General Auto Chat

Discussion in 'Cars, Motorcycles, Boats, Airplanes Talk' started by Maxvla, Sep 26, 2015.

  1. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    9,937
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Texas and California
    Home Page:
    I'll take a 1966 427/425 Corvette, thank you. There's no replacement for displacement...nor for a direct connection to a simple carburetor. But yeah, the ZL1 is fine, especially when you have to carry 4 humans. Well, 4 smallish humans.

    Of course, I'm biased. Lisa and I have 2166 cubic inches of displacement between our cars (35.5 liters, for metric fans), despite being hampered by the 3.6 liters of her Wrangler.

    And, as far as being a redneck/uncultured/heathen/white trash/ugly American, yeah, I've been down the road with exotics. But it's far better to have cars you can enjoy, without the paranoia, at least IMO. I don't like depreciation that can be measured in "take a normal car and light it on fire every year." And I don't like cars that need $80 per quart oil/belly pan removal/$8K minor services. Been there, hell with that.

    But that's what works for me. If something else works for you, cool. YMMV, literally. There's room for everyone.

    (And I totally understand where Marv is coming from. Let the redneck flow through you, Marv!)
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2018
  2. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    My buddy had one of these back in the mid 90's, even the cops loved it. We were caught doing burnouts outside of the bar's all the time, but rarely given a ticket. Nothing like those burgundy velour seats and an interior to make KITT proud. Heck the kids can even ride on milk crates in the bed.
     
  3. winders

    winders boomer

    Banned
    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,596
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    San Martin, CA
    I love V-8 muscle! Here is the same basic car I had in high school:

    [​IMG]

    Mine had a 351 Cleveland putting out north of 375HP. Tires didn’t last long.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2018
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Motors were so much simpler back then. Distributor, a few vacuum hose lines, cable from throttle to the pedal, no crap like EGR, gas just dumped into a carb, etc. Take the distributor for instance: an engineering marvel that worked on the most of basic mechanical principles. A spinning rotor over terminals to the spark plug leads. The darn rotor spins around a gear coupled to the camshaft. Vacuum line attached to the intake tweaks the timing. No computers and easy to understand how stuff worked. Timing was adjusted by physically turning the distributor with help from a timing gun (light strobe)!
     
  5. winders

    winders boomer

    Banned
    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,596
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    San Martin, CA
    Yes! And there was a ton of room to work on the engine while in the car too!! The carbs were even easy to rebuild.
     
  6. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    597
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SGV, CA
    If anyone cares about the way a high revving V8 sounds like:


    I recorded that last year with a binaural mic taped the plenum.

    This one sounds better but I couldn't hit the redline on these streets.
     
  7. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Likes Received:
    384
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Poland
    That's a beaut. It's a pity muscle cars of this sort didn't get popular in EU and these days are a rare sight to be seen. I'd ride something like this with my head up high.
     
  8. ergopower

    ergopower Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2018
    Likes Received:
    815
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    South Central PA
    I don't know what prices are like lately, but sales of non-halo Camaros & Mustangs fell off a cliff last year/earlier this year and were heavily discounted. I've seen bills of sale posted for new Camaro SS for $28k, w/1LE still under $30k. That's Camry/Accord money. Both Mustang and Camaro got cosmetic updates for 2019, so maybe whatever 2018s are left are still a bargain?
     
  9. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,877
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sactown-ish
    @purr1n

    If you end up considering a Charger with the 5.7L and auto, make sure you test how the MDS or cylinder-deactivation plays with your driving style.

    My 2014 Ram uses the same engine and tranny set (not same sure, but damn similar) and I've noticed that the combination of the cylinder deactivation system and the transmission's insistence on keeping the revs low, can cause stumbling and fucked acceleration when going from general cruising to WOT situations. It's not terrible, but something to consider. If you've ever had an auto transmission that seems like it's hunting for the right gear, then you know what I'm talking about.

    It appears the 392 employs a "fuel saving mode" in place of the cylinder nonsense, so it might not pop up. Also, the transmission and differential ratio differences between the 5.7 Chargers and Rams may make my observations mute, but just a heads-up.
     
  10. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,758
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Jackson, Mi
    Totally agree with this. I have had several V8 vehicles; 66 Impala (first car, bought at 14), 91 Silverado, and my current 2005 300C. I've also owned multiple 4 cylinder turbo cars. A 2003 PT GT, and a 1985 Daytona Turbo.

    My 300C is great. Comfortable, great aftermarket sound system, and the 5.7 Hemi. It's not the fastest car on the road, not the fastest I've owned, but the effortless 390ft lbs of torque (which comes on early and stays) and the sound it makes when you get on it is fantastic. With a diablosport tuner it makes the throttle snappy as hell and the NAG1 shifts hard.

    The 85 Daytona (built forged internals with custom manifolds, ported big valve head, and a big turbo) which made 400+ hp, close to 500 torque at the wheels and weighed about 2500lbs. It was just scary. No power until boost kicked in and on street tires you just lit em up (5 speed with limited slip from srt4). Trying to pass on the freeway was fun. It would spin the tires at 80mph. I eventually lowered the boost to try to make it a better daily but it was just so slow off boost I had to sell it.

    The PT GT was a turd and ugly as hell. Enough said about that.

    I'll take the big V8 all day over a 4 or 6 cylinder engine with a turbo.
     
  11. Gruss Gott

    Gruss Gott Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2017
    Likes Received:
    235
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    I had an E9x with the stock exhaust modded with the "ecm" mod and that is to this day my favorite V8 sound, save for an NA ferrari - full on 8,000 rpm scream was like a valkyrie on final approach - just stellar. Plus the E9x had true personality - super grumpy below 50 mph, and then above just smoothes out to butter. Loved that car.

    The F8x ... it's good, super fast, but I don't like it as much as the E9x (much prefer NA vs turbo). I had a 2015 and the software made that car an insane widow-maker: you're always one millisecond away from death, which I thought I didn't like. This 2018 CP is faster and way better handling, but if doesn't feel as scary and feels much softer which I actually don't like. I'd take the 2015 software versus the 2018 CP ... and I'd probably take the E9x over both even though the F8x are faster.

    As for passing power, not a worry in any of them, and I do a LOT of passing : )
     
  12. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    597
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SGV, CA
    ACM mod or OEM mod. I'll eventually move onto the OEM mod or buy a Corsa exhaust.

    Lot of people are going back to the E9X having had the F8X.
     
  13. Gruss Gott

    Gruss Gott Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2017
    Likes Received:
    235
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    oops, ACM mod - basically you make the stock exhaust exactly like the F8x stocker when the flaps are open - costs $30 to have it done. Sadly I only recorded one short clip, but listen to it every few months : (

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/3vi3s04phpb9817/ZOOM0006.WAV?dl=0

    I had the 'vert so you just have to imagine that sound with the top down at 8,200 rpm - fecking majestic
     
  14. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    Still alive and kicking. Shooting for half a million.

    216BADED-928E-450E-9D5F-2DCBAAF48718.jpeg
     
  15. loki993

    loki993 Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    148
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Michigan
    May be worth it because they ain't making them anymore and they're never coming back, Holden doesn't exist anymore in a manufacturing capacity and I doubt GM has any interest in making a 4 door V8 powered car that doesn't say Cadillac on it. Seriously though with the number that were imported, V8 power and relative practicality depending on where you live I think they should become at least somewhat collectible...so the best deal you find may be now. There are times I regret not getting an SS myself but it snows where I'm at and having a car that doesn't work for me for maybe 6 month of the year is a bad idea. Plus I would have wanted a stick and I needed a break from stick for a while.

    The issues I have with the dodge/chrysler cars is they make great looking cars but I can't trust the fact that it won't fall apart in a few years.


    I have a 2017 with the 2.7 TT, Ive never had that issue in mine, but I do absolutely hate the auto start stop, its seriously the most annoying thing about the whole truck. Come on though you have to admit for 2.7 V6 it's pretty impressive it can move that pickup like it does, a tuner really wakes them up too. The sound though is .....er.......off putting to say the least and it seems that no amount of exhaust mods can fix it....there are good sounding V6s out there....the ecoboost 2.7, or 3.5 for that matter, just aren't one of them.
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    ^ Awesome.

    Why I haven't walked off with one. I'd like to see more more recent data on top of the recent trends. Still rated better than my BRZ / FR-S.
    http://dashboard-light.com/vehicles/Dodge_Charger.html
     
  17. loki993

    loki993 Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    148
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Michigan
    I have a very soft spot in my heart for the turbo Mopars. I had a, I can't remember the year 89 maybe, Daytona C/S I'm pretty sure it didn't have the Turbo II in it so I don't think it could have been newer than an 89. I just drove it, I never really did anything I wanted to do to it.

    One of my bucket list cars is to have a GLHS Omni and build it a bit...that would be fun to drive around a bit.

    And there's the rub and the unreliability in things like that. Here is the one for the Focus I had before the F150:

    http://dashboard-light.com/vehicles/Ford_Focus.html

    Looking at that you would think the car would completely fall apart 20 miles after you bought one. Here's is what I would say about that the vast majority of that is from the odd Dual clutch trans they put in those car. I had a stick in mine and not an issue in 5 years and a hundred thousand miles. I did oil changes and put some tires on it that was it. So I guess you really need to know the real issues cars have and then avoid those problem areas if you can.

    The F150 I don't know I haven't had it long enough to make a determination of how reliable I feel like it is, but it hasn't given me any trouble so far. The only issues are the aforementioned auto start stop, the sunglasses holder has never worked right, I need to press it multiple times to get it to close and the lid for the center console has started squeaking. Minor issues yes but I really expected a bit better from a year old truck with an original sticker of nearly 50k
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 13, 2018
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    I think bottom line is go domestic for cheap parts. I'm keeping cars longer now. So it's either Toyota or domestic. If you can find the OEM of a domestic part, then it's every cheaper. I recall this water pump I got for my old Mustang (early 90s). Looked exactly like the Ford part, except the part that said Ford was stamped out. Parts and repair business for auto is almost as bad as health care business.

    The company I used to work for when I lived in Ann Arbor did some work for Chrysler. I'm sure Chrysler is a different company now, but still, the certain things that I knew about them back then are hard to shake off.
     
  19. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,758
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Jackson, Mi
    The only things I've had to replace on my 2005 300C is the normal"wear-items" like bushings, brakes and spark plugs. Also, the blower motor died last year. I bought a Mopar replacement and it's dead silent, unlike the Chinesium auto zone part I tried first. Other than that it's practically brand new still, even after 13+ years. I get compliments all the time from people who can't believe it's that old.

    Every Dodge/Chrysler I've owned or that was in my family has been great as far as reliability.
     
  20. loki993

    loki993 Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    148
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Michigan
    See more real world results contrary to what all the ratings say. Just like the hobby that brought most of us here you never know what's going on behind that stuff or if there are agendas or bias involved
     

Share This Page