Howard Building Corporation

Project Description

Toyota Racing Development 

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) has grown in the last 25 years from an aftermarket parts distributor and “speed shop,” to one of the most accomplished and acclaimed engineering companies in motorsports. Divisions of TRD support the R & D functions for all TRD branded performance vehicles and are also responsible for supporting Toyota's Nascar racing interests from their Costa Mesa and North Carolina facilities.

Dynamometer Test Cells 

TRD's new Dynamometer Test Cell facility was designed by architects at SAA and constructed by Howard Building Corporation. The tri-level CMU building was built ground-up and houses two new dynamometer test cells. The larger of the two cells was designed for high-speed combustion air testing as well as standard track testing. This very intricate custom build included two large underground pit areas for dynamometer equipment, a test level complete with the latest equipment from the recognized world leader in dynamometer testing – AVL, and an interstitial space for electrical and mechanical equipment. The test cells were lined with stainless steel acoustical sound panels on the floors and ceilings as well as epoxy and aluminum diamond plate access flooring. Overhead cranes were installed to lift engines into the dynamometers, and shoring systems were fitted to protect existing structures. Exterior landscaping and concrete site improvements were also included in the scope of the project. 

Clarifier/Filtration System and Build Shop 

The scope of this portion of the project included an upgrade to TRD's waste treatment capacity that involved the removal of two small oil separators and replacement with a 2,000 gallon, 3-stage separator and duplex sump pump. The existing filtration system was also upgraded so that clarified effluent is now filtered through a clay and media filter system outfitted with stainless steel piping. Other minor upgrades to adjacent process areas were completed, including de-burring, de-greasing and adding floor sinks to feed the new clarifier. The scope also featured interior construction of a 1,000 square foot engine build shop that followed an accelerated 10 day schedule in order to accommodate eight large engine build stations. All work was completed during off hours to prevent disruption of daily operations.