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  • 2011 Ford Taurus SHOx – Turbo Upgrade

    You’re looking at the Rick Bottom Designs 2011 Ford Taurus SHOx, which sat in Ford’s booth at SEMA Show 2010! This cleanly executed SHO has seen quite a few shows in its day, but now Jason — the new owner — is ready for more go! This round, Jared is setting the EcoBoost up with a set of Garrett CHRA upgraded turbochargers from ATP Turbo, a Livernois Motorsports & Engineering Firestorm high-pressure fuel pump, Ecopowerparts charge pipes with TiAL Sport Q 50mm blow-off valve, Stainless Works down-pipe, all brought together with a custom calibration by Vlad via HP Tuners! Stay tuned for results!

    Side note, you can read more about this car here.

  • 2018 Honda Civic Si – Downpipe, Exhaust, & Tune

    Rodney brought in his 2018 Honda Civic Si to get the FC1 chassis tightened up, and the turbocharged L15B7 engine turned up! Up first, Archer installed Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs along with front & rear swap bars (29mm front & 19mm rear), and then wrapping up the mechanical work with an aFe POWER down-pipe and 3.00″ catalytic-converter back exhaust system. With the mechanical work wrapped, up next Vlad is dialing it all in on the dyno via Hondata FlashPro.

  • Employee Spotlight // Caleb Perdue

    Employee Spotlight // Caleb Perdue

    With a new day comes a new face, here at National Speed. Caleb, our newest Customer Success Associate, will be quite a busy guy once he gets settled in. In addition to taking phone calls, writing up customers, and ferrying the endless amount of information flowing between our techs and counter associates, Caleb also handles our social media accounts. So when you see our dyno videos or pictures of builds in progress, make sure you welcome our greenhorn by hitting that like button!

     

    Adam: So Caleb, how long have you been working here?

    Caleb: A few weeks, at this point.

     

    A: Are you enjoying your time so far?

    C: Absolutely! I mean, just a walk around the shop is really fascinating.

     

    A: What do you currently drive?

    C: 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX. Needless to say, we’ve got plans, haha.

     

    A: So, tell me about how you got into cars.

    C: It started early on. My dad has a ’79 Ford Ranger and, I think, around the age of 12 was when I started helping him work on it. Thankfully, my dad was a Mechanical Engineer so he knows a lot about that kind of thing. Whenever I was curious about something like, “Hey, how does this work in the engine?” I could ask him and he’d explain it. So, that kind of blossomed into me getting my first car eventually. Which I got after college, and was my WRX. But before I got that, I spent a lot of time doing research and figuring out that I really do like this car a lot. After I bought the car, I spent an entire summer researching aftermarket parts and watching videos on YouTube. That led me to the place I was working at before here, JB Autosports. They sell aftermarket Toyota and Subaru parts, so there was a lot of WRX stuff around at that point. Mostly 2015 and up, but there were other years as well. I was real heavily involved in that. But, currently, I follow so many different YouTube channels with people’s car vlogs and regular things like Motor Trend and into personal vlogs where they take their own vehicles and build them. So, researching cars and car trends became something I do in my free time a lot. If I’m not working on a car, I’m usually learning about cars or kinda’ seeing what someone else is doing to theirs. So you get to thinking “If I had ‘that’ then I would take ‘this’ path” kind of thing.

     

    A: So, it gives you a bit of inspiration?

    C: Exactly, that! You know, my career tracking was in sports before this. But, the whole 6 years that I was in college studying sports management, in my free time I was pouring over WRX stuff in anticipation of buying one.

     

    A: So, are you only into cars?

    C: No, I also have a passion for motorcycles as well. I actually got my motorcycle license when I was 17.

     

    A: So, you did a lot of researching before you chose the WRX?

    C: I did, I did… *laughs* Tons of research….

     

    A: So, was there a moment when you were test driving the car when it kind of clicked, like “This is what I want!”

    C: Yeah, totally. Before all that, I was shopping around while I was still in school and I drove a, I believe, a 2012 Civic Si. I was just looking around, you know? But, I drove that and liked it a lot. And then in 2015, which was when my model of WRX came out, I was able to drive one of those. And afterward, all I could think was “Hmm… I don’t want that Civic anymore. I want this car!” I still had to wait a little bit longer because I wasn’t finished with school at that time. But, it was that time right there that made me think that I had to have this car at some point.

     

    A: I know you haven’t been around here long, but what would you say about the atmosphere of the shop and how do you like it?

    C: It’s awesome! I mean, you come in and learn something new every single day. Actually, I end up doing lots of cool things every single day. Like, I was doing a dyno video of a really, really loud supercharged Mustang GT. I mean, there are so many projects we work on here. Everybody is extremely knowledgeable and very friendly and welcoming also. It’s just a good experience every single day. And you definitely learn something every single day. It’s a fun place to be and helps me promote my own personal passions while watching an Evo on the dyno. It makes me actually want to go to work!

  • 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T – Supercharged

     

     

    Baseline wheel-horsepower and torque: 318-330whp and 338-345ftlb
    Post-work wheel-horsepower and torque: 470.10whp and 478.41ftlbs

    (please note; baseline runs were not performed for this job, and the numbers are estimated based on what these cars normally do with similar modifications that this car already had performed to it)

     

    Modifications Performed:

    -ProCharger P-1SC Supercharger System

     

    It’s always a good day when I see an LX/LC-Chassis vehicle (i.e. Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300C) pull into the parking lot of National Speed, Inc., especially when it’s accompanied by that distinct HEMI V8 rumble. There’s just something about these cars that I absolutely love.

    As with most owners of these vehicles in factory form, they all have about the same thing to say after a few months or ownership, “I’m used to the car now, I wish it were just a bit quicker.” That’s the only thing about these cars, the power:weight ratio is a little off. So, do you make your comfortable street car less than by reducing weight? Of course not. You simply add a little boost pressure.

    So, that’s what Timothy decided on with his 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T; a ProCharger P-1SC supercharger system. Since this car is more of a sleeper street performer than anything, we opted to go with ProCharger’s helical gear set option, to keep the supercharger gears quiet during operation

     

     

  • Charity Car Show: Pictures Posted!

    The Port City Mopars hosted their 10th annual “Charity Car Show” this past weekend.  This is the second time we’ve been involved in this show and we plan on being there again next year too! Over 100 cars packed into the show. The cars were beautiful and the weather cooperated all day. Check out some of the pictures from this years Charity Car Show:
    Click here for pictures from the show!

    Also, check out the Port City Mopar Website

  • Baller F-Sport Products for the Lexus GS and IS Vert

    F-Sport has finally expanded it’s already ridiculously awesome product line to include the Lexus GS, IS C and the IS AWD models. The F-Sport line (parts derived or inspired by the Lexus IS-F) has only encompassed the IS250 and IS350 line, but now you can have all of the previously exclusive and ballertastic parts on your GS as well.

    F-Sport has always done a really good job of making performance based products such as a Carbon Big Brake Kit, Forged alloy wheels (in 18 and 19″ flavors), Sway Bars, Intake, and Exhaust. The line for the GS/IS/C carries over.

    Speaking of the IS Convertible, have you seen it? Dear God, that’s one of the only convertibles I would ever drive. Few companies can pull off a convertible like Lexus can, and they haven’t failed this time, that’s for sure. Convertibles are usually reserved for females, effeminate guys, or the retired. I’ll take any stereotype that comes along with it in this thing. Lexus gets two thumbs up from me.

    Of course, all F-Sport products carry a 12-month warranty, which is a huge incentive for getting F-Sport parts instead of some other aftermarket manufacturers parts. You really can have your cake and eat it too, Lexus owners.

    Check out all the F-sport Products Here: Lexus USA F-Sport.

  • V8 Powered Lotus Extrema

    This is quite possibly the most entertaining deathtrap ever created. Can you imagine 638HP in a 2,138lb package? That’s around 3.3lbs per horsepower. To put that into comparison the Bugatti Veyron has a P/W ratio of 4.1lbs. UK Garage decided to give the Lotus Exige a “little” boost in power.

    Based on the Lotus Exige chassis, UK Garage widened and stretched it to make more room for tires and a couple interesting powerplant choices. First off, the 190HP 2ZZ-GE in the original Exige was no powerhouse, but the Exige only weighed 2015lbs, so it didn’t need much to get moving along.Power to weight ratio for this vehicle was key, and handling is similar to a gocart on steroids.

    UK Garage didn’t think that 190HP was enough so they have an option of a GM-sourced Turbo 2.8l pushing out 350HP and weighing in at just 1800lbs. 350 horsepower, only 1800lbs to move around and 5.1lbs per horsepower? Now we’re talking. That’s better power/weight than a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640. That not enough motor for you? How about 360HP, 450, 500, 520? 520 still not enough?

    Alrighty, well how about the big dog. UK Garage offers the 638HP Supercharged LS9 from the ZR1. With 638 Horses and only 2138lbs to move around, this is definitely a package that would make Neil Armstrong go [Ho-Lee-Chit.] UK Garage claims the LS9 Powered model will scoot to 60 in under 3 seconds and 100mph in under 7 seconds. That’s on your way to a top speed of 200mph.

    I’ll let you sink that information in for a moment…okay. Along with all the motor choices UK Garage offers a few options. They include: Manual or Sequential transmission, along with an Ohlins suspension, four-piston AP racing brakes and rollcage.

    Prices start at €66,000 [Euros] or $86,000 for a base model ready to roll out the door. God knows what pricing jumps to after you load one up with an LS9 and other goodies. Either way, if you want the quickest, funnest trip to the grave, here’s your vehicle. This thing will catapault you into hyperspace in no time.

  • Feel The Power Between Your Legs

    Mission Motors has kept this silent rocket under wraps for a couple of years until today. The high performance completely electric powered bike has finally been unveiled at the TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) conference.

    With a top speed of 150 Miles Per Hour and range of 150 miles, this electric bike is going to set the bar for electric two-wheeled vehicles from this point forwards. With a single speed transmission and 100ft/lbs, this bike is not only seamless, but will provide smooth acceleration up to a top speed of 150 miles per hour.

    Designed by Yves Behar, this bike is very aesthetially pleasing to say the least. I think with the matte black paint scheme and silent electric operation, Ninjas are going to be putting these into service very soon. The first 50 bikes produced will be a special Limited Edition model coming around at a steep $68,995.

  • Turn Your Car Into Furniture

    Ever thought about placing a Motor in the middle of your living room? How about putting YOUR rear end in the rear end of a car?...in your kitchen. In order to get as much automotive paraphernalia as you can in your life, you need to bring some of these unorthodox contraptions into your home.

    National Speed - V8 Coffee Table

    First up is an awesome way to give new life to an old clapped out motor. Forget putting it into scrap, use it as a ‘friggen coffee table! If you intend on doing this yourself, do yourself a favor and use a V arranged motor, as opposed to an inline…that probably wouldn’t do very well, stability-wise.

    Price for something like this? Well, grab an old busted block, clean it up real nice and get a glass slab. There you go. Grab an old Jag V12 and go for broke.

    National Speed - Aston Martin Couch

    Alright, so you got the table…now what? Take a seat and kick back your feet on your Aston Martin Couch. This replica Aston Martin DB6 is offered in multiple color combinations and is brought to you by the Master Craftsmen over at Aston Martin Heritage Designs. Price for this ultimate living-room accompaniment? Only $7,300.

    National Speed - Gearhead Desk

    Last is something really Special. Eccentric, perhaps, but still very cool. Designer Dale Mathis crafted a glass tabletop showcase intertwined with interlocking kinetic gears that all work. While they don’t necessarily do anything but spin, I can’t think of many furniture that function (or rather, don’t function) like this one. This desk art piece conglomeration Thingamajigger can be yours for the low price of $21,000. You can take out your spleen a loan and be the talk of the town!

  • Audi Travolution: Never Stop For Red Lights Again!

    Audi is working on a new technology called “Travolution” which allows for drivers to tell when the stoplight will change. Think of all the times you are rolling up quickly on a stoplight trying to decide whether or not the light will turn red by the time you get there. Thanks to Audi’s Travolution system, you’ll be able tell exactly what speed you need to go in order to hit all the green lights in sequence.

    Audi has spent the past two years developing this technology, and test trials just ended on the streets of Audi’s home town, Ingolstadt, Germany. The Travolution system was tested at 46 traffic lights equipped with a communications module. The communications module sent the time for the next green-light phase to the car’s on-board computer, which then informed the driver of exactly what speed they should travel to drive through the intersection without stopping.

    I understand the concept of this technology, but I can’t imagine that it would do very well. For one, all the stoplights in America would have to be outfitted with a communications module. What would you do if you were rolling up on a stoplight and someone blew a redlight going across traffic? Another disadvantage to this system is only specific model Audi owners would reap the benefits, which I imagine isn’t very cost-effective. Perhaps Audi will make it worth their while, but for being such a large project, I see lots of red lights in sight.