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    THE AUTO BUILDER
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    POCKET ROCKET

    The very concept of a V-8-powered Ford Focus isn’t as new as it is novel. In fact, we introduced Jerry Kugel’s install kit some years ago and then ­followed it up with the mod-motor install. But that was then, and now ASE master technician Donny Seyfer, from Wheatridge, Colorado’s Seyfer Automotive, decided to tackle the building of such a hybrid.

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    FALKEN TIRE DRIFT SHOWOFF

    THE FALKEN Tire Drift Showoff was a hit, to say the least. The event was held at Irwindale Motor Speedway on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. Thousands of people attended, which goes to show the outstanding marketing job that Falken Tire is doing to help make a difference in the tuner car movement. The company took it upon itself to give us a taste of what the Japanese market has been enjoying for so many years. Among the thousands of spectators, a healthy number of show cars showed up as well—and why wouldn’t they? This was an Import Showoff event, but this car show was a bit different from the norm. It was a JDM versus DTM show. In other words, Japanese against Euro. The cars that came out were very hot, with enough JDM and DTM on hand to kill you. All the heavy hitters and the big crews such as Team Hybrid, Flux, Tuningwerks Competition and Art-N-Motion came out to show their stuff. While this was a huge attraction, it was far from the main one.

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    Ridler Award: THE GREAT EIGHT

    In 2002, we rushed to print “first-look” coverage of the cars in contention for the 2002 Ridler Award. Since the number of finalists totaled eight, we elected to call them “The Great Eight.” The folks in Detroit liked the term so well that, beginning this year, the “official” name for the chosen finalists has become The Ridler Award “Great 8.”

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    THE ENGINE ROOM

    Prime Space for the Heart of Your Car

    Whether you’re in the driver’s seat or looking underneath the hood, it’s the first place enthusiasts come to find out what a car is all about. After all, without the right engine package, everything we long for in our cars would be nothing more than static displays of creative artistry.

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    Picture of Stephen K. Anderson

    Stephen K. Anderson

    Photography by The Auto Builder Staff

    The Power of a Purpose-Built Engine

    With the right engine under the hood, even the most mundane transportation can be truly inspiring, and when treated to the proper dose of imagination and purpose-built hardware combining the best elements of function and beauty, it’s here we find a prime expression of automotive nirvana. True inspiration comes on with a rush as the accelerator pedal calls horsepower to action and power passes traction to the pavement, pressing you deep into the seat and beyond your wildest imagination. Even at a standstill, peering into a well-stocked engine room can set your passions into motion as your heart races from the mere sight of the right components united with your engine of choice.

    Why the Engine Bay Captivates Enthusiasts

    It’s no secret that as long as car enthusiasts have been pining over their favorite automobiles, the engine has been the first place they look for excitement, and so it is today. Now more than ever before, it’s the engine compartment that fans the flames of automotive enthusiasm, as it’s never been easier or more fulfilling to explore the capability of our most valued vehicles.

    Endless Possibilities with Today’s Aftermarket

    Today’s automotive aftermarket offers us all the ability to fire up even our most powerful dreams with a range of componentry that even recently would have amazed the most jaded gearheads. From fasteners to complete engine packages to an endless array of related hardware, the possibilities of fulfilling your wildest visions are practically endless. All it takes is the passion to realize these possibilities and see them through with the almost endless array of products that are but a phone call or stroke of the keyboard away.

    Innovative Engine Room Concepts

    While we all have our own design that creates a special engine and how that power is integrated into its surroundings, we’ve brought together a few prime examples of what is possible when amazing powerplants meet with clever and innovative ways of packaging it. While your concepts of engine room creativity and performance may not reach the extremes seen here, you can find inspiration in these clever approaches to power and beauty.

    Ignite Your Automotive Imagination

    So, cast your eyes on these engine rooms and it’s likely you’ll come up with new ideas of how you can realize the most powerful concept of all. Fire up your dreams, express your desires, and feel the power!

    It’s hard to top the visual impact of twin turbos feeding dual intercoolers and a custom intake manifold pushing a small-block Chevy to the limit. Capable of producing crazy amounts of horsepower and jet-like sounds, it all adds up to power in the extreme.
    Even after a few years, the engine compartment in this Nova is still a stunning example of engine compartment design. The body is low key and high fashion, and it’s hard to beat this kind of detail.
    Flat-black surroundings and silver-painted trim give this new Mopar Hemi plenty of appeal. The custom twin-filtered intake system is a nice touch, as it adds high-tech appeal to an already potent powerplant.
    Displaying GM’s advanced design plans for the ’09 Camaro, this incredible compartment provides us all with ideas that could translate to a wide range of vehicles based on today’s favorite engines and components.
    Everything about this ’Cuda compartment is over the top, starting with the extensive trim work in brushed aluminum and carbon fiber. Thundering with over 800 hp, this is a prime example of what is possible.
    This cool approach combines twin superchargers plumbed in a subtle style and framed within smooth surroundings. The key here is symmetry in design accented with low-key detailing disguising total function.
    Another example of a subtle performance package is found in this Camaro, where supercharged performance is hidden away. Straightforward in its approach, the detailing is nothing short of trick.
    A potent Roush Ford small block surrounded by functional bracing brings a racing appeal into this Mustang engine compartment. Add the advanced induction accented by plenty of brushed brightwork, and you can’t argue with its appeal.
    While some might overlook this subtle update, a closer look reveals the appeal of a modern Hemi wedged into a vintage GTX. Add the right combination of paint and chrome and the roar of horsepower, and it’s a match made for Mopars.
    Sometimes simple approaches are the best way of maximizing the appeal of an engine and its surroundings. This supercharged power source makes its statement without screaming, “Here I am,” until the power says, “There I go!”
    This awesome Ford large block is nothing if not radical, and just the thing for the big Ford it’s fitted in. Shrouded beneath a custom air cleaner and accented with lots of cool touches, this engine speaks of the extreme and can back it up.
    In contrast to its bright green counterpart, this early Galaxie houses Ford’s 4.6-liter mod motor, and as you can see, it looks right in place with a combination of fine detailing that is well suited to its place of residence.
    Sporting a custom injection system, this small-block Chevy has been detailed nicely with custom touches, chrome and polished detailing and a paint scheme that is certain to draw attention, just like the Corvette in which it’s mounted. Wow!
    While engine shrouds seem to be going the way of other approaches that expose more of the engine, this is still a great way to bring a new identity to an engine, as in the case of this relatively rare LT5 Chevy.
    For a rich approach, there’s nothing quite like the look of black-on-black with just a bit of brightwork to fill in the gaps. The custom trim on the valve covers and the custom air cleaner/intake cover really set it off and the car it powers.
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