Editor’s Note: The year 2013 gave us the C7 Chevrolet Corvette and took from us performance legends like Dean Jeffries and Stu Hilborn. We had a light-hearted look at the half-dozen Fast and Furious movies and got serious with dozens and dozens of new tech articles and how-tos. We even put a hot rodder’s spin on March
Got questions? We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we cover the difference between close ratio and wide ratio transmissions and provide casting numbers for GM differential carriers. R.C. Elmore, AL Q: I have a couple questions regarding driveline performance: First, I have seen the terms “close ratio”
Know what a torque converter does? Of course you do. It converts torque, right? It’s a converter of torque. It’s OK to admit you don’t fully understand what a torque converter does or how it works. You’re not alone, because the tech experts at Summit Racing have told us that torque converter-related questions are some of the most
The guys over a Power AutoMedia have launched a new site dedicated strictly to diesels and diesel owners. The site, named Diesel Army, includes tech, diesel features, diesel-related news, and a section called “How it Works.” In the first installment of How it Works, Diesel Army covers the ins and outs of blow-off valves. The
[portfolio_slideshow id=26782] Back in the day, if you needed the toughest, most-capable differential on the street, you ran a Detroit Locker. When you want the same kind of differential today, the choice is still a Detroit Locker. It’s the most durable and dependable locking differential available. The Detroit Locker is an automatic locking differential that
Editor’s Note: This guest post is courtesy of the Car Care Council, which is dedicated to educating vehicle owners about the benefits of regular vehicle maintenance through its “Be Car Care Aware” program. If you live in a cold weather climate, chances are your hot rod or muscle car is already tucked snugly away for the winter.
Got questions? We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re rebuilding a small block Mopar to produce maximum low-end torque: Q: I am restoring a Dodge M37 military truck. I’m replacing the original 230-cubic-inch straight six with a Chrysler 318 V8 and an NP435 4-speed manual transmission. The
[portfolio_slideshow id=26727] We can remember a time when a big block that pushed 500 cubic inches and 700 horsepower was just short of unbelievable. Heck, that’s small block territory nowadays. If you really want a powerplant that gets your car noticed, you have to push way past that. And 600 cubic inches and 920 horsepower worth of
[portfolio_slideshow id=26717] When it comes to steering systems, rack and pinion systems are light years ahead of the recirculating ball steering boxes found in our favorite 1960s and ‘70s muscle cars and trucks. A recirculating ball steering box system is heavy, bulky, and complex, especially when you factor in the steering linkage. In sharp contrast
Proper piston-to-valve clearance is essential to the health of your engine. And by essential, we mean your powerplant could meet its catastrophic demise without the right clearance between these two vital engine components. We covered the ins and outs of checking piston-to-valve clearance in an earlier post, but this video provides the actual visuals to go along with
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