Archive for the ‘TECH’ Category
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
COMP Cams’ new Thumpr flat tappet camshafts come in three levels of performance. As you might expect, the base performance cam is called the Thumpr, followed by the more aggressive Mutha Thumpr and the red hot Big Mutha Thumpr. Pretty creative, huh?
So, the question arises with regard to camshafts, “Can you have your cake and eat it, too?” In the case of our dyno test, we wanted to know if there was a camshaft that not only delivered on the dyno, but would enhance the sound of power derived from our engine for cruise appeal. (more…)
Tags: comp cams, flat tappet cam, rhs heads, sbc, small block chevy, thumpr, ultra gold rockers, westech performance
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Normally, an Impala flat on the ground conjures up visions of hydraulics and wire wheels. But more and more mid-‘60s Impalas are being customized to combine the best of muscle power and luxury. The suspension featured on the 1965 Impala SS can also be found on many other GM cars of the era, and sports a coil spring setup with control arms up front and trailing arms and a panhard bar in the back. (more…)
Tags: 1965 Chevrolet, air bags, air ride, firestone, go ez customs, impala, ride rite, viair
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
While you may learn too much information about your pal after hoisting a few beers at the local pool hall, you can never have too much information when it comes to your vehicle’s operation. Oil temperature and pressure are like the blood flowing through your body, if it stops or gets too hot, you’re a dead man; the same goes for your engine. (more…)
Tags: 2007 Ford, 2009 Mustang, aftermarket gauges, ford, glowshift gauges, GT, mustang
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
One of the most common upgrades to any performance vehicle is to install a short throw shifter in place of the stock unit. A short throw shifter will make it easier to shift between gears because there will be less travel shift throw. “Shift throw” refers directly to the actual travel of the shifter stick, which affects the time it takes to shift from one gear to another. In a performance situation, the additional moments a factory stock shifter takes to go from one gear to another can result in slower elapsed times, or just a sluggish feeling when driving around town. A short throw shifter eliminates that sluggish feeling in a daily driver, and gives the racer an extra edge. (more…)
Tags: 2009 Mustang, ford, mustang, Pro50, road racer, short shifter, short throw shifter
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Now we brought the main unit over to the car and installed it behind the radiator fan, this is a very close fit, but the unit will slip on if aligned properly. You must not force it.
When does a V-6 engine crank out more power than a V-8? When it’s boosted by a power adder system such as a turbo or supercharger.In the case of ProCharger, we found a system that delivers excellent power and drivability (more…)
Tags: blower, centrifugal, ford, mustang, Pro Charger, procharger, supercharger, V6
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
The ’61 Chevrolet was unique among cars of its era, an unmistakable shape that was different from other offerings of the time and a complete change over from the ’59-60 Chevy that preceded it. The first of the 409-equipped Chevrolets, it was instantly embraced for its novelty and speed. Fans lusted for power enhancing pieces to make it faster and cooler. (more…)
Tags: 1961 chevrolet, Chevy 409, courtney hanson, floor pans, horsepower tv, little 409, Matco Tools, miller welders, powerblock tv, red sled, rust repair, seat pans, Year One
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
This is our 2008 sporting the Sport Tuning wheels and Dunlop tires from Tire Rack. The body is at factory ride height and clearly has excessive space between the body and the top of the tire.
The new Mustang is an excellent platform for performance, with great power and terrific looks. But let’s face it, the suspension is a compromise between ground clearance and a cushy ride for the masses. If you add performance tires and wheels to the mix, it only goes to further prove the need for a better suspension.
The folks at Tire Rack were instrumental in getting us the new Dunlop performance tires and Suspension Tuning 20-inch wheels for our 2008 Mustang, but clearly there was a need to enhance the suspension to match the nearly 3 inches of daylight between the edge of the fender well and the top of the tire. The key was to select a suspension that offered not only better handling, but also decent road manners and ride height adjustability. The H & R suspension does all that and comes in a wide variety of styles. (more…)
Tags: 2009 Mustang, 2010 mustang, anti-sway bar, coil springs, drop kit, ford, h&r suspension, lowering kit, shocks, struts, sway bars
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
In 1961, Chevrolet introduced the new “W” engine, an enlarged and truly performance version of the 348-CID engine that had gone before. The 409 was the stuff of legends and was available in big bodied Chevys from 1961 through early 1965 when it was replaced by the first of the Mark IV big-blocks. Immortalized by the Beach Boys, who created the song “409” to sing its praises, the 409 was true to the hype of the car offered in a number of horsepower levels and with camshafts and carburetors appropriate for the ponies it generated. (more…)
Tags: 1961 chevrolet, 409 build, Chevy 348, Chevy 409, Chevy W engine, courtney hanson, Edelbrock, horsepower tv, little 409, Mallory Ignition, powerblock tv, red sled, Stage 8 Locking Fastners, Taylor Cable, Trans-Dapt
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