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Volume 15 Issue 04
2013 Annual - $5.99
Cover - July (Annual BG 15.04).indd 9
up close & Personal
MK4GTD
Compound Twin Turbo Diesel
Anna
Madalyn
Canadian Hottie 6/6/2013 10:31:37 AM
e n ti re
.c o m /f a lk
ok o n fa c e b o F o ll o w u s
2013-04-16 2:50 PM
800.723.2553 | AZENIS | PAS Mag | Full Page Ad* | MAY 2013 | 7.875”W X 10.75”H
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**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**BINDING EDGE**
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MADE
TO WIN COMPETITION BRED 16 WAY REBOUND AND COMPRESSION ADJUSTABILITY The HSD HR coilover is exactly what the performance tuning scene has been crying out for. The HR series coilovers offer the most features and the best quality for under $1350. HSD Coilovers use a Monotube damper design favoured by high end suspension companies and each kit is TUV approved. This level of quality and performance is usually found on much more expensive suspension products.
HIGH QUALITY MONOTUBE DAMPERS
Cheaper aftermarket dampers use a twintube design with low pressure gas whereas our Monotube damper design uses large diameter pistons and a much higher gas pressure to better stabilise the oil within, even under extreme and prolonged use.
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
A very wide range of height adjustment is possible without affecting the spring pre-load or the damper stroke length. So whether you want sporty or totally slammed, you still get the full performance of the damper.
FULLY ADJUSTABLE DAMPING
Our 16 Stage damping adjustment allows quick, easy and accurate control of the damping so you can tune it to suit your style and setup. Set to soft for your daily drive, then quickly switch to hard for track days or competition use.
PILLOW BALL TOP MOUNTS
Our coilovers come with Anodised Aluminium top mounts with integrated heavy duty noise-free pillowball bearings all round. A wide range of camber adjustment is included on front strut models.
HSD TYPE-HR APPLICATIONS Honda Civic 2012+ Nissan GT-R R35 Chevy Cruze Mazda 2 Mazda 3 2010+ KIA Soul Hyundai Veloster Hyundai Sonata FRS / BRZ (Sport Spec) BRZ / FRS (Touring Spec) BMW E90, E92, E46, E39 Mini Cooper R56 Scion TC 2011+
MOST POPULAR
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
PAT CYR HSD SCION FR-S
WATCH PAT CYR COMPETE IN D1 AND DMCC
FOR YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED HSD DEALER PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE
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ANNUAL July 2013
Contents
54
Cover car
Transformed
2 0 0 2 V o l k s w a g e n G o l f GTI
Essentials
FEATURES
86 Sound Advice 88 12volt Insider: Should I Amp or Should I Go
176 Konig Wheels Calendar
26
Nice & Smoothies 2011 Volkswagen Golf GTI
44
White Hot Mike Essa's 2004 BMW M3 E46
32
Sleeping Beauty
62
Deutschslamm'd
2002 Audi TT 1.8 Turbo
1993 BMW 325i
38
Back in the Game
74
Green Giant
2008 Volkswagen Jetta
1998 Volkswagen Golf Cabrio
168 Anna Madalyn Model
78 10
» Performance Auto & Sound
C no Evil 2006 Chrysler 300C
174
Tuner Battleground Live Mini Feature 2006 BMW M Coupe
1.866.450.FIRE (3473) • visit us on facebook • call for special pricing visit us online at www.wheelfire.com
FREE SHIPPING / FREE MOUNTING / FREE BALANCING & FREE INSTALL KIT
100% WHEELFIRE FITMENT GUARANTEE, MILITARY DISCOUNTS, NO HIDDEN FEES - NO TAX EXCEPT IN FLORIDA *Free shipping for usa where ground shipping is available, canada shipping does not include broker fees and taxes
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ANNUAL July 2013
Contents Connected
Test Reports
144 KnuKonceptz KNF60
Distribution Block
146
104
108
114
Digital Designs M4 Amplifier
Memphis Car Audio MJ1.2200 Amplifier
Phoenix Gold Ti2 800.1 Amplifier
Clarion Shallow Subwoofers
Tech
164 MotoIQ: Racecar Livery, the Function Behind the Form
Events
36
Import Face-Off: Las Vegas
120
126
132
138
Rockford Fosgate P600X4 Amplifier
Clarion XC1410 Amplifier
American Bass VFL-COMP 12D1 Subwoofer
Pioneer AVH-X8500BHS Multimedia Receiver
Gear & Guides
16 Hot New Products 50
Tuner Galleria
Meet Events & Tuner Evolution's Spring Bash 52 Fresh
90 Amplifiers 148 Body Kits & Exterior Styling 152 Drivetrain 156 Lighting 160 Interior & Accessories
LA 70 Wekfest 12
» Performance Auto & Sound
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Performance Auto & Sound Magazine (ISSN # 1710-1573) is published 10 times a year by Performance Auto & Sound Inc. 100A-219 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M6K 3J1, Canada Subscription Rates: (1 year) Canada and USA $14.99 (2 years) Canada and USA $23.99 (3 years) Canada and USA $29.99 Toll Free: 1 (888) 564-SUBS (7827) Email: subs@pasmag.com
Group Publisher & CEO Tim Rutledge Publishers Blake Breslin & Perry Breslin Founder & Sr. VP Business development Frank Spezzano
Editorial
Group Managing Editor Shaun Keenan Editor Erickson Obiacoro Production editor Richard Robles Content Editor Jordan Lenssen Technical Editor Garry Springgay Technical editor MotoIQ
CONTRIBUTING EditorS MotoRsports Editors Jacob Leveton Jeremy Alan Glover Feature Editors Dave MacKinnon Paul Pirro Eric Eikenberry Steven Loung Sam Dobbins Chuck Johnson
photographers Steve Bitanga Cliff Wallace Kevin Choi Joe Lu Jason Little Regina Nundoo Eric Lopez Terence Gamble
ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director Queue Gonzalez Production / Senior Art Director Patrick Dinglasan Senior Art Director Edward Shintani Senior Art Director Patrick Beltijar Graphic Designer Mike Chan Graphic Design Intern John Benedict Lim online
Content editor Jordon Chiarelli
Sales & Marketing
Sales & Marketing Director Matthew Adolfo SR. PROJECT MANAGER Arnold Adolfo Marketing & Special Project MANAGER Justin Hasan SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Erik Shum Sr. Account Manager Charlotte G. O’Rourke Marketing/Editorial Intern Patrick Lagowski
Administration FINANCE MANAGER Michelle Forsyth SR. Events / PROJECT MANAGER Randi Bentia DiRector of circulation & Retail Marketing Craig Sweetman Product Testing Cogent Audio Labs - www.cogentaudiolabs.com
Performance Auto & Sound Magazine welcomes unsolicited contributions including stories (typewritten), photos, club news, events, etc. (Forward to PAS, 100A-219 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M6K 3J1, Canada) Canadian Publications Mail Products Sales Agreement #40069655 PAP Registration #10760
Periodicals Postage Paid at Niagara Falls, NY and at additional mailing offices. U.S.P.S. # 022-608 U.S. Office of publication: 6120 Lendell Rd., Sanborn, NY, 14132 U.S. Postmaster send address corrections to: Performance Auto & Sound, Box 1082, Niagara Falls, NY, 14304 Exclusive distribution by: Coast-to-Coast Newsstand Service Ltd. Occasionally, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies whose products and services might be of interest to our readers. If you prefer to have your name removed from this list, please write to us at the address below and include your mailing label. For any subscription inquiries, including change of address, call 1 (888) 564-SUBS.
Performance Auto & Sound Phone: (416) 922-7526 Fax: (416) 964-1836 Toll Free: (866) 737-8805 www.pasmag.com • pas@pasmag.com
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abSoLute
vi-2000.6 SuBwooFer
AbsoluteUSA.com | (213) 744-1144
The Absolute VI Series subwoofer has the quality and the power to deliver bass with precision. Built using a heavy-duty die-cast aluminum basket and a solid stamped and balanced aluminum cone, the 2.5inch BASV four-layer high-temperature dual voice coil delivers a peak power of 2,000 watts at 1,000 watts per coil. The 100-ounce strontium magnet structure features a stylish metal mesh design, so it not only looks great, it sounds great too.
haWk perFormaNce talon perFormanCe BraKe CaliperS
HawkPerformance.com | (800) 542-0972
Hawk Performance Brake kits substantially enhance stopping power with a fast, easy-to-install system. The Talon calipers are constructed of billet aluminum and provide up to 55% more clamping force than stock with help from three durable stainless steel pistons machined from solid 303 bar stock. Hightemperature internal dust seals protect from direct heat and debris, and provide years of leak-free performance. Designed to work with factory master cylinders and existing ABS systems.
garrett
Db DrIVe
Gt30 / Gt35 v-Band and divided turBine houSinG KitS
K9-12d4 SuBwooFer
Importel.com | (800) 363-3413
TurboByGarrett.com
Garrett By Honeywell introduces the new GT30 / GT35 turbine housing kits, featuring the new V-band turbine inlets and outlets. The new divided housing option for T3 turbine and V-band turbine inlets is excellent for twin-scroll applications where power and heat dissipation are key.
DeatSchWerkS
uLtra WheeL
Fuel SyStem produCtS For the 2012-13 honda CiviC
FoCal 425 F03 Fwd UltraWheel.com | (800) 321-4456
Made from one-piece cast aluminum, the 425 F03 FWD combines lightweight performance and style. Available in 16-, 17- and 18-inch sizes. Finished in satin black with diamond cut highlights, the F03 FWD comes in 10 bolt patterns and +42 mm offsets.
DB Drive subwoofers are built on the foundation of great audio and quality components. The K9-12D4 subwoofer has a max power rating of 2,000 watts (1,000 W nominal) and dual four-Ohm voice coils. The non-transfer paper cone with NBR rubber surround, dish-style vac aluminum dome and 165-ounce Ferrite magnet is held in place with a die-cast aluminum frame, for years of performance audio.
$149 to $449 | Deatschwerks.com | (800) 419-6023
DeatschWerks new fuel system products for 2012-13 Honda Civic owners, includes a 265 LPH fuel pump and five injector sizes (from 420 cc to 1,300 cc) to provide added power and performance. The 265 LPH DW65c pump is the only aftermarket pump available for the new Civic, and the five injectors fit the 2009+ Acura TSX and 2012+ Acura ILX for any application. All DeatschWerks products are E85 compatible and come with an industry-leading three-year warranty.
*Prices are subject to change
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Âť Performance auto & Sound
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aDVaNtI racINg Bello
AdvantiWheel.com | (800) 645-3878
The all-new Advanti Racing Bello offers bold styling and an aggressive stance for many passenger vehicle applications. The unique, machined undercut of the Bello creates a dramatic contrast between the matte black spokes and barrel. Developed in 18x8, 19x8.5, 19x9.5, 20x9 and 20x10 sizes with offsets ranging from 30 mm to 45 mm, the Bello is perfect for those looking for an aggressive staggered or squared stance.
metra eLectroNIcS axxeSS interFaCe auto-deteCt SyStem AxxessInterfaces.com
The new Auto-Detect System from Metra Electronics is a revolutionary new way to install aftermarket radios in vehicles that require a data interface. Two new Axxess Interfaces (AX-ADBOX1 and AX-ADBOX2) do it all! Each interface auto detects the vehicle it is in and automatically configures itself to work perfectly with that vehicle. Just plug in one of the 10 new harnesses and you’re done – it’s that easy!
metra eLectroNIcS SteerinG wheel Control interFaCe (aSwC-1) AxxessInterfaces.com
Imagine installing a steering wheel control interface that would automatically know what vehicle it’s in, what radio it’s hooked up to, and preset the controls for you. The ASWC-1 can do just that! It deciphers data commands without having to purchase any additional interfaces, and works with the top radio manufacturers like Pioneer, JVC, Kenwood, Alpine, Eclipse, Sony and more.
parrot
maSSIVe auDIo
Neo motorSport
$599 | Parrot.com
MassiveAudio.com
$3,179 | NEO-Motorsport.com
aSteroid Smart head unit With Parrot ASTEROID Smart, stay connected and enter a new dimension of infotainment. Enjoy hands-free calling, access your music and videos, navigate to your destination and control music and calls all by voice activation. Customize your Parrot ASTEROID Smart with a wide range of Apps from Parrot’s Asteroid Market, stream music via Bluetooth from your Android or iOS device, USB, SD card and connect seamlessly to your car for complete hands-free control.
hippo SerieS SuBwooFerS
The Massive Audio Hippo Series subwoofers are built for massive power with three-inch, oversized voice coils that push 2,000 Wrms of power, 10 AWG cables directly wired to the terminals and double-stacked 320-ounce strontium magnets. The Kevlar-fiber reinforced non-pressed paper cones have an industrial machined edge stitched right to the surround for added strength, backed further by an extra deep, diamond-polished cast aluminum basket.
r-elite6 14” BraKe Kit
Born on the race track, NEO’s R-ELITE6 brake kit is a direct bolt-on kit for the enthusiast who seeks maximum stopping power. It utilizes oversized two-piece forged aluminum calipers and NEO’s exclusive Moon-Cut rotors to efficiently stop your high performance vehicle from any speed.
*Prices are subject to change
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» Performance auto & Sound
Hot New Products 15.04_v2.indd 2
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SPEAKERS • SUBWOOFERS • AMPLIFIERS • SOUND DEADENING • ACCESSORIES
SUBWOOFERS 8 SERIES OF SUBS IN EVERY PRICE RANGE
American Bass’s award-winning products have become favorites in the SPL competition world and the latest additions have more than enough bass for just about anyone.
SPEAKERS
American Bass Full-Range speakers range from 3.5” up to 6.9” sizes. Midrange speakers with woven poly cones utilize fully-independent tweeters to give your music just what it deserves, which is unequaled clarity and depth.
AMPLIFIERS
5 SERIES OF AMPS IN EVERY PRICE RANGE
Our amps are World Renowned for Their Unparalleled Power Output and Reliability. WorldClass Competitors are using our VFL Series Amplifiers to Dominate the Competition Circuits Regularly
800-798-9311 • 440-248-5858
WWW.AMERICANBASSUSA.COM American Bass.indd 1
MIDRANGES
Midrange is the most important element of sound since this is where most of music’s tone comes from. American Bass manufacture a variety of midrange speakers to suit anyone’s needs. Our 5” to 6.5” mids will carry sound as the original recording’s audio engineer intended, and reproduce more of what car enthusiasts need.
DEALERS IN CANADA PLEASE CALL OFFICE 905 570 8613 MOBILE 905 971 7467 FAX 905 643 0354
2013-05-01 1:49 PM
Vortech Superchargers Gen. 5 Camaro Supercharging Systems (Including 1LE) $6,650.95 to $8,120.95 | VortechSuperchargers.com
Take your fifth-gen Camaro SS or 1LE to a new level of performance with a charge-cooled supercharging system from Vortech. Boost your stock SS or 1LE to 625 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque at 7 psi. If you want more, the Vortech V-3 Si is capable of supporting up to 800 hp and the optional V-7 YSi up to 1,200 hp, giving you options for whatever you need.
TEIN
Lucas Oil
From $1,350 | TEIN.com
$3.99 (12 oz.), $5.99 (1 QT) | Lucas0il.ca
Street Flex Coil-overs
The Street Flex dampers combine all the features enthusiasts need for sport suspension adaptable for any road condition. All Street Flex dampers include 16-way damping adjustment with the new Advance Needle, separate ride height and spring preload adjustments, and exclusive upper mounts for simple, user-friendly installation. ZT-coated dampers and a durable powder coating provides years of highperformance handling.
Hotchkis
Lucas power steering fluid is a general purpose product formulated with special base oils and additives that add lubrication to help prevent wear and improve performance. It contains mild seal swell agents that condition O-rings and seals to help prevent small leaks, maintains smooth power steering operation and helps stop pump squealing. Lucas power steering fluid contains supplemental oxidation inhibitors to help extend fluid life.
Turbosmart Big Bubba Blow-Off Valves $359.99 to $375.99 | TurbosmartUSA.com
BRZ/FR-S Billet Aluminum Camber/ Caster Plates
Built for big horsepower, the Big Bubba BOVs feature heavy duty, CNC billet aluminum body and components and a 2.05-inch (52 mm) hard anodized aluminum twopiece piston. A -4 AN threaded vacuum port offers a wide variety of connection methods and to make things easy; all Big Bubba valves use the same inlet flange and V-band clamp as the Turbosmart Race Port. All this in a package that weighs only 1.7 pounds (790 grams)!
Hotchkis.net
The new Hotchkis billet aluminum camber/caster plates are designed to improve handling without increasing ride height. Made from CNC-machined billet aluminum with an anodized finish for years of durability, Hotchkis camber plates allow enthusiasts to set their camber anywhere from stock to three degrees negative while also adding an extra degree of caster for enhanced straight-line stability and improved cornering. The bolt-in kit comes with PTFE-lined spherical bearings, all necessary parts and can be easily serviced.
Products Power Steering Fluid
West Coast Customs WCC112 Subwoofers
$109.99 | WestCoastCustomsElectronics.com | (847) 540-7700
West Coast Customs has rolled out a new subwoofer line that includes the 600 W MAXX WCC112. Built on a solid frame using a twoinch voice coil on an aluminum former and thermal-formed rigid poly cones, the WCC112 is built for either sealed or vented enclosures to provide deep, punishing bass.
*Prices are subject to change
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» Performance Auto & Sound
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CRIMESTOPPER
SAFETY PLUS REAR PARKING ASSIST SYSTEM (CA-5040) $299.95 (USD) | Crimestopper.com
With ultrasonic sensors and quick disconnect plugs, the CA-5040 rear parking assist features a 120-degree CMOS color camera with four-stage distance indicator, audible buzzer and automatic switching when reverse is engaged. Includes detachable/paintable sensors with waterproof wire connectors, a hole saw bit and self-test mode for easy installation.
HUSHMAT
ORION
HushMat.com
OrionCarAudio.com
WAVE BREAKER
HCCA TN1 BULLET TWEETER
HushMat Wave Breaker (part #82450) makes every speaker sound superior. Wave Breaker breaks up back wave and standing wave that distorts speaker sound. Also includes HushMat guaranteed adhesion technology. Wave Breaker uses micro-cellular technology to fracture sound waves that transmit behind the speaker. One kit treats two coaxial speakers or one subwoofer. #1 rated technology from Hushmat!
Orion has introduced the incredible new Bullet tweeter, built for unmatched sound clarity and quality. Featuring an aluminum diaphragm, neodymium magnet, 1.5-inch high-temperature voice coil and 700 watts max power (150 RMS), check them out at a dealer near you!
K&N
HIGH-FLOW INTAKE SYSTEM FOR 2013 SCION FR-S & SUBARU BRZ
$325 | KNFilters.com | (800) 858-3333
The K&N High-Flow Intake System (698619TS) increases FR-S/BRZ output by an estimated 7 hp at 6,670 rpm over stock intake configurations. The kit replaces the entire original intake assembly and includes an air box with powder coated heat shield, newly-designed intake tube and high-flow air filter that never needs to be replaced. Backed by the same K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty as all K&N OE replacement air filters.
ACCESS2COMM
CADENCE
TextBuster.com | (800) 561-1110 (x. 2116)
$620 | CadenceSound.com
TEXTBUSTER
S3 SERIES SUBWOOFERS (S3W12-D2/D4) The new Cadence S3w15 is designed for the true SPL listener who also wants sound quality. With a doublestitched rubber surround and ultra stiff woven carbon fiber cone, the S3 is not only aesthetically pleasing, but highly functional. It handles over 1,500 Wrms and 3,000 Wmax effortlessly thanks to the massive four-layer, three-inch voice coil and oversized, triple stacked Y-35 magnet motor structure.
The TextBuster disables the data functions via Bluetooth to your phone the minute you enter your vehicle, preventing text, e-mail and/or internet functions while you drive. The TextBuster does not interfere with incoming or outgoing calls, and works with existing hands-free and Bluetooth functions. *Prices are subject to change
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Âť PERFORMANCE AUTO & SOUND
Hot New Products 15.04_v2.indd 4
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BV9375ML
752UAB
BLUETOOTH®-ENABLED
BLUETOOTH®-ENABLED
DISPLAY LINK TECHNOLOGY
MP3-COMPATIBLE/CD RECEIVER
CER450.4
1800 WATT 4 CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
As a leader in Mobile Entertainment, BOSS AUDIO SYSTEMS offers the broadest selection of mobile multimedia and CD/MP3 products in the industry. We will continue to advance in all phases of technology, offering updated apps, connectivity, smart phone link and iPhone® compatibility. BOSS AUDIO SYSTEMS – the finest Mobile Entertainment products for over 25 years. BOSS AUDIO SYSTEMS
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BOSSAUDIO.COM
800.999.1236
2012-12-21 4:47 PM
Scosche
HD Wheels
$149.99 | Scosche.com
PerfectlyRound.com | (888) 707-9880
boomBOTTLE
The Scosche boomBOTTLE packs remarkable wireless audio into a rugged weatherproof frame perfect for the road, beach or snow or any other environment. Wherever you want to take your music, the boomBOTTLE ensures high-quality music with dual 40 mm drivers, a passive subwoofer and omni-directional sound.
GEAR
SIZES: 15x7, 18x7.5, 18x9 (staggered). FINISHES: Black machined (15-in. only), all-satin black, all-gloss red, silver machined.
Bassworx
RP212RG Subwoofer Enclosure
Bassworx.com | info@bassworx.com | (800) 567-3275
Bassworx Reference series enclosures are engineered to give you jaw-dropping, brainrumbling, mirror-shaking bass. The RP212R has 3.0 cf of volume with a Max-Flow port tuned to 34 Hz for those ultra lows. Structurally designed to withstand extreme pressure, the Reference series enclosures will keep your subwoofers stable and pumping. Available for subwoofers from eight to 15 inches, singles and duals, in matte black, carbon fiber and piano gloss.
*Prices are subject to change
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& NICE EURO
SPECIAL
SMOOTHIES S Bell hits a mammoth home-run in his first attempt
26
omeone please hand Adam Bell a copy of “How to Modify Your Car.” First, project cars are not supposed to look this nice. They are supposed fraught with all sorts of problems, from animalistic nests of hacked-up wiring, to drivability concerns ranging from mildly annoying to ‘immobile in the driveway’ stemming from whatever combination of aftermarket components have been cobbled together by prior owners. They are supposed to be a right of passage for the uninitiated. Who among us hasn’t been stranded when a project vehicle has inexplicably broken at precisely the wrong moment? Bell, who started with a new 2011 Volkswagen GTI, boldly proceeded into uncharted waters to present us with this shiny black masterpiece seen here.
» Performance Auto & Sound
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A lot of people walk past the car at shows thinking it’s just bagged with wheels, but then the tank setup catches their eyes. Before you know it they’ve spent 30 minutes looking over the entire car!”
Story by Eric Eikenberry | Photography by Sam Dobbins
We concede in most cases that newer is better, but in Bell’s case, his then-new GTI lasted only a week in virgin condition before the modification itch got the better of him. He started with some easy tasks, like dipping his VW and GTI badges in black Plasti Dip and installing an APR intake – just little things to help make his GTI more personal. Somewhere along the way, he was referred to Anthony Foster’s shop, Phantom Autowerke, in Elmsford, New York. Bell had Phantom install an APR turbo-back exhaust system and REVO Stage 2+ software, bringing output to 275 horsepower. Next came two JL Audio W6 subwoofers in custom fiberglass enclosures, molded precisely into the miniscule trunk and powered by a JL Audio HD750 mono amplifier. The enclosure for the subs (and indeed, all of the interior and engine bay trim) is finished in a retro-modern graphic scheme that would make H.R. Giger proud. Airbrushed electrical sparks painted dark-hue mechanics would, on any other vehicle, look a bit too ’80s, but it works more than well here. Bell then turned his attention to the suspension. After a bit of debate with Foster, “weighing the pros and cons,” he ordered a full air suspension package from Open Road Tuning. “Basically, Anthony found out he
Performance Auto & Sound «
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EURO
SPECIAL
NICE & SMOOTHIES 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI
was going to install the setup when all the boxes were delivered to his shop,” Bell says. There was only one problem – the subs were already installed. There was no room for the air tank and Bell didn’t want to change the sub installation. “We spent a few weeks going over how the system would be incorporated into the vehicle. We must have come up with two dozen iterations before green-lightning the setup in the car now.” Their approach? Use five separate smaller tanks and mount them in the middle of the rear seats. Connecting them are perfectly formed 3/8-inch polished stainless steel tubes. Two separate manifolds split air from the pumps to all five tanks, then recombine it before reaching the Accuair E-Level distribution manifold. The pol-
ished steel tubing is used throughout the car, “even where you can’t see it,” he says. “There are 148 Tylock stainless steel double-ferrule fittings and not one leak.” He uses Bagyard Supreme front struts and Classic bags over Bilstein rear sport shocks. Dual VIAIR 444 cc compressors supply pressure to the five ViAir one-gallon shaved and custom-painted port tanks, mounted in a custom fiberglass cradle and an insane grid of steel tubing, highlighted by an array of red LEDs. We’re positive this isn’t exactly DOT-legal, but equally thankful that some cool-but-unsafe things are still permitted in the Land of the Free. One particularly snazzy touch is the Dakota Digital Odyssey air pressure gauge, mounted on the end of a bent 3/8-inch line inside the glove box. He wanted it somewhere it would
We’re positive this isn’t exactly DOT-legal, but equally thankful that some cool-but-unsafe things are still permitted in the Land of the Free.”
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» Performance Auto & Sound
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EURO
SPECIAL
NICE & SMOOTHIES 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI be visible but still hidden, and who can argue with reasoning like that? During the 11 months the car was down for this crazy air installation, Bell elected to remove the entire interior and Dynamat every surface “to prevent any rattling from the too-loud-tobe-good-for-you audio system,” he says. Every OEM component was removed and replaced with JL Audio gear from front to rear, driven by a Pioneer AVIC Z130BT DVD/NAV head unit. Somehow they found the room for four sets of C5 components, and two ZR tweeters in custom A-pillar mounts. An HD900/5 amplifier with a polished aluminum cover joins the sub amp in the rear. Even the wiring, terminals and fuses come from JL. Custom door pods hold the four-inch speakers and E-Level controller. The interior is finished off with an eerie glow of LEDs fit for a ride with this sort of detail. For the hard-as-nails exterior, Foster pulled the front and rear bumpers, shaved the reflectors, molded the back bumper and diffuser into one piece, added a few other details and re-sprayed them. For rollers, Bell selected a set of Complete Custom Wheel Smoothies, just the
Essentials › 2011 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI Driver: Adam Bell Built by: Anthony Foster @ Phantom Autowerke Horsepower: 275 hp
Engine: 2.0L Turbo Torque: 314 lb-ft
second ever set made by CCW. They fit the style he wanted perfectly, and “weren’t being run on a million other cars.” Unbeknownst to Bell, Foster swapped his DIY-installed APR intake for a Forge Twintake and paint-matched the carbon fiber resonators, black plastic tubing and engine cover to the interior trim and subwoofer enclosure. While some owners would freak at unauthorized changes to their project, it’s easy to see why he didn’t. Bell and Foster hit it off so well they’re now partners in a company called Standard Fabrications (www.StaFabCo.com). The GTI acts as a promotional vehicle for StaFabCo and Phantom, making the rounds and stunning onlookers at shows throughout the East Coast. “It’s funny,” Bell says. “A lot of people walk past the car at shows thinking it’s just bagged with wheels, but then the tank setup catches their eyes. Before you know it they’ve spent 30 minutes looking over the entire car!” We suppose it is unfair to call this GTI merely a home run. Bell clearly hit a grand slam with this beauty, and we can’t wait to see what he does with his second project.
Engine Modifications Revo stage 2+ software Forge Twintake induction system (custom painted) Audi R8 oil cap JCaps billet coolant and washer cap Custom painted engine cover EXHAUST APR (3-in. turbo back exhaust, Diamond Black exhaust tips (only set in the world) CHASSIS / SUSPENSION Bagyard (Supreme front struts, Classic rear bags) Bilstein rear sport shocks Accuair e-Level air management ViAir (dual 444 cc compressors, one-gallon shaved port tanks with custom paint (5)) Stainless steel 3/8-in. polished hard lines Tylok stainless steel air line fittings (148) Dakota Digital Odyssey Series II air pressure gauge WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES CCW Classic Smoothies wheels — 18x8.5 (f), 18x9.5 (r) Toyo Proxes tires — 215/40 R18 (f/r) ARP (gold bolts/lug nuts) EXTERIOR Custom one-off shaved and smoothed rear bumper Side skirts (smoothed, paint matched) Front bumper (shaved, grille inserts paint matched) HID conversion fog lights INTERIOR Custom (A-pillar enclosure, painted dash/door inserts, fiberglass door pods, body-color VIAIR tank fiberglass cradle) AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS Pioneer Z130BT head unit JL Audio (W6 12-in. subwoofers (2), C5 component speakers (4), ZR tweeters in A-pillar enclosure, HD900/5 amplifier w/ polished aluminum cover, HD750/1 amp w/ polished aluminum cover, wiring, terminals, fuses) Custom (painted fiberglass sub/amp enclosure, door pods w/ JL Audio speakers and e-Level controller) Dynamat (entire interior) Full LED interior lighting SPECIAL THANKS Phantom Autowerke, Standard Fabrications, JL Audio, Complete Custom Wheel and Open Road Tuning. Also thanks to Anthony, Dehate, Lucette, Andrew and everyone that helped in some way. Most of all, a huge thanks to my Donna, Jake and Ethan. For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/NiceAndSmoothiesGTI
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Story by Richard Morrison | Photography by Regina Nundoo
Sleeping Beauty Proving once again that you should never judge a book by its cover
W
hen you’re starting off a build, it’s a lot easier when you know what style you want. You simply do what you think is cool, and usually the only limit is the amount of cash you have to spend on it. When you’re a shop owner building a demo vehicle as a calling card for your business, the thought process can be a lot more difficult. It’s important to show off your talents, along with the latest parts and the
hottest styles. It goes without saying that, with these kinds of builds, money really is no object. Faisal Siddiqui, owner of SIDDS Radio in Vaughan, Ontario, decided to stand out by going in a totally different direction with his 2002 Audi TT 1.8 Turbo. “I love checking out show cars as much as the next guy,” says Faisal. “But when I look at a lot of them, I think, ‘Wow, that’s a killer build, but it looks like it cost a
fortune.’” So, when Siddiqui started this build, he made the decision to keep it simple. The plan was to show his customers a cool ride that performs well, sounds awesome and is attainable. Siddiqui found a pristine 2002 Audi TT Quattro S Line equipped with a five-valve, 1.8-liter turbocharged engine to start. Initial modifications included a bigger turbo, K&N cold air intake, Unitronic’s Stage 3 computer
upgrade and a boost controller. Siddiqui then integrated an Auto Meter boost gauge into the brushed aluminum factory heating vent. Everything was installed and tuned by Vin Test Auto, bringing the TT to 245 horses at the wheels. Audi’s renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system lays the power to the ground with help from H&R springs with Tokico dampers. The understated exterior lets Audi’s timeless styling do all the
The plan was to show customers a cool ride that performs well, sounds awesome and is attainable.”
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» Performance Auto & Sound
2013-06-05 1:08 PM
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USE YOUR SMART PHONE
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6/6/13 1:26 PM 2013-06-06 5:57 PM
EURO
SPECIAL
SLEEPING BEAUTY 2002 Audi TT 1.8 Turbo
talking with a subtle upgrade coming from 19inch A7 wheels tucked in nicely and backed up by an SP Performance big brake package with slotted rotors all around. Since SIDDS Radio is a custom car audio store, it makes sense the stereo would be the centerpiece of the build. Instead of installing flashy products from any manufacturer, Siddiqui chose to outfit the car with Lightning Audio products, a recently re-launched and rapidly growing brand that delivers outstanding performance with great value. Lightning’s LA-1652-S components sit up front with hidden crossovers and flush-mounted tweeters in the doors and a second pair of Lightning LA-1T tweeters for the center channel. In the rear, Lightning LA-1654 coaxial speakers are tucked nicely into the deck lid. Lightning’s top-line L3-D212 12-inch subwoofers provide a heavy 1,000 watts of power handling. A trio of Lightning amplifiers put out an ear-numbing 4,000 watts, with one Lightning LA-8004 four-channel powering the component sets and two LA-1600MD digital monoblocks powering one subwoofer each. These amplifiers have received strong reviews right here in PASMAG, and they prove their worth in the TT. Controlling it all is a single-DIN Kenwood Excelon head unit, fitting behind Audi’s classy brushed-aluminum folding cover on the dash. The system is finished with a super-clean 34
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At peak power, the audio reaches more than 140 dBs, delivering great sound quality at the same time.” install befitting of the TT’s interior. The aluminum flush-mounted amplifiers match the TT accents perfectly while the surrounding material is custom-matched to the leather interior for a look that appears straight from the factory. The audio system has also been extensively torture tested, reaching more than 140 dBs at peak power and delivering excellent sound quality at the same time. “We exhibited the car at the Megaspeed show in Toronto earlier this year and the install was finished minutes before the show started,” recalls. “We cycled hundreds of show goers through the car, and pinned the system for every one of them — all weekend long. When you have potential customers lined up to get into the car, they don’t want to wait for the subs and amps to cool down, so we just went ahead and kept it going. I kept expecting the gear to melt down, but it never did!” Since then the car has served as a rolling business card for SIDD’s Radio. It brings Siddiqui closer to his customers because the car connects with them on a personal level. But most of all, he loves the thrill of taking a first-timer for a spin to show off the car. “The part I love best is when I play the system for someone... The bass hits, then you see a great big smile spread across their face.”
Essentials › 2002 Audi TT 1.8 Turbo Driver: Faisal Siddiqui LOCATION: Vaughn, ON Horsepower: 245 hp Engine: Audi B6 1.8L Turbo Engine Modifications Audi 2.0T turbo upgrade Unitronic Stage 3 chip K&N cold air intake CHASSIS / SUSPENSION Tokico shocks H&R springs WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES Audi A7 wheels — 19x10 (f/r) Ental tires — 235/35 ZR19 (f/r) SP Performance (15-in. slotted front rotors, 12-in. slotted rear rotors) INTERIOR S Line (shift knob, steering wheel) Auto Meter boost gauge AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS Kenwood KDC X 597 head unit Lightning Audio (crossovers, LA-1600 MD amplifiers (x2), LA-8004 amplifier, LA D212 subwoofers (x2), LA 1652 component speakers (x2), midbass (x2), LA 1T tweeters (x2), LA 1654 coaxial speakers (x2), ANL-style fuse holder, O AWG wires) Optima Yellow Top batteries SPONSORS DIX Performance For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/TransformedVWGTI
» Performance Auto & Sound
2013-06-05 1:30 PM
MOBILE
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Gigantic. Don't be fooled by their small size... the NexD™ technology in our XD amplifiers delivers unbelievable power, with minimal current draw and heat. This allows for a significantly smaller chassis than a conventional amplifier, without sacrificing one bit of the power or sound quality you expect from JL Audio.
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How we play.™ © 2013 JL AUDIO, Inc. For more information on our XD Amplifiers, please visit your Authorized Dealer or www.jlaudio.com In Canada contact GemSen Distribution at www.gemsen.com
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RACE WINNERS FWD by SPEC clutches and flywheels Winner: Aaron Lopez - San Antonio, TX, Civic - 9.36 @ 155.29 Runner Up: Brian Brock - Antioch, CA Civic - 9.66 @ 154.02
OUTLAW
by TheFoat.com Winner: Robert Hoffman - Anaheim, CA, GSR - 15.52 @ 73.60 Runner Up: Alex Hernandez - North Las Vegas, NV, Civic - 10.64 @ 141.40
May 5.2013
Import Face-Off l as vEgas, nv L as Vegas Motor Speedway Photography by Cliff Wallace
STREET Subaru
by TheFoat.com Winner: Will Wortman - Flower Mound, TX, Impreza - 9.98 @ 142.64 Runner Up: Jeramy Green - Saelton, WA, STI - 14.27 @ 83.15
fwd2
Winner: Jeremy Bretschneiden Lancaster, CA, Civic - 9.50 @ 160.67 Runner Up: David Delcid - LA Civic - 10.96 @ 126.49
ALL MOTOR PRO
by Competition Clutch Winner: Joel Sipes - Firecrest, WA Civic - 10.29 @ 131.75 Runner Up: John Sauro - North Las Vegas, NV, Civic - 10.48 @ 130.63
ALL MOTOR SPORT
by Insane Shafts Winner: Michael Evans - CA Civic - 12.603 @ 108.68 mph Runner Up: Luis Marquez - Las Vegas, NV, 12.935 @ 104.91 mph
BRACKET Class
by M&H drag tires Winner: LV, NV CRX - 15.60 @ 86.19 Runner Up: Donnie Beale 350Z - 15.13 @ 90.84
For additional photos and event results pasmag.com/IFO13Vegas
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» Performance Auto & Sound
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» Performance Auto & Sound
15.04 Marsh Jetta.indd 1
2013-06-05 11:38 AM
back in the Game Wesley Marsh returns and goes all in Story by Steven Loung | Photography by Kevin Choi
A
couple years ago, Wesley Marsh decided to get out of the car show game. The New Jersey resident had previously fielded a few vehicles with some success. After walking away from the stage, Marsh decided to buy a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta as a family car and a means to commute to work. Six months passed, then something odd happened. Marsh suddenly found himself back in the shop, working to turn his daily driver into a brand new show car. So much for retirement. Marsh says he wanted to make some basic stereo and wheel changes, but the scratch needed to be itched after he started working on it. No doubt his work as an automotive audio
15.04 Marsh Jetta.indd 2
installer and the fact he was practically born in the garage has a lot to do with it. Many of the tricks he’s learned have come from his father, who was an auto mechanic. The best way to describe Marsh’s daily-driver-turned-show-car would be subtle swag. There’s nothing too outlandish about the build, but the highlights he wants to show are clearly worthy of a judge’s attention. Taking a closer look, the first detail you’ll notice is the color scheme of the car. Just a simple grey, it’s in this deliberately bland color that the genius of Marsh’s design comes through. The monochrome body makes the orange highlights around the car almost explode into your field of vision.
2013-06-05 11:39 AM
Back in the Game
2008 Volkswagen Jetta
Just a simple grey, it’s in this deliberately bland color that the genius of Marsh’s design comes through.” With the wheels, it’s difficult to ignore rims as stylish as the Privat Remember wheels, but custom painted orange makes looking away an impossibility. Accelera tires do an excellent job to make the rims stand out; they appear thin but provide good traction. The front of the vehicle features a custom Boser hood, an Osir GT2 DF-2 V front lip and an FK badgeless grille, while the rest of the body has been widened thanks to a new Vortex rear bumper and side skirts. All of this creates a docile yet aggressive exterior that is reminiscent of a sleeping bear. The mirrors also stand out, dressed in orange camo — a visual theme that continues inside the vehicle, notably with the seats, door panels and dash. Marsh had the stock seats refinished in grey suede by his friend Josh Frone, the upholstery proudly displays a diamond pattern with
40
orange stitching. On the door panels and dash, that same orange camo from the mirrors outside is splashed all over. This camo is particularly cool because of the different shades of orange and the grey tones within it. It gives the Jetta an extra bit of character without diverting too much from the color scheme. Other notable interior modifications are a MOMO Trek-R steering wheel and Auto Meter volt and air pressure mount, which sits inside a custom pod in the headliner. With Marsh being an audio installer himself, it’s only natural this car would have an impressive audio system. Specifically, the car has JL Audio C5 speakers, ZR tweeters, 6W3 subwoofers and a HD750/1 amplifier with a Pioneer Z140 head unit, so on the very off-chance the exterior doesn’t catch a strangers attention, the audio will.
» Performance Auto & Sound
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2013-06-05 11:40 AM
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Essentials › 2008 Volkswagen Jetta Built by: Wesley Marsh Location: Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey Engine: 2.0T Wolfsburg 2008.5 4-cylinder turbo
Back in the Game
2008 Volkswagen Jetta
Marsh says he wanted to make some basic stereo and wheel changes, but the scratch needed to be itched after he started working on it.” Performance wise, there isn’t a lot done, but there are some modifications; this is a show car after all. The stock intercooler has been replaced with one from an Audi S3, a new Cold Cone Box intake system from AWE Tuning and a Forge blow-off valve. Marsh’s return to the car show circuit has been very successful. Since buying the car in 2010, he’s earned accolades that include a number of 42
» Performance Auto & Sound
15.04 Marsh Jetta.indd 4
first-place finishes and a second place at the 18th edition of the grand-daddy of Volkswagen shows, Waterfest, last year. In addition to his prizes, creating this masterpiece has also brought Marsh back into the social element of car modding. He created his own car club, Slam’n Euro’z, and even took over a couple VW shows, including the spring and fall VW/Audi Show n Go held in Englishtown, New Jersey.
ENGINE MODIFICATIONS Audi S3 swapped intercooler AWE Tuning (turbo hoses, Cold Cone Box (CCB) intake system, TSI turbo outlet pipe) Forge blow-off valve Black Forest Industries (stage 2 motor mount, stage 2 torque arm insert) Giac stage 2 flash Mishimoto (aluminum radiator, oil catch can) BSH Speed Shop FSI integrated throttle pipe SprintBooster power converter EXHAUST Billy Boat (cat-back exhaust, down-pipe) Twin 3-in. exhaust tips DRIVETRAIN Black Forest Industries (stage 2 transmission mount, stage 1 flash) CHASSIS / SUSPENSION Airlift XL front struts Bilstein rear shocks EuroSport front strut bar AccuAir SwitchSpeed air management VIAIR (dual 400 cc compressors, dual 3-gallon tanks, VU4 valve unit) WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES Privat Member custom painted orange wheels — 18x9 (f/r) Accelera — 205/40 R18 (f/r) One-piece slotted and drilled brake rotors (f) EXTERIOR Osir GT2 DF-2 V front lip Vortex (rear bumper with diffuser, sides skirts) FK badgeless grille Stock rear spoiler Custom boser hood Matte black vinyl roof Orange camo wrapped mirrors Chromed hood and trunk hinges Audi S6 DRL lights Smoked European LED taillights 6K HID lights Interior MOMO Trek-R steering wheel Grey suede and orange stitched shift boot Podi boost gauge Auto Meter (volt and air pressure gauges in custom headliner pod) Osir vent mount Custom diamond orange stitched (seats, door inserts) JCAPS billet aluminum seat recline caps Black suede wrapped (headliner, pillars) Orange camo wrapped (dash, door pieces) MK6 (window switches, mirror control) Euro dash cubby with SwitchSpeed controller flush mounted AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS Pioneer Z140 head unit JL Audio (HD750/1 Class-D monoblock amplifier, premium audio interconnect cables, 6W3 subwoofers (2), 4-in. C5 speakers (2), ZR tweeters (2), C5-650x speakers (2), audio power wire) Marine six-channel class-D full-range amplifier Kicker L5 10-in. subwoofer (2) OPTIMA YellowTop battery Stinger (SPP680 battery with Stinger 200 amp isolator, ANL fuse holder) SPONSORS Privat Wheels, Mishimoto, EuroSport Tuning, Auto Image, AWE Tuning For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/BackintheGameVW
2013-06-05 11:41 AM
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2013-02-22 2:35 PM
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» Performance auto & Sound
FD Mike Essa E46.indd 2
2013-06-05 5:00 PM
MIKE ESSA’S ‘BABY BEAR’ E46 DRIFT CAR STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACOB LEVETON
M
ike Essa has played out a real life version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears when it comes to his BMW Formula Drift cars. His first E92 chassis had a very long 108-inch wheel base, was very heavy, and had a suspension geometry that wasn’t very optimal for drifting. Moving to a smaller and lighter Z4 chassis reduced 10 inches from the wheel base and several hundred pounds from the chassis, but the nearly-square chassis design made the car snappy in transitions. Essa hopes this E46 will be the best of both worlds; with the wheelbase an inch shorter than the E92, the suspension of the Z4 and the weight somewhere in the middle. Baby Bear would be proud!
Since the SuSPenSion geometrY on the e46 iS eSSentiallY the Same aS the Z4, a lot of the notes we have from the Past two seasons of driftinG in the Z4 still carrY over.”
Performance auto & Sound «
FD Mike Essa E46.indd 3
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2013-06-05 5:00 PM
EURO
SPECIAL
WHITE HOT 2004 BMW M3 E46
The familiar S54 motor is right at home in the E46 M3; reinforced with Carillo rods and CP Pistons...” Under the hood, this car is very similar to the Z4 of the last few seasons. The familiar S54 motor is right at home in the E46 M3; reinforced with Carillo rods and CP Pistons it is otherwise mostly stock. The Garrett GTX3582R turbocharger hangs off of a top-mount Doc Race twin-scroll turbo manifold (new this season) for more accurate throttle response compared to last year’s low-mount, single-scroll setup. A Synapse blow-off valve clears the air between each shift, while a CSF radiator keeps the motor cool. The true magic of drifting happens in the wheel and suspension components. Essa has partnered with Bilstein this season to gain technical assistance from the renowned suspension provider, pairing the Bilstein motorsports dampers with Wisefab suspension arms to gain nearly 70 degrees of steering angle. This allows Essa to enter corners almost backwards, particularly at tracks like Road Atlanta, where he himself is known for his crazy, physics-defying drifts. “Since the suspension geometry on the E46 is essentially the same as the Z4, a lot of the notes we have from the past two seasons of drifting in the Z4 still carry over,” Essa says. This will make the learning curve much easier for the new chassis.
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» Performance Auto & Sound
FD Mike Essa E46.indd 4
2013-06-05 5:00 PM
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EURO
SPECIAL
WHITE HOT 2004 BMW M3 E46
Essentials › 2004 BMW M3 E46 Driver: Michael Essa Built by: GSR Autosport Horsepower: 750 hp
Team: GSR Autosport / Yokohama Tire Engine: M3 (E46) S54 V6 Torque: 600 lb-ft
Moving to a smaller and lighter Z4 chassis reduced 10 inches from the wheel base and several hundred pounds from the chassis.” Power is pushed to the rear wheels through a Clutchmasters twin-disc clutch and four-speed NASCAR-style dog box transmission, Thorough Concepts aluminum driveshaft, quick-change rear end and Driveshaft Shop axles. Forgestar CF5 wheels powder coated in GSR Autosports orange and Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 tires connect the car to the tarmac. As with all competition drift cars, a hefty, custom-built roll cage keeps the driver safe. Essa uses Sparco EVO seats and Sparco five-point harnesses, with a suede OMP steering wheel for responsive steering input. Hydraulic Wilwood pedals control the Wilwood brakes at each corner with a custom e-brake handle for the rear hydraulic calipers for fine adjustments mid-drift. All engine controls are displayed on the same Pectel Pi Omega dash display that Essa has used on all three of his BMW drift cars. Essa is off to a hot start for the 2013 season. A strong qualifying effort and Top 16 finish in Long Beach was capped with a win at the Motegi Super Drift challenge at the Long Beach Grand Prix a week later, and a career-tying best fourth place finish in Atlanta. Essa may have chosen a less common chassis to drift, but there’s no doubting this car is fully-capable of competing with the best drivers in Formula Drift. 68
Engine Modifications Built by GSR Autosport CP Pistons Carrillo Rods ARP studs Doc Race (twin-scroll exhaust manifold, sheet metal intake manifold) Garrett GTX3582R turbocharger Synapse (waste gate, BOV) CSF radiator EXHAUST Litespeed Racing 3.5-in. exhaust DRIVETRAIN Tex Racing four-speed dog box transmission Clutchmasters FX950 twin-disc clutch /w aluminum flywheel TCR PARTS aluminum lightweight driveshaft Driveshaft Shop pro axles OS Giken LSD Quick-change differential CHASSIS / SUSPENSION GSR Autosport custom TIG-welded roll cage Wisefab (control arms, sub-frame bushings, angle kit) Bilstein MDS coil-overs Whiteline sway bars WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES Forgestar CF5 wheels — 18x8.5 (f), 18x9 (r) Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 tires — 235/40 R18 (f), 255/40 R18 (r) Wilwood brakes (calipers, rotors, pedal assembly, e-brake) EXTERIOR DTM Fiber Werkz body kit G1 Design wrap INTERIOR OMP steering wheel Sparco (EVO seats and five-point harnesses) MoTeC CDL3 dash display SPONSORS GSR Autosport, Yokohama Tire, Bilstein Suspension, Wisefab, OS Giken, DOC Race, Ignite Fuel, Clutchmasters, Litespeed Racing Exhaust, DTM Fiberwerkz, Turbo by Garrett, Forgestar, Radium, TCR PARTS, CSF, Valor Collective, CP Carillo, Synapse Engineering, Wilwood, Whiteline, Shift S3ctor, G1 Design For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/WhiteHotBMWe46
» Performance Auto & Sound
FD Mike Essa E46.indd 5
2013-06-05 5:00 PM
BWT_PAS_FP_2013_Layout 1 5/28/13 2:16 PM Page 1
Unconventional Thinking
Team: Nemo Racing Driver: Chris Eaton Vehicle: Mitsubishi Evo 9 Racing Venue: World Time Attack Challenge Current Turbo(s) of choice: EFR-8374-D
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2013-05-30 9:38 AM
March 2.2013
TUNER GALLERIA Rosemont , IL Dona ld E Stephens Convent ion Cente r Photography by Randi Bentia
For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/TunerGal2013
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» Performance Auto & Sound
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April
7.2013
Camden, NJ Campbell ’s Field Photography by Terence Gamble
Fresh Meet Events Tuner Evolution
&Spring Ba
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sh
For additional photos and event results pasmag.com/SpingBash2013
» Performance Auto & Sound
Spring Bash - Camden NJ.indd 1
2013-06-05 12:57 PM
PAS_FULL_PAGE 7 2011.qxd:Layout 1
18/3/11
10:30
Page 1
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ness Je Jone ffJo Jeff cer Racer iftRa Drift nallDr Pro siona fessio Profes ddus an ing using by d an ore by ns d spo ore co ns co spo ff Stu ff llow Ye Stu s llow ake Ye Br s C EB EBC Brake
GOING TO THE TRACK ??? YellowStuff is perfect for Drift racing but EBC now offer their new long lasting BlueStuff NDX full race pad for heavier cars and longer race applications
EBC Brake pads are 100% British Made
EBC.indd 1
EBC’s latest race pad, Bluestuff NDX, is a full race compound capable of street use. Brakes have bite from cold right up to 1400°F. Bluestuff features super strength interlayer for pad bond retention and are surface scorched - bed-in times are reduced to 1 or 2 laps maximum.
11-03-21 1:03 PM
EURO
SPECIAL
Story & Photography by Sam Dobbins
TRANSFORMED
10 years in the making, Mike Houck’s GTI is fresh as ever
I
n the modified car world, it’s safe to say every person vividly remembers their first endeavor into modifying. In some cases, it starts with an intake or exhaust, others with wheels and a drop, but ultimately it is usually something minor that leads to major modifications down the road. Some of us pine for our first car, others revel in their demise, saying good riddance to the embarrassment that results from rookie mistakes. But, rarely does a person have the good fortune of holding onto their first love and seeing it through a variety looks and phases. In Michael Houck’s case it started back in 2002, when he acquired the Volkswagen GTI 1.8T seen here. It had only 13 miles on the clock.
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certaIn PartS of tHe dIeSel motor are PaInted caterpillar YellOw. Fitting, given the pOwer it prOduces.”
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TRANSFORMED 2002 VolkSwagen golf gti
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“It was all I could have wanted,” Houck remembers. “As they pulled the protective plastic off, a small piece of paint came away with it!” Not exactly the greatest first experience with a car, but definitely a memorable one for Mr. Houck. “It wasn’t long after buying the car that the modding bug bit me,” Houck explains when asked about the car’s first modification that opened the flood gates. “With the help of 20vturbo.com, all the normal bolt-ons started to show up – diverter valve, three-inch down pipe, three-inch cat-back, chip and so on.” If it’s not apparent yet, Mike is somewhat of a ‘go big or go home’ type of guy, something we can definitely appreciate, given the masterpiece you see here. After graduating from university, the GTIs progression was suspended temporarily while Houck focused on competitive waterskiing for a few years. It was only a matter of time though, before a daily driver was purchased and the fourth-gen Golf was back under the knife. An Oettinger body kit, H&R suspension and Corbeau Racing seats and harnesses defined the car’s next revision, but to Houck’s dismay, it was only for a limited time. “I ran over a big rig tire re-tread and it completely destroyed my illustrious Oettinger kit, leaving me with nothing other than cracked and hacked up OEM bumpers,” he recalls.
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TRANSFORMED 2002 Volkswagen golf GTi “At that point all the hot Mk4 cars were getting pulled fenders to fit super wide tires,” says Houck about the arches that define the stance of his Golf. Trying his hand at fabricating, he bought a fender roller and hammer/dolly set and started hammering away. A miscalculation on some widened steelies, mixed with the roughly extended arches, led him to retire his hammers and dollies, handing the task over to some professionals. In the interim, a GT2871r turbo and the associated components were acquired to “freshen things up.” Soon, Houck was finally ready to bring the car to its first show at Southern Worthersee in 2009. To his surprise, Houck was selected by the hosting club, H2O Tuning, for the Club’s Choice Award. That set the next stage of the build in stone. Having only one major show under his belt by fall of that year, Houck couldn’t resist the urge to change it up in time for H2O International. Sitting on black BBS CHs, the primer body was re-sprayed in satin black with a thin red stripe at the perimeter of each wheel, completing the GTIs new sinister look just hours before the 600-mile journey back home to Ocean City, Maryland. With an overwhelming excitement and a nine-hour trek home to let the new ideas stew, Houck already had the next staged planned even before he parked the GTI for the night. (When it was apart for the previous turbo upgrade, Houck stumbled upon an array of Haldex AWD components he couldn’t pass up, so he finally decided it was time to give the Mk4 a little more traction.) Assessing the Mk4 GTI body, Houck was convinced the AWD setup could work without its original floor pan (from a Golf R32), so he mocked it up and tacked mounts into place. Barber Raceworks was enlisted to construct the rest of the components and build an extensive cage to help maintain rigidity. Porsche GT3 seats were delivered and added to the lot of parts awaiting installation. After attending a couple events in 2010, Houck’s heart was set on converting the bigturbo 1.8T motor over to its diesel counterpart, so the old powerplant was parted out and the search for a replacement began.
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I ran over a big rig tire re-tread and it completely destroyed my illustrious Oettinger kit, leaving me with nothing other than cracked and hacked up OEM bumpers.”
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TRANSFORMED 2002 VolkSwagen golf gti
ESSENTIALS › 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI DRIVER: michael houck HORSEPOWER: tbD (not yet dyno’d) ENGINE: Pump Deuce tDi w/ Compound turbo TORQUE: tbD
In tHe HaZe of brIngIng HIS comPound turbo dIeSel to lIfe, HoucK HaPPened uPon a set OF eXtraOrdinarilY rare image billet 88 threepiece 19-inch wheels.””
“Compound turbo setups are very common in the U.S. within the truck tuning world,” Houck says. “But very little has been done with VWs.” Working in the fiber optic field as an applications engineer, Houck is no stranger to research and innovation. It wasn’t long before he found another like-minded soul (care of tdiclub.com) embarking on a similar adventure into the world of compounding turbochargers. Darkside Developments was contacted to source the high pressure turbo, while Bullseye Performance handled low pressure counterpart. His friend’s brother, Jesse Brozyna, was an exhaust manifold fabricator in the JDM world and was going to be in town for Christmas. To simply say Jesse is a fabricator is a crime, because the intricacy and vision that has gone into the creation of this manifold is nothing short of amazing. 60
In the haze of bringing his compound turbo diesel to life, Houck happened upon a set of extraordinarily rare Image Billet 88 three-piece 19-inch wheels. With a little grinding on the sixpiston Porsche calipers, they fit perfectly inside the widened arches. The matte black paint was wrapped with a metallic blue vinyl to transform the car and better complement the mirrorpolished wheels, while certain parts of the diesel motor are painted Caterpillar yellow. Fitting, given the power it produces. Despite being over a decade in the making, Houck is sure the car will never be completely done. He already has plans for the next stage of its life. While it’s the first car he’s ever modified, there are a couple other projects challenging the GTD for his attention, so who knows what we’ll see next!
ENGINE MODIFICATIONS 1.9l bew pump deuce tDi block 2.0l bhw pistons (machined to lower compression to 17:1) total Seal gapless second ring rosten rods Performance Diesel engineering 0.5-in. girdle brm oil pump balanced rotating assembly Ported, polished, gasket-matched heads bosio r783 nozzles PD150 intake manifold Darkside Developments egr delete pipe malone tuning custom stage 5 tune garrett gtb2056vk high pressure turbo bullseye S247 low pressure turbo Precision 46 mm X-over waste gate JDl auto Designs custom compound turbo manifold Custom fmiC EXHAUST Custom 3-in. straight pipe DRIVETRAIN 02m 6mt (Quattro gearbox, tDi gearing swap) Pelican front lSD South bend ofe SS stage 5 clutch Single mass flywheel raxles axles haldex rear end swap f-town Street machines stand-alone haldex controller r32/tt (sub frame & a-arm conversion) ridetech e3 air ride management bagyard bombers front struts Slam Specialties re-5 rear bags WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES image billet 88s wheels — 19x9 (f), 19x10.5 (r) tires — 215/35 r19 (f), 235/35 r19 (r) brakes (Porsche six-piston calipers (f), wilwood four-piston calipers (r), abS delete w/ custom hardlined brakes) wilwood brakes (calipers, rotors, pedal assembly, e-brake) EXTERIOR Custom (all metal wide body) oem r32 bumpers (front and rear) oem r32 side skirts Seat Cupra lip Stubby mirrors oem shaved notch carbon fiber hood 2bar grill Carbon fiber hatch oem hiDs ocean tails Shaved (fender markers, bumper turns, side moldings, engine bay) INTERIOR recaro gt3 cloth seats raceQuip five-point cam-lock harnesses Cae shifter Sparco steering wheel barber race works custom four-point welded cage Custom (metal rear seat delete, smooth hatch area) aluminum fuel cell Dual 3-gallon air tanks r32 black headliner SPONSORS malone tuning, Protech motorsports, JDl auto Design For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/transformedvWgtI
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Story by Jordan Lenssen | Photography by Kevin Choi
#Deutschslamm’d When Bavaria hits the streets in the city that never sleeps
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People can lower their cars on coilovers in New York, but you really can’t get that look you want, because you’ll break your bumpers and ruin your fenders.”
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MWs are a prevalent sight in New York City. In fact, their regularity makes them almost unnoticeable, especially to those whose attention is whisked away by the countless exotics and luxury marquees; Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, Bugattis and Maybachs to name a few. The views downtown are dominated by skyscrapers that make these kinds of vehicles obtainable, but among the hustling city and the hordes of cars, cabs, bikes and people, one man and his machine stands out as different from the rest. Mario Rosasco is the owner of Airtekk, which, if you aren’t familiar with, is a manufacturer of the some of the coolest and most innovative air ride suspension kits around. The company and its products are constantly pushing the boundaries of air ride suspension, taking inspiration from city life and the cars in it. His resume is lined with years of experience in automotive fabrications, hydraulics and engineering, much of which he learned before he was legally allowed to drive. Like every great story, it begins with a turning point or love at first sight moment. Rosasco’s
experience was the latter, and that love was the E36. He vividly recalls the first time he saw one at age 16; it was blue with M3 Vader seats. Spending most of his time in the shop learning the trades as a kid, he watched his dad hand-lay fiberglass body kits and spoilers for Mercedes and BMWs. From there he started building hydraulic lift kits, later moving to massive air lift installations for 18-wheelers. Everything started to come together in the early 2000s. His engineering studies in high school and college transferred over to the automotive world, and he started building coil-over kits geared more toward the racing side. “I started really focusing myself on that. I saw a good niche for it. It grew very well, then the coil-over industry exploded,” he says. Seeing the growth of the market, he looked toward greater commercial opportunities, but saw the shortcomings of coil-overs in the potholed city that is New York. “People can lower their cars on coil-overs in New York, but you really can’t get that look you want, because you’ll break your bumpers and ruin your fenders,” Rosasco says.
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#Deutschslamm’d 1993 BMW 325i (E36)
On the hydraulic side, the systems were too bulky, too complex and too costly to make sense from a business and a user standpoint. The only other option was air. And tada, the beginning of Airtekk. It was the coming together of a perfect trifecta of experience in automotive, engineering and suspension backgrounds. Today, his Airtekk kits raise the bar of what can be done with air suspension. So, when he stumbled across an E36 on eBay, he saw an opportunity to do something truly unique with a car he had loved since day one. “I wasn’t really thinking about doing it, but it brought a lot of memories back when I wasn’t able to build it, so I just said screw it!” he laughs. Being in his position and with relatively few other E36s known for aggressive stance, Rosasco started by loading his with an Airtekk Saigon kit, dual fivegallon VIAIR compressors and Racing Dynamics front and rear strut bars. An impressive set of XXR 526 wheels in gold pearl with polished lips pay homage to BMWs Euro-sport heritage and highlight the amazing work around all four corners. The suspension and wheel package is so aggressive that each corner sticks out as much as three inches. To compensate, Rosasco and Vinny Manning cut each quarter, extended, then welded them back together to maintain the factory look. Coating the amazing bodywork is a shimmering coat of BASF white pearl, treated to graphics by Jason Mok in Queens. Keeping with the tradition that clean is classy, the bodywork is highlighted by an AC Schnitzer front lip, M3 bumpers and taillights as well as a modified E46 CSL wing wrapped in carbon fiber. 64
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A D Z A M E C N A M R O PERF
#Deutschslamm’d 1993 BMW 325i (E36)
S T S I L A I C SPE EARS
FOR OVER 40 Y
Perhaps the biggest eye-opening detail is the Airtekk Big Guns exhaust tip, which stick out so far it might as well kick drivers following too closely right in the face. Belting out the exhaust, one of the first things Rosasco did when he got the car was swap the stock transmission for a five-speed Getrag manual, complete with a stage-three F1 racing clutch and matching flywheel. The M50 VANOS engine was completely overhauled, with ported and polished heads and a host of upgrades large and small that are too many to list (see the spec list!). The finished product is 247 horses that sit inside a luxurious gold pearl engine bay. When he finally (and somehow) had time to get to the interior, Rosasco contacted the guys at Radames Interior to clear out the old and bring in the new. He stripped the carpet, swapped the 325i seats for quilted black leather 328i ones and kept things German with Bavarian Auto mats. For the roof, he matched it with black velvet and highlighted the sunroof with a sexy anime wrap as a throwback to the days when he first spotted the car. For controls, the most obvious addition is the HUGE Monster Bubble shifter. While some might claim overkill, Rosasco still gets out to
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Essentials › 1993 BMW 325i (E36) Driver: Mario Rosasco club affiliation: Team Airtekk engine: M50 VANOS 3.0L Horsepower: 247 hp Torque: 235 lb-ft Engine Modifications Engine install/tune by Ray Maragani (Rays Auto) ESI computer chip Ported, polished heads Maxsil (pistons, rings) ARP connecting rods Schrick camshafts Ralco RZ cam gears BMW (E36 throttle body, 325i intake manifold) Cold Plugs Iridium spark plugs Coil Packs ignition wires Bremi ignition coils K&N air filter Ferrea valvetrain Walbro fuel pump DeatschWerks fuel injectors Victor Reinz head gaskets Dyno test at Wings Performance EXHAUST Active Auto Werke (exhaust, headers, up-pipes) Airtekk Big Guns exhaust tips Straight Pipe cat DRIVETRAIN Getrag five-speed manual transmission F1 (racing flywheel, stage 3 racing clutch) BMW 325i LSD EXTERIOR Body Work by Vinny Manning & Mario Rosasco BASF White Pearl paint (front and rear bumper) Graphics by Jason Mok in Queens, NY AC Schnitzer front lip BMW M3 (bumpers, taillights) E46 CSL trunk wing (modified, wrapped in carbon fiber)
ZKW headlights Cut and extended (325i fenders/quarter panels by two inches) HID (headlights, fog lights) Amber LED corner lights /w clear corner housing License plate wrapped in carbon fiber WHEELS/TIRES/BRAKES XXR 526 wheels — 18x9 +25 (f), 18x10.5 +25 (r) Hankook tires — 205/40 R18 (f), 235/35 R18 (r) Brembo front brakes (pads, six-piston calipers, 356 mm drilled one-piece rotors (f)) Stock rear brakes (slotted rotors) Hawk rear brake pads Agency Power braided brake lines Blue brake fluid Suspension Airtekk Saigon Air Performance Suspension (full kit, front/rear) Energy Suspension urethane bushings Racing Dynamics (front & rear strut bar) Interior Black leather upholstery with quilted insert Black velvet (roof and lining) Black carpet Upholstery by Radames Interior Monster Bubble shift knob Euro E36 steering wheel BMW M3 (shift boot, e-brake boot) Glow Shift gauges Bavarian Auto floor mats AC Schnitzer pedals Audio / Mobile Electronics TVIEW head unit BOSS subwoofer amplifier Visonik V123BP subwoofers (2) Infinite baffle subwoofer enclosure Sponsors Airtekk Engineering, Ray Maragani/Rays Auto, Hankook Tires
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#Deutschslamm’d 1993 BMW 325i (E36)
the occasional drift, so totally warranted I say. A Euro steering wheel, M3 shift boot, Glow Shift gauges and AC Schnitzer pedals help him on track and, in case he wants some music to accompany him, he’s got plenty of that too. A seven-inch TVIEW head unit controls a simple, but more-than-effective system that includes a BOSS subwoofer amp and two Visonik V123BP subwoofers in an infinite baffle enclosure. Protecting it all is a beautiful mini Samurai sword that, despite its size, can be a lethal weapon when paired with Rosasco’s background in martial arts. It’s not often we see E36s with this many goodies, and it’s rarer still when they sit on such amazing suspension hardware. When we heard there was one hidden somewhere in the maze of New York by Airtekk’s owner, we had to learn more. So, while it may have taken years to be reunited with his first love, there’s no doubt Rosasco knows what he’s got. “They’re very rare. Very, very rare. The E36s especially always get a lot of respect. Anyone who’s had one and sold it always has a bit of regret. People are always telling me ‘never get rid of it.’” For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/SlammedE36
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www.stsuspensions.com
2013-03-01 10:57 AM
May 25.2013
Weksos Presents:
Wekfest LA Long Beach, CA Queen Mar y Event s Center Story & Photography by Eric Lopez
Returning for a third year, Wekfest took over the Queen Mary Events Park in Long Beach, Calif., for what has been touted as the “Premiere Automotive Gathering.” Enthusiasts lined up outside the gate, down along the shoreline to the historic Queen Mary ship, to enter the event while admiring the final few show cars rolling in. Wekfest has a reputation as an “enthusiasts event” and very much lived up to that reputation. With cars lined up in the parking lot and on the grass, it made for row after row of enjoyable and uniquely modified rides for the crazed fitment and stance fans.
The popular Scion FR-S was a major part of the show, on display at many vendor spaces. Most notably, the Stay Crushing FR-S that graced our April cover, and also the new ML24 Design Subaru BR-Z brought in by R-Rydes, showcased the quality of rides. The Long Beach skyline in the foreground, the clear California skies up above and amazing car show all around, it all made for an amazing experience. The popularity of Weksos Industries and the Wekfest-esque style, rooted in Northern California, continues to spread across the U.S.; the strong influence is most notable in the intense popularity of the Wekfest shows.
For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/WekfestLA2013
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GrEEN GIANT SOMETIMES A LITTLE VISION GOES A LONG WAY
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STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEREMY ALAN GLOVER
lenty of cars are built with passion, but some just have more emotion infused into them. This VW Cabriolet, owned and built by Chris Little, is one of those examples. This is a story with more history than your average bagged VW. Coming from Montreal, Canada, Chris decided he needed a change of pace from his cover-featured VR6 Golf. Out of the blue, he parted out the VR6 and his VR Corrado project vehicle, and made plans to head west to British Columbia. After selling almost everything, he had to find an inexpensive vehicle to drive all the way to BC. After some searching, he ended up buying his mom’s black, slightlyrusted VW Cabriolet. This is where things start to get interesting.
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Being the car guy he is, Little couldn’t leave this Cabby stock. Using some leftover parts from his previous builds, he swapped in a manual transmission, a set of Bilstein PSS9 coil-overs and did a five-bolt conversion with four discs so he could run his black Schimdt TH-Line wheels from his Golf. Other quick mods include e-code headlights, a badgeless grille and fancy wood MOMO steering wheel. Fast forward, Chris decided to return back to Montreal. His cabby ran great over the thousands of miles during his trip, but once he was home it was time to get serious. Not even two weeks later, Little pulled the stock 2.0L four-banger and threw in a VR6. In typical style, the VR6 didn’t stay stock for long either. A GIAC chip, C2 Motorsports intake and 2.5-inch Magnaflow exhaust were thrown on
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aLmoSt eVerYtHInG under tHe Hood IS eItHer CHROMED OR POLISHED, AND ALL UNNECESSARY PARTS REMOVED...”
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GREEN GIANT
1998 Volkswagen CabrioLET
Essentials › 1998 VOLKSWAGEN Cabriolet Driver: Chris little Horsepower: 300-350 hp
Engine: VR6 Turbo Torque: 300 lb-ft
to add a bit of engine pep. The next step was air. Little installed an Air Lift Slam Series bag setup to get the car sitting how he wanted and looking good. Little is a body and paint guy, so he went to work repairing all the rust, dents and poor body work from years gone by. When done working his magic here, the car was painted Hummer H2 Sage Green with a custom flake clear coat for added sparkle before focusing his attention on the engine bay. Almost everything under the hood is either chromed or polished, and all unnecessary parts removed to give the engine bay a clean shaved look. During this time he also redid his wheels to match his car, using the same paint for the center of the wheel, which works well with the polished lips. The car was looking and run-
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ning great until a mechanical issue caused the VR6 to overheat and blow blue smoke like a two-stroke dirt bike. Without missing a beat, Little threw in another VR6 engine, this time adding some more spice to it in the form of a T3/T4 turbo and a few other go-fast upgrades that put his Cabriolet in the 300 to 350 horsepower range. With his passion for perfection, the evolution of his VW Cabriolet is neverending. With bigger plans for this ride, it seems we’ll be seeing more of it in the future.
Engine Modifications All new gaskets (crank seal, head gasket, etc.) C2 Motorsports (short runner, stage 1 software) Custom (400 ph core intercooler, 2.5-in. IC piping, MAF housing) T3/T4 turbocharger (.63 AR cold, .70 AR hot) ATP manifold Tial 38 mm wastegate 360 cc injectors Forge diverter valve ARP studs Chrome valve cover Copper-plated (fuel rail, transmission cable bracket, brake booster shield) Shaved engine bay Full wire tuck EXHAUST Magnaflow 2.5-in. turbo-back straight exhaust WG open dump tube DRIVETRAIN Bully Performance stage 4+ clutch Five-speed OEM transmission USP Motorsport clutch line CHASSIS / SUSPENSION Removed front sway bar Table bearings (removed bushings) Airlift Slam Series 400 cc compressor 3 gallon tank painted beige WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES Schmidt TH-LINE wheels — 16x9.5 (f/r) Marangoni tires — 195/40 R16 (f/r) VR6 DE brakes (f/r) 5 mm rear spacers EXTERIOR Hummer H2 Sage Green with custom flakes paint Pulled fenders Shaved (engine bay, door handles, windshield washers, antenna, VW logo on trunk, swag line on bumper) Smoothed rockers Smoked e-codes Badgeless grille VR6 lip Chrome (fender and firewall bolts) Interior OEM beige leather interior MOMO wood steering wheel MK4 wood shifter knob VDO boost gauge AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS Alpine head unit OEM speakers SPONSORS Michael Lafrane Garage For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/GreenGiantVWcab
» Performance Auto & Sound
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It’s easy…with the right tool. Meguiar’s® DA Power System brings the detailer’s secret – “dual action” – to your garage. Simply attach Meguiar’s DA Power System to your drill to see great results in less time.
For free personal car care advice, go to Meguiars.com or call 800 347-5700 Mon-Sat, 7:00am to 3:00pm Pacific Time
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C NO EVIL
Story by Eric Eikenberry | Photography by Jason Little
Wh en La s Vega s plumber R o ry Gr if f it h d o ve in t o h is Ch ry s ler 300C pr o j ect j us t o ver t h r ee yea r s a go , we’ll bet h e n ever en vis io n ed t h e s pla s h it wo uld ult imat ely ma k e. Wh at h e d id a n t icipat e wa s go in g “way pa s t wh at a ll o t h er s h a d do n e” t o use h is o wn wo r ds ; bu t , wit h t he f in a l t ou ches a pplied in t he f or m of t he ou t s t a nd ing in t er ior a nd a ud io s ys t em by In dus t ry A u t o Des ign s , Gr if f it h’ s mea n C wa s pick ed by vo t er s a s t h e winne r of t he 2013 Phoen ix Go ld Builder s Ch a llenge . H er e’s ho w it a ll ca me t oge t her .
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» Performance Auto & Sound
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INDUSTRY AUDIO DESIGNS HAD JUST BEEN APPROVED FOR THE PHOENIX GOLD CONTEST AND ANDREW EVENS, THE CEO OF IAD, HAD BEEN ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A NICE CAR WITH A VIRGIN INTERIOR.”
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riffith is no stranger to project vehicles. For 15 years he was active in the show scene, building SEMA and CES show rides for customers and companies for 10 of those fun years. This time out, he was able to take a back seat and enjoy the work of others, including the prestigious Tommy Rocker Auto Fabrication. To achieve the paintscraping ride height, front tubular upper control arms and drop spindles
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have been hand-made to work with the 300C chassis. The frame rails are reinforced and plated with the fabricated mount for the threaded hydraulic cylinders, which are supplied by Parker bladder accumulators. This completely one-off setup provides an extreme range of suspension travel. The rear has received a similar treatment with hand-built upper cylinder mounts and two more accumulators for ride comfort.
Meguiar’s® DA Power System is versatile enough to compound, polish and wax your car. Simply attach the right pad with your favorite Meguiar’s product and let the drill do the work for you.
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C NO EVIL 2006 chrySLEr 300c
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WWW.ULTRAREV.COM | CALL TOLL FREE 1.877.ULTRA72 | 732.938.3999 OVER 150 MANUFACTURERS & 250,000 PARTS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR VEHICLE 2013-06-07 2:35 PM
Naturally, Griffith plumbed all the air lines and installed the “1 pump, 5 dump” Hydroholics manifold. He also added the 6,000 k HID headlights and the smoked rear taillights himself while Danny Demello at Best Muffler Shop installed the Magnaflow exhaust and custom piping necessary to make it fit with the body drop. Unlike many off-the-shelf air ride kits, all of the tanks and lines have been kept completely hidden from sight – one of the many clever touches that help to set this vehicle apart. Tommy Rocker Auto Fabrication dropped the body and rear pan, and tubbed the trunk and rear doors to fit monster 26x9-inch Velocity 725S wheels. Tires are an equally-ridiculous 275/25/26 size from Fullrun, and look just right disappearing deeply into the fenders at full drop. The gas door is shaved, inside of the fenders rolled, and the rest of the meticulous bodywork has resulted in this. Like some kind of Dub toy found at a Toys “R” Us, it makes an impression without making a sound. And at this point, the car would sit for a while Griffith considered some possible interior modifications. Enter Industry Auto Designs and the Phoenix Gold Builders Challenge.
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Industry Audio Designs had just been approved for the Phoenix Gold contest and Andrew Evens, the CEO of IAD, had been on the lookout for a nice car with a virgin interior. “When we heard about the challenge and were approved, we hit all of our outlets, friends, family and shops as well as all the car clubs we work with. We did some interviews, looking for a common enough vehicle that everyone could relate to and be able to have freedom with on the install.” Evens had heard of Griffith from his work on past project vehicles, so it can be considered a match made in heaven. The only fly in the ointment is they would have only 30 days to complete a contest-winning audio installation. Impossible, right? Wrong. They began by stripping the insides to the bare walls and removing the rear window so that four Phoenix Gold Ti10D2 subwoofers could be mounted in the rear deck on angled mounts, and an enclosure built below them with a clear acrylic “pass through window” into the interior. This meant the rear bench seat would be converted into captains chairs. Since they were going that far, they went a step further and did a complete color change from
2013-06-07 2:35 PM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jeff Ragazzo
C NO EVIL 2006 Chrysler 300C
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jeff Ragazzo
F
rom a marketing standpoint, this contest is pure gold. No, really, we mean that. The only rule to the entire event is that builders must use Phoenix Gold equipment. All of the projects were voted on by the public “Idol-style” to give this epic battle a real down-to-earth, connected-to-enthusiasts feel. In the true spirit of public outreach, the field was truly international with teams from across Europe, South America and North America applying. Call it the World Cup of Audio Installations, though perhaps the field was tilted slightly by the sheer number of U.S. entrants, which merely meant that it would be all the more difficult to stand out domestically. Teams were also required to document their builds from start to finish. Given the very short time frame involved (when most project cars require months or even years to complete), the contest began in September of 2012 and contestants had to have their vehicles completed by January 1, 2013. Voting opened at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show and continued until April 30th, 2013.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jeff Ragazzo
runner-ups 1st runner up
ICE-Xtra Sound Connected 2006 Ford Transit Connect ICE-Xtra - United Carshops Zwolle, Overijssel, Netherlands
2nd runner up
Fuerza Skyline 1996 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS-T Fuerza Audio Zolder, Belgium
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the OEM tan to blue suede and dark grey vinyl with leather for the seats and all of the interior panels. The hard trim pieces are repainted blue to match the exterior finish with a “hydro graphic” to finish it off with a silver swirl and white marble pattern that also migrates to the steering wheel. Other nice touches include smoked, back-lit gauges and a remote-mounted PG bass control. Since IAD was required to document the build on the Phoenix Gold website, there’s a YouTube video showing exactly how this was accomplished. Evens touches upon the difficulty involved with periodically stopping to record these types of segments: “It’s hard to be in the zone building and remembering to stop and document what you’re doing, then pop back into build mode. Sometimes we get on such a good flow you forget you have to be able to show how you got there,” he says. Another short video segment shows one of the IAD crew mem-
bers hand-cutting the distinctive arches on a router table to form the blue LED-backlit center console that splits the middle of the interior. After shaping, the console gets upholstered in blue suede and dark grey vinyl to match the rest of the double-stitched custom interior before IAD incorporates its logo into the tops of the seats, etched acrylic panels in the trunk and on the custom door panels. Those doors house a Phoenix Gold Ti65cs and a Ti5cx along with two Ti series tweeters, and there’s an R4cx center channel speaker on top of the dash. The midrange speakers are powered by a Ti800.4 amplifier that Phoenix Gold describes as an overbuilt, competition-level amplifier with builtin low- and high-pass ranges. Meanwhile, the subs are driven by a powerful Ti1500.1 mono amplifier. Both amps are mounted to a swingout aluminum amp rack in the trunk above the “flying Phoenix” etched bottom acrylic panel, which covers the five Optima Blue Top batteries.
» Performance Auto & Sound
Phoenix Gold 300c_v2.indd 6
2013-06-07 2:35 PM
Drive with style
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C NO EVIL 2006 Chrysler 300C
Essentials › 2006 Chrysler 300C
The only fly in the ointment is they would have only 30 days to complete a contest-winning audio installation.” Since the only rule in the competition is that the builders must use Phoenix Gold products, everything comes from AAMP (the parent company of PG), including the Stinger wiring, cloth and vinyl used in the trunk upholstery, the fuses, wire connectors and even the Roadkill sound deadening material. Only the source unit – an Apple iPad cleverly mounted horizontally in the center console – comes from outside the AAMP family. When the contest ended and the worldwide votes tallied up, this evil C topped all of the impressive builds from Europe, North America and South America. Sure, this 300C was impressive to start with, but in just 30 days IAD transformed it from show-goer to show-winner. In fact, at the 2013 West Coast Nationals it swept up first place in the full-size car category and also won the ‘Best Interior’ award. “As far as being chosen as the #1 USA and #1 global winner, it was a
social media contest, which meant voters had to go to the site and vote online. This was a new hurdle for us here,” says Evens. “Not only were we on a time crunch, but we had to remember to film and photograph a lot of our work along the way and produce videos and slide shows with music and effect and post them along the way.” “The crowds at local shows and the comments we have received are what keep us doing what we do,” he says. “At Industry Auto Designs, our main focus is to enjoy what we do daily; being creative with the right tools and hardware to create masterpieces that people of all ages will enjoy. We like to be challenged. We don’t like the norm or things that can be easily duplicated.” Mission accomplished, gentlemen. Mission accomplished. The only question left is: ‘Is it too early to start planning for the next Builders Challenge?’
Driver: Rory Griffith Engine: 5.7L HEMI V8 Built by: Industry Auto Design Location: Las Vegas, NV Horsepower: 650 hp Torque: 600 lb-ft Engine Modifications K&N air filter Injken air intake EXHAUST Magnaflow exhaust system with custom piping DRIVETRAIN D3 (performance transmission, 1,000-hp axles) ACT triple plate clutch Driveshaft Shop (carbon fiber driveshaft, pro level 1,600-hp axles) Winters quick change differential CHASSIS / SUSPENSION Parker bladder accumulators suspensions Hand-built upper cylinder mounts, body dropped rear pan 2.5-in. Custom (front upper control arms, spindles, frame rails reinforced and plated with fabricated mount) Tubbed rear end 1 pump 5 dump Hydroholics manifold with four corner accumulators Hydraulics and hard lines WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES Velocity 725s wheels — 26x9 (f/r) Fullrun HP199 tires — 275/25 ZR26 (f/r) EXTERIOR Rolled fenders Rear doors tubbed to fit 26s and still lay body Shaved gas door 6 K HID headlights Smoked taillights Interior iPad dash bezel with modified vents Vinyl, suede, paint, hydro graphics with aluminum flat upholstering Hydro dipped (shift knob, steering wheel) Smoked and back-lit gauges Reupholster with custom stitched seats Custom (fiberglass door panels, 1-pc. center console, true captain’s chairs rear seats, custom fiberglass rear deck lid) Carpet color match interior Suede headliner, suede pillars, paint, vinyl on doors Industry Auto Design logo’s integrated into front doors LED back lighting AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS Apple iPad3 head unit Industry Auto designs processors Phoenix Gold (Ti8800.4 and Ti500.1 amplifiers, Ti10D2 subwoofers (4), Ti65CS component speakers (4), Ti5CX coaxial speakers (4), Ti Series tweeters, R4CX coaxial speakers) Optima Blue Top battery Stinger (fuse holder, main power wire, distribution block) SPONSORS Phoenix Gold, Industry Auto Designs, Best Muffler Shop, Tommy Rocker Auto Fab For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/cnoevil
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» Performance Auto & Sound
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2013-06-07 2:35 PM
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3/4/13 7:48 PM 2013-03-05 10:57 AM
Sou nd Adv ice
> by Garry Springgay
Treat the Cause,
Not the Symptom round my neighborhood, everyone knows me as the guy who’s always in his garage tinkering with something; more often than not, it’s some sort of audio related project. As it happens, one Saturday morning I was working up a design for a VSS pulse divider to allow me to adapt an aftermarket automotive cruise control on one of my motorcycles, when my buddy Joe pulls into the driveway in his 2003 Chevy Astro van. After a bit of small talk about the gadgets I’m installing on my bike, he asks if it’s okay to solder wires directly to the terminals of a relay. I say, “Yes, you can do that as long as you don’t overheat things, but why do you need to solder the connections?” The story turns out to be long and convoluted, but the gist of it seems Joe is having problems with the rear air conditioning blower in his van. Specifically, he’s been burning up the fan control switch; even the wires going to the switch had become discolored from the heat. Joe admits he’s installed new switches two or three times, because “they just burn up, and the new ones burn up even quicker… Everything is such junk these days.” After thoroughly bad-mouthing the design of the switch, the gauge of the wire, the electrical engineering department and pretty much everyone going back to the days of Charles Kettering (inventor of the electric starter in 1912), Joe says he’s tired of replacing the $50 switch, and has a better idea. To eliminate the problem, he decides to simply have the switch turn on a relay that will run the blower at 100% whenever it’s turned on. He reasons this will lower the current through the switch and keep it from melting. Then he tells me he knows it will work too, because he’s tried it already, but had a problem with the crimp-on terminals melting on the relay! I hope those of you who make a living as installers see the fault in Joe’s well-intentioned logic. As soon as he told me the crimp connectors were melting, I know there are bigger
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problems than a relay could cure. Something was causing very high current on a circuit that was never designed for it. In Joe’s mind the switch kept failing, so it had to be the culprit. But those of us who understand electrical circuits know the switch was very likely designed to work with the intended load without any sort of overheating. Joe’s relay solution was a cure for the
After a quick tear down of the interior panels, I have the blower motor and resistor pack in my hands within 20 minutes. I put it on my bench, and connect it to my power supply. The motor draws almost 18 A of current just to spin! This is more than double what it should have drawn according to the label. To make matters worse, the high-current draw of the blower damaged the van’s electrical connections at the fan itself, as well as the resistor pack used to control the fan speed. So, off we went to the auto parts store. Armed with a new resistor pack and blower, I check the current draw of the new parts on my bench power supply. Now at full speed, the blower was drawing 5.6 A – less than a third of the old one. Not only that, but the parts needed to actually fix the problem were less money than Joe had already spent on replacement switches. We now fixed the actual cause of the problem, instead of just repairing the symptom. The lesson to Joe (and to anyone who is faced with a repeated failure of a specific part or component) is to look further than the part that failed. Try to understand what is making it fail, then get to the root cause of the problem. Joe bought the beer and burgers that night.
As electric motors age, the bushings get dry, the brushes and commutator wear, and the current demand increases. Let it go long enough, and something’s bound to fail.” symptom of the problem – a melting switch. The real cause of the problem is whatever is making the high current in the first place. My first suspect is the 10-year-old blower motor, buried in the back of the van under the side panel and trying to operate in 120 degree heat for the last 10 Arizona summers. As electric motors age, the bushings get dry, the brushes and commutator wear, and the current demand increases. Let it go long enough, and something’s bound to fail. In this case it is the switch.
» Performance Auto & Sound
Sound Advice 15.04.indd 1
2013-06-05 1:33 PM
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12 Vol t insi der
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> By Paul Pirro (WITH NOTES FROM DAVE MACKINNON)
Should I amp or should I go? eople unfamiliar with the ins and outs of car audio will ask “Do I need an amplifier in m car?” With any question like this, deciding between ‘want’ and ‘need’ is a fine line. If ou want to maximize clarity, dynamics and create concert-realistic volume levels in your vehicle, then the answer is a resounding yes. There are a few items to consider when purchasing an amplifier for your vehicle, namely your budget, what you want the amplifier to do, and how much room you have.
Budget Similar to wheels, tires, paint and body kits — you get what you pay for when it comes to amplifiers. Car audio amplifiers start around $100 and commonly reach prices above $2,000 for high-end models. As you spend more money, these amplifiers typically become more powerful and include more features. More importantly, the sound quality improves, they have greater control to reproduce the impact and dynamics of your music, and they become more transparent – meaning less of an added sonic signature. They also include more adjustability — often with band pass crossovers, subsonic filters, remote level controls and so on.
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Application If this is your first amplifier purchase, we suggest investing in a good quality, multi-channel amp to start off. Four-channel amps are typically the best place to start, because they can almost always remain part of your system as you upgrade it. It can run four speakers — two in the front and two in the rear. It can run those four speakers and a subwoofer. It can run two subwoofers. Should you decide to buy a dedicated subwoofer amp, it can go back to running your four speakers, but only for midbass and higher frequencies. A sign of a good system design is one that grows with the customer as needs change. You might simply want to add more bass to your system; this is a very common starting point for many systems. Good-quality, low frequency performance can bring your system to life. When it comes to subwoofer amplifiers, most of the ones these days are class D. Without going over anyone’s head, class D amps are a great solution for subwoofers because they can provide large amounts of power efficiently, especially good with the limited electrical power found in most vehicles. The key to maximum subwoofer amplifier performance is matching it to your subwoofer(s). If you have a pair of four-Ohm subwoofers, you want to wire them in parallel to produce a two-Ohm load. Therefore, look for a subwoofer amp capable of making its maximum rated continuous power into a two-Ohm load. In spite of what you see SPL enthusiasts doing, you are better off designing your subwoofer system for as high a load as possible — let’s say four Ohms — and finding an amplifier that can produce maximum power into that load. Why? Because it sounds better and is more efficient. The large, varying current flows required for a low-impedance (one and two Ohms) subwoofer system is harder to manage compared to high-impedance systems. The best bass response I have heard in cars (my own included) was a nice, fast sub running at four Ohms into a huge amplifier.
No worries if you’re lost, that’s why there are experienced salespeople, installers and people like us to help! On the flip side, if all you want is volume and dynamics then, by all means, add some power cells to your vehicle, upgrade the electrical system and have at it! Just make sure your subwoofers can handle the abuse modern amps can dish out. Size Matters Over the past few years, amplifiers have gotten smaller and smaller. This only makes sense; it is increasingly hard to install big amplifiers in smaller cars. However, small size can come at a big cost. Compare a 300-hp turbocharged 1.6L Honda motor to a big V6 that makes the same power. What’s the difference? Torque. Sure, once you get the Honda moving, they are plenty fast, but slam the gas pedal to the floor from idle and the V6 will own that little fella. Amplifiers are the same. The best-sounding ones are bigger, sometimes massive. They have huge power supplies, large amounts of stored energy, plenty of switching devices and room for a lot of adjustments.
A s ig n o f a g o o d syst em d es ig n is o n e t hat g ro w s w it h t he c u sto m er as his o r her n eeds c ha n g e. "
Conclusion Your final takeaway should be straightforward. Consider your options carefully and chose what fits your specific needs and desires. Do not rely on specs alone, since your ears are the ultimate judge. Listen to your friends’ vehicles, go to your local retailer and listen to their displays and demo vehicles. Hit up a local car show and ask to listen to the demo cars on display. Keep an open mind and reflect on the information you gather. Set a budget, cherry-pick the amplifier design you are looking for and ensure the amp(s) you choose will get you to your ultimate goal. Once your mind is made up, it’s off to the installation bay to hear your music like you never have before.
» Performance Auto & Sound
15.04 12Volt Insider.indd 1
2013-06-05 3:31 PM
amplifiers • speakers • SUBWOOFERS • processors • motorcycle audio
W W W . A R C A U D I O . C O M A r c A u d i o I n c 4 7 1 9 G r e e n L e a f C i r c l e # 4 M o d e s t o , C A 9 5 3 5 6 TE L : 2 0 9 . 5 4 3 . 8 7 0 6 F A X : 2 0 9 . 5 4 3 . 9 2 6 9
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2013-04-09 2:16 PM
Amped Up!
Figuring out wha
t makes an ampli
fier pump
By DAVE MACKINNON
O
nce you have chosen the application, buying an amp can be a daunting task. There are literally thousands available, and every salesperson will tell you what makes their amplifiers better than the ones down the road. If you are a regular or long-time reader of PASMAG, then you will be familiar with the test reports Garry Springgay and I have written. These reports offer detailed insight into the features and capabilities of the amp(s) in question. The annual amplifier buyers guide gives you a quick look at different offerings from various manufacturers. Let’s take a look at some of the specs that will be provided:
Channels Amplifiers are often grouped by the number of discrete channels they have. The more channels an amplifier has, the more flexibility you have in configuring and tuning the system. A mono amp, in most applications, is typically designed for subwoofers. A two-channel amp can be used for one or two pairs of speakers in stereo, or bridged to power a sub. Multichannel amps, like those with three, four, five and six channels, give you the ability to run subs and high-frequency drivers from a single chassis with independent controls over each.
CEA-2006A Compliant Power Ratings Over the decades, some manufacturers have chosen to embellish how much real (usable) power their amps could produce. If you don’t care about distortion, then any amp can make twice its distortion-free rating, but really, that power is useless. The Consumer Electronics Association offers a rating standard that amplifier manufacturers can choose to support, levelling the playing field and making ratings comparable. An amp rating that specifies the power rating to be CEA-2006A compliant was tested with an amp supply voltage of 14.4 V. The output is then measured with no more than 1% distortion in the signal.
S/N Ratio Every electronic signal processing device, no matter the price or purpose, makes some noise. That is to say — it adds slight noise to the audio signal being passed through it. This noise is measured as a voltage ratio using the decibel scale. These voltages can be quite minute. When looking at the signal-to-noise ratio, larger numbers are better. The specification should also include a reference measurement — either full rated power or 1 Watt specified. The numbers can be dramatically different, so it’s important to make sure you are comparing apples to apples.
Topology
Crossover and equalization
This is not a spec, but an amplifier design choice. The way the output devices (transistors or MOSFETS) that drive the speakers are configured can have a huge impact on sound quality and amplifier efficiency. There are always exceptions, but as a quick and dirty rule of thumb, class-AB amplifiers sound better, while class-D amplifiers are more efficient.
Most amplifiers include high- and low-pass electronic crossovers and most amplifiers designed for subwoofers include a bass boost circuit. I am not a fan of boost circuits, as they generally over-emphasize a narrow range of bass frequencies. However, they are an easy way to make a system seem loud, so long as you don’t run out of power. Crossovers on the other hand are a great tool. They can, and should, be used to control the range of frequencies going to your speakers. Your subwoofers aren’t designed to reproduce midrange and high-frequency
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Frequency Response The perfect amplifier wouldn’t alter the audio signal going through it in any way, it would only make it larger. Sadly, this is impossible. One specification that has audible affect on the sound of an amplifier is its frequency response. Look for amps that play low (- <10 Hz) on the bottom end and high on the top end (- >50 kHz). Beyond these ranges, the frequency limits of the amplifier will have less of an effect on what you hear.
information, so a low-pass filter will block out the highs. Your midrange and tweeters won’t reproduce bass well, so a high-pass filter will block that out. This allows speakers to operate efficiently in their designed range, which means better performance. Lastly, don’t forget to listen to the amp you want. Go to your local car audio shop and audition various models in a car or a well-designed display board. You’ll be surprised how different amps with similar power ratings can sound so different.
» Performance Auto & Sound
15.03 AMP Intro.indd 1
2013-06-05 4:09 PM
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buyers GUIDE
amplifiers
Absolute
Alpine
AbsoluteUSA.com
$170 | Alpine-USA.com | Alpine-Canada.com
5VI-6000 | Vicious Series Number of Channels:
MRV-M250 | V-Power series
AMERICAN BASS USA VFL-4000. FR | VFL Series AmericanBassUSA.com
5 60 W x 4 @ 4 Ω, 400 W x 1 @ 4 Ω, CEA-2006 90 W x 4 @ 2 Ω, 700 W x 1 @ 2 Ω, 180 W x 2 Power: @ 4 Ω (Bridged), 400 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (Bridged) Topology: Class A/B Crossovers: Yes Equalization: Yes Frequency response (-3 dB): 10 – 30,000 Hz S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): >102 dB Dimensions: 19.45”(L) x 10.5”(W) x 2.5”(H)
Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power:
1 (mono) 250 W x 1 @ 2 Ω (RMS), 150 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (RMS) Class D global modulation with dual negative Topology: feedback Crossovers: Variable LP Equalization: Variable bass EQ Frequency response (-3 dB): 7 Hz - 400 Hz (1 W into 4 Ω) S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): > 85 dB (1 W into 4 Ω) Dimensions: 7.88”(L) x 7.5”(W) x 2.88”(H)
Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology:
ARC Audio
Audiobahn
Audiopipe
$699 | ARCaudio.com
$264.99 | Audiobahn.com
Audiopipe.com
KS600.2 | KAR Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
Dimensions:
2-9 (Bridgeable) 400 W x 2 @ 4 Ω, 600 W x 2 @ 2 Ω, 1,200 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (Bridged) Class H AP, HP, LP AP, HP, LP (55 Hz - 5.5 kHz) 5 Hz - 50 kHz >112 dB 15.5”(L) x 8.0”(W) x 2.37”(H)
AMA36001DH | Murdered-Out Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
Dimensions:
1 (mono) 600 W x 1 @ 4 Ω, 1,200 W x 1 @ 2 Ω, 1,800 W x 1 @ 1 Ω, 3,600 W (Peak) Class D Full pass LP (18 dB slope) 10 Hz - 20 kHz >100 dB (+/- 1 dB) 12.36”(L) x 8.48”(W) x 2.64”(H)
Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
2 1,300 W x 2 @ 1 Ω N/A LP, HP (20 Hz – 5 kHz), BP, full N/A 20 Hz – 20 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>105 dB
Dimensions:
34”(L) x 10”(W) x 2.75”(H)
APDL-20001D | APDL Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
Dimensions:
1 (mono) 2,000 W x 1 @ 1 Ω Class D Variable LP electronic LP and subsonic filter 80 Hz – 180 KHz >70 dB 14.05”(L) x 6.92”(W) x 2.16”(H)
Audison
Autotek
Axxera
Audison.com
$299.99 | AutotekCarAudio.com
$249.99 | AxxeraAudio.com
AV 5.1k | Voce Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
Dimensions:
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5 75 W x 2, 140 W x 2, 600 W x 1 Class A/B, D N/A N/A N/A 75 W: >80 dB, 140 W: >80 dB, 600 W: >78 dB 8.66”(L) x 18.5”(W) x 2.28”(H)
» Performance Auto & Sound
15.04_Amps_v2.indd 1
AXL3050.2 | Alx Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
Dimensions:
2 1,500 W x 2 @ 2 Ω (Peak) Class A/B HP, LP Bass EQ 10 Hz – 45 kHz (-3 dB) >90 dB 17.13”(L) x 9.06”(W) x 2.32”(H)
AXA10D | AXA Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
Dimensions:
1 (mono) 350 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (RMS), 650 W x 1 @ 2 Ω (RMS), 1,750 W (Peak) Class D Variable LP Subsonic 20 Hz – 150 Hz >70 dB 9”(L) x 4.7”(W) x 1.58”(H)
*Prices are subject to change.
2013-06-06 11:23 AM
Ann Audison_BitDrive_PAS_200x273mm_2013.pdf
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buyers GUIDE
amplifiers
Blues Audio
Boss Audio
BRAX
BluesAudio.com
$125 | BossAudio.com
$2,599.95 | BraxHiFi.com
BA-1.1000 | BA-Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) 1,000 W x 1 @ 2 Ω, 2,000 W (Peak) Class A/B Full LP (adjustable)
PH1502MW | Phantom Elite Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers:
1 (mono) 700 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (RMS) Class A/B Full range, LP Bass boost
(CEA-2006 standard):
>110 dB
Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
N/A
Dimensions:
13.1”(L) x 8.8”(W) x 2”(H)
Dimensions:
10”(L) x 9.5”(W) x 2.25”(H)
10 Hz - 25,000 Hz
N/A
X2400.2S | MATRIX Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology:
4 110 W x 4 @ 4 Ω (RMS), 200 W x 4 @ 2 Ω (RMS), 400 W x 2 @ 4 Ω (RMS/Bridged) Class A/B Independent front / rear / left / right Crossovers: crossovers Equalization: None Frequency response (-3 dB): 20 Hz - 20 kHz (+/- 0.2 dB) S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): >105 dB Dimensions: 18.5”(L) x 9.37”(W) x 2.08”(H)
Cadence Sound
Cerwin Vega Mobile
Clarion
$320 | CadenceSound.com | BestAudioDeals.com
$199.99 | CerwinVegaMobile.com
$199.99 | Clarion.com
XAM500.4 | Xenith Micro Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N Ratio
4 90 W x 4 @ 4 Ω (RMS), 125 W x 4 @ 2 Ω (RMS), 250 W x 2 @ 4 Ω (RMS/Bridged) Full Range, Class D Fully variable HP / LP 10 Hz - 40 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard):
N/A
Dimensions:
11.8”(L) x 5”(W) x 2”(H)
HED3500.1D | HED3 Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) 350 W (RMS) Class D True 12 dB variable HP / LP 10 Hz – 150 Hz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>90 dB
Dimensions:
11.57”(L) X 2.1”(W) X 9.1”(H)
XC1410
Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N Ratio
4 (Micro-size) 75 W x 4 @ 2 Ω (RMS), 50 W x 4 @ 4 Ω (RMS) Full-range Class D LP HP and MOSFET switching transistors N/A
(CEA-2006 standard):
>80 dB (1 W into 4 Ω)
Dimensions:
2.75”(L) x 7.13”(W) x 1 3/8”(H)
Crossfire Car Audio
Crunch
DD Audio
CrossfireCarAudio.com
$389.99 | CrunchUSA.net
$419 to $2,449 | DDAudio.com
XS-8K | XS Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) 8,000 W X 1 Class D Variable LP (35 Hz - 250 Hz) Bass boost (9 dB @ 45 Hz) 15 Hz - 270 Hz
(CEA-2006 standard): >100 dB
Dimensions:
94
34.6”(L) X 11.3”(W) X 2.58”(H)
» Performance Auto & Sound
15.04_Amps_v2.indd 2
DRA3250.1D Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers:
Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono)
Number of Channels:
3,200 W x 1 @ 1 Ω (Peak)
CEA-2006 Power:
Class D LP, subsonic Bass EQ 15 Hz – 250 Hz
(CEA-2006 standard): >95 dB
Dimensions:
M.80, M1c, M2b, M3b, M4, M4a | M-series
14.57”(L) x 9.53”(W) x 2.13”(H)
Topology: Crossovers: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) M.80: 900 W, M1c: 1,700 W, M2b: 2,400 W, M3b: 3,800 W, M4: 5,000 W, M4a: 7,300 W (All Peak) Class D Octave bandpass crossovers (24 dB) 15 Hz - 270 Hz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>85 db
Dimensions:
N/A
*Prices are subject to change.
2013-06-06 11:25 AM
Untitled-1 1
2013-04-03 10:26 AM
buyers GUIDE
amplifiers
Diamond Audio
Dual
$499.99 | DiamondAudio.com | DixPerformanceNorth.com
$149.99 | DualAV.com
TX6004 | Tour Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 90 W x 4 (RMS), 150 W x 4 @ 2 Ω, 300 W @ 4 Ω (Bridged) Class A/B Continuously variable HP/LP (12 dB/oct) N/A 10 Hz - 25 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard):
Dimensions:
>90 dB 13.38”(L) x 2.5”(W) x 8.5”(H)
XPR510D | XPR Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) 750 W x 1 @ 4 Ω, 1,500 W x 1 @ 2 Ω Class D Variable LP, subsonic, bass center frequency Bass boost 40 Hz – 180 Hz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>75 dB
Dimensions:
11.06”(H) x 10.55”(W) x 2.76”(D)
Earthquake
Mini D2500 | Mini D Series
$425 | EarthquakeSound.com Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology:
FU Audio
FliAudio.com
FliUnderground.com
FLI900S
Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 100 W x 4 @ 4 Ω Class D LP, HP, flat N/A 20 Hz – 20 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>103 dB
Dimensions:
2.17”(L) x 9.3”(W) x 8”(H)
FLI720.4
Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 70 W x 4 @ 4 Ω Class A/B LP, HP, flat N/A
Class D, high efficiency Variable LP (40 Hz - 180 Hz, 12 dB/oct) variable bass boost (30 Hz - 80 Hz) Variable subsonic filter up to 50 Hz (Off - 50 Equalization: Hz) Frequency response (-3 dB): 10 Hz-190 Hz S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): >98.3 dB
Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
10 Hz - 30 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard): >95 dB
Dimensions:
96
15.6”(L) x 10.2”(W) x 2”(H)
» Performance Auto & Sound
15.04_Amps_v2.indd 3
$269 | FusionElectronics.com Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers:
3 150 W x 2 (front), 500 W x 1 (subwoofer) Class D LP, HP Bass Boost (+/- 18 dB)
(CEA-2006 standard):
>60 dB (@ 1 W)
Dimensions:
1.9”(L) x 1.4”(W) x 7.6”(H)
Dimensions:
12”(L) x 78”(W) x 2”(H)
HertzAudioVideo.com
Topology:
PF-8003 | Performance Series
>91 dB
$379.95 | HelixHiFi.com 4 60 W x 4 @ 4 Ω, 90 W x 4 @ 2 Ω, 180 W x 2 @ 4 Ω (RMS/Bridged) Class A/B Integrated active crossover Bass boost (18 dB @ 45 Hz)
FUSION
(CEA-2006 standard):
Hertz
Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power:
12.81”(L) x 6.01”(W) x 1.88”(H)
Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Helix
B FOUR | BLUE Series
2,500 W (Peak)
Crossovers:
Dimensions:
FLI Audio
1 (mono)
HCP 1D | HCP Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) 75 W x 2, 140 W x 2, 600 W x 1 Class A/B, D N/A N/A
10 Hz – 20 KHz
Hifonics BRX2000.1D
$549.99 | Hifonics.com Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers:
1 (mono) 700 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (RMS), 2,000 W x 1 @ 1 Ω NGSD Next Generation Super D-Class Phase, subsonic, LP Bass EQ
(CEA-2006 standard):
>10 dB
Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
>95 dB
Dimensions:
8.66”(L) x 18.5”(W) x 2.28”(H)
Dimensions:
16.71”(L) x 10.31”(W) x 2.52”(H)
N/A
15 Hz – 250 Hz
*Prices are subject to change.
2013-06-06 11:26 AM
SHIFT To the next level of performance. Tried-and-true mobile entertainment built by those who love live music.
The new CompRâ&#x201E;˘ 10-inch Subwoofer (4 Ohm) matches perfectly with our new KX400.1 400-watt Mono Amplifier for exceptional bass.
Buy them together online at www.kicker.com, or visit your nearest Authorized KICKER Dealer. KICKER is distributed in Canada by Gem-Sen. www.gemsen.com www.kicker.com
PAS Mag Red.indd 1 Untitled-2 1
2/8/13 11:18 AM 2013-02-19 11:03 AM
buyers GUIDE
amplifiers
Image Dynamics
Infinity
JBL
$739.99 | ImageDynamicsUSA.net
$549.95 | InfinitySystems.com
$474.95 | JBL.com
Q1200.1 | Q Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) 1,200 W Class A/B 50 Hz - 250 Hz (12 dB/oct) N/A
Kappa Four | Kappa Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers:
4 125 W x 4 @ 4 Ω (RMS) Full-range Class D Variable HP/LP (32 Hz - 320 Hz, 12 dB/oct) Variable bass boost (0 - 12 dB @ 45 Hz)
GTO 1001-EZ Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power:
1 (mono) 1,000 W @ 2 Ω (RMS), 1,450 W @ 2 Ω (Peak) (15.5 V DC, 10% THD) Class D Variable LP (40 Hz - 280 Hz, 12 dB/oct) Variable bass boost (0 - 12 dB @ 45 Hz)
Topology: Crossovers:
(CEA-2006 standard):
>98 dB
Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
>85 dB
Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
>80 dB
Dimensions:
20”(L) x 8.5”(W) x 2.25”(H)
Dimensions:
13”(L) x 7.05”(W) x 1.75”(H)
(CEA-2006 standard):
Dimensions:
14.69”(L) x 2.56”(W) x 9.69”(H)
10 Hz – 30 kHz (+/- 0.5 dB)
10 Hz - 75 kHz
10 Hz – 280 Hz
JL Audio
JVC
Kenwood
JLAudio.com | Gemsen.com
$329 | Mobile.JVC.com | Mobile.JVC.ca
$699 | Kenwood.ca
XD800 / 8v2 | XD Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
8 75 W x 8 @ 4 Ω, 100 W x 8 @ 2 Ω NexD full-range Class D HP or LP (12dB/oct for each channel pair) None 12 Hz - 22 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard): >84 dB
Dimensions:
14.73”(L) x 7.09”(W) x 2.05”(H)
KS-AX3205D | DRVN Series Number of Channels:
5 50 W x 4 @ 4 Ω, 65 W x 4 @ 2 Ω, 130 W x 2 @ CEA-2006 4 Ω (Bridged), 200 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (mono), 300 Power: W x 1 @ 2 Ω (mono), 1,000 W (Peak) Topology: Class A/B + Class D Mono Crossovers: 50 - 200 Hz (4 ch.), 50 - 200 Hz (mono) Variable (12 dB/oct) (4 ch.), variable (18 dB/ Equalization: oct (mono) 5 Hz - 30,000 Hz (4 ch.), 20 Hz – 200 Hz Frequency response (--3 dB): (mono) S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): >70 dB (4 ch.), >60 dB (mono) Dimensions: 13.44”(L) x 2.13”(W) x 7”(H)
XR900-5 | Excelon XR-Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
5 60 W x 4, 400 W x 1 (RMS) Class D 50 Hz – 200 Hz N/A 20 Hz – 20 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>78 dB
Dimensions:
6.63”(L) x 10.25”(W) x 2”(H)
KICKER
Lightning Audio
Massive Audio
$549.95 | kicker.com | Gemsen.com
$199.95 | LightningAudio.com | DixPerformanceNorth.com
$449.95 | MassiveAudio.com
KX800.5 | KX Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology:
4 (with additional subwoofer channel)
50 W x 4 @ 4 Ω, 200 W x 1 Class D full-range Digital Signal Processing: 24 dB (full range), Crossovers: 24 dB (mono) Digital Signal Processing: Octave, variable 10 - 500 Hz, selectable HP / LP / All pass w/ 10x Equalization: switch (full range), Octave, variable 40 - 160 Hz low-pass only (mono) 10 kHz - 20 kHz (full range) Frequency response (-3 dB): 100 Hz - 160 Hz (mono) S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): >75 dB Dimensions: 12.75”(L) x 8.31”(W) x 2.13”(H)
98
» Performance Auto & Sound
15.04_Amps_v2.indd 4
LA-4100 | LA Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 50 W x 4 @ 4 Ω, 75 W x 4 @ 2 Ω, 150 W x 2 @ 4 Ω Class A/B Selectable HP or LP Adjustable (0 - 12 dB @ 45 Hz) 20 Hz – 20 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard): >85 dB
Dimensions:
11.8”(L) x 9.4”(W) x 2.3”(H)
BX4 | Nano BiT Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 120 W x 4 @ 4 Ω (Stereo) Micro topology Class D HP, LP (24 dB/oct) 3/4 channel auto EQ matching 27 Hz – 37 KHz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>90 dB
Dimensions:
8.3”(L) x 5”(W) x 1.6”(H)
*Prices are subject to change.
2013-06-06 11:35 AM
©2013 Mitek Corporation. All rights reserved. MTX and Feel the Thunder are trademarks of Mitek Corporation. All other trademarks s are the properties of their respective owners and no endorsement is implied.
BUY DIRECT FROM THE SOURCE AND FEEL THE THUNDER! Take your system to the next level with speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers from MTX Audio. THUNDER500.1
5510
TDX693
MTX004636 RevA 6/13
Become an MTX Affiliate and Turn Your Passion Into Income! Ke e p Up d a t e d MTX004636 THUNDER500 5500 PAS Ad.indd 1 Untitled-7 1
mtx.com 6/3/13 8:38 AM 2013-06-03 5:32 PM
buyers GUIDE
amplifiers
MB Quart
Memphis Car Audio
MMATS Pro Audio
$239.99 | MBQuart.com
$1,399 | MemphisCarAudio.com
$1,199 | MMATSProAudio.com
RA480.4
Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 60 W @ 4 Ω (RMS), 120 W x 4 @ 2 Ω Class A/B LP, HP Bass EQ 30 Hz – 45 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>92 dB
Dimensions:
13.94”(L) x 8.27”(W) x 2.4”(H)
16-MJ1.2200 | MOJO Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology:
1 (mono)
2,200 W x 1 Class D MRCS (Memphis Rapid Crossover System) Crossovers: fully variable 50 Hz - 250 Hz MBIG (Memphis Bass Intensity Generator) (0 Equalization: - 12 dB @ 45 Hz), bass boost Frequency response (-3 dB): 20 Hz – 250 Hz S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): >90 dB Dimensions: 20.6”(L) x 9”(W) x 2.56”(H)
Mosconi
MTX Audio
$1,899 | Mosconi-America.com
$199.50 | MTX.com
Zero 3
Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
2 275 W Class A/B HP, LP, BP N/A
(CEA-2006 standard):
>101 dB
Dimensions:
17.72”(L) x 9.84”(W) x 1.97”(H)
THUNDER1000.1 | Thunder Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) 1,000 W Class D Variable LP (40 Hz – 220 Hz, 12 dB/oct), variable subsonic (10 Hz – 50 Hz, 12 dB/oct) Bass boost (0 - 6 - 12 dB switchable) Variable 10 Hz – 50 Hz (12 dB/oct)
(CEA-2006 standard):
>80 dB
Dimensions:
6.3”(L) x 12.13”(W) x 2.25”(H)
HiFi6150d & HiFi4250D | HiFi Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4&6 150 W x 6 @ 4 Ω (RMS), 250 W x 4 @ 4 Ω (RMS) Full-range Class D (w/ Burr Brown) Linkwitz–Riley (24 dB) N/A 5 Hz – 22 kHz (+/- 1 dB)
(CEA-2006 standard):
>105 dB
Dimensions:
10”(L) x 9.5”(W) x 2.25”(H)
ORION
XTR3700.1D | XTR Series OrionCarAudio.com Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) 3,700 W (Peak) Class D Yes Yes Up to 26 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>92 dB
Dimensions:
N/A
Phoenix Gold
Pioneer
Planet Audio
PhoenixGold.com
$250 | PioneerElectronics.com | PioneerElectronics.ca
$462 | PlanetAudioUSA.com
Ti2 1300.1 Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology:
1 (mono) 900 W x 1 @ 2 Ω, 1,300 W x 1 @ 1 Ω
N/A LP (30 Hz – 200 Hz), LP slope (24 dB/oct), Crossovers: subsonic (10 Hz – 55 Hz), sonic filter slope (48 dB/oct) Frequency response (-3 dB): 20 Hz - 200 Hz (+/- 1 dB) S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): >90 dB Dimensions:
14.4”(L) x 7.1”(W) x 2.0”(H)
100 » Performance Auto & Sound
15.04_Amps_v2.indd 5
GM-D8604 | GM Digital Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 100 W x 4 @ 4 Ω, 150 W x 4 @ 2 Ω Class D Yes Yes
BB4000.1 | Big Bang Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers:
1 (mono) 1,500 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (RMS) Digital LP, subsonic, phase Bass boost
(CEA-2006 standard):
0.05%
Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
N/A
Dimensions:
10.38”(L) x 7.88”(W) x 2.38”(H)
Dimensions:
17.13”(L) x 6.94”(W) x 2.44”(H)
10 Hz – 35 kHz
N/A
*Prices are subject to change.
2013-06-06 11:36 AM
Untitled-2 1
2013-05-24 10:22 AM
buyers GUIDE
amplifiers
PowerBass
RE Audio
Rockford Fosgate
$499.99 | PowerbassUSA.com
$999.99 | REAudio.com
$349.99 | RockfordFosgate.com
XMA-5670IR | XMA Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
5 160 W x 4 @ 2 Ω, 320 W @ 2 Ω Full range Class D HP LP, subwoofer 10 Hz – 40,000 Hz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>90 dB
Dimensions:
11.9”(L) x 7.1”(W) x 2.0”(H)
5000.1 | ZTX Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology:
1 (mono) 2,500 W (RMS)
Class D Crossovers: LP (40 Hz - 180 Hz) Continuously variable bass frequency (30 Hz Equalization: - 80 Hz, 0 - 12 dB/oct) Frequency response (-3 dB): 15 Hz - 400 Hz S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): >86 dB Dimensions:
21.85”(L) x 9.45”(W) x 2.48”(H)
Scosche
Sony
$399 | Scosche.com
Sony.com/Car | Sony.ca/CarAudio
600c4 | EFX Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 100 W x 4 @ 4 Ω (RMS), 150 W x 4 @ 2 Ω (RMS), 300 W x 2 @ 4 Ω (Bridged/RMS) High-performance Class A/B Variable HP / LP (40 Hz - 400 Hz, 12 dB/oct) N/A 20 Hz - 20 KHz
(CEA-2006 standard): >80 dB (1 W @ 4 Ω)
Dimensions:
17.63”(L) x 10.5”(W) x 2.38”(H)
GS-100 | GS Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology:
1 (mono) 330 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (RMS), 600 W x 1 @ 2 Ω (RMS), 600 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (Peak), 1,100 W x 1 @ 2 Ω (Peak)
Class D Variable LP (50 Hz – 300 Hz, 12 dB/oct), Crossovers: variable subsonic HP (6 Hz – 70 Hz), Equalization: Bass boost (0 – 10 dB @ 40 Hz) Frequency response (-3 dB): 10 – 300 kHz (+/- 0 dB) S/N ratio (CEA-2006 standard): 0.1% or less (50 Hz) Dimensions: 10.75”(L) x 8”(W) x 2.13”(H)
P400X4 | Punch Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 400 W (RMS) Class-A/B Butterworth crossover (12 dB/oct) On-board Punch EQ (18 dB @ 45 Hz) 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+/- 1 dB)
(CEA-2006 standard):
>85 dB
Dimensions:
11.03”(L) x 7.76”(W) x 2.38”(H)
SSL
EVO5000.1 | EVO Series
$317 | SoundStormLab.com Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
1 (mono) 1,750 W x 1 @ 4 Ω (RMS) Class D LP, subsonic, phase Bass boost N/A
(CEA-2006 standard):
N/A
Dimensions:
19.13”(L) x 10”(W) x 2.31”(H)
Stetsom
VIBE Audio
West Coast Customs
Stetsom.com
VibeCarAudio.com
$399.99 | WestCoastCustomsElectronics.com
VS400.4 | Vision Line Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers: Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
4 103 W X 4 @ 2 Ω (RMS) (13.8 V) Digital, full range, polycarbonate, Class D LP, HP (90 Hz) N/A
Slick Stereo 4 | Slick Series Number of Channels: CEA-2006 Power: Topology: Crossovers:
4 75 W x 4 @ 4 Ω Class D (future orders will move to Class A/B) LP, HP, flat N/A
(CEA-2006 standard):
N/A
Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
(CEA-2006 standard):
>92 dB
Dimensions:
7.24”(L) x 6.9”(W) x 2.05”(H)
Dimensions:
2.3”(L) x 10.3”(W) x 6.4”(H)
20 Hz – 22 KHz
102 » Performance Auto & Sound
15.04_Amps_v2.indd 6
20 Hz – 20 kHz
WCC2200.5 Number of Channels: Power: Topology: Crossovers:
Equalization: Frequency response (-3 dB): S/N ratio
5 300 W x 4, 1,000 x 1 @ 2 Ω (Peak) Class A/B LP, HP Bass 10 Hz – 45 kHz
(CEA-2006 standard):
>92 dB
Dimensions:
15.98”(L) x 9.45”(W) x 2.23”(H)
*Prices are subject to change.
2013-06-06 11:36 AM
Untitled-6 1
2012-11-06 10:07 AM
R
t e S t e p o r
t
Digital Designs
M4 Amplifier review
By Garry Springgay
With this much power on tap, it’s going to take stout woofers to handle a pair of these!”
O
ver the past decade, Digital Designs has earned a reputation for offering no-nonsense, highperformance products at reasonable prices. The amplifiers are some of the most powerful available, hence their popularity and success in the SPL contest arena. In this review, I am looking at one of the big monoblock classics — the Digital Designs M4.
ddaudio.com
facebook.com/TrueToTheSource
@DDAudio
youtube.com/ddaudiotv
Feature s The M4 is not a small amplifier by any standard, but the 22x9-inch, 28-pound amplifier is reasonably compact when you consider the prodigious power it develops. The specifications state the M4 will develop 3,200 watts into one Ohm at a battery voltage of 12 V. At the usual testing voltage of 14.4 V, it’s sure to exceed that number by a wide margin. And you know an amplifier means business when it comes equipped with dual power connectors that accept zero-gauge cable! Everything about the amp identifies it as a quality piece of kit, from the sturdy and massive power connections to the panelmounted RCAs and CNC-machined logos on the heat sink. The amplifier has a fairly typical layout, with power and speaker connections at one end and audio inputs and signal controls at the other. The M4 does not use any internal fusing, though a 450 A external fuse is recommended.
TECHNICAL DATA The following power measurements have been obtained using industry standard methods. (100 Hz @ 1.0% THD+N - Battery voltages shown +/- 0.2 V) Manufacturers Rated Power
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 12.6 V Battery
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 14.4 V Battery
Not stated x 1 @ 4 Ω Not stated x 1 @ 2 Ω 3,200 x 1 @ 1 Ω
1,193 x 1 @ 4 Ω 2,223 x 1 @ 2 Ω 3,809 x 1 @ 1 Ω
1,558 x 1 @ 4 Ω 2,897 x 1 @ 2 Ω 4,955 x 1 @ 1 Ω
104 » Performance Auto & Sound
Digital Designs.indd 1
2013-06-05 3:22 PM
Digital Designs M4 Amplifier
Feature-wise, the amp includes all the usual functions and controls, with pots for gain, subsonic filter, bass boost and the low-pass crossover. A wired remote level control is also included, incorporating a clip indicator LED. The controls are nicely designed with logical adjustment ranges. The crossover has a slope of -24 dB per octave and can be set to any frequency between 20 and 200 Hz. The subsonic filter, a critical feature for vented subwoofer designs, ranges from about 12 to 50 Hz, also at -24 dB per octave. Bass boost occurs right around 50 Hz with a maximum boost of 6 dB and a fairly low Q factor, so it has a significant effect over most of the amplifier’s pass band. A single RCA connection sends signal to a second amp in a master/slave configuration. The owner’s manual provides clear instructions on how to configure the amp in this mode, but with this much power on tap, it’s going to take stout woofers to handle a pair of these! Having a look inside the amplifier reveals a serious power supply that uses no less than six individual toroids and 24 highcurrent MOSFETs fed by a bank of eight 3,300 µF capacitors.
This baby is built to handle some serious current! The output section is equally as stout, with 16 high-current N-Channel MOSFETs and a total of 14,400 µF of capacitance. The class-D carrier is filtered out by a pair of high-current toroidal inductors as well as the customary iron core inductors and corresponding capacitors. The output is controlled by a pair of highcurrent relays that minimize the pop noise when turning on and off. All of these components are based on a military-grade FR4 printed circuit board. A combination of traditional throughhole and surface mount parts are found throughout the M4. The build quality looks good and the amp should prove to be a reliable performer.
Listening Normally, I do some critical listening as part of my review process. Just because this is amp is all about power, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t sound good. With this much power I need bigger woofers, so I connect a pair of 15-inch, fourOhm, 1,000-watt woofers for a load impedance of two Ohms. No one would expect an amp of this type to sound like my studio reference amplifier, but the M4
does as well as anyone could expect. The amp sounds quite good with real authority and a seemingly endless amount of power available. It has great ability to control the woofers, providing tight and well-defined bass, regardless of how loud I play it. This is one of those amps that leaves a big grin on your face after a two hour listening session. And after that, it’s barely even warm!
On The Bench As I suspect, the M4 easily
exceeds its advertised power rating, with a whopping 4,955 watts into one Ohm at a battery voltage of 14.4 V and a max current draw of 422 amperes. I measure all performance aspects and the M4 earns a glowing report card. For an amp with this much power, to achieve distortion numbers in the 0.06% range at one watt is pretty unusual. I am impressed with the amplifier’s overall efficiency, scoring over 90% at full power into four or two Ohms.
TECHNICAL DATA The following power measurements have been obtained using industry standard methods. (1 kHZ @ 1.0% THD+N - Battery voltages shown +/- 0.2 V)
Signal to Noise Ratio referenced to full 4 Ω output. THD+N at 1 watt 4 Ω power
-96.4 dBA 0.065%
CEA-2006A rated 4 Ω Power (minimum power per channel developed over the entire intended audio bandwidth) Maximum Efficiency at full 2 Ω power per ch. Idle Current
1540 watts 90.2% 2.9 A
Input Sensitivity
161 mV - 6.3 V
Maximum Current at full power, lowest rated impedance
422.4 A
Frequency Response (-3 dB)
12 Hz – 195 Hz
Subsonic (High Pass) Crossover Low Pass Crossover
12 Hz – 53 Hz -24 dB/oct 40 Hz – 5 kHz -24 dB/Oct
Bass EQ boost
+6 dB @ 50 Hz
Phase Adjustment (degrees of shift @ 100 Hz)
N/A
Performance Auto & Sound « 105
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Review
Digital Designs M4 Amplifier
4 Ω Power
2 Ω Power
1 Ω Power
MAXIMALLY FLAT RESPONSE
The M4 is not a small amplifier by any standard, but the 22x9inch, 28-pound amplifier is reasonably compact when you consider the prodigious power it develops.”
CROSSOVER ADJUSTMENT RANGE
SUBSONIC FILTER RESPONSE
Concl usion The Digital Designs M4 isn’t for everyone. You need a very stout woofer system to handle this beast. Even if you have the power handling, you also need to provide the current to develop that power. If you have a vehicle that’s built to handle these demands, you won’t be disappointed with the performance. The Digital Designs M4 has suggested retail price of $1,599 in the U.S., and slightly more in Canada.
BASS EQ
For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/DDM4amp
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Memphis Car Audio
MJ1.2200 Amplifier review by Garry Springgay
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irmly established as a respected brand, Memphis Car Audio has been getting even more serious about delivering high-performance, top-quality products. Whether you are a SPL enthusiast or a sound quality geek, it has products to suit your needs and personal tastes. When it comes to amplifiers, the first of the Memphis M-Class MOJO amplifiers to be released in 2013 is the 16MJ1.2200. Rated at 2,200 watts into one Ohm and with a MSRP of about $1,399, this is a serious piece of hardware. memphiscaraudio.com
facebook.com/MemphisCarAudio
@MemphisCarAudio
Feature s The entire line of M-Class amplifiers is completely revamped for 2013, featuring a plethora of cool and useful features. Attributes like top-mounted concealed controls, impedance-compensated clipping indicators and remote level controls are found on all models. The heat sinks are all-new and the redesign has more mass than previous models. The entire amplifier chassis is formed from two robust extruded aluminum pieces; in fact, the only thin sheet metal pieces on these amps are the end panels. Removable aluminum end caps cover the wiring connections and provide a clean, finished look. The top-mounted controls are covered by a removable back-lit badge held in place by four small hex head screws. The logo can even be rotated in 90-degree increments so it is properly oriented for every installation.
TECHNICAL DATA The following power measurements have been obtained using industry standard methods. (1 kHZ @ 1.0 % THD+N - Battery voltages shown +/- 0.2 V)
MEASURED PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS Manufacturers Rated Power
800 x 1 @ 4 Ω 1,500 x 1 @ 2 Ω 2,200 x 1 @ 1 Ω
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 12.6 V Battery
735 x 1 @ 4 Ω 1,290 x 1 @ 2 Ω 1,947 x 1 @ 1 Ω
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 14.4 V Battery
960 x 1 @ 4 Ω 1,683 x 1 @ 2 Ω 2,600 x 1 @ 1 Ω
108 » Performance Auto & Sound
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Memphis MJ1.2200 Amplifier
Regardless of my musical choices, the 16-MJ1.2200 handles it all assuredly at virtually any listening level.” With a length of about 21 inches and a width of nine inches, the 16-MJ1.2200 isn’t a small amplifier, but when you consider the power it produces, many people will be surprised it’s not bigger. The layout is pretty normal for this type of amplifier, with the power and speaker connections on one end and the small signal inputs and connections on the other. Power terminals will accept 1/0 cable, and a 250 A mini AGU fuse is mounted under a nice cover between the power and speaker terminals. A good indication the designers meant serious business is the speaker terminals, which accept up to four-gauge cable. On the other end, you’ll find panel-mounted RCA connections for input and pass-through signal outputs, a pair of bridge connectors for an additional ampli-
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fier, the Memphis Distortion Analysis Control (or “MDAC”) and the RJ45 connector for the Memphis Total Level Control or “MTLC.” A small yellow LED, labeled “MDAC Status,” will light up as the amplifier approaches clipping. To make sure the LED retains accuracy (regardless of the load impedance), a switch is provided to set the LED indicator’s accuracy for four-, two- or one-Ohm loads. Under the removable top badge are the adjustment controls for gain, -24 dB low pass crossover (50 Hz to 250 Hz), -24 dB infrasonic filter (20 Hz to 50 Hz) and bass boost, which is good for up to 14 dB of boost at 45 Hz. Taking the 16-MJ1.2200 amplifier apart, I find more evidence of heavy-duty engineering. The amp gets its output current from a pair of large toroids that are switched by 16
Control Switch
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4 Ω POWER vs THD (100 Hz 14.4 V Batt)
2 Ω POWER vs THD 100 Hz 14.4 V Batt
1 Ω POWER vs THD (100 Hz 14.4 V Batt)
MAX FLAT - FREQUENCY RESPONSE
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Review
Memphis MJ1.2200 Amplifier
CROSSOVER RANGE - FREQUENCY RESPONSE
International Rectifier, high-current MOSFETS, each capable of switching 100 A. Power supply capacitance totals 52,800 µF, thanks to 16 high-speed, high-temperature capacitors. On the output side, the musical signal is driven by 14 IR2N20D MOSFETs with a total current capability of over 600 amperes. The PCB is a heavy-duty, double-sided affair, primarily using surface-mount, low-tolerance parts for exacting performance.
LISTENING
SUBSONIC FILTER - FREQUENCY RESPONSE
BASS EQ - FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Signal to Noise Ratio referenced to 2 V output. (CEA-2006A) (1 watt @ 4 Ω) Signal to Noise Ratio referenced to full 4 Ω output. THD+N at rated 4 Ω power CEA-2006A rated 4 Ω Power (minimum power per channel developed over the entire intended audio bandwidth) Maximum Efficiency at full 2 Ω power per ch. Idle Current Input Sensitivity Maximum Current @ full power, lowest rated impedance Frequency Response (-3 dB) Subsonic (High Pass) Crossover Low Pass Crossover Bass EQ boost Phase Adjustment (degrees of shift @ 100 Hz)
After unpacking and inspecting the amp to make sure I understand the controls and connections, I hook the Memphis amp into my reference system and connect it to a pair of four-Ohm 12-inch woofers wired in parallel so the final impedance is a two-Ohm load. After adjusting the crossover and gain controls, I sit down with a fresh mug of what my friends refer to as “Cogent coffee” and begin the listening session. Starting off with recordings from the Telarc and DMP labels, which allow me to judge the amplifiers ability to produce details and bass articulation, I find that deep or synthesized bass doesn’t strain or lack any current. The detail and articulation in these well-recorded tracks is reproduced with very good clarity and definition. Eventually, I move to some hip-hop and rap tracks from Nine Inch Nails, 50 Cent and Jay Z, then some well-recorded country tunes. Regardless of my musical choice, the 16-MJ1.2200 handles it all assuredly at virtually any listening level. With plenty of power on tap, I can simply turn it up as loud as I like and the M-Class amp will deliver. The crossover and subsonic filters work as intended and the bass boost is available if I need more low end. But with this much power available, I don’t. When compared to other class-D amplifiers I have recently auditioned, the 16-MJ1.2200 certainly delivers in terms of power and sonic performance. The amplifier barely even gets warm when played continuously at moderate to high levels for a couple of hours, so I expect my bench measurements will confirm it is pretty efficient.
-74.4 dBA -104.2 dBA 0.28% 950 watts 85.2% 2.2 A 165 mV - 9.3 V 244.5 A 21 Hz – 268 Hz 21Hz – 54 Hz -24dB/oct 55 Hz – 268 Hz -24 dB/oct +14 dB @ 46 Hz N/A
ON THE BENCH The next day, I connect the 16-MJ1.2200 to my trusty Audio Precision and measure the actual performance specs. As I expect from my listening session, the amp measures well and easily exceeds its published performance numbers. It actually makes significantly more power than advertised, indeed proving to be a very efficient design. For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/MemphisMCXamp
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Phoenix Gold
Ti2 800.1 Amplifier review By Garry Springgay
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emember the good old days when car audio manufacturers produced products that actually outperformed their published specs? Well, if you are talking about the Phoenix Gold Ti2 amplifier, those days are back! These amps are designed and built to the same competition-level standards that made the Phoenix Gold brand legendary in the good old days. Talk is cheap you say? To prove its claim of underrated performance and excellent quality, Phoenix Gold sent us one of the new Ti2 800.1 monoblock amps and told us to run it through our tests. Here’s what we found. phoenixgold.com
aampofamerica.com
@pgcaraudio
Feature s The Ti2 800.1 is a class-D amplifier designed specifically to drive subwoofer loads down to one Ohm. The amp is rated at 600 watts into two Ohms, and 800 watts into one Ohms. It’s quite small for the power it develops, measuring approximately 11.7x7x2 inches. An extruded aluminum chassis is finished in classy satin black powder coat, with the logo and model number screened in gloss black for a ‘tone on tone’ appearance. The top center of the amplifier uses a dark smoked Plexiglas cover with the trademark blue LED triangle in the center. Just below that, a clip indicator is provided to show when you’re overdoing things.
TECHNICAL DATA The following power measurements have been obtained using industry standard methods. (1 kHZ @ 1.0% THD+N - Battery voltages shown +/- 0.2 V) Manufacturers Rated Power
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 12.6 V Battery
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 14.4 V Battery
400 x 1 @ 4 Ω 600 x 1 @ 2 Ω 800 x 1 @ 1 Ω
380 x 1 @ 4 Ω 641 x 1 @ 2 Ω 920 x 1 @ 1 Ω
496 x 1 @ 4 Ω 847 x 1 @ 2 Ω 1,230 x 1 @ 1 Ω
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Phoenix Gold Ti800.1 Subwoofer Amplifier
Immediately I am impressed by the power and relative ease the smallish amp drives my woofer system with.”
The layout is straightforward with power and speaker connectors on one end, and audio signal connections and controls on the other. Here, you’ll find adjustable pots for gain, crossover, subsonic filter, variable phase and bass EQ. The low-pass crossover is adjustable from 30 to 200 Hz with a -24 dB/oct slope. The subsonic filter is unusual in that it has double the slope at -48 dB/ oct, which provides excellent protection for your expensive woofers. The subsonic filter has an adjustment range of between 10 and 55 Hz. Additionally, the crossover and subsonic filter pots have 41 individual detents and the frequency of each position is highlighted in the manual, so the user simply counts the clicks, allowing very precise adjustments. The variable phase control provides 198 degrees of adjustment at 100 Hz while the bass EQ can be set for up to 18 dB of boost at 45 Hz. Adjacent to the tuning controls are two ports: a RJ45 for connecting the wired level control and clipping indicator and a RJ11 port for Phoenix Gold’s RMD (Remote Mountable
Amplifier Voltage Display). Looking inside, the Ti2 800.1 reveals a well-made product with top quality parts and the latest in surface-mount technology. The PCB is militaryspec FR4 and, in keeping with Phoenix Gold tradition, has a slogan printed on it. This one says, “To be the man, you have to beat the man.” (I was curious, so I Googled the phrase. Evidently the WWE is everywhere.)
Listening For my listening session, I connect the Ti2 800.1 to my reference system and use it to drive a pair of two-Ohm 10-inch woofers in a sealed enclosure. After getting the initial adjustments dialed in (subsonic to 10 Hz, crossover at 100 Hz, phase at zero degrees and no added bass EQ) I sit down and listen to it. Maybe because this amp is a throwback to days past, but
TECHNICAL DATA The following power measurements have been obtained using industry standard methods. (1 kHZ @ 1.0% THD+N - Battery voltages shown +/- 0.2 V) Signal to Noise Ratio referenced to 2 V output. (CEA-2006A) (1 watt @ 4 Ω)
-65.7 dBA
Signal to Noise Ratio referenced to full output.
-92.7 dBA
THD+N at rated power
0.13%
Maximum Efficiency at full 2 Ω power per ch.
86.3%
Idle Current
0.9 A
Input Sensitivity
196 mV - 9.3 V
Maximum Current at full power, lowest rated impedance
112.5 A
Frequency Response (-3 dB)
10 Hz – 205 Hz
High Pass Crossover (Subsonic Filter) Low Pass Crossover
10 Hz – 55 Hz -48 dB/oct 34 Hz – 200 Hz -24 dB/oct
Bass EQ boost
+19 dB @ 44 Hz
Phase Adjustment (degrees of shift @ 100 Hz)
198°
2 Ω Power
1 Ω Power
SUBSONIC FILTER RESPONSE
MAX FLAT RESPONSE
CROSSOVER ADJUSTMENT RANGE
BASS BOOST
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2013-06-06 12:56 PM
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Phoenix Gold Ti800.1 Subwoofer Amplifier
The Ti2 800.1 is more than up to the task, and I don't have a single negative comment on my listening sheet following my two-hour session.” something induced a Freudian slip, so I break out a seldom (but favorite) disc to evaluate the woofer amplifier. The disc is a Telarc recording of a band called Papa Doo Run Run, who performed predominately ‘surf music’ in the 1960s. The disc is called California Project, and somehow still available. The recording is as usual from Telarc – simply brilliant. The Surfin’ USA track has possibly the best recorded kick drum in history. Immediately I am impressed by the power and relative ease the smallish amp drives my woofer system with. Not only do
I have more than enough power, the bottom end is well-controlled and musical. Next up is another old but fantastic recording, Don Dorsey on the pipe organ playing Bach’s Toccata in D Minor. Wow. When you have exemplary recordings it becomes much easier to nit-pick the performance of audio gear. But not this time — the Ti2 800.1 is more than up to the task, and I don't have a single negative comment on my listening sheet following my two-hour session.
On The Bench Thoroughly enjoying my listening session, I move to the deadly-accurate Cogent test bench to see just how much over-spec the amp actually is. I begin with power measurements and, sure enough, the Ti2 800.1 easily developed well over its rated power at any impedance, topping 1,200 watts into one ohm. Even more impressive (and without tightly regulating the power supply), the amp even exceeds its rated power at lower impedances when the battery voltage is reduced to 12.6 V! Efficiency is good and the controls operate exactly as advertised. The only spec that is average is the signalto-noise ratio, but this is a fairly inconsequential specification on a subwoofer amplifier.
Concl usion
Customize your own VEHICLE in class HANDS-ON TRAINING TO LEARN:
TUITION FUNDING
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE Mobile Electronics Installation Custom Fabrication STUDENT HOUSING (fiberglass & metal fabrication) AVAILABLE Automotive Upholstery (custom construction) Mastering Automotive Custom Build-Outs Home Theater, Surveillance & Security Installations
If you ever find yourself longing for the good old days and getting what you paid for and then some, there are few amplifiers that match the value of the Phoenix Gold Ti Series. With impressive power and control, small size and excellent adjustability, the Ti2 800.1 proves it’s easily worth the $499.99 U.S. MSRP. For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/PGTi2amp
866-634-3343 I acousticedge.com » Performance Auto & Sound Acoustic118 Edge.indd 1
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Rockford Fosgate
P600X4 Amplifier review By Garry Springgay
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The result is a look that is reminiscent of a home audio product.”
ockford Fosgate has been a leader in car audio since its original amplifier was produced in 1973. Over the last four decades, the company has continued to refine and develop better technologies to keep it at the top of the car audio industry. This year at the 2013 CES show in Las Vegas, Rockford once again demonstrated that it is not satisfied with sitting on its laurels. The top-selling Punch lineup of amplifiers was introduced with some innovative and very useful features. To explain what has been done and how these features can benefit you, we are taking a close look at the new four-channel Punch P600X4, which sells for $449.99 in the U.S. rockfordfosgate.com
facebook.com/rockfordfosgate
@rockfordfosgate
youtube.com/rockfordfosgate
Feature s Fundamentally, the P600X4 isn’t much different from the Punch amplifiers from years past. The amp is a traditional class-AB design rated at 75 watts per channel at four Ohms, and 150 watts per channel at two Ohms. The amp can also be bridged to two channels, where power is rated at 300 watts by two channels. The amplifier is very thoughtfully designed and engineered in Tempe, Arizona. Manufacturing occurs in Thailand in a plant that builds nothing but Rockford amplifiers all day. As it has for the better part of 20 years, the Punch amp utilizes a custom-tooled cast aluminum heat sink and smooth, black-anodized brushed aluminum top cover — the front part of which is removable to access the amps top-mounted controls. The result is a look that is reminiscent of a home audio product.
TECHNICAL DATA The following power measurements have been obtained using industry standard methods. (1 kHZ @ 1.0% THD+N - Battery voltages shown +/- 0.2 V) Manufacturers Rated Power
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 12.6 V Battery
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 14.4 V Battery
75 x 4 @ 4 Ω 150 x 4 @ 2 Ω 300 x 2 @ 4 Ω
97 x 4 @ 4 Ω 156 x 4 @ 2 Ω 318 x 2 @ 4 Ω
127 x 4 @ 4 Ω 206 x 4 @ 2 Ω 420 x 2 @ 4 Ω
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rockford Fosgate P600X4 Amplifier
TECHNICAL DATA The following power measurements have been obtained using industry standard methods (1 kHz @ 1.0% THD+N – Battery voltages shown +/- 0.2 V). Signal to Noise Ratio referenced to 2 V output (CEA-2006A) (1 W @ 4 Ω) Signal to Noise Ratio referenced to full output THD+N at rated 4 Ω power CEA-2006A rated 4 Ω power (min. power per ch. developed over the entire intended audio bandwidth) Maximum Efficiency at full 4 Ω power per ch. Maximum Efficiency at full 2 Ω power per ch. Efficiency at 10 watts per channel, 4 Ω Idle Current Input Sensitivity Maximum Current at full 2 Ω power per ch. Frequency Response (-3 dB) High Pass Crossover Low Pass Crossover Subsonic Filter Punch EQ Boost
-86.3 dBA -107.3 dBA 0.048% 123 W 70% 64.2% 18.4% 2.3 A 180 mV – 13.9 V 34.8 A 10 Hz – 105 kHz 55 Hz – 250 Hz -12 dB/Oct 55 Hz – 250 Hz -12 dB/Oct None +18 dB @ 40 Hz +15 dB @ 14 kHz
Each Punch amplifier is now equipped with input and output clip indicators, for what Rockford calls a “C.L.E.A.N.” setup.”
The P600X4’s heat sink is designed to allow the heatgenerating transistors to be mounted on three sides instead of the conventional two. This provides a couple of distinct advantages: first, because the transistors are on three sides, heat is dissipated more evenly over the surface of the heat sink. This provides better heat transfer and the amp stays cooler for longer, which is important when enjoying the sonics of a good class-AB amp. The second benefit is a reduction of the overall footprint, allowing the amp to fit in smaller spaces. With heat sinks on three sides, the amp connections and the top-mounted controls (gain, crossover settings and Punch EQ, available for both front and rear channels) sit on the remaining edge. Here’s where the new Punch amps separate themselves from the rest of the pack. One of the most important and misunderstood aspects of installing an amplifier is the gain setting. Some companies advocate simple but very general settings, while others insist you need sophisticated equipment like signal generators and oscilloscopes to do it correctly. Rockford has developed a simple and very accurate way of accomplishing the optimum gain setting for your specific source unit and amp. Each Punch amplifier
is now equipped with input and output clip indicators for use in what Rockford calls a “C.L.E.A.N.” setup (Calibrated Level Eliminates Audible Noise). Included in the box is a special setup CD; you simply play the appropriate track in your head unit, and increase the volume setting until the ‘Input Clip’ lights up on the front of the P600X4 and go down one click. Then you simply adjust the gain controls on the amplifier until the multi-color output clip indicators turn blue. That’s it, you’re done. If you want to tweak it for some gain overlap and really get it perfect, there are additional tracks on the disc, or you can just adjust it to your favorite music. Another feature added to the 2013 Punch amps is the ability to accept high-level OEM speaker input signals right on the RCA connections. You can even use the DC signal found on these outputs to turn the amplifier on when no remote-on-wire exists. A special output jack on the amp can be connected to additional Punch amps to turn them all on. This makes the Punch amp a good choice when building a system to integrate with an OEM head unit. Of course, a wired Punch level control is available (PLC2, sold separately) to provide remote level control and input level clip indication.
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rockford Fosgate P600X4 Amplifier
4 OHM POWER vs THD+N 1kHz 14.4 Batt
2 OHM POWER vs THD+N 1kHz 14.4 Batt
L istening I have listened to literally hundreds of Rockford Fosgate amplifiers. The Punch P600X4 is a shining example of why so many audiophiles and critical listeners choose these products. As I usually do, my listening session has the front channels driving a set of high-end bookshelf speakers, with the rear channels crossed over at 80 Hz driving a pair of 10-inch subwoofers. From a sonic perspective, the amp is very musical and virtually transparent. Stereo imaging is excellent; there is no audible noise of any kind. From one end of the spectrum to the other, it simply makes things louder, which is exactly what a good amp should do. Of course, the crossover and EQ functions work as expected, but for my listening I just set the front channels to a flat response and enjoy the music.
From one end of the spectrum to the other, it simply makes things louder, which is exactly what a good amp should do.” ON T HE BENCH
BRIDGED 4 OHM POWER vs THD+N 1kHz 14.4 Batt
MAX FLAT - Frequency Response
On the test bench, the P600X4 easily outperforms its advertised specifications. Power is abundant and the amp even exceeds its rated power numbers at a battery voltage of 12.6 V. The frequency response is nice and flat and remains that way above 100 kHz! When I measure the Punch EQ, I note the control not only provides the usual bass boost at 45 Hz, but also includes a treble boost at about 14 kHz, which is nice when listening at lower levels or overcoming vehicle road noise. Attention to detail is seen in areas like common mode ratio rejection from the balanced front end. Stereo separation is also better than most sources can muster, making the amplifier a treat to listen to.
Concl usion As the years go by, Rockford Fosgate continues to show it is powered by real enthusiasts that develop products to meet their customer’s needs and exceed their expectations. The new level setting process is one example of this innovation. If you’re looking for old school performance combined with a healthy dose of 2013 technology, the $449 Punch P600X4 should definitely be on your audition list. For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/RFP6004amp
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Clarion
XC1410 Amplifier review By Garry Springgay
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This little Clarion amplifier reminds me just how good the latest full-range class-D amps can be. They have excellent tonality and definition.”
hen shopping for a new amplifier, the options can be seriously overwhelming, especially when all you really need is a little more volume. Maybe it makes sense to retain the OEM radio, or maybe you’ve upgraded the radio to an aftermarket unit, but either way, the radio simply lacks authority when it comes time to crank things up. Rather than drive to your local car audio emporium and be totally befuddled with the myriad of choices — or worse yet — try to find something online, look no further than your Clarion dealer. Designed to be a simple, economical, ‘mount anywhere’ amplifier, Clarion has developed the new XC1410 micro-size, four-channel amp. clarion.com
facebook.com/ClarionUSA
@ClarionUSA
Feature s Rated at 50 watts per channel into four Ohms, or 75 watts per channel into two Ohms (per CEA-2006 guidelines), but measuring only about 7x1.3x2.75 inches, the tiny little Clarion packs a real wallop. Thanks to advanced class-D topology, the XC1410 makes three to four times the power of your radio, generates very little heat and draws minimal current. The amp can be run in full range mode or, if you have concerns about this much power on your mids, has a switchable high pass crossover with selections for either 60 or 90 Hz. Another switch provides selection between the four RCA inputs or the high-level speaker inputs. This switch also automatically adjusts the input sensitivity for the appropriate inputs being used. The result is an easy to install, easy to set amp that is small enough to be mounted right under the dash.
TECHNICAL DATA The following power measurements have been obtained using industry standard methods. (1 kHZ @ 1.0% THD+N - Battery voltages shown +/- 0.2 V) Manufacturers Rated Power
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 12.6 V Battery
Actual Measured Power @ 1.0% THD+N @ 14 V Battery
50 x 4 @ 4 Ω 75 x 4 @ 2 Ω
36 x 4 @ 4 Ω 60 x 4 @ 2 Ω
51 x 4 @ 4 Ω 83 x 4 @ 2 Ω
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Thanks to advanced class-D topology, the XC1410 makes three to four times the power of your radio, generates very little heat and draws minimal current.â&#x20AC;?
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Inside the amplifier youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find a MOSFET-powered PWM switching power supply and four channels of full-range class-D amplification. The class-D topology uses the popular International Rectifier solution, and the output devices are Direct FETS, which are basically surfacemounted MOSFETS soldered directly to the PCB. Each channel output is filtered using a combination of air-core chokes, shielded inductors and high-speed capacitors. Surface-mount parts are used extensively throughout the amplifier, and a daughter board mounted above the main amplifier PCB contains the sensitive low level audio signal input and crossover circuitry. The result is a very low distortion, low-noise amplifier with excellent power delivery and speaker control. To prevent unwanted pops and snaps when the amp powers on and off, Clarion has even included its Soft Turn-On and Turn-Off
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Clarion XC1410 Amplifier
circuitry.
Listening
TECHNICAL DATA The following power measurements have been obtained using industry standard methods. (1 kHZ @ 1.0% THD+N - Battery voltages shown +/- 0.2 V)
Signal to Noise Ratio referenced to 2 V output. (CEA-2006A) (1 watt @ 4 Ω)
-73.0 dBA
RearMirror1-2Page Ad_Layout 1 5/24/13 2:06 PM Page 1 Signal to Noise Ratio referenced to full 4 Ω output.
-90.0 dBA
Distortion at rated 2 Ω power
0.15%
CEA-2006A rated 4 Ω Power (minimum power per channel developed over the entire audio bandwidth)
46 watts/ch
Maximum Efficiency at full 2 Ω power per ch.
82%
Idle Current (warm)
0.6 A
Maximum Current @ full power 2 Ω per ch.
29.6 A
Frequency Response (-3 dB)
10 Hz – 46 kHz
Stereo Separation (Crosstalk)
-49.5 dB @ 5 kHz
Just because the XC1410 is a smaller amplifier, that doesn’t mean I won’t put it through its paces in my listening room. To test this amp, I use two matching pairs of high-quality components, including six-inch woofers and one-inch soft dome tweeters. The first track I play is an amazing solo by bassist Tal Wilkenfeld. Her mastery of the five-string electric bass is jaw dropping. I specifically choose this track because of the dynamics and well-recorded bottom end. I want to see if the Clarion amp can hang when the bass gets interesting, and it certainly can. This little Clarion amplifier reminds me just how good the latest full-range class-D amps can be. They have excellent tonality and definition. The bass is tight and clean, but what I appreciate most is the way Tal’s intricate musicality is reproduced. Changing gears to some well-recorded female vocal performances from Colbie Caillat, Natalie Cole and Jennifer Warnes, the Clarion amp performs perfectly, with great presence and excellent stereo imaging. Finishing my listening session, I’m suitably impressed.
FORWARD THINKING FOR A REAR VIEW MIRROR SecurView™
REPLACEMENT MIRROR MONITOR
SV-9156 Series
FEATURES INCLUDE: • Best Heat Dissapation thru Housing • Highest Mirror Brightness • Strongest Mounting Bracket • Longest Life Display Screen • Highest Rated Inside Light • Larger 4.3” Digital Monitor* • Hands-Free Bluetooth “Smart Phone” Feature** • Built-In Compass*** • One Screw Bracket Adapter
EVERY FEATURE EXCEEDS ANY COMPETITIVE MIRROR ON THE MARKET TODAY! For more information, * 16:9 Aspect Ratio call 800-998-6880 ** SV-9156BT Model www.crimestopper.com *** SV-9156C Model A DIVISION OF CRIMESTOPPER
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2013-05-29 5:31 9:52 PM AM 2013-06-05
Review
Clarion XC1410 Amplifier
4 OHM POWER vs THD+N 1kHz 14.4 Batt
Switched Crossover - Frequency Response
2 OHM POWER vs THD+N 1kHz 14.4 Batt
The result is a very low distortion, low-noise amplifier with excellent power delivery and speaker control.”
MAX FLAT - Frequency Response
CEA-2006 Spec Power-Bandwidth
ON THE BENCH On the test bench, I’m interested to see how well the amp will measure since it sounds quite a bit better than I had been expecting. As I run my usual series of tests, the Clarion amp proves its mettle again with respectable audio specifications. The output power I measure is slightly higher than advertised, and frequency response is flat. It performs well beyond the human hearing spectrum on both ends. Stereo gain matching is within a couple of tenths of a decibel and stereo separation is excellent at almost 50 dB.
Concl usion If you are simply looking to add real power to your system and don’t need or want to pay for a bunch of extra features you won’t use anyway, the Clarion XC1410 is an excellent solution. It’s small enough to fit virtually anywhere, can be used with virtually any head unit and, maybe best of all, it can be had for under 200 bucks. Run down to your local Clarion dealer and check it out for yourself.
For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/ClarXC1410amp
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AMERICAN BASS
VFL-COMP 12D1 Subwoofer REVIEW BY GARRY SPRINGGAY
I
f you are into SPL contesting, you have probably noticed a winning vehicle sporting American Bass products. Established in 1991 and based in Solon, Ohio, American Bass is a widely-recognized brand in the staging lanes at all levels of competition. It has been responsible for setting several world records in dB Drag Racing, USACi and MECA competitions over the years. We’ve reviewed several American Bass products here at PASMAG, but this time we are looking at the meanest, baddest 12-inch woofer it offers – the VFL-COMP 12D1. If you understand anything about model numbers, this is a 12-inch, dual one Ohm voice coil woofer, designed for maximum power development in the SPL lanes. I’ll let you decide what VFL stands for on your own.
facebook.com/AmericanBassUsa
americanbassusa.com
FEATURES This is a massive woofer, tipping the scales at almost 60 pounds! The huge 10-inch diameter, 450-ounce magnetic motor is responsible for about half its total weight. The rest comes from the rugged cast aluminum basket, the four-inch flat-wire coil and black-anodized steel top and bottom plates, which provide voice coil venting and heat dissipation. American Bass is proud to point out this coil is wound in the U.S., on a vented aluminum former to improve cooling and maximize reliability under extreme conditions.
QUICK TECH SPECS Power Handling Frequency Range Sensitivity Nominal Impedance Application (Music) Application (SPL)
2,000 Watts RMS / 10,000 Watts “Peak” 20 Hz - 400 Hz 89.1 dB/SPL @ 1.0 W (2) 1 Ω coils 1.5 to 2.5 cubic foot vented enclosures Custom design for specific vehicle
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AMERICAN BASS VFL-COMP 12D1 Subwoofer
ACTUAL MEASURED THIELE-SMALL PARAMETERS Coils in parallel Revc = 0.501 Ω Fo = 34.109 Hz Sd = 0.0537 M² Vas = 40.6 L or 1.434 Ft³ Cms = 0.991 mm/N Mmd = 212.463 g Mms = 219.619 g BL = 8.782 T·M Qms = 3.146 Qes = 0.305 Qts = 0.278 Levc = 0.245 mH No = 0.511% SPLo = 89.098 dB EBP = 111.8
Impedance vs Freq
EVERYTHING ABOUT THE WOOFER IS DESIGNED FOR EXTREME SPL CONTEST USE, FROM THE MULTIPLE NOMEX SPIDERS USED TO CONTROL EXCURSION AND KEEP THE COIL ALIGNED, TO THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE CONE.”
How extreme? The VFL-COMP 12D1 is rated for 2,000 Watts of continuous power, and 10,000 Watts peak! Everything about the woofer is designed for extreme SPL contest use, from the multiple Nomex spiders used to control excursion and keep the coil aligned, to the outer diameter of the cone, which is double-stitched to a high-excursion, low-compliance foam surround. The voice coil is mated to a non-pressed pulp paper cone, strengthened by yellow colored woven fiber laminated on top of the paper cone. The dust cap is also incredibly strong – necessary when building the type of pressure needed to set world records. Supplying the electrical signal to the low-impedance one-Ohm coils takes some serious conductors, so the woofer is outfitted with eight-gauge copper cables, strain relief-tied to the basket. From there, the current is routed through high-current tinsel leads (double the amount - four per coil) that are doublestitched to the spider to prevent tearing. Everywhere you look this woofer is ruggedly designed and built to take a beating. It also comes with a rubber gasket/ trim ring to ensure a proper seal to the enclosure baffle, for a clean finished look.
LISTENING Obviously, the VFL-COMP 12D1 is not intended for normal listening, but I want to see how it works in that role. Since the woofer does not come with instructions (which is normal for a competition intended product), I decide to break it
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THE WOOFER PROVES IT CAN COMPETE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN SPL WARS, WHILE ALSO SOUNDING GOOD ON THE DRIVE HOME.”
AMERICAN BASS VFL-COMP 12D1 Subwoofer in, measure the parameters and build an enclosure for it. After exercising it, I calculate it would work reasonably well for music in a vented enclosure of about two cubic feet, tuned between 35 and 40 Hz, which I already happened to have. Make no mistake, with a fairly-high resonant frequency and low compliance and low Qes, this woofer will not work in just any sealed enclosure. Obviously for pure SPL applications, you will require a more specialized enclosure. The listening session proves interesting – this woofer can definitely be used for listening to music. The output from the VFL-COMP 12D1 is deep and authoritative, with a tight, controlled sound. Bass drum impact is very good, but the woofer lacks a bit of detail when listening to plucked bass or double bass, as heard on Imelda May’s hit “Johnny Got a Boom Boom.” Using an amplifier capable of about 1,500 Watts into two Ohms and the one Ohm coils wired in series, I don’t even come close to finding its power limit. This thing will handle gobs of power and come back for more.
CONCLUSION If you are serious about making big SPL, you probably know the American Bass VFL series of woofers are amongst the best you can buy. But, if you are a casual SPL contestant and need a woofer you can live with musically, the VFL-COMP 12D1 is still a good choice. The woofer proves it can compete at the highest level in SPL wars, while also sounding good on the drive home with the trophy. For more information and pricing, contact your local American Bass dealer. For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/pioneerTSW310D4sub
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AVH-X8500BHS Multimedia Receiver review
by Garry Springgay
ast year I had the pleasure of reviewing the excellent Pioneer AVH-P8400BH multimedia receiver. For 2013, Pioneer has updated the unit with some cool features, resulting in the AVH-X8500BHS. The new model is a virtual multimedia powerhouse, featuring a high-quality 6.95-inch touchscreen display, and includes all the cool stuff: Bluetooth, Pandora, SiriusXM, Pioneer’s innovative MIXTRAX “DJ emulator” and a HD Radio tuner. But, what many users will find very handy is Pioneer’s AppRadio, which allows you to control a variety of smartphone apps directly from the touchscreen. pioneerelectronics.com
pioneerelectronics.ca
facebook.com/PioneerNorthAmerica
@PioneerUSA
youtube.com/pioneerelectronics
Feature s At the heart of any good A/V receiver is the display. The AVH-X8500BHS is equipped with a razor-sharp 6.95-inch TFT touchscreen with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The backlit LED display has a resolution of 2,400x480 and anti-glare coating for outstanding picture quality in any lighting conditions. The unit is equipped with two rear-mounted USB ports and a HDMI input, making the AVH-X8500BHS compatible with most iOS devices and Android-based smartphones. When connected to my iPod Classic, the interface is excellent and fast. I can scroll through over 5,000 songs in a matter of seconds using the display’s handy scroll bar. AppRadio Mode works with compatible AppRadio apps, which must be installed on your smartphone. Once connected, you have control and connectivity for dozens of compatible apps
on iOS and the latest Android devices. When you’ve connected your iPhone with Pioneer’s CD-IU201S cable (or CD-AH200C cable for Android, sold separately), you’ll be able to control popular apps such as Pandora, MotionX GPS Drive, INRIX traffic, Rdio and more as they’re developed for compatibility. Pioneer has even created a dedicated application developer portal (www.appradiodev.com) to encourage third party development of compatible AppRadio apps. The Pioneer MIXTRAX feature plays a continuous mix of your music library with nightclub/DJ-style audio mixing and visual effects. By adding transitions between songs and other effects, the MIXTRAX function makes your music sound like there’s a virtual DJ in the car with you. To use the MIXTRAX feature, install the MIXTRAX PC software to your computer so it can analyze
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Pioneer AVH-X8500BHS Multimedia Receiver
The MIXTRAX function makes your music sound like there’s a virtual DJ in the car with you.”
4 OHM Power vs THD+N 14.4V Batt
Amplifier Max Flat - Frequency Response
AMP Max Flat AUX Source - Frequency Response
RCA Max Flat - CD Frequency Response
RCA Max Flat AUX Source - Frequency Response
Cogent Audio
CROSSOVER ADJUSTMENTS -FREQUENCY RESPONSE AUX Response AUX Crossover Adjustments CD Frequency
+6 +4 +2 -1 -1 d B r
-1 -1 -1 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -3 -3 -3 -3
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your music library. The software analyzes the BPM, bar, beat position, vocal position and mood for each song and adds the data to the music file. When you playback these tracks on the AVH-X8500BHS, you experience non-stop mixes complete with dancing album art! As you’d expect from a feature-laden receiver such as this, the built-in Bluetooth connectivity provides complete hands-free telephony with caller ID. It will store all of your phone contacts as well as the last 80 calls in the unit’s memory. Bluetooth connectivity also provides streaming audio from your phone using any of the typical HFP/A2DP/AVRCP/SSP modes. The safety and convenience of Bluetooth hands-free
calling is something you don’t want to be without. If you are an iPhone user you can also activate voice control for complete phone operation. For conventional radio, SiriusXM satellite radio and HD radio, the unit is a joy to use. Along with all the normal added features and improved sound quality of HD radio, you can tag songs for future iTunes purchase from either tuner. Another feature that will be appreciated by satellite radio listeners is SiriusXM Tune Start, which starts a song from the beginning even if you go into the car and the song is already halfway through. On the safety side, the AVH-X8500BHS can be connected to a rear view camera
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(sold separately) and will automatically switch views when you put the car in reverse. For additional convenience, you can connect your steering wheel controls using an optional adapter. For audio, the unit sports excellent performance and features that have made the AVH series a hit with audiophiles. From the built-in CEA-2006-rated four-channel 18-watt amplifier to the front, rear and subwoofer RCA outputs with 4 V of output, the AVH-X8500BHS is excellent as a cornerstone for any serious audio system. The powerful DSP processor and eight-band equalizer comes with five EQ presets and two user-customizable presets. The EQ is a tuner’s dream, with plus/minus 12 dB of
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Pioneer AVH-X8500BHS Multimedia Receiver ACTUAL MEASURED SPECIFICATIONS AMPLIFIER CEA-2006A Power per channel (all channels driven, @ 4 Ω) A Wtd S/N Ratio (ref to 2V/1W @ 4 Ω) Amplified output THD+N @ 2 V/1 W @ 4 Ω 1 kHz Frequency Response (-3.0 dB)
18.3 watts/ch x 4 -81.2 dBA (CD) 0.05% 20 Hz – 16.0 kHz (CD) 20 Hz – 20 kHz (Aux)
PREAMP SECTION
boost as well as high- and lowpass crossovers, each with five selectable frequencies. There are controls for woofer phase and level as well as a bass boost control that is separate from the built-in EQ. You can also use the DSP to level match various input sources, making volume adjustments from each device a thing of the past.
CONTROLS AND ERGONO MICS This is one area where Pioneer does very well. I can operate the unit and regular functions without opening the manual, so I give the unit high marks for logical design. I especially like the center-
mounted “Home” button, which allows you to quickly and simply navigate to any source or control set you want to access. The AVH-X8500BHS is very easy to use with a combination of button and touchscreen controls. The unit has large, hard key-type buttons that are clearly marked, have good tactile feel and are easy to find without taking your eyes off the road. The visuals can be adjusted to display a wallpaper image and color of your choice. Illuminated button colors are also fully customizable. If your dashboard isn’t at the optimum angle, the front panel can be set to five different angles for the
Loudness Contours - Frequency Response
Crosstalk - Frequency
Max Usable RCA output voltage A Wtd S/N Ratio ref to full output voltage Output Impedance Frequency Response (-3.0 dB)
4.0 Vrms -88.0 dBA (CD) 35 ohms 20 Hz – 16.0 kHz (CD) 20 Hz – 20 kHz (Aux)
perfect position. You can also play DVD videos but, in order to get the picture to pop up on the main screen, the vehicle must be fully stopped with the parking brake engaged.
L istening After testing Pioneer AVH units for several years, I expect class-leading audio performance; the AVH-X8500BHS is very good. Just as I’d seen from last year’s AVH-P8400BH, the sound of the CD section is pleasing, if not ruler flat. Bass is warm and natural sounding with excellent detail and dynamics while the top end also has a bit of extra output. Audio reproduction on DVD and DiVX movies is excellent. Very critical listeners will note the small boost in the bottom end and in the 6 kHz region with the CD mechanism. My iPod sounds great and, interestingly, does not have the same frequency response issues as the CD section. As usual, the Pioneer tuner performs with excellence whether it is in AM, FM or HD Radio mode.
On the Bench In testing, I can confirm the frequency response of the disc mechanism. The response has a gentle rise in the bass region from about 40 Hz to 180 Hz and a distinct rise from about 3 kHz to 15 kHz. This is certainly audible, but I actually think many people will find this curve pleasing, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing. And, as I had suspected from listening, the USB and Aux inputs measure almost ruler flat (like the previous unit), confirming the response anomaly is restricted to the CD section. Signal-to-noise measures good, as does output impedance and crosstalk. The built-in amp meets it’s rated power numbers and provides flat response. THD+N is also low — 0.05% at one watt.
Concl usion Don’t let a dB or two of fluctuations in frequency response deter you from considering the AVH-X8500BHS as your next head unit. The result is pleasant and virtually inaudible for all but very experienced listeners. At only $650, you get a top-quality product, excellent display, full compatibility with your iPhone or Android device, very good tunability, intuitive and easy-to-use controls and very good audio performance. That works for me! For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/PioAVHXunit
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M-Series: Class D Mono-Block Amps Your pumped-up subs need plenty of juice to keep going strong. Our M-Series amps produce more intense reliable power and have less bulky mass than competitors in the same weight class. A real-world charging system helps the amp get maximum lift and an output-clipping monitor will prevent overload. With 99% heat sink coverage, it also stays cooler when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feeling the burn. So, find the right M-Series amp to bulk up your system.
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KnuKonceptz
KNF60 Distribution Block By Garry Springgay
knukonceptz.com facebook.com/KnuKonceptz
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ometimes when we’re buying parts and accessories for our audio systems (or anything else for that matter), it’s tough to decide which one to get because we know that down the road, system changes, upgrades and expansion are bound to occur. This is especially true when selecting things like distribution blocks for fusing and grounding.
The folks at KnuKonceptz have come up with a brilliant method of fixing that problem: Power distribution and grounding blocks that can be configured in different ways to satisfy your present needs and future system requirements. They sent us the “KonFUSED 2/3/4-Way Power Distribution and Ground Block,” also known as the KNF60. Measuring approximately 4.75 by five inches, this cleverly-designed, patent-pending distribution block is basically composed of three input and three output terminals. A sturdy snap-on top cover protects the terminals from exposure. Sounds pretty standard right? That’s about all that is standard on the KNF60. The ingenious part is that you can connect these six terminals together in a wide variety of configurations. Each KNF60 comes with a selection of mini ANL-style fuses and straight high-current jumper bars. By placing the fuses and jumper bars across the various possible terminal locations, you can create your own custom block with linked, fused or open terminals for whatever you’re building. When you order a KNF60 from the KnuKonceptz website, you simply choose from five different configurations, specify how many circuits will be fused and how many will use the buss bar
jumper, then you order the appropriate rated fuses and the block is shipped in your custom configuration. Of course, you can always change the configuration around by reconfiguring the fuse/jumper arrangement. To make sure connections are secure and have low electrical resistance, the KNF60 uses highperformance compression fittings rather than set screws. The compression fittings that come installed in the block include four zero-gauge and two four-gauge connections. With heavy-duty black chrome terminals, the block can handle up to 300 amps of current per circuit. To give an idea of how flexible this system is, we have provided the following examples of some ways the KNF60 can be configured. So, if you’ve been looking for a distribution block that can be customized to suit any installation and future changes or additional gear, the KNF60 (or other configurable KnuKonceptz distribution blocks) could make you a very happy camper. For just $39.95, your wallet will be happy too. Check them out online at www.knukonceptz.com. pas For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/KnuKonDistroBlock
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CLARION
WF2520 and WF2520D Shallow Subwoofers by PAS Staff
clarion.com
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mall trucks and big bass – years ago that was a real challenge, but with the proliferation of shallow mount subwoofers, getting great bass in your truck is easy. Clarion was among the first companies to offer shallow mount subwoofers, and the newly-released WF2520 and WF2520D represent the third generation of shallow, but powerful offerings. Aside from the WF2520’s single four Ohm voice coil winding and the WF2520D’s dual four Ohm windings, the subwoofers are virtually identical. Both voice coil assemblies are wrapped around a black anodized aluminum former. This black former helps remove heat from the copper winding, improving power handling and reducing power compression. Additional cooling is provided by a vented pole piece. This rear vent also allows air pressure to be released from under the dust
cap, preventing non-linear cone travel at high excursion levels. A linear cotton spider provides the lower compliance for the subwoofer and features woven tinsel leads to ensure noise-free operation. The main subwoofer cone is made of reinforced pressed paper and a polypropylene dust cap with a brushed aluminum finish. The cone surround is synthetic rubber for longevity, controlled compliance and damping. The woofer is housed in a stamped steel basket that bears a textured
power coat finish. Electrical connections are made by spring loaded binding posts. Most importantly, the subwoofer is nice and shallow, measuring a mere 2.78 inches in depth. Power handling is rated at 300 Watts continuous and 1,000 Watts max. Enclosure requirements are especially significant when it comes to shallow mount subwoofers. Clarion took this into consideration during the design and massaged the electro-mechanical parameters, allowing it to work in either
small sealed or vented enclosures, while providing good low frequency extension. In fact, a single sub in a 0.5 cubic-foot sealed enclosure has a -3 dB point of 59 Hz – plenty low for a sealed enclosure, while being nice and compact. If you are looking for a great subwoofer solution but don’t have much room to spare, check out the new WF2520 and WF2520D from Clarion.
For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/ClarionWF2520
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buyers GUIDE
Body Kits & Exterior Styling
Aero, body kits, lips, hoods and more! Your exterior should be as hot as it is functional, so here's a list of parts that will make heads turn and your competition drool.
FIVE:AD
2013 Scion FR-S Aero Kit & Spoiler
$1,195.00 (4-pc. kit unpainted) $1,395.00 (5-pc. kit unpainted) | fivead.net | JRPOnline.com
APR Performance
AeroCatch
$360 | APRPerformance.com
JRPOnline.com
Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ Air Ducts
Excessive heat can cause major damage to critical components. Engine bays, radiators, brakes, transmissions and differentials all need good airflow, and APR Air Ducts use carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials for superior strength-to-weight ratio, adding lightweight function where it counts.
AeroCatch Latches
AeroCatch latches are a modern solution to latch pins for securing hoods. Made of injection-molded, fiber-impregnated plastic with stainless steel internal mechanisms, they are impervious to the elements, provide better wind resistance and are race-proven on top cars around the world. Locking versions protect against thieves and keys are unique to each kit.
Available through the FIVE:AD product line by Five Axis, the new Scion FR-S aero kit and rear spoiler is designed in CAD and manufactured in OEM grade polyurethane. The aero kit and spoiler are available in pre-painted FR-S factory colors (additional charge). FIVE:AD Scion aero kits are available at Scion dealerships throughout North America, as well as various International distributors.
Extreme Dimensions
Carbon Creations Body Kit for 2013 Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ
$4,987.74 | ExtremeDimensions.com
Extreme Dimensions Carbon Creations GT Concept body kits consist of the front bumper, front splitter, rear bumper, side skirts, rear wing, roof spoiler, front fenders and GT concept hood. Custom engineered for unparalleled fitment and durability.
Password:JDM
Dry Carbon Fiber Lip Kit 2013+ Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ $1,999.99 | PasswordJDM.com
ML24
Scion FR-S Wide Body Fender Arches ML24.net
Inspired by Japanese Bosozuku style, the fender arches emphasize the Scion FR-S' sculpted fenders. First shown on Pat Cyr's new Scion FR-S drift car, the fenders lay over the stock OEM quarter panels with no trimming or cutting necessary, and stop before the side skirts, leaving room for an optional aero lip kit (ML24 sold separately). Fiberglass, black and handmade in Toronto, Canada.
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Increased downforce means better grip and control. Less under-car turbulence (lift) means greater efficiency and stability. The Password:JDM dry carbon fiber lip kit does just that, and is compatible with most exhausts systems, including stock. The dry carbon vacuum construction uses aerospace-grade carbon material and epoxy resins, and are manufactured in-house by PASSWORDCOMPOSITES in the USA. No cutting or drilling required, for easy bolt-on installation.
*Prices are subject to change
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buyers GUIDE
Body Kits & Exterior STYLING
Seibon Carbon
FA-Style Carbon Fiber Hood for the 2012-13 Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ $840 | SeibonCarbon.com
The new FA-style carbon fiber hood for the 2012-2013 Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ (HD1213SCNFRS-FA) combines both performance and design. The design features dual side heat release vents and a hood scoop to help cooler air into the engine bay. The FA hood is lightweight, durable and made from high-quality carbon fiber.
AIT Racing
Body Kit for 2008 Nissan R35 GT-R $14,500 | AITRacing.com
Make your Godzilla evolve with this nine-piece wide body kit by AIT racing. Made from three layers of 3K 2x2 carbon fiber, parts are formed via vacuum infusion, and track tested by Cobb Tuning GT-R.
Prior Design
Audi R8 PD GT850 Wide body Aerodynamic-Kit Prior-Design.de
*Prices are subject to change.
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The Audi R8 GT850 body kit is made from quality Dura-Flex FRP (fiberreinforced plastic). This material is characterized by an excellent surface finish that provides an easy paint surface, sufficient flexibility combined with high stability. Prior Design parts are all made with excellent fitment, with no modifications or alterations, minimizing installation costs.
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buyers GUIDE
Drivetrain
Go fast! These clutch kits and differentials will have you escaping faster and shifting quicker than ever before, without that awful burning smell!
SPEC Clutch
Clutch Kits and Billet Flywheels for the 2012-13 Honda Civic Si $569 to $799 | SPECClutch.com
SPEC Z7 Civic Si clutch kits (K24Z7) are available in seven stages, including 228.6 mm disc diameters as a no-cost upgrade from the stock 219 mm disc. The stock flywheel can accommodate the larger disc after a simple resurfacing process before install. The clutch kits feature a high-clamp, quick release pressure plate and numerous disc configurations for a number of power and driving requirements. The nine-pound billet aluminum flywheel accommodates either disc diameter and offers tremendous power and response gains, from standing to redline.
Aasco Motorsports
Flywheel for the 2013 Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ AASCOMotorsports.com
Aasco Motorsports new FR-S / BRZ flywheel (107108-11) is made for stock or aftermarket replacement clutches. It is made from billet 6061 aluminum, designed and machined on-site in Aasco’s facility in Southern California. Stay tuned for a twin-plate application utilizing Tilton’s twin-plate rally clutch.
Clutch Masters
Clutch / Flywheel Kit for the 2013 Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ ClutchMasters.com
Clutch Masters complete performance clutch / flywheel kits for the FR-S / BRZ feature a solid steel flywheel, heavy-duty pressure plate and multiple friction disc configurations to satisfy any performance level. The FX series is designed to handle high torque outputs with minimal driveability compromises. By re-engineering the leverage (fulcrum point) on the pressure plates, Clutch Masters has increased clamping power while maintaining a stock pedal feel.
CUSCO
Type-RS Adjustable Limited Slip Differential CuscoUSAInc.com
The Cusco Type-RS Pro adjustable limited slip differentials are recommended for professional and competition use where every millisecond counts. Among the available adjustments are LSD lock-up timing and specific cam angle and timing for faster and stronger LSD locks. Adjustable to work as a one-, 1.5-, or two-way by changing the cam chips. Cam angle is available from 0, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 or 60 degrees.
HKS
LA Clutch Series Motovicity.com
HKS LA (Light Action) clutches are designed to complement spirited driving with positive clutch engagement and an OEM feel in modified vehicles. Built to withstand up to 450 whp, the single-disc design has a sprung hub and “Strap Drive” for clean disengagement as well as proprietary metal/glass fiber friction material for high heat resistance. Kits include a lightweight flywheel and pressure plate for rotating mass reduction.
*Prices are subject to change.
152 » Performance Auto & Sound
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buyers GUIDE
Advance Clutch Technology
Bully Performance
Carbonetic
Twin-Disc Kit for the 1989-98 Nissan 240SX
$798 | BullyClutch.com | BullyClutchUSA.com | (800) 661-9700
Carbonetic.WordPress.com
ACTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new twin-disc kits for the 1989-98 Nissan 240SX 2.4L inline four-cylinder is a raceready, direct, bolt-on kit with a 90% clamp load increase. The T1RR-N01 kit is dynamically balanced and features a one-piece Prolite chromoly flywheel. These race twin-disc kits weigh significantly less than stock and maintain a low pedal effort.
Bullyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best seller, the stage four clutch kit for the Subaru STI (PN 15-0354C) lets you choose between a four- or six-puck sprung disc for more aggressive shifting. The pressure plate and puckstyle disc combination yields an 80% to 100% increase in torque capacity and provides more direct feedback. Recommended for racing and forced induction applications, the ceramic buttons are extremely durable to allow for daily driving.
$1,714.40 | AdvancedClutch.com
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Subaru STi STG IV clutch kit
BLADE Carbon Clutches
BLADE carbon clutches provide superior heat resistance, are OEM compatible and ideal for daily-driven vehicles. Featuring smooth judder-less feel, they are the ultimate clutch for street, circuit, rally and drift applications, capable of 450 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque (BLADE), or 700 hp and 700 lb-ft (Twin BLADE). Available at affordable prices, these clutches shift faster and are easy on your transmission.
2013-06-06 10:30 AM
Drivetrain
Centerforce
EXEDY
Centerforce.com
ExedyUSA.com
Dual Friction Single-Disc Clutch Kit for the 2005-09 Chevrolet Cobalt The Dual Friction series clutch kits are high-performance, street-friendly, single-disc clutches. Now available for 2005-09 2.0L Chevrolet Cobalts (supercharged and turbo), DF and DFX kits include a pressure plate, disc, flywheel and alignment tool. Dual friction pressure plates provide a performance clutch with exceptional street characteristics, holding-capacity and durability. The dual friction disc features a full facing on the pressure plate for driveability and longevity as well as a carbon-composite, segmented flywheel side for a positive engagement and increased holding-capacity.
Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ Clutch Kits EXEDY’s sport clutch kits for the FR-S and BRZ are available in four performance ranges and made of durable materials for the ultimate wear and performance, depending on your horsepower and torque needs. Stage 1 – Organic, 203 lb-ft torque at wheels. Stage 3 – Hyper Single, Cerametallic, 340 lb-ft torque at wheels. Stage 4 – Hyper Twin, Cerametallic, 615 lb-ft torque at wheels. Stage 4 – Hyper Triple, Cerametallic, 923 lb-ft torque at wheels.
*Prices are subject to change.
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BUYERS GUIDE
LIGHTING
WANT TO BE SEEN? YEAH, BODY KITS, FLASHY PAINT AND HOT WHEELS WILL DO THE TRICK, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN? FROM HEADLIGHTS TO LED COLOR CHANGERS, THESE LIGHTING ACCESSORIES WILL HELP SEPARATE YOU FROM THE PACK.
EUROVISION HID PREMIUM
DirectAutoImport.com
Eurovision’s HID Premium conversion kit will light your way, big time! Offered with a solid five-year warranty, the ballasts are made to last, combining AC-type current with silicone filling to ensure high quality operation. The bulbs are either single, hi-lo or motorized, depending on your application and carry an amazing 3,000 hour lifetime. Available color temperatures are 3,000 K, 6,000 K, 8,000 K and 12,000 K.
EUROLITE
CHIP ON BOARD LED LIGHTS (3080) ToucanInc.com | (416) 299-7211
Eurolite has recently released the latest in LED lighting technology. The COB (Chip on Board) LED lights for multiple uses in cars and trucks are available in four sizes from two to four Watts with adapters to facilitate easy installation. Use in dome lights, parking lights, under dashboards, side markers and more. The COB technology projects even light distribution utilizing the latest LEDs without the usual visible points of light seen on most LEDs.
LUMENS HIGH PERFORMANCE LIGHTING 25 WATT 5202 / H16 / 9009 HID CONVERSION KITS (K065202L) LumensHID.com
Conventionally, 35 watt HID conversion kits run cooler than halogens, but this is not true for 25 W 5202 bulbs commonly found in fog and driving lights. HID conversion kits (35 W and 55 W) have a tendency of melting light housings made for newer 5202 bulb applications. To combat this, Lumens introduces the 25 W HID conversion kit for 5202 / H16 / 9009 bulb types, for maximum light output without any heat issues.
ORACLE
COLORSHIFT LED CONTROLLER
$119 | OracleLights.com | (800) 407-5776
The ORACLE sound-activated ColorSHIFT LED Controller maintains the standard color-changing features as other ORACLE ColorSHIFT controllers, but now changes color to the beat of your music! The unit features pre-programmed functions with 120 W / 6 Amp output, adjustable sensitivity, and includes a wireless RF controller and one-year warranty backed by ORACLE support.
ORACLE LIGHTING WIFI RGB LED CONTROLLER
$199 | OracleLights.com | (800) 407-5776
The Multifunction WiFi RGB LED Remote is the latest addition to Oracle’s line of intelligent LED controllers. The device uses WiFi Technology to create a HotSpot so your smartphone can control your ORACLE LEDs from up to 300 feet away. Included software gets you easily connected on both Android and iPhone devices. The package also includes a separate controller and batteries with a free App download link. *Prices are subject to change.
156 » PERFORMANCE AUTO & SOUND
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www.sylvania.com/zXe
© 2013 OSRAM SYLVANIA. SilverStar is a registered trademark of OSRAM GmbH.
HID attitude. Xenon fueled.
Roll with our whitest, most stylish light. SYLVANIA SilverStar® zXe headlights are fueled by exclusive xenon halogen gas technology, with all the attitude of HID. Learn more at www.sylvania.com/zXe. /sylvaniaautomotive
/sylvania
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buyers GUIDE
lighting Philips Automotive CrystalVision Ultra Headlamp Bulbs
$39.95 | Philips.com/Automotive | (800) 257-6054
Philips Xenon-powered Halogen headlight bulbs are designed to add style and performance with a brilliant blue/white HID look. CrystalVision Ultra bulbs have an innovative blue cap to create a distinct blue reflection and 4,000 K color temperature. CrystalVision Ultra bulbs are DOT compliant and 100% street legal.
Philips Automotive X-TremeVision LED Interior Bulbs
$19.95 | Philips.com/Automotive | (800) 257-6054
Philips X-Treme Vision LED interior bulbs are designed as a direct replacement for standard incandescent miniatures. They deliver high-power LED illumination and up to five times more output while consuming substantially less energy. X-Treme Vision LED bulbs are available in two light temperatures (4,000 K and 6,000 K), are heat resistant and designed for a perfect geometrical fit in the existing bulb socket.
Plasma glow
STAINLESS STEEL LED ACTIVATOR SWITCHES $39.95 | PlasmaGlow.com
PlasmaGlow Stainless Steel LED activator switches have a solid feel and an LED ring around the button, which lights up to notify you when the switch is active. Add style and stand out from the rest. Available in a variety of colors.
Sylvania
DEPO / Maxzone
Spyder Auto
Sylvania.com/zxe
Maxzone.com
SpyderAuto.com
Silverstar zXe Headlights The Silverstar zXe headlights are made to transform and upgrade the look of your vehicle with crisp, white light. With a brilliant jewel-like appearance and color temperatures that rival HID lighting, zXe headlights are brighter and 100% street legal.
LED taillights for the 2013 FR-S / BRZ Coming in July, DEPO’s LED tail lamps were developed by Tom's and DEPO specifically for the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. They debuted at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon with a big buzz, and will upgrade the look and visibility of your car in any light.
Scion FR-S Fog Light kit
Spyder Auto recently launched its brand new fog light system for the Scion FR-S. The kit comes complete with a wiring harness, relay, fog light switch and fog light bezels. Offered in both clear and yellow. LED version coming soon!
*Prices are subject to change.
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BUYERS GUIDE
INTERIOR & ACCESSORIES
The command center for your car. You need to be dialed in and know exactly what's happening all the time. Here are some goodies that will help you do just that.
AEM
WIDEBAND AIR/FUEL FAILSAFE GAUGE $333 | AEMElectronics.com
The AEM Wideband Failsafe gauge is a wideband air/fuel controller and boost/vacuum gauge in one unit. It internally logs over three hours of data and can actively protect your engine from catastrophic damage using the included software (strategy is user-defined). Includes an internal boost sensor, Bosch Wideband AFR sensor and weld-in bung and interchangeable faceplates and bezels. The full-color Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) center display and sweeping OLED lights are user selectable (boost/vacuum or AFR).
AUTO TECH INTERIORS INC.
AUTO TECH INTERIORS INC.
$39.99 | AutoTechInteriors.com
$149.99 | AutoTechInteriors.com
VPOD FOR SCION FR-S / SUBARU BRZ (DIRECT FIT REPLACEMENT FOR VENT) ATI’s new vPod is a direct fit replacement for the FR-S / BRZ driver side vent. It comes standard to fit a 60 mm gauge, but can be converted to fit a 52 mm gauge (adapter sold separately). Get your gauge installed cleanly while maintaining full ventilation functions.
TRIPLE METER EZPOD FOR SCION FR-S / SUBARU BRZ ATI’s ezPod is a direct fit replacement for the FR-S / BRZ passenger dash panel. It comes standard to fit three 60 mm gauges, but can be converted to fit 52 mm gauges with ATI’s adapter ring (sold separately). All gauges are angled toward the driver for excellent viewing angle.
PALMER PERFORMANCE DASHCOMMAND GAUGE APP
PalmerPerformance.com
The ultimate gauge, DashCommand is an OBD-II vehicle instrumentation app available for iOS and Android devices. The built-in dashboard can display a total of 27 gauges by pulling data directly from your engine control module. You can even use DashCommand as scan tool to read and clear trouble codes, or take it to the track to read and evaluate vital race data.
*Prices are subject to change.
118 » PERFORMANCE AUTO & SOUND
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BUYERS GUIDE
SPARCO
GLOWSHIFT GAUGES
$349 | JRPOnline.com
$99.99 | GlowShift.com | (888) GS-Gauge
R100 STREET SEAT
Drawing on decades of racing history, Sparco’s street car seats offer the ultimate in comfort and performance. The R100 features redesigned bolsters for greater support and new padding configurations for improved comfort. Reclined using the double-adjuster lever, it is made from a durable OEM fabric, accepts four-point harnesses and is available in single tone or duo-tone styles (all-black, black/blue, black/gray, black/red).
162 » PERFORMANCE AUTO & SOUND
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7-COLOR SERIES DUAL INTAKE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GlowShift’s New 7 Color Series dual intake temperature gauges allow you to precisely monitor the hot air being forced into your intercooler and cool air being pushed into your engine for optimal performance. This gauge includes two 3/8-inch electronic temperature sensors that are combined with stepper motor technology, giving you the perfect combination of accurate readings and smooth needle movement.
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PASSWORD:JDM
DRY CARBON FIBER REAR DECK SHELF FOR 2013+ SCION FR-S / SUBARU BRZ $449.99 | PasswordJDM.com
The Password:JDM dry carbon fiber rear deck for the FR-S / BRZ is truly a work of art. This is the one interior piece most visible from the exterior, so why not make it something that demands your attention!
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2013-06-06 5:41 PM
Neo M
INTERIOR & ACCESSORIES
TECNOCRAFT
VDO
ZEITRONIX
$1,899.99 | Tecnocraft.com
Vdo.com/USA
$199 | Zeitronix.com
T2 DRY CARBON FIBER SEAT
INSTRUMENT SPEEDOMETER KITS
Carrying on a tradition of exceeding all expectations, the T2 line of dry carbon seats are spine-formed to the back side of a torso, for the ultimate in comfort. Compared to the Tecnocraft T1, the seat features shortened lower thigh supports to allow more comfortable entry / exit and added more support to the upper torso, giving drivers stability where it’s most needed.
ETHANOL CONTENT ANALYZER
The VDO Viewline, Series 1 and Cockpit kits feature a 160 mph speedometer, while the VDO Vision kit includes a 220 mph speedometer. The kits are offered in five- and six-gauge configurations and come with complete mounting accessories, matched senders, threaded adapters, electrical connectors and easyto-follow instructions. A complete plug-and-play wire harness is available separately.
The Zeitronix Ethanol Content Analyzer or ECA provides ethanol content readings (zero to 100%) and fuel temperature readings (°F/°C) in both digital and analog formats. The ethanol and fuel temperature analog outputs can be used for datalogging or engine management systems (flex fuel sensor required). The surface-mountable, sleek aluminum enclosure and bright LED display is visible even in direct sunlight, and measures just 2.8x1.8x0.75 inches. Made in the USA. *Prices are subject to change.
Big Brake Kits • Aggressive stopping power • Advanced cool n’ quiet air-flow technology • Improved vehicle dynamics under load • Ultra-light weight forged aluminum caliper contruction • Two-piece rotor design provides reduced rotating mass • Traditional drilled and slotted proprietary NEO moon-cut solid rotor design
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MIDWEST DRIFT UNION
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PROUD SPONSOR
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NEO Blue System
NEO Purple System
NEO Green System
NEO Blue Systems was developed to offer a sporty feel and aggressive stance for both aesthetics and daily driving pleasure.
NEO Purple coil-over kit was designed to bring race car level adjustability down to your everyday road vehicle. It features all the advantages of the Blue system while including the shock stiffness adjustability of a Green system.
NEO Green coil-over kit was engineered for improved handling both on and off the track. The shortened shell case allows for maximum piston stroke which translates to a better ride at lower ride height and an increase in grip.
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AUTO &905.856.0035 SOUND « 000 155 Winges Road, Unit 4, Vaughn,PERFORMANCE Ontario, Canada,
2013-05-07 5:28 1:19 PM 2013-06-05
tech
by
Pro je ct 2 40SX Land S peed R a cer:
Race car Livery Function Behind the Form By Chuck Johnson | Photography by Joe Lu
I
’ve put together a lot of cool project cars over the years and would like to think that with each one, I push the envelope a little bit further and get a little better at what I’m doing. I’ve learned a lot from building race cars and a good portion of that is far beyond turning a wrench.
If done right, the lessons in building and campaigning a race car parallel that of a Masters Degree in Business Administration. A proper race car build includes a wide breadth of disciplines,
including finance and project management to team leadership and marketing. The last item on that list has been the most significant area of concentration for me this time around.
There are many different ways to interpret Jay’s statement, but to me it meant that creating relationships and nurturing them into strong partnerships is vital to success.
To complement the livery, we had the roof rails powder coated candy apple red with speckles of "stripper glitter" by Specialized Coatings in Huntington Beach, CA. It's all in the details!
The livery of MotoIQ’s Project 240SX Land Speed Racer – or any race car for that matter – is all about marketing. And good marketing is essential in any successful racecar campaign.
I had the pleasure of sitting in on a SEMA conference with Jay Rodgers, cofounder of Local Motors, a while back. During his presentation on product development, he said, “No one person is smart enough or rich enough to go at it alone.”
It would be virtually impossible to build a 200 mph recordbreaking car alone. Fortunately, I have a team of amazing volunteers like Stephen Quinn of Internal Affairs and John Kuchta of Specialty Cars Fab to help turn wrenches.
164 » Performance Auto & Sound
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tech
by
It's a shame most people will never be able to appreciate what's under the skin of Project 240SX LSR – notably, the powder coated sub-frames and pure awesomeness of KW and SPL suspension components.
There's not much JDM about Project 240SX LSR, except for these Kouki taillights sourced from Nissan Motorsports. They add a bit of sex appeal and are, in my eyes, worth every penny.
Just like any well-run company, our team brings a diverse range of talents to the table. For example, Joe Lu serves as my photographer while my wife Annie Sam keeps the finances (and my head) straight. These are examples of essential partnerships. It is equally critical, in executing my record-breaking goal, to engage the industry and build partnerships with different companies. So, that’s what I have done.
Fortunately, I also have MotoIQ team members like Martin Gonzales and Mike Kojima behind me. These guys are essentially the marketing department of Project 240SX Land Speed Racer. They approach different companies and help forge those critical relationships.
After getting in contact with these companies, it is my job to execute on the value proposition and provide our partners with strong, measurable results.
The most common misconception about sponsorships is that you get parts for free. Nothing is ever free. At bare minimum, the company that gives you a part should get the value back in terms of exposure. This exposure
should result in sales of that particular product and measurable gain in the company’s bottom line. The writing and photography you see here are just a couple of tools we use to ensure that return to our partners. But that’s not the end. MotoIQ is not just about jotting down a few nice words and shooting a few artistic photos of a product. We aim to get measurable results using our partners’ products. Hence, the goal of setting a land speed record.
p
E
PR
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Untitle
Once painted Imola red, the livery installation was professionally executed by 270X and Garage Graphics in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Looking at the Project 240SX Land Speed Racer, we’ve obviously been busy securing some strong partners. As a result, we have a cool list of parts to feature in upcoming months.
Art Yang of RAYD Workshop worked with us to develop Project 240SX LSR's Nismo Super GT-inspired livery design. Yang is a freelance graphic designer working for numerous aftermarket performance companies.
Personally, my goal is to build cars that people ‘hunt.’ A race car with great visual appeal and strong accomplishments means more exposure, which means the same for our partners. This is the win-win relationship I want.
A paint job and livery can cost a pretty penny. However, my thinking is that paint and livery are a means to an end. In other words, it should pay for itself. In the case of Project Land Speed Racer, it clearly has.
premium
EVO
series
• NEW waterproof boost sender
For more tech and motorsports articles, visit MotoIQ.com.
sources
Only Dave Coleman can have an all-primer car and make it look good. The rest of us mere mortals have to try harder.
This is an example of how not to represent your partners well. I swore I would never be the guy who showed up in a flat black, primered-out car like we did at Speed Week last year. The only thing worse is not showing up at all; ugly but fast is still better than just plain ugly.
Sharing the same name as the racing circuit in Italy where Ayrton Senna met his tragic end, BMW "Imola" red has some interesting ties with motorsport history.
270X 5523 Motorsports Borg Warner Centric Parts Energy Suspension Full Race G Spec Performance Garage Graphics Innovate Motorsports Fastbrakes GIALAMAS TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS HPS Performance Silicone Hoses JE Pistons
Amongst some of the upcoming build features is a new turbo system featuring components from Borg Warner, Turbosmart and Full Race Motorsports. We’ll also be covering the build of a rather unorthodox engine designed by yours truly and brought to fruition by Nick Hunter of 5523 Motorsports. Stay tuned, 2013 is going to be epic! Jim Wolf Technology K1 Technologies KW Automotive Pierce Motorsports Specialty Cars Specialized Powder Coating SPL Pro Suspension Rayd Workshop Technosquare Inc. Turbonetics Inc. Turbosmart West End Alignment Whiteline Automotive
Place your order online or over the phone
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PROSPORTGAUGES.COM sales@prosportgauges.com
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PhotoGRAPHY by Steve Bitanga (www.babeblvd.com, www.stevebitanga.com)
Hair & Makeup by Valerie JC (www.iconimage.com) Wardrobe by Acqua Couture Swimwear (www.AcquaCouture.com)
birth DATE
April 21 Location
Los Angeles California
Zodiac Sign
I
t’s not often you find a girl with the complete package, but Anna Madalyn is one of those rarities. Not only does she have the looks, this classically-trained cellist can get down and dirty outdoors, and she’s got the battle scars to prove it. A dualcitizen of Canada and the U.S., Anna’s just-do-it attitude brought her to L.A. to pursue her dreams in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We couldn’t wait to catch up with her, so here’s the interview…
Taurus
Height: 5’8” Weight: 115 lbs.
Measurements 34 | 23 | 34
Ethnicity Irish & Scottish
Performance Auto & Sound « 169
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Anna Madalyn
peaceloveandbeauty.com twitter.com/MissAnnaMadalyn
What’s your background? Where do you live? I’m a dual
the
interview
What are some of youR modeling highlights so far? I have shot
citizen, Canadian and American. After graduating university last year, I drove across the country from North Carolina to Los Angeles, California on my own.
at some gorgeous locations. My favorite was near an abandoned airplane in the desert. The haunted beauty was inspiring.
How did you start in modeling? I had a lot of support
Does your personality match your Zodiac sign? I am
and encouragement to pursue modeling when I first moved to Los Angeles. I am blessed to live somewhere with very talented people, where I can pursue my dreams.
stubborn and sensual like a Taurus, but I don’t mind change. I love adventure.
What would you say are your strengths as a model? My
beautiful soul. Beauty is a lifestyle and it is inside every woman. Enjoy fresh foods and move your body in ways that are fun! Also, coconut oil is the duct tape of all beauty dilemmas!
strengths are changing as I grow and evolve. At first my strengths were more physical, but now I’m discovering my real strengths are in the depth of emotion I’m learning to portray.
What is your best beauty, fitness and nutrition secret? Practice gratitude for a
How do you keep in such great shape? I went to university
facebook.com/Anna.Lena111 Instagram.com/AnnaMadalyn
in the Appalachian Mountains so I would go hiking after class. I’m an outdoorsy girl. It heals the body and soul. In L.A. I ride my bike on the beach, or hike my favorite spot in Malibu. What was the first major event that you modeled at?
My first day in L.A. I was painted for a Playboy Party. TMZ interviewed me outside my hotel afterwards and called the segment “How to Become a Playboy Playmate.” My friends back home thought it was pretty cool, but that wasn’t the route I was going for. Who is your favorite celebrity of all time? Natalie
Portman. She’s beautiful, classy and talented. What traits do you like most about yourself? I’m a tough
girl, but I can be sweet and shy.
I’m also fiercely loyal when I love someone. What is your top unfulfilled fantasy? I want to see the earth
from outer space. That is the nerd in me. Do you have any birthmarks, scars or tattoos? INCLUDE THE "what,” "where” AND "how noticeable?” I have a big scar
on my knee from biking in Whistler, BC. I don’t have any tattoos, but I think I’ll get sleeves when I’m 80 years old. Any hidden talents you'd like to share with the world? A lot
of people don’t know I play the cello. I am classically trained and have played in an orchestra for years. What is your dream car?
A pink-on-black Bugatti Veyron, for obvious reasons!
170 » Performance Auto & Sound
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Anna Madalyn
Turn-ons:
Intelligence, humor, respect, being humble What do you look for in a guy? I’m attracted to men
who genuinely respect women, and are interested in more than looks. You definitely won’t get me by bragging about money. I want an intelligent, kind, funny guy who is a bit weird. If he’s trustworthy, he will definitely keep my interest. What gets you in the mood? Humor is a huge turn-
on. Laughter can be the biggest aphrodisiac. Who are your heroes? Why? All the strong women
— mothers and daughters who don’t allow themselves to be defined by their looks, but by their mind, heart and their soul. Tell us about any upcoming projects of yours? I am combining my
modeling career and psychology degree to start an online community for women that reviews positive psychology and natural health research. I have been interviewing a number of successful women in various disciplines on what makes them feel beautiful and strong, inside and out. The website is called PeaceLoveandBeauty.com. any shout-outs? To all my
friends back in North Carolina, I miss you! And, to my new friends in L.A., thank you for taking me under your wings! Also, a huge thank you to PASMAG for giving me this opportunity!
For additional photos, visit pasmag.com/AnnaMadalyn
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MRR Wheels.indd 1
2012-08-13 11:00 AM
MODIFY • TUNE • COMPETE • WIN
Essentials › 2006 BMW M Coupe (E86) Driver: Kristin Andrus Location: Chicago, IL Club Affiliation: Project X Engine Modifications IND custom-painted carbon fiber engine cover Eisenmann race exhaust Suspension KW Suspension Clubsport Wheels /Tires Work VSXX wheels — 18×9.5 (f), 18×10.5 (r) Yokohama S-Drive tires (f/r) Exterior IND distribution body work Arkym Aerosport carbon fiber (front lip spoiler, diffuser, aero wing) Painted front grille and reflectors AUDIO Custom dash panel for double-DIN by Cartronix Clarion NX501 SPONSORS Cartronix
Photography by Ginash George (JDMChicago.com)
Kristin Andrus won the Tuner Battlegrounds "Live" Competition at Tuner Galleria 2013. You can take part in Tuner Battlegrounds by registering at tunerbattlegrounds.com/register
174 » Performance Auto & Sound
Tuner Battlergrounds Live - Kristin Andrus 15.03.indd 1
2013-06-05 1:08 PM
AFTERMARKET DIRECTORY TRUST YOUR BRAKES
TRUST DBA Designed and built in Australia XG150 High carbon alloy iron Innovative slot designs Kangaroo Paw ventilation system TSP Thermal treatment process
WANT GAUGES? THIS IS THE APP FOR THAT
5 DASHBOARDS 28 GAUGES
GAUGE NIRVANA WITHOUT THE CLUTTER
www.dbausa.com
WWW.DASHCOMMAND.COM
866-477-7071
Dash Command.indd 1
Available for iOS and Android devices
c i t Sta
4000 l e d o M Batcap
11-07-07 10:24 AM
ircuit hort C S s p Am r 5000 our 8 lbs. » Ove H tely 7 mpa A m i 0 x 0 ro »1 hs app tance » Weig 0 year Life ernal Resis recharge. o1 Int nd » Up t y Low discharge a l e m e r t t s x a f »E ing in Xstatic result 561 Sanders Road, Newton, AL 36352 PH . 334-692-4650
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Aftermarket Directory 15.04.indd 1
10/23/2012 3:53:35 PM
2013-06-06 10:56 AM
JULY 2013
M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
SU M T W 10 TH 11 F 12 S 13 SU M T W TH
Joselyn Cano
14 15 16
17 18 F 19 S 20 SU 21 M 22 T 23 W 24 TH 25 F 26 S 27 SU 28 M 29 T 30 W 31
Photography by Randy Ly
Westminster, CA
Ethnicity: Hispanic Zodiac: Pisces
twitter.com/JoselynCano facebook.com/JoselynCano3 instagram.com/JoselynCano
BO BELLO FINISHES: • Matte black spokes/barrel with machined undercut for dramatic contrast SIZE: • 18x8, 19x8.5, 19x9.5, 20x9 and 20x10 OFFSETS: • 30 mm to 45 mm WWW.ADVANTIWHEEL.COM
Konig Calendar 15.04.indd 1
I actually don't go to the gym. But I walk every day for a few hours. I'm also vegan, so I eat plenty of fruit and vegetables; but when I go out, I allow myself vegetarian meals. Clean eating has really worked wonders for me.
I was modeling dresses and bikinis for a clothing company a few years back. Once I started shooting bikinis, lets just say the photographer got very excited and it was definitely obvious... So awkward!
My favorite celebrity is Cristiano Ronaldo because, well, look at him! No explanation needed. lol :)
2013-06-05 11:40 AM
ADVERTISING INDEX 2Crave MACH .....................................................161
Injen Technology - Option Auto Salon ....31
Absolute USA Inc. ............................................. 15
Injen Technology .........................................9, 110
Acoustic Edge .....................................................118
Installer Institute ............................................ 133
ACT - Options Auto Salon ........................... 153
ISC Suspension North America ............... 162
Aeromotive ...........................................................85
JL Audio .................................................................35
Airtekk Engineering ......................................150
JRP - Johnston Research
Alpha-Nav ............................................................115
& Performance ................................................... 5
American Bass .................................................... 19
K&N Engineering - Motovicity ...................25
Arc Audio Inc .......................................................89
KICKER ..................................................................97
Audio Enhancers .............................................109
Knukonceptz.com ............................................113
AudioControl ...................................................... 111
Lucas Oil Products, Inc. .................................37
Audiomobile ........................................................131
Massive Audio Inc. .......................................... 128
Audiopipe ............................................................ 123
MB QUART ..........................................................171
Audison USA ........................................................93
McGard ..................................................................... 7
AVID.1 - WheelFire.com ................................... 11
Meguiarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inc. ............................................... 77, 79
Axxera ....................................................................117
Memphis Car Audio .......................................139
Axxess Integrate .............................................. 137
MotoIQ.com ....................................................... 177
Bassworx ...............................................................24
MRR design wheels Corp
Batcap by Xstatic ............................................ 175
- WheelFire.com ............................................ 173
BorgWarner Turbo Systems ........................49
MTX Audio ........................................................... 99
Boss Audio Systems .........................................23
Neo Motorsport America Inc. ................... 163
Cadence Acoustics, Inc ..................................121
ORACLE Lighting INC ...................................63
Clarion .....................................................................21
Orion High Performance Car Audio .........17
Clutchmasters - UltraRev.com ................. 154
OSRAM SYLVANIA LTD. .............................. 157
Crimestopper Security Products, Inc. .. 129
Parrot .................................................................... 125
Crossfire Car Audio .........................................141
PASmag Tuner Battlegrounds .................. 178
DashCommand ................................................ 175
Philips Electronics ............................................83
DBA USA .............................................................. 175
Phoenix Gold .......................................................43
DC Sports - Option Auto Salon ................149
Pioneer Electronics Inc. ..................................13
DD Audio ............................................................. 143
Powerbass ...........................................................103
Drifz Wheels ........................................................87
Prosport Gauges, Inc. .................................... 167
Dynamat ................................................................ 14
Raceland USA ......................................................67
EBC Brakes ...........................................................53
Racing Beat ...........................................................66
Eibach Springs - JRP ........................................33
RE Audio ................................................................ 91
Eneos .......................................................................29
Rockford Fosgate ...............................................59
Energy Suspension - UltraRev.com ......... 80
Scosche Industries .........................................145
Enjuku Racing Parts, LLC. .......................... 175
Solo Werks .......................................................... 162
Enkei .......................................................................... 3
Sony Corporation of America ...................180
Escort Inc. .............................................................65
Soundstream Technologies .......................107
EXEDY Globalparts Corporation ..............47
SPC Performance - Motovicity ................... 41
Falken Tire .............................................................. 2
Spec Inc ................................................................ 155
Focal - ORCA Design
Spyder Auto .......................................................159
& Manufacturing Corp. ............................. 101
ST Suspensions ..................................................69
Focal Wheels ........................................................ 71
Torco International Corp. ............................. 81
Formula Drift .................................................... 147
TSW Wheels ........................................................... 6
FUSION Electronics USA .............................119
Turbo Kits .............................................................68
Garrett by Honeywell ....................................... 8
Verde Custom Wheels ...................................165
GROM Audio ...................................................... 135
Vortech Engineering, Inc. ..............................57
Hawk Performance ........................................ 179
Waterfest ...............................................................72
HD Wheels ...........................................................151
What Monsters Do ...........................................48
HiFonics .................................................................95
Whiteline US ......................................................166
HKS - Motovicity ............................................... 51
Wilwood Engineering ..................................... 61
HSD Suspension - JRP ...................................... 4
Wirez ...................................................................... 127
HushMat .............................................................. 136
Ad Index's 15.04.indd 1
2013-06-07 4:14 PM
BORED? GET ON FACEBOOK AND LIKE US!
We've got the hook-up for all the behind-the-scenes sport compact tuning action, including exclusive photo shoots, outstanding event coverage, accurate and detailed reviews on current performance and audio products, insane car builds and the hottest models in the industry! Like PASMAG on Facebook to keep in touch, share your opinions and enter our contests to win prizes and be eligible for free giveaways! Keep us in the loop with your projects and send us an email to letters@pasmag.com
facebook.com/pasmag
PASMAG Facebook 15.03.indd 1
2013-05-06 4:58 PM
©2013 Hawk Performance
Control the horses under your hood. Introducing the Hawk Performance Talon™ Caliper: Precision-machined from aircraft-grade aluminum billet with stainless steel pistons, it’s the heart of our new Performance Brake System. Our Performance Brake System lets you substantially upgrade your braking performance with: • Greater stopping power — up to 55% more clamping force, depending on application • More control — precisely engineered three-piston calipers • Fast, easy install — no drilling, welding or fabricating • Zero clearance problems — direct bolt-on design And all at a price that’s as much as $1,000 less than leading big-brake kits. With all those benefits, the only question now is what’s stopping you? See our website to learn more and locate a dealer near you. Components shown are for illustrative purposes only. Actual components will vary by vehicle type and fitment.
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HawkPerformance.com/system
2013-04-23 5:18 PM
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