My Car Supercharged by RX Performance

I've had my 2010 2LT/RS since September of 2009.  Originally I was going to only do minor mods to the car.  However, once I started I could not stop.

Performance mods before the Supercharger were:

VMax Ported Throttle Body

Ported and Polished Intake Manifold

MRT V1 Mufflers

SS Mid Pipes

ARH LT Headers and High Flow Cats

Injen cold air intake

PFADT Lowering Springs, Sway Bars, Endlinks

However, I was pretty much at the end of the naturally aspirated route.  Once I graduated college I debated trading my car in for a 2012 Camaro SS.  However after thinking about it, there is absolutely no way I could bring myself to do that.  I learned everything I know about cars on my 2010, from oil changes to changing the brakes, headers, etc.  My 2010 simply had way too much sentimental value to me.  It was then that I started to think about going into the forced induction route.  After looking at the different companies I quickly decided that I would go with one of the RX Performance builds.  Tracy at RX Performance has invested a ton of money into R&D for products for the 5th gen V6's while most other performance companies have not.  However that wasn't the sole reason, Tracy has been supercharging vehicles since the 70's and has vast knowledge about forced induction.

Once I decided that I would go with an RX system, I then had to decide about going with a twin turbo build or a supercharger build.  I looked into both systems, however I have always been a fan of superchargers and  decided that's what I would do.  Along with getting the supercharger system (which uses a Vortech V3 supercharger), I also got RX's super chiller (air-to-water intercooler) which cools air temps down to 55-60 degrees, which is amazing in this Texas heat (90-100 degrees outside).  Finally I had my rear diff replaced with the rear end from an SS, the added power would likely play havoc with the automatic V6 rear end that didn't have limited slip.  

The system is absolutely amazing and I am very impressed with it.  However it seems that the Achilles heel of the entire build is the stock mass air flow sensor.  I had issues with it coming back from Florida, I'm not sure whether all the extra boost (8 psi) blew out the MAF or if it was possibly damaged from condensation that I found on the MAF from the super chiller.  I will be monitoring this over the next few days to weeks, to try and come to a conclusion on what the issue is.

Video of my car after the install

New badge

Intake Tube (RX Supercharged)

Picture of the blow off valve

Picture of supercharger (Vortech V3)

2012 ZL1 vs. 2013 Shelby GT500

It started off with Chevrolet saying that they were bringing back the ZL1.  Chevrolet released the ZL1's numbers as 580 horsepower and 556 torque, but just a day later Ford shoots back claiming their new Shelby GT500 will have over 650 horsepower and 630 torque and will be able to achieve 200 mph.  These claims more than took the wind out of Chevrolet's sails, they once again one upped Chevrolet.

The ZL1 is under powered and overweight, which is why I was surprised to read this excerpt from Edmunds review - "Nothing is more humbling than watching a car with 100 fewer horses and the extra weight of an NFL running back disappear into the distance on a back road. But that's exactly what happened when we brought the two cars together to establish which is the best-driving pony car ever. The answer, as improbable as it seemed, was as obvious as the Camaro's shrinking taillights." However it is no surprise that the Camaro won the handling competition, given that it has an independent rear suspension and state-of-the-art magnetic ride control.  What is surprising to me, is after all of this hype about the GT500, it fails to deliver as the best all around car.  The GT500 seems to be a one hit wonder, it's all go and that's it.  It seems that the GT500 is stuck in the old pony wars while the ZL1 is adapting to the times.

It should be noted that Edmunds recorded some of the best lateral acceleration that they ever have with the 2012 ZL1.  The ZL1 produced 1.03g which is more than the last ZR1 tested and the same as a McLaren MP4-12C and a Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Click to read Edmunds review

Ferrari Enzo Replacement

Thanks to Car and Driver, there has been some information about the Ferrari Enzo's replacement.  Code named F70, this new beast will sport a hybrid V12 engine producing an estimated 920 hp.  Additionally the body will benefit largely from carbon fiber and weight is set to be around 2,650lbs.  Think about that for a minute... a 2,650 pound 920 hp Ferrari. Amazing.

F70

New Ford Mustang Leaks

Car and Driver was able to get some information on Ford's new Mustang.  The update will come in mid to late 2014 as a 2015 model.  However some are speculating it might come mid year, to celebrate the Mustang's 50th birthday.  Either way it is just around the corner and it appears that this isn't just going to be a cosmetic update.  While the V6 and V8 engines will remain the same (although they may get direct injection), Ford is planning on adding a 4 cylinder with ecoboost to the line up.  This is the first time since the '80's that a Mustang will appear with a turbocharged 4 cylinder.  Perhaps the biggest change will come in the rear end of the Mustang.  Rumors are Ford will be releasing the Mustang with an independent rear suspension.  This would mark the first time a Mustang would have IRS, with the exception of the SVT Cobra's that were produced from 1999-2004.  While this may not be confirmed yet, Car and Driver was able to snap some pictures (see below) of the IRS on one of the test mules.  Finally it looks like Ford is planning on shaving some weight from the Mustang.  This may not sound like much, but it really is.  Since the Camaro and the Challenger weigh 3,700-4,200lbs (V6's & V8's) which is anywhere from 200-700lbs heavier than the current Mustang, these weight savings can create a huge gap between the competition.  However, the Camaro will see a decrease in its weight as well in 2014 when the Camaro switches over from its current Zeta platform to the newer, lighter Alpha platform.

2015 model Mustang

A look at the test mules independent rear suspension

Car and Drivers article can be read here 

Ford Focus doing some serious record settings

Ford's 1.0-litre ecoboost Focus set 16 world speed records recently, an amazing accomplishment by the American auto maker.  However the help of Ford's world rally championship super start Jari-Matti may have helped attain this records a little easier.  The records were set at CREAM test circuit, located in France.


The little 1.0-litre Ford hits 0-62 mph in 11.3 seconds and has a top speed of 120mph, it does all of this while attaining 56.5mpg and having a C02 emission of 114g/km.


List below are the records Ford's Focus set:

RECORD	AVERAGE SPEED
Standing start 1 kilometre	113.522 km/h
Standing start 1 mile	79.402 mph
Flying start 1 kilometre	176.168 km/h
Flying start 1 mile	108.548 mph
Highest average speed over 10 km	172.053 km/h
Highest average speed over 100 km	187.579 km/h
Highest average speed over 500 km	186.793 km/h
Highest average speed over 10 miles	110.237 mph
Highest average speed over 100 miles	118.412 mph
Highest average speed over 1 hour	191.056 km/h (118.716 mph)
Highest average speed over 1000 km	164.361 km/h
Highest average speed over 500 miles	102.656 mph
Highest average speed over 1000 miles	103.357 mph
Highest average speed over 6 hours	165.555 km/h (102.871 mph)
Highest average speed over 12 hours	166.784 km/h (103.634 mph)
Highest average speed over 24 hours	171.029 km/h (106.272 mph)

Ford's Focus' used to set the records
sources taken from 3D Car Show

Police chase in Russa ends better than you may think

I have a hard time believing that all of the police in Russia are this nice, even the police in the U.S. wouldn't end a chase this way.  There are some rumored thoughts of what just might be going on here.  The first is that this guy is an undercover cop, I mean the the license plate T-KILLAH it really makes you wonder the legitimacy.  Second maybe this guy bribes the police, I mean it is Russia isn't it?  Finally, perhaps this guy is taking advantage of wonderful diplomatic immunity.  Whatever the case maybe, it must sure be nice to drive like this and get off so easy.

Chevrolet Supporting Gay Marriage?

Some may have never thought that they would live to see the day that an auto maker would take a stance on gay marriage.  However Chevrolet's latest ads seem that it supports gay marriage through its silly yet very straight forward ad, as seen below.  Controversial? Perhaps.  Good marketing? Definitely.  This is the first time that any auto manufacturer has taken a stance on gay marriage and whether or not this was specifically intended  to target LGBT groups or not it will definitely have a lasting effect.  Sure there will be some individuals that may not agree with Chevrolet and GM with their stance, I do believe that this has the potential to be a real advantage.  People are already starting to comment on this around the internet, some of the posts I have seen are "I hate Chevys, but after seeing this I want to buy one now."  Only time will tell how this will all play out.

Chevrolet's new add targeting LGBT groups by supporting gay marriage

Camaro going under the knife!

It's official, my Camaro's overhaul has begun yesterday.  Tracy over at RX performance had just moved to a new facility and the electricity hadn't been hooked up and thus the lights, lifts, and just about everything couldn't be used.  Luckily all that has been taken care of and they have started work on my car.  Stay tuned for more updates about my car!

First step towards force induction