The "Dark Assassin"
 

This is our 2012 Ford Raptor Project Truck.

It has been dubbed "The Dark Assassin" as it will be "killing" opponents in the 2012 NMRA Drag Racing Series.

First I want to thank our sponsors that are helping to make this race season possible.

Stainless Works Exhaust, Dyno Jet Racing, Wicked Performance Shop, Finish Line Performance, and Evolution Performance.

We will be performing many upgrades to the truck including exhaust, tune, as well as some trick bumpers by http://wickedperformanceshop.com

Stay tuned to our page for ongoing performance updates as well as our standings in the 2012 NMRA Drag Racing Series.

You can follow our build at http://teambeefcakeracing.com/the-dark-assassin.html

I will try to keep the build thread very well updated here too.

A couple stock pictures except for the front window tint.
https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst...55/raptorc.jpg

https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst...55/raptord.jpg

One of the first things that's always good with a truck is a spray in bedliner. We chose Line-X just because of their quality, reputation, and warranty.
https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst...55/raptore.jpg
After that it was off to Doghouse Racing for a baseline dyno on the truck.

Dyno pulls needed to be done in 3rd gear as the truck will hit the factory speed limiter in 4th ending your pull well before the top of the RPM range.
https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst...rdynostock.jpg

The truck laid down 323 rwhp on the dyno. Torque came in at 354 ft/lbs.

Just to see if the stock filter was a restriction, we popped the top of the airbox to see how it would affect the truck.
The truck picked up 2 rwhp to 325. The thing that was interesting, is the a/f richened up from 12.6 to 12.1/2 range.

This leads us to believe that a good flowing air kit, along with a tune to recalibrate the a/f should yield a good 15 rwhp or so.

Here is the dyno video


Up next will be a full Stainless Works Exhaust system. We went with the Stainless Works Headers and catted x pipe. We also opted for the S-Tube mufflers as well. Part # LMF which stands for Loud Mother .... Well, you get the idea!

Here are a few shots of the exhaust.
https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst.../raptorsw1.jpg https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst.../raptorsw2.jpg

https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst.../raptorsw3.jpg

My buddy was real happy at how "free flowing" the exhaust appeared!

https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst.../raptorsw4.jpg

https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst.../raptorsw5.jpg

https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst.../raptorsw6.jpg

Next on the list of things was a cover to stow our drag strip goodies, or whatever else might need to be carried.

We opted for the new Painted to match Undercover.

I've never been a huge fan of the Undercovers due to the "plastic" look. I like the A.R.E's, but the downside is the weight.

The painted to match Undercover is the hot ticket. Only weights in about 58 lbs, yet looks very clean on the truck. The model also has a sort of build in wing to give it a nice look.

The first thing we noticed was how well the cover appeared to be packaged.

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorf.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorg.jpg

Install was pretty simple, and with the reduced weight compared to an A.R.E. or other heavy brand, the time from start to finish was maybe 20 minutes.

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptori.jpg

Charlie hard at work!

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorj.jpg

My man Gary lending a hand. If you think Gary looks familiar, go back to your Kansas City Chiefs or Tennessee Vols roster from way back!

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptork.jpg

The finished product looks great on the truck! A little bit of snow today, but you get the idea!

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorl.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptoro.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorp.jpg

The cover also comes with a preinstalled light which is nice.

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptors.jpg

With our trick bumpers in the process of being built by the guys at Wicked Performance Shop, we figured it's time to get to work on the fender flares.

We pulled off the fender flares (without breaking one clip I might add!).

We thought about going with a line x coating for that look to match the bumpers / running boards. But, due to the thickness and worry of scratching the oem paint, we decided to go a different route.

What we will be doing, is scuffing them up, adding "rock guard" to the flares, and then painting them with a flat black. This should give a slight textured look to the flares, and provide excellent protection out on the road.

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptort.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptoru.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorv.jpg

Sweet build. In for progress

:lurk: so what kinda drag racing are you going to be doing?

in!

1/4 mile...

sub'd

what blower are you putting on?

haven't got that far yet

do you have one in the plans?

The whipple kit looks really good!!!

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...aptor-kit.html

Vid on post #4. I am sure with a pulley swap or two and a good tune I'm sure you could see the 600 RWHP range.

Do you plan to meet or match the power that the Hennessy Raptor puts out?

The procharger and roush look really good.

We'll see what comes our way. ;)

I do love extra power!

A couple pics of the flares in progress. We were able to get them off without breaking any clips.

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorw.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorx.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptory.jpg

After the rock guard and flat black, we added 2 coats of semi gloss. This helped to keep a more "black" look, vs gray. It wil also make them a little easier to clean.

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorz.jpg

BEFORE

https://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst...55/raptord.jpg

AFTER - These match the running boards perfectly and will match the Wicked Performance Shop bumpers perfectly.

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorz1.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptorz2.jpg

Next on the list was to install an Airaid CAI and Lund tune. A nice care package from our partners at EVO arrived just in time!

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptor1.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptor2.jpg

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptor3.jpg

CAI Install was simple and straight forward. It really was as simple as popping the top lid to the stock airbox, removing the mass air sensor, and then loosening a couple clamps to pull the intake tube.

The Airaid CAI is nice as it utilizes the bottom portion of the stock air box. The factory air box utilizes fresh outside air, and the Airaid kit contiues to take advantage of that.

Install was completed in less than 15 minutes from start to finish.

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptor4.jpg

Stock ECU downloading and custom tune uploading!

http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptor5.jpg http://site.teambeefcakeracing.com/raptor6.jpg

As with most of Ford's drive by wire vehicles. The throttle response is noticeable from the first touch of the pedal. Ford softens up the throttle response to cater to the "average" person, not the enthusiast.

With the snow on the ground, we were not able to take advantage of the new found power. Shifts are noticeably more crisp though, and we will be hitting the dyno soon.

The painted flares look amazing. Why ford didnt paint them to match on a $55K truck is confusing.