Technology is one thing, but raw power routed through all wheels is quite another, so it's no surprise that Saruwatari's other go-fast car is a Porsche Turbo. The Porsche, much like the Bimmer, is far from stock. The 996 comes with 415 hp from the factory, but since Saruwatari is used to clicking off 7-second passes on the dragstrip, he needed more power. That extra oomph came courtesy of a couple of FVD K27 turbos replacing the factory units. Adding even more ponies is an FVD exhaust manifold, exhaust system, a 5-bar fuel regulator and an FVD/Motronic DME to handle all the car's computing needs, all of which were installed with the help of FVD USA and Intense Motorsports.
Outside the 996, a Gemballa carbon-fiber GT2 nose and hood replace the stock pieces, and Techart add-ons take the place of the rear wing and intake ducts. Inside the cockpit are an Intense Motorsports carbon-fiber center console and gauge cluster pieces, and Tech Art pedals. The Porsche is lowered via FVD's adjustable suspension, which is comprised of Bilstein shocks and Eibach ERS springs. Eibach adjustable sway bars allow the suspension to be fine-tuned. Bringing the beast to a halt are 355mm Brembo front rotors being clamped by eight-piston calipers; in the rear are Brembo four-pot calipers and 355mm rotors.
Saruwatari loves the BMW, but he fell in love with the Porsche because "it's so easy to get it to go fast." According to FVD USA, with little more than a chip, the Turbo would pick up a claimed 67 horses, and as soon as a muffler is added into the equation, the car's power should be topping 500. The addition of the K27 turbos puts the 3.6L into the 530-horse range, with the car being fully capable of bettering the stock 4.2-second, 0-60-mph times of the Turbo. Considering how fast the Porsche is, you can better understand why the M3's motor hasn't also been built to the hilt - it's more of Saruwatari's cruiser, especially considering it's a convertible.
So what's going to be the next addition to Saruwatari's fleet? He's already got a pimp Hummer to cruise in when he's looking to be an SUV baller, and we're guessing there's a Ferrari or two in line for him at some point. Will he ever shun his Japanese car roots and race professionally in a German car? That tough decision is made easier for Saruwatari since most German manufacturers don't see the logic in sponsoring drag cars. Hopefully, time will change that, but for now, Saruwatari will have to be content trying to decide which cleanly tuned German car he should cruise in.
2002 {{{BMW M3}}} SMGAdamsaruwatari // Arroyo Grande, CAOccupation:Professional drag racer and owner of A&L Racing
Tech SpecsEngine:3.2L I-6, Gruppe-M carbon-fiber intake, Radenergiecarbon-fiber engine cover, AC Schnitzer V2A exhaust
Transmission:Six-speed SMG
Suspension:Eibach remote adjustable rear and adjustable front coilovers, Eibach front and rear sway bars, AC Schnitzer front strut brace
Wheels & Tires:A&L Racing 19x10 rear and 19x8.5 front signature wheels, Nitto NT-555 275/30-19 rear and 245/35-19 front tires
Brakes:Brembo front and rear four-piston calipers and 355mm cross-drilled front rotors, Euro M3 cross-drilled rear rotors
Bodywork/Lighting:Fiber Images custom-painted carbon-fiber hood, AC Schnitzer carbon-fiber lip spoiler, flippers and rear diffuser, SP Engineering carbon-fiber shadow grilles, Hamann headlamp covers, Radenergie carbon-fiber side gills, Intense Graphics vinyl
Interior:SP Engineering carbon-fiber dash components and steering wheel insert, AC Schnitzer aluminum pedals and billet aluminum parking brake handle, Sparco black/silver Milano seats
Mobiltronics:MB Quart replacement speakers
Props/Shout-Outs/Mad Love:Nitto Tires, Enkei Wheels, Eibach Springs, Brembo, SP Engineering, CEC, Wheel Power
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