The anatomy of the supercharger or what makes it tick
By Titus Bloom: Superchargers are magical devices. They increase the oxygen supply to the engine by compressing the air, thus increasing its density. Accordingly, the engine burns more air-fuel mixture and produces more power. In a centrifugal supercharger, the air is...
Lightweight steering column for racing chassis & hot rods
At this year’s SEMA show held in Las Vegas, November 1-4, ididit, the Tecumseh, Michigan-based steering column specialist, won the Best New Street Rod/Custom Car Product award with their new ‘40 Ford special edition column, which also suits the Model A and the ‘32s....
Artful Dodgers: How crafty racers succeed
By Alfie Bilk: “I once saw a nitrous oxide system concealed within a brake booster,” says Nitrous Supply’s Mike Thermos. “The illicit charge was transmitted by way of the vacuum line and into the intake manifold. Another bamboozle I recall prevailed by...
Measuring the piston crown
By Titus Bloom: The most valuable currency of the race piston maker and also of the race engine builder is his reputation. Daily, they work around potentially destructive forces and know well the fine line between an engineering triumph and disaster. Piston-crown...
Androwick Returns to NHRA Pro Stock
For 2016, the NHRA introduced drastic changes to the Pro Stock racing class. Teams discarded their carburetors and hood scoops, replacing them with mandated cowl induction and fuel injection electronic control units. Years of development knowledge was abandoned as...
Ohio Speed Shops: Chuck Fitch explains how to buy an engine package
By Ben Mozart: Chuck Fitch has played a pivotal role for over thirty years in the supply of engines and transmissions—often custom packages with an emphasis on completeness—and recently expanded his options by opening a new venture: Ohio Speed Shops. Fitch’s...
Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated
Never trust an unbiased printer. By Martha Maglone We read with dismay a report in the latest issue of Drag Racing Scene announcing the passing of Dave McClelland. How could this be? Dave was in fine fettle a few evenings ago when we last spoke, and a man in better...
Blower Basics: What you need to know about supercharging.
The most direct means to enhance engine performance is to introduce more mixture into the cylinders–and supercharging is the most effective way. Forcing fuel and air into the cylinders with a pump or supercharger increases the volumetric efficiency dramatically, by as...
Garlits talks tire shake…
with Prudhomme and Austin Coil By Sam Logan: “In my heyday, to deliver the perfect drag racing run we raced a very fine line,” asserts Don Garlits. “If you had the exact right size tire for the weight of the vehicle and the clutch set exactly right for the horsepower...
Ian Tocher on the catastrophic events of his last race meet
By Martha Maglone: The abruptness of Ronnie Davis’ crash and subsequent death will live with Ian Tocher forever. Tocher, the most delightful of men, has survived horrendous injuries, but happily, his appetite for life remains undiminished. The noted scribe and...
Welcome to ididit’s Car Show & Open House
The 2016 ididit Car Show & Open House will be held on Saturday, October 1st and it's gonna be big! Pre-register by September 23rd or register the day of the show (registration closes at noon.) Ididit will have loads in store this year to help celebrate their 30th...
Wilwood Disc Brakes Releases New GS Compact Master Cylinders
Wilwood’s newly designed GS model compact master cylinders have been fully retooled using advanced high pressure die-casting processes to create a lightweight body design with consistent internal grain structure and cross-sectional wall thickness. An all new...