Monthly Archives: February 2012

Honda S2000 from Down Under

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I recently went through canibeat.com and saw this super clean Honda S2000.  If it’s not old school Volkswagen’s I’m diggin’, I’m definitely awestruck by rad looking roadsters. And this S2000 is getting my full attention.

The owner of this car, Vyet Le did a great job of modding his car tastefully and not overdone in any way. The Volk CE28N’s have what I consider to be a perfect fit. The power mods seem minimal (why mess with a good thing?). Actually, it reminds me of our very own resident engineer’s,  Shuichiro, S2000.

Check it out at

http://www.canibeat.com/2011/12/track-inspired-s2000-outlaw-in-the-outback/#more-39682

I’ve wanted a roadster (among many other vehicles) for some time now. I’m hoping to get into one someday soon, too. So in the meantime, I’ll just keep on gawking at all the rad roadsters that pop up on my Google search. Or, maybe I can borrow Shuichiro’s S2000…

Mad Mike’s MADBUL RX-7

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As some of you that follow the sport of drifting internationally may already know, Mad Mike Whiddett is clearly MAD. His RX-7 has to be one of the most unique ones in competition (as if the standard in Formula D isn’t already insane). We’ve posted about his car before. Looks like he’s got more in store for next year.

Speedhunters.com shared a video of some recent changes made to the MADBUL RX7. Check it out

So it looks like this beasts 4-rotor motor is now putting out 674 horsies. To the wheels, that is. This isn’t the usual LS V8, or some crazy crate motor we’re used to seeing Stateside. And dang,,, that rotary sound!!! Add to that, a reduction in vehicle weight and he’s now got a super competitive platform.

Check out the specs, and more on the driver right from his website

http://www.madmike.co.nz/

Rally xD Sno*Drift 2012

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January 27th 2012 saw the start of the Rally America Championship series, and the TEIN sponsored Sparco Rally xD is off to a great start.

The Rally xD team managed to nab a 2nd in class win in spite of the frigid temperatures of Atlanta, Michigan and the subsequent snowy/icy/slushy road conditions they faced.

Andrew-Comrie Picard and Jeremy Wimpey returned once again as driver/ co-driver, piloting the xD expertly against the likes of Fiestas and Focuses, and even some Evo’s and STi’s.

 

After the event was finished and the team returned to sunny SoCal, the Specialized HG Dampers were removed from the xD and brought to us for a tear down and refresh before the next event.
Close, in-house repairs are definitely an advantage when you need your products back ASAP.

The next Rally America event will be February 24-25th in Salem, Missouri.

Check back for more coverage and results of the TEIN sponsored Sparco Rally xD in future Rally America events.

(Pictures via rallyxd.com & scion.com)

Multi-Link Suspensions and MacPherson Suspension-Camber Adjustability

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There has been many customers inquiring about the Upper Mounts with Camber adjustability.

Yes, we do offer Upper Mounts with Camber adjustability and they are offered for certain applications, with MacPherson Struts type suspension.

Here is a quick look at a MacPherson strut and why it is able to be used with a Camber plate.

MacPherson Strut Type – A design in which the strut connects to the hub assembly directly to the chassis of the vehicle. No upper arm is used to control the movement of the hub. This design usually allows the camber and caster angle of the suspension to be adjusted from the upper mounts. Some vehicles with front struts may not use camber adjustable mounts because of limited space in the strut tower or major design differences of upper mount designs.

 

Multi-Link aka Shock Type – Independent or multi-link type suspensions utilize a shock. An upper and lower control are used to control movement of the hub. (double A-Arm, wishbone, etc…). This design does not allow camber or caster adjustment to be made from the upper mounts since all it will be doing is moving the coil over from one side to the other without adjusting camber since it does not bolt on directly to the hub for camber or caster adjustments.

 

The Upper Mount below is a Camber Adjustable plate offered for some applications with MacPherson type Coilovers.

The below Pillow Ball Upper Mount is for Multi-Link Suspension it is not camber adjustable but it is a good replacement of the OEM Upper Mount since a NWB spherical bearing is used in place of the rubber bushing, which allows for improved tire grip and more accurate wheel alignment.