Rust. It’s ugly, it’s a sign of deterioration and it’s never a positive indication of the condition of parts. While hipsters are into the “patina” look, the rest of the population avoids rusty parts, especially since parts being prepared for fabrication or paint do not benefit from this layer of […]
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Performance Fluids 101: Get Your Car On The Right Liquid Diet
For performance enthusiasts, a lot of thinking goes into the parts purchased and installed on their project vehicles. Sometimes it’s tempting to save a few bucks by not using performance fluids on your vehicle so that you can get that new electronic boost controller or strut tower brace. The quality […]
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Why and How to Degree Your DOHC Engine | Proper Camshaft Timing for Peak Performance and Minimal Headaches
Have you decked your block? Resurfaced your head? Installed an aftermarket crankshaft or camshafts? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, your camshaft timing may not be what the camshaft manufacturer specified. Improper cam timing can lead to reduced performance, increased fuel consumption and an increased likelihood of […]
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Aero & Body 101: Using Aero To Cheat The Air
Remember studying aeropalmetics as a kid? This is where you stick your arm out the passenger window while mom is driving. When you would tilt the forward (leading edge) part of you palm-down hand up, your arm would lift up. Tilting the leading edge of your hand down would cause […]
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Learning Curves | Recognizing a Race-Friendly Dyno Graph
You don’t race dyno graphs, however, dyno graphs can provide the roadmap to go faster than the competition. By understanding how peak horsepower, the powerband, area under the horsepower curve and the actual shape of the power curve affect performance, the engine can be tuned to produce a curve that […]
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Braking 101: The System, Physics and Science of the Motion Management
For a car to be of use, it must be able to start, steer and stop. The purpose of an automotive braking system is to allow the driver to be able to decelerate or slow the vehicle as they see fit. Road conditions, speed limits and obstructions make the braking […]
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Sonic Clarity: Putting the Plus into OEM Sound Systems
Who buys aftermarket car audio equipment these days? Many of today’s factory installed audio systems come integrated into the dash and include many desirable features straight from the manufacturer. Some automakers enlisted the help of boutique audio system manufacturers to design and deliver a premium, enhanced sound system. However, not […]
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Differentials 101: Solving the Differential Equation
Many people assume that at least two wheels receive power from the drivetrain. Their logic assumes both front wheels pull a front-wheel-drive vehicle or both rear wheels push a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. In about 95 percent of all vehicles, this is an incorrect assumption. In actuality, almost all vehicles on the […]
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Clutch 101: Getting a Grip on Performance Clutches
The clutch is arguably one of the most important components to any manual transmission vehicle. It modulates the energy at the spinning flywheel and transfers it through the driveline to propel your car forward. For most vehicles, there are many clutch system upgrades. To select the most ideal clutch for […]
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Transmissions 101: Upgrades for Increased Torque Capacity and Optimized Performance
In the U.S., most enthusiasts don’t think about upgrading their vehicle’s transmission until it becomes absolutely necessary. By absolutely necessary, we mean the point at which the engine produces more torque than the transmission can handle. The end result is often broken shafts, bent forks and worn synchros. In Japan […]
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Turbocharger vs Supercharger – Forced Induction and Big Power Explained
More power. We all want it and there is usually more than one way to get it. Serious solutions will involve a “power adder” in the form of a supercharger, turbocharger or nitrous-oxide injection system. These power adders can add anywhere from 30-to-300-percent more power. Since the previous section was […]
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Ignition 101: Understanding Ignition Systems for Maximum Performance
In the 4-stroke symphony performing in your engine bay, when a spark plug misses its cue and doesn’t fire, the results are definitely not harmonious. There is a loss of power and fuel is sent through the engine without ever extracting any of its energy. All of your attempts to […]
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Nitrous Oxide 101: The Last Laugh
More power at the push of a button. We’ve all been in a situation where we wished we could just floor the throttle, hit a button and have an extra 50, 100 or 150 horsepower to break-off an opponent while our car accelerates quicker than ever before. What sounds like […]
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ECU 101: Engine Management Systems Explained
In many modern vehicles, more and more systems are controlled by microprocessors. As technologically advanced sensors are able to measure various engine and driving conditions on- the-fly, the input from these sensors is collected, analyzed and submitted to a master computer. This master computer, the engine control unit (ECU) or […]
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Camshaft Tech 101
While performance camshafts are the most important component selection on an “All-Motor” build, many underplay the importance of proper camshaft selection on forced-induction applications. However, the reality is that a proper set of cams might easily add 100 horsepower or more at the wheels without changing boost pressure. With or […]
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