The Christian Car Guy Radio Show!

This Saturday on The Christian Car Guy. Live From Detroit: Gene Martindale, Development Engineer of the Mustang GT 500.

DEARBORN — Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) engineers are taking high performance to a new level with the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, resulting in a car that has an all-new aluminum-block engine, even better driving dynamics and handling, improved fuel economy and more horsepower than ever.

“The SVT team continues to push the performance standards of the Shelby to even higher levels and better refinement,” said Jost Capito, director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development. “All the changes we made reflect a desire for even better handling and outstanding driving dynamics – from weight savings to improved balance.”

Weight savings, new technology headline all-new aluminum engine
The 2011 Shelby GT500 is powered by an all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque, a 10 horsepower increase versus the 2010 model. The engine also is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivering a better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.

“Cutting weight to improve performance is a tradition among hot rodders,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “It might not be as sexy as adding more horsepower or bigger brakes, but shaving pounds off of a car is the single smartest move you can make.”

The new engine uses state-of-the-art Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) liner coating, a process that applies a 150-micron composite coating that contains nanoparticles on the internal surfaces of engine cylinder bores, replacing cast-iron liners typically used in aluminum engine blocks. The Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation honored the inventors of the Ford-patented PTWA technology with the 2009 National Inventor of the Year Award.

This is the first Ford application of the technology, and it offers improved overall performance and durability, along with functional benefits of reduced friction between piston rings and cylinder bores, improved heat transfer due to increased surface contact area and a weight savings of 8.5 pounds compared to a typical steel-sleeved aluminum block. A mechanical roughening process provides higher material adhesion for the spray coating.

The PTWA process uses air and electricity to create a plasma jet of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which melts a steel wire that is fed into a rotating spray gun. Using atomized air, the melted steel wire is blown into a specially machined surface of the aluminum-block engine cylinder bore. In the process of melting and applying the metal to the surface, the steel wire oxidizes, creating a composite coating consisting of both iron and iron oxide.

“Ford’s Global Research and Advanced Engineering looks to all industries for advanced technologies – and this comes from aerospace. It’s the same technology you would find on aircraft engines,” said Glenn Jorgensen, SVT powertrain team leader. “We’ve invented a coating as a replacement for cast iron that delivers improvements in power and performance and fuel economy.”

The new engine also has its roots in the iconic Ford GT. The new 5.4-liter engine is an evolution of the GT engine, with improved block structure through the use of a unique bulkhead chilled process and six-bolt billet main bearing caps. This new advanced engine will exceed Ford GT performance with its traditional supercharger technology.

“The Ford GT has solidified itself as one of the world’s most coveted supercars. To make improvements to the engine from this supercar and make it available in a Mustang is impressive,” said Kerry Baldori, SVT global performance vehicle chief functional engineer. “The aluminum-block engine is robust and strong enough to produce the performance numbers and durability our customers demand.”

Increased power and increased fuel economy
The 2011 Shelby GT500 combines power and fuel economy into one impressive package. This 2011 Shelby GT500 will be the first modern Shelby without the gas guzzler tax, thanks to the EPA-projected 23 mpg highway and 15 mpg city it will deliver. This is up from 22 mpg highway and 14 mpg city for the 2010 model. 

The 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 80 percent of its torque between 1,750 and 6,250 rpm, giving the car a higher level of performance feel. A larger two-row intercooler for the supercharger system has 40 percent more cooling capacity, helping to make power more consistent in higher ambient conditions.

Fuel economy gains come from the new 102-pound-lighter aluminum-block engine, EPAS and detailed aerodynamic changes to the underside of the vehicle.

Dramatic performance upgrades
New for 2011 is an SVT Performance Package for enthusiasts who want even more performance out of their Shelby GT500 for racetrack-ready driving dynamics. Complete with all-new Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires that SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop, the car is ready to race. The tires offer superb dry traction and precise handling, complete with a race-inspired high-performance tread compound.

The optional package also offers unique styling, lighter wheels, a higher rear axle ratio and stiffer springs, and it is available on both the convertible and coupe. Data show the 2011 coupe with the SVT Performance Package is 3.0 seconds faster per lap than the 2010 Shelby GT500 on a 2.3-mile test track.

Carried over from 2010, the 2011 Shelby GT500 features AdvanceTrac®, Ford’s stability control system with several options for performance. Calibration of the system for the 2011 Shelby has been uniquely tailored to each vehicle configuration (base or optional) to optimize the performance.

SVT has worked very hard to make EPAS better than the outgoing hydraulic steering system. The addition of EPAS makes for a dramatic contribution to Shelby GT500 driving dynamics, with improved torque build-up and road feel that delivers quicker and more precise steering, increased effort on the racetrack or winding roads, and reduced effort in low-speed parking maneuvers.

Slotted brake dust shields were added to improve brake cooling and handling, and a new pedal box improves clutch and pedal efforts even more. A lowered ride height of 11 millimeters in front and 8 millimeters at the rear provides a sportier attitude and improved handling.

More engine sound, less road noise
For 2011, Shelby GT500 also benefits from NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) improvements. Overall road noise is reduced by 20 percent versus the 2010 Shelby. Actions undertaken to achieve this improvement include additional sound-deadening material on either side of the instrument panel, additional sound absorption behind interior trim panels, and a rear wheel arch liner to reduce noise on gravel or wet surfaces – all resulting in the driver hearing more exhaust and engine sound and less road and air noise.

The Shelby GT500 convertible model features enhanced structural rigidity, with lateral stiffness improved by 12 percent versus the 2010 model. The V-brace has been stiffened by adding gussets. The secondary crossmember also has been stiffened, while a front Z-brace has been added, connecting primary and secondary crossmembers. A-pillar stiffening foam has been added to increase rigidity.

The structural improvements to the convertible gave SVT the opportunity to be more sport-oriented in the chassis tuning, without trading comfort. Along with the chassis and structural improvements, the 2011 model also will get standard 19-inch aluminum wheels.

“One of the biggest changes for this Shelby is that the convertible acts and feels like a coupe,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief nameplate engineer. “Before, they had a very different character, and the convertible is taking a big step in the sportiness and handling precision area, without degrading the ride.”

GT500 gets a new exhaust for 2011, roaring with an even more aggressive sound than the 2010 model. The 2.75-inch exhaust with all-new tuning helped to deliver the additional 10 horsepower.

Added convenience content
New for 2011 is an optional glass roof, providing customers with a less expensive option than a convertible and without compromising the coupe’s versatility, headroom or climate-controlled environment.

The specially formulated glass also protects interior fabric material from solar radiation deterioration and discoloration by reducing solar light transmittance. To help improve acoustics and interior quietness, the glass features a layer of vinyl that reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

Other new convenience technologies include:
• Standard HID (high-intensity discharge) headlamps
• MyKey™ programmable vehicle key
• Integrated spotter mirror
• Fold-down rear headrests

“Whether you’re looking to take the GT500 out on the streets or have some fun at the track,” Capito says, “this car will satisfy the most discriminating performance driving enthusiasts.”

Imagine your on you way down that steep mountain Grade you see your speed edging up and a big curve at the bottom, you push on the brake pedal and it goes to the floor. What do you do? Or you’re headed for that curve and the steering locks, what now?

In light of the recent Toyota Recalls it becomes pretty apparent that all drivers need to not only know what to do in these emergency situations but also what Not to Do. Then in some cases practice these emergency techniques…

So Today on The Christian Car guy Show

What do you and sometimes more importantly what do you NOT do. do when…PRAY!!!  DON’T PANIC

· Your Gas Pedal Sticks

· Your Brakes Fail

· Your Steering Locks

· You have a blowout or flat tire

· You have an Engine Fire

· Hood Flies Open

· Your Lights go out at night

· Your car Starts to Hydroplane

· You run off the Road

· You have a gas Pump Fire

Post Your Comments here and I will get links to all these situations this week.

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Recalls, Recalls, how could a 2008 Camry driver have peace behind the wheel knowing that any second the gas pedal could stick?

The way automotive engineers used to explain it to us was, “You know we engineered the problem in so, we can engineer it out.”

Well one cool thing about God, is how he engineered us to recognize when things are right verses when they are out of kilter. One of the truly great books is, A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller. To apply a bit of his book; let’s take a look at God’s engineering through one line of the 23^rd Psalm. The second verse, “He leads me beside still waters.” God engineered sheep so that fast running water terrifies them. That’s pretty neat when you think about it. If you’re a sheep with that big heavy wool coat, then falling in a fast moving stream may be fatal. So a good shepherd knows that a sheep will die of thirst before he drinks from a fast moving stream, so he “leads them beside the still waters”. Then think about this; God leads us by the “Living Water” slow enough that we can get a drink.

Chances are God engineered you to be terrified of something as well, in my case, fear of the dark. At six foot five and two hundred fifty pounds you wouldn’t think it, but my wife would tell you that for years if I herd a noise downstairs, I would send her. As my producer said, “Man up, Robby”. Well, what can I say, but that was the way God engineered me originally. So maybe I needed to be Recalled, well yes in a way.

One night it all came to a head, my wife was out of town and we lived in a particularly dark and creepy old house, rain, lighting, you get the picture, in my case, pure terror. Having just begun my walk with Christ I had herd that we were supposed to lay our fears at his feet and I was more than ready to oblige.

So I remember praying, “Lord I don’t know how, but I would really like to give You this fear.”

Surprisingly, God answered me, (which had me even more scared). “Robby, what’s the worst thing that could happen?”

“Someone could walk in here with a knife and whack, thump, bash, hit, gouge!” I said very animatedly.

Then God said the words that literally changed my life, “Robby, what would be so bad about that?”

For the first time in my life I thought about my own death as a Christian and that I would get to see His Face. Why, I had never thought of that, that, “to die was gain”. A year later when I faced a cancer diagnosis I had a different view of death that I know made a big difference in my recovery. I truly believe that God engineered me with that fear of the dark for the purpose of teaching me about death when he Recalled me that night in the creepy house.

So whether you’re driving a 2008 Camry or you’re afraid of the dark there is no peace, shalom you might say in the Hebrew. Do you have shalom, do you need to be recalled?

Our Pastor shared something about the word shalom last Sunday that I couldn’t get out of my mind all week. He said the word really means completed in God’s covenant way.

So I went and did a study on the word as soon as I got home. Here is the Blue Letter Bible’s Outline of Biblical Usage for the word “Shalom”

completeness (in number)

safety, soundness (in body)

welfare, health, prosperity

peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment

peace, friendship

of human relationships

with God especially in covenant relationship

The first place you find shalom in the Bible; Gen 15:15 “But you will go to your fathers in shalom. You will be buried in a good old age.”

This was God’s Covenant with Abraham, His friend. I got to thinking, wow, maybe Jesus meant that as his last words from the cross…since the word shalom means completed in God’s covenant relationship. Remember when Jesus said, “It is Finished” from the cross, something to think about.

Can you tell God engineered us with sort of gut feeling of shalom or not shalom? Do you have that feeling something is missing in your life. Chances are you need to be recalled.

Think about God’s peace and how can anyone be complete without Jesus.

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Monday…March 18 or 19 Bristol “new event”
April 16 Texas “new event”
May 16 Dover “plug in event”
May 28 Charlotte “plug in event” Michael McDowell event
June 30 Daytona “new event”
August 28 Chattanooga “plug in event”
September 30 Kansas “plug in event”
October 7 Fontana “plug in event” Michael McDowell event
November 11 Phoenix “plug in event” Michael McDowell event

Email Dell Hamilton about hosting an event in Your Area

This week on the Christian Car Guy Show:  Roland Osborn with Christian Motor Sports Illustrated will share some great new ministry initiatives into the motor sports world.

Plus: George Moldenhauer with Meineke Car Care Centers in Utah will discuss ethics in the repair business. email George

 

 

 

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