03-04-2013, 07:09 PM
Perhaps not the best metaphor when you see the origin of the phrase. Regardless, there is one more D1R Stage 3 SC tearing up the planet’s asphalt.
The inventor, manufacturer, and distributor himself installed this one. Well, Mike and I helped. Flash let us do things like take the belly pan off, remove the radiator out, clean tools, and buy him lunch <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> I heard something about staying within our capabilities…. We also brought supplies – rags, coolant, etc - I was a bit surprised when flash said we wouldn’t need my big bag of assorted zip ties and duct tape... huh
Anyway, flash did a brilliant job and we encountered just a few bits that did not fit as planned. Mostly is appeared as though the brackets, hoses, bolts – the entire package – was designed and built by the OEM.
After a good day of work, in went the oil, in went the coolant, and we fired her up. Blub blub blub <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> Temps looked good so off we went to seat the bearings.
First impression – I am going to need a bigger budget. Tires, brakes, and gas costs all just went up. Hopefully that won’t be followed by higher insurance, bail, legal fees, and alimony payments…
How does it sound? The same. Other than a slight whistle at very low or very high RPM, it sounds exactly the same as NA. I am using the stock exhaust.
What about the heat? I don’t have loads of sensors or gauges, nor have I pushed it hard in the heat of summer - the stock gauge behaved pretty much as before.
How does it feel? Great. Three impressions so far.
1. Low RPM - I was very surprised at how you can basically lug the thing around now. I went from 0 to 15 mph in 1[sup]st[/sup] , shifted to 6[sup]th[/sup], and proceeded to lug on down the street at about 1200 RPM. I’m not recommending this, but it was not possible previously. What this means is that there is a much wider speed range in the higher gears – which means I won’t need to shift much when sweetie and I are tooling around on Sunday afternoon. I hate to say it but it kindof feels like a Camry when you want it to.
2. Mid-RPM – there is absolutely no hesitation or stumbling from 1K to 4K – and it’s fast – the revs seem to climb a lot faster than NA. During the bearing seating drive I had to keep an eye on the tach so as not to over rev. Very, very smooth mid-range.
3. High-RPM – OK this is the money shot . From 4K to 6K the car is transformed. I love low-displacement, free-revving, breathy cars. S2000, RX-8, MX-5, 968. Now, this thing is a low displacement, high-revving, piece of hell itself on wheels. Man is it fast. 70 to 100 in a blink.
Overall my impression was that the power plant operated like a big 6 or a small 8 – plenty of torque and hp with little drama. The best part is that it’s still cradled in a responsive well balanced chassis. So, I feel like I am getting the benefits of a bigger displacement engine with none of the heavy, slow-witted penalty.
As Clarkson once remarked – “…really, it’s the best of both worlds…”
