2004 AUDI A4

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In North America, Audi styling has lingered on the conservative side. Finding a smoothly shaven or color-changed quattro isn't a common sight, compared to the VW and BMW scenes, for example. Because of this, we were excited to see Matt Demetria's '04 Audi A4 1.8T quattro.
Residing in Northern California, Matt has plenty of experience with VWs and Audis."I started working as a sales rep for a VW dealer," he began. "Then I worked at Emotion Garage for 18 months, where people began trusting me with their cars and manufacturers would even call me for advice. After that I moved to another shop that fixed up Porsches and Lamborghinis."
During his stint in the industry, Matt built a '00 Jetta VR6. "I did everything; a Votex kit, S4 wheels, racing seats and more," he explained. "I still couldn't keep up with all my friends, though, and it had too many maintenance problems." He couldn't keep up because he's a founding member of club NoFuknJoke (NFJ) featured in et 4/07. Most of their cars are modified from head-to-toe in hardcore Euro-themes, so Matt decided to start anew with something distinctive.
He picked up the Audi in 5/04 and started with basic modifications; intake, exhaust, Eibach coilovers and 19" Axis Milanos.
It was a decent start but the car didn't stand out. "All the Audi's looked the same," he explained. "Nobody was doing hardcore Euro-style. So I went after that look, not knowing how it would turn out. My influences were the NFJ family, since their VWs were shaved, with clean lines and a Euro-look. In my head it was possible for an Audi to have the same design."
To begin, Matt ditched the Eibachs and had NEX Racing fit a prototype of its coilovers. Once installed, they lowered the car another 2". They also had adjustable damping, so stiffness could be tweaked.
Matt then searched for a Euro wheel, picking a set of 18x8.5" front and 18x10" rear Kerscher KCS wheels. "I got crap for fitting staggered wheels on a quattro, but I've not had any problems," he explained.
Ultimately, the Kerschers were discarded for the Tracer Tech 1 wheels on the car now. The 18" five-spokes measured 9.5" wide front, and 11" rear. He also replaced the existing hardware with gold bolts, before mounting Falken tires.

To his amazement, the Tracers fitted under the stock fenders without any mods. "Before I bought the wheels, I was talking to Tunershop about a German A6 with the same wheels," he explained. "They'd seen the car and said the wheels poked out a little. When I got my wheels, I took the suspension to its highest adjustment but it was still too low. I finally added the stock rubber spring mount, which raised the car 3" and gave me room to play with. I had to adjust the camber and try two tire sizes before finding the perfect setup.

FERRARI F430 CHALLENGE RACE CAR SPECIFICATION

F430 Challenge

An intensive series of development tests held at Fiorano have honed the F430 Challenge's talents. In fact, it offers a stunning series of features sure to meet with the approval of its drivers. As ever, the transfer of technology from Formula One is significant, particularly with regard to the braking system. It uses carbon-ceramic material (CCM) - a first for a Ferrari sports competition car.


Gearbox

The electronic gearbox is also Formula One-derived. It works in exactly the same way as the one used aboard the Grand Prix car. Thanks to a two-plate clutch and specific software, it also offers the same gear-changing times as the road-going F430 (150 ms) in the much more extreme track conditions.


Tyres

19-inch slick tires were also developed specifically by Pirelli for the F430 Challenge. They are designed to comply with the very strict racing regulations that demand endurance while still delivering blistering performance.


Weight

The F430 Challenge boasts a weight of just 1225 kg (excluding fuel). Weight has been reduced in every area of the car, from the engineering to the bodywork. Of particular note are the Lexan® windscreen, the all-carbon fibre intake plenum cover, and the specific exhaust system. To ensure that drivers get the full benefit of the car's sporty prowess on the track, the E-Diff has been replaced by a mechanical differential and the EBD has been replaced with a mechanical system.


F430 Specifications
Dimension and Weight

- Overall length 177.64 in
- Overall width 75.7 in
- Height 46.6 in
- Weight 1225 kg


Tyres

- Front - 235/645 19"
- Rear - 295/680 19"


Engine

- 8 cylinders V8 90 degree
- Total displacement: 262.9 cu in
- Maximum power: 490 bhp (360 kW) at 8500 rpm
- Maximum torque: 343 lb ft (465 Nm) at 5250 rpm



One of the highlights at the Ferrari stand at the 61st Frankfurt Motor Show will be the world preview of the F430 Challenge, the 8-cylinder berlinetta-derived competition car that will be taking part in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli from the 2006 season.

Ferrari has reaffirmed the strong link between its GT and sporting divisions with the new F430 Challenge which is specifically designed to meet the expectations of its sportier clients. The F430 Challenge retains the same general look and 490 hp engine as the road-going version. However, it also incorporates a large number of significant track-oriented modifications and a host of new features not seen in the car currently used in the series, the 360 Challenge, which it joins on the track next season and completely replaces in 2007.

An intensive series of development tests held at Fiorano and other prestigious circuits have honed the F430 Challenge’s talents too. In fact, it offers a stunning series of features sure to meet with the approval of its drivers. As ever, the transfer from Formula 1 is significant, particularly with regard to the braking system which uses carbon-ceramic material (CCM) – a first for a Ferrari sports competition car.

The electronic gearbox is also F1-derived and works in exactly the same way as the one used aboard the Grand Prix car. Thanks to a sinterised two-plate clutch and specific software, it also offers the same gear-changing times as the road-going F430 (150 ms) in the much more extreme track conditions. Fifth and sixth gear ratios have also been modified with respect to the road-going version as has the final drive ration order to make the very most of the engine on all the circuits where the F430 Challenge will race.

New 19’’ slick tires were also developed specifically by Pirelli and are designed to comply with the very strict racing regulations that demand endurance whilst still delivering blistering performance.

The F430 Challenge boasts a kerb weight of just 2700 lbs (1,225 kg), excluding petrol. Weight has been reduced in every area of the car, from the engineering to the bodywork. Of particular note are the Lexan windscreen, the all-carbon fibre intake plenum cover, and the specific exhaust system. To ensure that drivers get the full benefit of the car’s sporty prowess on the track, the E-Diff has been replaced by a mechanical differential and the EBD has been replaced with a mechanical system.

Similarly, the stability and traction control is permanently disengaged and “race” settings have been maintained on the gearbox and engine management system, along with the ABS and ASR, thus doing away with the manettino switch. The ASR can be deactivated by the driver at will.

The most notable of the other solutions introduced in the new F430 Challenge is the new steering wheel with a quick release mechanism to make it easier to get into and out of the car. The wheel is also equipped with buttons for radio contact with the pits, to set the pit lane speed and interface with the new color digital instrument panel. The rear of the car is characterized by a new exhaust system which has high central tail pipes, and by the modified grille which increases the extraction of hot air from the rear of the engine bay. The anti-roll bars, springs and single-rate shocks have all been modified for racing use too. The centre locking wheels make wheel changes faster too as does the fact that the car incorporates pneumatic jacks.

source: Rsports Car

2007 FERRARI F430

2007 Ferrari F430

The 2007 Ferrari F430 features a new cast-aluminum transmission casing that houses the gearbox in unit with the electronic differential and bevel type final drive, as well as the engine oil tank. The 6-speed 2007 Ferrari F430 gearbox incorporates multicone synchronizers, while both the 6th gear and the final drive have been lengthened to make the most of the greater power and torque of the new engine. The F430 is available with either the classic Ferrari open-gate manual gearbox or with the F1 paddle shift that 2007 Ferrari F430 has continuously developed and refined over recent years for its road-going berlinettas. Thanks to that ongoing development, Ferrari’s F1 gearbox for the 2007 Ferrari F430 is state of the art, introducing a number of important modifications: thanks to inputs from the engineers on the Gestione Sportiva racing side, the F1 gearbox management incorporates a new control strategy which further perfects gearchange speed and smoothness under hard use. Changing gear takes just 150 milliseconds, as measured by the ‘hole’ in acceleration during the change (intended as the overall time from declutching, changing gear to releasing the clutch).



Interior

The 2007 Ferrari F430’s interior has been re-designed for improved driver ergonomics. The instruments are housed in a new binnacle, and this design together with the layout of the dashboard underlines the care that has gone into grouping all the major controls in front of the driver within easy reach. In the driver’s direct line of sight are the rev counter, which features new graphics with a choice of either a red or yellow background and a new metal surround, the digital readout of the gear ratio selected (F1 version) and a multi-function display.

The same uncompromising 2007 Ferrari F430 approach to driver control was the inspiration behind mounting the starter button and manettino on the steering wheel. The 2007 Ferrari F430 wheel itself is new with the upper rim flattened to improve visibility in the straight ahead position, and the horn pushes are integrated into the inner rim where they can be easily actioned. The interior reflects the advanced technology and materials employed in the car’s construction, and can be personalized with carbon-fiber or aluminum inserts. The cockpit is noticeably bigger and the already excellent passenger comfort is subsequently increased thanks to a slimmer central tunnel which houses the gear lever turret on the manual version and the F1 console on the paddle-shift version.

There is plenty of space behind the rear seats 2007 Ferrari F430, with a new electrically operated compartment for oddments storage and catch netting to the rear fire wall. The 2007 Ferrari F430 seats have been redesigned for greater lateral containment and the standard electric seats can be substituted by more sporting items with four-point harnesses to order (depending on markets).

BMW 3 SERIES E90

LSD wing doors for BMW 3 Series E90

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By mounting LSD wing door hinges, the quite unadventurous BMW 3 Series E90-saloon becomes a real showcar. The wing doors hinges are available with immediate effect. Security proved by side-crash test /with German TÜV parts certificate and With GRS and GRS+ are some of the features

M3

Stainless steel exhaust systems for the M3

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Hartge is a firm we visit regularly to sample their own individual brand of madness. Now it’s time to exhaust systems. Hartge has developed a stainless steel exhaust system for the new BMW M3 E92. There are two options available. These systems not only improve the looks but also the power and sound of the engine.

HARTGE stainless steel exhaust system with dual round tail pipes left and right, performance increase of 20 hp for M3 E92



HARTGE stainless steel rear silencer with dual round tail pipes left and right for M3 E92



Source: bmwtuning.com