Exhausting All The Options To Get Maximum Power From A Pontiac Firebird

(JOE)>> AFTER EXHAUSTIVE RESEARCH WE FOUND MORE POWER IN OUR PROJECT BUDGET BIRD. FIND OUT HOW MUCH RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> TODAY ON HORSEPOWER TV WE'LL CUT OUT OUR EXHAUST PROBLEMS ON OUR PROJECT BUDGET BIRD AS WE BOLT ON NEW HEADERS AND A HIGH FLOW EXHAUST SYSTEM. THEN IT'S BACK ON THE DYNO JET FOR ANOTHER RUN. WE'LL USE A FLOW BENCH TO SEE WHICH CYLINDER HEAD MACHINING GIVES YOU THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY. AND THEN IT'S OFF TO FLORIDA FOR A WHEELSTANDING, FLAME- THROWING NIGHT OF FIRE. SO HANG ON FOR HORSEPOWER TV! [ MUSIC ]

(JOE)>> HI AND WELCOME TO THE SHOP. WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE IS A B&M BLOWN SMALL BLOCK CHEVY THAT'S BEEN BOLTED BETWEEN THE FENDERS OF THIS REDHOT MONZA. YOU CAN BET THIS THING MAKES PLENTY OF HORSEPOWER.

(CHUCK)>> YOU BET. AND IT'S A SIMPLE PRINCIPLE OF HIGH PERFORMANCE THAT, WELL, THE MORE POWER YOU MAKE, THE MORE YOU NEED A HIGHFLOWING EXHAUST WHICH BRINGS US, OF COURSE, TO OUR LATEST PROJECT, THIS '91 PONTIAC BUDGET BIRD.

(JOE)>> MAN, I GOTTA TELL YA' I CAN ALREADY FEEL THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR ON THE ROAD WITH THIS THING. NOW IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, WE KICKED OFF THIS PROJECT WITH A HIGHTECH TUNEUP THAT INCLUDED A NEW MANIFOLD, UNDER DRIVE PULLEYS, AN IGNITION UPGRADE, AND A NEW COMPUTER CHIP. THE RESULTS, ALMOST TWENTY EXTRA HORSEPOWER AT THE REAR WHEEL. WELL, I GOTTA ADMIT. THIS THING'S STILL LAYING DOWN IN THE UPPER RPM RANGE.

(CHUCK)>> NO DOUBT. THERE'S STILL QUITE A FEW PONIES AND THEY'RE ALL CHOMPING AT THE BIT. WE JUST NEED TO FIGURE HOW TO TURN 'EM LOOSE. NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME EASY BOLTON'S THAT OPEN UP YOUR EXHAUST AND GIVE SOME REALLY GIDDY UP TO YOUR MACHINE.

(JOE)>> NOW THE FIRST THING WE'RE GONNA BOLT ON IS THIS TUBULAR EXHAUST SYSTEM. IT'S FULLY EMISSIONS COMPATIBLE AND LEGAL IN ALL FIFTY STATES.

(CHUCK)>> IT FEATURES ONE AND FIVE EIGHTHS INCH PRIMARIES AND A TWO AND ONEHALF INCH COLLECTOR. NOW THE SYSTEM ALSO INCLUDES THIS CROSSOVER PIPE THAT CONNECTS TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WE GOT THIS WHOLE SETUP FROM EDELBROCK.

(JOE)>> NOW, THE CAT CONVERTER IS NEXT. THIS IS A HIGHFLOW REPLACEMENT WE GOT FROM WALKER EXHAUST. THEN COMES THE CATBACK SYSTEM, BUT, HEY, WE'LL SHOW YOU MORE OF THAT LATER ON.

(CHUCK)>> RIGHT NOW, WHAT DO YA' SAY WE GET YOUR BIRD IN THE AIR? [ MECHANICAL BUZZING ] WITH THE BATTERY DISCONNECTED AND THE CAR ON THE LIFT, WE'RE GONNA GIVE ALL THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FASTENERS A SHOT OF PENETRATING OIL. AND WHILE IT'S WORKING, WE'RE GONNA GET TO WORK OURSELVES ON THAT CROSSOVER PIPE.

(JOE)>> WE GOT THE CAR BACK DOWN ON THE GROUND SO WE CAN START GETTING RID OF THOSE OLD MANIFOLDS.

(CHUCK)>> WELL, I'VE GOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE - THERE'S A WHOLE LOT LESS STUFF OVER HERE.

(JOE)>> I WAS AFRAID OF THAT. BUT BEFORE WE DO ANYTHING, WE HAVE TO REMOVE THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY, THE SMOG PUMP SYSTEM, AND SOME ACCESSORY BRACKETS.

(CHUCK)>> THEN YOU DISCONNECT THE O-2 SENSOR AND THE TEMP SENSOR AT THE CYLINDER HEAD. TAKE OUT THE MANIFOLD BOLTS, AND THE MANIFOLD LIFTS OUT KINDA LIKE THAT. NOW, THAT SIDE AIN'T QUITE SO EASY.

(JOE)>> MAN, YOU GOT THAT RIGHT. I HAD TO DIG FOR AN HOUR JUST TO FIND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THIS SIDE. IN FACT, HERE'S WHAT HAD TO COME OUT FIRST. THE SMOG PUMP DIVERTER VALVE ASSEMBLY. THE DIPSTICK AND TUBE. AIR CONDITIONING BRACKET. AND, FINALLY, THE MANIFOLD BOLTS THEMSELVES. AND THAT WAS JUST TO EXCAVATE THIS OLD ARTIFACT. THANK GOODNESS, IT'S HISTORY NOW.

(CHUCK)>> THE LAST OPERATION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS TO DISCONNECT THE STEERING SHAFT. JUST LAY IT OFF TO THE SIDE FOR EXTRA HEADER CLEARANCE. NOW IF YOUR CAR'S EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG, YOU DON'T WANT TO ROTATE YOUR STEERING WHEEL WHILE THAT SHAFT IS DISCONNECTED UNLESS OF COURSE YOU WANNA SEE WHAT A NON- IMPACT INFLATION LOOKS LIKE.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADER GOES IN FROM THE TOP. NOW BEFORE YOU INSTALL IT, YOU WANNA START THAT REARMOST HEADER BOLT AND LAY YOUR GASKET IN PLACE. THEN THIS SLOTTED FLANGE HERE, GOES RIGHT OVER THE HEADER BOLT.

NOW, ONCE THE HEADER'S IN PLACE, START THE REMAINING BOLTS ALL EXCEPT FOR THOSE FRONT THREE.

(JOE)>> AND, HERE'S WHY. TO BOLT UP THE ACCESSORIES, EDELBROCK SUPPLIES THESE LONGER BOLTS AND SPACERS THAT'LL GO ON NEXT ALONG WITH THE ACCESSORY BRACKETS. HERE YA' GO.

(CHUCK)>> THANKS. NOW, ONCE I GET EVERYTHING TIGHT UNDERNEATH HERE, I'LL GO AHEAD AND REINSTALL THAT STEERING SHAFT.

(JOE)>> NOW, THE FINAL STEP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS TO REINSTALL THE O-2 SENSOR, USING THIS WIRE EXTENSION THAT COMES WITH THE KIT. OF COURSE, DON'T FORGET THE ANTISEIZE COMPOUND ON THESE THREADS HERE.

(CHUCK)>> YOU 'BOUT DONE? GOOD DEAL. NOW, ONE FINAL THING. DON'T FORGET TO TORQUE THIS THING TO 30 FOOT POUNDS.

(JOE)>> INSTALLING THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADER'S A LOT MORE DIFFICULT. THERE'S LESS ROOM TO WORK HERE. IN FACT, IF YOU HAVE AN AFTERMARKET VALVE COVER, YOU MIGHT OUGHT TO TAKE IT OFF FIRST. THEN, THE BASIC PROCEDURE'S ABOUT THE SAME. ALTHOUGH AFTER THIS, I'VE GOT A LOT MORE STUFF TO PUT BACK ON.

(CHUCK)>> WELL, THE CROSSOVER PIPE'S THE NEXT THING TO GO ON. NOW, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE GETS THIS ADAPTER AND GASKET SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE CROSSOVER PIPE AND THE HEADER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE JUST GETS THIS BLUE DONUT. HEY, JOE, GIVE ME A HAND WITH THIS FOR A SECOND.

(JOE)>> SURE. NOW, WE'LL JUST BOLT EVERYTHING UP FINGER TIGHT AND LEAVE IT LOOSE UNTIL WE GET THE REST OF THE SYSTEM LINED UP. NOW, YOU HANG LOOSE 'CAUSE WE GOTTA TAKE A SHORT BREAK, BUT WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE OF OUR EXHAUST SYSTEM UPGRADE AFTER THIS. LATER WE HEAD TO A NIGHT OF FIRE IN FLORIDA WHERE A SIX TIME CHAMP RACES IN HIS FINAL PRO MATCHUP.

[ MUSIC ] [ TORCH HISSING ]

(CHUCK)>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOP AND TO OUR PERFORMANCE EXHAUST SYSTEM UPGRADE. NOW, WE'VE ALREADY ADDED A SET OF HEADERS TO PROJECT LOW BUDGET BIRD, HERE. NOW, IT'S TIME TO CONTINUE OUR INSTALLATION WITH A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND A FREEFLOWING EXHAUST. NOW, JOE'S BEEN OVER THERE BUSY TEST FITTING ALL THOSE PIECES TOGETHER. LET'S SEE HOW THEY ALL FIT.

(JOE)>> WELL, THIS LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY WELL THOUGHT OUT KIT. THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE SYSTEM IN PLACE USE STOCK HANGERS WHICH IS ALWAYS GOOD. THE SLIP JOINTS FIT NICELY, AND, ALL THE HARDWARE COMES WITH THE KIT. SO, I GUESS WE'RE READY TO PUT IT TOGETHER, AFTER CHUCK GETS THE OLD ONE OUT OF THE WAY. [ TORCH HISSING ] [ DRILL SPINNING ] [ METAL CLANGING ]

(CHUCK)>> YOU KNOW, FINDING SOME EXTRA HORSEPOWER IN A HIGHPERFORMANCE EXHAUST AIN'T JUST SOME PIPE DREAM. IN FACT, IT REALLY GETS ITS START WITH ITS OVERSIZED THREEINCH INTERMEDIATE PIPE THAT'S A WHOLE LOT LARGER THAN THE STOCK PIECE.

(JOE)>> MAN, JUST LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE. SEE THIS MANDRELL BEND, HERE? IT MAINTAINS FULL PIPE DIAMETER THROUGHOUT THE RADIUS FOR MAXIMUM FLOW. WELL, I BETTER GET BUSY BOLTING UP THIS NEW CAT CONVERTER.

(CHUCK)>> THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. NOW, THE MUFFLER ITSELF IS MADE OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL AND IT'S GOT JUST ENOUGH SOUND DAMPENING TO MAINTAIN THAT FREE FLOW. I GOTTA TELL YA' IT'S GONNA TURN THAT PONTIAC OVER THERE INTO A REAL THUNDER BIRD.

(JOE)>> UH, THANKS, BIRD BRAIN. I LIKE FORDS BUT THIS BEAST AIN'T NO BLUE OVAL MACHINE.

(CHUCK)>> THAT WAS KIND OF A "FOWL" COMMENT, WASN'T IT? HEY, GIVE ME A HAND WITH THIS INTERMEDIATE PIPE? [ DRILL SPINNING ]

(JOE)>> THE OVERTHEAXLE PIPE IS NEXT, AND, WELL, HERE'S THAT BRACKET WE SHOWED YOU EARLIER THAT LET'S YOU USE THE STOCK HANGER ASSEMBLIES. NOW, HERE'S A TIP. LEAVE ALL YOUR CONNECTIONS LOOSE FOR THE MOMENT. THAT WAY YOU CAN MOVE THINGS AROUND TO GIVE YOU ALL THE CLEARANCE YOU NEED. WHEN EVERYTHING'S LINED UP, YOU CAN CRANK 'EM ON DOWN.

(CHUCK)>> BEFORE WE CAN INSTALL THE MUFFLER, WE'RE GONNA ATTACH THIS LEFT HAND TAIL PIPE HERE AND SNUG IT IN PLACE WITH THIS MUFFLER CLAMP. THAT WAY, WE CAN USE THIS WELDED ON TAB TO KEEP EVERYTHING SUSPENDED, WHILE WE INSERT THE INLET TUBE HERE INTO THAT OVER THE AXLE PIPE. [ MUSIC ]

(JOE)>> WELL, LOOKS TO ME LIKE AFTER WE CAN THIS TAILPIPE ON, WE'LL BE ABOUT READY TO RUMBLE.

(CHUCK)>> NO, NO, NO, NOT SO FAST. NOW, WE'VE STILL GOT A FEW MORE FINAL ADJUSTMENTS TO MAKE BEFORE WE TIGHTEN EVERYTHING UP. I TELL YA' THEN, IT'S OFF THE LIFT AND ON THAT DYNO JET. IN FACT, I'VE EVEN FILED A NEW FLIGHT PLAN FOR YOUR HIGHFLYING BIRD.

(JOE)>> ALRIGHT.

(CHUCK)>> COME ON BACK. ALRIGHT!

[ ENGINE REVVING ] ALRIGHT. GOOD DEAL.

(JOE)>> MAN, THIS BIRD'S REALLY FLYING NOW. I THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA RUFFLE MY FEATHERS.

(CHUCK)>> IT OUGHT TO RUFFLE MORE THAN YOUR FEATHERS 'CAUSE WE PICKED UP OVER 18 HORSES ON THAT RUN. NOW, THAT MAKES OUR REAR WHEEL HORSEPOWER 183, AND EVEN THOUGH THIS COMPUTER DOESN'T MEASURE DECIBELS, MAN, THIS THING SURE SOUNDS A LOT STRONGER. WELL THAT'S GOTTA BE WORTH SOMETHING.

(JOE)>> YEAH, SPEAKING OF WORTH WE SPENT ABOUT $310 TODAY ON THE HEADERS, ANOTHER $275 ON THE CATBACK SYSTEM, AND WELL $60 ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WELL THAT'S LESS THAN $650, ABOUT $35 BUCKS A HORSE, PARTNER.

(CHUCK)>> ALRIGHT, COWBOY. WELL, WHAT DO YA' SAY WE RUSTLE UP SOME BUSINESS AND PAY A FEW BILLS AROUND HERE. BUT, WE'LL BE BACK QUICKER THAN YOU CAN ROPE A CALF.

(JOE)>> AND THAT AIN'T NO BULL. SOME THROW FLAMES, SOME RACE ON TWO WHEELS. WE'RE OFF TO A HIGH PERFORMANCE CIRCUS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

[ MUSIC ]

(JOE)>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW AND TO ORLANDO. WE'VE COME HERE FOR AN ANNUAL ALLOUT BLOWOUT CALLED THE NIGHT OF FIRE. IF YOU'RE READY, LET'S LIGHT 'EM UP. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> IT'S A FLAME THROWING, WHEEL STANDING CIRCUS OF POWER THAT PACKS 'EM INTO TRACKS AROUND THE COUNTRY. MIX IN THE USUAL SATURDAY NIGHT BRACKET RACING, ADD A MONUMENTAL PRO MOD SHOOTOUT, AND YOU'VE GOT A HIGH PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL OF FIRE, AMAZING FEATS, AND RACING LIKE THIS ONE AT SPEED WORLD THAT STARS THE LIKES OF PEPE URBAN IN HIS FOURSECOND J-85 JET CAR. [ ROCKET ENGINE REVVING ]

(PEPE)>> IT'S A TRIP. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PARACHUTES HIT AT THE OTHER END.

THERE'S NOTHING I KNOW THAT REALLY COMPARES WITH DRIVING THE JETS. I REALLY ENJOY IT VERY MUCH. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> AND IF ONE JET CAR'S NOT ENOUGH, WELL THERE'S THE HOOTERS VERSUS SUPER MARIO MATCH UP.

BUT IF YOU WANNA TURN HEADS AND ATTRACT ATTENTION, WELL PUT AN F-4 PHANTOM JET MOTOR IN A TRUCK THAT MAKES 17,000 HORSEPOWER. BOB MOTZ DID THAT 20 YEARS AGO AND HE'S HAD A BLAST EVER SINCE.

(BOB)>> IT'S A GREAT SHOW. IT'S WHAT NIGHT OF FIRE'S ABOUT - HAVING A GOOD TIME.

(JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHEEL- STANDERS SHARE THE BILLING AT THIS HORSEPOWER HAPPENING. AND 35-YEAROLD VETERAN ROY TREVINO AND HIS PICKUP CAME READY TO RACE.

(ROY)>> BUT TO RUN EACH OTHER YOU HAVE TO BE CONFIDENT AND YOU KNOW THAT YOUR EQUIPMENT'S GOTTA BE IN AONE SHAPE. THESE ARE VERY COSTLY CARS. IF YOU BUILD 'EM YOURSELF, THEY RUN ANYWHERE FROM $80 TO $100 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

(JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHEEL STANDING TRUCKS ARE COOL BUT HOW ABOUT A TANK? GI JOE WITH ITS ALCOHOL BLOWN INJECTED HEMI ALWAYS WINS THE BATTLE FOR APPLAUSE.

(JOE)>> A LITTLE HINT TO ANY PROSPECTIVE WHEEL STANDERS OUT THERE IS FORGET WHATEVER YOU LEARNED IN RACING BECAUSE YOU WON'T DO IT IN ONE OF THESE VEHICLES. YOU GOTTA BE A LOT MORE FINESSEFULL, KINDA TAMER, CALMER, AND CONTROL THE INSANITY, SO TO SPEAK.

(JOE OFF CAMERA)>> YOU CAN'T SPEAK ABOUT WHEEL STANDERS WITHOUT MENTIONED THE NAME DANNY O'DAY AND HIS SUPERWINCH, THE FASTEST CAR ON TWO WHEELS. WE'LL HAVE A SPECIAL FEATURE ON DANNY IN A FEW WEEKS.

BUT NOW THE MAIN EVENT. AN HISTORICAL ONE AT THAT. IT'S THE PRO MOD CAREER FINALE OF SCOTTY CANNON, THE WINNINGEST DRIVER IN PRO MOD HISTORY IN HIS ALCOHOL BLOWN KILLER MATER.

(SCOTTY)>> THIS IS MY LAST RACE THAT I'LL BE DEBUTING BEFORE I GO TOP FUEL NEXT YEAR. YOU KNOW, TAKE ON JOHN FORCE AND THOSE GUYS. IT'S KIND OF A SPECIAL EVENT FOR US AND I HOPE TO GO OUT WITH A BOOM AND MAYBE WHOOP HIM UP, BUT HE'S TOUGH, HE'S HARD TO BEAT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> "HE" IS CHARLES CARPENTER, SCOTTY'S LONGTIME RIVAL WHOSE CHEVY IS POWERED BY A 706 CUBE MOTOR WITH THREE STAGES OF NITROUS.

(CHARLES)>> TWO OF THE STAGES ARE ACTUALLY ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. THE THIRD STAGE, THE DRIVER HAS CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE THIRD STAGE IS NOT ALWAYS APPLICABLE IN ALL CONDITIONS, BUT IT'S THERE IF WE NEED IT. WE'D LIKE TO SEND HIM AWAY WITH US A WIN, BUT I'M SURE HE'LL HAVE OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> HERE WE GO. THE CHALLENGER VERSUS THE CHAMP IN THE FIRST OF THIS TWO OUT OF THREE TUMBLE. [ ENGINE REVVING ] AND, CANNON WINS WITH A 6.40 AT 214 MILES AN HOUR. CARPENTER HAS A 6.73. THEN AFTER SOME FAST THRASHING IN THE PITS, IT'S TIME FOR ROUND TWO.

THIS TIME, THE JET CARS HAVE LEFT THE TRACK A LITTLE SLIPPERY, BUT CANNON COMES THROUGH WITH A 6.62, ENOUGH TO END HIS NIGHT AND PRO MOD CAREER WITH A WIN.

(SCOTTY)>> IT WAS ONE OF THOSE RUNS, IT'S NOT THE WORLD RECORD, OR IT'S NOT THE RECORD SETTING DEAL, BUT IT'S EXCITING BECAUSE IT'S LIKE RACING THIS THING ON ICE SKATES, YOU KNOW. SO, WHAT CAN I SAY. I'M JUST GLAD TO GET THERE FIRST. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WELL GOOD LUCK IN NHRA, SCOTTY. AND, TO ALL THE PERFORMERS OF THIS NIGHT OF FIRE, THANKS FOR BURNING UP THE TRACK!

[ MUSIC ]

(JOE)>> STAY TUNED FOR A HEADS UP ON CYLINDER HEAD MACHINING. YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE THE RESULTS.

[ MUSIC ]

(JOE)>> HI AND WELCOME BACK. NO DOUBT, YOU'VE HEARD THAT THE CAMSHAFT IS LIKE THE BRAIN OF AN ENGINE. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING HORSEPOWER, THE CYLINDER HEAD IS AN EQUALLY VITAL ORGAN. NOW MOST AFTERMARKET ALUMINUM HEADS LIKE THIS ONE WILL DO YOU A GOOD JOB, BUT FOR SOME SERIOUS PERFORMANCE PEOPLE, GOOD ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH. FOR EXAMPLE, THIS CUTAWAY HEAD HERE'S BEEN FULLY PORTED. AND, YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW HEADS OR TAILS ABOUT THIS STUFF TO KNOW THIS ONE WILL IMPROVE YOUR POWER. BUT WHAT KIND OF MACHINING WILL GIVE YOU THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK? WELL, TO FIND OUT, CHUCK'S AT A PLACE CALLED AEROHEAD PERFORMANCE WHERE HE'S FINALLY GOT A GOOD HEAD ON HIS SHOULDERS.

(CHUCK)>> THANKS, PARTNER. BUT I'M STILL AHEAD OF YOU, WHEN IT COMES TO PORTING FOR POWER. NOW WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE IS A SMALL BLOCK CHEVY CYLINDER HEAD WITH PORTS IN VARIOUS STAGES OF MODIFICATIONS. THIS IS A STOCK PORT THAT'S BEEN GASKET MATCHED. THIS ONE'S BEEN POCKET PORTED ONLY. THIS ONE'S BEEN GASKET MATCHED AND POCKET PORTED.

THE LAST ONE'S HAD THE FULL PORT AND POLISH TREATMENT. WE'LL SEE HOW EACH ONE OF THOSE MODIFICATIONS IMPROVES AIRFLOW, BUT FIRST LET'S LAY DOWN A BASELINE WITH A STOCK CYLINDER HEAD ON THE FLOW BENCH. WE'RE GONNA DO ALL OUR TESTS AT A HALFINCH VALVE LIFT, 28 INCHES OF WATER ON FOUR INCH BORES. NOW THE STOCK HEAD FLOWED 197 CFM ON THE INTAKE AND 132 ON THE EXHAUST. YOU KNOW, GASKET MATCHING HAS BEEN A REAL POPULAR MODIFICATION FOR MANY YEARS, BUT WHAT DOES IT REALLY GET YA'? LET'S FIND OUT. ALL THAT GRINDING AND WE ONLY PICKED UP THREE CFM ON THE INTAKE. THE EXHAUST STAYED THE SAME. THE NEXT STEP UP WOULD BE POCKET PORTING. IT INVOLVES CLEANING THE AREA CALLED THE BOWL AND THE POCKET RIGHT UNDER THE VALVE HEAD. NOW WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE OUT A LOT OF MATERIAL. WE'LL JUST SMOOTH IT AND BLEND IT.

WELL THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD. WE PICKUP UP 10 CFM ON THE INTAKE SIDE AND 40 ON THE EXHAUST. NOW LET'S SEE WHAT A POCKET PORTING AND GASKET MATCH JOB WILL DO.

WELL OBVIOUSLY THE GASKET MATCH DIDN'T DO A WHOLE LOT FOR US. WE ONLY PICKED UP FOUR CFM ON THE INTAKE SIDE AND ZILCH ON THE EXHAUST. SO YOU'RE GONNA BE A WHOLE LOT BETTER OFF PAYING ATTENTION TO THE BOWL AREA. NOW IF YOU'RE A HARDCORE RACER, A FULL PORT AND POLISH JOB IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. LET'S SEE WHAT KIND OF NUMBERS WE GET THERE.

AFTER A WHOLE LOT OF GRINDING WE END UP WITH 28 MORE CFM ON THE INTAKE SIDE, 11 MORE ON THE EXHAUST. SO, THERE YOU HAVE IT. ALL THE VARIOUS STAGES OF HEAD MODIFICATION SO THAT WHEN IT COMES THE TIME TO CHOOSE THE ONE THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOUR ENGINE, WELL, YOU CAN DO IT WITH A GOOD HEAD ON YOUR SHOULDERS. [ MUSIC ]

(JOE)>> DON'T GO AWAY. HOT PARTS IS NEXT ON HORSEPOWER TV.

(NARRATOR)>> NOW HORSEPOWER'S HOT PARTS. BROUGHT TO YOU BY SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT. YOUR SOURCE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE PARTS FOR 30 YEARS.

(CHUCK)>> EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WE COME ACROSS A NEW PART THAT REALLY SUCKS. AND, WELL, THIS ONE'S SUPPOSED TO. IT'S A VACUUM PUMP FROM MASTER POWER BRAKES. AND YOU GUYS WITH BIG, LUMPY CAMS ARE REALLY GONNA LOVE IT. NOW, IT RUNS OFF YOUR CAR'S 12-VOLT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IT GENERATES ENOUGH VACUUM TO OPERATE YOUR POWER BRAKE SYSTEM. IT'S ALSO SMALL ENOUGH SO THAT YOU CAN MOUNT IT JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE IN YOUR ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IT COMES WITH ALL ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND MOUNTING HARDWARE TO MAKE IT ALL WORK. NOW, IT WON'T SUCK YOUR WALLET DRY EITHER, AT JUST UNDER $250 BUCKS AND EVEN LESS IF YOU BUY IT WITH ONE OF THEIR BRAKE KITS.

(JOE)>> WELL IT'S A BAD BREAK IF ONE OF YOUR BOLTS BACKS OUT OF YOUR ENGINE AT THE WRONG TIME. AFTER ALL, NOBODY WANTS TO RUN OVER THEIR OWN PARTS WHEN THEY'RE OUT CRUISIN'. WELL, NOW YOU CAN KEEP THOSE PARTS WHERE THEY BELONG WITH THESE LOCKING FASTENERS FROM STAGE EIGHT. NOW, IT STARTS WITH A SPECIALLY- GROOVED GRADE EIGHT BOLT THAT USES A RETAINER AND A SPECIAL CLIP TO LOCK EVERYTHING IN PLACE. BY THE WAY, HERE'S HOW IT ALL LOOKS TOGETHER. NOW, THEY COME IN KITS TO FIT ALL POPULAR APPLICATIONS WITH PRICES STARTING AT ABOUT $30 BUCKS.

(CHUCK)>> NOW IF YOU WANNA KEEP THE REAR SUSPENSION OF YOUR LATE MODEL IMPALA SS IN PLACE, WELL THESE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS FROM METCO MOTORSPORTS WILL DO JUST THAT. THEY'RE MACHINED FROM AIRCRAFT QUALITY BILLET ALUMINUM AND THEY'RE FITTED WITH URETHANE BUSHINGS FOR PRECISE HANDLING AND IMPROVED TRACTION. THE UPPERS ARE FULLY ADJUSTABLE SO THAT YOU CAN OPTIMIZE THE PINION ANGLE. AND THE BEST PART IS, THEY'RE GONNA CENTER UP YOUR REAR WHEELS IN THE OPENING. NOW YOU CAN PREPARE TO OPEN UP YOUR WALLET FOR ABOUT $500 BUCKS FOR THIS SETUP.

(JOE)>> WELL ALRIGHT, ABOUT TIME FOR ME TO SETUP NEXT WEEK'S HORSEPOWER TV.

(CHUCK)>> YOU KNOW THE ONLY REASON YOU'RE DRIVING THIS THING IS BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIT BEHIND THE WHEEL.

(JOE)>> ARE YOU COMFORTABLE BY THE WAY?

(CHUCK)>> NO MAN BUT I LOVE RIDING IN THIS THING.

(NARRATOR)>> HORSEPOWER TV IS AN RTM PRODUCTION.