Paxton Prowler - Performance Trends

What's Hot:* Supercharger gives power on-demand "24/7"* Creative packaging by Paxton* Centrifugal blower offers best boost in mid to high rpm

What's Not:* Centrifugal 'charger lacks low-end boost of Roots blower* Inexplicable off-the-mark slalom time* Spend $7600 more, and it's still slower than Viper or Vette

Performance TestPaxton ProwlerTo walk the hot-rod walk and not just look the look, the Plymouth Prowler needs more power. One option is a classic engine swap: Lingenfelter replaced a Prowler's stock 3.5L/253-hp 255-lb-ft torque SOHC V-6 with a complete Corvette drivetrain, which cost about twice the Prowler's purchase price, but offered great performance. A less-expensive, although part-time, approach is nitrous oxide: We recorded a Viper-like 4.5-sec 0-60 mph time with Hennessey's laughing-gas-assisted Prowler GTX (April 2000). A third solution is the supercharged Paxton Prowler. And a good answer it is: 0-60 time drops from 5.7 sec with a stock Prowler to 5.1 for the blown version. Quarter-mile times went from 14.3 at 95.4 mph to 13.7 at 99.1.

Some tuners have avoided supercharging the Prowler because of its ultra-tight underhood packaging. There's virtually no room between engine and radiator, a favorite spot for aftermarket superchargers. Paxton had to relocate the alternator to provide a home for its Novi 1000 centrifugal blower. The only other driveline change is a Borla cat-back exhaust. Paxton says supercharging boosts peak horsepower to 350 and peak torque to 310 lb-ft. (For comparison, Hennessey says his nitrous-boosted Prowler made 365 and 450, respectively.) The Paxton Prowler had tons of grip off the line. It could take another big leap in horsepower without spinning its tires.

Other modifications to the car include removing bumpers and installing retro-look headlamps borrowed from the Panoz AIV. Paxton left the suspension unchanged, while stock Goodyear Eagle GS-D extended mobility tires with run-flat capability were mounted on Budnik wheels.

The Paxton route is an affordable way to make the Prowler's punch match its promise. The supercharger kit costs $5600. And we encourage you to spend the extra $2000 that Paxton charges to install it.-Mac DeMere

Source:Paxton Automotive* 805/987-8660* www.paxtonauto.com

What's Hot:* Best looking M Class on the road* Better acceleration than stock ML430* Retractable roof offers convertible feel in an SUV

What's Not:* Expensive price relative toMercedes' own ML55* 20-inch tires and wheels hurt ride-stay with 18-inchers* Don't even think about going off-road

Performance TestLorinser M ClassAt the moment, the Mercedes-Benz ML55 is the hottest factory-offered sport/utility you can buy. It runs 0-60 in 6.3 sec, numbers that used to be strictly musclecar territory. But inasmuch as AMG only fashions 500 or so a year for U.S. consumption, this is a rare piece. If you already own an ML320 or ML430 and are looking for more, Lorinser (sold in the States by CEC) can help.

We recently tested the Lorinser/CEC-modified MLK43, which incorporates a comprehensive list of interior, exterior, engine, and suspension mods. The centerpiece of the power package is a Vortech-sourced supercharger kit. It boosts the ML430's output from the stock 268 hp to a claimed 360, which knocked 0.5 sec off the 0-60-mph time.

CEC swapped the standard 17-in. wheels for a set of 20x10-in. Lorinser rims and installed 295/40ZR20 Dunlop SP Sport 9000 tires. Although they help improve handling, the ride becomes too harsh for a true luxury SUV; we recommend going with the 18-in. Plus 1 upgrade instead. Suspension mods include a rear-lowering kit, stiffer anti-roll bars, and a sport brake package, all of which measurably improved the M's handling and stopping performance.

The M's stance was helped, thanks to a Lorinser wide-body kit consisting of flares, rocker panels, a rear apron, and a front bumper. CEC also offers a plethora of burled-wood trim pieces and a complete leather interior conversion that really dress things up inside.

The only rub is cost. A fully loaded K43, such as our tester, runs about the same as the factory-offered ML55. However, the aftermarket approach allows you to buy as much or as little of the K43's performance and appearance as you wish-again significant to those who already own an ML.-Matt Stone

Source:Claus Ettensberger Corp.* 800/766-0064* www.cecwheel.com

This Needs A Headline To Go Here !Space for deck goes here in this space Spac for deck here Space for deck goes here in this space Spac for deck hereWheel Company Name Here The 2000 Mercedes S-Class has pretty good brakes, but leave it to the brake pros at Brembo to make them even better. Brembo's S-Class system comes complete with four-piston aluminum calipers, 14-inch cross-drilled rotors, billet aluminum brackets, $250-800 * 800-000-0000 * cecwheels.com

Wheel Company Name Here known for its Honda and Acura performance parts, Comptech has introduced an exhaust header for the '98-2000 Honda Accord and the '99-2000 Acura TL. Comptech says its handbuilt, stainless steel header is easy to install and $250-800 * 800-000-0000 * cecwheels.com

Shopping For WheelsNew from Toyota Racing Development comes a supercharger to pump up the horsepower output of popular Toyota V-6 engines. The TRD system is 50-state legal and

1. designed for '99 and 2000 vehicles equipped with the 3.0-liter, such as Toyota's Camry, Solara, and Avalon, and Lexus' ES300. Look for a

2.complete test in an upcoming issue. www.trdusa.com. New from Toyota Racing Development comes a

3.supercharger to pump up the horsepower output of popular Toyota 4.V-6 engines. The TRD system is 50-state legal and designed for '99 and 2000 vehicles equipped

5.with the 3.0-liter, such as Toyota's Camry, Solara, and Avalon, and Lexus' ES300. Look for a complete test in an

6.upcoming issue. www.trdusa.com.New from Toyota Racing Development comes a supercharger to pump up the horsepower output of popular Toyota V-6

7.engines. The TRD system is 50-state legal and designed for '99 and 2000 vehicles equipped with the 3.0-liter, such as

8.Toyota's Camry, Solara, and Avalon, and Lexus' ES300. Look for a complete test in an upcoming issue.

9.www.trdusa.com. New

New StuffSpeedWare PedalsNew from BBK Performance is the SpeedWare universal aluminum pedal kit that fits most car and truck applications. The pedal pads give you that race car look and increased pedal grip. The $49.99 kit includes an accelerator, clutch, brake,

Royal PurpleWhen a motor oil is recommended by racers in NASCAR, IRL, and NHRA, you can't help but notice. Royal Purple, long a track favorite, now offers oil for passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Royal Purple says its synthetic oil is made with Synerlec and adheres better than conventional oil to metal surfaces, reducing

Hotchkis Trailing ArmsSpecialists in high-performance suspension components for rear drive GM cars, Hotchkis Performance is offering trailing arms for '82-2000 Camaros and Firebirds. They are manufactured from 0.120-inch-wall rectangular steel tubing and fitted with polyurethane bushings. According to Hotchkis, the trailing arms improve traction and eliminate wheelhop on launches. Hotchkis also offers a Panhard rod, subframe connectors, springs, shock tower brace, and anti-roll bars for

Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D2If you're seeking an upgraded tire for your European car, the Eagle F1 GS-D2 might be for you. According to Goodyear, the GS-D2 is an ultra performance tire for the extreme driver who wants maximum traction when cornering, accelerating, or stopping. Goodyear offers six new sizes, including 255/40ZR19. Goodyear, www.goodyear.com