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Extreme Auto Concepts Bring Two Highly Custom Nissan 350z to 2011 SEMA Show

SEMA Featured 2005 Nissan "1WIDEZ" 350z
SEMA Featured 2005 Nissan "1WIDEZ" 350z
What could be better than having your dream car become a reality? Having two of them! One for racing and one for show! Two years ago, Ed Stikeleather and Richard Andrews established Extreme Auto Concepts in El Mirage AZ, right outside Phoenix. Before that, they dreamt of having two wildly modified 350Zs and went to work. At this year's SEMA Show they brought two well-done Nissan 350Zs to SEMA this year and they were really, and I mean really cool.

The first up, is aforementioned 2005 Nissan "1WIDEZ" 350Z. It has a never ending list of aftermarket components; not to mention, endless hours of hard work put into it. Each build has its challenges and Stikeleather claims,
Extreme Auto Concepts' wildly modified Nissan 350Z at SEMA
Extreme Auto Concepts' wildly modified Nissan 350Z at SEMA
"The most difficult had to be the body work and twin turbo setup." The custom one off body kit is made by Donlyson Auto Concepts and all of the performance upgrades were done by Extreme Auto Concepts.

Here is a brief list of aftermarket components used on this vehicle:

Greddy Twin Turbo system
Mishimoto components
EVO-R carbon fiber components
K&N Products
Alpine Stereo
JIC Coilovers
Rotora Brakes

SEMA Feature Vehicle 2004 Nissan 350z called "Felony Z"
SEMA Feature Vehicle 2004 Nissan 350z called "Felony Z"
The next cool ride Extreme Auto Concepts brought to SEMA 2011 for its debut was the recently completed 2004 Nissan 350Z. The so called "Felony Z" has been gutted and rebuilt with the help, again, from Donlyson Auto Concepts. The goal was to complete a great looking time attack car and it is exactly that. Now that SEMA 2011 is over it is time to test and tune the car for the 2012 race season.
Highly customized 2004 Nissan 350z at the 2011 SEMA Show.
Highly customized 2004 Nissan 350z at the 2011 SEMA Show.


Here is a brief list of aftermarket components used on this vehicle:

Z1 Motorsports engine components
NRG Innovations components
K&N products
Enkei wheels
Toyo tires

It is not a coincidence that both vehicles use K&N products. Ed claims, "K&N is most argueably the best performance air filter available for street and track use. No other product for our application even crossed our minds. We have used K&N products on every daily driver, and performance vehicle we have worked on."

For more information on these vehicles be sure to check out: www.ExtremeAutoConcepts.com. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Pfaff Photo Rendering and Designs Bring Imperial Speedster to 2011 SEMA Show

The car began as a 1959 Chrysler Imperial but was transformed to this Imperial Speedster at SEMA.
The car began as a 1959 Chrysler Imperial but was transformed to this Imperial Speedster at SEMA.
Positive and negative responses normally arise when it comes to building a custom show car and that is part of what makes building a show car so exhilarating. Most custom car builders go through numerous hours of designing and re-designing in hopes of creating something truly amazing and it's infinitely rewarding when an on-looker appreciates the completed product. The negative feedback that comes with putting your ideas out there allows a designer and custom builder to consider what could possibly make the build more exciting. Building a show car would not be worth the time and money without both positive and negative feedback.
The 2011 SEMA Show featured this all-original Imperial Speedster.
The 2011 SEMA Show featured this all-original Imperial Speedster.


Murray Pfaff runs Pfaff Photo Rendering and Designs out of Royal Oak, Michigan. Founded in 2002, the company helps builders make sure they see the light at the end of the tunnel before a project begins. Pfaff claims his duties are to, "Illustrate, render, and design cars for builders, automotive aftermarket companies, magazines, and individuals across the country." The design process is done with digital imaging tools. The Pfaff Designs website explains how they can, "take an existing photograph of your vehicle or one similar to it and make any modification you can dream of to make it shine, stand out, or simply be unique." Understanding the end result during a custom build is crucial.

For this year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Pfaff showed up with his one-of-a-kind Imperial Speedster. The car originally began as a 1959 Chrysler Imperial. Pfaff designed a shorter, narrower, two seat version of the vehicle and ran with it. He claims that his inspiration for this build evolved from the fact that, "Chrysler never produce a two-seat sports car until the Dodge Viper in 1992." Once the design was drawn out, the build process began. With helping hands coming from all around, Pfaff claims the build took a total of 10,000 well documented hours. The body work is the makeup of the vehicle that gives it the unique look but, aftermarket performance parts allow the vehicle to be driven like a sports car. Pfaff claims to have put 1,400 miles on the vehicle last year. Just to get an idea, here is a list of a few aftermarket products used on the build:
Pfaff's Imperial Speedster equipped with Dayton wheels and whitewalls at SEMA.
Pfaff's Imperial Speedster equipped with Dayton wheels and whitewalls at SEMA.


6.1 SRT HEMI crate motor
Aeromotive fuel system
Ohio Generator alternator
Phoenix Transmission
Mopar headers
Flomaster Hushpower mufflers
Summit Racing exhaust hardware
K&N High Flow air filter and wrench off oil filter
Dana 44 differential
Dayton wire wheels
Goodyear tires
2009 Dodge Viper suspension
Raybestos brakes
One-of-a-kind Imperial Speedster was a big hit at the 2011 SEMA Show.
One-of-a-kind Imperial Speedster was a big hit at the 2011 SEMA Show.


The 6.1L HEMI breathes through one of K&N's universal high flow air filters and the oil is filtered through the premium wrench off oil filter. K&N lists a wide array of universal air filters for automotive applications and offers products for just about every vehicle on the road. Pfaff said that he used his first K&N filter, "20 years ago when I bought my 1988 Mustang GT and now I have them on all of my vehicles!"

All of this hard work has earned the Imperial Speedster the following awards: Mother's Choice Award in 2011, Barris Award, Winifield Select Award, Miguire's Magnificiant Masterpiece Award, Most Unique Award - Goodguys Columbus Nationals, and an eight page feature in Hot Rod Magazine. The Imperial Speedster has received a lot of attention since its completion and one would have to stare long and hard to find areas of improvement for this build. The next goal for Pfaff is to get a Hot Wheels version of the Imperial Speedster put into production.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Folk Race Cars' Million Dollar Race Weekend at Montgomery MotorSports Park in Alabama

The family owned Folk Race Cars had another successful season of racing in 2011.
The family owned Folk Race Cars had another successful season of racing in 2011.
Montgomery MotorSports Park in Montgomery, Alabama hosted the 16th Annual Million Dollar Race Weekend. This year's car count came to 300 plus, and the combined pay-out exceeded the $600,000 mark over the four day racing schedule. K&N sponsored Folk Race Cars made the twenty-hour trip from their home in Durand, Illinois, where they maintain their family owned business, in an effort to claim a share of the loot. Three generations of successful racers make up Folk Race Cars, headed by patriarch Ron Folk, his son Brian and grandson Nick. As the youngest of the racing Folk Family, Nick is the last person any stock eliminator driver wants to see in the other lane, and he confirmed that status with his showing at Montgomery MotorSports Park.
The Folk Race Cars' office space may be cramped, but the view more than makes up for it.
The Folk Race Cars' office space may be cramped, but the view more than makes up for it.


"With five separate races in one weekend, let's just say it was action packed," Nick's dad Brian told K&N News. "In Thursday's $20K race Nick had a semi-finalist finish, and then he went on to win Friday's $20K race. In the actual Million Dollar Race we both went deep in rounds, but we couldn't find the winners circle. All-in-all we felt the weekend was a success for our race team."

"If you wondered what we do with all the great K&N filters we're supplied, our dragsters made over 65 runs each this weekend without needing an oil filter change! Thanks for the great product," said Nick. "Although 65 runs is on the high-end for a four day weekend race, more times than not we make 40 to 50 passes on a normal good weekend. Now that's good equipment," added Brian.
At the 16th Annual Million Dollar Race Weekend the Folk dragsters made over 65 runs each without needing a filter change.
At the 16th Annual Million Dollar Race Weekend the Folk dragsters made over 65 runs each without needing a filter change.


Since the Million Dollar weekend back in October the Folk Race Cars team has raced the Winter Series, starting in Adel, Georgia at South Georgia Motorplex, then onto Bradenton, Florida and then winding down to West Palm Beach at Moroso Motorsports Park. "We went a lot of rounds, quarter finalist three times, semi-finalist twice and runner-up in a dragster race," said Brian. "We've winterized everything and we're finished for the year." Nick finished NHRA in the top 10 in the Stock Class with his 1999 Chevrolet Camaro.

As for their plans for the 2012 season Brian reports, "We're building a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette for the B/SA Stock Class and we're hoping to campaign our 2006 Cobalt in the Super Stock Class. We also are assembling a new 'Dart' motor for one of the dragsters. Thanks again, K&N, for the continuing support!"

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Park Near Hot Springs, Arkansas Provides Off-Road Family Entertainment

Located in the Ouachita Mountains, near Hot Springs, Arkansas the Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Park is a great destination for those with a passion for four-wheeling.
Located in the Ouachita Mountains, near Hot Springs, Arkansas the Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Park is a great destination for those with a passion for four-wheeling.
The Ouachita Mountain Region of Arkansas is noted for providing outdoor enthusiasts with an array of opportunities throughout all four seasons. Beginning near the town of Little Rock in central Arkansas, the Ouachita Mountain range heads west through the state before ending in eastern Oklahoma. Hikers and backpackers travel from abroad to experience the 235 mile long Ouachita National Trail, while mountain bikers throughout the United States show up to ride the Womble Trail.

Although there are countless miles of dim roads and trails throughout the Ouachita National Forest, new regulations deem many of them closed to off-road vehicles. That being said, there is still one destination in particular in the Ouachita Mountain region that is privately owned and has been set aside for the enjoyment of off-road vehicles of all descriptions.

Nestled amongst steep and boulder-laden valleys and ridges near Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Park consists of 1,254 acres of designated trails. Although the exact mileage of the trails on the facility has never been recorded, one can spend a full day at the park and not even come close to tackling all of the trails. In fact, folks return to the facility time and time again, not only to revisit some of the same routes they have already experienced, but possibly tackle some of the ones they previously missed as well.

According to the General Manager of Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Park, Knox Kendrick, the trails have been designed in a manner that folks of all skill levels with vehicles of various capabilities can come out and enjoy a day of four-wheeling. Of course, there are plenty of challenges awaiting those hardcore drivers who live to push it to the limit, but there are also stretches where one could actually drive a stock four-wheel-drive from the showroom floor and be entertained as well.
The Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Park sports trail for various skill levels and vehicle capabilities.
The Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Park sports trail for various skill levels and vehicle capabilities.


A sign is posted at the beginning of each trail explaining the difficulty level. Those sporting one diamond are fairly level and designed with the novice driver with totally stock vehicles with street tires in mind. On the other hand, as the number of diamonds increase, the difficulty level does as well. As such, the five diamond trails are the real deal and should only be tackled by experienced off-road drivers with properly modified vehicles. In fact those traversing the five diamond courses are apt to be challenged with practically vertical ledges in the neighborhood of eight feet in height as well as an array of other extreme obstacles.

When asked if there are any particular sections of trail that beckon the most experienced drivers back time and time again, Kendrick suggested that a route referred to as Ingrid's Revenge seems to be a very popular challenge. This particular trail consists of huge boulders, and large, slick slabs.

When asked how a vehicle must be modified to tackle the tougher courses, Knox said, "Everybody does it differently. You can take a typical off-road vehicle put larger tires and a lift kit on it. It all varies; some guys who come out here might spend $5,000 on their rig, while some folks spend in the neighborhood of $100,000 on theirs."

Not only are four wheel drive trucks and jeeps welcomed at the park, but Superlift caters to ATV, motorcycle and UTV riders also. As one might suspect, there are trails designed specifically for these styles of vehicles.

According to Kendrick, many of the drivers who visit the facility depend upon K&N filters to ensure an adequate air and oil flow is maintained during the rigors of maneuvering the course. Not only do the drivers using K&N products know that they have optimal oil and air flow, but they also have the luxury of knowing the internal components of their engines will remain free of dust and debris.

"We've noticed a growing interest in off-road vehicles," explained Kendrick. "Although some of our courses are designed with very serious off-road drivers in mind, we are also geared toward family as well. We have a little playground for children and are nearing the completion of an R.C. track that can be enjoyed by adults and youngsters alike. Folks can come out to wheel and bring the entire family and have a good time."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

K&N Heavy Duty Filter Fits Some International 9200 & 9300 Series Trucks, John Deere Combines & More

38-2019S Replacement Air Filter for heavy duty applications
38-2019S Replacement Air Filter for heavy duty applications
K&N engineers have designed quite a few heavy duty reusable air filters for diesel truck and equipment owners that can save money. These owners no longer have to continuously throw away expensive disposable paper air filters. K&N heavy duty air filter part number 38-2019S has been designed for use in some very popular heavy duty applications including some Navistar International 9200 & 9300 Series Trucks.  K&N's 38-2019S air filter also fits some John Deere Combines, Case-International Tractors with Cummins QSX15 Engines as well as other heavy duty diesel trucks and equipment.  Because this filter fits so many applications, the best way to determine if this filter is appropriate for your rig or equipment is to enter your existing air filter part number in K&N's cross reference air filter search.

K&N 38-2019S has a 7" flange diameter, stands 18.5" in height, has an outside diameter of 12.75 inches and weighs about 12.8 pounds. This air filter has been designed to lower restriction and improve horsepower.

K&N HD filter 38-2019S uses a hybrid filter medium which is comprised of a thick non-woven synthetic media that is co-pleated between 2 layers of powder-coated aluminum screen wire. The bottom plate has a Urethane flange that will fit over the inlet tube and provide a tight seal around the inlet pipe. Around the filter media is a powder-coated steel cage that can help the filter withstand the extreme conditions present in large turbo diesel applications. On the top of the heavy duty air filter is a steel plate that has a handle built into it in order to allow truck owners the ability to remove and replace the filter with ease when servicing the filter becomes necessary.

Heavy duty filter 38-2019S can be easily cleaned using K&N's HD cleaner part number 99-0638 and a hose. These filters are so tough that a driver can use power washers or truck washing equipment with the HD cleaner to clean the filter then use pressurized air to blow the excess water off for a fast turn around.

K&N commercial grade air filters have a 3 year or 300,000 mile limited warranty. One K&N can replace more than 10 disposable air filters.

Below are some of the common air filter manufacturers and part numbers that K&N's 38-2019S replaces:

AC Delco A1537C
Baldwin RS3530
Carquest 88745
Donaldson P533235
Fleetguard AF25033
Fram CA7466
Hastings AF2275
Luber-Finer LAF1953
Napa 6745
Purolator A75345
WIX 46745

Find K&N products for your heavy duty diesel trucks and equipment using  K&N's cross reference air filter search.  Find parts for other vehicles using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer near you.