Tuned In

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Field Report: 700WHP Hybrid 350Z & Electric Lotus Apr 06, 2022

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It’s not long ago that trying to get 200HP more from an engine at its limit without forced induction or nitrous would have left you scratching your head with 0 results.
Sasha Anis of MoTeC Canada and Mountain Pass Performance runs us through their Lotus Evora (Blue Lightning) EV conversion project and 700HP Nissan 350Z Hybrid setup which all use a mixture of OEM Tesla, Chevrolet and BMW motor and battery components
Sasha discusses how the goal for the Blue Lightning project was to have a complete OE feel including stability and traction control built-in using a MoTeC M150EV control unit rather than all the manual switches you often find in a race car. The limitations including software, range, heat and voltage management are touched on along with cost being one of the biggest barriers to entry for motorsport level setups at the moment. Luckily there are some options that MoTeC offer and some other simpler controllers out there already getting the ball rolling with plug and play solutions in the pipeline for the industry also.
On the Hybrid 350Z front we learn about the 500HP All Motor VQ35 and its KERS system that sees up to 200HP extra on tap once more than 80% throttle has been requested. This setup gives the flexibility of going all out for a Time Attack application or having smaller amounts of power on tap for an entire race depending on driver and track demands. A MoTeC GPRP is used for engine and sequential gearbox control with a lot of the custom Blue Lightning firmware handling the electric motor side of the car.
Lastly, we dive into the charging limitations for a KERS system. As the BMW i8 battery has some unknown parameters and is expensive, Sasha explains that it’s a constant balance of managing voltage and heat to ensure batteries are not overcharged when they’re close to full but have as much charge as they can safely when depleted to maximise performance, meaning the scale of charge is always shifting.
Want to learn more about motorsport wiring? Claim your spot to the next FREE lesson: hpcdmy.co/wiringlessonf

033: Splitting a Block in Half With Boost! Apr 01, 2022

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From fighting the government, to the final word on which Honda motor is best, to cleaving a block into two pieces on the start line — this week's episode of the High Performance Academy Tuned In podcast with PFI Speed's Brent Leivestad is a wild ride.
Use ‘PODCAST75’ for $75 off your first HPA course here: https://hpcdmy.co/hpa-tuned-in
Brent joins us from snowy Colorado for an interesting and in-depth conversation that covers a wide range of topics. Andre and Brent kick off by discussing PFI Speed and its metamorphosis from a used parts sourcing company into the well-known fixture of the import scene that it is today. The conversation then — inevitably — turns towards all things Honda, of which Brent is very well versed. The big topic that comes up here is the pros and cons of each Honda engine series, and which is definitively the best.
The guys then dive deep into a recent incident at Sick week, which saw one of the PFI Speed cars split a B18C block completely in half. Brent discusses the ongoing diagnosis journey, as well as the steps that can be taken to ensure this sort of catastrophic failure doesn't happen again.
The convo then pivots in a completely different direction, focusing on Brent's recent battle with the US Government, in which he was handed massive fines for selling aftermarket ECUs. This is a really important topic that concerns most of us in the industry as the world's emissions and environmental protection measures ramp up. Why was Brent singled out amongst the hundreds of resellers in the US? How did they come up with the dollar amount in fines? What does this mean for the tuning industry in the coming years and what can we do about it?
Follow PFI Speed's journey here:
Youtube: PFI Speed
Instagram: @PFISpeed
Facebook: @PFI.Speed
Want to learn how to EFI tune? Start with some free lessons right here: hpcdmy.co/tuneb

Field Report: What Goes Into A Bespoke V12 Build? Mar 30, 2022

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V12 LS, that’s probably not an engine code and configuration you see around very often, if at all.
Matt Corish of V12LS.com runs us through what it takes to take a V8 platform and transform it into a V12, bank angles, what parts are still interchangeable and also some specific areas and where the team improved on the existing LS design while they had the chance to ensure reliability up to around 2000HP which with the likes of Haltech and their quad setup of Garrett turbos and Josh Robinson's twin Magnuson supercharger build, it’s not that far off.
Learn more about Performance Engine Building by coming along to the next FREE lesson: hpcdmy.co/enginebuildingf
A large focus of the design was to ensure as many aftermarket performance parts were available for engine builders to make things more affordable (as far as V12 builds go!) and easier. The fact that companies like JE Pistons, K1 Technologies and Wiseco among many others have already put a lot of time and research into components for the LS platform add plenty of merit to this focus.
Matt also discusses some balancing and firing aspects of a V12 compared to a V8 and inline 6, along with advantages beyond parts in sticking with a 90-degree bank angle. Production processes are also discussed including 3D printing into sand in order to get the cooling system perfect, and Ford Barra fans can share the love too with the same sized crank journals being utilized.
As a side note, Matt and his team actually managed to cut and shut two junkyard LS engines together to make a test platform before production, not just to the point it ran, but to the point it produced 700HP. Now that's a sign of talent and a solid effort.

032: Start WINNING Races With Aerodynamics. Mar 25, 2022

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This week's episode of the HPA Tuned In podcast features one of the biggest names in the motorsport aerodynamics world — Andrew Brilliant of AMB Aero.
This conversation is an absolute gold mine of information for anyone who's interested in the aero world — whether you're considering adding a package to your car, wondering why your times have got slower after fitting your new splitters and wings, or even if a career in the field sounds like something you might want to look into.
Use ‘PODCAST75’ for $75 off your first HPA course here: https://hpcdmy.co/hpa-tuned-in
Based in Sapporo, Japan, Andrew has spent his career designing and testing aero for some of the fastest track cars in the world — including the hyper-secretive world of Formula 1. He is, of course, probably best known for his involvement in the time attack realm, in which he's had a hand in pushing the absolute limits of what's possible through the most dominant vehicles in the game. The best of the best — Scorch Racing's S15, Lyfe Motorsport's GT-R, Gobstopper 3, Black Mamba, and many more — all use AMB Aero's advanced design work to crush the competition and lap records alike.
Over an hour and a half, Andre gets Andrew to break down and explain many of the key principles of aerodynamics, as well as discuss how someone even becomes an aerodynamicist, what makes time attack cars so fun to design for, and just how many seconds racers are leaving on the table by not optimising their aero packages.
What might be the most helpful, though, is Andrew taking the time to detail the big mistakes that people make when designing and fitting an aero package to their car, and how the vast majority of these mistakes and their consequences could have been easily avoided.
This episode is a real deep dive into the fascinating world of aerodynamics, and it's essential listening for anyone interested in going faster on track.
Interested in learning how to do your own wheel alignment for the track or street? Start with a free alignment & suspension 101 lesson now: hpcdmy.co/alignmentpod

Field Report: Getting 650hp on Stock Honda Internals Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

We love a good Starlet, and they don’t come much better than a turbocharged KP61 with some severe aero.
Originally a drift school car back in Japan, Angel of Horsepower Techs KP61 Toyota Starlet has had more than a few changes over the years. After running the supercharged 4agze at 180HP Angel wanted more power so turned to a turbocharged Honda F20C engine he already had kicking around. The new F20C setup makes 650HP thanks to the Garrett 3582 Turbo strapped to it and One Ethanol fuel, but with stock internals, there are some more modifications planned to ensure reliability on track during Grid Life’s Time Attack season next year.
Want to learn how to EFI tune? Start with some free lessons right here: hpcdmy.co/efilesson

While the car already had a TRD widebody kit, it was nothing compared to the APR Performance and custom rear diffuser now fitted which will be dialled in over the winter. This will be done with the help of Angels AEM Electronics package via more than a few hours spent comparing data and making logical adjustments based on it to ensure there is traction where and when it’s needed on track.
ECU wise the car retains the AEM Series 2 ECU that came with the F20C transplant from another project, and it is complemented by an AEM 3 port boost controller, CD-7 dash and IMU. The fuel system sports a solid Radium Engineering kit, Injector Dynamics ID2000’s and a Horsepower Techs in house fuel rail. Needless to say, we’re excited to see what Angel and this setup can do once dialled in and if he utilises parts mentioned like Turbosmarts new electronic wastegate and AEMs Infinity series ECUs.

031: How to ACTUALLY Make Money in the Tuning Industry. Mar 18, 2022

Show notes

The saying "do what you love and you'll never work another day in your life" is an accurate one, but there are a whole lot of cold, hard truths that need to be carefully considered before turning your passion into a career.
To shed some much-needed light on the subject, this week we invited Reid Lunde of Kaizen Speed to sit down with Andre and talk shop — both in the literal and figurative senses.
Use ‘PODCAST75’ for $75 off your first HPA course here: https://hpcdmy.co/hpa-tuned-in
Reid has been in the tuning and performance aftermarket business a long time, and has learnt plenty of lessons the hard way over the years when it comes to customers, staff, projects, services, and much more.
In this episode, Reid and Andre spend some time discussing these lessons and talk about the strategies and systems that can be used to avoid the many pitfalls that people so often find themselves walking right into when starting out.
You might be working on friends of friends' cars in your garage, or you might be walking into a two-year lease on a brand new shop space with a big bank loan in your pocket — either way, listening to what veterans like Reid and Andre have to say might just make the difference between boom or bust.
The guys also get nerdy discussing dyno system pros and cons, standalone vs reflashing, direct injection vs port injection, and why no tuner needs to blow up an engine — let alone ten engines – to become proficient. The conversation lastly makes its way over to the hows, whys, whats, and whens of Reid's award-winning product, the Kaizen Relay.
That all means that this episode is an excellent reality check for anyone that's interested in taking their passion to the next level and diving into the automotive performance industry.
Want to learn how to EFI tune? Start with some free lessons right here: hpcdmy.co/efilesson

HPA's appearances on Reid's 'Do It For a Living' podcast can be found here and here.
IG: @kaizenspeed
FB: @kaizenspeed
YT: @kaizenspeed

Field Report: Choosing A 900-1100HP E92 Drift Car Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed James Deane gives us a rundown on some of the grip aspects of drifting which see 900HP to 1100HP hit the ground in the race to the first corner before getting sideways.
Want to learn how to EFI tune? Start with some free lessons right here: hpcdmy.co/efilesson

James also talks about his switch from the Nissan S-Chassis to his BMW E92, and why it is Toyota 2jz powered along with some of the challenges the 6 cylinder has compared to some of the other competing V8 setups.
The nitrous fed 2jz is running Hypertune manifolds, Zrp Racing Parts rods, CP-Carrillo pistons, Supertech valves, BC Brian Crower cams with a BorgWarner Performance Aftermarket EFR 9180 which is run at around 1.6 Bar for a balance of power and traction. Injector Dynamics1750cc injectors keep the 2jz running with a constant supply of ethanol-based fuel with Ecumaster handling the engine management and PMU side of things.

030: Building The Perfect 7-SECOND Street Car. Mar 11, 2022

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On this week's episode of the High Performance Academy Tuned In podcast, Andre is joined by an absolute legend of the import scene.
John Shepherd has been around since the very early days of import drag racing. Through campaigning his AWD Eagle Talon, John lead the first charge and pushed the boundaries of just what was possible with a Japanese performance car.
Use ‘PODCAST75’ for $75 off your first HPA course here: https://hpcdmy.co/hpa-tuned-in
John talks about his early days and the many workarounds and bodges that were necessary during the sport's infancy. The Ohio-based racer and car builder was squeezing record-setting high-ten-second quarter miles out of his 4G63-powered Talon, and as the game progressed, so did the car. Andre and John track the development of the Eagle through to its retirement, at which point it was running 7.7-second quarters — all still in a time well before billet blocks, proper race transmissions, and modern turbo technology.
John has since moved on to Nissan GT-Rs and Audi R8s, and lays down his recipe for what he considers to be the "perfect" street car when working with these platforms. Easy to live with, perfectly fine to take on long road trips,... and capable of mid-seven-second quartermiles.
Finally, the guys dive into the world of dual clutch transmissions. These DCTs have become ShepTrans' bread and butter in recent years, and John goes into detail on how the clever gearboxes work and how we can make them far stronger in order to put up with the massive torque figures modern performance engines provide.
There's plenty of nostalgia to be found in this episode, and if acronyms like DCT and TCM have always left you scratching your head, you definitely don't want to miss this one.
Learn more about Performance Engine Building by coming along to the next FREE lesson: hpcdmy.co/enginebuildingf

Field Report: A 6 second, 2500hp Supra! Mar 09, 2022

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With a 6.921s at 200mph run at Texas 2K19, this alleged 2500HP 2JZ-powered 1995 Supra easily caught our attention.
Jay Meagher of Real Street Performance gives Andre Simon the goods on this build, including the fact that although data etc has indicated the car is pushing 2500HP, he believes it is closer to 2200 or 2300HP. No matter that number, the car is a performer and with owner Geo Castillo peddling the team took out the 2JZ elimination class at TX2K.
Want to learn how to EFI tune? Start with some free lessons right here: hpcdmy.co/efilesson
The MoTeC M150 controlled 3.2L 2jz has had ‘a bit of a tune up’ and is running a Brian Crower crank, RNR aluminium connecting rods, CP-Carrillo pistons, King Racing bearings all within a billet block. Up the top is a Mazworx CNC cylinder head, Supertech valve train, GSC Power Division R1 cam, and a 2 stage NOS system that helps the Precision Pro Mod 88 XPR turbocharger hit the desired boost level for launch, and depending on the track conditions can give some extra power. Fuelling is taken care of by 12 x Injector Dynamics ID1700x injectors and a Weldon pump.
Jay talks about some of the changes the car has undergone in order to shoot for 6 second passes instead of 7’s, and how even just shaving a few 10ths of a second off a run can require some massive engine and setup work behind the scenes. He also tells us why the car runs a M&M built TH400 auto with ProTorque converter instead of a manual transmission.

029: Setting Your Drift Car Up to DOMINATE With Fredric Aasbø. Mar 04, 2022

Show notes

This week's High Performance Academy Tuned In podcast guest comes to us all the way from Oslo, Norway.
Fredric Aasbø is the winningest driver in Formula D history, with a bunch of championships under his belt and the chiselled jawline to match. Fredric recently took some time out of his busy winter ice drifting schedule to sit down with Andre and discuss all things drift — the driving, the cars, the setups, the business — all of it.
Use ‘PODCAST75’ for $75 off your first HPA course here: https://hpcdmy.co/hpa-tuned-in
The conversation begins with a look back into Fredric's past, from the early days of his grandmother teaching him how to use the E-brake to control a sliding car on ice, to his experiences in karting and drifting as teenager, through to the stark realisation that getting into the pro-level motorsport game — let alone to the very top — means making big sacrifices and pouring everything you have into your dream. Fredric confirms that, as we suspected, there are no free rides in motorsport for the vast majority of us.
Andre and Fredric then get into the finer details of drifting at the highest levels, from studying and understanding the judging system, to driving techniques, sponsorship pressures, and even the need to fine-tune your "bullsh*t detector".
Fredric also dives into the heavy-duty technical side of the sport and its vehicles, discussing how these pro drift monsters actually work, and how he was able to dominate with a little four-cylinder in an economy car body... Over and over again.
Interested in learning how to do your own wheel alignment for the track or street? Start with a free alignment & suspension 101 lesson now: hpcdmy.co/alignmentf
There are plenty of interesting tidbits to dig into here when it comes to how Fredric and his team set up his cars for each track with asymmetric alignments, turbo sizes, gear ratios, tyre pressures, and a whole lot more.
Like to skid cars? This is the episode for you.

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