Vortec cylinder head castings first hit the high performance scene in 1996 and provided GM owners a healthy, budget-friendly option for boosting horsepower. According to Summit Racing, Vortec heads still remain a popular choice among GM enthusiasts today. But are they right for your application? While it’s true that Vortec cylinder heads will deliver seat-of-the-pants
[portfolio_slideshow id=12055] For owners of Ford 4.6L and 5.4L Two-Valve modular V8s, the wait for a true performance cylinder head ended in 2009. That’s when Trick Flow Specialties introduced the Twisted Wedge 185 aluminum cylinder heads. They were the first true aftermarket performance heads for the Two-Valvers. There are gazillions of Two-Valve engines available for
Thinking about an LS swap? Then you owe it to yourself to check out MSD’s new Atomic LS EFI Fuel Injection System. We did when we were at the SEMA Show, where the Atomic LS earned MSD a SEMA New Product award. Basically, the Atomic LS eliminates the wiring headaches that can be involved with
In the first two installments of our Head Games video series, we covered the importance of combustion chamber size and intake runner configuration when choosing cylinder heads. In this video, you’ll learn how valve sizing factors into selecting the right cylinder heads. Plus, you’ll find out what other key pieces of information you need to narrow
In Head Games (Part 1), we covered the importance of cylinder head intake runner size and design. Now we’re going to look at another key factor in choosing the right cylinder heads: combustion chamber design. Specifically, we’ll cover the importance of combustion chamber design, size, and manufacturing process and how it all affects cylinder head
[portfolio_slideshow id=11097] Good thing: Kickin’ audio system with megawatt amps, big subs, zillions of speakers, crossovers, and enough wire to hook up your average city. Bad thing: Melted, smoking, fried vehicle electrical system ’cause you didn’t have a big enough alternator. The fact is, not having enough amps to properly feed your vehicle’s electrical accessories
[portfolio_slideshow id=10792] Engines produce vacuum, and over the past 120 years, engineers have contrived ingenious ways to harness its power to the engine’s induction system. Through a labyrinth of small-bore drillings in the carburetor, the vacuum draws a potent mixture of air and fuel. So formidable is the mixture, it empowers naturally aspirated full-bodied 500-cubic-inch
It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it. If your vehicle was produced after 1975, chances are good that it came from the factory equipped with a catalytic converter (also know as a “cat”). Unlike a muffler whose primary function is to lessen exhaust noise, a catalytic converter employs some serious science to
Rowing gears with a manual transmission is lots of fun, especially in a lightweight car with way too much horsepower. But when the gears start crunching and the clutch pedal sinks to the floor and you’re stuck at the line or a stoplight, a stick shift suddenly isn’t so much fun anymore. Clutch problems can
In this edition of Summit Racing Quick Flicks, Mike will teach you how to select the best gear set for your vehicle. Learn how to figure out what gear ratio you have and why it’s important, and how to select the best ring and pinion for your particular application. Also, you can read our earlier
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