine, Subaru opted to optimize each engine […]
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Head Torque Plate Solutions | Save Valves and Improve Efficiency
Bent or warped valves and reduced engine efficiency have plagued our 1,300+whp RB26DETT engine ever since we pushed beyond the 1,000whp mark a few years ago. For the longest time, we chalked up the bent or warped valves to extreme temps and the rigors of life at 600 horsepower per […]
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Quick Tech: Dragy GPS-Based Performance Meter
How fast is your car? If you own a performance vehicle that has or hasn’t been modified, chances are you’ve been asked this question dozens of times. If your car is unmodified maybe you respond with the best times recorded by an automotive magazine for your platform. If your car […]
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Brake Tech 201 | Part 1: Understanding Upgrades
If you build enough project vehicles, there will come a time when you either have a need or a want to improve the braking system. In most cases, the parts you need to meet your goals will be available off the shelf. However, you may need a custom solution to […]
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ATTESA Explained | Understanding Nissan’s Electronic Torque Split Technology
If you are trying to build a mega-horsepower street car that isn’t AWD, you will literally be spinning your wheels a good amount of the time. One platform that has used its AWD system to set records for nearly 30 years is the Skyline GT-R. “Godzilla” earned its legendary status […]
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Stop The Swap | Club DSPORT Extends the Limits of the FA20
Ford and Chevy V8s, Toyota 2JZs, Subaru EJ257s and even Ferrari engines have managed to take the place of the Subaru FA20 in more than a handful of BRZ, WRX, FR-S and 86 platforms. Whether the venue is Formula D, Pike’s Peak, Time Attack or even the dragstrip; the go-to […]
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How to: Avoid and Fix Automotive Electrical Issues
Bad grounds, voltage drops, ground offsets, open circuits, dirty power and electrical noise are all terms that you are likely to come across when dealing with automotive electrical systems. Today’s production vehicles have more electrical connections and wiring than ever before. Even full race cars are challenged by more wiring […]
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Royal Straight | King Racing’s Simple Solution to Save EJ257s
While the quality of Subaru’s production line machine work may be adequate for an EJ257 engine to live a long life at factory power levels, there are few EJ257s that will spend their lifetime at factory power levels. At elevated power levels, it’s common that the OEM’s slight misalignment of […]
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The Top 10 Car Modding Myths Busted!
In a world where fake news and alternative realities are daily headlines, it can be a struggle to get past all the misleading advice, exaggerated claims, and flat-out hoaxes. While it is important to remain vigilant in the campaign against misinformation, the old saying “If it sounds too good to be […]
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Quick Tech: Analyzing TOMEI Powered’s New Line of VR38DETT Camshafts
You can learn the personality of any car from the very moment you step on the gas pedal. How is the power delivered? Does the engine run rough or smooth? Is it comfortably drivable for the street or does it only feel at home on a race track? Many components […]
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Tested: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Impact Wrench
There used to be a time where impact wrenches were only used by professionals, simply because they required an air compressor. Most DIYers didn’t have the space to store a giant tank in their garages, but this changed when battery-operated impact wrenches were introduced. However, performance has always been an […]
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Quick Tech: Piper Cams FA20 Camshaft Analysis
Maximizing performance is all about timing. Launches, gear changes, braking points, you name it, a few milliseconds difference is all it takes to either set a record or blow a corner. Under the hood is no different, as every engine component must work harmoniously to not only deliver the highest […]
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Beyond Blueprinting | Stroking and Poking the Mitsubishi 4B11
Trying to fill the shoes of what many believe to be the best four-cylinder production engine of all time is no easy task. Yet, this is exactly what the 4B11 was asked to do. More modern by design, the 4B11 has its advantages and disadvantages compared to the 4G63. We […]
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Quick Test: HKS GT1000 R35 Twin-Turbo System
Considering what tuners across the world have accomplished, the Nissan R35 GT-R may be the greatest mass-production sports car of all time. In stock form, you would need to spend double to find a competitor that could go toe to toe. With the right mix of bolt-on performance parts and […]
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Quick Test: AutoMeter Goes Wireless with its AirDrive Gauge System
We’re told that digital is the end-all way of the future, yet the resurgence of paperback books and vinyl records say otherwise. While digital means of consuming information like books and music appear to be taking over, plenty of users show interest in doing things the old fashioned way. In […]
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