Autoblog

Click above to view the shoot-out between the BMW M3 and the Dinan 335i.

This is a head-to-head battle we've been waiting to see: BMW's new M3 versus a Dinan-tuned 335i coupe. But we're only going to talk numbers and let the video tell the tale.

The BMW 335i has proven itself as a credible player in the sports coupe segment, particularly with a tweaked ECU to extract maximum output from its twin-turbo'd 3.0-liter inline-six. Dinan announced its Stage 3 package a few months back, which includes a fully-adjustable suspension and a handful of engine mods that bring output up to 406 hp and a kidney-punishing 460 lb.-ft. of torque (at 4,300 RPM). But it doesn't come cheap. All the necessary Dinan kit to get it up to Stage 3 spec (and get that nifty badge on the boot) costs around $14,000. But compared to the $71,000 $56,500 (no mark-up, no oxygen) base price of the new M3, it's still a steal. While the M3 has the peak horsepower advantage, you can't ignore the allure of the Dinan 335i's torque and lower curb weight. Will it be enough to match the M3? Hit the jump to find out.

click the image above for the gallery

Here's Top Gear's cure for their idiot dyno test that proved nothing. As much as we love Top Gear, their derision of the GT500 for producing a "mere" 447 horespower on a chassis dyno is pure BS. A 10-percent loss through the drivetrain is stellar, yet the spin from our snarky British friends was that it was somehow subpar. Kenne Bell has the antidote, and it's available in several stages of tune, from streetable to antisocial.

Since the GT500 is factory-equipped with a supercharger, the engine internals have been beefed up for boost, and a water to air intercooler is in place. The Kenne Bell system replaces the stock Eaton blower with its trademark Twin Screw system. The throttle body is also upsized to 75 millimeters versus the stock 60, but the rest of the intake tract remains stock. Rounding out the Stage 1 tuning is an ECU flash, and the end result is 606 horsepower at the rear wheels. Take that, Hamster and Clarkson! Changing out a few other intake components and fiddling with the drive pulley's diameter will net you Stage 2 or 3 tuning, delivering up to 692 horsepower on the rollers. Maybe this kit will serve to quiet some of the carping from the Top Gear pundits, but we think they just don't understand muscle cars. It's a different flavor of performance, that's for sure, and the Kenne Bell upgrades add even more spice.

Thanks for the tip, Drew

[Source: Mustang Life]

Needless to say, ROUSH Performance Products didn't need to ask twice when it offered to put its recently-introduced 427R in the Autoblog Garage for a week. We immediately caught the next ride to Livonia, MI to grab the keys, and did our best impression of respectable journalists. The facade of responsibility lasted all of two stop lights, after which we were laughing like maniacs who had just robbed a gun store. And just why were we so happy to get our hands on this machine? The answer is quite simple - the man who's name appears in more than twenty locations on the 427R has a bit of a reputation for making cars go fast. After some time on the street, at the track, and on the dyno, we can say that the reputation is well deserved.

Editor's Note: As far as we know, Autoblog was the first outlet in the world to get its hands on a ROUSH 427R for review, and there's only one person on the team we would allow to handle this much horsepower: Eric Bryant. He didn't disappoint, having produced the most thorough In the Autoblog Garage review ever that includes not only the normal areas of review, but also dyno runs to verify ROUSH's power claims and a trip to the dragstrip where this pony was thoroughly flogged. PLUS there's a video of the whole review after the jump.

Click pic for higher rez version

We’ve been without an SVT Lightning for years now and may be without one for a few more, so news of the ROUSH Stage 3 F-150 has found a happy home in our ears. Like the Stage 3 Mustang mentioned below, the F-150 gets a ROUSHcharger system that increases power of the truck’s 5.4L V8 up to 445 hp and a nice round 500 ft-lbs. of torque. The truck gets the visuals included with the Stage 1 kit and the suspension upgrades that come with Stage 2. A set of 20-inch rims, carbon fiber hood scoop and dual side outlet exhausts give the ROUSH pickup an extra dose of bravado to back up the newfound power.

Follow the jump for ROUSH’s official press release and an additional highrez pic.

[Source: ROUSH]

Click pic for higher rez version

Mustangs were all the rage at the New York Auto Show this year and the frenzy of Ford stallions continues with Roush’s announcement of its Stage 3 Mustang. Called “the best Mustang we have ever built,” by Jack Roush himself, the Stage 3 Stang features the GT’s 4.6L V8 with an intercooled ROUSHcharger system that includes a specially calibrated ECM. The ROUSH treatment nets an additional 115 horsepower over stock bumping the total number of ponies to 415 and torque now stands at 395 ft-lbs. The suspension and brakes have also been upgraded to handle the additional power and ROUSH has modified the exterior with a seven-piece body kit. The racing stripes are one of the car’s few options.

Follow the jump for ROUSH’s official press release that includes more details on its best attempt at a perfect pony car to date.

[Source: ROUSH]