Words like “legendary” and “iconic’” are overused in describing those that have been successful or merely famous in their chosen fields. But in the case of Dan Gurney, both titles are appropriate. Based in a Santa Ana, Calif. raceshop, Gurney’s sphere of influence extended beyond the world of auto racing and into the national and global consciousness. His name remains synonymous with winning in every corner of the globe. Auto enthusiasts who weren’t yet born when he hung up his helmet and turned his focus full time toward running his AAR (All-American Racing) racing and manufacturing empire know that there was a time when nothing could beat the Gurney Eagles at Indy or anywhere else where the checkered flag flew.

Daniel Sexton Gurney passed away at the age of 86 on January 14, 2018.

All photos courtesy of All-American Racing.

Ask anyone with an interest in auto racing to list the greatest American drivers and you’re likely to hear Unser, Andretti, Petty, Foyt and always in the same breath, Dan Gurney. What set Gurney apart was the sheer scope and ambition of AAR’s racing programs. Petty ran his own team in NASCAR and Foyt’s team was incredibly competitive and successful in Indy Cars. But during racing’s Golden Era, as the sixties moved into the seventies, Dan and AAR were a constant threat in Indy, Sports Cars, Can-Am, Formula 5000, NASCAR, Trans-AM and Formula 1, at the same time in the same years. As a driver, team owner and constructer, Dan Gurney stands alone.

In spite of countless victories over a long career, Dan never captured the F1 world championship or the Indy 500 as a driver. Yet his stature looms far above the statistics. Four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt put it this way, “I don’t give a damn about Mario Andretti and not much about Richard Petty, but Dan Gurney stands above all of them. He was a great driver, a great racecar driver and a super guy. As far as road racing, he stands above all of them.” The plucky Texan continues, “Dan was an innovator. He was always very clean. He would have won more races if he had been a little dirty, but Dan was not a dirty racecar driver. He was very good at what he did. They couldn’t hold a candle to Dan in road racing and neither could I.”

Dan gave Porsche their first and only Formula 1 victory in 1962. In ’67 he teamed up with Indy ace A.J. Foyt to wrestle the thunderous Ford GT40 Mk IV around the LeMans circuit for 24 hours. The two Americans took the lead early on and never let go of it.  It was a huge win for the drivers and for Ford. The ecstasy of the victory caused Dan to spontaneously start a racing tradition. “I was so stoked that when they handed me the Magnum of Moet Et Chandon, I shook the bottle and sprayed the photographers, drivers, Henry Ford II, Carroll Shelby and their wives. It was a very special moment. At the time I was not aware that I had started a tradition that continues in winner’s circles all over the world today.”

Dan raced in 86 grand prixs during the most dangerous and exciting Formula 1 era. He remains the only American to win as a driver/constructor for his epic 1967 victory in the Belgian Grand Prix at the classic high-speed Spa circuit. His car, the Eagle TG1 Weslake V12, is also regarded as perhaps the most beautiful grand prix car ever built.

Gurney Eagles were top contenders in Indy car racing from ‘66 through the ‘80s and beyond. Dan took a couple of second place finishes—once behind Bobby Unser, himself driving a Gurney Eagle—and later as a team owner and constructor would build the dominant Indy car of the ‘70s, called simply the AAR Eagle. First hitting the track in ‘72, this wedge-shaped wonder would break every record in the books and bury the AAR shop in customer orders for years to come. The car would remain competitive for most of the decade.

The great Mario Andretti was also impressed by Gurney’s accomplishments, saying, “He is one of those that I’ve always admired. He was one of those people that make you a better race driver because they are so phenomenal. I’ve always had special appreciation for competitors who were versatile and who could win in different disciplines and he was one of them.”

Andretti goes on, “He won in Stock Cars, he won in Indy Cars, he won in Formula 1, he won in Can-Am and Sports Prototypes. He was a complete race driver. He was truly a world champion that doesn’t have the trophy, because of his ability. He was complete as a race driver because he was totally immersed. He was, truly, 100 percent in the sport, and he stayed in after he retired from driving and was a driving force. He contributed tremendously to the sport in so many ways. It’s a huge loss. I loved the guy. I really did.”

With all that said, the best way to judge the worth of a person isn’t with trophies and statistics. Dan Gurney and the All-American Racers Fan Group maintain a lively social media page with frequent postings from AAR crew members, fabricators and Gurney fans from around the world.  Upon the news of Dan’s passing, the page filled up with personal stories of interactions with Dan throughout his career.  Themes repeat themselves in the postings, like Gurney always having time for a photo or a kind word with the fans, and on the page many of those photos are shared.  Many ex-AAR employees offer condolences to the Gurney family and end with, “those years were my favorite,” or “working at AAR was the best job I ever had” or “you were always my hero.” In the words of one distraught fan, “Dan, you were tall, you were friendly and you were a class act.  You were everything America is supposed to be.”

Dan Gurney leaves behind his wife Evi, and sons Justin, Alex, Jimmy and Dan Jr.
For more information, visit All-American Racers allamericanracers.com.

The auto industry gathers under the spotlights in Detroit Cobo Center for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) every January, and this year’s show was worth the 45-minute search for parking. Whether you’re trying to keep up with the Joneses or are just looking for fresh eye candy, you clicked on the right link to see a sneak peek of what the future holds. Without a doubt, the star of this year’s show was the 50^th Anniversary Ford Mustang BULLITT, but several other new releases were dispersed across the showroom floor, including a handful of futuristic concept cars, such as the Toyota Concept-I, complete with artificial intelligence.

The bulk of the show encompassed new SUVs, crossovers, pickups and sedans that will be available for purchase this year, but for this gallery, we compiled a collection of the most anticipated models and unique displays. Honorable mentions include the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk, which looks stately in its velvety metallic red paint. The 2018 Lexus LC 500 inspired by Marvel Studios’ Black Panther drew in a crowd, and the 2017 Indy 500-winning car made an honorary appearance. An insane Sierra All Mountain pickup on snow tracks was parked near an isle in the GMC realm, and the Subaru that Mark Higgins raced (and crashed) on a bobsled course was mounted vertically against a wall inside of a slab of pseudo-bobsled trail. Best of all, the aforementioned splendor can be admired in the gallery above.

Did you catch the 2019 Ford Bullitt Mustang that was released? Find out more here.

If you've been considering buying a new pickup truck within the next year or so, the 2018 North American International Auto Show had a lot to offer, with each of the big three automakers debuting an all-new truck. With pickups representing such a huge part of the American auto market, there’s going to be a lot riding on these new models, so let’s take a look.

2019 Chevy Silverado

First up is Chevy, which fully debuted the redesigned 2019 Silverado in Detroit. We’d already caught a glimpse last month, but now we know a lot more about Chevy’s new bread-and-butter pickup.

It starts off by offering a larger body with more bed capacity and increased interior space, but the bigger dimensions don’t come at the expense of weight. In fact, Chevy says comparable crew cab V8 models are some 450 pounds lighter than before.

Under the hood, the truck will be offered with six different engine and transmission combos, including 5.3L and 6.2L V8s, along with a new 3.0L Duramax inline-six diesel option also joining the lineup. Mini Duramax? Yes, please.

There are also a couple of new Silverado trims, including the Trail Boss with lifted height, Rancho shocks, locking rear diff and more. There will also be an RST model for those looking for more of a street performance twist.

The Silverado is easily one of GM’s most important vehicles, and when the 2019 model goes on sale this fall, it should have a lot to offer. But it won’t be the only new fullsize truck on the market this year.

2019 Ram 1500

That's because the 2019 Ram 1500 also made its debut in Detroit with its own set of improvements and new features. Like the Silverado, the Ram is both larger, stronger and lighter than its predecessor with a reduction of almost 225 pounds when compared to the outgoing model.

Engine choices are either the 3.6L V6 or 5.7L HEMI V8–both of which feature "eTorque" mild hybrid generator systems that add a torque assist, regenerative braking and help improve fuel economy.

Inside, the cabin has also been completely redesigned, and optional features include an enormous 12-inch touchscreen in the dash, which brings to mind the Tesla Model S.

For the more adventurous types, the Ram Rebel will return to the lineup with a 1-inch suspension lift, Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs, locking rear diff and more.

As with just about all new models these days, the new Ram 1500 should haul more, perform better, get better fuel economy and be more comfortable than its predecessors. It will be on sale later this year.

2019 Ford Ranger

Ford also debuted a new truck in Detroit—but not a fullsize model. Instead, we got the long awaited return of the Ranger to the North American market for the first time since 2012.

A midsize model that has previously been available in other markets outside the U.S., the Ranger is geared toward those who want real truck capability in a package that's more maneuverable and fuel efficient than a fullsize pickup. It will compete with the likes of the Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma.

Not surprisingly, the Ranger will have one of Ford's EcoBoost turbocharged engines—the 2.3L four-cylinder currently used in the Explorer and Mustang. The transmission will be a 10-speed automatic.

The Ranger will be available in either 2WD or 4WD configurations with an optional FX4 package that includes off-road spec suspension, skid plates and a terrain management system with modes for four different surfaces.

While each of these trucks will no doubt appeal to their own markets, there's never been a better time to be a new pickup buyer. We can't wait for a chance to get behind the wheel and test them out in the wild.

See more new releases from the 2018 NAIAS in our gallery.

As much as we enjoy Christmas, New Years and all the good times that come around in December and January, it's not unusual for car enthusiasts to start feeling the blues this time of year. For most of the country, the weather is cold, and the events are few and far between.

Even for those of us who live in California's mild climate, it can still be a slow time—and if you're like me, you've probably been itching to get out and enjoy some car culture, local or otherwise.

Fresno Porsche recently held its first Cars & Coffee event of the year, and gearheads and exotic car enthusiasts alike from around Central California were looking forward to the chance to take their cars out and enjoy some cool cars and like-minded company.

Fresno Porsche is part of the dealership group owned by former Major League Baseball pitcher CJ Wilson, and CJ happens to be an avid car enthusiast and racer. It's not surprising then, that Fresno Porsche holds various car enthusiast events throughout the year, including these Cars & Coffee gatherings.

Despite the fact that the winter had been unusually dry here in California so far, it happened to be raining on Saturday morning. I thought that might affect the turnout—but when I pulled up, I was greeted with a surprisingly big turnout of both modern and vintage Porsches, exotics and other interesting machines.

It's always cool to see people who are happy driving their prized vehicles in less-than-perfect conditions—and speaking about respect, how about the guy who brought out his Ariel Atom in the midst of the rain storm?

While most people probably imagine a supercar being painted in a loud yellow or orange color, I quite like the look of this McLaren 675LT in a subdued blue-gray hue sporting orange accents.

Needless to say, the turnout was heavy on Porsches, with this pair of white 911s helping to represent the aircooled side of the brand.

My personal favorite of the Porsche group, however, was this 911SC sitting on a perfectly fitted set of Fuchs. Such a timeless look.

While the majority of the cars were either Porsches or other high-end exotics, there were a few other models represented as well, including this stunningly clean BMW E30.

There were also a couple of JDM machines on hand, including this right-hand drive FD3S RX-7.

There was also this wild looking JZZ30 Toyota Soarer drift car. Both of the cars were right-hand drive and still wore Japanese "Y" license plates designating their former use by U.S. service members stationed in the country.

For those looking to take a beak from the cold and wet outside, there was plenty more cool stuff to see inside the dealership showroom—and not just new brand new cars.

The dealership primarily deals in Porsches and Audis, but you'll also find an extensive collection of other exotic and classic cars, including everything from a BAC Mono to AMG Mercedes models and more.

There are a lot of aircooled Porsches for fans to enjoy, including not one, not two, but three 964 Carrera RS models.

The trio includes one car painted in Rubystone Red, easily one of the coolest and most interesting colors Porsche has ever applied to a production vehicle.

Not to be left out was the equally desirable 993 body style, represented here by this yellow Carrera RS.

Or maybe you're more partial to the widened hips of the 993 GT2 model?

It might be a couple more months before the weather really warms up and the event season truly gets started, but it's never too early to start getting in the mood for another year of automotive-related adventures.

It may have been a small, relaxed local gathering, but Porsche Fresno's Cars & Coffee was a fine way to kick off 2018. Happy New Year everyone!

There's been some other automotive events kicking off the year right too—like Tokyo Auto Salon and the Detroit Auto Show, click to see our coverage.

When it comes to the automotive hobby, few areas have evolved more in recent years than the classic-truck scene. For decades, vintage American trucks were either seen primarily as workhorses or perhaps a shined-up show piece that would be driven down to the local cruise night or weekend car show. But in the last 5 or 10 years, that has started to change.

Thanks to a rapidly expanding aftermarket and builders who are more adventurous than ever, vintage trucks have become blank canvases for some truly incredible projects. Whether it’s a Pro Touring build or a full-on track machine, no longer will you get laughed at when you say you want to make an old pickup drive like a sports car—and look the part.

The annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is ground zero for this movement, and each year the truck projects get more and more impressive. That brings us to this ’60 Chevrolet C10 pickup that wowed many at the 2017 edition of the SEMA Show.

Background

Built by Justin Nichols and the crew at Nichols Paint and Fab in Watseka, Illinois, this bright-green Chevy is one of the most radical performance truck builds we've seen yet. To prove it is head and shoulders above other “performance” C10 builds, Nichols will take the truck to compete in the demanding Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It takes a lot to stand up to those no-barrier hairpin turns and staggering elevation changes; it’s a good thing this truck is made for it.

Nichols Paint and Fab has been around for 11 years, and the company has lent its talents to everything from custom choppers and hot rods to award-winning show trucks. But Justin says he's always been especially inspired by race cars that have the function to back up their looks.

Justin had the idea of building a vehicle for Pikes Peak floating around in his head for a while. Once he realized the ’60 Chevy Fleetside truck he had sitting in storage would be a super-cool platform, things progressed quickly. Amazingly, the build was completed in just four months before it debuted in the Matrix Automotive Paints booth at the SEMA Show.

Thanks to advances in the aftermarket, building an old truck that goes fast and handles great isn't nearly the challenge it used to be. But given that the goal was to run at Pikes Peak, putting this particular truck together was a far more daunting task.

Not only would the truck need to be reliable and perform on a very high level but it would also need to adhere to all of the rules necessary to run Pikes Peak. Safety would be paramount, and as the truck came together, the massive Pikes Peak rulebook was consulted time and time again.

Building the beast

The ’60 C10 pickup body sits on a completely custom 2x3 steel chassis with coilover independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering up front. Out back is a custom Watts Link setup with the chassis tubing surrounding a Currie Performance differential with 4.10 gears.

Tilt up the front end and you'll find a 6.0L LS V8 topped by a Magnuson supercharger, tuned by the legendary Nickey Performance. It's dialed in to make a cool 1,000hp, plenty to get the C10 up the mountain. The transmission is a TKO five-speed manual from American Powertrain.

Inside, the truck’s interior is all function—as you’d expect a Pikes Peak machine to be. The seating is from Glide Engineering, Dakota Digital gauges keep an eye on the truck's vitals and Vos Upholstery provided the finishing touches.

As for the body itself, it's all metal and features some unique tricks. The aforementioned tilt front end is all one piece and includes a custom front grille with integrated air intakes. Other functional additions include heat extractors, a steel rear spoiler and a big front splitter.

Even though the truck has been built from the ground up to be beaten on at Pikes Peak, it also has the ultra-clean appearance of a show truck. There's a strong attention to detail throughout, and everything is accented by a custom paint job that uses a blazing-green custom hue from Matrix Automotive Paints.

Last but not least, the truck was fitted with one-off Billet Specialties wheels measuring 18x10 inches up front and 18x12 inches in the rear with Nitto NT555 rubber all around. As with the rest of the build, the overall wheel and tire combo is the perfect mix of form and function.

After the big SEMA debut, the truck returned to Illinois, where Justin has been working on fine-tuning it and getting everything dialed in for Pikes Peak in June. He says there are still a few more minor adjustments it needs before heading to Colorado, but it's just about ready to go. We can't help but be impressed with Justin and all the crew at Nichols Paint and Fab for pushing the boundaries of what a pickup truck can be.

Photos by Tim Sutton

More importantly, we’re looking forward to seeing this thing in action!

SPECS: ’60 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside Pickup

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Tokyo Auto Salon expanded once again this year, filling all 11 halls of Makuhari Messe with 880 vehicles on display for over 319,000 attendees to view, photograph, discuss and drool over. With that many builds from across Japan and around the globe, narrowing down a gallery to just 100 photos was a task!

In the end, the photos in the gallery above represent a wide array of the JDM dreams housed in the Auto Salon this year, so give it a look!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our Tokyo Auto Salon 2018 coverage here!

Anyone who's ever been to a bigger car show knows the excitement brought on by the sights and sounds of cars passing by while walking into the venue. Sometimes, on lucky occasions, the show in the parking lot is even nearly as good as the show inside. For Tokyo Auto Salon, the main parking lot at Makuhari Messe (comfortably accommodating over 3,750 cars) was a veritable sea of gems tucked between the ranks of commuter cars.

Walking out of the venue on the crisp morning of the second day of TAS, visitors were immediately greeted by this pair—an R30 RS-X Turbo C Skyline parked next to a S15 Silvia.

While the R30 retains more of a cult following than the general adoration shown to the R32, R33 and R34 Skyline generations, the distinctly angular body and JCCS show-quality condition of this particular example are to be admired.

Behind that pair was another interesting—and inevitably more polarizing—find. This Mazda CX-5, sporting a lift with full-on livery, overfenders, mud flaps and bash bar garnered the attention of many passers-by on the way into the show.

While it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, it was definitely one of the most eye-catching lot finds.

Just down the row was a pair of Toyota Velfires, each modified in similar-yet-distinct ways.

The 60+ lights (not counting the LEDs surrounding the main projector headlights) in the front fascia of the purple Vellfire and larger wing above four titanium exhaust tips on the black Vellfire are definite highlights of the otherwise expectedly-aggressive body modifications on this type of Japanese van.

This NSX is definitely hard to miss, the red etched paint blazing in the sunlight.

The chin spoiler and rear diffuser hovering a single inch or less off the parking lot’s pavement added to the overall presence of the setup.

This bagged GTR sitting next to a shakotan Bluebird back near the front of the parking lot shows a progression of low-car styling over the years.

The last gem of this lot is actually a pair of gems: an R34 in the iconic Bayside Blue paint next to a panda AE86.

No matter what automotive associations one may have, these two are easily in the top five most recognizable JDM cars of all time. To have them parked next to each other was a definite treat!

That about wraps up the parking lot walk, but make sure to check out the gallery below for a couple additional finds and the rest of our 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon coverage here.

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few years, you'll know that SUVs and crossovers are absolutely dominating the American car market. In 2017, Ford had its best-ever sales year for SUVs, and it's not surprising that the brand would want to add a crossover to its ever-growing Ford Performance line.

And that's exactly what they've done with the introduction of the 2019 Ford Edge ST. Based on the existing Edge Sport model, and 380 lb-ft of torque with standard AWD.

Along with the horsepower bump, the Edge ST also comes equipped with an updated eight-speed automatic transmission with a selectable sport mode and paddle shifters. The outside, meanwhile, is treated to unique styling and a set of 21-inch ST-specific wheels.

Underneath, it also gets ST-tuned suspension and an optional big brake package to help dial some extra handling performance into the family-hauling SUV.

Traditionally, car enthusiasts have seen crossover SUVs as the antithesis of what makes cars fun and exciting, but it's nice to see Ford injecting some passion and performance into the popular segment. The Edge ST will go on sale this summer.

Any other new car releases catch your eye? Read more news from Detroit Auto Show here.

If diesel performance had to be condensed into a single photo, this would be it: a second-gen Cummins. Without a doubt, the ’94-’02 Dodge Rams fit with the 5.9L inline-six Cummins diesel set the tone for the high-horsepower oil-burners we have today. Big power potential was especially true for the ’94-’98 trucks, which in addition to being graced with the B-series Cummins, came with the coveted Bosch P7100 injection pump (a.k.a. P-pump). With access to the right parts and advice, big power is easy to achieve—and the truck can still be used to tow or haul anything you need it to.

It’s been two decades since the last Dodge Ram rolled off the assembly line packing 12-valve Cummins power, but thousands of enthusiasts are still willing to pump big money into them. Miles Flight is one such second-gen owner. In a textbook case of how to build a streetable P-pumped Cummins, his ’94 Ram 2500 sports compound turbos, a tweaked P7100 and a 24-year-old, completely untouched short block. Building his own suspension and steering components, a four-link system and five inches of lift was added up front, along with a dual steering stabilizer and third-gen tie rod assembly. The extra altitude paved the way for a set of 35-inch Nitto Trail Grapplers, mounted on 20x12 Fuel Mavericks, to be bolted in place in the wheelwells.

Follow along for a closer look at what makes this classic, 700hp diesel tick.

Original Yet Immaculate

Although time has never been good to the ’94-’02 Rams, the original paint on Miles Flight’s ’94 ¾-ton has held up extremely well over the years. Surviving 20-plus humid summers and salt-stricken winters is impressive enough, but the fact that this Ram served as a plow truck at one point in time makes it even more remarkable.

B.A. B-Series

While the 5.9L Cummins’ original bottom end has never been opened up, the cast-iron cylinder head was ported, polished and cut for O-rings by Enterprise Engine Performance. To stop valve float at high engine speed and valve creep under big boost and drive pressure, a set of 60 ppi valvesprings got the call as well. ARP studs secure the worked over 12-valve head to the undisturbed short block.

Well-Matched Compounds

A quick-spooling compound turbo arrangement entails a 64mm BorgWarner S300 (manifold/high-pressure charger) mounted over a 75mm S400 (atmosphere), both of which were sourced from Industrial Injection. Mounted to a PDI exhaust manifold, the internally wastegated S364 is responsible in getting things moving at low rpm. The S475 is non-wastegated, but makes use of a large, T6 mounting flange and moves a ton of air at higher rpm.

Mechanical Magic

Oftentimes glorified even more than the legendary Cummins B-series it’s bolted to, the P-pump is always at the forefront of any 12-valve’s horsepower-making recipe. And even though the unit employed on Miles’ Ram is the same 12mm, 175hp version it left the factory with, considerably more fuel has been coaxed from this particular P7100. Among the list of tweaks is a number 5 fuel plate, 022 delivery valves, billet rack plug and 4,000 rpm governor springs. Concluding the fueling mods is a set of 5x14 (Stage 4) injectors from Dynomite Diesel Products.

Supporting Mods

The job of keeping ample fuel supply on tap for the P-pump to use is left in the hands of an AirDog system. To guard against any low-on-fuel issues, diesel is pulled from the bottom of the factory tank via sump (shown). The AirDog system’s compact design bundles the water separator, fuel filter and lift pump together and mounts along the framerail. This particular 100 gph system sends 35 psi worth of fuel pressure toward the P-pump through a ½-inch diameter hose.

The Envy of All NV4500s

It’s not a ‘real truck’ without a manual transmission, right? Building on the NV4500 five-speed’s already-sterling reputation, Miles had Tantrum Drivetrain of Doylestown, Ohio build him a nearly indestructible unit, complete with a 1-3/8-inch diameter input shaft, stress relieved third gear and a chromoly main shaft. Engine-to-transmission power transfer begins with a 3600 dual disc clutch from South Bend. To date, it’s had no issues harnessing the truck’s dyno-proven 700hp and 1,500 lb-ft of torque.

Trail Grapplers on 20s

It’s no secret that big rims are the new norm in the diesel industry—and the 20-inch wheel craze hasn’t been lost on older truck owners, either. Thanks to a set of 20x12-inch Fuel Mavericks, Miles was able to blend a little new-age bling into the old-school Ram. With an aggressive stance and a quiet ride part of his hard-to-meet demands for a tire, Miles settled on one of the only tread patterns that somehow manages to accomplish both:Nitto Trail Grapplers. They measure 35x12.50R20.

The Back Forty

Although many believe the Dana 80 rear axle was only available on 3500 model second-gens, it was available on 2500s provided they were five-speed versions. For improved cosmetics, the 11.25-inch ring gear has been covered up by a polished aluminum diff cover from Spectre Performance. Two of the truck’s four Fox 2.0 Reservoir shocks can be seen here, too, along with the tail section of the 5-inch turbo-back exhaust system Miles had painted high-temp black.

All the Boost

A Phantom II series Auto Meter boost gauge is used to keep track of how hard the turbochargers are working. While the S364 over S475 arrangement doesn’t peg the 100 psi gauge, boost pressure does crest 70 psi under full load. Exhaust gas temperature and fuel pressure are also monitored along the driver side A-pillar.

Gauges

Some in-cab dressup comes in the form of white-faced gauge overlays in the OEM cluster. As far as the tach is concerned, don't mind that red line at 3,000 rpm. Thanks to all the fuel and air mods, that’s where the fun begins.

Old Dodge, New Tricks

While modern badging sometimes looks out of place on older vehicles, these late model 3500 series versions appear right at home on Miles’ second-gen.

Find out the 11 reasons why the 12-valve Cummins is the ultimate diesel engine. 

Tokyo Auto Salon is known for introducing the world to some of the wildest and most over-the-top builds from across Japan. In fact, here’s our Top 11 from this year to make it easy! That being said, not every build needs to break the internet or stir up controversy to be worthy of admiration and a couple extra minutes of drooling at the host's booth.

At first glance, this Audi A7 Sportback Quattro looks to be another AirREX-equipped Euro, but it's the details that really lift this car out of the usual bags-and-wheels monotony.

To state the obvious, this car is wide. The entire bodywork, from front bumper to rear—including the diffuser—is a collaboration between Alpil and Liberty Walk.

The result is a full body kit that not only flows with the factory bodylines, but accents and massages out the A7’s width to fit the 21"x11" Alpil MS-1 forged wheels wrapped in Nitto INVO tires.

The custom paint fades down the columns from a deep, nearly-black cherry across the roof to a rich candy red with flake throughout. The pure saturation of the pigments pulls the passerby’s eye, even from the neighboring widebody Audi R8.

Newing’s fully custom interior stands in stark contrast to the rich exterior tones. The incredibly crisp white Nappa leather and carpet in a matching red tone tie the interior and exterior into a cohesive package.

The door cards and center console are finished in a red-reflecting carbon fiber, injecting a sporty feel into the otherwise luxurious cabin.

So, what happens when German engineering meets the Japanese aftermarket? It appears to be magic in the form of this one-of-a-kind A7 Sportback.

Check out the full gallery below and the rest of our Tokyo Auto Salon 2018 coverage here!

Jason Blanton is piloting a newly built 4400 class Ultra4 car for King of the Hammers this year. Before tackling KOH, Jason hammered down at the track—drag racing a Lamborghini Huracán in Driving Line’s #HuracánDrag video. See which car won by watching the video online and watch out for Blanton’s car pushing out some big power during this year’s Ultra4 season.

“This is the first time I have headed to the race with a car that was finished months before. It performed way better than I expected during testing at the Hammers. This will be an interesting year, not only at KOH but the rest of the Ultra4 season. Learning my new car—and what it can and cannot do.” –Jason Blanton

Specs: Jason Blanton’s #966 Unlimited Class Ultra4 Car

Follow along with Jason Blanton and the rest of the competitors at KOH here!

There was plenty to tell about the future of performance in U.S. vehicles by seeing what was on show at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at the Cobo Center in Detroit. The drool-worthy carbon fiber-bodied 2018 NSX, the modernized Ford Mustang BULLITT and the ever-impressive Dodge Demon all make us giddy with gearhead excitement for what's in store—not to mention the trucks. The much-anticipated 2019 Ford Ranger, the 2018 RAM 1500 and the amenity-packed Chevrolet Silverado Z71 Trailboss have some appealing tricks up their sleeves. Fiat Chrysler gave some of the best news, following up on the Jeep JL launch earlier this fall, including promising plans to release an all-new Jeep pickup and thoughts of reviving the Wagoneer line. All of those vehicles and more can be seen in Driving Line's main gallery. 

Several new arrivals particularly caught our eye, we've compiled these eight... that we think are hints that 2018 will be a great year. Yes, please!

1. Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Toyota continues to set the bar high with the 4Runner TRD Pro. It offers the toughness and versatility that overland enthusiasts need to rule the terrain. The rugged, purpose-built exterior is complete with a 1/4-inch-thick TRD-stamped aluminum skid plate, which is set off by the bold front grille and black bezel headlights. Nitto Terra Grappler all-terrain tires surround the matte-black 17-inch TRD alloy wheels for maximum everyday performance both off-road and on pavement. Bilstein shocks put a long-lasting damper on abuse. For unbeatable traction control, the TRD Pro offers full-time 4WD with A-TRAC and an electronic locking Torsen limited-slip differential. The only thing missing is the overland survival equipment. We recently took the 4 Runner TRD Pro to Baja, read about it here.

2. Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon

Fiat Chrysler showed up with the refined Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon—which preserves the honor of being a successor to the legendary CJs, but with improvements accomplished by using the latest technology. The new-gen JL has a better turning radius and a stronger crawl ratio than the previous generation. The turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine is more efficient and has about the same output as the V6, but with advanced torque delivery, which is an important capability for off-road enthusiasts who strive to overcome the next challenging obstacle. An eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission transfers power to the wheels.

Interior upgrades include a handy wheel angle indicator in the instrument cluster, more modern upholstery and added technology for vehicle monitoring and safety. The company also proclaimed that the public has an upcoming diesel engine and hybrid-electric powertrain options to look forward to.

3. 2018 Ford Expedition XLT Baja-Forged Adventurer

Expedition and overlanding was a trending theme at this year’s NAIAS. Ford’s contribution was the brawny, trail-grappling version of the full-size Expedition built by LGE-CTS Motorsports. The roof rack, being equipped with an ARB USA Simpson III tent, annex and complimentary KC LED HiLites, immediately caught our eyes and sent us into a woodland camping daydream.

The one-off XLT Baja-Forged Adventurer was built to be an off-road experience vehicle that an entire family can enjoy. The custom leather interior comfortably seats seven passengers. A Console Vault safe locks up your personal items, and an ARB fridge and freezer combo chills food and beverages.

The Adventurer’s superior handling starts with its ICON Vehicle Dynamics suspension system, Hellwig stabilizers and 2-inch coil-over shocks. A Sparta Evolution big brake system was installed to handle steep hill descents. LGE-CTS Motorsports Baja Forged bumpers and custom fender flares offer protection and add to its rugged good looks. The 35-inch Mud-Terrains grip Method Racing wheels complete the package.

4. BMW i8 Electric Roadster

The BMW i8 promises sports car performance with the efficiency of a compact car. This year was the long-awaited first release of the roadster, which features an electric roof that opens and closes silently in seconds at the touch of a button, even when traveling up to 30 mph.

The biggest upgrade to the powertrain is the new 11.6-kWh battery pack, which powers a 105 kW electric motor to engage the front wheels. BMW states this change also increases the electric range to 33 miles, more than doubling it's original 15-mile range. The electric motor’s output also rose from 129 to 141hp. In the rear, a turbocharged BMW TwinPower three-cylinder petrol engine powers the rear wheels, in turn completing the AWD system and offering a combined 369hp. The new BMW i8 Roadster accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. That’s 0.2 seconds slower than the i8 Coupe, which races from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds. A small sacrifice for style.

5. 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

Take it all in: The sharp, expertly angled edges of the Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE give this design a modern muscular physique. Its determined grin is large enough to swallow in more air (and kill more bugs) than the standard ZL1. Mounted to the rear is GM’s first genuine carbon fiber wing, which was perfected in a Formula 1 wind tunnel. The splitter and dive planes compliment the look with an aerodynamic purpose. 

The 1LE went on a strict diet and dropped 60 lbs from the standard ZL1 curb weight, but Chevrolet didn’t sacrifice power. Instead, the manufacturer selected a supercharged 650hp 6.2L V-8 that pounds out 650 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Match and a racing-derived adjustable suspension supports the power and enhances handling. Yes, we took a moment to sit in the driver’s seat and make menacing engine sounds.

6. Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes is crawling deeper into the off-road world with the refined G-Class model, a utility luxury SUV that combines a vintage look with trail-dominating technologies. It’s rugged enough to conquer hardcore trails yet luxurious enough for the Pebble Beach Concours d‘Elegance.

The "G-Wagen" may see more parking lots and valet drivers than river crossings and rockscapes, but it's designed to do everything you wouldn’t expect a Mercedes to do. For one, ground clearance was increased by 9.5 inches to better navigate rocky trails. Three sequentially lockable differentials (center, rear and front) balance the torque and traction via three easy-to-use buttons on the dash. LED headlights help illuminate the path ahead, and advanced driver-assist systems make the most inexperienced novice look like a pro. The combined state-of-the-art technologies incorporated into this Benz are so refined that Mercedes just might pave the way to self-driving off-road vehicles.

7. 2018 Cadillac CTS-V Glacier Metallic Edition

Cadillac created the CTS-V Glacier Edition in celebration of its 115-year history. These majestic super sedans are limited to 115, which were produced in 2017 for the 2018 model year. The paint took on a matte pearl white appearance under the Detroit Cobo Center’s spotlights, but Cadillac described the color as “smoky light gray.” Blazing red Brembo brake calipers peeking out from under four 19-inch polish-finished alloy wheels compliment the anniversary color.

The Cadillac CTS-V super sedan is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine that was SAE certified at 640hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic sport transmission transfers the power to the rear wheels. Cadillac’s highly advanced Traction Management system was perfected through two years of engineering with Cadillac Racing in the Pirelli World Challenge. It adds five track-driving modes and launch control to ensure the most powerful Cadillac ever sold always plants its power with grace. Forget what we would do for a Klondike Bar. We want to sit in the black Recaro sport seat and take this CTS-V for a whip around some curvy roads.

8. Honda Civic Type-R

Competing in a vast crowd of hot hatches doesn’t pose a challenge for Honda, but the manufacturer’s rivals must race to keep up with the masterminds behind the sinister NSX. The Type R is an intoxicating mix of power and performance. A turbo 2.0L inline-four pushes 306hp to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. Honda incorporated its Dual Axis suspension system to eliminate all possible torque steer normally associated with high-powered front-drive vehicles.

What Honda lacks in the satisfying deep rumbling exhaust notes that only come from V8 muscle cars, the Type-R makes up for with its favorable economical gas mileage-to-performance ratio, not to mention the thrilling turbo whoosh followed by darting up to its 7000 rpm redline with gusto. It’s a phenomenal factory track car that also performs well as a comfortable street car for daily driving.

Want to see what else NAIAS had in store? See our coverage here!

The 36^th annual Tokyo Auto Salon has come and gone and has given us a lot of insight into where the Japanese tuning community is taking car customization. Some of the new styles may become trends and some may even make their way around the globe.

As we maneuvered our way through crowd totaling close to 320,000 people, we noticed a few trends for this year from the 880 cars that were on display. There were a lot more U.S. manufactured cars and trucks, an increasing number of exotics, and three stand-out cars: the Toyota H-CR, the Honda NSX and the Lexus LC 500.

Speaking of the Lexus LC 500, there were a lot of entries this year, from the very aggressive to the subtle. Even though Lexus began production in March of 2017, most tuners chose to wait to reveal their product lines until this year's Tokyo Auto Salon. There were plenty of variations on display ranging from the aggressive slammed-on-air builds to full-on GT race versions, but it was the one sitting in the Adidas Racing booth that caught our attention the most.

Lexon, Toyota and Lexus styling specialists, debuted their new Lexus LC 500 body kit this year, referring to it as "Luxury Sports" as a nod to its sporty nature combined with the comforts that Lexus is known for. Like a counter to the Toyota C-HR, the body of the LC 500 flows, with no harsh lines breaking your gaze as it moves from front to back. The pieces of the Lexon Exclusive kit simply accentuate the curvature of the body.

In the front, you can find a front lip spoiler that gracefully rolls at the edges, creating a subtle canard that leads towards the bodyline created by the lower side panels.

Below the side panels are a set of side splitters that appear rather simple until you look at them from above. From there, you can see just how curvaceous the body is and how Lexon accentuated that by following it to a point, then by creating a small accent before reaching the rear arches.

The rear features the most aggressive piece of the kit with the lower diffuser. Tucked perfectly under the factory bumper, it is difficult to even see that they are actually separate pieces. The diffuser will help smooth out the turbulent air as it exits the rear of the car and also provide some additional downforce.

Although Lexon produces a rear wing replacement, it appeared that the one on display was still using the factory version. The rear spoiler reveals itself automatically when the driver exceeds 50 mph and then retracts when speed is reduced below 25 mph. When retracted, the rear wing is flush with the body, so the Lexon version provides the appearance of a trunk lip while not affecting the function of the original.

The LC 500's engine wasn't touched, with the remaining upgrades limited to the suspension, brakes and wheels. The car doesn't look that much lower, but things should be a bit tighter in the corners thanks to RSR's SUPERi suspension kit. Braking is improved with a set of Project Mu brake pads which will help bring the large Rays Volk Racing G25s to a stop. The large 22-inch wheels are wrapped neatly in a set of 255/30R22 Nitto Invo tires.

The overall package with subtle aero modifications and daily drivable ride height made this LC 500 from Lexon the one we could see ourselves driving regularly. The big question however is if owners are willing to customize a car that starts at $92,000. We're looking forward to seeing the first State-side customized LC 500.

Make sure to check out more photos of the new Lexus LC 500 by Lexon in the gallery below and all of the other coverage from the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Every time we go to a local car show, we find something that catches us by surprise. That’s what happened when we came across this immaculate 1968 Chevy C10 pickup owned by Matt Bever of Grand Junction, Colorado. Beautifully outfitted with top-notch performance components, we had to go in-depth with this build!

Made for Driving Chassis & Wheels

Bever's pickup is completely redone from the ground up in pro-touring fashion. Riding atop 20-inch American Legend Streeter wheels with Nitto tires, the C10 features all the chassis goodies you'd want in a pro-touring truck, including a 5/7 lowering kit, tubular control arms and disc brakes. These upgrades give it incredible versatility. It’s as ready for cruising around town as it is for canyon carving or autocross trials.

Powered for Fun

Right in line with its performance chassis, Bever's C10 boasts an LS3 engine under the hood. Backing the LS3 is a 4L65 automatic transmission for easy driving. With LS power and the suspension system to put it to good use, we can only imagine what this beast is like out on the road.

Tasty & Tasteful

Stunning from any angle, this C10 has a flawlessly-laid, custom-mixed Axalta Apple Cinnamon Twist paint scheme. And it doesn't stop at the body. Also coated in the custom mix are the entire engine bay and engine dress-up pieces, the front and rear bumpers and the grille surround. Even the Chevy Bowtie on the grille was sprayed to match, giving the truck one sleek look!

Adding to the overall gorgeous aesthetics of the truck are the custom interior and polished wood-slat bed. Inside, the truck features an immaculate “Tuxedo Tan” interior with a leather bench seat and door panels accented with billet accessories. The tan color continues out back to the truck's bed through blonde wood slats accented with billet rails, unifying the whole look.

One incredibly gorgeous C10, Bever's Chevy impressed more than just us at the Goodguys Colorado Nationals. At the event it won the LMC Truck-sponsored Chevy Truck Pick—a commendation with which we wholeheartedly agree!

Check out our full gallery below, and then head over to see another gorgeous C10, this one from Nichols Paint and Fab.

Somewhere in the California desert, there’s an annual gathering to test the true power of man and machine. A violent off-road battle rivaled by no other, held once a year, for the ultimate title—being crowned “King” of the toughest single-day race on Earth. King of the Hammers is 165 miles of some of the most brutal terrain in North America. As the green flag drops at sunrise, racers will battle until night with less than half making it to the finish. Driving boundary-pushing off-road vehicles, also known as Ultra4 buggies or 4400 cars, racers reach speeds over 100 mph in the open desert while also being able to crawl over boulders the size of a city bus.

In just 10 years, King of the Hammers has grown from 13 racers and a few dozen people to over 400 race teams and 50,000 spectators in attendance. Held in Johnson Valley—an area filled with valleys, dry lake beds and jagged mountains nestled between Joshua Tree and Big Bear in Southern California—the landscape is known by off-roaders for having the harshest, most technical trails in the nation.

Many have taken to calling the week filled with racing and off-roading the “Burning Man of Off-Road.” Based on the temporary conglomeration of people and RVs creating “Hammertown,” outlandish race vehicles, lasers filling the night sky and sounds of horsepower surrounding you during the day, it makes a lot of sense. You certainly won’t find anything else like it on Earth.

Perhaps one reason this race event so unique is the teams that compete. These aren’t polo-wearing, commercially funded professional race teams, they’re largely groups of friends and families who take the week off work to “vacation” here while they rally around getting a race vehicle to finish. The vehicle they’re racing was likely built and fabricated in their garages, utilizing aftermarket components that are pushing the entire off-road industry forward due to the ingenuity and extreme needs of Ultra4 racing.

Aside from the teams themselves, there are a few other factors that are unique to this race. Unlike the Baja 1000 and the Dakar Rally, King of the Hammers requires a vehicle that can both travel at speeds over 100 mph, and also shift into a low-geared 4-wheel-drive system to climb up trails littered with 10-foot boulders. This dichotomy is the first of its kind in off-road racing, and makes Ultra4s the most capable off-road vehicles on earth. Separating it even further from other races, pit crews are not allowed onto the race course itself—leaving any-and-all repairs to the driver and co-driver to perform on their own. Despite the added weight, these cars make over 900hp and are much faster than you might think.

All that horsepower doesn’t mean much if you can’t translate it to the ground, something that only becomes more challenging when you’re on loose dirt, sand, rocks and boulders. Nitto Tire has a history of dedication to providing the best products available for recreational off-roaders. The performance of Nitto Tires—in traction, uniformity, on/off road versatility and sidewall strength—has translated to the world of off-road competition as well. The 40-inch Trail Grappler commands wins and championships in Ultra4 racing and has proven itself as the tire of choice on the unforgiving rocks and trails for both racers and weekend ‘wheelers.

Much more than just a race, King of the Hammers is friends and families coming together for a week of the harshest racing known to man—pushing everything to the limit and sacrificing blood, sweat and tears for the chance to be crowned King. The only question left to ask is, will you be joining in?

Follow along with us all week at King of the Hammers!

To say Southern Californians love car shows isn’t only stating the obvious; it’s an understatement of colossal proportions. Typically, you’ll find car shows occurring in the heart of summer, but in a place as warm as Los Angeles or Orange County, CA, as the Tuner Evolution show demonstrates, anytime of the year is a good time to display a slice of California car culture. Originating in the east coast, Tuner Evolution has been hosting its popular car show for many years, but only now have they made their way to the Golden State. Judging by the queue to get into the Anaheim Convention Center, it’s safe to say that California has welcomed Tuner Evolution with open arms.

With over 400 cars registered for the first ever Tuner Evolution California, it might be a little overwhelming at first, but if you know what you’re looking for you can easily filter through. The '90s is easily one of the greatest decades for Japanese cars; it includes the Acura NSX, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline, Toyota Supra and even the Nissan 300ZX. These chassis are loved for their timeless bodylines and powertrains. As you can imagine, it’s what the crowd gravitated towards. If you missed Tuner Evolution, here’s a gallery highlighting the best '90s cars of the show.

Check out our full gallery from Tuner Evolution California above. Like the article? Subscribe to the newsletter to get more sent to your inbox!

Sometimes, building a vehicle opens up a whole new world of experiences you never thought were possible. A new Jeep build that takes you to the ends of the earth, or a Mustang that introduces you to a whole new group of enthusiast buddies. Wherever your ride takes you, be sure to share it with us @drivingline for a chance to be featured on Reader’s Rides!

Austin Dockery | ‘02 Mustang GT

Nitto Tires: NT555 G2

“This car has taken me places and introduced me to so many people! There has been a lot of memories made with this car—the most important being where it all started, with my Dad helping me with repairs although he was disabled. My Dad lost his fight to 4 different cancers in 2017. I promised him I would continue to build this car in his memory.”

Check out more pics of this Mustang on Austin's Instagram @austindockery

Liz Lindhart | ‘13 Jeep JK

Nitto Tires: Ridge Grappler

“My Jeep gives me a whole new life experience because it allows me to explore and see so many places in a different way. Since I had a passion for adventure, learning more about my vehicle and how it works is a—making me feel more confident and want to continue to improve its performance. With this new addiction, I’ve connected with more people, built stronger friendships and found a new version of myself.”

Follow Liz's adventures on her Instagram @life_of_liz

Scott Bisi | ‘96 Toyota 4Runner

Nitto Tires: Trail Grappler

“I love that I’ve built my 4Runner to stand apart from the rest. From the Tacoma Fiberglass front end conversion, to the 4WU 3-link front and 4-link rear on Diamond Axles and Radflo coilovers, I’ve built a cool looking 4Runner that can do anything from Overlanding to Rock Crawling.”

Check out more on Scott's 4Runner and his other builds on his Instagram @cougarhousegarage

Kristin Cline | ’12 Scion iQ

Nitto Tires: Neo Gen

“Just because it’s a ‘boring’ commuter car doesn’t mean it has to be! I never would have contemplated buying a Scion iQ until I drove one—being surprised by how roomy the interior was and how fun of a ride it made. Simple modifications—custom-painted sideview mirrors and Konig wheels—have made it look more unique while the Neo Gens make the handling more confident.”

Follow Kristin on Instagram to see her Scion iQ and other car projects @greasegirl

Watch as we match up a reader's EF Civic against an E30 on the track in our Driver Battle series, here.

Everyone likes adding power on a budget, right? Due to the ease at which horsepower and torque can be added, diesel heads are some of the most spoiled enthusiasts on the planet. It’s normal for the simple installation of a chip to unlock an extra 100hp and 200 lb-ft. However, for many of us, living on a budget doesn’t leave a lot of disposable income for our toys, which is exactly why we’ve put together our budget-build series for diesel trucks. And because tens of thousands of the near-2 million produced are still on the road, we decided to start with the patriarch of Power Strokes: the venerable 7.3L.

From entry-level mods to combinations that yield as much as 450rwhp, we’ll show you how far $1,000 to $10,000 will take you on a 7.3L Power Stroke. Keep in mind that the power recipes outlined here are designed to provide you the best bang for the buck without sacrificing longevity. After all, plenty of engines can make big power—once. These combinations are designed to allow you to enjoy the added power indefinitely. In our next installment, we’ll show you how to budget-build your 6.0L Power Stroke. Stay tuned!

Things to Keep in Mind

1. These trucks are old. Many of them were produced more than 20 years ago, so don’t expect everything to be in perfect condition (injectors, fuel pump, transmission, turbo).
2. The ’99-’03 versions of the 7.3L used in Super Dutys offer more performance potential than ’94.5-’97 engines. (The later engines benefitted from an electronic lift pump, higher flowing injectors and ’99.5-‘03 models utilized a higher volume high-pressure oil pump).
3. Early 7.3Ls did not come from the factory with an intercooler. If you plan to tow a lot or pursue more horsepower than a chip provides, an intercooler is highly recommended to help control EGT and reduce intake temps.
4. Considerable money can be saved or spent elsewhere once the clutch has been upgraded in trucks with manual transmissions.
5. Each budget assumes you’re starting new, with a bone-stock truck.
6. Most of the items listed in these budgets are stuff that you and a buddy or novice mechanic could install in a weekend. The labor to have these parts installed has purposely been excluded.

$1,000 Budget (240–310rwhp)

TS Performance 6-Position Chip: $230.00

This chip has been a mainstay in 7.3L performance for more than 15 years and is the ultimate entry-level power adder for any ’94.5-’03 Ford. Advertised as capable of adding 140hp, most Super Dutys will see a 100 to 120hp gain at the wheels, while F-series trucks will see gains of 80 to 90hp. Six different tunes are available via turn knob and can be switched on-the-fly.

4-inch Turbo-Back Exhaust System: $285

Both MBRP and Diamond Eye offer 4-inch diameter exhaust systems in this price range. They are aluminized, so they won’t last as long as the stainless steel versions, but those of you living in the rust belt can still expect to get 5-6 years of use out of them.

EGT, Boost & Trans Temp Gauges: $410

Analog gauges along the A-pillar are definitely old-school and can be a pain to install when you factor in all the wire-stringing, but it is a cheaper way to keep an eye on key vitals than going the high-tech digital monitor route. Auto Meter’s Ultra Lite series pyrometer (0-1,600 degrees), boost (0-35 psi), transmission temp (100-250 degrees) gauges and a three-gauge pod are reflected in the price shown above.

Boost Fooler: $60

Speaking of boost, this product will let you build more than 24 psi without the engine defueling. Much more of an issue on ’99-’03 7.3Ls than on earlier models, the factory PCM will pull fuel (de-rating your power) if it sees approximately 24 psi of boost. Strictly Diesel and DieselSite offer different versions that accomplish the same thing—they trick the MAP sensor into believing only 22-23 psi is making it into the engine.

*Budget Buster: Edge Insight CTS2 monitor w/expandable EGT probe (instead of analog gauges and A-pillar pod) = $550

$2,500 Budget (350rwhp)

Custom-Tuned TS Performance 6-Position Chip: $325.00

Beyond the big performance gains realized by installing an off-the-shelf chip, larger injectors are the next step in noticeably improving power on a 7.3L. However, once you bump up on injector size, custom tuning is required in order to get the most out of them. If custom tuning sounds more expensive, it’s because it is—but it’s a necessity that shouldn’t be overlooked. The price shown above can be had through Full Force Diesel, and features Gearhead Automotive Performance tuning—some of the best custom tuning on the market.

Stage 1 Injectors: $1,195

These injectors, built by Full Force Diesel, flow a maximum of 180cc of fuel (vs. 120cc on ’99-‘03 engines and 95cc on ’94.5-’97 models), will support 350rwhp and won’t kill the factory turbocharger. For reference, a stock ’99-’03 Super Duty makes anywhere from 190 to 210rwhp and 290 to 310rwhp with a chip.

John Wood Automotive Valve Body: $250

To keep that stock E4OD or 4R100 automatic transmission alive with the added horsepower (and especially torque), a valve body that provides quicker shifts, less clutch slippage and reduces heat should be on the to-do list. Owners of ZF-5 and ZF-6 manual transmission trucks need not apply, but at this point you will definitely need a clutch upgrade.

- 4-inch Turbo-Back Exhaust System (Mentioned Above): $285

- Auto Meter EGT, Boost, Trans Temp Gauges (Mentioned Above): $410

- Boost Fooler (Mentioned Above): $60

*Budget Buster: Edge Insight CTS2 monitor w/expandable EGT probe (instead of analog gauges and A-pillar pod) = $550

$5,000 Budget (380–400rwhp)

Custom-Tuned Hydra Chip: $460

If you’re the type of owner who plans to leave your setup alone, a custom-tuned TS chip will work just fine. On the other hand, if you’re the type who likes to change things up (i.e. you’re always tweaking your setup), a Hydra Chip from Power Hungry Performance with the optional USB extension cable is more your cup of tea. With the USB extension cable, you never have to remove the chip and send it in to your tuner to be reprogrammed ever again. Get a Hydra. It’ll change your life.

Stage 1.5 Injectors: $1,395

Like the Stage 1s listed in the $2,500 budget, these injectors are also built by Full Force Diesel and flow a maximum of 180cc of fuel. However, they’re equipped with a 30 percent over nozzle rather than a stock nozzle. This allows a higher volume of fuel to be injected in a quicker time window, which means you’ll see less EGT while making more power. The Stage 1.5s support 380rwhp.

DieselSite Adrenaline High-Pressure Oil Pump: $689

This one is not an absolute necessity, but it will add power and offer a fresh start over your aging factory high-pressure oil pump. The Adrenaline from DieselSite offers a considerable increase in high-pressure oil volume without sacrificing durability and has long been the standard go-to HPOP in supporting stock to 500-plus hp trucks.

Upgraded Fuel Supply System: $1,100

As a means of insuring you’re protecting your injector investment, the factory fuel supply system needs to be upgraded. Various kits are available in the aftermarket (see Irate Diesel, DieselSite or Marty’s Diesel), which provide higher fuel volume, steady supply pressure and a regulated return function.

S&B Cold Air Intake: $299

At this point, we would throw an aftermarket cold air intake on the truck. At 10 to 20hp, performance gains can be negligible and won’t be noticed by the seat of your pants, but these systems ease serviceability, match or exceed the factory filtration standard and offer an oiled air filter option that’s reusable.

- John Wood Automotive Valve Body (Mentioned Above): $250

- 4-inch Turbo-Back Exhaust System (Mentioned Above): $285

- Auto Meter EGT, Boost, Trans Temp Gauges (Mentioned Above): $410

- Boost Fooler (Mentioned Above): $60

*Budget Buster: Edge Insight CTS2 monitor w/expandable EGT probe (instead of analog gauges and A-pillar pod) = $550

$10,000 Budget (400–450rwhp)

Irate Diesel T4 S366 Turbo Mounting System: $2,299

Just like the Hydra Chip, this mod will change your life. Take it from us, bolt-on turbochargers aren’t worthwhile upgrades in the 7.3L segment. By adding one of Irate Diesel’s complete turbo mounting kits to your truck, it opens the door to running any T4 flanged turbo you want, namely the BorgWarner-based S366 shown, which is a great budget turbo that’s perfect for any use (street, tow or competition).

Stage 2 Injectors: $1,695

Like the Stage 1s and 1.5s listed in the $2,500 and $5,000 budgets, these injectors are once again built by Full Force Diesel and flow a maximum of 180cc of fuel. This time however, they’re equipped with your choice of either an 80 percent or 100 percent over nozzle. This allows a higher volume of fuel to be injected in a quicker time window, which makes it even less stressful on the engine to make more power. Full Force Diesel’s Stage 2 injectors are listed as being capable of supporting 400rwhp, but with the aforementioned Irate T4 S366 system in the mix, the improved airflow can easily push you past that point.

Dorsey Diesel Stage 1 Transmission: $2,900

If the stock E4OD or 4R100 didn’t complain by the time you reached the list of parts outlined in our $5,000 budget, it definitely will once you throw Stage 2s and an S366 turbo at the truck. At this point, a reliable transmission from a reputable builder should be added. Dorsey Diesel’s Stage 1 automatic comes with a billet, triple disc TCT torque converter, Raybestos GPZ clutches, machined pump, modified valve body and numerous other upgrades. At $2,900, this highly affordable transmission is one of the hidden gems in the 7.3L industry.

- Custom-Tuned Hydra w/USB cable (Mentioned Above): $460

- DieselSite Adrenaline High-Pressure Oil Pump (Mentioned Above): $689

- Electronic Fuel System (Mentioned Above): $1,100

- 4-inch Turbo-Back Exhaust System (Mentioned Above): $285

- Auto Meter EGT, Boost, Trans Temp Gauges (Mentioned Above): $410

- Boost Fooler (Mentioned Above): $60

*Budget Buster: Edge Insight CTS2 monitor w/expandable EGT probe (instead of analog gauges and A-pillar pod) = $550

Can you beat the prices you see above? Sure! But just remember that if you do your parts shopping on eBay, you’ve cut out the middle man and sometimes even the original manufacturer—so don’t expect to receive product support if you encounter any issues.

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While we're counting down the days to the launch of the 2018 Ultra4 racing season at King of the Hammers, it's the perfect time to be reminded of the epic battles that ensued this past year. From specific races, to tracks, to the machines that got us there—read on for our top picks of the biggest battles in Ultra4 racing. Think we missed something? Add it in the comments!

1. Campbell vs. Campbell @ King of the Hammers

In a battle of Biblical proportions (or at least Star Wars proportions,) father and son faced off in the first big race of the year—King of the Hammers. With roughly 40 miles to go, Shannon caught Wayland and took the lead from his son. Wayland didn’t take it laying down and pushed himself to new levels that translated over the course of the entire season into a National Championship. Back and forth in the canyons and across the open desert, these two battled with no quarter given. With less than three miles left to go in the race, Wayland took the lead back from his father to cross the line first… then he held his breath.

Shannon had started deeper in the field, and KOH is a time-corrected race. After crossing the line second, the calculators came out fast and furious. With just seconds to spare, Shannon Campbell had won his third King of the Hammers, bumping his boy down to second. When asked about being the first ever 3-time King, all Shannon could talk about was how proud he was of Wayland’s driving. This is what Ultra4 racing is all about.

2. Wayland Campbell vs. Levi Shirley

Two young warriors—in matching cars—faced off all year long in a battle that took eight head-to-head battles and over 1,000 race miles in six states to settle. Levi and Wayland have a lot in common: second generation Ultra4 drivers, both under the age of 25, zero Ultra4 wins despite numerous podiums and matching single-seater Campbell Enterprises cars. Wayland struck first with a win at the Vaquero 250 in Texas. Following his KOH performance, it looked like Wayland’s year. Then Levi stepped up to challenge him with back-to-back victories at the MetalCloak Stampede and the RCV Badlands Brawl. It was on!

These two battled back and forth the rest of the season, Wayland answering with his second victory of the year at the KMC Battle in Bluegrass. Wayland won the Eastern Championship, Levi won the Western Championship. It all set up a powerhouse battle at the Nitto Tire National Championship race in Reno, NV. While Jason Scherer won the race, Levi finished second and Wayland finished third. Two car-lengths worth of points ended up separating these two at the end of the year, with Wayland edging out Levi for the overall 2017 Championship trophy. Can’t wait for the 2018 King of the Hammers to see these two in battle again? We can’t either.

3. Ultra4 vs. The Oklahoma Weather

Sometimes, Mother Nature decides she wants to play too… and in Oklahoma this year, she almost won! Ultra4 prides itself on being the “Swiss army knife cars” of the off-road world. Cars are setup and raced over everything from rocks, to desert, to woods and creeks—but Mother Nature sent 2 tornadoes and almost a foot of rain to make things more interesting this year. Race day was delayed by 2 hours to allow for the creek/river to subside enough just to let teams into the facility. Car-swallowing mud holes soon made the course very interesting, and the impact of the mud on the cars was felt for several races afterwards as teams dealt with water and mud related issues turning up as engine problems. Despite her best efforts, however, Mother Nature lost to Ultra4 and Texan Clay Gilstrap notched his first victory in Ultra4. This also marked one of the few victories Texas had over Oklahoma this year. Border war anyone?

4. Old Timers vs. First Timers

2017 was a watershed moment for first-time winners, yet the two winningest drivers in Ultra4 history had something to say about that. Wayland Campbell, Levi Shirley and Clay Gilstrap owned the heart of the Ultra4 season this year, each landing their first U.S. Ultra4 victories. In the case of Wayland and Levi, multiple victories. Although Shannon Campbell claimed his third King title at KOH, 2017 looked like the year the “old timers” were being put out to pasture and the new guard was taking over.

Then, Mr. Loren Healy had something to say about it! In a convincing flag-to-flag victory at the Fallon 250, the “old guys” were back on the table. Former King Jason Scherer added a third victory for the “King club” by notching a "W" at Nationals. So, for the year: 3 different Kings won and we had 3 first time winners. Maybe it isn’t the changing of the guard just yet. But for the record, one of the first timers was on every single podium this year, so only time will tell. King of the Hammers 2018 should give us a great preview of what’s to come in 2018. Slawson, Campbell, Scherer, Healy, Miller, and Campbell have dominated every KOH to date. Is it time for a first timer to claim the throne?

5. Modifieds vs. Legends 

Every year at KOH time, the “discussion” cranks back up about which is faster—the Modified Stock class (4500s) or the Legends class (4800s). The root of this discussion comes from the starting order at KOH, where clean air is an advantage, especially if you tackle the rocks early in the race. 4500 class drivers claim an advantage due to having two shocks and essentially the same rules as the Legends class. The Legends class claims victory as the fastest class due to typically larger engines and proven cars. Which is right?

I statistically broke down every single race for the 2017 season—from KOH all the way through Nationals—and frankly, this is only a battle in theory, because the results speak for themselves. In side-by-side time comparisons, 4800 cars won 7 of the 8 events. In total podium spots (based on times), 4800 cars took 19 of the 24 podiums (if the classes were combined into one class) for a 79% podium ratio. Average gap between the first 4800 class car and the first 4500 class car? 10 minutes and 57 seconds. Unless the 4500 class can produce an overall winner during the EMC this year, this battle goes to the Legends class. Maybe we will get to see a Brad Lovell (4800 class) vs Vaughn Gittin Jr (4500 class in Brocky) battle as one of the top of 2018? We’ll see.

Bonus Battle: IFS vs. Solid Axle Cars

And no list of battles in Ultra4 would be complete without the ever present IFS versus Solid Axle debate. Conventional wisdom had been that IFS is faster in the desert and on short course and that Solid Axle is faster in the rocks… yet Erik Miller can tear up a short course and Shannon Campbell can levitate through the rocks. Conventional wisdom has been that you must have solid axle to win King of the Hammers, yet 3-time champion Shannon Campbell says differently—especially since all 3 podium winners and 8 of the top 10 cars were IFS last year.

Get all your 2018 Ultra4 and KOH coverage here on Driving Line—now you can even subscribe (for free) to the magazine!

Each January, the Grand National Roadster Show hosts the "America's Most Beautiful Roadster Award." While '32 Ford roadsters tend to be the most recognized, any roadster can compete. Technically speaking, a roadster is a vehicle with removable A-pillars at the windshield, no roll-up door windows and a removable top. In the AMBR competition we see a lot of Fords, but also Buicks, Cadillacs, Dodges, custom-bodied cars and more—but for 2018 all but one of the contenders were Fords, with years ranging from '27 to '36.

This year, the car winning the AMBR prize went to Dave Martin's '31 Ford Roadster "Martin Special." The Martin Racing special started with an "original-ish" Ford body and an Ed Pink engine. First hitting the road in bare metal form, the roadster competed in the Silver State Classic this past September. It then headed to Hot Rods & Hobbies in Signal Hill, CA for paint and final assembly. Unusual for an AMBR contender to get real-world use before being shown, this example truly embodies the hot rodding spirit that bore the roadster's heritage.

The one deviation from Fords this year was Rick Dore's '36 Cadillac dubbed "Shangri-La" with hand formed aluminum body by Luc Deley.

Other stand-outs included a fiberglass-bodied home-built roadster based off a '65 concept drawing by Joe Henning and Thomas Bobowski's historic "Eddie Dye Roadster" based off a '29 Ford.

Also on display was the NieKamp Roadster, on loan from the Petersen Automobile Museum—a '29 Ford roadster that won the first AMBR award in 1950. It was joined by last year's winner, a '36 Packard dubbed "Mulholland Speedster" built by Hollywood Hot Rods.

Browse through the gallery below for more 2018 AMBR contenders. Who were you hoping would take home the prize?