Turbo: Once Round the Block

by Eric Hsu

Two videos after the jump of the development process of the 1986 Cosworth GBA 1.5L V6 engine. The video also covers the development of the ECU and car, but what interested me more was the 4 cylinder Cosworth BD that was built as a tester on the engine dyno and its failure mode. This was before the time of CAD, FEA, CFD, and all that computer mumbo jumbo. 25 years ago it was all about your past experience and empirical testing which is a lot closer to how things are done in most parts of the tuning parts market today.

Project Racer: Back to the Track with NASA, Part Two

By Annie Sam

Our last article gave you a brief introduction to the learning curve for the average driver through the different stages of HPDE (High Performance Driving Event). As promised, this month’s article will give you a little more detailed tutorial on the basics of driving on the road course. Keep in mind that since this Project NASA PT car is an NX2000, the information given here pertains primarily to FWD vehicles, the typical drivetrain of many compact racing cars.

Follow Annie's travels in the world of Motorsports here!

NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill with BMC Tool Racing, Part 2

by Eric Hsu

In part 2, I cover most of the engine and some of the drama with the engine and engine installation. Racing's never easy is it? I included pictures of some of the engine's internals and components selected for the turbo Mazda DISI/MZR hybrid power plant.

Turbosmart Comp-Gate40 Wastegate

by Eric Hsu

A trick, tiny, high flowing, new wastegate from Turbosmart Australia. I used a pair on the Sierra Sierra EVO. Good enough for Sierra Sierra, plenty good for you (or those of us with normal cars). The tiny package size means you can fit this wastegate in almost any engine bay.

Technobabble: The Garden Sprayer That Won 2 Championships

By Dave Coleman

That free garden sprayer still travels with me to every race, and topping off the coolant with it is a standard part of every Eyesore Racing pit stop. The procedure is simple. Just pump it up to 20 or 25 psi before the stop, then plug it into the radiator hose when the car arrives and open the valve. The 20-psi water in the bottle flows into the 12-psi cooling system, blowing the relief valve on the radiator cap.

Ask Sarah: Holiday Stocking Stuffers

Revspeed Super Battle Time Attack 2010 - Tsukuba Japan

by Eric Hsu

This isn't full event coverage, but just some info on a few of the cars present at Revspeed's Super Battle Time Attack. The Garage Revolution FD almost beats the HKS EVO's time at Tsukuba. Some pictures and videos inside.

NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill with BMC Tool Racing, Part 1

by Eric Hsu

Part 1 of BMC Tool Racing's story to get to the 2010 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Inside are images of parts of the cars including some new aero, new coolng system, and of course a turbocharged Cosworth/Mazda engine. 400+bhp in a sub 1500lb car? Hell yeah! The only catch is that it has to last for 25 hours...

Project Racer- Back to the Track with NASA

By Annie Sam

Of all of the various sanctioning bodies I have run with, I feel that NASA has the best program for the beginner driver by far.  NASA’s HDPE or High Performance Driving Event program can take a driver safely from a raw beginner to an experienced track driver ready for driving school and wheel to wheel racing.

Follow Annie's travels in the world of Motorsports here!

Cosworth XFE ChampCar Engine on Dyno

by Eric Hsu

Cosworth's last CART/CCWS engine revs to 12,000rpm on the engine dyno with glowing headers and all. A 2.65L V8 that revs to "only" 12,000rpm with approximately 7.5psig of boost = 750bhp.