2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 on the dyno

The new and improved, as well as larger, 392 cubic inch Hemi present in the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is rated at a stout 470hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. These numbers already handily beat the previous generation's 425hp and 420 lb-ft, but it appears that they may be a little underrated.

The folks at Inside Line managed to get their hands on a 2011 model and strapped it to the dyno to find out what kind of power the new Hemi really puts out. The results were better-than-advertised rear wheel numbers of 452hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. And while the new Charger is still a good bit heavier than the Camaro or Mustang, this should help to even things up a little.

Zenvo ST1, a Danish 1,104 horsepower twin charged machine

In spite of the dwindling economy and rising gas prices, supercar upstarts are seemingly coming out of the woodwork. Lamborghini posted record sales and profit this past year, so those wealthy executives must be compelled to spend nonetheless.



The latest company to trot out a 1000+ horsepower super ride is Danish based Zenvo Automotive, with it's new ST1. The car features a mid-mounted turbocharged and supercharged 7.0 liter V8, pumping out an amazing 1,104 horsepower complete with a six speed transmission.



The project was started back in 2004, with the first cars being planned for sale in 2009. The initial performance tests were completed in October and the car ran from 0-60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds (with no traction, we can imagine). The run to 120 mph was done in under nine seconds and top speed is an electronically limited 233 miles per hour.



The Zenvo ST1 is a unique looking ride that is sure to separate you from the run of the mill average supercar. After all, who wants to drive a boring old Lambo or Ferrari?

SSC Ultimate Aero: 1287 hp, top speed of 270 mph

The numbers tell it all. Not content with taking the Guiness Book top speed world record, SSC has revamped the Ultimate Aero for 2009 to make it even faster. The 2008 model sported a healthy 1187 hp, but SSC has bumped it to 1287 hp thanks to a new one piece billet aluminum block that improves structural integrity and and oiling capabilities.



Helping to push all that horsepower through the air is a redesigned front fascia with a new center grille opening, as well as carbon fiber louvers that feed 20% more air to the radiators. The aerodynamic changes, combined with the increased power, yield an estimated 270 mph top speed.



SSC has also given the interior a thorough refresh, adding carbon fiber trim to the dash, air vents, door sills, and around the gauge cluster. A new center console features an Azentek PC Infotainment system that can process the car's onboard diagnostic system.



There's no word on whether they'll attempt to best their top speed record achieved earlier this year, but we're sure SSC would like to further distance themselves from the Bugatti Veyron or the 9ff GT9.



[Source: Shelby Supercars]





PRESS RELEASE:



After holding the "World's Fastest Production Car" title for the past year, the Shelby SuperCars' Ultimate Aero is receiving several refinements for the 2009 model year. The SSC engineering team equipped the 2009 Ultimate Aero with a 15% increase in horsepower, a revamped front fascia design, and an array of important interior upgrades. The most substantial change is an SSC-designed, 1-piece billet aluminum engine block. A milestone for the limited-production automobile manufacturer, the new block improves structural integrity and oiling capabilities allowing SSC to boost the power output to 1287 horsepower while improving durability.



Armed with the more powerful new engine, the '09 Ultimate Aero will be able to reach world-record speeds of 270 MPH, raising the benchmark for supercars and pushing the limits of current production car technology. In order to accommodate the '09 Ultimate Aero's unique fuel system requirements, SSC turned to American company Aeromotive to develop a flawless system. The aggressive nose is redesigned with enhanced aerodynamics to accommodate the 2009 Ultimate Aero's higher top speed, and carbon fiber louvers on the side intakes draw in an additional 20% of air into the radiators for improved cooling. The improvement in overall performance will widen the already sizeable gap between the Ultimate Aero and its competitors. The '09 Ultimate Aero also introduces the AeroBrakeTM a rear spoiler system that deploys under braking situations. Finished in carbon fiber, the rear spoilers actuate up an additional 8" when the brake pedal is depressed. The speed of the spoiler actuation is set by the amount of brake pedal pressure. The complete AeroBrakeTM system can be disabled by the push of a button, for town driving or situations where braking and downforce assistance are not necessary.



Rounding out the '09 Ultimate Aero's improvements is a revamped interior. A redesigned dash prominently displays sleek, exposed carbon fiber dash halves and inset air vents. Carbon fiber accents run along the doorsills, surround the new gauge cluster, and continue onto a revised steering column, which includes an analog speedometer and tachometer with a sequential shift light integrated into the tachometer needle. The new center console incorporates a digital temperature control unit and tire pressure monitor along with an Azentek PC base Infotainment unit. The revolutionary Azentek unit offers all the capabilities of a PC and processes SSC's onboard diagnostic software.



For more information, go to www.ShelbySuperCars.com

STS Twin Turbo C6 Corvette

Looking absolutely menacing in matte black, the The Squires Turbo Systems twin-turbo C6 Z06 gives the former most-powerful Vette model a boost to 700 horsepower. All this power is achieved at a very reasonable 7 pounds of boost, which, depending on how sorted the Bilstein-shocked suspension is, could give it a good shot at sticking with a stock ZR-1.



The most unique thing about this car is that STS mounts the turbos remotely, at the rear of the car. That placement keeps the engine bay freer and adds a host of technical perks like lower temps under the hood and cooler oil going to the turbo. And according to STS, some customers have even gotten better gas mileage. Strangely, though, for all of that new performance, the brakes look untouched. But who cares about brakes when you have earth moving torque?

Product Review – BBK Aluminum Underdrive Pulley Set

Everybody likes cheap horsepower, especially when it’s an easy bolt on. One of the more popular bolt on’s for Mustangs as well as other late model musclecars is the venerable underdrive pulley set.

Underdrive pulleys do exactly what the term implies, they slow down the speed at which the accessories drive. They accomplish this by using different size pulleys on the crank, water pump, and alternator. The alternator and water pump are run at slower speeds while the crank spins more freely. Think of switching gears in your 10 speed bicycle from the big gear in front and the little gear in back to the little gear in front and big gear in back. This slows down the tire and makes it easier for you to turn the pedals. This allows the engine to rev up much more freely and is usually good for 8-10 horsepower.

Unlike engine modifications like cams, cylinder heads and intake and exhaust, underdrive pulleys can be the simplest power freeing modification you can do to your car. Some special tools are required such as an impact wrench to zip off the alternator pulley and a crankshaft dampener puller if your installation requires removal of the crank pulley/dampner assembly but all and all most kits are a simple "Bolted-on" operation.

Installation time takes roughly between thirty minutes and an hour, and even if you’re not a do it your selfer, most shops will charge a minimal price for such an installation. Dollar for dollar it’s one of the best performance upgrades you can make.

The BBK aluminum pulley set consists of some nicely finished pieces that add some good looks to your engine coupled with a large weight loss, thanks to a hand polished finish. These BBK pulley kits are designed as direct bolt on replacements for the current factory pulleys and retain full cooling and charging characteristics. The kit also allows for the use of existing serpentine belts.

The kit I’m installing on my 1983 Mustang 5.0 convertible is the 79-93 3 Piece Aluminum Pulley Kit - 5.0L, part number 1553. This kit is available from American Muscle for $129.99 with free shipping! Here’s the step by step installation.



1. Disconnect your battery. Very important!

2. Loosen alternator nut, water pump and crank pulley bolts while belt is still in tension. (To simplify removal of the alternator pulley loosen with an air impact, with belt in place.

3. Bolts and three factory pulleys can now be easily removed.

4. Install new pulleys with bolts hand tight at this point. Install belt. Torque all bolting per factory specifications. (Use of Loctite thread lock is recommended on all threads.)

5. Check that belt is properly seated in all pulleys. Insure tensioner arrow is within the indicator marks on tensioner. If adjustment is required, relax tensioner from belt, loosen upper 9/16 hex alternator anchor bolt, shift alternator toward air cleaner or allow it to move in as required within the clearance of the diameters. Tighten while holding alternator. If additional adjustment is required, remove belt, loosen ¾” nut while holding tensioner pulley.

6. Set warm idle speed for automatic cars at 650-700 rpm in drive. Standard shift at 750-800 rpm.



And you’re ready to go! Once installed, there is definitely a seat of the pants difference. My 5.0 revs quicker and pulls harder. Definitely an easy and inexpensive way to add some horsepower!