The ever-increasing number of “do-it-yourself” horsepower enthusiasts helped to explode the market for standalone EFI systems. These self-contained systems are designed to work independently from any other vehicle systems. This means they work … [Click here to read more...]
How to Tune Your Engine’s Idle Speed
Now that the engine has been mapped under most stable operating conditions, it is possible to move on to a less stable condition: idle. Because of the slow engine speed, there is a relatively long time between possible corrections the PCM can make at … [Click here to read more...]
Rear Axle Fundamentals: Building for Performance
The automotive drivetrain may be the least understood part of a vehicle. After reading this book, you will have a better appreciation of the complexity, and simplicity, of the components that make up the rear axles, differentials, and driveshafts. … [Click here to read more...]
How to Blueprint Engines: Camshafts Guide
The camshaft can be viewed as the brain of the engine. Its profile dictates when and for how long the intake and exhaust valves open and close, which is a major factor in how the air/fuel package enters, remains in, and exits the cylinder. Today’s … [Click here to read more...]
The Complete Performance Exhaust Pipe Guide
In this article, I discuss the pipe that routes exhaust gases from the headers to the termination of the exhaust path, as well as pipe sizing, materials, bending methods, pipe clamping, and pipe support. This tech tip is from the … [Click here to read more...]
Automotive Bodywork: The Secrets to Filling
I don’t expect to work in a body shop any time soon, but if that should come to pass, I would like to do collision metal work, bumping, and metal finishing damaged panels. If am ever employed that way, it will be one of my main objectives to give the … [Click here to read more...]
Automotive Painting Guide: Prep, Sand and Mask
Preparation (“prep work,” or just “prep”) is certainly very important to a good, long-lasting paint job, but not necessarily in the same ways it used to be. In the old days stripping the car to bare metal wasn’t nearly as prevalent, and we didn’t … [Click here to read more...]
Introduction to Engine Tuning
Before this book even begins, I wish to make it perfectly clear that this is not an engine design or combustion theory text. The goal here is for the educated enthusiast, skilled technician, and automotive engineer alike to all be able to come away … [Click here to read more...]
Ford Engine Tuning and Examples
The Ford Mustang is arguably the most popular vehicle for the do-it-yourself tuner. Ford refers to its PCM as an EEC, or electronic engine control. Starting with the 1988 California specification, and 1989 50-state versions, the Mustang has been … [Click here to read more...]
Automotive Metalworking Overview and Techniques – Part 1
Simply put, metalworking is anything you do with metal. Bend it, hammer it, weld it, or drill a hole in it it’s all metalwork. Welding, on the other hand, is more specific. Because metal melts when it is sufficiently heated, two or more pieces of … [Click here to read more...]