CHRYSLER: LOST $ 3.8 BILLION SINCE BANKRUPTCY BUT MADE $143 MILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER
Comment: Short term prospects for “Maria Mopar” are pumped up by $7.4 billion in reserve. But Sergio, where’s the new product?

(Get the latest “Truth With Speedzzter” here)

OH WHAT A FEELING! TOYOTA WOES BOOST CONSUMER OPINIONS OF FORDS AND OTHER AMERICAN CARS
Comment: A nine point gain for American Cars since 2006: Maybe the message that Detroit has turned the corner on quality is finally starting to sink in among the appliance motorists. But with only 38 percent saying U.S. cars are best, there’s still plenty of work to do.


FORD ESCAPE HYBRID AND THE FORD FUSION HYBRID ARE “TOP 10 GREEN CARS FOR 2010.”
Comment: Truth With Speedzzter is already sick of all the “Earth Day” propaganda. But at least Ford is capitalizing on the “green” madness sweeping the globe. But where is Ford’s electric hybrid supercar?

FORD’S SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS STRATEGY IS WORKING

“Ford vehicles are now 85 percent recyclable by weight. In 2009, Ford saved approximately $4.5 million by using recycled materials, and diverted between 25 and 30 million pounds of plastic from landfills in North America alone.”

Comment: If “sustainable materials” allow Ford to keep pumping out RWD V8s, hard-working trucks and turbo cars at reasonable prices, what’s not to love?

“Ford researchers also are investigating ways to use plastics made entirely from sustainable resources such as corn, sugar beets, sweet potatoes and other vegetables.”

Comment: And Henry Ford himself experimented with body panels made from soybeans. He’d likely be proud of the progress.

GM REALIZES THEY NEED A TURBO MARKETING “HOOK” LIKE FORD’S ECOBOOST (tm)

Uwe Grebe, executive director of GM's global advanced engineering:"We didn't have a badge and say, 'This is the most important thing we will put on all our brochures. . . It would not be good to say, 'This is EcoBoost, only better’ . . .People need to know what it is," but "people don't want to know every detail of the technology."

Comment: First, GM has to build something that actually IS better than EcoBoost (tm). And opinion leaders DO want to know every detail of the technology, Uwe.

“MAXIMUM BOB” LUTZ HINTS AT OPENNESS TO ANOTHER OEM GIG
Lutz says: "Now, no other automobile company has yet approached me and said 'Here's a huge wad of money, come and work for us.'"

Comment: Get on the phone, Mr. Mulally!

2011 FORD FIESTA: APPLINK UPGRADE TO SYNC ALLOWS CONTROL OF SMARTPHONE APPS THROUGH VOICE COMMANDS

Comment: When SYNC allows drivers to adjust shock valving and EcoBoost (tm) manifold pressure through voice commands, then maybe Truth With Speedzzter will get excited. Otherwise, this is window-dressing for the technogeek wing of appliance motoring.

AUTOEXTREMIST: LONG BEACH WAS EXACTLY WHAT THE AMERICAN LEMANS SERIES(ALMS) NEEDED

Comment: Long Beach was a decent street race, even if a Honda edged out an ex-Ford Aston-Martin at the wire. But without either Audi or Peugeot, ALMS is looking a bit second-class.

NASCAR’S YANKEES SIGN FORD DRIVER KASEY KAHNE: BAD FOR NASCAR?
Comment: Kahne is vastly overrated. But how can it be good for non-production, common-template sedan racing for one super team (Hendrick) to dominate? And why is it that Ford isn’t competing for the best drivers?

NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS TO RETURN IN 2011
Comment: The drivers overwhelmingly voted against repeating four-wide in a points event. But Bruton Smith has figured out a way to pump some needed excitement into the long NHRA grind. NHRA is smart enough to see that giving in to the drivers and some hidebound fans by turning Charlotte into another “cookie cutter” event is the wrong move. The drivers should just “shut up and race.”

KEN BLOCK’S MONSTER GYMKHANA THREE FIESTA DEBUTS

“The Gymkhana Three Fiesta was built by the same team that produced his Monster World Rally Team hatch, and includes a boosted 2.0-liter four-pot capable of 850 horsepower (de-tuned with a restrictor plate to output 650 hp in the name of tractability) and 660 pound-feet of torque.”

Comment: If only the production Fiestas were more like this . . . .

VIDEO: SVT RAPTOR 6.2 ON THE DYNO
Comment: Music! Sweet music? But where’s the DOHC version of the 6.2 Boss?

GOODGUYS' BOSS SNAKE: A CAR SPEEDZZTER LOVES

The BOSS SNAKE features a 770 horsepower Jon Kaase built 520 cubic inch Boss Hemi, Ride Tech suspension featuring Chris Alston components, PPG Goodguys Yellow Paint, Custom one off Intro Wheels, Baer 6 piston brakes with 14 inch rotors, Classic Instruments Gauges, Custom Interior by RPM, Custom exhaust by RPM and Stainless Works, Custom Flowmaster stainless exhaust, a Tremec Magnum 6 speed transmission, Centerforce clutch and hundreds of intricately fabricated parts and pieces by RPM.

Comment: Can you say "Quarter Horse?" If Truth With Speedzzter wins this incredible whip, a brace of turbos are in its future . . . .

COOL IDEA FOR AN UNLIMITED BUDGET MUSTANG SUPERCAR

[Get the latest "Truth With Speedzzter" here]

Car Craft magazine Editor Douglas Glad asked readers a while back what they'd build if they had an unlimited budget. Among the responses was this jewel from 460-BBF-In-CC.

The budget for this fantasy build seems higher than anything John Coletti had for a show/go car back in SVT's glory days (remember the audcious "Boss 429"-powered SN95 and the dual-fuel supercharged SN95).

Still, it would be a supercar like none other.

If I had a REALLY unlimited budget, I'd start by engineering a set of bolt-on DOHC 4-Valve aluminum heads for the 460 Ford, with capability for direct injection and Ethanol Boosting System's direct auxillary ethanol injection system . . . .

However, using parts that generally exist, I'd build (probably with the help of Chip Foose, or Troy Trepanier, or Pure Vision or some other pro builder that has industry connections) a "triple-charged" hybrid electric, modular displacement, all-wheel-drive big block Ford-powered 1969 Mustang as follows:

1. HYBRID ELECTRIC MANUAL TRANSMISSION: I'd raid the GM parts bin/insurance wrecking yard for the transmission, high-voltage batteries and electric control gear from a Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. I'd then machine the twin electric motor section of the transmission to interface with a beefed T-56 manual (or possibly a strengthened TKO-600 with a Gear Vendors overdrive added on). The Tahoe hybrid controller would be hacked to allow for manual operation of the electric motors. Ahead of the elecric motor pack I'd use a multiplate clutch and a "decoupler" box (allows electric-only operation if desired).

2. VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT: I'd grab a set of either Chrysler or GM "displacement-on-demand" hydraulic roller lifters and send them off to Rhodes Lifters for machining with their patented variable duration grooves and to fit in an Eliminator Products aftermarket 460 Ford block. The DOD oil feed solenoids would be triggered by a manual controller.

3. VARIABLE GEOMETRY INTAKE MANIFOLD: I'd engineer and have built by one of the sheet metal manifold companies a "variable geometry" EFI intake manifold that would allow a low r.p.m. intake runner length (to the valve) of 26" with butterfly valves in the runners to shorten the effective ram pipe lengths to 19" and 13" as the r.p.m. increased.

3. DUAL FUEL INJECTION: I'd buy a top-of-the-line Motec EFI/Ignition system and a datalogging system and at least 16 injectors (so that the vehicle could run off-boost on pump gas and immediately switch on-boost to alcohol(E100) or E85). I'd run two fuel cells (one 16 gallon and one 8 gallon) with two sets of lines, filters and pumps.

4. LONG BLOCK: Bored and stroked 460 Ford with aforementioned aftermarket block, fitted with oil squirters for the pistons, billet main caps, billet crank, billet rods, forged reverse deflector pistons featuring anti-scuff and thermal barrier coatings, Total Seal gapless top and second rings, hydraulic roller cam in the 230-degree (at .050 lift) range, ported Jon Kaase P-51 aluminum heads [The NEW KAASE BOSS NINE HEADS WOULD SEEM A BETTER CHOICE FOR AN ULTIMATE MUSTANG], roller rockers (no shaft rockers for me, even with an "unlimited" budget) ARP main and head studs, fabricated reverse-flow cooling system, true-roller timing chain or gear drive (no belt cam drive, even with "unlimited" budget); cam phaser added to the timing set; chain-driven dry sump oiling system (no belts to break).

5. FORCED INDUCTION: A "twincharging system" similar to what I described in the "We're not rich but we're not Stupid" thread (Turbos into air-air intercooler into Roots or bypass into air-water aftercooler), with these modifications: Heavy-duty 4-into-2 (bifurcated) exhaust headers with four Turbonetics racegate wastegates (one for each exhaust channel), dual sequential ball-bearing, divided entry-turbine turbochargers (four turbos -- two per cylinder bank), Lancia Delta-style stainless steel flap valve at the exducer of both secondary turbines to prevent exhaust flow at low RPM and an electric secondary throttle to prevent flow out of both secondary compressors at low RPM.

6. JOHN COLETTI "SUPERCOOLER" SYSTEM: The second stage aftercooler/intercooler would be augmented with an the AC-cooled "supercooler" designed and patented by John Coletti when he was chief at Ford SVT.

7. REAR AXLE: Dana 60 with an Auburn ECTED (limited slip with an electric locker), NASCAR-style full-floating axles (would consider a quick change rear if strong enough and the ECTED could be made to fit).

8. FRONT AXLE: adapt in an AWD Chrysler 300 differential and beefed half-shafts (obviously, the torque split would have to be limited).

9. CENTER DIFFERENTIAL/TRANSFER CASE: Single speed, non-locking viscous differential modified to transfer no more than 150-200 lbs/ft of torque to the front axle (Source and modifications to be determined).

10. CHASSIS: Art Morrison pro-touring with Air Ride Systems air springs and weight jackers, Koni adjustable shocks (I would add a solenoid controlled external bypass to the front shocks so that they could be switched on-the-fly to loose-rebound "drag" shocks), huge swaybars with a remote off-road-style disconnect of the front bar (for drag racing).

11. TIRES AND WHEELS: NO DUBS! NO PRO STREET! 17" diameter "Mini-lite"-style or billet Magnum 500s (8" wide front, 10" wide rear) with Goodyear F1s on front and drag radials on the rear (Of course it still wouldn't hook up, even with AWD!).

12. BRAKES: Baer/Brembo four-wheel discs with modified ABS adapted from factory Ford Mustang parts, line-loc, dual Tilton master cylinders with balance bar.

13. BODY: Boss 302 rear scoop delete, Black Boss 302 stripes with "Boss 555" call-outs, Thunderbolt hood bubble (the greatest FoMoCo hoodscoop of all time) on a blacked-out hood, revised Boss 302 front spoiler with a small splitter, "Off-road-only" High/Low-beam H4s bulb assemblies in the high-beam headlamp sockets, HID conversion in the low-beam head-lamp sockets, discrete but period-correct fog lamps below the bumper, fiber optic lamp monitors from a 1980s Cadillac, rear spoiler, hood tach nacelle fitted with fuel pressure gauges (one for each fuel system), legal window tint on rear and side windows, NASCAR-style rear window straps and windshield retaining tabs, hood pins with lanyards on hood and trunk (trunk pins are weather-sealed), Shelby Cobra-style mirrors modified to add heat, electric adjusters and auto-dimming glass, two recessed flip-top Cobra-style fuel caps (one for each fuel system), 1970 Mustang tail lamp panel and taillights, blacked out and with tasteful, period-style "honeycomb" accent, tail lamp segments converted to Cougar-style sequential operation with high-intensity LED bulbs.

14. SAFETY: Full cage with triangulated swing-out side bars that can be pinned either to the doors (street) or the cage (track) and removable main hoop cross-bar on the passenger-side for rear seat access (driver's side cross-bar is fixed and tied into the main hoop diagonal bar), all safety equipment required for bracket racing, HRM Drag Week (tm), CC's new Street Car contest, open road events, HRM Top Speed Challenge at Maxton Mile, ECTA events, integrated fire suppression system, Five-panel WINK rear view mirror refitted with electric auto-dimming glass.

15. INTERIOR: Leather and wool in the style of the original interior, but with fully power-adjustable RECARO front seats (driver's seat can be removed for certified racing seat), Taurus-style lighted sun visors modified to work with the cage and the Wink mirror, Engine-turned auxiliary gauge/control panel with carbon-fiber accents (panel can be turned to face "riding mechanic/tuner" in the front passenger seat, dome light with map lights, courtesy lighting, center console with drink holders, rear seat with fold-down center arm rest, stereo, tilt and telescoping steering column with modern "stalk" controls for accessories and a vintage-style Shelby Mustang steering wheel.

16. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT: A/C (pirated off the hybrid Tahoe?), electric power steering, power windows, power door locks, custom security system (schematics known only to me), electric vacuum pump (if Tilton master cylinders can be interfaced with a brake booster), cruise control, Valentine One, interval wipers, automatic headlamp system, automatic emergency brake release with an override system to facilitate "bootleg" e-brake turns.

17. EXHAUST: Expansion megaphones after each turbo lead to manual dump caps and split into four three-inch pipes; four catalytic converters; two after-cat pipes run to the sides, through minimal "race" mufflers to NASCAR-style side outlets, but flow through the side pipes is regulated by "cut-out" valves; the other two pipes run through turbo mufflers and exit through polished MEGS at the rear.

It'd probably be cheaper to just buy a Bugatti Veyron . . . .

Something like that will be fun to contemplate as we putt around in our 2020 Obama Car Czar Central Committee-approved, 60 m.p.g. toll-booth microcars . . . .

KAASE BOSS IS BACK; ALMOST WINS 2008 ENGINE MASTERS!

[Get the latest ""Truth with Speedzzter here]

[Get More on the incredible Jon Kaase Racing Engines Boss 429 here http://speedzzter.blogspot.com/2008/06/is-street-boss-429-really-coming-back.html]

John Kaase is a veritable saint in Ford Motor Company's pantheon of racing heros (even though he's at times toyed with the occasional Pontiac and GM DRCE).

Kaase engines currently hold both ends of the IHRA Pro Stock record. And Kaase has now won Popular Hot Rodding's "Engine Masters Challenge" a record three times!

Kaase won the 2008 Engine Masters with a small-block Cleveland. But the bigger news is that he almost won it with his reengineered Boss 429!

The BOSS IS BACK! See http://www.jonkaaseracingengines.com/component/content/article/40-kaase-products/189-kaase-nine-semi-hemisperical-bbf-heads.html

Kaase has even swapped an all-aluminum 589 cubic inch "Kaase Boss" into a 2008 Mustang GT!

Although no pricing has been announced (it probably won't be very cheap), Kaase is making it possible for scores of Ford Muscle enthusiasts to live the BOSS dream!

Now if Brian Wolfe and Jon Kaase could work together to get the Kaase Boss parts into the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog . . . .