Tuesday, August 29, 2006
2006 Woodward Dream Cruise
Ok, so I'm a tad bit late reporting on the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise, but better late than never right? Once again neither of my classics were running for the event, nor did I take up my 1989 Formula this year. I simply rode up with my neighbors, walked for a few hours, then sat and watched for a few more. This year we settled in down around 9 mile in Ferndale, which isn't normally my first choice, but that's where we resided out of convenience. For one, this was Mustang Alley on 9 mile. I believe I have seen enough Mustangs to last me until next Dream Cruise. Normally I like to reside in what I consider the core of it all, up around 12 mile or so near the McDonald's restaurant. There is always next year, just as there is always next year to try and have my Camaro back on the road, kickin' ass and taking names. Until then, here are some pictures along with my Flickr link where I have a good 100 or so uploaded, enjoy!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Official 2009 Camaro press release
Interesting that this will be the first Camaro to utilize independent rear suspension, putting a leg up on the Mustang, while joining the Challenger as an IRS car. It will be interesting to see what impact it will have, as many of you may recall, the last generation Camaro/Firebird with a solid straight axle actually out handled the Mustang Cobra equipped with IRS. Additionally, an IRS setup usually is not as effective for straight line acceleration. I recall reading more than a few articles that noted wheel hop with IRS on the GTO and CTS-V. I would hope that for the Camaro crowd they will have this issue resolved, as most off us who like to lay rubber don't care to blow out the IRS in the process. I don't know about you guys, but I've been saving over a month now, awaiting this day. Now, I must find out how in the hell I'm going to insure it living in the city of Detroit.
On a side note, something rather amusing, I sent a letter to one of the big shots at GM some years back when I heard the announcement that they were going to kill the F-body platform. I informed them that the only chance they had of ever selling me a new car was through that of an F-body, as the Vette will always be more than I'm willing to spend, as I'd rather own 2-3 muscle cars at that price. I went on to state that they were failing to realize the importance of the F-body and what it means to the shrinking group that was still purchasing them. The Camaro and Firebird had always had a cult following, it had alway been the arch nemisis to the Mustang, to take that away was taking away the only reason I had ever been a Chevy fan. What was left was a bunch of front wheel drive cars in which I would never purchase.
As years passed, new and more exciting products came to market, though not only from GM. The revised Mustang was a grand slam, a car that I'd be willing to have my Chevy orange blood swapped out via a transfusion for Ford blue. In the mean time, Cadillac brought out its rear wheel drive Cadillac line up, which if I were into luxury cars, I would perhaps seriously consider, yet that wasn't my meat and potatos. I was a muscle car fan after all. More cars would follow, but the SSR to me was a waste of a niche vehicle. It ranks right there with the Ford Thunderbird as a "could've been." Had neither of them been priced so high, weighed WAY too much, and been so underpowered initially, they would have both sold much better. The GTO was another could've been. It's interior styling and powertrain were among the best GM had ever seen, yet the styling just didn't scream GTO, it said "Corporate Pontiac," and didn't differentiate itself from the Grand Prix enough. Then came the Solstice and Sky, possible the coolest little roadsters I've ever seen. Convincing enough that I would even ponder buying one, yet still, I wanted that muscle car.
Over on the Chrysler front, they were pumping out cool products as well. The Viper has always been cool, but like the Vette, a car I'd likely never spend the money to buy. The Magnum/300C/Charger were all sweet, but 4 doors? No thanks, not quite yet. When they brought forth the Challenger concept last January, I was blown away. At the time, I felt I would sell my 1970 Challenger to buy a new Challenger, yet I could say the same for my Camaro, I'd hold onto my 1969 as opposed to the new one. Time changes one's perspective, and in all honesty, I wouldn't sell either of my classics for the new versions (are you kidding me? I'm a collector now, if I don't intend to keep it forever, I won't buy it!). The more magazine covers both cars graced, the more the Camaro grew on me. The more info that came out, the more I leaned towards the Camaro. The Challenger is said to come in at 4,000+ lbs. That's not nimble enough to be a muscle car as far as I'm concerned. It's gonna need that 425 hp hemi to motivate if from a stop. My 1970 Challenger weighs in at 3,600 lbs, and I consider that quite porkly for a pony car. Now no official weight has been announced for the Camaro, and they have already said they will need to trim some weight off the Austrialian version, but they hope to get it in the 3,600 lbs range. Still more than I'd like to see, but I'll take the 400 lbs less with 400 hp or so any day.
In addition, the more I considered the styling of both, I realized I like them both for different reasons. Though from my perspective, owning both vintage versions, the Challenger is just too much like the 1970 I already own. The Camaro however, it has sharp edge styling mixed with nostalgic lines. There is no mistaking the new Camaro for my 1969 counterpart. For this reason I look at it this way, if you used to own a 1970 Challenger and want to relive what it used to be, then the Challenger is for you. If you want to relive your 1969 Camaro you used to own, then you buy a 1969 Camaro, as the new Camaro has some serious modern influence kickin'. Anyways, below is the official announcement per Automotive News.
New Camaro coming in early 2009, Wagoner says
Sports car to come in 'many shapes and sizes'
Richard Truett | Dale Jewett | Automotive News / August 10, 2006 - 9:41am / UPDATED: 8/10/2006 12:49 P.M.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- General Motors has big plans for the reborn Camaro coming in early 2009.
GM will put the Camaro sports car into production in late 2008, and put it on sale in early 2009, CEO Rick Wagoner said today. The production Camaro will closely resemble the concept car unveiled in January at the Detroit auto show, he said.
Rick Wagoner said the sports coupe will be available with a variety engines and transmissions and hinted that a convertible version might also be in the works.
"It will come in many shapes and sizes," Wagoner said.
The car will be engineered by GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia but built in North America, Wagoner said today at the Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Mich.
GM will announce the car's production site later, Wagoner said. He made no comment on the potential for a Pontiac Firebird version of the car.
Growing segment
Despite rising gasoline prices, the Camaro gives GM an entry in the growing muscle-car revival that includes cars such as Ford's Mustang-based Shelby GT500, and the Dodge Challenger that is scheduled to reach showrooms in 2008 with a Hemi engine.
Wagoner did not offer many technical details, but he did say the new Camaro would have an independent rear suspension system to improve handling. That is a feature that Mustang fans clamored for, but did not get.
High-performance variants of the Camaro will likely be powered by a version of GM's classic small block V-8 engine, such as the one used in the outgoing Pontiac GTO, which developed 400 horsepower.
The 2009 Camaro will share some styling cues with the 1969 model, but GM does not view it as retro car, Wagoner said. The goal with the new car's styling was to appeal to those who like the '69 model, and also younger buyers.
GM first showed a concept version of the Camaro at the Detroit auto show in January. Since then, GM said, the company has been flooded with requests to build the car and has been offered deposits from enthusiasts.
It took GM about eight months to make a business case for the Camaro. Wagoner said today he agreed with GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz' assessment that GM could sell 100,000 Camaros per year. Ford Motor Co. sold 100,995 Mustangs through July this year.
GM was widely expected to approve the car for production, and in April one Detroit-area GM dealer even started advertising the car for sale.
You may e-mail Richard Truett at rtruett@crain.com
You may e-mail Dale Jewett at djewett@crain.com
On a side note, something rather amusing, I sent a letter to one of the big shots at GM some years back when I heard the announcement that they were going to kill the F-body platform. I informed them that the only chance they had of ever selling me a new car was through that of an F-body, as the Vette will always be more than I'm willing to spend, as I'd rather own 2-3 muscle cars at that price. I went on to state that they were failing to realize the importance of the F-body and what it means to the shrinking group that was still purchasing them. The Camaro and Firebird had always had a cult following, it had alway been the arch nemisis to the Mustang, to take that away was taking away the only reason I had ever been a Chevy fan. What was left was a bunch of front wheel drive cars in which I would never purchase.
As years passed, new and more exciting products came to market, though not only from GM. The revised Mustang was a grand slam, a car that I'd be willing to have my Chevy orange blood swapped out via a transfusion for Ford blue. In the mean time, Cadillac brought out its rear wheel drive Cadillac line up, which if I were into luxury cars, I would perhaps seriously consider, yet that wasn't my meat and potatos. I was a muscle car fan after all. More cars would follow, but the SSR to me was a waste of a niche vehicle. It ranks right there with the Ford Thunderbird as a "could've been." Had neither of them been priced so high, weighed WAY too much, and been so underpowered initially, they would have both sold much better. The GTO was another could've been. It's interior styling and powertrain were among the best GM had ever seen, yet the styling just didn't scream GTO, it said "Corporate Pontiac," and didn't differentiate itself from the Grand Prix enough. Then came the Solstice and Sky, possible the coolest little roadsters I've ever seen. Convincing enough that I would even ponder buying one, yet still, I wanted that muscle car.
Over on the Chrysler front, they were pumping out cool products as well. The Viper has always been cool, but like the Vette, a car I'd likely never spend the money to buy. The Magnum/300C/Charger were all sweet, but 4 doors? No thanks, not quite yet. When they brought forth the Challenger concept last January, I was blown away. At the time, I felt I would sell my 1970 Challenger to buy a new Challenger, yet I could say the same for my Camaro, I'd hold onto my 1969 as opposed to the new one. Time changes one's perspective, and in all honesty, I wouldn't sell either of my classics for the new versions (are you kidding me? I'm a collector now, if I don't intend to keep it forever, I won't buy it!). The more magazine covers both cars graced, the more the Camaro grew on me. The more info that came out, the more I leaned towards the Camaro. The Challenger is said to come in at 4,000+ lbs. That's not nimble enough to be a muscle car as far as I'm concerned. It's gonna need that 425 hp hemi to motivate if from a stop. My 1970 Challenger weighs in at 3,600 lbs, and I consider that quite porkly for a pony car. Now no official weight has been announced for the Camaro, and they have already said they will need to trim some weight off the Austrialian version, but they hope to get it in the 3,600 lbs range. Still more than I'd like to see, but I'll take the 400 lbs less with 400 hp or so any day.
In addition, the more I considered the styling of both, I realized I like them both for different reasons. Though from my perspective, owning both vintage versions, the Challenger is just too much like the 1970 I already own. The Camaro however, it has sharp edge styling mixed with nostalgic lines. There is no mistaking the new Camaro for my 1969 counterpart. For this reason I look at it this way, if you used to own a 1970 Challenger and want to relive what it used to be, then the Challenger is for you. If you want to relive your 1969 Camaro you used to own, then you buy a 1969 Camaro, as the new Camaro has some serious modern influence kickin'. Anyways, below is the official announcement per Automotive News.
New Camaro coming in early 2009, Wagoner says
Sports car to come in 'many shapes and sizes'
Richard Truett | Dale Jewett | Automotive News / August 10, 2006 - 9:41am / UPDATED: 8/10/2006 12:49 P.M.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- General Motors has big plans for the reborn Camaro coming in early 2009.
GM will put the Camaro sports car into production in late 2008, and put it on sale in early 2009, CEO Rick Wagoner said today. The production Camaro will closely resemble the concept car unveiled in January at the Detroit auto show, he said.
Rick Wagoner said the sports coupe will be available with a variety engines and transmissions and hinted that a convertible version might also be in the works.
"It will come in many shapes and sizes," Wagoner said.
The car will be engineered by GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia but built in North America, Wagoner said today at the Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Mich.
GM will announce the car's production site later, Wagoner said. He made no comment on the potential for a Pontiac Firebird version of the car.
Growing segment
Despite rising gasoline prices, the Camaro gives GM an entry in the growing muscle-car revival that includes cars such as Ford's Mustang-based Shelby GT500, and the Dodge Challenger that is scheduled to reach showrooms in 2008 with a Hemi engine.
Wagoner did not offer many technical details, but he did say the new Camaro would have an independent rear suspension system to improve handling. That is a feature that Mustang fans clamored for, but did not get.
High-performance variants of the Camaro will likely be powered by a version of GM's classic small block V-8 engine, such as the one used in the outgoing Pontiac GTO, which developed 400 horsepower.
The 2009 Camaro will share some styling cues with the 1969 model, but GM does not view it as retro car, Wagoner said. The goal with the new car's styling was to appeal to those who like the '69 model, and also younger buyers.
GM first showed a concept version of the Camaro at the Detroit auto show in January. Since then, GM said, the company has been flooded with requests to build the car and has been offered deposits from enthusiasts.
It took GM about eight months to make a business case for the Camaro. Wagoner said today he agreed with GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz' assessment that GM could sell 100,000 Camaros per year. Ford Motor Co. sold 100,995 Mustangs through July this year.
GM was widely expected to approve the car for production, and in April one Detroit-area GM dealer even started advertising the car for sale.
You may e-mail Richard Truett at rtruett@crain.com
You may e-mail Dale Jewett at djewett@crain.com
Monday, August 07, 2006
2008 Camaro unofficially official
Pending an announcement this Thursday, the Camaro will in fact be going into production.
Camaro to roar back by 2008
Just as I said I would, I've been putting money aside for the launch of both the Challenger and the Camaro. I am leaning towards the Camaro, since it's sharp edge styling screams modern muscle with just enough flashes of retro. The Challenger on the other hand, well, it looks like the 1970 Challenger in which I already own. The Camaro is said to have 3 engines available, a V6 and two V8's. I would assume that the V8's will likely be the 5.3 and 6.0 engines. With a possible LS7 427 cubic inch option available a few years down the road, and who knows, maybe even the rumored supercharged version the Corvette will supposedly get, sporting a supercharged 650 hp.
While the article questions how many will line up to buy a Camaro with gas prices at $3.15 a gallon, I think they are forgetting something. These cars have NEVER been gas guzzlers. My 18 year old Formula knocks down 22 mpg (though usually 20 mpg the way I drive), my dad's 1995 Formula knocked down 27 mpg prior to his 4.10 gear installation, even then, it still gets around 23 mpg. I read an article somewhere that stated the new Camaro will approach 30 mpg. I'm sorry, but if it can knock down nearly 30 mpg, and still make around 400 hp, I wouldn't think too many would hesitate in buying one. In fact, I would venture to say their key market will likely be that of my parent's generation. Folks in their mid 50's, with kids moved out, now not needed that SUV or full size pickup and having grown tired of the poor gas mileage.
I was a bit spoiled while driving my mom's Aurora these passed couple weeks, as it knocks down 25 mpg even at speeds averaging around 80-85 mph. I tell ya what, those few mpg make a huge difference, as I didn't have to refill the tank mid week like I do with my car. All in all, great to see that in a few years all the Big 3 will have their pony cars resurrected and back doing battle. It's been 30 years since the trio has played with one another.
Camaro to roar back by 2008
Just as I said I would, I've been putting money aside for the launch of both the Challenger and the Camaro. I am leaning towards the Camaro, since it's sharp edge styling screams modern muscle with just enough flashes of retro. The Challenger on the other hand, well, it looks like the 1970 Challenger in which I already own. The Camaro is said to have 3 engines available, a V6 and two V8's. I would assume that the V8's will likely be the 5.3 and 6.0 engines. With a possible LS7 427 cubic inch option available a few years down the road, and who knows, maybe even the rumored supercharged version the Corvette will supposedly get, sporting a supercharged 650 hp.
While the article questions how many will line up to buy a Camaro with gas prices at $3.15 a gallon, I think they are forgetting something. These cars have NEVER been gas guzzlers. My 18 year old Formula knocks down 22 mpg (though usually 20 mpg the way I drive), my dad's 1995 Formula knocked down 27 mpg prior to his 4.10 gear installation, even then, it still gets around 23 mpg. I read an article somewhere that stated the new Camaro will approach 30 mpg. I'm sorry, but if it can knock down nearly 30 mpg, and still make around 400 hp, I wouldn't think too many would hesitate in buying one. In fact, I would venture to say their key market will likely be that of my parent's generation. Folks in their mid 50's, with kids moved out, now not needed that SUV or full size pickup and having grown tired of the poor gas mileage.
I was a bit spoiled while driving my mom's Aurora these passed couple weeks, as it knocks down 25 mpg even at speeds averaging around 80-85 mph. I tell ya what, those few mpg make a huge difference, as I didn't have to refill the tank mid week like I do with my car. All in all, great to see that in a few years all the Big 3 will have their pony cars resurrected and back doing battle. It's been 30 years since the trio has played with one another.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
The disadvantage of an 18 year old daily driver
I suppose the fact that problems are popping up with more frequency with an 18 year old car should be expected. Even with it's relatively low miles (115,000), time takes it's toll on parts almost as much as miles do. The other day Old Blue left me stranded once again. It appears that my recent repare made over lunch, replacing the ignition module, may have not been the source of my problems after all...even though it started up shortly after the repair. It seems it was gonna be one of them gremlins that would have to be hunted down and killed.
So sitting stranded, I called upon my parent to garner up a friend's trailer to haul it back to his place. In the past, I have also replaced a mass air flow sensor, O2 sensor, and mass air flow relay, all trouble codes that were tripped. Yet looking back, I truly wonder whether or not they were faulty or not. I have also replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, air filter, and gave the car a couple tune-ups already. Toss in a blown head gasket and oil pump pickup that fell off the pump for good measure. I've also replaced the front struts with Koni struts, the rubber bushing for the front sway bar (as they were dry rotted), and two rear sway bar links (as I snapped them on two occasions taking corners hard). Yet even with all those repairs, seldom has it left me stranded. Twice over the passed two years, one of which after a lunch time fix, it got me home and worked flawlessly for about another month or two....actually, those two time stranded in need of towing happened over the past couple months. I now think both incidents were likely related to my current troubles.
Having got my car back down in Adrian, I had my friend look at it, whom happens to be the best mechanic I know. He began trouble shooting and before long found the problem. 6 out of the 8 fuel injectors were bad, one of which was shorting out by apparently grounding on the intake manifold, causing the no-start situation. I ordered up a set of Accel fuel injectors along with an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. I've read mixed reports that boosting the fuel pressure aids these engines. Some claim as high as 15 hp gains, yet in reality I'd be shocked to see a 5 hp gain. Since replacing the injectors requires removing the intake system to gain access to the fuel injectors/rail, I figured I may as well replace other items that could fail, such as the fuel pressure regulator and EGR valve, as both would require tearing the top half of the engine off once again.
These are definitely the times it would be nice to have either my Challenger or Camaro on the road, capable of getting at least 15 mpg, so that I had an alternative means to get to work. Sure, it may not give the car enough oomph to live up to the muscle car heritage, but it would be a cool ride that could sport 300 hp or so and be used as a back up when called upon.
I've began putting money aside for purchase of a new Camaro or Challenger, a 2009 model or so. That being said, I may try and keep this engine in my Formula going as long as I can. Then once getting a new car, build an alternate drivetrain to drop into the Formula so it would become a second dependable/economical/powerful daily driver. As it is, plans for the Camaro are so over the top I'd have to refinance the house to drive it to work for a week, and the Challenger probably wouldn't end up too far behind in terms of it's gas guzzling skills.
So sitting stranded, I called upon my parent to garner up a friend's trailer to haul it back to his place. In the past, I have also replaced a mass air flow sensor, O2 sensor, and mass air flow relay, all trouble codes that were tripped. Yet looking back, I truly wonder whether or not they were faulty or not. I have also replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, air filter, and gave the car a couple tune-ups already. Toss in a blown head gasket and oil pump pickup that fell off the pump for good measure. I've also replaced the front struts with Koni struts, the rubber bushing for the front sway bar (as they were dry rotted), and two rear sway bar links (as I snapped them on two occasions taking corners hard). Yet even with all those repairs, seldom has it left me stranded. Twice over the passed two years, one of which after a lunch time fix, it got me home and worked flawlessly for about another month or two....actually, those two time stranded in need of towing happened over the past couple months. I now think both incidents were likely related to my current troubles.
Having got my car back down in Adrian, I had my friend look at it, whom happens to be the best mechanic I know. He began trouble shooting and before long found the problem. 6 out of the 8 fuel injectors were bad, one of which was shorting out by apparently grounding on the intake manifold, causing the no-start situation. I ordered up a set of Accel fuel injectors along with an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. I've read mixed reports that boosting the fuel pressure aids these engines. Some claim as high as 15 hp gains, yet in reality I'd be shocked to see a 5 hp gain. Since replacing the injectors requires removing the intake system to gain access to the fuel injectors/rail, I figured I may as well replace other items that could fail, such as the fuel pressure regulator and EGR valve, as both would require tearing the top half of the engine off once again.
These are definitely the times it would be nice to have either my Challenger or Camaro on the road, capable of getting at least 15 mpg, so that I had an alternative means to get to work. Sure, it may not give the car enough oomph to live up to the muscle car heritage, but it would be a cool ride that could sport 300 hp or so and be used as a back up when called upon.
I've began putting money aside for purchase of a new Camaro or Challenger, a 2009 model or so. That being said, I may try and keep this engine in my Formula going as long as I can. Then once getting a new car, build an alternate drivetrain to drop into the Formula so it would become a second dependable/economical/powerful daily driver. As it is, plans for the Camaro are so over the top I'd have to refinance the house to drive it to work for a week, and the Challenger probably wouldn't end up too far behind in terms of it's gas guzzling skills.
Monday, July 03, 2006
The smokey burnout
Man, it had been a long time. I hadn't even really thought about it to be honest, until last week. I'll drop the hammer quite often in my Formula, take off from a light breaking the tires loose almost daily, but I couldn't recall the last time I put it to the floor from a dead stop and let the tires do their thing. Perhaps the fact that my transmission mount was busted for nearly a month played a small role in it, as your transmission bouncing off the tunnel is like nails screaching down a chalk board to a car guy. I cringed every time I heard it clank off the tunnel. Yet the lack of burnout on my gearhead portfolio seriously predated that.
As one officer called it on a ticket I received a few years ago....ok, like 7 or 8 years ago, what I was looking for was "An exhibition of power." (I need to have that ticket framed). So yesterday, I had to get it outta my system. I was heading towards a freeway to go to some shopping. I spotted a WSU cop car parked just a short distance away, but figured they wouldn't come after me, as trees blocked the show I was about to put on. I got on the ramp, came to a complete stop, then just mashed the pedal to the floor. Smiling ear to ear I thought to myself "114,000 miles, and she's still got the power kickin'." I will have to venture down and check out the nice patches I left, as they give one a sense of pride. Perhaps that mid day burnout is what triggered something in me, that desire to get back working on my Camaro. All I know is that it was fun. haha
As one officer called it on a ticket I received a few years ago....ok, like 7 or 8 years ago, what I was looking for was "An exhibition of power." (I need to have that ticket framed). So yesterday, I had to get it outta my system. I was heading towards a freeway to go to some shopping. I spotted a WSU cop car parked just a short distance away, but figured they wouldn't come after me, as trees blocked the show I was about to put on. I got on the ramp, came to a complete stop, then just mashed the pedal to the floor. Smiling ear to ear I thought to myself "114,000 miles, and she's still got the power kickin'." I will have to venture down and check out the nice patches I left, as they give one a sense of pride. Perhaps that mid day burnout is what triggered something in me, that desire to get back working on my Camaro. All I know is that it was fun. haha
I've rediscovered the Car Guy in me
I'm not sure what triggered it, but last night I found myself deeply involved in working on my Camaro. I suppose it could have been one of many things. Maybe it was the announcement that Dodge is bringing back the Challenger, announced just a few days prior. Maybe it was seeing muscle cars cruising downriver last weekend, as I was down there running errands. Possibly it was the mounting stack of car magazines that I simply haven't had time to read that has me feeling guilty. Whatever it was, I'm glad its back, I'm glad I once again feel like working on it.
Last night I found myself grinding, wire wheeling, and welding on it. First real chance I've had to test out my welder. After some inspection, it seems I didn't do so bad when I installed them over 10 years ago. Some of the welds aren't exactly pretty, but they are hardly gonna fall out while driving down the road. I'll likely clean up the welds, touch on the areas that I missed, and call it good.
After a few hours of working on the car, it was getting to be around 9 pm or so, and I figured it was time to dig into that huge stack of magazines and toss back some Stroh's in the process. I came upon an editorial by David Freiberger in regards to "Cars we let get away." He claimed we've all been there, sold a car that we later wished we had back. He went on to list his top 10 cars he regretted parting with. Well, sorry, but I'm not in that bunch. My first car, a 1989 Firebird with a 305/5speed, it got totaled when a lady failed to stop at a stop sign, t-boned her at 55 mph. So that one didn't really get away, it was sent to the grave. My replacement, a 1969 Camaro (maybe an SS, not sure if its a clone or not), well I've had it for 10 years now. It was the first car I really dug into beyond bolt on stuff I did to my Firebird. A few years later I would get my parents well maintained, very reliable 1990 2 door Buick Regal. Two years ago I donated this car to charity. All I have to say is, what a car! It had the 3800 engine and didn't use a drop of oil. The odometer quit at 71,000 miles, but my best estimates put the mileage in the 250,000-300,000 mile range. After that car, I resorted back to my roots, purchasing another 1989 Firebird, only this time it was the Formula. Sucks that I had to give up the 5 speed, since they never put them behind the 350, but I'll take the bigger engine any day. So in a since, I replaced the one that got away. As for the Regal, well, like most car guys, there was a part of me that missed seeing it go. It had never let me down, was still dependable, but the body was looking a bit rough. I once had visions of fixing it up, adding a supercharger to the engine, painting in a menacing black, and adding some rims. You know, a modern day version of the Grand National. Though I was sad to see it go, it doesn't make the list of cars I wish I had back.
Over the years I also picked up a legit 1970 Challenger R/T with 383 and 4 speed pistol grip. While it has remained parked, just like my Camaro, for around 4 or 5 years, I have refrained from selling it. Even warded off a few attempts by my parents to sell it (it's parked in their garage), and even turned down trades by them, for their 1995 Pontiac Formula, which in all honesty was VERY tempting. In the end though, it would kind of feel like leaving a soldier behind, or turning your back on your child. I simply can't do it. I started the project, and damn it, some day I will finish it. So as you can see, I don't fall into the category of "Man, I wish I had that car back." As I sit here pondering, planning to set aside $100 a week until a new Camaro is available, and if that doesn't happen, then I'm picking me up a new Challenger. Yet at the same time, have no intentions of selling any of my cars I got. 4 cars for one guy, that's not that bad is it? :)
Last night I found myself grinding, wire wheeling, and welding on it. First real chance I've had to test out my welder. After some inspection, it seems I didn't do so bad when I installed them over 10 years ago. Some of the welds aren't exactly pretty, but they are hardly gonna fall out while driving down the road. I'll likely clean up the welds, touch on the areas that I missed, and call it good.
After a few hours of working on the car, it was getting to be around 9 pm or so, and I figured it was time to dig into that huge stack of magazines and toss back some Stroh's in the process. I came upon an editorial by David Freiberger in regards to "Cars we let get away." He claimed we've all been there, sold a car that we later wished we had back. He went on to list his top 10 cars he regretted parting with. Well, sorry, but I'm not in that bunch. My first car, a 1989 Firebird with a 305/5speed, it got totaled when a lady failed to stop at a stop sign, t-boned her at 55 mph. So that one didn't really get away, it was sent to the grave. My replacement, a 1969 Camaro (maybe an SS, not sure if its a clone or not), well I've had it for 10 years now. It was the first car I really dug into beyond bolt on stuff I did to my Firebird. A few years later I would get my parents well maintained, very reliable 1990 2 door Buick Regal. Two years ago I donated this car to charity. All I have to say is, what a car! It had the 3800 engine and didn't use a drop of oil. The odometer quit at 71,000 miles, but my best estimates put the mileage in the 250,000-300,000 mile range. After that car, I resorted back to my roots, purchasing another 1989 Firebird, only this time it was the Formula. Sucks that I had to give up the 5 speed, since they never put them behind the 350, but I'll take the bigger engine any day. So in a since, I replaced the one that got away. As for the Regal, well, like most car guys, there was a part of me that missed seeing it go. It had never let me down, was still dependable, but the body was looking a bit rough. I once had visions of fixing it up, adding a supercharger to the engine, painting in a menacing black, and adding some rims. You know, a modern day version of the Grand National. Though I was sad to see it go, it doesn't make the list of cars I wish I had back.
Over the years I also picked up a legit 1970 Challenger R/T with 383 and 4 speed pistol grip. While it has remained parked, just like my Camaro, for around 4 or 5 years, I have refrained from selling it. Even warded off a few attempts by my parents to sell it (it's parked in their garage), and even turned down trades by them, for their 1995 Pontiac Formula, which in all honesty was VERY tempting. In the end though, it would kind of feel like leaving a soldier behind, or turning your back on your child. I simply can't do it. I started the project, and damn it, some day I will finish it. So as you can see, I don't fall into the category of "Man, I wish I had that car back." As I sit here pondering, planning to set aside $100 a week until a new Camaro is available, and if that doesn't happen, then I'm picking me up a new Challenger. Yet at the same time, have no intentions of selling any of my cars I got. 4 cars for one guy, that's not that bad is it? :)
Friday, June 30, 2006
Dodge Challenger gets the greenlight
From today's Free Press here in Detroit.
The Dodge Challenger concept appeared at the auto show in January. (DaimlerChrysler)
BY MICHAEL ELLIS, JOE GUY COLLIER and MARK PHELAN
This comes as somewhat of a surprise to me, Dodge beating Chevy to the punch. As I stated on here recently, all signs point to an announcement by Chevy in the very near future. Hot Rod magazine even reported in a caption in this months issue that it was a go, though nothing official has been released. A quote from Bob Lutz in regards to the Challenger having 25 hp more than the Camaro concept stated "If the Dodge Challenger's 25 horsepower advantage over the Camaro becomes a problem, I would just reply that we have a certified 100 more on tap from the Z06 engine, should the need arise."
Now conisidering the Challenger will likely tip the scales at over 4,000 lbs, where as the Camaro will likely be around the 3,500-3,600 it has been at for years, I don't foresee 25 hp being an issue. That being said, I feel it would be a damn shame if they did not drop a ZO6 in and offer a specialty vehicle. Possibly reserving it for the Z28's only, once again making a unique engine only available in Z28's like the 302 from back in the day. Offer the base engine in the SS versions, and create an RS version that is something more than cheap ass looking ground effects.
The muscle car wars are back, only this time they get 3x the gas mileage while putting up as much or more in terms of power. I think it's about time I start setting aside some money for a down payment on a Camaro.
Here is another article that was in The Detroit News.
The Dodge Challenger concept appeared at the auto show in January. (DaimlerChrysler)Dodge rumble returns
June 30, 2006
BY MICHAEL ELLIS, JOE GUY COLLIER and MARK PHELAN
Muscle car fans, a classic ride silenced since 1974 will roar back to life this weekend.
Chrysler Group is preparing to announce before the Pepsi 400 NASCAR race in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Saturday that it will build the Dodge Challenger, bringing to market as soon as next year a sports coupe to compete against the Ford Mustang.
Chrysler officials haven't announced details, but people familiar with the plans confirmed that the two-door, four-seat concept Challenger unveiled in January at the North American International Auto Show will go into production.
Chrysler built the Challenger for only a few years, 1970-74, but the car made a lasting impression.
The concept version's styling borrowed heavily from the classic 1970 Challenger muscle car, with twin hood scoops and a pistol-grip shifter. The concept is powered by a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 producing 425 horsepower through a six-speed manual transmission.
"Every NASCAR fan in the country will be drooling over that car," said Erich Merkle, an auto analyst with IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids.
This comes as somewhat of a surprise to me, Dodge beating Chevy to the punch. As I stated on here recently, all signs point to an announcement by Chevy in the very near future. Hot Rod magazine even reported in a caption in this months issue that it was a go, though nothing official has been released. A quote from Bob Lutz in regards to the Challenger having 25 hp more than the Camaro concept stated "If the Dodge Challenger's 25 horsepower advantage over the Camaro becomes a problem, I would just reply that we have a certified 100 more on tap from the Z06 engine, should the need arise."
Now conisidering the Challenger will likely tip the scales at over 4,000 lbs, where as the Camaro will likely be around the 3,500-3,600 it has been at for years, I don't foresee 25 hp being an issue. That being said, I feel it would be a damn shame if they did not drop a ZO6 in and offer a specialty vehicle. Possibly reserving it for the Z28's only, once again making a unique engine only available in Z28's like the 302 from back in the day. Offer the base engine in the SS versions, and create an RS version that is something more than cheap ass looking ground effects.
The muscle car wars are back, only this time they get 3x the gas mileage while putting up as much or more in terms of power. I think it's about time I start setting aside some money for a down payment on a Camaro.
Here is another article that was in The Detroit News.
Muscle car is reborn
Dodge Challenger is back
Josee Valcourt / The Detroit News
Chrysler is crashing the muscle-car party with plans to build a production version of the Dodge Challenger coupe that debuted as a retro-styled concept car in January at the Detroit auto show.
The automaker plans to herald the return of the Challenger at the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, Fla., on Saturday, according to people familiar with the plans.
The Challenger concept, a rear-wheel drive coupe, drew raves from enthusiasts for its old-school looks and growling 425-horsepower V-8 engine.
"It's a pure retro car," said Csaba Csere, editor in chief of Car and Driver magazine. "It's a dead ringer for the original 1970 Challenger."
Chrysler plans to build the Dodge Challenger off the same basic chassis as its rear-drive Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. Both of those vehicles are built in Brampton, Ontario.
That will save both money and time. The Challenger could go into production by 2008, said one person familiar with the plans.
The Challenger is returning into what may be a new golden age for American muscle cars. The Ford Mustang has become a smash hit since a redesign last year that paid homage to classic versions of the pony car in the 1960s.
General Motors Corp. is widely expected to resurrect the Chevrolet Camaro -- which went out of production in 2002 -- in the next few years.
A striking concept version of the Camaro arguably drew even more attention and praise than the Challenger at the Detroit auto show this year.
Nostalgic made-in-Detroit sports cars are coming back at time when the flagging domestic auto industry could use a little of the old magic.
Chrysler designers drew inspiration from a 1970 Challenger parked in the studio as they created the concept version. Designers hewed closely to the original version but filed off some of the rough edges and added bigger wheels and a more refined interior. The concept sits on a 116-inch wheelbase, six inches longer than the original. And it's two inches wider, making it appear more squat and tough.
"The historical significance of the Challenger takes it back to the days when the Big Three dominated the highways," said Erich Merkle, an analyst with IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids, who has closely followed the Challenger program. "The design represents a place where Japanese competitors can't follow."
Chrysler's top sales and marketing executive, Joe Eberhardt, has said in the past that a production version of the Challenger could be priced slightly higher than the Ford Mustang, which has a starting price of between $19,000 and $26,000 depending on engine choice and other options.
"One of the keys for Challenger will be pricing," Csere said. "It can't be priced too much higher than the Mustang or they won't be able to reach the sales volumes they need."
Merkle said he expects that the Challenger will only be offered with a V-8 engine, unlike the Mustang, which comes with both a V-6 and a V-8 option. He believes Dodge will sell about 30,000 to 35,000 Challengers beginning in late 2008.
"Essentially it will be a specialty vehicle," he said.
Detroit News Business Editor Mark Truby contributed to this report. You can reach Josee Valcourt at (313) 222-2575 or jmvalcourt@detnews.com.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Formula running much better
Buttoned up most all of my needed repairs, in addition to an oil change. I had ordered up some 8mm Taylor wires, new plugs, MSD cap/rotor, and new transmission mount. I'm not sure what it is, but for some reason I take great pride in making my own spark plug wires. The tune up went fairly smoothly, but I'd still like to kill the person who designed all the bullshit on the passenger side making it a real pain in the ass to get to the front #2 plug. The emissions equipment on my car is about to go, by winter I'll likely yank a lot of the stuff out, most notable the air pump and all the lines. I look at it this way, the car is nearly 20 years old. The number of 20 year old cars on the road is relatively small, so while everybody with newer cars have cars that pollute less, I'll take their added cleanliness and credit it to myself, allowing me to pollute a little more in an effort to make at home repairs much easier on myself. Yeah, that's how I roll! lol
Recently I found I had snapped my transmission mount in half, so I ordered up a performance polyurethane replacement. The job was pretty straight forward, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the repair also fixed an exhaust leak that came about recently. I was aware until crawling under the car for the repair that the exhaust hanger was attached to the tail housing of the transmission. So killed two birds with one stone this time around.
I am still skeptical that there is some sort of fuel issues with the car, possibly the injectors, or maybe the fuel pump going already, though it's not even a year old. Another possibility is a vacuum leak I suppose. As high as oil consumption is getting (thus the need to swap plugs after about 10,000 miles), I really need to pick up that extra engine I have and get started on the bottom end this upcoming winter. I may scale it back a touch, as initially I was gonna shoot for 400-450 hp, but now I'm thinking something in the range of 350 would be fine, as I really want to bump the mpg up a touch to go with the increased performance.
Recently I found I had snapped my transmission mount in half, so I ordered up a performance polyurethane replacement. The job was pretty straight forward, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the repair also fixed an exhaust leak that came about recently. I was aware until crawling under the car for the repair that the exhaust hanger was attached to the tail housing of the transmission. So killed two birds with one stone this time around.
I am still skeptical that there is some sort of fuel issues with the car, possibly the injectors, or maybe the fuel pump going already, though it's not even a year old. Another possibility is a vacuum leak I suppose. As high as oil consumption is getting (thus the need to swap plugs after about 10,000 miles), I really need to pick up that extra engine I have and get started on the bottom end this upcoming winter. I may scale it back a touch, as initially I was gonna shoot for 400-450 hp, but now I'm thinking something in the range of 350 would be fine, as I really want to bump the mpg up a touch to go with the increased performance.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Planned Formula repairs
This weekend I will be doing some much needed repair/maintenance work on my Formula. In addition to an oil change I will be installing new plugs, wires, cap/rotor, and transmission mount. After being left stranded for the first time with this car a few weeks ago it appears that my lunch time fix here at work resolved that issue, a failed ignition module. Even after the repair however the car still appears to have some sort of issues, whether they are ignition or fuel related, I don't know for sure yet. I do know this though, it's getting quite thirsty for oil, using about 1 quart every 1,000 miles. So my tune up about 10,000 miles ago has probably run it's life and the plugs are likely getting quite fouled out.
It's probably been 3 weeks now since I determined what that "clunk" was coming from. I knew before even looking, but just to 100% sure I jacked the car up. Sure enough, the transmission mount was split in half and the transmission was slamming off the top of the tunnel during hard acceleration. I can't imagine my driving style had any impact on it's failure. To date, in relation to rubber components and suspension parts I have snapped two stabilizer links while taking off ramps at good speed and now tore a transmission mount.
I really need to start preparing a block for rebuild for this car, as it's oil consumption seems to be more than just a set of dry rotted valve stem seals or worn valve guides. I suppose this would be a good time to pick up a compression tester and verify it's the pistons/rings while I pull all the plugs, but that would just make too much sense.
I got a pretty good idea as to the type of engine I'd like to build up. I'd shoot for the 400-450 hp range and try to maintain around 25 mpg. In all honesty, with the right components I think it's a very doable goal.
It's probably been 3 weeks now since I determined what that "clunk" was coming from. I knew before even looking, but just to 100% sure I jacked the car up. Sure enough, the transmission mount was split in half and the transmission was slamming off the top of the tunnel during hard acceleration. I can't imagine my driving style had any impact on it's failure. To date, in relation to rubber components and suspension parts I have snapped two stabilizer links while taking off ramps at good speed and now tore a transmission mount.
I really need to start preparing a block for rebuild for this car, as it's oil consumption seems to be more than just a set of dry rotted valve stem seals or worn valve guides. I suppose this would be a good time to pick up a compression tester and verify it's the pistons/rings while I pull all the plugs, but that would just make too much sense.
I got a pretty good idea as to the type of engine I'd like to build up. I'd shoot for the 400-450 hp range and try to maintain around 25 mpg. In all honesty, with the right components I think it's a very doable goal.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Dodge Challenger decision to possibly come by October
Automotive News is reporting that a decision may come about as early as this October as to whether or not the Challenger will be built. As I stated earlier, the Camaro nearly has the greenlight, so one would expect Dodge would enter the ballroom ready to dance, arriving slightly late to the party, yet fashionably late, just like the 1970 Challenger was.
Challenger decision may come by Oct.
Bradford WernleAutomotive News / June 19, 2006 - 6:00 am
DETROIT -- The Chrysler group may decide whether to make the Challenger muscle car as early as the end of the third quarter, CEO Tom LaSorda says.
LaSorda on Friday said Chrysler has been flooded with positive responses to the Challenger concept, shown at the Detroit auto show in January."You have to look at the investment, the cost of the program and the margins you can make," he told Automotive News at Chrysler's Auburn Hills, Mich., headquarters. "With something like this, you chase the business case and not the volume."
Chrysler officials have said the Challenger will likely be a lower-volume car with a V-8 engine. It would be built on the same platform as the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger cars. John Wolkonowicz, an analyst for Global Insight, predicts Chrysler will make 20,000 to 30,000 and sell them in the low-$30,000 range.
You may e-mail Bradford Wernle at bwernle@crain.com
In addition, there was a first drive review on ESPN's site.
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