We review the latest products from the tuning & styling aftermarket.
M-Style is pleased to announce it now has lowering spring sets from AC Schnitzer for BMW F40 models.
AC Schnitzer springs are uprated compared to the standard factory springsHowever, they are not overly so, meaning that they provide improved handling and cornering without making the day-to-day ride uncomfortable.
The set of four springs is just £369 inc. VAT and M-Style can provide fitting for just £90 inc. VAT.
For further details e-mail info@mstyle.co.uk or call 0208 598 9115
M-Style now has genuine carbon fibre shift paddles for most BMW models. Not only do they look fantastic they also incorporate a red rubber back for a surer grip when shifting enthusiastically.
The paddles are £219 per pair inc. VAT and are simple to fit. However, if you prefer M-Style can fit them for you for just £60 inc. VAT.
For further details e-mail info@mstyle.co.uk or call 0208 598 9115
The latest Mk2 version of the Ford Transit Connect features a redesigned suspension; despite this, leading suspension tuner GAZ has been experimenting to see how it can be improved.
The fruits of their labours is the new GAZ GHA suspension kit for the Connect Mk2 that provides ride height adjustability from -25mm to -55mm. The lowering of the centre of gravity improves both road holding and handling.
The height adjusters have a coarse acme form thread for ease of adjustment and the damper units are zinc plated to ensure that they remain in good order – even after considerable service.
Damper rates are variable by means of an adjuster knob on the damper body. The damper rate can be adjusted to suit the load being carried or for improved performance.
All the units are individually tested before leaving the factory and are covered by a two year warranty.
The GAZ Coilover Kit for the Ford Transit Connect Mk2 retails at £658.21 plus VAT per kit.
For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com
The original straight six powered Rover P5 models were heavy cars with wishbones and torsion bar suspension at the front and a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The suspension was improved on the MkII version but the car was still overweight; it was not until the lighter aluminium V8 engine was introduced on the 3.5 litre model that the weight reduced and the handling improved.
Happily, modern technology can help and GAZ is now producing fully adjustable suspension dampers for the P5.
GAZ GT dampers will provide variable bump and rebound rates which can be adjusted to suit the conditions and driving style. The damping rates can be altered by means of an easily accessible knob on the side of the units.
GAZ can set the dampers up for general road use, but they will also be suitable for occasional track slalom and sprint use or, they can even be set up for serious classic racing use if you so wish.
All units are individually tested before leaving the factory and are covered by a two year warranty.
GAZ GT dampers for the Rover P5 retail from £70.67 each plus VAT
For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com
Some may say that the third generation Esprit was low enough already, but others are of a different opinion. For the latter group GAZ Shocks now has coilover dampers that lower the maximum ride height of the car by 25mm and provide a further 30mm of lowering should it be required.
The height adjusters have a coarse acme form thread for ease of adjustment and the damper units are zinc plated to ensure that they remain in good order even after considerable service.
Damper rates are also variable by means of an adjuster knob on the damper body.
All the units are individually tested before leaving the factory and are covered by a two year warranty.
GAZ Coilover Kits are available for Lotus Esprit (Third Generation) and retail at £561.04 plus VAT and carriage per kit.
For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com
Fidanza now offers a performance lightweight aluminum flywheel that will fit both the Mazda RX7 (1987-1995) and the RX-8 (2004-2007). The Fidanza design team first analyzed the original to see where engineering improvements were needed. These included improvements to overall balance and critical clearances as well as the overall design for better performance.
The Fidanza flywheel is machined from the highest quality aluminum and manufactured to deliver optimum tensile strength, heat dissipation and weight reduction, without becoming too light thereby causing poor idle and driving issues (as found with some of the ultra-lightweight competitors). Fidanza Flywheels aren’t always the lightest, but they are the best!
Benefits:
• High performance and lighter weight to free additional horsepower
• Military grade fasteners for reliability and strength
• Bolt-on replaceable friction plate – no need to replace the compete flywheel when the friction surface
eventually wears out
• Stepped dowels
• Billet aluminum body
• Replaceable hardened 1050 steel ring gear
• Faster throttle response
• 40-60 percent lighter than stock for quicker acceleration
• Heat treated friction plate for optimum grip and long life
Purchase directly from www.fidanza.com at $682.96 (plus shipping and import tax).
For further details contact sales@fidanza.com
DEI has just closed the door on annoying rattles, squeaks and vibrations on the Mazda MX-5 with its new Door Vibration Damping Kit.
DEI Door Vibration Damping Kit No. 50296 is suitable for use on all MX-5 years and models.
The kits include four 6″x12″ pre-cut Boom Mat® pads and two 2″x24″ tape strips for the complete sound and vibration solution.
The door kit reduces noise and vibrations from the metal body and keeps the interior quieter, thus improving interior acoustics.
The Boom Mat® material easily conforms to bends and curves and is thin and pliable enough to fit into tight spaces. An easy-to-peel self-adhesive backing makes the material simple to install.
The DEI Door Vibration Damping Kit No. 50296 retails at £18.55 plus import tax and shipping.
DEI can also provide a nine-piece complete interior insulation kit (#50600) for the Mazda’s metal floor, firewall, rear bulkhead and rear deck and a Mazda MX-5 Pre-Cut Insulation Kit (#50295) that replaces existing padding and insulation with the company’s UC Lite™ material.
For more information about this and DEI’s complete line of performance heat and sound control products, visit www.DesignEngineering.com.
To keep up with the very latest DEI product introductions and company news connect with DEI on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe to DEI’s You Tube channel.
As major Quaife dealers Burton Power can now offer the Quaife ATB Differential for the Ford Atlas 16 spline axle which was originally fitted to the 1960’s Transit Mk1 and later to the powerful Capri Mk2/3 V6 models, 2.0/2.3 Cortinas and the Sierra based P100s pick ups. This unit is also ideal for use in competition Escorts.
The Quaife ATB is a direct replacement for the standard ‘open’ differential.
Unlike a conventional plate-style limited slip unit, these units employ gears, rather than clutch plates for a much smoother operation. The Quaife ATB automatically biases the torque, to a constantly varying degree, away from the spinning wheel across the axle to the wheel that still has traction. It never locks up. Thus controlled power is delivered to all the driven wheels, maximising traction and minimising wheelspin, particularly in slippery conditions.
It is safe, progressive and seamless in action. It has been designed to work in harmony with road car OEM electronic stability programs. It will improve braking performance, minimise ABS intrusion and reduce tyre wear, especially on front wheel drive cars.
The Quaife ATB 16 Spline Differential can be ordered as part number QUALSD2 at £660.00 inc. VAT
for further details contact Burton Power on 0208 554 2281
www.burtonpower.com
Burton Power is now offering Burton PowerLeads for the Ford Cosworth BD Series 16v engines.
Burton PowerLeads are manufactured using a premium 8mm ignition cable which is ideal for all applications, including high performance use.
The ferromagnetic core benefits from a Kevlar and fibreglass base. A ferromagnetic compound is extruded onto the core which is tightly wound with a stainless steel resistance wire that has been bound with a conductive lacquer. This design ensures maximum spark quality with virtually zero voltage loss while suppressing 99.9% of all electromagnetic interference. The cable has a resistance of 5.6Kohm/metre (nom) and a temperature rating from -40 to +220°C.
Burton PowerLeads Set for the Ford Cosworth BD Series 16v engines is supplied in blue, as shown, or classic black and can be ordered as part number BPL08BK at £64.99 inc. VAT.
Applications:
Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600 1970-1974
Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 1975-1977
BDA 1.6 road engine
BDB/BDC 1.7 rally/race engine
BDD 1.6 race Atlantic engine
BDE 1.8 race engine
BDG 2.0 race engine
BDH 1.3 race engine
BDJ 1.1 race engine
BDP 2.0 race engine
Caterham Super Seven BDR 1.6/1.7 engine
BDT 1.8 RS200 engine
BDX 2.0+ race engine
Note: Only suits engines using later type Lucas 43/45D4 distributor, NOT 23/25D4 type.
for further details contact Burton Power on 0208 554 2281
www.burtonpower.com
In the executive car-range, the Audi models with 50 and 55 TFSI e engines combine the strengths of an electric drive with the advantages of an internal combustion engine. Over short distances, these plug-in hybrids can be driven purely electrically and thus quietly and with zero local emissions. On long journeys, an efficient TFSI petrol engine ensures that there is no need to worry about range or charging infrastructure. Even the chapter on driving pleasure is well defined thanks to generous series performance. With the new ABT Power performance upgrades* it now even gets really sporty. They are available for the Audi Q5 (SUV and Sportback), the A6 (Avant and Sedan) and the A7 Sportback, which have the efficient 2.0 TFSI e on board as a plug-in hybrid drive. ABT Sportsline customers will then hit the road with an impressive system output of up to 425 HP (313 kW) and a maximum torque of up to 550 Nm.
In all of the above models, the TFSI petrol engine produces 265 HP (195 kW) and 370 Nm ex works. With the electric motor connected, the system output of the 50 TFSI e is 299 HP (220 kW) and 450 Nm. The 55 TFSI e has a total of 367 HP (270 kW) and 500 Nm. The use of the high-tech ABT Engine Control (AEC) boosts the combustion engine in both cases to 315 HP (232 kW) and 430 Nm. In the case of the 50 TFSI e, this results in a system performance of 357 HP (262 kW) and 500 Nm. The 55 TFSI e even has 425 HP (313 kW) and 550 Nm. The A6 and A7 are thus in good company with the extremely sporty S models. In the Q5, the 55 TFSI e is already the most powerful variant and further increases its claim to leadership with the ABT Power performance upgrade.
As always, ABT Sportsline, the world’s largest automotive aftermarket and performance parts specialist for Audi and VW, also offers modifications for the appearance, such as sporty and elegant rims. All vehicle models and combination options can be found in the ABT configurator.