Archive for the ‘Car Modifying’ Category

McLaren MP4-12C Receives Performance Boost

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

If you didn’t already think the new McLaren MP4-12C was quick enough then there is now a range of updates that can be fitted to improve speed and performance further. John Hennessey, the founder and president, of Hennessey Performance (HPE), which is a supercar tuning company based in Texas, has announced that the upgrades that can be fitted to the McLaren will take power up to over 800bhp.

The original MP4-12C already comes with a quite astounding 592bhp and some very clever Formula 1 derived technology, and while upgrades to further improve performance are all well and good, my reservation is that the balance and poise of the original MP4-12C would become upset by the extra power and performance.

Furthermore, McLaren are famed for their perfectionist approach to engineering and, well, just about everything they do to be honest, and so we can be sure that their brainchild, the MP4-12C, will have been built within very specific constraints and to very specific and particular requirements. One wonders whether McLaren would be particularly happy with another company modifying the performance of the car.

Nevertheless, the HPE tuned McLaren features a larger air-intake, intercooler system and improved turbochargers. There is also a custom-built titanium exhaust. Whether HPE will have played with the onboard computer we are unaware, however ECU remapping on the McLaren may indeed be necessary with such a jump in power.

Furthermore, HPE have modified the aerodynamic package as it has been designed to increase downforce. HPE have also stated that they will not be changing the suspension or the brakes as they have claimed that they would not be able to improve on the factory fitted components.

John Hennessey has been commenting the McLaren: “We’ve been taking fast cars and have been making them faster for over twenty years. I spent a lot of time around the new 12C at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed and was very impressed. We’re excited to have the opportunity to take a great car and give it our own special performance touch while giving 12C owners a uniquely aggressive appearance.”

The modifications are sure to be popular amongst the lucky people that own an MP4-12C; it would however be interesting to see what McLaren themselves think of the new upgrade package offered by HPE.

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How to Gain More Power

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

One thing car fanatics like us are always trying to do is increase the performance and horsepower from our vehicles, but what is the best way to do this? You can easily take you car to a specialist garage and have a number of items fitted that will supposedly improve the performance and horsepower, but you want to make sure you get the most for your money and kit that will actually work with your car.

Turbo Chargers

This is normally the first thing people think off when looking to increase their cars horsepower and it definitely can do that! A turbo charger is a high speed turbine powered by the engines exhaust which then increases the amount of air entering the engine, leading to increased power and performance.

A turbo charger can greatly increase the power of your engine, but if it is the only modification you make you will not get the maximum potential from it. A turbo charger works best when other parts, especially the exhaust, have also been upgraded to match its performance levels.

Exhaust System

Another way you can greatly improve the performance of your engine and increase horsepower is by upgrading your exhaust system. A modified exhaust system will expel exhaust fumes at a greater rate, which will improve the flow of the engine and make the performance smoother, which will help improve the engines horsepower.

Custom stainless steel exhausts can also work really well with other performance engine parts, such as turbo chargers, and can even help improve the fuel efficiency of a car.

Engine Remapping

Another upgrade we would highly recommend for increasing your car’s engine performance and power is an engine remapping. With a custom engine remapping you can programme your ECU to suite your personal needs, which will make sure you get the power when you need it but then also make the engine more ecological as well.

An engine remapping can be a quick process and will work well with other performance parts, such as a custom exhaust or turbo charger. The best way to make the most of any of these parts is to not just add them on their own but to revamp the whole engine so that the parts can work together and you can get the most out of each one.

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The Latest Power Trained Ford Set to Arrive

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

The latest in the line of fast Ford’s has already been announced: the 2012 Focus ST. This will be available, worldwide, at some point in the new year. The new ST was revealed as early as the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and has since toured the majority of motor shows. The Frankfurt Motor Show, however, saw the first production version of the car which is already shaping up to be a popular choice for many.

The ST will be powered by a 2.0 litre twin-cam 16-valve turbocharged engine that will produce 247bhp and 260lb-ft of torque. The car will also come with a six speed manual, or Ford’s all new six speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Ford themselves have stressed that the car will drive well, and will also sound special thanks to a specially modified performance exhaust system, similar to what was seen on the Focus RS and the exhilarating Focus RS500. Ford’s very own Jost Capito has stated: “People loved the sound of the previous Focus ST. The physics and acoustics of a five cylinder engine compared to a four cylinder are very different, but like Beethoven and Mozart – both of whom created fantastic yet very different music – we believe the engine note of the new Focus ST will delight enthusiasts in the same way.”

Ford have been producing powerful and exciting, yet affordable, cars for a number of years now. If we go as far back as the 1960s, Ford were producing the first Escort’s, and then in the 70s we saw the Escort Mexico models and further Mark II Escort’s. Of course in the 1980s we then saw the Sierra RS Cosworth, which came with fully fledged motorsport potential thanks to its race-going counterpart that was winning nearly every touring and rally car competition under the sun.

Then in the 1990s came the even more powerful, even more exciting, and my personal favourite of the affordable, iconic, performance Ford’s, the Escort RS Cosworth. It came fitted with a Cosworth YBT, turbocharged 2.0 litre engine that was highly tune-able, and produced around 220bhp. Although in most cases, owners would boost this power through various modifications.

This just gives us an example of the potential and pedigree the new ST has. With the factory model already starting with more power than the tuner-friendly Cosworth beasts of the 80s and 90s, it seems that Ford Focus ST owners may be keen to tinkle with the performance of their shiny new engine.

Ford has stated that they will be targeting the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Mazda 3, and the Honda Civic Si as competition; however, if Focus ST owners follow the path of previous fast Ford owners, then we could be seeing a number of Focus ST’s challenging automotive royalty instead.

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Vauxhall Monaro Exhaust system rebuild

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Getting more power out of an already powerful car is something that we’re often asked about at Longlife and when our Franchisee in Southend joined the HSV owners forum at www.hsv-owners.com it was one of the first subjects they were asked about.  Keith and Jamie took up the challenge and requested that someone let them have a standard Vauxhall Monaro VXR to see what could be achieved.  Forum member Pete duely obliged and let his pride and joy out for Keith and Jamie to do their thing.

It was decided that the best way to go would be to build a complete system, including new headers, downpipes, sports cats, center section and rear boxes.  Before they did this, the vehicle was taken to Atspeed Racing’s rolling road to be tested as a benchmark.  Peak power was found to be 287.1 bhp at 5500 with peak torque of 274.2 ft-lb.

A number of late nights later, Keith and Jamie had the system finished and drove the car back to the rolling road to see what their work would produce.

“You won’t get much from just an exhaust system so don’t expect much” were the words from the technician operating the rolling road.  A thumbs up and a smile however when the run was finished looked promising.  The final results can be seen on the graph below which show peak power now to be 333.2 bhp and 315.5 lb-ft of torque.  A hugely impressive 46bhp increase!

Pete reports that his enjoyment off the car has reached a whole new level which is exactly the result Keith and Jamie were hoping for.

The whole project proves the point that a well manufactured performance exhaust system can hugely improve a vehicles performance and also improve the looks and sound of the car as well.  As a video becomes available, we’ll update this post so you can hear the results as well as see them!

Posted in Car Modifying, Exhausts, Stainless Steel Exhausts, Tuning | 1 Comment »

Stainless steel exhaust tails

Friday, January 28th, 2011

At Longlife we are replacing more and more car exhaust systems due to poor performance and damage. Your exhaust system is exposed to some of the most awful gasses from monoxide to oxides of nitrogen and more. This is why upgrading to a stainless steel exhaust system will give you better performance, durability and last longer. We are so confident we will even give you a life time guarantee.

Stainless steel exhaust tails customise your vehicle with a stylish upgrade. Most standard exhaust tails are not the best looking; they are most likely a typical, flat, steel colour that is only designed to do its job. At Longlife you can purchase tails designed to make your car stand out.

We have over 80 designs to meet your requirements and budgets! You can choose a close replica of the original manufacturers design to your own vision of what is right for your car. All of our tails are made in our own factory using only the best quality fully polished T304 Grade Stainless steel. Choose from big, shiny styles to standard size tails.


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Aftermarket stainless steel exhausts – Ideal for your car?

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

I have put Some simple information together to explain what an exhaust system is, and what it will do for your car.

What is an exhaust system?

An exhaust system in general removes the by products of combustion from the car’s engine and vent them in to the atmosphere away from passengers. This silences the noise of the engine and cleans up car engine emissions before venting them into the atmosphere. (Post 1992 cars only)



What will a stainless steel exhaust system do for my car?

Aftermarket stainless steel exhausts have a soul purpose of replacing the factory fitted exhaust system of a car. This will improve the cars visual, sound and general performance. Stainless steel exhausts will give any car a great style upgrade, by making changes to the more visible parts such as the exhaust tip. But you must keep in mind that aftermarket stainless steel exhausts are not just a stylish accessory but also alters the performance of a vehicle.

So before you can even consider buying a new exhaust system, make sure you think about these considerations before any purchases:

• Cost: the cost of a stainless steel exhaust system is quite overweighed, but please keep in mind that an exhaust made from such durable steel will last many yeas. Less maintenance is required to keep a high level of shine with stainless steel exhaust. So perhaps setting yourself a budget before ordering will give you a better idea of what you can get.

• Sound: if you have ever dreamt of driving a sports car with a unique rumbling noise that will instantly turn heads, then a stainless steel exhaust could be a great investment for you. Depending on the system you choose you could get a deeper roar, replicating those high end sports cars. All you need now are the alloys! :)

• Performance: an aftermarket stainless steel exhaust gives your car a more efficient fuel path. Making your engine breath better and creating more power. I should explain that my VW Passat is now seven years old and completely standard except for the performance exhaust that I had fitted with great results about two years ago. The standard output of the engine when new was 130bhp which in itself gave fairly lively performance. The much increased power delivery with my new exhaust was fantastically smooth with the feeling of more grunt coming in even before the turbo spooled up.


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Posted in Car Modifying, Exhausts, Noise | 2 Comments »

Visit Longlife at the Autosport International Motor Sport Show

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Its time for the widely regarded annual Motor sports show! At this years Autosport international motor sports show Longlife will be attending! Held at the Birmingham NEC, please feel free to visit us on stand19152 located in the Piston Heads area this Saturday and Sunday.

This pre-season network is ideal for all car enthusiasts! So if it’s the first time you are visiting you will not be disappointed. From Formula One fans to karting lovers, there is something for everyone.

Longlife Showcase their work every year! What to expect…

This is the largest Motor sport event in Europe! Visit the largest and most over whelming indoor racing track with live performances from the presenters of TV series Fifth Gear. Witness record breaking stunts and the chance to win a thrilling passenger car ride. The performance car show and presence of other car fans will set the scene for an enjoyable day out!

To find out more information please visit the Autosport international website.

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Posted in Car Manufacturers, Car Modifying, Racing | 3 Comments »

Aston Martin Enthusiasts Excited About Special Edition DB9s

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

Wealthy motorists can’t wait to get their hands on one of three elegant DB9s from their nearest Aston Martin dealership. So much work has gone in to the production of the splendid Morning Frost, Carbon Black and Quantum Silver editions of the popular vehicle that they truly deserve the attention of the motoring community.

Both the Carbon Black and Quantum Silver versions have drawn inspiration from the beautiful cars which have featured in recent James Bond movies. Each of them have classy Obsidian Black interiors, and sleek Piano Black centre consoles. Drivers are likely to find great pleasure in utilising the six-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission, which features in both cars. They may be surprised by the loud roar produced by the re-mapped sports exhausts..

The leading manufacturers couldn’t resist installing 19” 10 spoke forged gloss black painted diamond turned wheels on the ebony vehicles. They have also included black grilles, graphite tail pipes, perforated seat inners, silver stitching and gleaning switchgear as part of the sport package.

Anybody who is looking for ultimate luxury will undoubtedly be tempted to purchase the Morning Frost DB9, which comes complete with 19” 10-spoke alloys, and silver brake callipers. This car is absolutely guaranteed to get heads turning, whether it be on the race track or the city street.

The white vehicle also makes use of the electronic wizardry of the Touchtronic II transmission, which is fixed upon the transaxle. Sophisticated motorists are unlikely to feel out of place when sitting in the classy Morning Frost drivers seat, which has perforated lining and bronze leather headlining.

All three of these superior cars pack have been kitted out with a 470bhp, 6.0 litre V12 and 6 speed automatic gearbox, which really pack a punch. They also have a unique laser etched sill plaque, which shows off the world famous wings insignia in all its glory.

According to an Aston Martin press release the ‘V12 Vantage Carbon Black, DBS Carbon Black, DBS UB2010, V8 Vantage N420 and now new DB9 offerings will cater for individual tastes across the world.’

‘This attention to individual tailoring began in February when production of the Carbon Black editions began, followed in March with a Works Tailored commission made by Aston Martin to celebrate CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez’s tenth anniversary at the helm of the marque in creating 40 limited edition UB-2010 DBSs.’
It remains to be seen whether sports car lovers stump up the required £132,525 for the privilege of owning one of these wonderful new models.

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Diesels and Engine Re-mapping

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Having driven many business miles in the past few years in a Diesel car i’ve been amazed at just how diesel car performance has increased so much in recent years.  Twenty years ago, if you drove a diesel then you has to be resigned to sluggish performance as a trade off to your increased fuel efficiency.  Modern diesels however seem to be increasing in power month by month – Audi’s 2.7TDI A5 giving a health 187bhp for example!  So it was with great excitement that when we started engine remapping here at Longlife I drove my car into the workshop for the guys to play with..

I should explain that my VW Passat is now seven years old and completely standard except for the performance exhaust that I had fitted with great results about two years ago.  The standard output of the engine when new was 130bhp which in itself gave fairly lively performance.  Two hours later I got back behind the driving seat and went for my first test drive.  Having experienced a car modified with a diesel tuning box in the past I was expecting much the same but I couldn’t be more wrong.  The much increased power delivery was fantastically smooth with the feeling of more grunt coming in even before the turbo spooled up.  No trail of black diesel smoke as was evident with the tuning box either which was an added bonus.  I returned to the workshop with a huge smile so thank you to Dean in our workshop at Head Office.

My only concern was what all this extra power would do to the fuel efficiency.  My first long drive on the motorway at a steady 85 mph showed an average of over 52mpg.  That’s 5mpg above what I would normally expect which I think is fantastic.  At lower speeds, around 70mph i’m showing nearly 60mpg!

So now I can happily overtake knowing that the extra power is there should I need it and still have a bit of extra money in my pocket as a result of the fuel saving.  I now can’t wait for my next car which will be a more powerful diesel as standard and will for sure be played with by soon after my purchase.

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UK Modified Car Cruises

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

It never ceases to amaze me the lengths that some people will go to to endulge their passion.  I was at one of our Longlife depot launches last month and got talking to one of the many people who had come down with their car to enjoy the day.  Based in the Midlands, this guy has spent many thousands of pounds on his Fiat Punto, respraying it, and upgrading it so that you’d hardly recognise the original car.  He did also enter a competition to win one of our exhausts although that prize went to a friend of his who had only just started modifying his Fiesta. 

“Never mind, i’ll get it done at some point” was his comment.

What really amazed me was the fact that this yound lad – he’s probably in his early 20s – has driven 40,000 miles in the last twelve months going to cruises and meet ups all over the country!  Given that he’s based in one of the most central points of the country one can only assume that he’s been to pretty much every point across the UK and probably into Scotland as well.  I drive about 25,000 – 30,000 miles per year through pleasure and business in a car that’s very comfortable and designed to do that kind of mileage.  To have done that in a Punto which has been lowered to the point that it’s only about an inch from the ground is just astonishing. 

For those wanting a great day out and to meet up with other petrol heads, don’t forget the Topgear/Longlife Open Day at our Head Office in Dorset.  Saturday July 10th from 10am to 4pm.  There will be loads to see, thousands of pounds worth of prizes to be won and the Team Dynamics British Touring Car Team here to show you their race car.  Find us at Unit 1 Gore Cross Business Park, Bridport, DT6 3UX

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