Roid out Your Muscle Car

For years Ford, Chrysler and Chevrolet have been competing with different version of the same(ish) style of car. We see this type of competition throughout the industry. The ability to upgrade your car beyond the competition is why aftermarket companies (like us) thrive. Not only do people want their car to look like a unique car, but they want it to out perform every car on the road. The third, and most recent edition, of the Dodge Challenger is constantly battling, the fifth generation Ford Mustang‘s and fifth generation Camaro, to win in performance, style and comfort. Help your Challenger step to the challenge and enhance power with a ProCharger Super Charger.

ProCharger was the first to offer a complete charger system for a 6.1 and 5.7 HEMI. Since then they have continued to develop and produce quality products. Just recently they found a solution to a challenge they faced as it pertains to volume production. They needed to harness a more cost effective way to do engine calibration before mass producing their products. They have recently solved that challenge and are ready to get your challenger to the next level.

There are two versions of this particular supercharger. The first picture is of the supercharger that is meant for stock challenger’s ONLY! The second supercharger is a tuner kit for the challenger and will need to get professionally tuned after install to get the maximum power gain. Check out some of our other upgrades for the Dodge Challenger.

Roid out Your Muscle Car

Yes People are Still Making 996 Turbo Performance Parts!

One of the most popular power upgrades for the Porsche 996 Turbo, X50, GT2 has been our high flow 3 inch Y-Pipe kit. Now this same kit that has been available for years is now available in full carbon fiber! The new Y-Pipe replaces the factory unit and 70% of the silicone boost hoses. Designed to work with the stock style intercoolers, we include new silicone adapters and cnc machined fittings. The new Y-Pipe reduces any possibility of pressure drop or blowing off a boost hose. As well, the Y-Pipe reduces the bend by about 45 degrees compared to stock for a straight shot to the intercooler. Because of the shape and design, airflow is improved which equals the improvement in power. Our end goal was simple, build a product that would retain the stock airbox, flow better, use OEM parts, and look the part!
Using our Mustang all wheel drive dyno, we tested the original part on a car with 91 octane and low boost set at 1.2bar. With fans moving fresh air to the intercoolers, we did a baseline on the car and achieved a starting point of 493whp and 477ft/lbs of torque. Leaving the car strapped to the dyno, we removed the stock Y-Pipe and bolted on the Agency Power upgraded carbon y-pipe. With everything secured in place, we fired up the car to give it a run with the new Y-Pipe. With absolutely NO changes to the cars configuration, the Y-Pipe added 21whp and 24ft/lbs of torque to the car. This was quite an impressive bolt on gain that also added style and potential scalable performance to the car.

This part fits all 2001-2005 Porsche 996 Turbo, X50, and GT2. All Agency Power products come with a LIMITED LIFETIME warranty.  View more info and pricing here

Yes People are Still Making 996 Turbo Performance Parts!

Vivid Employee Satisfies Ears everywhere with Berk Test Pipes

The Nissan 350 Z or Fair Lady Z Z33 as it’s known in Japan, has the sex appeal look every tuner is looking for. The aerodynamic look stands out in the daily traffic grind. Here at Vivid we strive for more than, to simply “stand out,” we want to out perform, as well. We showed you how to install plenum spacers into a 350Z on Emily’s car a couple weeks ago. She got her Berk Test Pipes in and we’re here to show you the results. When Emily starts her car now, it demands the attention of anyone within an ear-shot. Here is her car on the dyno, testing out her new set of Berk Test Pipes.  Below is pictures of her install, the dyno results and a little preview of the sound. Enjoy!

 

Vivid Employee Satisfies Ears everywhere with Berk Test Pipes

Electric Blue Evo gets Aggressive with Black Edition Volk"s

Here at Vivid Racing we know the fandom that the Evo X carries. That is why we seek to find ways to make each Evo it’s own, unique brand. Every customer has the dream of what their Evo X will look and run like. We are here to make those dreams come true. There are two ways to upgrade your car, if you can’t afford a full remodel. You can upgrade your Evo X internally, to smoke all other cars on the road. But how often do you get to smoke people, to truly show off the upgrades you’ve added? The other school of thought is that a first impression is everything, people look at a car first, so cosmetic adjustments are the best way to make your Evo X stand out on the open road without doing a full rebuild. You’ll get the looks you want while you save up for the next enhancement. Or there’s the third option of being a baller and goin’ all out… YOLO, right?

This is one of our customer Kevin, from Indonesia. Kevin went the cosmetic route of setting his Evo X apart. This tuner already gets looks because of the electric blue body, but the owner wanted to give his Evo X some depth and distinction. That’s when he reached out to us to help him get setup with the perfect set of wheels to give him that stern contrast he was looking for. These Volk TE37 SL are the Volk’s black edition, and the missing element to this Evo’s aggressive look. Volk made a genius branding decisions of putting the bright green label on their black edition  TE37 SL’s. This label is it’s own secret symbol to all other tuners, letting them know this guy’s riding on some Black Edition Volk’s. To all other civilian’s it will be a detail that finishes the car aesthetically. Tuner or not, you can appreciate the stellar look of this car.

Find your own perfect set of Volk’s here or check out other pictures of some of our customer’s custom wheels in our Gallery, on Facebook, Twitter @vividracingcom or Instagram.

 

Electric Blue Evo gets Aggressive with Black Edition Volk"s

Massive Power Parts Update on the Focus ST Turbo

We teased last time with a little bit of our intake kit that we were working on for the Project Ford Focus ST.  However this time, we are just shoving it all in your face!  We have got alot done and super pumped for where this car is heading.  Almost a complete repetuar of parts has been completed.  Each part has been dyno tested and we were able to even put together a full Stage 3 Upgrade with the Cobb AccessPort.  Our intake kit which we already shared has been completed and finished in a beautiful textured black touch. As tested, the intake kit made almost 13 wheel horsepower.  View all dyno sheets and pictures here.

Keep Reading…..

The next important upgrade to the vehicle is an exhaust.  To keep the exhaust system modulare and allow people to either run a catback or turboback system, we developed this full 3 inch stainless steel exhaust.  The downpipe keeps the exhaust flow strong out of the turbo since it is catless.  The catback featuring mandrel bends, is made out of T304 stainless steel and then TIG welded.  To keep it unique, we incorporate 3 different tip designs for those wanting to put personality into their exhaust.  Each tip style utilizes titanium tips and secures to the exhaust system with a v-band clamp.  The very standard style is a pair of 4 inch slash cut titanium tips that go straight out.  We have then taken the same style but have them in a more aggressive V formation.  Finally for those that want to truly look different, we have created the triple tip!  3 titanium tips fit nicely out of the rear bumper outlet.  The catback alone yielded great midrange horsepower and torque.  With the addition of the downpipe, much larger gains were achieved all the way to redline.

Up next in the cooling and power department is our upgrades of the factory intercooler.  Utilizing a Garrett intercooler core and custom aluminum end tanks, we have an intercooler setup that is now capable of 600 horsepower.  The intercooler also comes with ducting to directly flow air through the bumper and on to the core.  Where the factory ducting cannot be retained, this is must have to keep the turbocharger running smooth.  In addition, we have created a modular lower intercooler pipe that is 2.5 inch aluminum.  It fits with the factory rubber hose connection and can be used with the stock or aftermarket intercooler.

Tying all these parts together with the addition of the Cobb AccessPort gives us our Vivid Racing Stage 3 package for the Ford 2.0L.  Improving throttle response, power and torque throughout the entire curve, and pure enjoyment with sound, this Stage 3 upgrade adds almost 50whp and 50ft/lbs of torque in the rpm band.  The Cobb AccessPort is probably the easiest OBDII tuning tool ever made.  With premade maps, you simply plug it in and select which stage map you want to use.  In the end, we have maximized in a modular way the performance of the Ford Focus ST Eco Boost without going into the turbo.

For those wanting to add a little engine styling, our new carbon fiber radiator shroud cover will give it some more style.  Inside is a bolt-in harness bar that is designed with slip joints and can be installed/uninstalled in 15-20 minutes!  But we are not done!  There is much more to come on this project car.  So stay tuned and view all our Ford Focus ST Performance Parts here.

 

Massive Power Parts Update on the Focus ST Turbo

M5"s gets a Sexy Growl Thanks to Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust

The M5 is one of our favorite cars to work on. The car stock, is impressive already. BMW’s combination of the turbo engine and the luxury that BMW offers in the interior, the M5 is hard to beat. A lot of people will choose an M5 for their daily, then modify it to be the trophy car they want. Just like any other trophy it has to be the best in order to be crowned champion. That’s why this M5 owner came to us. He didn’t just want his BMW to look like a trophy, he wanted his car to sounds like a champion. That’s when our sales guy Ahmed  (ahmed@vividracing.com) set him up with an Akrapovic Titanium Evolution Exhaust system.

The Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust system offers more than your average exhaust in terms of the compatibility and responsiveness.The new Evolution exhaust system consists of newly developed dual-outlet mufflers with exhaust valves, flow-optimized pipes, and a unique X-shaped, cast titanium part with resonators. The X-pipe, valves, and flange assembly are produced in Akrapovic’s foundry. The Evolution system lowers the back pressure and gives the M5 more power and torque through the whole range of rpms. You will also be able to feel the increase in responsiveness with this exhaust system. The Evolution system offers an even greater difference in weight, in turn, improving the power-to-weight ratio. The other benefit to this system is, there is no need to remove the catalytic converters in order to get the results you want. 

Check out pictures of this M5′s addition and the video of this exhaust system in action. Tell us what you think on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

TECHNICAL DATA	UNIT	STOCK	AKRAPOVIČ	MAX. GAIN
maximum power	kW	413.4 at 5950 rpm	420.3 at 5950 rpm	+ 7.4 at 5950 rpm
	HP (m)	562 at 5950 rpm	571.5 at 5950 rpm	+ 10 at 5950 rpm
	HP (i)	554.3 at 5950 rpm	563.7 at 5950 rpm	+ 9.9 at 5950 rpm
maximum torque	Nm	733.5 at 4700 rpm	739 at 4650 rpm	+ 17 at 5200 rpm
	lb-ft	541 at 4700 rpm	545.1 at 4650 rpm	+ 12.5 at 5200 rpm
weight	kg	38	25.7	- 12.3
	lb	83.8	56.7	- 27.1
static noise level	dB	94	94	0
	rpm	4875	4875	0

 

M5"s gets a Sexy Growl Thanks to Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust

How to Install a Plenum Spacer in a 350Z

This is our very own, Emily’s, 350Z. She loves her car just as much as the next enthusiast. That’s why when deciding to upgrade and get more horsepower, she went with a Motordyne Plenum Spacer.  The new Iso Thermal system from Motor Dyne, decreases upper and lower temperatures throughout the plenum due to the combination of aluminum, and the administration of the Iso thermal controls. The cooler intake air increases the air’s density, in-turn, boosting engine power. Below is a step-by-step guide of how to install your new plenum spacer. The pictures can help guide you  through steps of what the installation should look like.

1. This is the engine bay and the car prepped for install
2. Remove strut brace across motor with a 14mm socket remove plastic engine cover with 10mm socket
3. Remove all (16)10mm head bolts and (2)10mm head nuts. Also remove the 2 guide pins in the lower plenum. For Iso Thermal gasket installation: Unbolt the upper and lower plenum to install the Iso Thermal gasket. Unbolt the lower collector. Then remove then discard the stock manifold gasket and place the thermal isolating gasket. Verify the gasket lines up before installing intake manifold then install the lower plenum assembly.
4. Lay the aluminum spacer on top of the plenum to find the correct orientation. Then lift the plenum enough to slide the spacer in. Thread washers onto every supplied bolt. Make sure the upper plenum rests against the lower plenum evenly and tightly.
5. Reattach the air intake to plenum
6. Reattach Place one strut bar spacer on each of the strut bar studs then place the strut bar on. Starting at one side, lift the strut bar bracket just enough to slide in the other three strut bar spacers. When you see the center of the of the spacer aligned under the bracket, drop in the bolts and screw them in finger tight. Repeat on the opposite sides strut bar bracket then tighten down all the bolts. For the two nuts 20 ft-lb; and for the six bolts 24 ft-lb.

If you’re looking for other, easy engine upgrades, check out our cylinder heads, mounts and bushings, or ourgaskets and seals to make your engine run at optimum levels. Use these steps to install and let us know how it goes. Send us pictures of your plenum spacer or post them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

 

 

How to Install a Plenum Spacer in a 350Z