Tricky Tricky
Mazdatrix in the US have certainly been very busy people. As soon as they've had a spare moment they've been focussing their attention on their (now completed) RX-7 "import drag car". The project originally started in November '97, but - like most build-ups - the completion date ended up a lot later than the projected time in May 1998. It took until March 1999 in fact!
But you can see why it took so long...
Keeping it simple, here's a run-down of the chassis: full tube frame, 4-link rear end, Ford 9-inch differential, coil-over front struts with adjustable Tokicos, double adjustable Koni rear shocks with coil-overs and removable rear guards (to give access to the 29.5 x 12 slicks). Rims measure 15 x 4 at the front and 15 x 12 at the rear. Draped over all this are Lexan side, front and rear panels that are splashed in a wild graphics combo. All of this (with the engine installed) tips the scales at only 840kg - less than they were anticipating.
The engine is, of course, the big rotary mutha - the 20B triple rotor. This hungry motor is fed by a 900 cfm Holley ProJection system, a dual stage nitrous kit (with six foggers) and a MSD 7AL with multi-phase retarding.
However, severe tuning problems mean that the Mad Maz now uses a 1000 cfm Holley carb - which helps bring on those spectacular flame shows! Backing this is a trick automatic trans running a 5500 rpm stall converter. The exhaust system is a Mazdatrix fabrication, running a stainless steel 3 into 1 merge collector and a 3½-inch straight-through muffler.
To date, the best time for the Seven has been a 9.83 at 135 mph - but this is still down on what's being hoped for. They're just waiting for the chance to slip in some further test-and-tuning days. But - until then - the Mazdatrix people aren't going to get bored. They're now also building up a later model RX-7 road racer. It should be good!
Check out its progress at www.mazdatrix.com
850 T5-Racer
Ping Shen is a student at Stanford University - but he's more than capable of teaching things to other people. One of his favourite lessons to dish out is in the performance of Volvos - namely, the awesome T5-R. With a potent 275hp passing through just the front tyres, the standard 'R can bustle its way to 60 mph in 5.84 seconds and continue to cover the quarter mile in a scant 14.1. Its top speed is listed at around 160 mph. Not bad kinda figures for a Volvo, wadaya reckon?!
So, with such blistering performance ex-factory, Ping hasn't had to do much to his T5-R. In fact, all that's "needed" to be done was fit a TME stainless cat-back exhaust (with a 4-inch tip) and a TME computer upgrade. Now this thing's so quick, Ping's website has even got a "Kill Box" that proudly lists all (twenty!) cars that the T5 has whipped. The only losses have been to a modified 350ci '98 Pontiac Firebird and a very much "out-there" Probe GT (which jumped the start!)...
Other than those two mechanical changes, it's all been cosmetic. The Volv wears one of either 18-inch Antera 143 rims (clad in 225/40 BFG rubber) or 17 inch OZ wheels (teamed with 205/45 Pirelli P-Zeros). But, if you ask us, those Anteras come up trumps every time! The body of the 'R also now rides closer to the bitumen thanks to Eibach springs (which are 1¼ inches lower than stock). Even the standard T5-R looks pretty stormin', so all that Ping's done to its panels is install Euro-spec clear corner and side markers and CATZ yellow fog lights. Other electrical gear that's been wired includes a massive 420 watt 10-speaker sound system.
Ping says yet to come is a custom aluminium grille, 3-inch dump pipe off the turbo and a racing cat, 70-series door handles, eyelids and a re-tint job - just to make sure it's absolutely black!
Catch up with Ping and his brilliant Volvo T5-R at http://www.stanford.edu/~pshen/home.html
Boostin' Bruiser!
Toyota's big turbo musclecar - the Supra - has a huge presence on the web. A good example of one of this is David Mobley's Honolulu site on his hyped-up '88 Supra turbo. Yes, the Supra might be a relatively hefty vehicle - but, rest assured, David's car overcomes that with sheer, brute horsepower. Over 400 of 'em in fact!
So how does he do it? Well, the factory 7M-GTE engine is stuffed with JE forged pistons (20 thou over), an HKS exhaust manifold and dump pipe and an Unorthodox crank pulley. There's also electric cooling fans, a K&N intake, Spearco intercooler upgrade (with a piping kit) and a 3-inch exhaust comprising a high flow cat and APEXi DUNK rear muffler. And check out David's new T-04E Garrett turbo and external wastegate. Killer!
Boost pressure is controlled to 14 psi by an APEXi AVC-R electronic control system and an HKS sequential blow-off valve vents built-up pressure on gear charges. Fuelling is delivered by a set of HKS 550cc injectors fed by a high flow pump.
The Soup's driveline uses a RPS Turbo clutch to channel torque to the big 245/40 Nitto tyres, which are mounted on Niche Special Edition 18-inch 3-piece rims. Suspension wise, there's a Suspension Techniques swaybar kit front and rear, an OBX strut brace, Eibach sport springs and Tokico shocks (together with a TEMS system modification).
Melt all of this together and - like we said - you've got over 400hp. Not to mention enough grunt to pull a flat 13 second quarter (maybe even faster!). David would like to thank Mr Mike Phelps for his website production, "Bird" at Car Audio Plus, Mike Urbano and Jay Marks Toyota.
Now go let the Supra fill your screen at http://suprasrule.webjump.com/
Mean Saleen
When you're talkin' collectable (and fast!) Ford Mustangs, there's the Mach 1, the Shelby - and, more recently, you can get yourself moving in a Saleen special. Travcar in America did. Just go to http://saleen.home.attbi.com and take a squiz at his 1997 Saleen enhanced S351 Mustang - it's supercharged!
Under the bonnet of the Rio Red convertible 'Stang is a 351ci Windsor V8 motor that's pumped to 8 psi by a Vortech centrifugal supercharger. Inside, it's also got what Travcar calls "5 star durability". This means the engine was cracked apart by Saleen and packed with lower compression forged pistons - which enable it to stomach the boost. Breathing is also aided with hi-performance alloy heads, while spent gasses flow through a high quality Borla pipe.
The output of this pony? A meaty 510hp and 495Nm of torque! That's nearly twice the power output of a STi Impreza! So it's no shock to learn that, in a straight line, the Vortech'd 351 can power the 'Stang to 60 mph in around 4.5 seconds... Not hanging around, eh?! And to make sure it's always "on the boil", the S351's also got a 6-speed BW gearbox and a short 3.55:1 rear end.
Being a total aftermarket package, the Saleen boasts equally impressive brakes. At the front it's got 13-inch Saleen/Alcon discs and at the opposite end there's 10.5 inch Saleen/Alcons as well. We can all thank The Lord that the brakes have been uprated accordingly. On the outside, the shiny red convertible shines even more thanks to Saleen's highly polished 18-inch rims, which wear Michelin Pilot rubbers. These measure 265/35 at the front and a stompin' 295/35 at the rear! And, with such immense grip, the Saleen's poise is improved thanks to a special Saleen Racecraft suspension. Not surprisingly, the worked-over Ford also scores better holding seats - in the form of classy leather Recaros.
And - as if a Saleen isn't exclusive enough - you'll note that Travcar's is the first of only 19 convertible '97 Saleens equipped with the blown 351 (plus Steve Saleen himself has signed the motor). Too bad if you want a S351 now, though - they're all sold out.
Dammit, where was I?
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