Supercharger

Believe it or not, the world of hot rodding isn't too far removed from the Zoom scene. Sure, the models of vehicle involved are somewhat older than your typical Zoom feature but the lengths that hot rodders will go to in order to make an engine conversion work or to implement new technology into their classicly styled rides knows no bounds. It should be easy to see why the two cars that comprise the cover art of the latest Heavy Duty Hot Rods got us so excited.

Read all about it over the fold.

I took a trip out to Pulse Racing in Menai on Old Illawarra Road, NSW. I had a chat with Paul Fisher about some of the cars he had in the shop, including their World Time Attack Challenge Open Class winning EVO. Look for a video to be uploaded shortly of this beast.

In 1996 Australia voted in a coalition government of the Liberal and National parties that stayed in power for a decade and Zoom was educating an enthusiast readership used to small-block V8s and carburetor-based fuel systems. Turbochargers were considered ‘cheating’.

Apologies for the quality of the cover image. We don't actually have a copy of the mag so I pulled the image from a PDF and the details below from the backup of the working files (including actual negatives!).

 ZOOM JUNE/JULY 1996

(ISSUE 2)

 Car features

- Ultimate home-built Statesman

 - 4AGZE-powered home-built beach buggy

 - 1983 EFI XD Falcon

Specs: 351 Cleveland MoTeC injection with Edelbrock hi-rise manifold, MoTeC D2 ECU, ported 4V heads, Crane Hydraulic roller cam, TRW forged flat top pistons, Genie extractors, Tremec TR 3550 5-speed, ET Clutches modified McLeod street/strip clutch, Ford 9in diff’ with 3.56:1 ratio LSD

 - Supercharged 500hp Commodore

 - LJ Torana GTR

Specs: 179 Holden Red motor, twin SU carbies with Holley float bowls, Garrett T04 turbo

 Tech Features

- Modifying EFI basics, and by ‘basic’ we mean basic! Such tech wisdom included points like, modifications to the engine will require changes to the EFI. ‘EFI’ was discussed as if it was a single thing rather than a complex system with various parts each of which can be upgraded for different reasons.

 - DIY boost controller on a VL Turbo using a brass needle valve, it made 132rwkW!

 - ‘Chipping’ the Ford XR6 (XG ute) and Mondeo. The ‘chips’ didn’t work that well!

 Events & Lifestyle

- Buying used –Nissan GTS

- Targa Tasmania in the Zoom BMW M3R. Somehow the early editors of Zoom managed to wrangle a sponsorship deal with a Targa Tasmania team in a E36 239kW M3R

Two hard-core street weapons of the highest quality for the new regular post for Tuesday's, Euro Thrash. Any suggestions for future Euro Thrash Tuesdays contact us or leave a comment below.

The first is a brand new 2010 E92 M3 that has had thoroughly indecent work carried out not only to its undercarriage and body, but to the engine and driveline too. Check out the build thread.

Parts include:

- KW ClubSport adjustable suspension and Brembo 380mm brake kit

- Akrapovic titanium exhaust system

- Rogue Engineering adjustable toe arms

- ESS Tuning supercharger kit

- M3 GTS roll bar

- M3 GTS performance seats

- Ericsson Carbon Fiber door panels

- Custom Carbon Fiber interior trim

- BBS FI wheels

 Here is a video of a similar E92 with an IND ESS supercharger kit installed chucking a skid.

The second is a 1000+hp Lamborghini Gallardo from Speedhunters.  I like this shot of the rear of the Lambo with the parachute. In Australian drag racing circles a parachute means that a car has been teched to go faster than 145mph down the strip.

Parts for this beast include:

- Custom twin billet 67mm Precision Turbochargers

- Mobil 1 15W50 Motor Oil 

- TiAL billet wastegates and billet blow off valves

- Custom fabricated stainless steel exhaust using aircraft quality metal

- Ultra lightweight stainless steel mufflers

- Custom fabricated stainless steel air induction using aircraft quality metal

- Custom Air/Water intercooler system with high flow water pump

- Custom ice water reservoir

- High flow intercooler water heat exchanger

- Crankcase ventilation system

- K&N air filters

- Show quality polishing on turbo compressor, intercooler and charge piping.

- Custom heat shielding and high quality heat wrap

- Exhaust Finish Options:high temp heat coating or polished mirror finish

- High quality silicone hose

- High pressure T-bolt clamps for intake pressure tubes

- High quality V-band clamps for exhaust connections

Here is a video by UNderground Racing of the Gallardo at the Texas Mile: