Latest News

2016 King of the Hammers Every (Wo)Man Race with the 1st Place finisher, the Queen, Jessi Combs

You may remember her from MythBusters, her Overhaulin' days with Chip Foose, or from All Girls Garage. Or maybe you've followed her as she sets out on her series The List: 1001 Things to Do in a Car before you Die!

Breaking down barriers in off-road, Jessi Combs the Queen of the Hammers in her savvy Ultra4

It's obvious that Jessi Combs loves what she does

But let's go back just a couple steps. On October 9, 2013, Jessi drove the North American Eagle (NAE) Supersonic Speed Challenger in the Alvord Desert, claiming the women's land speed record with an official run of 392.954 mph and a top speed of 440.709 mph. And just a few weeks ago she would return to the Alvord Desert in Oregon breaking her own record and driving 477.59 as part of a complex, ambitious goal to become the fastest woman on Earth.

Behind every great driver is a great team and Jessi's team is no exception

Calm and collected throughout the ordeal, Combs still remains determined to continue her goal of breaking the women’s record of 512 miles per hour, set in 1976. Jessi also remains the fastest woman on four wheels, a record she broke in 2013. When we asked Jessi when she would get back in the seat of the North American Eagle, she assured us just as soon as the car is ready and safe. She's determined to accomplish that goal she has set for herself.

Brains, beauty, and serious bad ass, Jessi Combs has it all

It seemed car guys didn't take her too seriously so she decided to change that. Originally wanting to become an architect, she soon discovered the extensive time and significant cost involved and chose to follow a path that combined her love of design with her passion for speed. Enter Wyo-Tech. Combs earned her degree in custom automotive fabrication and has inspired millions showcasing her skills. Her shop reflects her design sensibilities, from the artwork on the walls to the uber chill vibe the exposed brick walls create. Her surroundings can't help but inspire some amazing builds like the 2016 BMW R nine T.

Jessi's likeness was added to the SEMA sketch wall in the Las Vegas Convention Center

Jessi's design sensibilities abound throughout the shop. Who doesn't love James Dean?

This incredible sign created for the REAL DEAL twosome sits prominently in the shop.

When we asked if there was anyone, dead or alive, who she would most like to spend time with, her response? Her mother. She said she would love to just sit down to dinner and be with her mom. When talking about where she sees herself in five years, her blue eyes sparkle as she admits, "I really want to change the world!" You can bet if anyone can do it, we believe Jessi Combs is that person. She inspires women of all ages to move out of their comfort zone and continues to leave her mark on the automotive world not just for herself, but for all women, everywhere.

Jessi installing the K&N filters on the REAL DEAL 2016 BMW R nine T build featured at SEMA

The finished REAL DEAL land speed inspired 2016 BMW R nine T featured at the BMW Booth SEMA

The panel-shaped K&N 33-3059 replacement air filter

Constructed to be washable and reusable, the filters are offered with different media to assure the best performance for the particular application.

HD-1102 Harley Davidson motorcycle replacement air filter

Meanwhile, conventional paper air filters have a very thick surface area and are tightly compressed and dense so that they can meet the minimum filtration standards. This design restricts airflow. As the paper filter becomes more and more clogged, the air pressure inside drops while the pressure outside remains the same. This results in an excessively high pressure differential causing the dirt particles to push through the paper medium. Airflow decreases even more making it necessary to replace the filter.

E-4142 Briggs & Stratton air filter

K&N also offers air filters with a synthetic non-woven material that are ideal for a wide range of applications including small industrial engines, compressors, generators, utility lawn, garden units and mowers as well as for heavy duty applications including large turbo diesel engines, class 6-8 over-the-road trucks, agricultural and earth moving equipment and diesel motor homes.

The commercial grade air filters include a new hybrid medium that combines the best characteristics of cotton and synthetic non-woven technologies. No oil is used in these filters. Instead, they feature a 3-D lofted filter surface that reduces diesel air filter restrictions. The result is more power and better engine efficiency.

Heavy-duty air filter cleaner

K&N offers air filter cleaners and filter cleaning accessories for its lines of oiled cotton and synthetic air filters. The cleaners are specially formulated to cleanse and recharge the filters so that they can be reused over and over again.

K&N backs the oiled cotton replacement air filters with a 10-year/Million Mile Limited Warranty that guarantees that the filter will last for up to 10 years or 1,000,000 miles without needing replacement.

38-2001S heavy-duty air filter

The cabin air filters are designed to replace the factory cabin air filter from the cabin air filter box that is located under the hood, near the windshield, underneath the dashboard, or behind the glove box.

As in the case of the air filters, K&N also offers a cleaning kit that is formulated to recharge and cleanse the cabin air filter after every 12 months or 12,000 miles of driving, depending on driving conditions, so that it can be used over and over again for the life of the car.

The filters are designed to fit the factory air box and can be installed using common hand tools in just a few minutes.

Air filters can be found by part number or by vehicle manufacturer.

Zeigler's F-Bomb is a clean and pure cafe build

Zeigler’s rolling double entendre rode away with the K&N Performer Award at the Dallas edition of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show. The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show has focused the spotlight onto several new talents in the bike-building world of which Zeigler is one.

When we asked him about his history in the craft, Zeigler revealed just how brief his tenure in the field has been. “In short, this is the first build out of my little home garage shop, with the exception of a few vintage Vespa projects,” Zeigler said. Clearly he has a unique talent for his new-found form of creative expression.

The smooth body work and paint combine perfectly with touches like the recessed taillights

“My work life was kinda stale, my mom was sick, and I really just wanted to build a motorcycle, plain and simple,” Zeigler noted. “I had been working on vintage Vespa builds for several years, and when a friend of mine bought a motorcycle, I thought ‘well I could build that’ and so I did.”

The end result of that inspiration is pure, elegant simplicity. Clean lines define Zeigler’s build. The F-Bomb is an uncluttered, even skeletal, work of café art. Zeigler’s personal favorite elements of the build are the subtle details that create the whole.

“There are so many little details,” said Ziegler. “But my favorites are the custom hand-made alternator cover, the RFID on/off, the modified forks, and the recessed brake lights and tail.”

F-Bomb made a serious bang at the Dallas IMS

The 4 into 1 exhaust is minimalist and all-business. That header is finished in matte black, as are the spoked rims. The engine, which Zeigler rebuilt with new seals and rings, is left relatively original. Of course, the F-Bomb wears the requisite café rear-set foot controls and low clip-on handlebars.

While F-Bomb is Zeigler’s first custom motorcycle build, it is certainly not going to be his last. It is also clear that he will not be boxed into a certain genre of custom.

The custom engine cover, clean headers, and nice rear-sets add to the cafe build

This new passion clearly has Zeigler thirsty for more, and he wouldn’t mind at all sharing it with new friends. “If you are looking for someone who will build a bike with you, that is the whole goal of this adventure for me. I have a few donor bikes available and welcome anyone interested in a build from me.”

K&N gives Sean Zeigler a big ‘thumbs up’ on his success with F-Bomb. We are proud to help new builders get the recognition they deserve!

The K&N 33-3044 air filter fits 2014-2016 VW Polo, Skoda Fabia and Rapid, and Seat Ibizza and Toledo

In 2014 the Volkswagen Polo went through a modest facelift that included a lot of new safety technology and the creation of more efficient engines. The model received an automatic post-collision braking system and buyers have the option to include adaptive cruise control with front assist and city emergency braking. In addition, a new infotainment system that included a screen that works like a smartphone was incorporated into the vehicle. The infotainment system controls the stereo, mobile phone and the optional satellite navigation system. Also included is a MirrorLink system that permits the integration of a smartphone into the car and also permits the screen to display all of the apps on the phone for easy touchscreen control.

The old 1.4-liter engine was replaced with two 1.0-liter and 1.2-liter gasoline engines with the 1.2-liter featuring turbochargers. The 1.2 offers 109-bhp and the new 1.0-liter is a three-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 59 –bhp. Buyers who wanted an automatic gearbox had to acquire a Polo with a 1.2-liter TSI engine. Those who bought the BlueGT Polo model that includes a 1.4-liter gasoline engine that offers 148-bhp that is mated to a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. In addition, a 1.4-liter turbocharged diesel was available.

The Polo with the three-cylinder gasoline engine and five-speed manual transmission offers 59bhp at 5,000-6,000 rpm and 70-lb-ft of torque at 3,000-4,300 rpm. Top speed is 100 mph and it could achieve 0-62 mph in 15 seconds. The 2015 Volkswagen Polo has an Inline-4 engine that offers 60-horsepower at 5,000 rpm. The 1.0-liter engine achieves 0 to 60 in 8 seconds and has a top speed of 136-mph. The 2015 Polo exterior was mildly refreshed without any dramatic changes. The length is 156.37-inches (3,972mm); wheelbase is 97.24-inches (2,470mm); width is 66.22-inches (1,682mm) and the height is 57.20-inches (1,453mm).

Two three-cylinder gasoline engines and one three-cylinder TSI engine power the vehicle. One of the gasoline engines is a 1.0-liter engine with multi-point injection that delivers 60-horsepower and 95 Nm of torque at 3,000-4,300 rpm; the other three-cylinder gasoline engine is a 1.0-liter multi-point injection engine that generates 75-horsepower and 95 Nm at 3,000-4,300 rpm. The TSI is a 1.0-liter direct injection and turbocharger engine that produces 94-horsepower and 160 Nm at 1,400-4,000 rpm.

The 2016 Volkswagen Polo includes a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, a reverse-view camera and an App-connect USB interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions. The Driving Comfort Package includes adaptive cruise control, front assist brakes with city emergency braking, climate control, auto headlights and wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, driver fatigue detection system, and a low tire pressure indicator. A Sport Pack trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension, tinted side and rear windows, front fog lights with cornering function and a tire pressure monitor. There is also a stop-start system and hill start assist.

The 2015 Skoda Rapid keeps all of the updates that first appeared on the 2014 model including the brown and beige interior. The plastic feels more premium than many other cars in this category. The stock Rapid does not include a touchscreen infotainment system nor a navigation system. However, it does include a cruise control for the first time. A 1.5-liter common rail turbo-diesel engine powers the vehicle that delivers 105 PS of power at 4,400 rpm and 250 Nm of torque between 1,500 to 2,500 rpm. The diesel engine comes with two gearbox options –- a 5-speed manual and a 7-speed dual clutch automatic. The 2016 Skoda Rapid includes an interior with fabric covered seats and dashboard. It does not have a touchscreen. However, the Black Edition includes cruise control.

The 2015 Skoda Fabia is 65 kilograms lighter than the previous year’s model and is powered by a three-cylinder engine that weighs 980kg. The car is also 8mm shorter, 90mm wider and 31mm lower than it predecessor. Five engines were available worldwide to power the car. However, only two engines were available in Australia, both of them being a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine shared with the VW Polo. There have been some refreshing done on the exterior of the car including buffed-up shoulder line and contoured hood and different colored wheels, mirrors and roof was available. The cabin has also been upgraded over the previous model with the plastics feeling more premium than the 2014 model.

The 2016 Skoda Fabia went through a major refreshing. The wheelbase has been increased by 5mm, yet the car is 8mm shorter overall than the 2015 model. The SE-L trim gets LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The SE trim gets 15-inch alloys and the S Trim rides on steel. The third generation Fabia also includes a bulge in the hood. A 1.2-liter turbocharged engine powers the car and delivers 89 bhp. There is also a new 1.4-liter TDI diesel engine that offers 89 and 104 BHP, which has a better CO2 emission rating. Three transmissions are available – 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, 5 and 6-speed manuals.

The front-drive chassis is equipped with front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion bar and the whole suspension is guided by electric steering instead of a hydraulic that was on the previous model. The 2015 Seat Toledo went through a major refreshing receiving LED headlights and the taillights were redesigned to make them more similar to the Seat Ibiza. There is also a new multifunctional steering wheel and brushed aluminum trim pieces, one on the dash and the other on the radio surround. The 5-door car is 4.48-meters long and has a wheelbase of 2,602mm. Two engines are available to power the car – a 1.2-liter TSI that generates 85 and 105 horsepower, a 1.4-liter TSI that delivers 122-horsepower and a 1.6-liter TDI diesel that delivers 90 or 105-horsepower.

The 2015 Seat Ibiza was refreshed. The car benefited from its manufacturer’s association with the Volkswagen Group. The dull plastics in the cabin of the car have been replaced with softer materials as well as a functional digital display. Changes in the SE trim are a great example of the upgrade. This particular trim received an air conditioner and new infotainment system that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Mirror Link. A 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo engine that generates 94 bhp powers the car and its mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. 0 to 62-mph is achieved in 10.4-seconds and top speed is 119- mph.

The 2016 Seat Ibiza is the manufacturer’s biggest-selling model. All models in this incarnation of the Ibiza include alloy wheels. There is a USB input and a small jack plug above the slot for an MP3 player. The car uses the same engines that power the Volkswagen Polo. There are two versions of a three-cylinder 1.2-liter, one 1.2-liter TSI, a 1.4-liter and a 1.4-liter TSI. The E trim is the entry-level model and includes the 1.2-liter engine. The S has an air conditioner. There are also the SE, Sport, FR and Cupra and special edition Bocanegra in order of performance.

The K&N 33-3044 air filter is designed to replace the factory air filter found in the 2014-2016 Seat Ibiza V and Toledo IV, the Skoda Fabia and Rapid, and the Volkswagen Polo.

The filter is washable and reusable and lasts up to 50,000 miles between cleanings, depending on driving conditions. K&N also offers an air filter cleaning kit that cleanses and recharges the filter so that it can be reused. So this filter may be the last you will have to buy for as long as you own your car.

The filter media features multilayered cotton gauze treated with a special grade of filter oil. The oil makes the strands of the cotton very sticky. The air filter is shaped as a panel so that it can easily fit into the factory air box. To replace the dirty factory filter all you need to do is take it out of the air box and drop in the K&N 33-3044 air filter.

K&N is so sure of the quality of its air filters it backs them with a 10-year/Million Mile Limited Warranty®. The warranty promises that the air filter will perform for up to 10 years or 1,000,000 miles without requiring replacement.

The K&N 33-3044 replacement air filter is designed for the following vehicles:

2017 VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2017 SKODA RAPID 1.4L L3 Diesel Engine - All Models
2017 SKODA FABIA 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2017 SEAT TOLEDO IV 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2017 SEAT IBIZA V 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2017 AUDI A1 1.4L L3 Diesel Engine - All Models
2016 VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2016 SKODA RAPID 1.4L L3 Diesel Engine - All Models
2016 SKODA FABIA 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2016 SEAT TOLEDO IV 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2016 SEAT IBIZA V 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2016 AUDI A1 1.4L L3 Diesel Engine - All Models
2015 VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2015 SKODA RAPID 1.4L L3 Diesel Engine - All Models
2015 SKODA FABIA 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2015 SEAT TOLEDO IV 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2015 SEAT IBIZA V 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2015 AUDI A1 1.4L L3 Diesel Engine - All Models
2014 VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.4L L4 Diesel Engine - All Models
2014 AUDI A1 1.4L L3 Diesel Engine - All Models

Bootlegger made its public debut at the 2016 SEMA show in Las Vegas

Daystar had the perfect vehicle to bring on the trip, it just needed some freshening up. Then the thought of wheeling through the Smoky Mountains sparked an idea for an off-road moonshine runner. Things suddenly got much more involved. With the help of products from Summit Racing and a slew of off-road and performance companies, including K&N, the Daystar team decided the project's new scope was within their grasp.

Starting with a complete but well-worn truck, the all-employee crew worked from the ground up to add off-road capability without losing any of the Power Wagon’s inherent style. That meant keeping the great lines whenever possible, upgrading the bits that were questionable, and flat-out replacing what was obsolete. Look closely and you’ll notice that the factory frame remains, although it has been boxed for strength. The beefed-up frame was disguised a bit when the new paint was given rust-colored accents at each weld to return a bit of its previous weathering. New Skyjacker leaf springs with Daystar bushings locate a Dana 60 front and GM 14-bolt rear axle that have both been filled with ARB lockers. They team up with a set of 42-inch Interco tires for go-anywhere traction. Wide-open fenders give the Wagon great approach and departure angles as well. Odds are it’s not getting stuck on the trail anytime soon, but in case a fellow off-roader needs a hand, a bumper-mounted Warn winch is ready for duty.

Of course any bootlegger worth their mash would have some excess copper sheet left over from building their still, so Daystar chose to incorporate several copper accents into their Power Wagon build. Copper can work harden, so it takes practice to form it without cracking. Luckily Daystar has plenty of experienced craftsmen on hand and finding some in-house talent was easy. The warm shine of the copper contrasts nicely with the olive drab paint and can be found in several details both outside the vehicle and inside the cab, most noticeably in the bed. The original bed, while intact, wasn’t much to look at. In its place went new copper bedsides and rails to match the small still in the bed along with a fresh floor from Bed Wood.

A copper bed and hood sides were fabricated to give Bootlegger the shine of a moonshine still

There was no question that a rebuilt flathead six, as originally found in the WWII-era Dodge trucks, wouldn’t cut it on the trail, let alone the street. The weight of stout bumpers and recovery gear, along with tall tires, would have bogged it down. Considering that bootleggers were known for their hopped-up cars built to evade revenuers, something special was needed. They found what they were looking for, as propping open either of the louvered copper hood sides reveals a 416ci Edelbrock LS crate engine. Based on an LS3 block, the Edelbrock crate engine uses a 4-inch Manley crank to get more cubes and an E-Force supercharger to really turn up the torque. Output is an impressive 720hp and 695 lb-ft. and it’s all fed by a custom copper pipe air intake that uses a K&N filter element. A Hughes Performance 4L80E four-speed automatic transmission is bolted onto the stroker and sends power to a Magna transfer case and on to the axles.

While the utility of the Power Wagon remains, there were a few allowances made for creature comforts and style inside the cab. For example, there are copper accents riveted to the aluminum bomber-style bench seat and the cabin was thoroughly plastered with Dynamat for quieter cruising. Dakota digital gauges replace the utilitarian military gauges to keep tabs on the 700hp monster lurking just in front of the firewall.

Daystar’s 50-day build certainly paid off, as the Bootlegger survived not only its maiden voyage through the Tennessee mountains, over rocks, and across streams and mud, but also a frigid romp on an Alaskan glacier before its official unveiling at SEMA. People noticed too. Daystar’s booth was constantly thick with admirers, a tough feat to accomplish when every booth is vying for attention with exotic cars and flashy displays. Aside from the attention, Bootlegger also earned the Transamerican Auto Parts “Life is Better Off-Road” award for combining outstanding capability with style and build quality.