SEMA 2009 – Ford Focus RS

Autotech 1.8t Intake Camshaft – Power Bump Stick

Volkswagen’s 1.8-liter turbo represented a huge step for tuners and enthusiasts alike. The G60 before it had given enthusiasts a taste of the potential of forced induction. The US market only saw it in the Corrado, while the rest of the world could enjoy Golfs and even Passats powered by the little blown four. Sadly the G-Ladder supercharger proved to be unreliable and VW had moved to the larger VR6 at its performance alternative for the MK3.

With the release of the MK4, car companies started to see the fuel economy writing on the wall. Small displacement forced induction engines would have to replace the bigger displacement, thirstier engines. Not only did the 1.8t deliver better economy, but enthusiasts found levels of tuning that just weren’t possible in naturally aspirated engines.

The 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo: pass the tissues

This may be difficult to write, because of drool on the keyboard, but here goes… the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo has been revealed.

It features a new 3.8-liter flat six engine with direct fuel injection and variable turbine geometry (VTG) for its twin blowers, the combination being a Porsche first. Oh, and it has the same intake manifold as the GT2 which uses air expansion to cool hot intake charge. We all remember Boyle’s Law right?

So, when kitted out with the Sport Chrono Package and PDK, the numbers run like this: 500 hp (20 more than the previous model) and 516 lb-ft of torque (up from 501). Zero to 60 mph is dispatched in a mere 3.2 seconds and top speed is 194 mph.

Geometry Lesson – Sharkwerk’s new suspension Components for 996 and 997 Porsches

Fremont CA: Sharkwerks Tuning in Conjunction with Road Sport Supply is now offering suspension upgrades for all 996 and 997 based 911s. Sharkwerk‘s products are designed to add adjustability to parts that are fixed length from the factory. Besides the adjustability, they also replace soft factory rubber or neoprene bushings with steel bearings that remove unwanted slop.

While factory bushings will distort under high loads, the spherical bearings will keep your alignment right where you set it. Since they are adjustable, you can set it however you want it. Do you require a crazy camber angle; want to dial in more kinematic toe? These parts will allow you to do that.

Save the Ponies – eurosport’s new front mount intercooler for VW 1.8t cars kills heat and saves power

Anaheim CA: Long time Volkswagen tuner eurosport Accessories has just released a new front mount intercooler for the MK4 1.8t. While the factory side mount unit is at best adequate for 180hp, eurosport’s unit will work on a Golf, Jetta or GTI with a big turbo set-up putting out around 300hp. That means K04 and even GT28 applications should be OK. The intercooler itself is all aluminum bar and plate core with cast end tanks. The included tubing is 2-inch diameter and coated with a black wrinkle coating.