Big engines are back - With fuel efficiency rising, V8 brawn is hot option for cars, trucks

Detroit Free Press ^ | 1/15/04 | Mark Phelan

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

We're power mad. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Fuel-sipping hybrid gasoline-electric cars may get plenty of hype at the North American International Auto Show, but when they vote with their wallets, more Americans elected a big, powerful V8 engine last year than any time since 1985.

[husky ed]

You just had to go and post a picture of a SOHC didn't you?

Now I'll be thinking about that all day instead of sex. <:8^)

[SVTCobra03]

Good loking stang. My 03 Cobra with aftermarket chip, pulley, intake and exhaust has been dynoed at 440 rwhp and 462 rwtq.

[doodad]

You da Man. Is that corrected? And Mustang or dynojet? I don't know much about you stang guys.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

My 455 needed to be filled a few times a week, but it was the first to show me what it's like to push you back into your seat. Great to see the power coming back but I'm certain the left will find something other than mileage to complain about.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My last ground-pounder was a 66 Chevy Caprice with the 396 rat motor (advertised as 425 horses but probably closer to 500). This was a factory option (I forget which number) with 427 heads, mechanical lifters and full race cam, among other spiffs. The car had the full resonator exhaust system so, other than the extremely lumpy idle, it was very, quiet. I could blow the doors off GTOs, hot Mustangs and just about anything in town.
Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that 396 motors don't like to be wound too tight and, after making some very expensive noises, it through a rod through the side of the block and I came home in a tow truck.

[Mr. Mojo]

New new (2005) "retro" 'Stang is very sweet, and cranks out 400 hp.

[cruiserman]

I'd like to have a mid-sized diesel rather than the small 4 cyl one in my old Trooper or the big honking ones in the full-sized pickups. More of a focus on fuel economy with decent torque and compression for offroad than sheer towing ability.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Diesels are certainly the way to go for small engine pulling power and fuel economy. Before the advent of premium diesel fuel products, I had to live with 20, 30 and sometimes 40 percent Number 1 oil blended into my diesel fuel for a fleet of Caterpillar equipment (coal mine)and it was a miserable and expensive experience in the winter.

[stainlessbanner]

v-8 power ping

[stylin19a]

I miss my 97 Olds Aurora. It had the v8 "Shortstar" in it. Raw power and it absolutely flew and got 27 mpg on the hwy to boot.
It got better mpg than my current 4 cyl. & my 2 6 cyls.
The only downsides were "premuim" gas only and a 20% add-on charge to my insurance.

[billbears]

That's what I heard in one of the latest issues of Car Craft myself. A 281 with a turbo. However on Ford's website the only one they have is the GT with 300 HP. I like the body enough I'd buy one if I didn't have to take the engine

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I owned a 97 Aurora when we lived in Minneapolis. Loved it, loved it and I wish I still had it.
25-26 miles per gallon, plenty of power and great long distance ride. I would alternate premium with midgrade gasoline and save a few cents on fillups. I used synthetic oil from the first oil change and sold it at 55,000 miles. Somebody got a very good car.

[HELLRAISER II]

I was reading yesterday about the new SRT Ram Truck with the Viper motor, it's suppose to kick the crap out of the Ford Lightning. 13.9 1/4 mile, not bad for a truck. By the way i'm elbow deep in my 67 Mustang Restoration, damn I didn't know a car could rust that bad. I pulled out my seats and floor mats and damn near started crying. Oh well you either love'em or you buy brand new and considering I don't want to spend over 30k on a car, I think i'll keep rebuilding them.

[billbears]

Actually after looking at this new '05 and the power, or lack thereof ;), I'm seriously thinking about buying a '67 in decent condition, do some minor body work, and just dropping what I want in there. Might not have all the internal gadgets, but I'd be a lot happier in the long run

[Long Cut]

V-8s are the finest overall car engines ever. My own ride uses a Chevy LS-1, wrapped in this...

Most fun car I've ever owned. With the LS-1, and an SLP exhaust and intake airbox, plus a little help from K&N, I get 350 ponies at the flywheel. Cruising on the interstate at 100 feels like 65 in any other car.

[HELLRAISER II]

I agree, very sweeeeettttt! It's got the Fastback look with the real h.p. demeanor, I also read that Shelby is building a new GT 350 & GT 500 for 05 in his last hurrah of car building and it's fitting that he's ending it back where his greatness started, FORD and rightfully so.

[Long Cut]

Wait for a few months to a year. The base GT will crank out 300 horses, per CAR & DRIVER, but the Cobra will clock in a few months into 2005 with 400+. Oh, and did you hear that a certain Carrol Shelby will once again be involved with it? As in, a new GT-500? That was in the current issue of MOTOR TREND.

Oh, yeah, the MACH-1 will return as well, with about 320 horsies, and a new BOSS is also on the boards.

All in all, I'd wait until late '05 to early '06 to decide, after all the editions are out.

[HELLRAISER II]

I agree, I guess i'm just a little miffed because my 67 had a vinyl top and the top underneath the vinyl has almost rusted completely through. I had to buy a donor car so I could chop the top off at the four corners and replace mine. I think i'm going to keep the original 289 and put some aluminum heads on it along with carb/intake, headers etc...Any idea what the max would be on h.p. for the 289. I thought about putting a 390 big block in it that I have access to, but the modifications are extensive.