Joe's companion during his six-second joy rides is an enormous, custom Vortech Igloo intercooler. The diminutive Joe virtually disappears when tucked way, way back in his Van Overbeek carbon-fiber race seat. Imagine driving a Mustang at 216 mph from the back seat and you'll get the idea.
But Joe admits the issues weren't all mechanical, as he had to adapt to going from his old car's roughly 1,700 hp to "well in excess of 2,000" under the hood of the new one. Even a new driving position that places Joe much farther back and lower than in his old car has taken some getting used to. "The [rear wheel] tubs are higher than my head," Joe says. These factors and more kept the car from even approaching the 6s until well into August, much to Joe's considerable consternation. But Joe-who seemingly possesses more energy than a Saturn V booster-persevered until, quite suddenly, things changed for the better. First came the win at Epping, along with 60-foot times in the 1.06-second range, and then an even-quicker 6.62 at 216-mph performance during the next event at Cordova. Joe and his talented team are confident the car is capable of 6.40s in its present form.
Joe's primary engine displaces 414 ci and is the handiwork of his brother, Paul, as is the twin spare in the trailer. David Wolfe crafted the turbo duct work with neat touches such as O-ringed connectors to speed assembly/disassembly and to provide a positive seal. Joe's stock of turbos is from Innovative Turbo Systems. He currently favors a 105mm unit.
As we write this in mid-September, Joe hopes to finish out the '02 season on a high note and then get really serious during the winter in preparation for 2003. Planned enhancements include having Wolfe stretch the wheelbase to 105 inches, swapping to an FRPP aluminum block to lighten the car in unballasted form and improve its balance, and once again spraying on a fresh paint scheme to celebrate Joe's new DaSilva Racing shop. Yup, he's back all right. Enjoy the show.
5.0 Tech Specs
| ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN |
| Block | FRPP cast-iron 351 |
| Bore | 4.080 |
| Stroke | 4.00 |
| Displacement | 414 ci |
| Crank | Scat billet steel |
| Rods | MGP |
| Pistons | JE |
| Compression | 8.5:1 |
| Cam | Turbo People |
| Heads | FRPP Yates, ported by Paul Silva |
| Valves | 2.160/1.625 |
| Intake | Hogan lower/Wolfe upper, ported |
| | by Paul Silva |
| Throttle Body | Wilson 106mm |
| Injectors | Creative Performance |
| | Racing 160 lb/hr |
| Fuel Pump | Aeromotive |
| Headers | Kooks Custom |
| Power Adder | Innovative Turbo |
| | Systems 105mm |
| Intercooler | Custom Vortech Igloo |
| Transmission | Lenco |
| Clutch | Modified Crower |
| Rearend | Wolfe housing, |
| | 9.5-in Precision Gear internals, 4.30:1 |
| Chassis | Wolfe Race Craft |
| ELECTRONICS |
| Engine Management | ACCEL GEN VII |
| Ignition | MSD |
| Gauges | Auto Meter |
| CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION |
| FRONT SUSPENSION |
| K-Member | Wolfe Race Craft |
| Control Arms | Wolfe Race Craft |
| Springs/Struts | Strange coilover |
| Brakes | Strange |
| Wheels | Weld |
| Tires | Mickey Thompson |
| REAR SUSPENSION |
| Springs/Shocks | Strange coilover |
| Axle Location | Wolfe four-link |
| Brakes | Strange |
| Wheels | Weld |
| Tires | Mickey Thompson |
| | 16x17x34.5 |