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The Futura Concepts low cab forward is a modern take on a classic

These strange looking trucks became popular with shipping companies, farmers, the military, and basically anybody looking for a truck that could haul heavy loads. The cab-over-engine name basically explains itself. The cab sat higher than the standard trucks and the engine was moved under the cab. This made for a shorter wheelbase and greater forward visibility. With the redesign of their trucks in 1955, Chevy unveiled the redesigned COE, called the low cab forward (LCF). These trucks still positioned the driver higher than standard pickups, but the engine was moved forward. This design was so popular that they are still available today. Most box trucks and a lot of semis come in the LCF configuration.

With the custom bed and skirt they made, you would never know the truck didn't originally have it

The idea was to bring the truck a lot closer to the ground and give it the custom look that it deserved. They started by pulling the cab and bed off the truck. The stock frame and suspension went to the scrap pile. For a replacement frame, they sourced a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 utility truck from the junk yard. Again, they scrapped the pieces they didn’t need. They ended up using the entire frame, Duramax engine, Allison transmission, brakes, fuel tank, and other miscellaneous pieces that they made work with the new setup. To help give the truck the power it would need to move the behemoth that would be, Jorge and Sambo upgraded the turbos to Precision 78mm versions, they swapped the fuel injectors, and for added flair they painted the engine to match what the body would be. Finally, they added a custom intake with K&N filters to help the diesel take deep breaths of air.

This is how the truck came to Jorge and Sambo. They put a lot of work into it to make it shine!

The truck originally had a stake bed, but the team at Futura wanted to make it into a flatbed tow truck. To bring their idea to fruition, they welded up a flat bed and mounted it behind the cab on the frame. Then they built a skirt around the front and sides of the bed. The deck of the bed received a slick wood covering with stainless runners and a custom E-lock fastening system. To give the cab a retro cool look, they gave it a 3-inch gentleman’s chop and stretched the fenders and steps 5 inches for a proper stance.

Next, the truck then went into the paint booth and received a two-tone combo of House of Kolor Light Battleship Gray and Ivory that was then accented with Dark Battleship Gray. To fill the window voids after the chop, Eddie Kotto of Kotto Auto Glass came in and made custom glass for the front and back. Eddie is well known in the industry, having worked with the likes of Boyd Coddington, Chip Foose, Shaq, and Xzibit to name a few.

Jorge and Sambo made a custom intake with K&N filters to feed the big Duramax plenty of air

The K&N 69-3538TTK Typhoon air intake improves horsepower, throttle response, and engine sound

He spent a good portion of his childhood from 7 to 14-years old in bed due to a heart valve leakage, but outgrew the problem. It was apparent as early as his days in high school that he was destined to have a career in automotive racing and production. He obtained his initial skills working on his own Willy automobile while attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas.

After graduating, he planned to attend the Georgia School of Technology to study Aeronautical Engineering. However, World War II changed things. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served as a flight instructor and test pilot. He ultimately left the service after the war with the rank of staff sergeant and then worked on oil wells and a poultry farm.

He started racing cars as an amateur during the mid 1950s using a friend’s MG TC and a borrowed Cad-Allards. His early success in racing led to invitations to participate in the Aston Martin and Maserati factory racing teams during the mid and late 1950s.

Some of the races he competed in included:

• The 12 Hours of Sebring in an Aston Martin DBR1/300 in 1958

• The Mount Washington Hillclimb Auto Race in a specially prepared Ferrari 375 GP Roadster in 1956

• Formula One races from 1958 to 1959

• The 24 Hours of Le Mans in an Aston Martin DBR1 in 1959

He set U.S. and International speed records driving a modified, streamline supercharged Austin Healy 100S at the Bonneville Salt Flats, completed the Mount Washington HillClimb race in a record 10:21.8 seconds. In addition, he won eight World Championships and several non-championship races during his stint in Formula One.

As he raced in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, he noticed the performance of an AC-Motors-built racer, known as the Ace, which became the origin for his AC Cobra that was built three years later.

He retired from racing in 1959 due to health issues and created a high-performance driving school and the Shelby-American Company, a manufacturer of custom high-performance automobiles.

In his first venture Shelby asked AC Motors of England to design a new high performance car with a Ford V8 used in its popular AC Ace sports car. The car was dubbed the AC Cobra and Shelby obtained a license to import it into the United States. It soon became known as the Shelby Cobra. Ford Motors Invested in it from 1962 through 1965 and also provided financial support to Shelby American for the development of the Ford GT (also known as the Shelby Mustang) from 1964 through 1967.

After Lee Iacocca left Ford, he asked Shelby to create high performance cars for his new employer, Chrysler. Shelby joined the board of directors and assisted Iacocca as the Performance Consultant. He was instrumental in the development of the Dodge Viper and help produced an assortment of Dodge Shelby cars including the Dodge Shelby Charger from 1983-1984, the Dodge Daytona Shelby Z from 1987-1988, and other cars from 1983 through 1989.

In 2003, Shelby re-established ties with Ford to be the Technical Advisor in the development of the Ford GT. He is a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, the Automotive Hall of Fame, and the SCCA Hall of Fame.

The K&N 69-3538TTK is designed to replace the factory intake system

Two of the most recent Shelby Mustangs to be developed are the 2016-2017 Ford Shelby GT350 and the 2018 Ford Shelby GT500.

A 5.2-liter flat plane crank V8 engine, also known as the Voodoo motor, which offers 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque powers the 2016 GT350.

The car features track-focused chassis tuning, significant aerodynamic enhancements that include a lowered hood around the engine, two piece Brembo brakes, MagneRide damping option, lightweight Tremec 6-speed manual transmission, and Recaro seats. Other changes meant to make the car lighter include a carbon fiber reinforced polymer radiator support that guides cooling channels for many components.

If you are still looking for more horsepower in your 2016 and 2017 Ford Shelby GT350, then consider buying the K&N 69-3538TTK Typhoon air intake system. This system has been rated to offer an estimated boost of 18.12 horsepower at 6400 rpm. It includes a free-flowing, mandrel-bent aluminum tube that reduces the airflow restriction caused by the factory intake. The tube helps smooth and straighten the airflow giving the engine more air, which helps it produce more power and acceleration throughout the engine RPM range.

The intake also includes a washable and reusable K&N RP-2960 universal air filter with a carbon fiber top. The round-tapered filter features a media made of multiple layers of cotton gauze. The gauze has been treated with a special grade of oil that makes them very sticky so that they can catch and hold particles.

K&N also offers the 99-5000 filter care service kit, which is specially formulated to clean and recharge the K&N air filter when it comes time to clean it. This means that the filter can be used over and over again and will be the only filter you will need for the life of your car. A heat shield is also included that blocks hot engine air from entering the intake. This helps assure that the air that flows to the engine is cool resulting in better performance.

The air intake is designed to replace the factory intake system and the air filter and heat shield will fit into the factory air box location. The air filter installs easily using the existing factory mounting points. The whole process can be done in about 90 minutes using common hand tools.

The K&N 69-3538TTK Typhoon Air Intake System fits the following vehicles:

2017 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY 5.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY 5.2L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models

Evil Twin pays tribute to a motorcycling legend

Castellari’s 2016 SHR Evel Knievel tribute bike won the K&N Performer Award at the Minneapolis edition of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Bike Show. K&N sponsors three of the classes of the prestigious custom builder competition at each stop of the IMS.

The NOS 1200 XBR motor breathes through a K&N performance filter

“I always wanted to build a street tracker,” he says. “And with the renewed interest that people have taken with Evel Knievel and the reenactment of the Snake River Canyon jump, I thought, why not do my part to pay homage to a childhood hero?”

We have to think that Evel would have been thrilled to have ridden a bike like Evil Twin. The great showman and stunt jumper never had access to the kind of V-twin firepower that Castellari’s custom has.

The heart of the Evil Twin is a NOS 1200 XBR Buell motor. The big V-twin breathes through an S&S Super E carb fitted with a K&N high-flow filter. A very clean Supertrapp system handles the exhaust duties. There is little doubt that Evil Twin is packing some serious horsepower.

The high-mount exhaust fits the theme of the build and the custom paint is stunning

The frame was hand built from 4130 chromoly steel on a jig designed by C&J Racing for SHR enterprises. The chassis rolls on Performance Machine wheels.

Of course, on an Evel Knievel tribute bike, the paint has to be perfect. Cliff Anderson of Stripes and Pipes handled the task of masterfully applying the color to the body parts and the Harley® XR 750 replica tank. The paint, stripes, and lettering were all hand-applied and the word Evel was done in 23 kt gold leaf.

The blacked out Buell motor is the massive centerpiece of Evil Twin

It turns out Castellari is quite a big fan of K&N products. “I use all K&N filters in my cars and bikes. I have used them on everything I own,” he says. K&N thanks Castellari for being a loyal customer and we are thrilled to have had the chance to focus the spotlight on a fantastic build.

Dell Battle took home the Mod Harley class at the Dallas, Texas IMS

Battle’s ultra-low custom took home the Modified Harley Class at the Dallas, Texas, J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. K&N is a sponsor of the Mod Harley Class at each stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show.

One look at the resting stance of the Dangerous Dezigns custom sparks questions on how exactly that thing makes it over the smallest of obstacles. Is the dangerous part of the “dezign” what will happen to the exhaust and engine pan when a pebble is encountered? Well no – that’s where the custom suspension wizardly comes in.

A custom air suspension gives Battle's Harley the low resting posture

Out back, Battle worked out an ingenious system for keeping that abnormally long chain final drive taut in both the raised and lowered positions. It’s a kind of roller sprocket design that is a play on the tensioners used on long-travel dirt bikes.

The Sportster rolls on billet rims that are high on style and craftsmanship. The fenderless front wheel is tall and exposed, and the rear is a refreshing departure from the trend toward outrageously fat rear rubber. The look is thoroughly retro.

A unified intake and exhaust theme highlight the build

Finally, there is that blinged-out paintjob. The maroon, black, and white motif is carried into every aspect of the build from the tank and fenders to the billet wheels. The classic hand-tooled solo saddle and the 72 on the tank speak to the era that was the inspiration for Battle’s design.

Clearly, for Battle, it’s good to have ‘friends in low places.’ K&N congratulates Dell Battle on his unique and beautiful build.

Holden Pruitt proudly wears a K&N sponsorship patch on the Del Mar oval

Hooligan racing is a growing segment of the flat track racing world that pits an eclectic cluster of heavy, powerful, street-biased motorcycles against each other within the tight confines of a dirt oval. Its hooligan ambiance is sparking fan interest and steady growth of the racing subset.

K&N-sponsored Unknown Industries sent a talented rider to Del Mar, California, to compete on the famous Southern California race track. You'd think flat track racing would be a bit of a departure for Holden Pruitt. After all, like all of the Unknown riders, Pruitt’s day job is smoking tires and riding wheelies as part of the raucous Harley® stunt team. However, Pruitt grew up racing motocross, so he is right at home in the dirt world.

Great motorcycle riders are typically a versatile bunch and Pruitt is no exception. The multi-talented Pruitt represented the stunt community well at the Del Mar event.

Pruitt piloted his big K&N-breathing Harley V-twin to a heat race win. He also added several second place finishes. Pruitt showed his racer toughness and gumption when he rebounded from a crash to get back on his mount and finish 5th. The Del Mar event was a nice showcase for the talents of Pruitt and stunt athletes in general.

Take a look at the gallery below for some highlights of Pruitt’s day spent roosting and sliding on the Del Mar dirt oval.

Pruitt casts a look back at his fellow hooligans before a race

The starting lineup at the Del Mar dirt track

Pruitt spending quality time sideways exiting a turn

Pruitt is no stranger to foot-down cornering

The Unknown rider traded stunting tires for dirt rubber

K&N's relationship with Unknown Industries goes way back