Recently, ROUSH gave us a shot behind the wheel of an F-150 converted with the first ever propane kit system —a new complete plug-and-play propane conversion kit for 2007.5 and 2008 model years equipped with the 5.4-liter V8 engine. The installation kit includes a fuel pump, fuel injectors with matching fuel rail, a reprogrammed ROUSH ECU, all of the proper fluid lines and wiring and either an under-bed 25-gallon tank or the one pictured here that sits in the bed and holds 59-gallons. Installation can be accomplished at home with a reasonable set of tools in about eight hours.

So how does driving the propane-powered F-150 differ from the gasoline or diesel-powered model? It doesn’t. ROUSH's earth-friendly Ford drives, stops and steers exactly like its conventional cousin. Since this truck runs off liquid propane, starting the engine is as simple as turning the key. This is vital, as models from other manufacturers burn gaseous propane, resulting in issues with turning over in the cold; that wouldn't cut it up here in the Dirty Glove (Michigan, for the uninitiated) with our freeze-your-ass-off winters. Horsepower and torque numbers are supposedly identical to the gasoline-fed model, but we noticed a bit more pep. Cargo loading and tow ratings remain unchanged.

Mother Earth is all "Hell Yeah" about this truck as much as Hank Hill would be if he got his hands on one. Propane touts a much lower carbon footprint than gasoline, diesel, heavy fuel oil and even ethanol; the exhaust contains virtually no toxic compounds. Safety actually improves over the gas-fed truck: The propane storage tank is tested at six times the usual pressure to ensure you don't turn into a mushroom cloud on your way back from Best Buy. Try saying that about the fuel tank in your Camry.

All this namby-pamby greenwashing is fine and all, but let's talk economy. With propane producing fewer BTUs per gallon than gasoline, it's only logical to expect a hit in fuel mileage. After 615 miles of mixed driving, our truck returned a calculated 9.6 MPG, albeit with significant and prolonged hoonage practiced. Reports from other drivers agree highway mileage sits around 12-14 MPG when driven gingerly. Fuel is astonishingly easy to come by on the open road as every U-Haul, Airgas and the like all have the proper nozzle to dispense some clean burnin' goodness.

So, if it eats a bit more fuel than its conventional brother per mile, where are they hiding the savings? The cost of the complete kit starts at a suggested retail price of $8,595.00. Obviously, nobody's saving a buck there. Well, propane must be mighty cheap, right? Not quite: We paid $2.11 a gallon from the local U-Haul, which offered the most competitive pricing in the Detroit area. The simple fact is that, just like voting Republican, this truck doesn't make sense for Joe the Plumber and it isn't supposed to. If you take a look at the math from a fleet perspective, the numbers start lining up in attractive little rows. First, propane rings in at about $1.00 a gallon once you start purchasing at the wholesale level. Then, factor in the $0.50 per gallon tax credit offered by the Fed for using propane as a fuel in a road-going vehicle. The cherry on top of that financially-delicious sundae is the whopping $2,500 maximum tax credit allowed for each ROUSH Propane-fueled F-150 purchased. Suddenly, this mathematically-approved messiah brings the promise of flipping your bottom line from red to black while Joe gets to keep his job fixin' the pipes. [viaROUSH]

Photo Credit: Alex C. Conley

Connor's class action is seeking damages of, get this, $11.8 million, or $1000 more per car than the value of all 200 cars sold. We're thinking Mr. Connor probably just didn't read the fine print well enough. That, or he just realized he bought a $58,000 Mustang — or maybe his wife just realized he bought a $58,000 Mustang. [Bloomberg]

ROUSH® STAGE 3™ SUSPENSION AVAILABLE TO ALL MUSTANG OWNERS WHO WANT TO PULL Gs

LIVONIA, Mich. (July 31, 2008) - One of the things that sets the ROUSH®
Stage 3™ Mustang apart from the competition is the road-hugging,
highly-tuned suspension package. Previously, this vaunted suspension
package was only available as part of a ROUSH Stage 3 vehicle build, but
now anyone with a 2005 to 2009 Ford Mustang can feel what a 1G lateral
skid pad rating can give you on the daily drive.

Developed by some of the top chassis engineers in the industry, the
ROUSH Stage 3 Suspension Package is the result of hundreds of hours of
testing and thousands of miles on both the street and racetracks across
the country. Tests, including slalom, lane change, skid pad, and were
performed on a wide variety of road surfaces to provide the best
combination of ride comfort and road handling. Data was captured and
evaluated using a DIVAS Data Acquisition System, the same equipment used
by the Ford vehicle engineers. Overall, it took more than six months of
non-stop research and development to create one of the finest
suspensions available today.

The complete kit includes springs, dampers, jounce bumpers and
anti-roll bars which work together in harmony and provide optimum
performance on the street or track. The suggested retail is $1,499.00
(part number 401761), and when installed will lower the car
approximately one inch for a more aggressive stance. All instructions
and necessary OEM-grade hardware is included.

The front anti-roll bar is more than 45 percent stiffer than the stock
unit and is a solid material, unlike most others on the market which are
hollow. This helps to significantly reduce body roll, and ROUSH takes
the additional step to forge and machine the bar ends so that all the
joints are parallel and surfaces match for joint integrity. The rear
anti-sway bar is also solid and is heavier to help balance the vehicle
and remove some of the understeer that is a characteristic of the
Mustang.

The twin-tube shocks have a unique valving and will keep the maximum
tire contact patch on the ground, even while driving over uneven
terrain. They were developed in part with an advanced 7-post shaker rig
like many of the NASCAR teams now utilize to hone their chassis setups.
Like all the metal components in the Stage 3 Suspension Package, the
shocks are powder coated for corrosion resistance. The springs
themselves are cold wound and made from high chrome silicone steel. They
are pre-set so they won't sag.

The ROUSH engineers paid particular attention to the bushings and
jounce bumpers, areas other companies tend to overlook. The bushings,
though stiffer than OEM, are a bit softer than other third-party pieces
which allows for more compliance over low speed bumps. There is a unique
spiral groove cut in the front and rear bushings which helps to keep the
grease in place and quiets the unit. The jounce bumpers were actually
designed to act as a spring assist, and are constructed from an
OEM-quality, micro-cellular material.

"ROUSH has always been known for being the best in powertrain
components, but we also have some of the most knowledgeable chassis
engineers in the auto industry on staff," said Jack Roush. "I
continually challenge them to design suspension pieces that offer
tremendous performance enhancements yet don't make sacrifices when it
comes to ride comfort. With the ROUSH Stage 3 Suspension Package they
have met this challenge, and even exceeded my expectations for what a
performance enthusiast would want on his Mustang."

The Stage 3 Suspension Kit works with any type of wheel combinations,
but for optimum performance it is suggested that the ROUSH RR03 forged
wheels (part number 402422) and ROUSHcharger™ be utilized as well. The
suspension was specifically designed with the weight of these components
in mind.

We're going to get serious here for a second. This kind of thing should almost be illegal. For the cost of a used 'Stang and five G's, anyone can rock out with something like 700 HP? That's insane. That's unbelievable. That's making us reach for the Autotrader!

UNLEASH UP TO 700 HORSEPOWER WITH NEW TVS2300 ROUSHCHARGER®

LIVONIA, Mich. (July 10, 2008) - ROUSH® Performance has always been the
leader in powertrain performance and with the introduction of the new
TVS2300 ROUSHcharger® it is possible for owners of any 2005 to 2009 Ford
Mustang GT to inject up to 700 horsepower under the hood.

The new TVS2300 ROUSHcharger will be available in a variety of packages
to fit the needs from enthusiasts wanting a new complete kit with a
warranty, those simply looking to get the maximum horsepower with a
custom tune, and owners wishing to upgrade a car with an existing
ROUSHcharger system. The new TVS2300 ROUSHcharger was first used on the
2008 ROUSH P-51A™ Mustang vehicle builds to much acclaim.

For those willing to explore the wild side, the TVS2300 ROUSHcharger is
now sold separately allowing custom tuners to develop their own
calibration which can push the horsepower anywhere from 510 to more than
700. This is the first time that ROUSH is offering specialty tuning
firms the option of using their own calibrations and being creative with
their tune on a ROUSHcharger. This kit includes a cold air intake
system, unique fuel rail with 52 lb.-hr. injectors, a dual 60 mm
electronic throttle body, all hardware, brackets and instructions. With
a one-year component warranty, this kit retails for $5,899 (part number
403994).

Owners of an existing ROUSHcharger system can upgrade to the TVS2300
ROUSHcharger for $4,999 (part number 403995). This kit includes several
of the same components above but utilizes as many of the installed
ROUSHcharger components as practical to help reduce the upgrade cost.
Customers will need to work with a custom tuner for maximum performance.
For complete details, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com.

The TVS2300 ROUSHcharger utilizes Eaton's new Twin Vortices Series
technology. The patented design on this supercharger system features a
four-lobe rotor and high-flow inlet which greatly enhances thermal
efficiency, higher volume capacity, and higher operational speeds.

"The gloves are off for the specialty tuners to get really creative
with a ROUSHcharger now," said Joe Thompson, general manager of ROUSH
Performance. "We're excited to see what some of these guys can do
with the new TVS2300 ROUSHcharger and really explore the type of
performance that this new unit is capable of. We've heard some numbers
from a couple of exploratory installs already and I must say that they
are very impressive."

The complete kit with a ROUSH-backed 3-year/36,000 mile engine warranty
will be available shortly. This version of the TVS2300 ROUSHcharger is
50-state legal and rated at 510 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque.
Included in the package is the complete TVS2300 ROUSHcharger system
featuring new upper and lower intake manifolds for the high capacity
air-to-water intercooler and larger TVS supercharger. A custom ROUSH
calibration is included, as well as new fuel rails and high-flow 52
pound fuel injectors, a high-flow capacity fuel pump, as well as a dual
electronic throttle body. A ROUSH Cold Air Kit with a stylish carbon
fiber clean air tube helps to dress up the engine bay and provides
improved performance.

ROUSH(R) NOW OFFERING COMPLETE CRATE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PACKAGES FOR SEAMLESS INSTALLATION

LIVONIA, Mich. (July 7, 2008) - Street rod enthusiasts and car builders have traditionally had their share of issues mating the transmission to the engine in a project car; either one or the other would install smoothly, but rarely both would work in tandem without a lot of additional work.

ROUSH(R) Performance has solved this problem with the introduction of the "Ford-in-a-Ford" powertrain package which includes a powerful ROUSH crate engine perfectly matched to a complete aftermarket performance transmission. All hardware, calibrations, and everything needed for a seamless installation is included.

The first application was installed in a 1963 Ford Galaxie which paired a ROUSH 511SRFE engine with 525 horsepower and 575 lb.-ft. torque to a Ford 4R100 four-speed automatic transmission. This car, and powertrain package, will debut at the 11th Annual Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio on July 11 to 13.

Bob Corn, a former Ford engineer who now works at ROUSH, is the project manager of the package development which will eventually include both short and tall deck small-block engines. During his tenure with Ford, which ran from 1962 through 1981, Corn was instrumental in developing several of the now-legendary Ford engines, including the 427 which is often heralded as one of the most instrumental in automotive history. His background and knowledge made Corn a natural choice to help ROUSH Performance bring a complete powertrain package to market, a product offering unmatched by anyone else.

"As we looked around there was nobody that offered a complete engine powertrain package that was just 'plug and play,' to borrow a computer term," said Corn. "What ROUSH is offering the car builders is a complete kit with a recognizable and proven engine, mated with an industry-leading transmission. All the parts are included in the ROUSH kit - things like the calibration, electronics, throttle position sensor, torque converter and everything that will be needed is already part of the package and all designed to work together and drop right into the chassis. ROUSH is doing all the hard work on the powertrain so all the customer has to be concerned about is the actual car build itself."

Although the 511SRFE engine was the model used to develop the concept, ROUSH will soon offer a complete line of engine and transmission packages that can fit a wide variety of applications.

[Roush]

The large passenger enclosure has space for a trainer and veterinarian in addition to the centrally mounted driver. They can monitor heart, blood, oxygen and fitness levels as the horse walks, trots or even gallops.

The vehicle itself uses Ford F-150 suspension and a Volvo five-cylinder turbodiesel (hey, that sounds like a good combination, Ford). It can safely control a horse at up to 37mph.
[via CarScoop]

The vent gauges require no drilling and don't obstruct a substantial amount of airflow, either. The $30 price tag simply includes a pod that fits in the Mustang or F-150's vent. The pod can then hold a standard 2 1/16-inch gauge of your liking. [Roush]

Is this a couple of engineers with Challengers paying a visit to mock Roush and their Mustang entrant into the Muscle Car Wars? Is Roush going to be tuning the next generation of Challengers? Did the drivers stop to take a leak? We don't know, but we're happy to speculate. Nope, unfortunately not. You see, this is Roush Industries, not Roush Performance. That's like an entirely different company and stuff. (UPDATE: The company pictures is not Roush Performance, but Roush Industries. Both are part of the same company, but the former tunes Stangs while the latter is a parts supplier)[Oot via CarScoop]

Press Release:

ROUSH CONTINUES THE HOMAGE TO FORD HISTORY WITH 428R* MUSTANG

LIVONIA, Mich. (September 24, 2007) - ROUSH Performance continues to pay tribute to Ford's legendary history with the 428R* Mustang, a limited edition pony car which follows in the tremendous success of their 427R* model introduced last year and which remains in the ROUSH product lineup for the 2008 model year.

The ROUSH 428R* Mustang will arrive at participating Ford dealerships in October 2007.

"We are continuing to honor and celebrate the heritage of the proudest models of Ford racing history - the 427, 428 and 429 (engines)," stated Jack Roush. "These are iconic numbers in the Ford world and it is an honor to put them onto ROUSH Mustangs and insert them back into the muscle car world."

"The 427R* is easily the most popular Mustang model that ROUSH has ever introduced to the market," said Joe Thompson, ROUSH Performance's vice president and general manager. "That vehicle will remain the cornerstone of our lineup, but to celebrate Ford's history of automotive breakthroughs we will build a 428R* in 2008 and a 429R* in 2009. These cars are intended to be a collector's edition with limited production that pays respect to Ford Muscle Car history."

The 2008 ROUSH 428R* Mustang is limited to 200 vehicles, each a potent street slayer with 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to the famous ROUSHcharger* system, which, in the 428R* is a chrome powdercoat which glistens when the hood is raised. Other under-the-hood goodies include ROUSH billet radiator and intercooler radiator caps, oil cap, and strut tower caps which add to the sparkling engine compartment.

The looks of the car continue on the exterior also, with the ROUSH front fascia, chin spoiler, hood scoop and rear wing adding to the muscular look. The locking hood pins show the world that there is something lurking under the hood, and the black bar high-flow grille adds to the aesthetics.

As for handling, the ROUSH suspension package makes it simple to manage the left and right turns. Changed by the ROUSH technicians are the front and rear shocks, front and rear springs, front and rear sway bars, jounce bumpers and an anti-wheel hop kit is installed at the Livonia, Mich., factory. ROUSH 18-inch cast wheels and high-performance tires grip the road, and the offroad exhaust system gives the ROUSH 428R* the necessary growl expected from a V-8 Mustang.

The interior of the 428R* gets the ROUSH treatment as well as ROUSH sport leather seating is installed, the white face electro luminescent gauge cluster, and the ROUSH short throw shifter with retro ball makes quick gear changes. Rounding out some of the interior upgrades are ROUSH sill plates and floor mats.

As with all ROUSH vehicles, the 428R* comes with unique fender and decklid badges as well as a pair of engine bay plaques to authenticate this as an official ROUSH vehicle. Each vehicle comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Jack Roush. The ROUSH 428R* is available with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission.

NEW ROUSH NITEMARE WILL GIVE OTHER TRUCKERS JUST THAT

LIVONIA, Mich. (May 23, 2007) - With the introduction of the 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150 there are destined to be plenty of other pickup drivers having nightmares about this limited-to-100 edition hauler after watching it blow by them on roads across America.

The 2007 ROUSH Nitemare is a menacing tone-on-tone, 445-horsepower beast. Based on the standard cab version of the F-150, the power-to-weight ratio will ensure that this monster has plenty of haul.

Under the hood is the famous ROUSHcharger* which boosts the 5.4L, 3 valve engine to 445-horsepower and 500 lb-ft. of torque. Additional "go fast" components include intake manifolds, intercooler, radiator, and air induction system. This unit, like all the ROUSH components from a company so highly recognized for producing power, quality and performance, is covered by ROUSH's industry exclusive 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

The ROUSH Nitemare will be offered exclusively in black for the 2007 model which is limited to just 100 units, each striped with a matte black design to further accent the ominous look. A ROUSH front chin spoiler and black aluminum billet grille complete the exterior styling, but the addition of the ROUSH dual rear exit exhaust system gives this truck the growl expected from such a beast.

To further the performance of the ROUSH Nitemare, the Livonia, Mich.-based technicians install a Ford limited slip 3.73 rear axle and have increased the electronically-controlled speed limiter to 105 mph.

Sliding into the cockpit, the ROUSH Nitemare logo is embroidered into the ROUSH custom leather seats, and is on the black ROUSH instrument cluster, where it will appropriately be lit up in red in the dark. ROUSH Nitemare embroidered floor mats, a black dash trim kit, and ROUSH billet aluminum pedals help to complete the styling.

Only a handful of options are available on the limited edition ROUSH Nitemare, including a rear wing, hood scoop, locking lug nuts and GPS system. The ROUSH sport suspension system which lowers the truck two inches in the front and three in the rear is sure to be a popular addition to this performance vehicle. This complete kit includes ROUSH-engineered front coil springs, rear leaf springs, front sway bar and specially-valved shocks. For more information

Available exclusively in a regular cab 4x2 Styleside model, the 2007 ROUSH Nitemare has a suggested retail of $41,750 and is expected to be available at ROUSH-authorized Ford dealers starting in June. Each will carry a blacked-out ROUSH Nitemare fender and tailgate badges, and a unique serial number badge stating which number of the 100 that truck is.

Based in Livonia, Mich., "The Art of Performance Engineering" takes place at ROUSH Performance. In addition to the array of Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.

What's the latest from the Roushies? It's a jet-black Mustang, supercharged to the tune of 430 hp. The company echoes Henry Ford's Model T strategy — you can get any color as long as it's "midnight black." And wouldn't you know, it's called the Blackjack. Only 100 Stage 3 cars will be built; that's the six-piece chicken dinner with all the fixins. All the related componentry can be had for a cool $28,782. Shipping and handling is extra. – Mike Spinelli

ROUSH Mustang Stage 3 BlackJack [Roush]

Related:
Cruisin' for a Bruisin': The Roush Roadster [internal]

From Wikipedia:

The marshmallow is a confection that, in its modern form, consists of sugar or corn syrup, beaten egg whites, gelatin that has been pre-softened in water, gum arabic, and flavorings, whipped to a spongy consistency. The traditional recipe used an extract from the mucilaginous root of the marshmallow plant, a shrubby herb (Althaea officinalis), instead of gelatin; the mucilage performed as a cough suppressant.

Commercial marshmallows are a late 19th century innovation. Since Alex Doumak's patented extrusion process of 1948, marshmallows are extruded as soft cylinders, cut in sections and rolled in a mix of finely powdered cornstarch and confectioner's sugar.Contrary to popular belief, marshmallows were first discovered when an old man living in Astoria, Oregon, had collected so much bird poop in an ice cube mold, and then baked this cube of bird poop, making the world's first marshmallow and taking crime off the streets.

Related:
Me And Jack Roush, We Played For Years; Toyota Changed Our Lives [Internal]

Herr Roushmeister sez:

"It seems strangely difficult for some to realize that here in Asia is where the Communist conspirators have elected to make their play for global conquest, and that we have joined the issue thus raised on the battlefield; that here we fight Europe's war with arms while the diplomats there still fight it with words; that if we lose the war to communism in Asia the fall of Europe is inevitable, win it and Europe most probably would avoid war and yet preserve freedom. As you pointed out, we must win. There is no substitute for victory."

Roush Toughens Rhetoric Against Toyota [Houston Chronicle via Autoblog via Winding Road]

Related:
Do You Want New Wave or Do You Want the Truth? NASCAR a Non-Benevolent Dictatorship [Internal]

The scriptwriters at Roush say the company's new tuner Mustang convertible will make "cruisin' fun again." We're not sure exactly when cruising — deapostrophized for your protection — stopped being fun, though we think it happened around the time we chose the receipt of paychecks over clearing some room to sleep behind a dumpster. Still, the company's 415-hp droptop should remind those in their peak earning years of a simpler time, when their cars had carburetors and their chicks weren't knocking back St. John's Wort like Tic Tacs. That kind of fun is eternal. – Mike Spinelli

Press Release:

Making cruisin' fun again

They say getting there is half the fun, but getting there just might be all the fun if you are one of the 100 lucky owners of a new 2007 ROUSH Roadster. This version of the Ford Mustang convertible, first unveiled at the 2006 SEMA Show, is now available through ROUSH-authorized Ford dealers nationwide.

The ROUSH Roadster is a custom painted, two-toned cruiser intended for those who want to drop the top, feel the wind blowing through their hair, and watch the world as they cruise by. The base Ford Mustang GT is upgraded by the ROUSH factory technicians in Livonia, Mich., with a four-piece aerobody kit which includes a front fascia (with lower valence fog lamps), chin spoiler, hood scoop and rear wing.

The most striking visual enhancements are the unique two-color paint scheme — black across the top with a choice of Torch Red, Redfire, Vista Blue, Silver or Grabber Orange as the base. A pinstripe runs along the edge as an attractive break between the base colors. The car is further accented by ROUSH 20-inch RR04 forged chrome wheels, high-performance Cooper Tires and the ROUSH convertible light bar. The interior has custom sport leather seating with the unique ROUSH Roadster logo stitched in, embroidered floor mats, and a billet aluminum pedal kit.

For a smoother ride, and furthering the visual appearance, the car is lowered approximately one-inch with custom-designed ROUSH lowering springs and jounce bumpers.
The ROUSH Roadster is a very limited edition model with only 100 vehicles being assembled and sold which should make this a very desirable and collectible vehicle.
Options include a ROUSHcharger powertrain upgrade which boosts the stock Ford GT 4.6L, V-8 engine to 415 horsepower (available on manual transmission cars only), white face guage clusters with illuminated Jack Roush signature, interior carbon fiber design dash trim kits, short throw shifters, and more all designed to enhance the performance or appearance as desired.

"We have done some limited edition convertibles in the past, but this new ROUSH Roadster is certainly one of the finest looking cars we have ever designed," said Jack Roush. "The two-tone paint scheme is beautiful and with the top down the stresses of the day just seem to go away with the wind. I know that the plan is only to make 100, but I think that number might have to be reduced by one as there should be a Roadster in my garage."

Related:
More Rrrr from Roush: The Mustang 427R [internal]

A season or a few ago, Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson sought out what he termed a "great American car." One of the contenders to the throne was the high-po but not-quite-Shelby Roush Ford Mustang. To verify how worthwhile the modified 'stang truly was, Jezza dropped Danny McKeever into the FoMoCo driver's seat. And in the other corner — a plastic toaster from Norfolk piloted by the Stig — that's right, it's the Lotus Exige S. So who wins in the battle of the "mosquito" versus the "'merican eagle?" – Ray Wert

Related:
Classic Top Gear: Richard Hammond on the Ford Escort RS1800; Bold Moves Before "Bold Moves": Jeremy Clarkson On The Ford Mustang [internal]

It took Madison, Wisconsin's Ringbrothers 2000 hours (and doubtless trips to Johnny Delmonico steakhouse) to slap together this 1967 Mustang show car — a commission whose intent is to win the 2007 Good Guys Street Machine of the Year award. The metallic green creation's been dubbed "Reactor," and includes split rear window glass, carbon fiber deck lid, hood, front fascia, front and rear bumpers and tail light panel, and an interior designed in a "sleek, European style." Under the hood is one of Roush's 427 IR crate engines, which generates 552 horsepower and 535 lb.-ft. torque, by way of forged pistons, rods and cranks and race-ready block. For those who geek on details, the reactor's build book, including photos, will be published in February. – Mike Spinelli

Related:
More Rrrr from Roush: The Mustang 427R [internal]

It's amazing how much can be expressed in the automotive world with just three digits. To wit: 427. If that doesn't conjure mid-sixties Ford iron (like this one and this one) — ok, Chevys too — it's time to hit the books. If it does, you'll likely also be wise to the marketing gamesmanship that hangs on vehicles such as the Roush 427R, which call upon such numbers for effect. A less potent version of the Ford tuner's Stage 3 Mustang, the 427R starts with the same 4.6-liter V8, though the Roushies have somehow found 427 horsepower among the hardware, mainly by employing the ROUSHcharger blower system. We're on to you, bunkie!

More at Roush Performance

Related:
Roushcharger: New Stage 3 Mustang [internal]

The Roush boys are up to their same old Ford-truck tweaking tricks. This time it's the 500RC, a tuner F-150 that gets extra thrust by way of the company's RoushCharger blower atop the truck's stock 5.4-liter V8. The result is 445hp and 500 ft-lbs of torque, which can be paired with an optional sport suspension, so Craftsman Series dilletantes can practice their apexes without bouncing into grandma's lane. The company's line of truck jewelry includes a billet grille, hood scoop, rear wing, chin spoiler, fender and tailgate badging, and a stripe kit.

Related:
Exit Stage 3: Roush's Tuner F150 [internal]

The latest Roush tuner Mustang was endowed with an upgrade to 415 horsepower by way of a keen "Roushcharging" of its 4.6-liter V8; but the Ford tuning shop's new Stage 3 F150 pickup raises that number to 445 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque above and beyond that of the truck's stock 5.4-liter V8 (300 hp / 365 lb-ft). It also comes with suspension components and typical Roushian dress-up kit, like 20" rims, front chin spoiler, hood scoop with carbon fiber design insert, and (optional) side skirts with dual side outlet exhaust tips, wheel flares and tailgate spoiler. Will trips to Costco ever be the same?

A couple of UK news outlets have reported the details of engine-builder Al Melling's new supercar, the Melling Hellcat. It seems Melling, who's created engines for Lola (no, not the transvestite) and TVR, has said he's been working to build a whole car, powered by a 700hp V10, to take on the Aston Martins of the world. According to the Rochdale Observer, he's pretty far along. He recently showed off the Hellcat (above) to reporters (with, apparently, really small cameras). Melling says the front-engined, rear-drive car has a carbon fiber monocoque body and chassis (it weighs a total of around 2700lbs) and indeed has the promised V10, which propels it from zero to 60 in 2.8 seconds — topping out around 200 mph. It'll cost in the $190,000 range, and Melling has already contracted with Roush in the US to build 100 cars per month. Yep, this just might work.

Move over Ferrari - Hellcat's in top gear [Rochdale Observer (UK) via Pistonheads]

Internal:
Al Melling's Empire: Engine Builder Expands to Supercars [internal]

Mustang fanatics with an extra $20,225 (plus shipping and handling and installation; void where prohibited) in their fanny packs can turn a stock GT into a 415 hp monster (that's about $176 per horsepower over the GT's stock 300) with a few choice mods from the boys at Roush. It's by way of the Roush Stage 3 kit, the centerpiece of which is its engine-boost components including "ROUSHcharger" kompressor and intercooler, plus new intake manifolds and air induction system, topped off with a recalibrated ECM. But it's not just about sheer horsepower. The kit also comes with suspension components, brakes, an aero kit, 18" chrome wheels and appointments like leather sport seats, billet shift handle and windshield banner. It also comes in convertible, though racing stripes are an extra $530. Click through for specs.

Core components of the Roush Stage 3 kit:

ROUSHcharged 4.6L powertrain system (Additional components include ROUSHcharger, intake manifolds, intercooler & radiator, air induction system, ROUSH calibrated ECM and many others) Produces 415hp / 385lb-ft
ROUSH 7 Piece Aerobody Kit (Front Fascia, Front Chin Spoiler, Hood Scoop, Rocker Panels, Rear Fascia Valance and Rear Wing)
Lower Valance Fog Lamps
ROUSH 18-Inch Forged Chrome Wheel & with Ultra-High Performance Tires
ROUSH Rear Exit High Performance Exhaust w/ Chromed Tips
ROUSH Fender Badges
ROUSH Decklid Emblem
ROUSH Embroidered Floor Mats
ROUSH Front Windshield Banner
ROUSH Billet Aluminum Shifter Handle
ROUSH Pedals w/ Dead Pedal (CNC Billet Aluminum)
ROUSH Stage 3 White Face Gauge Cluster (Electro luminescent)
ROUSH Stage 3 Sport Leather Seating
ROUSH Suspension System (includes: Front Struts, Rear Shocks, Front and Rear Springs, Front Sway Bar and Rear Sway Bar, and Pinion Snubbers)
ROUSH Brake Kit w/ 14" Front 2-Piece Rotors and 4-Piston Calipers)
ROUSH Serialized Engine Bay Plaque

More at Roush Performance

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Roush Introduces Euro-Spec Performance Mustang [internal]

"This is gonna be a great year for me because I have the opportunity to race the Ford Fusion. It's a fantastic car that I really look forward to working with on the race track as well as in the showroom.

Yeah, because your Fusion has more in common with last season's Taurus than it does with an actual Fusion. Whatever, dude.

Roush Racing - Ford media tour visit [Motorsport.com]

Related:
NASCAR Team Limit Aimed at Toyota, Not Roush? [Internal]

The PR machine's on the spin cycle in NASCAR-land today, what with Jack Roush saying that his grumpiness about the France family's decision to limit the amount of cars run by a single owner to four was misrepresented:

I never made the statement they attribute to me, Roush said. I may have used those words at some point in my life, but not in that order and not in this context. They called and said they wanted a comment, and they read one to me. I said, No, I don t feel at all that way. I m not going to say that. But they put it in the announcement, anyway. They said it was a computer glitch. Maybe they need to reboot.

Meanwhile, the latest speculation is that the rule might have come about in anticipation of Toyota's entry into Cup competition. After all, we can't have those wily Japanese coming in and dominating this most 'Merican of sports, can we?

NASCAR explains cap on cars under one ownership rule; Roush isn't happy [AutoWeek]

Related:
Jack Roush is Pissed: NASCAR Limits Teams to Four Cars Apiece [Internal]

GM recently awarded Roush a vaguely prestigious award, Best New GM Exterior, for building a tuner version of its G6 sedan. According to the GM executive who presented the award — Kip "Don't Call Me Winger" Wasenko — the showcase G6 demonstrates the potential of the stock G6 to be tricked out, as well as the potential for the same award to be given to both the awardee and awarder. Now that's some quality engineering right there.

More at American Car Fans

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Roush Introduces Euro-Spec Performance Mustang [internal]

Well-heeled Brits with a penchant for American muscle cars have a new Roush-tuned Mustang created specifically their home country to swoon over. The bespoke 420RE model sports a roots-style supercharger and tweaked ECU software to wring out 400hp from the 4.6-liter V8. A tighter suspension setup, bigger brakes, 275/40R-18s over 18" alloys and cat-back exhaust complete the turnkey package, which will cost in the neighborhood of $69,500.

Related:
Shelby Automobiles to Build 350hp V6 Mustang [internal]

Of course, we all saw it coming, and while the four-car Hendrick Motorsports team is in right at the cap, Jack Roush is gonna have to ditch a driver by the 2009 season, as Brian France has dropped the news that NEXTEL Cup teams from now on will have to be on the shy side of five cars. While the smaller teams are in favor of the restriction, Roush has gone on record calling the rule "communist." Needless to say, Cactus Jack isn't too happy about the ruling. Roush Racing prez Geoff Smith was quoted as saying, "It is hard for Jack not to believe that there is a laser bulls-eye on his forehead." All we can say is, Mr. Roush, you might wanna consider trading your omipresent hat in on an army helmet.

NASCAR Sets Cap on Cars at Four [SFGate]

Related:
Do You Want New Wave or Do You Want The Truth? NASCAR a Non-Benevolent Dictatorship [Internal]

Jack Roush is none too pleased with the development that would most likely cut the amount of cars owned by his team to three. Says Catus Jack, "In a free enterprise system, for Brian [France, NASCAR CEO] to be able to pull off the things he was alluding to, we'd either have to be socialistic or communistic in terms of the way we run our economy." Is there a quicker way to rile a Southern boy than to pull a Joe McCarthy on him?

Roush vows fight on cap on cars [St. Petersburg Times]

Related:
Do You Want New Wave or Do You Want the Truth? NASCAR a Non-Benevolent Dictatorship [Internal]

Apparently his plane crash three years ago didn't damage motorsports mogul Jack Roush's noggin none. Since Matt Kenseth's turnaround in the latter part of the season, Roush is now set to have five cars in the Chase for the Championship, which, for the record, we've always thought was a dumb idea. Nevertheless, the Frances have spoken, and that's the way 'tis for now. There was a lot of hemming and hawing amongst the other teams and drivers before Richmond's race, but the top ten are officially locked in. Expect more hemming and hawing. Surprise? Jeff Gordon didn't make the cut. His strength in the Force just didn't hold out for the rest of the season.

Roush Could Have Five Cars in NEXTEL Field [SFGate]; Inside the Chase [NASCAR]

Related:
Paul Tracy to Run NASCAR? [Internal]