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(Some Of) The Cool Cars and Trucks We Saw at the 2017 SEMA Show

The 2017 SEMA show was one of the largest ever and raised the bar for custom vehicles

The 2017 SEMA show was one of the largest ever and raised the bar for custom vehicles

Since its inception, exhibitors at the SEMA Show have brought customized cars and trucks into their booths to showcase their new products and demonstrate how their products appear when installed. Often it was race cars, in the early days typically drag cars, but today the range is as wide as the imagination, or at least the builder’s imagination. How about a bagged Audi R8 V10 that lays on the belly pan and features a pair of turbos capped by K&N filters? Here’s a quick looks at some of our favorites.

Keep an eye on K&N's news site for future stories on these vehicles and more stories from the 2017 SEMA show.

There were hundreds of vehicles that sported K&N filters at the 2017 SEMA show

There were hundreds of vehicles that sported K&N filters at the 2017 SEMA show

The "Axis" Corvette by Roadster Shop was a finalist in SEMA's Battle of the Builders c

The "Axis" Corvette by Roadster Shop was a finalist in SEMA's Battle of the Builders competition

Finish Line Speed Shop brought out this C-30 dually, dubbed the BC-30, or Burnout Cancer-30

Finish Line Speed Shop brought out this C-30 dually, dubbed the BC-30, or Burnout Cancer-30

When we say that the bar was raised for custom vehicles at the 2017 SEMA show, we mean it

When we say that the bar was raised for custom vehicles at the 2017 SEMA show, we mean it

Richard Petty trusts K&N to protect the engines in the cars built by Petty's Garage

Richard Petty trusts K&N to protect the engines in the cars built by Petty's Garage

Jesse James commissioned the guys at the Roadster Shop to build him a piece of Mopar art

Jesse James commissioned the guys at the Roadster Shop to build him a piece of Mopar art

Jesse James' Polara featured a Gen III Hemi and a pair of Garrett turbos capped by K&N filte

Jesse James' Polara featured a Gen III Hemi and a pair of Garrett turbos capped by K&N filters

Straight from the mean streets of Atlanta comes this '40 Ford built by the talented Bryan Fuller

Straight from the mean streets of Atlanta comes this '40 Ford built by the talented Bryan Fuller

Bryan Fuller's '40 Ford is dubbed "Georgia Gold" and features a K&N round filt

Bryan Fuller's '40 Ford is dubbed "Georgia Gold" and features a K&N round filter

Laying hard in the BForged Wheels booth is this twin turbo V10 Audi R8 built by Sadistic Iron Werks

Laying hard in the BForged Wheels booth is this twin turbo V10 Audi R8 built by Sadistic Iron Werks

You will never guess what this 6.2L SRT8 motor is in (it is a Prius, dubbed "PriuSRT8")

You will never guess what this 6.2L SRT8 motor is in (it is a Prius, dubbed "PriuSRT8")

[Video] Roadster Shop 1970 Camaro, Dubbed Split Second, Debuts at SEMA 2017

The world-renowned Roadster Shop debuts its latest creation at the K&N Booth 22755 this week during the 2017 SEMA Show. The 1970 Camaro named “Split Second” was constructed to the usual high Roadster Shop standards of ingenuity and quality. The name “Split Second” is derived from the fact that it is a split bumper Camaro and it has a unique dual or split fuel injection system. In ordinary driving circumstances, the engine is feed from a fuel cell containing 91 octane pump fuel. As boost from the twin turbochargers increases the computer starts to feed 108 octane race gas from a second fuel cell into the 427 small block from Nelson Racing Engines. The result is a daily driver with around 900 horsepower that automatically segues into a 1600 horsepower beast with only the application of the throttle.

The front clip and unibody floor of the Camaro and were discarded by and replaced by a Roadster Shop Fastrack chassis. Brembo provided the brakes, HRE the wheels, and Avant Garde the interior. When asked about K&N the Roadster Shop’s Phil Gerber had this to say: “We trust K&N, we know their filters are going to protect our motors. Plus they have a wide range of products that’ll fit anything we’re building.”

Watch the video to check out the amazing Roadster Shop “Split Second” 1970 Camaro and its dual fuel injection system.

Ford Adds Drift Stick to Focus RS at SEMA 2017; K&N Adds Power And Reliability

The Ford Focus RS was a popular car at the 2017 SEMA show and Ford added a cool option to the car

The Ford Focus RS was a popular car at the 2017 SEMA show and Ford added a cool option to the car

Ford announced at the 2017 SEMA Show that it is adding its new Ford Performance Drift Stick, the first-ever rally-inspired electronic handbrake, to the bag of goodies that is the Focus RS.

The Drift Stick is an aluminum lever between the driver’s seat and manual transmission to induce drift with the simple pull of a lever. The system operates by utilizing the all-wheel-drive system combined with the ABS. A pull of the lever triggers the rear drive unit clutches to open and applies hydraulic pressure to lock the rear wheels. The result is the ability to execute a clutch-free drift turn similar to that of a rally or drift car.

Everything needed to install the air intake system, including instructions, comes in the box

K&N Typhoon Air Intake System adeds an estimated 33.01 HP to the 2017 Ford Focus RS

If it’s more performance you’re looking for in your 2017 Ford Focus RS, K&N has plenty of options. Available from K&N is a free-flowing replacement air filter to two different air intake systems, and three different oil filters.

Unlike many original equipment and replacement air filters, K&N replacement air filters are manufactured from multiple layers of oiled extra-fine weave grade cotton filter media. Developed originally to maintain power while protecting the engine in desert racing after much experimentation K&N selected oiled cotton as the best filter media as it offers less resistance than traditional filters.

Thye filter is manufactured from multiple layers of oiled extra-fine weave grade cotton filter media

The K&N Replacement Air Filter add performance and response to the 2017 Ford Focus RS

The K&N 57S-4000 performance air box replaces the restrictive factory air filter and air box lid on the 2017 Ford Focus RS. K&N performance air boxes are designed to dramatically reduce air flow restriction as well as smooth and straighten air flow. This allows your turbocharged 2.3L engine to inhale larger amounts of air than the factory air filter assembly allows. More air means more usable power and acceleration throughout the engine’s RPM range. The 57S-4000 performance air box comes with an oversized conical K&N high-flow air filter and an injection molded air box lid with the K&N logo embossed on top.

The K&N 69-3539TB Typhoon air intake system is a free-flowing, mandrel-bent aluminum tube air induction system designed to fit some Ford Focus models. The restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing are replaced by the K&N Typhoon air intake which is designed to dramatically reduce air flow restriction and adds an estimated 33.01 horsepower.

The 69-3539TB air intake comes with a black rubber topped K&N high-flow air filter and a heat shield that installs using the factory mounting locations with a molded scoop that funnels outside air towards the filter. Air is directed through the intake tube into the engine’s throttle body for a guaranteed power gain. The intake tube has a blue powdercoat finish to match the car’s badging and it accommodates the factory air pressure sensor.

A one-inch nut is welded to the top of the filter making removal a snap

K&N Wrench-Off Oil Filters are tough enough to withstand the punishment of a 10,000 HP Top Fueler

The K&N PS-1002 Performance Silver oil filter for the Ford Focus RS provides outstanding filtration and engine protection throughout their service life. Performance Silver oil filters are engineered to handle all grades of synthetic, conventional, and blended motor oils. The pleated media provides high capacity making the filters suitable for extended oil change intervals when used in accordance with the vehicle and motor oil manufacturers recommendation.

Originally developed for demanding race applications like 10,000 horsepower Top Fuel Dragsters, the K&N Premium Wrench-Off Oil Filter has become a favorite among consumers as well for its durability and easy removal, as they come with a one-inch nut welded to the top of the canister. To satisfy the demands of racers, our oil filter has many features over and above the requirements of most vehicles.

The filters are manufactured with thicker canister walls for extra strength and durability which reduces the risk of damage from loose rocks and debris, while a drilled hole on the nut provides for safety wire attachment so the filter doesn’t loosen during competition. The K&N Premium Wrench-Off oil filters also use a resin impregnated cellulose filter media which provides higher flow rates while maintaining outstanding filtration. Check out 2017 Focus RS part number HP-1002.

The filter housing, bypass valve and call plate are CNC machined from Billet 6061 T6 Aluminum

The resuable filter is an invaluable tool for engine builders to check the condition of the motor

For the ultimate in oil filtration is the patented K&N reusable oil filter that will last the lifetime of your vehicle under normal vehicle operating conditions. The filter housing, bypass valve, and call plate are CNC machined from Billet 6061 T6 Aluminum on the SS-1002 for the 2017 Focus RS.

The mechanical filtration is accomplished with a dual woven T 304 stainless steel micro-screen that provides excellent engine protection while providing a substantial increase in oil flow when compared to standard disposable oil filters. The ability to disassemble, inspect the filter screens, then reassemble the filter is an invaluable tool for engine builders in determining the condition of the motor.

So whether your Ford Focus RS is equipped with a Drift Stick or not, K&N has the filters that will help to extend the life and improve the performance of your hot hatch.

[Video] Custom 2017 Ford Super Duty on Airbags Stuns at SEMA 2017

When a customer approached Jake McKiddie, of Phat Phabz, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to build a truck to haul his 1959 Cadillac from show to show, Jake started by cutting up a brand new $75,000 Ford F350 with a 6.7 L Power Stroke Diesel. First, Jake discarded the frame and built a new chassis from scratch to accommodate four 3800 lb. bags controlled by a Endo-VT tank with E-level. Jake says he’s been loyal to K&N from when he began building trucks and this platinum white beast has two of them: a K&N cold air intake system and a K&N cabin air filter. Watch the video to check out the amazing detail work on this build.

K&N Equipped Entrants Compete For The 2017 SEMA Show Battle Of The Builders

Entrants came from 38 states and from outside the US. Judges reduced the field to 30 finalists.

2017 is the fourth year of the SEMA Battle of the Builders which will be broadcast on Velocity

One of the most highly-prized accomplishments at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is to win the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. Even though this is only its fourth year in existence, the competition has drawn hundreds of applicants from seven countries and 38 states. In fact, it has its own TV show on Velocity. Initial judging reduced the field to just 30 entries.

Several of the builders selected have equipped their custom creations with K&N Air Filters. In this article we’ll cover the first three of the K&N-equipped entries.

Ringbrothers 1971 Javelin AMX

The front wheels were moved forward in the body by 6.5 inches.

The Ringbrothers lengthened the wheelbase of their 1971 AMC Javelin AMX

As AMC was absorbed by Chrysler it’s fitting that the Ringbrothers AMX has been fitted with a Wegner Motorsports 6.2L Hemi Hellcat MOPAR crate motor that carries a Whipple 4.5L supercharger drawing air through a K&N Engineering Filter. Controlling the flow is a Holley Dominator fuel-management system, while a Bowler Transmission 4L80E automatic and a QA1 carbon-fiber driveshaft transfer power to the rear axle. Anyone familiar with the story of the Javelin knows that AMC created a longer, more aerodynamic body for Trans Am racing, but still based on the existing chassis and wheelbase. To most the car looked a little nose heavy. The Ringbrother corrected that styling awkwardness by moving the front wheels forward 6.5 inches. The Ringbrother 1971 Javelin AMX can be viewed at the Prestone Products Corp. booth #30321 at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Phat Phabz 2017 Ford F-350

Riding on a four bag suspension this 2017 Ford F350 features a custom frame and rear linkage

Riding on a four bag suspension this 2017 Ford F350 features a custom frame and rear linkage

This 2017 Ford F-350 from Jake McKiddie’s Phat Phabz is fitted with a 6.7L Ford Power Stroke Diesel engine with a PPEI tune, AirDog Fuel System, and a K&N Engineering Air Intake System. The chassis rides on a custom frame built in Jake’s shop that’s bagged at all four corners, with a custom parallel four-link set-up on the dually rear axle.

Stopping this beast are Wilwood six-piston calipers front and rear clamping onto 16-inch rotors. Besides the overall drop, the bed sides have been raised, with handles shaved and replaced with Kindig handles. Phat Phabz’s 2017 Ford F350 can be viewed in the Lower South Hall lobby, SL05 Undercover Truck Beds exhibit at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Steve Burkett Soul Stealer 2015 RAM 1500 Quad Cab Sport 4x4

The 2015 RAM 1500 audio system includes 22 seperate speakers

With a mind-blowing dual 15" subwoofer system the Soul Stealer can turn rocks into dust

Steve Burkett’s carefully-planned modification of a 2015 RAM 1500 Quad Cab Sport 4x4 was nicknamed the Soul Stealer. The truck is fitted with a 5.7 L Hemi V8, complete with K&N Engineering intake and MagnaFlow exhaust. Elevation is courtesy of a Bulletproof 12 inch suspension lift, Hellwig sway bar, Sik Fabrications lower control arms, and aluminum shafts by Inland Empire Drivelines.

The real insanity begins in the interior with a pair of Orion 15 inch subwoofers housed in a custom enclosure in the truck bed. A giant passageway was cut out between bed and cab for low frequencies to reach driver and passengers. If that we’re enough installed in the cab are an additional eight 6.5 inch Orion mid-range speakers and a total of 12 Orion tweeters. Powering this system is a 315-amp alternator by Ohio Generators. Steve’s RAM 1500 can be viewed at the Pilot Automotive Booth #20113 at the 2017 SEMA Show.

All of us at K&N Engineering congratulate all participants selected and wish all finalists the very best of luck in the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builder competition.