HorsePowerSports

LS9 6.2L Supercharged V-8 Crate Engine

by Paul Crowe on October 28, 2008

LS9 crate engine

Since GM put all of that time and effort into designing and building the LS9 V8 for the Corvette ZR1, it only makes sense for them to try to extract every possible dollar as a pay back. To that end, GM Performance Parts is going to offer it as a crate engine, all 638 horsepower and 604 foot pounds of it, ready to bolt in and make you smile.

GMPP’s LS9 crate engine assembly comes fully dressed, including the ignition system, supercharger assembly, exhaust manifolds and more. It also includes the production dry-sump oil pan and provisions for the charge cooler’s liquid cooling system. Builders will need an external oil tank, external coolant tank (for the charge cooler) and an ECU/wire harness.

What better time for the price of oil to fall?

Link: Autoblog

Groundfighter – Twin PulseJet Hemi Showcar for sale

by Paul Crowe on October 15, 2008

in Hot Rods,Show Cars

Groundfighter - twin jet hemi powered showcar

The Groundfighter is a completely over the top showcar powered by a 572 inch Keith Black Nitro Hemi PLUS 2 pulsejet engines. It has an F16 canopy with 2 tandem seats underneath with an aircraft yoke used for steering and full aircraft instrumentation on the front panel (air speed gauge, tachometer, etc.). Everything on the car works perfectly, the Keith Black Hemi and the twin jet engines, just what you need for your Saturday night cruise.

The pulsejet engine builder also makes engines in smaller sizes and sells them for use on all sorts of vehicles, even bicycles! They are just the thing when the 572 inches of nitro hemi aren’t up to the job.

There’s a starting bid of $375,000, which should be enough to weed out the tire kickers, but perhaps there’s a deep pockets speed freak looking for something to fill the empty space in his garage. Interesting.

Link: Groundfighter – listing has ended

Groundfighter - twin jet hemi powered showcar

Shelby GT350 – Affordable Performance

by Paul Crowe on October 13, 2008

in Auto advertisements,Classic Car,Race cars,Vintage Cars

Vintage ad for the Shelby GT 350

Those of us who grew up in the 60s remember the original muscle car era and ads for the Shelby GT 350 were just part of the landscape. Road racing performance for $4547.00. Quite a deal.

Full ad and text below: [click to continue…]

GM Recalls Over 850000 SUVs and Pickups

by Paul Crowe on August 29, 2008

in Automotive Recalls

GM SUV and pickup recall GM has issued a huge recall for over 850,000 model year 2006, 2007 and 2008 SUVs and pickup trucks equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system for a short circuit problem on a printed circuit board. Please see details below for specific models and years involved.

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Models affected:
BUICK / ENCLAVE 2008
BUICK / LUCERNE 2006-2008
CADILLAC / DTS 2006-2008
CADILLAC / ESCALADE 2007-2008
CADILLAC / ESCALADE ESV 2007-2008
CADILLAC / ESCALADE EXT 2007-2008
CHEVROLET / AVALANCHE 2007-2008
CHEVROLET / SILVERADO 2007-2008
CHEVROLET / SUBURBAN 2007-2008
CHEVROLET / TAHOE 2007-2008
GMC / ACADIA 2007-2008
GMC / SIERRA 2007-2008
GMC / YUKON 2007-2008
GMC / YUKON XL 2007-2008
HUMMER / H2 2006-2008
SATURN / OUTLOOK 2007-2008
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V441000
Potential Units Affected: 857735
Problem: GM is recalling 857,735 model year 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; model year 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, Saturn Outlook; and model year 2008 Buick Enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system. A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.cadillac.com; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.saturn.com, GMC at 1-866-996-9436; or Hummer at 1-800-732-5493; or at MyGMLink, http://www.gm.com/recall.

Formula Zero Hydrogen Fuel Cell Racing

by Paul Crowe on August 27, 2008

in Automotive technology,Fuel Systems,Future car,Hydrogen Cars

Formula Zero hydrogen fuel cell racing kart

Racing improves the breed and creates excitement, that’s the idea behind Formula Zero, an organization based in the Netherlands with the ambitious goal of establishing a hydrogen fuel cell racing series. Beginning with fuel cell powered racing karts, they have just begun racing at the student edition level where teams from top universities compete. The initial race in Rotterdam on August 23rd, 2008, was won by Greenchoice-Forze race team from the Technical University of Delft.

The next phase, planned for 2011, will be larger cars competing in their street or city edition where races will be held on street circuits in cities around the world. The final phase, planned for 2015, will be the circuit edition where major manufacturers will compete on regular race tracks. [click to continue…]

Chrysler May Be Selling the Dodge Viper

by Paul Crowe on August 27, 2008

in Car Business

Dodge Viper may be for sale

It’s no secret the big 3 are in deep financial straits and they’re entertaining all options to generate cash, offload slow movers and concentrate on their core business. In line with this thinking, Chrysler just announced they’re considering the sale of the Dodge Viper. CEO Bob Nardelli said they were approached by interested parties inquiring if the Viper might be available and Chrysler has agreed to listen.

According to Nardelli:

“Viper is an integral part of this Company’s heritage. While this is a strategic review, our intent would be to offer strong operational and financial support during any potential transaction, in order to ensure a future for the Viper business and perpetuate the legacy of this great vehicle.”

Link: Automotive News registration required

XR-3 Diesel Plug In Hybrid on the Road – Kits Coming

by Paul Crowe on August 20, 2008

in Car Kits,Electric Cars,Hybrid Car

RQ Riley's XR-3 diesel plug in hybrid

Last year we wrote about Robert Q. Riley’s XR-3 hybrid project, a diesel plug in hybrid you can build from plans. The XR-3 prototype is now on the road and I have to admit, I like the looks of it. It’s a reverse trike configuration 3 wheeler with diesel power going to the front wheels and an electric motor for the rear wheel. The full diesel electric hybrid system can exceed 200 mpg. The 2 power systems are separate, though, which means you can build the diesel only version first and add the electric power later if you wish, keeping the cost down and still getting over 100 mpg. The 1480 pound hybrid accelerates like a normal car and tops out at 80 mph.

Riley specifically wanted great styling to give this high efficiency vehicle a fun personality and I think he’s hit the mark, it really looks cool.

RQ Riley's XR-3 diesel plug in hybrid

Construction:
The prototype was built using the foam composite construction method, however, kits are in the works which will include pre-made body panels and a pre-welded frame assembly. The drive train options allow you to use various diesel engines and electric motors and you can use lead acid batteries in place of the Lithium Ion units to reduce cost. With this modular approach, the exact combination of pieces and parts gives the builder a lot of flexibility.

The canopy and front of the body can be removed to give complete engine access, the canopy has a steel tube perimeter frame for strength and there’s a composite roll bar in the body and foam filled sections in the front and on the sides for impact protection.

Costs:
Building a duplicate of the prototype might run about $25,000, a diesel only version about $10,000 but costs will vary depending on what you have available and what specific parts are chosen. No price yet on the kits.

In this period of transportation in transition where high fuel costs are causing many to rethink their vehicle options, the XR-3 shows one path that is visually appealing and technically interesting, plus it has a lot of hands on high tech appeal to the build it yourself crowd. I like it!

Photo and video below: [click to continue…]

BMW Air Bag Recall for 3 Series – 5 Series – X3

by Paul Crowe on August 13, 2008

in Automotive Recalls

BMW airbag recall BMW has issued a recall for the 2006 3 Series, 2004-2006 5 Series and 2004-2006 X3 for a problem with their air bags. Please read the details carefully for which model years apply to each model.

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Model Year: 2004, 2005,2006
Models affected:3 Series, 5 Series, X3
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V384000
Potential Units Affected: 200000
Problem: BMW is recalling 200,000 model year 2006 3 Series sport seat, model year 2004-2006 5 Series standard and sport seat, and model year 2004-2006 X3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger’s entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag “on-off” lamp will be illuminated. In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible.

Corrective Action: Dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall is expected to begin during late september 2008. BMW will also extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Auto Exhaust Can Generate Thermoelectric Power

by Paul Crowe on August 11, 2008

in Automotive technology,Future car,Gas Mileage

GM thermoelectric generator About 40 percent of the energy from gasoline or diesel fuel is wasted as exhaust heat. If you can convert some of that heat to electricity, it can provide electric power for automotive accessories, relieving some of the burden from the engine resulting in better fuel economy. The device that performs this conversion is a thermoelectric generator and GM has been working on developing one to either assist or even replace the vehicle’s alternator.

Installed on a Chevy Suburban, it could improve mileage by 5 percent, on a smaller car, even more. The goal is to increase mileage by 10 percent which, according to GM, could save 100 million gallons of fuel per year in GM vehicles in the U.S. alone. Another great feature is they don’t wear out, there are no moving parts. NASA has been using similar technology for 30 years.

GM prototypes are due to be tested next year and estimates are that thermoelectric generators could be ready for production in about 3 years.

GM is not alone in the field, a BMW supplier is working on thermoelectricity with Ohio State University and BSST, a subsidiary of thermoelectrics supplier Amerigon Inc. is working with Ford Motor Co. to develop climate control systems based on thermoelectrics.

Link: Yahoo News via Next Big Future

A Buyer’s Market for Vintage Cars

by Paul Crowe on August 8, 2008

in Classic Car,Vintage Cars

Buyer's market for nice vintage cars

Vintage cars are always in demand, the fellow that wants a 67 Mustang, a 57 Chevy or a 69 Camaro will pursue his dream until he gets it but the market is in a state of flux. The less expensive cars below $30,000 and the high end machines above $100,000 are in demand as always but the middle market, the nice cars between those figures are in greater supply right now and the buyer can bid a little less and still get a great car.

Many owners in those categories have taken out equity loans to cover their purchase and the subprime mortgage mess is creating issues, forcing some to put their classic up for sale, at the same time, fewer buyers are able to finance their dream car and sellers can’t locate the ones who are able to come up with the cash. Some sellers are heartbroken when they find they have to sell their car and the buyers aren’t there to pay what it was worth a year ago.

A buyer’s market is actually a great opportunity to pick up some real gems at a nice price but, as always, if you’re buying a vintage car as an investment and nothing more, you should put your money in the bank. Cars are to be enjoyed, if you don’t love them, why buy them in the first place?

Link: Detroit News

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