Motor City Muscle

Seriously? NOS Yugo parts? LMAO!

2012-01-30T16:32:00.002-05:00

Ran across this gem on Craigslist a few nights ago. For $200, you could be the lucky owner of a piece of automotive history. An original, shrink wrapped 1986-1989 carb for a Yugo. That last Yugo I saw had to have been about 10 years ago, and it was tubbed out and pro-streeted, likely not sharing but a few original factory parts. On a side note, I also saw some Yugo rubber bumpers for sale by another seller. Some things should just stay tucked away in the corner of the garage collecting dust.

Brand NEW 1986-1989 Yugo carb

Henry Ford Museum opening revamped auto displays

2012-01-30T16:25:00.002-05:00

Henry Ford Museum has finished their extensive revamp/restoration of their automotive display. Much of the Museum had been under renovation over the past couple of years. While I can't confirm all the work is done, as we let our memberships lapse last summer, I will promise to renew in the coming months and check out the new display.

Henry Ford Museum revamped auto displays

2012 Detroit Autorama: February 24-26, 2012

2012-01-27T14:23:00.003-05:00

Just a quick reminder, the Detroit Autorama is just around the corner. This year's show will be February 24-26, 2012. I will once again be attending two days, both Friday and Saturday. Show coverage with pictures will be posted shortly after. My dad will be attending this year, after missing a few. The fact that the Challenger project is moving forward seemed to be all the incentive he needed.

Hours of the 2012 Detroit Autorama

Friday - 12pm - 10pm
Saturday - 9am - 10pm
Sunday - 10am - 8pm

2012 Detroit Autorama official site

Chevy's New Nova: Code 130R

2012-01-25T12:32:00.006-05:00

Chevrolet Code 130R. A concept vehicle that seems to have been designed with a great chance of going to production.

Ok, so maybe it's not called the Nova, and considering the age group they are going for, perhaps resurrecting the Nova name plate is not the direction they want to go. Yet do people really get excited over names like "Code 130R?" In my opinion, "Nova" should still get the nod.

The Code 130R (that's seriously just way too much to say) really caught my attention at this year's show. I liked the styling, as it blended today's Chevy face with a Camaro rear, and packaged it into a small car. I couldn't help but envision the first generation Nova the more I looked at it. It reminded me of the Nova not because of it's styling, but in regards to size and weight, and a market that really no longer exists. While similar cars in size exists, they lack excitement and performance in my opinion. There isn't a car this size currently built that gets my blood pumping. I will admit though, it wasn't until I saw the Scion FR5 that the gears in my head started turning, and I realized the true potential this Chevy has.

Here is how to lay it out in my opinion. Make minimal to no changes to the concept design. Secondly, make it light. The Scion is in the 2,700 lbs range, which equates to an excellent power to weight ratio. The majority of sales will include 4 & 6 cylinder engines. However, offer up a 5.3 LS (327) as an SS option. Keep it under 3,000 lbs with the V8, offer it with a 6 speed transmission, and you should still have a 32+ mpg car with the V8. You don't have to go crazy with the power, but 325 hp or so would be nice. I realize that you could put a turbo 4 or 6 in it and still achieve 300+ hp, but I'm from the mindset that likes the sound of a V8. I really don't care if the 4 banger makes the power if it sounds like a Hoover. It absolutely HAS to be rear wheel drive!

Lastly, you need to keep the price in check. I would love a new Camaro, but I'm not sure I will ever bring myself to spend $35,000+ to get a Camaro optioned the way I'd like. Even if I could, I am greatly disappointed in the fact that it weighs nearly 4,000 lbs, and would get the same or worse mileage as my daily driven 1989 Pontiac Formula. I mean seriously, aside from the 426 hp, where is the 20+ years of technology? Build this new Nova, fully optioned, V8 powered, and backed with a 6 speed, all for around $22,000, and I would seriously consider buying one.

I really liked the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice, but felt they were a bit heavier than they needed to be, and didn't have the type of power available I would have liked to see. A new Nova could fill the void left by the Solstice/Sky. Lastly, offer it in a convertible, to satisfy the topless crowd. I honestly feel this could be not only a hot seller, but one of the best handling/performing cars for the price to come out of GM in years. What do you think? Should GM build such a car? I suspect that some version of this car will go into production, but I fear it will be wrong wheel drive, 4 cylinder powered, lack the handling, and weigh 3,500+ lbs, and most importantly, not be of any interest to this potential buyer.

North American International Auto Show: Coverage and Photos

2012-01-18T10:00:00.013-05:00

The North American International Auto Show is now in full swing, and yesterday I attended my first of two planned visits. Without a doubt, the industry as a whole is much healthier than it has been in years. Most all auto makers had new product as well as concepts on display. Some were promising, while others looked like epic fails. Overall though, this was a great year for the show! It wasn't until after I looked through my photos that I realized just how good things are for performance enthusiasts. There haven't been so many high powered rear wheel drive cars on the market in years. These ARE the new "good ol days."

The current Bentleys aren't like the old ones. Gone is the brick faced front in, replaces with smooth flowing aerodynamics lines that go nicely with the swept back windshield. Truly a beauty that lives up to it's reputation.

I had read about the Audi A3 ahead of time, and it was suppose to be a big deal now that it's heading to U.S. shores. I fail to see the big deal.

This Audi on the other hand, this is a car to get excited about.

The future of BMW? Well, perhaps at least ONE possible future option.

This future option is more like it!

The new BMW 3 series.

Smashed Bug. I"ve never been a fan of the Bug, regardless of era. That said, this one is the best of the bunch. I think it's because it doesn't look so bubbly.

A Porsche was never meant to have 4 doors.

A West Coast Customs Kia. Perhaps this ends the old cliche, maybe you CAN occasionally polish a turd.

The Dodge Challenger Yellow Jacket, live and in color.

The Dodge Super Bee.

I was very disappointed with the Dodge Dart. I was hoping for an aggressive little rice rocket, one that would change the face of compact cars. What I saw was just another average looking small car that does nothing to excite me.

The Boss. Probably the best all around bang for the buck when it comes to throwing a car around corners.

Though the nod goes to the Dodge Charger in my book, the 300 is still one of the best looking family cars on the market.

Best looking Scion ever built in my opinion, which normally wouldn't be saying much. This car however, will bring the Scion to a whole new market. Rear wheel drive, sporty styling, 2,800 lbs, and initially a 200 hp engine. That's lighter and more powerful than my first car, a 1989 Pontiac Firebird with a 305 V8! With a rumored stripped down model and a possible turbo version, this car will be a hot seller. If this wasn't an import, this is the kind of small car I would actually consider....if it wasn't an import.

Toyota Alfa Romeo?

Reminds me of a Star Wars character. I believe he may have been a Jedi.

The Lexus LFA. This is another damn good looking car! After years of bland cars (in my opinion), the imports seem to be onto something regarding their styling.

The Lexus LF-LC is another ALMOST. The styling is so close, maybe 80%, but then they had to go and ruin the rear. The front needs a little tweaked as well. The side blended ground effects remind me all too much of the 1991-1992 Firebirds, which I thought were gaudy. That said, I love the overall shape of the body. With some cleaning up, this could be a styling hit.

Cadillac's XTS, their new flag ship. Oddly, this will be Cadillac's only front wheel drive based model, though as with this model, all wheel drive is available.

The Cadillac ATS, aka BMW 3 Series fighter.

2013 Chevy Malibu. Not bad looking, but not my cup of tea.

The Chevy Miray. Here is another very attractive small compact car that does it for me. The lower portion/ground effects are a bit too much for me, but with some cleaning up, this could be one sweet car as well. Sadly, concepts like this lose most of what makes them cool by the time they go to production.

The rear of the Miray really does it for me! I would suspect that this styling will be included in the next Corvette, as you can't help but see the Vette's heritage. Sadly, that would likely mean such styling would NEVER be used on a small car like this, as it would be viewed as taking away from the Vette's noise.

The 2013 ZL1 Convertible. Chevy's most powerful Camaro convertible ever built.

Chevy Code 130R. Another good looking small car. This car has a lot of potential, as it looks as though it is production ready. This could fill the void left by the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky.

The rear of the Code 130R resembles the Chevy Camaro, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I don't like the placement/look of the tail pipes, but a nice tip or mesh screen exits while relocating them higher in the bumper is an easy fix.

Chevy Tru 140S. I feel as though this car has been done, as it's a bit too Mitsubishi Eclipse-ish for me. Not that the round/bubbly Eclipse was a bad looking car, but it just makes the design dated about a decade.

The Nissan GT-R. Another successful competitor in the performance market. I will say however, I've never been a fan of the front end styling.

The Nissan Murano Crosscabriolet. A convertible? This is a first, and quite possibly the first in a new market. The styling itself is ugly as can be, but the idea of a convertible is almost enough to make up for it.

The Nissan 370Z. Nothing over the top, nothing too gaudy, and worthy performance.

The Lincoln MKZ is a very sharp looking car. Why Ford decided to base it on a front wheel drive platform is beyond me. By doing so, in my opinion, they took themselves out of the luxury car market. BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac, Dodge and Chrysler have all come to realize that the luxury car market prefers rear wheel drive. I can't see Lincoln making it passed another decade, and Ford will in turn wave the white flag to the luxury segment. Such a shame, as this car has a lot of potential.

Ford Mustang Cobra GT500 Convertible, strapped to a dyno and ready to flex it's muscles.

The 2013 Ford Fusion...another "not my cup of tea car." It seems to be a good all around car, but like the Malibu, it simply is what it is. These cars just look bland to me, and blend in among the Camrys and Accords of the world, not unlike so many other cars on the road.

The Acura NSX. I was always intrigued by the former NSX, but always thought the deck over the mid mounted engine looked unproportional to the rest of the car. In this concept, they have resolved that issue, while remaining a mid-engine sports car. In addition to being all wheel drive, it is also set to be a hybrid.

Dodge Charger outfitted with a ton of stuff from the Mopar Parts bin. Most notably, the 426 ci modern hemi. If the recorded audible exhaust note was any indication of what this car sounds like, it has to be one beast of a car.

Hyundai Genesis, a company I once would have never imagined would enter into the "modern muscle" market. From the reviews I've read over the past couple years, it seems to be a worthy competitor.

The Falcon Motorsports F7. Hands down, the show stopper for me. This car was on display last year, tucked away in a low buck rope display in raw, unpainted form. It's light weight/high power showed enormous potential though. This year, the finished product exceeded my wildest dreams. This is the type of car I'd love to see it's mark in the super car segment. Designed and built right here in Michigan, it is as hot as they come.

Simple, straight to the point, no frills interior. Just my style.

Again, a simple, straight to the point, and classic look at the rear of the car. Perfect in every way. With 620 hp of Corvette power and a curb weight of 2,785 lbs, this car has to be a rocket, and deserving of a future entry of it's own. For more info: Falcon Motorsports F7

2012 North American International Auto Show: Additional picture s

2013 Lincoln MKZ Concept

2012-01-10T23:21:00.003-05:00

I keep hearing about the reinvention of the Lincoln brand. While I think the MKZ looks sharp from what I've seen so far, I tend to disagree with Ford that they are going to be competitive in the luxury car market. The reason why is simply: Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler, all rear wheel drive, and built upon their own platforms.

Ford is once again starting with the Ford Fusion (which also looks to be a sharp car) and turning it into a "luxury" car. Also, the rest of the competition has long since realized what Europe has known for years, a true luxury car that lives up to an owners expectations starts with being rear wheel drive. While Ford has done many things right during these past few years to come out on top in many ways, this re-invention of Lincoln is off to a bad start in my opinion.

2013 Lincoln MKZ Concept

The 2012 North American International Auto Show is Underway

2012-01-10T16:55:00.000-05:00

The 2012 North American International Auto Show kicked off with the press preview days. As expected, numerous cars were unveiled making their debuts. Below are some of which have already made the internet. I will be attending this year's show, possibly twice, and will be reporting back with pictures and opinions by next week some time.

2013 Lincoln MKZ: The reinvention is underway for luxury brand

Buick pushes into emerging small luxury crossover market with Encore

Honda unveils redesigned Accord coup

Nissan aims for right balance with redesigned Pathfinder crossover

Holly-made $250K sports car boasts carbon fiber body, 'Vette engine

Toyota shows off an electric fututre

Chrysler reveals 700 minivan concept

New Ford Fusion comes in many flavors

Mercedes shows power, efficiency

6 Vehicles displayed at Detroit Auto Show as BMW seeks to keep luxury lead

Chevy aims for millennial market with two concepts

VW aims hybrid, EV at U.S. consumers

Ford is betting big on electric, plug in vehicles

Honda looks to rebuild Acura's momentum in performance car

Scion unveils new FR-S sports car, and a racing version

Mercedes SL roadster is widened and lengthened

Dodge: Dart is revolutionary car

Korean automaker Hyundai won't rest of its laurels

Porsche 911

Audi Q3 coming to U.S. in 2014

Bentley Continental

Lexus LF-LC at Detroit Auto Show

VW Bugster

Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid concept

Mini roadster debuts amid monster sales

North American International Auto Show

Official Press Release: 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Yellow Jacket

2012-01-04T13:17:00.002-05:00

2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8® 392 Yellow Jacket Creates Buzz at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

Special limited-edition Dodge Challenger SRT8® model features exclusive Stinger Yellow exterior and interior appointments

Proven 392 cubic-inch (6.4-liter) HEMI® V-8 engine provides pulsating 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque across a wide rpm range while also delivering 23 miles per gallon on the highway

Two-mode adaptive damping suspension system offers selectable suspension tuning and automatically adapts to road and driver inputs for optimal vehicle control

Exclusive SRT® heated steering wheel features mounted paddle shifters for hands on the wheel shifting both on road and at the race track

Available 18-speaker Harman Kardon® audio system, with innovative GreenEdge® technology, offers 900 watts of power

Arrives in U.S. dealer showrooms in first quarter 2012

November 9, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team today announced an exclusive production run of special-edition 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8® 392 Yellow Jacket models featuring Stinger Yellow exterior paint and interior appointments.

Based on the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, the Challenger SRT8 Yellow Jacket features a Stinger Yellow body color and black grille surround to match the standard black body-side stripes that highlight the newly developed Yellow Jacket logo on the rear fender. New 20 x 9-inch, five-spoke cast-aluminum wheels with black painted pockets provide a unique performance look.

Inside, the standard leather seats feature an exclusive Stinger Yellow accent band with embroidered Yellow Jacket logo and silver accent stitching. The driver's seat also features a full adjustable lumbar position with seatback tilt, memory and an easy-to-reach release handle, while the front-passenger seat adds tilt and slide with memory, which makes it even easier for passengers to get in and out of the back seat.

"The Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket adds another piece of performance car nostalgia to our rear-drive muscle coupe lineup in 2012," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports. "The Stinger Yellow paint and interior accents speak directly to the performance enthusiast who appreciates a memorable and collectible color that helps deliver even more excitement and exclusivity."

The original Dodge "Yellow Jacket" show car, which evolved from the 1970 Challenger, was shown at various auto show exhibits beginning in late 1969. Painted pearlescent Honey Gold, the roadster was powered by the 426-cubic inch HEMI V-8 and carried a number of the famous Dodge "Scat Pack" performance features, such as a unique front spoiler, wider tires, heavy-duty suspension and brakes, and manual transmission, along with the Rallye instrument cluster and shaker hood.

A limited number of 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket models will be built for the U.S. market. All Dodge Challenger models are built at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

The Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket will be available for ordering in December at Dodge dealerships nationwide and will be arriving in U.S. dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2012.

About the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8® 392
For 2012, the Dodge Challenger SRT8® 392 adds even more high-tech performance features to solidify its place as the brand's ultimate modern American rear-wheel-drive muscle coupe. With 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque from the proven 392 cubic-inch HEMI® V-8, the balanced performance approach of the Challenger SRT8 392 provides outstanding straight-line acceleration, world-class ride and handling, high-performance braking and the most up-to-date technologies that deliver more driver excitement and control.

The standard Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission and a dual-disc high-performance clutch are proven performers that were first offered on the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10®. Both automatic and manual models feature a standard limited-slip differential to maximize performance.

The optional five-speed automatic transmission features new, standard steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that join the center console mounted Auto Stick, allowing for a choice of spirited shifting on both the road and the race track. Both methods give the driver the ability to manually select specific gears on the transmission.

Standard Fuel Saver Technology (four-cylinder mode) in automatic transmission equipped models allows the engine to operate economically on four cylinders or use the power of all eight cylinders when needed. The EPA fuel economy miles per gallon (mpg) (City/Hwy) ratings for the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 are 14/23 for both manual and automatic transmission models.

The adaptive damping suspension (ADS) system is new for 2012 and tuned specifically for the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392. The ADS system on the Challenger SRT8 392 features the fastest turn-in and most nimble handling characteristics of any SRT product.

In the "Sport" setting, the system provides the highest damping rates allowing the driver to push the handling envelope like never before. In "Auto" mode, a wide range of on-road and driver inputs – such as vehicle speed, steering angle, steering speed, brake torque, throttle position and lateral/vertical accelerations – automatically tune the suspension for specific conditions.

Drivers can easily choose between settings to quickly change the shock damping and harshness characteristics from "Auto" for everyday commuting to "Sport" for more spirited driving situations.

The handling result is .90g capability on the skid pad – the most of any production Challenger and on par with some of the world's best-handling performance coupes.

The standard SRT performance brake package produces world-class stopping power of 60 to 0 mph in just 117 feet from 14.2 inch (front) and 13.8 inch (rear) vented/slotted rotors with four-piston Brembo fixed calipers painted red. The three-mode electronic stability control system with knockback mitigation also includes four-wheel ABS, all-speed traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, Brake Assist and Hill-start Assist (HSA).

The 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 accelerates from 0-60 mph in the high 4-second range; runs the quarter mile in mid-12-second range with the automatic transmission (high 12-second range with the manual); goes from 0-100-0 mph in the low 15s, reaches a top speed of 182 mph with the manual transmission (175 mph with the automatic).

The large front splitter and integrated front fender spats and body-color rear decklid spoiler provide stable high-speed aerodynamic balance while the front fascia chin spoiler also improves aerodynamic drag and is accented in black for a more aggressive look.

Unique "392 HEMI" badges flank both fenders touting the historically significant V-8 engine that remains true to its high-performance roots and powers the highest rated Challenger in terms of horsepower and torque ratings. From the rear, the 4-inch rectangular exhaust tips deliver the 392's performance exhaust note while adding the styling cue of a serious muscle car.

The race inspired and high-performance interior begins with the new, exclusive SRT® heated steering wheel that features mounted paddle shifters for hands on the wheel shifting both on road and at the race track. All audio and Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) controls are accessible from the horizontal spokes on the steering wheel.

The trapezoidal instrument panel features a four-bomb gauge cluster with chromed accent rings and unique SRT graphics. Inside the cluster, the SRT-exclusive Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with performance pages gives the driver trip information, multimedia information from the Media Center radio, along with instant feedback on 0-60 mph acceleration, 60-0 mph braking, G-forces, one-eighth mile and quarter-mile times.

The 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 features more than 35 advanced safety and security features, including standard Keyless Enter-N-Go and three-mode electronic stability control (ESC) with segment-exclusive Ready Alert Braking and Rain Brake Support safety features to improve overall vehicle handling and performance.

For maximum convenience and to keep passengers connected, a wide array of connectivity, infotainment and mobile multimedia options are available on the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8.

New for 2012, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 features an available 900-watt, 18-speaker premium SRT performance audio surround-sound system from Harman Kardon. The system offers world premier innovation, featuring a 32-volt TPS (Tracking Power Supply) 12-channel Class D amplifier that delivers outstanding acoustics and brings multi-dimensional, quality sound for all interior occupants.

The new system uses GreenEdge® speaker and amplifier technology to offer superior sound quality and high Sound Pressure Level outputs with minimum energy consumption. GreenEdge amplifiers alone outperform traditional amplifier efficiency by up to 55 percent, representing a net efficiency of more than 90 percent in some cases. The speakers are tuned for maximum efficiency and perfectly matched to the amplifier output.

The innovative Uconnect® Media Center 430, 430N and 730N radios integrate a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with a hard drive where more than 150 hours of music and photos can be stored. Uconnect Media Center radios also offer two navigation options, including segment-leading Garmin® Navigation guidance and mapping (Uconnect Media Center 430N), or premium GPS Navigation with SIRIUS Traffic (Uconnect Media Center 730N). Both navigation solutions feature SIRIUS Travel Link, providing real-time weather, fuel prices and more while on the go.

SRT Track Experience
Owners of any Chrysler Group SRT vehicle receive one day of professional driving instruction as part of the SRT Track Experience, designed to maximize their driving knowledge and skills on the street or track. Sessions are held throughout the year at selected tracks.

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee

2012-01-04T12:32:00.006-05:00

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee - Photo by Brian Vance

As I browsed through the magazine rack, the February 2012 issue of Motor Trend caught my eye. What caught my eye? The bright yellow Super Bee on the cover. I read the article with great joy, as I thought a stripped down, affordable, fast modern muscle car was long over due. This seemed to fit the bill, and the label "knuckle dragging beast" shortly into the read seemed right up my alley. Then, I got to the end of the article and was rather disappointed.

This Super Bee model does succeed in omitting many of the "luxury" items I personally could live without. Gone are the leather seats, front and rear heated seats, heated/cooled cup holders, 19 speaker premium audio system, LED reading lights, adaptive damping suspension, and navigation system (though a smaller touch screen, I could do without, remains). Other items were also deleted, though that's all the article listed. So far, the car sounded promising, dropping nearly 100 lbs of weight.

The 4.4 second 0-60 times are impressive, along with the 12.8 second 1/4 mile times, the curb weight is where my disappointment set in. So, how much does this Charger placed on the Jenny Craig diet weigh? Even after dropping nearly 100 lbs, she still weighs 4,271 lbs! There is nothing light weight or stripped down about that. While the car has plenty of power, I am sure that it lacks the seat-o-the-pants acceleration a muscle car needs to have in my book. Having test drove the Dodge Challenger R/T a few years ago, I came to the same conclusion. The Challenger is sharp, rides as comfy as a family car, and it's 370 hp gets the car going. Yet the quick acceleration of the needle in the dash just didn't put a big smile on my face. Is it fast? Hell yeah. Does it feel fast though? Nope, not to me.

I will give Dodge credit though, as they may be on to something. Perhaps in the near future, in an effort to meet the mpg standards put forth by the government, all future models will be put on a serious diet. Then, when a "stripped down/luxury void" model goes into production, that 100 lbs less will mean something. It doesn't need to be a feather weight, as it is still a 4 door family car, but give me a 3,600, or even a 3,700 lb Charger with 470 hp, AND A MANUAL TRANSMISSION!, then we can talk. Two tons of fun? Ain't gonna happen.

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee

Goodbye 2011!

2011-12-31T13:02:00.002-05:00

As 2011 passes us by, and 2012 is about to kick off, I look back on what a great year it was. For the first time in nearly a decade, my Camaro was on the road for practically a full cruise season. Aside from a few cruises I attended w/o my car due to mechanical problems, I was able to hop in my car and go. In addition, our daughter was exposed to her first taste of car shows, with many more in her future!

For 2012, I hope to resolve a few nagging car issues before the season kicks off. I look forward to a cruise season even better than the last. I hope to have a new intake and carb in place within a few months, and hopefully custom headers and rebuilt transmission as well. If I can mark those items off the list, I think I can start to concentrate on a few of the more minor, creature comforts.

2011 also proved to be my most productive year for blogging. I also added my first personal videos to my blog, and look ahead to many more in 2012. In addition to my own personal projects, perhaps the greatest news is the re-start of my dad's 1970 Challenger. After an initial purchase of a couple thousand in parts, another last minute purchase got all the emblems and a new deck lid, seemingly the only body part that needs replaced. I look forward to watching the Challenger come together, and will be sure to document as much of the project as I can to share. While it's highly doubtful that it will come alive in 2012, we hope to be on the road by 2013 by the start of the cruise season...perhaps even shooting for the 2013 Detroit Autorama!

Stay tuned, as 2012 should prove to be an exciting year!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T15:50:00.004-05:00

Let me start by wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and hope all my readers have a safe and happy holiday season. This Christmas I supplied the wife with a handful of options on my wish list, all of which were tools of course.

What Santa delivered was at the top of my wish list, a Craftsman Professional 1/2" composite impact wrench. This baby packs 725 ft/lbs of torque, and should be able to bust loose even the most stubborn of nuts and bolts. I had been leaning towards an Ingersoll Rand impact for years, though couldn't beat the price and torque rating of the Craftsman. While I own almost exclusively all Craftsman hand tools, I haven't been a big fan of their power tools in the past, but have had good experiences as of recent, and hope the trend continues. That said, my Milwaukee circular saw I got from my in-laws is the Cadillac of saws, no question about it!

In addition, the wife picked up an LED trouble light, which I was greatly in need of. I can't believe how long I've been getting by without one after my last trouble light took a shit. I'm anxious to get out to the garage and try both out, but instead am taking care of my sick baby girl and wife who managed to pick up a case of the stomach flu. Holiday season wouldn't be complete without a little virus to go around eh?

1986 Chevy Scottsdale Show Truck - $10000 (Ypsilanti)

2011-12-16T13:02:00.003-05:00

Saw this ad on Craigslist and had to laugh. I will be honest though, it doesn't look that far off from a Chevy Avalanche! Show truck? Uh, yeah...something like that. Nothing sends the message home that you're getting a show truck more than a dusty hand print on the fan shroud.

1986 Chevy Scottsdale Show Truck - $10000 (Ypsilanti)

I won this truck in a raffle, which means I don't know much about it! Appraised @ $29,500. It has a 350 w/Aluminum Holly Heads, Edelbrok Highrise Intake w/Holly 4 barrel. Asking $10,000 because of appraisal, price is negotiable! Please only call if interested will try to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for looking call Scott @ (734)929-8672 please do not reply with e-mail unless your sending a phone #. I listed this as a favor, the owner of the truck does not reply to e-mails! Thanks again! This is a SHOW TRUCK not a drive around town truck!!

Location: Ypsilanti
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Dad's 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T: Update

2011-12-12T10:51:00.009-05:00

The way she's sat since fall 2001.

The ball is now rolling. This past Saturday we went down to visit my parents. While my wife and daughter spent the day shopping with my mom, dad and I had other plans. I had loaded up my engine hoist, jack, some tools, and a plan to get the engine, transmission, and driveshaft removed from the Challenger. Having never pulled an engine from a Mopar, I was hoping there wouldn't be too many surprises.

We started with the obvious, removing all the accessories, hoses, and anything else that needed disconnected. We discovered the usual multiple washers used as spacers here and there, though have to say that I was somewhat surprised to find pieces of copper pipe used where a larger spacer was needed. Copper being the soft metal that it is probably isn't the best choice for a spacer.

Those are actually charger seats, came in the car. I think we'll likely go with a more modern/more comfortable style seat for the fronts.

My dad's tool collection, as it stands, leaves a lot to be desired. I bought him a Craftsman set of metric wrenches for Christmas or birthday a few years ago, but it's down hill from there, and metric wrenches would be of little use on this project. The standard wrenches he had weren't shorty wrenches, but they were far short of full size, and gave up much in terms of leverage. Hey, I didn't build my collection of tools over night, and I also learned the hard way that cheap/Chinese made ratchets and sockets aren't going to last more than a few uses. That said, we made due with what we had, and improvised when needed.

Backseat storage.

My biggest concern was removing the exhaust from the manifolds. My dad just purchased a quality Craftsman Professional 60 gallon air compressor, though hadn't removed it from the crate, installed the cord, and bought a hose. Not to mention, he lacked air tools and I didn't bother bringing mine. That's ok, as I quickly concluded a Milwaukee Sawzall would prove quicker and easier any way, and since we weren't reusing the exhaust, the smarter play. One other small obstacle was the mounting pad for the shifter mechanism on the side of the transmission. The attaching bolts were larger than your typical allen head, and my suspicions were correct, a few sizes bigger than what our tool box had. As an alternative, I simply removed the transmission crossmember, which will be replaced by a new one for the 5 speed any way.

Extra storage.

With the accessories, driveshaft, exhaust, and lines/hoses removed, we were ready to remove the engine. I must admit, this engine slid out WAY easier than my Camaro engine, which fights us every step of the way, and makes for a very difficult 1 man job lining up the bolt holes. By comparison, I'm predicting we'll be able to drop a new engine into place upon first attempt.

That's not an extremely low profile intake, I "borrowed" the carb a few years ago.

Dad is sold on going the crate engine route, and upsizing from 383 cubic inches. After some searching, I found a place in Lansing, MI specializing in just what we were looking for, Mopar stroker motors! I'm thinking a stroked low deck, which to the eye will look like the 383 we pulled, all while sporting an extra 120 or so extra cubes. Backed up by a 5 speed and either the 3.23 gear in it, or something slightly better, like a 3.55 or 3.73, this car will have gobs of power, and be fun to drive down the highway.

Out comes the 383 and 4 speed trans.

Dad plans to order up my list of parts through Year One by year's end, in order to receive the 30% off offered right now. Unfortunately, all those parts won't go on the car until it's painted and ready to go back on the road. That said, it's either save $900 now, or pay $900 more in the future. Aside from stripping the rest of the underbody and Por-15-ing it, the next logical steps will be suspension (Hotchkis), brakes (Wilwood), and wheels (American Racing). With those three major components out of the way, all that will be left is the new powertrain, body work/paint, and a few interior odds and ends. The goal will be to be on the road cruising by summer 2013, possibly entering it in the 2013 Detroit Autorama!

Ready for something bigger and badder!

Dodge Dart to Return in 2013

2011-12-09T12:58:00.004-05:00

A few days ago Dodge announced the return of the Dodge Dart, to be unveiled at this years North American International Auto Show. It's interesting that the original "Dart" was a Chrysler show vehicle build by Ghia in 1956. The Dart would later go into production in 1960 and during it's life go from a full-size, to mid-size, to compact. By today's standards, that "compact" would be more on level with today's mid size car. This round, the Dart will be revived as a front wheel drive, 4 cylinder, sub-compact car. A shame really, as I was hoping for something on par with the Dodge Dart I remember. Not that the few sneak peeks of the car I've seen are all that bad. It is actually looking like a good looking car, sharing the Dodge Chargers rear lights. Though why resurrect a car's name that is obviously not from the same gene pool.

All too often car makers seem to bring back names, hoping to build upon a known tradition, when a car shares little with it's heritage. Just to name a few, Ford's 500, Chevy's Monte Carlo, Chevy's Impala (not the 1991-1996, which lived up to the reputation in my opinion), and a few others that slip my mind. While the Dodge Charger has a couple extra doors, I think it has represented the Charger lineage well, especially in a market that overwhelmingly prefers 4 doors, to my dismay. I think automakers just need to put a little more thought into naming a vehicle before slapping them on undeserving cars. Remember the Charger of the 1980's? Enough said.

Motor Authority: 2013 Dodge Dar to Return 40 mpg, offer 9 speed auto

Coke Zero/Mentos Powered Rocket Car

2011-12-09T12:57:00.001-05:00

This is pretty sweet!

2012 North American International Auto Show: January 9-22, 2012

2011-12-06T13:52:00.005-05:00

The North American International Auto Show in Detroit is just around the corner. Below is a list of dates for the show. As always, I'll attend a day or two and take plenty of pictures. I was excited to hear the return of the Dodge Dart will be on display, until reading that it is a front wheel/4 cylinder powered compact. How disappointing!

Press Preview - January 9-10, 2012

Industry Preview - January 11-12, 2012

Charity Preview - January 13, 2012

Public Show - January 14-22, 2012

2012 North American International Auto Show (Official Web Site)

1989 Pontiac Formula: Rough around the edges

2011-11-29T20:14:00.010-05:00

A few days ago I gave old girl a much needed detailing session in the garage. Having been displaced from the garage, parked curbside, the elements have taken their toll on her. As I've said many times, I plan on keeping this car, and doing either a resto-mod, or perhaps even another caged car for street/strip/road course duties.

Overall, for a car with 150,000 miles and 23 years under it's belt, she looks pretty good. Even better from 10 feet away. Being from Michigan however, and seeing year round driving over the nearly 8 years I've owned it, the salt has left it's mark. I took some time to give the interior a good vacuum and wipe down after taking it through a car wash. I even took some wheel cleaner to the wheels and tire foam to blacken the wheels. It's the best she's looked in a very long time, but the rust and the puddle on my seat from when it rains reminds me, the end is near, and a new beginning is well deserved. Below are some pictures I took, detailing the numerous areas of concern.

Not bad 10 feet away.

The infamous paint peel, thanks to 1980's quality combined with EPA requirements that changed paint standards often.

The worst of the worst. The bottom of the passenger door is getting bad, perhaps to the point where I'll look for a replacement instead of fixing what's left. You can see the rust on the front wheel well as well as the belt line of the door from slight rubbing.

Tail ain't too bad, as I've polished the lenses once or twice. The front and rear black bumpers are in good condition as well. While many detest the bumpers, I've always kinda liked them.

The rust you see here is only the beginning. The tops of the rear inner wheel wells are gone. When I say gone, I mean the metal has actually rusted away from the should belt anchors, leaving them unattached to anything. It also allows what to obviously enter the car, under the interior panels. I almost removed the panels to assess the damage, but decided at this time I'd rather not know.

The rear spoiler has been trashed since I got the car, and only got worse. Thankfully, they make a fiberglass replacement for the rubber wing.

As you can see, the passenger side door isn't anywhere near as bad as the other side. The rusted dent you may recall is from battle with a shopping cart. The damage to the fender below was much worse.

The inner wheel well on this side is gone as well. I have figured that it'll simply give me a reason to either stretch the wheel wells, or go with a mini-tub allowing some 315 or 325's on the back. While I'm sure my Pontiac will some day find it's way to the drag strip, I'm much more anxious to take it around some cones, a road course, or even more so, the salt flats, pony express, and top speed challenges.

This was the other damage from the shopping cart battle one wintry day a few years ago.

The most recent damage, from some asshole who apparently wanted to try and steal my battery. While nothing was taken, it showed me the obvious weakness of this type of lock cylinder. I'm thinking of maybe shaving the locks/handles and smoothing the sides in the future.

Top view of fender damage.

Under hood still is fairly clean, aside from some rust around the shock towers.

Vice grips, necessary for my blown out hood shocks. Same was needed to support the glass hatch.

The interior, I have to say, still looks pretty damn good! The front seats have a few minor tears, as does the top of the rear seat. But considering the number of years and wear and tear the car has been through, she's held up well over the years.

Rear hatch area, with the seat folded down. Again, not to shabby for it's age.

Both door panels even still look like new. I can't say the same for the weather stripping, which has been letting an increasing amount of water in.

Still looks fairly good, and aside from a starter that's going bad, is mechanically running like a champ. Still, the day is coming when I should park her, and give the car the attention it deserves, and a power train up to today's standards, with the ability to run with the big dogs.

Plastic Model Visible V8 at 7,000 RPM's!

2011-11-29T16:19:00.004-05:00

Ran across this on youtube. I've always found these plastic kits intriguing, and am surprised I've never bought one for myself. The thought of whether it would be possible to add spark and fire one up even crossed my mind once or twice. Well, while this demo doesn't fire the engine up, he does manage to spin the engine above 7,000 rpm's! This thing actually sounds pretty badass. Check out the video via the link below.

Visible V8 @ 7,000 RPM's

2013 Ford Mustang GT500 - 650 hp

2011-11-17T12:23:00.002-05:00

The horsepower wars are ongoing, that much is obvious. However, Ford just committed what is the automotive equivalent of a running start/swift kick to the nuts on Chevy. The 2013 Mustang GT500 will get a 100 hp boost,up to 650 hp. This really rains on Chevy's parade,considering their 580 hp ZL1 is just coming to market, and weighs about 400 lbs more than the Mustang, there is no doubt this new Ford will beat the Camaro in every performance category. Not only is that embarrassing for the Camaro, it's a slap in the face to the ZR1 Corvette, which comes up 12 hp shy of this mighty stallion. While the ZR1 will undoubtedly out perform the GT500, given it's 600 lb or so diet compared to the Mustang, there is a lot to be said about the top Corvette being out horse powered by a Mustang.

Could this be the last hoorah? With higher mpg requirements in coming years, such cars may only live on in a low production basis, making them hot commodities amongst enthusiasts. Hopefully Chevy is paying attention, and their new Camaro in a few years will go on a strict diet making it more competitive. Also, let's not forget Fiat owns Chrysler, as well as Ferrari, and I'm a bit surprised they've sat back this long without making a serious attempt at bumping up power to run with the big dogs. Their 470 hp SRT8 is enough to compete with the base model Mustang and Camaro, but still not enough to run with the best Chevrolet and Ford have to offer. I would be shocked if they don't have a few cards up their sleeve.

Here is the official press release from Ford:

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15, 2011 - The ultimate Ford Mustang - Shelby GT500 - raises the bar high on performance with the introduction of the new 2013 model that goes on sale next year delivering 650 horsepower and a top speed of more than 200 mph.

"SVT keeps the Shelby GT500 on the cutting edge of technology and takes muscle car performance to new heights," said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development. "We encapsulated every aspect of performance in this car - whether it's 0-60, top speed, racetrack or quarter-mile times. Beyond that, the daily driver also will find this car perfectly fits his or her needs."

The 5.8-liter V8 aluminum-block engine produces 650 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful production V8 in the world. The 3,850-pound car also stays exempt from the gas-guzzler tax.

Nearly every part of the powertrain has been optimized for producing the additional horsepower, including a new supercharger, new cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a new carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle.

A larger, more-efficient supercharger flowing more air through the engine is key to helping produce the massive 650 horsepower. The new TVS series 2300 creates 2.3 liters of displacement and is a unique design to the 5.8-liter engine.

The entire cooling system has been significantly updated on the new 5.8-liter engine. It now includes a larger cooling fan, fan shroud with high-speed pressure-relief doors, a more efficient charge air cooler, a higher-flow intercooler pump and an intercooler heat exchanger with volume increased 36 percent.

Revised gearing
Nearly every gear on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 was revised to manage the torque and use more of the power in a way that makes it more driver-friendly. Engineers considered more than 35 gearing combinations, finally deciding on one that delivers less torque all the way through the wheels to the ground and still enables the car to achieve fuel economy targets.

A key piece of the driveline, the six-speed manual transmission, offers upgraded gears, bearings and housing so it can properly manage the torque. The final drive ratio is now 3.31:1 for optimized overall vehicle gearing to complement the massive torque. Every gear besides fourth was optimized for competing performance metrics. The clutch has increased torque and rpm capacity and uses a dual-disc design.

"It might just seem like we're putting a bigger engine into the car. But it's been a balanced approach through and through," said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer. "We've completely redone the car to be even more sophisticated in terms of handling and control than the prior model."

Other keys for improved traction management include:

Torsen limited-slip differential:When customers order the optional Performance Package, they will get a Torsen limited-slip differential that helps the rear suspension deliver maximum torque and traction better and longer under track conditions
Launch control: A new launch control system lets drivers set the desired launch rpm depending on tire temperature, street surface or other conditions. Unique to SVT's launch control is that it is integrated with both the engine control and traction control
Brembo braking system: A new Brembo brake system offers drivers enhanced stopping power to help keep their car under control, both on the road and the track. New six-piston calipers in front along with larger front and rear rotors help improve brake fade. New brake pads that are more aggressive also help the car achieve high deceleration and further robustness for more driver confidence
Aero advancements
Significant aerodynamic work was done on the new Shelby GT500 to ensure the car has proper downforce for optimum performance at all speeds. Engineers were able to determine how to harness the air that was moving around and through the car to improve the cooling system, maximize downforce and minimize drag.

The front fascia and splitters were modified to handle the extreme loads at 200 mph, resulting in a car that tracks more securely and feels more planted to the road at higher speeds. It offers 33 percent more effective aero loading at 160 mph compared to the 2011 model.

Superior ride
The new Shelby GT500's driving dynamics have been improved, now working in concert with all the new content on the car.

Handling, all AdvanceTrac settings and steering assist levels within selectable steering have been tuned to account for the updated content. The previously available unique traction control system and electronic stability control settings help drivers achieve maximum performance on both the street and the track.

Both systems can be completely disabled in controlled track situations where maximum driver skill is utilized, or fully engaged for maximum safety during normal driving or in less-than-ideal traction conditions. Intermediate sport mode allows drivers to push their cars hard at the track without completely disabling the safety systems, permitting more aggressive driving before the traction control and electronic stability control intervene.

"We took a completely different approach with this car so drivers can choose their settings instead of a computer making the selection," Hameedi said. "Nearly every system the driver interacts with can be tailored to his or her situation including the Bilstein electronic adjustable suspension, launch control, AdvanceTrac and steering assist levels."

The 2013 Shelby GT500 offers two new sets of forged-aluminum wheels including a unique wheel for cars with the optional packages. The 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are coupled with Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires on all vehicle configurations.

Taking it one step further
Sometimes Ford Shelby GT500 customers want to enjoy their car on surface streets. Other times they just want to let loose on the track. Two new optional packages on the 2013 model give them the choice.

Available as part of the optional Performance Package, SVT-designed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers are accessed on the dash with a simple push of a button. Normal mode gives customers a more comfortable ride over road irregularities. Sport mode is all about performance, delivering improved response time on the track and less body roll while cornering and pitch under braking. The Torsen limited-slip differential also comes with the Performance Package.

"The adjustable shocks let us develop our car on the track without any compromise," said Kerry Baldori, Ford SVT Global Performance Vehicles chief engineer. "Before, we had to tune the car with street implications in mind. Now we can go as extreme as we want on the track setting and still offer the customer a comfortable ride on the road."

Enthusiasts can upgrade their Performance Package with an additional Track Package for all-out performance. The option comes with an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler for further durability. The coolers play an essential role in preventing crucial components from overheating under high-speed conditions.

The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 will be built at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

Motor Trend - 2013 Ford Mustang GT500 and 2013 Mustang lineup

Super Chevy clock turns into a Made in China ratchet kit

2011-11-17T12:07:00.004-05:00

This is what arrived in the mail the other day. I had subscribed to Super Chevy magazine recently, after years of picking up enough issues per year to justify the subscription. With my subscription, I was to receive a Super Chevy wall clock. Since I don't have a wall clock in the garage, I figured it to be a good deal. I'm sure the clock would have been cheap, as well as Made in China, but such is the case for most any clock these days I'm sure.

Instead of my clock, to my disappointment, this ratchet set arrived. A Made in China clock is one thing, but tools? Any self proclaimed gearhead buys tools Made in the USA. This is the type of junk I would see for sale at Big Lots, or Harbor Freight, and the type of tools I would steer clear of. It should also be noted, there is just something that feels VERY un-American about subscribing to a Chevy magazine, then receiving tools Made in China to show their appreciation. I'd rather they just gave me an extra issue or two and kept their junk.

You can't start a fire without a spark.

2011-11-11T21:18:00.008-05:00

I made it out to the garage today and finally removed my full MSD ignition from my Camaro. It was quicker than I thought, as for whatever reason, I thought I had used the starter terminal as my power source for my MSD 6AL. I had forgot that this past summer I moved the power source to the back of my alternator. Now all that is left is to write a quick letter, box it up, and ship it out to MSD for bench testing. In the mean time, I may very well start removing the wiring harness, in preparation of installing my new harness.

Untouched engine bay.

MSD 6AL, Pro Billet Distributor, and Blaster 2 Coil.

Air cleaner removed.

MSD 6AL, Blaster 2 Coil, and Distributor removed.

Ready to ship out!

Here is my new EZ Wiring kit, ready for installation. I start my vacation in about a week or so, and I figure I may as well use that time to knock out a large part of the rewiring. If I don't start now, spring will be upon us before I know it, and once again it'll be a mad rush to finish it up. I wanna be ready for the Hot Rod Power Tour, even if it only means the first leg out to Muskegon.

First time victim of a car break-in.

2011-11-10T09:22:00.002-05:00

It's ironic that just yesterday I posted a video in which I expressed my passion for cars. This morning, I get a call from a neighbor "Hey Ed, I think the hood of your car is slightly open, you may wanna go check it out." A quick peek outside proved that it did in fact appear my car had been tampered with. I headed outside to assess the damages.

I honestly expected to find a few parts, or perhaps the battery, missing as I opened the hood. I was pleasantly surprised to find nothing appeared to be missing. I quickly checked the inside, not realizing that the door was unlocked already as I opened it. I keep the inside cleaned out, and aside from some extra coolant and some cassette tapes from the 80's and 90's, there is nothing to take. Nothing inside was tampered with either. As I closed the door, I discovered the only damage, as they had attempted to punch the lock and punched a hole in the metal just below the lock. I also found I was unable to lock my door, with the rods inside the door seemingly tweaked.

I pulled the car around to the garage, took a closer look at the damage, got a screw driver, and effectively turned the lock cylinder into place, and my lock now worked perfectly! I can only assume that they have seen my car around, and likely figured I had some "go fast" parts under the hood, or maybe assumed it was carburated and were in the market for a free carb. Or maybe they needed a battery, though if that were they case, why wasn't it gone? Maybe, just maybe, they were caught in the act and didn't get what they came for.

I was upset, but not as pissed off as I thought I would be upon discovering somebody had tampered with my car. That said, just let me catch them mother fuckers if they come back for a second attempt! This reinforces my plan I had already had, a car lift with this year's tax return so my car, be it my current Formula, or likely by next summer,something newer, can once again reside in the garage.

I've lived in Detroit for about a decade, over 7 years as a home owner. I've parked my car on the street the better part of 3 years since I've had my house, and not once have I had a problem. While I still view my car as simply a daily driver, it's age (23 yrs) has been on my mind. Parts are getting harder to come by, people are starting to restore them, and just like a new car, perhaps there is slowly becoming a market for the parts once again. Whatever their reason, I hope they didn't find what they were looking for and are on their way to somebody else's ride and leave mine alone.

Chevy True Stories - "My Dad's Car"

2011-11-09T11:42:00.003-05:00

If you don't get a bit teary eyed at the end of this video, then you don't share the same passion for cars that I do. Almost makes me wanna track down my Dad's old Charger.

Guns and Roses - You Could Be Mine

2011-11-07T14:49:00.002-05:00

For those of us into cars, we all like to see a good movie chase scene. Today while out shopping for Christmas lights, Guns and Roses - You Could Be Mine came on the radio. Arguably one of their best songs, I can't help but visualize T-1000 in a big rig chasing after Arnold and John Connor on his motorcycle. Surprisingly, other than a few short clips during the movie, it was only used during the ending credits...yet to this day, likely thanks to the video, I think of T2 every time I hear it. Awesome movie, great chase scene, and totally kick ass song!

The Smoking Tire: Anti-Muscle Cars

2011-10-29T11:42:00.003-04:00

You may recall The Car Show rant I had a few weeks back. One of the hosts, who showed the most lack of automotive knowledge, Matt Farah, also runs the site The Smoking Tire. I still stop in there from time to time, though the place had been growing increasingly tiresome. Today, I ran across the site's review of the Chevrolet ZL1 titled Camaro ZL1 'Ring Time Induces National Orgasm.

The writer declares they are not anti-American, or even anti-Muscle Car. I will not challenge their patriotism, yet how could one not be anti-Muscle Car? Perhaps The Camaro boasts 580 supercharged hp, is rear wheel drive, and appears to handle great. Those traits right there, with the handling included, tends to be above and beyond what most view as a muscle car.

Fit and finish? Plastic interior? To me, those are mute points. Built in navigation? Really? I mean REALLY? What is with the built in navigation obsession? Any smart phone today can offer as much or more than any built in navigation...and it's mobile. I expressed my disagreement under the comments for the article, comments in which apparently did not pass the sniff test for the admin of the site. I assume it was likely my criticism of Matt's comments regarding $10,000 Dodge Viper ACR's sitting on lots, or his equally ignorant statements regarding the new Caprice as a front wheel drive/V6 Chevy based upon a Poniac G6. Such a comment shows his total lack of knowledge of what a great car the Pontiac G8 was, and is actually he foundation of the Caprice, not the G6.

My idea of a muscle car doesn't include built in navigation, 6 way power seats, voice activation, or any other high tech gizmos I can live without. I will even let fit/finish of the body and a plastic interior slide, as while luxurious interior is nice, it's not what I look for or even expect from a musce car. I also hear the constant criticisms from automotive journalists regarding the sight lines/view from inside the Camaro. While I've never sat in a Ferrari or Lamborghini, I would venture to guess that its a bit hard to see out of them, and multiple blind spots likely exist. Do you think their owners car?

I find it amazing how many hosts of car shows seem to slip through the cracks, making it into the spotlight, without really having a clue what car culture is all about. In closing, I can't help but vomit when I see the bland station wagon looking thing the writer would rather spend their money on. Looks like a rebadged Suburu...minus the somewhat cool/out of place hood scoop....but that's just my opinion.

My 1969 Camaro Video

2011-10-26T16:22:00.006-04:00

It's taken me about a year since I first bought our video camera, but I finally went out to the garage, did a walk around, fired up the engine, and made a video to upload to youtube. I've got a few others I'll add later, as she was a bit finicky, so it took a couple of takes before she would idle on her own.

Here is a second video, getting the engine warmed up, with the idle turned up a bit.

Here is another video with the idle turned back down, between 900-1,000 rpm's. On the street, she normally idles anywhere from 800-1,000 rpm's.

Here is one last walk around, and quick summary of this winter's planned modifications.

EZ Wiring

2011-10-25T13:54:00.002-04:00

I just finised making my first off-season purchase, a birthday present to myself. In light of the damage I believe my 4 electric fans caused, I decided the $185 for a new EZ Wiring harness would be money well spent. I used their harness the last time I rewired my Camaro, and have also helped more than a few friends install the same harness in their rides. Aside from affordable, the EZ Wiring kit has each and every wire labeled every few inches, making rewiring your project a breeze. In the past, all the wires were black. They now offer they option for color coded and labeled wires. While I found labeled black wires more than sufficient, I figured it wouldn't hurt to also have them color coded, thus allowing cross reference to factory wiring schematics, if ever needed down the road.

I will likely remove the full ignition system from the car over the next few weeks, though with the holidays coming up, I'll likely wait until after the new year to send it out for bench testing. I also began shopping for transmission rebuild kits for my TH400, as I suspect something is going bad, and it wouldn't hurt to freshen it up any way. From what I've learned, there really are no special tricks other than a rebuild in order to insure that the trans will handle the added horsepower thrown at it.

After the re-wiring, the next move will be the full fuel system, from gas tank to carb, it will be a total revamp of the system. A tight game plan should have the Camaro on the road by early spring, ready for the earliest shows of the season.

Hot Rod Golf Cart

2011-10-20T12:58:00.002-04:00

When the day comes when we retire, hopefully spending our winters in Florida, I may be in need of a golf cart. If that is the case, I'm thinking something along these lines would do me well...perhaps with a little more power.

Winter Plans

2011-10-19T13:12:00.002-04:00

Our monstrosity of a deck is now stained/sealed, and this year's last minute project is now out of the way. While I'd like to get our lean-to greenhouse up before snow, it's not as big of a priority. Now, I'm getting closer to concentrating on my Camaro. While my wish list is long, this winter's portion consist of the necessities for which will make my car more dependable and run better.

First on the list, the electronics. I'm going to start from square one, ordering up a new EZ Wiring kit to completely re-wire the car from the ground up. I will also be sending out my complete MSD ignition to MSD to have them bench test it. I also need to tie up the troubles my fans have been causing, by installing a few relays, and perhaps a second thermostat so each set of fans turns on at separate temps. Though I have a remote cooler for the trans, I think a fan for the cooler may be in order as well.

With the electronics out of the way, I will focus on the fuel system. A new gas tank with sump, new lines, high performance mechanical pump, intake, and new carb will complete the package. With the fuel and spark completely revamped, I also plan on a new exhaust system. My headers fit horribly, and nothing short of a set of custom built headers specifically for my car will solve my clearance issues.

Another area of concern is my transmission. I bought this trans in a pinch, after I thought my Th350 I had rebuilt had blown at the strip. Later, I discovered it was actually my torque converter that grenaded, and the trans was likely fine. While the TH350 still sits on the shelf, I'm thinking going with the TH400 was a wise insurance move, considering they are known as one of the most durable designs built to date. I know little about this trans, as I bought it through a newly acquired friend while at CMU up in Mount Pleasant, MI.

This newly acquired friend was nothing more than a random stop along the roadway after spotting an early 1970's Camaro in front of his house. We spoke a few times, and one of his friends set me up with a rebuilt TH400 for something around $450...with stock converter. Even at late 1990's prices, that was a steal! The trans served me well for many blasts down the track, as well as 5 seasons of cruising. Now however, something funky is going on with 2nd gear. While I haven't checked whether or not it's a shifter cable issue yet, I'm thinking that a refresh of the trans, and finding out exactly what I got inside, wouldn't be a bad idea before I start hitting the drag strip hard within the next few years.

There are a few other "tuning" items on the list, such as a fuel pressure gauge and air/fuel ratio, but for the most part, the items above will cover this winter's projects. While I've been hesitant to disable my Camaro, I realize that nothing I plan on tackling this winter couldn't be put back in place in a matter of days. So, while I may fire the big dog up one last time, the work should start to get under way in the next few weeks. Stay tuned....

Honda Pilot - Crazy Train

2011-10-11T22:32:00.001-04:00

Not that I condone, or support the purchase of import vehicles...but, some of their commercials are just too good not to share!

2012 Chrysler 300

2011-10-10T18:37:00.002-04:00

Continuing their trend of slam dunk commercials, the 300 commercial has the 1970's vibe, while expressing sophistication and style. Chillin', Stylin', Flauntin'...this commercial has it all.

Cadillac vs Ferrari - That's F-U Fast!

2011-10-10T09:55:00.002-04:00

The Cadillac CTS-V series has proven that they can now run with, and even out run, the big dogs of the world.

The Car Show

2011-10-05T09:00:00.004-04:00

I started recording The Car Show a few months back, as it seemed like a show I would enjoy. Recently, I started watching the backlogged episodes I had recorded. The show seemed to have a strong cast, with Adam Corolla, John Salley, Matt Farah, and Dan Neil. Right from the start, I began to hear discrepencies coming out of their mouths. Some, I could let slide, but then they started getting to be a bit too tough to swallow.

During their 0-60 portion of the show, the 4 cast members discuss current automotive news. In one particular episode, they talked about the Dodge Viper coming back. Not only did they really dog on the Viper, Matt Farah of Smokingtire.com went so far as to say there were ACR Vipers sitting on lots for $10,000, not selling. $10,000? Did he really just say that?

The episode I watched today however takes the cake. Again, during the 0-60 portion of the show, they were discussing the new Chevrolet Caprice. The car will be based on the late Pontiac G8, and only be available to law enforcement agencies. It's rear wheel drive and powered by the 6.0 V8. These morons wrote it off as a front wheel drive/V6 car, apparently mistaking it for the G5/G6. Somebody even attempted to pile on Pontiac, stating "Oprah couldn't even give these cars away!" Now, I could be mistaken, as I'm not a big Oprah fan, but I am pretty sure it was the G5 that she gave away, or possibly the G6. It most certainly was NOT the G8.

The G8 was perhaps one of the hottest cars Pontiac had built with 4 doors in 4 decades. Yeah, I know, it had 4 doors. That said, the styling was above and beyond the GTO that the G8 replaced. The car was much more muscular looking, REAR WHEEL DRIVE, and while a V6 was available, the 6.0 and optional 6.2 v8's, producing a very respectable 361hp/415hp were what made this ride such a top performer. These supposed "car guys" all wrote it off as a front wheel drive/V6 Pontiac? That was just too much to take.

Lastly, perhaps nail in the coffin for me, is their constant ripping on the current Corvette. I'm sure the car has it's shortcomings when compared to exotic Italian counterparts, costing 2-3x as much. The king of the hill, ZR1 spanks about any car out there, and warrants respect, not the"old guy who just got divorced and is looking for a 24 yr old" tag these "car guys" put on it. Is it really any different than the guy driving the other options out here? In the same breath they gave praise to the Audi R8. Is it just me, or does every Audi made look the same? I couldn't tell the R8 from their entry level model, and I personally feel the vast majority feel the same. Now, EVERYBODY can recognize a Vette.

This show just isn't what I expected, and will promptly be deleted, offering more space for Top Gear instead, which I consider a far superior/more well rounded show.

Hot Rod Magazine: General Lee vs The Bandit

2011-10-04T12:28:00.001-04:00

From the November 2011 issue of Hot Rod Magazine, The General Lee vs The Bandit. Perhaps the two most recognizable and iconic cars from my childhood. About the ONLY car in which I would add,having reached the same level of popularity amongst my fellow mid 30's peers, would be Kitt from Knight Rider. While the Charger has the obvious advantage, having been a regular show on tv vs the big screen Bandit, the General Lee is the hands down winner in my mind, crowned the most recognizable car Hollywood has produced in my lifetime.

Bench Racing and Project Planning

2011-09-29T13:51:00.002-04:00

While I haven't been posting as often as I was when I was hitting the shows this past summer, I have been doing plenty of bench racing/planning in the mean time. While I have plenty on my list for my Camaro, the focus has primarily been on my dad's Challenger. Within a few months, we will begin ordering up parts. Thankfully, I recently joined the forum on Bangshift.com, and it led to a few last minute changes which were actually pretty drastic.

Most significantly, we have decided to go with the Hotchkis front suspension system. More than a few Mopar faithful chimed in, criticizing the independent front suspension I had planned on installing in the car. Though initially skeptical, a few others shared their concerns, and I am now convinced, and am going the route of a modified factory designed front suspension. I am going to add 2 inch drop spindles however, in order to get the ride height we need.

While still a few months out, by the first of the year, parts should be arriving with regularity to my dad's house. While somewhat difficult considering my work schedule, I will attempt to make it down to their house as often as possible, in an effort to keep this project rolling once it's started. Stay tuned, as I'll be following this restoration closely, and will have my dad email me updates when I'm unable to follow them first hand.

2011 Ram 1500 SLT Hemi

2011-09-24T14:10:00.003-04:00

Recently, it came to time to do some much needed maintenance on my wife's 2007 Dodge Dakota. I was very disappointed that the shocks seemed to start going in the mid 20,000 mile range. The ride quality was diminishing, and front end "clunking" was getting louder. The truck also was due for brakes and tires, both of which had served admirably for 59,000 miles. I had already received a set of 4 Rancho shocks from Summit Racing Equipment, and they sat on my work bench, awaiting installation. Having already dropped $300 for the shocks, and looking at probably another $800 minimum for brakes and tires, I decided to weigh our options.

My wife was never a fan of the white her Dakota was. At the time, it was what was on the lot, and the best deal her dad could find at the time. When our lease was up, there really were not affordable options, so we took on the note to buy the Dakota. While our Dakota served us well, I had much higher expectations for a truck, and the Dakota armed with a V6 would not have been up to the task.

I called my friend, a salesman at a local Dodge dealership, and wanted to look at our options. At one point, we even considered buying used, if it would save us money and get into what we wanted. As luck would have it, we found the perfect match in a 2011 Ram SLT Hemi, most importantly, in red...my wife's first choice. It also came with the mandatory to me, hemi,pumping out 390 hp and 407 ft/lbs of torque. Also, nearly as important, we got the towing package. I have got to a point where from time to time, my Camaro needs trailered. In the future, I'd like to get back into drag racing somewhat regularly, and I want to be prepared when something inevitably breaks.

So, our stable of cars is now exclusively V8 powered. Somewhat sadly, my daily driven 1989 Pontiac Formula, with it's 350 TPI putting out 245+ hp and 345 ft/lbs of torque is the weakest of the herd. Oddly enough, I'm good with that.

Kia: Party Rock Anthem

2011-09-18T21:48:00.002-04:00

While I can say I'd honestly never buy a Kia, as it doesn't fit my preference of automobile, their commercials are hilarious! Saw this one during the previews prior to seeing Drive.

Drive

2011-09-18T19:26:00.004-04:00

After a wedding yesterday I had some time to kill before the reception, so I figured I'd catch a movie. After a quick check on my smart phone, I chose a movie called Drive. I recall seeing the previews once or twice, and the reviews were in the 90%+ range. This movie blew me away, way better than I could have ever expected!

I love car movies as much as the next gearhead, but let's face it, they are often mediocre movies at best which only shine thanks to the cars. This movie was different. From the start, this movie had that 1980's feel, thanks to the neon pink opening credits, followed up by, and continued throughout the movie, music that could easily have been made in the early to mid 1980's. Whatever film technique they used, it also felt like a dated style, similar to movies from the 1970's and 1980's.

This was film noir at it's finest. The blood and gore was reminiscent of a Quentin Tarantino film, not for the weak stomach crowd. The car chase scenes spectacular, if not a bit too short. Had they extended the Mustang/300 chase scene it easily could have been elevated to the level of Steve McQueen/Bullitt, as one couldn't help but watch, and even envision the 300 as a new Charger.

This particular chase scene got me thinking. There are so many modern V8 rear wheel drive cars to choose from, there really isn't a reason to trash any more classic cars in movies. While I would be hesitant to say trashing the more limited/out of production cars such as GTO's, G8's, Magnums, etc, we have plenty current stock to choose from. Vettes, Vipers (soon), Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers, CTS-V's, Chargers, and 300's. That is a healthy stock of iron in my opinion, and most are instant classics that will garner nearly as much excitement on the big screen as their classic counter parts.

So needless to say, I would highly recommend checking out Drive, and maybe if we're lucky, be treated to a modern rendition of Bullitt some time in the future, complete with new Charger/Mustang tearing up the streets.

Trailer Queen or Necessary Evil?

2011-09-15T22:13:00.004-04:00

It wasn't until I bought my Camaro back in 1996 and really got into car shows that I first heard the term "trailer queen." It was, and still is, a term that I reserve for those cars that never see the road, trailered to car shows for one purpose, to clean house winning trophies. Having been into building plastic models as a kid, I viewed them as 1:1 scale models for grownups. I failed to understand the purpose, as in my mind, a car is built to drive.

Years have passed, and I now find myself questioning whether to trailer, or not to trailer. My car however doesn't fall under the "trailer queen" category in my mind. I got chips, stress cracks, and a few dings. While it's still a damn nice car, it has it's blemishes, none of which annoy me like they once would have 10 years ago. Today, I ponder trailering my car for one reason, practicality.

My car has achieved the 700 hp club in perhaps the most raw way one can, naturally aspirated, all brute force. With high horsepower comes the risk of breaking something. Without question, I would drive my car to any show within an hour or two away. Where the trailer comes into the picture is for shows further, such as Goodguys Columbus, where I may wanna autocross. Or, perhaps hit the drag strip at another out of town show. In addition, I don't feel it's worth the risk to drive to the drag strip as I have in the past. The reason being, as stated above, I'm now in a place where things are going to break, it's inevitable, and the nature of the beast.

So, having talked myself into it, I still can't help but wonder...will I be viewed as a trailer queen?

Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer

2011-09-06T19:07:00.000-04:00

Yet another hilarious commercial from Dodge.

All American Road Trip in a Buick Roadmaster Stationwagon

2011-09-02T09:14:00.004-04:00

Throughout history, many of the auto industry's oddities have gone on to become the most collectible. The two seat 1955-1957 Thunderbird, the 1963 split-window Corvette, and Chrysler's famous "Winged" cars. All were short lived, some often sitting on lots for long periods of time, perhaps a bit too extreme for their era. As years pass, that short production span, and lack of popularity, often works in the car's favor.

Yesterday, just prior to leaving to work, one such car pulled up and parked in front of our house. I can only assume that the California plates were proof of a road trip from the west coast leading to Detroit. The car? A 1991-1996 Buick Roadmaster Stationwagon, complete with wood paneling. Back when they were rolling off the lines, these massive Buicks, Chevy's, Cadillacs, and Oldsmobiles all were labled as grandpa-mobiles. They did not possess "chiseled" bodies, and perhaps were the car most representitive of our overweight American society.

While these cars didn't offer any ground breaking styling, they were popular in some arenas. To this day, my fellow officers with some time on the job regard them as the best scout cars the department has had in years. Outfitted with slightly detuned/iron head version of the LT1 Vette engine, they had great power, and the 9C1 police package offered handling that had them taking corners better than their genetics ever intended. With plenty of room both front and rear, they were not only police favorites, but also amongst cab drivers for obvious reasons.

I happened to spot the owner while typing up this blog, and being unsure as to how long they would be visiting at what I assumed was a couch surfing stop at our neighbors, I stepped outside to introduce myself. Most of my suspicions were confirmed after talking with the owner, Jon.

Jon, along with his wife or girlfriend, started out of Fresno, California. I soon realized, Jon and I shared the same line of thought. I have mentioned on my blog before how I would love to see the country by road, but wish to do so in the appropriate car. A few years ago, A Buick Roadmaster Wagon would have never crossed my mind, but as I looked the car over, sitting on it's American Racing wheels, this ride has grown (if that is possible) into it's Americana shoes, and a worthy car in my opinion.

John is a handy man/guy who buys and sells old cars. Because of John's self employment, he is able to plan out long trips, such as their current trip which is 5 weeks in. John stated that they actually had to find the right car for the trip. It had to be something big enough, comfortable enough, and get good mileage. The Buick fit the bill, and the search was on, for a woody version. As luck would have it, a worthy candidate would turn up in California, and $4,000 would be what it took to aquire. While John would prefer the stock wheels that came on the car, to be "less flashy," I found the American Racings to be a perfect match.

John's first modification, remove all the rear seats, build a plywood platform to store belongings below and offer sleep quarters on top. With the Big Bufford ready to go, they headed north to Vancouver, Canada, and then traveled all over the U.S., stopping to see friends along the way. Ironically, this is their fist couch surfing stop, and as luck would have it, the car woud be parked in front of this fellow gearhead's house.

John stated that he is a self proclaimed Mopar fan, and has a 1970 Roadrunner with air grabber hood as proof, I believe along with a few other Mopars. They have got plenty of compliments along the way on their car, which aside from the wheels, is all stock. It is another one of those cars that when built, missed it, and now that nearly two decades have passed, has found it. I know what "it" is, as do most of you. I promised to showed John my Camaro before they leave in a few days, and filled him in on the Walter P. Chrysler Museum which he was unaware of.

I won't lie, I am extremely jealous, and also inspired from what I saw. It was a reminder, that thinking a little outside the box, and a few decades later than I normally would, could be very rewarding. If the day ever comes when I search for that perfect piece of 4-wheel Americana to take the family on a road trip in, I think I'll broaden my search pattern.

Ironically, this is the second time I have come in touch with some stranger road-tripping across the country. The prior incident was a Highway Patrol Officer from California, again, road-tripping across the country t D.C. The only reason I came in touch with him was because of a call to our precinct, in which I answered, stating he was trying to track down somebody to exchange police patches with. Collecting patches is a hobby amongst many officers while on vacation. Having heard stories from both John, and the officer last summer, it seems like somebody is really pushing this idea of driving across the country. Though the officer did so in a Toyota Prius, nothing Ameicana about that, as they say though, it's the thought that counts!

Dad's 1970 Challenger R/T

2011-08-31T15:05:00.001-04:00

The Woodward Dream Cruise can really get one motivated to start a car project, or in many cases, finish them. My parents have been regulars at the Dream Cruise for almost as many years as I have. This year, after leaving the show, my mom decided to really start pushing my dad to finish up the Challenger I formerly owned. I've noticed my dad getting a little more serious over the past year or two, I figured it was just a matter of time before he finally said "Ok, let's get it down."

I am reposting an old entry, this time with the latest changes and direction we are heading. Stay tuned, as I'm told after the start of the year, this project will find it's feet. While my Camaro has plenty of finishing touches, many of which will take a good two years to finish, I already view it as a done project, with little more than upkeep and upgrads down the road. I'm anxious for a new project, though with what's left with my Camaro, a new project is a ways off for me. My dad's Challenger will fill that need, and the finished product will be one of the most badass Challenger R/T's on the road!

Below is the initial entry, this time with updates.

As some of you know, I owned a 1970 Challenger R/T a few years back. I picked it up for $6,000, running/driving with a solid body out of Arizona. I put about another $6,000 into the car, and then life changed. With the auto industry in a downward spiral back in 2006, I lost my job. Fortunately, after several attempts, I convinced my dad to buy my Challenger, as opposed to selling it outright. Every project car needs a solid game plan, and those plans get modified as time passes, and plenty of time has passed since I bought the car back in 2001, and it sat parked ever since fall of that same year. I'm lucky in respect that I'll still get to do a large portion of the work on my dad's Challenger, as well as almost all of the planning. The following is what has come from 10 years of planning.

Engine: My plans for the engine have varied greatly, and while most recently I had been leaning towards simply rebuilding the stock 383, I just wasn't satisfied with that. Honestly, I think my dad would appreciate something with a bit more punch as well. While the question remains as to whether we'll reuse the 383 block, we will go with either a stroker kit or crate engine from Muscle Motors Racing out of Lansing, Michigan. The end result will be a 500 cubic inch low deck that will pass as the original 383, a sleeper engine if you will. The engine will make in the ballpark of 550 hp and 600 ft/lbs of torque, all while keeping it's street manners.

Transmision: The 4 speed will be pulled out, and a complete 5 speed kit from an aftermarket company, bolt in ready, with everything we need will go in it's place. This follows the plan for best streetability possible, and allows for a little deeper rear gear, without sacrificing gas mileage. While gas mileage isn't the ultimate goal, I'd like the car to get 13-14 mpg highway.

Exhaust: A set of full length headers, flowmaster mufflers, and either factory dual exhaust tips, or a similiar aftermarket design.

Fuel: We were going to transplant my 750 Race Demon onto the Challenger, but the "GO BIGGER" approach with the engine will leave the 750 insufficient, so probably an 850 Holley will find it's way on top. A mechanical pump, new lines, regulator, and filter will round out the package.

Rear End: The car has an 8 3/4 rear, which should be plenty stout for our build. A gear swap, from the somewhat lethargic 3.23's to maybe a 3.55 or 3.73, new axles/bearings, and either a posi rebuild or new posi and we should be good to go.

Suspension/Steering: The rear suspension was completed while I still owned the car. I started out with custom leaf springs built by Eaton Spring in Detroit. They based the springs on a 440 spring, de-arched them, and I believe removed a leaf or two. This accomplishes about a 2 inch drop, which turned out perfect. I also installed poly bushings and Koni Shocks to complete the rear.

The front suspension is another story. I had pondered several different options and have finally concluded, there is really only one choice. Reilly Motorsports makes a complete bolt in front clip that includes tubular k-member, tubular a-arms, spindles, coil over shocks, sway bar, engine mounts, and rack and pinion steering. After much research, and talk with a few companies, I have concluded that sticking with the torsion bars would make it difficult to lower the front to the proper height to match the rear without sacrificing ride quality, and would require costly drop spindles. Also, header clearance is always a concern, and factor in the torsion bars, running exhaust would be a nightmare. Lastly, perhaps most importantly, your steering options are very limited for Mopars if you wish to stick with a steering box, so this upgrade to rack and pinion solves that concern. Lastly, this should drop a good 100-150 lbs off the front end, and when combined with the aluminum heads, should make the car much more nimble, and a great handling ride.

The package sells for $4,000, which isn't really that bad when you consider the alternative. Add up the price of tubular control arms, sway bar, torsion bars, new steering box, drop spindles, and you are probably going to be in the $2,500-$3,000 range, and be no where near the handling.

Brakes: 4 wheel disc brakes by Wilwood will be responsible for bringing the Mopar to a stop. I happen to like the feel of my Wilwood manual master cylinder, with stock front discs and rear drums. So, I would think a new set of biggers discs combined with larger clamping calipers would be plenty of stopping power, and not "junk up" the engine bay with a huge brake booster, or some other hydraulic assist setup.

Interior: The interior will remain mostly stock. The only exception will likely be the stereo, shifter, and front seats/seat belts.

Body/Paint: The body/paint is hard to plan out until we dig into it and see just how solid, or full of bondo it is. I will say I haven't seen anything to lead me to believe there is a lot of bondo in the car. The body will remain mostly stock, with perhaps a few exceptions such as welding up and smoothing some seams, getting rid of the wheel well trim, and maybe the emblems on the side of the car. I tend to like the clean/smooth look of not having a bunch of trim/emblems breaking up the body. One other addition may be a rear spoiler that came on the TA's, as I think it finishes off the rear of the car.

Electrical: The wiring kit is installed, and most things are wired up. It makes sense to move the battery to the trunk, to lighten the front and help traction. The interior gauges may need sent out, and a few repaired, as they weren't funcioning the last time the car ran. A new alternator, and mini-starter should be in the plans. An MSD box and MSD distributor will provide the spark.

Cooling: An auminum radiator, electric fans, and aluminum pump will round out the cooling.

Wheels/tires: To compliment the killer suspension, we need something better than the 14 inch factory magnum wheels fitted with dry rot tires. I'm not a big fan of these over the top rims/tires. In fact, I think they look downright stupid in most cases. I've kept an eye on what people are using, what I like, and what I cringe at. I have concluded that either 17-18 inches all the way around would look nice, with perhaps a 17 front/18 rear stagger, squeezing the biggest rim and tire that will fit.

First step, I hope to convince my dad to order up the whole front suspension clip,complete with brakes. This would allow us to knock out all of the front end work, leaving just the powertrain to deal with for the mechanics, and then the body/interior.

I'd really love to have this car completed for my parents by the time my mom retires, as dad is already there. I think they would really enjoy being able to take the Challenger on vacations, car shows around the country, and even just a long road trip. Stay tuned, as I'll be sure to report back on any progress once it starts.

Metro Detroit Car Shows & Cruises - September 2011

2011-08-31T13:46:00.004-04:00

While I often view Woodward's Dream Cruise as the end of summer/cruise season, September has plenty to offer in Metro Detroit and throughout Michigan. Below is a listing of most of the upcoming shows.

Milan Mopar Day - September 3, 2011

All years, all Mopar makes of cas and trucks. Swap meet, car show, and drag racing. Gates open at 10 am, time trials at 11 am, with eliminations starting at 2 pm.

Frankenmuth Auto Fest - September 9, 10, 11, 2011

This is an awesome show! Though I haven't attended since my college days, over a decade ago, this is a top notch car show year after year. The setting couldn't be any more perfect, located in the downtown park, you drive across a wooden bridge to enter the show area. Parking is all on the grass throughout the park.

Greenfield Village Old Car Festival - September 10 & 11, 2011 (Open until 9 pm Saturday)

America's Longest Running Antique Car Show

This Old Car Festival weekend, take in the spectacle as the streets and grounds of Greenfield Village are filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of hundreds of authentic vehicles from the 1890s through 1932. Enjoy a self-guided tour through this fabulous expositions and talk to proud owners about their treasured vehicles. Watch drivers engage in games of skill, see a Model T assembled in just minutes, attend fascinating presentations, and sit back and enjoy our experts sharing "car talks" while vintage vehicles pass by.

In this 61st year of the Old Car Festival, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first running of the Indianapolis 500 race.The history of American automobile racing is completely intertwined with the history of the American automobile industry. This will be an opportunity to see, and hear examples of early race cars.

Old Car Festival is free to members and free with Greenfield Village admission.

Downtown Tecumseh Classic Car and Bike Show - September 15, 2011

This car show takes place in the parking lot of United Bank and Trust, located at 205 E. Chicago Blvd. The show goes from 6pm-8pm, admission is free, and the first 200 registered get dash plaques.

NSRA Street Rod Nationals - September 16, 17, and 18, 2011

I've never made it to this event, though I have attended NSRA shows down south, and was very impressed. Back in the day, the shows I attended were only open to street rods believe. Now, the show is open to all vehicles from 1981 and older. These are the types of shows I'd like to attend more of in the future with my Camaro. Car shows at sprawling fairgrounds where you can set a canopy with chairs, bring a cooler, and have a semi-comfortable place to chill when you get tired of walking. This year, we have a wedding to attend, so we won't be making this show for sure.

Westland All American Cruise - September 24, 2011

With no additional information at this time, I'd be skeptical about this show. That said, it is being promoted by the same company who put on this year's Hines Drive cruise, which I heard from a friend was among his favorite shows he's attended. So if interested,I'd recommend contacting Don Nicholson either via email or at 734-658-5296.

Harper Ave Cruise - August 31, 2011

2011-08-29T21:36:00.002-04:00

Harper Ave Cruise - August 31, 2011
This is one cruise that has completely slipped under my radar. It has apparently been going on now for 17 years. Breaking with tradition of weekend cruises, the Harper Ave cruise is always on a Wednesday from 5pm-9pm. The cruise travels Harper Ave from Old 8 mile to Bayside St. While I'm off this Wednesday, I'm not sure if I'll make it to the cruise, and I'm sticking to my guns with the Camaro remaining parked. I would like to go and check it out, and take some pictures. We'll see if that happens, as I wouldn't mind one last hurrah at a car show/cruise.

2011 Woodward Dream Cruise Pictures

2011-08-20T21:12:00.005-04:00

The 2011 Woodward Dream Cruise will be one to remember. First and foremost, because the turnout was great! The majority of the cars cruising were either classics, or destined to be classics in the future. Traffic didn't seem quite as congested as years passed, even though turnout seemed higher than ever. I hit the cruise Friday evening, then returned early Saturday morning for a full day...at least until the storm hit.

The storm was unlike anything I had experienced first hand while stuck outdoors. Listening to the advice of my mom and wife, my wife and I took our 9 month old daughter to my Camaro, parked within the show area. The only thing is, we didn't make it to the car before the storm hit hard.

I had been watching the radar on my phone, and for the most part, the storm was dying down as it approached, and seemed to be approaching at a snail's pace. By the time that last bit of red on the radar was about to hit, we headed to my car, even though things seemed calm aside from a light rain. As we were about half way to my Camaro, Mother Nature unleashed her full fury upon us, and the three of us took shelter in the men's restroom near the ballpark. My parents, along with my neighbors, had remained with the chairs, still watching the cruise, expecting little more than a light rain. What actually hit was a torrential downpour, lightning, and winds that were likely 60-70 mph.

After the worst had passed, my concerned mom called, crying. Seems that multiple 40-50 foot trees had fallen throughout the park, one of which was lying across the path we walked. Somebody up above was looking out for us today, as this monster of a tree would have taken us out had we been just a few seconds later. I've included a few post-storm pictures at the end.

As for the show, as I said, it was the best show in years, and my internal clock is already counting down until next year. As for how my Camaro did, that's for another entry, as I have plenty of concerns to sort out in the off season, and I have decided that for me, the off season started with the conclusion of Woodward. Now, enjoy the pictures, and stay tuned for more wrenching and modifications over the coming months.

Shined and ready to show, one last time for the year.

This orange looked sweet on the Firebird.

This Lingenfelter Camaro took some old styling from the 69 Camaro, and applied them to the new Camaro. After some careful review, I determined I liked it, other than the chin spoiler in the front, which was a bit much.

I'm by no means a big Thunderbird fan, but this car was extremely nice!

The Bird's engine.

The original Boss.

A 1948 Desoto. I had a nice chat with the old guy who owned it, and also mentioned the 1951 that sits nearby me.

A coworker's Cutlass.

Couple of Classic Fords.

Pair of Mopars.

Always loved this generation. Sexiest Vettes ever built in my opinion.

Karmann Ghia drag car. I always liked the styling of these.

Another Ghia.

Nice Olds.

Nice Cuda.

I love this rod, even though the flames look outta the late 80's/early 90's.

Surfs up.

Just when you thought you've seen it all at Woodward, here comes a monster of a street rod, powered by a Caterpillar engine.

I didn't realize Plymouth ever built trucks.

Here is the monster of a tree that fell across the path we walked, probably just seconds after we passed by.

I can't remember the last cruise where it DIDN'T rain. While we were among the last to leave the show area, the storm didn't dampen our spirits, as we all had a fun time and look forward to next year. As we headed out, cruisers and spectators were already returning to the street/sidewalks to get a few more hours in.

2011 Woodward Dream Cruise Photos

Steve McQueen - Bullitt Car Chase Scene

2011-08-18T19:44:00.004-04:00

Steve McQueen - Bullitt

Without a doubt, the best car chase ever to hit the big screen. This scene had been tucked away in the back of my mind, nearly forgot, until a coworker brought up the scene. While I own the DVD, I have not watched the scene in quite a few years. I had forgot just how damn good it is! If you've never seen it before, pop up some popcorn, dim the lights, and sit back for one of the most enjoyable car movie clips ever.

Vinsetta Garage to become Restaurant

2011-08-15T23:40:00.003-04:00

The historic Vinsetta Garage is set to make a come back. The days of classic cars rolling into the shop in preparation of the Woodward Dream Cruise, or cruise season in general, are long gone however. Back in December 2010 I reported that Vinsetta Garage had closed it's doors. Now, the garage is set to get a new life as a restaurant. The exterior will be preserved, maintaining the look of a classic garage. The interior however will be gutted, and turned into a restaurant. The food looks to tie into the type of atmosphere, and allow the place to become a destination restaurant.

While I was sad to see the historic garage close, and those neon lights turned off, I'm glad to heard that those vintage neons will be humming again soon, and gives a place a well deserved second life.

Crain's Detroit Business reports Vinsetta Garage to become restaurant

Dodge Ram Burnout - Crash

2011-08-15T18:39:00.003-04:00

"Did I pop a tire? Is that what happened?"

No dude, you simply lack the skills to drive and hit a tree. I can't wait to hear you explain to your dad how you wrecked his truck.

Mike Harrah and his Detroit Diesel V24 topped with 12 Blowers and 8 Nitrous Bottles.

2011-08-14T22:49:00.003-04:00

This engine/semi truck project was featured in Hot Rod September 2011. Words can't even begin to express how over the top this engine is. It goes above and beyond anything I'd ever dream up. Dyno results proved the monster made 3,424 hp, and I'm sure enough torque to tow a small town.

2011 Woodward Dream Cruise - August 20, 2011

2011-08-14T20:53:00.002-04:00

Just a friendly reminder, the 2011 Woodward Dream Cruise takes place this coming Saturday, August 20, 2011. Unofficially, Dream Cruise week is already under way, with the number of cruising classics increasing each day leading up to Saturday. I may be able to make it up there Friday night, though won't know until later in the week. Saturday is a given, I will be there for sure, bright and early at the crack of dawn! Stay tuned for my complete coverage with pictures from this year's cruise.

2011 Woodward Dream Cruise

New Autolite Spark Plugs Are Installed.

2011-08-14T20:17:00.002-04:00

I finished installing the new Autolite plugs yesterday, and had hoped that they would be the solution to my ongoing engine miss problem. While there is still a noticeable engine miss present on the highway, these plugs did seem to improve drivability. The biggest difference is the new plugs reach significantly further into the combustion chamber. I was lucky in the sense that the plug length proved to be the same as the Accel shorty plugs they replaced. I've never had a plug that was so difficult to gap. I had to use an old school spark plug gap gauge in order to set the gap, and it got all bent to hell in the process. These electrodes are seriously stiff, and took many attempts to increase the gap to .055 as recommended by MSD. I was skeptical of opening the gap that far, considering these plugs are labeled as "race plugs" and came gapped .020. I was half tempted to install them as is and see how they worked.

As far as the miss, I'm calling it quits for this season. Woodward Avenue is less than a week away, and effectively signals the end of cruise season to me. I will still likely hit a few cruises here and there, but with my wife back teaching this week, I don't anticipate hitting more than a couple. One in particular I'd like to make is in Blissfield, MI, down near where I grew up. It's a once a month cruise on the first (I think) Thursday of each month, and goes through October. I feel that my car is up to par for such a trip, which will be a little over an hour. I would venture to guess that with my engine tuned better than ever, I'll probably knock down better than my previous best of 6 mpg highway, maybe even hit 7 mpg!

Looking ahead to this winter, I plan on keeping my car here this year, as opposed to storing it at my parents and allowing me to park my daily driver in the garage during the snow season. I have chosen this route in order to finish up the many little things I have left to do on the car, and hopefully, finish the upgrades needed in order to take it to the race track. As for the interior, I need to install sound mat, carpet, dash cluster, headliner, and a stereo system, all of which will be relatively inexpensive. Outside the car, my wish list to complete by next year includes custom headers, possibly new mufflers, and tail pipes over the axle. The exhaust system is almost a necessity, as the headers are already taking their toll on a few spark plug boots, and I'm sure the heat is also doing a good job cooking my power steering fluid due to the closeness to the steering box. So, as you can see, the exhaust is torward the top of my list.

Next, I plan on buying a new Victor Jr intake, as I fear my gasket matching from over a decade ago may in fact be causing an insufficient seal to the heads, possibly causing the engine miss. I would also like to replace my 750 Race Demon with a Holley rated at 850-900 cfm, as I'm a bit under carbed for what I built.

I may upgrade the fuel system a bit, while sticking with a mechanical pump, possibly a new gas tank with sump, and pressure regulator complete with gauge. With some many attempts on solving this engine miss, I'm no longer confident that the fuel pump that doesn't require a pressure regulator could also be causing my issues via too much or too little fuel pressure. Until I can absolutely rule everything out, I'll consider anything that could cause the problem.

With all the above taken car of, all that's left is a Ford 9 inch rear end, drive shaft, and safety equipment, such as 5 point harnesses (possibly race seats), window net, and to install the kill switch for the battery. I may also rewire the car, which is hardly intimidating having already done it once. I'm a little concerned over a few electrical gremlins and for $180, it would put my mind at ease rewiring things.

That is about it. If I can accomplish everything on that list above, I think I would be ready to race come next season. Obviously, all those fixes don't come cheap, with the most expensive being the Ford 9 inch, which will set me back about $3,000. That said, aside from the 9 inch, and the new carb, the rest of the list is relatively inexpensive, just a lot of "nickel and dime" stuff, in the form of $200 and less. I will say this much, I will only tackle one project at a time, as there is no way in hell I'm going to have it off the road come early next spring. I want to be able to take it out for a drive on that first nice 50 degree day we get, even if it's in February.

Not to sound like the cruise season is over, as we got the Grand-daddy of them all come next Saturday. I had thumbed through the latest Jeg's issue early tonight, cover to cover, trying to list everything I would possibly need to go racing, and start mapping out this year's off season fixes.

Correct spark plugs for AFR Big Block Chevy heads.

2011-08-11T19:49:00.004-04:00

I've been battling this mystery miss with this engine since my Camaro hit the road last fall. While I've managed to tune the carb many times, often getting better results each time, I have never been able to rid myself of the annoying miss. That all should change in a few days.

Dumbfounded, I questioned what is left to try? In my mind, the spark plugs were one of the few, if not THE only variable left that could be causing the problem. I turned to the net, to see just what was recommended for my AFR heads. The first site that came up was from AFR's FAQ page for big block Chevy heads. Considering I've been battling this miss since last year, it should come as no surprise that one of the last variables I'm down to appears to be the solution.

The first line regarding spark plugs states "All AFR BBC heads accept spark plugs with a flat gasket seat and washer (not the tapered seat style) and a .750 long reach." Having bought a second set off the shorty Accel plugs, I didn't even have to remove one from the engine to confirm my suspicions, as the Accel plugs were in fact tapered.

Without a proper seat, these plugs likely have been causing numerous problems. A lean condition, the occasional backfire at idle, caused by an exhaust leak, not from the headers, but from the plugs, something I hadn't considered. The engine miss going down the road is almost without a doubt caused by these incorrect plugs. During my couple test drives today, with everything else seemingly spot on, I had already raised an eyebrow at the plugs...it only took me a year!

I called the local parts store, though doubted they would have the plugs in stock, since they are a race plug. I wanted to pull the guy through the phone when he asked "what year car is it for?" I had already gave him the part number I was inquiring about, and when he found it, they would have to come from the warehouse and it would be on Saturday. Saturday would be fine, though I figured I may as well order a set of header gaskets, since I've removed the passenger side header just enough to remove the plug a few times now. I'm pressing my luck, and the last thing I want to listen to is a header leak ticking away.

I logged into Jeg's, found the Autolite AR-3935 plugs that AFR recommended, a set of AFR header gaskets, and checked out. The parts will likely get here on Saturday, and by the end of the weekend or early next week, my car should be running better than ever, and engine miss free!

50 horsepower in hiding, idle nailed down, cooling awesome, throttle response amazing!

2011-08-11T13:05:00.006-04:00

This morning was unusually cool, compared to the heat wave we've been battling most of this summer. I took advantage of the 70 degree temps and headed to the garage. My plan? To try and hunt down the demon causing my engine miss. Having picked up yet another carb rebuild kit, as it was cheaper than piecing together the few parts I needed, swapping jets was first on the list.

I went two jet sizes smaller on both the primaries and secondaries. I fired up the engine to make sure it was leak free, then adjusted the idle down a bit, as the rpm's were getting out of hand. Next, I adjusted the idle mixture screws, as the engine still seemed a bit rich, judging by my burning eyes. Lastly, I gave the distributor a slight twist, advancing the timing an unknown amount from the 32 degrees I had it at. At that point, I took her for a spin around the neighborhood followed up by a short cruise on the freeway to downtown Detroit.

The engine miss was still there, though I could tell that overall, the tune was much better than before. As I pulled into the garage and shut off the engine, the engine wasn't ready to die just yet, and sputtered a bit. As I said, my timing advance was a shot in the dark, and it appeared to be a bit too much, and when combined with the idle that was still too high, it created a run-on situation.

Next up, I got out the timing light to nail down total advance in timing that wasn't guess work. The guessed total advance was 40 degrees, just a tad higher than what I was shooting for. I backed the timing down to 38 degrees, which comes in immediately due to how I have set up the MSD pro billet distributor. I then backed down the idle a bit more, and leaned all four idle mixture screw about an 1/8th turn more. This seemed to smooth things out and lower the idle in both drive and park to more acceptable idles. I also adjusted the electric fan thermostat so that the fans come on when the thermostat opens at about 195 degrees. This will prevent an un-needed pull on the alternator from 4 fans running when they weren't needed. I was off for another road test!

I think this tune-up pretty much nailed it! It feels like I found an extra 50 hp with this tune. The throttle response is unbelievable, off idle, as well as from a roll. The idle characteristics are much more well behaved, jumping between about 800-1,000 rpm's, and negating the need to two-foot it at stop lights. The backfires at idle were non-existant, and aside from one "cough" through the carb after I jumped on the throttle a few times, my issues seem solved. I think the carb cough may be attributed to the float levels, which may need to be raised just a hair.

As for the engine miss? Well, it still seems to be there, though it is nowhere near as rough as it was. The engine seems to be running smoother than it has ever ran before. As for the engine miss that is still present, I'm really beginning to feel at this point it may be the Accel spark plugs. Searching the net, I haven't found too many people who have had too many nice things to say about them, other than their shorty design allows the much needed clearance some of us need. I did read that AC Delco's rapid fire plugs are slightly shorter than stock plugs, and I think Bosch and NGK also may make shorty plugs worth giving a shot. In their defense, the fact that I've had some serious tuning issues may have attributed to fouling out a plug or two, and have lead to an early demise. Last time I bought new plugs I bought 135 degree Taylor wires, which allowed some additional clearance, and perhaps enough to allow me to go back to standard plugs. At the time, I wanted to try everything possible to gain as much clearance as possible.

Next up, I think I'll run down the valve lash one last time, and she'll be good to go for the 2011 Woodward Dream Cruise. So ready, that I may even cruise a bit this year, that's how confident I am with this tune. After a lot of headaches, burning eyes, or numerous attempts, this engine is finally getting to the streetable level I had envisioned with this build. Who said 700 hp can't be streetable? Toss on my 250 hp nitrous kit and I'm knocking on nearly 1,000 hp, probably 9 second car, which I'm growing comfortable with the thought of driving a couple hours away. Life is good.

A car that'll make a grown man giggle like a school girl

2011-08-09T21:54:00.003-04:00

Last Friday, after hitting a local car cruise, I stopped by an old friend's house. This friend and I go way back, all the way to high school. Though he was a few grades ahead of me, he had a passion for cars (and trucks) which would inevitably cause us to become not only good friends, but also lear us into careers, and later former careers for both of us, in the auto industry working with the Big 3. While neither one of us miss the industry, we are both still passionate about everything hot rod.

My friend had yet to ride in my Camaro since my latest reincarnation of it. Without hesitation, I told him "hop in," and we hit the road. With camera or camera phone in hand, my friend made a couple of short 7-10 second videos. The one that makes me laugh the most however, is the video where he laughs uncontrollably after a tire squealing launch.

I'm sure the same reaction could have been recorded back in the 1990's when we took one of many "test drives" in his 1969 Dodge D100 pickup, packing a stroked 383 (I think to a 426) with tunnel ram jumping out of the engine bay. I'm not sure of the engine specs all were, but without a doubt it was a good 450-500 hp engine, and the fastest thing I ever rode in at that time. The difference with that ride, is the young man giggling like a school girl would have been me.

I still have that passion, and the rediculously amount of horses my car is producing still makes me giggle, laugh, smile, and even swear now and then. As this engine was neary completion, I began to question whether or not I went too far this time around, whether or not it would still be enjoyable. With my 80 mile cruise around Metro Detroit a few nights ago, I can say without a doubt, I did it right, and next time, I'll probably go bigger, go blower, or go turbo. Either way, I'm sure I'll push things a little further, and smile a little larger.

Unfortunately, the format doesn't seem to allow me to easily load the video onto my blog, so you'll have to visit it where it was posted on my wall on Facebook below. Make sure you "like" the page after you stop in. The video with "the laugh" is the 10 second video a little ways down the page.

Facebook Motor City Muscle

Cruisin' Woodward

2011-08-06T21:48:00.003-04:00

I wasn't going to let the weather and poor turnout at the Mount Clemens show rain on my parade. As I walked the show, I had already decided, after leaving I would take 16 mile west until I hit Woodward.

I wouldn't say that all my fixes this morning were in haste, as it did seem more streetable, even if it was also running rougher and missing perhaps even more than before. I know, that hardly makes sense eh? On the freeway, the engine temp stayed around 190 for most of my 30 mile trip up there, and slowly crept up to about 205 as I got close to Mount Clemens. I attribute this to the rpm's, and think a water pump underdrive pulley may be necessary.

As I left the show, I headed towards Woodward, a 20 mile or so trip in mostly 45 mph zones with frequent stop lights. This trip, along with my trek down Woodward to downtown, amounted to about 80 miles including my trip up. It was arguably my most enjoyable outing this year. Not for the car show, simply because it put my mind at ease in regards to whether this 700 hp engine would survive extreme situations. Granted, it was only about 80 degrees out, I was very happy to see that engine temps in slow traffic, and even bumper to bumper dead stop traffic, stayed right at 190 degrees, and that's with a 195 thermostat! As I have stated before, my charging problems were resolved with my new alternator, so that's no longer an issue.

A more recent concern was what seemed to be a slipping transmission when going into 2nd gear. I was able to test out various situations during my cruising, and concluded, the apparent slippage I believe is due to my 4,200 stall 10 inch convertor. When the rpm's are above 3,000 rpm's, it still hits 2nd hard, squawking the tires. So I believe that concern is a mute point. When in doubt, take it to the race track, and see if it holds up! LOL Perhaps next year.

It's amazing how much you forget when your car stays parked for nearly a decade...in pieces. Many of my issues have honestly been due to knowledge I've simply forget. Slowly, it's coming back to me, including the more obvious stuff, like the vent lever in the kick panel I discovered tonight, which was a relief considering I was sweatin' my ass off on this trip. I'm also finally getting over reaching down to turn on my stereo, which I have yet to install.

As for my engine miss? First I'm going to read a few plugs, and likely lean it back out at least the 3 jet sizes, if not more. Secondly, a change I had forgot I even made, is I'm going to swap the stock power valves back in. The idea popped in my head while cruising, I had gone with a significantly lower set of power valves when I thought they were causing my overly rich engine idle...which proved to be a bad needle and seat. I'm thinking now that perhaps those power valves are actually what are causing my engine miss traveling down the road. The only way to tell will be to swap the old ones back in and see what happens.

The only other idea in my head is possibly the timing. At 32 degrees, it may be a little bit low. Back at CMU during my college days, I found that my last engine build made the most power at 32 degrees total advance, so that is what I went with this time. Searching the net, it seems that everybody with builds close to mine is closer to 37-40 degrees timing. I need to go down in jet size regardless, but perhaps before even doing that I'll bump that timing up and see what happens. I'd really like to get this miss resolved before the end of cruise season, and before I head up to Woodward in a few weeks.

With Woodward Dream Cruise quickly approaching, to me, it signals the end of the cruise season. Having decided to keep my Camaro up here this winter, I hope to be able to tackle many of these nagging issues, finish up some interior work, and maybe even get a Ford 9 inch under it. . Where did the summer go?

Downtown Mount Clemens Car Show

2011-08-06T21:15:00.002-04:00

I hit the garage first thing this morning, in hopes of riding my ride of the annoying constant miss while driving. I had three seperate issues in which I believed were causing the problem, and I went 0-3, perhaps even making the miss worse, though drivability did seem improved. I first ran a new ground for my MSD box, to the block instead of the engine, as I was skeptical whether the location on the frame was a sufficient ground. Of course, out of the hundreds of bolts I have, only one had the correct thread, and it proved to be too long, requiring me to stack washers in order to tighten it down. (a temporary fix).

Next up, I thought that the engine may be running a bit lean and decided to bump the jets up 3 sizes, front and rear. This move would soon prove to be wrong, only due to issue number three, which wasn't on my list, but was discovered. Upon last carb rebuild I had neglected to reinstall plugs on the side vacuum ports on the carb. I fired up the engine, and sure enough, both ports were sucking vacuum. This immediately made me realize that my lean speculation was likely caused by these vacuum leaks, and not from the jets. Of course, after digging through the tool box I could only locate one plug. It's a good thing I keep all the extra gaskets and old parts whenever I rebuild a carb, as the vacuum plugs were found with all the old parts.

When I started the engine, it seemed more responsive, a better idle, and I was hopeful my problems were solved. I did immediately notice thanks to my burning eyes that the engine seems way too rich now, just as I feared after located those uncapped ports. I decided to give it a shot just the same and call it a day, I need to pick up a few more sets of fuel bowl gaskets any way, as I used my last set for this jet swap.

I waited out the storm for a few hours, then figured I'd hit the road during the clearing. I arrived at the show to a somewhat disappointing 50 or so cars. According the the DJ, it sounded like most cars left during that first storm. I was hoping that since the skies started to clear, people would come back, but I was wrong. After an hour or so at the show, I figured I'd take the scenic route home, heading west over to Woodward, which I'll talk about in a minute. As for the engine miss, it's still there, but I have a few other ideas up my sleeve.

I waited until the first storm passed, then rolled the dice and headed to the show. Seems most attendees got an early start today, and called it quits when that first storm hit.

A nice 57 Chevy.

Good looking GTO.

One wicked ass Mopar, complete with chute out back.

One has to wonder, if not for Back to the Future, would very many people even know what a Delorean is? Would it be nearly as cool as most of us feel it is?

Sweet Street Rod with some very tasteful pinstriping along the running boards and fenders.

2011 Mount Clemens Car Show

Metro Detroit Car Shows & Cruises - August 2011

2011-08-06T10:15:00.002-04:00

Downtown Mount Clemens Car Show - August 6, 2011 2pm-10pm
This show is hosting it's 20th anniversary this year! Sponsored by Bud Light, I have attended this downtown cruise a few times in the past, and can attest, it'll be a huge turnout, in a very cool setting throughout downtown Mount Clemens. The show is free, with $5 VIP parking available. There is a kids fun zone with inflatable slide, moonwalk, Thomas the Train, face painting, and magic acts. Eric the DJ will cover the tunes, awards will be handed out at 5:30pm, and a flame thrower competition will be held at night. I would say that this will be the biggest/best show in the region today, and am tentatively planning on making it to the show myself.

Saline, Michigan Downtown Car Show - August 6, 2011 9am-3pm
Downtown Saline, Michigan will be hosting a downtown car show. Registration will be $15 the day of the event, with the first 25 registered receiving a free t-shirt. Door prizes will be given out throughout the day, and a silent auction will also take place, benefiting the Saline Area Social Services. All makes and models are welcome, with awards being selected by participants. Last year's show had 120 cars. A live band will also be present for entertainment.

Sears Outlet Auto Show - August 6, 2011 10am-5pm
Located at 9860 Telegraph Rd in Taylor, MI, just south of I94. The show starts at 10 am and goes until 5 pm. I actually think this one will be the show I make this weekend, as will the cruise the night before located at Southfield Rd/Dix-Toledo at another Sears store.

Gratiot Cruise Clinton Township - August 7, 2011
Not to be left out, Clinton Township host their own Gratiot Cruise. I may or may not hit this show up, but it sounds like a nice event leading up to the Dream Cruise.

Troy Traffic Jam - August 7, 2011
This will be the 4th year for the City of Troy car show. Held at the Columbia center, the show runs from 10am-3pm. In addition to the cars, musical entertainment and food will be available on site. The Suburban Collection will have some of their newest cars on display at the show. Hundreds of vehicles are expected, registration will run you $20 and goodie bag, prizes, and dash plaque. All proceeds will benefit the Troy Historical Society.

31st Annual Mopar Nationals National Raceway Trail Columbus, OH - August 12-14, 2011
If I am still off work, this is the car show I'd really like to hit for a day or two. While not exactly in the Motor City, it's close enough on my map to be noteworthy. Plus, the fact that the P.O. Box for registration is in Dearborn, MI has to count for something. (Registration for the Mopar Nationals is in Ford country? Odd)

Cars and Coffee Detroit - August 13, 2011
This show is hosted at Motor City Casino, literally just around the corner from me maybe 1/2 mile away. This show has been happening once a month since June, and I'm just now finding out about it. The show runs from 8am-11am, all makes/models of cars, including motorcycles, are welcome. Coffee and donuts will be provided free of charge. The lot to park in is located at Brooklyn and Spruce, The Soundboard parking lot.

Cruisin' in the Motor City - August 13, 2011
In the heart of Detroit, the Motor City looks to start taking part in the events surrounding and leading up to the Woodward Dream Cruise. The first annual Cruisin' in the Motor City will take place on John R between Kirby and Warren, just a hop, skip, and smokey burnout from where I live. Unfortunately, I may be back to work by then, and the website doesn't list hours for the event. Cars from the Motorsports Hall of Fame will be on display in front of the Detroit Science Center, special "artistic" vehicles will be on display in front of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and vehicles designed or engineered by African Americans in front of the Charles H. Wright Museum.

Rockin' Rods in Rochester - August 14, 2011
Hosted in downtown Rochest, this Sunday show sounds like a winner. The show starts at 9am and wraps up at 5pm. In addition to the car show, the event has live music, automotive art, food/refreshments, 50/50 raffle, posters, t-shirts, and pin stripe art by The Mavens.

Back to the Bricks Flint - August 16-20, 2011
This is Flints answer to Woodward, and a show that I've been told by friends has grown to become an amazing show! I've heard many gripes about the size, congestion, too many mini vans, etc when it comes to Woodward's Dream Cruise. For a few of my friends, Flint's Back to the Bricks show has been the answer/alternative they were looking for. While I'm not sure I'll ever pry myself away from Woodward to check it out, it sounds like I would enjoy it every bit as much as Woodward.

Woodward Dream Cruise - August 20, 2011
The Woodward Dream Cruise...what can I say that hasn't been said? This is THE car show, the largest in the world, the granddaddy of them all. Stretching from 8 mile to Pontiac, some 16 miles long, with cars lining both sides and every available lot along the way. I've heard numbers as high as 40,000 classic cars and over a million spectators, both numbers that I feel are actually UNDER estimates. This is a show not to be missed, and one that I have attended every year except for the first show, even during an 8 year stretch when my Camaro was collecting dust in a garage, awaiting to be rebuilt. I'll be there again this year, with Camaro and camera.

Cruisin' Hines Drive - August 28, 2011
Hines Drive is a cool place to cruise, classic car or not. The fact that it will be shut down for classic cars is the icing on the cake! As long as Hines Drive isn't flooded due to a light shower, this could prove to be a great end of the season cruise!

Harper Ave Cruise - August 31, 2011
This is one cruise that has completely slipped under my radar. It has apparently been going on now for 17 years. Breaking with tradition of weekend cruises, the Harper Ave cruise is always on a Wednesday. The cruise travels Harper Ave from Old 8 mile to Bayside St.

Sears Allen Park Cruise Night

2011-08-05T21:47:00.003-04:00

Took a cruise on down to the Sears in Allen Park. 10 years ago, this was THE show on Friday nights. I'm glad to see it's still going strong, though it seemed noticably smaller than I remember, with about 150-200 cars. Still, it's a nice cruise, and close by.

My ride. Seemed to be running a little warm after about 20 mintues on the freeway. I think I need to bleed the air out of the cooling system.

Sweet Mopar.

Another classic Mopar.

A very nice Chevelle, but I would have liked a little more chrome as opposed to painted trim/bumpers.

Remember the scene from Anchor Man where Baxter gets booted off the bridge? That's what I'd love to do with each and every one of these dolls I come across at car shows and cruise nights.

Classic race car look.

A Chrysler 300, very nice!

Classic Cadillac. This is what I'd love to road trip across the country in.

Niced Vette.

Deep Green 69 Camaro with a 502 Big Block.

Nice street rod.

The white walls just don't look right on this beauty.

Classic Ford.

Not really a Rat Rod, though not really a Street Rod either. I would call this 100% Hot Rod to the core.

We'll finish off with another Mopar, this one with a blower motor and making plenty of noise.

Sears Allen Park Cruise Night

1968 Plymouth Roadrunner - One owner car

2011-08-05T12:23:00.003-04:00

The other day while out with a neighbor for the annual nickel beers at The Dakota Inn, I got to talk with one of the long time regulars. I had met John many times and was full well aware he had an old Roadrunner that yanked the wheels off the ground upon launch. I didn't however know the history behind the car, or his own personal history of racing.

I dug a little deeper this time during our conversation, as I continue to map out each and every detail of restoration on my dad's 1970 Challenger. After my questions regarding my dad's car, I inquired about his car. I was shocked to find that he bought his 1968 Roadrunner in 1968, new off the dealer lot. Next question was obviously "How long you been racing it?" Which was also a bit of a shocker, as the car has been raced since 1972! Gone is the original 383, replaced with a 440, which lays down consistant 9.30's all day. He now tours the midwest racing in the IHRA's points system. He was proud to say that at one time he was rated the #3 racer in his class in the nation!

I can't say there are too many racers who have cars they bought new, and now are their designated race cars. Or even cars with as much rich racing history as John's, in which they didn't sell off years ago. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to say I bought a muscle car new, as I'm not sure I'll bring myself to drop the coin. Even if I didn't, I no there is no way it would be my regular race car after just 4 years of use. I've never watched John run at the track, but I hope to make an effort to see his mighty Mopar make a 1/4 blast some time in the coming years.

Chrysler builds upon their "Imported from Detroit" theme.

2011-08-02T15:12:00.003-04:00

This video, recently released, and available on iTunes builds upon Chryslers ground breaking Super Bowl ad that was just as much about a city, it's people, and a culture as it was about a car. This new video downplays the car even further, and deepens the focus on a struggling city, finding it's footing, trying to once again rise from the ashes.

AutoMotorPlex Minneapolis

2011-07-30T12:59:00.002-04:00

This complex, located in Minneapolis, MN was recently brought to my attention. This is truly a gearhead's dream! It is essentially a condo/country club for people into cars. Unfortunately, such a place doesn't come cheaply, and the smallest units will set you back $40,000. This explains why there is noticably more European exotics than classic American muscle cars in the video. Still, it is an awesome concept, and a club I would no doubt LOVE to be a part of. Perhaps the one problem that nags at anybody who is into cars is where to store them all?

AutoMotorPlex

2011 Telegraph Cruise Pictures

2011-07-23T18:37:00.006-04:00

Today we ventured down to the 2011 Telegraph Cruise. I met up with a friend on Telegraph near I94, parked, and set up chairs to watch. Considering I'm currently hobbling around with an ankle boot, I wanted to simply observe from the comfort of our fold up chairs this go round.

I had made a last second decision NOT to drive my Camaro, a decision in which I'll admit I regret after the fact. I was concerned about the weather, as there was a 50% of storms, the heat, which while cooler, was still suppose to hit 90, and lastly, I just wasn't in the mood to deal the noise and inconvenience of crawling over the roll cage with a boot on. Also, I felt it better served to take my pain meds and watch in comfort, as opposed to go without, and be able to drive the Camaro, so pain meds ultimately won out.

The cruise actually stretches from Eureka north to around Joy Rd, though the greatest concentration was south of I94. We cruised from end to end on our way out, and the cruisers were farther and fewer between as you headed north. I will say, this 11 mile stretch is probably one of the most cruisable summer shows in Detroit. The downside, is that it makes it also one of the less walkable shows. Thankfully, it looks like most of the parking along the whole route was free, and there were plenty of options as to where to park, and see the clusters of cars along the way.

Next year, having tested the waters, I will be taking my Camaro, as long as I manage to get the day off. All in all, it was a good cruise, and an enjoyable Saturday once the clouds rolled in and cooled things down a bit. Here are just a handful of the pictures I took, check out the rest via the link at the bottom.

I believe this is a Camaro, as I recall round tail lights. Everything was smoothed out on this baby, with a full tilt frontend.

Flamed Ford with lake pipes.

An altered straight axle...not my thing, but can appreciate the historical value behind it.

A chopped top on a Riviera...WOW!

VERY nice Ford wagon. I even love the color scheme they used.

Love these old Vettes.

I'd love to own a 55 Chevy, and this one was about as nice as they get.

Nice looking Pontiac!

Nice 50's Ford Pickup.

I've been informed that this is a 1960 Dodge, not a 58 Chevy as I formerly had thought. I knew that didn't seem right, but I just couldn't register the body lines, even though I have the movie Christine amongst my dvd collection. While a few years different, it is obviously a Mopar, that much I now can see.

If I ever need concrete work done, I want this rig.

This guy can pick up my trash.

Alrighty then...nice antlers.

Another nice Ford.

Both classics....both awesome!

Nice convertible 69 Camaro in a burnt orange hue and nice set of wheels.

Nice Hemi Cuda with a shaker scoop.

A Jeep Commando. I'm not sure what year this is, or how long they made them, but it looked sweet as hell and fun on wheels.

2011 Telegraph Cruise Pictures

Woodward Avenue All American Road Signs

2011-07-21T15:48:00.004-04:00

Just got my Woodward Avenue All American Road sign the other day. My friend works for the Woodward Avenue Action Association which is responsible for securing federal funds to place these All American Road signs along Woodward Ave, stretching from downtown Detroit to Pontiac. These signs are kickass, without a doubt, and the moment I saw them going up I thought to myself "Damn, that's a cool ass sign I'd love to have in the garage." Well, it seems others out there felt the same way, and took it upon themselves to steal theirs.

At $500 a sign, the theft was both costly and disappointing. The Woodward group however saw this as an opportunity, and decided to test the waters regarding interest in purchasing the signs. They quickly ordered up a batch of 100, and sold out quickly. With little hesitation, I reserved my sign in that first batch.

The sign quality for this first batch seems fairly good. I expected a few imperfections, as is the case with most first runs. I need to trim a small corner they failed to cut perfectly, and the vinyl sticker has some air bubbles. I am assured that these issues are currently being resolved with the manufacturer, and some signs were sent back to be replaced. As for mine, I didn't find the imperfections of major concern, and think the sign will look great towering 10 feet above in my garage.

The signs are exact scale replicas of the real signs, measuring a massive 2 ft x 4ft. I'm not sure what the center section or backing are made of, but the front surface is either aluminum or steel, with a vinyl sticker for the sign itself. I must admit, I can't wait to have this hanging up, but sadly, have to finish off the upper portions of my garage with insulation and OSB before I'll have a surface to mount to. This is truly the type of piece in which will be the center piece of my garage once put in place.

For more information on purchasing one of these signs for $100, or an exact replica for $500, contact Woodward Avenue Action Association or call them at 248-288-2004. In addtion to the signs, they also sell other Woodward Avenue items, check them out!

Comp Cams CamQuest Tool

2011-07-20T21:44:00.002-04:00

I saw this listed in one of my car magazines a few months back and figured I'd try it out. You enter your vehicle information along with intended use. Comp Cams then lists a few cams they would recommend. Once you slect the cam, you can also get the approximate dyno results from your selection. While my Comp Cams custom grind was not one of the available selections, I was able to pick a cam that is about .020 lift under, and another that is about .020 higher then my solid roller cam, and it gave me a fairly good ballpark idea of what my engine is making.

Dyno results with the smaller cam come back with 712 hp/608 ft/lbs of torque. The larger cam came back with 734 hp/614 ft/lbs. So, an average of the two puts me in the 723 hp/611 ft/lbs vicinity. In my opinion, I think that may be a bit high, as I've estimated in the past to be around 700 hp, and Popular Hotrodding built a 454 nearly identical to mine making over 700 hp, so I think that's a pretty close guestimate.

Check out the CamQuest Tool and see what cam/dyno results you get.

At least it wasn't my lead foot

2011-07-15T19:53:00.002-04:00

Last weekend my partner and I came in contact with a guy who decided he didn't want to go to jail. In the end, he went, but not without a fight. Both he, along with my partner and I, sustained injuries. My injury was initially diagnosed as a fractured left foot. Thankfully, it appears that it isn't actually fractured, according to the radiologist, and looks to be a sprain. So here I am, off work, sporting one of those big snow boot style foot boots/braces.

At least the brace allows me to be more mobile, as it allows me to be without crutches. Sadly, the pain meds which allow me to be much more comfortable, also prevent me from driving/operating heavy machinery....hence, I can't exacly hop in the Camaro and go to a show. In addition, even though the injury is to my left foot, I have to "two-foot-it" in the Camaro, as even though it was a streetable build, it can occasionally be a little finicky at stop lights, so the two feet have become my standard modus operandi.

Considering the foot isn't broke, that should hopefully at least shorten my heal time/time off of work. So hopefully this will only be a temporary setback in what I hoped to be a fun filled summer with plenty of cruise nights and shows. I had hoped to attend the Telegraph cruise next weekend, even if just for a half day if I were back to work, but we'll see how this injury pans out, and whether or not I'm up for it. In the mean time, enjoy the summer, burn some rubber, and stay tuned for continued cruise coverage in the future.

Metro Detroit Car Shows - July 2011

2011-07-06T17:59:00.004-04:00

Below is a list of car shows and big cruises during the month of July 2011. These are only the once a year bigger shows. There are approximately 75 cruise nights each and every week in Metro Detroit, all within about a 30 minute drive from downtown Detroit. In the near future, I'll try and sift through other sites and repost all of those shows that are in and around Detroit.

Cruisin' Michigan Avenue - July 9th, 2011

Stretching along Michigan Ave, communities involved include Wayne, Westland, Inkster, Dearborn Heights, and Dearborn. I've never attended this show, but considering the communities involved and the distance it must stretch along Michigan Ave, it's sure to be a good show! This is the 5th year for the show.

Telegraph Tomorrow Cruise - July 23, 2011

This cruise includes the cities of Taylor, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and Redford. The cruise stretches from Eureka road north to Puritan. The cruise kicks off at 9 am and lasts until 9pm. This is the 7th year for this cruise.

Concours d'Elegance - July 31, 2011

Here is a show in which is a little bit out of my element, though on my list of shows I'd like to attend some day. This year isn't going to work, since I'm not off. It should be noted that the show was formerly at Meadowbrook Hall and is now located at The Inn at St John's in Plymouth, Michigan.

In addition to all of these shows, there are regular events on a nightly basis througout Metro Detroit. For more information on all cruises, click below.

Southeast Michigan Cruise Nights

Spark Plug Gap

2011-07-03T22:51:00.002-04:00

Today I regapped all of my plugs, which once again entailed removing the passenger side header. The Accel shorty plugs came gapped .035, and I found on MSD's website that they recommend .050-.060 for engines with a compression ratio in my ballpark. After regapping all the plugs, I re-installed them and went for a test drive. I immediately noticed a much better idle quality. As I took a blast on the freeway, then settled into cruising speeds, I found that the engine miss was still present, seemingly unchanged.

When I removed the plugs, I took a read of each one as I placed it on the bench. I found that 4 of the plugs looked to have an ideal burn, perhaps showing an every so slight lean condition, as they were a light brown. The other 4 plugs however showed nothing, almost as if they weren't even firing. Now I would definately notice if half of the cylinders weren't firing, so this leaves me a bit baffled.

Next step is to go a step richer jet in the carb, as well as maybe a 1/4-1/2 turn richer on all 4 idled screws. After that, which I'm guessing isn't going to resolve my miss, I think it's time to start taking a look into the electrical. I believe I still have some grounding issues, as my turnsignals make my voltmeter jump a bit when flashing, as does my fuel gauge.

So while the drivability keeps improving, with my charging issues, leaks, and cooling all taken care of, gremlins still exist in the form of electrical, and my brakes are still a bit more softer than I'd like. I have made the decision that my Camaro will remain in my garage come next winter, and skip the winter storage trip to my parents' house. I concluded that I can accomplish more improvements during the winter this way. Already on the list is a new carb and intake, sound mat w/carpet, tail light housings, and hopefully (crossing my fingers) a new rear end, so I'd be ready for the track next season. Stay tuned, as I hope to hit a cruise night sometime in the coming weeks.

A quick Camaro Project

2011-06-30T14:51:00.007-04:00

I used to work for a Custom Motorcycle Company called Paul Yaffe Originals. My Boss was about 8 years younger then me and could fabricate almost anything. But when it came to building a car and tuning a carb, he knew nothing. Well one day I went over to my Boss's house to help him with his 1972 Dodge Charger that he picked up in a Junk Yard, complete and kinda running. When we walked into his backyard, I saw his charger and also a 1978 Camaro Z28. I asked him what his plans were with the Camaro and he said that he would fix it up one day, (translation: Nothing!). So I said, do you wanna sell it? He said, "for $300 I will". Wow, I couldn't believe it. The problem with the car was that it didn't have a drivetrain or the original wheels, but other then that, it was all there. So I picked up the car and placed it in my backyard, where I would "fix it up one day"...

So she sat in the backyard for a few years. Well, I met a girl, and she moved in. She asked me, "why the hell do you have that old pile of crap in the backyard?" I told her not to worry about it, I'll put up a fence so she doesn't have to see it. Well that worked for about a month. She then told me that I need to either fix it or throw it out. Well then! Nobody is going to tell me what to do with my cars! I'm gonna do whatever I want and she will have to deal with it. So, I began to fix it.

I located an LT1 on craigslist, with 4L60 Trans, for $800 with wiring harness, computer, and Intake MAF sensor and air box. I started to drop it in and thought, "this wiring harness is kinda shot and I really dont want to send too much time on this project. My plan was to fix the car and sell it. The money I made from it would go into my cutlass so I can get that back on the road. So instead, I put the LT1 to the side and looked for something else. I then found a 350 4 bolt in mint condition for $150 including a TH400 trans. What a find. I opened the motor up to check it out... Wow, it was like new. So I swaped out the intake and valvecovers and placed a Holley 650 on it. Dropped the motor and trans in and my old driveshaft fit perfect, who would have thought. I figured that it would have had to been cut because the TH400 had a long tailshaft, but it fit perfect. Long story short, finnished the project and drove her around for a bit, she drove like new. Suspension was still tight and quiet. Everything worked perfect. But my woman still didn't like the car, because it didn't have A/C.

So, I sold the old girl to a guy for $4300. I had $2600 into her.

New Author: Cutlass455

2011-06-28T21:01:00.003-04:00

The previous video was uploaded by another friend from my CMU days, Josh, aka Cutlass455. Josh and I go back to freshman year, and he has oddly gone down much the same automotive path as I. We both had Firebirds for our first car, and they both got totaled in an accident. We both chose muscle cars as our replacements. Me, an old Camaro, Josh, an old Cutlass. Throughout our CMU days we both spent many hours in the automotive lab, both helping others, as well as working on our own projects. After college, we went into automotive design, and both eventually grew tired of the field and moved on to greener/happier pastures. Josh managed to total out his Cutlass due to a suspension failure on the freeway, though replaced it with yet another Cutlass, which he still has to this day.

In reference to the video, it pertains to yet another fellow CMU student/friend of ours, Wes. In addition to being into cars, Wes oddly enough drove an old VW diesel pickup. Wes was relatively large in stature, and watching him cramp himself inside that pickup was the root of many jokes throughout college. I believe Wes still has that VW, and any time one of us sees one on the road, Wes comes to mind. I have to say, a customized version is something I never would have imagined.

On a final note, Josh now resides out in Arizona, which is obviously home to many rust free project/parts cars. Look for Josh to continue to contribute in the future, with hopefully a tour or two of one of the many muscle car graveyards out there.

Custom VW Rabbit Pickup

2011-06-28T01:18:00.001-04:00

Wes eat your heart out.

2011 Downriver Cruise Pictures

2011-06-26T15:43:00.003-04:00

Enroute to this year's 2011 Downriver Cruise, I got stuck at a light while the parade passed by. I kept a mindful eye on my temperature gauge, and the engine remained plenty cool at about 190 degrees. Heading south on Fort Street, the temp started rising, and I knew the 4 electric fans should have been on well before hitting 205. As the heat rose to nearly 230 degrees, I quickly ducked onto a side street for an itpection as to what went wrong. I popped the hood to discover coolant shooting out my overflow can...nice.

I turned the key to the on position and found my fans weren't working. I first bypassed the relay, still no luck, so I checked the fuse (which made the most sense, considering a bypass didn't work), and found the 20 amp fuse blown. I figured it was only a matter of time before my fans caused me issues, as they draw about 44 amps, and are wired into a 20 amp circuit. For now, I popped in a new fuse, a 30 amp for now, and hit the road trouble free. I've been meaning to rewire my fans, and ultimately, even wire them up so 2 come on at a lower temp, and all 4 perhaps 15-20 degrees warmer.

Once parked, I called a few friends, trying to track down a couple gallons of water, to replenish whatever was boiled over. I knew it was minimal, and it only amounted to about 1-2 quarts. After a quick shine and whipe down, I headed out on foot, trying to get as much ground covered as possible before wife and baby showed up.

Wife and little Emma showed up a few hours later, Emma sporting her "Kid Racer" tee picked up at Milan Dragway last season, courtesy of a neighbor. She was a real trooper, not fussing a bit all day, and seemingly enjoying the show. We stuck around until about 6:30, when upon I nervously merged into traffic, hoping for a trouble free commute home. Aside from the normal finickyness of the engine being cold, she ran fine. Next up, I'm going to regap my plugs, as I feel they may be responsible for my engine miss on the freeway, as they are way tighter than my MSD ignition recommends.

On a final note, I really like the Downriver Cruise. Where as the Gratiot Cruise is spread out over 2 miles, with very few big parking lots packed with cars, the Downriver Cruise stretches over 6 miles, though the majority of it is packed into a fairly tight area, which is easily walkable, and plenty of spots to set up chairs to watch. Where as Gratiot has a very strong Mopar presence, the Downriver Cruise seems to have a much greater variety as well. So, on that note, onto the show!

I spent a few hours on cleaning up my car this time, including a rubbing of the wheels and polishing the chrome. She looks damn good now.

A very nice Firebird parked nearby. I hope my sees such a quality restoration in coming years.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd's Mopar...Blue on Black (can't see the blue center stripe in this picture) Very nice car.

Another artistic take on the throttle blades.

I think this is a 34 or 35 Ford.

A Morris Minor. You don't see too many of these on the road.

Very nice truck. It's hard to see, but that chrome stack by the bed is actually the exhaust, which rises up and follows the top of the bed rail. Very cool idea.

My favorite streetrod at the show.

Sharp blown Mopar.

A Mercury Capri, their version of the Mustang. My Sgt who was on his way to the show owns one, and you don't see many, yet I saw three at this year's cruise.

A radical streetrod, most likely a glass car. You don't see many of these around, not like you did 10-15 years ago. Leaves me wondering, where did they go?

A row of buckets.

My favorite truck at the show, a 1947 Dodge with a Buiuk Nailhead for power. This was JJ and Lyne's Stone Soup Nailhead. I'm not sure if it's this year's giveaway, or a past giveaway. Whatever the case, this truck is bad as can be. You don't see many trucks from that era this large, as most are about 2/3's this size, at best.

A Willy's Coupe, one of my all time favorite streetrods.

This is THE one, my wife said "It's perfect, you don't need to change a thing...did you bring the check book?" Ironically, it was also for sale, for a cool $24,000, which in my opinion is a great price! I would have absolutely zero issue buying such a car, and hope to sometime in the future.

Cool Charger. Not too many people put the bumble bee stripe on the back.

1983 Aston Martin. VERY, VERY strange. I'm confused by the apparent flip up headlights, as there are already exposed headlights. The only word that came to mind when I saw this car was UGLY!

One of the many Buick Grand Nationals at the show. These cars were one of the few shining stars during the 1980's, and their styling looks good even today.

One seriously badass Mercury wagon.

Sweet little Anglia, though can't say I'd have picked the avacodo green.

Here is another car that was HUGE in the 80's and 90's, the lead sleds. Where did they all go? Are they sitting in garages across the country collecting dust? You sure don't see them on the roads and at the shows. This was possibly the only one I spotted all day.

The 63 Split Window Vette, one of the most recognized cars in automotive history.

AMC's on the other hand seem to be breeding, as I've never seen so many AMC's as I have in recent years.

Nice custom. While I dig the color, stance, white walls, and white interior, I'm not sure I could live with looking at that color every day.

This is exacly like the Charger my dad had. An SE model, black on black, 400 engine, leaves me wondering, could this be his old car?

Beetles come in many forms, this one is pretty over the top.

An old neighbor from college sent me an email out of the blue, asking for input on buying a GTO. He's never owned an old car, yet has this burning desire to own a 68-69. He wants a driver, though nother perfect, as he wants to spend around $10,000, with a little flexibility. I was shocked at how many GTO's were at the cruise, since I was really paying attention, though not a single one for sale.

My friend Jody's (The Mechanic) latest purchase to flip. Bought for $700, and with some elbow grease, is now cruise worthy. As always, it's for sale. PS...check out the gold tooth on the front. LOL

My friend Marty's 69 VW. This thing just screams Summer Fun!

Judging by the colors, this car may have been done awhile ago, but it's still very cool. It has a classic look that perhaps will never go out of style, and alway remain unique at the same time.

My favorite Hoopty of the day, this land yacht of a Cadillac done up nicely.

My Sgt's 1976 Trans Am. While a lot of these cars were ran into the ground, you are starting to see a resurgence of them these last few years. Thanks to companies like Year One and Detroit Speed who have stepped up to the plate to make parts to both restore, and modify them.

2011 Downriver Cruise Pictures

Fort Street Downriver Cruise - June 25, 2011

2011-06-23T20:54:00.002-04:00

My work is never complete, but I am much more prepared than last cruise. Many of my biggest issues are now resolved. A remanufactured power steering pump fixed my leak, a 160 amp alternator seems to have resolved my charging and gauge problems, and with a higher quality brake line flare kit, my brakes are now leak free.

My last...or I should say next, nagging issue is an engine miss crusing down the freeway as well as the occasional backfire at idle. I've tuned the idle mixture screws more times than I care to recall, and am almost convinced the issue is most likely a gasket. It could possibly be an intake manifold vacuum leak from either the gasket, or the gasket matching I did over a decade ago. More likely, I'd guess it's either the header gaskets or collector gasket. None of these possible fixes will be attempted prior to this weekend's cruise.

While the miss is somewhat of an annoyance, the car still drives fine, idles fine, and poses no serious concerns. My biggest complaint by far is the fact that I still smell like gas, oil, and other fumes every time I drive the car. This issue is not a new one, and goes back to last season, and in addition to the possible problems listed above causing the engine miss, I have a few other thoughts and solutions.

Tomorrow I will give the brakes one last bleed out, as they are still a little soft, give the body a nice shine, and I'll be good to go for Saturday. Plan is to get down there early, perhaps 10am or so, find a good spot to park, and hit the show on foot. I'm sure my car could survive a bit of cruising, or even all day cruising for that matter, but I'm not looking to smell like the Marathon Oil refinery all day, nor the headache and irritated eyes that would likely come with it.

Downriver Cruise

Leak Free Brakes

2011-06-20T18:20:00.002-04:00

With the help of my friend, Jody, I now have leak free brakes. They didn't stop leaking without a fight. Our first attempt left us with two leaks. A few turns of a wrench knocked it down to one leak. The stubborn leak required a replacement coupler to solve the leak, a result of my flare kit and me tightening things up trying to stop the leaks. After a few bleeds, everything seemed functional, though the pedal seems a little soft.

I took the car for a spin up to the local gas station, topped it off with gas, and found the brakes functional, but likely in need of another bleed in order to firm up that pedal. Things seem to be charging fine, power steering leak is gone, and aside from the carb still seemingly in need of a bit more tuning, the car seems ready for summer. I'm looking forward to this Saturday's Downriver Cruise!

2011 Gratiot Cruise - East Detroit

2011-06-18T23:03:00.001-04:00

I attended the 2011 Gratiot Cruise today, sadly, while my Camaro was immobilized at home in the garage. Ok, perhaps "sadly" is a bit of a stretch. My car didn't make it, which in the past, would have been because it was in a billion pieces 1 1/2 hrs away down in my parents' garage. Today, my Camaro was unable to make the show because I decided to tackle that brake job, against my better judgement. I knew damn well I had a cheap-o brake flare kit, and I knew from past experience, it was a worthless piece of shit, and required me to use my friend's Snap-On kit in order to obtain a leak free brake system. Yet still, I tore into the brake job expecting a successful outcome. It should come as no surprise that my results were a bit deja vu, and pretty much every connection leaked like a sonofabitch!

I wasn't that upset though. While my car didn't make it, it wasn't that big of a deal. I knew that with the assistance of a friend's tools, it would be back on the road and ready for not only next weekend's Downriver Cruise, but also the numerous cruise nights, and the grande daddy of them all, Woodward's Dream Cruise a few months away. So while not able to make today's show, the post car show depression from visiting shows over the past 9 years with a basket case car sitting in a garge were not even on my radar.

As for the show, it was as good as past years. While I personally enjoy the Downriver Cruise a bit more, and it's not even close to the level of Woodward, it is a great cruise that is easily walkable, with plenty of cars, and a plethora of Mopars, both cruising and lining the 2 mile stretch. So, with that, I'll let the pictures do the talking...with a touch of commentary of course.

Call it Rat Rod, call it Classic Hotrodding, or whatever. This is just plain cool.

I've seen this car around many times, and the flame job is one of my favorites!

Blower Row.

Another fine example of a hot rod. This is the definition of "classic" in my book.

Good looking Plymouth.

Burn Notice...in a different hue.

Even with it's glitter filled paint, I liked this car.

Ok, ok, not exactly an American classic, but seriously, when was the last time you saw a vintage Volvo? It gets the cool label in my book.

My dad had one of these, in black, with a black vinyl top and big block 400. He sold it in the early 1980's for $1,600 in mint condition and bought a Chevy Monza. Yeah, he's still kicking himself.

One of my favorite year 'Stangs.

Seriously, if you're driving a Mad Max vehicle and people don't get the message "GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY WAY!" then I feel the driver of this vehicle has the right to do what he has to do.

My buddy Rod that painted my car has one of these, but in black.

On my wife's wish list.

One damn good lookin' Scamp.

My little Emma may end up behind the wheel of one of these babies. Only 6 1/2 years before she's able to drag one.

T-buckets never get old.

This could very well be the Prowler Purple on my Camaro. Very nice car.

Funny, today I think those stick on fake brake vents people slap on their fenders are dumb. Yet on a classic Buick, they made the car. Put them on the hood of a Camaro, and it was a sure tell sign, that's an SS, and there was nothing cheezy about that.

This seems to be a Ferrari, and a good looking vintage Ferrari at that. If it's a kit car, excuse me, but I really don't care, it's still a sharp ride.

Also on the wife's wish list.

The googley eyes got me. I've seen the air brushed eyes done many times, but this set seem oh so more fitting for such a car in my opinion.

File this vehicle under "WTF?" Obviously a lot of work went into this ride, and it was done up very nicely, but I just can't understand it. The Mad Max ride, ok, I get it, and if somebody pisses you off, it can even serve a purpose...but this?

Lil GTO, you're really lookin' fine!

Not long ago, I thought these cars were absolutely hideous. More recently, they graduated to unusually ugly. Today, they are slowly creeping into the kinda cool category.

I wanna say this flamed out purple people eater is a Henry J, though I could be wrong.

All of the sudden the guy with the motorcycle/car contraption above doesn't seem so odd. His ride is way cooler than this Chevette lookin' ride for which I believe was by Raliant?

2011 Gratiot Cruise - East Detroit

Brake line flaring

2011-06-17T19:47:00.002-04:00

Whenever you take time off from something, you often need a refresher course. For the automotive hobbyist, aka "Gearhead," that refresher course often amounts to jumping back in feet first. Aside from regular maintenance on my daily driver, I hadn't wrenched on my Camaro much in the last 8-9 years. Obviously, I've forgotten my fair share. Sometimes those mental lapses can be costly, and other times, simply time consuming. Luckily, this little mishap is simply time consuming, and has me a little under the gun, with the Gratiot Cruise in the morning.

While installing my new brake proportioning valve, I knew something didn't look right. I didn't like using my el cheapo flaring kit from Jeg's in the first place, but the flares just didn't look right. It wasn't until all the lines were installed, and I had bled all four corners with my vacuum pump two times around that I first sat in the car to pump the brakes. I immediately knew something was wrong as the pedal was so soft it nearly went to the floor. A quick check of the lines revealed multiple leaks. I scratched my head for a second then realized my mistake, I never put the second flare on all the connections, thus the lines weren't seating! Sonofabitch! So here I am, starting over, and the clock is ticking....but the beer is cold! Thank you Leinenkugel Summer Shandy.

Motor Muster at Greenfield Village - June 18-19

2011-06-16T13:05:00.002-04:00

In addition to the Gratiot cruise this weekend, Greenfield Village will be hosting it's annual Motor Muster. Billed as America's longest running antique car show, cars from 1933-1976 will be on display. In addition to over 500 vehicles on display, a parade of classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, military vehicles, and even vintage race cars will cruise through the village. The usual free activities at the village will also be available, as will "Dancing in the Street," performed by the Masters of Music Big Band, recreating a WWII USO show and radio broadcast.

Saturday night the village/car show will go until 9 pm with a fireworks finale. Sunday the show will last until park closing at 5pm.

Motor Muster

Power Steering & Charging Issues Fixed

2011-06-16T11:55:00.000-04:00

Owning an old car is a constant battle. There always seems to be something that needs attending to, and turning that classic into a 700 hp fire breathing monster only adds to the list. Two nagging problems leftover from last season were a power steering leak and a charging system that had obvious issues.

The power steering leak seemed to originate from the low pressure return line coming out the back of the reservoir. The big block power steering brackets purchased last year didn't prove to be a simple bolt on. I had already turned a bolt hole into a slot in order to get the bracket to fasten to the headers last year. When it came to the cradle, I influenced the bracket onto the pump with a few taps with a rubber mallet...or maybe it was a steel mallet, depending upon resistance. Perhaps due to my impatience, or intolerance for parts that don't fit, the outcome proved to be a pump that leaked. The leak wasn't so bad that it required my instant attention, but it was of enough concern that I traveled with a funnel and a few courts of fluid, and often had to top it off prior to returning home.

I decided that coercing the new cradle bracket into place was a bad idea and instead decided to modify the design by removing the bottom portion with a cutoff wheel. After that, I had to replace an unused stud on the reservoir with a bolt, for clearance issues, and then everything bolted into place without a problem. A fire up of the engine proved that the problem was resolved. Next on the agenda, replace my unworthy alternator with the badass unit I bought through Summit Racing Equipment.

Last year, I concluded I had an electrical issue, no doubt about it. My gas gauge was inconsistant at best, and my volt meter also jumped all over the place. I tried new grounds a few times, and the problem persisted. A friend suggested my alternator was struggling to keep up, especially with my 4 electric fan set up likely drawing around 44 amps total. For reasons I can't explain, I never turned my voltmeter to measure amps, and verify my suspisions. Instead, I dusted off the area in the back of my brain, dating back about a decade when I bought my alternator. I recall buying it at Autozone back home, and that I recall it either being a 65 amp alternator, or perhaps slightly higher. Regardless, when combined with my MSD ignition system, I felt that whatever my alternator was, it wasn't not capable of supplying the needed power. So, I ordered up a Powermaster 140 amp alternator, which upon arrival, was rated at up to 161 amps of output. I took this opportunity to switch my charging system to a one wire alternator. I was surprised to find that it's simply a matter of hooking up the alternator power when dealing with a unit already designed to be one wire. With my battery mounted in the trunk, for both better weight distribution over the drive wheels, and to lighten up the nose, I ran the supplied power lead to the main starter terminal, without issue.

After installation, I fired up the engine, and quickly noticed that not only did my voltage gauge seem to be functionioning flawlessly now, reading about 14.5 volts. My gas gauge also seems to be back to normal, as the gauge quickly dropped down to where I figured my gas level was after a trip up to the Hot Rod Power Tour stop at Metro Beach.

So, with those two leftover problems from last season out of the way, my biggest concern left is that brake issue. Not that it's that big of an issue to resolve, I just sort of detest working with brake fluid, as it tends to have some seriously ill effects upon anything with paint. That said, I'll likely venture on out to the garage and knock this problem out somet time this afternoon, that way I'll have a little peace cruising down the freeway next weekend enroute to Gratiot Cruise.

1951 DeSoto - Awaiting Rescue

2011-06-14T14:21:00.000-04:00

I've been driving passed this car for probably 5 years. Up until a year or two ago, it was covered by a tarp. I had always wondered what exactly it was, though envisioned something along the lines of the 1949 Buick from the movie Rain Man judging by the curvature of the tarp. As mother nature allowed a peak of the rear end, I had my early predictions.

Last winter, the winds were brutal enough to shred the tarp, finally exposing the classic underneath. Even while exposed, I wasn't positive what kind of car it was. For months, I referred to it as a Cadillac, as my wife and I drove by. Every time I would say "I'm gonna have to stop and get the story on that car sometime." Well, yesterday turned out to be that day. Recently, I concluded it definitely wasn't a Cadillac. So many cars from the late 40's and 50's had similar designs that I couldn't be for sure what it was.

As I pulled into the used car/mechanic's lot, the front badges (what letters that were left) displayed that it was in fact a DeSoto. According to the shop owner, it is a 1951 DeSoto. As the story goes, the owner lives near by, dropped the car off about 4-5 years ago, (which is an underestimate by my estimation) the owner needed some work done, but I'm not sure whether or not that ever happened. The shop owner stated that the owner wanted to sell it, but was asking $7,500. I couldn't bite my tongue, and blurted out "He's fuckin' dreamin'." LOL

The engine was apparently rebuilt, and aside from the flat tires, the car is drivable I'm told. At $7,500, it just doesn't work in my opinion. Now, for maybe around $3,000 (tops) you could make it work. The interior is mostly all there, aside from a few chrome toggle switches and an ash tray. The interior has been....hmmm...I'm being kind when I say "changed." Looks like somebody got some orange-ish fabric from Jo-Anne fabrics, wrapped the seats, and added some buttons. The quality actually isn't that bad, but it's about 40 years out of style. Perhaps the worst thing I saw was the stainless steel molding on the exterior body. Instead of finding or fabricating the proper attachment hardware, somebody just ran some sheet metal screws right through the trim, warping the shit outta the metal (and probably the body), and arguably mangling it beyond saving without spending big bucks through somebody who is an expert in metal working and welding up stainless trim.

I can't attest to the undercarriage, though I was assured that it is solid, and was a southern car prior to the current owner. Perhaps one of these days I'll make my way back over to the shop, crawl underneath the car, and take a closer inspection. Maybe even take a look under the hood, just to see what's there, but I was told it was a 6 cylinder.

Being the visionary I am, I see the potential in this car. In fact, I've been dreaming about how to build this car since the first time I saw what was hiding under the tarp. Knowing that it's a DeSoto, nothing short of a new fuel injected Hemi backed by a 6 speed transmission would seem appropriate. An independent front suspension, new set of white walls, and perhaps a few inch chop and I think she'd be good to go. Chopping the roof right off, turning it into a convertible, is also another possibility. While the interior isn't as big as I had envisioned, this would still be a suitable car to take across the country in, and definitely plenty classic and unique enough that people would take notice. It can't go without saying, this would be the PERFECT Hot Rod Power Tour car!

Maybe another few years down the road, cash and hand, I'll convince the owner that he needs to let it go to somebody who will restore this car to the beauty it deserves. For now, I'll simply continue to dream.

There were plenty of Stingrays and XKE's!

2011-06-14T13:33:00.000-04:00

I've spotted this little gem parked downtown Detroit a few times now, and figured I'd snap a picture this time. While for the longest time I thought these cars were rather ugly little buggers, they have since grown upon me. There is no denying their unique styling with their long hoods, swooping body, and bubble cabin. While I can't say I like them so much that I'd ever own one, I at least now can appreciate them for being different, and cool in a quirky sort of way.

Alternator, Power Steering Pump, and Brake Repairs

2011-06-14T11:23:00.005-04:00

In preparation of this weekend's Gratiot Cruise - Eastpoint, I have planned a few mods/repairs to hopefully get rid of some bugs. Yesterday, I took advantage of my dad babysitting after I returned from court. He GLADLY would watch Emma Sue while I wrenched in the garage for a bit, starting on this weeks plans for the Camaro. I started with that leaky power steering pump/reservoir. Removal was easy enough, and I figured I'd check with the babysitter to see if I could milk another hour or so out of him, so I could make a parts run to National Parts Depot. He was game, so I hit the road.

With my leaky pump in hand for a my core exchange along with $68, I was all set with a remanufactured pump, ready for installation. While installing the pump brackets, I was reminded of what likely let to the leak in the first place. I'm not sure if it is due to tolerances that were all over the map during the muscle car era, or the fact that my car has little that remains stock, but I'm sure it's a combination of both that leads to so many parts not fitting correctly. With the bracket on the block, already in place, it was likely the width difference between the stock manifolds, and my current headers that caused me to have to "massage" the bracket. Instead of forcing the mounting bracket onto the pump, as I did before, which likely lead to the leak from the pressed in return line nipple, I decided to get out the cut off wheel and fix the problem. Again, a little "massaging," and the bracket bolted up. The power steering pump is ready for installation now, sitting on the work bench, awaiting my other parts to arrive.

Today, my shipment from Summit Racing Equipment should be delivered, containing my Powermaster 140A alternator, and Wilwood brake proportioning valve. The alternator, has been long over due. I think I may only have a 65a alternator, though maybe as high was 75-80a. With my quad electric fan setup drawing around 45a, in addition to my MSD ignition, I could very well be putting a very heavy work load on an alternator unable to live up to the task. Charging, with all 4 fans on, jumps between 12.7-13.2 volts, though will sometimes drop down into the high 11 volt range. My volt gauge also is all over the place, which I kind of wrote off as a ground issue, or perhaps even a gauge issue, though my voltmeter confirmed that charging issues were present.

Lastly, I went with a new proportioning valve. Considering the one in the car snagged the trailer upon loading, requiring me to fix the lines any way, I can't be certain that the valve itself wasn't damaged. The cost to replace the valve is around $40, and with the brake chatter I experienced on the freeway, I think a new valve will at least ease my mind.

With these repairs knocked out over the next few days, I'm hoping my biggest issues/concerns are resolved. I'm betting that my charging system could very well be the reason behind my erratic ignition/engine miss while cruising down the freeway. If not, then I'll have to determine whether it's part of the ignition system, or my forever troublesome carburator. Either way, I'll be more prepared for this week's Gratiot cruise than I was for the Power Tour stop.

2011 Gratiot Cruise - June 18, 2011

2011-06-10T23:23:00.002-04:00

Next up, the 2011 Gratiot Cruise on June 18th. I'm hoping to knock out a few of my repairs/upgrades by next weekend, but will be there regardless. For more information, visit their official website.

Cruisin' Gratiot

2011 Hot Rod Power Tour Pictures - Detroit

2011-06-10T20:58:00.007-04:00

While I did some serious scrambling at the end, and took a few chances by going, there was no way I was going to miss the Hot Rod Power Tour coming to Detroit. I didn't have time...scratch that...I didn't have the motivation to fix my brakes hanging up due to the proportioning valve and lines in/out getting crimped when loading it on the trailer a few weeks ago. Up until yesterday, it hadn't caused a problem, and then suddenly started grabbing. I turned the valve all the way done and hoped for the best. Luckily, it held up and didn't cause any issues. In addition to that, the car really runs pretty shitty at cruising speed, with a serious miss, which could be due to a seriously insufficient charging system. Then there is the quad electric fan setup, which I've neglected to install relays for. Lastly, my power steering reservior is leaking like a sonofabitch, which I think may be caused by a small puncture from trying to get enough tension on the belt. So, I was taking some chances to say the least.

As if that wasn't enough, today kicked off with a line of storms rolling through Metro Detroit, and yet I found myself at the local O'Reilly's picking up cleaning supplies, so I could wash my car in the garage. Not even the threat of severe weather was going to keep me away, and damn it, even if it rained, my car was going to look good before hitting the road. A little before 1 pm, I hit the road, with my dad following in his F150...just in case. The ride was uneventful without even a hint of trouble. My cooling system kept everything at 195 degrees, and aside from a constant miss, she ran well. About half way there, I began to encounter "others" on the way to the show.

To steal a philosphy from the movie Hangover, I feel like the loner, the one man wolf pack, traveling amongst a bunch of sheep-mobiles. Then, out of my rear view, along comes another wolf, and that wolf often has a pack, and all of the sudden, I don't feel like such a loner. Gearheads, automotive enthusiasts, or hobbyist if you will, share a common line of thought. We give each other the low key knod, the thumbs up, or even the discrete wave of the hand. We understand one another, without uttering a word.

The cloudy sky and cool temps only lasted a couple of hours, and then the rain let loose. Still, I was able to see the majority of the cars present, and loved getting a taste of what 2011 holds for me, and for my readers. Sit back and enjoy what is already on par to be my most productive year of blogging, with more coverage, more wrenching, and so far, more readers. I'm doing my best to give Metro Detroiters, Michiganders, and Midwesterners a heads-up as to what's going on in the area.

The Lone Wolf. If you look closely, you can see that sonofabitch power steering pump leak.

Quite possibly my favorite car of the show. This thing was just badass! It still had a W-motor, though I'm not very educated on these engines, so can't say if it were a 348, 409, or other, but I can say the intake/carb setup was also cool as hell.

Road trip material for sure!

Rough around the edges, but smooth in all the right ways.

Very clean AMX. Starting to see a lot of AMC projects lately showing up at shows and in magazines.

MO-POWER!

Can't recall if this is a 69 or 70, but those two years are my favorite year Mustangs ever built. Way better than the Mustang II I posted. Haha

My kind of taxi.

Another Family-mobile.

Not a fan of brown, but this copper brown looks sweet.

3rd Gen Firebirds/Camaro had a VERY strong showing, as did Mustangs from the same decade. Not that these cars didn't have a strong following back in the day, it's just that the market for them, as well as restorations, seem to be on the rise.

Best air brushing integrating ram air into the mix. Imagine this image coming up behind you. Gett'em lone wolf!

Another cool family truckster, I really need something like this to take kids on a roadtrip in.

Old school air conditioning. You fill it with water/ice, the wind turns this turbine thing inside, and wha-lah! Cold air for the car. The owner said it worked surprisingly well on the ride up during 100 degree weather.

Now THIS is one sweet ass Suzuki Sidekick! (did I really just say that?)

Look like anybody's Camaro you know?

Nice early 50's Chevy.

Not a big fan of vans, but I dig these old Dodges.

Now THIS is how I'd like to see the nation! Today's SUV's can't even come close to comparing.

Another extremely clean Firebird. Makes me feel like Joe Dirt, as bad as mine is looking these days.

Nice car, but I don't like the way the scoop messes up the flow of the body.

96+ mph on a lawnmower...that's fuckin' awesome!

The only 1970 Challenger at the show I got to look at, as the other one was pulling off when the rain came. I can say, this is one of the nicest Challengers I've seen, with a new gen Hemi and 6 speed to boot. This is the pro-touring look I'm going for with my dad's Challenger.

Not sure what this is, but it's definately outside the norm, and cool in my book.

I always thought these Mustang II's were hideous. :)

Didn't know Mustang II's came with diesels.

This thing just looks fun as hell!

I'm not sure what this car is, and the rain was pouring at this point, so I didn't investigate. It really caught my eye though, as it's obviously a lightweight, with a small block under the hood. I'm guessing it's a Toyota Celica, though I could be wrong.

160+ Pictures from Hot Rod Power Tour - Detroit

Ready to Rock!

2011-06-09T21:34:00.002-04:00

Hot Rod Power Tour, here I come! (weather permitting) Today I did some more fine tuning, got my demon carb idling better than it probably ever has. I did discover I had pinched an alternator wire under my valve cover while re-installing it. Luckily, the wire I burned up was the jumper wire that goes from the power terminal to the plug, and was easily shortened and repaired.

I headed to the gas station, filled'er up with $52 worth of premium, then decided to hit the freeway and head to my buddy Jody's (The Mechanic). Shortly after hopping on I-94, a serious shimmy came back that I had experience only briefly the other day. A tap of my brakes answered my question of what it was. Seems that the proportioning valve/lines that got bent up during loading onto the trailer were causing problems after all. With pressure getting trapped from the partially crimped lines, the rear drums were hanging up, heating up, then grabbing. So, I took a detour, stopping into my precinct instead.

I crawled under the car, adjusted the proportioning valve so as to hopefully completely disable the rear brakes, and probably against my better judgement, decided to head on to Jody's. What kind of automotive enthusiast are you if you don't roll the dice from time to time, and say "Screw it!," and just go for a cruise. I am happy to say that it seems I minimized the problem. While I had no issues enroute, while on my way back home the chatter returned for a short minute. I tapped the brakes a few times, and it went away.

The brakes have obviously gone to the top of my list of repairs, though they are gonna have to wait until next week, as I plan on going to a the car show tomorrow! I think it would be wise to simply replace the proportioning valve, in case it was damaged, and also relocate it from the frame under the car to a more practical location under the hood.

Also on my high priority list is a relay or two for my fans, and a bigger alternator. The relay should have been installed long ago, after realizing my mistake of not having one. Believe it or not, I've never had a relay, and I'm running 4 electric fans pulling some MAJOR air. The alternator is a no brainer, as those fans pull tons of power, and I believe all I have is a 65 am alternator, which struggles to keep the charging system at a status quo.

In the morning, after my parents arrive, I will head up to the auto parts store to stock up on some cleaning supplies, give the car a quickie wash and sprucing up, and head to Metro Beach well before it opens, as the last thing I wish to do is sit in traffic, as I'm afraid I may encounter cooling issues. I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed, hoping for a trouble free adventure tomorrow. Thankfully, if I do have troubles, I'll have my dad along with me with his truck, as well as a friend or two at the show.

Needle/seat swapped out, problem solved

2011-06-08T15:40:00.000-04:00

Next up on my list was to tear down my carb, clean it, and hopefully find out what was causing an overly rich condition at idle. Ironically, as posted earlier, that in the midst of my issues with my Demon Carb, I discovered that Barry Grant Fuels and Demon Carburation was no more. They apparently closed up shop back in February. I called Jeg's today to confirm what I believed, a Holley or Quick Fuel rebuild kit supplies everything I need to rebuild my carb. While I don't have any major complaints regarding my carb, though I have always had issues with the idle, regardless of the engine it topped off.

Shortly into the rebuild, I found my issue. The needle and seat for the front bowl had what appeared to be either gasket material, or perhaps hardened 10 year old gas sediments, wedged between the two. Easy enough! While re-installing the front needle and seat, the rubber o-ring seal ripped...of course it did, it really couldn't be that easy could it? Luckily, I kept all my old parts from my last rebuild and simply re-installed an old needle/seat.

With everything back installed, the engine fired with relative ease. A few turns of the idle circuit screws and the idle screw and the car was idling better than ever. Once the wife arrives home, I plan a trip around the block, and then a trip to a friend's place later this evening, as a trial run for Friday up to the Power Tour.

Barry Grant & Demon Carbs go out of business

2011-06-07T21:59:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure how this slipped under my radar, but apparently as of 2/18/2011, Barry Grant/Demon Carbs has closed up shop. I discovered the posted announcement:

From Barry Grant
As of today, February 18, 2011 we are ceasing operations at our Dahlonega location and all subsidiary locations. Working with all of you has been the experience of a lifetime. I will value your support as friends, customers, vendors, and media contacts forever. The economic situation has put the company in the position of not being able to find working capital needed to continue operations and get a chapter 11 reorganization plan through the court. In addition to this, is that all of our equipment has been breaking down causing production delays and further hurting cash flow. Reluctantly now we must convert to chapter 7 liquidation after 26 years of business. The financial collapse has closed, or has caused severe restructuring of many companies in our industry. Many individuals have lost everything. We have even lost our home. This is the most humbling experience of my life, and I have no future plans at this point. Thank You for Your Many Years of Support..

I suppose I have mixed feelings about this news. I bought a Demon 750 carb back in 1998 or so, shortly after they hit the market. I was happy with the product, and especially the looks, though my first troubles arrived shortly after. The threads holding the fuel bowls to the body soon started stripping out. I managed to temporarily fix it at the time, and after race season, sent it out to have Barry Grant heli-coil the body. After that, I no longer had issues. Now tuning, that's a whole different story. I have constantly had troubles getting this carb to idle correctly, and currently, it is my biggest headache. The damn thing is just dumping fuel into the engine at idle, even though it was rebuilt just last fall, and no adjustments have changed. While I have sort of a hate relationship for the carb right now, there is no denying their carbs were the baddest looking carbs made. So perhaps with that, it should be retired to a piece of wall art on my peg board, as I'm really getting tired of tuning this piece of shit. LOL

Tune-up complete, though issues still exist.

2011-06-07T21:43:00.002-04:00

I've been out in the garge the last few days, and of course it would be the hottest days of the year. Today, it was said to be a record high of 93 degrees, with a forecast of 94 tomorrow. That didn't stop me of tuning up my car, and what I discovered was both good, and bad.

I started out by installing new Accel shorty plugs, as I believed I may have fouled out muliple plugs last season. In order to install one of the passenger side plugs required nearly removing the passenger side header. I was able to leave one bolt in, keeping the rest of the holes lined up close enough to allow for an easy re-installation.

After the plugs, I drained the oil. Last season, my first oil change had engine coolant in the pan. It wasn't very much, but enough to be a little concerned about. Last engine build, I experienced the same issue, and ended up backing out all of the head studs, adding more sealant, and re-installing them one by one. I suspected this was where the coolant may have came from. This time, not a drop of coolant leaked out when I cracked the drain plug loose. I'm guessing it was a minor leak of the head studs which sealed itself off.

The oil change did however catch my attention. My 20w 50 looked more like 10w 30, and had a gasoline aroma. I knew that the engine was running rich, at least at idle, shortly after my last run last season. Of course, I ran her hard and put her away wet. After my one last blast down a country road, I noticed my idle was now eratic. By the time I got her back to my parents, it was apparnent that the idle mixture was extremely rich, so rich that it burned your eyes. So the fact that I found gas in the oil was not that big of a surprise. I'm guessing a little piece of something got in either the idle circuit, or perhaps the needle and seat, and is the cause for my problems.

Next up was checking the valve lash. I was glad to find all but a couple of rockers were still exactly where they were suppose to be. On my list of things to do is re-installing my bump button, that makes adjusting the lash soooo much easier! After getting everything all back together, I took a test drive. While cruising down the road seems fine, there is still an obvious rich condition at idle and low speeds. So, next on the agenda is tearing the carb down for a cleaning.

A few other issues of concern are my brake line that got crimped at my proportioning valve on the frame while loading up my car, and the other being my continuous leak coming from my power steering, which I believe may be an issue with the reservior itself. As you can see, aside from the carb tear down, and power steering leak, my list is relatively easy. I'm just hoping that I can get everything cleared up by Friday.

Spring Tune-up, preparing for show season

2011-06-06T15:01:00.006-04:00

Ok, so perhaps it's late spring, and maybe these upper 80's to 90+ days don't exactly feel like spring. I can vouch, on days like today, my unvented garage is closer to 100 degrees. A little heat won't keep me from doing what I gotta do though.

Yesterday, I pulled the plugs, removed the passenger side header (which is required in order to remove one of the plugs), and removed the valve covers. With a little luck, tonight I will get the new plugs gapped, installed, the valve lash set, and perhaps even the oil changed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, hoping that these steps will rid my ride of it's eratic, overly rich, and stumbling idle.

While there is plenty of time between now and Hot Rod's Power Tour stop at Metro Beach on Friday, being able to use that time is the catch. Baby Emma doesn't always let daddy wrench as often as he needs to, nor can she hold up to the 100 degree garage temps. So I'm going to hope the wife can live with me spending a full evening, sweating my ass off, trying to knock out as much as I can tonight. Time is of the essence, and as any gear head knows, whatever can go wrong at the last minute usually does. I'm hoping for the best, and with a little bit of luck, will be blasting up I-94 enroute to Lake St Clair come Friday morning. Stay tuned, as I'll be sure to bring the camera out to the garage to follow my progress, and my wifi enabled garage complete with a relic of a computer will allow me to broadcast updates straight from my man cave.

Metro Detroit Car Shows & Cruises - June 2011

2011-06-02T11:50:00.001-04:00

Cruise season is upon us, and this year looks to be better than ever! With new cruises and car shows popping up on an annual basis, and Hot Rod Magazine's Power Tour coming to town, my vacation during the month of June couldn't come at a better time.

2011 Hot Rod Power Tour - June 10th

The final stop for this year's Hot Rod Power Tour will finish in Harrison Twp, MI. With a back drop of Lake St Clair, this is sure to be one of the more memorable final stops of the power tour.

Ultimate Outlaw Shootout Series at Milan Dragway - June 11th

1/4 mile and 1/8 mile heads up racing!
Ultimate Outlaws Shootout Series Rules

Michigan Mitten Promo Tour - June 17th-June 26th

In an effort to both get the word out about Back to the Bricks, as well as to promote Michigan Tourism, the organizers of Back to the Bricks have put together a summer tour of our lower peninsula. Kicking off June 17th, the tour starts and finishes in Downtown Flint. This is one tour I'd like to see become an annual event, as it has the tools to become another of Michigan's automotive events that can attract people from around the world.

June 17th - Friday, Leave Flint to Port Huron
June 18th - Saturday, Leave Port Huron to Bay City
June 19th - Sunday, Leave Bay City to Alpena
June 20th - Monday, Leave Alpena to Mackinaw City
June 21st - Tuesday, Leave Mackinaw City to Traverse City
June 22nd - Wednesday, Leave Traverse City to Ludington
June 23rd - Thursday, Leave Ludington to Holland
June 24th - Friday, Leave Holland to Brooklyn
June 25th - Saturday, Leave Brooklyn to Sloan Museum Auto Fair
June 26th - Sunday, 5pm End of the Road party, Downtown Flint

Motor Muster at Greenfield Village - June 18th & 19th

Located on the grounds of Greenfield Village, one of the premier outdoor museums in the country, vintage cars built between 1933-1976 are set to mingle with Ford's Model T's roaming the grounds. As a member, I can say that the Village alone is one of Detroit's finest gems. Pack it was vintage autos and it's a grand slam!

Cruisin' Gratiot - June 18th

One of the longer running local cruises, Gratiot would be considered "right sized" in my book. Stretching a few miles up Gratiot, it is a walkable size with plenty of cars and places to eat.

Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals - June 23rd-26th

Hop on the freeway and head south to Ohio and you'll discover one of the country's top drag racing facilities in Norwalk. During June 23-26th you can bare witness to the ground shaking 8,000+ hp nitro monsters.

Cruisin' Downriver - June 25th

Another long time favorite of mine. While noticably bigger than the Gratiot Cruise, it is much more walkable/cruisable than the Woodward Dream Cruise. Traffic does get congested later in the day, and parking spots seem to be at a premium, so get there early.

Sloan Museum Auto Fair - June 25th & 26th

The Sloan Museum Auto Fair is a fun-filled two-day show with plenty of music, exhibits, food vendors, entertainment, swap meet, craft vendors, food vendors, vehicles for sale, and of course automobiles! The Flint Cultural Center campus becomes home to more than 700 of the best looking cars, trucks, and motorcycles around. The visitor gates open at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vehicle registration opens at 8:00 a.m. both days, Dash plaques for the first 500 vehicles. On Saturday registration closes at 4:00 p.m.. On Sunday vehicle registration is as follows: registration for judging ends at noon, for entry into the show 1:00 p.m., awards ceremony starts at 3:00 p.m.

The Saturday Cruise leaves the Flint Cultural Center at 5:00 p.m. sharp going to The Hot Dog Stand in Grand Blanc. Show car parking at The Hot Dog Stand and at Physician’s Park. Physician’s Park is located directly behind The Hot Dog Stand. There will be cruise dash plaques for the first 250 participants. Your vehicle must be registered for the Sloan Museum Auto Fair in order to participate in the cruise.

Camaro Superfest - July 1st, 2nd, & 3rd

Camaro Superfest is an event I attended with my Camaro back in the late '90's a few times. For a Camaro enthusiast, it's about as good as it gets. Formerly held at Domino's Farms back in the day, it has since relocated to the much more scenic Depot Towne in Ypsilanti. While I'm not sure I can fit it in, considering it's the holiday weekend, it's worth a visit if you're in the area.

Hot Rod Power Tour - Detroit, MI Metro Beach Metropark

2011-05-26T10:35:00.002-04:00

I FINALLY came across the details of the show regarding what time it gets underway and goes until. My biggest complaint about Hot Rod's site is that there are no details that I could find regarding entry fees, what time gates open, and what time the show goes until. Here is what I found on the Huron-Clinton Metroparks site.

Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour® cruising to Metro Beach

Where can you see 2,500 to 3,500 street rods, antique and classic automobiles all in one place? The Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour taking place for one day only Friday, June 10 from noon - 7 pm at Metro Beach Metropark, near Mt. Clemens of course!

See, and be seen, at the finale of this rolling tribute to the performance car, the ultimate gearhead roadtrip. This travelling car show, presented by GM Performance Division and sponsored by the Detroit Metro Visitor and Convention Bureau, with finale Cruise Night sponsor, Pioneer Audio, is the signature event of Hot Rod Magazine. Metro Beach Metropark will be the final stop along a seven-day, 1,616 mile trek beginning in Cocoa Beach, Florida with vehicles expected to arrive between noon and 3 pm.

Spectators are free accompanied with a park entry fee. Car owners who would like to bring their vehicles in to show with the other Power Tour vehicles can purchase a single-day registration for $25, which includes park entry, available at Metro Beach on the day of the event only from noon – 6 pm. More information is at www.hotrod.com. All cars, regardless of make, model or year are welcome to be registered, with the exception of rentals which are not permitted.

Event Fee: free
Contact: 586-463-4581 or 800-477-3172

Hot Rod Magazine's F-Bomb

2011-05-26T10:10:00.002-04:00

One last Bonneville inspired car, Hot Rod's F-Bomb. With 1,500 streetable hp, this '73 Camaro is nothing short of amazing!

Gale Banks Twin Turbo Trans Am at Bonneville

2011-05-26T09:55:00.002-04:00

Perhaps one of the reasons I'd prefer to take my Formula across the flats is due to this Gale Banks Trans Am from years passed. What more inspiration does one need than a stock bodied example traveling just south of 300 mph?

Bonneville Salt Flats

2011-05-26T08:48:00.006-04:00

One of the many automotive items on my to do/bucket list is a visit to the Bonneville Salt Flats. Just a visit would not be sufficient of course, but a 200 mph blast would satisfy my needs. Just looking at pictures, reading stories, seeing videos, and watching "The World's Fastest Indian (2005)," leaves any automotive enthusiast salivating for a visit to this unique to planet earth location.

I've pondered many times, bench racing with myself, what I would build, what I'd like to take to Bonneville. While my 69 Camaro would need relatively little work to get it up to speed (no pun intended), I can't help but lean in favor of my 89 Pontiac Formula. Aerodynamically speaking, it has one of the best drag co-efficients of any car built, and it just looks armed and ready to go, prepared to slice through the salt air. Of course it would mean another car with a cage, along with many other requirements that would make it closer to another race car than street car.

My desire only grows stronger with each article I read about "The Flats," and the grassroots racers who make their yearly trek to Speed Week. Perhaps a pilgrimage to the flats during this annual event would at least give me a taste, and an idea whether it's something I REALLY wanna do, before building such a purpose built car. I do however have little doubt that there is any form of racing out there that I wouldn't whole-heartedly enjoy with a big 'ol shit eatin' grin from ear to ear.

Here is an article passed along to me a few years ago. It really captures the essence behind what Bonneville is all about, and the desire for most every gearhead to check it out at least once in their life.

Popular Mechanics - Mustang vs Camaro: All out Bonneville Speed Test

Bonneville Salt Flats

Michigan Mitten Promo Tour

2011-05-16T16:13:00.002-04:00

In an effort to both get the word out about Back to the Bricks, as well as to promote Michigan Tourism, the organizers of Back to the Bricks have put together a summer tour of our lower peninsula. Kicking off June 17th, the tour starts and finishes in Downtown Flint. This is one tour I'd like to see become an annual event, as it has the tools to become another of Michigan's automotive events that can attract people from around the world.

June 17th - Friday, Leave Flint to Port Huron
June 18th - Saturday, Leave Port Huron to Bay City
June 19th - Sunday, Leave Bay City to Alpena
June 20th - Monday, Leave Alpena to Mackinaw City
June 21st - Tuesday, Leave Mackinaw City to Traverse City
June 22nd - Wednesday, Leave Traverse City to Ludington
June 23rd - Thursday, Leave Ludington to Holland
June 24th - Friday, Leave Holland to Brooklyn
June 25th - Saturday, Leave Brooklyn to Sloan Museum Auto Fair
June 26th - Sunday, 5pm End of the Road party, Downtown Flint

Michigan Mitten Promo Tour

"Dude...That's a frickin' UFO!"

2011-05-16T12:36:00.001-04:00

What kind of miles are we talkin'?

2011-05-16T12:28:00.002-04:00

2011 Dodge Charger

2011-05-15T15:47:00.002-04:00

Dodge/Chrysler has been knocking them outta the park with their commercials for awhile now, and this one ranks towards the top of the pack.

Joe Mondello - August 6,1936 - April 6, 2011

2011-05-15T14:12:00.003-04:00

Mondello, Joseph
August 6,1936 - April 6, 2011

We are deeply saddened by the loss of a wonderful, caring, passionate and very talented man, Joe Mondello. Joe passed in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 6 in Crossville, Tenn., at the age of 75, following complications from surgery. Joe was born on August 6, 1936 in Los Angeles, California.

Joe, also known as "Dr. Oldsmobile", earned an international reputation as a drag racing and the automotive performance expert, guru and master. Joe's passion for all things mechanical, and particularly improving cylinder head airflow, led him to a 54 year career as an engine builder, head porter and later, a teacher. His talents led him to work with some of the most notable race teams and fellow engine builders during the 60's and through the turn of the century. He started racing at age 13, and his professional career started in 1951 working on flat-head Fords for his own '40 Ford coupe for drag racing, as well as for other engine builders. He was nicknamed "Dr. Oldsmobile" for his highly successful developmental work on the Olds V-8 engines.

His passion for excellence lead him to establish the Mondello Technical School in 1996 in California, devoted to teaching the art of professional performance engine building and head porting design to all who came including young men and women who desired a career in the field. The school started in Paso Robles, California and later moved to Crossville, Tennessee. Joe's passion was for those young people in the school. He wanted them to understand what it took to be a professional in the shop and in customer relations. He also extended that passion to teaching many of them how to be a professional as a drag racer. He taught them the technical aspects of their trade (as an engine builder and as a racer) and how to interact with people. Joe is survived by his wife Mary, four children Bernard Mondello, Stephanie Mondello, Gina Ozanne, and Nica Mondello-Gomez and four grandchildren, Nicole Mondello, Ross Ozanne, Adam and Joey Gomez.

Published in the Los Angeles Times on April 12, 2011

Imported to Detroit

2011-05-09T22:06:00.001-04:00

After what seemed like the longest winter ever, my Camaro has returned home. I would have loved to have had it here all winter, as I would have been able to knock out a lot of these little projects that need fixing. Though the alternative would have been parking my 89 Formula on the street, scraping snow and ice off windows, and sliding into a bitter cold car each day fighting off frost bite enroute to work. No thanks, I'll take parking in a garage every time.

So now that she's home, the laundry list of things to fix seems longer than ever, but we'll dig into that in the coming weeks. Let's take a step back to earlier today. I had hoped to drive my car back up, since I drove it down to my parents last October. One problem, just prior to parking her last fall, I took it down the road for one last blast. While out, something seemed to have went wrong, as she began to stumble at idle, and stumble again as I limped back to my parents garage. Not sure what caused the problem, but it's still present, and seems to be causing an extremely rich at idle condition. With Emma Sue, just over 5 months old, there was no way I was going to find the time to make the 1.5 hr drive down to my parents and figure out the issues in a timely manner, so, I bit the bullet and rented a trailer and brought her up.

Now, I wasn't about to simply load my car on the trailer and call it a day. My parents are surrounding by woods and corn fields, so breaking down on a back road down there is nothing like being stranded in Detroit along a freeway or rough neighborhood. That said, I fired the beast up and told dad "I'll be back in a bit, I'll call if/when I get stranded." In the back of my mind, I honestly expected to be making that phone call...and of course, I did.

Luckily, I had to make that call because I stopped by a friend's house, who wasn't home, and my battery simply didn't have the charge to crank the engine once stalled. The carb still has some serious idle issues, which is causing an overly rich condition. Cruising down the road, I dropped the hammer a few times...ok, actually only dropped the hammer about 1/2 throttle, but oh my God, this car is more hellacious than I remembered!

700 hp is like nothing you've ever experienced. As it is, with some 275 radial cheapos, you can roast the tires at any speed. While extreme acceleration is still there, I can't even begin to comprehend the kind of g-force this car is going to pull with a beefed up rear and sticky set of tires. Two wheeled launches are practically a given.

I've crossed the line. My car is loud, gets about 6 mpg highway...on a good day, is a real pain in the ass to get in and out of, it will rattle your fillings out, and the engine looks as though it will require constant maintenance to keep it cruising. I had, for a short minute, questioned whether or not I made the right decision last fall, when I realized just how far I had pushed the envelope. Today, those concerns disappeared. The 69 Camaro is by far the most popular muscle car built, and because of that, the market seems saturated with them, and you really have to do something to make the car stand out in a crowd. When I come rumbling down the boulevard, you don't notice its a 69 Camaro, the engine takes center stage, and even the purist of brand loyalists can appreciate that.

V8 TV Show

2011-05-03T14:12:00.001-04:00

Another site full of cool car reviews and tech videos

V8 TV Show

Turtle Wax Ice

2011-05-03T11:18:00.003-04:00

Truer words have never been spoken.