Posted on 27-02-2007
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

is a major investment. Aside from buying a new house, it may be the biggest purchase you will ever make in your entire life. For this reason, you should be certain that you are dealing with a trustworthy maryland before deciding to part with your hard-earned cash.

We have all heard the horror stories about those shady car dealers who talk fast and separate a sucker from his money even faster. The good news is that they are the minority and that most are dependable and honest. Here are a few tips to help you find a trustworthy hyundai in maryland

(1) Do your homework

Before you start talking to car dealers, try to find out what they are all about. Research online and check their track record, the quality of their after-sales service and other information that will shed light on their reputation and .

At the same time, try to get a firm grasp of the kinds of hyundai that you may want given your particular tastes and budget. This way, when you start speaking to maryland hyundai car dealers, you can tell if their sales pitch about the car you want is accurate or just a lot of hogwash. Bear in mind, though, that just because a quotes you a price that is higher than what youve seen online, it doesnt mean hes a crook. Trying to make a decent profit is just part of their job.

(2) Trust Your Instincts

Sometimes you will come across a salesperson that you simply dont trust or are not comfortable with for no apparent reason. Those mean something. Perhaps your subconscious has spotted something out of place about this person and is sending you a signal. In this instance, it would be better to ask for someone else.

(3) Use your head, not your heart

Oftentimes, the biggest reason why consumers fall for fast-talking, sleazy salespersons is that they make their purchasing decisions based on feelings and emotions rather than rational thought.

There is a lot of psychology that goes into buying a car. We may be enamored with the way it looks, the feel of the steering wheel in our hands, the way the seats press against our body or the feeling that a certain car is perfect for our personality. It just feels right. When you feel this way about a new car, think hard. Otherwise, it will be easy for a smart car dealer to persuade you into making that purchase.

(4) Be careful during negotiations

Once you enter the negotiation phase, be very careful since this is where most of the dirty tricks begin. For instance, keep your wits about you when a salesman offers you a car that is, say, $1,000 cheaper than their competitors because there may be some additional hidden charges that you will have to pay such as a documentation fee or handling charge or when your salesman forgets to charge you for sports rims. This is an old ploy. Sometimes you just have to stand up, say no thanks and look for another maryland hyundai car dealer.

(5) Do a full inspection

Finally, dont forget to make a full inspection of your new hyundai before leaving the lot. Check for scratches, flaws or other imperfections. The repair of these items should be covered in your deal with the car dealership. It pays to make sure.

About the Author:

Ourisman Hyundai offers the best price and service in Maryland, Virginia and DC, something you’d expect from a family doing business in the car industry for 80 years. Go to http://www.ourismanhyundai.com to acccess their online inventory of new and used Hyundais and get a free no hassle quote.

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Posted on 09-02-2007
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

es keep your gear from getting thrown around in your truck bed. The tool box is a reliable storage area to store the gear you don’t want to get damaged. You can also lock it to protect your valuable items.

It seems some of the more sought after boxes are the ones made from diamond and those made from stainless steel. These are usually polished or powder coat finishes. Others on the market are made from molded plastic products, and steel. There are a lot of these truck tool boxes on the back of pickup trucks all over United States and Canada.

Truck tool boxes come in all different shapes and sizes to suit your needs as well as specialty boxes, and chests you can even use at home. There are some made to sit along the side of your truck, up under your truck and even models made to fit on the tongue of trailers. If you do any type of hunting that requires a dog, there are dog boxes available that are like a kennel underneath and a place to store your rifles, guns and other gear above. You can get single lid, double lid, shallow well, deep well, low profile and more. The trailer tongue storage boxes are very convenient allowing you to store items in an easy to get at place, protected from weather and thieves.

If you have a truck tool box or want to purchase one but also want a tonneau cover don’t despair because they make tonneau covers to suit truck tool boxes. This allows you the best of both worlds.

If you buy power tools or other electronic tools and carry them in your pickup truck, I don’t have to tell you how important it is to keep them dry and locked up. A truck tool box is the perfect answer. Not only is your gear locked up but just as important it is out of sight. Most of the don’t bother with what they can’t see.

For a great investment for your valuable gear, to keep it protected from the weather, thieves or to just keep it from rolling around in your truck bed, get yourself a truck tool box. You won’t be sorry you did.

About the Author:

You may use this article but it must remain the same with this resource text and links remaining useable. You can see more on truck tool boxes on his web site. http://www.rimsofchrome.com or tonneau covers on his web site at http://www.truckbedtonneau.com

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Posted on 14-01-2007
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

If you are someone that takes pride in your car or cars, and you install parts, then you already know that you have to be able to take care of these parts. The most popular form of performance is the and , which can be located and put on to any car ever made. If you go even a little bit of time such as a few weeks without cleaning these parts, it can make the look of your from hip to poor right away. Those that have somewhat of a bright finish will look bad if there is an over abundance of brake dust that has accumulated itself on the rim.

If you are using a bleaching agent to clean these areas, you are actually doing more harm than you are good. When cleaning these areas you want to use a top quality washing soap, a wheel cleaner, a tire brush, and smaller brush, maybe even a , to fully clean the smaller parts of your rims. When you are washing your car, you should always begin by cleaning your wheels and only do that once they have cooled off from your driving. You run the risk of staining your tires if you wash them when they are warm. You have bought these performance car parts, so you should also take care of them.

The type of cleaner that is recommended for cleaning the wheels are the types that you can spray on, leave a few seconds, and then simply rinse off. These types of cleaners are free of acids and will not damage your tires like some others on the market today.

Once you have completed this, it is on to the next performance car part; the rims. The first thing to do with the rims is to give them a good scrubbing to remove the dirt that has heavily set in to them. Then you should put some more cleaner onto the rims, and begin using the tire brush, and the toothbrush, to intricately scrub the area. You may have to repeat this a few times to make sure there are no spots that you missed.

You should always remember to thoroughly dry off your rims and tires before putting any kind of preservative on the tires. This way there is not left over residue such as cleaner that will get locked into the tire through the preservative.

About the Author:

For more detailed info on http://www.performance-car-parts.info/sitemap.htm Performance Car Parts visit http://www.top-performance-cars.info Performance Cars or for related information visit http://www.best-custom-wheels.info/sitemap.php

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Posted on 08-01-2007
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

Drivers of s are finding it more and more difficult to show off their artistic masterpieces on streets all across the US. California may have led the way in cracking down on what the state terms as traffic offenses, but other states are following suit. No one can argue that the modifications in these modified cars have gone way beyond what was being done to the original , but should these modifications really be illegal? Are they really hurting anybody?

While it is true that some enthusiasts have juiced up their engines using illegal means, it is also true that most of those modified cars that have been singled out were not initially pulled over for speeding infractions. In fact, the on modified cars seems to stem more from an aesthetic problem than anything else.

Many of the violators have been ticketed for exceeding the . Drivers of modified cars counter that they are being singled out because of unfair comparisons to the drivers in such movies as The Fast and Furious. They claim that the portrayal of modified in that movie series has caused a backlash against real life owners.

The police forces of not only California, but various other states deny that charge, however. They say that the new breed of modified cars presents a safety risk at high speeds whether it involves racing or not. They point to the increased level of accidents involving modified cars sporting darkly tinted windows, custom rims and wheels, and exhaust pipes. California has, of course, long been the center of the hot rod and modified car universe in America, but the crackdown is spreading all across the country.

But owners of modified cars don’t appear ready to roll over and play dead. In addition to flooding the internet to increase support for their side of the argument via blogs, forums and web sites, they are also attacking the problem via America’s greatest legacy: dissent.

For instance, modified car owners are attacking the crackdown in the state of Virginia with an online petition. The petition identifies the problem as stemming from the vague terminology in Virginia’s laws for modifying exhaust systems and suspension.

Modified cars have been targeted by law enforcement officers for decades. And it is certainly true that drivers of modified cars may be more tempted to engage in high speed racing than the rest of us.

The debate is sure to rage for some time as owners of modified cars feel unfairly singled out and as law enforcement officials feel compelled to make the streets as safe as possible for everyone. The divide between car enthusiasts and the police is likely to grow wider, however, as new and more exciting modifications are discovered.

About the Author:

Author: June Mala © 2006 http://www.us-herald.org

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Posted on 30-12-2006
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

All modern car tires are now radial. Car tires are a tremendous blight on the environment, and there are about a billion car tires stockpiled in our country. Re-treaded are manufactured according to standards. Today’s passenger-car tires are safer at much higher speeds than 80 mph. While passenger-car tires are nearly all radials these days, ST tires are still available in bias-belted construction. We all know that our car tires are filled with air and that at certain times the air pressure in them decreases. The tires are built to provide excellent traction and handling.

This standard specifies performance, labeling, and certification requirements for retreaded pneumatic passenger car tires. Higher- have softer, grip pier rubber with shorter tread life. There are quite a few levels of performance tires available on the market, from full-on race tires to general use passenger car tires. There are various types of performance tires that are sold in the market. Performance and luxury touring tires are quiet and handle incredibly well, sometimes it is hard to believe that these types of tires are having the ability to produce results like this. When using performance tires they tend to wear out quicker than usual tires that you would put on family cars. The largest accelerations that most high-performance car tires can withstand without breaking static friction are on the order of 0.

In the simplest of operations you can determine your or off-road vehicle and subsequently mount the of your choice visually on the vehicle. Plus-sizing is an option that allows vehicle owners to customize their vehicle by installing lower aspect ratio tires on wider- and larger-diameter rims. Lightweight metal rims are also available on the market.

The speed ratings of Goodyear passenger car tires are listed on the "Sizes Specifications" pages in the Car/Light Truck Tire Catalog. The materials and tooling Goodyear has developed to build its help it build better passenger car tires.

All passenger car tires are all made from the same radial base so there is no need to sell in "balanced" sets as you put it. Car tires are cheap; you can pick up a used one just about anywhere. Your speedometer won’t read the correct speed if your car tires are not the right size. One important fact is that many automobile passenger tires are not intended to maneuver the car out of problem with speeds in excess of 75-80 mph. Make sure your car tires are in good condition and maintain a full tank of gas. Today’s car tires are built from steel and rubber which gives the tires the ability to last longer. Everyone knows car tires are inflated with air at high pressure to maintain their shape and will deflate when punctured.

When choosing a car tire it is best to speak to the dealership or auto mechanics to get their opinions on which tires are good for you type of car.

About the Author:

David Marc Fishman is the owner of http://www.tipsquad.com. The new way to give advice by video

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Posted on 20-12-2006
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

When you have made a solid decision about which type of car will best fit your needs, it is time to zero in on the details. You will have to decide on specifics like, make, model, color, options and more.

Of course we all would like to own a car that we have chosen every last bit of detail for, be it an unusual paint job or something as practical as an ABS system.

However the more you are willing to give on your preferences, the better your chances are of making a great deal on your car purchase. There’s no need to sacrifice any options that are absolutely necessary to ensure your safety and comfort while on the road, but if you are willing to be flexible as to what color and accessories are included in the package, you may just find a more reasonable deal and certainly more options to choose from. This will give you more leverage when it comes time to bargain for the final price of the automobile.

Let’s put it this way: say you have very strict requirements about your chosen car’s paintjob and rims. Or perhaps you just have to have that expensive and esoteric . What are the chances that your has a car on with those exact same specifications? Fairly slim actually and if they do have what you want in stock, chances are you will have no other choice but to pay the price the dealer is asking for. Either that or find another car dealer who does carry your chosen model in stock but is willing to lower the price.

Of course if you do find the model you want with the specifications you want, you wouldn’t want the dealer to know that so you can proceed with the negotiation as if you were just not that particular about the little details.

You may want to call several in your area and ask about your chosen . This will give you an idea how much of them are available so you can then plan your bargaining strategy accordingly. Keep track of the results you gather from your inquiries; make notes detailing the name and contact information of the dealer and what line of cars they carry. This will help you get a clearer picture of all the options available to you when you make your final decision.

About the Author:

Jim Karter is an auto expert from Boston, MA, who owns and run the website http://www.drnew.com which provides all car dealers information from various states and cities of America. So if you are looking for any car dealer information you know where to look for.

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Posted on 20-12-2006
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

If you are a buyer, finding just the for you is a decision not to be made lightly. Everyone’s needs are different and when you factor in personal tastes, there’s just no telling what will push you into making the final decision.

It’s easy to get carried away when you shop for a car: the smell of the brand-new upholstery, the satisfying purr of the motor, not to mention the slick salesman promising you outrageous deals, all conspire into making you part with your hard-. Hopefully you will find a great deal for the that you are willing to pay. However you put it though, buying a car will cost a fair amount of money; you do want a car that is in and that will last for several years don’t you? It is of utmost importance then to do research on the particular models you are most interested in, know the current market trends in car sales and weigh your options carefully so you are confident of making the right choice when it comes time to whip out your checkbook.

The type of car you choose will be dependent on several factors: are you looking for a roomy, comfortable way to truck your kids to ballet class or soccer practice or are you searching for a rugged, off-road trail warrior who willingly follows were your leads? Maybe you want to tear it up at the racetrack in a screaming blaze of high-octane performance or perhaps gas mileage and ecological-friendliness are your primary concerns. Either way, consider what your expectations and projected requirements are for your planned vehicle and anticipate your need in the future. You’re family may grow beyond it’s current size or you may have a need to use your vehicle for an expanding business. Think of what’s best for your needs and choose a solid, practical model; this year’s flashy, 2-seater with day-glow paintjob and shiny designer rims might get your pulse racing but is it really what you need and can use many years down the line?

Get up-to-date on the latest models though, so you at least know what’s out there and get a feel for current market rates. Check out what new features and innovations have come out recently; the automobile industry is a fast-paced one and new enhancements are coming out all the time.

About the Author:

Jim Karter is a auto magazine writer writing for many American and European car and auto magazines. He also runs a website on http://www.drnew.com giving details of services of all car dealers in America.

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Posted on 20-11-2006
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

With the company that has built its name to become one of the most respected manufacturers of top around the world, there is that each Harley-Davidson part is assured to fit in the category: superior.

Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 and had rolled-off thousands of motorcycles since then. For more than one century of motorcycle manufacturing, the company had gone through several times where its toughness is challenged. It is seemed obvious that Harley-Davidson has gone through all. But the real test is not within the company. The real test is outside- on the road where each Harley-Davidson motorcycle is being tested everyday several thousand times over- by Harley-Davidson around the globe.

What makes each Harley-Davidson motorcycle a living legacy? The answer can be found in the motorcycle itself. From the overall look of the motorcycle, to the tinniest moving part inside the engine, Harley-Davidson is superb.

Of course, every Harley-Davidson part contributes on how the motorcycle performs. The suspension parts provide the smooth ride to the Harley. The seat gives the rider comfort while cruising down the road. The infamous v-engine gives each Harley-Davidson motorcycle the roads. The handlebars give the motorcycle the stability that each rider needs. The paint provides the exterior look of the Harley.

The different decals make each Harley unique from another Harley. The the motorcycle to any place of any terrain. The transmission parts give better run to the motorcycle. And every Harley-Davidson part contributes to how Harley behaves on the road.

It is not surprising that each Harley-Davidson owner would want to infuse a little something out of their personality to their motorcycle. This the reason why there are several Harley-Davidson parts available just to provide better performance to the motorcycle. There are also several Harley-Davidson parts that are made to transform the stunning Harley into a more interesting motorcycle on the road.

Some Harley-Davidson parts act as an accessory. Some of these are the fender trims and instrument trims that highlights the fender and the gauges to become more attractive; the exhaust system that makes each Harley look more sporty, saddlebag and sissy bar bag that act as an accessory and provide additional storage room, backrest pad that gives extra comfort while you ride, windshield that creates a tougher look on the motorcycle, and more.

With Harley-Davidson parts, your motorcycle can posses the best look possible.

About the Author:

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Harley-Davidson & other useful information, please visit http://harley-davidson.articlekeep.com

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Posted on 03-11-2006
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

Insurance—it’s everywhere. One can insure just about anything. Are an investment one needs to insure? Tire insurance, also called a road hazard policy, , or tire reimbursement plan, is a rapidly growing industry in the automotive world.

Tire warranty plans pay in full or in part for the replacement or repair of damaged tires and/or rims from “.” Road hazards are defined as pot holes, debris, nails, wood, and other hazards found in the road. Curbs, sidewalks, and stone walls are not road hazards. This is an important to consider when deciding if tire insurance is right for you (discussed further ahead).

Tire plans last for a specific period of time and tire wear tread-depth. Some plans last 2-3 years. Others can last 5 years or 60,000 miles. Several plans come with fixed amounts of coverage: $500 per year up to 4 years. Many contracts require three years of law school to comprehend. In terms of tread depth, a tire is usually considered worn out (and thus the plan null and void) at 2/32 to 3/32 of an inch.

Another important distinction is in the type of plan.

Tire reimbursement plans are just what they say. You, the plan holder, will be reimbursed after the claims process is finalized—usually 2-8 weeks. There is an out-of-. These plans are often sold by . The prices can range from $300 to $600 dollars.

Road hazard policies operate similarly to reimbursement plans. However, some tire insurance providers, in partnership with the repair facility, may have a direct-pay relationship. Thus, there would be no out-of-pocket expense, except for applicable deductibles, and items not covered in part or in full. These plans are primarily sold by tire dealers and repairshops. The prices range from $10 to $30 per tire. They also can be based on a percentage of the cost of the tire: usually 12% to 15%.

Both types of plans have a number of variables, requiring a magnifying glass to read the fine print. Also, many are pro-rated warranties, covering only a percentage of the cost of the tire based on its wear.

Claims and Coverage: Depending on the plan, claims are initiated by the repair shop. The process is fairly smooth, although there can be a significant delay from the provider for authorization. This delay may be an hour or an entire weekend. This means that you’ll have to “ok” the tire replacement, and then hope it’s authorized for the full amount, or drive on your spare.

Some plans offer national coverage either among their service facilities or from other repair centers. Claims procedures will vary. Others only provide local coverage, or coverage at the selling facility.

Limitations: Tire insurance does not mean that everything is covered. Pro-rated warranties are based on the wear and tear of the tire. You may get 75%, 50%, or only 10% coverage depending on the tread-depth. You’ll pay the remainder. While there are plans that offer full coverage, even these have limitations, or they may conflict with a repair shop’s policies.

For example, many plans allow for a maximum of $30 to mount and balance one tire, and a maximum of $15 to repair a tire. However, sport tires often have significantly higher mounting and balancing fees—upwards of $50 per tire—and tire repair prices can exceed $90. There are also discrepancies on the tire and rim prices themselves, which in the end, may have to be supplemented by the service customer.

Although there usually is not an issue with the latter given the competitive market, the service center’s price mark up may be unacceptable to the plan provider. In this case, the service center needs to lower the price or you, the service customer, need to pay the difference—or go somewhere else. This does happen!

Rim Prices and Repairs: Rim replacement is becoming less frequent. With the high cost of aluminum wheels and sport wheel packages, tire insurers have opted to have them repaired. Repair will only be done if the rim does not hold air. What this means is that even if the rim is warped—enough to cause a vibration and even premature tire wear—they won’t replace it. Rather, they will send it out to be straightened and repaired.

Rims are replaced only if the damage is so extensive that the new tire, when mounted on the rim, won’t hold air. However, even in this case, especially if it’s an expensive sport wheel, they may still attempt to repair it.

Repairing rims is a bad option. While some rim repair is acceptable, badly warped or damaged rims will in no way ever be the same.

Alignments: If a car hits a road hazard hard enough, such as a pot hole, it’s wise to have the alignment checked. Road hazard policies and tire reimbursement plans do not cover alignments. The service customer will have to pay for this procedure.

Road Hazard Protection Positives: Some plans include tire rotations, wheel balancing, and nationwide coverage.

Myths:

1) “Can I pop all 4 tires and get a new set of tires?”

You can try. But this type of claim will trigger a number of red flags with the insurer. The policy holder will likely send out adjusters and/or require photographs. You will also have a difficult time explaining how a “road hazard” caused all 4 tire pop.

2) “New tires come with a road hazard warranty.”

New tires do come with a warranty by the tire manufacturer. However, it only covers defects in workmanship. New tire warranties do not cover punctures or damages from external sources. This is why “road hazard” protection is being pushed.

New tires are rarely defective. If there is a problem, it’s usually noticed when balancing the tire. Or, there is a drivability concern such as vibration or noise. If there’s a defect it’s generally caught right away, and the tire swapped out.

3) “It’s so cheap; it’s a no-brainer, right?”

Actually, the experts don’t agree with this statement.

The Economics of Tire Warranties: An article from the Washington Post by Terence O’Hara explains the economics of extended warranties and purchase protection plans in general. It is quite fitting for road hazard warranties. He writes:

“The decision to buy an extended warranty…defies the recommendations of economists, consumer advocates and product quality experts, who all warn that the plans rarely benefit consumers and are nearly always a waste of money.

‘[Extended warranties or purchase protection plans] make no rational sense,’ Harvard economist David Cutler said. ‘The implied probability [of having an issue with the product] has to be substantially greater than the risk that you can’t afford to fix it or replace it. If you’re buying a $400 item, for the overwhelming number of consumers that level of spending is not a risk you need to insure under any circumstances.’”

In short, road hazard warranties are a waste of money. Don’t insure that which you can afford to replace.

Numbers Game and Slim Chances: Like all insurance, tire insurance plans are a numbers game. However, this is a game you have a 98% chance of losing. Insider statistics show that the percentage of claims paid out by providers is as low a 2%.

Curbs: Another interesting note is that a lot of tire damage is caused by curbs. Curb damage is not covered under most road hazard policies. High granite curbs with sharp edges slice through tens of thousands of tires per year.

You Won’t Notice: Many people don’t even notice tire damage. Other than to see if the tires are holding air, who “really” looks at tires? Tires are subject to a whole host of external influences which cause bubbles, slices and gouges.

Despite the potential dangers of damaged tires, the damage very often does not translate into any noticeable drivability issue. The point is that if you don’t notice any tire damage you can’t benefit from the coverage.

Research Shows: Those raving about the benefits of a road hazard policy are the actual folks in the industry who stand to benefit from the sale. They’ll argue that it’s so cheap—only $10 to $20 per tire. Even so, for four tires, that’s $80 based on the “possibility,” the “chance,” of damaging a tire that meets the repair/replacement requirement protocols.

Auto Insurance: If a rim and tire has incurred significant damage, it’s quite likely that other problems have resulted as well. The first is that the vehicle may have been jarred out of alignment. Secondly, hub bearings, front end components: tie rods, spindles, ball joints, and a variety of other components may have sustained damage. In this case, auto insurance, which you are already paying for, will pay for everything—brand new.

Free Road Hazard Warranties: Many tires come with road hazard warranties FREE. In other words, in an effort to secure retailers, many tire distributors provide service centers FREE road hazard insurance. Some shops pass this on to their tire customers, others sell them. Ask if the tire “comes” with a road hazard protection policy. If not, request that one be provided at no additional charge. It’s worth a shot.

Also, some car manufacturers provide road hazard warranties FREE of charge for 12 months or 12,000 miles. If you’re buying a new car or even used, ask that the dealer provide a complimentary road hazard policy (after all the wheeling and dealing is done, of course), and just before you commit.

“What’s the best road hazard policy?” Money in “your” bank account.

About the Author:

Theodore P. Olson (Ted) holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, GM, and ASE. He is the author of eight books and numerous articles on the automotive service industry. Visit RepairTrust Making Sense of http://www.repairtrust.com

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Posted on 22-10-2006
Filed Under (Automotive) by Auto News

You might think that 6 liters was enough to make the two-seater fast enough, but not for the competition department lurking inside GM. They wanted to be able to compete head-to-head with the European in the international endurance races for sports cars.

To do so, they took a leaf out of Ford’s book. In the 1960s, when Ford found it could not compete with the smaller Ferraris at Le Mans with the 4.2 (ex-Indy) or 4.7 , they brought out their 7-liter mill. And it was so much bigger than the competition that they won. So the guys behind the Corvette decided to produce a 7-liter version of America’s favorite and most famous sports car.

By the way, the 7 liter Corvette more than competes with the -10, which could give the standard Corvette a bit of a run for its money. Of course, this is not just any old engine. This is a very special version of its GEN IV 7.0 liter V-8.

This 2006 Corvette is challenging for muscle car of the year with no less than 500 bhp on tap at 6,200 rpm. Maximum torque from this mammoth engine is 475 lb ft at 4,800 rpm. This is bound to be a stunner with a top speed of about 185 mph and 0-60 in under 4.0 seconds. GM expects the quarter-mile be under 12 seconds.

To give durability, the engine has been beefed up in a number of ways. First, the connecting rods and inlet valves are now made of titanium – these weigh about half as much as steel ones and are used in quite a number of high-performance engines. Because of the low weight, the titanium parts put less load on other critical parts of the engine - the crankshaft, bearings and in this case the valve gear as well. The also allow the engine to rev faster safely.

In fact, titanium used to be an aerospace-only material because it was so expensive, but it is now bein gused more in exotic cars and the heads of golf clubs, helping the lesser pros feel not so outclassed by Tiger Woods as they might with ordinary drivers.

You will see that the Corvette 7 liter is intended for the race track by the fact that the engine has a dry sump lube system. A dry sump system prevents the oil in the oil pan from slopping away from the pick-up on fast cornering – the sort you can do only on a track – and thus damaging the main bearings.

Instead of staying in the oil pan, the oil is pumped out to a tank, and then pressure fed from there directly to the engine bearings and other critical areas. Definitely a system for top supercars.

The underpinnings of the car have also been beefed up with a new aluminum perimeter frame which reduces weight. Further weight reduction comes with a new magnesium engine sub-frame. To ensure the car is stiff enough, it will be available only as a hardtop. The front fenders and wheelarches are now carbon fiber composite panels, which also reduce weight.

But there’s more…

To get all that power onto the road, and to get it to stop, bigger wheels, tires and brakes have been fitted. The front brake discs are now 13.9 inch diameter, and 19 x 12 inch wide rims are used at the back; front wheels are 18 x 9.5 inches. Such massive rear tires for a car with 50:50 weight distribution suggest that the car will have a tendency to oversteer – smoky drifts could be the order of the day!

All-in-all, this is a really special car, developed to compete with the best.

About the Author:

John Hartley is editor of http://www.fast-autos.com, an online magazine devoted to fast cars and supercars. He has written from many of the world’s top auto magazines, and has written many books about cars and the auto industry.

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