Dyno QueensWe intentionally picked cars with a wide gap in peak power to face-off on Tuning Technologies all-wheel dyno. The dyno was just a way to gauge how much power had to do with being fast. GT Pro's 3000GT eeked out the non-nitrous horsepower prize with a 581-wheel hp pull on a 200-mile fresh motor at 18 pounds over atmospheric pressure. This was with only a rough dyno tune on their AEM EMS just minutes before the pull.
On Nitrous, Specialty Z's Z32 cleared the 600 mark with 613-wheel hp at 7200 rpm and 492 lb-ft of torque at 6300 rpm. We eagerly anticipated more 600-plus figures from Duane Stevens' MKIII Supra, but we only saw 23 psi of boost on the dyno, compared to the 30 pounds the car was pushing at the track. At only 23 psi, it still laid down 554-wheel hp.
Old Dog or NewIt's clear technology and youth are the keys to speed. There are just no better ways to go faster for less money. But fast is relative, and being fast in an omnipotent EVO means little compared to the speed and rush from manhandling these old-school super cars around the track. And no four-door rally monster will ever give you the car guys the heeby jeebies the way an NSX will while flying down the front straight at a full naturally-aspirated wail. The EVO and STi ain't got nothing on the old school.
The NewbiesRepresenting the econo-box rally cars are Dark Industries/Fenix Racing's STi and our Project EVO MR. Both cars are mildly modified with the usual bolt-ons and represent what these cars can do without going nuts. Our EVO has the power and tires, but the stock MR suspension is just too soft for this track and these tires. The STi comes fully loaded, but it only makes marginally more power and is loaded down with more electronics than an IMAX theater. Still, it proved to be the most capable car of the bunch.
SCC Project Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MREngineEngine Code: 4G63Type: Inline four, iron block, aluminum head, turbocharged and intercooledExternal Mods: AEM short-ram intake, RRE/GReddy Type-s BOV, Espelir JGTC stainless-steel 80mm exhaust, Espelir JGTC stainless-steel 70mm downpipe, RRE high-flow catEngine Management Mods: A'PEXi S-AFC II, Denso 660 cc/min injectors, Dejon Powerhouse MBC, RRE/Walbro 255lph fuel pump
DrivetrainLayout: Transverse engine, all wheel drive
SuspensionRear: RRE/Progress 25mm anti-roll bar
BrakesFront: Stock rotors and calipersRear: Stock rotors and calipers
ExternalTires: Pirelli Pzero Corsa 235/45R-17
Dark Industries/ Fenix Racing 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
EngineEngine Code: EJ25Type: Flat four, aluminum block, aluminum heads, turbocharged and intercooledExternal Mods: TEC 20GH turbo, M1 custom front-mount intercooler and piping, M1 top-mount oil cooler, M1 intake, Injen 3-in. stainless-steel exhaust, PDE up-pipe and downpipe, HKS headers,Fluidyne radiatorEngine Management Mods: Ecutek, 740cc/min Nismo injectors, Walbro 255lph uel pump
DrivetrainLayout: Longitudinal engine, all-wheel driveDrivetrain Mods: M1 billet rear-differential cover, Crawford Street Max clutch
SuspensionFront: DMS 40mm coil-overs, Hotchkis 25.4mm anti-roll bar, Hotchkis adujustable control arms, M1 12-point chassis braceRear: DMS 40mm coil-overs, Hotchkis 25.4mm anti-roll bar, Hotchkis adujustable control arms
BrakesFront: Brembo 4-piston Grand Turismo, 13-in., Brembo PadsRear: Brembo cross-drilled rotors and stock calipers, Brembo pads
ExternalWheels: 18x8.5-in. Volk CE28NTires: Dunlop Super Sport 245/35R-18Body: JDM fog lights
InteriorDefi guages, M1 harness bar