I don't think it works out that way. I'm no expert but based on your comments I'm sure I watch more of this crap than you do (higher tolerance for produced content I guess, hahaaha) but most of these modern engine into old car swaps don't really highlight much that a new Camaro/Mustang/Challenger owner can use. Because a lot of them
delete functionality or certain elements of the new engine/drivetrain in order to get the thing to work with Old Shit. So it's rip out the harness and replace with Holley ECU or figure out a way for the Dodge ECU to talk to an old 727 auto trans or delete this or that. No modern muscle car owner will deal with that bullshit unless, possibly, if he/she is trying to convert a new Camaro or Challenger or Mustang into a dedicated track car and wants the programmability and data logging. But otherwise, it's 3 lefts to make a right and they're already there simply by owning the modern version. Some of those swaps wind up looking like race cars, meaning a panel of toggle switches, no interior and a roll cage and other gear that would ruin a modern car.
On the other hand, there are a lot of shows that go into the engine itself and upgrade it. Those episodes I think are aimed at the modern muscle car fans. Engine Masters is a great show for that, half their experiments are on Gen III Hemis or LS engines (rarely a Coyote) - new cams, lifters, pistons, heads, intake, etc., and they do a lot of comparisons of similar parts, is this one
really better than that one? Hot Rod Garage isn't bad, either, they will sometimes take a slightly older modern car and try to get it as up-to-date as the current versions.
When I go to local Mopar shows (Fall Fling/Spring Fling) there is usually a row of modern Challengers and Chargers. They're popular enough but there's nothing to see, really, except dress-up shit (chrome, aftermarket wheels). Same with Ford shows, though they have a lot more modern Mustangs, like 2 rows of that shit. I mean, Fabulous Fords Forever feels like a quarter of all the cars are newish Mustangs (along with, typically 2-3 MN12/FN10 cars). At least they're all in the same area but I'm more interested in any old Torinos I can find (and Mavericks which I used to hate, hahaaha). The Chevy stuff is different because the few shows I've gotten to, even if it says Chevy, is usually all GM. Which is cool, seeing old Cadillacs and Buicks. But I think all those modern owners knows that there's very little they can do to their cars because they're already complete, they already have 2-4x as much horsepower as the older cars, handle way better, and are too regulated to modify very much. There's nothing to improve or fix, just make prettier. Cup holders, man, they're not in the mood to make their cars less comfortable after spending $90,000 to get them in the first place.
I'm surprised he only got hit once (at least what they were willing to show). I think not long after that they steered away from the pretend we stole it/impounded it gag. I'm sure people were starting to recognize them, anyway, but that was like 5-10 minutes of wasted car fix air time. Ya, some of Foose's design ideas suck (but no one will tell him 'no'). And I don't get making over a modern car, those were always thee most boring episodes. Oooh, we're going to bolt on an aero kit! And repaint it!! And bolt on new Foose rims!!! At least the old cars, especially the bland ones, would benefit from the tucked in bumpers/new interior/swapped grille and lights/upgraded drivetrain treatment. But ya, I felt my stomach clench when dumbass took out that Olds motor in that Vista Cruiser and "stabbed" in the LS (Odin, how I hate the use of that word all over the car TV show world).
True, but at least they are straightforward about the steps necessary to achieve the end result, and they're pretty detailed about it unlike some regular car shows that just magic up success behind the scenes without showing how that was actually done. Engine Power shows a lot of these things go here, those things go there, torque to X ft/lbs, blah blah blah. Like a manual. I don't care if they're product heavy because
somebody has to manufacture all that shit and 9 times out of 10, I would have bought the same parts. And it's not always the same manufacturers, either, some weird engines necessitate going with specific parts because that is the only company who will even bother to make hi-po parts.
I think Bitchin' Rides is the show I watch the least, too much manufactured "humor" (they're not funny, like at all) and drama. Kindig, you can't act and you're not funny and you look like a gnome!!
I know it has absolutely
nothing to do with actual car maintenance or improvements, but the TV shows that bother to have the occasional cute girl host help to smooth over the negatives that the show may have, hahaaha. As much as I like Tony Angelo, his knowledge and especially his humor, I commend Hot Rod Garage for going with Alex Taylor once Tony decided to leave. Garage Squad was pretty consistent there, though I never got over Lauren Bohlander being on only the first season (dammit!).
At least the Sarah -N- Tuned YouTube show is still putting along, I can't wait to see that old Celica finally finished! She is also one of those no-crew hosts, she sets up all the cameras herself and edits everything. I like the occasional cleavage shot (usually when trying to reposition a camera) and her "It's ok, I know how my bills get paid" comments, hahaaha. She is almost OCD with how much of the cars that will never be seen she winds up cleaning and/or repainting. She is my current favorite, not because she's legit hot but because she shows
everything involved, which means she can get 12 episodes in and the fucking car still isn't finished. Compare that to other shows that cram all of it, regardless of actual time involved, into an hour (occasionally a 2-parter). But because of that level of detail she hasn't done many cars, obviously.
Another YouTube show I'm starting to get more into, because of the all info/no bullshit aspect, is Uncle Tony's Garage -
He's not really camera charismatic or anything, it's just loads of info.
youtu.be
. Just paint the damn thing dude, even Freiburger said he wanted Dulcich to paint it the original F8 green when they were first putting it together!
www.curbsideclassic.com
