Rubber won't burn itself...Salt Slush @ SEMA

Before I went to SEMA in Las Vegas I was marinated with do's and don'ts from various media, governments and policy makers. I was on the verge of getting depressed.

After (and during) the SEMA event the word PASSION echoed in my mind. Though my feet started to hurt after +20.000 steps per day and I was jet lagged, I felt refreshed. Full of energy. Passion is the foundation for creativity and hope and a real energy boost.

The innovativeness and the technical level related to the vehicles on display was really a great inspiration.

Here's just a fraction of what inspired us:

Mike Sitar and his team. Always energetic and full of new solutions...

...like the super smart PFI (Port Fuel Injection) solution that will make DI engines (like GM LT engines) go faster while maintaining drivability and not messing with emission legislation or OEM tuning. A piece of art.

How about Mopar's new HurriCrate, a brand new and reasonable 550hp twin turbo 6 cylinder? Available as crate engine. Love the name too.

Ohh I almost forgot, MOPAR displayed an engine for those who need more. For those speed souls there's a supercharged 1000hp Hellephant crate engine available. 

Yes, there was an 1500hp alternative too, but let's take it in steps.

Only big displacement from MOPAR? Nope. How about this home built Honda? We're talking about close to four digit power output from 2 litre four cylinder. Application? Scroll down...

The four banger was applied to a semi old Ferrari 308 that was in need of a heart transplant. White as snow but cobra fast. 

On the darker side there was the Hoonigan Mustang...

...and this 911 that is in line with Salt Slush- Magnus motto: 

-What is low should be high and what is high should be low.

There were repaired cars too..

...like this Tesla. Supercharged once and for all and lost weight too. 

Then, suddenly the The Las Vegas strip was closed. Suddenly there was an amazing sound. Suddenly there was excitement in there air. 

A-fucking-mazing moment.

Gloom or Glory? Heaven or Hell? Black or White?

November is coming up. One of the gloomiest months of the year at latitude 57, only surpassed by January, February and March.  

November's gloom is different to all the depressing winter months, because November is a shock. Same thing every year. It's dark. Leaves are falling and the asphalt is never dry.

To overcome the November rain and the Gothenburg Gloom, it's time to seek shelter from rain and darkness. To wake up the inner creativity, turn up the heat and get together with friends. In short, to get all projects going and celebrate when occasionally things turn out right.

We're not role models, but we're trying to escape inflation, energy prices, rain and war while we hole up in our workshop. Where we're dreaming and doing.   

 

Carina, our Salt Slush CFO, in our paint booth. 

She came out like a Sunday Smurf since the color was blue. 

But her feeling was not blue.

 

There's a lot of theoretic theory about team work....here's team work when it just happens. Not a week of planning upfront. No protocol. Just a Camaro that needs a heart transplant and crew of people who knows (approximately) what needs to be done.

  

In dark times, he who seeks will find. Myrberg found a sandblasting device.

 How he paid? Storytelling.

A good deal for us.

November Rain.

Radio Ga Ga Salt Slush Style

Why not just focus on racing, turbos and superchargers? Why write blog posts in English? Why make a radio show in Swedish?

The answer; there's no commercial logic. No reasonable strategy whatsoever. There's just a Salt Slush passion for storytelling, music and motor culture. Storytelling based on true stories, thinking and dreaming.

 

So, let's start with Queen as we celebrate Radio stations like Radio 88, driven by enthusiasts...

  

 ...and then move over to Motortimmen for those who want in crash course Swedish or / and motor culture.

https://radio88.se/program

 

Stay tuned every Second Monday even weeks 19.00-20.00 (7.00pm-8.00pm) 

Dog Days are over. Leaves are falling. It's workshop time!

Rain is pouring down. Will temperature drop below zero tonight? It's getting darker day by day. There are signs in the sky that can make a grown man cry. Where to find shelter from the storm? Where to find comfort and piece of mind?
 
At latitude 57,7 it is now time to seek shelter and as always, a workshop, a project and some friends is what's needed. Oh, I forgot, you need a contract that provides low cost energy too.
 
Salt Slush meet up frequently to create, chitchat and battle technical problems. To dream collectively, do some wrenching and laugh with friends. Obviously this weekend was no exception. We were all fully busy relaxing

 

Dog days are over. therefore Chico,  our hot-rod dog, sleep like a dog while angle grinders were howling. Only woke up when it was time to get pictured.

It's back. The Vespa. Hence it's time for an Italian job.

 

 -Too many portals and too many seats, Anders stated.

Sedan to Coupe transformation ongoing

Yes, it's -34 Ford.

Vintage lawnmowers needs attention too. Here Carina is testing her Pennsylvania Trimmer from the -20ties.

 

Yes, Anders laser cutter was used to create a new edge cutter circle. Seems to work perfectly. Just need a lawn for the test drive.

When manually honing V8-cylinders, you regret that you're not working with single cylinder motorcycles instead. This is a kind of gearhead gym. Builds muscle and character, while your engine gets in shape.

 

Close up: Circulation honing oil. 

The (forged!) crankshaft needs attention too. Magnus Ford FE 360 engine is getting the massage it deserves.

 

GM vs. Ford. The long sleek Buick vs the meatball Ford. Straight 8 vs V8. Before the winter arrives and new projects enters the scene our Coupes need some minor adjustment. 

 

Oh, I forgot. When we're not relaxing with our own toys, we provide BorgWarner EFR and Airwrks and Magnuson Superchargers to those who need serious power when the sun is shining and a new project in garage when the wind is howling outside. If you want to talk about your turbo/supercharger project just let us know! We're as well cooperating with Supercharger-Online now so we can help out with a lot more superchargers and supercharger spare parts.

 

The emotional rollercoaster in a workshop. Exemplfied.

We've all been there. We've all grabbed for a cold beer after a day of accomplishment. Comfortably been climbing Maslow's Pyramid only to look at the grand view from the top.

But as you're balancing on the top, you know where it all is likely to go next. Let's just say that the direction is south. To a place where heating cost is likely to be low. 

When you're dwelling in this southern inferno, where celebrations are few, you know that you've reached rock bottom. From here on, it can only get better. 

Need an example? Here's an example:

One sunny Sunday I took my Ford -46 Coupe to the Salt Slush workshop to check the rear brakes. I put the car on jack stands and thought to myself; this might take an hour....

Pictured; One out of three different Ford drum pullers that that did not do the job. I took step after step down the stairs towards the emotional hell, where there's no reward and no cold beverages.

 

But when you're standing in hell the only way is up. So...I ordered a drum puller from the US of A  A puller that felt like really good technical solution.

 

It was a step in the right direction and one out of two drums came loose. But still, the golden brew stood safe in the fridge. The technical concept was however correct, but reinforcement was needed. I went over to the a neighbor workshop and bought a 100mm steel shaft and made a stiff ring.

Will this work? Yes! Combined with an impact wrench from hell and a substantial sledge hammer, success was reached.

Epilogue: After a first naive assumption an inevitable journey downwards followed. Tears were flowing. Tools were ordered. Disappointment led to action. Action that were successful. Eventually. 

Now I'm sitting here feeling just fine. 

The glass in front of me is empty but still cold.

I wonder were things are going next? Let me guess...

In times of darkness: Dream on!

Inflation is reaching two digit number, while interest rate doubles and the energy price is sky rocketing. Consequently, the salary is not the comfort that it used to be. Thoughts related to pure survival hammer your brain as you're about to fall into sleep

 

You feel worried and when you're looking at the sofa you're thinking of its heat value. You try but cannot get thoughts about a deep global recession off you mind. All you see is dark clouds approaching.

 

Something needs to be done. Here are our stay-away-from-depression advises.

    

Take a breake. Sip a coffee or a beer with other gearhead. Pictured: Lasse Davidsson came by today and help out with stuck Ford -46 drum brake

  

 Open up the workshop. Then guys like Bengt arrives. You'll hear stories from the far up north about moose and bear hunting. All while you're working on your project.

 

 Socialize. Light up the barbecue fry some cheap chicken and grab a beer after a day of wrenching. 

 

Do good: Support the Race community with race equipment. 

Even on Sunday's.

Nourish yourself: Buy a Business Coupe. Because you're worth it.

Work on an intriguing or exhausting project that force you to not think about the energy price. Constantly. Pictured; Carina and her Pennsylvania lawnmower.

 

Ensure inspiration: Ask friends with amazing rides to come by. When Johan showed up with one of his Italian cafe racers inspiration was flowing. There was thunder too...when the V2 came alive

 

 Go to Swap Meet's. When I saw this 392 Chrysler Hemi for sale I was thinking; perhaps I can close a couple of rooms this winter and get a bear fur. I mean...stuff like this makes to feel warm inside anyhow.

 

 Finally some words from Bob Dylan;

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful...

....and may you stay....forever young.

In search for traction - The Texas Mile

We love land speed racing. Howling engines, high boost pressure and speed is in our veins. White salt, burning sun and crave for water does not stop us. Because we're born and raised to endure difficulties.  We all know how to handle headwind of various kind.

But we are still just normal car guys from Sweden who just want to test our land speed racer , the 449 Amazon, in high speed. To see how it behaves in +200mph (320km/h).  

After years of wet salt, global pandemic and flooded salt, we looked at the US map. Because our land speed racer is in US. Outcome? Well we found Texas and The Texas Mile. Almost never cancelled. Traction.

But It's a long trip from California to Texas. But I guess we need to go see the yellow rose anyhow...at some point in time. Why not next spring?

The Texas Mile.