There used to be a time when tuning consisted of using a screwdriver to change jets in the carburetor and reading spark plugs to determine air/fuel ratios. Today, aftermarket companies offer tuning solutions that vary from stand-alone ECUs, to ECU reflash that can quickly be done by just about any […]
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Quick Tech | Halogen vs LED: Which One is Right for You?
If you don’t drive your car at night, stop reading this story. If you’re one of the millions that follow the light, then this might be of service to you. Whether you have a burnt bulb or you want to upgrade your headlights, the options are numerous. While we were […]
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Performance Tech | Compression Ratio 101 Part:1
Optimizing an engine’s compression ratio for the type of fuel and the boost levels (forced induction applications) that will be used can result in additional power, increased torque and improved fuel economy. As you may already be aware of, some engines are optimized from the factory to run on higher-octane […]
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Performance Tech | CAN-Bus 101
If you are old enough to have used computers before the invention of the USB port, you probably really appreciate USB. Before USB, hooking up any external device to your computer required the assignment of a hexadecimal address to a serial port or parallel port that needed to have unique […]
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THERMOCURE | Cooling System Rust Remover
While the general public is pretty good about sticking to a regular schedule for oil and oil filter changes on their vehicle, the same cannot be said for cooling system maintenance. Depending on the vehicle, its usage and the type of coolant being used, the maintenance interval for the cooling […]
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Test & Tune: 2019 Subaru WRX | Part 1: Exhaust and Accessport
Let’s do it! In the previous issue of DSPORT, we introduced you to our latest D’GARAGE projects: a 2019 Subaru WRX and a 2019 Honda Civic Si. We explained that both cars will go through various stages of upgrades, and to continue measuring the progress, we will race at the […]
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D’Garage Battle: 2019 Subaru WRX vs 2019 Honda Civic Si
Do you know who your enemy is? Sometimes he can be in your presence without you knowing. Often times, he can be sitting in the same room every single day. I recently purchased a brand-new 2019 Subaru WRX. It wasn’t until Tyler, our Events and Marketing Manager, bought his also […]
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LSPI: Low-Speed Pre-Ignition
For every action, there is going to be a reaction. Over the past few years, automakers have taken action to develop turbocharged gasoline direct-injection (TGDI) engines to deliver a previously unachievable balance of specific output (horsepower-per-liter) and fuel economy. Today, a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder TGDI engine can put out the horsepower […]
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Project A+ | B-Series All-Motor Build | Optimizing the Original Performance VTEC
Nothing beats boost. A big enough turbo at high enough boost pressure delivers big power numbers regardless of how well the engine and performance combination were put together. If you take away this ultimate power adder, you better know your shit if you want to make power. Nearly 20 years […]
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Rotary vs Piston
The Wankel Rotary engine: Mazda’s most prized offering is also the source of hundreds of hilarious internet memes. During a time where internal combustion piston engines were the primary technology used in vehicles, Mazda decided to develop a competing technology. In the early ‘70s, the Rotary engine powered nearly every […]
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Test & Tune: 2011 Subaru WRX Part 2 | Downpipe, Intercooler, Equal Length Manifold
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER you’re talking about an athlete or a vehicle with a combustion engine, improving aspiration can make a tremendous difference to performance. Just as a runner trains at elevation to make breathing easier at sea level, helping a turbocharged vehicle breath easier will net horsepower gains. Text by […]
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Test & Tune: 2011 Subaru WRX Part 1 | Basic Bolt-ons for More Power
SUBARU’S GVB WRX could be one of the best values in the segment, when measuring performance versus value. It’s less expensive than similar all-wheel drive sedans yet the WRX benefits from its torquey, turbocharged 2.5- liter EJ255 engine. When Subaru released this sedan, its bold lines and flared fenders made […]
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Variable Compression Engines | Are Boosted Variable Compression Engines the New Way to Go?
“For every action, there’s going to be a reaction. And if the repercussions of the reaction are worse than the benefits of the action, you are going to get screwed.” In automotive engineering, balancing between power and efficiency is crucial. One of the factors that can affect an engine’s power […]
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Quick Tech: Limiting Belt Slip Can Add Big Power
When you consider that a belt-driven supercharger might need 80 or 100 horsepower to compress enough air to allow your engine to make 600 flywheel horsepower, it’s not surprising that the 6-rib belts used to drive the supercharger may experience some slippage. The amount of slippage is dependent upon the […]
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Quick Tech: Getting Your Car Ready for a Track Day
Imagine standing at the cargo door of an airplane 13,000 feet in the air. You brace yourself as you are about to make your first solo skydive. You feel the rush of adrenaline sweep through and the last thing you want running through your mind is whether your parachute is […]
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