Topic: Toyota team runs GM-powered Tundra in Baja 500

[airbalancer]

THIS IS THE LINK http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/stories/2008baja500/pickuptrucks-does-the-2008-baja-500.html 
about 1/2 way down the page

[UmroAyyar]

I think that Chevy V8 is the most produced and used by quite a lot of sports car manufacturers as well.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

HoooBoy! Wait 'till barrie and Artic get here.............

[airbalancer]

HoooBoy! Wait 'till barrie and Artic get here.............

 

[barrie1]

The LS2 heads were the angle plug heads with the 64cc chambers I believe as they are 375 HP right from the factory the way they are. I run the same heads in my truck and ported and planned them out to well over that Hp rating. They have 2.02 intake valves and 160. exhaust valves which move the exhaust thru very quickly.  Probably the Mexican 4 bolt factory truck block under them which is the best block built as well. More nickel content in them versus the Canadian or American cast blocks and about 1/8'' thicker walled as well for boring to a large spec like 355 or 360. I also agree with them making a excellent choice useing that engine for dependebility. It will take all they can throw at it and a lot more as well.  That engine will allow them to stay in the race and be in a lot more without too much if any damage at all. Should last them for years to come and possibly use less fuel as well. Those are the specs I build by as I have known for many years just how well they work. The rest of the Mexiacan foundry block I don't use at all but the block is the choicest of them all. They are usually found in the heavier older truck models

[initial_D]

LS2
 
GM LS2 engine in a 2005 Chevrolet CorvetteThe LS2 was introduced as the Corvette's new base engine for the 2005 model year. It produces 400 hp (298 kW) at 6000 rpm and 400 ft·lbf (542 N·m) at 4400 rpm from a slightly larger displacement of 6.0 L (364.3 in³). It is similar to the high-performance LS6, but with an improved power peak and more torque throughout the rpm range. The E-series HSV's are equipped with a 412 hp (307 kW) and 406 ft·lbf (550 Nm) version.

Applications:

2006-2007 Cadillac CTS-V
2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette
2005-2006 Chevrolet SSR
2006-2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS
2004-2007 Holden Special Vehicles (all V8 models)
2005-2006 Pontiac GTO
2008-2010? Saab 9-7X Aero
2005-2006 Vauxhall Monaro VXR

[initial_D]

TForce Motorsports brought their brand new Tundra D-Cab PreRunner to this evening's Baja Legacy Party at Horsepower Ranch. The sharp looking truck immediately caught my eye and the attention of most of the party's guests.

Former Indy car racer and Indy 500 winner Danny Sullivan co-owns TForce Motorsports with Dan Friedkin, a Toyota dealer. The team is not directly sponsored by Toyota, according to Mr. Riggle.

...

Best of both worlds ... 

[inco]

So what does this mean?  Toyota builds good frames and GM builds the best engines? 

[initial_D]

They used mostly stock, of-original equipment components to build a competitive race truck, without having to heavily modify all truck (at least according to the short article). One partner is Toyota dealer, so naturally he would opt for a Toyota. They run the LS2 stock with premium fuel to get the same results as running other engines with racing fuels.

[barrie1]

There's obviously a error in the HP rating in the article as 375Hp is what is stated which the LS2 is not. This is a Vortec design to be this new which is still a super build. Was the orig Vette 405Hp in its natural form in this series as it was in the factory vet that ws issued at that time. The heads I spoke of are not this design at all but a older type instead. Thank You Initial for posting the figures on theis engine. Yes I think they build the best engines for sure. 

[rrocket]

For races like this where you might get stranded in the middle of nowhere, they use engines that can easily have replacements found.  Many competitors already use the Chevy V8 in their vehicles.....so getting a spare part on the trail in a pinch for a Chevy V8 is easier than a DOHC Toyota V8.   Plus even a local is likely to have Chev V8 parts laying around....

[The Mighty Duck]

I was more impressed with the Honda Ridgeline competing - and winning its class!  So much for those who claim the Ridgeline is not a "real" truck.   

[mrthompson]

I doubt the Ridgeline was anywhere near stock. 

[inco]

I was more impressed with the Honda Ridgeline competing - and winning its class!  So much for those who claim the Ridgeline is not a "real" truck.   

What they converted it into made it a tougher vehicle able to withstand the race. The standard Ridgeline would not have made it. So the vehicle they raced might be called a real truck, but not the one they sell to us.

[The Mighty Duck]

What they converted it into made it a tougher vehicle able to withstand the race. The standard Ridgeline would not have made it. So the vehicle they raced might be called a real truck, but not the one they sell to us.

And?  How many of the vehicles racing in the Baja are bone stock?  The GM-powered Toyota that was the point of this thread sure as hell isn't.  And if you'd actually bother to learn before you'd post, you'd find out that the Ridgeline was racing in the Stock Minitruck class, not the Modified category (I'm not quite sure what level of modification is required to cross over into MMT).  According to the team's own website, the biggest changes were in suspension components, and some minor performance engine modifications (intake, exhaust).

[barrie1]

I wonder just how can it be bone stock if they are changing things like the Intake and exhaust. Does Honda make more then one single design for this engine design or is it a aftermarket product that helps it run stronger or even produce more HP. THats usually why you change those 2 items out is for HP gain which then changes it from stock to even slightly modified. They must have some standards that you can do without breaking too many rules on stock I would expect. Yes I would agree the Toyota truck was not stock at all but heavily Doctored up with the "Best of parts" for sure.   

[The Mighty Duck]

Barrie, most racing associations allow some level of modification within the "stock" classification.  Going by memory, I believe AutoCross allows one or two minor mods (intake, carbon fiber hood, etc.) for cars running in the "street" class.  I'm not sure what Bajas guidelines are, but the Ridgeline fit into the stock class.  *shrug*

[barrie1]

Thank You Demosthenes X for the update on that. I can certainly understand why they would have to change some of the things out on the Rudgeline as its not a real truck which was the majority view on it when it 1st came to market. I am surprised it actually was able to finish without being towed in off of the course. 

[The Mighty Duck]

Not a real truck?  It won its class in 2007, beating other "real" trucks.  That's pretty impressive for a pretend truck...

[tenpenny]

the Rudgeline as its not a real truck

Maybe not, but I don't hear that Honda is shutting down the plant.
I thought 'real trucks' had manual transmissions, anyway.