Feature Articles

It’s a Hole in the Water…

It’s a Hole in the Water…

A high-performance boat engine for the lakes of Indiana? How hard could it be? Northeastern Indiana is full of lakes. Like so much of the midwest, the glaciers carved out low-lying areas as they ground their way down from the north. As they retreated, they left behind...

Recovery, Restoration, and Resurrection, Part 1

Recovery, Restoration, and Resurrection, Part 1

Another whole enterpise!  While resto work often includes high-performance aspects, it’s about a whole lot more than just trying to go as fast as possible.  You won’t find this kind of coverage in any other publication, and we believe you’ll enjoy it and perhaps even be inspired to get into this challenging field. This installment sets the stage with customer contact and initial evaluation.

Meet my Favorite Fabricator, Part 1

Meet my Favorite Fabricator, Part 1

This issue of Performance Technician features a major article on restoration. Fabrication is often a major part of that pursuit, so our man Greg visited the best “make-anything” shop he knows of to create this story. In the early days of automobiles, the U.S. was a “fabrication nation,” but now the necessary skills and talent are rare.

StarTuned October 2014

StarTuned October 2014

In this issue: Always Spinning: Variable Displacement A/C Compressors; Be a Door Man; Installing Custom Aftermarket Wheels & Tires; Variable Length Intake Manifold Operation & Maintenance

Torque Benders, Part 1: Differential Basics

Torque Benders, Part 1: Differential Basics

With RWD, you’re making all that horsepower up front, but you’ve got to make it do a 90-degree turn to spin those tires. That’s got to be hard on the mechanism — downright brutal in any kind of racing. Here’s how to get started putting the pieces back together, and a set-up shortcut, too.

Don’t Play with Fire

There’s no such thing as a “minor fire” at an auto service shop. Beyond the obvious loss of property, equipment and business income, the threat to the safety of humans is paramount. We’ve all heard the stories or know someone who has had it happen to them. Perhaps it...

Performance Technician October 2014

Performance Technician October 2014

The October 2014 issue of Performance Technician opens a whole new area of coverage.  Sure, we’re still giving you the kind of practical hands-on tech articles you won’t find elsewhere, but we’ll also be introducing you to the restoration business, which often includes high-performance aspects, and should be interesting to any car guy.  To complement the main feature, we’re including a story about an incredible fabrication shop.  I don’t know about you, but I enjoy this kind of work, maybe even more than making a good diagnosis.

Be a Door Man

Be a Door Man

Sensors, actuators, and electronic controls make repairing Mercedes-Benz doors a lot more important to vehicle safety and passenger comfort than in the past. The collision repair technician must deliver not only excellent fit and finish, but also ensure that all electronics function as required by the original equipment specifications.