Page 12 - Engineering

The Bronco is back, which is basically old news at this point. However, as the hum of excitement subsides for this legend's return, the buzz is now shifting to the endless possibilities to customize and accessorize this off-roading machine. Naturally, Ford anticipated the owner's needs to personalize their Broncos, launching the line with a plethora of accessories to appear more adventurous and act the part. However, missing from the catalog was a means of adding a layer of protection against the onslaught of blow-by on the intake tract. Not to worry, though, since we here at Mishimoto wanted to ensure that you had options in that department.

Some of you might be asking what blow-by is and what it has to do with your intake system, while keen Bronco enthusiasts are also questioning the need for a catch can system on 2.7L EcoBoost's dual-injection system. Well, we're glad you asked! So, make sure you

The big BMW M's, like the F1X M5 and M6, are the young executives of the automotive world. They're powerful yet hungry for more. They're decisive and maneuver with precision, but most importantly, they're cool under pressure. Sometimes though, they can lose their cool, and for the M5s and M6s of this era, the oil cooler tends to be the source of their undoing. Luckily, we've already started on our plan to help the F1X's keep climbing the performance ladder.

Before we dig into our plans to improve the M5's oil cooler, let's take a look at the OEM cooler. BMW engineers are masters of packaging. Effective use of space is the name of the game, and when it comes to fitting the array of coolers on the front of their powerhouse sedans. In the case of the oil cooler, the engineers mounted this heat exchanger horizontal and right at the edge of the M5's big-mouthed fascia and perpendicular with the rest of the cooling stack. This mounting method means that the cooler effectively utilizes the

When manufacturers launch their new vehicle platforms, like the Bronco's highly anticipated return, it's often linked with the flagship engine option that makes it the "true version" of that vehicle. A second, much more budget-friendly powerplant option is often available but carries the stigma of being an imposter. When it comes to the Bronco, though, this couldn't be further from the case. 

The 2.3L EcoBoost nestled under the hood might be two cylinders and one turbo short of the highfalutin 2.7L twin-turbo V6, but this buff four-banger was already good enough to dominate the mid-sized truck market by being the only engine option for the Ranger. The 270 horsepower and mighty 309 ft/lbs of torque matched with the mind-bending off-roading capabilities make this iteration

As every enthusiast grows, so do their vehicles of choice. Naturally, this calls for a compromise, where speed and 0-60 times give way to practicality and MPG ratings. Luckily, Ford knew many of us enthusiasts weren't ready to compromise just yet and delivered the perfect middle ground in the form of an Explorer brandishing the ST badge. This Explorer might seem like a compromise, but it still grows with you.

The same can be said for the blow-by produced by the 3.0L EcoBoost. The ST trimmed Explorers might be a new addition to Ford's lineup, but the more miles they soak up, the more of the murky stuff that makes its way back through the intake tract. Case in point, our collections. In the case of the Explorer ST, we had the opportunity to collect blow-by after our typical 1000-mile preliminary test period, as well as after 2300 miles.

Ford's latest iteration of the Bronco is designed for the high road. Ford sidelined its purpose-built off-road machine for quite some time but wanted to ensure that the return of such a legendary model would tackle the wilderness with ease and better than the stiff competition. Ford put mountains of thought and engineering into the modern Broncos to earn the true meaning of G.O.A.T. mode. Even after the extended time spent engineering the Bronco's return, a few aspects could leave the Bronco in the dust, precisely when it comes to the intercooling system. Lucky for you, though, we're already on the case to ensure that your 2.3L or 2.7L's charged air temperatures are properly managed for true off-road domination.

Before we dive into our grand intercooler scheme, though, it's always a

BMW's M Division is locked in the perpetual pursuit of driving perfection. So with the launch of each new M3, the bar for the luxury performance sedan is raised. From the scrappy S13 powered E30 to our big nostriled G80, BMW evolved the M3 to harness mind-bending performance while keeping you, the driver, quilted in utmost luxury.

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need to tear down our brand new M3 shortly after it rolls into the Mishimoto R&D facility, but BMW isn't the only one chasing perfection. Plenty who choose the M3 or M4 for their means of transportation are attracted by the platform's additional potential. One of the keys to unlocking that potential is through the intercooler's heat exchanger.

If you're scratching your head at the notion of a heat exchanger, that's

Just as the Civic Type R evolved into a tarmac devouring beast of a hot-hatchback, we here at Mishimoto have kept up with the K20C1's induction needs. Our entire race intake setup unleashes more of the CTR's competitive spirit on the track, but what about those not ready for complete custom tuning yet? Enter our performance turbo inlet kit fresh off the production line.

If you're looking to update your FK8's intake system but conflicted on which Mishimoto set up to grab, make sure that you check out our video on the benefits of each system, but make sure to keep reading for specifics on our inlet kit:

It's old news that the FK8 Honda Civic Type R is a record-setting speed machine. Now that the years have passed, plenty of drivers are looking for ways to take the Civic's record-setting run even further, and we're ready to deliver the solution.

There's no shortage of speed when it comes to the Civic Type R, but we wanted to unlock even more gumption from the K20C1 with our race intake kit. Before we dig into our performance testing results, though, let's just take a minute to admire Ye's hard work:

In our

No matter what brand is plastered across the front of your truck, the key proponent for purchasing it was rugged dependability. Toyota has long bolstered its name as one of the most unstoppable truck manufacturers out there. Toyotas are the preferred machine for traversing these environments from desolate deserts, swampy jungles, or just across the construction site. Toyota's quest for tough trucks didn't' stop with their full-sized Tundra, but as the miles rack up, there are some chinks appearing in this truck's armor, precisely when it comes to the cooling system.

A dependable cooling system is vital for the Tundra's workhorse status, which might hold up for most drivers. However, the harder these trucks work, the more stress is added to the factory radiator. Over time, the constant heat cycles of hot coolant degrade the plastic end tanks, which we saw firsthand on our donor truck.

The 2018+ Honda Accord is more than just a family-friendly grocery-getter. We've been hammering this point home since we first laid eyes on Honda's tenth-generation mid-sized sedan. No matter if you're being propelled by the 1.5T or 2.0T, these new-fangled turbocharged Honda motors add the much-needed dash of spice into the daily commute. This platform rolls off the factory floor with loads of potential too. Just how much potential, you ask? Well, to find out, we ran a series of tests on our loaner 2.0T Accord Sport to collect baseline readings along with torture tests for our intercooler design.

Upgrading your intercooling system is all about keeping your intake air temperatures down. Like we've mentioned before, heat-soaking the intercooler is not very practical for your sporty sedan. Hotter air doesn't compress as well as cool, charged