To create a bit of a buzz around its new line of comparatively greener and more fuel efficient crate motors called 'E-Rod', General Motors prepared an eye-catching 1955 Chevrolet for the SEMA Show. The fully restored Chevy features a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 E-Rod engine that cranks out 424 lb.-ft. of torque. The list price for the E-Rod LS3 package, which does not include a transmission nor some other necessary components such as the exhaust system behind the catalytic converters, is $9,375.

"With the E-ROD system, you're getting 160 percent more horsepower than the original small-block V-8 offered in 1955, but with emissions performance and efficiency that wasn't even dreamt of half a century ago," said Jamie Meyer, product marketing manager for GM Performance Parts.

"This is how modern hot rods will be built. They'll have the efficiency of a modern GM high-performance vehicle, be environmentally conscious and emissions-compliant – all while providing the owner with a smaller carbon footprint," he added. Press release at the source!

Source: CarScoop

Last year in Las Vegas, graphic designer Kevin Morgan showed off the first Trans Am rebody of the new Camaro at SEMA 2008. This year he is back with T/A version 2.0 for SEMA 2009. While the original "Phoenix" T/A 1.0 had the Bandit color combo we know and love, a few of the details were off in making it a true '77-'78 Trans Am redo.

For this year's show he's rectified that situation with a new quad-headlight front fascia and a few other changes that bring it more in line with the uber Firebirds we remember from our misspent youths. Slip into one of these black and gold Trans Ams and before you know it you'll be East Bound and Down, calling for the Snowman on your CB to help you stay one step ahead of Smokey. 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.

Source: AutoBlog

Next week, the tuner crowd will gather for the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas. GM has released a video giving us a sneak peek at what Chevrolet has in store for the 2010 Camaro and the Corvette for the show.



Source: eGMCarTech

Street racers of a certain age have fond memories of the original Hemi-powered Dodge Challenger and its many escapades on drag strips across the country. For the upcoming SEMA show, Mopar has re-created a latter-day street car, the Dodge Challenger 1320, inspired by the standard quarter-mile drag strip, which measures 1,320 feet.

The street-legal Challenger 1320 "image vehicle" sprang from a Mopar Drag Pak Dodge Challenger, a stripped-down race-only version of the production car, designed for the drag strip and available only by special order.

Chrysler has shoehorned a massive 7.0-liter Hemi V8 — that would be 426 cubic inches, for you muscle-car buffs — into the engine bay. With Mopar valve covers, long-tube headers and exhaust system, the oversize V8 packs 556 horsepower and 540 pound-feet of torque. All that energy is transferred to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, a custom Dynatrac rear housing with Dana 60 internals and a selectable ARB locking rear diff.

The Challenger 1320 rides on Mickey Thompson drag radials mounted on Mopar police wheels, with adjustable coil-over shocks at all four corners.

Accentuating the retro look are a bulged hood with Hemi scoop, a front spoiler and a grille panel/headline surround, all rendered in carbon fiber and designed by Seibon.

Inside, the Challenger features Dodge Viper seats, Hurst shifter and sport steering wheel. The radio, center console and rear seat have been removed to cut weight.

Source: InsideLine

SEMA, in cooperation with Chevrolet, eBay Motors and Hurst Performance Vehicles, announced that it will auction a special pre-production HURST/Camaro prior to the 2009 SEMA Show. The proceeds are to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

This very special HURST/Camaro is serial #3 and is the first HURST/Camaro to be offered to the public. This 445 Horsepower beauty is finished in Hurst’s best bad-boy colors; brilliant black with honest-to-goodness real painted silver and red stripes. Hurst hardware could pass for art; especially the massive 20” polished forged aluminum HURST T-2 wheels, a Hurst Billet/Plus short-throw shifter with a special red anodized HARD-DRIVE? billet pistol-grip shift handle, a Hurst AIR-SPEED? rear deck spoiler. The Eibach suspension and Magnaflow stainless performance exhaust system deliver more attitude and performance to match the looks of this stellar performance machine. The interior has a personalized HURST/Camaro dash plaque and logo embroidered floor mats. Signatures from the Hurst Executive Team, Linda Vaughn and “Doc” Watson will be on the car and documentation is provided to complete the car’s provenance guaranteeing that it is truly one-of-a-kind.

Details in the jump!

HURST/CAMARO EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

* HURST Billet/Plus HARD-DRIVE™ with red anodized aluminum shift handle
* HURST 20” polished forged wheels with black and red center cap “H” logos
* BFG KDW Performance tires
* HURST AIR-SPEED™ Rear Deck Spoiler
* HURST Exterior logo graphics: red and black “H” logos
* HURST Silver and Red body graphics
* HURST/Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust system
* HURST/Eibach Suspension
* HURST embroidered logo Floor mats
* HURST/CAMARO personalized “SEMA Special” interior identification badge
* Certificate of Authenticity confirming that this is serial #3 HURST/Camaro
* Vehicle signatures from the Hurst Executive Team, Linda Vaughn and “Doc” Watson
* HURST logo car cover

Note: The car will be on public display during the entire SEMA Show

SEMA EXPERIENCE FOR TWO INCLUDES:

* Two (2) passes to the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 3 - 6
* Two (2) passes to the 2009 SEMA Show Banquet on November 5
* Two (2) passes to the 2009 SEMA Show eBay Party at the Bellagio on November 4
* Two (2) nights at the Las Vegas Hilton during the SEMA Show
* An American Airlines flight voucher worth $1000
* Transporation to and from the airport, hotel and SEMA Show
* Two (2) SEMA Show t-shirts
* A photo opportunity with industry celebrity and former spokes model for Hurst Shifter, Linda Vaughn

It’s on ebay now. Thanks for the tip, Rick!

Source:http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=semacarescharities via Camaro5

In less than a month's time, the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas will play host to all things aftermarket including an array of specially tuned models such as the "GReddy X Gen Street Genesis Coupe". Working in conjunction with Hyundai, the folks over at GReddy are preparing a modified version of the entry-level Genesis Coupe with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Japanese tuner's goal is to increase output from 210HP and 223 lb-ft of torque to 350HP and 320 lb-ft with a 0-60mph time under six seconds.

Mechanically, the Genesis Coupe benefits from an upgraded turbo, a large front-mounted intercooler kit, a SE Spectrum Elite cat-back exhaust system, MX racing downpipe, Type-S fully adjustable coil-over suspension, six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers and various other mods.

In terms of styling, GReddy offerings will include an lip spoiler, carbon fiber hood, rear wing, Volk Racing G2 alloy wheels shod in Toyo performance tires plus special graphics.

The coupe's interior will feature a set of Sparco racing seats, modified gauges, boost controller and a turbo timer as well as a remote switching system.

According to GReddy, all of the parts designed for the Genesis Coupe show car are planned to be released as a production kit while the firm also plans to make additional engine modifications, pushing output closer to 500 HP.

Source: CarScoop

he SEMA Show is coming up fast, and already we're hearing about all the new tuner vehicles we'll get to see on the show floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center come November. One of those cars will be a one-off 2010 Hurst Camaro to be auctioned off on eBay Motors starting two weeks before the show. The original car was generously donated by GM, and proceeds from the auction will go to benefit SEMA's Memorial Scholarship Fund that supports students who want to pursue careers in the aftermarket industry.

This unique Camaro features a paint scheme opposite to the Silver and Black Series 4 Challenger with red and silver stripes painted over Brilliant Black. The car also comes with a Hurst AIR-SPEED decklid spoiler, 20-inch polished forged wheels wrapped with BFGoodrich tires, Eibach suspension components, Magnaflow exhaust system and exterior Hurst badges. Of course, no Hurst-built car would come without a new shifter, and the Camaro gets a Competition/Plus unit with a red anodized HARD-DRIVE billet handle. Final touches include embroidered floor mats, a personalized dash plaque and signatures from the Hurst executive team under the trunk lid.

Source: AutoBlog

I could write anything here and it wouldn't matter. So I won't!

Source: CarZi

Mopar Underground's design team deserves plenty of kudos for creating one of the nicest modded Challengers we've seen. The concept began life as a factory 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 and 6-speed manual transmission. The crew at Mopar Underground gave the Challenger R/T a black-on-black racing stripe paint scheme and added custom-made spoilers along with altering the front clip to create added "brow" over the grill. To finish off the look, the Challenger R/T rides on massive 22-inch Dodge Viper wheels from Factory Reproductions wrapped in Dunlop tires measuring 265/35 R22 front and 305/30 R22 rear.

Inside, the interior of the blacked-out Challenger R/T is enhanced with Katzkin leather seating finished in bright red as well as with an upgraded Mopar Kicker audio system for premium sound.

To better the Challenger's driving characteristics the team added a Mopar coil-over suspension and strut tower brace while underhood upgrades include a cat back dual-exhaust and a cold air intake that allows the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 to breathe easier.

Source: CarScoop

Despite the fact that it's the Official Vehicle of SEMA, the Chevy Camaro will not be present in large numbers this week at the largest automotive aftermarket show in the world. That's because, unlike the Dodge Challenger, the Camaro is still a few months off from being delivered to showrooms (though orders are being accepted). Because of this, Chevy itself will be carrying the custom banner on behalf of the Camaro and has debuted four concepts today we'll see in person on Tuesday at the show.

The first is the Camaro LS7 Concept inspired by the COPO Camaros of the late '60s. It features the GM Performance Parts LS7 Crate engine tuned to produce 550 horsepower thanks to a number of GMPP performance accessories. A Tremec six-speed manual handles shifting duties and is backed by Brembo brakes, 20-inch custom wheels and a lowered ride height.

Next up is the Camaro Dale Earnhardt Jr. Concept, which was actually produced with input from Jr. himself. The base car is a Camaro SS tuned to drink higher-octane E85. The exterior is a nostalgic gray-over-white paint scheme with 21-inch five-spoke wheels, a dovetail spoiler and other Chevy Accessories exterior mods.

For real race fans, the Camaro GS Racecar Concept should conjure memories of Mark Donahue's blue-and-yellow Trans Am Series Camaro. This modern interpretation features a carbon fiber hood, trunk lid, doors and fenders to keep weight down and is powered by a production LS3 V8 mated to a Tremec 6060 six-speed. A 3-inch exhaust with Coast Fab mufflers, C&R racing aluminum radiator and coolers for the engine oil, transmission and differential round out the racing pedigree.

Last and perhaps the fiercest is the Camaro Black Concept. The stealthy exterior is comprised of a matte black hood, tinted glass, HID headlamps with red "halo rings", a darker grille, dark-tinted taillight lenses and... you get the idea. The interior has likewise been blacked out and even the 21-inch wheels feature a darker finish. Unlike the others, this Camaro is powered by GM's 300-hp 3.6L V6.

Source: AutoBlog

In about five years, GM will drop the rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan from Pontiac’s lineup. But before that happens, enthusiasts and GM engineers that love the model will have their last couple of hurrahs. Following the Pontiac G8 GXP that goes on sale this fall, GM will release its new LSX454 crate motor. However, at the 2008 SEMA Auto Show, GM will be putting the two together to create a 638-hp G8 GXP called the Pontiac G8 GXP Street Edition.

The production 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP produces 415-hp through its 6.2L V8. Fitted with the new LSX454, the G8 GXP will make 638-hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 6-speed automatic that sends power to the rear-wheels, those performance figures are almost up-to-par with the Corvette ZR1’s 638-hp and 604 lb-ft of torque.

Brakes have been borrowed from the Cadillac CTS-V to provide additional stopping power along with 20-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in high-performance tires.

Source: eGMCarTech

Need a reason to visit SEMA? Chevrolet has some evil ideas that will be shown on the Camaro platform and they have sent a teaser to make you drool. Who knows what's done under the hood, but from what we can tell, a full bodykit and a new set of alloy wheels are shown in these shots. Click the thumbs for some bigger images!

Coach Builders Ltd. is known for its convertible conversions of the Chrysler 300C and Cadillac CTS, so after Dodge made the decision not to offer the Challenger in drop-top guise, it knew what it had to do.



The Florida-based company will bring a customized soft-top Dodge Challenger SRT8 to SEMA, packing a Vortech supercharger good for 560 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the hydraulically powered acrylic polyester cloth roof (complete with sound and temperature insulation), the Challenger is dropped courtesy of a KW coil-over suspension over 22-inch Foose wheels coated in Nitto rubber.

The cost of the conversion, which also includes a heated glass rear window, matching headliner and a rear strut bar to shore up the chassis, is a whopping $16,000, making for a $58,000 hair dryer when rolled into the $41,695 base price of an SRT8. We're not saying it's not worth it, but we could think of a few other mods we'd do to the Challenger before hacking the roof off.

Source: AutoBlog

Along with the new 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept, Dodge will be showing the Challenger Blacktop and the Challenger Targa at the 2008 SEMA Auto Show.

The Dodge Challenger Blacktop is based on the Challenger R/T equipped with a 5.7L HEM V8 and a 6-speed manual. Mopar Underground added a custom-made spoiler and front brow and finished the look off with black-on-black racing stripe paint and 22-inch Dodge Viper wheels wrapped in Dunlop tires. Performance wise Mopar added a coil-over suspension, strut tower brace, a cat back dual-exhaust and cold air intakes.

The Dodge Challenger Targa is a competition car that took part in the Targa Newfoundland race this year. Based on the Mopar Challenger drag race car, power comes from V8 392 HEMI producing 540-hp with a maximum torque of 490 lb-ft mated to a Tremec 6-speed manual. Stop-Tech brakes provide the stopping power with 6-piston calipers in the front and four-pot calipers in the rear. The race suspension and brake upgrades come from the Viper ACR which holds a Nurburgring record of 7:22.

Source: eGMCarTech

While fewer cylinders and less horsepower may be the way of the market these days, Dodge’s SRT engineering team is looking for a way to “one-up” itself with the new 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept. The concept will make its debut at SEMA alongside other Challenger variants.

Dodge has added a fresh coat of Tornado Red paint with a carbon-fiber deck lid and hood, a “shaker hood” influenced by the 1970 HEMI Cuda, upgraded brakes and Bilstein shocks that improves handling balance. One the inside the Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept gets sports seats and carbon-fiber accents.

Based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger, power comes from the Dodge Viper SRT10’s 8.4 liter V10 that makes 600 horsepower with a maximum torque of 560 lb-ft. No 0 to 60 or top speed specs have been released as of yet.

Source: eGMCarTech