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2016 Formula DRIFT Series and Exciting Drivers Sponsored by AEM

Chris Forsberg VK56-powered Nissan 370Z

Chris Forsberg will be piloting his VK56-powered Nissan 370Z to try to best his 3rd place finish in the 2015 season

In just a few short weeks, the 2016 Formula DRIFT season will commence with massive tire smoke and door-to-door action on the venerable Streets of Long Beach, CA. AEM Induction Systems is proud to sponsor the 2016 Formula DRIFT season as well as fan-favorite drivers Chris Forsberg, Matt Field, and Kristaps Bluss.

AEM filters for high horsepower racing engines

AEM performance filtration products are capable of feeding these 1000+ Horsepower engines the clean air they need

The Streets of Long Beach Formula DRIFT course utilizes corners 9, 10 and 11 of the Long Beach Grand Prix street circuit. Drivers toss their cars into corner 9, a sharp right-hand turn with a tire wall being the only thing standing between them and a K-rail potentially ending their season before it starts. Moving from an outside clip in corner 9, drivers transition to the left and drag their bumpers through an outer zone in corner 10 before dropping a few gears and closing in around the tight inner clip in corner 11.

Long Beach is a course that demands respect and every driver knows what’s at stake. It’s checkers or wreckers. One small miscalculation and the walls will suck you in, spit you out, and put a huge mountain in front of any driver unfortunate enough to tango with them. Put another car in the mix with horsepower numbers pushing 4 digits, rear-wheel speeds well over 100 mph and enough tire smoke to shroud the beach landings at Normandy and you have the perfect recipe for a dramatic start to the 2016 Formula DRIFT season. 2015 started with a bang at Long Beach and 2016 is looking to be just as exciting.

Kristaps Bluss of the HGK Race team is the newest member of the AEM drift team

Kristaps Bluss of the HGK Race team is the newest member of the AEM drift team in his sophomore season in 2016

It’s been about 6 months since the conclusion of the 2015 season and drivers Chris Forsberg and Matt Field are staged to make a big impression at Long Beach. They’ve been working feverishly, improving their cars, building new sponsor relationships, and developing strategies to tackle the ever-increasing competition of Formula DRIFT.

Chris “The Force” Forsberg is quite possibly the most consistent driver in the field and one of FD’s veterans, competing in every season since the series began in 2004. Chris will be piloting his VK56-powered Nissan 370Z, the platform he and the guys at MA Motorsports and Chris Forsberg Racing have near perfected in recent years. At the conclusion of every season, they tear the car down and build it fresh, inspecting every component as they go. Chris hardly ever has a mechanical failure and for good reason- he uses and relies on quality parts like AEM air filters. When asked why Chris and his team choose AEM air filters, he replied, “We trust our 370Z to AEM air because their filters have proven to keep our engine clean and producing power.”

Forsberg is a two-time Formula DRIFT champion and finished 3rd overall in the 2015 season. He’s a driver’s driver and definitely a ‘force’ to be reckoned with. Look for Chris Forsberg to be his consistent, powerful self on the Streets of Long Beach. “I am very excited for 2016 to kick off as we have even more upgrades on the car and I am looking forward to another run at the Formula Drift championship. Long Beach is one of my favorite places in the country so it will be great to get back to the city and kick off another great year. See you there!”

Matt Field epitomizes the grass roots/privateer story of drifting. He got his drifting license in 2009 and started climbing the ranks, making his mark with his supercharged, LSX-powered S14. Finishing 9th overall in points in the 2015 season with two 2nd place qualifiers, Matt is staged for success in 2016. He and the boys at Drift Cave Motorsports have built an extremely competitive car on a budget far smaller than factory-sponsored teams. When asked why he trusts his 1000-horsepower beast to an AEM air filter, Matt replied, “With 1000-horsepower motors, reliability is essential. That’s why we depend on AEM air filters to keep the air clean.” Field is a fan favorite and a true ambassador to the sport, supporting the grass roots drift scene and building relationships outside the industry.

The newest member of the AEM drift team is Kristaps Bluss of the HGK Racing Team. Driving the HGK Motorsports E46 M3, powered by a MAST Motorsports GM LSX, Kristaps will be one to watch in his sophomore Formula D season. He finished 28th in his rookie season last year and comes with a number of impressive wins in his resume, including being a 2-time EEDC champion (2010, 2014), winner of the FX Open Challenge (2011), and winner of the Drift Allstars Riga GP (2014).

The Formula DRIFT World Championship, Pro and Pro2 series are the premier platforms for today and tomorrow’s best drifters. 2015 was an intense season with high energy, high horsepower, lots of rain, stiff competition, and huge excitement. AEM-sponsored drivers Chris Forsberg, Matt Field, and Kristaps Bluss are ramping up their operations to make a big impact with V8-fueled smoke and big angle on their road to the podium. Don’t miss the kickoff of the 2016 Formula DRIFT season in just 3 weeks on the Streets of Long Beach, CA.

2015 Ford F-150 2.7 and 3.5 Turbo Gain Horsepower and Torque with AEM Cold Air Intake

2015 Ford F150 3.5 liter turbo Air Intake

The 21-8128DC produced an estimated additional 17 horsepower at 5200rpm on a 2015 Ford F150 3.5 liter turbo.

The Ford F-150 is now in its 13th generation, and for this iteration of the best-selling truck in America, 13 is definitely a lucky number. Ford made some subtle exterior styling changes to the 2015 F-150, and instead focused most of the innovation below the surface. Steel body panels were swapped for strong, military-grade aluminum, dropping the vehicle weight by about 700 pounds. The frame was reinforced as well to provide increased strength, and all the most innovative technological bells and whistles made available for those who want them.

AEM 2015 Ford F150 3.5 liter turbo

A durable gunmetal grey coating is applied to the intake tubing and provides sharp styling under the hood.

Innovation extends under the hood as well with powerful and efficient twin-turbo Ecoboost V6 engines with 2.7 and 3.5 liter options. These turbocharged engines are great platforms for performance upgrades such as the 21-8128DC Brute Force cold air intake system.

2015 Ford F150 3.5 liter turbo Cold Air Intake

An AEM 21-2138DK Dryflow dual-flange air filter attaches to both inlet tubes.

The 21-8128DC will deliver a guaranteed increase in horsepower on the 2015 Ford F-150 2.7 liter turbo and 3.5 liter turbo models. A large 3” inlet tube is the backbone of the 21-8128DC and helps to streamline airflow into the turbochargers. The assembly has two tubes, one for each turbocharger, and one oversized, dual-flange AEM 21-2138DK Dryflow air filter. The filter provides excellent air filtration efficiency. Best of all, it’s washable and reusable, requiring no oil, and can go for up to 100,000 miles between cleanings, depending on driving conditions. A heat shield protects the incoming air from radiant heat under the hood as well. Less heat in the incoming air means a denser charge of air, which means more power.

2015 Ford F150 3.5 liter turbo Intake

The heat shield included in the 21-8128DC intake system shrouds incoming air from radiant heat under the hood.

Power and performance gains from the 21-8128DC are evident on the dyno. A 2015 Ford F-150 3.5 liter turbo equipped with the 21-8128DC air intake system produced an estimated additional 17 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque at 5200rpm over a vehicle equipped with the factory intake system. Those power gains are measured at the wheels, which is a testament to how well these turbocharged engines respond to performance intake systems.

2015 Ford F150 3.5 liter turbo

The new 2015 Ford F-150 has powerful twin-turbo Ecoboost engines that get even more airflow with AEM

The 21-8128DC is an easy-to-install performance upgrade, comes with all parts necessary for installation, and makes accommodations for all required factory connections. It’s also backed by AEM’s Lifetime Limited Warranty which speaks to the long-term durability of this intake system. It isn’t just luck that has made the Ford F-150 the best-selling truck in America for its 13 generations- it’s a legacy of tried and true performance. Give your 2015 Ford F-150 2.7 liter turbo or 3.5 liter turbo a guaranteed increase in performance with the 21-8128DC Brute Force air intake system. Order yours today at AEMIntakes.com or find a dealer in your area using the AEM Dealer Search.

2015 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Gains Horsepower and Torque with AEM Charge Pipe Kit

Ford Mustang 2.3 liter Ecoboost Cold Air Intake

The 26-3001C provides accommodations for the factory blow-off valve as well as nitrous or water-methanol injection systems.

AEM Ford Mustang 2.3 liter Ecoboost Air Intake

The 26-3001C is a simple bolt-on performance upgrade for the 2015 Ford Mustang 2.3 liter Ecoboost.

The Ford Mustang is the quintessential pony car. 50 years after its inception, the Mustang is still charging strong, and with a complete redesign in 2015, there are no signs of taming this wild stallion. The 2015 Mustang comes with long-awaited independent rear suspension and, for the first time since around when Ronald Reagan was President, a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This new 2.3 liter Ecoboost, however, is far from the atrocity of the last turbo-go-round in a Mustang. It’s quite brilliant, actually, with direct injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger producing 310 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque at the crank. This Ecoboost is just itching to make more power and with an 26-3001C charge pipe kit, more horsepower and torque are guaranteed to be available under your right foot.

AEM Ford Mustang 2.3 liter Ecoboost

On the dyno, a 2015 Ford Mustang 2.3 liter Ecoboost produced an estimated additional 19 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque at 5500rpm when equipped with an AEM 21-740C cold air intake and 26-3001C charge pipe kit.

The 26-3001C is an easy to install performance upgrade for the 2015 Ford Mustang 2.3 liter Ecoboost. It comes with two charge pipes - hot side and cold side. The charge pipes are mandrel-bent, made from lightweight aluminum and help to streamline airflow from the turbocharger to the intercooler, as well as from the intercooler to the throttle body. Reinforced hoses connect the charge pipes to the turbocharger, intercooler and throttle body and are secured with blank zinc-plated hose clamps for a sleek aesthetic that complements the durable gunmetal grey powdercoating on the charge pipes.

The hot charge pipe features a precision machined fitting that accommodates the factory BOV (blow-off valve). A rather unique feature of the cold charge pipe are its two provisions for 1/8” NPT ports for you to optionally add either a water-methanol or a nitrous oxide injection system along with a temperature/boost sensor probe for these modifications. Seldom do aftermarket charge pipe kits provide such accommodations. Water-methanol is very popular in high-boost-pressure turbocharged builds to help reduce inlet air temperatures (IATs) and help prevent engine knock. This allows for higher boost pressures to make even more power. 1/8” NPT plugs are provided should you not install a water-methanol or nitrous oxide system, or the sensors for those systems.

AEM Ford Mustang 2.3 liter Ecoboost Air Intake Dyno Chart

The AEM 2015 Ford Mustang served as a test platform for the new AEM charge pipe kit and air intake system, showing great performance and looks

Remember we said the Ecoboost is itching to make more power? Let’s head to the dyno. When equipped with the 26-3001C charge pipe kit and 21-740C cold air intake system, a 2015 Ford Mustang Ecoboost produced an estimated additional 19 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque at 5500rpm over a completely stock vehicle. Those power gains are to the wheels and are definitely noticeable when driving the vehicle.

The 26-3001C can be installed in about 90 minutes or less with basic hand tools and comes with step-by-step installation instructions. It’s also backed by AEM’s Lifetime Limited Warranty so you can feel confident it will withstand some true pony car power. Unleash some turbocharged ponies under the hood with the 26-3001C charge pipe kit and 21-740C cold air intake. Order yours today at AEMIntakes.com or find an AEM dealer in your area using the AEM Dealer Search.

2014-2015 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta GLI, Passat with AEM Cold Air Intake Adds HP

AEM 21-764C Cold Air Intake 2014, 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, Passat 1.8L; 2014-2015 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2.0L

AEM 21-764C Performance Cold Air Intake for the 2014-2015 Volkswagen Jetta / Passat 1.8L & 2014-2015 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2.0L

For the 2014 model year, Volkswagen updated its engine lineup to include 2 brand new turbo-4's from Audi. The new 1.8L turbo-4 uses direct injection, and a fast-spooling small diameter turbo to make 170-hp and 184 ft-lb of torque. You can find this torque-y little motor in the 2014-2015 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8L and the 2014-2015 Volkswagen Passat 1.8L. A larger 2.0L turbo-4 uses similar architecture, along with a trick cylinder head, and a combination of port and direct fuel injection to give the 2014-2015 Volkswagen Jetta GLI a healthy 210-hp and 207 lb-ft. Both of these engines offer great fuel economy, and enough horsepower to satisfy most VW owners. But if you want to give your VeeDub a serious performance upgrade, then check out the AEM 21-764C Performance Cold Air Intake System.

AEM 21-764C Cold Air Intake System installed on a VW 1.8T

AEM 21-764C Cold Air Intake System installed on a VW 1.8T

Years ago, it would've taken a V6 to make 170-210 horsepower. But tiny turbocharged powerplants like the VW 1.8T and VW 2.0T, do it by using the engine's exhaust to spin an air compressor, which then forces extra air into the cylinders. When you have so much oxygen crammed into such a tiny cylinder, the direct-injection system only needs to mist a small amount of gas in order to create a very forceful explosion (i.e. horsepower). If you want to get even more horsepower from your Volkswagen turbo, then you've got to force a large amount of cold air into the cylinders. This oxygen-rich catalyst causes the fuel to burn more intensely, which allows even more force to be created during the combustion cycle. The AEM 21-764C Cold Air Intake System is designed to funnel cold air to the turbo's compressor, by simply allowing the engine to breathe more effectively.

Closeup of the AEM 21-764C Cold Air Intake System designed for the VW 1.8T & VW 2.0T

Closeup of the AEM 21-764C Cold Air Intake System designed for the VW 1.8T & VW 2.0T

On a VW Jetta 1.8T or VW Jetta GLI 2.0T, the stock air intake system channels air to the turbo through a series of narrow tubes with tight bends, and uneven surfaces. This tube design not only heats up the air, but it also causes power-robbing air turbulence, and it limits the volume of air ultimately going into the engine. The AEM 21-764C Performance Intake System reduces these airflow restrictions with a wider AEM aluminum intake tube that has mandrel-bent wide-angle bends, to straighten the airflow path and significantly reduce air turbulence. The high-volume intake tube also features a durable gray powder coat finish, and a built-in fitting for the factory PCV hose. Since this AEM Cold Air Intake was designed to be a direct replacement for the factory system, It won't require any under-hood modifications, and installation should only take around 90 minutes.

Dyno chart for a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2.0T running the AEM 21-764C Cold Air Intake System

Dyno chart for a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2.0T running the AEM 21-764C Cold Air Intake System

To send cold air to the VW turbo, an oversized AEM Dryflow air filter sits behind an aluminum heat shield, which is located where the factory airbox used to be. The top of this rugged heat shield has a special rubber gasket that seals against the underside of the hood, to prevent that big AEM air filter from ingesting warm air from the engine bay. The unique shape of the AEM heat shield was specifically engineered to channel cold air from outside the engine compartment, directly into the air filter. That steady supply of cold air then passes through the synthetic air filter, which is able to trap far more contaminants than an OEM paper air filter. And thanks its 3-dimensional synthetic material, dirt stays trapped inside a web of fibers, which means you won't have to clean it for up to 100,000 miles. Plus, the AEM Dryflow filter, along with the rest of this cold air intake system, is backed by AEM's Lifetime Limited Warranty.

To find out just how much extra horsepower this cold air intake can make, we installed the AEM 21-764C Performance Cold Air Intake System on a stock 2015 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2.0T, then tested the car on a chassis dyno. The results showed an estimated increase of 12 horsepower and 14 lb-ft of torque. All of that extra cold air also gave the little Jetta GLI faster throttle response, and a more aggressive engine note. Individual results may vary, based the mileage, modifications, and condition of your specific Jetta 1.8L, Jetta GLI 2.0L, or Passat 1.8T.

Currently, the AEM 21-764C Performance Cold Air Intake System is not street legal in California, or any state that has adopted California Emissions Standards. To see if this cold air intake is legal in your state, click here. Besides performance intake systems, AEM also makes other performance parts to fit your 2014-2015 Volkswagen Jetta / 2014-2015 Volkswagen Passat. To check out the complete parts catalog, use the Vehicle Search Tool, or find an AEM dealer near you.

Features & Benefits of the AEM 21-764C Performance Cold Air Intake System

  • Developed specifically for the 2014-2015 Volkswagen Jetta / Passat 1.8L & 2014-2015 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2.0L
  • Increases both horsepower & torque
  • Feeds high volumes of cold air to the turbo
  • Provides quicker throttle response
  • Engine delivers more power at low RPMs
  • Improves engine sound
  • Mandrel-bent aluminum intake tube reduces airflow restrictions and air turbulence
  • Reusable AEM Dryflow air filter can go up to 100,000 miles before cleaning is required (depending on driving conditions)
  • Installation takes about 90 minutes using simple hand tools
  • Backed by AEM Lifetime Limited Warranty

AEM Applications for 21-764C AEM Cold Air Intake System

2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4
2015 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI 2.0L L4
2015 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8L L4
2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4
2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI 2.0L L4
2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8L L4

AEM 5"-Flange Universal Clamp-On Dryflow Air Filter is Designed to Increase Power

AEM Universal Dryflow Air Filter

The AEM 21-2075DK universal Dryflow air filter incorporates some of the best elements of cotton air filters into a new generation of Dryflow filters

AEM’s co-founder John Concialdi, or simply “J.C.” to those who know him, would often say, “If you can’t make something better, why make it at all?” The heart of innovation embodied in that saying has been a pillar of AEM’s product development since day one. AEM pioneered the cold air intake system market in the 1990s and in 1999, partnered with a leading air filter manufacturer to develop conical air filters with built in air horns for greatly enhanced airflow into the engine. These conical air filters were a huge success and, in keeping with J.C.’s saying, AEM made them better with the next generation of Dryflow filter technology.

The core of the 21-2075DK universal air filter’s design is the innovative Dryflow filter media. Working again with a leading air filter manufacturer, AEM incorporated some of the best design elements of cotton air filters into this next gen Dryflow media. A lofted, non-woven synthetic media is supported inside and out by a structural wire mesh. The wire screen mesh provides excellent strength and helps to increase the airflow capabilities of the filter.

AEM 21-2075DK universal Dryflow air filter

The AEM 21-2075DK universal Dryflow air filter has a 5” inside diameter flange and the flange is 1” in length; while the base measures 7.438” O.D

The lofted synthetic media utilizes three-dimensional depth loading to create a large surface area to capture dirt, as well as to ensure excellent air filtration efficiency. With such large filter dimensions and a built in air horn to streamline airflow into the engine, the 21-2075DK is a true performance product capable of increasing horsepower and torque.

Another benefit of the 21-2075DK design is it’s washable and reusable. Perhaps best of all, the filter requires no oil so maintenance is a breeze. Cleaning intervals depend on driving conditions, but cleaning is accomplished by simply removing the filter from the vehicle and using AEM’s 1-1000 Dryflow Air Filter Cleaner. Once the filter is removed, saturate the dirty side of the filter with the cleaning solution, rinse the filter with water from the inside out, let the filter air dry and then reinstall.

AEM Dryflow air filter cleaner

AEM Dryflow air filters do not require oil and cleaning is simple with the use of AEM 1-1000 Dryflow air filter cleaner

If your engine has the lung capacity of an Olympic athlete and you have a large mounting diameter for a filter, look no further than the AEM 21-2075DK Dryflow universal clamp-on air filter. The 21-2075DK has the following dimensions:

  • 5” flange inside diameter
  • 1” flange length (centered)
  • 7.438” base outside diameter
  • 8” height (without the flange)
  • 4.438” top outside diameter

AEM backs the 21-2075DK universal air filter with a Lifetime Limited Warranty which communicates the durability and reliability of the filter. If your vehicle requires a large amount of air or a high dirt capacity, as J.C. would say, why not make it better with the easy-to-install AEM 21-2075DK Dryflow air filter? Order AEM Dryflow Round and Oval Universal Air Filters by Dimension today at AEMIntakes.com or find an AEM dealer in your area using the AEM Dealer Search. Find other AEM products for your vehicle using the AEM Product Finder.