Authors Posts by Kyle@STILLEN

Kyle@STILLEN

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STILLEN is proud to announce we are nearing completion for the Nissan 370Z / Infiniti G37 Supercharger System. As we approach production, we will be updating the progress as frequently as possible on our blog. We’ll start with the concept, and some insight into the development process.

This 3.7L supercharger development began in late 2008 and moved steadily through 2009.  We had a bit of a delay in the development while the STILLEN R35 GT-R was prepared for Targa Newfoundland, but after that car was completed it was back to business on the supercharger!  We have just started the new year in 2010 and we are excited to say the supercharger is nearly finished!  Here is a re-cap on our development and some of the engineering that went into making this kit come to life!

When the 350Z came out in 2003, championship-winning driver for Nissan, Steve Millen (our founder) and our engineers sat down to discuss the main goals for the STILLEN forced induction solution. Given our history of developing products that were high quality and well suited to each platform, the consensus was clear; the STILLEN VQ35 Supercharger System had to achieve CARB EXEMPT status, and we had to offer a 3 year/36,000 mile engine warranty.  The system had to be a turn key, ready to run kit and offer great power gains.  To meet those rather challenging demands, Steve and the STILLEN engineers evaluated many blower options, but ultimately decided on the Eaton MP62 blower.  It met all of the requirements and worked perfectly!  That kit was a complete success and was the first supercharger on the market to achieve CARB Exemption and offer an engine warranty, with gains of approximately 100 horsepower at the wheels.

When the new VQ37 engines came out, Steve again sat down with the engineers to discuss what was the best method of forced induction for the 370Z and G37.  Although the VQ35 roots supercharger was a complete success, we did learn a lot about what our customers wanted and what they would have preferred.  We learned that some people do not want to change their hoods to accommodate the clearance for the supercharger.  We also learned that even though some people want a CARB EXEMPT, warrantied kit TODAY, in a year or two they might want to upgrade the system to get even more power.  Unfortunately the MP62 blower used on the VQ35 kit does not have the peak horsepower potential of some of the other forms of forced induction.  It offers great bottom end but can get a bit choked off at high RPM when running higher levels of boost.

With these points in mind the ultimate decision was made to go with the Vortech Centrifugal Supercharger.  The Vortech unit offers higher peak horsepower potentials and enables fitment under the hood for a clean installation.  STILLEN has partnered with Vortech in the past to develop supercharger systems for other cars such as the Mercedes CLK430 and other Nissan vehicles like the Maxima and Xterra.

The STILLEN VQ37 Supercharger System will have 3 Stages:

  1. Tuner Kit – All the hardware and equipment minus the fuel management. This kit should be ready in about two months or so. Look for it around the end of February beginning of March.
  2. CARB EXEMPT Kit – This kit will be 50-state legal, and while it won’t have as much power as the other stages it WILL be street legal! More than likely this kit will be running around 6 psi. The release of this kit greatly revolves around the amount of time it takes CARB to grant us a test date and review our results. We can’t give a solid ETA on this because it really is up to CARB to grant us the EO#.
  3. Competition Kit – This will be a pre-tuned race kit that will not come with any warranty and will not be 50-state street legal but it will be a bolt in kit for the guys looking for a bit more power but don’t want to bother with figuring out their own tuning. This kit will be developed along side the Tuner kit so look for it to be released around the beginning of March.

We invite you to follow along, we’ll be updating our blog with new information, status updates, dyno information, and additional technical information. Coming up is a detailed explanation of the cast aluminum intake manifold we developed for this system, and the benefits of the additional engineering STILLEN has put into this kit.

STILLEN Supercharger Development Posts

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This Strap Drive System has been developed by AP Racing both for Road and Race applications. The standard fitment brake discs on many performance cars can suffer from brake vibrations caused by disc distortion. This generally occurs on fast road and track installations.

On many performance cars the typical standard brake disc will be a heavy duty ventilated single piece casting. Couple this type of rigid disc to a standard hub and wheel bearing and the result is any hub distortion / run out will transfer onto the disc brake faces. This eventually results in brake vibrations, usually picked up through the steering wheel.

The AP Racing Strap Drive System offers a new take on the floating systems already in the market place. Strap Drive uses a series of stainless steel straps to locate the disc to the mounting bell, producing a flexible coupling between the hub and the disc faces. This allows the disc to run true in the caliper under all conditions and also permits the disc to expand and contract without being restricted.

Some current replacement discs in the market place have evolved from Motorsport applications, they typically use a drive bobbin to provide some disc float and were devised to reduce pad knock off on race cars. This system can work on a road application but there are some major drawbacks that the Strap Drive has overcome with its simplicity.

Bobbin float discs rely on a series of drive bobbins moving freely in drive slots. This movement can create wear during service and promote noise. The slots can fill up with road / brake debris causing them to seize. AP Racings strap couplings can’t suffer from any of these drawbacks. Therefore Service life, brake noise and also brake pedal travel are all improved.


Benefits / Features:

  • Compared with single piece discs the disc is de-coupled from hub, this allows disc to align itself perfectly within the caliper.
  • Improved pedal feel and brake response as a result of improved disc alignment within caliper.
  • Improved pedal feel at elevated temperatures as disc rotor is able to expand in a controlled manner with little influence from the disc mounting. This greatly reduces disc coning.
  • Controlled axial float of disc rotor reduces brake ‘knock-off’ which can result in an inconsistent pedal feel.
  • No free moving parts means that the wear problems normally associated with floating disc designs is not present.
  • No free moving parts means that there are no clearances to become clogged with debris and corrosion which would prevent a conventional floating disc from operating correctly.
  • No free moving parts means no unwanted mechanical noise from discs.
  • Disc rotor and strap sub assembly available as service item for cost effective servicing.
  • Successfully used in race applications.

Important note: When replacing brake pads with strap drive discs fitted, do not push the pistons back in to the caliper by use of a lever against the discs. If this is done then the disc straps may be distorted and this can cause disc runout, resulting in possible brake vibration.

Product discontinued, article kept for informational purposes.

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After seeing Steve Millen and the STILLEN R35 Nissan GT-R tackle the Targa Newfoundland, STILLEN fan Alan G. from Montreal, Quebec decided he needed to recreate the car in his favorite racing game, Forza 3 for the XBox 360.

Alan took on the task using Forza’s in-game livery editor, and ended up requiring over 3 days and 500 layers to recreate the livery on the rally car.

We think it came out great, pretty accurate, and amazing since each logo had to be created using simple shapes to manipulate designs. Alan also included a brief video clip of the GT-R in action as well.

Alan included in his note that he’s been a fan of racing for close to thirty years as well as racing simulators, and this Nissan is his favorite car he’s replicated so far. Thanks Alan for sending this in, and we appreciate the dedication it took to get it so accurate!  A signed poster from Steve Millen and some other goodies are on the way!

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Rounding out the recently launched Kia Soul performance products as well as body styling products, STILLEN is announcing the release of the Kia Soul Strut Tower Brace, Eibach lowering springs, as well as upgraded wheel options.

The combination of the stiffer springs from Eibach, lowering the center of gravity on the Soul, and firming up the front suspension with the STILLEN Strut Tower Brace inspires additional confidence in spirited driving.

STILLEN Kia Soul Strut Tower Brace


STILLEN Strut Tower Braces are made from the highest quality 6061-T6 billet aluminum, and specifically engineered to bolt onto the Soul, adding both additional handling and striking styling to the engine bay. Strut Tower Bars add additional stiffness to the front of the vehicle by locking the shock towers together, removing body flex to create flatter, more precise cornering.

Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs

Pro-Kit lowers your car’s center of gravity, reducing squat during acceleration, body roll in corners and excessive nose-dive under braking. When combined with Plus-1 or Plus-2 wheels and tires, the Eibach Pro-Kit is the finishing touch to a winning recipe for performance. Pro-Kit also reduces excessive fender-well clearance, making your car look just as hot as it performs.

Features:
– 1.0″ Front & Rear Drop
– High Performance Handling
– Excellent Ride Quality
– Million Mile Warranty

XXR 962 18″ Wheels

STILLEN carries the full line of XXR wheels at discount prices. These high quality wheels are sure to make your Soul stand out in the crowd.

– 17″, 18″ and 19″ sizes available
– 4 Colors – Black/Red, Gold, Gunmetal and Silver
– Billet aluminum center cap
– All Kia Bolt-Pattern Fitments Available

Pricing and Ordering available from the STILLEN Website

Other products available for the Kia Soul from STILLEN:

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After months of development, STILLEN is proud to release our new styling products for the new Kia Soul as seen at SEMA 2009.

Aero components include the Kia Soul Front Lip Spoiler made from durable Polyurethane to withstand abuse and perform just like OEM. Also new from the design studio is the Kia Soul Rear Roof Wing, constructed of urethane.

STILLEN Kia Soul Front Lip Spoiler



STILLEN is proud to release this functional high quality urethane Front Lip Spoiler for the Kia Soul. This piece comes ready for prime and paint, and installs in place right over the factory fascia and installation is a breeze. Another major benefit of the front lip spoiler is the durability. Constructed out of high-quality polyurethane, this front spoiler is nearly indestructible and carries a limited lifetime warranty.

  • Adds an aggressive appearance to any Soul
  • Made from durable Polyurethane
  • Limited lifetime warranty

STILLEN Kia Soul Rear Roof Wing


Also new for the Kia, STILLEN has released the Soul rear wing. Care was taken to give a distinctive style that would meet OEM design standards, yet offers an aggressive upgrade for a unique look. All of the STILLEN urethane parts are so durable, flexible and impact resistant that we guarantee our urethane components against breakage or cracking in normal use for as long as the customer owns the vehicle.

  • Adds an aggressive appearance to any Soul
  • Made from durable Polyurethane
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Pricing and Ordering available from the STILLEN Website

Other Kia Soul performance parts available from STILLEN:

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Founded in 1986, STILLEN is recognized as one of the premier tuners in the world. With Engineers and a full R&D department on location, STILLEN has long been engineering brake rotors & pads, developing superchargers with Magnuson, Edelbrock, Whipple, Vortech, and under the leadership of championship race car driver Steve Millen, trusted by thousands of enthusiasts, manufacturing STILLEN branded products and upgrades, as well as wholesale distribution and retail partners.
Contact us: sales@stillen.com
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