Fire-Breathing Firebird Raptor Tuned for Hot Performance, Maximum Curb Appeal

The Pontiac Firebird Raptor is an example of the ultimate in aftermarket tuning for maximum performance in an aggressive yet elegant package. The Firebird Raptor was constructed by Rytek Projektz, a Ventura, Calif.-based automotive marketing and engineering firm.

At the heart of Firebird Raptor is a high-performance engine known as the Morgan Motorsports 385—it’s a stroked version of GM’s 350-cubic inch LS-1 V8. As tweaked with performance parts by Morgan, the engine produces a pulse-pounding 540 horsepower, with a two-stage Nitrous Express system that creates up to an additional 300 hp at the push of a dashboard button. The MMS 385 LS-1 has ported and polished heads and a lightweight valve train to streamline combustion and power.

The power of the 800-plus potential horses is corralled in an elegant package with smoothed body panels and custom-fabricated “Projektor” headlights. Hotchkis Performance suspension components and Bilstein shocks offer the utmost in performance handling, while stopping power is provided by Wilwood 13-inch six-piston billet caliper brakes up front and 12.19-inch four-piston billet caliper brakes at the rear. All brakes are cross-drilled solid-rotor. Firebird Raptor rides on 19-inch HRE 547 forged three-piece modular performance wheels shod with Toyo Proxes T1-S 265/30-19 tires up front and 275/30-19 at the rear.

Rich tan leather graces the custom racing seats and every panel, mold and trim on the interior, including the trunk compartment, which houses a unitized billet aluminum 2300-watt high density amplifier racking system.

“Firebird Raptor represents a sampling of the best the aftermarket has to offer,” said Curt Collins, Pontiac Firebird assistant brand manager—marketing. “With more than 800 horsepower on demand and a well-appointed interior, it offers all the benefits of a high-end premium sports car at a potential cost far below the premium sports cars of the world that offer similar packages of performance and elegance.”

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• Morgan Motorsports 385 LS-1 V8 w/ MMS Stage IIx heads and MMS229 camshaft
• 540 hp @ 6300 rpm; 530 lb-ft of torque @ 4800 rpm (revs limited @ 7000 rpm)
• Nitrous Express 300-hp Direct-Port two-stage nitrous oxide system
• 800 hp @ 6000 rpm; 850 lb-ft of torque @ 4500 rpm (est.)
• 6.125" 4340 forged I beam connecting rods
• Billet 4" stroke crankshaft
• Full competition ported and polished heads
• Racing Engine Valves 2.02 / 1.57 valves
• MMS ProAlloy valve springs
• Competition Cams titanium retainers
• Competition Cams push-rods
• Ross 2618 forged flattop pistons
• Centerforce dual-friction clutch and flywheel
• Flowmaster American Thunder Dual Exit two-chamber exhaust
• Rytek EXZT 2B billet exhaust tips
• K&N air filter
• Hotchkis Performance upper strut bar, hollow anti-sway bars, box construction trailing arms, fully adjustable pan-hard rod and one-inch performance drop springs
• Bilstein high performance shocks
• HRE 547 forged three-piece modular wheels, 19 x 9.5 front, 19 x 10 rear
• Toyo Proxes T1-S performance tires, 265/30-19 front, 275/30-19 rear
• Front brakes: Wilwood 13-inch six-piston billet calipers, cross-drilled slotted rotors
• Rear brakes: Wilwood 12.19-inch four-piston billet calipers w/integrated parking brake, cross-drilled slotted rotors
• Tangerine Kandy exterior paint from Nippon Paint Research USA, Inc.
• Rytek Dual Projektor headlights
• Sparco Roadster 951 racing seats
• Stitchcraft full tan Connolly Leather seat and interior upholstery
• Eclipse 8-volt CD/Receiver
• Focal Utopia (10) 5KX subwoofers
• Dimension/Orca Design & Manufacturing 2300-watt amplifier system with Monster Cable power cables, interconnects and speaker cables

This article and was obtained from www.media.gm.com.