Only two weeks ago, Roger Penske looked on from
trackside as his team won the Indianapolis 500 car race. Now he has
laid claim to what he hopes will be another trophy: Saturn.
General Motors announced Friday that it had agreed to sell Saturn to the Penske Automotive Group, whose chairman is Mr. Penske, 72, who is one of the nation’s biggest automobile dealers.
The move rescues Saturn and its dealers from the uncertain future they have faced since February, when G.M.
announced plans to shut Saturn by 2012 if no buyer could be found. G.M.
subsequently said it would discontinue Saturn by the end of this year.
The sale is the latest step by G.M., which sought bankruptcy protection on Monday, to sell off assets as it reorganizes itself.
G.M.
decided it no longer wanted to run Saturn. But the brand, created in
1990 as a way to attract owners of Toyotas and Hondas, had attracted 16
potential bidders, G.M. said this week.
The price of the deal was not disclosed.
The
acquisition of Saturn by Penske Automotive is “like finally finding
your puppy a good home,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial
director of Kelley Blue Book, which analyzes the values of new and used
cars.
Mr. Penske is best known for his Penske Racing operations, including teams that compete in the IndyCar, Nascar and Grand-Am series. Mr. Penske, who competed as a driver in the 1950s and 1960s, is a constant presence at auto tracks.
Like a blast to the Past Burger Stop has captured time from the 1950's and stopped it in its tracks. The classic music playing inside and out, the flashy red, black an white checker board trim, jute box, gas pumps and the real classic autos on display creates an old fashioned atmosphere of fun, great food freshly prepared and served by friendly smiling staff. The "Cruise Nights are all about the people, the time and having fun. You can walk the display of over 150 classic autos on any given cruise night, meet the Owners.The Classic Car Shows (Cruise Nights) are scheduled on the 4th Wednesday of each month from April through October. Best of all it's Free to everyone.
Burger Stop Cruising Dates 2009
323 East Gentile Street, Layton Utah
All Events are 6pm - 9pm
....or,
if you do, know what you're doing. Legion are the posts on these boards
about folks changing this or that on this engine...only to be followed
by a CEL and problems. This engine is ENGINEERED from top to
bottom....with the first sensor (for MAF) located at intake....followed
by sensors and computer controlled actuation throughout....ending with
sensor on the down pipe. Anything you do....at any point along the
path....will likely change what the sensors see or affect ECM
controlled actuation of various components.
IMPROVING AN ALREADY STURDY DESIGN
A lot of development work went into this new version of the Ecotec; it
wasn't simply a matter of plunking a turbo on the engine. Indeed, every
major casting was redesigned to provide a heightened level of
reliability, though the engine was originally designed for use in
forced-induction applications.
As with the new supercharged Northstar engine in the new Cadillac XLR,
the displacement of the Solstice GXP's is slightly smaller than the
normally aspirated version. Both feature a reduced bore size to
increase cylinder-wall thickness. The Ecotec Turbo's stroke is also
reduced and features a beefy, forged-steel crankshaft for additional
durability. Bore and stroke are 86x86 mm (3.38x3.38 inches) for a total
displacement of 1,998 cc's or 122 ci.
The Ecotec 2.0-liter Turbo uses a stronger "Gen II" Ecotec engine
block, which was developed with input from racing experience to support
increased horsepower and torque. Cylinder-block bulkheads -- the areas
where the main bearing caps are attached -- and the cylinder walls are
enlarged for strength. Other areas of the engine were enhanced to
reinforce the structure, and the water jacket is deeper for added
cooling capacity and improved cylinder-bore roundness. This
architecture is shared with the 2.4-liter Ecotec engine that debuted in
the Pontiac Solstice roadster.
Its bottom end is also upgraded to handle the additional boost. In
addition to the forged-steel crankshaft, the Ecotec Turbo also employs
forged connecting rods and cast pistons. The pistons feature a dish
shape that deflects injected fuel toward the spark plugs. They are
cooled with a jet-spray of oil on their undersides that directs the oil
into a cast-in channel inside the piston, further resisting detonation.
Additionally, the Ecotec 2.0-liter Turbo four benefits from variable
valve timing and an intercooled, twin-scroll turbocharger system to
provide boost. A dual-scroll design is used on the exhaust turbine and
speeds up velocity and response, much in the same way a two-plane
intake manifold performs the identical function. The result is a nearly
lag-free system, one that gives the 2.0-liter four the feel of a much
larger engine. Dual cam phasing complements the turbocharging by
optimizing valve timing at lower rpm for best turbo response and quick
engine build-up time. "There is virtually no lag with this system,"
says Ed Groff, assistant chief engineer, Ecotec 2.0-liter Turbo engine.
"Throttle response is immediate. The engine acts like it has a larger
displacement engine."
Its turbocharger provides up to approximately 20 pounds of boost. It is
matched to the engine's displacement and performance objectives, and is
supported by the air-to-air intercooling system, which reduces inlet
temperature pf the turbo-compressed air by approximately 212 degrees
(100 degrees C), enhancing performance because cooler air is denser.
The day dawned dark and gloomy as clouds filled the skies. Four Skys and Sols met at the Best Buy in
South Salt Lake before beginning our trip. After a short drivers' meeting, we decided to head up Emigration
Canyon, following a historic pioner trail, at the beginning of our run. Tom led the way up the twisty, winding
road as we effortlessly glided past cyclists who were working hard at making the ascent. We took a break
in the cool morning air, to appreciate the beauty of the mountains, the great cars, and fantastic company.
Dave took the lead as we headed in to East Canyon. There were sharp curves and narrow shoulders to
keep an eye on. Red rock was strewn across the roads from the spring thaw yet we could see it snowing
on top of the mountains. Spring was in the air. The hillsides were covered with sunflowers, and lilacs were
in bloom. The sun started to peek out from behind the clouds to show off the beutiful snow capped peaks
and lush green hillsides. Just as quickly as the sun came out, it tucked behind a cloud again and the rain
began to sprinkle down and then turned into heavy rain. As quickly as it started the rain ebbed, and we
stopped in Mountain Green at the Farm Market for a break before taking the Trappers Loop Run up to
Eden for lunch. This scenic road took us over another mountain top and wrapped around lakes, passed log
cabins, horse farms and was truly beautiful. Harley and Buck's Grill was ready for us and served a
delicious lunch. After lunch, we headed in different diretions to get home. We had a great time, hope to see
you all on another ride soon.
We all want that little edge over the other driver so I
called our friends over at Nitrous Express for help. I told them that we have
one of GM’s new roadsters the Pontiac Solstice. Our 2006 Solstice is powered by
a 2.4L naturally aspirated 2nd generation Ecotec motor. This motor
from the factory produces 177Hp or about 150Hp at the rear wheels. Because
Nitrous Express is a leader in producing safe, reliable, and affordable nitrous
kits, this is why we called them first. After talking with them about the power
plant in the car they recommended there Mainline EFI Nitrous System and there
Digital TPS (Throttle Position Switch). We also asked for a smaller 5lb nitrous
bottle over there standard 10lb bottle due to space constraints.
Welcome to the Salt Lake Roadster club for Pontiac Solstice
and Saturn Sky roadsters. Even though Salt Lake is in the name we
aren’t limited to Salt Lake City. Our members live all along the Wasatch front and back for that matter. From Utah county in the south to
Cache Valley in the north, our members are geographically diverse. This
is a new club but we are growing fast. In only two and one-half months
we have nearly tripled in size. Because we are new and due to the
current winter weather we haven’t had the opportunity for rides or
events. We are looking forward to the future and are checking on and
planning some exciting events.
As an example last summer my wife and I took a ride into the high Uinta
mountains of northeastern Utah. We started in Ogden Utah and headed
east on I-84 to the junction with I-80. With the top down we marveled
at how beautiful the scenery and rock formations were. Although we had
driven the route several times before, this time it was different the
viability with the top down was unreal. My wife being a Geology major,
had to stop at the Devils slide scenic area to take pictures with our
new Sky.
We followed I-80 until we reached the town of Wanship. Here we took the
exit and headed south on state road 32 driving passed Rockport
Reservoir and traveled though green pasture land to the town of Kamas.
In Kamas we stopped and picked up a picnic lunch before starting on
state road 150. This twisting road took us up through the Uinta
mountains reaching altitudes near 10,000 feet. The scenic views of the
high mountains, pine forests and distant low land valleys were even
more spectacular in the roadster.
With
all of the aftermarket products out there on the market, there may be
some confusion as to how all of them work.
In my short series of
articles, I plan to cover the technical side of how basic aftermarket
upgrades benefit your car, and explain the important question: “Why do
I need that, and what does it do?”
In this article I will explain the
functions of Cold Air Intake systems, but in upcoming articles I will
be covering Exhaust Systems, Ignition, and Forced Induction.
GM's highly evolved LNF engine, which is the 2.0L Turbocharged motor
found in the Saturn SKY Red Line and the Pontiac Solstice GXP, just
grew in stature a bit within the broader GM enthusiast community.
As many people know, I began my tuning career working with earlier
generation Ecotech engines found on Chevy Cobalts and Saturn Ions
before I began working with SKYs and Solstices. For the Cobalt
community, the performance engine option offered by the factory was the
LSJ, a close cousin to Sky/Solstice engine that was "super"-charged
instead of turbo-charged. However, GM recently annouced the retirement
of the LSJ, although they didn't leave GM enthusiasts much time to
grieve before that short lived motor was quickly replaced with the
turbocharged LNF.
With the high performance GXP / Red Line 2.0L Ecotec engine comes
several more capabilities, but does it truly address all of the issues
with the previous motor, or are there still some naggine problems? In
my evaluation, there are a lot of obvious changes to the appearance of
the new LNF compared to the LSJ, but there are also a lot of changes
that cannot be seen from the engine compartment which deserve more
detailed analysis (and appreciation).
CRUISE NIGHTS:
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The day dawned dark and gloomy as clouds filled the skies. Four Skys and Sols met at the Best Buy in
South Salt Lake before beginning our trip. After a short drivers' meeting, we decided to head up Emigration
Canyon, following a historic pioner trail, at the beginning of our run. Tom led the way up the twisty, winding
road as we effortlessly glided past cyclists who were working hard at making the ascent. We took a break
in the cool morning air, to appreciate the beauty of the mountains, the great cars, and fantastic company.
rs.jpg "100_1915-(small)rs.jpg")
rs.jpg "100_1918-(small)rs.jpg")
We all want that little edge over the other driver so I
called our friends over at Nitrous Express for help. I told them that we have
one of GM’s new roadsters the Pontiac Solstice. Our 2006 Solstice is powered by
a 2.4L naturally aspirated 2nd generation Ecotec motor. This motor
from the factory produces 177Hp or about 150Hp at the rear wheels. Because
Nitrous Express is a leader in producing safe, reliable, and affordable nitrous
kits, this is why we called them first. After talking with them about the power
plant in the car they recommended there Mainline EFI Nitrous System and there
Digital TPS (Throttle Position Switch). We also asked for a smaller 5lb nitrous
bottle over there standard 10lb bottle due to space constraints.
With
all of the aftermarket products out there on the market, there may be
some confusion as to how all of them work.
