1-800-551-4754 Tech Tips
Jeep 4.0 Engines: Fuel Injection for 1981–1990 258 (4.2)
In the early 1990s, Mopar Performance engineered two kits that used the 4.0 hardware to convert the earlier 1981–1990 258 (4.2) engines to multi-point fuel injection, which offers obvious advantages for off-road activities. These fuel injection conversion kits have been very popular since their introduction. If you are interested in...
Detroit Speed's How to Build a Pro Touring Car: Calipers
Offering clamping force on the brake pads, the calipers are another important component of the Pro Touring brake setup. Here’s how they work: A burst of brake fluid is sent through the lines when the brake pedal is pressed, and this fluid moves a piston, which pushes the brake pad...
Detroit Speed's How to Build a Pro Touring Car: Ride Height
Before I get into individual parts of the front suspension of most muscle cars, I’ll address the first question that most people have, and that is ride height. Muscle cars stood tall from the factory, so it’s pretty common for folks to lower the ride height, even if they don’t...
Muncie 4-Speed Transmissions: Speedometer Gear Calculations
by Paul Cangialosi (taken from Muncie 4-Speed Transmissions: How to Rebuild and Modify)  I’ve seen many people frustrated because they took the time to do a thorough job rebuilding a used Muncie, but later, after the transmission is installed, they find out that the speedometer is reading incorrectly. When I...
Muncie 4-Speed Transmissions: How Muncie 4-Speeds Work
by Paul Cangialosi  It is a good idea to understand the basics of your Muncie 4-speed before you start rebuilding the transmission. Successfully diagnosing transmission problems is directly related to how well you understand how this transmission works.  This tech tip is from the full book, MUNCIE 4-SPEED...
Exhaust Systems Guide for Big-Block Chevy Engines
Bigger carbs, manifolds, heads, and cams all are designed to let the engine take in as much air and fuel as possible, but the byproducts of combustion must be vacated quickly to make room for more of the good stuff (fresh air and fuel) on the next intake stroke. So...
Complete Cylinder Heads Guide for Big-Block Chevy Engines
The big-block Chevy’s canted valve heads are largely responsible for the tremendous power capability of the Rat motor and its continued popularity. The original head design is often referred to as having a 26-degree valve angle, although this intake valve angle of inclination is only one of four angles needed...
Modern Engine Blueprinting Techniques: Choosing Valvesprings
Valvesprings control the energy transmitted from the camshaft to the valves. It’s critical to understand the springs’ role and dimensional/clearance concerns. Valvespring manufacturers apply an antirust coating, which should not be removed. Do not clean new springs with any type of solvent. Handle springs carefully to avoid causing nicks or...
Chevy Big-Block Engine Parts Interchange: Top 10 Reasons to Build a Gen VI-based Chevy Big-Block
This is from the full book, CHEVY BIG-BLOCK ENGINE PARTS INTERCHANGE. For a comprehensive guide on this entire subject you can visit this link:LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK HERESHARE THIS ARTICLE: Please feel free to share this post on Facebook Groups or Forums/Blogs you read. You can use the social...
High-Performance Ignition Systems: Distributorless Systems
Have you ever stopped to wonder how all of the trigger signals, timing, and delivery of spark would occur if there were no distributor at all? That’s right, no distributor. Actually, new cars don’t use distributors anymore. However, most hot rods and traditional domestic performance engines use a distributor (although...
High-Performance Ignition Systems: Do you Need a Vacuum?
by Todd Ryden  The vacuum advance canister that you see hanging off the side of many distributors is another form of advancing the timing, but it does not really play a performance role.  This tech tip is from the full book, HIGH-PERFORMANCE IGNITION SYSTEMS. For a comprehensive guide...
Modern Engine Blueprinting Techniques: Required Information for Custom Piston
You need to do your home work and provide accurate specs, so the piston manufacturer produces the required piston. Most custom piston builders guide you through the process, and are able to handle any calculations that might be needed. Be sure to provide detailed and accurate information to get the...
Jeep, Dana & Chrysler Differentials: Rebuilding Kit Sources
Today many different types of rebuild kits are offered. For example Jegs offers four levels of rebuild kits: the half kit, the complete kit (defined as the half kit plus pinion and differential bearings, new ring gear bolts, and marking compound), the mega kit (defined as the complete kit plus...
Ford 351 Cleveland Engines: Lubrication
When Ford was developing its 335 Cleveland engine family, the objective was to produce a large engine family with displacements ranging from 335 to beyond 400 ci as a companion to the larger 385-series 429/460-ci big-block engines. Although the Cleveland has been conceived to consolidate engine families/displacements and lower manufacturingcosts,...
Ford 351 Cleveland Engines: Crankshafts
Where other Ford V-8 engine families had both cast and steel crankshafts, the 351C was produced in cast only. Based on years of experience with these engines, it is clear to me Ford never produced a mass-production steel crankshaft for the 351C, 400, or 351M aside for perhaps racing and...
How to Super Tune and Modify Holley Carburetors: Brake Specific Fuel Consumption
An engine’s BSFC is almost certainly one of the most misunderstood numbers, even by professionals, in the engine performance field. In my experience, novice enthusiasts most commonly confuse and misinterpret two numbers that are virtually joined at the hip: torque and horsepower. And it is surprising that even big-time race...
How to Super Tune and Modify Holley Carburetors: First-Time Start
First-Time Start with a Choke Equipped Carb If it’s the first time starting a newly installed engine either in the vehicle or on the engine dyno, I go in there with it. This allows me to get the enrichment required to start a cold and totally dry engine by operating...
How to Super Tune and Modify Holley Carburetors: Booster Buffeting
A carb’s performance is greatly related to booster capability. There is an irony here, however; almost all booster testing is done on a flow bench while all driving is done in a car. When a carb is used for an application that puts it in a high-speed airstream, such as...
Modern Engine Blueprinting Techniques: Computer Software
Computer software doesn’t build an engine. Machining and assembly skills are still required for the build itself. However, software related to engine building can serve as a tremendous aid in your quest to design and, in some cases, test a virtual engine build combination. These programs allow you to experiment...
Modern Engine Blueprinting Techniques: Recommended Torque for Clamping Force
The torque values below state clamping loads reached with a particular kind of fastener. This chart should be used as guide and not a definitive reference because it does not necessarily reflect the torque value specification for a given engine application. For that, you must follow the engine manufacturer or...
GM G-Body Performance Upgrades: Setting Performance Goals
 Once you pick an appropriate model, the next step is to determine what you want from your project. I often talk to people who have purchased thousands of dollars worth of parts and spent countless hours making modifications, only to be frustrated because their vehicle doesn’t perform the way...
GM G-Body Performance Upgrades: Lowering the G-Body
 Most enthusiasts, regardless of how they use the car, prefer a lower stance, especially if the car is equipped with larger aftermarket wheels and tires. Nothing ruins the look of an otherwise nice car more than a horrible stance. Reducing the gap between the wheel opening and the tire...
GM G-Body Performance Upgrades: Control Arm Installation
RideTech’s StrongArm control arms are made from .219-inch-wall DOM round tubing, and come with a black powdercoat finish. The lower control arms have front and rear urethane bushings; the uppers are equipped with a rod end to allow some adjustment and eliminate binding. The arms bolt up just like the...
How to Restore Your C3 Corvette: 1968-1982: Fuel and Spark Systems
This Tech Tip is From the Full Book, HOW TO RESTORE YOUR C3 CORVETTE 1968-1982. For a comprehensive guide on this entire subject you can visit this link:LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK HERESHARE THIS ARTICLE: Please feel free to share this post on Facebook Groups or Forums/Blogs you read. You...
