Nissan’s Juke is real ‘Marmite’ car. Some would say that it’s a surefire entrant for the Ugly Bug ball, while others would say that it’s bold styling reflects Nissan’s attempts to stand out from the ‘urban crossover’ crowd.

Either way, one thing petrolheads are sure to agree on is that the Nissan Juke would benefit from some high performance personalisation in form of a brand spanking new range of upgrades from our good friends at HKS.

Nissan Juke HKS Racing Suction Reloaded

Starting on the inlet side, HKS has unveiled a Racing Suction Reloaded induction kit, which gives a measurable power increase, plus a sporty intake noise and a great underbonnet appearance courtesy of a buff finished alloy pipe and red aluminium cylinder head louvre. As with all HKS products it’s a great way of adding a high quality, reliable dose of excitement to your daily drive!

It’s available now from Torque Developments International Plc (TDi-plc) for the following Nissan Juke models, the 1.6 DiG-T (187 bhp turbo petrol) and the 1.6-litre (115bhp non-turbo petrol,) priced at £345.00 excluding VAT. Click on: http://tinyurl.com/7o76xpf for more details.

HKS SQV IV Super Sequential blow off valve for 1.6-litre turbo petrol Nissan Juke models

The second product from HKS’s new range of Nissan Juke performance upgrades is the is a new Super Sequential SQV IV recirculation (aka ‘dump’) valve for the 187bhp 1.6 DiG-T turbo petrol models. While offering no performance increase, the increase reactivity of the HKS recirculation valve prevents compressor stalling on remapped Nissan Juke turbos, offering a unique and distinctive sound that emphasises the turbocharger and adds an exciting soundtrack to your Juke.

Priced at just £236.50 plus taxes, the HKS Nissan Juke 1.6 DiG-T Super Sequential blow-off valve is available from Torque Developments now, click on: http://tinyurl.com/8x3ddd2 for more details and to buy now!

HKS ES Premium Elegant and Sports Exhausts for Nissan Juke

Finally HKS has launched a highly desirable trio of performance exhausts from Nissan Juke owners. Offering superior materials, great looks and low resonance design that still offers a sport but subtle exhaust note, the HKS ES Premium exhausts are a proven way of personalising your Nissan Juke with a soundtrack that you’ll love!

The HKS ES Elegant and Sports Premium exhausts for the 1.6-litre DiG-T turbocharged, 1.6-litre non-turbo petrol and four wheel drive (4wd) Nissan Juke models are produced from stainless steel throughout. The designs feature a 50.8mm (2 inch) bore main pipe and a 94mm (3.7 inch) single round tailpipe (80mm twin pipes on the 4wd version,) careful design by HKS’s Japanese engineers and the incorporation of a ‘Silent Chamber’ reduces low frequency resonance, making this an exhaust system you can live with everyday!

Priced from £395.00 excluding VAT, the ES Elegant and Sports Premium performance exhaust systems are available now from principle HKS distributor Torque Developments International (TDi-plc,) click on: http://tinyurl.com/7grnnf5 for more details.

So why live with an ordinary Nissan Juke when you can make yours stand out from the crowd with Torque Developments and HKS!

Torque Developments plc announces a Wavetrac® limited slip differential for manual transmission versions of the popular Nissan 350 / 370Z coupe models. Designed to greatly improve traction by reducing wheelspin, the Wavetrac® differential for the 350Z / 370Z is a more advanced design than any other LSD on sale today, offering a superior driving experience for the discerning Nissan owner who enjoys frequent high performance driving or trackday use.

What makes the Wavetrac® Nissan 350 / 370Z differential different? To best understand how the Nissan 350 / 370Z Wavetrac® unit is truly different from the other gear differentials on the market, you first have to understand the primary problem that the Wavetrac® LSD solves – the ‘zero-load’ condition.

Zero axle-load is a condition that occurs during normal driving, but creates the most noticeable problems when driving in extreme driving conditions, such as trackdays, when one drive wheel is nearly or completely lifted (often in aggressive cornering). In these conditions, all other gear differentials will loose drive and behave like a factory ‘open’ diff’.

The Wavetrac® unit for the Nissan 350 / 370Z is designed specifically to overcome this problem, thanks to the innovative, patent-pending, Wavetrac® device located in the centre of the differential. During zero-load or near zero-load conditions the Wavetrac® device responds allowing the axles (and therefore each side gear in the diff) to start to turn at different speeds.

This speed differential causes the Wavetrac® device to step into action: Precisely engineered wave profiles are placed on one side gear and its mating preload hub. As the two side gears rotate relative to each other, each wave surface climbs the other, causing them to move apart. Very quickly, this creates enough internal load within the Wavetrac® to STOP the zero axle-load condition. The zero axle-load condition is halted, and the drive torque is applied to the wheel on the ground (the gripping wheel) keeping the power down and the car driving forward in a controllable manner.

The Wavetrac® is the only differential that can automatically add more load internally when it’s required. In the case where both wheels are on the ground during zero axle load, such as during a transition to deceleration, the Wavetrac® device is able to prepare the drivetrain for when the zero torque condition stops, eliminating the delay seen with ordinary gear diffs. What this means for you as a driver is that power is delivered to the gripping wheels for more time and in a more constant manner, making you faster and improving stability. The Wavetrac® truly is different – and its innovative features can make a real difference to your Nissan’s performance.

The Wavetrac® advantages – ensuring the best for your Nissan 350 / 370Z It’s not just the Wavetrac®’s performance that’s different, the Wavetrac®  Nissan 350 / 370Z is produced differently. Here’s the key Wavetrac® features:-

* Internally, the Wavetrac®’s gear tooth forms are optimised for strength and improved oil film retention over competitor designs

* The Wavetrac®  gear package is smaller, reducing overall mass, yet is more durable, since particular attention was paid to the tooth strength – perfect for high torque conditions

* Attention was also paid to the side gear/axle interface, putting as much material thickness as possible in this critical area – most important when power levels get high

* The Wavetrac® Nissan 350 / 370Z LSD uses high strength 9310 steel gears

* Wavetrac® uses case hardened, billet or forged steel housings for longevity

* ARP® fasteners are used throughout – we specify the best

Wavetrac®’s manufacturing tolerances and finish requirements meet or exceed all OEM standards. All Wavetrac® differentials are built in American plants operating to ISO9002 and TS16949 standards, with quality control systems that verify components at every step as they travel through the manufacturing process.

So if you appreciate the best in performance and quality limited slip differentials for your Nissan 350 / 370Z, you’ll appreciate the Wavetrac®.difference.

Carrying part number 44.309.181WK the Wavetrac® limited slip differential for manual transmission variants of the Nissan 350 / 370Z is available now from Torque Developments Plc, priced at £950.00 excluding VAT. To purchase this product now, please click on: http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/wavetrac-350z370z-p-19256.html

The Nissan R35 GT-R can suffer from high differential oil temperatures when under high load conditions such as circuit driving on trackdays.  These excessive differential oil temperatures may affect the lubrication properties of the oil and/or the LSD’s performance, potentially causing damage to the differential unit.

Hence why HKS has developed a Diff Oil Cooler Kit for the Nissan R35 GT-R to solve these problems which helps reduce the differential oil temperature, while maintaining LSD performance and preventing transmission oil degradation.

HKS Nissan R35 GT-R Diff Oil cooler features: ・ Oil Cooler Core Size: 200×132×48 (cooling fin,) with a core that was designed specifically for R35. ・ Core installation position is inside the R35’s rear undertray.  HKS has designed a special low drag air duct to let air into the cooler’s core for efficient cooling. ・ The air duct is made of CFRP  to match the factory Nissan rear under tray. Countersunk screws provide flat surface for improved appearance. ・ Highly durable AQP Racing Hoses are used for oil piping. ・ HKS original Oil Pump is included in the kit for reliable operation and accurate oil flow maintenance. ・ Relay box, harnesses, and ON/OFF switch to install the oil pump are included in the kit.   In-house testing by HKS Japan at the Fuji International Speedway showed that the differential oil temperature dropped by approximately 37℃.  The result also showed that the DCT oil temperature dropped by approximately 5℃, and coolant temperature by approximately 3℃.

The HKS Diff Oil Cooler for the Nissan R35 GT-R is priced at £1875.00 plus VAT.  Delivery is expect in October 2011. TO order now please click on:-  http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/differential-cooler-p-19148.html

Please note this item is not currently tested for MY2011 cars.

The 4WD system on the Nissan R35 GT-R is electronically controlled, with the front torque distribution being determined by driving conditions, but on highly tuned cars the front / rear torque split can lead to excessive oversteer. The HKS ATSC optimises this for improved high load / high speed stability and performance.

The HKS Active Torque Split Computer enables users to correct the front torque distribution for optimal performance driving, when oversteer can occur during high load driving due to lack of front torque.  By enabling a proper front / rear torque distribution, drivers can make full use of the engine’s power output, partcularly on tuned R35 GT-R’s.

Therefore, ATSC is recommended for use on vehicles with high power GT570/600/800 specifications or similar.

The HKS ATSC R35 GT-R system can operate at 4 different levels. The user can easily identify the profile through the flashing LED light and switch between them in real time.

Installation is made simple with the plug and play harness which can connect and disconnect easily to the Nissan E-TS unit under the driver’s seat. Installation time is approximately two hours.

The HKS ATSC controller is active on the R35 Nissan GT-R above 50km/h and when the brake is not applied. Therefore, it will not lead to instability from standing start or during low speed driving. To buy this product now, please click on:- http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/atsc-p-18851.html

We recently had the opportunity to install and tune a Haltech ECU in a relatively standard Nissan 350Z.

The Haltech ECU provides effective control over the important parameters of camshaft timing, ignition timing and fuel injection. In addition to the basic control parameters, the Haltech also allows speed limit cancellation, tubocharger boost control, nitrous control, conversion to speed/density (removal of air flow meter) etc as other useful functions for those cars that need them.

This test used a 350Z which was otherwise standard except for a Nismo exhaust system, so that we could determine the effects of transfering the tuning priority away from emissions and towards performance.

We undertook a base line comparison test on our industry leading Rototest hub mounted chassis dyno to act as a benchmark, then proceeded to install the Haltech ECU and go through our camshaft timing, fuel and ignition tuning procedures.

This is the standard car base line performance test figures.

This is the comparison performance test figures after the Haltech ECU had been installed and tuned.

The results were very impressive indeed. A very healthy increase in torque is yielded from 2000 rpm all the way through to the rev limiter.  We recorded a 14hp/ 32 ft lbs increase at the hubs which makes a substantial difference to outright performance and everyday drivability.

Here’s a couple of pictures of the 350Z on the Rototest chassis dyno.

Here’s view inside the cockpit during the Haltech ECU mapping process.

The full range of performance parts can be reviewd and purchased at http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=107_259_1114_1115