The second segment of our video review series is up! In this video, we take you on some local back roads to test out the impressive handling characteristics of the SS. This includes:
-Overall Handling Impressions
-Steering Feel
-Tire Performance
-Electronic Rev-Match Function
-Highway Manners
Check it out!
Our next video covers some of the neat interior features found on the SS!
Thanks for watching!
-John
Good news! Our first prototype intercooler pipe kit is complete. We can now evaluate both fitment and functionality on our Fiesta. Let's take a look at each pipe we created.
First we have the more complex pipe of the pair, the cold-side.
Complexity comes in the way of multiple bends combined with numerous pipe-mounted features. To the right side of the pipe, you can see the flat flange that serves as a mounting point for the factory pressure sensor. This flange is CNC-machined to provide a proper seal.
Just down the pipe from this flange you can see a mounting bracket and a nipple. The bracket is a component that may be eliminated from our design. We are evaluating the rigidity of the design with and without the additional bracket to determine if it is needed. The nipple attaches to a quick disconnect vacuum line running throughout the engine bay. Here is another look at the pipe.
We're back with another quick update on our TGV delete project for the 2015+ WRX. After designing our initial models and then 3D-printing a prototype for test fitting, we worked up a couple functional prototypes for on-car testing.
Check out a few images of our functional prototype deletes!
As you can see, we have two different prototypes. Although the shape and design are the same, these prototypes are composed of different materials. The polished unit is a CNC-machined aluminum piece. The black prototype is machined from Delrin, a thermoplastic material.
We want to explore any differences in intake temperatures provided by the alternate materials. As you can imagine, thermoplastic has very low thermal conduction properties, meaning it is less likely to heat-soak and is more resistant to heat transfer. That said, the surface area that actually comes into contact with the internal
Great news from the Mishimoto garage! We have tested and fitted the final iteration of our airbox design for this prototype MK7 intake. We made some minor adjustments for fitment and ease of installation, but more on that later. This has been an interesting project from the start because of the uniqueness of this box design - check it out!
Once this prototype system was ready to go, we prepared it for final fitting into the MK7. The next step is paint! The final products will be powder coated, with the intake pipe color options ranging from wrinkle black/red powdercoat or chrome polish. So the painted parts below are just for visualization purposes.
As seen above, this version of the box has the SAI (secondary air injection) attachment. Also, compared to the previous version you've seen, the airbox lid is slightly different. There are now two bends instead of one on the lid, which drops
Our Camaro catch can project continues! If you follow our development posts on the forums, please be sure to cast additional votes for our bracket design and silicone hose color. We are interested in obtaining as much feedback/opinion as possible so we can bring to market exactly the kit you want to see. So far, we've inspected the stock systems, selected a catch can location, and designed our initial bracket prototype. The final developmental phase includes constructing our direct-fit lines that will run from the PCV to the catch can, and from the catch can to the intake manifold.
Before showing our progress with that, I'd like to cover some of the neat aspects of our catch can.
We've hinted on the forums that the catch can we use is not your typical empty can stuffed with steel wool. Our baffled oil catch can is a highly engineered
We've made some progress with testing our E46 intake and the dyno results are finally in! This intake was put through some extensive testing and it held up to the abuse with consistent and repeatable output numbers. Let's see how our finalized prototype fits on the car!
Prototype E46 intake ready for the dyno
E46 parts fitment
E46 parts mocked up in the engine bayDo you see the weather stripping on top of the heat shield? That will seal right onto the bottom of the hood to create a barrier between the filter and the hot ambient temperatures in the engine bay.
Keep in mind that this is just a revised prototype from the version we showed in our last post. Here, the coupler is now wrapped in five layers of black silicone. The final product will look much more complete!
Please note, our test car was outfitted with aftermarket headers, so results will certainly vary from vehicle to vehicle. Check out our data below!
E46 parts testingOur intake really opens up the airflow to
To confirm the dimensions and design of our prototype, we decided to utilize some of our rapid prototyping tools. We fired up our 3D printer and loaded the model. Check out a couple images showing the progress of the print.
Once the printing process was complete, we cleaned up the prototypes and installed them on our 2015 WRX to verify fitment.
You will notice these prototypes include a rear flange to attach to the TGV solenoid. We experimented with a design that retains the flange, in order to bolt the stock solenoids in place for visual inspection purposes. After evaluating this setup, we decided the flange was unnecessary and removed it from the design. Our two functional prototypes will be more similar to our original 3D models.
With fitment confirmed, we began working up a couple functional prototypes for product
The second segment of our video review series is up! In this video, we take you on-board our SS for a quick drive and some basic first impressions. In this video we cover:
-Driving Modes
-Exhaust and Intake Sound
-Wide Open Throttle Pull
-Highway Manners
Check it out!
Our next video will feature some additional driving footage which highlights the handling of the SS.
Thanks for watching!
-John
Mini Cooper S's have always been fun little hatchbacks with large potential. True enjoyment comes during track days thanks to with their small and light chassis and a lively power-plant. The story is no different here with the newest model Mini Cooper S which is the most recent test subject to make into our garage for some intake R&D.
Our goal here is to provide an enhanced driving experience to those purchasing our Mini Cooper air intake. Let's jump into the stock intake to see what we're working with!
The factory air-box is a fairly standard design. There is a mass airflow sensor right after the airbox, so an aftermarket intake that won't require a tune would need to stay within the stock piping diameter threshold.
With any larger piping, the MAF won't properly read the increased airflow without being taught how to do so, causing the vehicle to run incorrectly. This can also cause potential damage
The starting point for this Camaro oil catch can project is to determine the location of the catch can. Our can will be mounted by a direct-fit bracket specifically designed for the Camaro.
Our goal is to create a kit that is stock-like in appearance and allows for easy draining and servicing.
After considering a variety of locations for the can, we decided that the driver-side strut tower would be ideal.
In the image above you can see the stock bracing on our SS. This brace ties the cowl into the strut towers. Our plan is to utilize the two mounting bolts on the tower for our catch can bracket. Below, the bolts are removed for collection of measurements.
Using measurements from the vehicle and our catch can, we quickly designed a prototype
