One of the most important tools you’ll find in any racer or rodder’s tool collection is a dial indicator. They’re used for everything from degreeing a cam to checking run-out on a disc-brake rotor (along with any number of tasks in between). The most common dial indicators make use of a calibrated stem fitted with
There is a simple truth in making a car work for both the street and the strip: The shock absorber is key. The reason is simple. If you can control the wheel motion, then you can control the dynamics of the car. In the world of the acceleration, this boils down to “hook.” It also
Today, big high quality electronic tachometers are a common sight at drag strips and in fast street cars. Modern electronics have turned tachometers into precise and reliable instruments (provided, of course, they’re installed and wired correctly). There are dozens of different electric (or electronic) tachometers available. Some have more features than others. We’ll look at
Electrical connections that come loose, break, and short-out can become a major headache—especially on a car that relies heavily upon electricity to function. If the electrical connections aren’t right, they can cause intermittent problems that are next to impossible to diagnose. A good example is an open or high resistance connection between wires, which can
Adding big power to your car regularly comes with consequences. Hardware that normally doesn’t flinch is suddenly hard pressed to keep up with the demand. Add big, sticky tires and before you know it—unanticipated carnage. Rear axles are regularly taxed to the max under such circumstances. If your car has a narrowed rear end or
Not long ago, few people had ever heard of an air shifter. Today, at every drag strip in the world, they’re about as common as a radial slick. Wherever they’re class legal, air shifters have turned manually shifted automatic transmissions back into “automatic” transmissions. The reason is simple: Well-executed first gear changes aren’t easy to
Every hot rodder and racer needs an engine stand. That’s no secret. There are a lot of choices out there, and prices range from under $100 up into four digits. Given the sheer number of engine stands out there, what should you look for? When it comes to engine stand construction, most are built from
We’re positive everyone reading this is familiar with the wail and rat-at-tat-tat cry of an impact wrench (or six) at automotive and tire shops nationwide. It’s no secret that they’re standard equipment in the toolboxes of mechanics everywhere. And once you’ve had the chance to use impact tools, you’ll know why they are so universally
Converting from a carburetor to electronic fuel injection can be both easier and less expensive than some believe, and the Holley EFI unit we’re exploring today is a shining example of that. First, we got up close and personal with MSD’s entry-level Atomic EFI—which simplified installation, eliminated the need for a laptop computer, and offered
Last month, we took a close look at MSD’s entry-level Atomic EFI in the first of our articles designed to demystify electronic fuel injection for anyone interested in converting from carburetion who is intimidated by the wiring and computer aspects of EFI. This is our second attempt. With the Atomic EFI, MSD simplified installation, eliminated the
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