Purpose Built Supercharged RX-8

A while back, I had used our Supercharger Calculator to analyze the Petit Racing RX-8 supercharger kit based on a Lysholm twin screw charger...

However, a couple of days ago, I ran into this interesting purpose build supercharged time attack RX-8 running a centrifugal Procharger head unit. The car is an immaculate example of a purpose built and track ready RX-8 which is great considering this car left Mazda designed with a 50/50 weight distribution, a low center of gravity, and a linear powerband (using it's triple stage intake manifold for the naturally aspirated engine). 

Taking a car that already has the race DNA in it's fabric and building on it with even less weight, even more linear power (courtesy of a supercharger that irons out the dips and peaks of the powerband unlike a turbo which runs off of the engine power and thus amplifies them, and a centrifugal at that which by its nature delivers tractable linear power with impressive top end), and even more grip makes this a very interesting car indeed....

Watch on Youtube

The full article:

http://octanereport.com/tuned-cars/2010/10/14/on-the-attack-mazdatrix-supercharged-rx8-street-track-car.html?pid=3765#imggallery

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Where did I place those turbos?

Here is a great discussion about turbocharger placement.

• Top Mount vs Bottom Mount.
• Gravity Oil Feed vs Forced Oil Feed.
• Front Mount vs Remote Mount

Read the discussion here:

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376406

Watch on Youtube

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See and download the full gallery on posterous

9 second K24DE

After doing our previous tuner report on the Nissan SR20DE (2.0 litre dohc motor), I ran into this great writeup of a 9 second car based on the 'truck motor' the K24DE. People always shy away from building up the K24 motor because it's a low redline, large displacement motor. 

However, when you buildup a motor from scratch to be a purpose built drag motor, there really is no limitation on what you can build because you're practically replacing everything in the motor to your own specifications... so, if that were the case, the only difference between a K24 and an SR20 ends up being the price of off the shelf parts for a commonly used platform (in the case of the SR20) vs the cost of creating some one-off parts specific to the K24... either way, the net result will be two equally stout engines.

The car uses a massive single turbocharger, custom automatic transmission and slicks to produce it's impressive low 9 second quarter mile time at over 157mph!

Take a close look at these nitrous lines, these softer nitrous lines are able to curve smoothly. The smooth curvature prevents any radius changes or abrupt transitions in the nitrous flow which keeps the nitrous in a liquid state until it exits the nozzle (saving most of its cooling effect to happen inside the manifold rather than inside the lines) ... 

For more information about this car, read the full article  

If you're interested in a similar (albeit smaller scope) buildup of your K24DE, checkout our turbo calculator to help you design your one off dragster. 

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Are you read to Rock!

Toyota's new RTR concept is a truck that is not only ready to rock, but also purpose built to race... with a supercharged 5.7 liter V8 putting down 504 horsepower in place of the factory V6 engine, and with only 150 lbs of weight over the stock truck the power to weight ratio has significantly improved.

With the off-the lot x-runner running a 236hp V6, and running the 1/4 mile in around 14.6 seconds, our performance calculator estimates that the new X-Runner RTR with 504hp is capable of a low 10 second quarter mile in ideal conditions!

However, Toyota is not just about big power figures, but rather about a total RTR (ready to race) track ready conversion...

Other unique changes include a fabricated steel driveshaft, because the Tundra's stock driveshaft was too long, and fabricated torsion bars. TRD drafted Eaton's help to create a prototype mechanical limited slip rear diff. The only body modification was relocating the exhaust from behind the passenger-side rear wheel to under the cab, which helps maximize rear-suspension squat for optimal takeoffs. The RTR's ride height was reduced 4.5 inches from its already-low stock level.

Watch on Youtube 

For more information on this truck :

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/10/first-look-toyota-tacoma-x-runner-rtr-ready-to-race.html  

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Making safe power using nitrous oxide

This is a must read report on how to use the nitrous calculator to design and build a safe and effective nitrous powered car.

Nitrous is by far the grand equalizer, it is not model specific and does not require welding or fabrication experience. No matter what car (or motorcycle or watercraft) you ride nitrous is an option for power and performance.

(Direct port setup on a 4 cylinder motorcycle - Simple to install, effective when you need it)

Read the report here:

http://horsepowercalculators.net/tuner_report/tuner-report-6-nitrous-injected-sr20de

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