HKS Japan Stops By Vivid Racing to Show off New FRS Products

Working with people worldwide is awesome, but it’s always nice when we are able to meet in person. Usually this happens at events like SEMA or other trade shows, that make worlds collide. But we were honored when the representatives from HKS Japan stopped at our humble shop to show us their latest project in action. Although most of the car was stock, the parts that were HKS were audibly and visually noticeable. HKS just released their HKS Hipermax GT Max IV coilovers for the FRS as well as a catted front pipe.

As we were shooting pictures they were explaining a lot of the reasoning and technology behind the each product. For example, after seeing a lot of other front pipe come into production they decided to go with a catted front pipe so the sound is more refined but not deafening. It’s a front pipe for the daily drivers that want to sound sexy. Here’s a little better description of what you can expect with the new HKS Hipermax GT Max IV Coilovers,

“The PNE Coating provides 5 times better durability over standard galvanizing. This prevents build-up around the threads of the adjustment areas allowing for easier height adjustment. The Hipermax “M Shaft” creates “suppleness” by optimizing the internal oil pressure properties.”

These are just a few things HKS has done to make sure their Coilovers are some of the best on the market. Here are some pictures we took of the HKS Hipermax GT Max IV Coilovers and HKS FRS catted front pipe, both modeled on their otherwise stock FRS. We have also included a sound clip of the front pipe.

Shop all HKS Hipermax GT Max IV coilover fitments here. Shop FRS HKS Hipermax GT Max IV coilovers here.

HKS Japan Stops By Vivid Racing to Show off New FRS Products

BMW 335I N54 ECU Tuning Video and Review

The BMW 335I ECU flash is one product we know well. Having owned a 2007 335I coupe when they were released, we have been able to test many different products over the years. The N54 is a great platform to build a car that is powerful, yet reliable. Instead of doing a piggyback system, a direct ECU rewrite is done via the OBDII port making the BMW 335i more fun to drive and awesome in its power delivery. The simple ECU flash will gain quicker throttle response, increased torque, faster turbo spool, and top end that pulls very hard to redline. The VR Tuned ECU flash adds more horsepower over stock. Simple bolt on upgrades such as an exhaust, downpipes, … Continue reading →

BMW 335I N54 ECU Tuning Video and Review

New 2014 Wheels from Ray and Weds Sport Wheels

Wheels are one of the, if not the most, sought aftermarket part. Changing the wheels on your car, changes the entire look and attitude of the car. It’s no secret that we are quite the wheel connoisseur’s. We usually go through 2-3 sets of wheels with every project car. So when new wheels are released we get excited. This past week we got emails from Rays Wheels and Weds Wheels releasing new 2014 wheel designs, and they are rad!

The email from Rays Wheels came in first. They are releasing their new 57 Getter Wheels. This one piece model sports casting wheel has lines that remind me of something out of Tron Legacy. They are more box-like and not as fluid. Proving that Ray has the vision and talent to continue to move the wheel industry forward. Here’s how Ray Wheels describes the futuristic shape,

“We shape up the whole by placing five sets a relaxed V-twin spoke. To ensure strength and rigidity ribs on each end of the spoke. It was to have a variation of up to FACE3 FACE1 from each size, the racing concave, which is provided for in each set.” (This is the translated text from their Japanese site.)

If you’re interested in any of these wheels call 480-966-3040 or email sales@vividracing.com for pre-order or other questions you have.

Here’s a look at the 57 Getter Wheel from Ray Wheels. Scroll for pictures and descriptions of the new Weds Sport wheels.

Here are pictures and descriptions of the new Weds Sport Wheels that were released.

New 2014 Wheels from Ray and Weds Sport Wheels

Porsche Cayman Boxster Tuning, Dyno, and Expectations – In Our Words

Having been around so many different cars, we really get the chance to learn how each vehicle reacts to different modifications.  Since we began in the Porsche market back in 2006, we have probably worked with a 100+ Cayman and Boxster owners.  The 987 is a great platform and responds well to mods.  As a normally aspirated engine, basic bolt-ons such as exhaust, intake, plenum, and ECU flash are really the basics.  Forced induction kits are available, however for the reliability and driveability, the opinion is still up in the air.  We know this first hand from doing a Turbo Porsche Cayman here. So when it comes to the ECU flash on the Cayman or other NA engines, what should … Continue reading →
Porsche Cayman Boxster Tuning, Dyno, and Expectations – In Our Words

Don"t Be Boring, Add Color to Your Stopping Power

We are always posting about ways to make your car faster, but in actuality, speed without control is useless. The fastest track times are in part because of how fast the car is, but a lot of it has to do with the driver and what they know about how to harness and control power. This customer needed a braking system that could keep up with his M3. He came to us knowing that a quality system will not only last you longer, but that having the power to stop when you want is worth the investment.

Brembo is one of our preferred braking systems. We have used them on a ton of our past project cars. They are constantly improving their technology and applications. So when this customer wanted quality, there was only one name to go with. He chose the Big Brake Kit with the yellow calipers to add a pop of color to his traditional BMW Blue M3. We were pumped that he remembered us after his install. He sent us pictures and we love the look of the Big Brake Kit on M3′s.

If you’re in need of some stopping power, call 480-966-3040 or email sales@vividracing.com and one of our specialists will be able to help you out. Or you can shop all things Brembo here. Not into Brembo? Check out what other carry Big Brake Kits.

Don"t Be Boring, Add Color to Your Stopping Power

Mercedes CLA Installing and Lowering with H&R Springs

From time to time we take on mini Project Cars here at Vivid Racing.  This can be a build of a customers car over time or even an employees car as they are just as into mods as anyone else.  The new hot car on the market is the Mercedes CLA.  Designed to compete with BMW’s 3 Series, the CLA brings Mercedes comfort and performance to an economical level.  The CLA Class is available as a CLA250 or a AMG CLA45.  The CLA250 features a 2.0L inline 4 cylinder turbocharged engine making 208 horsepower.  The front wheel drive sedan has a 7 speed automated manual gearbox.  For someone looking for a great fuel economy turbo sedan, the CLA250 is a great choice.  Its competitor would be the BMW 328I.  Having 240 horsepower and rear wheel drive, along with a 8 speed gearbox, its argueably a better car.  But its big brother the CLA45 has tuners ready to pounce on building aftermarket parts for the chassis.  The also 2.0L inline 4 cylinder turbocharged engine is all wheel drive and equipped with 355 horsepower.  Having 50 more horsepower than a Subaru STI or Mitsubishi EVO X, its about $10,000 more expensive but makes up for it in many different aspects.

Our VR team member Dado, has himself this 2014 CLA250 as his daily driver and project car.  Because the factory ride height and wheels are not sporty enough, these are the first things we will be changing.  To keep cost down, comfort a priority, and a bit of handling improvement, Dado chose to go with a set of H&R Springs.  The H&R lower the front and rear equally 1.2 inches.  When you lower the factory shock, the stroke length is decreased but to prevent the car from bouncing, the spring rates are increased.  This gives the car a more balanced ride while improving handling.  Having used H&R springs on past Project Cars such as our BMW M5 E60 and BMW M3 E90, the ride of the H&R springs is very nice.  With the lower center of gravity, the cars handling is much better.  Since the car is front wheel drive, it would definitely benefit from a larger sway bar.

Installing the H&R springs on the Mercedes CLA250 is no different than any other car.  As always, having the proper tools and know how are key.  Anytime you change the springs or coilovers, you will want to get an alignment as the factory specs go out the window.  Removing the factory springs requires pulling out the factory struts.  We recommend starting with the fronts then doing the rears.  The fronts are much easier being able to loosen the 3 bolts from the strut tops via the engine bay.  The rear shock and spring setup requires you to loosen the upper shock bolt to drop the shock from the body.  Typically this is obtained via the trunk compartment behind the lining.  If you are doing the install yourself, you will want to rent or borrow some spring compressors.  The front spring is under load and without spring compressors, removing the spring can cause some serious damage to you, your car, or garage.  Remember when you are putting the struts back in to NOT overtighten the strut top bolts.  They can easily snap so we recommend using a Torque Wrench.  Enjoy the photos and stay tuned for our next update including the Niche 1 piece wheels.

Stock Ride Height

Ready for install

Spring comparison

Removing the factory strut and spring

Installing the new front H&R Springs

Remove and replace rear springs

After with H&R Springs Installed

Lowered Measurements Comparison

View all Installation Images Here

Mercedes CLA Installing and Lowering with H&R Springs

Hennessey Venom GT Breaks World"s Fastest Production Car Record

10 days ago the team from Hennessey Performance set out to break the record for World’s Fastest Production Car. The press released by Hennessey said that the Venom GT was accelerating at the rate of 1mph per second when it got up to 260, and continued that speed, between 260 and the record breaking 270 mph. Hennessey had this statement to make after the record had been broken,

“Building and validating our Venom GT as the world’s fastest has been a long journey and a lot of hard work. But as President Kennedy eloquently said, ‘We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.’ As a result we have built a better car and a better team at Hennessey Performance.”

After those heartfelt words the driver, Brian Smith, of the record breaking Venom GT reported that if they were on a track the car would be able to reach higher speeds. Here’s more on what he said about the handling and overall experience.

“If we could run an 8-mile oval we could go faster than that. On the very top end there was a little wandering but, hey, we’re going 270mph! The Venom GT didn’t require any big corrections and the Michelin’s held traction really well.”

Michelin wasn’t the only product that got a shoutout in their video. We saw some action from Brembo and Precision Turbo. But the star of the show was the VBOX from Racelogic that did the official timing of the record.

This is an awesome milestone, not only for Hennessey, but for the industry in general. When any person breaks a record, or sets a new mark higher than the previous, it fuels us to build more, get faster, safer and keep pushing the limits in order to further the limits that people are willing to go.

Congratulations to the Hennessey Team!

Hennessey Venom GT Breaks World"s Fastest Production Car Record