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Pontiac Sunfire

2007-04-09T21:23:25Z

Joey D:

The Pontiac Sunfire was introduced in the 1995 model year as the compact car to replace the Sunbird. Not only was the name changed, but dramatic styling changes were included as well. The new styling was shared with the Chevrolet Cavalier, though Chevrolet did not change the Cavalier name. Also during this time, the J platform was updated structurally to meet more stringent safety standards. The Sunfire could be purchased as a coupe or a convertible. However, the convertible models were not sold after the year 2000, when Pontiac introduced a refreshed Sunfire. The Sunfire name was recycled from the Canada-only Asüna Sunfire sold only in 1993.

The Sunfire was available in standard and GT trim. The GT package was 2-door only and included a sporty front bumper, fog lights, twin exhausts, 16-inch alloy wheels and the more powerful LD9 engine. In the US, only the coupe was available from 2003 to 2005, becoming the only two-door car on Pontiac's lineup between the demise of the Pontiac Firebird in 2002 and the relaunch of the Pontiac GTO in 2004. The sedan continued to be sold in Canada until the end of the overall production run.

Sunfires were built in Lordstown, Ohio (until 2004, before retooling to build the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 models) or Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Production of the Sunfire ended in June 2005. Over 36,000 Sunfires were sold in the US and 33,724 units were sold in Canada in 2004, each for approximately US$11,500. GM replaced the sunfire with the G5 in Canada in 2005 and in the US in 2007.

== Engines ==

* 1995 - 2.3 L (138 in³) Quad-4 I4, 145 hp (108 kW) and 150 ft·lbf (203 N·m)
* 1995–2002 - 2.2 L (134 in³) 2200 I4, 115 hp (86 kW) and 130 ft·lbf (176 N·m)
* 1996–2002 - 2.4 L (146 in³) LD9 I4, 155 hp (116 kW) and 155 ft·lbf (210 N·m)
* 2002–2005 - 2.2 L (134 in³) Ecotec I4, 140 hp (104 kW) and 150 ft·lbf (203 N·m)

The base model had the 2.2 L engine from 1995 until 2002. The sporty GT model had a much more powerful 2.3 L engine in 1995, which was replaced by an even more powerful 2.4 L engine in 1996. In 2003, both the 2.2 L and the 2.4 L engines were replaced by the new 2.2 L Ecotec. The Ecotec was also available as an option in late 2002.

GMC Syclone

2007-04-09T21:18:40Z

Joey D:

The GMC Syclone was and is a high-performance version of the GMC Sonoma pickup truck. Produced in 1991, the Syclone spawned the similarly powered 1992-1993 GMC Typhoon SUV. Another vehicle, the GMC Sonoma GT, offered less performance but was seen as a companion model.

At the time it was introduced, the Syclone was the quickest stock pickup truck being produced in the world. Auto magazines compared its acceleration favorably to a variety of sports cars including the Corvette and - in a memorable comparison test in Car and Driver magazine - a Ferrari. Featuring a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, all wheel drive, and 4 wheel anti-lock brakes, the specifications had more in common with a Porsche than most other pickup trucks.

Both the Syclone and Typhoon (SyTy) trucks featured a Mitsubishi TD06-17C 8 cm² turbocharger and Garrett water/air intercooler attached to a 4.3 L LB4 V6 engine with unique pistons, main caps, head gaskets, intake manifolds, fuel system, exhaust manifolds, and a 48mm twin bore throttle body from the 5.7 L GM Small-Block engine. All SyTy's had a 700R4 (4L60) 4-speed automatic transmission. A Borg Warner all wheel drive 1372/4472 transfer case split torque with 35% forward and 65% to the rear wheels. Both trucks featured sport modifications to the standard suspensions. The Syclone was the first production truck to receive a 4 wheel anti-lock braking system. Output was 280 hp (209 kW) and 360 ft.lbf (488 Nm). Sport Truck (October 1990) tested the Syclone and obtained a 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and a quarter-mile run in 13.08 sec @ 100.44 mph.

In 1991 Syclones were available in black only. 1992 models were to be offered in a wider range of colors before they were canceled. 2995 Syclones were built in 1991, and 3 in 1992. 113 (estimated 31 returned) were reported as Export Sales including a subset now referred to as the Saudi Syclones — a small number were delivered to Saudi Arabia and modified with a metric dash cluster, leaded fuel chip, and a resonator in place of the catalytic converter.

There were two special edition 1991 Syclones offered by third-parties:

The Marlboro Syclone, as featured in the January ‘06 Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine, was the grand prize for 10 lucky winners of The Marlboro Racing ‘92 Contest. All 10 trucks were provided to American Sunroof Corporation (ASC), by Shindoa Design Associates, Inc., in conjunction with Phillip Morris, Inc. With the help of Larry Shinoda, designer of the Corvette and Mustang, an awesome transformation of the 10 black Syclones took place.

Marlboro Syclone custom features include:
ASC converted roof to a targa style roof panel with mounts in the pick-up bed
ASC installed a sliding rear window assembly
Guidon hard tonneau cover
Boyd wheels with Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires
PPG "Hot Licks" Red paint
White strobe stripes provided by Graphik Concepts
Recaro seats
Simpson 5-Point racing harness
Custom Momo "Evolution" steering wheel
Sony sound system
PROMPaq performance chip
Bell Tech Suspension
Borla Exhaust

Three Indy Syclones were used at the Indianapolis 500 race on May 24th, 1992 with the only modifications being a sticker package. One of these Indy trucks was converted into the PPG Syclone Pace Truck (though it was not the official pace car) with significant modifications, including a multi-colored silver, magenta, and aqua paint scheme, and a molded in light bar in the roof, a racing fuel cell and fire system.

The Syclone, Typhoon, and Sonoma GT were built for GMC by Production Automotive Services of Troy, Michigan and sold through dealerships.

GMC Syclone

2007-04-09T21:18:21Z

Joey D:

The GMC Syclone was and is a high-performance version of the GMC Sonoma pickup truck. Produced in 1991, the Syclone spawned the similarly powered 1992-1993 GMC Typhoon SUV. Another vehicle, the GMC Sonoma GT, offered less performance but was seen as a companion model.

At the time it was introduced, the Syclone was the quickest stock pickup truck being produced in the world. Auto magazines compared its acceleration favorably to a variety of sports cars including the Corvette and - in a memorable comparison test in Car and Driver magazine - a Ferrari. Featuring a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, all wheel drive, and 4 wheel anti-lock brakes, the specifications had more in common with a Porsche than most other pickup trucks.

Both the Syclone and Typhoon (SyTy) trucks featured a Mitsubishi TD06-17C 8 cm² turbocharger and Garrett water/air intercooler attached to a 4.3 L LB4 V6 engine with unique pistons, main caps, head gaskets, intake manifolds, fuel system, exhaust manifolds, and a 48mm twin bore throttle body from the 5.7 L GM Small-Block engine. All SyTy's had a 700R4 (4L60) 4-speed automatic transmission. A Borg Warner all wheel drive 1372/4472 transfer case split torque with 35% forward and 65% to the rear wheels. Both trucks featured sport modifications to the standard suspensions. The Syclone was the first production truck to receive a 4 wheel anti-lock braking system. Output was 280 hp (209 kW) and 360 ft.lbf (488 Nm). Sport Truck (October 1990) tested the Syclone and obtained a 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and a quarter-mile run in 13.08 sec @ 100.44 mph.

In 1991 Syclones were available in black only. 1992 models were to be offered in a wider range of colors before they were canceled. 2995 Syclones were built in 1991, and 3 in 1992. 113 (estimated 31 returned) were reported as Export Sales including a subset now referred to as the Saudi Syclones — a small number were delivered to Saudi Arabia and modified with a metric dash cluster, leaded fuel chip, and a resonator in place of the catalytic converter.

There were two special edition 1991 Syclones offered by third-parties:

* The Marlboro Syclone, as featured in the January ‘06 Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine, was the grand prize for 10 lucky winners of The Marlboro Racing ‘92 Contest. All 10 trucks were provided to American Sunroof Corporation (ASC), by Shindoa Design Associates, Inc., in conjunction with Phillip Morris, Inc. With the help of Larry Shinoda, designer of the Corvette and Mustang, an awesome transformation of the 10 black Syclones took place.

Marlboro Syclone custom features include:
ASC converted roof to a targa style roof panel with mounts in the pick-up bed
ASC installed a sliding rear window assembly
Guidon hard tonneau cover
Boyd wheels with Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires
PPG "Hot Licks" Red paint
White strobe stripes provided by Graphik Concepts
Recaro seats
Simpson 5-Point racing harness
Custom Momo "Evolution" steering wheel
Sony sound system
PROMPaq performance chip
Bell Tech Suspension
Borla Exhaust

* Three Indy Syclones were used at the Indianapolis 500 race on May 24th, 1992 with the only modifications being a sticker package. One of these Indy trucks was converted into the PPG Syclone Pace Truck (though it was not the official pace car) with significant modifications, including a multi-colored silver, magenta, and aqua paint scheme, and a molded in light bar in the roof, a racing fuel cell and fire system.

The Syclone, Typhoon, and Sonoma GT were built for GMC by Production Automotive Services of Troy, Michigan and sold through dealerships.

S10

2007-04-09T21:16:40Z

Joey D:

The Chevrolet S-10 (and similar GMC S-15 and Sonoma) was a compact pickup truck from the Chevrolet marque of General Motors. When it was first introduced in 1982, the GMC version was known as the S-15. A high-performance version was the GMC Syclone. The truck was also sold by Isuzu as the Hombre from 1996 through 2000. There became an SUV version, the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer/GMC S-15 Jimmy. An electric version was leased as a fleet vehicle in 1997 and 1998. Together, these trucks are often referred to as the S-series. The S-series was replaced by new models, the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Isuzu i-Series, in 2004.

== First generation ==

The first compact pickup truck from General Motors was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV. The 1973 Arab Oil Embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically-produced compact pickup truck, however. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines (primarily from the GM G-body intermediates) were incorporated. The first S-series trucks were introduced in 1982. The Chevrolet and GMC models were identical apart from the grille. An extended cab and "Insta-Trac" four wheel drive were added the next year along with two new engines.

Track width was similar to the former GM H-body subcompacts (Vega/Monza).

The sport utility S-10 Blazer and S-15 Jimmy debuted; GM was the first to introduce compact sport utilities ahead of arch rivals Jeep and Ford. This trend occurred again where 4-door variants were introduced in March 1990 as 1991 models alongside the similar Oldsmobile Bravada.

New heavy-duty and off-road suspensions appeared in 1984 along with a hydraulic clutch, while the big news for 1985 was the discontinuing of the Cavalier's OHV I4 in favor of Pontiac's Iron Duke. The OHV-derived 2.2 L engine and Isuzu 1.9 L were both gone the next year, leaving just the Iron Duke and updated 2.8 L V6. A much-welcomed 4.3 L V6 was added for 1988, and anti-lock brakes came the next year.

The GMC S-15 became the GMC Sonoma in 1991, and the Sierra trim packages are dropped to avoid confusion with the new GMC Sierra full-size pickup. The GMC Syclone also appeared that year. The Sonoma GT bowed in 1992. Added to this was the 4.3L V6 Vortec W code engine. This generation's last year, 1993.

The Vortec is essentially the standard Z code 262 in³ engine. The difference is the W code used a balance shaft, roller cam shaft, different heads, and Central Port Injection. The 1992 and 1993 engine came in either a 195 or 205 hp rating. The High Performance version came with a larger diameter Y pipe, and was only installed in some of the Blazers and S-10 Jimmys.

== Second generation ==

The second-generation trucks appeared in 1994. All of the special models (The Syclone, Typhoon, and Sonoma GT) were gone, but the changes to the truck brought it in line with arch-rival Ford Ranger. The Iron Duke and 2.8 L 60° V6 engines were dropped, leaving just the 4.3 L Vortec and a new 2.2 L engine, itself a derivative of the old Cavalier OHV.

Much of the chassis components were the same as the first generation (the A-frames between the first and second generation were the same although they were originally sourced from GM's G-body vehicle lineup, along with the steering knuckle, leaf springs, and differential assembly. (the second generation came with an optional 8.5" rear differential) Generally, for the 2WD trucks, the 8.5" rearend was only used when it came with both a manual tranmission and the large 262cid V6 engine, it was standard for 4WD trucks with either transmission. This was also the year that GM introduced the ZR2 Offroad Package.

The 4.3 L engines were refreshed for 1996 and a third (rear) door was added for extended-cab models. The exterior, interior, brakes, and 2.2 L engine were refreshed for 1998, and "Auto-Trac" all-wheel drive was optional starting in 1999 for the Blazers. Also the SS package was replaced by the "Xtreme" sports model package. In 2001 a Crew Cab option was added and was available in 4WD and automatic transmission only.

Base 2WD models came with 15x6.5 inch rims with directional vents, Xtreme and ZQ8 models came with 16x8" rims while 4WD models (including the ZR2) used 15x7" rims. The 14 inch rims used on the first generation were discontinued.

Second-generation S-series were also produced locally in Brazil; and are still in production even though S-series production ceased in 2004 in the U.S. Brazilian S-10s have a different front grille, lamps and bumper, and they also available with a 2.8 Diesel engine built by MWM.

File:1990-94-Chevrolet-S10-Blazer-93124161990107.JPG

2007-04-09T21:14:49Z

Joey D:

File:Sideheal.JPG

2007-04-09T21:12:28Z

Joey D:

File:800px-1994ChevroletBlazer-front.jpg

2007-04-09T21:09:19Z

Joey D: