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Papadakis Racing and Rockstar Energy Drink filmed "Rockstar D" to debut the Toyota Corolla iM

The Toyota Corolla iM drift car is powered by a 2AR-FE engine that pushes nearly 1,000 hp

A Papadakis Racing crew member works on the Toyota Corolla iM drift car at a Formula D event

Fredric Aasbo's Toyota Corolla iM has turned heads all season for the unconventional platform

To debut the car, the team filmed a brief viral video that emulated the title screen from the famed Initial D cartoon in Japan. The video was filmed on the famed Mulholland Highway outside of Los Angeles, California, and debuted the new Toyota Corolla iM chassis to the world. The debut was a huge hit as fans had no idea what car Fredric Aasbo would pilot since the Scion brand had been retired. Aasbo would drive the car competitively just a few weeks after the video was released at the first event of the 2017 Formula Drift season in Long Beach. The Long Beach course is laid out on actual city streets that are closed to the public for the competition weekend, further playing on the Initial D concept that helped launch the car.

The Toyota Corolla iM was debuted via a viral video that was filmed on the famed Mulholland Dr

Fredric Aasbo won in the Toyota Corolla iM in only the second event at Orlando Speedworld

The 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo can gain an estimated 15 horsepower thanks to an AEM cold air intake

While the Le Mans version of the MR16DDT engine produced 300 horsepower, when fitted to the 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo, power is reduced to 188 horsepower. AEM can help bring some of that race-inspired power back with the 21-818C cold air intake system that increases horsepower by an estimated 15 horsepower at the drive wheels.

The AEM 21-818C intake system is a true cold air intake system in that the air filter itself has been relocated to a position outside of the high-temperature engine bay. By drawing air directly from the outside, intake air temperatures are as close to ambient as possible. With cooler air entering the turbocharger, cooler air will come out. Cooler air is recognized by the ECU as having the ability to combine with more fuel. Cooler air, more fuel, equals more power.

Mandrel-bent aluminum tubes, aerospace silicon hoses, and a massive Dryflow filter comprise the kit

The MRY16DDT is a 1.6L inline four cylinder all-aluminum engine that is slightly under-square, with a bore of 3.14-inches and a stroke of 3.19-inches. The design features twin variable valve timing (CVTCS) controlling the double-head camshafts and four valves per cylinder (with sodium-filled exhaust valves for better transfer of heat). Details include spray-coated and mirror-finished cylinder bores applied to the 1.6 L engine, and a nanofinish on the camshafts. The engine features a single turbocharger that can operate up to 12 psi and an intercooler that reduces intake temperatures caused by the compression of the turbocharger. Stock output is 130 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm.

Both horsepower and torque are easily increased with the simple, straightforward AEM 21-818C cold air intake. The AEM cold air system for the 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo consists of two mandrel-bent aluminum intake tubes, a silicon coupler, a venturi adapter, and an oversized AEM Dry Flow conical air filter. The factory PCV and MAF sensor mount directly on the intake tube, the MAF relocated for additional cooling and performance.

Installation is a snap and can often be completed with simple tools in less than a few hours

The AEM 21-814C cold air intake is a relatively straightforward DIY modification that takes just a few hours to install, even for someone with little mechanical experience. Tools required are those that just about everyone has in their garage. The AEM 21-818C utilizes only the factory mounting locations, so there are no holes to drill or permanent modifications to make.

The Dryflow filter provides high air flow and a high capacity for trapping harmful contaminants

You can purchase the AEM 21-818C cold air intake factory direct for your 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo directly from the AEM website, as well as a 21-2157DK replacement filter, and the 1-1000 synthetic air filter cleaner.

The AEM 21-818C is designed to fit the following vehicles:

2017 NISSAN SENTRA 1.6L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models

The 21-820DS QX30 cold air intake features an inspection window embossed with the AEM logo

The 2.0 L turbocharged four-cylinder engine features an aluminum block and cylinder head. The valvetrain is comprised of microfinished double overhead camshafts (DOHC), four valves per cylinder with Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) that individually optimizes the opening and closing of intake and exhaust valves. The engine is backed by a seven-speed double-clutch automatic transmission with front wheel drive standard, all-wheel optional.

The 21-820DS has been thoughtfully engineered by the AEM team, with time and effort spent on the integration of the system into the vehicle from both a functional and an aesthetic viewpoint. AEM understands that owners of a vehicle like an Infiniti would prefer a system that matches the underhood environment and is simply not a tube with a filter clamped to the end.

As the 2.0L Infiniti QX30 is turbocharged, it has the capacity for increased horsepower. The more cool, fresh air you’re able to draw through the turbocharger and into the intake, the more the engine’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU) will respond by adding more fuel. The equation is simple: more air plus more fuel equal more power.

AEM engineers discovered a way to add that additional incoming fresh air by relocating the engine’s ECU. From the factory, there’s just one air inlet to the engine. With the AEM system, the ECU has been relocated and the result is a second, almost equal size intake has been added with the 21-820DS, increasingly the intake air capacity considerably.

The ECU, which is, in essence, a computer, requires a means by which it can shed its heat. AEM engineers have relocated the ECU to mount directly on the second intake duct so as moderate its operating temperature.

By doubling the area of the air intake AEM engineers feed the turbo a greater flow of air

The filter itself is an oversized AEM 21-1015DK Dryflow filter that uses an innovative high performance engineered material. Washable, non-woven synthetic filter medium chosen for its ability to deliver high air flow, excellent filtration, and improved performance. AEM Dryflow filters. In fact, a Dryflow filter captures up to 99% of harmful contaminants before they reach your engine.

While AEM Dryflow air filters typically do not require service until after about 100,000 miles (depending on driving conditions), a window is provided by which you can inspect the filter at any time. There’s an AEM logo burnished on the window so that when you raise the hood, that despite the OEM appearance of the system, it’s clear to anyone present

The AEM 21-820DS cold air intake is a relatively straightforward DIY modification that takes just a few hours to install, even for someone with little mechanical experience. Tools required are those that just about everyone has in their garage. The AEM 21-820DS utilizes only the factory mounting locations, so there are no holes to drill or permanent modifications to make.

Cleaning of the filter is straightforward and consists of an application of AEM 1-1000 synthetic air filter cleaner. The cleaner loosens and dissolves dirt and grime collected by the filter, after which the filter need only be rinsed with water, dried, and reinstalled.

The AEM cold air intake kit for 2016-2017 QX30 is styled for an OEM-like appearance

Innovation has always been AEM’s core competency, and the company continues to lead the way with innovative products that push the envelope of what is possible. That’s why you’ll find AEM filters under the hoods of many of the best racing teams and industry experts nationwide.

The AEM 21-820DS is designed to fit the following vehicles:

2017 INFINITI QX30 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 INFINITI QX30 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models

The Papadakis Racing team celebrated Fredric Aasbo's 10th career win at Formula Drift Montreal

Stephan Papadakis looks over suspension settings with Shawn Hillier and Mario Salguero

Stephan Papadakis evaluates maintenance options on the Toyota Corolla iM with his team

Although listed as the team owner and manager, Papadakis is still very heavily involved in the engine program as well as trackside wrenching. Papadakis has personally designed and prototyped several custom engine components and is constantly analyzing parts and data to look for opportunities to improve the power output. Papadakis also personally handles a lot of the logistics and operations for the team, ensuring that the team is ready for anything that is thrown their way on a race weekend. On a race weekend, it’s not unusual for Papadakis to be asked for the occasional autograph as well, dating back to his record-breaking Honda drag racing days, a rarity for a team owner and manager in the Formula Drift pits.

Papadakis still personally reviews data from runs in the Toyota Corolla iM between rounds

Stephan Papadakis drag raced import cars in the early 2000s, but now is focused on his drift program

Formula D Pro 2 driver Dirk Stratton drifts at Orlando Speedworld, where he earned a Top 8 finish

Stratton started the season in his Lingenfelter Performance/Stratton Racing Chevrolet Corvette at Orlando Speedworld with some electrical issues in practice that would test the team early. The team was quick to track down the issue, but a replacement alternator was required, and precious practice time had been lost. Despite the lack of practice, Stratton qualified 5th overall, which the team was happy with given the circumstances. The Top 16 tandem pairings put Stratton against Matt Vankirk, who had qualified 12th. Stratton put down one of his best lead runs of the weekend and was able to progressively close the proximity between the cars in his chase run to earn the win.

Dirk Stratton nears an outside clipping point in Formula Drift Pro 2 competition

Dirk Stratton leads Kevin Lawrence in his Top 8 tandem battle in Orlando

Stratton’s Top 16 tandem battle in Atlanta was against Crick Fillipi. Shortly after initiation, Fillipi colliding with Stratton as he had misjudged the entry speed given the reduced grip levels. Stratton was able to save his car from sliding off course, but had a pretty substantial hole in the door after the collision. On the follow run, Stratton left a gap to account for the difference in grip, then closed it down entering the keyhole area of the track, and all three judges awarded the tandem win to Stratton. Looking ahead to the Top 8, Stratton knew that the drying conditions would continue to make the track treacherous, and the team made adjustments accordingly.

Stratton earned a pair of Top 8 finishes at his first two Formula D Pro 2 events of the season

In the three month layoff between Atlanta and Seattle, Stratton has continued to drive the car at events to better prepare himself for upcoming tandem battles. Stratton made appearances at both the Street Driven Tour in Virginia and GridLife Midwest in Ohio, where several other top drifting drivers were also in attendance, to continue to gain experience following drivers of different skill and grip levels. Stratton has no major changes or upgrades lined up during the layoff as both of his losses in tandem were due more to driving mistakes than mechanical issues. Last year, Stratton earned a Top 4 finish in Seattle, but knows that the event will be a tough battle as three of the top four drivers in the standings all claim Evergreen Speedway as their home track.

The Formula Drift Pro 2 season resumes at Evergreen Speedway, just outside of Seattle, Washington.

Stratton has continued to drive at several events during the 3-month break between Formula D rounds

The distinctive C6 Corvette taillights peak through a cloud of tire smoke on Dirk Stratton's Chevy