So I happened by the Factor X shop the other day (which I often do) to see what's new, but mostly to see if I can drool over what ever project they are working on. The last time I was there I got to ride in the absolutely silly Touge NSX (it's the silver one, that I think was in a magazine write up recently).
This time around Mikey had the "new" FX400 set up and ready to go. It was a single turbo with an air-to-air intercooler. Very clean and nice setup. From a visual inspection standpoint, you could barely see any indication of FI. The engine cover still fit, the intercooler was tucked way in and the turbo was put in a very ingenious location (that I promised not to reveal) where you could never see it (though you could hear it). It looked really clean.
So lucky me, Mikey offers to let me give it a test drive. I told him I'd think about it and get back to him. YEAH RIGHT! I had one foot in the door before he finished his sentence. It was a black/ivory, just like mine, with the same size Bridgestone S0-3's just like mine. I felt at home and really comfortable, except for the unbelievably grabby clutch (let's see 14 stalls, I owe you $14?).
As for the drive, all I can say is "wow"! Factor X has a real winner on their hands. Just cruising around the car is very streetable. If you don't let the turbo spool up the car sounds and drives very near a regular NSX (with H/I/E). It felt similar to my NSX. But as soon as you hit the accelerator just a tad bit more, the car suddenly comes alive! The turbo spools up really (I mean REALLY) quickly. I could feel boost coming on at about 2600 RPMS and I was easily at full boost at 3500 RPMS. Once the boost kicks in, it screams all the way to 8000 RPMS and I couldn't detect much drop off at all.
As for the power... incredible. As with any turbo'd car, when the turbo kicks in it hits with the force of a rocket. I've driven a tuned CTSC NSX and this by far has a lot more pull. The CTSC was more gradual, but didn't provide the same level of kick. In fact, I never got to hammer the throttle because the rear wheels broke loose very easily under the surge of power. I was in 3rd going about 40 when I half-throttled it and the rear end started slipping away from me. And these were with 275 width Bridgestone Potenza S0-3s, some decent tires.
We measured 8.6 lbs of boost and Mikey said that it was good for about 420 whp which it certainly felt. On Friday Mike will be taking it out a the speedway at 12 lbs of boost to see what sort of 1/4 mile times it will put up. He's guessing 560 whp and high 11's. That's the thing that is so cool about it; Mikey said he's basing it at about 400-420 whp but if you ever get the bug, you can always boost it up to 550+ very easily. After having the tail wander on me at 420, I'm not sure I'd ever want to go higher, but having that option there would be nice.
Wow, what an experience. I was instantly sold and told Mikey to put my name first on the list when this thing comes to market, which he said will be "soon" (what ever that means, it surely isn't soon enough for me :smile: ). Also, I have no idea what the price will be. I'm guessing like with most FI options it will be north of $10K, but I'll keep pestering Mikey for a quote one of these days. It did have a really loud blow off valve (like a shaken up beer can opened 1 inch from your ear). Some people love it, it sounded great, but I would get very tired of it quickly. Mikey said he could quiet it if I wanted, which would be good because it would be an invitation to drag at every light. I think he'll be joining us on the Las Vegas meet April 8th so if you want to check it out for yourself, be sure to show up.
This time around Mikey had the "new" FX400 set up and ready to go. It was a single turbo with an air-to-air intercooler. Very clean and nice setup. From a visual inspection standpoint, you could barely see any indication of FI. The engine cover still fit, the intercooler was tucked way in and the turbo was put in a very ingenious location (that I promised not to reveal) where you could never see it (though you could hear it). It looked really clean.
So lucky me, Mikey offers to let me give it a test drive. I told him I'd think about it and get back to him. YEAH RIGHT! I had one foot in the door before he finished his sentence. It was a black/ivory, just like mine, with the same size Bridgestone S0-3's just like mine. I felt at home and really comfortable, except for the unbelievably grabby clutch (let's see 14 stalls, I owe you $14?).
As for the drive, all I can say is "wow"! Factor X has a real winner on their hands. Just cruising around the car is very streetable. If you don't let the turbo spool up the car sounds and drives very near a regular NSX (with H/I/E). It felt similar to my NSX. But as soon as you hit the accelerator just a tad bit more, the car suddenly comes alive! The turbo spools up really (I mean REALLY) quickly. I could feel boost coming on at about 2600 RPMS and I was easily at full boost at 3500 RPMS. Once the boost kicks in, it screams all the way to 8000 RPMS and I couldn't detect much drop off at all.
As for the power... incredible. As with any turbo'd car, when the turbo kicks in it hits with the force of a rocket. I've driven a tuned CTSC NSX and this by far has a lot more pull. The CTSC was more gradual, but didn't provide the same level of kick. In fact, I never got to hammer the throttle because the rear wheels broke loose very easily under the surge of power. I was in 3rd going about 40 when I half-throttled it and the rear end started slipping away from me. And these were with 275 width Bridgestone Potenza S0-3s, some decent tires.
We measured 8.6 lbs of boost and Mikey said that it was good for about 420 whp which it certainly felt. On Friday Mike will be taking it out a the speedway at 12 lbs of boost to see what sort of 1/4 mile times it will put up. He's guessing 560 whp and high 11's. That's the thing that is so cool about it; Mikey said he's basing it at about 400-420 whp but if you ever get the bug, you can always boost it up to 550+ very easily. After having the tail wander on me at 420, I'm not sure I'd ever want to go higher, but having that option there would be nice.
Wow, what an experience. I was instantly sold and told Mikey to put my name first on the list when this thing comes to market, which he said will be "soon" (what ever that means, it surely isn't soon enough for me :smile: ). Also, I have no idea what the price will be. I'm guessing like with most FI options it will be north of $10K, but I'll keep pestering Mikey for a quote one of these days. It did have a really loud blow off valve (like a shaken up beer can opened 1 inch from your ear). Some people love it, it sounded great, but I would get very tired of it quickly. Mikey said he could quiet it if I wanted, which would be good because it would be an invitation to drag at every light. I think he'll be joining us on the Las Vegas meet April 8th so if you want to check it out for yourself, be sure to show up.
