Sunday, November 8, 2009

SEMA 2009: Kevin Morgan's Phoenix Trans Am version 2.0


Kevin Morgan was the first to show off a 2010 Camaro modified to look like a Camaro, and the only one to present one that resembles a 1978-like one with Bandit pretensions.

This year's version, the second one he has shown, has everything one would want in a modern day Bandit. From the quad headlights and honeycomb wheels to the black and gold paint, all you need is a CB on board to call your buddies on your next moonshine run.

Built in conjunction with fabricator Todd Otto, one-off versions can be ordered to spec, and a kit version will also be made available through Trans Am Depot starting in early 2010.


SEMA 2009: Dodge Challenger 1320


One of the show cars Dodge brought out to this year's SEMA was this Dodge Challenger 1320. Based on a Drag Pak Challenger, this car was created for one purpose: living life a quarter mile at a time.

Under the hood of the 1320 lies an all-aluminum Gen III 426ci crate engine putting out 556 horsepower and 540 lb-ft torque. Little touches like the inside headlight being turned into cold air ducting make the difference.

Check out the press release below for full details.

PRESS RELEASE:

Mopar Dodge Challenger 1320 Image Vehicle: Exploring a Street-legal Drag Pak Challenger
The Dodge Challenger 1320 began life as a Mopar Drag Pak Dodge Challenger. The current Drag Pak option is a light-weight, stripped-down, race-only, special-order version of the Dodge Challenger designed for competitive drag racing.

For the street-legal design, Mopar's design team took the vehicle back to its roots with styling reminiscent of vintage Mopar muscle, updated with today's technology. The Dodge Challenger 1320 image vehicle, named for the 1,320 feet on a quarter-mile drag strip, features Mopar's 426 cubic-inch, all-aluminum, HEMI® V-8 crate engine that generates 556 horsepower. The engine is equipped with unique Mopar-designed valve covers and a dress-up kit. Mopar's long-tube headers and exhaust system allow the cubic inches to breathe. Electric cutouts allow the exhaust to bypass the muffler system, which exits through custom side pipes for added rumble at the dragstrip. Power is put to the ground via a six-speed manual transmission through a custom Dynatrac rear housing with Mopar Dana 60 internals and a selectable, ARB locking differential. Mopar police wheels, widened in the rear, are strapped with Mickey Thompson street-legal drag radials to provide extra grip at launch. A four-corner, adjustable coil-over kit is provided by Mopar as an option for the Dodge Challenger. This system improves the handling of the vehicle under extreme loads of 556 horsepower and 540 lb.-ft. of torque.

Following Mopar's high-impact color heritage, the design team layered the 1320 in Acidic Hue, a non-metallic yellow paint and added matte black graphics. The body is lightened with the following carbon-fiber components from Mopar's design team and Seibon:

• Bulged hood with HEMI scoop
• Front spoiler
• Grille panel/headlamp surround

The interior is equipped with bare necessities--Dodge Viper seats, a sport steering wheel and a Hurst shifter. The rear seat, center console and radio have been removed in order to reduce vehicle weight and maintain the 1320's no-nonsense theme.


Saturday, November 7, 2009

SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter T/A Concept


Will the real Camaro-based Firebird recreation please stand up? We will make a case for this, the Lingenfelter T/A concept, since it really looks like a modern day version of a 455 Super Duty.

While the looks of the car are stunning and retro, it isn't all about looks. Under the hood lies a genuine 455 V8 packing 655 horsepower and 610 lb-ft torque. Check out the press release below for full details.



PRESS RELEASE:

DECATUR, Ind. - Creating vehicles with astounding performance capabilities and "stop-in-your-tracks" curb appeal is nothing new for Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE), and they've done it once again with their newest concept car the Lingenfelter T/A.

Readied for its debut in the Nitto Tire booth #46115 at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, the Lingenfelter T/A utilizes "all the styling and muscle from the past combined with the technology and elegance of today," according to Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.

The vehicle, a modified 2010 Camaro with exhaustive engine and performance refinements as well as custom-molded body styling, harkens to the muscle-heavy '70s cars so beloved by enthusiasts.

"Lingenfelter Performance Engineering designed and built this vehicle with one goal in mind - to celebrate, in a most pronounced manner, America's muscle-car heritage," said Lingenfelter. "Just one look at its spirited design is all it takes to realize Lingenfelter knows power. And a turn of the key confirms that fact as all 650 horses start running."

First and foremost is the Lingenfelter T/A's power plant - a custom Racing Head Service (RHS) aluminum engine block with an impressive 455 cubic inch displacement. It features 4.155" bore Diamond 11.5:1 compression ratio pistons and a 4.200" stroke Lunati forged crankshaft. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering-brand CNC ported and polished LS7 heads and an LSX FAST 102 intake finish off the engine, which produces 655 hp and 610 ft.-lbs. of torque.

To assist the Lingenfelter T/A in handling that raw power, the car also features a Lingenfelter 6-bolt LS9 twin disk flywheel and clutch assembly and heavy-duty Driveshaft Shop halfshafts.

Body enhancements to the Lingenfelter Performance Engineering concept vehicle include a dramatic new hood with a shaker scoop and blue keyed stripe. A new front fascia borrows from the vehicle's inspired muscle car heritage, and incorporates custom head lamps, grille and turn signals for authentic detailing. The car's fender has a functional side extractor scoop and the rear quarter has a leading edge wheel flair. Dramatic details in the back again point to the vehicle's 1970s roots. Rear corners of the car have been extended nearly 4-inch with a wrapped down stand-up spoiler. Custom-created taillight housings nicely complement the package.

Wheels are custom designed 20-inch Honeycomb's with bright brushed aluminum details and are shorn with Nitto Tires in size 275/40ZR20 fronts and 315/35ZR20 rears.

A custom-designed CORSA Performance stainless steel exhaust provides even more torque for the Lingenfelter T/A concept vehicle, which is finished in an icy, bright white with an electric blue stripe running from front to rear.

Finally, to complete the muscle car experience, bright blue woven vinyl seat inserts and metal turned instrument panel accents highlight the interior. And Lingenfelter badges, indicating the vehicle's authenticity as a certified Lingenfelter creation, adorn the exterior.

For more than 30 years, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has created a matchless heritage of bringing astounding new capabilities to the world's most sought-after sports cars. This legendary record of precision engineering continues today, as the highly skilled Lingenfelter production team continues to target design excellence in engine packages, superchargers and high-performance aftermarket components that refine power, speed and control. For more information, visit www.lingenfelter.com, contact Lingenfelter Performance Engineering at 1557 Winchester Road, Decatur, IN 46733, or call 260.724.2552.