Rides Leno's Tornado

[Steve Chryssos]

You guys have been smokin the happy rock. AWD or not, Leno's got us all beat!! That right there is the ULTIMATE Pro-Touring car!

I watched it prime time. Then I watched it again at midnight and drifted off right at the end. While dreaming, I confused Rides with Overhaulin. Jay Leno handed the Toronado's keys to me. "Surprise!! We built this for you Steve!!" Wow Jay, Thank you so much. My wife knows how much I love gold paint and redline tires..." If it were not for the dog licking my nose in the morning, Leno and I would still be hpt lapping around the proving grounds saying "All wheel drive? We don need no stinkin all wheel drive!!"

I'm going back to sleep!

[ProdigyCustoms]

If it were not for the dog licking my nose in the morning, Leno and I would still be hpt lapping around the proving grounds saying "All wheel drive? We don need no stinkin all wheel drive!!"

I'm going back to sleep!

ROFLMAO! I like the car a bunch, love the body style, right there with the 65 Riv for me. Just though AWD would be cool. I assumed it was a LS2 based something? I wouldn't know one if it bit me anyway, 425CI?

[Steve Chryssos]

Frank,
I got the Riv if you got the time. Start researching potential platforms. I'll get you some chassis measurements this weekend. It'll be at least six months before we can get started. But it will take at least that long to plan the project and then find a doner.

[ProdigyCustoms]

I like the new Cadillac SRX for the Riv with the AWD and the Northstar, also the magnetic ride! 116" wheelbase could easily be fudged under the Rivs 117" wheelbase. I'm thinking we find a roll over for $15K, cut off everthing rockers up and graft the entire unibody and undercarrige into the Riv!
Don't get me going now, I do not need any more distractions, LOL!
BTW, I checked on Michael's 60 Caddy, wheelbase, 130", new Denalli EXT, 130"! Oh man I smell trouble

[Bill Howell]

Two things that crossed my mind as I watched them on the track. 1) I would love to be a fly on the window and listen to that conversation between top GM brass and Leno when he was wearing out their baby. 2) I was wondering if there was any wind noise around the side glass at 140mph.

[ProdigyCustoms]

I wondered how the C5 suspension for a 3300LB Corvette was liking luging a 4500LB car around?

[Steve Chryssos]

Well you got my gears turning. Caddy SRX V8 Specs

Wheelbase (in / mm):116 / 2957
Overall width (in / mm): 72.6 / 1844
Overall height (in / mm):67.8 / 1722
Track (in / mm): front: 61.9 / 1572 rear: 62.2 / 1580

Brakes: power four-wheel vented discwith standard 4-wheelanti-lock, dynamic rear proportioning, Panic Brake Assist
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):
front: 12.7 x 1.26 / 323 x 32
rear: 12.6 x 1.02 / 320 x 26

Wheels/Tires
18-inch x 8-inch cast aluminum – standard V-8; optional V-6
Tires: front: Michelin all-season P235/60R18; rear: P255/55R18
Hydra-Matic 5L40-E Hydra-Matic 5L50-E 5-speed electronic automatic
Gear ratios: First: 3.42, Second: 2.21, Third: 1.60, Fourth: 1.00, Fifth: 0.75 Final drive ratio: 3.91 (AWD)

Chassis/Suspension
Front: independent short/long arm with aluminum upper and lower control arms; hydraulic control arm front bushings, solid mounted front frame, pressurized monotube front shock absorbers, 36-mm stabilizer bar; MR shocks available on uplevel models
Rear: fully independent multi-link design with fully isolated sub frame; aluminum upper control arms, knuckles and rear differential; Nivomat load-leveling rear shocks, 22-mm stabilizer bar; uplevel vehicles outfitted with MR air life shocks and electronic auto-leveling compressor
Traction control: Delphi 4-channel system, full speed brake and engine control
Steering type: electronic variable assist power steering, rack and pinion

4.6L Northstar V-8 VVT (LH2)
Displacement (cu in / cc): 279 / 4572
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 3.66 x 3.3 / 93 x 84
Block/Head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder with variable valve timing
Ignition system: coil on plug – pencil coil ignition with dual knock sensors
Fuel delivery: sequential electronic fuel injection
Compression ratio: 10.5:1

Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm): 320 / 239 @ 6400
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 315 / 427 @ 4400

Recommended fuel: premium recommended but not required
Maximum engine speed (rpm): 6700

[ProdigyCustoms]

looks like the track on the Riv is 63.5 and 63. Keeps looking good. Im thinking we blend them at firewalls. Also, the Riv was 4310LBS, I bet the Caddy is close to that.