RE: Eco Hot Rods Invade SEMA
Wednesday 4th November 2009
Eco Hot Rods Invade SEMA
Old 'rods never die, they just get greener...
The SEMA show is not traditionally thought of as a welcoming place for anyone with a tinge of green in their racing stripes. But it's 2009, and 'efficiency' is the new buzzword popping up in all sorts of strange places, including these 2 vintage hot rods GM and Ford have brought along. The thought of it may jar at first, but read on...
GM has brought a restored 1955 Chevrolet 150, but instead of the original 'Turbo-Fire' small-block V8 sitting under the bonnet, this hot rod is showcasing one of GM's new 'E-Rod' crate motors. The 6.2-litre V8 LS3 engine is good for 430bhp and 424lb ft of torque - more than enough for the majority of 'rodders' - but still manages to pass modern emissions regulations.
The LS3 E-Rod is one of a new range of 'efficient' crate motors from GM's Performance Parts division, and the engine alone (sans transmission and exhaust cat-back) can be bought for $9,375 (£5,672).
Ford is working along the same lines, but has gone right back to 1934. The Model B is one of the great 'rodders' favourites, and this example built by Detroit Street Rods is unlikely to disappoint. It's actually a brand new body built by the charmingly-named 'Steve's Auto Restoration' (only in America etc), and under the bonnet is the first rear-wheel drive application of one of Ford's new 'EcoBoost' engines. It's a 3.5-litre twin turbocharged V6, which like the E-Rod meets modern emissions regulations whilst still managing proper hot rod power figures. How does 400bhp and 400lb ft sound? Pretty deafening, we expect...
Discussion
the fury said:
- cough - Pedant's corner, the model B was the 1932 Ford, not 1934. Nice looking stuff though!
There seems to be some confusion about this. The 1934 Ford was part of the Model B series as far as I can tell (the Model B ran until l935 when the Model 48 came in), though the '34 model was technically known as the 40A. Any Ford experts want to clear this up?chevy-stu said:
the ls engines in old cars has ben happening for over 10 years. Nice to see gmt actually make a specific hot rod version though. ls3 for £5.5k is amazing value for a brilliant engine.. I'm guessing that's without a loom or ecu....
FYI from the press release:Kit includes -
* 6.2-liter LS3 crate engine, rated at 430 horsepower and 424 lb.-ft. of torque
* GMPP LS3 engine wiring harness
* GMPP engine control module
* Exhaust manifolds
* Catalytic converters
* Oxygen sensors and sensor bosses
* Fuel tank evaporative emissions canister
* Mass airflow sensor and sensor boss
* Accelerator pedal (for use with the LS3's electronic throttle)
* Air filter
* Instruction manual
In addition to the E-ROD system, the builder will need to source additional components to complete the assembly and get the vehicle running. They include:
* Fuel tank
* Fuel lines (re-circulating or returnless)
* Fuel pump
* Fuel tank vent line from the tank to the evaporative emissions canister
* Pure line from the canister to the engine purge solenoid
* Air induction system that incorporates the mass airflow sensor
* Exhaust system behind the catalytic converters
Additionally, the LS3 engine requires a front-end accessory drive system that is suitable to the vehicle. The instruction manual includes recommendations for the accessory drive kit, as well as the transmission, gear ratios and more.
hairykrishna said:
6.3 litre V8 'eco' engines. Got to love it.
Amusingly enough the same (well similar) engine in another vehicle just won an 'eco' challenge in Australia. Even though it's a bit of a dubious competition, it's still fun to watch the greenies types contort themselves with such rage and anger over the result.http://www.smh.com.au/drive/green-motoring/v8-turb...
http://www.hsv.com.au/hsv/press/default.aspx?ID=11...
Mr Gear said:
hairykrishna said:
6.3 litre V8 'eco' engines. Got to love it.
It's always a confusing word "Eco". Does it mean "Economy" or "Ecology"? In this case, I think it means neither, but "efficient" is probably a better word. Even the biggest engines can burn fuel efficiently.SimonSaid said:
chevy-stu said:
the ls engines in old cars has ben happening for over 10 years. Nice to see gmt actually make a specific hot rod version though. ls3 for £5.5k is amazing value for a brilliant engine.. I'm guessing that's without a loom or ecu....
FYI from the press release:Kit includes -
* 6.2-liter LS3 crate engine, rated at 430 horsepower and 424 lb.-ft. of torque
* GMPP LS3 engine wiring harness
* GMPP engine control module
* Exhaust manifolds
* Catalytic converters
* Oxygen sensors and sensor bosses
* Fuel tank evaporative emissions canister
* Mass airflow sensor and sensor boss
* Accelerator pedal (for use with the LS3's electronic throttle)
* Air filter
* Instruction manual
In addition to the E-ROD system, the builder will need to source additional components to complete the assembly and get the vehicle running. They include:
* Fuel tank
* Fuel lines (re-circulating or returnless)
* Fuel pump
* Fuel tank vent line from the tank to the evaporative emissions canister
* Pure line from the canister to the engine purge solenoid
* Air induction system that incorporates the mass airflow sensor
* Exhaust system behind the catalytic converters
Additionally, the LS3 engine requires a front-end accessory drive system that is suitable to the vehicle. The instruction manual includes recommendations for the accessory drive kit, as well as the transmission, gear ratios and more.
Wish I'd got one these last year than get my old stroker small block built..
For a moment I was expecting the article to say this
"GM has brought a restored 1955 Chevrolet 150, but instead of the original 'Turbo-Fire' small-block V8 sitting under the bonnet, this hot rod is showcasing one of GM's Volt electrical powerplant"

This is cool though- but nothing all that new. It's quite common to find the New Twin plug Hemi Dodge engine installed into an old Challenger or Charger- to make more power and handle better (Hemi Challenger that handles like a 340 T/A)
"GM has brought a restored 1955 Chevrolet 150, but instead of the original 'Turbo-Fire' small-block V8 sitting under the bonnet, this hot rod is showcasing one of GM's Volt electrical powerplant"


This is cool though- but nothing all that new. It's quite common to find the New Twin plug Hemi Dodge engine installed into an old Challenger or Charger- to make more power and handle better (Hemi Challenger that handles like a 340 T/A)
PH said said:
It's a 3.5-litre twin turbocharged V6, which like the E-Rod meets modern emissions regulations whilst still managing proper hot rod power figures. How does 400bhp and 400lb ft sound? Pretty deafening, we expect...
How does it sound? Honestly? Probably crap compared to a non-turbo old school engine with the correct 8 cylinders.andy43 said:
PH said said:
It's a 3.5-litre twin turbocharged V6, which like the E-Rod meets modern emissions regulations whilst still managing proper hot rod power figures. How does 400bhp and 400lb ft sound? Pretty deafening, we expect...
How does it sound? Honestly? Probably crap compared to a non-turbo old school engine with the correct 8 cylinders.
If it sounds anything like my Turboed 993 or any other turbod 6 cyl with over sized pipes- it probably sounds like an insidious motorboat.
SimonSaid said:
the fury said:
- cough - Pedant's corner, the model B was the 1932 Ford, not 1934. Nice looking stuff though!
There seems to be some confusion about this. The 1934 Ford was part of the Model B series as far as I can tell (the Model B ran until l935 when the Model 48 came in), though the '34 model was technically known as the 40A. Any Ford experts want to clear this up?P.S. The Model T was up to '28 & then the Model A '28 to '31.
Total loss said:
SimonSaid said:
the fury said:
- cough - Pedant's corner, the model B was the 1932 Ford, not 1934. Nice looking stuff though!
There seems to be some confusion about this. The 1934 Ford was part of the Model B series as far as I can tell (the Model B ran until l935 when the Model 48 came in), though the '34 model was technically known as the 40A. Any Ford experts want to clear this up?P.S. The Model T was up to '28 & then the Model A '28 to '31.
Model T = 1909 - 1927
Model A = 1928 - 1931 (but '28/'29s are different to '30/'31s)
Model B = 1932 (4 cylinder engine)
Model 18 = 1932 (V8 engine)
Model 40 = 1933/34
Model 48 = 1935
British built Model Bs were different to USA built Model Bs - they were built from '32 to '34, '33 & '34 versions had skirted fenders (wings) like the Model 40.
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