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.

[Charles Martel]

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.

Just for you, ed... a nudie pic!

[Charles Martel]

I'm really thinking about starting a coupe project car, 66-70 body.

Unless you *really* like the looks of the "original" '65-'66 body style, you'll find the '67 and later cars a bit easier to work with. One big reason is the "flatter" shock towers in the '67 and later cars, so designed to allow a big block to be shoehorned in. The '67 and later cars also have a better system for adjusting front wheel alignment (though that feature can be added to the '65-'66 cars, too - there are kits available from Pro-Motorsports Engineering in Sandy, Utah).

I've got a 351 Windsor in a '65 Fastback, but only because some previous owner notched the shock towers with a cutting torch. I'll be replacing the shock towers soon - and putting a 289 back in. Stock specs, of course (*cough*). :^)

[MileHi]

Thanks. I realy like the '65-66 bodies, but through '70 I like all of them. Might be a fun project.

[husky ed]

Now that's a HEMI!

[husky ed]

And yes I do know they called it a "semi-Hemi".

But NASCAR still had to outlaw it to keep it from kicking the crap out of GM and Dodge on the high banks.

[38special]

"GM and Ford are boring out V8s and still using overhead valve engines."

Not true. Ford is making fine SOHC and DOHC V8's. GM on the other hand is not. THe LS motors are nice though.

[Charles Martel]

NASCAR still had to outlaw it to keep it from kicking the crap out of GM and Dodge on the high banks.

What a pity that the super-sideoiler never got a chance to prove itself on the long ovals. A bunch of them did end up at the drag strip, though. I'm amazed at the number of SOHC engines that continue to turn up, new in the crate. Either there were a lot of them that were never utilized, or a few guys are passing a small handful of the engines around (perhaps they can't bring themselves to actually bolt it in and crank it up. I'd do it in a heartbeat.)

I would've loved to see the King Cobra make it to production, too (not the decal-laden Mustang II, but the NASCAR-bound slope-nosed Torino).

Speaking of Cobras, though, it looks like ol' Carroll intends to go out with a bang:

Click here for story: 2005 Shelby Cobra Concept Car

[AdA$tra]

In Germany, they call this active safety, which sounds much more socially responsible and clinical, but the bottom line is the same the world over: People want the most powerful car or truck they can afford to buy and operate.

The accelerator has save me more times than my brakes have. Not last week. A nice 87 YO lady turned left in front of my pristine, low mileage 80k, sporty, paid for, neo-classic, 1988 ElDorado. The 4.5L V8 in that little machine had a throaty roar. People alway thought it was big because it looked like a Cadi. I actually was about the size of a Camaro and sat almost a foot lower at the roof than an Accord or Tauraus. I miss her.

[SauronOfMordor]

When we got home I searched all detroit brands and found that Merc's were the only car with duel exhausts (Cop cars excluded natch)!?! As I recall, it also had a big hunkin V-8 with something like 350hp(?). WAY TO GO DETROIT. It's muscle car redux!

In the early 80's, I had a '73 Mercury Comet. 302-V8 in a compact-car frame. It noticed it would out-accelerate current-model Corvettes on the street. It got totalled by a drunken trucker (I wasn't in it at the time). I still miss it.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

In order to "see" your jpg's people must "visit" the link first.

[corlorde]

This is great news!

I have a 1998 Z28 With the LS1 5.7 engine that rocks and rolls. Does anyone think that they will bring back the Camaro?

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

I've been told so. Pontiac will as well.