Turbochargers are becoming a go-to power adder, and not just for imports. Chevy and Ford currently have turbocharged engines in their lineup, and even the new Jeep Wrangler is expected to get a turbo’d four-cylinder. Want to know how a turbocharger works? Here’s a good 101. Since turbochargers are becoming more common, upgrading turbo systems
When someone tells you their car or truck has a “wishbone suspension,” it’s not turkey-talk. They’re referring to a specific type of suspension design that allows the vehicle’s wheels to move, adjust, and adapt to quickly changing road and driving conditions. Though there are several other suspension types, the wishbone (or double-wishbone to be exact) is
Fusible links—also spelled fuseable and fusable—serve a similar purpose to a fuse. (You can read more about fuses here.) Just like a fuse, the link is designed to handle a lower current (amp) load than the rest of the system so, in the event of a short or overload, the link will be the first
Similar to what we discussed in our Automatic Transmission Fluid 101 post, selecting the right gear oil for your manual transmission isn’t as easy as it might seem. There are dozens of different types of gear oils, each with its own special designation and use, so we created this handy primer (oil pun!) to help
Quickly, what does a Porsche 911 and a 1961 Pontiac Tempest have in common? If you said “they both have a transaxle,” then you probably read the headline of this article. In most cases, a transaxle is a single unit that houses both the transmission and the axle assembly—simple to describe, but mechanically complex. Think
A rusted, seized bolt or nut can turn an easy project into a nightmare. In fact, mechanics have been known to hold a lucky rabbit’s foot or refuse to work on Friday the 13th for that very reason. But removing a stuck bolt doesn’t rely on luck—it relies on the proper preparation and tools. Plan
Returnless fuel systems are becoming more common in new vehicles. As we learned in a recent Jeff Smith Ask Away! column, the increased use is due in part to tightening federal environmental regulations. Does that mean a returnless system is better for your engine than an earlier, return-style setup? It’s an important question to answer, especially
I was watching a dyno test video the other day with a couple of cam swaps on a supercharged LS3. On the first test, a slightly bigger cam showed more power with the same boost. On the last cam—and the biggest one—the power went up again but the boost went down. Shouldn’t the power go
Ignition systems have come a long way since the early days of the automobile. From early points-style setups to modern coil-on-plug configurations, the ignition system has evolved. There are five primary types of ignition systems. Each has advantages and disadvantages. We turned to our friends at Autolite to explain what each ignition system type brings
Since the GM LS is such a popular engine series, LS-compatible parts are common and easy to find. Which means, if you’re using 1992-97 LT1-style heads on your engine, you may find more spring options if you look for valve springs designed for the LS. Those different spring types however, are not compatible. Fortunately, the
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