This chapter explains some of the methods to correct or adjust the rear suspension of your ill-handling race car. I discuss methods to improve the car’s 60-foot times. Once those are within reason, the rest of the run will be greatly simplified. … [Click here to read more...]
Tools and Equipment for Rebuilding a Holley Carburetor
Carburetor service requires a selection of conventional hand tools as well as a select number of specialty tools. Many specialty tools are available from Holley as well as popular aftermarket suppliers, such as Summit Racing and Jegs. Having all of … [Click here to read more...]
Selecting Aftermarket Differentials to Improve Performance
There are many different types of aftermarket and original equipment differentials and technologies to choose from nowadays. What are the differences and benefits of one technology over another? With so many choices, it can be difficult to decide … [Click here to read more...]
How to Calibrate Holley Carburetors for Various Fuel Types
In most cases, a fuel’s octane value is the performance enthusiast’s primary focus. But I must be absolutely clear here: There is no performance value in a high-octane fuel unless the engine’s compression ratio and thermal-operating conditions … [Click here to read more...]
Building Valve Trains to Increase Horsepower
By now, I am sure you have a good idea of both the complexity and importance of the valvetrain, as this is the third consecutive chapter dealing with it. What I intend to focus on here is the practical application of what I have so far … [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...]
Turbocharger Failure Analysis: What Went Wrong and How to Fix It
Turbocharger failure analysis is a science unto itself. Performing a failure analysis on a turbocharger is a valuable endeavor regardless of the application. Turbos are applied to everything from commercial diesels to street performance vehicles and … [Click here to read more...]
Powder Coating: Mechanical Parts Cleaning Guide
This type of parts cleaning includes both manual and motorized cleaning methods; no chemicals are involved. In addition to wire and nylon brushes, you want to have a couple of scrapers on hand to remove caked grime. A good putty knife works well for … [Click here to read more...]
Automotive Electrical Installations and Interfaces
This chapter covers some of the more complex installations and interfaces. If you opened the book and flipped straight to here, you may choose to go back to the beginning, as this chapter makes the assumption that you know a great … [Click here to read more...]
Automotive Welding: How to Work with Cast Iron and Other Materials – Part 8
Cast metals are different from other metals in a few key ways. First, the alloys used for cast parts are different from those used to make forged or machined parts. Cast iron or cast steel, for example, has a much higher component of carbon than … [Click here to read more...]