Nizpro Powerfest!
Nizpro, a Nissan and turbocharger specialist located in the outer eastern Melbourne (Australia) suburb of Bayswater, has recently completed a superb new engine dyno room, equipping it with the best possible equipment. Most important is a Dynalog dyno and software (as used by the Holden Racing Team and John Sidney Racing), which is housed in a double-brick concrete reinforced and insulted room. The room incorporates an overhead console, and inlet and outlet fans to ensure balanced air.
Mounted above are custom tanks holding 13,000 litres of water, liquid is cooled via a monster 400kW cooling tower while oil, and water and intercooler temperatures are thermostatically controlled. Facilities include 10 exhaust pyro temperature probes, wide band Lambda data channels, an electric throttle for endurance and race testing, four detonation sensing channels, and four pressure sensor channels. Typically the company charges around A$1500 for a thorough set-up of a naturally aspirated EFI engine, which increases by another A$500 with forced induction engines.
Quite a few engines have benefited from the company's dyno expertise, such as the supercharged LS7 big block shown here. The so-called mild combination was designed to 'lazily' eat up the opposition in a chosen ski boat race class. Enhanced strength comes with steel Carillo rods, 8.5:1 JE pistons, Chet Herbert roller cam, heavily-ported LS7 heads with stainless valves, Crane rollers and stud girdles.
When the engine arrived at Nizpro it was naturally aspirated and tuned to work with Hilborn injection, however the new plan called for a supercharger. For this to take effect, Nizpro needed to port match and modify an Edelbrock tunnel ram to accept injectors and fuel rails, they added a 5-Bar adjustable regulator, fitted eight Bosch 351 injectors, converted a Holden HEI and added MoTeC M48 sequential management. Pumping a maximum of a low 10 psi of boost into the engine is a race style Procharger centrifugal supercharger mounted on fabricated alloy brackets.
Whereas the old Hilborn injected combination (which we should add relied on methanol fuel) produced around 530 horsepower, the new setup with just 10 pounds of boost and Premium Unleaded petrol is good for 878 horsepower at 5400 rpm and 842ft-lb at 4800 rpm. A Nizpro representative stated that it would be easy to run more boost and develop greater hp, however they stopped at 10 psi boost as it was felt it this was enough to ensure reliability while also being extremely competitive.
Another marine engine recently 'improved' by the Nizpro brigade (not photographed) is Tony Spooner's "Spinner" small block 350 Chevy. Having previously produced in the low 700 horsepower area, the twin turbocharged Chevy appeared to be lacking something, however it wasn't until Nizpro put the engine through its paces that it was realised the turbochargers simply couldn't cut it. Incredibly, by adding MoTeC M8 management, radically upsizing the turbos and running a wicked 21 pounds of boost, the small block went berserk in producing 1200hp at 6500 rpm!
A pair of road-going Nissan engines have also astounded, that of the SR20DET inspiring Andrew Lawson's 200SX-R. Lightened to around 1150kg, the special rally-style Nissan with awesome 14 inch Harrop brakes and Toperformance Koni suspension, has benefited hugely from engine development. Previous to this, the engine developed around the low 400s and at that power level was extremely competitive. However, thanks to play in various 'secret' areas, by dropping the compression from 8.5:1 down to 7.3:1, upping the boost to 27 psi and adding a larger more advanced turbocharger, the final figured came in at 512hp at 7100 and 427ft-lb at 4450 rpm.
A much milder combo is the Nissan VG30 twin turbo which - apart from a new set of valve springs - retains factory stock internals. It hasn't even been pulled apart! However, through it being topped with well-sized Nizmo turbochargers, a monster Nizpro intercooler, twin three inch exhaust, MoTeC engine management, Bosch motorsport pump and 22 psi boost, it developed 482hp at 5800 and 554ftlb at 4500.
Contact Nizpro on +61 3 9761 1522
Falcon V8 Supercar
Ford Australia has launched the Ford AU-model Falcon V8 Supercar. Designed with the assistance of Ford's Cray Supercomputer and thoroughly tested at Lockheed Martin's aeronautical wind tunnel in the United States, the AU Falcon is a significant technical advance over last year's Bathurst-winning EL-model Falcon, particularly in the areas of handling and safety.
The basic AU Falcon design offers considerable benefits in constructing a race car over the ELFalcon from which the 1998 Bathurst-winning car was developed. Aerodynamic drag is 10 percent down on the previous model, while lateral stiffness is 22 percent better in the AU. The structure of the AU Falcon racecar was designed internally by Ford's own engineers during the design phase of the road car.
Saab Viggen
Saab has launched a new high performance version of the 9-3. Called the Viggen (which is apparently Swedish for thunderbolt!) the car uses the turbocharged 2.3 litre four, 17 x 7½ wheels and aero changes that have lowered lift by "more than" 50 per cent and also dropped the drag coefficient. There are no official power figures at this stage but expect grunt to be substantial. The car will be released in coupe, 5-door and convertible versions towards the end of this year; its first public appearance will be at the New York Auto Show late next month.
Alfa 156 Sports Pack
The Alfa Romeo 156 is available with a variety of body kits and a sports suspension package. There is a choice of three rear wings, ranging from a lip spoiler to the loop wing used on the racing 156s. This may be complemented by extensions to the front and rear bumpers which include an airflow splitter at the rear for increased downforce. Wheel arch and sill extensions complete the body program.
The sports suspension lowers the 156 by 20mm and it "is the ideal complement" to the 7 x 17 five- or fifteen-spoke alloy wheels. Additionally, Alfa Romeo offers two styles of 15 x 6.5 alloy wheels. A wide range of additional options include four different exhaust pipe tips and drilled alloy pedals and foot rests.
And if you want to do more than just fiddle at the edges of your 156, you'll be pleased to know that Alfa Romeo catalogues two ready-to-race 156 versions for its home market. The car is on offer in Italy both as a Group N showroom-standard race car and in a full Group A specification. They are ready to race in the Super Touring series, one of the most popular sedan racing series in the world.
Subaru Brake Brace
MRT has released a firewall brace to prevent the master cylinder moving during high-force braking applications. Claimed to reduce flex by over 50 per cent, the brace reduces brake sponginess and is said to give better pedal feel. Installation takes on 10 minutes with the bracket bolting to existing chassis mounts. The brace costs A$95 and fits most Subarus including the WRX, Forester, RS Liberty (Legacy) and others. Go to http://www.mrtrally.com.au for more information.
Cold VT
Emtech has now released cold air intakes for the VT Commodore V6 & V8. The intake is claimed to add seven rear-wheel kilowatts to the V8. It normally costs $495 but AutoSpeed readers can deduct 10% from that price. Contact emtech@adelaide.on.net and for more pictures go to http://members.tripod.com/parkerperformance/coldair.htm
Run-Flat Spare
Pirelli and Michelin have entered into a cooperative agreement to further jointly develop Michelin's Pax System of tyre run-flat technology. Already available in Europe to purchasers of the Renault Twingo Initiale, the Pax System comprises a new tyre design, a wheel with a flat base profile, a flexible support ring and a run-flat detector. It provides enhanced performance, improved security and also allows run-flat capabilities to the vehicle, thus eliminating the need for a spare wheel. At zero pressure the tyre rests on the support ring and therefore continues to roll. In the case of rapid air loss the tyre does not unseat from the wheel. The zero pressure detector signals the driver that he or she may continue to travel at moderate speeds (80 km/h) for a distance of about 200km.
Quickies
- At www.ozcar.com.au you'll find a whole heap of Australian links to car manufacturers, performance products, clubs and other useful web pages.
- Suzuki has produced its 25 millionth car since production started in 1955. Nearly half of its total production has been exported.
- The Alfa Romeo 156 is now on sale in Australia. It is available with a choice of two engines and three gearboxes, including the Formula One developed Selespeed robotised sequential manual gearbox. Prices start at A$46,950 for the 156 Twin Spark (114kW) and extend to A$59,950 for the 24 valve V6-powered 156 (140kW).
- Hyundai's 1999 Lantra comes with the option of an all-new 2.0-litre power plant. Displacing 1975cc, this engine has a compression ratio of 10.3:1 and features a pentroof combustion chamber design and knock control system. The new engine delivers a peak power output of 101 kW at 6000rpm and has a peak torque rating of 180Nm at 4800rpm.
- Ford is the automotive industry's most admired company, according to the influential Fortune Magazine's annual survey of executives, directors and securities analysts in the United States.
- For the first time in 23 years, Audi knocked the Porsche 911 off its pedestal when the sensational TT Coupé was voted, "Best Sports Car of the Year 1999". The Audi TT Coupé was awarded this accolade by 121,387 readers of Europe's premier motoring magazine, "auto motor und sport".
- DJ Sportscars International will unveil an exciting new Rush model next month. The DAX Rush De Dion is said to combine high performance potential with moderate cost and the convenience of a single donor-car. It will be available alongside the existing live axle, IRS and unique 4x4 models. The Rush De Dion takes all major components (front and rear suspension, steering column, axles and brakes) from the Ford Sierra. Email post@daxcars.co.uk or visit the website at http://www.daxcars.co.uk/
- Neal Bates and Coral Taylor have selected Michelin tyres for their assault on the 1999 Australian Rally Championship. Driving a Toyota Team Australia Corolla WRC, Bates and Taylor will contest all rounds of the Australian series plus the world championship events of Rally Australia and Rally New Zealand.
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