Rev Ups

Let me tell you something upfront: I wasn’t always a front-wheel-drive guy. I used to scoff at the idea—no amount of marketing spin could convince me FWD was "driver’s car" material. But then I drove a Civic Type R. And not just any Civic—the FK8, the angry-looking, triple-tipped boost-snorting hatch that made even die-hard RWD fans take notice. That was the moment everything changed. But before we get into it, let’s back it up a bit. A Brief History of the Badge The Civic Type R legacy kicked off with the EK9 back in 1997. Lightweight, stripped-down, and high-revving—it was...

There’s a reason the GR86 and BRZ have a cult following—they offer one of the best RWD experiences straight off the showroom floor. But like any great driver’s car, there’s plenty of performance still on the table. Whether you're carving through Old Pac or planning your first Wakefield track day, here are the five mods that actually make a difference—sorted by real driving feel, not internet hype. 1. Cold Air Intake – Let the FA24D Breathe Out of the box, the factory intake setup on the GR86 and BRZ is… fine. But that’s it—fine. It’s quiet, restrictive, and more about...

If you’ve ever ended up at a servo mid-spirited run and found yourself parked next to either a Toyota 86 or a Subaru BRZ, odds are you’ve had that chat: “Mate… are they actually any different?” On paper? Not really. Under the skin, they’re born from the same joint project between Toyota and Subaru. Same chassis, same engine, same gearbox, even the same interior layout. But if you’ve driven both—or better yet, lived with both—you start to notice the little things. And that’s what we’re unpacking here. So whether you're hunting a platform to build, or just weighing up which badge...

If you’ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of exhaust mods, you already know the deal—videos don’t tell the whole story, sound clips can be misleading, and forum opinions? Loud but inconsistent. When it came time to upgrade the exhaust on our 2021 Mustang GT, I wanted something that sounded right, made honest power, and didn’t make me hate life on the M5 during peak hour. That search narrowed itself pretty quick: Borla vs. MBRP. Two heavy hitters in the performance exhaust game. Both make legit systems for everything from Mustangs and Camaros to RAM trucks and Rangers. But they’re...