By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

We do a lot of pretty nutty things around here at CarDomain to keep the lights on for you guys, and one of them was that epic 16-episode car care series that we shot and produced as part of our campaign with Quaker State. We’re all done now with the filming, and though it was a long haul, we got to make friends with some incredible technicians and check out some cool Seattle-area shops along the way. Oh, and we got some extremely decent car parts out of the deal as well. Thanks, Quaker State! Here’s a quick episode breakdown of the entire series:

First we did a ton of squeaky-clean detailing videos at NorthWest Auto Salon: we figured out how to wash a car properly (who knew?), we learned what all the fuss over clay bar was about, we got the low-down from Blake on cleaning and detailing your car’s interior, and we even learned how to give extra-OCD attention to your car’s wheels and tires–my Escort GT is still driving around with one corner more shiny than the other three as a result of that shoot.

After that we jetted over to Drift Office to have some fun with Bob’s dyno. We threw plugs and wires on Chris’s Corvette, and learned how to dyno-tune a car for performance. After being thrashed for like 30 runs, the ‘Vette was ready for an oil change, so we headed to Group 2 Motorsports to give it one. We threw in a car-maintenance-for-dummies, check-your-systems tutorial as well.

Then it was time to get Rob’s Subaru Outback into Smart Service in for a coolant flush and a transmission service. And after that, it was back to Group 2 Motorsports: my AMC Concord got its front brakes done, and we learned how to rebuild its crusty old-school rear drums as well. Then we did this ultra-awesome brake fluid flush-and-bleed demo to enlighten those of you still driving around with scrungy, ancient juice in your braking system: a no-no! Next, it was time to spruce up Rob’s Satellite, so Rick from Group 2 showed us how to set the timing the pro way with a timing light, and threw a set of fantastic Edelbrock shocks on the old Mopar. Then at long last, it was my Escort GT’s turn to demo a tricky front-wheel drive strut replacement–it’s now running a set of ultra-rare discontinued Koni adjustables.

See all the videos in one place at the Quaker State fan page–and don’t forget to become a fan!

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

I’ve had the same old Monroes on my Mopar since I got it eight years ago. But for years I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Edelbrock Classic IAS shocks–Mr. Angry swears by them on his rides–and I’ve been wanting to try them out. I especially like the looks of the gray Classic shock but the red Performer version is cool, too. Anyway, there’s lots more I have to do to my suspension–ditch the stupid helper springs and get new leaf spring, beefier torsion-bars, etc. But I figured shocks were a good place to start, and the Quaker State video series we’ve been running gave me the perfect excuse! Bolt on was super simple and the ride improvement was huge! Thanks to Rick at Group 2 Motorsports for the demo! A bunch of pics plus the video of the install after the jump!

Continue reading "New Edelbrock Classic IAS Shocks for My Mopar!" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

We’re shooting a little series on car care for Quaker State, and dropped by NorthWest Auto Salon to learn how to wash a car. I think most of you guys could probably learn a thing or two from Blake. I know I did. Oh, and sweet Caddy, huh?

Car Wash!

By Chris Bicknell

Bick66

My weekend started early Friday afternoon, when I drove my Corvette to Drift Office in Auburn, WA to meet Rob and Jen for a little dyno testing and video shooting. Bob and Nathan from Drift Office ran the big Dynojet while we tested to see how much power gain the new ACDelco iridium plugs and 8.5mm MSD Super Conductor wires would give my Corvette over its stock equipment. Then Vince from Trifecta Performance custom tuned the Corvette’s PCM for a net rear wheel gain of 26hp and 21ft-lbs of torque. Subsequently, I spent the rest of my weekend trying to keep my right foot off the floor.

How about you?  What did you do this weekend?

Continue reading "What Did You Do This Weekend?" »