Do you have the wheel power?

One of the things that I have been thinking about, while contemplating a couple of test cars, are what wheels to use when building a test car. In my case, when the opportunity arises, it would be great to find a couple of chassis test cars just to cut on and play with to dial in what feels good, what doesn't and how it all around functions. This would be from the ground up. Like stitch welding the body to testing suspension components, rear axles, engines and transmissions, even seating options. But every artist needs a canvas. In the current case of resto mods, the two cars that come to mind are the big body Chevelle and the petite Mustang. Why these two? Well that isn't what this article is about but I'll explain MY choices to serve these roles.

lsxtv.com

The Chevelle is mostly a childhood dream that is popular with the pro touring scene but not nearly as many hard core parts are made for the Chevelle as there are the Camaro/Nova. I thought about this long and hard and was tempted to look into a Pontiac Ventura. Which is still an alternate and very different then your average Nova or Camaro. Heck, it's not even a GTO but that could be a cool play on the GTO concept as it was formed years ago. I digress. The Chevelle is pure sex on wheels and never gets tiresome. It also enjoys a simple front A arm front suspension and a 4 link rear. It's also a full frame car which change the dynamic of the build all together. The aftermarket support is huge and parts are plentiful. But it's not as hard edged as the "go fast" cars which makes it that much more of a challenge. Much like the Torino, it's always cool to see these big old cars go fast.

The Mustang. Of course, your thinking, why not just get the Nova? A Camaro in sheep's clothing. Well, why would I? If given the opportunity, I'd rather have a bow tie AND a blue oval in my garage. The Mustang is a subframe design in the front and leaf spring rear. This is the same as the Camaro/Nova/Ventura/etc. models. Now I just get to test Ford engines as well, in a smaller, lighter chassis. These cars now have a very hard core following and some really great go fast parts. These two cars couldn't be more different. Some day I'll explain my take on the original Mustang designs and why I think EVERYONE sees the car the wrong way. If I don't get to say it, I'll just build it so you can see my vision of what the original designers had in mind. Again, I should stray from my own diversion.

Honorable mentions, any Dodge. Why? Well, Dodges are hard to get ahold of in good enough shape, for low money. Dealing with the torsion style suspension, is just a hassle not worth my testing unless I have a lot more time and money. Maybe some day. Would it be cool? Very much so. I don't tell people this but Chrysler's muscle and pony cars are probably the most awesome looking and sounding of any in their time. Much like AMC, they are expensive, have a strong following and good luck finding them in great shape. That's as far as I want to go on Dodge.

You might say that the only thing left would be some kind of monocoque. That's true but I don't have the cash, nor will I ever to really play the true sports car game. But if I do, Lotus, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin owners take note, I'll be coming..trailer in tow!

Ok so lets start this journey with one of the most important parts. Baby's shoes. No, not brake shoes, the wheels! Today I want to showcase the best value in Forged wheels. Weld Racing wheels. When building in the modern, forged wheels are the only way to go. They are strong, stylish and everyone knows you mean business. Typically, they are light weight as well. Always a bonus!

The reason I have chosen Weld is that they have been building racing wheels for years, always a quality product and comparibly they cost about half of what a comparable wheel of this nature would, by the likes of Budnik, Forgeline or Bonspeed. If I were building a mostly show car, my obvious choices would be Budnik or Forgeline. But in this case when we need more go than show, my choice is either an OEM Corvette, some cheaper wheels that won't really fit the way I need to, or a completely well built, good looking, made to order Weld Racing wheel.

For my target audience, the pro tourers, I'd look no further than the Street Performance RTS Line. Sizes range from 17", 18" and 20". With widths up to 18" and spoke compensation for your gigantic brake kits. Yeah, not only custom offset but a brake clearance calculation as well. So cool! That is something I have not seen anyone else in the industry do. Yes the newer wheels have built in clearance but you don't get to choose this to match your brakes with how you want your wheel to look!

So for your first step at getting some wheels with a heritage for racing and so much custom build ability, I am certainly going to choose Weld for all of my testing vehicle needs! No, I didn't get any money from Weld. Just an enthusiast doing his homework. Check out the links to view more of their line. Don't forget that they also make full bore drag racing wheels for all levels, wheels for your towing rig and some for off road duty. Ford Racing used Weld for their Cobra Jet drag car also!

BigDFoodTrucks: Hanging up the Keyboard...

BigDFoodTrucks: Hanging up the Keyboard...: After much consideration, I've come to the decision to shutter Big D Food Trucks. While I've had a swell time eating my way through DFW stre...

Fast N' Loud, right here in Dallas!

I should feel defeated by this but I don't. Originally I had planned to take this blog and one day turn it into a customs/speed shop. There are 3 elements to my shop, a full custom/rebuild, a quick turn around restoration/modification, speed and performance. With my buddy Kyle on board we could expand into motorcycles. I always faced the idea of working on a few cafe racer types.

Anyway, you get the idea. We were going to have a Motorsports division that fell under the speed shop where I'd have local students in the Dallas area come to help work on the car(s) to learn a thing or two and put a personal touch on the cars that will eventually be raced and possibly auctioned off or sold. The kids could help me create new art cars and give them something to be proud of on race day. Learning valuable skills for now and the future. We could even help get them into some of the new teen driving advanced schools while working with Ford or Audi who run advanced classes currently.

Wow, now that I put digital pen to paper, it actually sounds kind of brilliant. Throw in a few car shows and work with local hot rod groups or social outlets like Ricekiller.com to get some meet ups or shows to boot. I don't care if it's a Lotus Elan or Cadillac Eldorado, they are all welcome. My only requirement is I get to use a Ford F-150 Raptor as my tow vehicle.

Sounds too good to be true, well, as I jabbered on, a great new show on Discovery HD has beat me to the proverbial punch! Nearly to the T of what I had hoped to one day set up, the guys at Gas Monkey Garage have already done such things. All while using a Raptor for a tow vehicle. I know right? Makes me sick! Not really, I love it! Just a couple of awesome guys working on hot rods to do the right thing and sell them to potential owners and get these rides back out on the road. Based in Dallas, Richard Rawlings and Aaron Kaufman run the shop to do such awesome duties. Reminds me of some of the shops I used to hang out at in Oklahoma.

So what I wanted to do is promote the homegrown show of epicness, Fast N' Loud and hope that ThrowingRods can take a little time out and go check out Grease Monkey Garage! Here's to hoping! Check out the show and I hope these kinds of things keep going to keep the auto culture out on the roads. Wednesdays at 10/9c

What's new is new and what's old is old.

So, for a while I've been thinking about finding a replacement for my old Tyco Heads Up Turbo Hopper. I've known for a while I wanted to get back into the hobby but just haven't had the time or place. Though I do have a great parking garage. So this weekend I wanted to do a scale down of my dream garage. Just for the more budget minded. I have known about the company Traxxas for a while but I stumbled upon their Mustang Boss one day and wondered what new toys they had to offer. Toys isn't probably the proper term as they are much more advanced than what I had as a kid.

But I have to think, owning a sports car takes a lot more money than you want to spend. Especially when trying to save for a house or you just don't have the cash to put up or live with a sports car or high performance sedan. There are a number of things you can do like go buy and old Miata or 325i. But that still takes a lot of time, effort and most of all, cash. So my offering is a miniature version of some full scale fun! Below is a list of awesome scales that, if on a budget, and want to have a bit of 4 wheeled fun, then why not go for the list below!

Check it out.

Boss 302

Ford Raptor

Ken Block Fiesta

John Force Funny Car

Grave Digger

And you didn't have to get any grease under your finger nails! Unless there is some lithium grease somewhere.

Never Going Back Again says Mustang

Stevie Nix and Lindsey Buckingham may know all too well about rumors but Mustang fans know them as well. It looks like the rumors were true. About the OX cart axle pony car being updated with an Independent Rear Axle for the 2015 model year. With the cat out of the bag, sales are going to go one of three ways. One, your performance enthusiast is going to hold out for a 2015. Two, the older generation of Mustang owners my denounce the new Mustang and hang on to their stake in Mustang past. Three, new buyers won't know the difference and continue to buy the car regardless. Either way Ford is pushing for a more dramatic and fashion forward look and feel for the Mustang. Regardless of final design rumor, the truth is that the Mustang is changing and notably for the better. With the Mustang going on a diet and an IRS in the future, things are looking exciting. But for now it's all speculation. But this is a step in the right direction if I do say so myself. Personally the best solid axle in car history has served the Mustang quite well, but these new underpinnings should prove to be a valid improvement.

To boot, the new root of challenge between the Mustang and M3 on and off the track is now going to become one of the most valid and still crazy comparisons in automotive history. Both cars are looking to loose weight. But one is going back to a root that is familiar but experimental. Well received (1M Coupe) but still somewhat foreign. The other has had its roots instilled and is moving into a new generation, like a slingshot. So, I'll leave you with the words of the great Ricky Bobby, "Slingshot engaged."

Firestone 550 Izod Indy Car Race at Texas Motor Speedway

Again, it's a GREAT weekend at Texas Motor Speedway! The Firestone 550 Izod Indy Car race comes to town this June 9th. Of course I have to support our American open wheel racing! Though Texas is not a road course, I'll get over it. If you ever get a chance to even go out and see an Indy Car race, do so! Not much will be able to take that sound of roaring flat plane V6 with forced induction. Now the cars are running off of E85 these days which is an interesting change from years past. But Chevrolet has long supported its mission to utilize alternative fuels in racing as can be seen from some of their project cars and racing teams.

Now, back to the Indy Car series. Will Power is the current points leader in the series and Scott Dixon in a shallow distance of second. Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchiti do have a battle for third though and it will be interesting to see how the next couple races play out, but there is plenty of racing left in the season. Check out more info about the race in Texas here!

Global Rally Cross Comes to TEXAS

Hey there rally fans, a new form of rally is storming the US with Global Rally Cross. A combination of moto-cross and rally, all on a set track. Yeah, it's a bit different than your typical rally but there is plenty of good hooning in the arena. Drivers like Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan, Ken Block, Dave Mirra, Travis Pastrana and many, many more!! This Saturday, Texas Motor Speedway is hosting the first GRC at TMS. Prior to an evening of Indy Car Racing this event caters to a younger crowd of automotive enthusiasts. Given that when I was getting into my more prevalent young driving years, the world of moto-cross was growing at an exponential rate. While the 4 wheeled industry was slowing being pushed away. Well times have changed and we are seeing a shift in paradigm. The world of Rally Racing is being brought back with a vengeance in an extraordinary way. Many enthusiasts may not agree but if its the way it has to go then so be it. Drivers like Ken Block and Tanner Foust are new faces in a pit of old moto-cross riders turned rally, sport truck or NASCAR drivers. These new drivers have charisma, attitude and the obvious driving credentials to make these new sports a legitimate option for enthusiasts. New forms of hoontastic events such as Formula Drift and Gymkhana add to the show of new venues to revile in the sights and sounds of a new wave of both high powered muscle cars and light weight rally cross champions. It's a great time to be a car guy/gal!!

Throwing Rods will not be able to make it out to the event this weekend but will be there in spirit at least. If you are like me, then you can remain sane and go pick up one of these awesome Ken Block R/C cars from Traxxas! I think I should add a couple to the ThrowingRods garage, what do you think?