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Ask
Gear Hog a Techie or Car Related Question
Ron W: wants to know about size and
performance of the Dodge Charger and the '97 Intrepid 3.5.
A: Ron on the Charger it will be
about the same size as the current Intrepid as the prototype was built
on an Intrepid Chassis. Power will come from the SOHC V-8 that
is currently in use on the Jeep and the Ram. Supercharging may
be an option. Given the current state of affairs in the world
and the car market (Chrysler just idled 5 assembly plants), the
Charger may never be built. If it is, it will come out long
after it's 2003 planned rollout.
On the intrepid question, I
happen to own a '96 with the 3.5. I don't have official numbers,
but I do know it will spin it's tires on dry pavement (no smoke
though, just a little squeal). Mine has
104.000 and under controlled conditions will go over 130 MPH.
Mind you the car is well preserved with all regular maintenance being
done. If the sunfire and Mystique are stock, they should not be
a problem. the Probe 24V, may give you a run for your money
Q: A Grumm wants to know when is the
Hemi C chrysler coming out.
A: like the Charger, it got great
reception and was a maybe for 2004 or 2005. The HemiV-8 motor
will go into production with overhead cams. Look for it in Jeeps
and Rams first. Tha car is on indefinite hold. I'll tell
you this. Once a year, the car club has a large show at
Chryslers Belvidere assembly plant. In July i was given a
definitely positively maybe. All I can say is this July when I
see the Chrysler folks I'll ask again. If there is any other
word before then, I'll let you know.
Q: Jennifer B wants to know if I can
get pics/info on the 2002 Honda Accord.
A: Sure Jennifer, Here
you go on the pics. Sorry about lack of info, but due to
lack of time it will have to wait. As it is the gearhog didn't
even get a Sept article out. We'll do the Accord in full later
P.S. after years of saying this is
it, GM has finally killed the Camaro/Firebird for good. Look for
the Chevy SSR pick up to be the Camaro crowd replacement
Q: Lorne wants to know where
to get Hi-PO parts for a 97 Mitsu Gallant/2.4 Litre.
Preferrably headers and intake manifolds.
A: Lorne, unfortunately, most of
the Mistu stuff oiut there is geared toward the Eclipse and
the 3000GT. However, both Akimoto and K&N do make
a hiflow intake and airfilter combo good for about 12 more hp.
Foreign-Connection.com (813 987-2468 does list headers for
"most" mitsu models. They are in the
Tampa FL area. Also try pttuning.com
Q: (NO NAME) Will the new
Monte Carlo/Grand Prix be larger?
A: I have unfortunately been unable to get any info on a larger
MC/GP. For 2002, they both pretty much stay the same.
Will post info as I get it.
Q: Sue wants to know if I have any pics of the new redesigned
2002 CRV.
A: Sue, trust the gearhog to get it first and fast. Here is
an artists drawing and a pic of the 2002
Euro CRV. Ours should look the same.
Ken writes to inform me that the Gearhog was wrong. Both models of
the Audi TT have a turbo, just different HP ratings. Ken is
correct. The hp ratings as shown in our article are correct, but
the lower powered engine is still turbocharged. He also advises
that price paid was not what I stated. He is correct. I
stated MSRP base (which is correct), but good luck trying to find a
stripped model at the lot. Ken I know. Ever try finding a
2WD non SLT/sport/RT Dodge Durango?
Q: Will the new Dodge Charger be
larger than the Chevy Monte Carlo?
A:
At this time the Dodge charger is unfortunately still an IF question.
IF it is built, it will be done on a modified Intrepid platform and it
will be a 4 door. If it retains the Intrepids size, then it
should have more interior room than the Monte Carlo.
Q: "Did Ford ever make a
convertible Mustang Cobra R?"
Answer: No, the R's were intended to go as fast as possible and be light
weight. The top mechanism and extra frame members needed in a
convertible
make the weight too great. A coupe with a fixed roof is the way to
go.
After that, a hatch back.
Q: Can an engine from a 3.2 Acura go
into a car designed for a 3.0?
A: I checked with guys who
do Honda's and Acura's and have been told YES, as both are basically
the same engine externally. This means all the hoses/electrical
should line up. Just remember to use the computers from the 3.2.
Before starting any project of this
type, consult a reliable mechanic in your area. especially one
who specializes in this type of work. Get references if you
haven't used a mechanic before
Q: do you know of any
performance parts for a new Durango/Dakota especially a supercharger?
A: There's lots out there. On the supercharger front,
the 2 companies that immediately come to mind are Kenne Bell and the
Whipple charger. Kenne Bell is the OEM supplier for the Shelby
Durango/SP 360. The Whipplecharger unit is living under the hood
of one of my buddy's '97 RAM and he is very pleased with it. One
of the best sources for Ram truck performance is Magnum performance in
Houston TX. I've dealt with them in the past, and I was satisfied with
the experience.
One of the neater items out there is a "70
"cuda style Shaker hood made by ProFinish Box 455 Avilla,IN 46710 /
Ph 219-897-2597. It looks cool and improves your truck's
breathing. Your best performance gains are in the intake/exhaust
system. Here's my favorite example: 98 Ram 2500 extended cab
dually with a Cummins Turbo Diesel. The only mods were adding a
K&N airfilter (filtercharger), Gibson cat-back low restriction
exhaust with 5 in pipes, finally, the intake and exhaust manifolds were
run thru Extrudhone to clean up the flow. The result, a 7800 lb
diesel powered vehicle that runs 16.35 at the drags. That's within a
second of a stock Z-28. I hope this helps. Another source for High
performance Dodge parts is Mopar performance available at any Dodge/Jeep
dealer. You can
also try www.moparperformanceparts.com
Q. Is a Chevy Tahoe a hog
vehicle?
A. Yes. Hogs love trucks. Sport Utility is a
marketing/insurance term. The EPA and DOT
classify most SUV's as light trucks. Trucks are a guy thing, but deduct
hog points if you add things like leather or
heated seats. Pseudo suv's that are car based also don't
count. EX: Honda CRV Not a hog vehicle. Honda passport yes
Toyota RAV 4 no, Toyota 4 Runner yes.
Q. Why don't you feature more Dodge products?
A. If you look at the archive, you will notice Dodge is the only
car company
that I have featured more than once at this point. I also featured
Mopars
very heavily in my mini auto show review. I have to give everyone
a shot.
Look for more cool Chryslers in the future.
Q:
Dave is doing some suspension mods
on his Acura and wanted to know if there is any suspension
compatability between 97-99 CL and 98-00 Accords.
A:
This one took a lot of research.
My Honda guy said he knew of no compatibility, so I turned to the
suspension experts. I checked HD Springs and Godfather Customs.
Both gave me a "no". I then went to the manufacturers
at Intrax and Eibach. Struck out there also, It seems the
only crossover is some components between late model Civics and
Integra coupes. Sorry.
Q: When will the new Dodge Charger
be out?
A: My dealer tells me late in 2001
as a 2002 model. They even have pics of the car on their cards.
Daimler/Chrysler however is still saying IF it is produced, look for
it as a 2003 model. Considering how long it takes to get cars to
market, the latter seems more believable.
Q: Is the same 3.0 v-6 used in both the
Chrysler and Honda/Acura products?
A:
No, the Chrysler 3.0 V-6 is made in
Japan, but it's a Mitsubishi unit, with no interchangeability with the
Honda.
Q: (sorry i deleted your mail
and lost your name) advised he really likes the new Dodge Charger and
wants to when It will be out.
A: Chrysler
is still saying IF, but most likely is late 2003 as a 2004 model.
the reason is the show car is designed around a modified Intrepid
platform. The current platform was not really designed with
rear wheel drive in mind, but the 2004 one will. This means
either rear (or all) wheel drive Intrepids will be offered. If
the Intrepid stays a front driver, then the only reason to make
the platform adaptable for RWD would be to: Produce the Charger.
Produce the Hemi 300C Produce them both (my solution)
GEAR HOG
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