The B18C Honda VTEC engine is well known as a tuner’s favourite, where its ability to produce very high power outputs is the stuff of legend.

But even the very best of production engines need upgrades to withstand heavy doses of brake horsepower, which is why TODA Racing has developed a set of high strength ‘I’ – section chrome-molly connecting rods which greatly uprate the strength of the B18C motor’s bottom end.

Key features of the TODA Racing Honda B18C high strength connecting rods including:-

* Fully floating little end bushes for 21 mm Ø gudgeon pins * Each rod is balanced to +/- 0.1 grams * 10% lighter than standard Honda connecting rods (495 vs 547 grams) * Rod length of 137.9 mm

The TODA Racing high-strength I-Section connecting rods are available now from TODA Europe, priced at £1695.00 per set, excluding VAT. To purchase this product now, click on: http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/toda-racing-b18c-connecting-p-19284.html

Recognising its unique expertise, facilities and ‘can-do’ attitude, Torque Developments has been retained by the three key Lotus race series as official performance validator, a role it has enjoyed since 2008.

The role, which requires Torque Developments to accurately and independently measure a race car’s power output both on site and at the circuit using its advanced Rototest hub dyno, covers the Lotus Cup UK, Cup Europe and Lotus On Track Elise Trophy championships. All three Lotus series feature classes divided into strict power limits and Torque Development’s role it to police these classes and ensure equality of performance within a reasonable tolerance level.

Every Lotus entrant must present that season’s current power curve from Torque Developments as part of the pre race scrutineering process, meaning that the entire pack of all three championships will have to undergo pre-season dyno testing at the company’s Thurrock base before the first round.

The portable nature of the company’s Rototest dyno also enables Torque Developments to conduct post qualifying dyno ‘spot checks’ unannounced at the circuits throughout the 2012 season – if the peak horsepower result is higher than the prevailing class limit then the drivers are relegated to the back of the grid or the car is barred from competing until a legal power test result is achieved.

Commenting on the announcement, Paul Golding, the series’ organiser said “We’re absolutely delighted that TDI (Torque Developments International) will be continuing their valued support of all three LOTRDC run race series in 2012.   Having been at the heart of policing all three Lotus series in 2011: the all new Lotus Cup UK Championship, the hugely successful Lotus Cup Europe and the Elise Trophy, it’s important that we have continuity in the way regulations and especially power are policed.

Over the last four years TDI have gained a reputation amongst the Lotus Motorsport fraternity for their knowledge, accuracy and professionalism to a point where they are recognised as the experts at not just producing a level playing field for drivers who want to compete but at mapping cars for performance and reliability something that is becoming more important with the longer races Lotus Cup UK in particular is providing.   We look forward to working alongside TDI for Lotus Cup UK and the Elise Trophy in 2012. While Lotus Motorsport are also looking forward to again working with TDI for Lotus Cup Europe as series that is owned by Group Lotus, policed by Lotus Motorsport and run on their behalf by LoTRDC.”

Torque Developments wishes competitors, organisers and officials from the Lotus community a successful early start to the 2012 racing season.

The Motionsports Torque Developments engineered and trackside prepared Honda K20A powered Lotus Elise has recorded an excellent sixth place overall at this weekend’s Britcar 24 hours race. Facing some very high powered competition including large engined GT cars such as Mosler’s, Ferrari’s, Porsche’s, Marcos’s, Aston Martins and Ginetta G55′s, the 200 bhp TDi engineered Elise ran reliably throughout, despite being hit three times during the hours of darkness.

The Motionsport team is naturally delighted, in their own words:-

‘Genuinely it was a dream come true to race the 24 hours with such a professional and motivated team.Finishing a 24hr race is a great achievement in itself, but to finish P6 overall is pretty amazing, especially given the modest specification of the car compared to those around us. Massive thanks to the Sam Borgman from the TDi and the boys from TDi North for coming down to rebuild the engine too. Worth their weight in gold!’

Congratulations to all involved in the Britcar Elise project, particularly our own Sam Borgman.

Honda’s S2000 has long been a favourite for enthusiasts and now leading Japanese tuning house TODA Racing has expanded its extensive range of upgrades with a large bore stainless steel / titanium exhaust system suited for cars with high power outputs.

Designed in order to extract the best performance from large capacity ‘stroker’ or turbocharged versions of the S2000’s F20 / F22C engine, TODA has developed this exclusive and stunning 70mm diameter exhaust system with extensive dyno and track testing.

Key technical features of the TODA 70mm diameter exhaust system include:-

• Straight tailpipes to reduce rear overhang weight and improve looks
• Titanium 90mm diameter tailpipes with blue heat treatment and crack proofing for longevity
• Exhaust system pipework features a constant 70mm diameter in centre section to maximise performance and minimise back pressure
• Optional 60 / 70mm diameter catalyst bypass pipe also available

TODA’s use of 70mm diameter aircraft grade stainless steel in key areas of the system compliments a design with no bends or restrictions, enabling high powered F20 / F22C engines to produce more power in comparison to other exhausts available on the market today.

The TODA 70mm diameter exhaust system suits both AP1 and AP2 variants of the Honda S2000 and is available now, priced at £1200.00. Interested? Click here to buy! http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/toda-70mm-exhaust-system-p-19263.html

The optional 60 / 70mm catalyst pipe, which acts as the interface to enable a smooth joint between the end of the F20 / F22C exhaust manifold and the 70mm TODA system is priced at £270.00. Interested in purchasing this product? Click here to buy http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/toda-optional-70mm-catalyst-pipe-p-19264.html

Both of these exciting Honda S2000 tuning components are available now from TODA Europe, a division of TDi-Plc – note prices exclude VAT @ 17.5%.

HKS Racing Suction induction kits are now available for the Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe. Dyno proven to gain up to 7 bhp and 8 Nm of torque throughout the rev range, the Racing Suction induction kit includes highly polished piperwork and a special HKS anodised engine cover.

Priced at £401.50 excluding VAT, to purchase this product, please click on:- http://www.tdi-plc.com/catalog/racing-suction-reloaded-p-18733.html