The guys at CAR Magazine really know how to break a story.  Although the Audi R3 isn’t expected to hit the road for five years, this leaked picture must have Miata, S2000 and Sky designers running back to the drawing board to revamp their models to compete with this. This rear engine design will in essence be a replacement for the Audi TT, and would probably draw from available power sources, namely the 1.8T FSI, or the 2.0T.  Either way, Audi wants to keep power output competitive in it’s price bracket ($36,000-$65,000) without cannibalizing sales of it’s new cousins; the Porsche Cayman and Boxster.

Five years is a long time off, but that’s not a reason to stop speculating.  For the complete story, check out CAR Magazine

As everyone is vying for more sales, bigger profit margins and an increase in the bottom line - it’s easy to let your drive take over your instinct.  Here is some advice / good practices to make sure you don’t get caught up in any scams.

10. Treat Every Order Uniquely. Don’t get in the habit of just moving papers and sending e-mails.  Look over every order, make sure all information is complete (Address, Phone #, E-mail Address). For Credit Card orders verify CVV codes and Addresses.

9. Never Ship to PO Boxes or Drop Boxes. Just don’t do it.

8. Ship Items with Delivery Confirmation. Ship Items with Tracking Numbers and Signature Required.  Although this doesn’t prevent fraud, it does start a paper trail and provides proof of delivery which is useful in a number of circumstances.

7. Take Extra Care with Larger Orders. If you’re used to processing orders of $100-$500, take extra precautions when you receive a $1000+ order.  Also be extra wary of these orders if they insist on expedited (1Day, 2Day) shipping.

6. Do Your Homework. There are so many tools available to you over the web to better educate yourself about the customer.  Google Maps, Reverse Phone Number Look Ups, Etc, Etc.  If you have a feeling an order may not be legit, use these to confirm your thoughts or answer questions.

5. Pick Up the Phone. If something doesn’t sit right with you, call the customer. This will answer questions and open a dialog to get more information so you can make a better decision.

4.  Contact the Issuing Bank. Contact the Credit Issuing Bank (CIB) and they will contact the customer for you. The CIB will confirm the name and address given by the customer. If the phone number given to you on the order is no good; the CIB can help you in this instance. Have your merchant ID ready when calling the credit card company. Here are phone numbers you can call.
American Express    1-800-528-5200
Discover Card    1-800-347-2000
Visa/MasterCard    1-800-228-1122
CardService International Merchant Services    1-800-456-5989
E-Commerce Exchange Merchant Account Set-Up    1-800-242-0363 Ext. 2736

(Thanks ScamBusters.org for this one)

3. Be Careful With International Shipments. If you get an order for 20 S-AFCs going to Malaysia, you can count on this being a scam.  However, not every scam is that apparent. Do everything you can to verify the order, have the customer send in a copy of their license (ID), credit card and a utility bill for the address that matches the credit card billing address (also see #2).

2. Only Ship To The Customer Billing Address. Unless you have an extensive repertoire with the customer, don’t make exceptions.  Even then, keep in mind - if you ship to an address other then the billing address this exposes you to risk.  If it is absolutely imperative (customer lives in New York, but the car is in a shop in Maryland) have the customer add the shop’s address to the credit card.  Yes this may be an inconvenience for the customer, but it covers your ass.

1. If It’s Too Good To Be True - It Probably Is. Not much comes easy in a business like this, always be careful and do smart business.

If you have a turbocharged vehicle, then the thought of methanol injection has probably crossed your mind at least once.  If you haven’t made the jump because you can’t find a reliable system on the market, then wait no more.  AEM has just released their HD Water/Methanol Injection System complete with a 5-Gallon Reservoir, 150 PSI Pump, Progressive Controller and all hardware for a complete install.  Run more Boost, Make more Power.

Perfect for Diesel or Gasoline applications.

To Download this Press Release in it’s entirety - HD Water/Methanol Injection System

You probably know Vibrant Performance for their constant innovation and must have fabrication parts, but don’t overlook their commitment to simple and effective bolt-on’s. Case in point, Vibrant Performance offers a complete ‘header back’ exhaust solution for 2006+ FA/FG Civic Si owners.

Starting off the block, the 4-2-1 Race Header produces power gains of up to 20HP over the restrictive stock manifold. This is done by matching a true 4-2-1 tubular design with a massive 2.5″ outlet. Vibrant goes one step further by offering two versions of this header:

• 2507 (pictured) - Which includes a High Flow Metal Core Catalytic Converter
• 2508 - Which deletes the stock catalytic converter and provides maximum exhaust flow

To finish off the exhaust, the Vibrant StreetPower Cat-Back Exhaust System is designed to bolt-on to each of the aforementioned headers and offers additional power gains along with unmatched good looks.  The Vibrant Performance StreetPower Cat-Back Exhaust System is manufactured from 16 gauge T304 Stainless Steel and features “True Straight Through” Rear Mufflers and Resonators which are densely packed with Vibrant’s premium sound suppression materials to help produce a low, deep exhaust tone.

Available for both the Sedan and Coupe:

• 1622 - Sedan
• 1626 - Coupe

For more information on these products as well as evertyhing else offered, please visit Vibrant Performance

“R8 GT3” - That’s how.

Audi Motorsports pulled the cover off their new entry into the 2009 Season, and unveiled perhaps the sexiest car in competition.

According to the Audi Press Release:

“The R8 is the first production Audi bearing the name and genes of a successful racing sportscar and is therefore an excellent base from which to build up our first big customer sport programme,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. “Ever since the R8 was unveiled we’ve been inundated with enquiries about a race version. With the Audi R8 we will offer customers a racing sportscar equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities, but which is nevertheless easy to handle.”

I’m waiting to see if this breeds a new street version with a bump in power and some other goodies.

Check out our new buds over at SpeedHunters for more pics and a complete rundown.

With all the celebration surrounding the release of the new Nissan GTR (saw my first one on the road over the weekend) it seems like car junkies are coming out of the woodwork.  The guys over at Popular Science, some how finagled their way into Nissan’s Secret Zama Operations Center (probably in the name of ’science’) and snapped some impressive photos of Nissan vehicles from yesteryear.

Check out Popular Science for 10 Rare Pictures From Nissan’s Secret Zama Operations Center

The Titan Exhaust Air Jack is perhaps the most innovative device to lift up your vehicle short of those cool pneumatic air jacks F1 cars have.

Just position the ‘jack’ under your vehicle, hook up the hose to your exhaust, and presto - car is lifted and ready for work.  Once the jack is inflated you can shut the car off and the one-way valve will keep the jack inflated for 45 minutes, flip the valve and it releases all the air in under 5 seconds.

Although we’re not offering these thru RPMWare, you can get more info at the Titan Air Jack Homepage.

I guess it was inevitable. An appearance by Vin Diesel at the end of Fast & Furious 3 could only signal one thing (no, not the apocalypse): another installment of the Fast & Furious Franchise. This time however, the original cast has been assembled for another run at out-dragging, out-drifting and out-smarting the bad guys. The good news is, the cars look pretty decent, from the trailer I was able to identify the following cast of cars:

• Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GR Chassis)
• Buick Grand National
• Nissan 240SX (S14 Chassis)
• Toyota MR2 (SW20 Chassis)
• Dodge Charger

Check out the Trailer and see for yourself:

As with all good heritage vehicles, they start life as a stunning concept and blossom into something much more disappointing.  The good news is, the ball is rolling.  Nissan has been talking about a introducing an entry level RWD Coupe for quite some time now, and with a concept like this from Polish designer Iacoski - Nissan better start paying attention.

At first glance the design is simply stunning, but the longer you look at it, the more design cues from the classic Nissan/Datsun Z Car begin to emerge.  The flared rear fenders, the sloping B-pillar with Z badge, the unmistakable bulge in the hood.  All of these traits combined with modern day Nissan looks and technology make for a sexy and plausible Nissan Z Car revival.

For more images and reviews check out out buds at AutoBlog.

To follow up our update earlier this month, we are proud to announce seven new manufactures to the RPMWare family. Included in this mid-month load is:

• Bilstein - European manufacturer of OEM and High Performance shocks and coilovers.  A name synonymous with quality and performance, be sure not to take a look at the Bilstein PSS9s for the ultimate in suspension performance.
• Origin USA - The Design Laboratory brings you high quality fiberglass and carbon fiber aero components for popular JDM vehicles including S13, S14s, FCs, FDs and many more.
• Quaife - Need to get a grip?  Then Quaife offers the differentials you need.  The pioneer of the Automatic Torque Biasing Helical LSD, Quaife offers a range of product from Euros to JDM to American Muscle.
• RennTech - If you Mercedes SLR just isn’t fast enough then take a look at the RennTech catalog.  THE premiere Mercedes (and Bentley) Tuner offers a full catalog for practically every Benz on the market.
• Stance - “Get Grip Feeling” with Stance Coilovers and Suspension Components.  Choose from a range of products for popular JDM applications including S13, S14s, FCs, FDs and many more.
• Stealth Auto - Stealth Auto offers a full range of Euro Lights and Accessories, but the crowning jewel is their Stealth Bulbs.  Silver when off, Orange when lit - Stealth Bulbs are 100% Street Legal, Made in the USA and use proprietary coating from NASA to give a lifetime of performance.
• Turbosmart - Blow Off Valves, Boost Controllers and Wastegates - On my!  Turbosmart has conquered the Australian market and now has their line of products available to us here in the US.  A full range of products suited for any boost level, be sure to check out their eBoost2 for the ultimate in boost monitoring and control.

Updates were also pushed through for:

• Magnaflow - Price Update
• NGK - Overhaul

That’s it for now, if you have a product line you wish to see on RPMWare or have any other questions/comments about product information, please feel free to e-mail me (matt@rpmware.com).