Project Garage Part I: Introduction

By Sarah Forst

When I was looking for a house, I knew I needed a bathroom, a kitchen, and a bedroom, but right up there with those priorities was a large garage. Since Monster Garage, freebie style, isn't too probable, thus begins Project Garage, budget style.

Project Garage Part I covers installing additional electrical outlets, insulation, and drywall in an unfinished garage space.

[Read the rest of this article...]

Ask Sarah- DSM Fuel System Tips

By Sarah Forst

Dear Sarah

I read your last article about using a properly sized fuel system and wondered if my fuel system is adequate enough for when I finish my engine build.  I have a 1995 Eclipse GS-T that I’m upgrading to the 16G turbo.  Is there an easy way to determine how big of injectors or fuel pump I need so I don’t run out of fuel at full boost?  Any other helpful hints?

David H.

Got a Tech Question?  Email Sarah at asksarah@motoiq.com

[Read the rest of this article...]

Ask Sarah

By Sarah Forst

I know back pressure is bad. Everything I remember about high school physics and everything I read over the years from SCC and Honda Tuning tells me back pressure is bad. I made that statement the other night at the pub to a friend. I found myself trying to make the argument without any scientific facts. He drives a 5 year old Mustang GT and claims he needs back pressure for his engine to work. He claims to have dynoed it with open headers and it lost power.

Got a Tech Question?  Email Sarah at asksarah@motoiq.com

[Read the rest of this article...]

The Dog II

By Sarah Forst and Mike Kojima

Photography by Jeff Naeyaert & Steve Mitchell

Racing, performance, Nissan Sentra and basket case are not words that usually go together. This is a story of how a sophisticated race car was built from a pile of parts with a double dose of hard work and intestinal fortitude.

[Read the rest of this article...]

Ask Sarah-Hey Sarah, what did the cost of all the Phase 3 mods on project Ruckus cost?

By Sarah Forst

If bling isn’t your thing, you can skip some of the pretty stuff and save about $600 but to get to the 50mph, open your wallet. READ ON...

Got a Tech Question?  Email Sarah at asksarah@motoiq.com

[Read the rest of this article...]

MotoIQ at SEMA 2009

By Sarah Forst

No other city in the United States besides Las Vegas could possibly host the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association) show without being upstaged.  This amusement park for autophiles displays some of the most extreme car builds and aftermarket products.  Crazy concepts surround attendees at every direction

[Read the rest of this article...]

Ask Sarah:  We have a stock 350Z N/A engine.  Can we add a turbo without messing with the ECU if we want to run 8 psi boost?  A 1 or 2 bar MAP? By Sarah Forst From the scope of the question, I think you might need to do a little more research and learn the basics of engine management and how modern fuel injection systems work.  READ ON... Got a Tech Question?  Email Sarah at asksarah@motoiq.com

[Read the rest of this article...]

Project Acura NSX Part 3, Building a Race Proven C32 Engine

By Billy Johnson and Sarah Forst

Project NSX is the Brainchild of FX Motorsports Development, an NSX tuning shop whose time attack turbo NSX is currently smashing unlimited class records throughout the Redline Circuit. FX Motosports Development is transferring a lot of the knowledge gleaned from their time attack program to build the ultimate NSX turbo street motor. The goals of our motor is to make a rock reliable 530 or so wheel hp on pump gas with the ability to be track driven without missing a beat

[Read the rest of this article...]

Ask Sarah - Brake Mania!

By Sarah Forst

Since I get so many questions about brake issues, I’m dedicating this column to Brake-mania! But first I must address a common forum pet peeve of mine, the "brakes" versus "breaks" issue. The "breaks" are the highs and lows of life; your "brakes" are those things that stop your car! You "break" the "brakes", got it? Good, so now let’s answer these brake questions. Hopefully it’ll keep somebody’s car from becoming acquainted with my rear bumper!  Got a Tech Question?  Email Sarah at asksarah@motoiq.com

[Read the rest of this article...]

Header Design - Part 2

By Sarah Forst

The greatest advantage of a tubular header comes from inertial tuning, which improves scavenging, or the removal of exhaust gases from the cylinders.  When the exhaust valve opens, high (5-15 psi) pressure exhaust gases blow down the exhaust port at about 300 feet per second.  The hot exhaust gas has a mass and inertia and its movement down the primary pipe produces a suction, or a negative (1-5 psi) pressure rarefaction wave, that travels down the primary tube behind the pulse

[Read the rest of this article...]