K&N Equipped Entrants Compete For The 2017 SEMA Show Battle Of The Builders

Entrants came from 38 states and from outside the US. Judges reduced the field to 30 finalists.

2017 is the fourth year of the SEMA Battle of the Builders which will be broadcast on Velocity

One of the most highly-prized accomplishments at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is to win the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. Even though this is only its fourth year in existence, the competition has drawn hundreds of applicants from seven countries and 38 states. In fact, it has its own TV show on Velocity. Initial judging reduced the field to just 30 entries.

Several of the builders selected have equipped their custom creations with K&N Air Filters. In this article we’ll cover the first three of the K&N-equipped entries.

Ringbrothers 1971 Javelin AMX

The front wheels were moved forward in the body by 6.5 inches.

The Ringbrothers lengthened the wheelbase of their 1971 AMC Javelin AMX

As AMC was absorbed by Chrysler it’s fitting that the Ringbrothers AMX has been fitted with a Wegner Motorsports 6.2L Hemi Hellcat MOPAR crate motor that carries a Whipple 4.5L supercharger drawing air through a K&N Engineering Filter. Controlling the flow is a Holley Dominator fuel-management system, while a Bowler Transmission 4L80E automatic and a QA1 carbon-fiber driveshaft transfer power to the rear axle. Anyone familiar with the story of the Javelin knows that AMC created a longer, more aerodynamic body for Trans Am racing, but still based on the existing chassis and wheelbase. To most the car looked a little nose heavy. The Ringbrother corrected that styling awkwardness by moving the front wheels forward 6.5 inches. The Ringbrother 1971 Javelin AMX can be viewed at the Prestone Products Corp. booth #30321 at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Phat Phabz 2017 Ford F-350

Riding on a four bag suspension this 2017 Ford F350 features a custom frame and rear linkage

Riding on a four bag suspension this 2017 Ford F350 features a custom frame and rear linkage

This 2017 Ford F-350 from Jake McKiddie’s Phat Phabz is fitted with a 6.7L Ford Power Stroke Diesel engine with a PPEI tune, AirDog Fuel System, and a K&N Engineering Air Intake System. The chassis rides on a custom frame built in Jake’s shop that’s bagged at all four corners, with a custom parallel four-link set-up on the dually rear axle.

Stopping this beast are Wilwood six-piston calipers front and rear clamping onto 16-inch rotors. Besides the overall drop, the bed sides have been raised, with handles shaved and replaced with Kindig handles. Phat Phabz’s 2017 Ford F350 can be viewed in the Lower South Hall lobby, SL05 Undercover Truck Beds exhibit at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Steve Burkett Soul Stealer 2015 RAM 1500 Quad Cab Sport 4x4

The 2015 RAM 1500 audio system includes 22 seperate speakers

With a mind-blowing dual 15" subwoofer system the Soul Stealer can turn rocks into dust

Steve Burkett’s carefully-planned modification of a 2015 RAM 1500 Quad Cab Sport 4x4 was nicknamed the Soul Stealer. The truck is fitted with a 5.7 L Hemi V8, complete with K&N Engineering intake and MagnaFlow exhaust. Elevation is courtesy of a Bulletproof 12 inch suspension lift, Hellwig sway bar, Sik Fabrications lower control arms, and aluminum shafts by Inland Empire Drivelines.

The real insanity begins in the interior with a pair of Orion 15 inch subwoofers housed in a custom enclosure in the truck bed. A giant passageway was cut out between bed and cab for low frequencies to reach driver and passengers. If that we’re enough installed in the cab are an additional eight 6.5 inch Orion mid-range speakers and a total of 12 Orion tweeters. Powering this system is a 315-amp alternator by Ohio Generators. Steve’s RAM 1500 can be viewed at the Pilot Automotive Booth #20113 at the 2017 SEMA Show.

All of us at K&N Engineering congratulate all participants selected and wish all finalists the very best of luck in the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builder competition.