Castrol Top Shop Challenge
The proverbial question every gearhead wants to know: Which engine is the best?
Is it high compression, high-revving, naturally aspirated four-bangers? Or how about twin-turbocharged sixes putting out tarmac ripping horsepower? Or is it the no-replacement-for-displacement V-8 domestics putting out metal twisting low-end torque? Like arguing over who the greatest boxer is of all time, the age-old debate will never end. Until now.
Thanks to Castrol and our sister publications ( Super Street, Lowrider, eurotuner, Sport Compact Car, Modified and Turbo) we are finally going to put the dispute to rest. Each of the magazines, including yours truly, will select a motor and a tuning shop to build, tune and dyno, to see how much power they can make.
To level the playing field for motor size and number of cylinders, the competition will measure the horsepower per liter-a little division for the math-weary. Fuel is allowed at a boost-friendly 100 octane, but to hedge for a forced-induction advantage, will result in a penalization of doubling its motor size (for example 2.0L turbo would count as a 4.0L N/A).
Given those restraints, we decided to stick with the forced induction route and go with the proven SR20DET motor found in a Japanese-spec 240SX. The mill makes power upwards in the 600s relatively easy, but with careful tuning, we're shooting for the 800 mark. With Castrol SYNTEC oil and the Nissan gurus over at G-Dimension as our shop of choice, we have a good chance.
So will we be able to build an 800hp turbocharged four-cylinder? More importantly, will that effort be good enough for the win? With seven titles representing the import, sport compact, domestic and euro markets fighting for ultimate bragging rights, only time will tell. Until then, keep reading 2NR and check out www.SyntecTopShop.com.
1,050by TH3 Number5The maximum amount of wheel horsepower extracted from a 4 G 6 3 by EVO tuners A M S Performance
Die(Sel) Hard Honda
Honda recently announced its plans to enter the stateside diesel market (finally), with the promise to introduce the i-DTEC turbo-four in 2009. The i-DTEC is said to reduce noxious exhaust emissions inherent in diesel engines, while boosting power and strengthening fuel efficiency. There is no offi cial word as to which car will be offered with the diesel alternative to date but bets are on Acura's TSX or RDX as the most likely candidates. There is speculation that any future USDM introductions of Honda six-cylinder diesel powerplants would most likely find homes in a future Acura TL. www.honda.com
Oxy Moron?!
Also in Mitsubishi news are details of a new clean diesel sports coupe. Yes, we know, it's a bit strange seeing those four words next to each other in the same sentence, but read on. The Concept-RA two-seater boasts an aluminum frame body, intuitive S-AWC/AWD suspension and drivetrain, standard 21-inch wheels and DOHC 2.2L turbo-diesel mill churning out over 200 whp and 420Nm of torque. No final word on production possibilities, but as other OEs are ramping up preparations to launch diesel platforms into the U.S. market, we're sure we'll see something along the lines of this might-be Mitsu in production soon. www.mitsubishimotors.com
By Simon Cudby/ Red Bull Photofiles
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