Barely Legal
February 27, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
FOUR-IN-ONE
In the case of a new Honda Civic Si (EP3), this owner wanted to enhance high-rpm power. The K20 engine with the new i-VTEC 2-liter powerplant has considerably more torque available in the lower part of the power band in comparison to the older B- and H-series VTEC engines. While the EP3 used here is primarily a street-driven machine, the owner plans on taking the car to the weekend dragstrip on occasion.
Re-Rigging For Aesthetics
When someone buys a boat as a bare hull and finishes it themselves, the odds are that the boat won’t be nearly as sanitary as the original manufacturer rigged it. The original owner of this boat did a decent job but it was no way up to the usual Howard standards. The owner wanted the rigging cleaned up, spiffed up and colored up so he took it to Maveric Marine in Van Nuys, California where Dan Duffin straightened everything out and color-coordinated the powdercoating.
Remembering When
When Ricardo Lopez began building this 1955 Chevy he had some help, as well as a plan. In the beginning, this little Chevy pickup was to provide an excellent chance for Ricardo to spend some time with his son, Ricky, and to be able to show the boy some of the tricks that he had learned over the many years he had worked as a customizer, bodyman and painter. As owner of Paint By Lopez in Compton, California, Ricardo had hopes of his boy taking over for him in the years to come, maybe even calling the shop Paint By Lopez & Son. Unfortunately, Ricky was taken from Ricardo and his wife, Monica, in a freak accident. At first Ricardo was going to sell the truck, as the sight of it was almost too much to bear. But upon reflection he changed his mind. Ricardo thought that finishing the project was not only a perfect way to work through his grief, but it would also give him a chance to feel connected to the son he had lost. When the Chevy was completed, it would be a way to honor Ricky’s memory.
Spotlighter
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: The ProFlex DXI by Advanced Fuel Dynamics
Maximum Results with Minimum Effort: The Best Flex Fuel Solution for 2020+ GM V8 Trucks & SUVs
If you’ve got a 2020+ GM V8 truck or SUV and you’re not running E85 yet, you’re leaving power and money on the table. Enter the ProFlex DXI—the easiest, fastest, and flat-out smartest way to slap flex fuel capability onto your rig. No tuning, no ECU unlocks, no headaches—just more horsepower and lower fuel costs in about 15 minutes.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos courtesy of GM and Advanced Fuel Dynamics
Why You Should Be Running E85
E85 isn’t just for race cars. It’s a powerhouse fuel that’s widely available and seriously underrated. Here’s why you should be running it in your GM truck or SUV:
- More Power: E85 has an octane rating of 100-105, allowing for more aggressive timing and higher compression—aka more horsepower.
- Cheaper Fuel: E85 is usually way cheaper than premium gas, meaning you save at the pump while making more power.
- Lower Engine Temps: Ethanol burns cooler than gasoline, reducing wear and extending engine life.
- Cleaner Emissions: Less carbon buildup, fewer greenhouse gases, and a happier planet.
- Detonation Resistance: The high octane rating helps prevent knock, making your engine run safer and stronger.
- Renewable & Sustainable: Made from corn and other biofuels, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Advanced Fuel Dynamics: Born from Frustration, Built for Performance
Back in 2014, a tuner got fed up with E85 tunes that never seemed quite right. The problem? Pump E85 is all over the place when it comes to ethanol content, and a fixed tune can’t compensate for that. The solution? A real flex fuel system that constantly adjusts in real-time—thus, Advanced Fuel Dynamics was born. Since then, they’ve been cranking out battle-tested fuel solutions for street, strip, and dyno warriors alike.
ProFlex DXI: The Plug-and-Play Flex Fuel Revolution
Forget everything you know about flex fuel conversions. The ProFlex DXI is the first and only true plug-and-play flex fuel system for the Vortec 5.3L, 6.2L, and 6.6L GM engines. It’s like adding a cheat code to your truck or SUV—more power, better efficiency, and the freedom to run E85 or pump gas whenever you want.
Why the ProFlex DXI is a Game-Changer:
- All-In-One System: Everything you need to run E85, no extra parts required.
- 100% Dyno-Tested: Guaranteed performance, durability, and reliability.
- Patented DXI™ Technology: Real-time fuel adjustments with a 30-millisecond refresh rate, keeping your engine happy no matter what’s in the tank.
- True Flex Fuel Capability: Run gas, E85, or anything in between—seamlessly.
- Better Injector Management: More power and better efficiency on both gas and ethanol.
- Zero Tuning Required: Works with your stock ECU, so no trips to the tuner and no warranty worries.
- Half the Cost of Tunes: No expensive ECU unlocks or dyno sessions needed.
- Cleaner Emissions: Runs cooler and burns cleaner for a more efficient engine.
- Race-Grade Fuel, Pump Gas Price: E85 is high-octane and dirt cheap.
- Bolt-On Friendly: Works with power adders and other performance mods.
- FlexLink Compatible: Add the FlexLink module to monitor ethanol content live on your smartphone.
- Cold Start Plus™ Tech: No more hard starts in cold weather—fires up like a champ.
- Instant Response: No delays, no lag—just pure, real-time fuel management.
The Easiest Flex Fuel Upgrade You’ll Ever Do
No tuning. No special tools. No weeks of downtime. The ProFlex DXI is the simplest, smartest, and fastest way to unlock flex fuel capability in your GM V8 truck or SUV. Whether you’re after more power, lower fuel costs, or just want the ability to switch fuels on the fly, this system delivers.
To learn more and get your own Proflex DXI, haed on over to the Advanced Fuel Dynamics website today!
ARTICLE SOURCES
Advanced Fuel Dynamics
Performance Flex Fuel Systems
