PASMAG 170

Making

Featured Authorized Dealer:

TRACK / DRIFT / STANCE / STREET

For the past decade ISC Suspension has proven itself as a diverse weapon for multiple driving disciplines for both street and motorsports; from Time Attack and HPDE, to Drift, Autocross and Street

(ISSN # 1710-1573)

(416) 922-7526

1-800-667-7223

ISSUE PREVIEW

Can you believe it’s been 9 years of these? What a ride! The legacy of PASMAG’s Tuner Battlegrounds series continues to grow and bring us the best of the best, allowing our audience to get in on the action in more ways than one. From competing, to voting, and everything in between, we truly couldn’t have done 9 seasons of this without you, so thank you!

This time around, we’re celebrating our season 9 champion and runner-up. On the cover, our champ: Luke Skalisius’ 2004 Subaru WRX STI, one of the most popular ‘04 Subarus on the internet! Backing up that feature is our runner-up: Max Caroca’s 2007 BMW 335i, one of our favorite BMW builds in Tuner Battlegrounds history! To say the 9th Annual Tuner Battlegrounds Championship brought the heat would be an understatement.

In addition to the cream of the crop from the 9th Tuner Battlegrounds Championship, we also have a wide variety of #TBGLIVE winners and PASMAG’s Tuning 365 Tour award winners to showcase from a handful of recent events, so be sure to check out those builds as well. We are so stoked to see all the builders bringing the quality and competing across North America in our very own shows. Thanks to you guys, we have so many more on the horizon!

Of course, all of this is accompanied by a sprinkling of the usual PASMAG content, including the latest and greatest products the aftermarket industry has to o er. As always, thanks for picking up PASMAG. We hope to see you competing in the 10th Annual Tuner Battlegrounds Championship!

GORDON @gordon.leadfoot

PERFORMANCE

BOLTS

ISC SUSPENSION

coilover air cup kit is a happy medium between

and

In

it takes the bene

from both, and for the most part leaves behind the negatives associated with each. That might sound too good to be true, but we speak the truth! Air

do not sacri

like a traditional

and coilover

have the ability for instant

adjustment when needed just like air bags.

AEM PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS

Tesla LDU Control System for EV Swaps $999 | AEMEV.com

Are you ready to install a Tesla Model S Large Drive Unit (LDU) in any vehicle and achieve complete control? You can with AEM EV’s LDU Inverter Control Board (ICB, PN 30-8402) and VCU200 Vehicle Control Unit (PN 30-8000)! This system provides full control of the LDU for programming torque curves, torque limits, regenerative braking, accelerator pedal response, drive-mode switches, and much more.

AEROMOTIVE

LS Truck Fuel Pumps for Late Model Chevrolet / GMC Pickups AeromotiveInc.com

Based on Aeromotive’s proven Phantom Fuel System kits that include everything needed to install a fuel pump and ba le/basket into almost any fuel tank, these are ideal for LS-based street truck builds that include power-adders such as turbos or superchargers. The new truck pumps line includes single- and dual-pump con gurations flowing from 340 to 450 lph for 1999-2004 GM pickup models; and single-, dual-, and even triple-pump setups flowing from 340 to 450 lph for 2005-2018 models.

KICKER

L7T Loaded Down-Firing Enclosures

Kicker.com

Designed

MDF

the KICKER

be

The

“Forced-Air Cooling” system

the

the

of the

run

than

the

the

PRODUCTS HOTNEW

DESIGN ENGINEERING INC

Oil Filter Heat Shield

DesignEngineering.com

DEI’s new oil lter heat shield can be used to keep oil at its best operating temperature; especially important for vehicles with high performance engines. With most vehicles, the oil lter is typically located between the oil pan and engine, and can be near hot exhaust headers. Without protection, radiant heat can increase oil temperature and potentially cause heat soak.

DESIGN ENGINEERING INC Stainless Steel Heat Shield Pads

DesignEngineering.com

Featuring grommet holes that provide secure mounting points, the universal pads can be hand-formed to t just about any shape, bend, or curve. Available in two sizes, they block heat and protect components better than factory shields. O ering up to a 2,000-degrees farenheit direct-temperature rating, the extremely lightweight pads are made from highgrade, double-sided stainless steel and high-temp insulation. Welded seam edges seal the insulation between the stainless steel sheets.

PROJECT MU Brake Master Cylinder Cap

Project-Mu.co.jp

A simple bolt-on design that simply covers the genuine cap. A master cylinder cap with a green alumite color nish that can be attached to various car models if the size matches. Available in 70mm outer diameter ( ts 86/BRZ/S15/Evo/Subaru models), and 80mm outer diameter ( ts Honda models).

VORTECH SUPERCHARGERS

Small Block Chevy Supercharger System

VortechSuperchargers.com

Vortech Superchargers now o ers

Small Block Chevy owners a way to easily make more power while still retaining air conditioning and power steering if needed. Utilizing a V-3 Si-Trim compressor capable of up to 775 horsepower, and a 10-rib belt drive assembly, this new more compact Vortech Centrifugal Supercharger kit has the smallest footprint, and is speci cally designed for stock to mid-level modi ed engines. Available for most 283-383 cubic inch SBC engines with stock or aftermarket heads.

LIT LOGOS

Lit Logos

From $150 | Lit-Logos.com

Lit Logos makes OEM+ light up logos for cars. These logos are designed to replace your OEM badge in the front grill. Lit Logos are Bluetooth controlled from your phone, and can be set up to be any solid color you want, including white, as well as over 100 moving color options. The logo operates on 12V power, and can run for weeks without starting the car and without killing the battery.

HOLLEY Hooker Blackheart Cat-Back Exhaust System for 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Holley.com

This Hooker BlackHeart 304 stainless steel cat-back exhaust system will make your 2020 C8 Corvette sound like the supercar it is. The polished high-flow straight through mu ler design will not only give your car a deep aggressive rumble, but it will also reduce the weight of the exhaust system by 19 lbs. The mu ler also has an internal X-pipe design to act as a balance point between the two cylinders banks, improving performance.

310 Stealth Series Dual Pack $549.95 | VIAIRCorp.com

The 310 Stealth Series Dual performance value pack is the quietest compressor VIAIR has ever produced! With a duty cycle rating of 50% at 200 psi, it features a newly designed head, upgraded spring-loaded rubber isolators, thermal overload protector, and new patented air lter assembly for a lower dB rating than ever before. It is CE Certi ed, RoHS and REACH Compliant, and features outstanding sealing properties against the elements. Includes a heavy-duty pressure switch and two 40-amp relays.

SONAX

CC One Ceramic Coating $99.99 | SonaxCanada.com

SONAX Hybrid ceramic Coating CC One is a single stage e ciency in a professional coating. SONAX has developed CC One as a professional coating that e ectively strengthens the atomic bond to painted surfaces during the curing process.

SONAX Hybrid Coating CC One activates the cohesion of painted surfaces to produce protective molecular coating with a deep shine. The kit comes with a grip pad, which ensures optimum ergonomic handling while absorbing the coating and dispersing it evenly.

SONAX Ceramic Ultra Slick Detailer $19.99 | SonaxCanada.com

SONAX Ceramic Ultra Slick Detailer is an excellent maintenance quick detailer that allows your vehicle to stay cleaner longer between washes. SONAX Si-Carbon adds next level technology to produce a superslick gloss with incredible depth and shine. Renews sealants and existing ceramic coatings with an incredible beading e ect.

KNUKONCEPTZ

Vertical Top Post Adapter $9.99 | KnuKonceptz.com

KnuKonceptz expands its Ultimate Battery Terminal

Adapter (VTPA). Have a lease vehicle, or maybe

Worry no more! The VTPA allows the

required. Installing

and

UBT

HEISE LED LIGHTING SYSTEMS

RGBW Underglow LED 4-Piece Kit HeiseLED.com

Metra’s RGBW LED underglow lighting, the RGBW1-UNDGLED, is designed for allterrain or powersports vehicles, cars, and more! Choose from 16 million di erent color options plus a true white color using the Metra RGB smartphone app with prebuilt lighting transitions, flash patterns, and more. This 4-piece package includes two 36-inch and two 48-inch sealed water-resistant LED tubes, mounting hardware, and extension cables, providing a fast and durable RGBW lighting solution. Controller sold separately.

SWIFT SPRINGS

Sport Spec-R Springs SwiftSprings.com

Built for track duty. Comfortable daily driver. Swift’s Spec-R Springs are track tested and tuned for optimal

enough as a daily driver. These are created for the track enthusiast looking to take their vehicle to the next level. Engineered with three characteristics in mind: Modi ed ride height compared to their Sport Springs, to maximize optimal suspension geometry. Further increasing the spring rate to enhance overall performance. Increase in spring rate is solely based on the upper limits of the vehicle’s factory shock valving. Additionally, to maintain optimal comfort level for street use.

MUTEKI TR45 Mackin-Ind.com

being

SWIFT SPRINGS

Sport Springs SwiftSprings.com

Composed of

strong

the Muteki TR45

in M12xP.1.5 and M12xP1.25

between Titanium Chrome or Gunmetallic nishes.

Superior performance. Comfortably driven. Swift Sport Springs provide quality ride you receive from the showroom while adding improved handling, and lower ride height for driving enthusiasts and style minded drivers who demand only the best. Swift Sport Springs were not developed by simply focusing on style, but by reaching 3 goals: Maintain or improve a smooth, comfortable ride, increase handling by reducing body roll and squat in search of overall suspension balance, and lower the vehicle within tolerance of each vehicle’s usable stroke.

ORACLE LIGHTING

ColorSHIFT Fiber Optic LED Interior Kits

From $74.75 | OracleLights.com

These ber optic interior kits from ORACLE Lighting are the perfect way to accent your vehicle’s interior in a clean and seamless way. The special side- ring ber optic cables have an integrated edge to make installation easy on any vehicle with options for a 2-, 4-, or 6-piece kit. The cable edge inserts between interior body panels in your vehicle including door panels, dashboard, headliner, console, and more. Enjoy RGB control via the included remote or free app for an ultra-custom look!

KYO-EI Project Kics DP50 Dual Phase System Lug Nuts

KyoEi-ind.co.jp

Made up of a combination of Duralumin and Chromoly, the DP50 Dual Phase System lug nuts feature a two-piece design. The aluminum sleeve cover o ers a 60-degree taper. The sleeve cover is free and has a washer e ect, making it difcult for screws to loosen. Add style and function to your wheel and tire package with ease.

REDLINE OIL

MT-90 Synthetic Gear Oil

$21.39 | RedlineOil.com

One of the most popular Gear oils on the market. Can handle the abuse of drifting, endurance racing and o -road use. MT-90 is 75W90 GL-4 gear oil, similar to SAE 5W40/10W40 engine oil viscosity. O ers quicker shifts, perfect synchronizer coe cient of friction. Safe for brass synchros, as it lacks the reactive sulfurs found in most GL-5 oils that cause damage. High performance gear protection and longer synchro life. Eliminates notchy shifting, even when cold.

inch drop with the Super Low kit. Silver's also o ers a Swift spring upgrade for those looking for the best ride quality available in a coilover system.

@drivenshow

Photography By Franz Olsem |

@ma1fdo

Photography By Donnie Rochin

Hardware designed to stand out and stand the test of time. Check out our selection of vehcile specific kits and 70+ individual sizes.

Luke Skalisius | Tunner Battlegrounds Winner

Max Caroca | Tunner Battlegrounds Runner Up

@drivenshow

Photography By Ben Militar |

@ben_militar

Photography By Julia Neukom |

@neukom.photos

Photography By Micah Russel |

@spokephoto

Photography By Jacob Owen, PAS Staff |

@jacob.owen_photography

@formulad

Photography By Jacob Peters |

@automotive_aperature

@formulad

Photography By Antonio Logan |

@mrlogan89, Chris Gosda

@photosbycg13, Lee Vermont |

@photobycereal2k

@formulad

Photography By Ernie Ventenilla |

@ernieventenilla, Paula Kmiecicka |

@ilovespiders, Matt Nelson |

@inertia_images, PAS Staff |

@pasmag

@formulad

Photography By Christopher O'Neal |

@conphotographyllc, PAS Staff |

@pasmag

For the first time since TBG 6, it was Subaru vs BMW again!

This time, two very di erent builds and owners battled head to head for the glory. Both competitors gave it everything they had, resulting in the tightest final count we’ve ever had in the history of Tuner Battlegrounds. The hard work they put into the competition still pales in comparison to the hard work they put into each of their builds - both of these guys are winners if you ask us!

TUNER BATTLEGROUNDS TO DATE

Gerbie Reyes was our third-ina-row Canadian finalist and Champion - also from Manitoba! What are they putting in the water over there? Also the first year that we cracked over 1,000,000 hashtag impressions!

Battle of the Jesuses with Hondas! What a matchup!

Andre Klebleyev’s BMW was our first ever finalist and Champion to drive a European car! This was also the year that we implemented the Editor’s Challenge!

Scion FR-S builds to the

their

for the

Battle of the 2JZ-swapped Nissans! Both Kalvin Malli and Anthony Do put tons of work into their ‘90s Nissans to battle for the title.

Our first all-female championship!

battle.

A PHOENIX RISEN

A PHOENIX RISEN

Subaru’s GD chassis holds a special place in the hearts of many enthusiasts. From 2002 to 2007, Subaru was producing sports cars that were truly a one-of-a-kind staple of the era. Nothing like them had been seen before, and certainly nothing close to them came afterwards. The unique styling and body shape of the GD still evokes emotions of Subaru’s rally and motorsports heritage of the era. For these reasons and more, Tuner Battlegrounds 9 Champion, Luke Skalisius, had always reserved a soft spot for the second generation of WRX and STi models.

Story by Adam Gordon // Photography by Jacob Peters

How Luke Skalisius turned tragedy into gold, winning him the title of 9th Annual Tuner Battleground Champion.

PHOENIX

Even before he could drive, the Subaru GD was his “realistic dream car”something poster-worthy that was still obtainable within reason. Upon exiting high school and entering a career that allowed him to realize some of those dreams, he picked up his rst one: A 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX in Platinum Silver Metallic. It was this car that would teach him countless valuable lessons, as well as the mechanical know-how to keep one in good shape. Of course, that didn’t come without its fair share of lessons learned the hard way.

A few blown engines, a transmission given the grenade treatment at the drag strip, and a handful of setbacks into ownership, Skalisius was starting

to feel a bit deflated. That was until he met his now- ance, Maya. She lit up with excitement to work on the WRX the same way Skalisius remembered doing when he rst started, and that re-ignited the spark of motivation for him. After some long nights and hard work, the car was back up and running, and he was ready to aesthetically change the car. Some fender flares and a full Air Lift Performance 3P system were installed in no time.

Unfortunately, disaster would strike again. All of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into that build were obliterated in an earth-shattering hail storm, just when Skalisius was beginning to like what he saw. Faced with a decision to make about the future of the car, he had some thinking to do, and while he was browsing online, his decision was practically made for him. He had stumbled onto a 2004 Subaru WRX STi for sale, and this one was painted with a rare color option, Java Black Pearl - the color he had dreamed of when he rst started, and the very one you see on these pages. Taking this as a sign, he pulled the trigger, and after a long trip to bring it home, it was time to swap his air suspension system to the new chassis.

An added bonus to the new chassis was the fact that it came with a fully built 2.7L engine! Making a potent 557 horsepower at all wheels, the drivetrain of the new chassis was already done for him for the most part. Custom built heads, an upgraded fuel system, and a rotated Precision Turbo kit ensured plenty of power, and a custom built 6-speed manual transmission

with straight-cut gears, carbon ber driveshaft, upgraded axles, and custom di erentials made sure he could put that power down reliably.

As this new build progressed, disaster struck once more. Another hail storm. No, we’re not joking. This time there was no hesitation or secondguessing, and Skalisius immediately brought the car to his friend at A-Rod’s Autobody Shop for repairs. During the downtime, he did some research on visual styling options for the car, really emphasizing his desire to push the

Luke and I have been FB friends since 2017. I’ve seen some of the earliest stages of the STI, and it’s been unreal watching it change into the show stopper it is today. The passion put into this thing is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed.

I’ve never known a more unique yet tasteful car, one that’s just as stunning in person as it is in pictures. I’m not sure how Luke planned out the STI, but every little detail ties into the rest of the build perfectly. It’s unapologetically unique, and it just works. There’s a presence about the car, when you see it you’ll understand. Subaru aside, Luke himself is well deserving of the Championship title. He embodies the best of the car scene, and the positive energy that he radiates is contagious. From my experience, people like Luke in the automotive world are few and far between. Luke’s one of the good ones, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for him.

“AN ADDED BONUS TO THE NEW CHASSIS WAS THE FACT THAT IT CAME WITH A FULLY BUILT 2.7L ENGINE!”

A PHOENIX RISEN A PHOENIX RISEN

Sarah | @sjgoede

boundaries of a car that had been done the same way so many times before him. Among the rst purchases after his deep-dive were a set of 18x12.5 CCW D11L wheels, and the 80mm ABW Motorsports flares that would allow those wide wheels to t.

With the flares and wheels t up nicely, he was ready to drive around for a bit, and kept gathering parts for his ultimate vision along the way. Having fun driving the car and making

memories with friends, Skalisius says it was getting harder to nd time to keep building, until he heard that PASMAG was putting on a T365 event at Formula Drift. Now he had a timeline. Skalisius and his friends at Dream Dash Garage immediately got to work.

The group of them simultaneously tackled bodywork and paint prep while assembling the clean and simply modi ed interior at the same time. By this point, Skalisius was sending teas-

er photos to some of us at PASMAG to let us know we could expect him at the show. With everything nally painted, it was assembly time. With just hours to spare before the show began, things were looking good, and Skalisius rolled into the show to put the very last nishing touches on the car right there in the lot.

“Finally, this was it,” he tells us. “My dream vision of a 2004 Subaru WRX STi was together and sitting there - it was like a dream come true.” All of that hard work clearly paid o , as that event propelled him up the ladder to the championship battle, and the rest is history. Skalisius extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped him along the way. Teamwork truly does make the dream work.

“FINALLY, THIS WAS IT.”

ESSENTIALS

2004 Subaru WRX STi

PROPER EXECUTION

Story by Adam Gordon // Photography by 4th Media

Tuner Battlegrounds Runner-Up, Max Caroca’s 2007 BMW 335i

PROPER EXECUTION

PROPER EXECUTION

These days you need a cohesive theme throughout your entire vehicle if you want to stand out on the show floor. The build must have a clearly executed vision from front bumper to rear, going the distance and separating the work from the ever-increasing quality from show-goers. Bonus points if that build theme echoes themes of your own tastes and personality. This is something Max Caroca, our Tuner Battlegrounds 9 Championship runner-up, knows very well - but it wasn’t always this way.

Caroca’s journey with his 2007 BMW 335i started way back in 2012, when he drove from Montreal to Toronto in search of a BMW he had seen posted for sale. Immediately after taking possession of the 335i, Caroca began the process of making it his own. At rst, he was only making modi cations for the sake of bolstering performance, but after attending his rst big car

show, he also fell in love with the sights of aesthetically pleasing mods as well.

The 335i’s N54 engine was treated to a Precision Turbo 6466 turbo upgrade with a T51r moda turbo setup that sounds as good as it performs. A fuel system upgrade courtesy of Fuel It, as well as an added Prometh kit allows boost to be turned up considerably and tuned by Pure Evil, and now Caroca’s 335i is sitting

comfortably at 720 whp. Complemen tary changes like the R8 coil pack conversion and CSF radiator ensure some long term durability in the face of added power. A SPEC clutch pack age, a Driveshaft Shop carbon fiber driveshaft, and a Ford 8.8 differential help transfer all that power to the rear wheels with ease.

Eventually, engine mods that started as purely performance improvements started to get more stylish, and the aesthetics of the engine bay was quickly turning into something Caroca really admired. Carbon fiber looks good anywhere! A custom painted engine cover came shortly after. As the engine bay started to take shape and fit a look he enjoyed, the theme for the rest of the build started to come naturally. “I modify my car aesthetically according to my personality,” Caroca tells us. “It is sober outside and crazy-funky inside.”

Not to be confused with a boring exterior, Caroca’s “sober” exterior is made up of tasteful add-ons like a healthy dose of carbon fiber and subtle yellow accents. Setting the build apart from the rest is a custom

carbon kevlar hood, as well as a unique set of retrofitted headlights with honeycomb lenses. The entire exterior is finished off with a beautiful custom chalk/crayon paint job that looks glassy from all angles. At ground level, a set of DPE RD20 3-piece wheels measuring 19x9.5 up front and 19x11 in the rear rounds out the look, with the car lowered over them by way of Moton Clubsport 2-way coilovers.

The theme of Caroca’s build continues as you step inside the cockpit. Carbon fiber and yellow accents are even more prevalent here, with the most obvious examples being the carbon fiber consoles and pillars, the beautiful alcantara and yellow stitched

“AS THE ENGINE BAY STARTED TO TAKE SHAPE AND FIT A LOOK HE ENJOYED, THE THEME FOR THE REST OF THE BUILD STARTED TO COME NATURALLY.”

dashboard, and matching Recaro Sportster GT seats reupholstered in the same style. A nice technical touch is the M3 cluster with a custom yellow gauge face. The details of the gray, carbon, and yellow colorway theme come to life in the sleek interior. Tiny details right down to the Dress Up Bolts titanium gold hardware are certainly appreciated here.

All in, Caroca’s 335i is a masterclass in executing a comprehensive vision for a build that truly looks and feels complete from the inside out,

and it’s no surprise he made it so far in the Tuner Battlegrounds Championship. Of course, none of that was possible without support from his circle, even if the car can stand on its own. Caroca extends a heartfelt thank you to Sean of Mashimarho for being part of this project from the beginning, Martin and Matt of Les Carrosseries Technipro for the perfect body and paint job, and BMG Performance for helping him with his performance mods. Teamwork makes the dream work!

PROPER EXECUTION PROPER EXECUTION

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

bar + Black Series polyurethane bushings

+ SPL (titanium rear toe link w/ eccentric lockouts, titanium front endlinks, titanium tie rod ends, titanium rear sway bar endlinks)

EXTERIOR

Custom Chalk/Crayon paint + GT4 carbon fiber front lip + M3 (side skirts, carbon fiber roof) + Carbon fiber (CSL trunk, side skirt extensions, gas cap, quad rear diffuser, rear fin) + Yellow tow strap + Yellow air intake scoops + Dress Up Bolts titanium gold bolts license plate + Black line tail light + Custom carbon/kevlar hood + Retrofit headlights w/ honey lens

INTERIOR

Custom (aluminum pedals, rest pedal, heel plate, carbon fiber interior pillars, carbon fiber interior door panels, alcantara w/ yellow stitching dashboard, carbon fiber consoles, roll rage, paint-matched interior trim, carbon fiber trunk carpet, painted Prometh tank)

+ Prosport gauges + Custom carbon fiber/alcantara steering wheel + Recaro Sportster GT seats w/ custom alcantara and yellow stitching + Alcantara headliner w/ diamond stitching + Yellow alcantara RS door pull conversion + Retrofit F30 alcantara (shift knob boot, hand brake boot)

+ Carbon fiber rear seat delete + Alcantara trunk panel + Dress Up Bolts titanium gold hardware + M3 cluster w/ custom yellow gauge face + Custom LED trunk lighting

AUDIO, MOBILE ELECTRONICS & MULTIMEDIA

Bimmertech Alpha One sound system upgrade + Eonon radio

SPONSORS Mashimarho + BMG Performance + Les Carrosseries Techipro + Dress Up Bolts + Poliperfect + Nanolex Canada + DPE Wheels + QCK Custom

“TINY DETAILS RIGHT DOWN TO THE

UP BOLTS

ARE CERTAINLY APPRECIATED HERE.”

staff

RYAN TUERCK

by

CONGRATULATIONS

DANIEL MEDINA 1993 SUZUKI CAPPUCCINO

LOCATION: Old Bridge, NJ

Photography by Christopher O'Neal ( @conphotographyllc), Daniel Medina, PASMAG staff

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Photography by Jimmy Crook