Day: February 5, 2021

Basic Rebuilt Dodge 440 makes big power and torque

By Michael J. Moody 12 months ago

We all know the 440 big-block is the largest-displacement V-8 engine built by Chrysler, and when it comes to a combination of torque, power, and drivability, the 440 ranks as one of the best engines ever built. Instead of utilizing a high compression ratio or aggressive cam grind for its muscle, the 440 relies on sheer size, making great power from an idle with enough torque to get even the heaviest trucks and motorhomes moving quickly. And while the Mopar 440 does several things very well, we’ve always felt that with a few tweaks the engine was capable of well over the 375 horsepower rating it got from the factory. Even the highest-performing factory 440, the 390-horsepower Six-Pack (or Six-Barrel) version, had a relatively mild hydraulic flat-tappet camshaft and non-adjustable rocker arms, ensuring years of smooth, maintenance-free operation. Even better, 440s are still available in scrap yards, from core suppliers,

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Non-HPD 2021 Honda Ridgeline Comes Into Focus, Looks Just as Beefy

By Michael J. Moody 12 months ago

When the refreshed 2021 Honda Ridgeline debuted, its more muscular styling, wider track, and meatier tires generated a lot of buzz. But the truck we saw then was festooned with Honda Performance Development (HPD) parts that will be offered as a $2,800 styling upgrade package—including fender flares, special wheels, a unique grille, and nifty graphics. Thus, the Ridgeline Honda showed the world was an exaggeration of what the actual midsize pickup would look like when it went on sale. Or so we thought. The 2021 Ridgeline is officially on sale, and it turns out, the base truck resembles its HPD-modded version, for the most part.

Regular Ridgeline vs. HPD Ridgeline

Right off the bat, the non-HPD-equipped Ridgeline is less expressive-looking. The grille is a simpler affair with horizontal slats instead of the HPD grille’s nostril-y wavy mesh, and the fender guards don’t look like they’re suffering from inflammation.

The wheels,

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2022 Ford F-150 Raptor R confirmed with V-8

By Michael J. Moody 12 months ago

The Raptor is back, but it doesn’t have a V-8…yet.

On Wednesday, the Blue Oval unveiled the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor with a high-output version of Ford’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. 

Power figures haven’t been announced, but they won’t be enough to take on the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. However, good things will come to those who wait.

Ford spokesperson Dawn Mckenzie told Motor Authority the Ford F-150 Raptor R coming in 2022 will have a V-8 under its hood.

McKenzie wouldn’t comment on which V-8 or whether it be turbocharged, supercharged, or naturally aspirated. All signs point to a supercharged V-8.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor

Ford could easily supercharge the 5.0-liter V-8, though this isn’t the path of least resistance.

The Predator V-8, a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 makes 760 hp in the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, is available in Ford’s parts bin. It would theoretically drop into the F-150’s

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Car sales expected to ramp up significantly in 2021 following bust amid coronavirus

By Michael J. Moody 12 months ago
Car lot

Car sales are on the upswing.


Alan Schein Photography/Getty Images
For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO website.

Last year was not a great year for automakers. Production halted and sales plummeted. And although the pandemic continues to rage amid vaccines rolling out, a new forecast shows brighter days in 2021 for carmakers. TrueCar released its 2021 forecast on Thursday and the firm’s analysts believe we’ll see 16 million cars sold this year.

The figure includes both retail and fleet sales for the total number, and it marks a substantial uptick from 2020 numbers. Last year, new cars sales dropped significantly, with a total of 14.6 million cars sold. To put that into perspective, it was the worst year for carmakers since 2012, when Americans scooped up 14.4 million new cars in the shadows of the Great Recession. Throughout the

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