They rumbled through Korea and Vietnam, battling the Cold War in the 1950s on behalf of the United States. Developed by Detroit Arsenal, the M-47 Patton Tank combined the turret from the problematic T-42 with the hull of the M-46. They were frequently deployed by NATO to global hotspots and even used as target practice in the 1970s once they had outlived their usefulness on the battlefield.
Another spot where one was put into action was in Southern California, at a place called the Big Dog Garage.
The heart of an M-47 tank, the AV-1790-5B engine, now beats out 800 horsepower, a number equal to five 350 Chevys, inside Jay Leno's legendary "tank car."
It started in 2003 when Randy Grubb showed up at Jay's garage with a show car he built with a friend named Mike Leeds. It was far from road legal and needed major work, but the one thing it did have going for it was its massive 2100-pound tank engine. Of course, Jay had to have it.
Enter Big Dog Garage guru Bernard Juchli. Since Jay didn't have a proper hot rod in his collection, Bernard rolled up his sleeves and went to work modifying the car into the futuristic road warrior it is today.
The first thing that needed to be done was replacing the car's Greyhound bus transmission. Working with engineers from Allison Transmissions, the Allison HD4060 6-speed transmission was selected and geared so the engine would rev at 800 to 900 rpms at around 80 mph. A new breaking system was installed to counteract the massive torque (not to mention a series of trusses to prevent the car from twisting apart), a new starter motor was added, and an entirely new electrical system created just to name a few highlights from the car's original transformation. The final touch was the addition of a Ki-Gas system used by many supercharged cars.
But the story doesn't end there. Recently, Jay brought in the legendary Gale Banks, known as the go-to guy if you want to turbocharge a vehicle, to soup up the tank car even more by adding twin turbos to the car's engine.
About the only problem that couldn't be solved was the cramped legroom, but who expects comfort when you're driving a tank?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
New for 2012 Mustang Boss 302 to come with special key for race calibration, free track day
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302
As if the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 wasn't tempting enough with 440 horsepower and killer good looks, Ford is throwing in a few extra goodies to make it that much more desirable.
First off, the Blue Oval announced today that owners of the new Boss 302 will receive a dual set of keys, one of which, 'TracKey,' activates a secondary PCM race tune that alters nearly 200 engine management parameters for the 5.0-liter V8. "From an engine management standpoint, we've done just about everything possible to give TracKey users a full race car experience," says Jeff Seaman, Mustang powertrain engineer. "It's not for use on the street – for example, the deceleration is set up to preserve the brakes, and the throttle response is very aggressive. A skilled driver on a closed course will really appreciate the benefits." The TracKey also features a two-stage launch control feature similar to the one on the Cobra Jet Mustang that can be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel.
Not wanting all of that new technology to go to waste, Ford has also announced that it will be offering customers a complimentary track day to test out their new ride. Offered through Team Mustang and Ford Racing, Boss 302 owners will be treated to driving instruction and track time at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT. Owners will need to book their own travel arrangements, but once there, everything is free of charge.
With the way things are shaping up for the Boss, we're already pondering second mortgages and/or raiding our children's college funds for one of the coolest pony cars ever. If you're good at resisting such temptations, hit the jump and read all of the details in the press releases from Ford.
As if the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 wasn't tempting enough with 440 horsepower and killer good looks, Ford is throwing in a few extra goodies to make it that much more desirable.
First off, the Blue Oval announced today that owners of the new Boss 302 will receive a dual set of keys, one of which, 'TracKey,' activates a secondary PCM race tune that alters nearly 200 engine management parameters for the 5.0-liter V8. "From an engine management standpoint, we've done just about everything possible to give TracKey users a full race car experience," says Jeff Seaman, Mustang powertrain engineer. "It's not for use on the street – for example, the deceleration is set up to preserve the brakes, and the throttle response is very aggressive. A skilled driver on a closed course will really appreciate the benefits." The TracKey also features a two-stage launch control feature similar to the one on the Cobra Jet Mustang that can be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel.
Not wanting all of that new technology to go to waste, Ford has also announced that it will be offering customers a complimentary track day to test out their new ride. Offered through Team Mustang and Ford Racing, Boss 302 owners will be treated to driving instruction and track time at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT. Owners will need to book their own travel arrangements, but once there, everything is free of charge.
With the way things are shaping up for the Boss, we're already pondering second mortgages and/or raiding our children's college funds for one of the coolest pony cars ever. If you're good at resisting such temptations, hit the jump and read all of the details in the press releases from Ford.
Update: 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition
Is there such a thing as too many Corvettes? A few years ago, this iconic American sports car came in two flavors—coupe and convertible. Now you can add to that a Grand Sport coupe or convertible, Z06, ZR-1 and the latest entry, the track-oriented 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition.
Only 500 copies will be built of this lightweight special that uses the normally aspirated 505-bhp 7.0-liter V-8 of the stock Z06 and mates it with suspension and brake upgrades from the ZR1. In addition to the carbon-ceramic brake package, the Z06 Carbon also is equipped with 20-spoke 19-in. front and 20-in. rear alloy wheels shod with Michelin PS2 tires.
The Carbon Limited Edition marks the first time that the ZR1’s magnetic selective ride suspension is used on the Z06. While the Z06 gives away 133 bhp to its supercharged big brother, the lighter weight of the normally aspirated LS7 combined with the greater grip and stopping power of the ZR1 suspension, tires and brakes should make the Carbon Limited Edition a formidable track machine.
On the appearance front, the Carbon Limited Edition comes in a choice of Inferno Orange or Supersonic Blue with black headlamps and mirrors, ZR1-style body color spoiler, body color door handles, carbon-fiber raised hood and black carbon-fiber rockers and splitters.
Inside, the leather and suede seating features color-keyed stitching as well as suede on the steering, shifter, armrests and door inserts.
While there will be only 500 official Carbon Limited Edition Corvettes built, the mechanical upgrades, including the wheels, magnetic suspension, brakes and enhanced engine-cooling hardware, can be had as a special Z07 option package on the standard Z06. And the carbon-fiber package that includes the splitter, rear spoiler, rockers and roof panel will also be made available in the CFZ Z06 freestanding option.
The 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition, as well as the Z07 and CFZ Z06 options, will be available beginning in late summer. Expect the Carbon Limited Edition to command a premium over the current Z06 with a price somewhere in the $90,000 to $100,000 range, but still short of the ZR1’s base price of $108,000.
Only 500 copies will be built of this lightweight special that uses the normally aspirated 505-bhp 7.0-liter V-8 of the stock Z06 and mates it with suspension and brake upgrades from the ZR1. In addition to the carbon-ceramic brake package, the Z06 Carbon also is equipped with 20-spoke 19-in. front and 20-in. rear alloy wheels shod with Michelin PS2 tires.
The Carbon Limited Edition marks the first time that the ZR1’s magnetic selective ride suspension is used on the Z06. While the Z06 gives away 133 bhp to its supercharged big brother, the lighter weight of the normally aspirated LS7 combined with the greater grip and stopping power of the ZR1 suspension, tires and brakes should make the Carbon Limited Edition a formidable track machine.
On the appearance front, the Carbon Limited Edition comes in a choice of Inferno Orange or Supersonic Blue with black headlamps and mirrors, ZR1-style body color spoiler, body color door handles, carbon-fiber raised hood and black carbon-fiber rockers and splitters.
Inside, the leather and suede seating features color-keyed stitching as well as suede on the steering, shifter, armrests and door inserts.
While there will be only 500 official Carbon Limited Edition Corvettes built, the mechanical upgrades, including the wheels, magnetic suspension, brakes and enhanced engine-cooling hardware, can be had as a special Z07 option package on the standard Z06. And the carbon-fiber package that includes the splitter, rear spoiler, rockers and roof panel will also be made available in the CFZ Z06 freestanding option.
The 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition, as well as the Z07 and CFZ Z06 options, will be available beginning in late summer. Expect the Carbon Limited Edition to command a premium over the current Z06 with a price somewhere in the $90,000 to $100,000 range, but still short of the ZR1’s base price of $108,000.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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