Pontiac Solstice gets an Engine Transplant from a Toyota Supra

In the world of engine swaps, anything goes but it’s always nice to see people experimenting with different kind of builds. For Car Lounge forum member ‘Phlow’, the patient was a Pontiac Solstice roadster with a weak heart - or so to say.

While most physicians would prescribe a local LS V8 transplant, this doctor went for something more exotic, to be precise a 2JZ, which is a code name for the Toyota Supra’s twin-turbocharged inline-six.

Phlow explains the reasoning behind his decision to choose the Supra powerplant in one his posts:

“[The] Reason for the swap is that the Solstice Aisin AR5 transmission bolts right up to the 2JZ via a 1jz bellhousing. It's basically an updated Aisin r154 they shoved into supra's. Also, the motor mounts up to the LNF motor mount's, which was really weird, and it sits in just the right place. Moreover, LS' have been done, I'm pretty positive this is the first JZ swap into a Kappa platform to my knowledge in the world.

The Supra-powered Pontiac Solstice project is still in the works, but we’ll keep you posted for any updates.

Source: The Car Lounge / Phlow

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BMW 5-Series F10 gets the Black Bison Makeover from Wald International

We knew it wouldn’t be long before Wald International, one of Japan’s most well-known styling houses, released its program for the latest BMW 5-Series sedan, codenamed F10.

The Japanese tuner’s Black Edition Sports Line BMW 5-Series comes with an assortment of aero body pieces made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic.

The package is composed of a restyled front bumper with additional air vents and LED daytime lights, a matching rear bumper that makes space for a diffuser and Wald’s signature exhaust tailpipes, deck-lid and roof spoilers, plus side skirts.

A lowered suspension and thinly wrapped multispoke alloy wheels further enhance the 5-Series sedan’s looks.

At least for now, interior upgrades are limited to a set of bespoke floor mats.

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It Came From eBay Hell: Volkswagen Beetle Limousine...with a Soft Top!

Stretched Volkswagen Beetles are as commonplace on eBay as Pontiac Fiero-based fake Ferraris and Porsche 356 Speedster replicas. So what makes this example so special? Well for one it’s a convertible, and a real one at that, with a canvas roof that’s sure to sag and then collapse from the weight of the water on it when it rains.

It also has a bar made out of the same polished wood as the cheapest of community centre pianos and burgundy leather L-shaped bench seat. It also has burgundy and silver paintwork and a wide body kit, which is sure to make you stand out from the crowd.

The eBay seller is also keen to point out that this is a, “ONE OF A KIND,” car, but then stating in very next sentence that it’s, “ONE OF ONLY 3 IN THE WORLD”. So, um, not one of a kind then. It was also, “BUILT PROFESSIONALLY”, which the pedant in me would like to point out is different from being, “PROFESSIONALLY BUILT”.

And with a Buy It Now price of just US$39,999, you’re only paying like ten times the price you’d expect to pay for an ordinary Beetle of the same Vintage. Then again, nobody said that uniqueness comes cheap...

By Tristan Hankins

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Senner Tuning Cooks up a Spicier Audi A1 1.4 TFSI with 165HP

German tuning firm Senner has a new solution for anyone looking to upgrade their desperately plain Audi A1 supermini. The tune starts with the A1’s 1.4-liter TFSI gasoline engine, which normally produces 122-horsepower and 265Nm of peak torque. A custom-tailored ECU along with a sports exhaust system bumps those figures to 165HP and 265Nm (195.5 lb-ft). The engine tune is complemented by an adjustable sports suspension from KW.

For the baby Audi’s exterior, Senner Tuning chose a teak brown metallic hue contrasted by white accents on the mirrors, roof arches, side sills and the massive Barracuda Tzunamee 19-inch alloy wheels shod in beefy 225/35 R19.

The package also includes a re-sprayed front grille in a glossy black finish along with a new front apron, side skirts and a modified rear bumper that houses a diffuser and two exhaust outlets.

Inside, the A1 features sports seats trimmed in two-tone fabrics with matching floor mats and an upgraded infotainment system.

Senner Tuning said it offers the A1 as a complete car priced at €36,590 (~US$52,300), which includes some €10,000 (US$14,300) worth of parts and labor.

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