Motor Authority - blog Tag: Ohio

Oberlin, Ohio isn’t the likely site for a company specializing in high-output power upgrades for German exotics like the Porsche 911, but the state is home to Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI), a company churning out mega horsepower cars. Started by Tym Switzer several years ago, the tuning firm is now offering an 800hp (597kW) twin-turbo kit for the already extreme 997 Porsche 911 GT2.

With his latest project, Tym and the crew at SPI wanted to create a high horsepower with an efficient and linear power curve that puts power to the ground smoothly and didn't punish the driver with sudden spikes in torque and power. The car also... Oberlin, Ohio isn’t the likely site for a company specializing in high-output power upgrades for German exotics like the Porsche 911, but the state is home to Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI), a company churning out mega horsepower cars. Started by Tym Switzer several years ago, the tuning firm is now offering an 800hp (597kW) twin-turbo kit for the already extreme 997 Porsche 911 GT2. With his latest project, Tym and the crew at SPI wanted to create a high horsepower with an efficient and linear power curve that puts power to the ground smoothly and didn't punish the driver with sudden spikes in torque and power. The car also needed to run on regular 93 octane fuel. Initial dyno testing has shown that the car has met its 800hp (597kW) goal but the element engineers are most happy about is that the car remains manageable on the street. To achieve this level of performance, the guys at SPI add an in-house developed headers and sport exhaust system, a new intercooler package and custom GT30R turbochargers. Switzer also boasts that this is a truly bolt-on system because the factory ECU has been kept intact. No performance numbers have been released but expect sprint times to match or come close to Switzer’s previous Sledgehammer Porsche 911 upgrade.Switzer Performance Porsche 911 GT2Switzer Performance Porsche 911 GT2 Read More

Earlier this month we showed a 1,000hp bolt-on kit for the Porsche 911 Turbo from America’s Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI), but the man behind the Ohio-based tuning shop is determined to show that his company is no one-trick pony. SPI also has a milder performance upgrade for Tiptronic-equipped Porsche 911s, but with 0-60mph times of 2.5 seconds there is certainly nothing tame about this latest kit.

The new kit is the L4 700/750 Tiptronic package, which SPI’s Tym Switzer explains was developed to appeal to a much broader audience. “The L4 700/750 was designed to be flexible enough for everyday driving without... Earlier this month we showed a 1,000hp bolt-on kit for the Porsche 911 Turbo from America’s Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI), but the man behind the Ohio-based tuning shop is determined to show that his company is no one-trick pony. SPI also has a milder performance upgrade for Tiptronic-equipped Porsche 911s, but with 0-60mph times of 2.5 seconds there is certainly nothing tame about this latest kit. The new kit is the L4 700/750 Tiptronic package, which SPI’s Tym Switzer explains was developed to appeal to a much broader audience. “The L4 700/750 was designed to be flexible enough for everyday driving without compromises, and our customers are always telling me how easy the car is to drive,” he said. Starting with a standard 997 Porsche 911 Turbo, SPI adds its own custom DME software, a pair of uprated variable-turbine-geometry V3 turbochargers, new intercoolers, and a race-style full exhaust system. The end result is a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds, quarter-mile runs in the mid-to-high 10 second bracket, and a top speed in excess of 200mph. How much for all this goodness? SPI charges $18,450 for the basic kit with installation handled at the tuner’s workshop in Oberlin, Ohio.Switzer Sledgehammer 1000hp 997 Porsche 911Switzer L4 700/750 Porsche 911 Turbo Read More

Oberlin, Ohio, isn’t the likely site for a company specializing in high-output power upgrades for German exotics like the Porsche 911, but the state is home to Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI), a company churning out mega horsepower cars. Started by Tym Switzer several years ago, the tuning firm is now offering a 1,000hp (748kW) twin-turbo kit for Porsche 996 and 997 models.

With his latest project, Tym and the crew at SPI wanted to test the limits of what would be possible with stock 997 internals. "When the customer first came to me with his 997, we talked a lot about pushing the limits of the new engine and what might be... Oberlin, Ohio, isn’t the likely site for a company specializing in high-output power upgrades for German exotics like the Porsche 911, but the state is home to Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI), a company churning out mega horsepower cars. Started by Tym Switzer several years ago, the tuning firm is now offering a 1,000hp (748kW) twin-turbo kit for Porsche 996 and 997 models. With his latest project, Tym and the crew at SPI wanted to test the limits of what would be possible with stock 997 internals. "When the customer first came to me with his 997, we talked a lot about pushing the limits of the new engine and what might be possible using stock internals. I had already been inside the 997 turbo engines, and felt that 700hp (522kW) at the wheels seemed well within reach on pump fuel, and that we might be able to go a bit further." The end result was the 1,000hp (748kW) Sledgehammer. Designed to develop its peak while running on race fuel, the bolt-on package still manages to deliver 850hp (634kW) to the rear wheels. Switzer claims the car runs consistent 0-60mph times in the mid two second bracket and takes less than five seconds to go from 60-130mph. The quarter mile, meanwhile, is run in just 9.8 seconds, with trap speeds regularly in excess of 145 mph. To achieve this level of performance, the guys at SPI extensively return the 911’s ECU, as well as add an in-house developed headers and sport exhaust system, a new intercooler package and custom GT30R turbochargers.Switzer Sledgehammer 1000hp 997 Porsche 911 Read More

Ohio tuning firm RDP Performance has cooked up a special version of the new Dodge Challenger SRT8 for last month's Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Florida. Taking a stock SRT8, which comes with an already impressive 425hp when it rolls out of the factory, RDP Performance has extensively modified the car to produce a stunning 1,000hp - all channeled through the car's rear wheels.

RDP Performance's goal with the car was to create a Dodge Challenger capable of completing the quarter-mile sprint in nine seconds. To put that goal in perspective, the $1 million, 1,001 hp Bugatti Veyron takes around 10 seconds to complete the... Ohio tuning firm RDP Performance has cooked up a special version of the new Dodge Challenger SRT8 for last month's Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Florida. Taking a stock SRT8, which comes with an already impressive 425hp when it rolls out of the factory, RDP Performance has extensively modified the car to produce a stunning 1,000hp - all channeled through the car's rear wheels. RDP Performance's goal with the car was to create a Dodge Challenger capable of completing the quarter-mile sprint in nine seconds. To put that goal in perspective, the $1 million, 1,001 hp Bugatti Veyron takes around 10 seconds to complete the quarter-mile, so the engineers over at RDP Performance knew that they would have their work cut out for them. To give the Challenger all that power, a slew of modifications were made, with various parts manufactured by RDP themselves and other parts bought from performance parts companies. The massive horsepower increases come largely from two items - a one-of-a-kind Twin Bullet/RDP Harrop Supercharger system and a nitrous boosting system from Nitrous Express. The other modifications include a new fitted rear end with custom 1/2 shaft and a quaife centre, a 3,800rpm high stall converter to help launch the car with more torque, new step headers from Kooks and a custom exhaust system manufactured on site by RDP Performance at their Ohio headquarters. Amazingly, despite making the Challenger put out more than double its factory output, RDP Performance is still using the factory transmission, although they have implemented their own transmission control module to control it. Via: Challenger Blog Read More

Cutting back on SUV and pickup truck production while shifting focus to smaller and mid-size cars means some reallocation of the workload among General Motors' North American factories. While many factories are just changing what they do, some will have to be closed to align with the new face of the auto market, and the next on the list is the Janesville, Wisconsin SUV plant, which will shut its doors by the end of the year.

Earlier plans had the plant closing by 2010 anyway, but the tough market through September has forced GM to move up its timetable. The closure will put 1,200 UAW workers out of their jobs when the operation shuts down... Cutting back on SUV and pickup truck production while shifting focus to smaller and mid-size cars means some reallocation of the workload among General Motors' North American factories. While many factories are just changing what they do, some will have to be closed to align with the new face of the auto market, and the next on the list is the Janesville, Wisconsin SUV plant, which will shut its doors by the end of the year. Earlier plans had the plant closing by 2010 anyway, but the tough market through September has forced GM to move up its timetable. The closure will put 1,200 UAW workers out of their jobs when the operation shuts down December 23. The plant has been used to make GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban SUVs. Another plant in Moraine, Ohio, where the GMC Envoy, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Saab 9-7X are built, will face a similar fate. The plant there had also been slated for a 2010 shutdown, but was moved forward due to the worsening market conditions. Looking further into the future, GM also plans to cut its Grand Rapids, Michigan, stamping plant by the end of 2009. In operation for the past 73 years, the plant today mainly stamps parts for GM's SUV lineup. The plant closures are all part of GM's ongoing restructuring plan for its North American business, involving a $10 billion cost-cutting program and raising $5 billion in cash. With revenues dropping through the floor on the weakest market in recent memory, however, cutting costs is easier - and quicker - than boosting revenues, and GM has taken to the task with vigor. Read More