eCrate - the future of hot rodding

 The electric future of hot rodding?

eCrate 

At SEMA360, the 2020 virtual trade show for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, Chevrolet introduced a 1977 K5 Blazer converted to all-electric drive. The K5 Blazer-E is a functional proof of concept of the upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise package Chevrolet Performance plans to sell in the second half of 2021.

“As GM introduces a new fleet of electric vehicles, it creates an exciting opportunity to bring EV technology to the aftermarket,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports. “Our vision is to offer a comprehensive line of Connect and Cruise systems from Chevrolet Performance, delivering a solution for every customer ranging from LSX V-8s to eCrate conversions.”

The new K5 Blazer-E retains as much of the stock Blazer as possible and approximately 90% of the new parts installed for the eCrate package are factory components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV. To convert the 19977 K5 Blazer, the team first removed the original 175-hp 400-cid V-8, three-speed automatic, fuel system and exhaust.

The team installed a Bolt EV electric motor, delivering 200 hp and 266 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a Chevrolet Performance electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The rest of the Blazer drivetrain remains untouched, including the transfer case, driveshaft and axles.

Power is supplied by a 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack with 60 kilowatt-hours of usable energy installed in the cargo area. Using production controllers and wiring harnesses preserves many Bolt EV features, including shock protection, battery heating and cooling, battery-overcharge protection and even regenerative braking.

To prepare for the eCrate launch, Chevrolet Performance is certifying Electric Connect and Cruise installers. Participating Chevrolet dealers and aftermarket companies will receive the training, tools and equipment needed to work with high-voltage systems and charging stations to service customers’ vehicles.

The 60-kWh Electric Connect and Cruise package available in the second half of 2021, will include the 60-kWh battery pack, the DC-to-AC power inverter to drive the electric motor, the DC-to-DC power converter to power low-voltage systems and wiring harnesses, controllers and water pumps for battery heating and cooling.

Photos and build details provided by Chevrolet 

John Force special edition 2020 COPO Chevrolet Camaro

John Force COPO Camaro 

The 2020 COPO Camaro John Force Edition shown at the Chevrolet Performance booth at the 2019 PRI show is a distinctively styled, supercharged race car.

Since 2012, Chevrolet has built only 69 COPO (Central Office Production Order) Camaros per model year, making them rare factory race cars but this John Force edition is a one-of-a-kind with its “2020COPO-FORCE” identification plaque, and is not part of the 69-car 2020 COPO Camaro production run. 

Powered by Chevrolet Performance’s supercharged, LSX-based 350 cubic inch engine, with a Magnuson supercharger and all-new LSX-SC cylinder heads. This car is equipped with the Racer’s Package, which consists of a carbon-fiber air inlet, dual batteries, weight box, parachute and a quick-change coupling for the supercharged engine.

In addition to the John Force signature graphics inside and out, the car has an NHRA-certified roll cage, custom embroidered racing seats and harnesses and rides on WELD® racing wheels fitted with Hoosier® tires.

This one-of-a-kind car was auctioned off on January 17 2020 at the Barrett-Jackson Auction for total sale price of $600,000.00 which went to the charity DonorsChoose.org. The winning bidder also received a custom helmet and fire suit provided by John Force.   

How OEM manufacturers see the electric future of hot rodding

How OEM manufacturers see the electric future of hot rodding 

There were a pair of battery–powered vehicles shown at original equipment manufacturers stands at the 2019 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. Are these the leading edge of hot rodding's electric future?

Chevrolet’s “E-10 Concept” demonstrated General Motors’ vision of the future of hot rodding with a 1962 C-10 pickup truck powered by an electric Connect & Cruise concept crate propulsion package offering approximately 450 horsepower, using proven components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

The E-10’s Connect & Cruise concept propulsion system is composed of a double stack of Chevrolet Performance concept electric crate motors (eCrate), two 400-volt batteries and a conventional SuperMatic™ 4L75-E automatic transmission. The double stack eCrate motor replaces the truck’s original gas engine under the hood and is connected to the automatic transmission, which transfers torque to the rear axle. Power to the drive stack comes from the pair of independent Chevrolet Bolt EV power electronics and two production Bolt EV battery packs. Mounted in the truck’s bed, each offers 60 kWh of usable energy under a hard tonneau cover.

With an estimated 450 horsepower to the rear wheels, the concept electric propulsion system helps the E-10 deliver 0-60 mph times of around 5 seconds; and quarter mile times in the high 13 second range. To help this modern hot rod have “that sound,” the E-10 has a sound emulator with three speakers - one that simulates induction sound in the front and two to replicate that growl  of V-8 engine in the back of the vehicle with the sounds automatically adjust to the changing of the gears to mimic an internal combustion engine.

The Ford 2019 SEMA display featured the Mustang Lithium powered by a Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters – all powered by an 800-volt Webasto® battery system with EVDrive Technology. 800 volts is twice the voltage of most electric cars on the road today. This allows the system to be lighter, more powerful and generate less heat, and more electric force.  

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company 

The Mustang Lithium features a manual transmission - the Getrag MT82 6-speed transmission with billet internals to handle the 900 horsepower and 1,000 foot/pounds of torque. Ford Performance half shafts and Super 8.8 Torsen® differential help supply power to the road via lightweight 20-inch Forgeline wheels wearing Michelin® Pilot® Sport 4S tires.

Additional features include the Ford Performance Track Handling Pack and strut tower brace, Brembo six-piston front brakes from the Shelby GT350R, Sankuer Composite Technologies side splitters and rear diffuser, plus a  custom Webasto hood with see-through polycarbonate windows, TurboDX charging solution and TurboCord level 2 portable charger.

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company 

Mustang Lithium features a unique set of drive modes that apply a controlled amount of torque for different driving scenarios including: Valet, Sport, Track and Beast, and are accessed via the in-dash 10-inch touchscreen display.

Photos by the author except as noted. 

WELD® Racing Funny Car wheels

WELD® Wheels had a massive exhibit at the 2019 SEMA show, and the author took a close look at the WELD® wheels fitted to the John Force Racing Chevrolet Camaro SS NHRA Funny Car on display. 

The rear wheels are WELD® Delta-1 black anodized 1-piece forged aluminum wheels with titanium bead lock hardware which weigh less than 19 pounds each. WELD® advertises that these are the lightest, strongest, and stiffest 16-inch x 16-inch double beadlock SFI Foundation standard 15.4 Certified (Top Fuel and Funny Car Drag Race Drive Beadlock Wheels) drag wheels available and sell for approximately $2800 each.  There is only one other SFI 15.4 Certified manufacturer, Sander Engineering.

  

The Delta-1 wheels are fitted with Goodyear 36.0x17.5-16  D-2H compound tires with 115-inch circumference that weigh 48 pounds each. In competition, these tires carry 7 PSI pressure which is the minimum allowed by Goodyear engineers.

The front wheels on the John Force NHRA Funny Car Camaro SS are 17-inch SFI Foundation standard 15.2 Certified (Drag Race Front Wheels) black-anodized WELD® Magnum Frontrunner one-piece forged 6061 aluminum wheels mounted directly to the Strange® spindles and retail for approximately $850 each.   

The WELD® Racing Magnum Frontrunner wheels are mounted with Goodyear Frontrunner 22.0x4.0-17 hard compound tires that are typically inflated to 40 PSI in competition.   

All photos by the author 

THE OUTRAGEOUS "HULK CAMINO"

In The Weeds Hot Rods, LLC- better known as ITW Hot Rods - showed their radical 2015 build named “Hulk Camino” at the 2019 SEMA show in Las Vegas. 

“Hulk Camino” is the creation of hot rod and rat rod master builder, Chris Walker of North Branch, Minnesota. Walker is also the builder of similar caricature "rat rod" creations as  "CanTANKerous", a 1937 Dodge fuel truck, "NOmad,” 1957 Chevy station wagon Built in 2013 " and "Bugly" a 1964 Volkswagen Beetle built in 2014.

“Hulk Camino” is powered by an 800-horsepower engine built around a 400-cubic inch Dart block filled with a Callies crankshaft and Diamond pistons, topped by a BDS 671 supercharger. The power is sent to the Strange® Dana 60 rear end via a Monster® R4 transmission.

The rat rod rides on American Racing wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompson tires backed with Wilwood brakes.

For the 2020 SEMA show Walker plans to debut his next creation, “Roughcut” another 1957 Chevrolet station wagon

Check them out on the web at https://itwhotrods.com

The eCOPO Chevrolet Camaro

One of the most eagerly anticipated vehicle debuts at the 2018 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show was the unveiling of the  “eCOPO” Camaro, an electric-powered Central Office Production Order concept car built by a partnership of Chevrolet and  the pioneering electric drag racing team Hancock & Lane Racing.

The car’s usual gasoline engine was replaced by electric motor based on a pair of BorgWarner HVH 250-150 motor assemblies, each generating 300 foot-pounds of torque. The motor is connected to the conventional racing-prepared TH400 three-speed automatic transmission that transmits the motor’s torque to the same solid rear axle used in the production COPO Camaro race cars.

The 700-horsepower motor is powered by an 800-volt 32-kilowatt per hour battery pack comprised of four 200-volt modules, each module weighs approximately 175 pounds.  Two packs are mounted in the rear seat area and the other two are mounted in the trunk - one in the spare tire well and the other in the area over the rear axle.

In testing, the eCOPO Camaro’s best quarter-mile run was an elapsed time 9.837 seconds from a standing start with a trap speed of 134.07 miles per hour.

All photos by the author

1947 Fleetmaster "woodie" 

Con Oamek showed off this beautifully restored 1947 Chevrolet 2100 Fleetmaster 4-door station wagon at the 2019 West Capital Raceway Alumni association car show in Carmichael California. 

an excerpt from the 1947 Chevrolet sales brochure  

Only 4,912 of these station wagons were produced out of Chevrolet’s total production of 684,000 vehicles. With seating for eight in the 116-inch wheelbase chassis, this car cost nearly $1,900 when the average car cost about $1,300.

With a steel cowl, windshield pillars, fenders and underbody on a steel girder frame, the body was built of ash with mahogany panels built by Ionia Manufcaturing Company in Michigan under contract to General Motors. 

The body has a leatherette "Detroit Weatherproof" top, and with a curb weight of nearly 3,500 pounds this wagon was not a high-performer equipped with Chevrolet’s inline 216-cubic inch six-cylinder engine fed a single barrel carburetor that developed 90 horsepower.

Notice the well-appointed golden walnut grained dashboard with full compliment of gauges.

All color photos by the author - click on the photos to enlarge

1926 Ford Model T Lakes Modified Roadster

At the West Capital Raceway Alumni Association car show at Carmichael Park on June 15 there was a beautiful lakes Model T roadster.  Ford produced the Model T from 1908 to 1927 with 1.5 million Model T’s built in 1926, 342,000 of which were roadsters, but Henry Ford could never have imagined Roy Zarick’s  jewel-like Lakes Modified Roadster.

The mint-green Ford Model T roadster body was narrowed 10 inches at the front cowl and 12 inches at the rear. The grille is from a 1933 Chevrolet which was narrowed and shortened with a hand-built stainless-steel grille insert crowned with a Moto-Meter.

The chromed dropped and drilled I-beam axle rides on quarter elliptical springs with 1940 Ford spindles with 12-inch 1940 drum brakes up front. The car rides on 19-inch Model A wire wheels painted body-color green wrapped in skinny 5.50-19 and 6.50-19 Firestone (Coker)  blackwall tires.

The custom built 2×3 steel rectangular tube frame curves upward in the back and the rear axle is suspended with a Model A buggy spring wrapped with leather, friction shock absorbers and 9-inch drum brakes.    

The three-piece hood is accented by a stainless center bar and is held in place by a leather strap, but it’s what is under the hood that really sets this car apart –  an Esslinger 4-cyclinder 161 cubic inch midget auto race engine fitted with four Mikuni side draft carburetors on a custom intake. This engine, which is based on the Ford Pinto design, sounds terrific through that long,chromed exhaust pipe.

All photos by the author.  

Two interesting 1967 Camaros

at the 2017 SEMA show

 

 

Through the years far and away the most popular car seen at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) shows is the first-generation Chevrolet small rear wheel drive F-body, the Camaro, and the 2017 edition was no different as 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Camaro, which has been in continuous production save for the period from 2002 to 2009. The author found radically 1967 Camaros on display worthy of mention.

This is the thirteenth Camaro, hand-built in Norwood (suburban Cincinnati) Ohio during the early months of 1966 as a pre-production or “pilot” car. This car assigned serial number 124677N100013 was the fifth convertible built finished in Bolero Red with a black interior and white top is known specifically as the “Gear & Axle Test Car.”

 

 

Powered by 327 cubic inch Turbo-Fire V-8 engine rated at 300 horsepower by the factory which is backed by a Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission this Camaro is equipped with power steering power brakes and an AM radio and rides on US Royal white wall tires with N96 mag-style wheel covers, which were a $73.75 option.

 

 

Owned by Logan Lawson of Pilot Car Registry ( http://www.pilotcarregistry.com) the appearance of the 1967 Camaro “Pilot Car” at SEMA was sponsored by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company.

 

This “restomod” 1967 Camaro SS is the GoodGuys Rod & Custom Association grand prize giveaway car for 2017 and 2018. Outwardly it appears close to stock finished in Butternut Yellow with a black nose stripe and a hazelnut and mocha interior, but as one would expect with a “restomod” the mechanicals have been massively upgraded with equipment from a huge number of sponsors.

 

 

 

The GoodGuys Camaro is powered by an Edelbrock Performance 420 cubic inch LS1 engine connected to a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission. The car designed by Eric Brockmeyer and built by Goolsby Customs rides on a Roadster Shop chassis fitted with Baer brakes,  B-Forged wheels and BF Goodrich tires.

Registered GoodGuys participants have a chance to become a finalist to win the car, or you can visit https://www.good-guys.com/promos/camaro-giveaway to register online.

Photos by the author

A quick look at the
2019 Corvette ZR1 Convertible

 

The Chevrolet display area at the 2018 Silicon Valley Auto Show featured this “Sebring Orange” 2019 Corvette ZR1, the first Corvette convertible available since 1970 with the ZR1 designation. Powered by an Eaton twin-scroll supercharged LT5 V-8 engine with a SAE-certified output of 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque, the ZR1 convertible carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $123,995, which makes the ZR1 convertible the most expensive Chevrolet passenger car in history.

The engine has a couple of interesting construction details - such as a dual fuel injection system, with a primary direct injection system supplemented with port injection at higher output situations. The two-stage exhaust system uses active and passive elements with what Chevrolet describes as the "loudest and aggressive sounding Corvette in history."  Due the high power output, the Corvette ZR1 utilizes thirteen (13) heat exchangers and a hood cutout.      

 

 

 

Chevrolet promises zero-to-60-mph times of less than three seconds and a quarter-mile time “under 11.0 seconds” and a top speed of “over 200 miles per hour.” Those who desire more on-track performance can specify the $2,995 ZTK Performance package which includes a higher profile adjustable carbon fiber rear wing, and carbon fiber front splitter.

 

Order yours at http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/corvette-stingray-sports-car

Photos by the author  

The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels® editions at SEMA 2017

 

 

 

Every generation of the Chevrolet Camaro has been replicated as a 1/64 scale die-cast car by Mattel’s Hot Wheels®. To celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Hot Wheels die-cast cars, Chevrolet debuted the Hot Wheels® edition 2018 Camaro at the 2017 SEMA show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) which they call “a die-cast dream come true.”

 

 

 

The Hot Wheels® package which costs $4,995, and available as either the coupe of convertible features an exclusive “Crush” exterior color with “Satin Graphite” stripes with Silver Metallic accents, 20-inch Satin Graphite machine-faced wheels, “Satin Graphite” ground effects, a unique grille with Galvano chrome inserts and Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary fender badges.

 

 

The Hot Wheels® edition Camaro interior features Jet Black leather-appointed interior with orange inserts and orange accent stitching, a suede-wrapped steering wheel with orange accent stitching and Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary badge, orange knee bolsters and seat belts, and premium carpeted floor mats with Orange stitching and ghost stripes.

 

 

 

On the other side of the Chevrolet booth at SEMA 2017 was the wilder, COPO (Central Office Production Order) Hot Wheels® edition Camaro, of which only 69 will be built during the 2018 model year available only to randomly selected lottery winners.

 

 

The COPO Camaro is designed for NHRA Stock Eliminator competition with a solid rear axle, full Chromoloy NHRA-certified roll cage, Weld wheels, high-rise carbon fiber hood, a LSX 350-cubic inch supercharged engine and Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary fender badges in addition to many racing-only features such as wheelie bars. Chevrolet predicts eight-second elapsed times on the quarter-mile drag strip from the COPO Camaro.

 

 

 

Photos by the author