#B-Mod Axles

[strangeoval]

High-Performance Racing Axles for Oval Track Cars | Strange Oval

Explore top-quality racing axles at Strange Oval – built for strength, speed, and reliability on dirt and asphalt tracks. Shop solid axles, KERA axles, IMCA, USMTS & UMP axles designed for serious performance.

Key Features of the Product:

Heat-treated for superior strength

Lightweight yet high-torque capable

Precision splined for a perfect fit

Built for dirt and oval racing

Multiple spline and length options

Proven durability under race conditions

Contact Information:

For more details or to request a sample, visit KERA axles or contact Strange Oval directly:

Phone: 800-653-1099

Address: 8300 Austin Ave Morton Grove, IL 60053

Choose the KERA axles for reliable and efficient performance.

Stay in touch with the latest product developments and company news:

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[sanyparts]

13246316 Control Switch Harness Sy50c1.5c.3 for SANY machinery

13246316 Control Switch Harness Sy50c1.5c.3 SANY spare parts Mail:imeppon@gmail.com 160801010243A016 Assembly Fixing Plate 59008586 SANY PARTS 10195295 Washer 61018995 手动闸阀Z41W-16P DN125 9181025000010 Transmission 21019680 SANY PARTS 59007597 电子秤150KG 180109010233A 整体式刀柄系统BT40-HC16-90 22049494 rope support SPHA-1956 10414616 Top board 180604000678A Plate-type Metal Mesh Coarse Filter imeppon@gmail.com 160101160011A115 Idle Gear Shaft 10481738 SANY PARTS 61020950 Steering Trapezoid Arm (Right) 920011700029A 激光打标机TH-FLMS-20 160102090013A032 Fuel Pump 24996640 Straight Handle Twist Drill 10181251 Uppercarriage hydraulic system 10434271 Underplate 2 21008323 Pipe connector 180102990350A Tools Base 10200172 Tube, straight, 133 generation-III 22013917 Guide slide plate SPHF-0271 180108020075A Other Gear Machining Tools 22032537 Welding pin1 JC06EF6W-3 51002666 SANY PARTS 180103040271A Replaceable Bits 160102080029B Engine 10058404 9m insert 160101020002A306 Motor, Starting 10467246 flitch plate 10645229 左后弯板Z12.6-11 21010732 SANY PARTS 10033315 Reinforcement Plate 10204972B 导向套工艺半成品ZXRSC45.10.12A-4（B）- 59013391 派克IM纯黑丽雅金夹宝珠笔 59008230 SANY PARTS 61005584 循环槽28.3 67341650739 Main control valve SPEV-0845 4MSPCV140-3 10007329 Reinforced plate 22007794 Square tuble 3 SPFP-0092 10453062 发动机支撑DLT75S.6.4 22002847 Back fix leg SP420A09-A 10485431 plate 61027499 Backup tong jaw 10106349 Pipe 921101800030A Shaft G. 10528256M 缸底锻坯ZXSRT33.570.1.1-2(M) 67341650256 Chassis SPEFA-1134 STQ1188L10Y2N6 YCS06 22036545 guide sleeve SPHK-0043 /HK-722 10691593 SANY PARTS 21008382 Driver logo220×221red 61023939 Compressor 61027230 I/O Plate 10689545 撑板Z19.9-22 24921513 Y2 Machine tail frame improvement drawin 10431294 Steel Sheet 61005272 手动闸阀组件DN80 304 10201824 Straight tube 10449082 Pipe, oil 10691138 联结法兰SJ500.8.1.1 180106990384A Full type Boring Tool 10114621 Left steel plate 160102030072A316 Breaker NA5-1600H800 MF4 AC220 UVT-A5 AC 160102040050A189 Pressure Sensor 160102070157A013 Harness Assembly, Electrical Control Mod imeppon@gmail.com 10010512M Oil seat body 920021500004A 民用口罩外层无纺布175宽 10004486B * 21015108 SANY PARTS 180109010060A Adaptor 920031300001A 大通量滤芯40寸×6寸 160807000006A Air Intake Hose 61014622 Reducer tee 22052568 Plate SPHA-2053 10493699 SANY PARTS 10451711L Cutting head component 210110007 SANY PARTS 10240915 Plate 160102030047A044 Fuel Pipe ASSY 918090400004 Shuttle Valve 10246015 板LPY1.2.2.1-2 10037752 Front bent plate of bottom 61007841 Tap for machine 22001536 plate SPHX-0010 59003234 SANY PARTS 180699000265A silicone plug 10673279 Upper plate 22021862 Pipe SPHLR-0620 160101080031A368 Oil Seal On The Rear Axle 10201850C 133 Three Generations Straight Pipe 22044879 Main valve assembly SPPCH013KA30 160101130127A Engine 180604000802A Filter Layer 21019479 SANY PARTS 160101080027A013 main bearing shell group 10011791 Lower reinforced plate of rear suspensio 10059786M SANY PARTS 61010867 实心轮胎G-602-3T 10218316 Installation plate 10117236 SR150涂装辅料 10038421 销轴料坯QY100.1.6.6-12(L) 67322049182 Sealing element SPUP-0323C 10028986 supporting plate 10135227 SANY PARTS 921020400025A Endolar coupling 22064070 Cutting plate SP420A0101_12_HG785 Defau 10528609 SANY PARTS 181604000877B nylon base H13 10667708 pipe clamp GJ1002 frame 180109990122A holder 180604000201A High-temperature Glass Filter Board 10411842 SANY PARTS 21021002 SANY PARTS 10652459 SANY PARTS 10217073 SANY PARTS 10016308 Ear Plate II 24916875 SANY PARTS 180103080110A Drilling Insert 22066971 Cylinder rod welding assembly SPHSK-0090 168899001509A Cover Plate 160102060007R engine 24920584 Brattice 168899000661A Soft Pad Ring 10214511 Plate 160102160020A103 Pressure Regulating Valve 21019069 One-Way Valve 61007031 刀架线总成CAK80285D 24900192 Washer 922011800011A Pressure Relief Valve 160102080039A086 Dipstick Assembly 180109010586A Full Type Tool Holder System 9190314000312 电动阀门角行程DN80-316L衬陶瓷 10663774 Front support of right front suspension 21021000 Right tailstock 180199990209A quyangqi 10025718M Cover Plate Read the full article

[vividracing]

New Post has been published on https://www.vividracing.com/blog/aftermarket-performance-exhaust-systems/

Top 5 Benefits of Aftermarket Performance Exhaust Systems for Your Vehicle

Performance exhaust systems are easily a favorite vehicle mod for most enthusiasts. It does matter if you’re into American muscle cars, European cruisers, or import sport compacts, bolting on a free-flowing exhaust system improves performance and makes the driving experience so much more exciting. 

But if you’re not convinced that your car or truck needs a performance exhaust upgrade, we’ll do our part to convince you. This guide will cover the top 5 benefits you’ll see from installing a performance exhaust system on your ride.

1. Increased Horsepower and Torque

Engines love to breathe freely, and unfortunately, stock exhaust systems just don’t cut it. They may have restrictive mufflers, low-quality bends, and smaller piping. These issues combine to increase backpressure and prevent the engine from performing at its best.

Whether we’re talking about a downpipe upgrade, turbo back setups, cat back exhaust systems, or axle back exhaust systems, replacing the stock exhaust piping can make a significant difference and add a few numbers to your horsepower and torque numbers. 

2. Aggressive and Customizable Sound

Probably the most noticeable benefit of installing performance exhaust systems is the change in the way the car sounds. A free-flowing exhaust system with larger pipes, valves, and tuned performance mufflers can transform a stock engine’s exhaust note, making it louder and deeper. They can even create that “burble” sound that we appreciate so much as enthusiasts, while at full revolutions, they sound meaner and more aggressive. Also, quality kits reduce the annoying drone sound at highway speeds. All of this combines to create a better driving experience and enhance our love affairs with our cars.

3. Improved Fuel Efficiency

In some cases, a vehicle’s exhaust system upgrade can improve the vehicle’s fuel economy. Without the backpressure choking the engine and stifling its performance, the engine runs more efficiently, requiring less effort to create the same amount of power the driver would typically expect. Less effort means reduced fuel consumption and better fuel economy. 

Are the differences drastic? Likely no—5% is the max increase most cars will see, or one mile per gallon for most performance cars (based on a 20-mile-per-gallon average). But over a long commute or road trip, it can add up. Coupled with a cold air intake, you could expect a few percentage points better.

4. Enhanced Durability and Longevity

For trucks, muscle cars, sports cars and compacts, and performance sedans, upgrading to a premium performance exhaust ensures a longer-lasting system that withstands the elements. Generally speaking, stock exhaust systems consist of lower-grade materials like aluminized steel or low-grade stainless steel. Both of these materials can corrode and rust over time, especially in regions with plenty of moisture and road salt. Hangers typically rust off and put stress on the factory joints, and eventually, things tear and the car gets obnoxiously loud. 

Performance exhaust parts and pipes are typically made from high-grade stainless steel. Joints between components are also properly welded. This results in better durability long term, and as long as the kit is installed properly, corrosion and rust are rarely issues.

5. Customization and Aesthetic Appeal

Yes, your car or truck will perform better, and yes, it will sound better. We’ve even pointed out that performance exhaust systems improve mileage and durability. But, one of these kits will also make your car look cooler. With a wide range of finishes and styles to choose from, performance exhaust systems change the look of your vehicle. 

These kits are typically customizable, as well. For example, exhaust tips can create an aggressive and sporty style. They come in different finishes and shapes, like round, oval, square, oval, single, double, double wall, and more. There are a ton of choices, allowing car enthusiasts to choose exactly the right style for their tastes.

Shop for Your Performance Exhaust System with Vivid Racing

Those are just a few of the benefits of performance exhaust systems. We didn’t even go into the fact that they support your other mods, like larger turbos, performance heads, or other major power producers. But if you’re in the market for one of these kits, find yours at Vivid Racing. We carry exhaust components and parts for tons of vehicles, ensuring we have a high-quality system to fit your car. Whether you’re looking for a new downpipe, turbo back, cat back, or axle back kit, we have you covered.

[devin27]

10/03/24

Crash

Since yesterday’s entry was so long, I’ll keep this one brief. I’m currently riding the train, headed home from work. A few days ago I got hit on the highway & it damaged something in the front end of my car. My dad got his mechanic to come to the house & start the repairs today, after a few days of waiting for some parts to arrive. Control arms, struts, & a new tie rod plus labor is definitely a bit of a financial pickle, but nothing I haven’t had to dish out before. Sometimes I miss those few years of adulthood when I didn’t have a car, between 2018 & 2022. It was nice not having a car note, insurance, gas, or maintenance draining your wallet monthly. But alas, I live in the United States, & public transit just doesn’t suffice in the long term.

The mechanic should be back tomorrow morning to finish things up & send me on my way, so I’ve got nothing to stress about. I’m grateful I didn’t have to be without a car longer than a couple of days. The bend of the tie rod after the wreck misaligned my axle & wore out my tires unevenly, though. When I walked out to my car yesterday evening, I was met with a completely flattened tire. (See the first attached photo). I’m used to it at this point, though. Tires have always been my Achilles heel when it comes to my car. It’s some kind of universal joke, or maybe a hex placed on me. At this point I just laugh along & deal with it. Better a new tire every 3-4 months than a broken windshield or anything worse.

On the subject of cars, I feel like I’ve had so many. I’m 27 but I can distinctly remember everyone I’ve had: a 2008 Dodge Stratus, a 2012 Pontiac G6, a 2014 Dodge Charger, a 2013 Chevrolet Impala, & currently a 2016 Dodge Dart. The Dodge phenomenon isn’t on purpose, I swear they just have a way of falling into my lap. I haven’t had the privilege of owning anything particularly impressive, but I’m one of those people that’s satisfied if I can get from point A to point B without a hassle.

Truthfully, I never knew much about cars. It’s something you notice a lot of guys are into, like some sort of exclusive membership only club that I could never breach. You could ask me my dream car & you’d be lucky if I even decided on a make, let alone a model. Don’t even ask me about the mods or the variants of the model, or whatever you’d call them. It’s a lost cause for me.

For a brief stint, I had a part time job as a valet at some nice steakhouses around the downtown metroplex. Within those 6 months I was exposed to a lot of luxury vehicles I never thought I’d step foot in. Some Porsches, some Ferraris, some Lambos, lots of Beamers, Rovers, Benzes, the whole nine yards. I’ll drop a few photos down below. That was a fun arc primarily because it served as exposure therapy for brands & models someone of my status might have never gotten to experience.

If manifestation matters, I suppose I should set my intentions towards something for my future in terms of a vehicle. I used to think Lexus sedans were nice (big dreamer, I know right /s), but if I aim a little higher, I definitely felt most comfortable in any Mercedes-Benz I found myself in. A nice little C-Class would feel fulfilling. Corvettes are cool too, but I’m not sure if I’d want a coupe.

If we keep it a little more realistic, I’d settle for an Accord or a Camry. They’re both pretty reliable in the long term, plus their designs are sleek & stylish these days. Truth be told I’m not that materialistic; objects are so impermanent that it’s hard to truly desire anything that I’ve already deemed as fleeting. Not to sound pretentious or anything. If cars are your passion, that’s genuinely valid. They’re historically relevant mechanical marvels. I’m the one on the outside looking in.

Love, joy, peace, & prosperity to you & your loved ones — Devin27 💌

P.S. — On the train ride home, I was listening to “Love Angel Music Baby” from Gwen Stefani, & one song in particular stood out as a strong companion to today’s post. Enjoy “Crash.”

[phantom-of-the-north]

Info about Flashback Forum. Part 3

This is what the front page looks like when you visit flashback.org

The figure in the logo is a cat with bloodshot eyes smoking a cigarette and it's called Axl Jansson. It was created by a guy named Peter Gustafsson.

Here's what Flashback looked like in June 2001

Why is the forum named Flashback? Admin explains:

"Topic: Why exactly is Flashback named Flashback?

Quotation Originally posted by Stjärtgossen Well the heading says it all but to clarify: Who came up with the name Flashback? Why exactly Flashback? When where? How? The name comes from A) a skateboard place with the same name that existed on Apelbergsgatan in Stockholm some time around 1979-1980 B) slang expression for återtripp (flashback) that you can get when you take LSD C) Flashback = the magazine has always had a fondness for the past and timeless retrospect. Especially the printed edition.

Hence the name. The magazine started as an out-and-out item/topic magazine* in 1983 under the name "Dead or Alive" but switched names to Flashback in 1987. admin" * sorry I'm not sure how to translate the word punkttidning as I can't even find a meaning for the word in Swedish, it's not in any dictionary.

Laidback

Laidback is a hidden part of the forum that you can only access if you've been a member for over 6 months and made more than 100 posts. As the name suggests, Laidback has a more relaxed atmosphere and whimsier threads compared to the rest of Flashback Forum.

Outlaw

Outlaw is another hidden part of the forum that only admins and moderators have access to. In Outlaw, mods and admins discuss warnings, suspensions and banishments and other stuff that needs to be handled "behind the curtains".

Aktuella Ämnen (Current Topics)

Aktuella Ämnen shows current events and which threads that have the most readers at the moment.

Username

According to rule 2.04, usernames that might be confused with another member, moderator or admin, are forbidden. You can't change your username.

Avatars

Some users on Flashback have an avatar that's just the "parental advisory explicit content" warning label. This is because those users' avatars are considered offensive/naughty. According to rule 0.05, if an avatar has a motif that can be considered inappropriate at a workplace, the alternative "My avatar is inappropriate" needs to be checked off under the forum settings. In the settings, you can also choose if you want inappropriate avatars to be shown when you scroll through the forum. You're not allowed to have an avatar that breaks the forum rules. You can change your avatar if you want.

Slogan

Flashback's slogan is "Yttrandefrihet på riktigt!" (Freedom of speech for real!).

[american-truck-simulator-9q]

American Truck Simulator Mods - ATS Mods - download

💾 ►►► DOWNLOAD FILE 🔥🔥🔥 ATS Other. ATS Maps. Descriptions: Changelog 0. Descriptions: No map dlc is required, but we recommend to use it. Rafael add-on is San Rafael Add-on v1. Coast to Coast Map v2. Great Dane Flatbed. Kalyn Siebert trailer for ATS. East 7-Axle End Dump Trailer v1. More B-Train Options v1. Westernstar SB [1. Kenworth W Highway Killer v5. Kenworth T Next Gen Truck v1. Western Star Legacy Sleeper v6. Freightliner Cascadia Legacy v3. Porsche This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Read More. Do you like American Truck Simulator? Different thematic plugins are categorized so you can handily choose from thousands of cool ATS mods. Do you want to improve the exterior or the cab of the truck? Looking for a new American truck? Looking for a new trailer? Or maybe looking for a good sound pack? Effective and exciting plugins will help you create a special environment of game. A multitude of different options and very fast, easy installation. Try it now! Descriptions: This mod adds a number of real world billboards to the game. It is Great Dane Flatbed 11 Jun, John Doe agrees with me. There are better things to do Yeah, John, shut up! Everyone hates you. Get out of there Accept Decline Cookie Settings. I consent to the use of following cookies:. Cookie Declaration About Cookies. Necessary 0 Marketing 0 Analytics 0 Preferences 0 Unclassified 0. Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. We do not use cookies of this type. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers. Analytics cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. Unclassified cookies are cookies that we are in the process of classifying, together with the providers of individual cookies. Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. Cookie Settings.

[beautifulklicks]

2018 Grand National Roadster Show Top 100 Winners:

1.  1929 Ford Roadster  James BobowskiOrange, California 

A historical influence was strong among the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster contenders, with James’ ’29 Model An as the most historical. The famous Eddie Dye roadster has been lost, found, parted out, and rotated through many owners and styles since the Ayala Brothers built it for Eddie almost 70 years ago. Jimmy White and his Circle City Hot Rods team restored the roadster, using many original parts, like the Whitey Clayton nose and hood, and reproducing others, like the belly pan and Crestliner wheel. The Evans Engineering Flathead, Cherry Orchid paint, Ford and Merc hubcaps, and Chris Plant’s recreated white pleated upholstery help bring 1952 into 2018.

2...1932 Ford Coupe  Bret Sukert Montesano, WA.

 This ’32 three-window got our attention as soon as we entered the Suede Palace. Bret’s ‘60s-style hot rod is built from an unmodified original steel body bought from well-known rodder Dick Page. Foss’s Hot Rods handled body and paint chores; Mitch Kim did all that ’striping. The suspension includes a dropped axle and transverse leafs in front and quarter ellipticals in back. The Chevy small-block is topped with a Weiand manifold and ’65-’66 GTO air cleaner. Interior elements include Mopar van seats, an N.O.S. Grant wheel, a restored Ha-Dees Stewart Warner blue face gauges (it took 50 gauges to get eight that matched). The coupe left the Suede Palace with the Best of Show award. 

3...1940 Ford Convertible Tony Miller San Pedro, 

CA Tony says that ’40 Fords don’t need any styling help, but he made an exception with this one by guillotining a standard coupe and adding a post-War-style top with quarter windows. At Don Dillard’s Highway 99 Hot Rods the hood and quarters were sectioned, front wheels moved forward, body channeled, doors stretched, trunk shortened, and many other mods were made, including a handmade ’40 Merc grille, ’39 trim, ’41 Stude taillights, and ‘40 Merc rear bumper. A Plymouth speedo and ’40 Ford instruments fill the dash facing Sid Chavers’ red leather interior. A 4V 289 Ford is tied to an AOD trans. The only unmodified parts are the front bumper, running boards, and headlight rings. 

4...1957 Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon

Robert Florine Ventura, CA Growing up around wagons stirred Robert’s interest. He wanted a Ford because there is already an abundance of Chevys—plus he wanted a car he could put a shotgun motor in. Working with Steve Strope and crew at Pure Vision yielded this result. The profile was altered with a slanted B-pillar and 4 3/4-inch door stretch (with ’57 T-Bird handles) to improve proportions. An Art Morrison Enterprises chassis with C6 front suspension parts and Mike Meyer Racing rear torque arms, and JRI coilovers beef up the undercarriage. The engine is a Kaase Boss 9 with Borla 8-stack induction. The custom interior is matched in great taste by the Bridgewater Bronze and Avorio two-tone paint. 

5...1941 Buick

Clifford Mattis.Vacaville, 

CA Clifford and builder Marcos Garcia from Lucky 7 Customs have teamed up on many vehicles, but never a true custom—until now. A chopped top, handmade flush skirts, and taillights are just a few of the custom mods covering the Buick. The chassis combines a Mustang II frontend and a four-link rear, with air bags to drop the car. Power comes from a carbed Chevy 350 and 700R4 trans. One-off EVOD wheels (with simulated Caddy caps) roll with Coker Firestones. The vintage style interior features a Dennis Crook wheel, New Vintage USA gauges, and patterned cloth inserts in the leather upholstery. It took 20 spray-outs to get the perfect dark olive paint color, but the final result is stunning. Even More..RK Motors 

SOURCE: STREET RODDER 

AUTHOR: Tim Bernsau

[muscle-cars-aesthetics]

1969 Dodge Dart --------------------------------- Facts ⬇️👹👹👹👹👹 Engine: 528ci Chrysler wedge big-block Bore x stroke: 4.38(bore) x 4.15 (stroke), 528 ci Block: aluminum Indy Maxx Rotating assembly: Callies Dragon Slayer crankshaft, GRP I-beam rods, Ross thermal-coated pistons Compression ratio: 8.25:1 Cylinder heads: Indy 440-1 with porting and modifications done by Muscle Motorsports Camshaft: Racer Brown camshaft with .625 lift at .050-inch lift Valvetrain: 2.19 x 1.81 valves, Jesel belt drive, T&D 1.6 ratio rockers, K Motion valve springs, Manley pushrods, COMP Cams retainers and locks Induction: intercooled ProCharger F2 centrifugal supercharger, C&S Specialties aerosol billet blow-through carb with dual needle and seat bowls, Indy 400-14-3 single-plane with provision for 4500-series carb Fuel system: MagnaFuel 750-series electric fuel pump Exhaust: custom step headers 2 1/8 to 2 ¼ Company, Spintech oval mufflers, 10-inch merge collectors that dump ahead of rear axle Ignition: MSD Power Grid controls ignition Data Logging: RacePak V300 data logger Oiling system: Melling oil pump, Milodon swinging pickup, 9-quart Hamburger oil pan Cooling: CVR 55gpm water pump on stock aluminum Mopar housing, BeCool triple-pass aluminum radiator, custom VRC built shroud and dual 12-inch electric fans Output: 1,410 hp Best e.t.: 8.02/174 (that he’ll admit to! Grudge racing demands some secrecy) Weight: 3,020 lbs without driver Transmission: ATI T400 SuperCase automatic, 9-inch ProTorque converter (4,500 rpm stall), B&M super cooler with electric fan Driveshaft: 4-inch aluminum driveshaft by Inland Empire Driveline Rearend: Moser Fab 9 rear axle, Strange aluminum center section, 3.54 gears, spool Front suspension: Riley Motorsports AlterKtion K-frame, Viking coilovers Rear suspension: Top Gun Pro Mod four-link, McAmis anti-roll bar, Stanhuff coilover shocks Steering: McAmis rack and pinion steering system Brakes: Strange race disc brakes on all four corners Wheels: Billet Specialties 4.5×15 (front), Billet Specialties double bead lock 15×15 (rear) Tires: Mickey Thompson front runners 26×4.5×15; Mickey Thompson ET Street R 32×14.5×15 (rear) --------------------------------

[strangeoval]

Strange Oval KERA Axles – Engineered for Performance on Every Lap

Strange Oval KERA Axles deliver unmatched strength, durability, and performance for serious racers. Designed to thrive under extreme track conditions—whether on dirt or asphalt—these axles provide the reliability and consistency you need to stay ahead of the competition. Trust KERA to keep you pushing forward, lap after lap.

Key Features of the Product:

Heat-treated for superior strength

Lightweight yet high-torque capable

Precision splined for a perfect fit

Built for dirt and oval racing

Multiple spline and length options

Proven durability under race conditions

Contact Information:

For more details or to request a sample, visit KERA axles or contact Strange Oval directly:

Phone: 800-653-1099

Address: 8300 Austin Ave Morton Grove, IL 60053

Choose the KERA axles for reliable and efficient performance.

Stay in touch with the latest product developments and company news:

Facebook

Youtube

X

[andrewschiffer]

Money No Object: A Nine-Second 1979 Chevrolet Impala That Is Ready To Party

Is it love? Lust? A desire to see if the claims of a nine-second 1979 Chevrolet Impala are true? Um…yes. Everything about this silver and black B-body screams directly at the teenage delinquent in me. It begs me to haze the tires off like Australians are watching. It coerces me to fire up the genuinely big mill, find the nearest stretch of roadway that’s empty and straight as an arrow, and to lay into the throttle as long as I dare. This is a car that has truly shed just about every relation with it’s original form…forget a wheezing 305-powered sled painted in some kind of earth tone, this is a proper muscle machine. And it’s calling to the side of me that will undoubtedly yield to the pressure.

Per the ad: “Cars like this are hard to describe in words and pictures; you just have to see them in person to understand. For something this wickedly fast, it sure is beautifully built, with some super straight bodywork. We haven’t seen one this straight since, well, 1979 and even then, the factory wasn’t doing paint anywhere near this well. A few custom mods give it a predatory look, starting with that tall cowl-induction hood, but also include the bumpers tucked in tight to the bodywork, a blanked grille opening, and that beautiful two-tone paint. With a red stripe separating the black and charcoal gray, it almost looks elegant, and we love how they kept the original marker lights, emblems, and door handles. It’s almost like you could walk out, get in, and drive it to work, and technically, it is street-able. Too cool!

The interior is, of course, a racer’s environment, but they didn’t skimp on the quality. You’ll find both factory bench seats still in place, although the X-brace on the cage pretty much makes the rear seat cosmetic. But with original door panels, full carpets (with floor mats!), and a factory dash, it certainly feels familiar even with all the race gear around you. There’s a fat steering wheel with a transmission brake button, a custom ratcheting shifter on the transmission tunnel, and a custom switch panel just to the driver’s right. Factory gauges don’t tell you anything, but it’s augmented with Auto Meter dials on the steering column. 5-point harnesses, the full cage (NHRA certified and good to go through 2021!), and a cooling fan for the driver are the kinds of things that show professionals were at work here and even the windows go up and down like they should. Heck, the trunk is still big enough for a family vacation, even with dual 16-volt batteries stashed back there.

Those dual batteries are probably mandatory for the brutal Shafiroff-built 555 cubic inch big block Chevy V8, which cost $40,000 (and is a one-off) to build and can be tuned to run on alcohol or gas. It comes with a full spec sheet, but the highlights include a custom MerlinX intake, custom headers, Dart heads, and 14.7:1 compression, which all add up to about 1000 horsepower on the motor alone. The twin snorkel air cleaner looks very much like those used on the 442s in 1969, but everything else is aerospace aluminum and braided stainless. The transmission is a built Ultra Bell PowerGlide that’s deadly consistent and a carbon-fiber driveshaft feeds a Dana 60 rear end with Strange 40-spline axles and a spool inside. 4-wheel disc brakes ensure it’s safe at the big end and the exhaust system sounds brilliant exhaling through the side pipes. The stance is just about ideal, sitting on black powdercoated Weld Pro-Star wheels and 29.5×10.5R15 rear Mickey Thompson rear meats to hook it up.”

I am not strong enough, I am not worthy, but I am ready.

eBay Link: 1979 Chevrolet Impala

The post Money No Object: A Nine-Second 1979 Chevrolet Impala That Is Ready To Party appeared first on BangShift.com.

Money No Object: A Nine-Second 1979 Chevrolet Impala That Is Ready To Party published first on https://medium.com/@SinaCarRemovals

[vividracing]

New Post has been published on https://www.vividracing.com/blog/upgrading-a-toyota-gr-corolla-part-1-the-baseline-dyno/

Upgrading a Toyota GR Corolla - Part 1 The Baseline Dyno

The Toyota GR Corolla is the car we definitely wanted here in the USA. Europe is always getting the cool hot hatches. With the Toyota GR Yaris over there, the bosses at Toyota thought, “hey lets bring those Muricans a bigger version to rival the STI, Golf R, and ElantraN.” So they did that and in 2022 got us the Toyota GR Corolla with it’s 1.6L 3 cylinder turbocharged engine making 300 horsepower stock. There are a couple crazy things about this car. First the fact that it is only a 3 cylinder. That’s typically HALF of what most cars have making 300 horsepower. Second is it makes 300 horsepower from only a 1.6L engine! Depending on how old you are, you either remember your moms 2002 Honda Accord V6 or you owned a Honda Accord V6 and that turd cracked maybe 250 horsepower… I mean the first 2002 Subaru WRX that came to the USA had a 2.0L turbo engine that made 220 horsepower. So the GR Corolla is pretty impressive with its performance mated to a 6 speed manual transmission and all wheel drive platform.

But you are not here for a car review. You are here because you are an enthusiast and what we like to do as car humans is modify cars. So that’s what we are going to do here at Vivid Racing. This 2024 GR Corolla was brought to us by a local customer looking for some mods. So rather than just say here is part A and B, we said, “lets get you these parts and dyno them to show how awesome these mods are”. So we are doing that and making a video for our Vivid Racing YouTube channel to show you the viewers and readers the process. This will be a 3 part blog/video series where we:

Baseline Test the GR Corolla to show you what this vehicle makes stock on 91 octane and our Mustang AWD Dyno

Open the box and install the new AWE Catback Exhaust followed by a dyno test to see gains

Finally install our plug and play VR Tuned Tuning Box Kit and dyno it to see how this further improves performance.

So Part 1 of our video below shows us doing a baseline dyno on the GR. As we said the GR Corolla is rated at 300 horsepower to the crank. Typically the Mustang Dyno has a drivetrain loss of about 20%. That puts us at around 240 all wheel horsepower that we should see. For these tests we calibrated the car in 4th gear at 4000 rpm. We did a series of 3 tests to make sure we did not have any anomalies which gives us a good baseline average. This car is stock, however the owner did remove the axle back resonator which might have given it an extra 5 horsepower. In the end, our baseline test revealed about 255awhp and 245lb/ft of torque. With our baseline checked in, we can now start the modification process.

Stay Subscribed to our YouTube Channel and our next article on the installation and post dyno results of the AWE Catback Exhaust.

Have a Toyota GR Corolla? Shop all our performance upgrades here.

[anjakrruger]

Money No Object: A Nine-Second 1979 Chevrolet Impala That Is Ready To Party

Is it love? Lust? A desire to see if the claims of a nine-second 1979 Chevrolet Impala are true? Um…yes. Everything about this silver and black B-body screams directly at the teenage delinquent in me. It begs me to haze the tires off like Australians are watching. It coerces me to fire up the genuinely big mill, find the nearest stretch of roadway that’s empty and straight as an arrow, and to lay into the throttle as long as I dare. This is a car that has truly shed just about every relation with it’s original form…forget a wheezing 305-powered sled painted in some kind of earth tone, this is a proper muscle machine. And it’s calling to the side of me that will undoubtedly yield to the pressure.

Per the ad: “Cars like this are hard to describe in words and pictures; you just have to see them in person to understand. For something this wickedly fast, it sure is beautifully built, with some super straight bodywork. We haven’t seen one this straight since, well, 1979 and even then, the factory wasn’t doing paint anywhere near this well. A few custom mods give it a predatory look, starting with that tall cowl-induction hood, but also include the bumpers tucked in tight to the bodywork, a blanked grille opening, and that beautiful two-tone paint. With a red stripe separating the black and charcoal gray, it almost looks elegant, and we love how they kept the original marker lights, emblems, and door handles. It’s almost like you could walk out, get in, and drive it to work, and technically, it is street-able. Too cool!

The interior is, of course, a racer’s environment, but they didn’t skimp on the quality. You’ll find both factory bench seats still in place, although the X-brace on the cage pretty much makes the rear seat cosmetic. But with original door panels, full carpets (with floor mats!), and a factory dash, it certainly feels familiar even with all the race gear around you. There’s a fat steering wheel with a transmission brake button, a custom ratcheting shifter on the transmission tunnel, and a custom switch panel just to the driver’s right. Factory gauges don’t tell you anything, but it’s augmented with Auto Meter dials on the steering column. 5-point harnesses, the full cage (NHRA certified and good to go through 2021!), and a cooling fan for the driver are the kinds of things that show professionals were at work here and even the windows go up and down like they should. Heck, the trunk is still big enough for a family vacation, even with dual 16-volt batteries stashed back there.

Those dual batteries are probably mandatory for the brutal Shafiroff-built 555 cubic inch big block Chevy V8, which cost $40,000 (and is a one-off) to build and can be tuned to run on alcohol or gas. It comes with a full spec sheet, but the highlights include a custom MerlinX intake, custom headers, Dart heads, and 14.7:1 compression, which all add up to about 1000 horsepower on the motor alone. The twin snorkel air cleaner looks very much like those used on the 442s in 1969, but everything else is aerospace aluminum and braided stainless. The transmission is a built Ultra Bell PowerGlide that’s deadly consistent and a carbon-fiber driveshaft feeds a Dana 60 rear end with Strange 40-spline axles and a spool inside. 4-wheel disc brakes ensure it’s safe at the big end and the exhaust system sounds brilliant exhaling through the side pipes. The stance is just about ideal, sitting on black powdercoated Weld Pro-Star wheels and 29.5×10.5R15 rear Mickey Thompson rear meats to hook it up.”

I am not strong enough, I am not worthy, but I am ready.

eBay Link: 1979 Chevrolet Impala

The post Money No Object: A Nine-Second 1979 Chevrolet Impala That Is Ready To Party appeared first on BangShift.com.

Money No Object: A Nine-Second 1979 Chevrolet Impala That Is Ready To Party published first on https://waautoparts.tumblr.com/

[dessiesanches]

Six Wild Supercars and Other Fantastic Creations at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show

We found the some of the wildest rides at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Here’s our top six finds from this year’s show floor in Switzerland.

1. Corbellati Missile. When you think of the fastest cars on Earth, you think Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and of course Corbellati. Who? Never heard of Corbellati? Neither have we, but the privately funded Italian startup is aiming its Missile (points for originality) at being the world’s fastest supercar with a terminal velocity of 500 kmh, or 310 miles per hour.

Motivation for the Missile is provided from a race-sourced, twin-turbo 9.0-liter V-8 with a paltry 1,800 horsepower. The car’s chassis is carbon fiber, as is its body. It’s the dream of the Corbellati family, and it’s just that, a dream. But hey, why not dream big?

2. Techart GrandGT Supreme. We’re already big fans of the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, and the Techart GrandGT Supreme takes an already killer machine to the proverbial next level thanks to a number of exterior enhancements, power upgrades, and a handcrafted interior.

The car on the stand at Geneva looked mean decked out in its Racing Green livery, black, five-spoke 22-inch rims, and titanium and carbon exhaust system. The German outfit also boosts up the already potent Panamera Turbo’s engine output to roughly 640 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. We’ll take our Sport Turismo with these supreme toppings anytime.

3. Flying Huntsman 6X6 Civilian Carrier by Kahn Design. We’re suckers for anything with six wheels, and when we walked by this coach built monster based on a Land Rover Defender 110 sitting on the Geneva show floor, we stopped dead. Created by the folks at Kahn Design, the Flying Huntsman is a concept vehicle that’s been designed to be eminently capable as well as luxuriously appointed and is the ultimate in Kahn’s Chelsea Truck Company line of modded Defenders.

Kahn’s engineering team added the third axle, creating a two front-wheel and four rear-wheel configuration, using 18-inch Huntsman wheels shod with Cooper Tire LTZ 275/55/20 rubber (Cooper is an official sponsor of the concept). It deploys a heavy-duty Hi-Lo ratio drive system and locking differentials, and the suspension and braking system are among the components that have been reworked.

The Flying Huntsman’s exterior is shod in a shade called Volcanic Rock, and it features several unique touches—front and rear wings and venting done in composite, and a unique front end treatment with LED headlamps, and a redone front bumper treatment.

Kahn is known for its top tier interior trim work, and the Flying Huntsman has nine seats done up in quilted leather. The steering wheel is chrome, and the rear of the vehicle has a full panoramic roof aft of the B-pillar.

The Flying Huntsman is designed to be a conversion for a Defender 110 (they already offer a pickup 6×6) but you’re going to want the optional 6.2-liter V-8 with 430 hp. If you want Kahn to build you one, it will set you back about $350,000.

4. Speedback Silverstone Edition by David Brown Automotive.

David Brown is a small British outfit of about 30 employees that has been busy creating automotive dreams of its namesake. The company’s signature car is its Speedback GT, which is designed to harken back to Britain’s golden era of 1960s GT touring cars. The company has also recently branched out into making its Mini Remastered line of Mini recreations from a similar era.

The Speedback GT is a British restomod, with a look and feel designed to evoke a bygone era, but with all of the modern conveniences of today’s vehicles. David Brown says 7,200 man-hours goes into each Speedback GT. At the Geneva show, the man himself unveiled the ultimate version of the car called the Silverstone Edition of which only 10 will be made. It features a unique Silverstone trim kit and power upgrade that has been created as a nod to the famed British track and airfield of the same name.

The car has unique tan leather seating with a special broguing done to the leather and Silverstone badge in the headrests. Outside, several special touches have been added to the bodywork, the rims and livery are unique to the car, and its 5.0-liter V-8 has been boosted to over 600 horsepower.

If an Aston Martin DB5 is far too much for your bank account to handle, then you may want to look into this hand built machine with a distinct British pedigree.

5. Metallica Drummer Nicko McBrain’s Jaguar XJ6 Don’t let its deep mauve metallic paint fool you. Though I was initially drawn to Nicko McBrain’s 34 year-old XJ6 because of the hue he refers to as “infinite purple,” what really stopped me dead in my tracks at the Jaguar stand were the sedan’s inscrutably honed details. There are the wheel arches, which are subtly flared and enlarged; the signature twin fuel fillers, which now sit flusher against the body; flavorless door handles which have been replaced with elegant Series II grips… I could go on.

Turns out no fewer than 4,000 of the car’s parts were altered, requiring a staggering 3,500 man-hours of labor. Though it bears no physical or resemblance to a supercar, maybe that’s the counter intuitive appeal of this dramatically reworked XJ6: the delight lies all in those carefully executed details, and that extraordinary level of obsessiveness is what makes this restomod a winner. That an OEM can rival Singer Reimagined in terms of fetishistically executed restomods speaks to how Jaguar values its past. All automakers should be so willing, and we should all be so lucky to have such inspirational donor cars.

—Basem Wasef

6. McLaren / Richard Mille RM 11-03

Geneva is all about boys and their toys, and the next sexiest thing to a stonking hypercar here is six-figure wrist candy. The latest revolving door of watch/car partnerships is the mashup between McLaren and Richard Mille, the high-dollar watchmaker fresh off a year-and-a-half long fling with Aston Martin. Their first lovechild is the RM 11-03, packing a kaleidoscope of psychedelic finishes whose intricacies are best observed through a loupe.

From intertwined carbon and silica filaments to a variable geometry rotor, the watch is a miniaturized compendium of advanced, low friction materials and meticulously engineered movements… sounds familiar, eh? If you’re looking at the $290,000 McLaren’s 720S, the inspiration behind the RM 11-03, you’re right on the money: these are two technically ambitious brands linked by their fondness for advanced construction and OCD attention to detail. But that teensy wristwatch packs a stupendous financial density with its $191,500 price tag, making it two-thirds the value of the 720S, only packed into an infinitesimally smaller space. Even more astounding? Production will be limited to 500 units, a number that would theoretically generate $95 million in gross revenue. Kind of takes your breath away, doesn’t it?

—B.W.

The post Six Wild Supercars and Other Fantastic Creations at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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[sethglewellen]

Six Wild Supercars and Other Fantastic Creations at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show

We found the some of the wildest rides at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Here’s our top six finds from this year’s show floor in Switzerland.

1. Corbellati Missile. When you think of the fastest cars on Earth, you think Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and of course Corbellati. Who? Never heard of Corbellati? Neither have we, but the privately funded Italian startup is aiming its Missile (points for originality) at being the world’s fastest supercar with a terminal velocity of 500 kmh, or 310 miles per hour.

Motivation for the Missile is provided from a race-sourced, twin-turbo 9.0-liter V-8 with a paltry 1,800 horsepower. The car’s chassis is carbon fiber, as is its body. It’s the dream of the Corbellati family, and it’s just that, a dream. But hey, why not dream big?

2. Techart GrandGT Supreme. We’re already big fans of the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, and the Techart GrandGT Supreme takes an already killer machine to the proverbial next level thanks to a number of exterior enhancements, power upgrades, and a handcrafted interior.

The car on the stand at Geneva looked mean decked out in its Racing Green livery, black, five-spoke 22-inch rims, and titanium and carbon exhaust system. The German outfit also boosts up the already potent Panamera Turbo’s engine output to roughly 640 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. We’ll take our Sport Turismo with these supreme toppings anytime.

3. Flying Huntsman 6X6 Civilian Carrier by Kahn Design. We’re suckers for anything with six wheels, and when we walked by this coach built monster based on a Land Rover Defender 110 sitting on the Geneva show floor, we stopped dead. Created by the folks at Kahn Design, the Flying Huntsman is a concept vehicle that’s been designed to be eminently capable as well as luxuriously appointed and is the ultimate in Kahn’s Chelsea Truck Company line of modded Defenders.

Kahn’s engineering team added the third axle, creating a two front-wheel and four rear-wheel configuration, using 18-inch Huntsman wheels shod with Cooper Tire LTZ 275/55/20 rubber (Cooper is an official sponsor of the concept). It deploys a heavy-duty Hi-Lo ratio drive system and locking differentials, and the suspension and braking system are among the components that have been reworked.

The Flying Huntsman’s exterior is shod in a shade called Volcanic Rock, and it features several unique touches—front and rear wings and venting done in composite, and a unique front end treatment with LED headlamps, and a redone front bumper treatment.

Kahn is known for its top tier interior trim work, and the Flying Huntsman has nine seats done up in quilted leather. The steering wheel is chrome, and the rear of the vehicle has a full panoramic roof aft of the B-pillar.

The Flying Huntsman is designed to be a conversion for a Defender 110 (they already offer a pickup 6×6) but you’re going to want the optional 6.2-liter V-8 with 430 hp. If you want Kahn to build you one, it will set you back about $350,000.

4. Speedback Silverstone Edition by David Brown Automotive.

David Brown is a small British outfit of about 30 employees that has been busy creating automotive dreams of its namesake. The company’s signature car is its Speedback GT, which is designed to harken back to Britain’s golden era of 1960s GT touring cars. The company has also recently branched out into making its Mini Remastered line of Mini recreations from a similar era.

The Speedback GT is a British restomod, with a look and feel designed to evoke a bygone era, but with all of the modern conveniences of today’s vehicles. David Brown says 7,200 man-hours goes into each Speedback GT. At the Geneva show, the man himself unveiled the ultimate version of the car called the Silverstone Edition of which only 10 will be made. It features a unique Silverstone trim kit and power upgrade that has been created as a nod to the famed British track and airfield of the same name.

The car has unique tan leather seating with a special broguing done to the leather and Silverstone badge in the headrests. Outside, several special touches have been added to the bodywork, the rims and livery are unique to the car, and its 5.0-liter V-8 has been boosted to over 600 horsepower.

If an Aston Martin DB5 is far too much for your bank account to handle, then you may want to look into this hand built machine with a distinct British pedigree.

5. Metallica Drummer Nicko McBrain’s Jaguar XJ6 Don’t let its deep mauve metallic paint fool you. Though I was initially drawn to Nicko McBrain’s 34 year-old XJ6 because of the hue he refers to as “infinite purple,” what really stopped me dead in my tracks at the Jaguar stand were the sedan’s inscrutably honed details. There are the wheel arches, which are subtly flared and enlarged; the signature twin fuel fillers, which now sit flusher against the body; flavorless door handles which have been replaced with elegant Series II grips… I could go on.

Turns out no fewer than 4,000 of the car’s parts were altered, requiring a staggering 3,500 man-hours of labor. Though it bears no physical or resemblance to a supercar, maybe that’s the counter intuitive appeal of this dramatically reworked XJ6: the delight lies all in those carefully executed details, and that extraordinary level of obsessiveness is what makes this restomod a winner. That an OEM can rival Singer Reimagined in terms of fetishistically executed restomods speaks to how Jaguar values its past. All automakers should be so willing, and we should all be so lucky to have such inspirational donor cars.

—Basem Wasef

6. McLaren / Richard Mille RM 11-03

Geneva is all about boys and their toys, and the next sexiest thing to a stonking hypercar here is six-figure wrist candy. The latest revolving door of watch/car partnerships is the mashup between McLaren and Richard Mille, the high-dollar watchmaker fresh off a year-and-a-half long fling with Aston Martin. Their first lovechild is the RM 11-03, packing a kaleidoscope of psychedelic finishes whose intricacies are best observed through a loupe.

From intertwined carbon and silica filaments to a variable geometry rotor, the watch is a miniaturized compendium of advanced, low friction materials and meticulously engineered movements… sounds familiar, eh? If you’re looking at the $290,000 McLaren’s 720S, the inspiration behind the RM 11-03, you’re right on the money: these are two technically ambitious brands linked by their fondness for advanced construction and OCD attention to detail. But that teensy wristwatch packs a stupendous financial density with its $191,500 price tag, making it two-thirds the value of the 720S, only packed into an infinitesimally smaller space. Even more astounding? Production will be limited to 500 units, a number that would theoretically generate $95 million in gross revenue. Kind of takes your breath away, doesn’t it?

—B.W.

The post Six Wild Supercars and Other Fantastic Creations at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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[olivereliott]

Bardahl Special: A ’48 Panhead from Switzerland

Where is the line between meticulous and just plain nuts? Because we’re sure Albert ‘Ash’ Aeschlimann crossed it at some point during this astounding build. What started out as a simple ’48 Panhead custom turned into a seven-year project—with hardly any of the original bike remaining.

Doing things ‘the right way’ is an essential part of Ash’s day job. He’s a technician at a major science museum in Switzerland, and before that, he studied architecture and worked as a carpenter. After hours, he makes magic in his workshop under the Ash Kustoms banner.

Photographer Marc Schneider tells us that Ash’s obsession began at 20, when he got into vintage Vespas. Then he saw the Indian Larry versus Billy Lane episode of The Great Biker Build Off, and was instantly hooked on custom motorcycles.

These days he draws inspiration from Japanese builders like ACE Motorcycles and Heiwa. He’s self-taught, and handles most tasks himself—outsourcing only specialist stuff like upholstery, paint and casting.

This project started off as a total basket case spread over multiple boxes. The more he tore into it, the more Ash realized that many of the parts were beyond repair, or not worth using.

During the build, Ash decided to build himself a new workshop. That ended up taking three years—and by the time he was done, his ideas about custom bike building had shifted. So he binned a whole whack of custom parts he’d already fabricated for his Pan, and started over.

The original 48 Panhead wishbone frame is one of the very few original parts now left. Wedged inside it is a 93 ci S&S Knucklehead motor, mated to a six-into-four transmission from Baker.

But even though both the engine and gearbox were new, Ash just couldn’t leave them alone. He’s replaced all the Allen head fasteners with hex or slotted numbers, for a more retro vibe.

Then he de-chromed all the shiny bits, matt-finished the polished aluminum bits, and reworked the S&S billet oil pump to look like a cast part. (The motor got a Morris Magneto ignition too.)

The S&S motor is sporting some slick detail work. Ash designed a venturi-style brass insert for the intake, then had a jewelry maker cast it in brass. And the kickstart has been modified with a pedal from an old Swiss military bicycle—Ash machined a new stainless steel axle for it, and replaced the rubbers with knurled aluminum parts.

The Panhead now rolls on custom wheels, built up from 18F/16R Akront rims by Special Wheel Company in Ditzingen. With a 36-spoke hub up front and a 40-spoke hub out back, finding a matching pair of rims was quite a job.

The rear hub is a Harley part with a hand-made cover. But at the front, Ash needed a big brake to cope with steep Swiss hills. So he’s used a repro Honda RC-162 system, with a hand-made air intake. According to Special Wheel Company, it’s the biggest drum brake hub they could fit to the 18” wheel.

All of the Panhead’s bodywork is custom, hand-shaped by Ash in his workshop. The oil tank’s particularly neat—Ash took inspiration from old hot rods, and decided to cast it out of aluminum himself.

So he built a wood form, sand cast it in two parts, and welded it up. It wasn’t quite perfect, so he then painstakingly filled in any pores with his TIG welder.

Almost everything else on the Harley is custom or modified. The front brake lever’s an original Panhead fitment modified for two-cable operation. The foot controls and their linkages were all made from scratch, and even the floorboards are one-offs.

And what you can’t see, is that every pivot point has a brass bushing and washer.

The handlebars are custom-made, and incorporate the light and horn switches—the latter taken from a classic Vespa. The speedo’s an old Smith Chronometric unit, and measures the speed at the secondary chain via an old Ford speedo cable. (Ash set it up like this purely so he could tuck the cable away).

There’s also a Smith oil gauge, with a modified dial to match the speedo.

The bike’s kill switch is from a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, and sits on top of the fuel tank. Ash used it as a homage to early bobber culture—when GIs returning from World War II started modding and racing motorcycles.

A lot of Ash’s inspiration comes from airplanes and old race cars. In this case, it was the ‘Bardahl Special’ Indy 500 racecars from the late 40s. So he sought to replicate the deep, glass-like paint job sported by machines from that era.

It took ten coats of black nitrocellulose lacquer to do the trick. Ash gave the job to the only company in Switzerland still allowed to use that type of paint: the Italian vintage car specialist Autolackiererei René Sahli.

Other nods to the original Bardahl Specials include the gold rims, white exhausts, and the custom-made oil catch can.

The saddle upholstery is just as exquisite as the livery. It has a hole in the center for quick access to the oil tank, which almost gave upholsterer Rene Wenger a heart attack.

There are probably hundreds of details that we’ve missed—like the cloth-wrapped electrical cabling, the safety wiring, and the subtle drillium.

But whether you’re far away or up close, Ash’s Panhead is a stunner like no other.

Ash Kustoms | Instagram | Images by Marc Schneider

[louisonurmark]

Dua puluh hingga tiga puluh tahun dulu kalau berbicara tentang tahun 2020, tentunya ramai yang terbayang bahawa kereta tidak lagi memerlukan jalan raya kerana sudah boleh terbang. Tinggal setahun lagi sebelum kita masuk ke tahun futuristik tersebut, nampaknya visi kereta terbang masih belum sampai, sebaliknya apa yang terjadi kini satu dunia sedang beralih dari sedan konvensional kepada kenderaan acah-acah masuk hutan – SUV.

Saya antara individu yang tak faham kenapa kita perlu keluar duit yang banyak untuk tukar tayar lebih kurang sama saiz dengan tayar lori bagi kenderaan harian, sedangkan tayar low profile adalah lebih sedap dan murah untuk kita belasah ketika mengambil selekoh di atas permukaan tar. Jadi, banyak juga saya bertanya kepada rakan-rakan dan saudara mara terdekat kenapa mereka kini lebih menggemari SUV dari kereta biasa yang lebih rendah.

Biasanya ada dua sebab mengapa mereka memilih SUV – lebih yakin dengan kereta yang tinggi bila berada di atas jalan raya terutama ketika mahu keluar dari simpang ataupun ‘minta jalan’ untuk menukar lorong atau masuk susur (alasan popular untuk makcik-makcik dan makwe-makwe) serta ada juga yang suka dengan imej rugged pada SUV seiring dengan ‘fesyen automotif’ dan gaya hidup semasa.

SUV muncul dalam pelbagai bentuk, ada yang masih true menggunakan kerangka ladder frame dan sistem 4X4 sebenar seperti Toyota Fortuner dan Isuzu MU-X, SUV dengan dalam saiz segmen-C dengan kerangka monocoque sama dengan kereta seperti Honda CR-V dan Mazda CX-5, serta ada juga yang bersaiz kompak dihasilkan dari hatchback segmen-B seperti Honda HR-V dan Mazda CX-3.

Untuk pasaran ASEAN, kita ada satu lagi SUV unik iaitu model-model yang dihasilkan dari MPV tujuh-tempat duduk segmen-B, menggunakan suspensi sedikit lebih panjang serta diberikan tayar yang lebih tebal dari kereta segmen-B biasa. Model seperti ini banyak dihasilkan di Indonesia dan pasaran republik tersebut mempunyai pelbagai model seperti Honda BR-V, Toyota Rush bersama kembarnya Daihatsu Terios serta Mitsubishi Xpander – menawarkan persaingan yang sengit.

Bagi pasaran Malaysia, kita telah menerima Honda BR-V pada Januari 2017, kemudian Toyota Rush pada Oktober tahun lalu. Persaingan ini nampaknya makin sengit pada awal tahun ini dimana model paling mampu milik telah muncul, dihasilkan oleh pembuat automotif nasional kedua, diasaskan (atau hampir sama) dari Toyota Rush iaitu Perodua Aruz.

Kami sudah tulis perbezaan antara dua model kembar Rush dengan Aruz ini sebelum model Perodua berkenaan dilancarkan lagi yang anda boleh baca DI SINI. Jadi untuk sesi kali ini, Aruz Advance yang saya uji berkenaan akan lebih cenderung dibandingkan dengan satu lagi pesaing iaitu Honda BR-V.

Dari segi casis dan mekanikal, Aruz merupakan SUV/MPV yang direka dengan konfigurasi lebih kurang sama dengan Toyota Avanza – enjin hadapan pacuan belakang (FR), dengan gandar belakang jenis hidup (live axle) bersama spring jenis gegelung. Konfigurasi seperti ini adalah lebih sesuai untuk kegunaan lasak di mana gandar jenis tersebut sememangya biasa digunakan pada jentera-jentera komersil dan juga trak pikap atau SUV ladder frame kerana rekaannya yang solid berbanding drive shaft bebas membolehkan ia lebih ‘tahan dera’ untuk laluan off-road.

Casis ini juga membolehkan Aruz direka dengan tinggi sebenar dan bukan dibuat-buat – kelegaan tanah 220 mm berbanding hanya 201 mm pada BR-V, manakala tinggi keseluruhan pula adalah 1,705 mm atau 39 mm lebih tinggi dari SUV/MPV dari Honda berkenaan.

Jadi sekiranya membeli SUV dengan alasan kerana ketinggiannya, Aruz adalah ideal untuk anda. Ketinggian Aruz ini sebenarnya bukan sahaja berguna ketika anda sekeluarga ingin ke sungai-sungai yang mempunyai air terjun untuk berkelah, malah ia juga agak sesuai untuk anda yang selalu memandu melalui jalan-jalan yang sedang dibangunkan dengan projek-projek seperti LRT3 dan sebagainya – tak perlu nak mengelak jalan tidak rata atau berlubang.

Tapi ketinggian sebegini tetap memerlukan kompromi pada aspek lain. Jika anda seorang yang biasa memandu kereta dan ‘kaki belasah corner‘, Aruz mungkin bukan SUV yang sesuai untuk anda kerana daya olengan badan yang cukup ketara. Anda juga perlu ingat, SUV ini direka bukanlah untuk prestasi ketika mengambil selekoh, tetapi lebih sebagai ‘people mover‘ yang boleh membawa tujuh orang dalam satu masa. Ketinggian ini juga menyebabkan lantainya juga turut menjadi tinggi, menyukarkan kanak-kanak berumur tiga hingga lima tahun untuk masuk sendiri ke dalam kabin.

Manakala untuk dimensi keseluruhan, Aruz dihasilkan dengan ukuran 4,435 mm panjang, 1,695 mm lebar, 1,705 mm tinggi dan jarak roda pula adalah 2,685 mm. Berbanding BR-V, Aruz 18 mm lebih pendek dan 40 mm kurang lebar, tetapi mempunyai jarak roda 23 mm lebih panjang.

Dengan dimensi ini, penumpang pada tempat duduk baris kedua boleh duduk dengan ruang lega bahagian lutut sekitar 5-inci. Jika tidak selesa untuk duduk dalam keadaan tegak, tempat duduk baris ini juga boleh dicondongkan sedikit kebelakang.

Untuk tempat duduk baris ketiga pula, orang dewasa saiz standard di Malaysia akan duduk dengan lutut yang ngam-ngam dengan perehat belakang tempat duduk baris kedua. Namun ia tidak berasa begitu kejung kerana tempat duduk tersebut tidak direka rendah, dan lutut tidak perlu ternaik tinggi yang biasanya akan menyebabkan anda terasa sesak seperti ruang yang sama pada Perodua Alza.

Bahagian ini juga diberikan pemegang cawan dan juga satu storan yang boleh memuatkan telefon bimbit dan juga snek-snek paket kecil pada kedua-dua sisi, manakala satu soket elektrik 12V ditempatkan pada bahagian kiri. Penghawa dingin? Satu blower tambahan diberikan pada kabin belakang dengan kelajuan kipas boleh dikawal (tiada kawalan suhu kerana udara yang diambil adalah disedut dari kabin hadapan tanpa unit cooling coil sendiri) dan boleh ditala terus ke muka penumpang paling belakang.

Untuk bahagian kargo, Aruz mampu untuk menampung kapasiti muatan 213 liter. Mungkin kerana lantai yang perlu dibina lebih tinggi kerana di bawahnya terdapat komponen gandar yang lebih besar, kapasiti muatan Aruz ini sebenarnya 10 liter kurang berbanding BR-V. Dan sekiranya tempat duduk ketiga dilipat (tidak rata dengan lantai), Aruz mampu menampung kapasiti 514 liter, berbanding BR-V yang lebih besar dengan 539 liter.

Sedikit nota untuk BR-V, SUV dari Honda tersebut diasaskan dari MPV tujuh tempat duduk Honda Mobilio, yang juga evolusi dari platform hatchback kompak Honda Brio. Jadi SUV MPV ini menerima enjin 1.5 liter yang memacu roda hadapan, membolehkan lantainya direka rendah kerana tiada sebarang sistem pemacu merentangi di bawahnya.

Jadi jika anda memandu BR-V, ‘ketinggian’ SUV ini tidak jauh beza dengan kereta, dan tentunya kelebihan sebuah SUV seperti yang saya highlight pada Aruz tadi tiada pada BR-V. Memandu BR-V adalah sangat hampir seperti memandu sebuah kereta sebenarnya walaupun dari luar model ini kelihatan tinggi dan lasak kerana diberikan tayar tebal bersaiz 195/60R16, kemasan-kemasan pelindung disekeliling dan juga sepasang rel pada bumbung.

Kembali pada Aruz. SUV Perodua ini dijana oleh enjin empat silinder NA 1.5 liter 2NR-VE – enjin yang sama seperti Perodua Myvi dan Toyota Avanza – berkuasa 105 PS pada 6,000 rpm dan 136 Nm tork pada 4,200 rpm. Soalan lazim, cukup power ke nak panjat Genting? Ini bukan kali pertama enjin sekecil ini diletakkan pada SUV sebegini, malah Perodua Kembara sebelum ini juga berkongsi enjin 1.3 DVVT dengan Myvi generasi ketika itu.

Formulanya mudah, jurutera hanya perlu menala semula nisbah gear kepada nisbah yang lebih besar – seperti pemilik motosikal menukar sprocket rantai di roda belakang sama ada mahu pecutan lebih baik atau ‘lajak’ untuk lebih kelajuan maksima. Jadi dengan kotak gear empat kelajuan manual ini, tiada masalah untuk Aruz memecut seperti kereta biasa walaupun dengan tujuh-penumpang penuh.

Namun nisbah gear berkenaan menyebabkan enjin agak mengaum melebihi 3,000 rpm pada kelajuan sekitar 110-120 km/j. Tetapi jika anda sudah biasa, ngauman tersebut sebenarnya tidak menggangu pemanduan pun.

Agak berbeza dengan BR-V yang menggunakan kotak gear CVT tanpa nisbah tetap, model Honda berkenaan boleh dipandu dengan putaran enjin di bawah 3,000 rpm untuk kelajuan yang sama setelah momentum cukup dan pemandu steady dengan pedal pendikit. Ia juga mempunyai mod ‘S’ membolehkan anda memecut dengan gaya lebih sporty.

Jadi mana yang perlu dipilih, Aruz atau BR-V? Sekiranya anda masih lagi tidak faham apa yang saya bebelkan panjang lebar pada tulisan diatas, mari saya buat kesimpulan mudah – kalau anda jenis pemandu yang mahukan ketinggian sebagai kunci untuk anda mendapatkan keyakinan, atau anda selalu ke kawasan pedalaman yang perlu melalui laluan off-road ringan, Aruz adalah pilihan yang paling sesuai.

Sebaliknya anda dari golongan kedua yang hanya mahukan gaya lasak sebuah SUV, tetapi masih lagi mahukan sedikit prestasi seperti kereta biasa pada jalan tar biasa, BR-V lebih sesuai untuk anda.

Dan akhir sekali jika anda tidak kisah dengan dua faktor di atas tetapi hanya harga yang menentukan segalanya, sudah tentu Aruz harus dipilih. Perodua Aruz Advance yang saya uji ini dijual pada harga atas jalan tanpa insuran RM77,900 – menerima pelbagai ciri termasuk lampu hadapan automatik, lampu kabus hadapan, rel bumbung, skid plate, tempat duduk kulit (1.5X menggunakan fabrik), roda stereng dan tombol gear dibalut kulit, kemasan piano black pada papan pemuka serta skrin sesentuh dengan fungsi SmartLink dan paparan kamera undur.

Manakala untuk keselamatan pula, ia dipadankan dengan pakej keselamatan aktif Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0 terdiri dari sistem Pre-collision Warning, Pre-collision Braking, Front Departure Alert dan Pedal Misoperation Control. Untuk kesemua model termasuk varian asas 1.5X yang berharga RM72,900, Aruz hadir standard dengan rim aloi 17 inci dua tona dengan tayar 215/60R17, sistem masuk tanpa kunci dengan butang penghidup enjin, enam-beg udara, ABS, EBD, BA, VSC, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control dan cagak Isofix pada tempat duduk baris kedua.

Aruz juga direka dengan pelbagai ciri yang ‘mesra Malaysia’ seperti Myvi termasuk peranti Smart Tag dan dashcam bina dalam, port USB yang terletak pada sisi tempat duduk pemandu yang membolehkan anda mengecas gajet tanpa wayar yang berselirat pada papan pemuka, dua memori larasan penghawa dingin dan juga cangkuk keselamatan pada sisi bahagian dalam tempat duduk hadapan bagi mengelakkan kejadian pecah dan ragut beg tangan wanita.

BR-V pula untuk model asas E ia hadir tanpa skrin sesentuh bagi sistem infotaimen, kamera undur, sistem kunci pintar dan suis penghidup enjin, upholsteri kulit, serta butang kawalan audio pada stereng, dijual pada harga RM83k atau RM4k lebih mahal dari model spesifikasi penuh Perodua Aruz Advance. Model varian spesifikasi penuh BR-V V pula dijual pada harga RM90k.

PANDU UJI: Perodua Aruz 1.5 Advance – benar-benar SUV atau sekadar kenderaan gaya hidup masa kini? Dua puluh hingga tiga puluh tahun dulu kalau berbicara tentang tahun 2020, tentunya ramai yang terbayang bahawa kereta tidak lagi memerlukan jalan raya kerana sudah boleh terbang.