TRUKTOR
Well-Known Member
OK,
I'll start.
The main problem with the current rig seems to be top speed (maybe),
But surely speed through the WRC type stages.
I think the NA V-8 is wheezing through the restrictor, and it is certainly choking
When the course gets into high altitude.
The chassis and the other systems seem sorted and reliable, especially
Compared to the last two years.
RG likes the truck, and he has more seat time in it than anybody :
So: leave it alone, and shop for the right Turbo-diesel to replace the gasser.
Since he isn't factory supported, don't feel married to GM , if there is a better
Diesel option. Light, compact, powerful, and Already Sorted . This last part
Is important - don't bog down your program with engine development- find
A diesel that has already been hot-rodded and built to a high standard.
Hopefully, an established engine builder who can supply engines ready to
Go, will work with RGM on the install, the tune, support during the raid, etc.
If the Pugs are running a Ford Diesel, don't rule that out, but I think a U.S.
Based engine builder is probably a good idea, and the more "foreign" the
Diesel, the harder it will be to find an established builder stateside. You want to drop-in
Power, not launch into an engine development project, especially with an engine
That you know nothing about.
The rest of it ? Well, I'd be inclined to leave it. I figure he has the wheelbase
Where he wants it, the Aero seems good,2WD is everybody's new favorite...
He doesn't mind dragging a punkin' through the dirt it seems. He ran IRS
And he didn't keep it, so why push the rig back into the Hub/ CV world of
Maintenance ? You can get stuck with anything - it seems that Loeb has
Gotten stuck more often in the dunes with IRS than RG has with the Ford
9" back there.
By changing only the engine, and tweaking a few things, he would save a ton
Of money over a clean sheet of paper design, and it might be enough to
Push him up front. The Pugs had a junk year with their clean sheet project,
Even with all of their resources.... If RG started all over, it might be 2 years
Of development before "it" was reliable.
This way, you are re-powering a reliable ( with good prep ) rig, tweaking the
Aero, handling etc, and you are back on the road.
IF the diesel pushes it, good, then think about further development
With suspension geometry, wheel base, turning brake, etc, to make it
More nimble in the WRC stuff.
If the Diesel is a lump, and hopeless, and all diesel choices are lumps.....
Then maybe it is time to start all over.
I'd start with the diesel and then take a look around.
If it was a Ford Diesel, he could call it the FORDINI, but since he'd need a
G in there, it could become a FORDINGI...
I know RG loves the V8 / American Noise program, but if it is the hold up
On speed, it has to go.
I'll start.
The main problem with the current rig seems to be top speed (maybe),
But surely speed through the WRC type stages.
I think the NA V-8 is wheezing through the restrictor, and it is certainly choking
When the course gets into high altitude.
The chassis and the other systems seem sorted and reliable, especially
Compared to the last two years.
RG likes the truck, and he has more seat time in it than anybody :
So: leave it alone, and shop for the right Turbo-diesel to replace the gasser.
Since he isn't factory supported, don't feel married to GM , if there is a better
Diesel option. Light, compact, powerful, and Already Sorted . This last part
Is important - don't bog down your program with engine development- find
A diesel that has already been hot-rodded and built to a high standard.
Hopefully, an established engine builder who can supply engines ready to
Go, will work with RGM on the install, the tune, support during the raid, etc.
If the Pugs are running a Ford Diesel, don't rule that out, but I think a U.S.
Based engine builder is probably a good idea, and the more "foreign" the
Diesel, the harder it will be to find an established builder stateside. You want to drop-in
Power, not launch into an engine development project, especially with an engine
That you know nothing about.
The rest of it ? Well, I'd be inclined to leave it. I figure he has the wheelbase
Where he wants it, the Aero seems good,2WD is everybody's new favorite...
He doesn't mind dragging a punkin' through the dirt it seems. He ran IRS
And he didn't keep it, so why push the rig back into the Hub/ CV world of
Maintenance ? You can get stuck with anything - it seems that Loeb has
Gotten stuck more often in the dunes with IRS than RG has with the Ford
9" back there.
By changing only the engine, and tweaking a few things, he would save a ton
Of money over a clean sheet of paper design, and it might be enough to
Push him up front. The Pugs had a junk year with their clean sheet project,
Even with all of their resources.... If RG started all over, it might be 2 years
Of development before "it" was reliable.
This way, you are re-powering a reliable ( with good prep ) rig, tweaking the
Aero, handling etc, and you are back on the road.
IF the diesel pushes it, good, then think about further development
With suspension geometry, wheel base, turning brake, etc, to make it
More nimble in the WRC stuff.
If the Diesel is a lump, and hopeless, and all diesel choices are lumps.....
Then maybe it is time to start all over.
I'd start with the diesel and then take a look around.
If it was a Ford Diesel, he could call it the FORDINI, but since he'd need a
G in there, it could become a FORDINGI...
I know RG loves the V8 / American Noise program, but if it is the hold up
On speed, it has to go.
Last edited:
