2016 Mercer Veterinary YXZ 1000R
July 7, 2016
UTVUG Staff
When the owners of Mercer Veterinary wanted to build a custom Yamaha YXZ1000R they turned to our friends at Benchmark Performance to help put this amazing build together. We saw this amazing machine and knew we wanted to feature it on UTVUnderground.com so we sent our main man Rusty Baptist over to take some insane photos and bring back the report on this over-the-top 2016 Yamaha YXZ1000R!
The owners chose to build on the Yamaha YXZ1000R platform for many reasons but the main deciding factor was the manual 5 speed transmission. The project started small, with mainly a new custom cage and custom suspension. The build team turned to Lonestar Racing for the roll-cage and suspension kit but just as the parts started rolling in the bug bit and they wanted to do much more. This enthusiasm kept growing, and each time they met for build updates, more items were added or modified from the original plan. Much of this build was done out of passion for performance, not out of necessity.
The owners really liked the flat roof design of the Lonestar Racing cage, and they were one of the first in production, so that drove the decision. They also wanted more power, but at first didn't want to go turbo. In the end, we Benchmark Performance talked them into turbo because N/A parts were still in development and they didn't want to wait and / or be the test dummies for new and unproven parts. They were also looking for a big increase in power. They felt the turbo was the best way to achieve this. Benchmark recommended K&T Performance because of their past experience with them based on performance, fit and finish, quality of products, and tech support.
During the build, Tubeworks started testing under-drive transmissions. They called and got on the list as quick as possible. Benchmark recommended the 30% under setup, but the owner wanted the extra low 70% lower first gear. The transmission has a 70% 1st gear and 30% 2nd-5th gear. Tubeworks made it easy to add a trans cooler with their oil flow mods. Their cooler wasn't finalized so they again went with parts that were proven from the past. Setrab coolers are used on Ferrari, McLaren etc. Benchmark has an oil cooler kit for the 1st generation Teryxs that use Setrab coolers and know how well they work. They mounted the cooler in the YXZ trans tunnel, where it is out of harms way but still see adequate airflow. Even with low airflow, the surface area of the Setrab cooler transfers heat effectively.
The owners then requested a UMP filter for desert conditions. There was very limited places to locate the filter but the team made sure that wherever it went that it would work as good as it looked! The decision was made to cut out the factory storage location behind the driver seat as it allowed optimum placement of the filter housing. It looks good, is easy to service, picks up air out of the bed area, and is close to the turbine inlet. Benchmark made the call to cut the rear access panel, allowing easier access to the stock dry sump oil tank without having to remove the entire cover.
Other items were added based on the request of the owner. They first put a 5" GPS in the car but then the owner sat in it and asked for the 7" for better viewing size, and to raise the driver seat for better visibility. Typical switch locations were already occupied with race radio and GPS, so they utilized Carling multi function switches and placed them into one of the few available areas of the center console/dash. They also used a Blue Sea Systems 12 circuit fuse box with integrated ground bus to protect all the electrical additions.
The owner wanted to change the color from the Anniversary yellow right away. When the Glazzkraft kit came out, it was an easy solution for both color change and style. They liked the white gelcoat on the fiberglass body, but it was hard to keep clean and they were worried about the adhesion of the graphics. They sub'ed the sealer paint to Ramona Body Shop before it went to graphics. The customer provided a photo of a Jeep JK Rubicon they have with the Mercer Veterinary logo and colors. We gave this to Joel at Sticker Standard, along with photos of the YXZ with the Glazzkraft body. Joel also came and took measurements at our shop. There were 3 or 4 designs rendered and the the chose this one. Graphics are 20 mil thick, more like MX graphics. This is to provide superior abrasion resistance when this YXZ gets abused!
The build plan had 30" tires, but once the body kit was purchased, decided to step up to 32" GBC Mongrels.
Twisted Stitch by Simpson has some of the best looking seats in the business. They were able to match the Teal color choice. Simpson also did the window nets.
The owner wanted to be able to race the PURE series, but the car was mainly built for fun. Benchmark added a couple gussets to the cage, installed a bolt-in aluminum roof panel above drivers head, built removable upper door bars for the nets, and installed a 2.5 lb extinguisher with a Drake quick release mount.
In all, the team built one heck of a Yamaha YXZ1000R. Definitely one of the nicest so far!
Photos by Rusty Baptist // UTVUnderground.com
Specifications:
Owner: Mercer Veterinary
Builder: Benchmark Performance
Cage: Lonestar Racing
Doors: Benchmark Performance
Safety Nets / Harnesses / Seats: Twisted Stitch by Simpson
Powder-Coating: ECP Powder Coating.
Graphics / Wrap: 20 mil Vinyl Graphics by Sticker Standard.
Suspension:
Lonestar Racing +3.5" Suspension Kit w/ Dual Rate Spring Conversion
Sway-Bar: Weller Racing sway-bar links.
Wheels" 14" Method bead-locks.
Tires: 32" GBC Mongrel tires.
Communications: PCI Race Radios Kenwood 50w Radio w/ 2 Place Intercom w/ DSP
Navigation:
7" Lowrance GPS.
Race Air: Twin MAC1 helmet pumpers by Rugged Radios.
Body: Glazzkraft Alpha Body Kit.
Lighting: Baja Designs XL80 A pillar lights,
Baja Designs S8 10" bumper light,
Baja Designs S2 rear Amber & Blue lights,
Baja Designs Dome light
Switches: Carling w/ Blue Sea Systems 12 circuit fuse box.
Engine: Factory Engine w K&T Performance Turbo kit & Benchmark ECU Reflash tuned to 160 RWHP @ 9 PSI of Boost
Intake: UMP 4" Super Filter
Transmission: Tubeworks 70/30 under drive transmission
Clutch:
Barnett clutch w/ Yamaha heavy clutch diaphragm spring.
Oil Cooler: Setrab trans oil cooler by Benchmark mounted in trans tunnel.
Alternator: Yamaha USA Alternator kit
[gallery link="file" ids="39746,39747,39748,39749,39750,39751,39752,39753,39754,39755,39756,39757,39758,39759,39760,39761,39762,39763,39764,39765,39766,39767,39768,39769,39770,39771,39772,39773,39774,39775,39776,39777,39778"]
The owners chose to build on the Yamaha YXZ1000R platform for many reasons but the main deciding factor was the manual 5 speed transmission. The project started small, with mainly a new custom cage and custom suspension. The build team turned to Lonestar Racing for the roll-cage and suspension kit but just as the parts started rolling in the bug bit and they wanted to do much more. This enthusiasm kept growing, and each time they met for build updates, more items were added or modified from the original plan. Much of this build was done out of passion for performance, not out of necessity.
The owners really liked the flat roof design of the Lonestar Racing cage, and they were one of the first in production, so that drove the decision. They also wanted more power, but at first didn't want to go turbo. In the end, we Benchmark Performance talked them into turbo because N/A parts were still in development and they didn't want to wait and / or be the test dummies for new and unproven parts. They were also looking for a big increase in power. They felt the turbo was the best way to achieve this. Benchmark recommended K&T Performance because of their past experience with them based on performance, fit and finish, quality of products, and tech support.
During the build, Tubeworks started testing under-drive transmissions. They called and got on the list as quick as possible. Benchmark recommended the 30% under setup, but the owner wanted the extra low 70% lower first gear. The transmission has a 70% 1st gear and 30% 2nd-5th gear. Tubeworks made it easy to add a trans cooler with their oil flow mods. Their cooler wasn't finalized so they again went with parts that were proven from the past. Setrab coolers are used on Ferrari, McLaren etc. Benchmark has an oil cooler kit for the 1st generation Teryxs that use Setrab coolers and know how well they work. They mounted the cooler in the YXZ trans tunnel, where it is out of harms way but still see adequate airflow. Even with low airflow, the surface area of the Setrab cooler transfers heat effectively.
The owners then requested a UMP filter for desert conditions. There was very limited places to locate the filter but the team made sure that wherever it went that it would work as good as it looked! The decision was made to cut out the factory storage location behind the driver seat as it allowed optimum placement of the filter housing. It looks good, is easy to service, picks up air out of the bed area, and is close to the turbine inlet. Benchmark made the call to cut the rear access panel, allowing easier access to the stock dry sump oil tank without having to remove the entire cover.
Other items were added based on the request of the owner. They first put a 5" GPS in the car but then the owner sat in it and asked for the 7" for better viewing size, and to raise the driver seat for better visibility. Typical switch locations were already occupied with race radio and GPS, so they utilized Carling multi function switches and placed them into one of the few available areas of the center console/dash. They also used a Blue Sea Systems 12 circuit fuse box with integrated ground bus to protect all the electrical additions.
The owner wanted to change the color from the Anniversary yellow right away. When the Glazzkraft kit came out, it was an easy solution for both color change and style. They liked the white gelcoat on the fiberglass body, but it was hard to keep clean and they were worried about the adhesion of the graphics. They sub'ed the sealer paint to Ramona Body Shop before it went to graphics. The customer provided a photo of a Jeep JK Rubicon they have with the Mercer Veterinary logo and colors. We gave this to Joel at Sticker Standard, along with photos of the YXZ with the Glazzkraft body. Joel also came and took measurements at our shop. There were 3 or 4 designs rendered and the the chose this one. Graphics are 20 mil thick, more like MX graphics. This is to provide superior abrasion resistance when this YXZ gets abused!
The build plan had 30" tires, but once the body kit was purchased, decided to step up to 32" GBC Mongrels.
Twisted Stitch by Simpson has some of the best looking seats in the business. They were able to match the Teal color choice. Simpson also did the window nets.
The owner wanted to be able to race the PURE series, but the car was mainly built for fun. Benchmark added a couple gussets to the cage, installed a bolt-in aluminum roof panel above drivers head, built removable upper door bars for the nets, and installed a 2.5 lb extinguisher with a Drake quick release mount.
In all, the team built one heck of a Yamaha YXZ1000R. Definitely one of the nicest so far!
Photos by Rusty Baptist // UTVUnderground.com
Specifications:
Owner: Mercer Veterinary
Builder: Benchmark Performance
Cage: Lonestar Racing
Doors: Benchmark Performance
Safety Nets / Harnesses / Seats: Twisted Stitch by Simpson
Powder-Coating: ECP Powder Coating.
Graphics / Wrap: 20 mil Vinyl Graphics by Sticker Standard.
Suspension:
Lonestar Racing +3.5" Suspension Kit w/ Dual Rate Spring Conversion
Sway-Bar: Weller Racing sway-bar links.
Wheels" 14" Method bead-locks.
Tires: 32" GBC Mongrel tires.
Communications: PCI Race Radios Kenwood 50w Radio w/ 2 Place Intercom w/ DSP
Navigation:
7" Lowrance GPS.
Race Air: Twin MAC1 helmet pumpers by Rugged Radios.
Body: Glazzkraft Alpha Body Kit.
Lighting: Baja Designs XL80 A pillar lights,
Baja Designs S8 10" bumper light,
Baja Designs S2 rear Amber & Blue lights,
Baja Designs Dome light
Switches: Carling w/ Blue Sea Systems 12 circuit fuse box.
Engine: Factory Engine w K&T Performance Turbo kit & Benchmark ECU Reflash tuned to 160 RWHP @ 9 PSI of Boost
Intake: UMP 4" Super Filter
Transmission: Tubeworks 70/30 under drive transmission
Clutch:
Barnett clutch w/ Yamaha heavy clutch diaphragm spring.
Oil Cooler: Setrab trans oil cooler by Benchmark mounted in trans tunnel.
Alternator: Yamaha USA Alternator kit
[gallery link="file" ids="39746,39747,39748,39749,39750,39751,39752,39753,39754,39755,39756,39757,39758,39759,39760,39761,39762,39763,39764,39765,39766,39767,39768,39769,39770,39771,39772,39773,39774,39775,39776,39777,39778"]