Mailbag: How Much Compression is Too Much?
Q: I have a 383 stroker engine that’s making 525 horsepower and 450 foot-pounds of torque. I’m running a Trick Flow Super 23® top-end engine kit with a 9.1:1 compression […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: How a Mismatched Head Gasket Can Cause Big Problems!
I’ve got a 400 cubic small block Chevy that I had the machine shop bore to 4.155. I’m collecting parts to put it back together and used some of my […]
Mailbag: How to Bring a Long-Idle Vehicle Back to Life
Q. I have a Monte Carlo SS with a 305 HO engine and an automatic transmission. Unfortunately, it’s been stored in my garage for over a decade. I would love to have […]
Mailbag: Understanding Optimal Cruising RPM and its Impact on Engine Performance
Q: What is the ideal cruising RPM, and why is it important? A: Cruising rpm—that is, the speed at which your engine’s crankshaft rotates at a given sustained speed—has an […]
Mailbag: What is Total Timing and How Do I Set it?
Q: What is total timing, and how do I set it on my engine? A: Total timing, which refers to the maximum amount of ignition timing applied to the engine, […]
Mailbag: What Does a PCV Valve Do?
Q: What is the purpose of a PCV valve? A: The PCV valve is an important part of your crankshaft ventilation system. It serves a few primary function related to […]
Mailbag: How to Keep Your New Wheels Looking Great for a Long Time
Q: I recently got a set of new wheels for my car. How should I go about taking care of them? A: Adding a new set of wheels to your […]
Mailbag: Which Converter is Better for My Vehicle…Lockup or Non-Lockup?
Q: I am choosing a torque converter for my 1970 Nova with a 430 horsepower 383 stroker and a 4L60 transmission. I see lockup and non-lockup options. My understanding is that a […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Getting the Best of a Chevy 307 Without Blowing it Up
I have a 1971 Chevrolet 307 that I’ve decided to hot rod. In my search to find the best setup, I’ve had many different answers, mostly from helpful suggestions to […]
Mailbag: What is Engine Quench?
Q: What is engine quench? … A: Quench is the distance between the top of the piston at TDC and the cylinder head surface. It is also called “squish” or […]