Tag Archives: Farah

10 Craziest Cars Ever Driven By Matt Farah

Matt Farah is not any stranger to a wild and thrilling car. Farah is a seasoned automotive journalist, recognized for his work with TheDrive, the place he crafts compelling content material for his or her channel in addition to his own YouTube channel TheSmokingTire. However, Farah’s affect extends far past movies; he has turn into a distinguished determine within the automotive podcasting world, and his written articles on Road & Track captivate fans worldwide. Beyond his journalistic endeavors, Farah is a visionary, as evidenced by his modern automotive storage facility in Playa Vista, a 14,000-square-foot automotive haven that mixes parts of a museum, workshop, and fortress.

In 2015, Farah confronted the myriad challenges that plagued sports activities automotive possession in Los Angeles, from steep driveway angles to the dearth of trusted service facilities. His answer was as formidable because it was sensible: the development of a cutting-edge facility that addresses each conceivable want of automotive aficionados. But Farah’s affect would not cease at infrastructure; his driving experiences are equally legendary.

From the unconventional Center Seat Twin-Turbo Porsche Boxster to a daft motorcycle-swapped Honda N600, Farah’s encounters with distinctive and boundary-pushing autos have solidified his standing as a driving aficionado. Each automotive he will get behind the wheel of tells a narrative of innovation, craftsmanship, and, generally, sheer madness. Join us as we embark on a journey by means of Farah’s exhilarating encounters with the ten craziest vehicles, the place each step on the throttle and switch of the wheel is a testomony to his timeless ardour for the automotive world.

Related

Matt Farah’s Garage Is Downright Ridiculous

There’s now a house for unique autos of every type within the L.A. space

In order to provide the latest and correct info doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from varied producers, TheSmokingTire, TheDrive, together with their respective YouTube channels. Each car made it onto this record due to its absurd modifications or sheer energy and pace.

10 Supercharged Lexus V8 Swapped 1975 Toyota Corolla

Reason For Ranking: Big Engine, Little Car

The Cobra-Blown, Lexus V8 Swapped _No Style_ '75 Corolla in black parked on the side of the road
TheSmokingTire

Starting off, considered one of Matt Farah’s most exhilarating drives is undoubtedly the supercharged V-8 swapped 1975 Toyota Corolla. Built by Mark Still, a Hollywood manufacturing fabricator with a penchant for previous Corollas, this canyon cruising machine is a testomony to ingenuity and ability. Still’s imaginative and prescient reworked the standard ’75 Coupe right into a roaring beast, with the center of a Lexus SC400 V8 and the added punch of an Eaton M112 Supercharger sourced from a Mustang Cobra. The integration of a T56 6-speed gearbox and a plethora of {custom} parts additional reveals the craftsmanship poured into this challenge.

Performance Specifications

Engine

4.0-liter supercharged V-8

Transmission

6-speed guide

Horsepower

~350 hp

Torque

~300 lb-ft

Driveline

Rear-wheel drive

(Data was collected from TheSmokingTire)

It’s a fusion of automotive historical past and cutting-edge efficiency, incomes admiration from fans and consultants alike. Farah’s encounter with this modified Corolla permits others to see that constructing a homebrew race automotive with what you might have round may end up in one thing superb. Mark Still was capable of get first at school at his native Hotchkiss autocross problem, proving that this automotive was constructed for function. Every side of the automotive, from its engine roar to its custom-built parts, tells a narrative of the relentless pursuit of automotive ingenuity.

Pros

  • Supercharged V-8 torque
  • 180-degree headers to imitate a flat-plane V8 sound
  • Lightweight chassis

Cons

  • Lazy energy steering
  • Raw inside with naked necessities
  • Heat soak from giant engine and headers

9 Twin Turbo Ferrari 348 Challenge

Reason For Ranking: Turning A Challenge Up To 11

The 610 WHP Twin-Turbo, Flamespitting Ferrari 348 Challenge in yellow parked in a garage
TheSmokingTire

Another of Matt Farah’s most daring drives exemplifies the fusion of custom and madness, combining twin turbo tuning with a Ferrari 348 Challenge. While purists would possibly balk on the concept of modifying a uncommon factory-built Ferrari 348 Challenge race automotive, Stacey Slead and Steve Maxwell noticed it as a chance to push the boundaries of efficiency. With solely 32 of those gems in existence, the choice so as to add twin-turbos wasn’t made evenly, but Slead and Maxwell’s unimaginable imaginative and prescient reworked this Italian icon into the final word Ferrari tuner automotive.

Performance Specifications

Engine

3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8

Transmission

6-speed guide

Horsepower

610 hp

Torque

500 lb-ft

Driveline

Rear-wheel drive

Weight

3,100 lbs

(Data was collected from TheSmokingTire)

Farah’s expertise behind the wheel of the twin-turbocharged 348 Challenge is a revelation. Matt actually leans into the harmonious mix of uncooked energy from the twin-turbos and refined dealing with from the 355 problem suspension. The addition of dual turbos elevates the automotive’s efficiency to staggering ranges, unleashing a torrent of horsepower that rivals the Ferraris of the modern era. It’s a real showcase of Slead and Maxwell’s ingenuity, proving that with the fitting experience and imaginative and prescient, even the rarest of Maranello’s creations might be taken to exhilarating new heights.

Pros

  • Twin-turbo Ferrari V-8
  • Gated 6-speed guide shifter
  • 600 horsepower

Cons

  • Purity subsides due to modifications
  • Increasingly uncommon part-sourcing
  • Some will scoff that it’s nonetheless a 348

8 VFR800 Swapped 1972 Honda N600

Reason For Ranking: Motorcycle Power For A Pocket-Sized Car

VFR800-Powered, RWD 1972 Honda N600 on a dirt pull out in a canyon road
TheSmokingTire

One of Matt Farah’s most unforgettable drives encapsulates the essence of automotive freedom. We are speaking a few easy however uncommon 1972 Honda N600. However, this specific instance defies conference with its unorthodox engine swap, that includes an engine from a Honda VFR800 Interceptor bike, operating by means of the bike’s sequential gearbox, and on full Mazda Miata suspension. With a staggering 12,000 RPM redline, this tiny automotive packs a punch that defies its small stature, all with a soundtrack paying homage to high-revving V8 Formula One vehicles.

Performance Specifications

Engine

0.8-liter V-4

Transmission

Sequential six-speed guide

Horsepower

108 HP

Torque

55.3 lb-ft

Driveline

Rear-wheel drive

Weight

1,400 lbs

(Data was collected from TheSmokingTire)

Farah’s drive with the modified N600 is nothing wanting a go-kart-like expertise. Its mix of energy, agility, and uniqueness left a staggering impression on Farah, prompting him to supply to buy it on the spot—an endorsement that speaks volumes concerning the automotive’s unimaginable expertise. With its mixture of heritage and fashionable engineering, this N600 embodies the spirit of automotive fans who dare to push boundaries and rework strange autos into extraordinary machines.

Pros

  • 12,000 RPM redline
  • A 90-degree V4 sounds similar to an previous Formula One automotive
  • Extremely light-weight

Cons

  • No reverse
  • Very small cabin
  • Hard clutch

7 4G63 Swapped Pontiac Fiero

Reason For Ranking: Time Attack Death Trap

Big Turbo 4G63 Swapped _Death Fiero_ - (Gridlife, Track) black with black wheels parked in the pits at a track
TheSmokingTire

One of Matt Farah’s most adrenaline-pumping experiences behind the wheel comes from the cockpit of a 4G63 swapped Pontiac Fiero. Engineered by Mike Nasiatka, this homebrew observe creation is one more testomony to automotive ingenuity and fearless experimentation. Combining the heart of a crashed 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T drag automotive with the chassis of a second-generation Pontiac Fiero GT, Nasiatka has birthed a monstrous machine that rivals the sanity of Group B rally engineers. With a whole Eclipse drivetrain transplanted into the Fiero’s rear, force-fed with a 68MM Precision turbo producing a spine-tingling 700 horsepower on 35 PSI, this automotive is nothing wanting terrifying.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission

5-speed guide

Horsepower

~700 hp

Torque

~500 lb-ft

Driveline

Rear-wheel drive

Weight

2,300 lbs

(Data was collected from TheSmokingTire)

Farah’s nerve-wracking encounter with the 4G63 swapped Pontiac Fiero is a white-knuckle thrill experience from begin to end. With a restricted 500 horsepower unleashed on the wheels, the Fiero turns into a extra tame beast on the observe, nonetheless demanding respect and focus from its driver. Supported by Chevrolet Corvette C4 brakes, {custom} tubular management arms, Megan Racing coilovers, and a whole roll cage, this Frankenstein creation tears by means of corners, leaving an unforgettable drive in Farah’s reminiscence as he pushes its limits across the twists and turns of Gingerman Raceway.

Pros

  • Massive power-to-weight ratio
  • Very light-weight
  • Mid-engine rear-wheel drive

Cons

  • Low grip stage at most energy
  • Substantial turbo lag
  • Twitchy chassis traits

6 Turbocharged Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

Reason For Ranking: Anti-Purist At Its Finest

Turbocharged TROLLS ROYCE_ Silver Shadow II in white parked on the side of a canyon road
TheSmokingTire

Among probably the most eccentric entries on Matt Farah’s roster of pushed autos, the turbocharged Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II stands out for sheer creativity and audacity. This 1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II, affectionately dubbed the Trolls-Royce, was crafted by proprietor and builder Corbin Goodwin.

While retaining the inventory 6.75-liter V-8 engine, Goodwin injected a dose of adrenaline into the Rolls by putting in a single intercooled turbocharger, boosting its output to an estimated 400 horsepower. Coupled with a T19 guide transmission sourced from a Ford Super Duty pickup truck and driving on Kings off-road shocks, this beast is as unconventional as they arrive.

Performance Specifications

Engine

6.75-liter turbocharged V-8

Transmission

5-speed guide

Horsepower

~400 hp

Torque

~500 lb-ft

Driveline

Rear-wheel drive

Weight

4150 lbs

(Data was collected from TheSmokingTire)

What units the turbocharged Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II aside, nonetheless, isn’t just its jaw-dropping esthetics however its outstanding efficiency on the street. Despite its unorthodox look and absurd demeanor, this monstrous creation defies expectations by delivering an exhilarating driving expertise.

From its trunk-mounted radiator system with exterior plumbing to its unapologetically offensive presence, the Trolls Royce could also be an acquired style, however for these courageous sufficient to step behind the wheel, it guarantees an unforgettable journey crammed with adrenaline and pleasure.

Pros

  • Luxurious inside
  • Comfortable experience
  • Turbocharged V-8

Cons

  • Welded rear differential
  • An exterior coolant pipe might probably burn you
  • Brakes warmth up rapidly

5 680 Horsepower Twin-Charged Lotus Exige

Reason For Ranking: Never Ending Quest For Power

The World's Fastest Lotus Exige driving on a canyon road
TheDrive

Among the quickest machines on Matt Farah’s eclectic record of pushed vehicles is a compound-charged Lotus Exige, an absolute powerhouse constructed by Frank Profera. Over the course of six years, Profera has meticulously fine-tuned his Lotus to attain blistering pace, unmatched agility, and unparalleled stopping energy. Despite its featherweight stature of round 2,150 lbs, Profera’s creation roars with an explosive 680 wheel horsepower, courtesy of a twin-charged 1.8-liter engine—a feat that bestows upon it a power-to-weight ratio that rivals even the Formula One Lotus pushed by racing legend Mario Andretti.

Performance Specifications

Engine

1.8-liter supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission

5-speed guide

Horsepower

680 hp

Torque

600 lb-ft

Driveline

Rear-wheel drive

Weight

2,150 lbs

(Data was collected from TheDrive)

The twin-charged Lotus Exige is a marvel of engineering, combining the most effective attributes of each supercharging and turbocharging to ship exhilarating efficiency on demand. With a lift pressure-activated alcohol injection system guaranteeing optimum octane ranges, this automotive is a pace demon that embodies Profera’s unwavering pursuit of extra pace. Matt Farah’s description of its acceleration as akin to being propelled by “liquid schwartz” from the film Spaceballs correctly captures the visceral depth of this machine.

Pros

  • Supercharger whine and turbocharger surge
  • Immense cornering grip
  • Extremely light-weight

Cons

  • Completely uncooked inside
  • Too quick for the road
  • Complicated charging setup

Related

This AMG-Powered Lotus Exige Is Pure Madness

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4 RUF 993 BTR-2

Reason For Ranking: Rare, Refined, and Rowdy

1995 RUF 993 BTR-2 silver parked on a canyon road pull out
TheSmokingTire

Among the rarified air of Matt Farah’s pushed vehicles lies the 1995 RUF BTR-2, a car that exudes understated magnificence and spectacular rarity. Born from the conversion of a 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 2, the BTR-2 represents a singular mix of German engineering prowess and RUF’s distinct contact of customization. Powered by a 3.6-liter flat-six engine, which inherits its roots from the legendary 993 Carrera however undergoes a considerable improve with a single turbocharger, intercooler, modified camshafts, and different enhancements, the BTR-2 bumps as much as 430 horsepower.

Performance Specifications

Engine

4.0-liter supercharged V-8

Transmission

6-speed guide

Horsepower

430 hp

Torque

435 lb-ft

Driveline

Rear-wheel drive

Weight

3,064 lbs

(Data was collected from TheSmokingTire)

RUF cars occupy a special niche in the automotive world, revered for his or her radical powertrain modifications and blistering efficiency. The 993 BTR-2 is a narrow-bodied Porsche Carrera with a single turbocharged engine that outperforms Porsche’s personal twin-turbo 911 of the period in energy output.

Farah’s expertise behind the wheel of the BTR-2 paints an image of refinement and precision, with tight brakes and a easy driving demeanor. As a uncommon gem within the American automotive panorama, the chance to take the RUF BTR-2 for a spin is a privilege reserved for probably the most discerning fans.

Pros

  • Refined driving dynamics
  • Hard-hitting energy supply
  • Incredible collector worth

Cons

  • Turbo lag until 4,500 RPM
  • Extremely uncommon market
  • Steering is outdated

3 5.0-liter V8 Swapped FC RX-7

Reason For Ranking: Modern-Day Hot Rodding

First generation Mazda RX-7 parked in a driveway
TheDrive

Undoubtedly probably the most infamous entry on Matt Farah’s roster of pushed vehicles is a modified first-generation Mazda RX-7, a car that elicits a blended bag of reactions from onlookers. Farah’s colourful description of it as resembling a “schizophrenic homeless man” paints a vivid image of its unruly look.

Yet, beneath its tough exterior lies a powerful show of resourcefulness, courtesy of its creator, Corbin Goodwin. Utilizing unconventional supplies like leather-based belt straps for hood fasteners and wood boards for the chin spoiler, Goodwin has reworked the RX-7 into a real embodiment of creating probably the most out of what is out there.

Performance Specifications

Engine

5.0-liter V-8

Transmission

5-speed guide

Horsepower

~350 hp

Torque

~300 lb-ft

Driveline

Rear-wheel drive

(Data was collected from TheDrive)

The coronary heart of this modified RX-7 lies not in its rotary engine, as purists would possibly count on, however reasonably a 5.0-liter V-8 sourced from a Mustang—a daring departure from custom that provides the automotive a newfound energy and ferocity. Despite its seemingly harmful meeting and unconventional modifications, this RX-7 defies expectations by delivering an exhilarating driving experience. Farah’s endorsement of its driving prowess solidifies its place among the many craziest vehicles he has ever pushed, proving that generally, probably the most unconventional creations are those that depart probably the most lasting impression.

Pros

  • Powerful V8
  • Lightweight chassis
  • Impressive dealing with

Cons

  • Rusty body
  • Lively grip stage
  • Hard to like exterior look

2 Krowrx X-Tegra

Reason For Ranking: Lightweight Fun On A Budget

KROWRX X-Tegra tube frame car in blue in the pits at a track
TheSmokingTire

One of probably the most hair-raising entries on Matt Farah’s record of pushed vehicles is undoubtedly the Krowrx X-Tegra, a machine that defies conference and pushes the boundaries of automotive madness. Representing a brand new breed of sports activities vehicles inspired by the likes of the Ariel Atom and Exocet, the X-Tegra embodies the idea of the “body-off” sports activities automotive, taking the minimalist method to the acute. Rather than engineering a bespoke chassis to accommodate a typical powertrain, the minds at Krowrx merely strip the physique off of a 1997 Acura Integra, forsaking little greater than a cage and the necessities.

Performance Specifications

Engine

1.8-liter four-cylinder

Transmission

5-speed guide

Horsepower

140 hp

Torque

120 lb-ft

Driveline

Front-wheel drive

Weight

1,200

(Data was collected from TheSmokingTire)

Driving the Krowrx X-Tegra proves to be a white-knuckle expertise, as Farah’s testimony highlights the sheer terror of piloting this stripped-down beast. Despite its featherweight building, being handed by equally gradual autos on the racetrack serves as a sobering reminder of the X-Tegra’s unconventional nature and the adrenaline-fueled chaos it brings to the observe. It’s a testomony to the audacity of its creators and a stark reminder that generally, the craziest and scariest rides are those that present the place the restrict is on reaching race automotive qualities in a house brew machine.

Pros

  • Honda reliability
  • B-series VTEC soundtrack
  • Impressive look

Cons

  • Very obscure driving traits
  • Questionable cage design
  • No fenders to dam particles from the observe

1 Center-Seat Twin-Turbo Porsche Boxster

Reason For Ranking: Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t

Center seat Twin-Turbo Porsche Boxster in red parked at a loading dock
TheSmokingTire

Securing the highest spot on Matt Farah’s record of craziest vehicles pushed is none aside from a center-seat twin-turbo Porsche Boxster. Born from the visionary thoughts of Bisi Ezerioha, famend for his mastery of engine constructing and chemical engineering, this radical construct started its life as a humble 2000 Porsche Boxster geared up with a modest 220-horsepower 2.7-liter flat-six engine. However, below Ezerioha’s sensible steerage, the Boxster underwent a jaw-dropping transformation, now housing twin 52mm Precision ball-bearing turbochargers and a complete array of cooling enhancements.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.7-liter turbocharged flat-six

Transmission

5-speed guide

Horsepower

420 hp

Torque

400 lb-ft

Driveline

Rear-wheel drive

Weight

2,550 lbs

(Data was collected from TheSmokingTire)

The humble Boxster can now reliably churn out a staggering 420 horsepower on E85, with overboost capabilities hovering to an eye-watering 525 horsepower. But the insanity would not finish there—Ezerioha’s phenomenal imaginative and prescient extends to the cockpit, the place the Boxster sheds its typical seating association to emerge as a single-seater, positioned squarely within the middle for optimum steadiness and efficiency on the observe. Matt describes the driving expertise as improbable whereas warming up round Button Willow raceway, hoping for extra pedal really feel because the brakes are not power-assisted.

Pros

  • Center seating place
  • Twin-turbo mid-engine
  • Impressive dealing with traits

Cons

  • Manual brakes
  • Rubbery shifter really feel
  • Somewhat obscure steering really feel