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Monthly Archives: July 2017

  1. Completing the Package - Intercooler Piping R&D: Coming in Hot

    Completing the Package - Intercooler Piping R&D: Coming in Hot

    Fresh off the assembly line comes our prototype intercooler pipes for the 2013+ Ford Focus ST. In the last update, I reviewed the stock piping, our 3D printed prototypes, and mildly teased what the final version of this kit will look like, so it's time for a full reveal. Let's go through some of the design features and performance numbers that have resulted from this project.

    Hot side intercooler pipes
    Hot-side intercooler pipes

    The hot-side kit will have a solid aluminum center section with silicone couplers attached to the turbo and intercooler outlet. It fits nicely around the engine oil pan and is mounted with brackets to keep it in place. However, a balance between flexibility and rigidity is important, which is why the couplers are long.

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  2. Heavy Breathing - 2017+ Honda Civic Type R Performance Intake R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review

    Heavy Breathing - 2017+ Honda Civic Type R Performance Intake R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review

    66 out of 100. That might not sound too impressive, but when it comes to the top 100 Nürburgring lap times, any manufacturer would be honored to even make the list. 66 is where the current Civic Type R sits with a time of 7:43.8, making it the fastest front wheel drive car to hit this notorious 12-mile stretch of track. If you scroll though the list, you'll only be able to find a few other FF cars peppered in with all of the Porsches, Bimmers, and countless exotic hypercars. You might also notice that the CTR has made back-to-back appearances in the top 100, which is an impressive feat for any company that isn't Porsche apparently. By this point though, I'm sure you've all already heard the news about the record setting lap time. What the world of new CTR owners want to know is, "How do I make it faster?"

    With Honda's K20C1 delivering power figures of 298HP

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  3. Bye-Bye Blow-By - Catch Can R&D, Part 3: We All Love A Comeback Story

    Bye-Bye Blow-By - Catch Can R&D, Part 3: We All Love A Comeback Story

    Who doesn't love a good comeback? Rocky, Hoosiers, Robert Downey Jr., and Lindsey Lohan (kind of) are all prime examples of what makes the comeback story so compelling. The theme behind any good comeback is perseverance - not giving in to the will to stop.

    Unrelenting perseverance will lead to beating seemingly impossible odds. It's what led the 2005 Liverpool soccer team to beat the heavily favored AC Milan squad in penalties, and the 1993 Buffalo Bills to defeat the Houston Oilers from 32 points down, overcoming the largest point deficit in the NFL to date. Without perseverance, you won't go very far in whatever it is you do. Our engineers take this idea quite seriously at our R&D headquarters, and while the catch can project for this 2015+ Ford F-150 EcoBoost has been stalled for some time, it never really went away. There have been interesting challenges to get around during our R&D, but we finally have something you're going to love.

    Tough Times with the

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  4. Defending the King - 2017 Honda Civic Type R Direct Fit Catch Can R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    Defending the King - 2017 Honda Civic Type R Direct Fit Catch Can R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    It's finally here. After 20 years, and a few extra months of waiting, the Civic Type R has made its way to the States. I have to say, if the standard Civic wasn't striking enough, the Type R has the qualities to make it one scalding hot hatchback. While some of the components carried over from the last generation, including some of the aerodynamics and the return of the mighty K20C1, the FK8 actually went on a bit of a diet and received not only a cosmetic makeover, but also a suspension overhaul fit for the new king of the Nürburgring. It's easy to see why so many are willing to pay thousands over MSRP for the chance to call this new Civic their own.

    Something about that wing lets you know that the CTR means business.
    Something about that wing lets
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  5. Got Trucks, Got Jeeps (VOL. 1) - Catch Can R&D Part 2: Designing The Final Product

    Got Trucks, Got Jeeps (VOL. 1) - Catch Can R&D Part 2: Designing The Final Product

    Jeeps are built to be rugged, all-terrain vehicles. We can bet that most of the aftermarket parts you purchase for your Jeep are designed to make it tougher. There's no reason for our upcoming catch can kit to be any different. Our engineers have made this can nearly indestructible and will be able to handle any abuse your 2007-2011 3.8L Wrangler can throw at it.

    In our last update, we discussed our plans for how we wanted to mount this catch can. We determined that the best location for a bracket was right behind the ECU. We could use the stock bolts that are already there, and the components can attach to the chassis, making it a solid and sensible location.

    3D scanning on our intended area for bracket design
    3D scanning on our intended area
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  6. Protecting your V8 Killer - 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost Catch Can R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    Protecting your V8 Killer - 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost Catch Can R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    As much as my car enthusiast-self hates to admit it, the days of the gas powered V8 are numbered. Even never owning a vehicle motorized by one of these monstrous power plants, it's a sad concept to wrap my head around. For decades, we've all relied on those eight cylinders for the necessity to haul heavy objects around, and for the sheer enjoyment of speed. For those of you in the business of the latter, you might find this to be foreboding, especially since one of the pioneers of popularizing the V8 is the one driving the final nail in the coffin. You heard correctly, I'm holding Ford responsible for taking one of the biggest steps against the eight cylinder engine. It's not necessarily a bad thing, however, since their EcoBoost engines are more than up to snuff to fill the shoes of the V8.

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  7. Intercooler Sandwich - 2015+ VW MK7 GTI/Golf R, Audi A/S3 Intercooler R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    Intercooler Sandwich - 2015+ VW MK7 GTI/Golf R, Audi A/S3 Intercooler R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    The Golf GTI has been one of the most revered hot hatchbacks since its inception in the mid-1970s. While it was immediately a hit in Europe, and especially the UK, we didn't get the chance to experience Volkswagen's ingenious combination of efficiency and speed until the early 80's with the "Rabbit" GTI. The MK1's screaming 98 horsepower engine boasting Bosch's latest fuel injection technology, combined with crisp and responsive suspension, was enough to draw in a huge following. With that following came an explosion in aftermarket parts for these vehicles, from wheels to lowering kits, and just about any other trick to squeeze every drop of performance from the naturally aspirated motors equipped through the next two generations.

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  8. Finishing Touches - 2011+ Dodge Charger and Challenger Aluminum Expansion Tank R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    Finishing Touches - 2011+ Dodge Charger and Challenger Aluminum Expansion Tank R&D Part 1 - Stock Review

    I have a confession to make. I've never been a fan of American muscle cars. Most of this sentiment can be attributed to my two older brothers, who both molded my young mind to favor BMWs, Audis, and Mini Coopers over the fire breathing V8s of Detroit. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the mighty muscle car. In fact, it's almost a strange concept as an automotive enthusiast not to have a soft spot for engines measured in cubic inches. With a roaring V8 in the front that sends all that power to the rear wheels, creating warp speeds in a straight line and slide happy turns, it's no wonder such qualities would draw in crowds chomping at the bit for the next fast Mopar. Not me, however. I preferred to stay behind the wheel of my tiny hot hatch back. That was, of course, until I drove this Charger.

    "<yoastmark

    Luckily

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  9. Reviving a Legend - Radiator R&D: Design & Build

    Reviving a Legend - Radiator R&D: Design & Build

    This radiator is on pre-sale! Check it out on our website!

    When AMC first began designing the XJ Cherokee as early as 1978, I doubt they knew that almost 40 years later their design would still be coveted by off-road enthusiasts as one of the greatest rock crawling and trail forging vehicles of all time. The engineers at AMC also probably didn't think that many of those XJ's would still be running with their original radiator. Between daily driving, fording rivers, and the occasional large rock or two, the effects of time and mother nature have taken their toll on these radiators.

    Once solid and reliable, the plastic end tanks have begun to crack, leaving evidence of their frailty as puddles in parking lots and driveways. The robust metal fixtures have given way to the persistence of rain and salt, becoming nothing more than crumbling rust. Carefully designed fins and tubes have been battered by rocks

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  10. Blow-By Verified - Oil Catch Can R&D, Part 2: The New Kit!

    Blow-By Verified - Oil Catch Can R&D, Part 2: The New Kit!

    Function and utility often outweigh aesthetics, and our engineering department has paid particular attention to the two while creating the baffled oil catch can kit for the 2009 Dodge Ram 5.7L V8 Hemi. Your Ram works hard for you, so it's only natural to want to take as much care of your pride and joy as you can to keep it running at its best.

    We already know that this truck can use some TLC when it comes to the amount of blow-by the Hemi produces. If you need a refresher, in only 1,000 miles, we caught nearly 50ml of content, which is on the high side of tests performed on other applications. It was clear that our can was working, but there was one problem - our original two-ounce can just wouldn't cut it. You'd have to empty the can several times before you're even due for an oil change. That's an inconvenience we don't want you to experience, so we came up with a solution.

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