Crawford Performance Pushes the Limit at SEMA 2012 with Turbo Charged 2013 Subaru BR-Z
- Nov 29, 2012
This was the company's seventh year to show at the event, and they were proud to display a model that was a "test-bed" for their performance components. "It takes a lot of work in a short time frame," explained Quirt Crawford. With very little time to produce the ultimate project car, it was essential that the crew had their ducks in a row and had a direction to travel. "We wanted to build the fastest road racing BR-Z in the United States. We have done project vehicles for Subaru of America and Scion, and we have had vehicles in other company's booths as well," he stated. "Our specialty is building winning race cars that look beautiful."
Although esthetics were of utmost importance to the company, what they dropped under the hood was of equal significance, as their ultimate goal is fast and showy. That in mind, Crawford Performance fully built a Turbo FA motor for the backbone of the project car's optimal capabilities. During the build of the engine, it was crucial to install components that could withstand the rigors of screaming RPM's while performing their task flawlessly. That in mind, they attached pistons provided by JE to the crankshaft. When the pistons popped up in the compression stroke, the NGK spark plugs would provide more than ample fire power to ensure the combustion process would play a role in their quest for speed and reliability.
Accepting nothing but perfection, Crawford Performance built a turbo kit for the vehicle as well. Understanding clearly, the rigors a high-performance engine experiences during the heat of a battle, they opted to attach a front mount Crawford Performance intercooler. They also added a high-pressure radiator surge tank to the mix. The team considered an ECU (electronic control unit) by Vtune as an essential element of the vehicle reaching its peak performance.
Also aware of the importance of eliminating restriction, they focused on building the ultimate exhaust system. In turn Crawford Performance designed and mounted a full exhaust under the company demo. The final piece to the puzzle provided by Crawford Performance was equally as impressive and as essential as the many other in-house parts they provided. The air/oil separator was a result of their ingenuity and know how as well. For the demo car to achieve the team's goals without fail, it was crucial to choose fluids that could withstand an environment incredibly harsher than those produced by a stock engine. That in mind, they went with Motul for their fluid needs.
Of course, the filtering system was equally as important as any other aspect of the build, and K&N products would fit their needs to the jot and tittle. With K&N filters on board, worries of adequate air and oil flow were not an issue, and no worries had to be wasted on concerns that the internal components of the engine were running contaminant free. "We use K&N air and oil filters on all of our race vehicles for the durability and performance increases," explained Crawford. "The first championship we won was in 1979, and our vehicle was equipped with a K&N filter." Crawford Performance depended upon Exedy to provide a clutch that would meet their standards and needs. With the drive train under control, there were still a few more issues that, although not visible from the exterior, they were absolutely necessary. The suspension was provided by Tein. Crawford Performance is obsessed with sheer speed, but they are no different from the average Joe in the fact that they appreciate the ability to be able to stop when the time arrives. That in mind, they turned to Brembo for the front and back brake needs.
The purpose of their next choice was actually two fold, it was crucial to choose wheels and tires that would perform at high speeds and under extreme conditions, but also important to choose products that looked good as well. That said, they went with rims by Work Wheels, and Toyo tires. One would suspect that even though the build satisfied the crew at Crawford Performance, it was only human nature for them to anticipate how SEMA attendees would receive this stunning vehicle. On the other hand, this was not the company's first rodeo, and in turn their project was a hit.
"We were most impressed with the power output of the new FA motor found in this car," recalled Quirt Crawford. "The attendees were most impressed with the turbo system and the power it produces" When asked about Crawford Performance's future goals, Crawford concluded, "We have a few irons in the fire, and expect next year to be a fun one." Take a look at this 2012 Subaru STi from the 2011 SEMA Show. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
