By David Belau

dartslantsix

My 1992 Dakota was in need of some serious exhaust work this past year. After 206,000 miles, the clamps had worn the pipe down to nothing. So this summer, I decided to replace the exhaust, but I also wanted to give it a bit of an upgrade.

I first started hearing about the new Flowmaster-knockoff Thrush Welded Mufflers about a year ago and was impressed by the price. After listening to a couple trucks on YouTube, I decided to try one for my truck. My local parts store charged me about $40 for part number: 17649. This is for a 3″ muffler, center inlet, offset outlet (in case you want to upgrade your Dakota too). See the full product review below the jump.

Continue reading "Product Test: Thrush Welded Muffler" »

By Mark Gearhart

powerTV Media

When Ford announced that their new 3.7 liter V6 engine would make 305 horsepower, everybody was pleasantly surprised. After enduring 17 years of the humdrum 4.0 liter V6 (with just 210 horsepower and 240 ft-lbs of torque) the base Mustang finally had an engine drivers could be proud of. It even made more horsepower than many previous generation V8’s.

Need proof? Check out this YouTube video of a Mustang V6 taking on a 2003 and 1993 Mustang GT at Dorchester Dragway. Just for fun, there is a Nissan Murano thrown in the mix. Read more on the runs at StangTV.com

By Mark Gearhart

powerTV Media

Much noise has been made about the 2011 Mustang since it was unveiled late last year at the L.A. Auto Show. Following on 2010’s sharp new look come two all-new engines, the 5.0 liter V8 and the 3.7 liter V6. These engines came as a response to both GM and Chrysler, which offered 400+ horsepower V8’s in their respective muscle cars for under $40,000.

By now, you’ve no doubt read many a review on the 5.0 engine and its 412 horsepower and 390 ft-lbs of torque. You’ve heard it compared to both Camaro and Challenger, and no doubt it came out on top. And I’d be lying if we said the 5.0 didn’t titillate me with its impressive variable timing technology and all new intake design. But I have come to expect great V8 engines from Ford. V6 engines? Not so much.

For over a decade and a half, the Mustang has been weighed down by an anemic 4.0 liter V6. That particular engine produced a paltry amount of horsepower (even by V6 standards) and turned the base Mustang into a very bland and uninspiring experience. So when I heard that the new 3.7 liter V6 would make almost as much horsepower as last year’s 4.6 liter V8, I knew I had to get behind the wheel and take this new car for a test drive.

Click here for the full review on Stang TV.

By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

I did a doubletake this morning when I picked up my Wall Street Journal and saw the “New Car Writer” splash box. Yeah, I admit that I’m geeky enough to read the Journal. I love the Me&My Car column on Wednesdays, where editor Jonathan Welsh tells people what to buy next. Anyway, Dan Neil, legendary pundit of the LA Times, is now writing for the Journal. True to form, his V6 Mustang review reads like pulp fiction. At least he liked the car–it’s an impressive build from Ford and should put all of the V6 haters to bed. We’ll have to see where this goes–will Neil tone it down for the pinstriped-suit crew, or will the Journal’s editorial board have to learn some new words? Which way do you think it will go?

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

What will 2010 GT owners think of this? The new V6 Stang gets bumped up to 305 hp and gets GT brakes, dual exhaust and a six speed manual, too. Oh, and this new pony will get 30 mpg on the freeway. No word on price, but we aren’t expecting a big bump up from the current V6 model. I’m definitely looking forward to hearing official details on the 2011 GT. Gotta love the pony cars wars! More pics and the official press release after the jump!

Continue reading "2011 Mustang Gets 305 HP 3.7-liter Duratec V6" »

By Alex Vickers

Katakuna

I’ve actually seen people argue about whether a V6 is better than an inline-6. Personally I feel an inline-6 is better, but that’s not really the point.

V-shaped engines all have a slight loss of power on the down-stroke. Regardless of the piston angle, this cannot be remedied. V6 engines in particular run rather roughly. This is due to primary dynamic imbalance which is caused by an uneven number of pistons in each cylinder bank causing a rocking motion from one end of the engine to the other. Straight engines, such as the optional inline-5 in the Chevy Colorado have this problem also because of the uneven cylinder number. V8s don’t have this problem because they have an even number in each cylinder bank which cancels out any rocking motions or vibrations. This should explain why in cars such as the Caprice or a lot of trucks that have an optional V8 without a lot of power, because they tend to run smoother than most engines, thus being a luxury option. Volkswagen’s VR6 engines come in 10.6 degree angles and 15 degree angles. The angle is so narrow that they use just one cylinder head. While this is extremely compact (and they sound orgasmic), they can run more rough than fat kid on gravel if they aren’t designed well. Certain angles can mitigate the vibrations, but it’s impossible to design it out completely, regardless of its piston angle  A V6 isn’t without its merits, though: They’re less complex, they’re more compact thus allowing car manufacturers to produce smaller cars and they can produce just as much power as any type of engine, naturally aspirated or not, and advancements in the engine type’s design have relatively reduced the preference for the inline-6.

Continue reading "V6 Engines VS. Inline-6 Engines: Which is Better?" »

Twin tiny turbos are all I see on the new Ford EcoBoost 3.5l V6. Brett Hinds of Ford tells me that the main goal of the EcoBoost program was to eliminate of turbo lag–that annoying rev range where the snails aren’t spooled up and you have no power–and that two small chargers was the best way to do this. This means massive built-in tuning potential in the form of larger turbochargers and aggressive chip tuning! The engine is designed for 11psi of boost, using a forged crankshaft, high copper powder metal connecting rods, and aluminum pistons. A direct fuel injector (fitted into the cylinder wall) shoots a second injection at about 40degrees BTDC and right into a bowl on the piston face. This produces a locally rich mixture right at the plug tip, improving both power and emissions by burning rich early and lean late. Fuel mapping is all electronically controlled, and the high pressure fuel pump is mechanically driven–there is plenty of headroom in the current design. By the way, that’s regular gas, although the ECU will adjust for premium for a small power bump. Redline will be at 6200rpm, but that too is electronically controlled. Hard mounting points for this powertrain remain the same as the regular 3.5/transmission mounts. While no tuners have specifically been solicited to begin working this powerplant over, SVT has already approached the production team for engines. No crate motors are confirmed at this point, but I’m thinking that’s just a matter of time. 

Continue reading "Ford EcoBoost V6 Will Have Great Tuning Potential" »

In its February issue, Motor Trend confirms that GM will be bringing a version of the Holden Ute to the US market. It will be known in the States as the Pontiac G8 ST ("Sport Truck"), and is due to become available this fall. The ST will be available with either a V6 or a V8, and unfortunately at this point, only a 6-speed automatic. A special edition with a 6-speed manual is rumored to be in the works. Another potential Aussie import that has enjoyed significantly less fanfare is the "SW," which, you guessed it, stands for "Sport Wagon." GM has confirmed that it will not be offering a Pontiac G8 SW on the domestic market, amidst dwindling interest in wagons among US buyers. Solid details on the US Ute are still far and few between at this point, but that wont stop me from staking out the local Pontiac dealership come September!

Shots of the Hummer HX concept got out early and now they’re all over the net. GM calls it a "youthful, open-air entry-level-size Hummer" and it’s powered by a 3.6 liter V-6 E85 FlexFuel engine mated to a six-speed automatic tranny. It’s good to see a reasonably sized Hummer that might actually venture off road. More over at Autoblog.

Hyundai is set to unveil a RWD replacement for the Tiburon at the LA Auto Show later this week (the photo below was snapped at a Hyundai marketing presentation last week). The new coupe (still unnamed) will come out late next year as a 2009 model and is expected to come with either a 215hp 2.0L four banger for around $20k, or a 300hp 3.8L V6 for around $26k (rumors of V8 power have not been confirmed). Obviously, 300hp for $26k is Mustang GT territory, and as the photo below suggests, Hyundai is gunning for Ford’s pony car. So, which would you rather have? The V6 Hyundai coupe? Or the Mustang GT?