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Category: Media

  • Tough Tacoma: Scott Bryan’s Magnuson Supercharged Toyota Tacoma

    Tough Tacoma: Scott Bryan’s Magnuson Supercharged Toyota Tacoma

    When you think of common mods for Toyota Tacomas nowadays, you think suspension, bumpers, bed racks, etc.

    But Scott had a better idea…boost!

     

    Scott came to us with a simple goal, to pick up the pace in this 2019 Toyota Tacoma and get the V6 boosted with the help of a supercharger. Luckily, we knew how to make it happen. 

     

    With Scott’s Tacoma in the garage and our amazing team under the hood, we got to work on forcing some induction on the 3.5L. Magnuson’s TVS1900 System is a great option for boosting the third generation Tacoma, really due to the unit’s thermal efficiency, resulting in reliable and considerable gains on the rollers. 

     

    The parts of the kit itself were beautiful and of course the great quality that Magnuson always delivers. There are few things more appealing than freshly machined aluminum in our eyes. 

     

     

    After getting the motor buttoned up and filled with Mobil 1, our team at the Wilmington shop and calibrator Vlad got Scott’s Tacoma on the rollers and set for tuning.

     

    Achieving what he had sought out for, Scott’s Tacoma put down 310whp and 290lbft of torque, nearly 100hp and 50lbft in gains!

     

     

    With goals met and the Tacoma ready to go, we can’t wait to see what Scott does with it! Let us know if your Tacoma needs a similar boost.

     

    For a closer look at this build, take a look at the gallery below. 

     

    [ngg src=”galleries” ids=”491″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]

     

  • Designed to Dig: Torsten’s 2009 Nissan Alpha Performance GT-R is Designed to Hit Low 8’s

    Designed to Dig: Torsten’s 2009 Nissan Alpha Performance GT-R is Designed to Hit Low 8’s

    Many people dream of being able to cross the quarter mile line in under ten seconds, and now most days with enough determination and work you can make it happen. However, things start to change beyond that.

     

    Torsten came to us with one of the greatest platforms for attempting the feat of a monster quarter mile time, a 2009 Nissan GT-R, and an ambitious goal, to design and create a car that is both daily drivable and able to achieve a quarter mile time in the low 8 second range. We were happy to oblige him and take on this project.

     

    2009 Nissan GT-R

     

    Our Performance Consultation team met with Torsten to create a game plan to make his dream of an 8-second daily a reality. It’s always a pleasure to work out the vision with our clients.  With Torsten wanting the best of both worlds, a daily driver with a blistering quarter mile time, our build team began from the bare bones. The VR38DETT was pulled from the bay and was replaced with an Alpha Performance 3.8L Short Block to create a near bulletproof base with 1000hp+ potential for this monster daily. 

     

     

    Topped with a Boost Logic V2 intake manifold with 12 Injector Dynamics ID1050x injectors, ported heads from HeadGames Motorworks were installed along with Stage-2 camshafts from Kelford Cams and a GSC valvetrain to finish up the top end with strength and durability. 

    To crank up the boost, the stock turbos were replaced with quick spooling Extreme Turbo Systems G-Series GTX3582R Gen-2 Turbochargers. 

    Alpha Performance also supplied the Omega twin-pump brushless fuel pump system along with other fuel system components from T1 Race Development and COBB Tuning, completing the fuel system. 

     

    TiAL Blow Off Valve

     

    In order to let her eat, we have to let her breathe, and with an Extreme Turbo Systems race intercooler system with TiAL Sport Q 50mm blow-off valves, we were able to support the turbo system and achieve our 1000HP+ goal. Our friends at Extreme Turbo Systems also supplied the 3.5” to 4” Pro Series Y-Pipe to 4” Exhaust, getting us that signature VR38 sound. 

    Keeping everything together are ARP Fasteners and Genuine Nissan OEM gaskets, seals, and other miscellaneous components used to assemble the engine. With the end product being a daily driver that is able to hit Torsten’s goal of low 8-second passes, we had to make sure that this engine was solid and efficient for run after run, followed by the drive back home.

    The team at Jack’s Transmissions put together the perfect gearbox for this build, a fully built Drag 1000 GR6 Transmission, taking all the raw power from the Alpha VR38 and sending it to all four wheels. 

     

     

    In order to put all this power to the ground successfully and reliably, we tapped the team at Driveshaft Shop to get a 1000HP+ Pro-Level rear axle, hub, and differential stub kit built and ready for Torsten’s GT-R. Tuning the all-wheel drive system is key to a successful launch, so we used a STM Tuned AWD controller to fine tune the power delivery. 

    To help Torsten control this beast, we finished up the build with an Alcon big brake kit in the front and rear and wrapped his wheels with some sticky Toyo R888R Tires. 

     

     

    With all the pieces finally together and ready for tuning, Torsten’s GT-R hit our in-house dyno to see what it could do. Using the COBB Tuning Accessport V3 with TCM Support, our tuning team calibrated the system for Flex Fuel capability for ultimate control over the car and tunes. For our dyno tests, we would be testing with standard 93 octane and E85. 

    Strapped down and with our ears singing with the glory of it’s fully built VR38, Torsten’s GT-R exceeded our goals and laid down a mighty 1,355whp and 972lbft of torque on E85 and a comfortable 882whp and 664lbft of torque on your everyday 93 octane. 

     

     

    To celebrate, we unstrapped the car and took it out for a quick shoot and loved everything we saw. This GT-R is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

     

     

    With the beast built and our goals achieved, we’re looking forward to seeing what Torsten and his GT-R can do at the drag strip. Knowing the great things our team can do, we expect to see a low 8 slip in the very near future. 

    Torsten’s GT-R build is a reminder that no goals are unachievable with the right team and determination. 

    For a closer look at this build, take a look at the full gallery. 

    Reach out to National Speed today to see what we can do for you! 

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  • Deeper into the 9’s with Sean’s 860WHP 2016 Camaro SS

    Deeper into the 9’s with Sean’s 860WHP 2016 Camaro SS

     

    Deeper into the 9’s we go, with an assiduous quest for 8’s!

    Sean has been a long time National Speed client and GM performance car fanatic, owning and restoring a gorgeous 1964 Nova SS, and for the past couple years, his dedicated performance car, a Mosaic Black Metallic 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS. 

     

    For the latest evolution of Sean’s never-ending quest for more power, a simple goal was laid out: 850+whp on 93 octane.

    The car has lived through several iterations over the five years of Sean’s ownership, starting from a bone-stock, brand new platform straight from the dealership. While all was fine for a while, Sean had a craving for something more, and after spending multiple weekends at the dragstrip, the need for more power could not be contained. 

     

    With the original engine-out build yielding him some great results. throwing down a tire-slaying 9.98 quarter mile at Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway, it was clear the existing setup needed to be updated. Unable to suppress the desire to see how far we could really push the LT1, a plan was set in place to completely tear down and rebuild the 6.2L LT1...for the second time.

     

     

    With the Camaro back in the shop, our Performance Technician, John, made quick work pulling the engine from the car, tearing it down to the bare short block. From there, he meticulously gapped each piston ring to the exact spec needed and in went a Gwatney Performance Innovation complete drop-in piston & rod package. This specific package includes Diamond Pistons 2618 pistons with rings, Callies Performance Products 6.125″ connecting rods, connecting rod bearings, heavy duty wrist pins, locks, and rings. To compliment the new pistons and rods installed, in went a custom designed 5150 billet-core VVT camshaft from Cam Motion.

    While John was working away on the bottom end, we tapped the great team at Gwatney Performance Innovation again for their ported cylinder head service and installation of Brian Tooley Racing valve spring set. Once the heads were finished with their revamp, John finished up the engine internals with a COMP Cams high pressure fuel pump lash cap, OEM LS7 rocker arm pad, and all the various gaskets and seals to complete the installation.

     

    Maguson Supercharged LT1 Engine

     

    With the internals beefed up and the motor dropped back in, it was time to work on some more power! While Sean was able to make a solid 740.05whp & 694.24lbft on E50 at only ~12.5psi on his old setup, a Magnuson Superchargers Heartbeat TVS2300 supercharger, we decided to up the ante and go with an even bigger setup from Magnuson Superchargers, the Magnum DI TVS2650R! To dial in more boost, a smaller upper pulley was needed, so John swapped out the existing upper pulley for a smaller 80mm unit, then added a 103mm SD103LTX throttle body upgrade from Williams Performance, allowing the most amount of air into the TVS2650R. Finishing up the engine build, John installed a set of LTR7IX-11 spark plugs from NGK Spark Plugs attached to a set of premium spark plug wires from Katech. 

     

    2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS Wheel

     

    With the drivetrain set, it was time to figure out how to get the power to the ground. The stock wheels, control arms, and wheel & brake hub setup were all removed and replaced with a 15” conversion from Carlyle Racing. The stock set was quickly replaced with a set of gorgeous WELD Racing 15×10 S71B Non Beadlock wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels 275/60/15 ET Street S/S radials. To help the car stage correctly and to get heat into those new meaty tires, a line lock kit from SJM Manufacturing, Inc. was installed allowing the front brakes to lock up independently from the rear brakes.

     

    With all the parts installed and mechanical work wrapped up in the shop by John, our Calibration Assistant, Matt, strapped her down to the rollers for Vlad to perform a custom calibration via HP Tuners. With 93 octane in the tank and the Magnuson TVS2650R delivering around 16psi, Vlad and the National Speed team were able to increase the LT1’s output to a kick-ass 863.71whp & 742.04lbft!

     

    2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS on Dyno

     

    For Sean, power has come in stages, originally seeing 546.80whp & 545.77lbft with bolt-ons, 740.05whp & 694.24lbft with the first build, and now with the current setup, 863.71whp & 742.04lbft! With the factory direct-injection system being the only limiting factor in this build, the temptation to switch over to LS-based port-injection is already on Sean’s mind. Hopefully we will see him back here for more fueling upgrades and tap into the 900-1000whp range, finally reaching his goal of 8 second quarter mile times!

     

    Reach out to National Speed today to see what we can do for you!

     

  • 2000 Honda S2000 – Turbocharged

    2000 Honda S2000 – Turbocharged

  • More Than Meets the Eye

    In case you’ve been living under a rock, or missed the 30 second teaser that aired during the Superbowl, Transformers 2 is going to own you. Judging by the latest trailer, the sequel doesn’t look to disappoint — it’s bigger, louder, and will eat your babies if you don’t watch it.

    Pay careful attention during the trailer for glimpses of the Corvette Stingray Concept, the return of the new Chevy Camaro, and the Chevy Volt — rumor has it that Chevy paid a pretty penny to have the Volt make an appearance.

    While the first Transformers was definitely a blast, this one looks to have upped the ante in every way possible, and even if the incredibly stupid Volt is in the flick, maybe there’s more to it than meets the eye…

    Sorry, couldn’t resist that one.

  • HD Automotive Videos: ClashProductions and Format67

    Today I felt like highlighting automotive videos shot with REAL Production quality. While the burnout you did in your dad’s Camaro on Streetfire was cool, the fact that it was shot on a cellphone and was so fuzzy you could barely make out your mullet and acid washed attire was not cool.

    I suppose the point is, regardless of whatever you’re shooting, if you’re shooting with crappy equipment, it’s going to be crappy. People enjoy things in High Definition, and that’s a fact. It can indeed make a piece of poop look like the most wondrous thing ever beheld. Using this logic, you have to figure if it can make something bad look good, what will it do to something that looks good already?

    First up is Format67, based out of Germany. With a team 5 strong, Daniel Michaelis and crew put out their first automotive short in July of 2007. They’ve covered MANY vehicles including but not limited to: A R34 Skyline, AE86, Ford GT, BMW 135i, and the Subaru STi. Music choice and post production is top notch with this group, conveying and capturing emotion in a very powerful way. You can tell there is a lot of storyboarding that goes into each video as there is always a story to keep your attention.

    Check out these two, as they are some of my favorites. -Watch in Fullscreen-

    Two Imprezas on an Asphalt Playground.


    Ferrari F430 playing on the Streets.

    Next up is Clash Productions, Based out of the UK. While strictly autosport (Drag/Drift/TimeAttack) and more action based, Clash Productions does a ridiculously good job portraying emotion and capturing the spirit of any event. I swear these guys can make ANYTHING look amazing. Clash Productions has been together since 2005 and has put out some amazing things since then. Although I’m only going to post two examples, I highly suggest you check out their Streetfire Account and watch some other stuff too. The level of post processing skill is ridiculous here. Selective focus also seems to be a favorite technique. I haven’t seen anyone be able to capture the spirit of the event like Clash Productions.

  • Turbolestra: Your Once Daily Tablet For Automotive Enhancement

    Watch the video below to learn about the greatest breakthrough in medical science since the twelve hour erection. And if for some reason the embedded video doesn’t work for you, click the following link to learn more about Turbolestra.

    Hear what customers are saying about Turbolestra!

    “Turbolestra is the most mind-blowing experience I’ve had since Ford’s Theatre.”
    -Abraham Lincoln

    “The best drug I’ve taken this hour.”
    -Courtney Love

    “Turbolestra is so cool, when it goes to sleep, sheep count Turbolestra.”
    -Ralph Waldo Emerson

    “After taking Turbolestra, I drove from New Jersey to California in forty-five minutes and still had time for a seventeen hour tantric sex binge.”
    -Sting

    Buy Turbolestra now and say goodbye to premature deceleration for just $1.99 (price includes shipping!)

  • Terminator Salvation: Japanese Trailer Sneak Peak

    He’ll be back. Again.

    That’s right folks, the powers that be have decided that a fourth Terminator movie is necessary and a Japanese trailer has just leaked onto the internet offering a sneak peak at what is sure to be a better sequel than Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

    You might be asking yourself why this has any relevance on the National Speed blog and I’ll tell you why: 1) I have a major fetish for post apocalypse wasteland movies and 2) there is some serious vehicular carnage going on in this trailer. I don’t know what those crazy motorcycle looking things are but I want one. NOW.

    Don’t take my word for it though. Check it out for yourself and tell me you don’t want one of those. And sorry about the subtitles, this was leaked from Japan so it’s the best we’ve got.

  • Gran Turismo 5 Full Version in 2009?

    It’s been a long time coming but gamers itching to get their hands on the full version of Gran Turismo 5 may finally have something to celebrate. According to Spanish newspaper El Financiero (why can’t we have cool newspaper names like that?) the ultimate video game driving simulation may be on U.S. store shelves around Christmas 2009.

    While most gamers were irritated at the initial Gran Turismo: Prologue release earlier this year (40 dollars for half a game?!?), fanboys will be happy that the full version is finally on its the way. Series creator Kazunori Yamauchi promises that Gran Turismo 5 will contain the requisite new tracks and vehicles we’ve come to expect, so hopefully it will be worth the wait. If they finally include realistic damaging to the cars (something that Gran Turismo has never really done) you can consider this one a done deal.

  • Nissan 370Z: Some See a Letter, Others See an Annoying Commercial

    In order to promote the new Nissan 370Z, Nissan has released a promo video which features the most annoying techno music since Moby’s cat ran across his keyboard and released PLAY. “Some see a letter, others see a Car,” is their new advertising slogan and I hope you like it because it’s repeated at least 1,000 times before the commercial is even over. Take a look at it for yourself, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. At least the Nissan 370Z looks smoking hot…

    And if for some reason the embedded video above doesn’t play for you, click here to check it out via youtube.