In order to get the right...
In order to get the right kind of traction and durability for this turbo RZR, a set of GBC After Burn tires were mounted up. And as an added bonus for a long day out on the trails, a UTV Concepts audio system was wired up to deliver the tunes.
Now that rider comfort and handling of the machine were addressed, the attention moved into the engine department. If racers in GNCC think they've got a ride with potential, they may want to turn their attention toward this build. The guys at Wasteland Performance put together an engine package for this GBC RZR creation. This engine boasts over 100 horsepower (detuned) out of the chute! Honestly, that's a bit hard to swallow. The engine in this project has a turbocharger and it can produce over 130 hp when tweaked to the max. At the time of testing, it was tamed to a claimed 80 hp. This engine setup comes complete with all the hardware needed to install including a Weber 750 mpe turbocharged engine, intake, exhaust, engine management system and all necessary frame brackets. There is even a complete oil sump, cooling system and an 850-watt alternator. That's a wicked fast package if you ask me!
For our testing we towed this wicked turbo to DeRisi Racing's practice compound. Combine red clay with a few days of drizzle and we had very little traction, especially with this kind of horsepower. Have you ever driven on wet red clay soils? Once I got strapped in, the first thing I noticed was how comfortable the seats were and how secure the updated restraints felt. It packs you down in the seat and makes you feel securely in place. Starting this Weber engine brought surprise and anticipation to the ride. Hearing that turbo whistle behind me, I wanted to spool that baby up and rip.
Standing on the gas in the GBC RZR would instantly give you nothing but a ton of spin because of the overwhelming horsepower and saturated ground beneath us. But easing on the throttle to gain traction and then hammering down, it portrayed much more of a neck-whipping experience. Wow, this motor is a beast that you just have to experience for yourself. And as sloppy as this terrain was, the GBC After Burn tires did a great job holding to the muck and propelling us forward. Once up to speed, it was easy to notice just how much the DeRisi Racing suspension was working for you. Deep potholes and harsh-edged whoops hardly fazed this ride as it glided over top. The wider stance of the RZR S was also to our benefit as it easily backed into corners without the worry of a dreadful rollover. One of our favorite duties of the day was launching the RZR and experiencing all that extra wheel travel that the RZR S possessed, which seemed to soak up the landings pretty well.
Summary
Unfortunately, our testing had been limited to rainy weather. Regardless, we realized the mounds of potential this machine possessed. The engine is overrun by incredible power and could likely pull every machine on the starting line. On the downside, it could be a handful when it gets in the tight and technical terrains. The guys at High Energy Racing have put a lot of time and effort into this machine, and even with only one day of testing, we were more than impressed with the results. But stay tuned, High Energy is going to keep tweaking to get every bit of performance available cranking out of this RZR, and we'll be there to document it all.