DSPORT Issue #242 By Michael Ferrara For more than a decade, we’ve been preaching about the advantages of “lithium” batteries (technically lithium-iron-phosphate or LiFePO4 to be exact). We’ve tested many offerings from different manufacturers. Some LiFePO4 batteries tested have been on the budget side while others have been big-dollar, top-shelf […]
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Holeshot Advantage | Portatree’s Eliminator Next Gen Practice Tree
DSPORT Issue #266 Staff Report // Images by DSPORT Staff and Portatree In drag racing, the margin of victory can be measured in thousandths of a second. The race can be won or lost at the starting line. Racers who cut a quicker light take control of the race and […]
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Pre-Dyno Preparation | Following this Ritual will Get you the Best Results
DSPORT Issue #265 Text by Michael Ferrara // Photos by Joe Singleton It’s been said that “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” While making an appointment to get your car on a dyno is one of the smartest moves you can make, failing to have your car […]
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DIY or Don’t Even Try? | Powder Coating: Can you Do it Yourself?
DSPORT Issue #199 Text by Michael Ferrara // Photos by Joe Singleton and Michael Ferrara Product provided by Eastwood DIY (do it yourself) or PSE (pay someone else) is a decision that everyone has to make with regard to vehicle repairs and upgrades. Taking the DIY path is nearly always […]
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Part 1: Chassis | Minimizing Flex and Maximizing Torsional Rigidity
DSPORT Issue #224 Text by Michael Ferrara Take two nearly identical vehicles equipped with the same drivetrain, brakes, suspension and aero. Set both vehicles to have the same exact final weight and weight balance. If the only difference is the rigidity of the chassis, do you think it will make […]
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Painting a Picture | The Basic Stages of Automotive Paint
DSPORT Issue #236 Text by Bassem Girgis // Photos by Joe Singleton In 2017, we picked up a second generation Lexus LS400. After wondering why our intern would do that, we all started believing in the project based solely on her passion. It was set to turn into a VIP […]
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Learning Curves | Recognizing a Race-Friendy Dyno Graph
DSPORT Issue #241 By Allan Lockheed Continued from Learning Curves Revisited | Are You Running the Right Curve? Dyno graphs don’t race. However, dyno charts can provide the roadmap to go faster than the competition. By understanding how peak horsepower, the powerband, area under the horsepower curve and the actual shape […]
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Learning Curves Revisited | Are You Running the Right Curve?
DSPORT Issue #241 By Michael Ferrara About a dozen years ago, DSPORT published Allan Lockheed’s Learning Curves article in the June 2010 edition. This article was created to raise the awareness of the importance of the shape of dyno graphs, during a time where everyone was fixated solely on peak […]
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Bad-Ass Bolt-On | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) offers 500+whp Bolt-On Turbo Solution for Civic Type-R
DSPORT Issue #247 By Michael Ferrara // Photos by Joe Singleton More power without the lag. That’s the desire of nearly every turbo upgrade, but historically it’s often not the case. Fortunately, there are some real standouts in the latest generation of performance turbochargers that deliver increased power without a sacrifice […]
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CDS TECH: 34DD for RB26 | Club DSPORT’s 34mm Diameter DLC Valvetrain Welcomes Ultra High Lift Cams to RB26
DSPORT Issue #249 Text and Photos By Michael Ferrara Some people are gearheads, but my Dad would call me a camhead. Before learning about forced induction and focusing on import performance, my goal was on getting the maximum power out of my small block 350cid V8 in my 1969 Camaro. As […]
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HKS Zero-R Advanced Heritage | Imagine a Turn-key, Fully-Improved R32 GT-R Complete Car from HKS
DSPORT Issue #255 By Michael Ferrara // Photos By Michael Ferrara Original ZERO-R photos by Motive Video/James Greig Back in 1991, HKS had a desire to offer a complete car that would showcase its technology. The Zero-R project was debuted and HKS built ten R32 GT-Rs to the Zero-R spec. Challenges […]
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Tech Series | Nitrous Oxide Basics and Beyond: Part III
DSPORT Issue #253 Text by Michael Ferrara // Photos by Joe Singleton Nothing good ever comes from solenoid failure. When a nitrous oxide solenoid fails to open, engine performance suffers significantly. Fuel from the “wet” system or the additional fuel provided by the injectors on a “dry” system establish a fuel […]
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Reduce the Friction, Increase the Power | DYNO TESTED: Chevron Delo® 400 XLE SB vs. TriboDyn® TRI-EX2 15W-40
DSPORT Issue #268 By Michael Ferrara // Photos by Joe Singleton Towing, heavy loads, high compression ratios, and sustained high boost levels are just a few of the realities that pose a challenge for engine oil on a turbocharged diesel engine. However, when regular oil change intervals are maintained with the […]
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Horsepower 101 | Is that Dyno Telling the Truth?
DSPORT Issue #247 Text by Michael Ferrara That’s not good…your dyno has an STd. unless you run a dyno for a living, you may not get this joke so let us explain. All dynos have some sort of correction factor available while some may offer a selection of different correction factors. […]
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Copper Topper | The Ins and Outs of Copper Head Gaskets
DSPORT Issue #254 By Michael Ferrara // Images by Jun Chen Why copper? With the increasing availability of high-performance, multi-layer-steel (MLS) head gaskets, one might question why anyone would want to use something different. While MLS head gaskets might make sense on the majority of high-performance engine builds, copper head gaskets […]
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