Join Kevin and Willie as they recount their most epic automotive blunders from decades of hot rod building and racing. From over-cammed street cars and nitrous nightmares to the perils of too much horsepower on the track, the guys share many of their hard-earned lessons that transformed mistakes into future motoring triumphs.
Aerosol paints have evolved considerably since Ed Seymour first invented them 75 years ago, and the company that bears his name remains at the forefront of the aftermarket, turning DIYers into artists. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, the guys welcome Rodion Galperin for a conversation about all things aerosol, including the latest breakthroughs in the tech and some helpful tips for mastering your own technique.
Ever wonder what makes a painter a "game changer"? Kevin and Willie sit down with one on this episode. Jeremy Winters (aka "That Jeremy Fella") is a painter whose career spans from helping his mom paint crafts, to collision repair painting, to saving reality TV show deadlines. Learn about his journey, the meticulous process behind a perfect paint job, and how he uses his skills to transform vehicles and inspire the DIY community.
On a recent episode of the TV show, the guys were intending to rebuild a '66 Charger's 440 block as well as a 4-speed 833 overdrive transmission, but what they found was something neither had expected. “The first warning signs of an engine that is not a runner," notes Willie, "is when you see (paint) overspray on push-rods, internals, and on the valley pan." It became pretty obvious pretty quickly that the supposed drop-in runner of an engine was not at all what it was supposed to be. What happe...
Kevin and Willie explore the evolution and common issues of automotive fuel systems with Kyle Fischer from Hot Shot's Secret, who reveals why this "forgotten maintenance item" is often the culprit behind sluggish performance. The trio examine how poor fuel from your local pump effects the overall fuel system, and how the company’s advanced gasoline additive “Gasoline Extreme” combats carbon deposits and provides vital lubrication for modern engines, restoring that performance and lost fuel econo...
The guys welcome Kyle Fischer of Hot Shot's Secret back to the podcast to talk not about diesel, but gasoline additives. Gasoline is a more highly refined product than diesel, so are additives really necessary, and are they effective? With so many available options on the market, Kevin asks, "Is that really a secret sauce or is it just a sauce? What is in there and what is it doing for me anyway, do I need it?" You may find the answers surprising.
The guys welcome Geoff Gerko of Mantic Clutch USA back to the podcast to discuss his lifelong love of manual transmissions and building clutches for 2500 ft-lbs of torque. Along the way, he unveils his impending rebrand to Gerko’s Custom Clutches, discusses how superior materials and modular design lead to unmatched performance, and offers a glimpse into the future of high-performance clutch technology.
With summer upon us, Kevin and Willie share personal stories of overheating and give listeners tips, tricks, knowledge, and know-how to help stay cool! From OE cooling systems to your weekend hot rod’s system, the guys talk common mistakes and ways to maintain a proper cooling system. Kevin states, “What we end up doing as hot rodders, we obviously increase horsepower, but we build our own cooling systems, we chose a radiator,and we chose a fan, and you know what? There’s a lot of little details...
From concept to patent to power, Kevin and Willie delve into the journey of the RoadSkulls V-Twin Performance "Straight Shooter" air intake system that represents a revolutionary advancement in motorcycle performance technology. Creator Kevin Edgmon enlightens the guys on just how his utility-patented design is making a significant impact on engine power and responsiveness, especially on motorcycles and vehicles battling turbo lag.
The guys have learned a thing or two about blasting over the years, dating back to the days before PPE was commonplace and the effects of prolonged exposure to various media was of little concern. Now with dozens of “Blasting with Byrd” TV segments under his belt, Kevin has become something of an expert on the subject, and today he and Willie welcome Dustless Blasting Marketing Director Kaylyn Starr to the podcast. The company was first to market with a mobile blasting platform that provides env...
From duct tape dilemmas to custom leather dreams, Kevin and Willie delve into the world of automotive interiors with Pat Russell of PJ's Trim Shop. Discover how a master craftsman transforms a car's cabin into a luxurious, personalized space, revealing the unexpected challenges and rewarding artistry of bespoke automotive upholstery.
The guys discuss buying and selling at Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, and local automotive auctions with Rick Fragnoli the owner of Cleveland Power and Performance. They also trade stories as well as tips and tricks for getting what you want at swap meets. Kevin asks, “So what is your top piece of advice for scoring big at a swap meet?” Rick states, “Cash in hand, you gotta have cash”.
Technical jobs are in high demand. Are you ready to build a career instead of racking up debt? Kevin and Willie talk with Josh Jones from Lincoln Tech about their diverse technical programs revealing how their state-of-the-art facilities and industry-aligned programs are equipping students with tangible skills and direct pathways to lucrative careers. From the surprisingly short completion times and the high demand for graduates in fields like automotive, diesel, and electrical, they discuss the...
From selling glitter out of a suitcase to traveling to European manufacturing and mining facilities chasing the perfect pigment, today the guys talk all the things that bling when it comes to paint with Manny Martinez the owner and founder of Tropical Glitz. Referring to customers and their desire to find the perfect paint, Manny states, “you guys have a vision, you have a dream so we’re here to give you a solution for that vision”.
Ever wonder how cars achieve that perfect balance of handling and ride comfort? How car manufacturers predict and measure the seemingly invisible movements and deflections within a vehicle's suspension system? Kevin and Willie pick the brain of Cayman Dynamics suspension expert Chris White, diving into the complex world of kinematics, compliance, and high-tech tools used by OEMs to dial in everything from comfy cruisers to track-ready machines.
The 2023 SEMA Show continues to loom large on the guys’ minds. “It is so massive, it’s hard to even wrap your brain around,” marvels Kevin, while Willie exclaims “it’s just filled to the gills with cool cars and wild things to see, watch, and witness.” It also provided occasion for Willie to reunite with his old “PINKS All Out” pal, 6-time World Champion NHRA Top Fuel Driver Clay Millican. Along with CRC Marketing Director Raquel Wenger, they discuss CRC ‘s “Build for the Future” scholarship pro...
Kevin and Willie share their often humorous and always educational tales of first engine builds, setting the stage for a deep dive into the world of reliable power via crate engines. They tap into the expertise of Mike Goodwin from Ford Performance, who provides the inside track on their extensive crate engine lineup. From robust "heritage pushrod engines” to the mind-blowing "Megazilla 2.0" targeting 1200 horsepower, Ford Performance’s crate engines are making high-end and backyard builds even ...
Kevin and Willie discuss the current evolution and transitioning of the Automotive Industry to electric vehicle technology. From hybrid to full autonomous electric vehicles, the guys discuss it all. Kevin states, “It just keeps getting better and better and we love it, and now we’re at this crossroad…” Do you like electric vehicles or are you a muscle car purist? “After enough beat downs on the track, you’re gonna change your mind!”
After months of neglect and distractions, Willie and Kevin are finally digging their project cars out of mothballs to begin wrenching on them again. They share some pre- and post-winter storage tips to ensure a smooth transition back to the open road and pull back the curtain on the slow and steady progress – and occasional behind-the-scenes struggles – that come with resurrecting sidelined automotive projects. From unexpected repairs that muck up the works to the satisfying (and sometimes frust...
The world has somewhat transitioned from solvent based paints to water-based paints but that doesn’t always agree with the art form that is painting a vehicle, especially when you’re trying to get that perfect look! Willie agrees with Henry Ford stating, “A customer can have their car painted any color they want, as long as that color is black”, but Kevin feels that “a color of paint wants to be on certain cars”. Often the paint for your vehicle can cost more than the vehicle itself. So, what to...
Are we witnessing a "gas resurgence"? Willie and Kevin tap into the expertise of Dan Millen from Livernois Motorsports & Engineering to dissect the surprising sales struggles of modern muscle alongside the intriguing sleeper potential of vehicles like the Durango Hellcat. They delve into the aftermarket's ongoing battle with OEM tuning restrictions and the unexpected realities of EV adoption compared to traditional gas power, ultimately questioning the future landscape of high-performance mo...
Willie recently received an excited phone call from his twin brother exclaiming, “You’ll never guess what I found three miles from my house!” What he found is possibly the pinnacle small town elusive barn find - a 1970 Plymouth Superbird! It’s been stuffed in the back of a garage and the doors to the vehicle haven’t been opened since 1989. You can guess that this is one six-figure car that Willie really wants to get his hands on. The guys discuss the history of this classic, talk shop about many...
Although the guys normally talk about four wheels, today they’re shifting gears to focus on the evolution of sophisticated electronics that are transforming modern motorcycle technology. Along with Dylan Bolton from Tri-City Cycles, they marvel at how innovations like phone-based tuning and anti-slide systems give riders more control and confidence, whether they're tackling a race, a trail, or just weekend riding, effectively changing the game forever.
During his 15-year career as a professional race car driver, Cooper MacNeil amassed an impressive array of endurance championship wins, including the 24 Hours of Daytona (2023 GT3 Class), Petit Le Mans (3-time winner), 24 Hours of Sebring (2-time winner), and 24 Hours of Le Mans (multiple podiums). Now retired, recently married, and with a baby on the way, he sat down with Kevin and Willie for a look back at his life in racing (“After 15 years of doing it, I was just mentally, physically, and em...
Anytime a guest mentions Nikola Tesla, you know it’s going to get interesting. Journey through the history and future of welding as Willie, Kevin, and retired ESAB guru "Buttweld Bob" Bitzky unveil pivotal moments that shaped the industry. From the limitations of early AC to the transformative power of transistors in inverter welders, Bob's expertise provides a unique perspective on how far the technology has come, offering insights that make listeners feel "a little bit smarter.”
Brian Tooley of BTR Racing has been fighting for power and harmonics and everything that goes on in that valve chain for decades, and nobody’s been as aggressive. “There’s lots of smart guys out there that are doing phenomenal work. We are a tiny bit ahead of most of our competitors,” he tells Kevin and Willie, “and have been shockingly successful.” In his fifth appearance on the podcast, Brian leads a revealing deep dive into hydraulic roller camshafts that’s not to be missed. “I can’t believe ...
Willie and Kevin welcome the innovative Bryan Fuller of Fuller Moto to discuss his latest audacious project: a five-day build to create a car body from scratch. Fuller recounts the inspiration behind this seemingly impossible feat, stemming from a shattered Hot Wheels model and a desire to push the boundaries of automotive fabrication using the newest technology available. He details the challenges of assembling a dream team, including the legendary Chip Foose, and utilizing cutting-edge technol...
Kyle Hyatali really knows how to build a hot rod and tee it up nicely. His purview at Vibrant Performance extends across the full life cycle of development, including everything from product design to tech support and marketing. Most recently, he’s been documenting a full customization of his personal ’87 Mazda RX-7 decked out with the full Vibrant catalogue. “We often consider ourselves similar to a Home Depot of car fabrication,” he tells the guys in this week’s podcast. “You could come to us,...
Kevin and Willie dive into the world of car appraisals with former homicide-detective-turned-appraiser Burke Payne of BP Appraisals, revealing the often-harsh realities and surprising windfalls of the collector car market, where "condition is everything”. Burke discusses his process, which can expose the gap between perceived and actual vehicle values. He also explains how a professional appraisal provides concrete documentation, justifying a vehicle's value to potential buyers and insurance com...
From his early days at Chip Foose’s side on Overhaulin’, Kevin witnessed firsthand the art and skill of automotive drawing and designing on paper. Today, Kevin’s self-proclaimed “Favorite French Car Guy” and Design Manager at Ford Performance, Anthony Colard, joins the podcast to discuss the finer points of automotive design. “We don’t live long enough to drive boring cars,” says the man from TheModernRacer.com, citing his one-of-a-kind ’68 Barracuda Fastback build as a prime example.Learn more ...
