Part Two of Our Stock to Shock Series
When we last left you in part one of the Stock to Shock saga (see here), we introduced you to Robert Freund, driver of the Tesla, affectionately nicknamed the “Muskrat.” What started as a shell of a 2015 Tesla Model S has now evolved into a fire-breathing twin-turbo 565 c.i. Big-Block Chevy drag &drive car. In part two, we follow the gang on a short interstate drive, approximately 30 minutes from the Edelbrock Group HQ to Holly Springs Motorsports for some eighth-mile test & tuning on a HOT late-summer day. How will the Muskrat hold up to testing for the rigors of Edelbrock Sick Smokies? Stick around and find out!
Muskrat Test Day One
On the first test day, it was extremely hot – like unbearably hot! With the Mid-South experiencing weeks of heat warnings, it was actually “cooler” than previous days, with a heat index topping 103°F. However, by testing late in the afternoon, the track temperatures were likely well above 150°F. Luckily, the Muskrat is equipped with a water-to-air intercooler that regulates the intake air temperature, however, they were still surprised by how much ice they went through trying to keep it cool. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the transmission, and with those kinds of track temperatures, it definitely took the brunt of the abuse from those hot passes on a hot track.
Muskrat made just two passes before tearing up the high-gear clutches, high-gear band, and piston apply seal in the transmission, likely due to the extreme heat and potentially a low fluid level. Despite that, the team was happy to obtain the data from such a situation and was generally satisfied with the day overall, making a best pass of 5.784 @ 111 mph. As soon as it arrived home, the transmission was sent to Jeff Reed and his crew at TCI in Ashland, Mississippi, to rebuild it using stronger TCI parts.
“We had to tow it back, which we never like to do,” Freund says. However, the TCI team was able to execute a 72-hour turnaround, allowing the transmission to be returned to Robert’s team in time for the return test day on Friday.
Muskrat Test Day Two
As soon as they got the transmission back from TCI, the team was right back at on Friday. Straight off the trailer, the Muskrat was able to turn a 5.677. After some adjustment on the wheelie bars to gain wheel speed, they ended up with a 5.556 @ 126 mph. The 126 mph was a little slower than the car actually ran as Robert was still trying to get the timing down for the chute, but overall the team are happy with the time for a 4200-pound car on 19 pounds of boost.
“All in all, all the temperatures in the car were great, so it doesn’t indicate that we hurt anything,” says Robert. “When we got it back, we had no leaks; everything was dry; the transmission was doing everything it should.”
Planning for Sick Smokies
Now, before Sick Smokies, the team has a comprehensive plan of top to bottom replacement parts they want to get on Muskrat to step up the power, including a Pro-Flo XT Intake Manifold from Edelbrock; BSR Shaft-Mount Rocker System, Race XD Lifters, and a custom-ground, solid-roller tool-steel cam from COMP; and Lunati X-Beam rods . Check out the video below to see how the test days went and hear from Robert about the experience.
Will they get the Muskrat done in time for Sick Smokies? Stay tuned for Part Three to see how they did at the event, or if you are in the area come by one of the stops, October 12-19, and say hello to the crew.
