The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seems to love its ethanol. Farmers love it, too. But if you’re a hot rodder–particularly a hot rodder with a carbureted or older-style fuel system–ethanol isn’t exactly your friend. Ethanol blends can corrode your carburetor, fuel tank, and other fuel system components and damage engine seals and O-rings, according to industry experts. And
Rotor phasing refers to the alignment of the rotor top and the distributor cap terminal when spark occurs, according to MSD Ignition. It’s critical to maximizing engine performance. Incorrect alignment can lead to misfire and power loss. The folks at MSD Ignition have put together a nice visual guide that will show you how to
You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. M.J. Cadott, WI Q: I own a 1967 Pontiac Firebird coupe with a mostly stock 1971 400 engine. The engine is bored. 030 inches over, has 91cc heads (6X-4), and Hooker Competition headers. The car also has a 2.5-inch dual exhaust system with Flowmaster
[portfolio_slideshow id=35291] For the third year running, Trick Flow Specialties is building the engine that will be part of the prize package awarded to the IHRA’s Summit Racing SuperSeries Top Class Champion. Trick Flow’s first two engines—a 565 cubic inch big block Chevy in 2012 and a 598 cubic inch 460 Ford in 2013—each made
[portfolio_slideshow id=35276] When picking an oil pump for an engine build, what do you select: standard replacement, high pressure, high volume, or both (high pressure and high volume)? That’s a question we hear regularly. But before we lay out the differences, let’s review the oil flow path in a common Chevy power plant. First, oil is
Okay, I keep reading about there is a difference between detonation and pre-ignition but it seems that whenever I ask anybody about this, they agree but don’t know the difference. The typical answer I get is “It’s really complicated.” So, is it really? J.M. Jeff Smith: This really isn’t all that difficult to explain. Detonation
We hear a lot of questions about torque converters. That’s why we’ve spent a fair amount of time covering torque converters in the past. Our articles have included advice on how to choose a torque converter, the difference between flash and foot-brake stall speed, and lock-up versus non lock-up converters. We’ve even covered the basics of
Whether you drive a custom hot rod or a late model family sedan, it’s nearly impossible to over-estimate the importance of having the correct air pressure in your tires. Proper tire pressure will help your tires wear longer, enhance fuel economy, improve vehicle handling, and make your car or truck safer. Yet, many people overlook
A motorcycle’s clutch has a huge impact on a bike’s handling and power. Without a smooth-operating clutch, a bike’s rear wheel is more likely to break loose which can lead to losing races, or worse, crashes. Dirt bike clutches tend to require regular maintenance and rebuilds. Are you hearing grinding noises? Is your clutch slipping?
In the ‘80s, GM used a 4.3L 90-degree V6 in many different cars. I know that this engine is basically a small-block Chevy with two cylinders removed. This got me to wondering why they haven’t built a 90-degree V6 using the 5.3L or 6.0L LS engines? M.S. Jeff Smith: This is a great “what if”
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