195. The Pile Up: Brain Buster 32

This is a misheard/wordplay reference to the Dodge Viper. The Viper is a performance sports car line from Dodge, and the joke is that “wiper” sounds like something else.

“Partial credit” means you get some points even if your answer isn’t fully correct. In this segment, they’re grading the contestants’ guesses and awarding points when the answer is incomplete.

Tom Gale is mentioned as the designer behind the concept car being discussed. The segment frames him as part of the creative team shaping the car’s look and intent.

Craig Durfee is mentioned as the other key figure involved in the car’s concept. The hosts specifically credit him with wanting the design to make people “double take,” pointing to intentional bodywork proportions and seams.

The Shelby Cobra is a legendary American sports car associated with lightweight, high-power road racing heritage. It’s frequently discussed because its design and performance reputation made it an icon, and it often comes up when people talk about classic muscle-era sports cars. In the transcript, it’s referenced as a comparison point for a “Dodge Shelby Cobra” idea.

A V10 is an engine with 10 cylinders arranged in a “V” shape (two banks of cylinders). Compared with V8s, a V10 can produce more power and smoothness because it has more cylinders firing in sequence.

A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a V configuration (two banks of four). In the segment, the hosts discuss the V10 being derived from existing V8 architecture, which is a common way manufacturers reduce development cost.

“Double takes” here is a design goal: the car’s styling is meant to be visually striking enough that people look at it twice. The hosts tie it to a specific body seam and door contour that creates a dramatic silhouette.

The front fender is the body panel above and around the front wheel. In this segment, the “break” between the front fender and the door is described as an intentional styling cue to create a noticeable visual transition.

A gauge set is the cluster of instruments behind the steering wheel (like speed, RPM, and engine-related readouts). A “basic gauge set” implies fewer screens and simplified instrumentation, reinforcing the “raw power” theme described by the hosts.

“No frills” describes a stripped-down interior and minimal features—focused on the driving experience rather than comfort or convenience. The segment contrasts a basic gauge set and uncertain infotainment (possibly no radio) with the idea of a “raw power” car.

Bob Lutz was a major automotive executive known for pushing performance and enthusiast-friendly engineering at Chrysler. In this segment, he’s described as a “speed freak” who even borrowed a Lamborghini Countach from Chrysler’s engineering department.

The Lamborghini Countach is an iconic Italian supercar famous for its wedge shape and dramatic, high-performance character. Here it’s used as a benchmark for how the Chrysler Viper was supposed to feel and handle, including the idea of getting it up to 140 mph on quiet mornings.

The Detroit auto show is a major North American event where automakers reveal new cars and concepts to the public and press. Debuting the Viper there in 1989 is presented as a key moment that sparked massive interest.

A deposit is money paid upfront to reserve or commit to buying a product before it’s fully available. Here, the hosts describe people mailing checks as deposits after seeing the Viper, showing how strong the early demand was.

Liya Coco is named as the recipient on the checks mailed as deposits for the Viper. The segment uses this detail to emphasize how seriously people were committing money after the car’s debut.

The Dodge Viper is a late-1990s/2000s American performance car known for its big V10 engine and raw, analog feel. In this segment, the hosts also reference a toy/slot-car version and a real-life Viper sighting, which shows how iconic the car became beyond just driving it.

The Plymouth Prowler is a retro-styled American sports car built in the late 1990s, often remembered for its hot-rod look and distinctive design. Here, it’s grouped with the Viper as part of Chrysler’s turnaround story and brand image shift toward “fun cars.”

Stock options are a compensation method where employees get the right to buy company shares at a set price later. In this segment, the hosts claim Chrysler’s turnaround led to many employees becoming millionaires via stock options, which is why the company’s story shifted so dramatically.

The Dodge Magnum wagon refers to the Dodge Magnum, a Chrysler-era model that came in wagon-like configurations and was aimed at buyers who wanted a practical vehicle with a more aggressive look. In the segment, it’s used as an example of Chrysler making “fun cars” after its turnaround.

Gasoline (gas) and diesel engines differ in how they ignite the fuel and how they operate internally. Diesel engines typically use high compression to ignite fuel (often with no spark plug), while gasoline engines rely on an ignition system to light the air-fuel mixture.

High compression is the engine design choice where the air (and later fuel) is squeezed into a smaller volume before combustion. Diesel engines use this high compression to raise temperature enough that the fuel can ignite without a spark ignition system.

This refers to the idea that diesel combustion can be fundamentally mechanical: the engine can run without relying on an electrical ignition system like a spark plug. In practice, modern diesels still use electricity for starting and fuel systems, but the core ignition method is compression-based rather than spark-based.

Compression ignition is how a diesel engine starts and runs without spark plugs. The engine compresses air until it gets hot enough that the injected fuel ignites on its own.

Flashpoint is the temperature at which a fuel-air mixture can ignite. In a diesel, the compressed air reaches a high enough temperature that the injected fuel can ignite without a spark.

The intake stroke is the part of the engine cycle where the piston draws in air. The speaker is describing diesel operation where the cylinder is filled with air first, and fuel is added later.

Volumetric efficiency is how effectively an engine fills its cylinders with air. The discussion is that adding more air and fuel can increase power, but once the engine can’t breathe more efficiently, you end up limited and/or overly rich.

An overly rich mixture means there’s too much fuel relative to available air. That can waste fuel and increase soot and exhaust emissions, and it can limit power gains even if you add more fuel.

The phrase appears to refer to a specific diesel engine family (likely a mis-transcription of a well-known model like the Cummins 6BT). The speaker’s point is that it’s popular and can be started with minimal electronics, aligning with the earlier discussion about needing battery power mainly for ignition/control systems.

“One wire” is a common enthusiast shorthand for a very simple diesel wiring/control setup where the engine can be started with minimal electrical connections. It’s not a formal spec, but it reflects how some diesel swaps/engines can be made to run with fewer electronics than many modern vehicles.

On a diesel, air trapped in the fuel system can prevent the engine from starting or running correctly. “Bleeding” means purging that air so fuel can reach the injection system reliably.

The Rabbit is a compact car line from Volkswagen, known for practical everyday use and fuel efficiency. In the podcast context, it’s specifically tied to a diesel version and the idea that you shouldn’t run it out of fuel. That kind of discussion often comes up because diesel systems can be sensitive to air entering the fuel lines.

The injection pump is the diesel engine component that pressurizes and meters fuel for delivery to the injectors. If air gets into the pump or lines, starting can be difficult because the pump can’t build the required pressure.

Diesel engines ignite fuel using high compression heat rather than a spark plug. When the air is compressed enough, it raises temperature so the injected diesel fuel self-ignites.

Some diesel vehicles can run on vegetable oil (often called “waste veggie oil” or “veg oil”) instead of conventional diesel fuel. The big practical challenge is fuel system compatibility—especially hoses and filtration—because the oil can degrade materials and leave deposits.

“Proper hoses” refers to using fuel-line materials that won’t be degraded by vegetable oil. If the wrong hose material is used, the oil can swell, soften, or break down the rubber, leading to leaks or failures.

“Energy per gallon” is a measure of how much usable energy a fuel contains by volume. Diesel is often described as having more energy per gallon than gasoline, which can translate into better fuel economy under some conditions.

The Volkswagen Rabbit is a compact car line, and the diesel versions are often discussed for their strong real-world fuel economy. In the transcript, the speaker mentions getting “40, 50 miles again” and refers to diesel Rabbits, which points to the efficiency and range people associate with them. The conversation also includes using “veg,” suggesting alternative fuel interest, which can be a practical ownership topic for diesel owners.

This refers to the broader “alternative fuel” trend where people tried non-traditional fuels (like vegetable oil) to reduce costs or dependence on conventional gasoline/diesel. The hosts describe it as something that didn’t stay popular, partly due to practical issues and social pushback.

“Plastic jugs” are the containers used to store and transport vegetable oil in this DIY alternative-fuel setup. The hosts use them to illustrate the disposal problem: the fuel source might be “free,” but the containers still need proper handling.

The speaker is referring to cylinder liners (often called sleeves) inside a diesel engine’s cylinders. Instead of replacing the whole engine block when wear happens, mechanics can replace just the sleeve/liner, which can be cheaper and can extend engine life.

Boring is machining the cylinder to a larger diameter to remove wear or damage, then fitting the appropriate piston/liner setup. It’s a common engine-rebuild method, but it’s more invasive than simply replacing a cylinder sleeve/liner.

This is a durability claim tied to diesel engines with cylinder sleeves/liners, suggesting they can reach very high mileage when maintained. In practice, long life depends on maintenance quality, fuel quality, and how hard the engine is worked.

San Pedro is a port area in Los Angeles where freight activity concentrates. The speaker mentions emissions being measured/observed at the port, tying truck pollution to specific logistics locations.

In this context, maintenance refers to keeping trucks’ emissions-related systems and engine operation in proper working order. The speaker argues that neglected maintenance leads to disproportionately high pollution from a small fraction of vehicles.

Rolling coal is slang for intentionally producing heavy black smoke from a diesel engine, usually by manipulating fueling/engine controls. It’s associated with high particulate pollution and is often used as a visual “show” rather than normal operation.

This is the speaker’s stated belief that diesels might be environmentally better despite visible smoke. The segment then challenges that by pointing to “crazy emissions,” highlighting that diesel environmental impact depends on which pollutants and how well the vehicle is maintained.

Emissions are the pollutants a vehicle releases into the air, and for diesels they can include particulates (soot) and nitrogen oxides. The speaker is contrasting the idea that diesels are “easier” with the reality that modern diesel emissions can be complex and problematic.

EPA stands for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In automotive discussions, it’s the agency that sets and enforces emissions rules for vehicles and can prosecute violations like tampering with emission-control systems.

A catalytic converter is an exhaust component that uses chemical reactions to reduce harmful gases before they leave the tailpipe. Removing or failing to have one can trigger fines because it’s central to meeting emissions laws.

Miles to the gallon (MPG) is a fuel-economy measure that tells you how far a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel. The hosts contrast MPG expectations for heavy-duty vehicles (“big rigs”) with other vehicles in the emissions debate.

Idling is running the engine while the vehicle is stationary, usually at low RPM. In heavy vehicles and locomotives, idling can be used to keep systems running (like power/heat) without shutting down and restarting frequently.

A series hybrid is a powertrain layout where the engine doesn’t directly drive the wheels. Instead, it runs a generator that produces electricity for electric traction motors, so the wheels are turned by the motors.

In this context, a generator is the electrical machine driven by the diesel engine. Its job is to convert mechanical energy into electricity that powers the traction motors.

A concept car is a prototype vehicle built to showcase new styling, technology, or engineering ideas that may or may not reach production. Automakers use them to gauge interest and preview future design directions.

Horsepower is a measure of how much power an engine produces—how quickly it can do work. It’s commonly used to describe overall “strength,” but it doesn’t tell the whole story by itself.

Torque is the twisting force an engine makes at the crankshaft. It’s what helps with acceleration and pulling from low speeds, and it often matters more than horsepower for “seat-of-the-pants” response.