[SuperMacGuy]

So ever since seeing the Audis and Peugeots in ALMS have such success with diesel engines, I have been daydreaming about some diesel powered project car. I really can not afford one now, nor even have a garage big enough to undertake it myself. So guys (and gals?) please indulge me and help me out with some ideas. Let's dream it!

So, how awesome could a 4th Gen Trans Am be, for Autocross, daily driving, and some HDPE events (this is what **I** would do with it to start, no road racing just yet)?!
There are axles we can put in it that will handle 700lb feet of torque, like truck axles. Would any reasonably fit? What GM axles would do the trick? 12 bolts of course, or 14 bolt?
I'm sure we can find or make an axle that can handle 700lb ft.
TransZilla makes a T56 they claim can handle 1200 hp, so I'd imagine the torque would be no problem either.
And for the engine, some Cummins engines I've seen rated are around 650lb ft. for some 6-ish liter engines. GM Diesels (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Duramax_engine) like the LMM, LMK, LML, LGH series look promising, and clean.
I know that they will probably be a lot heavier than an LS series alum block, but how much more?
At first I thought maybe to gear it low for crazy acceleration, but then I thought maybe the current gear ratios, for at least 1,2,3 would be more than enough for some really great pickup on an AX course. Sometimes at our smaller courses I stay in 2nd but I'm down at 2000 rpm after a turn. With 2x the torque, acceleration out of a turn should be fantastic. We could change the gear ratios on 4,5,6 to have a really good top speed for the track.

OK So what are anyone else's thoughts? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[StanIROCZ]

There are axles we can put in it that will handle 700lb feet of torque, like truck axles. Would any reasonably fit? What GM axles would do the trick? 12 bolts of course, or 14 bolt?
I'm sure we can find or make an axle that can handle 700lb ft.

The axle won’t be as much as a problem as everything from the flywheel to the pinion since you’ll likely want to put a 2.73 or lower numeric gear in it to have any sort of top speed. With the larger pinion and greater number of teeth gear life won’t be as much of a problem and the axle torque will be reduced due to the ratio. Not saying the 10 bolt will live though (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) With the diesel you’re basically transmitting power via higher torque and lower speed, which is bad for driveline sizing. Once it gets to the 2.73 gear the torque gets equalized’ into what the more typical f-body would have with a gas engine.

You won’t be pulling a trailer or have 1/2 of the GVW that your typical diesel truck has, so that will greatly reduce your driveline demands as compared to that truck. Also tire OD is less.

The Touareg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Touareg had a 4.9 L V10 turbo with 309 HP and 553 ft-lbs, and it looks like the later vehicle had more torque. It might not weigh near as much as the truck engines.

[Todd]

The Touareg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Touareg had a 4.9 L V10 turbo with 309 HP and 553 ft-lbs, and it looks like the later vehicle had more torque. It might not weigh near as much as the truck engines.

The current diesel in the Toureg is a V6. They get pretty good mpg for hauling around a tanker. A friend of mine has a 2010 model and it gets about 32-33 mixed driving.