Q&A

You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—Mondays when the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re explaining the concept of emissions-legal. S.W. Frisco, TX Q: I recently got my hands on a 2010 Camaro and plan on making some performance modifications. When shopping around for potential upgrades, I noticed certain products are marked as “50-state-legal “or “California-legal.” Can you

You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re helping a reader build a couple of small blocks for his powerboat. B.J. Terre Haute, IN Q: I’m going to build a pair of engines for my 41-foot powerboat. Big blocks are too heavy and take up too much space,

We measure speed in miles per hour and torque in pounds for every foot of leverage, but what the heck is a “horsepower” and how is it quantified? Is it really the power of a horse? What would that horse be doing and for how long? I’m having a problem with this for years and

I have a ’67 Chevelle that I have decided to swap in a faster ratio steering box. All the stories I’ve read suggest that an ’88 Monte Carlo steering box is the way to go, but I think they are probably all gone as I can’t find one anywhere. Any ideas on a good alternative?

You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re helping looking at oil pressure fluctuation and whether it could mean potential problems. D.M. Peoria, IL Q: I have a 1974 Chevy 350 four-bolt engine I have rebuilt for a project car. I had the machine work done by a

I’ve noticed that Chrysler is using a new eight-speed automatic transmission for rear wheel drive cars and trucks. I don’t understand how this is more efficient than a more typical four-speed automatic. Plus, with twice as many gears, this transmission has to be really heavy. Care to comment? R.V. It’s interesting how the number of

You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re helping a reader dial back the performance of his 454 for street use. A.K. Moberly, MO Q: I have a 1979 Camaro Z28 with a 1976 454 bored .030 inches over. The car has the following parts: Stock crank, rods, and

I’m thinking of upgrading the front disc brakes on my ’69 Chevelle with better pads. The car is a 454 with a Turbo 400 and stock front disc rotors and calipers and runs in the low 12’s at 110 mph. I want to get it stopped quicker but I can’t afford those expensive 14-inch rotor

You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re prepping an engine for optimal supercharger performance. A.C. Barranquitas, PR Q: I have a 1977 Chevy Nova. It is primarily for drag racing, though I do run it on the street occasionally. I want to build a 383 small block

I want to install an electric fan in my ‘67 Mustang and I’ve been told that I have to use a relay to wire it properly. I hate to admit this, but I really don’t understand how relays work and why I need one. I know that I can’t just hook the fans to a