Super Fan
I've been reading your magazine since I was a senior in high school, 2003-2004 and subscribed shortly after reading a few issues. I have really enjoyed the magazine over the years and the different variety of cars that have covered your pages. That being said I'm not a big fan of the purpose-built drag cars or the cars where the owners have more money poured into them than brains.
The real reason why I wanted to send you this was to let you know of things I'd like to see covered in future magazines. My all-time favorite article in your magazine is from the October 2004 issue, "Supercar Killer." The reason why this is my all-time favorite article is that you guys really explained everything about the car to the detail. Plus it was cool to take a car that was bone stock and run an amazing time. You explained what worked well with the car, what didn't work so great, and how you nailed it down. I really enjoyed that because it felt like I was in the driver's seat and could picture going through all those runs and making the adjustments myself. You even put the car on a dyno to show what it put down. All these great things in this one article and the car was stock! It would be very cool to see you guys do some more stuff with a C5 Z06 that's stock or slightly modified-autocross or road course.
With what you guys did with the C5 Z06 I was really hoping you would do with a C6 Z06. Heck, it would be cool if you did it with an LS3 C6 or if you can get your hands on a ZR1. How cool would it be to see if you guys could get into the very low 11s, maybe high 10s, with the ZR1? Plus people could take the tips you guys give for your technique on launching the car in stock form and apply it to their vehicle. This would be especially helpful in the harder economy, where people are going to be trying to get more out of their vehicle instead of just buying "go fast" parts. The average Joe would be able to relate to these cars and cars that are slightly modified, but get the most out of their car.
I'm not saying make your whole magazine like this; I understand there are people that want to see the car where a guy put a hundred grand into it or the purpose-built drag car, but seeing some very interesting articles on some slightly-modified or stock cars would be great! Plus it would get to show some of the non-GM fans what these cars can do right off the showroom.
-Kevin Samp
Palatine, IL
Folsom Prison Blues
Love the magazine, I just received my first issue, March '09. I understand that you took over for Rick Jensen as Editor. He has a tech article on page 68 where he swaps an LS3 crate engine into his Camaro. How much do you suppose that cost-seven or eight grand? Plus he already had money into the LS1. He gained 32 hp and 50 lb-ft of torque. I found this to be very confusing. Why not spend that money on a supercharger or better yet, a turbo system? I'm not a magazine editor or anything but that's what I would have done, and I guarantee at least 200 hp with mild boost. Am I wrong, crazy, what's the deal? Thank you for the great magazine, and for some reason I think it will be better off with you at the wheel.
-Carl Clark
I.M.S.I. A-58
Boise, ID
I asked Rick the very same question, and he revealed some interesting history about his Camaro that would lead him to believe the bottom end of his LS1 was not in the greatest condition. This suspicion was confirmed when we found metal fragments in the oil pan after we pulled the motor. Had he bolted up a supercharger or turbo system, more than likely the situation would have quickly came to a head. Secondly, although I loved the sound of his previous setup, you really can't knock something that idles near stock, makes great power, and comes with a warranty. It turned out to be a great move on Rick's part, and had he wanted to bolt on a blower later on, he'd have a motor capable of handling around 500 rwhp reliably.
Please send all letters to: scott.parker@soRC.com, or mail to: GM High-Tech Performance, 365 West Passaic St., Rochelle Park, NJ 07662. All letters are presumed for publication and GMHTP reserves the right to edit all letters.