Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 135: A CEL Challenge Debutant

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 135: A CEL Challenge Debutant

It's taken a while, but I finally mustered the will to enter a round of the original CEL Challenge. This one was themed around 1980s American trucks, with the rule set (as shown here) being as follows:

• Body style: SUV/Truck
• Maximum wheelbase: 4.5m/177in
• Tech pool: default settings (+5 for all areas)
• Aspiration: natural only
• No race parts (headers/intakes) allowed
• Maximum fuel octane: 91 RON/87 AKI regular unleaded
• Normal (not high-flow) 3-way catalytic converter required
• Any type of cast-iron (not tubular) headers allowed
• Maximum engine loudness of 50
• Maximum engine service costs of $600
• 4x4 drivetrain required
• Manual transmission (at least 4 speeds) required
  
• Chunky off-road or all-terrain tires required (maximum width 300mm)
• Minimum of 2 full-sized seats
• Safety must be Standard 80s or better
• Springs must be Standard or Progressive
• Minimum drivability of 25
• Minimum comfort of 20
• Minimum safety of 40
• Minimum offroad of 50
• Minimum reliability of 60
• Maximum price of $18,000 AMU (as shown in markets tab)
• Aesthetics must be easily recognizable as an offroader

With this in mind, I immediately started building a candidate for an entry, and after some deliberation, decided to submit what I called the SVM Ibex 5.7 Deluxe - a high-end trim of a rugged single-cab truck from 1989 (the newest year the rules will allow), loaded with all the bells and whistles. I was planning on fitting a leaf-sprung live axle at the front and rear, but quickly realized that the resulting vehicle would be too specialized (and too uncomfortable to be eligible), and so I chose an independent dual-wishbone front suspension instead.

If you want to haul stuff without sacrificing too many creature comforts, the SVM Ibex Deluxe is for you.

For this round, most of the requirements were very easy to exceed, let alone meet. However, due to a manual transmission being mandatory (presumably for reliability's sake), I could not even get close to the minimum comfort rating of 20 without fitting a premium interior and stereo (which incorporated a cassette tape player, in keeping with the trends of the era); that said, by doing so, I was able to achieve a comfort score of exactly 25. Combined with the use of a corrosion-resistant steel ladder-frame chassis (for maximum environmental resistance - a key priority for off-road vehicles), treated steel bodywork, and advanced 80s safety kit, this pushed the price extremely close towards the $18k ceiling, but I felt it was worth it.

For this truck, I chose an overhead-valve 90-degree V8 displacing 5,700 cc, with a cast-iron block and aluminum head. In keeping with the Ibex's role as a utility-focused vehicle, I tuned the engine for more torque at low RPM, hence my decision to fit a single throttle body with a standard low-RPM intake and low-RPM cast-iron headers. I originally considered a compact intake and header combination, but realized that I would lose too much output without a sufficient reduction in loudness or service costs in return. Combined with a close-ratio 5-speed manual gearbox (for utility), the engine is an ideal partner for the Ibex's load-hauling mission, even when towing, with a maximum capacity in excess of a metric ton.

I was actually very happy at how well this truck build turned out, especially considering that this was the very first time I had entered a round of the original CEL Challenge. Here's to many more entertaining rounds in the future - I'll enter at least one of those if and when I have the chance.