Posts Tagged ‘Stainless Steel Exhausts’

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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 Year Ahead

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

Now that the festive and New Year activities have more or less come to a close, and we are all (kind of) back into the swing of things we can look forward to the year ahead, and in terms of upcoming cars in 2012 there is a lot of reason to smile and get very excited. Especially if you are lucky enough to be genuinely thinking about buying, or already have ordered, one of the cars we are about to mention!

We start with America’s special offers this year. Ford look certain to launch a new Mustang GT500. The name alone evokes a feverish excitement deep within a petrol heads stomach whilst also creating some very sweaty palms. Remember the original GT500 that was showcased in Jerry Bruckheimer’s Gone in Sixty Seconds remake? Well this new, modern version is set to come with over 600bhp and around 600 lb-ft torque. This astonishing performance comes from a 5.8 litre powerhouse.

Ford have also been hard at work designing an aerodynamic body in order to make it as fast as possible in a straight line as they aim to smash the 200mph barrier. Be sure also that it will be fitted with one tasty sounding stainless steel exhaust system that will burble and shake the fillings from your teeth.

Also from America comes the new Dodge Viper which is expected to be fitted with an 8.7 litre V10 that will also produce more than 600bhp. Prototype Vipers have been reportedly blasting round the Nurburgring at some rate and so anticipation is building for the release of what should be a European supercar beater. Watch out Ferrari and Lamborghini!

Speaking of European supercars, there is a new Pagani on its way. The difficult to pronounce Huayra has been delayed since the end of 2010 and this has led to increased expectations and excitement for what should hopefully be the release of Zonda’s replacement.

The Zonda was, and still is, a truly awesome supercar. It had everything, beauty, power, performance, garishness and pizzazz, and so with the Huayra set to replace it, we would hope the new model would be even better! That is certainly a tough task but Pagani have obviously been hard at work and will only release the new car when they are more than happy with the end product, and when, in their eyes, it is a true Zonda vanquisher.

There is also a new Bugatti set to arrive in 2012. The Galibier is expected to have over 1000bhp and is currently looking like a four door Veyron. It is almost certain that it will be the fastest four door saloon the world has ever seen, and in typical Bugatti style will come with a big WOW factor. It will be loud, fast, grand, and fierce whilst also being able to settle down for a long, executive cruise. Perhaps a Bentley defeater? Or a Rolls Royce slayer? Expect the Bugatti to be quite a chunk more expensive however…

There are, of course, many more cars that will get tails wagging throughout 2012, stand by for reviews and previews here on the Longlife blog.

Happy New Year!

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Mopar Unveils V10 Powerhouse at SEMA

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Here at Longlife we are big fans of large, powerful, hair raising, adrenaline pumping, and ultimately fast engines and so we thought that it was only right to bring you the news that Chrysler’s tuning parts subsidiary, Mopar, have unveiled a brand spanking new engine at the SEMA Motor Show in Las Vegas, which we have been attending.

The engine in question is an 8.4 litre V10 monster!

The Competition Series V10 features an aluminium block and cylinder heads, a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods along with forged aluminium pistons. It will deliver a furious 800bhp and a world spinning 695 lb-ft of torque. The engine will rev to a maximum of 7000rpm, at which point the world really will be spinning backwards whilst whatever car is being powered by the Mopar unit is sent hurtling through time!

The engine is currently unavailable for your road car however as it has been specifically designed for drag racing. Nonetheless, Mopar has hinted at the idea of it being put to use in future road racing projects along with a version that could be designed for off-road use.

Another serious and impressive engine that was showcased by Mopar at SEMA was a 590bhp version of Chrysler’s HEMI V8. Now this is an engine that can be bolted into your road car, provided it fits of course! The new HEMI will be 45kg lighter thanks to its cast iron block being replaced with a lighter aluminium one.

Furthermore, we have additional Chrysler news as the new Dodge Viper is currently being developed. This is very exciting news for all petrol heads as the Viper is an iconic machine that represents so much for petrol heads across the world. The Viper signifies speed, power, passion and sheer adrenaline. Even the name gets your heart pumping and your palms sweaty! The new Viper is likely to be fitted with a 600bhp, 8.7 litre V10. That may be smaller than the aforementioned Mopar unit, however, it is still a huge engine that will get your stainless steel exhausts burbling and put a very large smile on the face of whoever may be lucky enough to take the reins!

The new Viper will also come with stability control for the first time ever…let’s hope that can be switched off however…

Chrysler have said that the car is expected to launch in late 2012, with customer cars expected to be delivered in early 2013. If you want one, then we suggest you place your order fast!

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The DeLorean is Back…in the Future

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

It has been announced this week that the legendary DeLorean that was made famous in the 1980s movie classic, “Back to the Future”, will be making a return to our roads. The DeLorean Motor Company, based in Texas, has teamed up with, the rather aptly named, Flux Power of California, in order to create a battery powered electric motor, similar to the one found in the successful Tesla Roadster.

The new DeLorean is set to launch in 2013, with the electric motor producing 200bhp that will propel the iconic looking car from 0-60mph in less than eight seconds. The prototype has already been tested on the road and the track, and these figures are certainly looking realistic. The DeLorean is also said to handle significantly better than the original, which was always dogged by handling issues, partly due to the four cylinder engine being mounted behind the rear wheels.

The president of DMC, Stephen Wynne, has said that he hopes to sell the electric DeLorean for around $90,000. The car will even come with iPod connectivity and satellite navigation; two things that weren’t even dreamed of back in 1985 when Doc Brown first got his hands on the stainless steel machine. With the car being powered by an electric motor, it’s doubtful that the new car will come fitted with stainless steel exhausts to match that famous body work though.

Whilst initially this is very exciting news, it leaves me with a slight twang of worry. The worry being that the iconic, and fabled reputation of the DeLorean, largely thanks to the hit film starring Michael J. Fox, will be somewhat tarnished.

Whilst the bosses over at DMC obviously see a fantastic money making opportunity, and whilst they also have an incredible marketing tool, the brand name along with the fame earned through the three “Back to the Future” films, I can’t help but think such a legend should be left how it is.

The electric DeLorean is something I am very sceptical about for this very reason. If we think about legends that have, in a sense been reborn, there are numerous examples of reputations that have been stained upon revival. Perhaps the most relevant example would be the Mini.

This was a British icon the world over, and also a very successful rally car. When the new BMW version came along it was very exciting news, and Mini’s were snapped up like the latest must buy fashion accessory, but as time has passed the new look Mini just does not compare to that legendary sixties icon. For a start it is no longer thought of as a truly British car, especially when the only place to buy them is a BMW dealership…

Furthermore, the Mini was all about how small and light it was, whereas now BMW have taken it places it was just never meant to go. For example the Mini Countryman and the Mini Coupé are just more ways for BMW to exploit that fabled name. The original Mini was voted as the second most influential car of the 20th century, I can almost guarantee the new Mini wouldn’t even be voted the second most influential car of this decade, let alone century.

My point is it would be such a shame for the DeLorean to return to criticism and disappointment. Whilst it all initially sounds great and is very exciting news, it can, provided the project isn’t a resounding success, be potentially damaging for the iconic DeLorean name.

Hopefully this is one DeLorean that will be more than welcome when it returns back to the future.

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Jam Packed Motorsport Weekend

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

This upcoming weekend sees a whole host of motoring events taking place. Most of which appear to be happening in Northamptonshire. Whether you like the bare knuckle, no holds barred, bumper to bumper action of the British Touring Car Championship, or the foot to the floor, burn out your clutch action of the Santa Pod Raceway, it’s all happening in rural England this weekend.

The British Touring Car Championship is coming to a close at the world famous, and much loved Silverstone circuit. Five drivers go into the final round all with the chance of walking away with the most coveted prize in UK motor racing.

After 27 races Matt Neal will arrive at Silverstone with a tiny five point margin over his rivals, and with all to play for, we can guarantee there will be fireworks! Hearts will be pumping, adrenaline will be flowing, and all five drivers, Matt Neal, Jason Plato, Gordon Shedden, Mat Jackson, and James Nash will be pushing hard for glory. With just 17 points separating the five of them, and a potential 45 points up for grabs from the final three races at Silverstone, we are sure to see exciting racing.

It’s mouth watering stuff for any motorsport fan. Even if you haven’t actually followed the action this season, these final three races will definitely create exciting and breathtaking entertainment. Touring Car drivers are somewhat renowned for their never give up attitude and so we are sure to see sparks fly between these five top drivers.

This weekend also sees the Santa Pod Raceway open to the public as Saturday is ‘Run What Ya Brung’ day. This is your opportunity to test your cars performance on the famous strip! All you have to do is pay a small fee before blasting up the drag strip, hopefully with your car holding together! We expect to see a lot of great action, and a lot of high performance cars take to the legendary bit of tarmac in a bid to set the quickest quarter-mile time of the day. Who will be left trailing behind gleaming stainless steel exhausts?

Then, if that wasn’t enough action for one weekend, Santa Pod is also opening its doors on Sunday to the fastest VW GTI’s in the land. If you are a VW GTI owner then why not take your precious machine along to the dragstrip to see how you match up alongside other GTI owners? Or, if you are just a fan of the prestigious GTI’s then this event will be just up your street!

Of course there is also the Formula One Korean Grand Prix that many millions of people will be enjoying from the comfort of their own home. With the title already over, will we see Sebastian Vettel taking a relaxed Sunday cruise? Or will we see him pushing hard to overhaul his competitors in a bid to do what he couldn’t in Japan? That is, of course, to win. I have a feeling it will be the latter.

There will of course be other events taking place too, and with so much happening this weekend in the world of motoring, the question is, where will you be?

Please feel free to let us know!

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Posted in Racing, Stainless Steel Exhausts | 1 Comment »

The latest Hot Hatch from Renault

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Renault has always been a market leader when it comes to hot hatches. If we look back through the long history of hot hatches you will see numerous Renault’s, all of which were at the very top of the game. The term hot hatch was actually coined in 1984 by the British motoring press after a number of small sports cars burst on to the scene.

French manufacturers, Renault and Peugeot, were certainly at the forefront of the hot hatch scene with cars such as the Renault 5 Turbo in 1980, the Peugeot 205 GTI in 1984, the Renault 5 GT Turbo in 1985 and the Peugeot 205 Rallye in 1987. These were, and still are to some extent, highly desirable cars and it can be argued they spawned the even hotter hot hatches we have today. Renault are, naturally, still considered as one of the forerunners in the hot hatch world with cars such as the Clio Sport V6 and the Mégane RS.

However, many other car companies have joined the fray. For example, Ford with their Focus ST and Focus RS, or Fiat with their 500 Abarth, amongst a whole variety of other manufacturers who have jumped on the hot hatch bandwagon in recent times.

Renault’s latest edition, the aforementioned Mégane RS, has recently undergone further modifications thanks to a British tuning company, RS Tuning. The ECU has been remapped and stainless steel exhausts have also been added.

The Stage 2 package for the car delivers stronger performance figures, with the 2.0 litre turbocharged hot hatch now firing out a magnificent 316bhp with 360lb-ft of torque. The standard car still has very respectable figures at 247bhp and 248lb-ft of torque, however that extra 69bhp that comes from the new modifications will most certainly be noticeable. Especially in something so small and light!

Renault and Peugeot also have a history of turning their hot hatches into racing machines, such as the Renault 5 Maxi Turbo, the Renault Mégane Trophy and the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 that actually originally started life as a rally car, but in order to gain homologation, Peugeot had to produce at least 200 road-going versions. The 5 Maxi Turbo and the 205 Turbo 16 are two of the most iconic and exciting rally cars ever produced, with the Renault winning the Monte Carlo rally on its 1981 debut, and the Peugeot enjoying great success in the 1985 and 1986 World Rally Championships as it wrapped up the Constructers’ and Drivers’ titles both years.

If it wasn’t for such legendary cars in the 80s, we would most certainly not have the fast, exciting hot hatches we do today, and we definitely would not be talking about modifying the Renault Mégane RS!

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Diesel Particulate Filters

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

A diesel particulate filter (DPF) pretty much does what it says. Particles and matter disposed of by the diesel engine in your vehicle will be filtered out through the device. This will result in a reduction of a sooty matter being expelled through the exhaust gases of the vehicle. However, diesel particulate filters can significantly increase fuel consumption, and they also need to be cleaned, or replaced, regularly which can be a very expensive ordeal. The reason why fuel consumption is increased by a DPF is because the ash, which is the sooty matter referred to previously, builds up on the surface of the filter and will eventually block the pores. This will increase the pressure drop over the filter, and when the pressure reaches 55kPa or higher, it will cause a significant increase in nitrogen oxide emissions, and also as a consequence, fuel consumption.

A DPF will also require the vehicles ECU to be programmed into a periodical regeneration cycle. This will increase the exhaust temperature through delayed fuel injection. This can also increase fuel consumption. If DPF’s are not properly managed and maintained, for example if the regeneration cycle is not run soon enough, then they can also result in premature engine damage, and thus reduce the life of your vehicle.

At Longlife we offer the service of permanently removing the DPF. This is a much more cost effective solution, and it will also mean you will not have to constantly worry about having to have your DPF replaced over and over again in the future. Longlife will also remap your vehicle so that the DPF regeneration sequence is removed from the vehicle’s ECU. The DPF will also be replaced by a Stainless Steel Exhaust pipe which will guarantee better performance, and will last a lifetime. This is a much more professional solution than just having an old filter casing emptied which can lead to uncertain gas flow and consequently poor performance.

Therefore, through removing a DPF, your vehicle will perform considerably better, and the fuel efficiency will be greatly improved. You will also never have to worry about having the DPF replaced again. If, however, you do indeed wish to keep your DPF, we at Longlife also offer a supply and fit service. The expertise we have with DPF’s and their installation will ensure that the job is done properly first time!

So, no matter if you are looking to have your DPF removed for good, or you would rather keep it on your vehicle, then we at Longlife have the answers!

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Posted in Diesel Particulate Filters, Exhausts, Stainless Steel Exhausts | 2 Comments »

Range Rover Evoque Combines Style With Functionality

Friday, April 8th, 2011

Range Rover fans have been waiting for the release of the Evoque for what seems like an eternity. We were treated to a sneak preview of the brand new vehicle last Summer. Subsequently we have been a series of tantalising insights into the exciting new offering. And the time has finally arrived when the German manufacturers are willing to give industry experts a test drive of the mini-SUV.

Unfortunately potential buyers will have to wait until the summer to get their hands on this vehicle. However, they might find the wait worthwhile, as the Evoque looks set to live up to the hype. A great deal of time has been spent building the high-strength shell and the supreme 2.2 litre turbo-diesel and 2-litre petrol turbo engines, which have direct injection and variable valve timing.

The Range Rover team opted to kit the vehicle out with an aluminium bonnett, roof and suspension. They were obviously keen on keeping environmental impact to a minimum, as they’ve reported that the exhaust produces less than 130g/km CO2 emissions and 58mpg for the 2WD diesel.

Phil Popham, Land Rover Group Sales Director, claimed that, ‘Enhanced sustainability has been at the centre of the design and development of the Range Rover Evoque. We are offering customers the choice of high-efficiency coupé or 5-Door bodystyles, and both models are highly relevant, very contemporary and extremely desirable.’

There are a wide variety of optional add-ons, including a full length glass sunroof, 17in to 20in wheels, an array of roof colours and a technologically advanced parking system. Drivers will also enjoy access to a new hill descent control, which will enable them to descend at different speeds.

Although this car is tiny by Range Rover standards it still has a ‘command’ driving position, so that motorists can look down upon other road users. This motor even has a sporty presence, in no small part due to its elevated waistline. Perhaps most impressive of all the Evoque features is the electric power steering which works as effectively when cruising along the city streets as it does across the speed range.

The Evoque is expected to fare extremely well against it’s nearest rivals, the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3. What sets this truly inspiring vehicle apart is the wonderful blend of bold showy looks and maximised cabin space. If we also take the asphalt dynamics and off-road features into the equation then we have a car which is sure to be successful.

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Brabus Add Stylish Modifications To The Mercedes CLS

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Performance car enthusiasts are quite used to seeing tuners add their own special touches to newly released Mercedes vehicles. It will come as little surprise to hear that Brabus, the German aftermarket tuning company, have already turned the BMW CLS into a quicker, sleeker machine, by installing a range of quality modifications.

So far it would appear that the major power increases from software tuning have been limited to the diesel versions. The manufacturers have opted to equip their new offering with a 350 CDI BlueEfficiency, which has boosted the horsepower from 261 to 309. There has also been a marked increase in torque, from 457 pound-feet to 509. The fully modified CLS can apparently zoom from 0-62mph in an astonishing 5.9 seconds. The motorist also has the option of hitting the eco driving button, which limits the amount of power coming from the high performance engine.

According to Brabus ‘the CLS 350 CDI … offers the ECO PowerXtra D6S tuning kit. The plug-and-play auxiliary control unit can be installed by any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer or any BRABUS competence partner in less than 45 minutes.

‘This high-tech performance tuning also gives the driver the opportunity to influence power yield via the selected shift program of the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission.’

The German manufacturers were also keen to improve the visual design of the Mercedes. They even went to the lengths of kitting it out with a bold front bumper, LED daytime running lights, gills for the fender, some smart side skirts and a splendid selection of alloy wheels. Like many great cars, the Mercedes Benz has a meaty looking rear, equipped with a stand-out apron.

Brabus are also offering a stainless steal exhaust system, which allows all of the Mercedes models to produce an aggressive throaty sound, perfect for the race track. Anybody keen on zooming around at high speeds will be happy to hear that the tuners are offering numerous sporty add ons, such as low ride springs, as part of their suspension package.

A number of treats can be found inside the modified vehicle, such as a new sports steering wheel and top quality upholsteries. Motorists can also take their pick between a variety of bespoke lightweight trimmings. The four door CLS coupé comes with an optional Brabus multimedia system, which is bound to excite technologically savvy drivers.

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Mini To Launch Rocketman In Three Years Time

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Fans of the adorable 1959 Mini will be pleased to hear that a dainty Mini Rocketman is set to be exhibited at the Geneva motor show next week. This new vehicle will measure out at just over 3 metres in length, making it far smaller than the Countryman.

The experts at BMW have built their new offering around a carbon-fibre space-frame chassis, which can be seen on the rear end of the car. They have made use of the trademark New Mini styling, which is evident in the ‘floating roof’ and large 18in wheels. The doors have double-hinged joints and integrated sills, allowing easy access to the inside of the vehicle.

Motorists are bound to enjoy playing around with the fully integrated sliding seat system, which enables a ‘full blooded driving experience’, according to Mini. The driver can adjust their seat to the best motoring position and move the instrument cluster around, if they so desire. It is also possible to squeeze a fourth person into the car by sliding the drivers seat and cluster forward.

The Rocketman has also been kitted out with a twin tailgate, with one part being attached to the roof, and the other pulled out in a drawer like manner. The additional outside hinges are very much like those seen on the very first Mini.

BMW are very proud of the stylish little vehicle, which apparently combines ‘an innovative concept of space, futuristic materials, lifestyle-oriented connectivity, thrilling agility and avant-garde styling.’ and a decent Mini exhaust.

The parent company have worked hard in combination with the Mini team to create a concept car which appears fresh and modern, while at the same time pleases fans of the original vehicle. Everybody involved was keen to utilise carbon, which is apparent in the leather covers and glossy surfaces.

There are a host of technological features in the Mini, which are bound to be of interest to prospective purchasers. The main gadget is a centre speedometer, which comes with a control unit, enabling the motorist to programme their driving directions and music tracks for the most enjoyable journey.

The Rocketman will probably be powered by fuel economic petrol and diesel engines. However, the people in charge of this project may yet choose to use electric or hybrid power plants, which mix traditional and newer forms of electric technology.

Graham Biggs, spokesperson for Mini, said, ‘It is a small city car and with a super-efficient diesel engine you can achieve superb economy without using hybrid technology, which adds weight.’

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