CC should have an RSE shootout but add this twist: Make it import vs. domestic. Since all the ricers think domestics can only go fast in a straight line, and some of them think domestics are slow. I would love to see the results.
Matthew Maloney
Abilene, TX
Outstanding idea, Matthew, but be careful what you wish for. Frankly, we've seen plenty of mild imports that would shame a musclecar on a tight slalom course, and they also can build a nice car with a good ride. Frankly, it's entirely possible that several properly constructed imports could win an RSE contest. For example, in the Hotchkis Media Shootout last year (which is set up similarly to RSE), Editor Smith's '65 Chevelle took overall Second Place but was beat out by a turbocharged and intercooled BMW M3. What does the rest of the readership think?
Mopars in RSE
I received the newest Car Craft and the cover said "Ford vs. GM vs. AMC." Why wasn't Mopar included ... scared? We all know Mopar would have blown every one of those other cars away. Next think about putting some Mopars in there.
Ronnie Evenson
Via e-mail
The only Mopars that entered were outclassed. We're laying down the gauntlet now for Real Street '04 for the Pentastar camp to step up.
Budget Buildups
I loved your February issue. I can relate to two of your articles. "Project Humble Pie" and "Pursuing Performance." I do a similar low-budget engine for my street kid customers. I start with a machined 0.030-over block and a flat-top engine kit from Northern Performance for $154, plus a Speed-Pro CS-1013R 214-224 cam, Vortec heads, just clearanced and maybe a little work in the exhaust port. I am careful of the squish, and the timing can't go farther than 34 degrees, then I add a Performer intake and 600-cfm carb (up to 750 on some), and it's done.
I put this in an '85 Firebird, and it went 12.90s! Wow ... a similar engine went in a '65 Impala and went mid-13s with a 200-pound stereo.
Two years ago I bought a '94 Caprice Police Car for $750 with a bad trans and 140,000 on the clock. I have been upgrading ever since. I had a recently rebuilt trans and converter from a wrecked S-10. That went better as it has slightly more stall. I also did away with all the intake crap and installed a K&N setup. This included two converters and an after-cat Flowmaster system. I also installed an SLP shift improver. Boy, does this car fly!
Peter Burger
Triangle Engines
Via e-mail
Readers' In and Out List
In: Having the fastest car where you work.
Out: You work at Super Street (Derrick Yee, '73 Maverick).
In: Getting done with your brother-in-law's project so you can get back to yours.
Out: It's been so long you don't remember where you left off.
In: Being able to teach someone about cars.
Out: Them trying to help more than you want.
In: His project consisted of rebuilding his engine.
Out: It's a Dodge Shadow.
In: Finding a good machine shop in your new area.
Out: All the other ones you had to go through till you found it.
In: Getting a free small-block 327.
Out: It turns out to be a 283.
In: It's still free.
Out: Finding performance pistons for a 283.
Heath Wilson
Deltona, FL
In: Buying a shiny new air cleaner to finish off the engine bay.
Out: Not being able to shut the hood (yes, I forgot my tape measure).
Anonymous
In: The '05 Mustang.
Out: Econo-bubble cars.
In: 400-plus hp, union-built, American iron, cement-sizzling, straight pipes melting the plastic off the fenders on the rice-burner you just blew the doors off of ...
Out: Forgetting what you were ranting about.
In: All the great information I get from Car Craft .
Jerry Blair
Prescott, AZ
In: Having a classic '67 Caddy ragtop.
Out: Having a Honda Civic hit you in the rear.
In: Finding out it only tweaked your tailfin.
In: Finding the Honda's motor has moved itself under the dash.
In: Big, huge, gas-sucking American steel
Out: Big, huge, gas credit card bills.