Thu, Mar 23, 2023
Hot intake air temps are bad, and cold IAT's are good, right? But how bad is bad, and how good is good, especially in a boosted application? This time on Engine Masters, presented by AMSOIL, we're exploring the benefits of an air-to-air intercooler in terms of power and detonation resistance. But wait, there's more. We're also testing out external CO2 foggers that keep your intercooler extra cool. How cool? Come on, we'll show ya.
Thu, Mar 30, 2023
Can you make power just by changing the placement of the fuel injector? Our testing has repeatedly shown that carbs make more peak power than EFI, and our explanation is based on the fuel's ability to cool the incoming air on its way to the head. Multipoint injection just can't do that. Or can it? This time on Engine Masters, presented by AMSOIL, we move fuel injectors up the intake manifold runners to see if that extra distance of suspended fuel can make any more power.
Thu, Apr 6, 2023
We know that air-to-water intercoolers make power by absorbing the heat of the intake air into the cool of the IC's water. But doesn't that water eventually just get hot, too? This time on Engine Masters, presented by AMSOIL, we're exploring the effects of different-sized water tanks and their abilities to keep the intake charge colder longer, as well as to hold ice and make your power gains even larger.
Thu, Apr 13, 2023
How much airflow does your throttle body need to provide? That's what we're here to answer this time on Engine Masters, as we compare 90mm and 105mm forward-facing throttle bodies against one another and then to 2000 cfm worth of top-mounted, dual quad-style throttle bodies. These will all sit atop a fuel-injected 442ci LS7 mill pumping out around 700 hp. How much airflow is enough for this power level? We're about to find out.
Thu, Apr 20, 2023
Call it a velocity stack, a radiused entry, or even a salad bowl, the bellmouth is designed to direct and smooth the airflow into the throttle body, creating a more efficient airflow. But does it make power? We'll be answering that very question for both N/A and supercharged versions of our 363ci small-block Ford.
Thu, Apr 27, 2023
Precise and scientific or unrefined and ham-fisted? Despite the reputations each of these injection styles carry, does either really make a difference when it comes to overall power? We're exploring that question as well as the tunability, what it takes to make the switch, and all of the pros and cons that come along with each. Come learn the truth about what you really need, right here on Engine Masters.
Thu, May 4, 2023
Cam specs are cam specs, right? WRONG!. This time, we show you how three seemingly identical cams can behave very differently. It's called cam lobe intensity, and it's all about the shape of the lobe between the base circle and the nose. So what's the difference between a standard, a high-intensity, and a low-shock cam? Which one is right for you? Find out on this time on Engine Masters.
Thu, May 11, 2023
Can any one type of spark plug make more power than the next? What about the ones with fancy metal tips or extra ground straps? What if you gap them bigger or smaller? We'll answer all these questions and share as many tips and tricks as you can handle. If you have a gas motor of any size, this time on Engine Masters has something for you.
Thu, May 18, 2023
This one's all about how the length of your header primary tubes can affect your power curve. You'll learn about all the different ways your engine expels its exhaust; mainly the negative pressure wave that pulls burnt gases from the cylinder and how that changes how much torque is made and where the power occurs. Come get scientific with us this time on Engine Masters.
Thu, May 25, 2023
The bigger the cam, the higher the curve, right? Well, there's some truth to that, but what about when you're talking about low-end torque? This time on Engine Masters, we explore the world of usable, cruisable, tow-ready torque curves with three of the smallest camshafts we've ever tested. But how small is too small? Come with us as we find out.
Thu, Jun 1, 2023
Roadkill Garage's Steve Dulcich has posed a theory. His claim is that headers don't matter nearly as much when paired with a small cam as they do with a larger cam. To find out, we'll look at the percentage of power gained on our Ultimate Average 383 when using factory-style manifolds, shorty headers, and full-length headers with both a tiny 200/206 cam, and then again with a meatier 230/236 stick. Does a smaller cam benefit less from a header upgrade? Come find out this time on Engine Masters.
Thu, Jun 8, 2023
Listen up, street drivers of big-block Chevys, this is the shootout for you. With so many average power, cruiser level, and even bone stock BBC's roaming around, this one is long overdue. From high rise to low rise, square bore and spread bore, this time on Engine Masters is all about which intake will give you the most bang for your basic big-block.
Thu, Jun 15, 2023
With so many oil weights and combinations on the market, the crew sets out to show how different weights behave, perform and react inside your engine under operating conditions. While it only scratches the surface, expect a primer on oil weights and how differing weights affect horsepower, pressure and resilience to temperature.
Thu, Aug 31, 2023
This is back to the basics, but not without its merits. We've all run the standard 14-inch round filter in the past and wondered every time if there's any difference between them. Does cotton gauze make any more power than a paper filter, or is it just a more expensive filter? Is there even any difference between brands? We aim to find out this time on Engine Masters, and the differences just might surprise you.
Thu, Sep 14, 2023
The spray-bar style nitrous plate has been the standard forever, which begs two questions: Can it be improved upon, and does it even need to be?. This time on Engine Masters, we put the tried-and-true spray-bar style up against the new-fangled perimeter discharge style. A 200-hp shot is a 200-hp shot, but how does each delivery method affect the tune of your motor? That's what we're here to find out.
Thu, Sep 21, 2023
We've done an intake manifold comparison on nearly every American big and small block platform, and at long last it's big block Ford's turn. We're shooting out single planes AND dual planes on a healthy street/strip 514ci combo that should relate to what a lot of BBF guys are running.
Thu, Sep 28, 2023
This time on Engine Masters is all about radiant heat, or better yet how to control it. Whether from exhaust, transmission, or any of your other heat generating components, isolating and separating that heat can make a hot ride comfortable, and even hot intake charge cooler. We're testing header wraps and panel heat shields, so come see how - and how not - to keep your cool.
Thu, Oct 5, 2023
Standalone air/fuel ratio gauges have changed the game when it comes to tuning carbureted engines, this episode of Engine Masters wants to open your eyes to a world possibilities and pitfalls when using them. We'll start by comparing five off-the-shelf units, then move on to showing how things like placement, air leaks, and even dead cylinders can affect your readings, your tuning decisions, and ultimately your power levels. This one's a real eye opener.
Tue, Oct 10, 2023
A 200-hp shot of nitrous is really no big deal, as long as you do it right. This time on Engine Masters, we show you how to do it right. We test a long-told hose length theory as well as a long-proven nitrous controller practice to illustrate how softening the "hit" of the nitrous can help you control the power and keep your motor in one piece.
Thu, Oct 19, 2023
Freiburger's 582 big block Chevy is back. And this time we're using it to shoot out 1050, 1250 and 1450 cfm Dominators. When you're flirting in that 1,000-hp range, how much difference do those extra cfms make, and how much does the tune change between them? We're exploring all that and more this time on Engine Masters.
Thu, Oct 26, 2023
Holley recently debuted the second iteration of its throttle body EFI system, and we're here to see if it's any better than the first version and any better than the carburetor we so dearly love. We'll walk you through the installation, the setup, and the benefits. Most important, we'll show you the results. Come see it all, here on Engine Masters.
Thu, Nov 2, 2023
Does a 300 shot of nitrous sound like a lot or like you're just getting started? That's one way to tell if you should be running a plate or a port system, and this time on Engine Masters, the guys walk you through each system, how much power you can add through each, and the jetting differences between them.
Thu, Nov 16, 2023
We all know there's invisible voodoo that can make or rob power in an exhaust system. The guys explore the merits of stepped headers, whose primaries step up in diameter, and merge collectors, which create an intentional restriction in the collector, against good old-fashioned, no-frills headers. Do the frequency-tuning claims of the steps and the velocity-enhancing merges make a difference to your motor? Absolutely.