Back in the day, a breaker-points ignition system regulated by a mechanical distributor was what controlled engine timing. While that system worked o.k. for its era, “points” ignitions are now very much out-of-date and an upgrade to an electronically-controlled ignition system can make a night-and-day difference in your vehicle’s performance and reliability. (By the late
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. We work with the Summit Racing tech department to help you tackle your auto-related conundrums. In this week’s Mailbag, we’re helping a reader solve a diesling problem where he can’t get his engine to shut off. Q: I have a 1987 Camaro with a 305 4-barrel. I am having problems getting the
It can be incredibly frustrating when your vehicle won’t start. It can be even more frustrating trying to figure out why. Morris Rosenthal created a diagnostic flow chart to help people troubleshoot the possibilities. We found it, liked it, tweaked it, and are now sharing this infographic with you. Your very own swear-word-reducing, stress-relieving roadmap to
Do you have enough voltage reaching your spark plugs? The voltage required to light your plugs is constantly changing and can range from 5,000 volts to 40,000 volts and higher, depending on your engine setup. That’s why many high performance engines use a high-output ignition coil to deliver the voltage needed. The job of the
In junior high science class, you probably learned about the three states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. Chances are you didn’t spend as much time talking about the lesser-known fourth state called plasma. Plasma, which is created by subjecting gas to a large amount of electrical energy, isn’t a new concept. However, plasma-assisted combustion is a
[portfolio_slideshow id=46792] Spark plug wires can’t add horsepower (despite what some may claim), but they can adversely affect your vehicle’s performance. That’s why it’s important to select a good quality set of spark plug ignition wires to deliver juice to your spark plugs. Even though spark plug wires are simple parts (there are absolutely no
Q: I am in the process of rebuilding a Chevy 350 small block as a 383 stroker. I am going to put the engine in a 1967 Camaro SS. I plan on using a dual quad intake and stock cylinder heads. My question is this: Should I run a piston compression ratio around 10:1, or should I
Having ignition problems? Learn how to test a starter solenoid by watching this Summit Racing Quick Flicks video. Using a multimeter and a spare wire, this video will show you how to check resistance ohms between your ignition switch and ground, and how to check and troubleshoot other functions of your starter. This video also reminds
I’ve always thought that vacuum advance was something just for stock engines and something you didn’t use with a performance engine. In fact, I’ve heard guys say they’ve locked out their advance and just run a fixed timing amount. Is this a better way to go with a street engine? I have a small-block 350
MSD’s entrance into spark plug manufacturing felt a little bit to us like Nike’s decision to start making socks to complement its shoe business. What took so long!? MSD has been a leader in ignition performance for more than 40 years, and now the company has taken all that knowledge from years of research and
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