Like many who attended last year's LSX Shootout, and who also plan to attend this year, I felt the event was extremely well run and offered three very competitive and interesting heads-up classes. However, I keep thinking there needs to be a heads-up class for the common man with a more modest budget. LS motors have proven so reliable that even 7 or 8-second cars can compete in True Street, which was perhaps the common man's only hope as the budget for a competitive Drag Radial or All-Motor race car sky rockets out of control with custom fabricated turbo kits or high dollar solid roller combos becoming a necessity to just stay in the game. Here are a few proposals I came up with for heads-up classes that would keep things affordable, yet fast enough to still make it entertaining to watch.

Stock Cube, Naturally Aspirated
-Factory LS1 (including iron truck blocks), LS6, LS2 or LS3/L92 block only
-Any aftermarket cathedral port heads or factory LS1, LS6, LS2 or LS3/L92 head
-Any hydraulic roller cam
-Factory, factory style, or mass-produced carb style intakes only (no fabricated sheet metal intakes)
-Stock style suspension
-Any factory style rear
-29.5x10.5 inch maximum tire size (all compounds, treads, etc)
-T56, 4L60E, 4L80E, TH350, TH400 or 2004R transmissions only
-Factory PCM
-Weight breaks for cam-only and cubic inches

Real Street Car
-Factory LS1 (including iron truck blocks), LS6, LS2 or LS3/L92 blocks only, any cubic inch
-Any aftermarket cathedral port heads or factory LS1, LS6 or LS3/L92 head
-Any hydraulic roller cam
-Any readily available, mass-produced power adder which can be purchased via mail order (no custom turbo or blower kits)
-Factory or factory style intake manifolds only (no carb style or fabricated sheet metal intakes)
-Factory PCM
-Stock style suspension
-Any factory style rear
-T56, 4L60E, 4L80E, TH350, TH400 or 2004R transmissions only
-DOT legal Drag radials with DOT legal tread depth
-No tubs or mini-tubs, must fit in stock wheelwells (though rolling the fenders and some trimming is acceptable if within reason)
-Pump gas only
-Valid registration and insurance
-Removal of back set and A/C only weight reduction allowed, must have front and rear bumpers as well as full interior, power steering and brakes
-Lightweight factory style hoods and racing seats also allowed

King of the Gas
-Nitrous only power adder allowed
-Factory blocks only, any cubic inch
-Any cam and heads (except canted valve, C5R or LS7 heads)
-Factory, factory style, or mass-produced carb style intakes only (no sheet metal intakes)
-Factory PCM
-Stock style suspension
-Any factory style rear
-Any factory style transmission (including Powerglide, TH400, 4L80E, etc)
-29.5x10.5-inch max tire size (any compound, treads, etc)
-Weight breaks for single stage and cubic inches

Despite the blistering heat we've had on the East Coast this month, the local car shows seem to have been busy as ever. In hard times I think we all need a bit of distraction, plus it's summer...why not treat yourself to a relaxing day at a car show and maybe even a few drinks afterwards? This picture of the one-off Sunoco Wide-body Camaro built by the GM Performance Division, that I happened to snag at the 2008 GM Nats in Carlisle last month, should serve as a reminder to all the cool and rare stuff popping up at a car show near you.

In our September '08 issue, some of you may recognize GM Performance Parts's Hugger Orange Camaro SS. In fact, one of the places you may have seen it could be the 2007 LSX Shootout in Memphis, TN. That happened to be where Matt Murphy of GMMG saw the SS, but certainly not for the first time. Matt gave us the inside scoop on the SS, which had at one time been in his possession to be converted to ZL1 specs. GM was supposedly looking to develop two transmissions based off the 4L60E. The first would be made to handle your typical heads/cam LS1 (under 500hp), and the second would tame even the 600hp ZL1's 427 LS1 motor. Unfortunately for GMMG, who had been having some trouble getting 4L60Es to hold up under its hi-po powertrains, this project was dropped and the transmissions never made it to production. Or did they? It is now believed that this project may have been the basis for the 4L65E, which has replaced the 4L60E in GM's passenger car and truck lineup, as well as a possible new 4L70E transmission. With so many high-powered crate engines from GMPP, you'd figure they'd have to come up with an automatic tranny to pair them with, right?

Love it or hate it, the new Camaro is here and boasting some really impressive stats. With the careful wording of the press releases as well as from Chevy General Manager Ed Peper during the 2010 Camaro's webcast unveiling, it appears fuel efficient is the buzz word GM would like to pound into our meager brains. The base model's direct injection V6 will boast 26mpg and the V8 models shrink only to 23mpg thanks to their efficient design, six speed manual and automatic transmissions, and Active Fuel Management on the Automatic-equipped SS model. As a die-hard V8 man who recently had to retire his muscle cars to weekend duty, reluctantly, in favor of an econobox, I can appreciate their efforts. None-the-less, us hot rodders can sift through the PR jargon and read exactly what the Camaro is all about: pure unadulterated fun. Bone stock you are looking at 422hp for manual-equipped SSs, 400hp for automatics, and even 300hp in the V6. Not to mention 4-wheel independent suspension, and 4-piston Brembos on the SS...this car is bound to be one heck of an all-around performer.

Best of all, whether you choose the TR6060 manual (same trans that is in the ZR1) or the 6L80E automatic, as you enhance the powertrain either should hold a substantial amount of power without any modification besides a clutch or converter. And given the jump the aftermarket has already had with the LS3, it won't be long before 416+cid stroker motors and forced induction kits will be testing their limits. The real question will be, of course, the Independent Rear Suspension. There is no doubt GM has learned its lesson from previous experience and knows exactly what type of heavy-footed buyer will be purchasing the Camaro. However, even if the Camaro's IRS proves as sturdy as the Corvette's...that still means that a solid axle conversion will be necessary (ala Paul Major) for anyone with big plans or just good sixty foot times. I guess that is just the price you pay for better handling and ride quality. The one surprising fact is that the production date is only one month later than the originally projected January 2009, which should hopefully mean the first customers will be taking delivery come March '09. I wonder how many pints of blood I can sell by then.

I don't know if any of you were as turned off as I was by the new "Knight Rider" that premiered earlier this year, which was an atrocious display of ludicrous acting and plot that stomped on the memory of a young David Hasselhoff and Glenn A. Larson, the genius that created the original series. And most importantly, it committed the most unforgivable of sins in reincarnating K.I.T.T. as a (shriek!) Mustang. Well thankfully someone has finally decided to cash in on the "Knight Rider" name in the most appropriate of all ways–merchandising. But seriously, I've never seen a more brilliant example of merchandising than Knight Rider GPS by Mio. Not only does it have all of the normal functions of a GPS-based portable navigation device such as turn-by-turn directions, rechargeable battery, 4.3-inch anti-glare LCD touch screen, etc but it also has the mystique of K.I.T.T. including dual roving red LED lights, a sleek design and of course that sexy voice. Could you think of a better addition to your black Trans Am's interior?

www.knightridergps.com

Ready for the new Camaro?  

Stay tuned to GMHTP as GM releases production Camaro information this Monday!

For those of you who have been following Tom Kempf's turbocharged Red Rocket as it rose to stardom at the 2007 LSX Shootout, taking the Drag Radial championship, it will come as no surprise that he is currently the fastest LS1 in North America. Following a few changes from last year's setup, including reinstatement of the 106mm turbo he was testing during his vicious wreck, Tom has gone on to run 7.51 at 191mph to become the fastest stock suspended LS1 period. Only Wheel to Wheel Powertrain's twin turbo, nitrous huffing tube chassis car has managed to surpass him. And believe it or not, he accomplished this feat on 315-series Mickey Thompson drag radials. For more information on Tom's plight to the 2008 LSX Shootout, check out the GMHTP Fan Guide in the upcoming November '08 issue. You can also check out the March '07 and March '08 issue for more info on Tom's Camaro, his LSX motor build, and the 2007 LSX Shootout.

Since 1996 the Edelbrock Corporation has been giving out a scholarship to Northwest Kansas Technical College in memory of Vic Edelbrock, Sr. who was born and raised in northwest Kansas before moving west and establishing Edelbrock. This year's most deserving recipient was Keith Carroll of Longmont, Colorado who earned a 3.389GPA while enrolled in the Automotive Technology program at Northwest Kansas. His impressive work resume, blue collar work ethic and hands on experience made him the ideal candidate not to mention his academics, essay and video interview that set him apart from the other five finalists. His tuition, books, fees, clothing and tools will be covered throughout the two-year Associates program. Keith said after he graduates he wants to work in the field and learn as much as he can and one day open his own shop where he can focus on off-road trucks and performance vehicles. Vic (Jr.) and daughter Christi Edelbrock presented Keith a check in the amount of $7,500 along with a few other gifts at the Hot Rod Power Tour stop in Topeka, KS on June 9th.

Being in the industry, us editors get another swag T-shirt just about every other day. Matter of fact, one fellow editor remarked if not for the auto industry he'd have no wardrobe. Never the less, Comp Cams new Retro Logo T-shirt is one of the best I've seen in my tenure at GMHTP. It manages to narrowly surpass the LSX Shootout T-shirt I picked up at the last NMCA event at Atco. Check it out.

The 2008 DynoMax Power to the Wheels Dyno Tour has past the half-way point, and we are happy to report the  late model GM world is well represented by Cory Gallus of Rochester, Minnesota who made 534 horsepower on the Hot Rod Power Tour in his '98 Vette to take second place in All-Motor. He stands to win $4,000 or $2,000 if he slips to third place. First place takes home $6,000 (in both All-Motor and Power-Adder classes).

Are you looking for tech on the new LS3? We just got our greasy little hands on the hot new GMPP crate motor and can't wait to show you what we're going to do with it. Keep your eyes peeled for the latest issue of GM High-Tech.

Keep supporting GM!

General Motors just announced that it will be selling off at least 4 billion dollars of its assets, suspending its dividends, and cutting 20 percent of its salaried cash costs in an effort to deal with the crushing losses its sustained in the current automotive market.

It didn't take long for us to see the effects––some of the middle managers we've known have  already left, and word is  race team funding is being slashed left and right.

Times are getting tough folks--how long will it be before our beloved performance arms at GM have to continue dropping specialty projects, like the Z28, until we're left with a fleet of Aveos?

Let's do what we can to continue to support our GM Performance Division and GM Performance Parts brothers and sisters, when they need us most!

Say it ain't so!

My boss and auto rag legend Jim Campisano, editor of sister GM mag Super Chevy, has released some disturbing news  on www.superchevy.com regarding a premature death of what was supposed to become the hi-po supercharged Z28.

While this deep insider info can always change, a blow like this, especially since we've waited SO long for a new Camaro to resurface, hurts bad.

Of course, we're still supposed to get a V-8 Camaro. I personally would buy even a turbo 4-banger Camaro, as long as it made decent HP. Sure, not having a torquey V-8 would be tough, but if the choice came down to no Camaro or a Camaro with boosted, small-displacement power, I'd take the latter.

This is not a good turn for our beloved GM, I hope our next bit of news is better.

Break out the checkbook...

If any of you Buick lovers out there have an extra 100 grand or so to blow, you might want to check out eBay Motors: GNX #359 is for sale...and it only has 9 miles on the clock!

This ride has been drooled over by internet hounds for some time now, and with good reason. This is a spotless GNX that has never been titled, with all of the original documentation. And it's finally for sale!

If you would like to bid on this piece of history, or have $108,980 that you'd like to plunk down for the Buy It Now price, contact Jeff Gordan at Texas Direct Auto at 832-947-9936 or jeff@texasdirectauto.com

I'd just like to give a big thanks to Pete Cimino and  the guys at Harris Speed Works for being patient and helping us with the shoot.

Group Art Director Brendan Moran and myself spent three or four hours in scenic New Brunswick, NJ capturing the lead shot and these two extra night shots alone. While they never made it to publication, they are pretty cool none the less. We used my Cannon 5D with a long shudder speed and our custom suction cup rig. Enjoy!

Bekaert, a worldwide leader in racing and automotive component coatings, provides a solution to the technical challenges posed by new eco-friendly fuels. Its Diamond-Like coatings are now used to help NASCAR clients resolve fuel residue deposit problems. In addition to switching to unleaded fuel in 2007, NASCAR is predicted to follow IndyCar's lead in mandating the use of E85, which Bekaert says will make it even more crucial to use DLC coatings to prevent excessive wear. By coating valves with Bekaert's DLC coatings, the European company says intake valves are protected from the build-up of fuel residue, which results in better wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction. This is essential in the reliable functioning of valves over several races. Bekaert wishes to capitalize on Its success with the previously designed Cavidur and Dylyn Plus patented coatings, which increase durability, reduce friction losses, increase engine output and improve fuel consumption.

GM has stepped up its support of Tony Stewart Racing by releasing a new 4-cylinder Chevy Midget racing engine, which meets USAC National Midget Car Series specs. The all-aluminum 2.7-liter (166cid) inline 4-cylinder will propel open-wheel racers Tracy Hines and Levi Jones this year, replacing the previous Chevy II-based design. The outdated 1960s technology was completely thrown out, and from a blank computer screen GM Racing engineers created an innovative architecture that radically enhances combustion efficiency and airflow while lowering the center of gravity . The exhaust-side camshaft allowed for the repositioning of the spark plugs and fuel injectors (among many other enhancements), as the result of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and solid 3-D modeling. The 350+ horsepower  powerplant runs on mechanically injected methanol as specified by class rules. This may not seem like a lot of power, but it easily turns a lightweight tube chassis open-wheel racecar into a rocket ship. I had the pleasure of driving a 150hp Formula racecar from the Skip Barber Racing School, and the power to weight ratio was ridiculous. With over 200 more horses it might as well be a Formula 1 Ferrari. For those who don't know, Tony Stewart got his start in open-wheel racing before moving over to NASCAR and his return has been rumored for several years.

That is a question I have been wondering for the past few years now, even more so after Oldsmobile kicked the bucket. With the increased integration, and homogenization, of GM's brands over the years it seems to become increasingly difficult to maintain each brand's identity. Moreover, each brand has to be classified, or pigeonholed, to make sense on a corporate level. For example, Chevy tends to be the most proletariat of the brands, Pontiac a little more upscale, and Cadillac is the top of the line (with a few exceptions such as the Corvette, of course). So where does that leave Buick? One would think Buick would be sandwiched somewhere between Pontiac and Cadillac, however, like Oldsmobile, Buick fails to establish a clear identity. Since the Grand National (and the Grand Sport before it), Buick has not had a sexy flagship or halo car to which to attach its name. I'm sorry to say, I don't think the LaCrosse is the answer GM had hoped for in boosting Buick sales. Most consider it to be yet one more model that anyone under seventy wouldn't be caught dead driving. Buford's best prospect is the Riviera concept, but if it makes it to production it's doubtful that it will be nearly as sexy as the concept or save the day.

So smart guy, what should GM do? Market Buick as simply a cheaper Cadillac. Strip away some of the high-tech and expensive features that Caddy is known for, but keep the same level of quality and luxury in the larger package. Follow the well-selling Caddy model in having at least one sexy flagship model with a high output motor and a less potent or less expensive version (ala the CTS). In the long run, a badass larger-sized two-door sports car akin to the GS or GN designed from a clean sheet of paper would be fantastic for the company as well as us performance junkies in reinvigorating the company and its identity. In the mean time, why not repackage an existing model such as the CTS or give Holden a second shot? It may not have worked the first time around, but the Commodore is a winner on any continent. And I think with a Buick nameplate, V6 and V8 (or turbo V6) engine options, classy styling with attitude, and the right price–it could be just what the company needs. What ever happened to "Goin' fast with class?" Bring it back GM, please bring it back.

In the wake of the tragic death of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta last weekend at the Lucas Oils Supernationals at Englishtown, NJ's Raceway Park; Greg Anderson captured his 54th career Pro Stock victory. The Summit Racing Pontiac GXP was the number one qualifier with a 6.599-second ET at 209mph. In the final round against Dave Connolly's Chevy Cobalt, both cars experienced heavy tire-shake coming off the line, but Anderson managed to get back into the throttle and muster a 7.57 for the win. "It was a pedal fest, and it was ugly, but I got the win," Anderson said later. The influential third win of the season moves the 47-year old North Carolina-native to second place in the standings. It was a big weekend for GM drag racing as Tim Wilkerson took the Funny Car win in his Impala, and extended his lead in the points standings over Ashley Force.

Comp Cams has become the first aftermarket valve train company to offer on-site Pro Plasma Nitriding service. Metallurgists worldwide consider nitriding to be the best way to increase hardness and lubricity of flat tappet cams in order to enhance break-in and durability. While this process has been used with high revving exotic components in the past, Comp introduces it to the famously problematic domestic flat tappet cams and lifters. Comp's patented Pro Plasma Nitriding uses pulsed nitrogen plasma to infuse nitrogen ions into the steel, adding strength on a molecular level. Turbo Buick and small block Chevy owners will be happy to know that Comp also promises a fast turnaround time. Call 800/999-0853 or visit www.compcams.com for more information.

Here is a picture of the ERL Superdeck I with the sleeves installed.

In our July '08 issue we featured Steve Turley's '98 Camaro, which was easily one of the fastest LS-powered vehicles at the 2007 LSX Shootout. Given the potential of the new LSX block as well as the other aftermarket blocks on the market, seven-second timeslips are becoming more and more common. However, amazingly enough Steve managed this feat with a factory GM LS2 block thanks to the crew at ERL Performance. As the result, I became curious as to how ERL managed to make a factory aluminum block live in a turbocharged 7-second racecar where others have failed.

Jeff Leibert of ERL sent me this picture of Steve's LS2 block, which ERL converted to its Superdeck I design. Jeff said when they received the block it had already been pushed beyond the capacity of the stock sleeves to the point of cracking the sleeves and the aluminum can. "The cracks along the area where the cylinder attaches to the stock block side wall is common in high horsepower applications showing the need for our truss design. We converted that block to our design which Steve ran all last year. This winter we inspected the block and found everything to be in excellent condition requiring a light cylinder hone to freshen for this year. While it was here we added the bosses for the 6-bolt heads that they will be running this year to go ever faster."

Is E85 for me? That's a question myself as well as Contributing Editor Chris Werner have been pondering as the use of an alternative fuel source in a high performance application, as well as the thought of cheap race gas, seems very appealing. On the surface, the 85% ethanol blend would seem perfect for a high compression motor or forced induction build given its 100-105 octane rating and latent heat of vaporization (cools the intake charge) as well as its price tag, which is usually any where from 20 or 30 cents to nearly two dollars cheaper than pump gas. As of late, it is even becoming more convenient to pick up E85–especially in metropolitan areas as more and more gas stations are carrying it.

On the other hand, you can expect 20-35% reduction in fuel economy, according to the government's "Fuel Economy Guide," because the energy content of E85 is 20-37% less than gasoline per-gallon. The real stumbling block, though, is compatibility. Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles, or vehicles not designed specifically for use with E85, can suffer any number of problems over time from fuel system failure and even engine failure, according to GM and the US Department of Energy, with the use of E85. In fact, the use of E85 in a vehicle that was not manufactured with the intent of its use is emissions illegal unless converted at an authorized facility. And unfortunately no conversion kits have been released onto the market for older vehicles anyways.

But since we are geeky tech types, and most likely so are you, we've been looking into what exactly it would take to convert a non-FFV. First, you would need a custom tune given that you will need to consume much more fuel due to the difference in stoichiometric AFR. Since ethanol can act as a detergent in washing lubrication away from parts, the motor would have to be built with that in mind...meaning careful selection of the piston rings, valve seals, valve seats, valves, etc. The fuel system (including the fuel rails, lines, filter, tank and pump) would need to flow a considerably larger amount and use materials which don't breakdown upon contact with ethanol (again the detergent factor). We hope to discuss specifically what all this means at a later date.

Don't miss your chance to compete in the DynoMax Power to the Wheels Competition. The tour is now about mid-way through, however, there are still three more locations to hit up for a chance to win at the Championship Shootout at the Street Machine Nationals in Springfield, MO in September. New for this year, there are separate classes for All Motor and Power Adder cars. The only stipulation is that you must have DynoMax products on your car and make two back-to-back runs in order to win a cash prize. Winner is based on peak horsepower from the best of the two runs. Those just looking for dyno time may also make use of the Power to the Wheels tour for only $75.

-Syracuse Nationals, Syracuse, New York, July 18-20

-Car Craft Summer Nationals, St. Paul, Minn., July 25-27

-Summit Racing Event, Sparks, Nev., Aug. 7-10