Tech Directions- October 2008

the fundamentals of how it all works together on a project like that.” Anderson added, “We learned all of the fundamentals of rebuilding an engine, transmission, and fuel systems competencies.” As the students built the car, the instructors closely monitored each step, checking all systems from top to bottom. When the students installed the brakes, they checked the brake line for leaks and any other potential problems. Each system had to check out correctly before students could proceed. “We spent many hours on this car and wanted to make sure our students were getting the best out of their education,” said Mike Rodgers, instructor/coordinator of the PTC Automotive Technology department. “We set up the project so that the students could accomplish all of the competencies needed for their degree,” said Grayson Jefferies, a PTC automotive technology instructor. “There were only two competencies left, air conditioning and automatic transmission, two things the Cobra does not have,” he added. They could learn those techniques on other cars in the shop during class. Gabriel Wallace of Whitmire, SC, power ﬂow fuel rail kit, and a power force plus harmonic damper add spice to the power train. Royal Purple high-performance lubricants keep everything running smoothly. The car also features Dynomax performance headers and a Zoom Performance stage 1 clutch set. The T-5 transmission contains an Astro Performance complete rebuild kit. The vehicle sits on a set of Sumitomo HTR 35/40Z tires on FR500 silver ﬁnish wheels. Between the driver and the passenger seats is an embroidered coiled cobra that symbolizes Above, students perform sheetmetal work from all angles. At right, proud students show off their car. More than Fun Answers also a second-year student, was excited about adapting a high-performance engine to a fuel injection system. With some pride, he said, “It says a lot about the automotive department and the work that we can do. It proves to all that nothing is impossible!” The ﬁnished product is a 1965 Cobra FFR sporting a TKM Custom Rods bright-yellow paint scheme with black racing stripes. The car has a 5-liter Mustang engine, bored 0.040 over with an E303 camshaft. Professional Products Power+Plus Typhoon induction system with a power 70 mm throttle body, both the speed of a cobra snake’s strike and how fast the PTC Cobra can travel. A Prize Winner “And the winner is: the Piedmont Technical College Cobra!” Those were the words everyone at the Saluda South Carolina Classic Truck and Auto Show heard during presentation of the judges’ trophy. PTC automotive students proudly drove away with the Best of Show award. It was a hot August day with temperatures soaring into the high 90s, but in the words of instructor Rodgers, “The summer heat could not stop us from being at the auto show, because we know we have a hot commodity in this car!” Some students who worked on the car attended the show as well. Stephen Harris, a second-year student from Honea Path, SC, was in Saluda when the car took Best 14 techdirections ◆ OCTOBER 2008

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Tech Directions Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The Report Technology's Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Automotive Power and Energy Technology Education Career Directions Electronics Special Feature More than fun

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