by Larry Roberts  September 25, 1998  So you're going to trade
in that old Buick V6 sedan that you bought new in 1989. It's
getting old and you're ready to get into something newer and
maybe even faster.  Before you send that road-veteran off to its
last roundup, be aware that the cast-iron 3.8 liter six-banger
that's propelling your old LeSabre on its final mile has a proud
heritage. It's the same unit that's under the engine cowl of
every Lola T97/20 single-seat race car that contests the Indy
Light Series, the "farm-camp" for future CART Champ Car pilots.
And it has occupied that prestigious position since before you
drove your Buick off the showroom floor.  But lest you chop the
top off your sedan and expect to go racing with the Indy Lights
folks, I should explain that the Indy Lights cars are "spec"
racers, each one purpose-built to specifications and aside from
the paint and sponsor-generated graphics, they are as alike as
peas in a pod. They all run on identical 15-inch Dayton Daytona
radial tires (10