"Push Me, Pull Me" Twin Motor
Does this look like a Corvette? The most important thing to remember about the world of mules is that things are never what they seem. Upon first inspection, this looks like a well-preserved '85 Citation X/11 and little else. Under the hood we find a stock-looking transverse-mounted V-6 wearing a production "2.8 Multi-Point" badge on the intake plenum. Now, go around back and pop the hatch. Yikes! Another V-6! This special Citation, affectionately known at Chevrolet powertrain as Push Me, Pull Me, is powered by a pair of 200hp V-6s.
So what's the Corvette connection? For a time during the early '80s, factions within GM's upper management were certain that the V-8 would be eliminated by 1990. Gouged by this unpleasant information, the Corvette Group pondered ways to maintain the Corvette's performance level with fewer than eight contiguous cylinders. The twin-V-6 configuration was considered a viable compromise between good performance and reasonable fuel economy. Built in 1984, the X-body became the host vehicle because of its generous cargo space, which handled the bulk of the extra powerplant and allowed for easy access.
Our mystery tour guide told us that Push Me, Pull Me was initially powered by cast-iron 2.8L X/11 LB6 motors producing a mere 130 horsepower each. To remedy the situation, engineering built a pair of all-aluminum 3.1L 60-degree V-6 engine incorporating Moldex cranks, Carrillo rods, forged pistons, roller rockers, and roller cams that netted 200 hp apiece. The grunt was funneled through beefed-up TH125 three-speed automatic transaxles.
This mule can be driven on the front motor alone, thereby delivering better- than-stock performance and reasonable fuel economy. But when the need arises, the flick of a switch brings the second powerplant to life, transforming the car into a 400hp all-wheel-drive acceleration monster capable of dusting practically anything in the other lane. Imagine a GMC Syclone or Typhoon with less weight and nearly twice the power.
The existence of the LS1-powered C5 Corvette is testimony to the fact that GM management long ago reconsidered its position on V-8 powerplants. Even though Push Me, Pull Me's twin-V-6 layout never influenced a production model, a derivative of its drive-by-wire engine-management technology graces the current Corvette, and a version of its torque-split all-wheel-drive system was used on CERV III, the most recent Corvette experimental research vehicle.
