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1971 Chevy C10 is a Smooth, Strong and Sweet Classic Truck

James DeMouy works with computers by day and turns into super auto enthusiast by night. The Houston, Texas resident works after work on his ultimate hobby, vehicle builds.

1971 Chevy C10 has Incubus Wheels and Toyo Tires
1971 Chevy C10 has Incubus Wheels and Toyo Tires

K&N custom air filter assembly and 383 stroker motor built by G-Force Motorsports
K&N custom air filter assembly and 383 stroker motor built by G-Force Motorsports
DeMouy is with his vehicles anywhere from six to eight hours every evening in a race shop he built from the ground up. “I love what I do,” said DeMouy. “I don’t sell my builds because I’ll never make the money or the time back that I put into each vehicle.”
Custom built dash modeled after designs from the early 1960s on 1971 Chevy S10
Custom built dash modeled after designs from the early 1960s on 1971 Chevy S10

Graphic leather seats and a right-hand drive Classic Inc. steering wheel are part of the Chevy C10s interior
Graphic leather seats and a right-hand drive Classic Inc. steering wheel are part of the Chevy C10s interior

He traded a 1996 Impala SS for his 1971 Chevy C10 and went to work. “We took it apart from there,” said DeMouy. “We shaved everything and put on a whole new frame. There is nothing stock on this classic full sized truck.”

The 383 stroker motor was built by G-Force Motorsports. “I installed a K&N air filter assembly and a K&N oil filter,” said DeMouy. “I wouldn’t use anything else. K&N makes the best stuff, performs great, has the right name and looks good.”

Everything from the interior was removed and Mike Henderson of Tin Shack started with a bare cab shell. “The interior alone took about five months,” said DeMouy. “Everything on the dash is custom built. It is modeled after designs from the early 1960s. We also converted it to right-hand drive.” Robbie Customs applied graphite leather to the seats and custom kick panels house the Alpine sound components.

Other modifications include:

Full air ride suspension and body dropped 5 inches
24 inch Incubus Wheels w/275/30/24 Toyo Tires
Kinetik batteries
MSD distributor
MSD Coil
Taylor plug wires
Slam Specialties airbags
Suicide doors
MagnaFlow mufflers
Summit slotted rotors
K&N air filter assembly
K&N oil filter
Hedman Headers
Carriage Works billet grille
Grant Kustoms roll pan
Precision Rods Rare LEDs
House of Kolor two- tone Black Diamond and antifreeze paint
Borgeson & Mullins RHD steering box
Classic Inc. flamed steering wheel
Billet Specialties polished steering column
Auto Meter Gauges
Air Zenith compressors
Alpine Head Unit
4-10 inch JBL Sto Sub Woofer
4 Sets of GTO 6 and a half inch Mids and Highs
3 1000.1 JBL Amps

DeMouy said he is currently tricking out a 2007 Hummer. In the meantime, his 1971 Chevy C10 will be on display in about twenty shows in 2009. The next one will be in Texas at the Tex Mex Custom Truck Show.

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.

Builder Claims 2006 Trailblazer SS is One of the Fastest SUVs Out There

Ryan Robinson of Ryan’s Performance Machines (RPM) said one of the fastest and most powerful SUV’s on the planet is RPM’s 2006 Trailblazer SS Street/Strip.

2006 Trailblazer SS is one of the fastest SUVs on the drag strip at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tennessee
2006 Trailblazer SS is one of the fastest SUVs on the drag strip at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tennessee
“We tested it at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tennessee,” said Robinson. “Our Trailblazer SS, all 4650lbs worth, holds the track record at 10.21 @132 mph ¼ mile while rubbing against 800 RWHP.”

The Garner, North Carolina resident has built race cars and street cars for 15 years. “We work to get the most power, at the safest level with the best drivability possible,” he said. “We also own three race cars and go wherever we can make money. I tune the cars and my partner drives the cars.”

RPM modified 2006 Trailblazer SS
RPM modified 2006 Trailblazer SS
Robinson puts K&N products on all of RPMs street cars. “We have a chassis dyno and when we test with K&N it proves K&N makes the best products on the market,” he said. “K&N air filters are reusable and traps the track debris and protects our engines. The K&N air intake systems give us additional horsepower and work great.”

Some modifications on the 2006 Trailblazer SS include:

427 LSX block with 9/16 studs
Weisco coated and gas ported pistons
Howard rods
Callies Magnum crank
Stand alone fuel system for the nitrous
K&N Crankcase Vent Filter
B&M Pro Bandit Shifter
Neal Chance converter
DJM upper controls arm
Aeromotive A-1000 pump
17X5 Bogart D-12 fronts with z rated tires
17X10 Bogart D-10 rears with 390/40/17 M&H drag radials

Robinson is finishing a 2008 Z06 Corvette for one of his customers. “I put a K&N air intake system on the vet,” he said. “K&N works with our performance needs.”

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.

Grand National Roadster Show Truck Division Winner at K&N Headquarters

1954 Suburban at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, photo by David Fetherston
1954 Suburban at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, photo by David Fetherston

Grand National Roadster Show Trophy for 1954 Chevrolet Suburban's Truck Division Win
Grand National Roadster Show Trophy for 1954 Chevrolet Suburban's Truck Division Win

Chip Foose Wheels, 5-spoke billet, custom made prototype production model
Chip Foose Wheels, 5-spoke billet, custom made prototype production model
Steve Jones with K&N Vice President of Research and Development Steve Williams and K&N Corporate Race Accounts Manager Bob Harris at K&N Headquarters in Riverside, California Steve Jones with K&N Vice President of Research and Development Steve Williams and K&N Corporate Race Accounts Manager Bob Harris at K&N Headquarters in Riverside, California

K&N custom built air intake system on Steve Jones' 1954 Chevrolet Suburban
K&N custom built air intake system on Steve Jones' 1954 Chevrolet Suburban

Steve Jones modeled the interior of his 1954 Suburban with racing-style bucket seats
Steve Jones modeled the interior of his 1954 Suburban with racing-style bucket seats
For nearly 60 years, the Grand National Roadster Show has displayed some of the biggest stars in the hot rod world. The Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, California is the venue for the event.

The event has hot rods, roadster, custom cars and motorcycles spread out through all the display buildings available at the Pomona Fairgrounds along with spaces in between the buildings.

Steve Jones brought his own show truck to Pomona, named the 454 Express. It is a 1954 Suburban which was awarded Best-in-Show "Truck Division" in 2009 at the Grand National Roadster Show.

"The race track and my love of cars has kept me centered my entire life," said Jones. "My full sized custom utility wagon started with a V6 350 cubic inch motor and evolved to the show car it is today."

The 454 Express is modified with:

Chip Foose Wheels, 5-spoke billet, custom made, prototype, production model.
Wilwood, 4 Wheel Disc brakes
Custom built K&N air intake system
454 cubic inch Big Block Chevrolet V8 Engine
TH400 3 speed Automatic Transmission
1954 Chevrolet 3100 Series Truck Chassis, Chevrolet Suburban body, 1st and only built
Ford 9" differential with 3.70: 1 gear ratio
Engine belt: 1 piece serpentine pulley system by Zoops
Modern truck with power rack and pinion steering and independent suspension
Body: rolled rear tail pan with license plate frame
Front custom made bumper and French headlight with molded hood

The full custom utility wagon was built by Dan Coy of Coy's Customs in Longmont, Colorado. It also features shaved doors, custom color design, upholstery and state of the art electronics. "It has racing bucket seats," said Jones. "I wanted it to look different than a traditional hot rod interior."

Jones had the car towed to K&N headquarters in Riverside, California. "K&N makes the best filters on the market," he said. "Anyone can use K&N, from the mom and pops to the big boys of racing. It looks good, has excellent filtration and protects engines."

Jones work has been spotlighted on the television show "Overhaulin" and at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. "I have owned and operated a metal refinishing business for nearly 20 years," he said. "I have been blessed to build business relationships and friendships with some of the most famous car and motorcycle builders in the world."

He has plans to showcase the 454 Express at the Good Guys Del Mar Hot Rod and Custom Car Nationals Show this spring.

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.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Podium Victory at Sno Drift Rally in Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan was the perfect winter venue for the Rally American Season opener. Driver Andrew Comrie-Picard (ACP) had a strong start to the season at the Sno Drift Rally with a podium finish.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX driven by Andrew Comrie-Picard at Sno Drift Rally in Northern Michigan, photo courtesy of Rally America
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX driven by Andrew Comrie-Picard at Sno Drift Rally in Northern Michigan, photo courtesy of Rally America
ACP and co-driver Marc Goldfarb pulled into third place. They had to beat handling problems with their NOS Energy Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. A braking problem with the team’s competition vehicle emerged early in the contest and cost them some time. They were able to take the Mitsubishi to the finish with a crew of technicians.

Andrew Comrie Picard will next race at the Rallye Perce-Neige Maniwaki in Quebec, Canada
Andrew Comrie Picard will next race at the Rallye Perce-Neige Maniwaki in Quebec, Canada
In the only true winter rally in the Rally America Series, conditions are slick and drivers face a challenge of finding traction at high speeds on the ice and snow.

“In winter rallies there is a constant balance of deciding how hard to push and how to take as few risks as possible,” said Comrie-Picard. “It was a classic snow rally. Fortunately we stayed in and didn’t make any big mistakes.”

Comrie-Picard and the NOS Energy Mitsubishi shared the podium with Travis Pastrana, the winner in his factory Subaru WRX STi, along with second-place winner Tanner Foust in his Hyundai Tiburon. “We work in tough conditions with a motor built right to the edge of the envelope,” said Comrie-Picard. “K&N keeps contaminants out and has been our choice for a decade.”

ACP Rally’s next competition will be at the Rallye Perce-Neige Maniwaki in Quebec, Canada. ACP Rally won the event in 2007 and came in second place there in 2008.

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.

AT&T Park in San Francisco, California Hosts AMA Supercross Series with Fun Center Suzuki

Team Fun Center Suzuki hit great weather in San Francisco, California during the AMA Supercross West Coast Lites Series.

Team Fun Center Suzuki Rider Mike Lapaglia had mechanical issues at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, photo by TonyScavo.com
Team Fun Center Suzuki Rider Mike Lapaglia had mechanical issues at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, photo by TonyScavo.com

AMA Supercross West Coast Lites Series Team riders drive 2009 Suzuki RMX 250s with K&N products, photo by TonyScavo.com
AMA Supercross West Coast Lites Series Team riders drive 2009 Suzuki RMX 250s with K&N products, photo by TonyScavo.com
Team riders Cole Seely, Brady Sheren and Michael Lapaglia rode their 2009 Suzuki RMX 250s with K&N air (YA-2506XD) and oil (KN-207) filters at AT&T Park.
Team Fun Center Suzuki Riders Brady Sheren, Cole Seely and Michael Lapaglia will race next at Anaheim Stadium in California, photo by TonyScavo.com
Team Fun Center Suzuki Riders Brady Sheren, Cole Seely and Michael Lapaglia will race next at Anaheim Stadium in California, photo by TonyScavo.com

Fun Center Suzuki Team Rider Brady Sheren made his first trip to the main at the AMA Supercross West Coast Lites Series in the Bay Area, photo by TonyScavo.com
Fun Center Suzuki Team Rider Brady Sheren made his first trip to the main at the AMA Supercross West Coast Lites Series in the Bay Area, photo by TonyScavo.com

In timed practice Seely came in at 22nd and Sheren 24th. Lapaglia suffered a mechanical issue and was only able to make one lap during the second session. That put him in 40th place.

In heat one Seely got a great start coming around the first turn. He battled the entire six lap race against 2008 defending East Coast Supercross Champion Trey Canard. Seely was edged out of third place at the finish by Canard.

“Cole showed veteran form with the pressure that Trey applied during the heat,” said Team Manager Gregg Lynk. “Our team riders have been working really hard and it shows.”

Sheren and Lapaglia were in heat two. Lapaglia lost power because of a bad ignition system and he was only able to make it half-a-lap. Sheren managed to work his way up to eighth which gave him a trip to his first main event of the season. He went on to finish 18th.

In the main, Seely had another great start in third. He rode the pace of the front runners and stayed in the top five during the first eight laps. On lap nine, he struggled and went on to finish 11th.

Fun Center Suzuki Team will next race at Anaheim Stadium in California. It will be televised on SPEED-TV.

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.