Sound Check: Archie Hamilton"s BMW M2 with a QuickSilver Exhaust

The F87 M2 has been a massive hit amongst BMW enthusiasts all over the world. It represents what the M3 once was: a small and nimble RWD car. Although it’s nearly perfect straight from the factory, us enthusiasts know there is always room for improvement. Being that the F87 M2 is turbocharged, it loves bolt-on modifications like an intake or exhaust system. By letting the air flow more freely, the turbocharger experiences less resistance and can make more boost. Producing more boost results in more power. Plus, the M2 is an excellent little sports car, and you want to be able to hear it when you’re ripping through a back road. These things combined are what makes aftermarket exhaust systems for the M2 so popular.

QuickSilver is one of the best-known exhaust brands out there, and they’re best known for their high build quality. One of the biggest problems with choosing an aftermarket exhaust system for your car is finding something that isn"t too loud and isn"t too quiet. Luckily, this exhaust system from QuickSilver doesn"t have this issue thanks to its valved muffler. With a valved muffler, your car will be quiet when you need it and loud when you want it. Being able to keep your car quiet during early mornings or late nights is great because no one likes angry neighbors. This exhaust system has been under development for quite some time now and is now being released to the public aftermarket. Archie Hamilton is one the first M2 owners to rock this exhaust, and QuickSilver put together this sweet video showing off how it sounds. Check it out below.

If you would like to preorder or have any questions about QuickSilver Exhaust system for BMW M2, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

https://youtu.be/lQ1Bv8uWy4k

Tesla Model 3 with Vorsteiner V-FF 103 Wheels Photoshoot

There is no doubt that the hype behind the Model 3 is very real. There are some enthusiasts out there who aren’t looking forward to a world of cars that don’t make noise and can’t easily be tinkered with, but electric truly is the future. The rest of us are excited about the Model 3, as it’s the Tesla the common-man can actually afford. With some many on order, we expect the aftermarket for the Model 3 to be pretty strong and so does Vorsteiner. They are one of the first companies on the market to offer a high-quality flow forged wheel for the Model 3.

With so much excitement behind these new wheels, it only made sense for Vorsteiner to do a big photo shoot for the world to enjoy. The particular set up uses V-FF 103 wheels in Carbon Graphite. The fronts are 20x9 et38 and the rears are 20x10.5 et45. Tesla seriously should’ve offered some wheels like this from the factory because they look absolutely amazing on the Model 3. Be sure to check out all the photos below!

If you have any questions about the Vorsteiner wheels on this Model 3 or would like to purchase wheels for your Tesla, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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How to Pick the Right Racing Seats

As you modify your car and make it handle better, the speeds at which you take a corner will begin to increase. Depending on what kind of car you drive, the factory seat might not be able to support you properly during those hard turns, especially during fast transitions. This lack of support will result in you sliding around in the seat, forcing you to brace your legs and hang on to the steering wheel to sit still. Not only does this ruin the driving experience, but it’s also dangerous. With a proper racing seat, however, this issue is solved, as your hips and shoulder will be properly supported. Many enthusiasts have a lot of questions about racing seats, so we set out to answer all those questions and more with this article.

The Purpose of a Racing Seat

As we mentioned above, the main purpose of a racing seat is to hold you in place during high g-force corners. It’s also used as a safety measure and is a required part in all professional racing series. In order to keep your body from breaking or falling out of the vehicle during a crash, the seat needs to keep you firmly in place. If the seat breaks, it will no longer be able to hold you in place which could result in injury or death depending on how bad the crash is. Medical bills are definitely going to cost more than a quality racing seat and even the best drivers in the world make mistakes, this is why we always recommend purchasing a quality seat.

Different Features

Every racing seat out there is slightly different and each enthusiast has different needs. There are three main features that separate each racing seat: mounting system, recline-ability, and support.

There are two main ways of mounting a racing seat to your car. You can either use the traditional bottom mount system which is simple. Depending on your configuration, bottom mounting can easily allow usage of the stock sliders. A side mount system allows the seat to be mounted as low as possible and as secure as possible.

Factory “racing seats” like the Recaros found in Ford performance vehicles or many other performance cars still allow you to recline back. This is a feature that makes daily driving much more pleasurable, but in terms of racing, it’s just another point where the seat can fail. If your seat fails where it reclines during a hard crash your spine, neck, and head, will be completely unsupported. This is why all race cars use a fixed back seat which eliminates the reclining system for maximum weight savings and lower weight.

Now the last differentiating feature is the amount of support (bolsters) the seat provides. With huge bolsters comes a massive amount of support for your legs, hips, shoulders, and head, but all that bolstering also makes it very difficult to get in or out of the seat. This is especially true if your vehicle is something like a lifted truck, where getting in is already difficult. A seat with less bolstering will still be more supportive than the factory seat and will still be easy to get in and out of.

Summary

Be sure to check out our huge selection of racing seats, below will also be a list of our most popular seats. To summarize all this, just remember that a quality racing seat could save your life. Aside from the safety, it will also improve the driving experience dramatically and open a new world of performance driving. Check out some of our most popular aftermarket seat brands below!

• Recaro


• Bride


• Braum


• Corbeau


• Status Racing

Customer Spotlight: Porshce 981 GT4 with Vorsteiner and APR Aero

Although the Porsche 911 will forever be Porsche’s bread-and-butter, many enthusiasts love the Cayman platform for its small proportions, lightweight chassis, better weight distribution compared to the 911, etc. When Porsche released the GT4 version of the Cayman, enthusiasts over the world fell in love. For the first time ever, Porsche created a Cayman that legitimately competed with the 911 and in many categories was actually better. Being such an outstanding car, it’s no surprise enthusiasts started buying them and modding them. Just recently a customer of ours picked up some aero parts that really transform the look of the GT4 and also provide more downforce, resulting in theoretically faster lap times.
Parts ordered:

• Vorsteiner V-CS Carbon Fiber Aero Front Splitter Porsche 981 Cayman GT4 14-16


• Vorsteiner V-CS Carbon Fiber Aero Rear Diffuser Porsche 981 Cayman GT4 14-16


• APR Performance Side Pods Porsche Cayman GT4

The first bit of aero our customer picked up is the Vorsteiner V-CS carbon fiber front splitter. This front splitter makes the front of the 981 GT4 much more aggressive, something it needed. In the rear is a Vorsteiner V-CS rear diffuser, which takes the design language of the OEM diffuser and cranks it up to 11. WIth a more aggressice look and a full 1x1 carbon fiber construction, both the front lip and rear diffuser are an excellent addition to the Cayman GT4. The last bit of aero our customer picked up is the APR Performance side pods, which help scoop more air from outside the vehicle for additional cooling. Be sure to check out the images below!

If you have any questions about the parts used on this Cayman GT4 or would like to purchase parts for your Porsche, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="94602,94603,94604,94605"]

VR Tuned Kia Stinger 3.3 Turbo ECU Tuning Box Released

The Stinger GT represents a new chapter for Kia, the chapter of knocking on the M3’s front door. It was one of the most talked about car of 2017, and many enthusiasts are buying the Stinger GT in 2018. A lot of people hear that it has a twin-turbo V6 and assume it would for sure have over 400 horsepower, but are slightly let down when they find out it only makes 365 horsepower. There are two reasons for this lower-than-expected power number: tiny turbochargers and Kia holding it back. A lot of turbocharged cars are held back from their full potential for reliability, emissions, and fuel consumption reasons. A lot of enthusiasts also fail to account for the small turbochargers that Kia uses, which results in lower horsepower numbers but a whopping 376 lb-ft at 1,300 RPM.

Vivid Racing’s tuning division, VR Tuned, recognizes this growing market for aftermarket Stinger GT parts and worked hard to develop a tune that not only gave the Stinger a big bump in power but also kept it safe and reliable, unlike tuners who crank the power as high as possible. On top of the massive increase in power is much-improved throttle response, making your Stinger GT way more fun off the line or when pulling out of a corner.

• Stock Horsepower: 365 horsepower


• Stock Torque: 376 lb-ft


• Tuned Horsepower: 430 horsepower


• Tuned Torque: 486 lb-ft

As you can tell from the numbers above or the dyno graph below, this tune adds quite a bit of power. Horsepower is taken from 365 up to 430 horsepower, representing solid gains of 65 horsepower. Torque is taken from 376 lb-ft to 486 lb-ft, an insane gain of 110 lb-ft of torque. This massive jump in torque gives the Stinger GT a much faster 0-60 time and overall much more enjoyable for street usage. With a quick and easy install, this truly is the best bang-for-buck modification for any Stinger GT.

If you have any questions about VR Tuned ECU Box for Kia Stinger GT or would like to purchase parts for your Kia, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

• The box has a removable cover with dial settings you can adjust. This is to allow small adjustments to the power setting so the box can work correctly in different climate conditions and on different quality fuel.  See adjustments here.


• Download Installation Instructions Here

 

Now Available: Vorsteiner Lexus V-LC Aero Program

When you hear the name Lexus, you probably don’t think of an AMG or BMW M competitor. Lexus is best known for their luxury sedans and luxury-sport coupes like the RC. For someone who wants a large couple with big power and wild looks, there is the Lexus LC. The biggest problem with the LC is that it doesn"t look very aggressive like it’s German counterparts. From the factory, it lacks any sort of rear wing or aggressive front lip. Luckily, Vorsteiner recognizes this problem and they set out to make a simple, yet elegant solution; now that solution, V-LC VRS Aero, is available through Vivid Racing!

Both the rear decklid spoiler and front lip are made from autoclaved 2×2 carbon fiber with UV inhibiting satin lacquer coating, giving the parts a beautiful, premium look, just like the rest of the car. The decklid spoiler isn’t too "in-your-face" with its low profile design, however, it’s just enough to transform the rear of your LC and give it a much more aggressive look. The same can be said about the front lip which has a simple design that’s just enough to transform the look of the front end. Be sure to check out the photos below!

If you have any questions about Vorsteiner VRS V-LC Aero Program or would like to purchase parts for your Lexus, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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Introducing AEM CD-5 Carbon Digital Dash - Now Available!

One of the most critical parts of any performance vehicle is the ability to monitor its vitals. If you’re not able to watch or log essential metrics such as AFR, Oil pressure, oil temperature, boost pressure, ignition correction, and more, your engine could be running improperly, and you won’t even know it. The problem is finding a good way to monitor all these metrics without having a dashboard covered in gauges; This is where AEM comes in with their new CD-5 digital dash display.

The CD-5 carbon digital dash is a small 5”, daylight readable display that’s custom programmable with data logging. It requires a single cable for power, ground, and receiving CAN data, making installation much more manageable. If you want to go crazy with your data monitoring, you can add additional sensor data with the AEM 22 Channel CAN Sensor Module. The CD-5 Carbon receives channels from CAN bus inputs, and it does not require special modules to read AEM and/or 3rd-party CAN signals. If you have a 2008 or newer vehicle, the CD-5 digital ash will be able to read CAN bus data from the OBDII port after installation of the OBDII CAN Adapter Sub Harness.

One of the cool features of the CD-5 dash is the ability to set up custom warnings and alarms. If you’re trying to focus on driving as fast as possible, you might not notice that something is overheating, for example. By setting up a custom alarm, you dash will alert you when something is critically wrong. If multiple things go wrong at once, the CD-5 dash will scroll through them in order of importance.

This digital dash is the perfect solution for monitoring the vitals of your vehicle in a small 5” screen. It"s ideal for a race car or even a daily driver. If you want a dash with a larger screen, AEM also offers their CD-7 digital dash.

If you have any questions about the AEM CD-5 Carbon Digital Dash or would like to purchase any parts for your car, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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Product Overview: Weistec W.3 Turbo Upgrade for McLaren 570S

The 3.8L twin-turbo V8 M838 engine in the McLaren 570s is a great engine, providing excellent throttle response and top end power, which isn’t something many turbocharged engines can do. Unfortunately, the turbochargers that are used are a touch on the small side and lose efficiency above 6,500 RPM where the 570S starts to lose power until redline. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that can be tuned out of the car, as turbochargers have a limited efficiency range. Weistec recognizes this problem, and they have a developed a solution that uses the stock turbos with a little bit of modification. This upgrade, known as the W.3 turbo upgrade, works best when paired with other modifications, but is an excellent addition to any 570s.

With this upgrade, Weistec fully disassembles the stock turbochargers and machines the compressor housings and center cartridges to accept the larger Weistec 5-axis CNC machined impeller wheel. This Weistec impeller wheel uses a larger design, allowing it to flow more air. Despite being significantly larger than the stock wheel, this wheel weighs the same thanks to its lightweight construction. The result is more flow which results in more power, but without any sacrifice in throttle response and spool time. Weistec W.3 turbos add top end power without sacrificing low-end torque or throttle response, to put it simply.

Depending on the modifications, tune, and fuel used, you can see as much as a 200whp gain with these turbos; This will take your McLaren from 485whp up to 668whp. As you can imagine, adding 200+ horsepower to already ridiculously fast car is incredibly fun and incredibly fast.

If you have any questions about Weistec W.3 turbos for McLaren 570S or would like to purchase any parts for your McLaren, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="94477,94476,94474,94473,94472,94471,94470,94469"]

New TJ Wrangler Products from Fishbone Off-Road

As Vivid Racing continues to expand into the off-road market, we continue to add new products for our customers to enjoy. Fishbone off-road just dropped three new products for the TJ Wrangler, and now these products are available through Vivid Racing. These products consist of the Fishbone Piranha rear bumper, steering box skid plate, and a tailgate plate. As you may imagine, all of these products are design to give your TJ more protection off-road.

Starting all the way at the back is the new Piranha rear bumper. This rear bumper is about as minimalist as it gets when it comes to bumpers. There are two D-ring tabs, and two d-rings are included with the bumper. Both the d-rings mount near the corners of the bumper, making recoveries much easier. In the center of the rear bumper is a tubular step, allowing you to reach anything you may have mounted on the roof rack.

The steering box skid plate is super cool, as accidentally hitting your steering box on a rock is easier than you might think. If you hit it hard enough you can crack the housing and end up stranded with no way to steer your Jeep. To avoid this problem, all you need is a little protection. Protection is exactly what this steering box skid plate offers.

If you have any questions about the Fishbone rear bumper, steering box skid plate, or tailgate plate, or would like to purchase any parts for your car, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

[gallery size="full" ids="94443,94444,94445,94446,94447,94449,94453,94454,94458"]

Customer Spotlight: Supercharged E92 M3 With Akrapovic Titanium Exhaust

Here at Vivid Racing, we are big BMW enthusiasts. We also have many customers that are big BMW enthusiasts. As such, we sell lots of parts for BMW vehicles, especially the M3. The E92 is kind of the odd-ball in the M3 family because it has a V8, not an inline-six like the M3s before and after it. With that high-revving V8 comes an absolutely insane exhaust note. With that V8 comes a larger displacement than any other M3. Many enthusiasts argue “there is no replacement for displacement,” which is true to an extent. When you combine lots of displacement with boost you end up with big power and that’s exactly what our customer did with their E92.

This particular 2011 E92 M3 is using an ESS Tuning VT2-650 Intercooled Supercharger System for BMW E9x M3 08-14. This supercharger takes the E92 M3 from 414 horsepower all the way up to 650 horsepower on just 8 psi of boost pressure. With additional modifications, the power can be taken even further. In addition to the ESS supercharger, our customer also picked up an Akrapovic Titanium Evolution Exhaust BMW E92/3 M3 with Akrapovic Carbon Tail Pipes BMW E9X M3. This gives the E92 M3 an absolutely amazing sound, plus the carbon tips look killer.

Finishing off the everything is the coolest boost gauge ever. This boost gauge, AWRON E9xDGA Electronic Gauge Module BMW M3 E92 Kompressor 08-13, is designed specifically for the E9X and looks like a factory piece. If you have any questions about the parts on this E92 or would like to purchase any parts for your BMW, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="94433,94434,94435,94436"]

In Stock Alert: Lexus RC-F Meisterschaft Exhaust

Although the Lexus RC-F is an excellent luxury-oriented performance coupe with some comparing it to the BMW M4, it’s not perfect. Lexus managed to squeeze an impressive 467 horsepower out of the 5.0L V8 under the hood of the RCF, but they left a little bit of performance on the table. One of the easiest ways to get more power out of your RCF is with an aftermarket exhaust. Meisterschaft is one of the biggest names in the exhaust market and their exhaust for the RCF is a favorite amongst many Lexus enthusiasts.

The rear section of this Meisterschaft exhaust is offered with three main options: build material, tip shape, and valved/non-valved. As you might’ve already guessed, the rear section of this exhaust is offered in either stainless steel or full titanium. Titanium is significantly lighter, but also more expensive. The GTC variant provides an electronically valved muffler which allows you to control the exhaust volume of your RCF which is perfect for those early mornings or late nights. Separate from the rear section of this exhaust is the option front-pipe/mid-pipe section which is available in stainless steel or titanium.

Meisterschaft’s exhaust systems are built with extreme care and precision, which results in far superior build quality. As tested by Meisterschaft, this RCF exhaust system has been proven to gain up to 46 horsepower and 19 ft-lbs over the stock exhaust while also providing a way better sound.

If you have any questions about the Meisterschaft RC-F exhaust or would like to purchase any parts for your car, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

https://youtu.be/gx4zgYf8JzQ

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="94423,94421,94422,94425"]

Product Overview: Fuel Off-Road Anza D557 UTV Wheels

With the UTV market more popular than ever, the demand for aftermarket wheels continues to grow. Most UTVs have a focus on excellent suspension and good power, but things like wheel design often take a back seat, leaving many stock UTVs with some pretty ugly wheels. Luckily, companies like Fuel Off-Road make a plethora of aftermarket wheels. The D557 is one of the more popular UTV wheels from Fuel Off-Road. Currently, there is too many in stock, and we need them gone. Give us a call for the best possible pricing.

• Split five-spoke design


• Simulated beadlock for an aggressive look


• Available in 14” and 15” size


• 4+3 and 5+2 offset available, covering most fitments


• Looks great on any UTV

With a simple split five-spoke design and simulated beadlocks, the Anza D557 wheels have a nice and aggressive look. What’s great about these wheels is their low price. Coming in under $200/wheel and often under $150/wheel, these are easy on your wallet compared to many other aftermarket wheels.

If you have any questions about the Fuel Off-Road Anza D557 UTV Wheels or would like to purchase any parts for your UTV, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="94405,94406,94408,94409,94410,94411"]

Introducing the New AWE Exhaust for 2018 S550 Mustang

Although AWE is very well known for their Audi/VW products, they also make a host of products for American cars. The Ford Mustang is one of the most popular choices for enthusiasts who want a V8. Being a muscle, one of the most popular modifications is an aftermarket exhaust. AWE recognizes this and has been developing their new exhaust systems for the S550 Mustang. As of today, these new exhaust systems are available through Vivid Racing!

One of the easiest ways to get more power out of your engine is with a catback exhaust. The stock exhaust is relatively restrictive, without small diameter piping and unnecessary bends. An aftermarket exhaust, like these new ones from AWE, will use larger diameter piping with a smoother design. This allows the exhaust gases to flow more freely, helping your engine breath easier, ultimately resulting in more power. There are two versions of this exhaust: Touring and Track. The Touring Edition uses AWE’s drone-canceling 180 Technology, and the Track Edition is a simple, loud system.

• Great sound - No drone


• Max gains of 8 hp and 18 ft-lbs at the crank


• Proudly designed and built in the USA


• Touring Edition features AWE 180 Technology


• 4.5” double-walled tips


• Hand made from T304L stainless steel


• Direct bolt on


• Perfect fitment - guaranteed


• No check engine light - guaranteed

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email atsales@vividracing.com. Purchase 2018 AWE Mustang Exhaust systems here

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Introducing New JL Wrangler Products from JCR Off-Road

Even though the JL Wrangler was released recently released, many owners are already looking to modify their JL heavily. There are already LS swap kits, suspension kits, and more. JCR Off-Road, one of the most trusted names in the off-road world, has just released their new front bumpers, rock sliders, tire carrier riser, side plate, and winch plate. As you might imagine, most of these products are designed to give your JL Wrangler extra protection out on the trail. Let’s face it, no one wants to smash their brand new Jeep, but everyone wants to experience what it can do off-road.

Just like JCR’s other Jeep bumpers, these front bumpers are offered in three different widths: full-width, mid-width, and stubby. Each version of the bumper is available with or without powder-coating and with or without the tubing. The front skid plate is a must-have, especially for Rubicon models because it will protect the electronic sway bar. The sliders are also a must-have, as you don’t want to smash into you rocks and give your Wrangler some body damage. The rear tire carrier is pretty cool, as it allows you to run a larger sized tire on the factory tire carrier with the factory bumper.

If you want to give your JL Wrangler some good off-road protection, then these new parts from JCR off-road are the perfect way to do it. If you have any questions about JCR Off-Road JL Wrangler parts or would like to purchase parts for your Jeep, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="94369,94370,94371,94375,94372,94374,94368,94373"]

Introducing New SSV Works Cage Mounted Pods

One of the best things about driving around in the desert with a UTV is blasting music with your friends. Unfortunately, many UTVs don"t come with a stereo or don’t come with a good one. For this reason, the UTV stereo market is huge and companies are constantly trying to innovate and bring better products to market. One of those companies, SSV Works, has just released their new cage mounts speaker pods which have a unique dual clamping system that allows for 360-degree rotation. Unlike “water-board” towers, these sound pods are designed to provide superior sound to all the passengers inside the UTV without blocking any visibility.

When ordering these speakers, there are a couple of options to choose from. They are available with SSV 6.5” Powersports speakers or Kicker KM Series speakers. Both of these speakers are pretty good, coming in around $350 and $430 respectively. If there is a different brand 6.5” speaker you want to use, you can order the speaker pods unloaded for $250. That pricing includes the unique dual clamp mounts. The pods themselves are finished in a black texture and can be custom painted to match the color scheme or your UTV, or whatever color scheme you like.

If you have any questions about SSV Works Cage Mounted Speakers or would like to purchase parts for your UTV, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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Introducing the new HKS GTIII-RS Turbo Kit for FA20

The BRZ/86 is a popular car amongst enthusiasts for a variety of reasons, but most will agree that it’s underpowered. It’s not slow, but the chassis could handle more power, especially after improved suspension and sticky tires are added. There is only so much you can do with a naturally aspirated 2.0L engine that is pushing 100 horsepower per liter without adding forced induction to the mix. HKS is a huge name in the JDM market, and they’ve just released their GTIII-RS turbo kit for the FA20.

What’s special about this new turbo kit is the turbocharger itself. With a large turbocharger, you’ll have a ton of top end power because that’s where the turbo threshold will be. Unfortunately, a large turbo will be laggy and make your car terrible to drive on the street. Using the smallest and most efficient possible turbocharger to meet your power goals is ideal, as you’ll have great throttle response and a lot of low-end power which will make your car very street friendly. The GTIII-RS turbo kit focuses on providing the best possible throttle response by using a relatively small turbocharger with a lightweight billet compressor wheel.
Kit Includes:

• GTIII-RS Turbocharger with wastewater actuator


• Oil and water piping


• Intercooler piping


• Intercooler


• Exhaust manifold and catless extension pipe


• Heat shield


• Gaskets, brackets, bolts

As you may be able to tell from the list above, this is nearly a complete kit. The fuel system and ECU tune will be left up to you, as everyone wants something a little bit different. As tested by HKS, a stock FA20 can make 350 horsepower with this kit and a built 2.1L stroker FA20 can make 450 horsepower. These are crazy power levels considering how responsive the GTIII-RS turbocharger is. If you’ve wanted to boost your FA20, then this is the perfect kit for you.

If you have any questions about HKS GTIII-RS Turbo Kit for BRZ/FRS/86 or would like to purchase parts for your car, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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Can-Am X3 ECU Flash Comparison VR Tuned vs EVO Stage 3

There is always a debate on who has the best ECU flash for the 2018 Can-Am Maverick X3 RS.  There are many ways to test and compare the different tunes.  While some will try to cheat with fake drag races like an episode of Pinks, we test and compare ECU tunes in a controlled environment.  This is the only way to test.  Same car, same gas, same mods with the only variable being the tune.  But why do testing like this some may ask?  Why is there Coke vs Pepsi, Ford vs Chevy, and Taco Bell vs Del Taco?  Competition creates business and better products.  There is never one solution and just because someone may be first, does not mean they are best.

Starting in October 2016, Vivid Racing"s VR Tuned has been doing UTV ECU Tuning.  Besides real world testing and dyno sheets, we like to compare ourselves to other tunes to see where we place.  Names like Bikeman, Alba, RVS, PWR are all known in the Can-Am X3 tuning game.  However, one name that everyone brings up is EVO Powersports.  So we decided to get a 2018 Can-Am Maverick X3 DS with this tune and test it against our VR Tuned ECU Flash.  The car in question had a Gibson dual tip muffler exhaust, EVO intake, and KWI floating clutch setup.  The tests we ran were on our Mustang AWD Dyno here at our GIlbert, AZ facility running 91 octane.   Based on the Dyno Sheet times, there was about 2 hours in between runs.  Enough time to allow each car to run cool.  Our tests were done by MPH starting at 15mph and ending at 70mph.  70mph on the dyno computer is about 80mph on the car. 

Looking at the dyno sheet, the solid line is the VR Tuned ECU Flash were the dotted line is the EVO Powersports Stage 3.  VR Tuned does not do stages as we give you the best file the first time.  A "stage" should not cost you extra money as you are gaining power from the bolt-ons you have done.  The only time you should need a new tune is if you go with different injectors, fuel pump, or turbocharger.  Both cars had a max peak power of 124 rear wheel horsepower while the VR Tuned flash made about 2-3 more horsepower from the bottom to the middle of the power curve.  This is due to timing, fuel, and limiter differences.  You can see the green line compares boost pressure.  Both vehicles had an average of around 15.6psi with a spike to 16.1.  The AFR which is not plotted showed both cars in the 11.3-11.6 range.  This is a tad rich but safe for any type of weather use.  The car could be leaned out to around 12-12.5 and see boost pressures of around 17psi for a larger increase.  

So how do you make a good purchasing decision for your Can-Am X3 tuning?  Customer service and reliability is extremely important.  Vivid Racing has 40 people available to assist with all types of questions and support.  We are available via Live Chat, Email, and Phone Monday to Friday.  We even get customers back files outside of normal business hours and weekends.  We have been in business Since 2001 with one company that has continually grown.  Our VR Tuned support and product is designed to ensure your experience is smooth and easy.  We are always on top of giving customers the best file the first time.  Our ECU Flash system is all done via the diagnostic port and a PC Windows tablet or laptop.  You don"t need to be connected to the internet, buy credits, or wait for an activation.  Our solution is extremely easy to use and allows you to flash between your tuned and stock files.  This is a great feature for those concerned with warranty.  More importantly, VR Tuned has never recalled any of it"s ECU tuning or had any catastrophic engine failures.  We focus on power with reliability!

View all our VR Tuned Can-Am ECU Tuning Here

See how our ECU Flashing System Works Here

Please Enjoy Our Other Comparison Articles:

• 2017 Can-Am ECU Tuning EVO vs VR Tuned Chapter 1


• 2017 Can-Am ECU Tuning EVO vs VR Tuned Chapter 2


• 2018 Can-Am ECU Tuning Testing


• 2016 Polaris RZR Turbo ECU Tuning EVO Stage 2 vs VR Tuned


• 2016 Polaris RZR Turbo ECU Tuning EVO vs VR Tuned


• 2016 Polaris RZR Turbo Big Injector ECU Tuning EVO vs VR Tuned


• 2017 Polaris RZR Turbo ECU Tuning EVO vs VR Tuned

Why the Valvetronic Dump Pipe is Better Than an Exhaust on the Can-Am X3

There are many options to choose from when it comes to an exhaust for your Can-Am Maverick X3 Turbo.  Between price, style, and sound, most exhausts will do the same for your upgrade desires.  However when it comes to performance, there is a different way to look at things.  When you do an ECU tune, you set boost pressure parameters in the ECU code.  This is typically set to about 17psi instead of the stock 14psi in our VR Tuned ECU flash and as we have tested in others.  What the ECU says and what the car will do can differ.  Mechanically, you have variables such as the wastegate, blow off valves, and exhaust components.  If we focus on the exhaust system, you can see there is some major variance.  If 1psi of boost equals 10 horsepower in theory, than this graph and article will show you why the Agency Power valvetronic dump pipe is the best option for your Can-Am X3 Turbo!

Turbochargers do not need any back pressure or restriction.  The more air you get in and the more air you get out makes them extremely happy.  If you put a simple 3 inch pipe off the turbo exhaust side, it would be happy as hell.  However your ears would not be.  A turbo is one big air pump and if you put a blockage on the exit of the turbo, it will not perform how it should.  Want to see?  Grab a hairdryer and put your hand in front of the opening.  Hear it about to explode?  That back pressure is restricting the flow.  However, Can-Am is not building race cars for the masses, they are building vehicles designed for the general population that meet government regulations.  With this, restrictions and audible requirements must be met.

The Agency Power valvetronic race pipe features a valve that is switch operated from inside the cockpit.  When the valve is open, the exhaust gases from the turbo goes straight out the dump portion with no restriction or back pressure.  This gives a loud race sound that some truly prefer.  When it is closed, the exhaust gases go through the now catless pipe and into the stock or aftermarket muffler.  This keeps the exhaust tone tame and tolerable for most.  By not have a cat for race use, the restriction is eliminated, but not completely.  We plotted 3 different boost graphs to show you how the immediate atmosphere dump of the exhaust gases is better than the stock exhaust with a cat delete pipe or with an aftermarket exhaust.

• Run #1 is a stock muffler with cat delete pipe that averages 15.4psi


• Run #2 is an aftermarket muffler with cat delete pipe that averages 15.5psi


• Run #3 is the Agency Power valvetronic dump pipe that averages 16.6psi

Check out the Agency Power Valve Dump Pipe Here

 

Introducing Vortech Maxflow Intercooler Upgrade Package for EcoBoost F-150

Although there are a ton of EcoBoost F150 owners out there who love their truck, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to modify their truck. When air is compressed it heats up. If air becomes hot enough, it can ignite an air/fuel mixture without a spark. This is known as detonation or pre-ignition, and it’s not something you want happening inside your engine. Unfortunately, it is an inherent problem with turbocharged engines, especially ones that run high boost levels like the 3.5L EcoBoost. The intercooler’s job is to cool down hot compressed air before it enters the engine. Although the stock intercooler does a decent job, an aftermarket intercooler could do an even better job. You can read more about how an aftermarket intercooler will help your engine in our Intercooler Guide article.

Although Vortech is best known for their superchargers, they cover all segments of the forced induction aftermarket. They’ve just released their Maxflow Intercooler for the 3.5L EcoBoost F-150 and now it’s available through Vivid Racing. This intercooler has a 75% increase in frontal area with a 200% increase in overall core volume. The result is lower and more consistent charge air temperatures, ultimately leading to a 26% peak power gain with 18% over gains at the wheels. This power gain, of course, depends on if you purchase the intercooler with the tuner or not.

With or without the tuner, your truck will be much happier with lower and more consistent charge air temperatures. If you have any questions or would like to purchase a Vortech Maxflow Intercooler for 3.5L EcoBoost F-150, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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Cast Wheels vs Forged Wheels: What"s the Real Difference

The automotive aftermarket is filled with a massive array of parts manufacturers, some of them much better than others. Of course, at Vivid Racing, we only offer products that we believe in and know our customers will be happy with; this is why popular wheel brands like Rota aren’t on our website. When it comes to aftermarket wheels, there are two major manufacturing processes: forged wheels and cast wheels. Almost all cheaper wheels will use a "cast" design while high-end wheels, such as Forgeline, strictly using a "forged" design. Unfortunately, many enthusiasts do not understand the difference between a cast wheel and a forged wheel, and they end up purchasing something not-quite-right for their needs.

Cast Wheels

A cast wheel is made by pouring molten aluminum into a mold where it is formed to the correct shape and sits there until it cools down. Once the wheel cools down, trimming and drilling are performed. Unfortunately, there is one massive flaw with this method of producing wheels: porosity. Porosity is the physical space inside the material once it has cooled, and it allows for weak points to form. The cheapest workaround for this problem is to use larger tolerances, ultimately making the wheel heavier. This method of wheel manufacturing is very quick and cheap, allowing for mass production of cheap wheels.

Contrary to what some enthusiasts will tell you, cast wheels are not terrible. A properly built cast wheel will indeed weigh more than a forged wheel, but the build quality is typically more than enough for street use and light track use. Heavy track usage is where you’ll see low-quality cast wheels (often replica wheels) fail, resulting in an ugly crash. A high-quality cast wheel will survive heavy track usage, but the heavier design it not ideal.

Forged Wheels

Unlike cast wheels, forged wheels begin their life as a solid piece metal which is referred to as billet. This solid piece undergoes massive amounts of heat and pressure to form it into the desired shape which is used for different wheel designs. Once this desired shape has been achieved, the forging is placed in a CNC machine where is machined into the exact shape needed.

As we mentioned above, cast wheels are inherently porous; forged wheels aren’t thanks to the heat and pressure they undergo. That strength allows for less material to be used to achieve the desired structural integrity, resulting in a significantly lighter wheel. Often time forged wheels use a “monoblock” design, but they can also use a two-piece or three-piece design which allows for greater fitment flexibility.

Flow Form Wheels

If you’re a wheel nerd like we are, then you probably know there is a middle ground between cast and forged: flow form/flow forged. This starts with a cast wheel that is purposely made narrower than desired. The wheel is then stuck on a machine that spins the wheel while pressing steel roller against the rim area, which compresses and stretches the barrel of the wheel, resulting in forged-like barrel strength and weight. As you may imagine, wheels built using this process fall between the cost of a cast and forged wheel.

Summary

Understand that this is a very brief overview of the topic and there is a lot left that we didn’t talk about such as load ratings and elongation. To summarize, remember that cast wheels are cheap but good enough for street use, forged wheels are expensive but will hold up to anything you throw at them, and flow formed wheels are between cast and forged.

Check out some of our most popular wheel brands

• Vorsteiner


• Forgeline


• HRE


• Titan 7


• BBS


• CCW


• ADV1


• Rotiform


• Work


• Volk Racing


• Advan

Vortech Superchargers Releases 2018 5.0L Mustang GT Tuner Kits

Although the Gen III Coyote engine is relatively new, it’s already been discovered that it is, by far, the best Coyote engine yet. Straight from the factory is makes an impressive 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Like the Coyote engines before it, the Gen III responds great to bolt on parts and even better to forced induction. Vortech is the first company on the market to offer a supercharger kit designed specifically for the Gen III and now this kit is available through Vivid Racing. If you are looking for a complete kit that has absolutely everything you need, then you’ll have to wait a little bit longer because this kit is a “tuner” kit. Vortech’s tuner kits require you to choose your own fueling system (aftermarket injectors and fuel pump) and ECU tune, but this can be done pretty easily. The benefit of a tuner kit is more flexibility and customizability.

Being a tuner kit, there isn’t any official horsepower number you can expect after installation. Depending on the fuel you use, tune, boost, and any other mods, horsepower will vary. Of course, bolt on modifications such as a full exhaust will increase horsepower even further. If you decide to go absolutely crazy with your Mustang, you’ll be glad to hear this supercharger support up 1000 horsepower with supporting mods. With the stock pulley, this blower will make anywhere from 7.5 to 8.5 psi at redline on the stock engine. These kits are the first kits to use the Vortech V-3 JT Supercharged, which is a high efficiency self-lubricated centrifugal supercharger.

Included with the kit is an air to air charge cooler which will allow charge air temperature to stay consistent, resulting in less heat soak and the possibility of more horsepower depending on your tune. Also included is a 98mm MAF housing with is configured for a “blow-through” setup. The included air inlet duct will work perfectly with the stock air box and it will also work with select aftermarket air intakes. The supercharger itself will be available in Satin, Polished, or Black, with the Satin kit coming in around $200 cheaper than the others.

If you have any questions about Vortech Tuner Kit for 2018 Mustang GT 5.0L or would like to purchase parts for your Mustang, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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New Wheel Design: Brixton Forged PF7

If you’re into high-end cars and high-end wheels, then you’ve probably heard of Brixton Forged. They’re known for their high quality, yet still affordable wheels. Just recently, they unveiled their new PF7 wheel which is designed for SUVs, sports cars, exotic cars, and even track usage. Everything about the wheel is designed to be as lightweight as possible which reduces rotating mass; ultimately a lighter wheel will help your vehicle accelerate, turn, and stop better.

Like many modern performance-oriented wheels, the PF7 feature backed pocketing which helps save weight with compromising strength. The two and three-piece versions of the PF7 wheel use full titanium hardware for excellent strength and longevity, plus titanium hardware is significantly lighter than stainless steel hardware. The three-piece version of the PF7 has floating spoke ends, a design feature that has become extremely popular with high-end cars. The entire wheel is made from 6061-T6 aerospace grade aluminum which reduces weight further and provides great strength.

The actual design of the wheel is something like a split five-spoke, but with a little bit of flare thrown into the mix. It’s a design that could look good on pretty much any car or SUV. Available sizes range from 18” to 24” depending on the variant of the wheel (one piece, two piece, three piece). Widths range 6” to 16”. These wheels are bespoke, meaning they are available in any lug pattern or offset, allowing you to have a wheel tailored to your exact vehicle and style.

If you have any questions about Brixton Forged PF7 or would like to purchase wheels for your car, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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Can-Am X3 120HP to 195HP Conversion with DIY ECU Flash Video

VRTuned and Vivid Racing offer an upgrade for the 120HP Can-Am Maverick X3 to take it to 195HP with our ECU flash and OEM Can-AM BRP Parts. The 120HP X3 features the same engine and turbo as the X3 RS. By adding the X3 RS fuel pump, intercooler, and intercooler hoses, the first step of the conversion is done. Along with our VR Tuned ECU flash, the 120HP X3 now becomes a monster like the X3 RS with 195HP! ECU Flashing is done through the diagnostic port with our iFlash system that allows you to flash between tuned and stock as well as read and clear trouble codes.

Here are customer Mitch along with VR Tuned dealer MTS Off Road got this Can-Am X3 Max all dialed in. Check out Mitch"s video and view the full upgrade here - https://www.vividracing.com/vivid-racing-canam-2018-120hp-195hp-upgrade-kit-p-151948552.html

Customer Spotlight: Subaru WRX on WedsSport RN-55M

In case you didn’t know, Vivid Racing is a big name in the Subaru community. It all started back in 2002 with the first WRX build that launched us into the big leagues. Fast forward 16 years to 2018 and we are still selling Subaru parts. One of our customers recently picked up a set of WedsSport RN-55M wheels for their WRX hatchback. These wheels have a split five-spoke design, and with the beautiful blue color, they really pop on this WRX. Speaking of pop, the insane blue camo wrap on this WRX really makes it stick out from the sea of other Subarus out there.

Check out some of the photos our customer sent over to us! As you can see, fitment of these RN-55M wheels is excellent, and the color is absolutely killer. Combined with all the other modifications like the mudflaps and rear wing, this Subaru is one of a kind. Be sure to follow us and our customer on Instagram: @vividracing and @one_bad_subie. Check out the photos below!

If you have any questions about WedsSport wheels or would like to purchase parts for your Subaru, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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New Product Release: Alpha 991.2 Carrera High Flow Air Filter from AMS Performance

Because an engine is a giant air pump if you want more power you need to get more air in and more air out. Of course, the air entering the engine needs to clean and dust free, otherwise, the cylinder walls can get scratched; this is the purpose of the air filter, but many OEM air filters are not designed for maximum flow, instead, a cheap design to keep production costs down. This is where AMS Performance comes in with their all-new Alpha high-flow dry media filter.

This new filter from AMS Performance is designed to maximize flow while still providing excellent filtration, letting your engine breath lots of clean air. Of course, when this is combined with an AMS Alpha intercooler system, the result is lots of cold and fresh air entering the engine, resulting in exceptional performance. With the proper tune, the AMS filter can also improve how fast the turbocharger spools up, resulting in improved drivability.

If you have any questions about AMS Performance Alpha Filter or would like to purchase parts for your car, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

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Customer Spotlight: Toyota Supra on Weld Racing S71 Wheels

As an automotive enthusiast, you have likely wanted to buy a Toyota Supra at some point. It’s arguably the most popular car on the internet. Of course, when we get the opportunity came up for us to help a customer get a set of Weld Racing wheels, we were happy to do so. Our customer opted for Weld Racing RT-S S71 wheels in 18x9 and 18x10.5. With a full polished finish, these wheels have a great contrast against the black paint on this Supra.

These wheels are not only extremely affordable for a three-piece wheel, but they"re also strong. With a massive array of available sizes, they can work for nearly any vehicle you want, however, it should be noted that only 15" and 17" sizes are available with bead locks. If you have any questions about Weld Racing or would like to purchase parts for your car, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

New ABT Sportsline Audi RS3 Parts Available!

In case you missed it, a couple months back Vivid Racing began offering ABT Sportsline parts to our customers. We are always looking for new, high-quality parts manufacturers to bring on board and ABT fit that description perfectly. ABT is extremely popular in the Audi/VW world, as they continue to develop amazing parts at great prices with unsurpassed quality. For all our Audi RS3 customers, you can now rejoice, as the ABT catalog of RS3 8P parts is now available on the VR Website!

This catalog of ABT parts includes 15” performance rotor upgrade kit, adjustable coil-over suspension, anti-roll bar kit, fender inserts, lowering springs that are magnetic ride compatible, muffler system, and intercooler. As you can see, they have braking, handling, power, and looks all covered. Their parts may seem a little pricey compared to other companies parts, but you must remember that ABT builds some of the nicest parts in the entire Audi/VW market. If you want quality, you must be willing to spend a little bit more.

If you’ve been wanting to mod your Audi RS3, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. If you have any questions about ABT Sportsline parts for Audi RS3 8P or would like to purchase parts for your Audi, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

Introducing HRE Forged C105 Wheels

HRE is known for making some of the best wheels in the industry. From their affordable FlowForm series of wheels all the way up to their Forged Monoblock wheels. Their C1 Series of wheels are designed to survive heavy track usage by combining engineering a strong and lightweight design. HRE doesn’t release a new C1 Series wheel very often, so when they so, it’s pretty big news. That’s exactly what has happened with the all-new C105 wheel.

This new wheel uses the classic 3-piece 5-spoke design, but with the added strength necessary for track usage. HRE even went as far as offering optional titanium bolts for the most strength possible. For all your hardcore Porsche guys, there will be center lock options. Like many other wheels from HRE, there will be a ton of color options for the C105, allowing to truly make your car unique.

• Limited lifetime structural warranty


• Modular 3-piece design


• Extremely lightweight and strong


• Aerospace-Grade 6061-T6 forged aluminum


• CNC machined to custom specifications for your specific application

If you have any questions or would like to purchase a set of these wheels, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached by phone at 1.480.966.3040 or via email at sales@vividracing.com.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU_EotUtxC0[/embedyt]

Test Post from Vivid Racing News

Test Post from Vivid Racing News
https://www.vividracing.com/blog