Autoblog

AEM lets you hook up your car to a dyno at home with Dyno-Shaft

Zach Bowman — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Technology

Unless you happen to own a dyno, accurately keeping track of which modifications benefit your vehicle may be a seat-of-the-pants operation. AEM is hoping to change that for people who are serious about wringing the absolute most out of their vehicle with the unfortunately-named Dyno-Shaft.

While the product may sound like a bizarre fetish film, it has the potential to revolutionize tuning for those of us who don't have access to high-dollar engine evaluation equipment. The Dyno-Shaft uses grade-strain gauges to measure horsepower and torque at transmission output shaft, so AEM maintains that the system's readings aren't impacted by variables that typically skew accelerometer readings.

AEM says that the the data broadcast device for the system is non-contact, doesn't use slip rings and needs no batteries, all of which are good things. Buyers simply install the supplied slip-yoke as well as a drive-shaft speed sensor and get going. Data is transmitted via a CAN-bus communications network to a data logger or an AEM engine management system. Prices start at $1,160.96 for cast-iron slip yolk applications, and AEM says that each Dyno-Shaft is specifically calibrated for your application. Chrome moly yolks are also available for higher-horsepower applications. We desperately want to play with one of these to see how accurate it is compared to a traditional full dyno setup.

AEM lets you hook up your car to a dyno at home with Dyno-Shaft originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ID Agency and Michael Chacon show off Ford Focus build

Zach Bowman — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Budget, Etc., Videos, Hatchback, Ford

Now that the dust has begun to settle after the SEMA explosion, we're discovering a handful of awesome videos that shed a little more light on some of our favorite cars from the show. That includes the ID Agency Ford Focus worked up with professional fixed-gear bike rider Michael Chacon. The hatch wears some seriously sexy BASF paint, and with a body kit drawn up by design guru Jon Sibal and a Wraptivo carbon fiber roof, the Focus has some serious attitude. An AEM cold-air intake and a Magnaflow exhaust help bump up the power, while a Brembo big brake kit is responsible for bringing the machine down from speed.

Inside sits a set of some of the most beautiful seats we've ever laid eyes on. The Sportster thrones were worked up by Recaro and feature two-tone leather and plenty of custom stitching. Do want.

The video after the jump spends plenty of time speaking with Chacon about his inspirations and what it's like to see SEMA from the outside. The clip is set to some pretty snappy tunes, including M83's "Midnight City." Hit the jump to check it out for yourself.

Continue reading ID Agency and Michael Chacon show off Ford Focus build

ID Agency and Michael Chacon show off Ford Focus build originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tanner Foust's V8 RWD Scion tC Formula Drift car unveiled

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Scion

2009 Formula D AEM/Rockstar Scion tC - Click above for high-res image gallery

While all eyes were on Scion unveiling its take on the Toyota iQ city car at the New York Auto Show, the youth-oriented Toyota division quietly let slip a batch of photos of its latest challenger for the Formula Drift championship. But if these photos are any indication, it'll be the last time this insanely modified Scion tC will be doing anything quietly.

Although the drift car you see here looks like a tC, underneath it's anything but... heck, it doesn't even use the tC's floorplan, it's so heavily modified. As previewed last week on video, this latest Scion drifter, prepared by drag racing and drift veteran Stephan Papadakis of Advanced Engine Management (AEM), packs a V8 courtesy of Toyota's NASCAR racing program, pumping 650 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque through a four-speed shifter to the rear wheels. Of course, there's only one driftsmith who could handle this much machine, and that's Tanner Foust.

The two-time defending Formula D champion - who has some extra time on his lightning-quick hands since Top Gear USA got canceled - ditches the Nissan Z he's been fielding the last few years in favor of this modified Scion, and takes his sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink along with him. The car debuted this weekend at the Formula D season opener in Long Beach, California, where Foust finished third and our man Drew Phillips was on hand to catch it in his lens. Check out the images in the pair of hi-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 Formula D AEM/Rockstar Scion tC

Gallery: Tanner Foust's AEM/Rockstar Scion tC

Live photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc

[Source: Scion via Inside Line]

Tanner Foust's V8 RWD Scion tC Formula Drift car unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RR of the Day: 2000 Honda Prelude

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:04:00 EST

Filed under: Honda, RR of the Day

When Honda introduced the Prelude in 1978, it was a strong indicator that the Japanese automaker wanted to move beyond its mundane, econo-box image. Over the next 23 years, the Prelude would go through five iterations and serve as a rolling test bed for Honda's R&D. The third generation Prelude received VTEC technology right after it was introduced in the NSX and it still has the distinction of being the only vehicle offered with an entirely mechanical four-wheel steering system. In 1987, Road & Track wrapped up testing the 1988 2.0Si 4WS version and realized that it's slalom figures eclipsed every vehicle they tested that year, including the Corvette, the new 911, and a couple Italian marques by the name of Lamborghini and Ferrari. It was a coup, but alas, all good things must come to an end.

Like all of Honda's products over the years, the Prelude got fat and with the popularity of the Acura Integra, Honda decided to axe the Prelude in 2001. However, a dedicated group on enthusiasts still hold the Honda in high standing and when it comes to the portly fifth-generation model, the best way to shed the pounds is to add some boost.

That's the tactic Flickr member smlude took when preparing his 2000 Prelude for cone-duty and judging by the list of mods after the jump, no freakin' expense was spared.

A few highlights from the mod list include a Jackson Racing supercharger, a Mugen header, coupled to Mugen cat-back exhaust, AEM cold air intake, cam gears and power pulleys, a lightweight flywheel and a JDM SIR-S Spec LSD-equipped tranny. That's maybe ten-percent of what's under the hood. On the suspension side of the equation, a Mugen Type S coilover kit drops the 'Lude about one-inch for street duty and is swapped out for a Ground Control setup when the owner hits the track. Brembo rotors and PBR ceramic pads handle the stoppage duties, and a Spoon rear strut bar firms things out in back.

The list goes on and on and on, and we didn't even get to the exterior and interior additions. Although one thing we particularly liked was the fact that the OEM stereo remains. Way to keep it real smlude.

The exhaustive list of modifications is posted after the jump, along with a few more pics of the Prelude getting its weekly parking lot workout.

NEXT WEEK'S THEME: Cars of the '80s!
Break out the leg warmers and your old Atari 2600, because we're going back to the '80s for our next RR of the Day theme. All next week we want to feature glorious cars from the decade that brought us the rise of Kevin Bacon as an actor and synthesized music as an art form. If you have a vehicle that originates from the 1980s, submit it to our Autoblog Flickr Pool to be considered for a RR of the Day feature. Man, it's gonna be a rad week.

Continue reading RR of the Day: 2000 Honda Prelude

RR of the Day: 2000 Honda Prelude originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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