Well, we could have won the race. Our MX-5 Cup car, “Marilyn”, wasn’t perfectly cooperative — we lost an axle seal on Thursday and the ABS block/pump went AWOL on Friday — but we took the lead in AER’s Class 1 on Saturday anyway. In the end, it was a combination of horrible pitstops and fuel miscalculations that did us in. Still, we finished 21st out of 43 racers, 6th in class. Then we discovered that the left rear shock had given up its seal. Marilyn uses Penske 8300 shocks, and we couldn’t get a replacement seal in time to start in Sunday.
All of our problems will be fixed by the AER race at Watkins Glen in April. The only question is: How much will it all cost? And what will go wrong next?
While I look at my five-figure credit-card balance and weep softly, the rest of you can read last week’s articles!
At R&T, I suggested that General Motors LS-swap everything! even as I moaned about the impact of Midwestern weather on auto maintenance.
For TTAC, I talked about old Neons, found new Raptors, and made a QOTD joke based on old books for teenagers in the pre-digital age.
Brother Bark was suspiciously quiet, but I don’t think that will stay the case for long.
See you next— I mean, this week!
Mark wasn’t totally quiet. He talked about the race and the shock problem on Facebook.
Glad you guys had fun.
Until a few years ago, I had never worked on an un-rusted car. The first time I did a brake job on my relatively new TL, i was heading into virgin territory.
It was a revelation, turning brake caliper bolts with just a wrench and not being on the edge of stripping every fastener I touched. It made me wonder what auto maintenance was like in places where cars don’t rust. It must be a lot more pleasant.
Agreed. I buy and daily drive used cars exclusively. I also wrench on all my cars (whether or not I plan on it). A big part of my vehicle inspection is looking for rust. My current daily driver is originally from Arizona - everything on the underside of the car looks like it rolled off the assembly line last year rather than 15 years ago. This keeps maintenance manageable. I didn’t used to be willing to pay extra for cars from sunny climates but I’ve learned my lesson!
We are looking to have mostly rust-free cars down here. We have had a few with some rust and I couldn’t imagine working on them all the time.
that should be “We are lucky*”
I wish an auto journalist would step away from their cheese platters and Porsche 718 fellatio to actually ask GM why they don’t put the V8 in more stuff.
And it can’t just be fuel economy. The 3.6 turbo gets fuel economy equal to a Dodge SRT392 and the larger applications of the NA 3.6 is within like 1 MPG (+/-) of the 5.3L trucks. Would a transverse 310hp 4.5L V8 and 8A really be a huge guzzler over the V6?
I’m guessing that a smaller turbo engine makes it easier to game… err, I mean comply with… the EPA’s fuel economy and emissions testing.
I’ve asked the question in the past. “Fuel economy and future preparedness” is always the answer.
So why do their V6s get such trash fuel economy ratings?
CTS V-sport RWD : 18
Impala V6 : 22
Colorado 4WD : 19
2017 Acadia AWD : 20
Charger SRT 392 : 18
Tahoe 5.3L 2WD : 19
Silverado 6.2L 2WD : 17
Silverado 5.3L 4WD : 18
Considering the V8 vehicles listed are heavier and geared shorter than the V6s, I dont see the huge fuel economy gains for two less cylinders.
I’ve had the thought of an LS swapped ATS on my mind for a few years now!
Thanks for bringing it into the lime light. It makes so much more sense than the twin turbo 6. Would basically be America’s version of an E90 M3. Though I’m not much for luxury vehicles but a Chevy (Pontiac) version of the ATS would be preferred to having to buy a cheap beat ATS (stick shift) and a wrecked V8 Camaro from which to perform the swap.
? Don’t they have those drive through undercarriage wash places any more ? .
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When I lived in Rural New England in the 1960’s we’d run any car worth anything through it once a week regardless of weather, it helped a lot .
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As a mechanic I _HATE_ rust ~ it never sleeps .
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Most California mechanics have never seen any real rust, I still have nightmares about it .
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-Nate
My long term LeMons racer truck project has a floorboard hole and some under the top lip of the bed. Drives me nuts after a decade in Oklahoma and living the Georgia. My Pennsylvania based team mates all remarked at how rust free it is.