Dream Build: Cannonball Car

"deprecated account" (savethei4s)
01/22/2018 at 20:17 • Filed to: None

What’s your ideal Cannonball Run car? It has to last the 3000 mile journey from NY to LA and be somewhat decent on gas so you can average around 100 mph. Other than that, your only restriction is your imagination!

Mine’s a Caprice PPV. This one is has 156k hard miles of policing on its 6.0 V8, which makes it a ripe candidate for an LT1/8L90E swap, which would greatly improve the fuel economy (15/21 factory for the L98/6-speed) thanks to the 8-speed and direct injection. Put two or three of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in the trunk, then put all the GPS antennae in the holes already in the trunk. Strip what you can out of the interior as the Caprice is a fairly heavy car to begin with, slap in some laser diffusers and radar jammers; maybe impersonate a government agency that doesn’t actually exist if you’re feeling brave, research state penal codes, and get to planning that trip!

https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/37237279

DISCUSSION (63)

Spanfeller is a twat > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:23

Honestly for a cannonball I’d get a way smaller engine. LS seems overpowered considering most routes are patrolled and an LTg engine would probably suffice the power needs, even at the higher speed sections of the journey.

But it seems like a great chasis for the cannonball!

CB > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:26

Is it cheating to use a plane?

rillweid - Now with more TRD and less TDI > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:26

I would VW TDI swap a Prius, do some aero upgrades, add a huge fuel cell and do 1000 miles a tank.

functionoverfashion > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:27

Having driven cross-country in an E32 7-series already, I’d put that pretty high on my list. It’s old enough not to really be that noticeable - a current gen Prius is more flashy, honestly, and a current Camry is WAY more flashy. It’s big and comfy for days (I spent a couple months living out of one) and it can eat up the miles. With the V12 I’d imagine you’d be stopping a lot, but honestly, the big six wasn’t great either. I remember getting in the teens with the 735, the way we drove it. You could do worse, I suppose.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:29

I would not choose a car, but a motorcycle. I would pick a Goldwing. It already has a large fuel tank, will be good on fuel, will gobble up hwy miles, easily do 160kph all day long, the big front end moves all the air around the rider too so rider fatigue is more minimal.

Spanfeller is a twat > CB
01/22/2018 at 20:30

They already call most of that area “fly over county” so knock yourself out!

deprecated account > Spanfeller is a twat
01/22/2018 at 20:33

Alex Roy used an E39 M5, and Ed Bolian used a CLK 55; both around 400-ish hp. Keep in mind both of those probably weighed anywhere from 4200-4600 lbs fully laden. The LT motors are also the only DI crates GM offers, and the only motors with ready-to-roll 8-speed combos. The LT1/8L90 combo (at least in a corvette) can go 70 mph in top gear essentially at idle speed. If need be the rear end could be geared down a bit too. Either way, no way I’d run a 4cyl for the Cannonball. ‘Murica, baby!

deprecated account > CB
01/22/2018 at 20:33

I bet a Cessna would still probably lose.

deprecated account > rillweid - Now with more TRD and less TDI
01/22/2018 at 20:35

V10 TDI? V8? V6? No way a 4-pot VW diesel hits 150, right?

arl > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:35

A white Lamborghini Countach.

You can take the man out of the 1980’s, but you can’t take the 1980’s out of the man.

AestheticsInMotion > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:37

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, fully optioned. Fast, comfortable, and handling to put many sportscars to shame. Would truly be a great rig to do the run

deprecated account > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
01/22/2018 at 20:38

160 kph isn’t even over 100 mph though... Would be fun though if you weren’t going for the record I guess

deprecated account > AestheticsInMotion
01/22/2018 at 20:39

Would be a great candidate for sure. Only concern for me would be high speed MPGs for an SUV.

WilliamsSW > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:39

S63 Cabriolet. Top down.

AestheticsInMotion > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:42

True... Maybe an extended gas tank thrown in the trunk? That should alleviate the bad mileage issue!

leicester > arl
01/22/2018 at 20:44

Yes, but can you pull off the jumpsuit?

Kinja'd!!!

deprecated account > AestheticsInMotion
01/22/2018 at 20:44

Oh, those fuel cells are absolutely a must. Roy and Bolian both had at least a 50 gallon supply in total.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:48

2wd Ford F-350, with the power stroke turbo diesel. Lowered, on high quality z rated tires and a 100 gallon pup tank of diesel in the bed.

Should be able to do 2,000 mikes between fill ups. And have enough power to average well over 100 mph.

deprecated account > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
01/22/2018 at 20:50

An original and interesting choice, but aerodynamics though?

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:50

Tesla P100D with a bunch of solar panels strapped to the top. Set destination, turn on autopilot, take a nap.

Stephenson Valve Gear > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:50

Kinja'd!!!

I chose to do it in a Mustang. No fuel cell. Lots of fun:

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/cannonball-1820136159

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:51

I think the intent is screw the aero, diesel economy at speed is killer and it is still a pretty generic full size pick up.

CB > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:55

Kinja'd!!!

Right. Cessna.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:55

Something something European, something something diesel, something something reliable...

Kinja'd!!!

deprecated account > Stephenson Valve Gear
01/22/2018 at 20:56

What?! How did I miss this? So awesome dude!

CB > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:56

I mean, it’s 100 miles per hour (roughly).

deprecated account > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
01/22/2018 at 20:57

Yeah, I guess a tonneau or bed cap would work just fine.

Your boy, BJR > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 20:59

Hellcat Charger with a fuel cell in the trunk.

deprecated account > CB
01/22/2018 at 20:59

That’s not exactly fair, now is it? You’d be done in just a bit more than an hour, right?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:01

Aero is not that important with 700 HP and 900 FTlbs of torque.

Maxima Speed > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:03

Been waiting for this question for a long time, Ive already done a fair bit of planning and research for it, but it just comes down to not wanting to risk my license for bragging rights. In my opinion a V6 Camry or Solara would be the perfect base vehicle to start with. Not a new one, but I have a 2004 Solara so anything that gen or newer than that would probably work. The reason for the v6 is the balance between fuel economy and power. My Solara can maintain 24 to 26 mpg over long distances at 100 mph. I drove a 500 mile trip(one way) last year and was able to maintain an average trip fuel economy of 28 mpg and average trip speed of 76 mph including stops. Thats not anywhere close enough for the cannon ball, but the average was brought down significantly by religiously following the speed limit in Virginia. Everywhere else I was running 85 to 100 mph with negligible effect on fuel economy (I was running DZ102 performance tires which I would consider a necessity, given the high speeds involved in a cross-country run). What I have yet to determine is the ability to maintain fuel economy with a large fuel cell. The big things I would want are; automatic, traction control, vehicle stability control, performance tires (I think the loss of rain speed, and fuel economy is an acceptable trade off), and upgraded brakes, brake lines, and brake fluid. Camry’s are relatively low profile as far as cops go, but honestly I think radar detectors and other equipment are going to matter far more than visibility (at very high speeds your going to get noticed anyways).

I am also not up to speed on the capabilities of newer, more powerful 4 cylinder sedans, this could be preferable to even a V6.

deprecated account > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
01/22/2018 at 21:04

True, and easily more than that with a tune.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CB
01/22/2018 at 21:05

Ground speed check?

deprecated account > Maxima Speed
01/22/2018 at 21:08

Thing is, you have to go faster than 100 mph a good bit of the time to make it all average out, plus those solaras have four-speeds, right? Can’t be great for fuel economy. Such a low profile car is a good idea for sure though.

Stephenson Valve Gear > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:12

In 2016, my wife and I did the short coast-to-coast run from Florida to San Diego: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-great-2016-coast-to-coast-roadtrip-1790725939#_ga=2.71810135.539836482.1516669243-477484359.1516669243

That one was rough, since I did all the driving. For NY-to-LA, I ran it with a friend as a co-driver. We did a couple of shorter test runs to help prepare. We learned a lot from the actual run... not that we are planning on doing another run... :-D

I realize that I don’t have what it takes to try to set a record. However, I do have a target time that I would like to hit as a personal goal - someday.

Maxima Speed > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:13

5 speed. But still, not the greatest. Should really be a 6 speed at least.

CB > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:14

Just about.

No one said it had to be fair.

CB > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
01/22/2018 at 21:14

Plaid.

Maxima Speed > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:15

Tonneau covers actually decrease fuel economy, they screw with the aerodynamic effect the open bed has.

Discerning > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:16

Fiance saw a Phaeton at the Kroger today and it got me thinking. Assuming it runs without issue, the Phaeton would probably work well. Plenty of power, exceptionally smooth ride, and very inconspicuous looks.

deprecated account > Maxima Speed
01/22/2018 at 21:19

Probably so, yeah. And as for newer 4cyl models, I’m not sure how sustained high speed on turbo components would affect the long-term or short term reliability, but if it did, it would likely be an expensive repair.

deprecated account > Maxima Speed
01/22/2018 at 21:21

I don’t think so. Source: my dad owned a 2004 F-150 for ten years, ran it open bed for the first two or three, and fuel economy increased appreciably, esp. on the highway, when he put the tonneau on.

deprecated account > Discerning
01/22/2018 at 21:22

That first part would be a big if, but if it did, I’m sure it would kill it. Ooh! or a CGT or flying spur!

wafflesnfalafel > arl
01/22/2018 at 21:23

very glad to see somebody picked the clear choice in this matter :)

bob and john > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:24

ctsv wagon.

air ride to help with fuel load
wagon to fit more fuel and needed items
OP drive train
wagon = sneaky sneaky
lights kill swtich and night vision goggles
dark grey
reasonably comfy too.

deprecated account > bob and john
01/22/2018 at 21:34

V-Wagon is always a solid choice, but the fuel economy on those are pretty terrible IIRC. You’d be rolling in style for sure though.

Discerning > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:40

An S8 would likely be ideal as well

TorqueToYield > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:44

I would take the Honda.

Kinja'd!!!

Cars kind of suck for trips over 1000 miles (maybe even under that). 400+mph as the crow flies.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 21:54

Porsche Panamera with a fuel cell for extra range.

Spanfeller is a twat > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 22:15

The ltg is also s crate engine. I suspect its the camaro four banger so it must have a ls-esque engine mounts for easy installation.

I think that I’d probably do it with a smaller car than the caprice, but it depends on your final objective. No one can fault you for using an LS.

After all, LSs are kinda god sends.

deprecated account > Spanfeller is a twat
01/22/2018 at 22:29

Shoot, I didn’t even think it might be the Alpha-platform turbo-4, just assumed it was the one from the Cobalt SS, Solstice GXP, and the like.

Spanfeller is a twat > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 22:33

Chevy crate engine website claims its a longitudinal configuration, or so I read. It also gets 270hp which is not bad! Mate it to a modern 8 speeder or the camaro’s 10 speeder and you’ve got yourself a highway cruiser that will break into the high thirties.

Honestly don’t trust me with stats when I read them on my phone.

I’m still sad that my computer broke... :(

deprecated account > Spanfeller is a twat
01/22/2018 at 22:48

Huh, well there you go. Would be interesting for sure, but I’ll still take my V8.

Spanfeller is a twat > deprecated account
01/22/2018 at 22:50

Nothing like an LS

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > deprecated account
01/23/2018 at 01:54

If I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it in style. In a Bentley Continental S2.

Kinja'd!!!

Top speed of 120mph and built to go at close to that all day long, in supreme comfort -they even have a/c.

Not exactly low profile, but I figure 50% of cops won’t believe their radar guns, 50% of the rest will bow down before me like the peasants they are, and 50% of what’s left will just applaud.

Gas mileage might be an issue, but that’s what a massive boot is for (no “trunk” in one of these).

Cost is another issue, but details, details.