Readers' Letters

Raw PowerOh, praise you, kind editors of Motor Trend, for publishing the latest issue of Lottery Wheels (a.k.a. "Raw Power!" March '96). After I inevitably win the big jackpot with one of my fistful of lottery tickets, I'll order every one of those delicious vehicles to put into my two-story, 10-car garage. I'll powerslide the RENNTech Mercedes-Benz S700 to the opera, deliver the local morning paper (and wake everyone up) in my thundering Lingenfelter Corvette 383, and destroy all challengers at import-car drag meets with my yellow-on-black TechArt Porsche 911. The Mustang will definitely be hot-rod show and general public admiration material, while I'll save the DC Sports Acura NSX for teaching my kids how to drive safely and confidently, with a modicum of respect for the other street racers-uh, I mean motorists-on the highway. I do remain unsure, however, of what I'll do with the rest of my Hennessey Viper Venom 600, after I yank the engine and dump it into the back of my Donzi speedboat. Any suggestions?Robert S. Lyss Jr.Orinda, Calif.

I enjoyed your article "Raw Power!" comparing the hottest offerings from the nation's top tuners. However, I was greatly surprised by the cost of modifications and labor to marginally increase performance. I suppose if money is no object, these increases are worth it, but for my dollar the stock performance is more than adequate for daily street use.Craig D. CarlsonBoston, Mass.

I felt compelled to express my happiness at finding the "Raw Power!" article in the March issue. The writers at Motor Trend do a consistently good job at giving everyone what they want out of their features, but every now and again, it takes an entire article devoted to performance to satisfy that primal craving in all of us. I'm convinced that everyone (except my mother) has a side that loves the smell of vulcanized rubber on asphalt and the exhaust note that only a car with a half-thousand horsepower can make.Patrick H. CarricoLexington, KY.

I have to say that "Raw Power!" was a great article, but I have one question: Isn't there an aftermarket "tuner" who could have provided you with a Chevrolet Camaro? Or did it just make sense to use GM's flagship sports car with the Lingenfelter 383? My personal favorite car to put the Lingenfelter 383 engine in would have to be the Buick Roadmaster. After all, who would think that a behemoth like that could be such a wolf in sheep's clothing?Russ HoffmanMaple Shade, N.J.

In the search for ultimate power, we focused on the premium performers within a given line, which left the Chevrolet Camaro on the sidelines. In our December '94 issue, we had a gathering of Camaros and Pontiac Firebirds covering the F-body tuners for our "Natural Born Killers" high-performance story.-Ed.

"Raw Power!" included an outstanding road test on the Hennessey Viper Venom 600. I thought the Viper Venom 500 and 550 you featured in your July '94 issue were earth-shakers, but the Venom 600 looks as if it performs like Hennessey's previous two models on steroids! However, I have a burning question: How does the Venom 550, with an estimated 550 horsepower, outgun the Venom 600, with 635 horsepower? You published 0-60-mph and quarter-mile times of 3.5 and 11.7 seconds, respectively, for the Venom 550, versus slower times of 3.8 and 11.8 seconds for the Venom 600.

Now if I could just sell my house and run down to Houston to take delivery of Hennessey's latest neck-snapping Viper creation....James LeveeTyler, Texas

Despite wearing some of the largest, stickiest tires ever fitted to a street-legal car, the Venom 600 suffered from traction problems. Spinning its tires the full length of the quarter-mile track ultimately slowed the Venom 600's peak performance. It would be quicker if it were capable of achieving full-throttle grip. But oh, what a ride!-Ed.