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He causes quite a commotion, though, every night when he arrives and departs the arena. He has arguably the loudest, fastest car in a league that is filled with players who drive some of the fastest, sleekest, most elegant rides in America.

"People in this country don't know me yet for my game, but people around this town know my car,'' Gortat said as he was showing off his ride to FanHouse. "I don't think there are any cars out on the street that could beat me. I have an engine like something in NASCAR. This car is fast. It's perfect.''

Before he starts it, Gortat's car doesn't look any different than any other car in parking lot filled with rich people. It's a new BMW M5, shiny and black and looking like a million dollars.

But once he starts pulling away, you can hear and feel the power, even at a distance. A part-time mechanic in his native Poland before he signed his first NBA contract, Gortat has made myriad modifications to the car that now includes an 800 horsepower engine, which is big even for a high-performance vehicle, and plenty of supercharged accessories. It makes the Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Magic general manager Otis Smith sound quiet.

"It could go over 200 mph, maybe 225 mph. I don't want to drive that fast, but what matters is how quick it goes from 0-60."
- Marcin Gortat "It could go over 200 mph, maybe 225 mph,'' he said. "I don't want to drive that fast, but what matters is how quick it goes from 0-60. I can pull up next to a Ferrari or Lamborghini at a light, look over, and they might start laughing. But when it turns green, I'm gone, waiting at the next light when they get there, and I'm the one laughing then.''

Gortat admittedly has been stopped and ticketed a few times by law enforcement on the streets of Central Florida, yet he still has a valid driver's license. He usually gets only warnings now. His status as a Magic player in a one-sport town doesn't hurt. And neither does his disarming, personable nature. He is a likeable guy, well known around town.

"I shake my head every time I see him pulling away,'' said one Seminole County (Fla) police officer who did not want his name being used. "We all know who he is. But it's hard not to like him.''

Gortat is in the second year of his original NBA contract, paying him $711,000 this season. He often marvels at the fleet of cars owned by star center Dwight Howard – who is in the midst of an $80 million contract -- and the two joke about who has the fastest car.

Every time he pulls away from the Magic's practice facility or the arena, Gortat revs up the engine, reveling in the attention it brings him. He is happy to offer you a test ride as a passenger, or a chance to sit in the driver's seat and step on the accelerator just to feel the power.

"Dwight has a $300,000 car with 600 horsepower. I have a $150,000 car with 800 horsepower,'' he said. "Mine is like an airplane. It's something I've always wanted. I probably have the fastest car in Florida, maybe in the NBA.''

"Rashard Lewis has his horses. Dwight has his fleet. Adonal Foyle is buying an island with his money,'' Gortat said. "I have my dream car. And it's fast.''



http://www.aolnews.com/2009/06/10/marci ... ar-in-nba/

LukasBMW wrote:Sounds like he has an ESS supercharger on the M5.

But still, 800hp isn't that hard to do these days. Any of the new Mercedes AMG twin turbo V8 engines can produce 800hp with minor modifications and the twin turbo v12's can push over 1,000 hp.

Start modifying Lambos or Ferraris and you can push over 1,500hp. Seriously. The engines may not last long, but there are a few ridiculous expensive companies that offer forced induction kits.

Porsche guys can get into the action too. just take the car to Evolution Motorsports in Tempe.

<---- Car guy and licensed wholesale dealer

LukasBMW wrote:It's also important to note that if the article is from 2008-2009, Gortat had a V10 M5. That's naturally aspirated and pushes 500hp stock. He HAS to have a blower on the car to make 300 extra horsepower.

The new M5 has a twin turbo V8. Like the twin turbo Mercedes AMG engines, 800hp may be possible just with software, intercooler, upgraded turbos and exhaust.

DRK wrote:
To be honest though, from an NBA player making that kind of cash, 800hp isnt all that great. I know of A80 MkIV Toyota Supra's that have 1200HP at the rear wheels which cost less than 150K, owned by non-NBA Players.

Teaser Pleaser wrote:

DRK wrote:
To be honest though, from an NBA player making that kind of cash, 800hp isnt all that great. I know of A80 MkIV Toyota Supra's that have 1200HP at the rear wheels which cost less than 150K, owned by non-NBA Players.

According to the author of the article, it was good enough to be the fastest car in the league 4 years ago

DRK wrote:

LukasBMW wrote:Sounds like he has an ESS supercharger on the M5.

But still, 800hp isn't that hard to do these days. Any of the new Mercedes AMG twin turbo V8 engines can produce 800hp with minor modifications and the twin turbo v12's can push over 1,000 hp.

Start modifying Lambos or Ferraris and you can push over 1,500hp. Seriously. The engines may not last long, but there are a few ridiculous expensive companies that offer forced induction kits.

Porsche guys can get into the action too. just take the car to Evolution Motorsports in Tempe.

<---- Car guy and licensed wholesale dealer

LukasBMW wrote:It's also important to note that if the article is from 2008-2009, Gortat had a V10 M5. That's naturally aspirated and pushes 500hp stock. He HAS to have a blower on the car to make 300 extra horsepower.

The new M5 has a twin turbo V8. Like the twin turbo Mercedes AMG engines, 800hp may be possible just with software, intercooler, upgraded turbos and exhaust.

Yeah I dont see how Marcin does this without some sort of added induction kit for the stock V10 Engine, (which already is a beast). He must've decked the car with all new parts and everything, cooling systems, ECU, Headers, everything - and he's probably running it on Ethanol too. Beast.

To be honest though, from an NBA player making that kind of cash, 800hp isnt all that great. I know of A80 MkIV Toyota Supra's that have 1200HP at the rear wheels which cost less than 150K, owned by non-NBA Players.


P.S: So I see you're a BMW Man hey Lukas? Man I miss my ol' E46 3-Series.

1UPZ wrote:NBA Player Cars