This is no ordinary single seater golf cart, but one built by Fred Lux, of Lux Performance Group. The same people who prepares and runs a pair of Dodge Viper ACR-X factory built race cars.

Above: Dodge Viper ACR-X

Lux Performance is also the home of the Crippler.

Above: Erick Sackhoff on the Crippler.

Before we got our hands on this golf cart, Fred used it in the pits to half parts and fuel around. We plan to do the same around the shop and at local events.

When we got the golf cart, it had a broken rear axle and needed a little work.

Above: Jason Oefelein working on the golf cart.

We quickly fixed it and now it is ready for some fun.

This golf cart has dual rear disc brakes, mountain bike suspension, and multi-speeds. This cart will definitely be a lot of fun. Once the weather gets a little drier, we will probably be taking it for a spin around the shop.

This one was tuned Jason Oefelein with an AEM EMS. This setup also features forged internals.

Here is the dyno video:

This Twin-turbo Dodge Stealth has a mild build and an AEM EMS. It was tuned by John Reed. It makes 444whp and 463 ft-lbs of torque.

Here is the video:

Recently a client brought in his Dodge Viper because he was not satisfied with the stock exhaust.  He wanted a solution that was louder and allowed better airflow.  The side exhausts on a Viper are deceiving because there is a lot more metal under than it seems.  The stock exhaust crosses before exiting.

Alex fabricated an exhaust system that allow exhaust gases to flow easier. The crossover and restrictions were removed.

This N/A V10 sits in the engine bay of Cindi’ Lux’s Viper Competition Coupe.

She has raced this car for a few seasons but she has moved on to an ACR-X Viper.

This car is currently available for purchase. Serious inquires please contact Jason Oefelein, at 503.431.1395.

Above: A snapshot of the shop. 

We have been kept very busy with several different projects.  This blog will be a brief overview of the various projects going on here at PSI.  In the next week or two, we will be going over many of these projects as they progress. 

Let’s start with the two Nissan GT-R’s. 

Above: Nissan GT-R being worked on.

The silver GT-R in the front will be receiving a custom PSI fuel system, which will utilize Radium Engineering Fuel Surge Tank and Fuel Pressure Regulator and Injector Dynamics Fuel Injectors.  The stock fuel system is being disassembled. 

The white GT-R recently had Forge Motorsport’s wastegate actuators installed.  It is currently being prepared for the transmission to be reinstalled.  The transmission was sent out to Shep Trans to be upgraded. 

This Toyota Supra was recently tuned by Jason Oefelein.  It runs on an AEM EMS.  An upgraded fuel system is being installed to ensure the 2JZ always has enough fuel.  A pair of Bosch 044 fuel pumps will be replacing the current ones. 

We are keeping Alex Laventure busy also with another custom exhaust system.  Last week we had him fabricating an exhaust system for a sixties Mustang with a big block and this week it is a Dodge Charger with a modern hemi. 

The LS2 for AJC’s drift 240 has come back from the machine shop.  Russ Weimer is building the LS2 and will be installing it soon.  AJC’s next upcoming event will be an Open Drift event at Evergreen Speedway, in Monroe, WA.  This LS2 will be oiled by a dry sump oiling system similar to those found on the LS7 in the Z06. 

This was just a brief overview of what has been going on at PSI.  Check back here for more updates on these and upcoming projects.  Also check out http://dyno.tunedbypsi.com to see what vehicles have been on our Dynojet dyno recently.

It is the looks and power of the Viper that have made it a popular car for many of our clients. 

Above: From left to right, 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10, 1997 Dodge Viper GTS, 1997 Dodge Viper GTS, 2006 Twin-turbo Dodge Viper SRT-10, Acura NSX, and Nissan Skyline

The photo above just shows a few of the Vipers that we have at our shop.  We have worked on every generation of Viper.  Recently, a client brought in his track prepped Viper to have the clutch replaced for the upcoming season.  We did some work on this same Viper the previous year. 

Not all our clients race their Vipers, but many daily drive them.  For these cars, a new header and exhaust system are popular additions.  They provide an increase to power output, and a very noticable difference in the sound.  The sound and feel is what makes driving these cars special. 

Here is a video of one of the Vipers on the dyno.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 from Portland Speed Industries on Vimeo.

This Viper had a set of Bellanger headers and exhaust installed. The headers and exhaust made this Viper sound even better than it already did.  The Viper also received a custom PSI intake system with wet nitrous injection.  This Viper put down 678 whp and 779 ft-lbs of torque. 

For some clients, 1000whp is the goal for their Vipers.  At this point, forced induction is needed to push the V10 even further.  These high horsepower goals are reached through the assistance of a supercharger or twin turbos, and our clients have opted from both. 

This twin-turbo Viper produces over 1000whp on pump gas with water/methanol injection.

The Viper V10 has not only graced the engine bays of Vipers but also of the Dodge Ram SRT-10′s.  At one time, we had both a supercharged and twin-turbocharged Ram SRT-10′s and both were making over 1000whp. 

We also must really like the Viper because our video game system is a Dodge Viper. 

We took the back section of a Viper that we purchased for the engine and turned it into a gaming system.  It currently features a Playstation 3 with a Logitech steering wheel.  It is hooked up to a 3D television to give it a little more realistic feel.  Our current game of choice is Gran Turismo 5.  Whenever we are not working on cars, we like to race with them in our Viper. 

Some might be wondering what car is going to be powered by the engine from our game system.  That project is currently being worked on and more details will be released in the future.  Check back here for more about the Vipers and other cars we work on everyday.

How do you improve on a video game setup made from a Dodge Viper?  You upgrade the television.   Recently, we got the newly released Gran Turismo 5 for the Playstation 3.  The current television was a nice 52″ LCD set but it was lacking something.  The new GT5 has support for 3D so of course we needed to upgrade. 

A Sony 55″ LED LCD 3D television was purchased.

This is the new setup.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to take the picture in 3D.  But this new setup adds even more to the “driving” experience.

A client recent brought in his 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 for some performance upgrades.  We currently have his Lincoln Continental that we are doing an overhaul on.   The Ford 460 has been rebuilt and put back inside.  But more about the Continental project later. 

The client wanted a little more power from his Dodge Ram.  We started by allowing the 5.9L Cummins turbo diesel breathe better with an aFe Power Stage 2 cold air intake system and a MBRP Performance 5″ turbo back exhaust. 

aFe Power Stage 2 Cold Air Intake System

This intake system features a 16 gauge, powder-coated heat shield, heat-insulating molded plastic tubing, and a washable/resusable conical air filter.

To get the full advantage of these modifications, a Edge Products’ Juice control module and Attitude CTS monitor were installed. 

With the Juice, the timing and duration of injector firing is controlled.  The Attitude CTS monitors the trans temperature, trans lock, trans slip, intake temperature, throttle position,  fuel pressure, boost, EGTs, engine load, RPM, and speed.

John Reed has provided the tuning and wiring solutions for Underground Racing’s twin-turbo Lamborghini’s, Viper’s, and Ferrari.  He also tuned SW’s fully built Supra and consults on a other few other Supra’s.  His tuning solutions for these purpose built cars include either MoTeC or AEM engine management systems.

John Reed checking the tune on this MoTeC controlled Underground Racing twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.

Some of the cars he has been of part of that were running at the October 2010 Texas Mile include, a 1938whp twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, twin-turbo Ferrari F430, twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo, twin-turbo Dodge Viper SRT-10, and a few Toyota Supra’s.  A Underground Racing built and John Reed Racing tuned Lamborghini Murcielago also showed up but did not run.

John Reed will be bringing all of his tuning knowledge and experience to the Institute of Automotive Performance, which he is cofounding with Jason Oefelein.  John Reed is a master engine management specialist and will become a valuable asset to the students of IAP.