Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Small Car recommendations...

I think you may have found the fastest way to your next incarnation in that car.

Thanks guys.. The pictures suck. I had the camera ISO set to auto with a 3200 max for taking moon shots during the eclipse a few weeks ago. It snapped these off with too high of an ISO and they are all grainy. I’ve had a few guys shoot me PM’s asking for the pictures and didn’t want them thinking I was ignoring them.

Engine mods are pretty mild Adrian. Probably about 115 hp gain from OEM at the crank is all, when considering they come tuned for 93 octane fuel and 505 crank hp from the factory. I wanted to keep good low rpm street manners without cam surge and also keep the torque curve flat (makes 350 at 2000 rpm) or have the spark in retard all the time with our crappy fuel, so I did not want a real aggressive cam or tuning that would require me to keep a drum of aviation fuel in the garage for mixing. A shop who works on cars like this put in a different cam, ported the intake, installed a K/N cold air induction and a set of long tube headers with high flow cats and X-pipe. Then tune it for 89 octane fuel and engine mods. The mufflers are modified as well. There’s two modes; stealthy quiet and louder than hell. The loud mode is basically just straight pipes through the mufflers. I have a remote control switch that opens / closes the muffler outlet valves on the straight pipe side. At 3500 rpm it automatically opens the valves too. Brakes have been upgraded as well as the shocks and a bunch of dress up stuff.

I’ve had a few fast cars in my time, but nothing like this car. It’s fast off the line, rolling at just about any speed and corners hard enough to really need a five point harness and sticky tires. And that was taking it easy. When racing (on an approved track of course…) the 1-2 shift is 60 mph, 2-3 is 90 mph and 3-4 is 120 mph. Not sure about the 4-5 or 5-6, but I do know the front end starts to float at 190 mph. The front splitter and side skirts should help that some, but I really need a louvered hood if I get serious about one mile runs over 190 (not likely).

It's a pretty small car. 3050 pound curb weight without fuel. I’m 5’10”, 190 pounds and it takes some wiggling to get into it. I’m glad the car has easy access that re-positions the seat and steering wheel, or I’d have a heck of a time getting in / out. It just looks bigger than it really is. Similar to a viper. My buddies 2010 SS Camaro is noticeably bigger when they are parked side by side.

scuse me while I wipe this drool of my keyboard.

That's so cool, Mike. I hope you really enjoy it.

Don't drool on your trackpad. Handy tip from my almost 2 year old daughter.

That's plenty of power for the street. I think too many guys go for the huge HP numbers then regret it later when they lose the driveablity or overpower the chassis.

Yeah, that'll work, if that's all you got.

(Says the mini-van driver!!)

I am very curious as to why you tuned it to 89 octane. My guess would be you are still going to put 93 in the tank but have no faith about what you are actually getting out of the pump so better to be careful. Or is 93 hard to find where you live?

I think we should try Murph's moonshine in that vette!

Crop dusting?

Did you Dyno it yet? You know we love graphs here.