My Corrado Build: Kinetic Stage 2 Turbo

I never thought about getting a turbo for my Corrado but got this anyway! The VR6 in my Corrado was not designed for a turbo, but with the low boost (7 psi) I’ll be running I think and hope it should still be reliable. Here comes 280 front wheel horse power!

The last time I dyno’d my Corrado was in Sept 2004 at H2O in Ocean City, MD. I had just a Garrett Chip, ABD Intake, and Techtonics Tuning 2.5″ Exhaust and put down 166.0 hp and 171.6 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. There is a theoretical 17% drivetrain loss so at the crank I was running 194.2 hp and 200.8 lb-ft of torque. I will scan and post the dyno chart in an upcoming post. I’ve since added a Schrick Manifold, but that only really increases the low rpm torque. Now with the turbo I can sell the manifold and recoup some of the cost of the turbo kit.

I can’t wait to install this and see the new numbers. It’s going to take some cutting to fit the Front Mount Intercooler, but I’m ready for the challenge. Without an intercooler I’d be losing at least 30 hp. There are other items needed to ensure a good reliable install (Wide Band O2 Sensor, 3″ exhaust, all new gaskets) so if you’re thinking of getting a turbo for your car remember there’s more to buy than just the turbo kit!

Kit Features:
– Rotomaster 60Trim T3/T4 Turbocharger
– Kinetic Motorsport VR6 Manifold
– Precision 39mm Wastegate
– 3″ Stainless Steel Downpipe
– 3″ Stainless Steel Intake
– Stainless Steel Braided Oil Feed/Drain Lines and OEM Oil Pan with fittings
– AFE Re-useable Air Filter
– Kinetic Motorsport 4″ Black Anodized Aluminum MAF Housing
– Kinetic Motorsport Silicone Hoses and Stainless Steel Clamps
– 30# Injectors (Distributor)
– C2 Motorsports 30# Chip Software
– Kinetic Motorsport Aluminum Intercooler Core
– Stainless Steel Intercooler Tubing
– 4-Ply Silicone Hoses
– Stainless Steel T-Bolt Clamps

VW Corrado Successors: 2010 Audi Quattro Concept

If you haven’t noticed already, my favorite car is the VW Corrado. It ended its production in 1995 so it’s been over 15 years since the last Corrado rolled off the assembly line. There was never a new Corrado made by VW and no real spiritual successor. Corrado owners are always wondering if there will be another Corrado. Some argue there will never be, while others remain hopeful. I for one don’t think there will ever be another Corrado. And I’m happy about that. However, there will always be cars that have a similar hatchback coupe profile that remind people of the Corrado.

This list includes the Mercedes C-Coupe, BMW 318ti and the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe that I wrote about in an earlier post. Also on this list are the hatchback coupes with a movable spoiler like the Corrado. For example the Chrysler Crossfire and the VW gruppe’s own Audi TT. But the latest on this list is the Audi Quattro Concept introduced in late 2010. Although it is really inspired by the original Audi ur quattro, many see the concept’s design as a modern Corrado. I agree. However, if it’s produced, Audi says that it’s cost would be 6 figures. I hope that they make a VW version with a more affordable price tag! Check out autoblog’s impressions of the Audi Quattro Concept by clicking on its picture below:

Look at the similarities! (Thanks to Rento_VW for the side profile pic)

WTD: Spare Tire Bike

What a brilliant idea by Volkswagen. An electric bike that folds up to fit into your spare tire compartment. It’s a great supplement to a spare tire.

This weekend I’m buying 4 17″ Oettinger RE1 wheels with tires for my Corrado from a guy upstate NY. They are a classic style rim at a perfect 17X8 et 35 size to fit my Corrado’s wheel wells pretty perfectly. I plan just have them for a couple years b/c 17’s look great on Corrado’s and I’ll be keeping my current 16″ DZ Exklusiv DZ1’s. So for a little while I’ll have the stock 15″ Speedlines, the 16″ DZ1’s and the 17″ RE1’s. Every size that works well on a Corrado! Here’s how they would look on a Corrado:

Last night I was wondering if they would all fit into my 1998 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. The seats fold down but it’s not a hatch so I’m worried about having enough room. Not to mention the fact that my car is lowered but that’s another matter. Anyway, there’s a full sized spare in the C43 so I was thinking of taking it out so that I would have an extra spot for one of the wheels I’m buying. But then I’d be without a spare tire. If I had this bike by VW I wouldn’t have to worry as much. I mean, if I get a flat it’d be better to change it with the spare wheel so I can change it and go rather than bike somewhere to get help. But at least with the bike I’d have a little piece of mind taking out the spare. Luckily, there will be other cars going with me so I think I can risk taking out the spare. Knock on wood!

Right now it’s just a concept but I think it’d be Worth The Dough for Volkswagen to make the Spare Tire Bike and for me to buy one! Check it out.

Volkswagen Corrado Production Numbers and Database

The Volkswagen Corrado has gained a cult following mainly because it is a great car that was limited in production in North America and the world. According to the Corrado Club Of America website (which is now defunct), in North America approximately 18,648 Corrado’s were sold between 1989 and 1995. Meanwhile, the US only sold the Corrado between 1990 and 1994 so there are even less in the States. The website also shows that my 1993 Corrado was 1 of only 2,111 sold in North America that year. Finally, worldwide production is said to have been a total of 97,521 from 1988 to 1995. In comparison, one of its chief competitors, the Acura Integra, sold approximately 262,285 units from 1990 to 1993. That’s more than double the number of Corrado’s produced in half the number of years!

The Corrado Database website was created a couple years ago and proves the Corrado’s cult like following. Separated by country, it is a great way to get an idea of how many Corrado enthusiasts are out there and where they are from. It is also a great way to see their Corrado’s and how well they have kept them. Most of them modify them but at the same time treat them like collector cars. Finally, it is one of the many great ways Corrado owners can connect. So far it shows 3,577 active members, including 442 US members. Not a huge number, but pretty cool nonetheless. I finally joined over the weekend as screenname RadoRage. Check it out.

My Driveway in 2012

In 2012, these cars will be in my driveway 😛

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe and 1993 Volkswagen Corrado VR6

Design Analysis: Intro

I put design near the top of my list of features to look for in a product. In my opinion, a design should be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. Of course good design is in the eye of the beholder and I have specific tastes, especially in the design of cars. My Corrado hits alot of what I like in car design (i.e. Fender flares, a low hunkered down look, sharp lines, etc). And yes I tend to like the cars that have similar features to my Corrado and not everyone will agree. But in future blog posts I will attempt to write some design analysis’ on the cars and products that I like.

My design analysis’ will be inpired by Automobile Mag’s “By Design” features. Click on the picture below for a sample analysis of the 2009 BMW Z4 by Automobile Magazine. I haven’t been able to find a dedicated page showing all of their By Design features on the website, but if you search “By Design” within their website you should find others on cars like the Mercedes GLK and the Nissan 370Z.

Intro to Me and My Corrado

I have been a car enthusiast for as long as I remember. So it was only natural that I would end up getting a car that I would make my hobby to own and modify. Well I chose a 1993 Volkswagen Corrado SLC as my hobby car. I’ve wanted one since this particular version came out in 1992 (I was 12 yrs old!). There are plenty of reasons why I desired the Corrado and these will be chronicled in upcoming posts so stay tuned!

As for my particular Corrado, I have owned it since January of 2000. I bought it from an older gentleman from Tennessee while I was attending college at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. At the time it had approximately 46k miles on it and I became its 3rd owner. Currently it has over 112k which is still pretty low considering it’s a 16 year old car. So I’ve enjoyed many many miles and smiles with it 🙂

Well enough talk, here are some pictures I took recently at a small park in Levittown, NY. This is one of the better and more creative photoshoots I’ve done so far considering my new foray into the photography world. Plus it’s rare that I have pictures with me in them too! Each picture was taken with my Nikon D40 DSLR and enhanced with Apple’s Aperture software. Enjoy!

Engine Start

So here it is. I am finally starting my blog. Blogging has been on my mind for awhile now, and I think I’ve told many people that I’ve been planning to start one but it just hasn’t materialized…until now. Here are some of the things that interest me and that I will be blogging about:

• Car Stuff (My Corrado and more)
• Apple/Mac and General Technology and Gadgets
• Photography (Nikon and My Growth and Experiences)
• Business Ideas and Entrepreneurship
• Sports (Formula 1, Football, Baseball, Hockey, Basketball)

The list will probably grow as time goes on since I’m the type of person who’s always looking for new hobbies and interests to learn about. And now that I’m blogging I hope I can share with my friends and followers my passions!

So which of those subjects would you look forward to reading about the most?