[portfolio_slideshow id=37184] An electrical system is only as reliable as its components. One easy way to increase system reliability and performance is by using relays to switch devices (lights, fuel pumps, fans, etc.) on and off. A relay is an electro-mechanical switch. An electro-magnet (also called a coil) is used to pull a set of
If you’ve got a stock vehicle, chances are your pulleys and pulley system are fine. Still, there are a variety of reasons to purchase new pulleys for your engine and accessories: appearance, reliability, and overall vehicle performance. And if you’re adding power steering or air conditioning to a vintage vehicle? You definitely need to make sure you’ve got
[portfolio_slideshow id=36528] Ask and you shall receive, LS fanatics. You’ve continued to express a strong demand for the old GM LS6 intake manifold. That’s because the one-piece Nylon intake has always been a quick and dirty upgrade that could bring an instant 15-plus horsepower gain to a hot-rodded LS1. Unfortunately, GM recently stopped producing LS6 intakes—and
[portfolio_slideshow id=36290] This past summer my father and I started digging through the classifieds for a truck, either a Chevy C-10 or Ford F100. We weren’t too picky about the body style, but we knew we wanted something with minimal trim, easy drivability and decent looks… at least kind of decent looks. Our intentions were to
Got questions? We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re talking about catalytic converters killing engine vacuum. L.R. Baltimore, MD Q: I have a 1979 Dodge Magnum with a 360 V8. It has a two-barrel carburetor and the Lean Burn ignition system. The only modifications I made to the engine were
It takes a special kind of paint to survive under your hood. Engine paint must withstand extremely high temperatures and be able to resist gasoline, oils, and other chemicals. And it has to look good, too—especially if the engine bay serves as a focal point for your hot rod or show vehicle. Fortunately, companies like Dupli-Color, VHT,
[portfolio_slideshow id=36198] What’s with big deal with pinion angle? It is a very big deal. In order to keep the driveshaft and U-joints operating in a (more or less) straight line, the pinion angle has to be correct. Typically, the pinion angle is measured between the pinion gear flange and the driveshaft as well as
We take motor oil for granted. Sometimes, we don’t change it as often as we should. And when we do pour in a fresh batch of oil, we don’t always do our homework. Oh sure, we might have our favorite brands, and we always make sure to choose the proper viscosity for our needs (see our video on
Proper engine break-in procedure is critical. The right steps during this procedure can save your engine, your bank account, and ultimately your sanity. With help from the engine experts at ATK High Performance Engines and Summit Racing, this post will provide you with invaluable tips to help protect your engine during the critical break-in period. Start with an Inspection
My buddies and I got into a discussion the other day about why all the new car companies went with individual coils for each cylinder as opposed to sticking with a simpler distributor. And if a CD (capacitive discharge) ignition is so great, why isn’t that on new cars? D. B. Jeff Smith: Let’s start
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