Jalopnik
Considering everything under the skin of the new Pontiac G8 El Camino sport truck is basically a Holden Ute, it stands to reason all the modifications done to this truck-car could be done to our sport truck. How would you feel about a 926 HP El Camino? We would feel pretty good about it, all seven seconds we drove it before planting it into a wall somewhere. The mega-hoons at C.A.P.A. Performance who build this baby really understand the idea of Maximum El Camino Day - it's every day of their lives.
We'll let them tell the story on this very serious business-in-the-front ute:
We started building our new project car, a VE SS Ute 3 weeks before Summernats. There were many late nights spent building an Engine, Strengthening the Driveline and Developing the Supercharger kit to where it is now.[C.A.P.A.]The engine was stroked to 409 cubic inches, with a one off crank, rods and pistons installed to ensure the engine could withstand over 20psi of boost at 7200rpm. A Custom Camshaft and Ported Big Valve Heads were also used in the build. A custom supercharger kit was developed to allow a V7 YSi Supercharger to be driven off the crank with a 50mm gilmer pulley system. The supercharger kit install includes larger 3.5" pipework and a Custom 200mm thick intercooler with Mondo Bypass Valve mounted behind the front bumper. Exhaust Gasses leave the engine via CAPA 1 7/8" Tri-Y Extractors and a Twin 3" Exhaust.
With all the extra power up front, the drivetrain and brakes had to be upgraded accordingly, with a built T-56 gearbox, Twin Plate Clutch and Full Spool 3.45" installed. Touring Car inspired brakes help bring the Ute to a halt, with 365mm 6 Piston Front and 320mm 4 Piston Rear Brakes sitting behind 22" wheels wrapped in 245mm and 265mm wide rubber. The car sits lower to the ground using Bilstien Coil-overs specifically set up for this ute.
Additional fuel is supplied by an alloy fuel tank, 3 bosch motorsport pumps and a Vortech Super FMU.
We entered our ute in the Horsepower Heroes dyno competition, and it made 856.6 Horsepower at the wheels. The Ute is capable of producing more power, but we had some unfortunate issues with the Clutch slipping. We will be working with Xtreme to build a more powerful clutch before we run the ute up again, which should see the Ute produce over 1000 Horsepower at the wheels. We also took home the Top Super Tech Trophy, which was awarded to the best Street Car which features New Technology and High Levels of Innovation.
Comments
does "YES!" suffice?
not digging the wheels
Ya, it's cool. But I don't get the fascination with the El Camino layout. It doesn't look like much usable space. Personally, I'd prefer the covered "delivery van" type two-door station wagon like Chevy had in the 50's. No rear side windows. Dang, what was it called? NOMAD! Ya, that's what I'd want. A Pontiac G8 Nomad.
@TheBlueBomber: Strangely, I don't mind them.
Want.
GM makes one of those too, it's called the HHR Panel and you can get it turbocharged.
@TR3-A: Nomad is the two door wagon period, glass irrelevant.
As for this beast, the WHEELS ARE WRONG. This thing needs some brute simple Cragars. Looks like bicycle tires. Or cheesy flower petals.
Those rear tires will last approx. 4 miles.
@TR3-A: Nomad had side windows. You're thinking of a sedan delivery, which is also pretty cool.
@TR3-A: If a 6 foot bed isn't usable space, then buy a fullsize pickup.
See HHR SS Panel. Panel looks, 260hp go power.
@lascauxcaveman: You are correct. I did an image search but couldn't find an example without the rear side windows. From my perspective, the Nomad would be more useful than the El Camino layout. Hey, but whatever burns your clutch!
@lascauxcaveman: You could be right but I think that was also called the Nomad, just a different version.
@TR3-A: You need this:
Nice mullet on the guy scoping out the engine. I agree that the wheels don't work on this car. Cragars or torque thrusts would suit it better.
i prefer the way the Walkinshaw Performace supercharger looks, but 926 horsepower is hard to argue with...
and yeah, 900 horsepower + 22 inch wheels = wrong.
900+ HP... I don't like the wheels???
900+ HP... doesn't seem like much usable space?
I'm sorry but WTF?
It's nice and all (well, except the wheels), and I respect the near 4-digit hp rating.
But I'd be more inclined to convert my Neo-mino to run on vegetable oil. Maybe that way, Darryl Hannah would return my phone calls.
Ok, so the port in the right part of the front air dam, is that the exhaust? I can't imagine it being some sort of intake being that there's no protection from debris.
N186BD
@LTDScott:
OMGWTFBBQ!?!?
That is awesomeness, even if it's only a cap. Gimme that on the 4 door crew cab holden. It could be the new Ecto-1.
@LTDScott: HA! Not bad but a bit too tall. Looks like a casket-hauler.
@TexanIdiot25: I'm not against it, mind you, if I had one, I'd want a bed cover. Thus, the station wagon (shooting brake?) style is to my liking. Also, the HHR is FWD isn't it? Not for me, thank you.
Turn it on, and you should automatically have Rock Steady come on as background music.
Now THAT'S
@mytdawg: WTF dude? I'm not even sure and I made it happen.
What I meant to say was THAT is a Dopamino.
Too much blood in my alcohol stream. Geez
@TR3-A: They have that cap that LTD posted, I forget the name of it, for some reason Sandman or something comes to mind. It's an option for the Aussies.
BYOW
Build Your Own Wagon!
The Jalopnik way!
@TR3-A: What you want is a reincarnation of the Sandman:
Anyway, on the subject of this 900-odd horsepower ute, how many concrete paving slabs are standard fit in the bed to keep the rear end planted?
@TheBlueBomber: Use a shovel or a spade.
@Euromobile: There was a company in the late 70's early 80's that used to fit malaise era Trans Am front noses to these Sandmans and utes. Sounds and looks weird, but true. I'll have to find a picture somewhere to blow your little jalop minds
(by little, I don't mean that in a flippant way)
@LTDScott: no, nobody needs that
@Mr_Krabs: Something like This??
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