There are several reasons why you may need an engine swap, which is the process of switching out one engine for another. Perhaps you have a Ford Explorer engine and it has recently locked up on you or has something wrong with it that will make it eventually stop running. Another possibility is that you simply want better performance from your vehicle so are swapping engines for more power. Whatever the reason, remanufactured engines are a good option for engine swaps.

When an engine is remanufactured, the process it goes through is a rigorous one. While some rebuilders may only change a rod or camshaft, a good one will do much more than that. If you are unsure, ask questions about the process your rebuilder uses for blocks, crankshafts, connecting rods, cylinder heads, honing, high speed cylinder boring and more. These are all very important parts of the rebuilding of an engine.

Those seeking the luxury angle of the 300C SRT8 will find the updated interior from the regular 2011 300C a welcome change. Adding to the base car’s vastly improved materials, the SRT8 gets real carbon-fiber trim along with the aforementioned unique steering wheel. Like the normal 300, the center stack also features the 8.4-inch touch-screen display, but here it comes with standard navigation and can control an optional and monstrous 900-watt, 19-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo. Additional luxury can be had from the Premium Leather Interior package, which stretches so-called “Foligno” leather over the door uppers, the instrument panel, the cluster hood, and the sides of the center console. Nappa leather then takes over to finish the doors, armrest, and center armrests. It’s a far cry from the hard plastics of the recent past.

The Looks

Backing up the underhood muscle are the new front and rear fascias, side skirts, dual four-inch (!) softball-shooter exhaust tips, and unique 20-inch wheels. The kit adds definite visual spice to the already-zesty look of the 300, but you can go one step further: A new Black Chrome package swaps in upper and lower grille surrounds, a rear valance strip, and wheels rendered in the dark shiny stuff.

The SRT8 hits dealers in the third quarter of this year. We’ll take ours in all black with all the black chrome you’ve got.

Also among the stars of the Frankfurt Motor Show, we could not miss the stunning Audi R8 Spider, discoverable version of the German supercar. Line side, we note a flexible hood cover and a reshaped rear with new air intakes and engine side, the fair will be equipped with a 5.2 liter V8 FSI of 525 hp. Enjoy!

Lotus Motorsport announces the Evora Cup race car together with an innovative European points based race series for 2010. The race car will make its first public appearance at the Autosport International racing car show in Birmingham, UK on the 14th January 2010.

The Lotus Evora is a highly acclaimed road car that incorporates many race car elements to give it incredible handling and performance. The Evora has a mid-engine layout, high-tech, super-stiff extruded and bonded aluminium chassis and double wishbone suspension all round. These elements mean that it is a relatively easy progression from the production car to a competitive race car.

The Evora Cup race car has been developed by Lotus Motorsport and is designed to offer a level of performance that would make it competitive in GT4 racing. The race car will be eligible to compete in a number of different national and international series, with options for endurance racing and sprint racing.