SPRING 2016
VOL. 16
NO.1
TWENTY-FIVE CENTS
DIRECT FIT GAUGE KITS
Complete kits include gauges, direct fit panel, wiring harness and sending units Easy, no fab installation allows you to preserve the interior of your classic Period correct look and exceptional build quality AutoMeterรข€™s AutoMeter legendary accuracy and durability Best in class customer service and support
www.PerformanceImprovements.com
Available For Blazer Camaro Chevelle Chevy/GMC Truck El Camino Malibu Monte Ca Carlo Nova Suburban
ๅ็ๆ็ๆโๆผๆโ็ๆ ๆโไ็็ ๅ็คๆดๆดๆ็็ๆคๆๆๆฐโไๆ็ๆคๆๆธ
ๅไคไธไไฐไโๅๅไไไ
ไไฐไไๅๅไคไโไไไธโไไผไธๅๅไผไฐไฐไๅ
ไ ไคไไ โไผๅๅๅๅๅ
ๅๆ ๆๆธโๆๆฐๆฐโ็คๆผ็โๆธๆๆๆโๆค็โ็ๆคๆด็ๆฐๆคๆๆค็็คโฐโ็ๆ ๆโๅๆคๆธๆๆฐๆโๅ็ๆๆๆโๆๆผๆธ็็ๆผๆฐๆฐๆ็โๆค็โ็ๆ ๆโ ็ๆคๆๆ ็โ็ๆผๆผๆฐโๆๆผ็โ็ๆ ๆโๆจๆผๆโธโไผๆธๆโๆผๆโๆผ็็โๆๆ็็โ็ๆๆฐๆฐๆคๆธๆโๆๆๆธโๆๆผๆธ็็ๆผๆฐๆฐๆ็็โฐโ็ๆ ๆโ ๅๆคๆธๆๆฐๆโๅ็ๆๆๆโๆๆผๆธ็็ๆผๆฐๆฐๆ็โๆค็โๆ็ๆๆคๆฐๆๆๆฐๆโๆคๆธโๆด็ๆฐ็ๆคโๆๆผๆธๆๆคๆ็็ๆ็ๆคๆผๆธ็โธ
ๅไคไธไไฐไโๅไไโไไไธๅ
ๅ็็ๆธโดไผๆธ
ๅโผไธ ๅๆๆด็
ๅๆฐ็็ๆโ็็ๆคๆ็ ๅๆ็ๆๆธ็ๆๆโๆๆฐๆๆๆ็
ไๆ็ๆคๆๆธๆๆโ็ๆผโ็ๆ็ๆๆผ็ๆดโฐโๆ็ๆๆธโๆผๆธโ็ๆ ๆโ็ๆ ๆคๆๆฌๆ็็โ็ๆๆๆคๆ็ๆผ็็
ไไได
ๅ็ๆๆธๆๆ็ๆ ๅ็ๆๆดๆค็ๆด ไๆๆธโๅๆค็จๆ ไ ๆคๆๆ โผไฐๆผ็
ไผ็็โไ ๆคๆๆ โไผ็็็็็โๅๆคๆธๆๆฐๆโๅไไโๆๆๆธ็โๆผๆๆๆ็โๆ ็็ๆ็ๆโดๆผๆโด็ๆ ๆโดๆ็็โ็็คๆดๆดๆ็็ๆคๆๆๆฐโๆๆ็ๆคๆๆธโๆๆ็ๆคๆฐ็ค ๅโผไธใจโใใ ใใใ ๅโผไธใจโใใใใใ ๅโผไธใจโใใ ใใใ ๅโผไธใจโใใใใใ ๆดๆๆฌๆคๆธๆโ็ๆ ๆโๆๆๆธโๆโ็็็ๆ ๆ็โๆผ็โ็็ๆฐๆฐๆ็โธ ๅโผไธใจโใใ ใใใ ๅโผไธใจโใใใใใ
ใใแด ใใแด ใใแด
ใโฐใใ โผใโฐ ใโฐใ โผใโฐใ ใโฐใ โผใโฐใ
ๅ็ๆผๆๆ
ไๆด็ๆ็ๆๆๆ
ไๆ็ๆๆๆค็็ค
ใใใใ โโโโโโใใ ๋จไโโโโโโๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็โ ใใใใ โโโโโโใใ ๋จไโโโโโโๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็ ใใใใใโโโโโโใใค ๋จไโโโโโโๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็ ใใใใใโโโโโโใใค ๋จไโโโโโโๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็ ใใใใใโโโโโโใใ ๋จไโโโโโโๅ็็ๆ โดไคๆธโผๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็ ใใใใใ โโโโโโใใ ๋จไโโโโโโๅ็็ๆ โดไคๆธโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็ ใใใใใคโโโโโโใใ ๋จไโโโโโโๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็ ใใ ใใใโโโโโโใใ ๋จไโโโโโโๅ็็ๆ โดไคๆธโผๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็ ใใ ใใใ โโโโโโใใ ๋จไโโโโโโๅ็็ๆ โดไคๆธโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็ ใใ ใใใคโโโโโโใใ ๋จไโโโโโโๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโใใโๆๆด็
ไไฐไไๅๅไคไโไไไธ ไไผไธๅๅไผไฐไฐไๅๅ ๅๅได
ไไไธโไไผไธๅๅไผไฐไฐไๅ ๅโผไธใจใใใใคใ ไไดๅโไไๅไไไคๅๅคใจ ไไๅไคๅไๅไคไผไธโๅไไดๅใจ ๅๅๅไธโดไผไไโๅไไดๅใจ ไดๅไฐๅไคโดไไไธใจ ๅๅไผไไโๅๅๅคไฐไใจ ไ็ ็็ๆ็ใจ
ใใโๆๆด็็ ๅๆผๆ็โๅ็ๆ็็โๅๆๆๆ ๆธๆผๆฐๆผๆ็ค ไๆผๆธ็ๆคๆธๆผ็็โๆๆๆธโๆๆผๆธ็็ๆผๆฐ ๅคๆ็ ๅ็็ๆ โดๆคๆธโ็็ๆผๆๆ ไคๆธๆๆฐ็ๆๆ็โๆ็็ๆผโ็ๆ็ๆ็็ๆคๆธๆโๆๆค็ๆ็ๆค็โฐ ๆ็ๆคๆฐ็โดๆคๆธใจโๆโผๆโๆผ็ๆ็ ๆ็ๆคๆฐ็โดๆคๆธใจโๆโผๆโๆผ็ๆ็็ๆคๆๆโฐโๆ็็็ๆๆธ็โๆผ็ๆ็ๆฐๆผๆๆโฐ ๆๆธๆโๆผ็ๆ็ๆ ๆๆ็ๆคๆธๆโ็็ๆผ็ๆๆ็ๆคๆผๆธ
ไ ไคไไ โไไดๅ
ไไไจๅๅๅไไไฐไ
ไๅไไฐโไไไธโไไผไธๅๅไผไฐไฐไๅ
ไไไธโไไผไธๅๅไผไฐไฐไๅ
ๅโผไธใจใใใใ ใ โโๅ็็ๆ โดไคๆธโๅ็ๆผๆๆ ๅโผไธใจใใใใ ใคโโๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโๅ็ๆผๆๆ ใ โๆๆด็็โโ ใใโๆๆด็็โ็ๆ็โๆๆๆธโค ไไดๅโไไๅไไไคๅๅคใจ ไไๅไคๅไๅไคไผไธโๅไไดๅใจ ใใ ๋จไโโดโใใ ๋จไโฐโๅๆๆๆผๆธๆๆ็็คโๆๆๆธโๆๆ็ๆค็ๆ็ๆ็โฐ ใ ๋จไโๆๆๆผ็ๆโ็็ๆคๆดๆ็็ค ใ ๋จไโๆๆๆฐๆผ็โๆๆ็ๆค็ๆ็ๆคๆผๆธ ๅๅๅไธโดไผไไโๅไไดๅใจ ๅคๆ็ ไดๅไฐๅไคโดไไไธใจ ใโผใ แด โไธๅๅโๆผ็โๅ็็ๆ โดๆคๆธโ็็ๆผๆๆ ๅๅไผไไโๅๅๅคไฐไใจ ไคๆธๆๆฐ็ๆๆ็โๆ็็ๆผโ ไคๆธๆๆฐ็ๆๆ็โๆ็็ๆผโ็ๆ็ๆ็็ๆคๆธๆโๆๆค็ๆ็ๆค็โๆ็ๆๆๆฌๆ็โฐ ไ็ ็็ๆ็ใจ ๆๆธๆโๆ็ๆคๆฐ็โดๆคๆธโๆโผๆโๆผ็ๆ็็ๆคๆๆ ไไฐๅไผโไๅไไคไฐไไไฐไโไคไธโใใโไไดๅโๅไคไธไไฐไโไไไธโไไผไธๅๅไผไฐไฐไๅ
ๅโผไธใจใใใใใค ๅๆ ็ๆๆๆโดไคๆธโๅ็ๆผๆๆ ๅโผไธใจใใใใใค ๅ็็ๆ โดไคๆธโๅ็ๆผๆๆ
Available at all Performance Improvements Speed Shops: Barrie 705-735-1274 Hamilton 905-574-6940 Pierrefonds 514-626-1866 Brampton 905-453-9901 Oshawa 905-725-3533 Toronto 416-259-9656
ไไดๅโไไๅไไไคๅๅคใจ ไไๅไคๅไๅไคไผไธโๅไไดๅใจ ๅๅๅไธโดไผไไโๅไไดๅใจ ไดๅไฐๅไคโดไไไธใจ ๅๅไผไไโๅๅๅคไฐไใจ ไ็ ็็ๆ็ใจ
ใใโๆๆด็็ ใใ ๋จไโโดโใใ ๋จไ ใ ๋จไโๆๆๆฐๆผ็โๆๆ็ๆค็ๆ็ๆคๆผๆธ ไธๆผ ใโผใ แด โไธๅๅโๆผ็โๅ็็ๆ โดๆคๆธโ็็ๆผๆๆ ไๆค็โๆๆผๆธๆๆค็ๆคๆผๆธๆคๆธๆโๆผ็ๆ็็ๆคๆๆโๆๆค็ๆ็ๆค็โ ๆ็ๆคๆฐ็โดๆคๆธ
www.PerformanceImprovements.com
PERFORMANCE DIRECTORY
PIM
E V E RYB O DY โ S AU T O M OT I V E M AGA Z I N E VOL. 16 NO. 1 Published Oddly
Bob McJannett Publisher Rob McJannett Editor Bonnie Staring Reluctant Passenger Carol โCommaโ LaVigne Proofreader
Contributors Thomas Anderson Mark Bovey Jim Madigan Matt Pigott Len Sly Dave Thomas
FEATURES The Publisher Says ...........................................Bob McJannett Nuts to You................................................... Thomas Anderson Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame ..........Bob McJannett Race Gas ......................................................................... Len Sly Targa Truck LSFest RoadTrip ..................................Mark Bovey Project: No Time To Wait ....................................Dave Thomas Top Fuel Dragsters + Sox & Martin ....................Book Review Reluctant Passenger Glossary ........................Bonnie Staring REARVIEW - Photos from the Past.............................................
6 8 10 12 13 21 26 28 30
Performance in Motion Publications, 87 Advance Road, Toronto, ON M8Z 2S6 โข Phone: 416-259-3678 โข Fax: 416-259-6433
COVER 1
Subscriber Edition: Mark Boveyโs main photo of Andrew Borodinโs LS-powered 1967 Cougar was taken on his LS Fest Adventure. Blair Taylor took a rare photo of Dave Thomas, seen working on his 1938 Dodge Sedan Hot Rod, in the upper right.
Newstand Edition features Dave Thomasโ main photo of Blair Taylorโs 1938 Dodge Sedan Hot Rod, with Mark Boveyโs Targa Truck on an LS Fest Adventure located in the upper right.
COVER 2
MOVING? Please let us know! E-mail both your old & new address to: moving@performanceimprovements.com Canada Post please return undeliverable magazines to: 87 Advance Road, Toronto, ON M8Z 2S6 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40609642 โข PERFORMANCE IN MOTION is published at least four times a year: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall, and Winter. Circulation is 30,000+ (ISSN 1703-8421) Performance in Motion Copyright ยฉ2016 by Performance In Motion Publishing. 87 Advance Road, Toronto, ON M8Z 2S6 Phone ADams 9-3678 (Phone: 416-259-3678 โข Fax: 416-259-6433) Be good to the environment, recycle this magazine โ give it to your friends! We respect your privacy, and do not sell our mailing list. All opinions are those of our writers, (the usual gang of idiots) most of whom think gas fumes are acceptable as aftershave. The information presented is via said gas sniffers from which there can be no responsibility by the Publishers as to legality, completeness and accuracy. If you enjoy our magazine, be sure to let us know! This magazine may not be reprinted without permission of Performance In Motion Publishing. (Weโre nice guys, just ask) BIG THANKS to Dave โstanceiseverythingโ Thomas & Mark โGo Bovey Goโ Bovey!
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Performance in Motion
MUSCLE CAR 409S STAINLESS EXHAUST SYSTEMS
GM
PART#
MOPAR
PART#
67-68 Camaro/Pontiac Firebird 2.5โ American Thunder
817129
05-10 Magnum RT, Charger RT, 300C 2.5โ American Thunder
817480
68-72 GM A-Body 2.5โ American Thunder
817409
08-14 Challenger SRT8 3โ American Thunder
817499
08-14 Challenger SRT8 3โ Outlaw
817563
09-14 Challenger 2.5โ Force II
817461
09-14 Challenger 2.5โ American Thunder
817479
11-14 Charger R/T, Chrysler 300 C 2.5โ Force II
817502
11-14 Charger R/T, Chrysler 300 C 2.5โ American Thunder
817508
2016 Challenger 2.5โ American Thunder
817716
67-74 Camaro/68-74 Nova/Pontiac Firebird 2.5โ American Thunder
817104
14-15 Camaro SS 3โ Outlaw
817698
FORD
PART#
99-04 Mustang GT, MACH1 / Bullitt, (Not Cobra) 2.5โ American Thunder
817312
05-10 Mustang GT/GT500/California Special/Cnvtbl. 2.5โ American Thunder
817460
05-10 Mustang GT/GT500/California Special/Cnvtb 2.5โ Force II
817410
11-12 Mustang GT 3โ Outlaw
817516
13-14 Mustang GT 3โ American Thunder
817588
13-14 Mustang GT 3โ Outlaw
817592
2016 Mustang GT 3โ American Thunder
817749
2016 Mustang GT 3โ Outlaw
817734
Our Most Aggressive Race-Oriented System
Aggressive Tone Chambered Muffler System
Part #817730 2016 Mustang
Top Choice for Sport Compact, Import & Euro Vehicles
For a Mild Chambered Muffler Tone
Canadaโs Speed Shop since 1964 PerformanceImprovements.com
Is the EPA After Your RACE CAR?
EPA SEEKS TO PROHIBIT CONVERSION OF VEHICLES INTO RACE CARS -- SEMA to Oppose Action as Threat to Modi๏ฌed Race Cars and Parts Suppliers --
SEMA
the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association discovered wording in a 630-page EPA document that effectively would make it illegal to convert on-road automobiles to race cars. Needless to say that would be devastating for the motorsports industry and the car enthusiast hobby. What is SEMA? A love for cars, trucks and SUVs is the motivating force behind the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). This trade association consists of a diverse group of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, publishing companies, auto restorers, street rod builders, restylers, car clubs, race teams, and more. A portion of their mission statement reads โLegislative and Regulatory Advocacy.โ In other words, they fight dangerous legislation on behalf of their members. As well, they have the SEMA Action Network (SAN) aimed at car clubs and the car enthusiast. Membership is free! Here is what they have done so far: SEMA has issued a press release informing the public that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is aiming to make it illegal to convert automobiles originally designed for on-road use into race cars, even though such conversions have been made for decades. Under the EPAโs proposed rule, it would also be illegal to sell any performance-related products for those cars. The EPAโs proposal would have a devastating
6
impact on motorsports since many types of racing rely on production vehicles that have been modified for use strictly at the track. Since then three SEMA delegates paid a visit with two senior EPA enforcement officers in Washington, DC. SEMA had uncovered a few sentences buried in a 630-page document and was seeking clarification. The document related mostly to the emissions of heavy-duty on-road diesel vehicles, but also included further proposals that would have extraordinary ramifications to our aftermarket industry. The EPAโs current interpretation of the Clean Air Act is thus: any vehicle that conformed to emission compliance when constructed but is now out of compliance is in violation. The SEMA representatives asserted their disagreement and informed them that their opposition would be robust. Four days later, a conference call was made to several heads of state. The callers included approximately twenty associates from our industry, including those representing SEMA, NASCAR, NHRA, IMSA, and original equipment manufacturers. Currently, SEMA is seeking legislative relief and considering judicial relief in the courts, if necessary. SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting said in a statement, โThis proposed regulation represents overreaching by the agency, runs contrary to the law and defies decades of racing activity where EPA has acknowledged and allowed
conversion of vehicles. Congress did not intend the original Clean Air Act to extend to vehicles modified for racing and has reenforced that intent on more than one occasion.โ SEMA intends to challenge the EPA on the point. When they released their petition earlier last week, SEMAโs goal was to obtain 100,000 signatures. In three days, numbers had exceeded 119,000. But this is in the USA, why do we care in Canada? Our government often repeats legislation created in the US. In fact, Ontario follows California legislation changes closely. This could rear its ugly head here! So what can we do? Well, obviously everyone who could be effected should join SEMA or SAN, even though we cannot sign their petition, if anything ever comes up in Canada, we will need SEMAโs support. DO IT NOW! www.sema.org or www.semasan.com.
Performance in Motion
PRNewsFoto/SEMA
The Publisher Says:
SPECTRE ยฎ PERFORMANCE UNIVERSAL CLAMP-ON AIR FILTERS โข Engineered to add performance โข Washable and reusable synthetic media โข Pre-oiled and ready to use โข Many sizes available in a choice of red, blue, black or white colored media
SPECTRE ยฎ PERFORMANCE AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS โข Designed to increase horsepower and torque โข Includes high performance air ๏ฌlter โข High quality aluminum tubing โข Many popular applications available
MUSCLE CAR AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS โข Designed to ๏ฌt your classic muscle cars โข Helps increase horsepower and torque by routing the
intake away from heat sources
โข Comes with a single one piece tube, high performance
๏ฌlter and heat shield
โข Single or dual inlet systems available
LS CONVERSION AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS โข Designed for LS engine conversion
in early GM muscle cars
โข Comes with a single one-piece tube,
high performance air ๏ฌlter and heat shield
โข Includes extra couplers for a boot-in
MAF and weld-on MAF pad for a slot style MAF sensor โข Single or dual inlet systems available
WITH MAF PAD
WITH BOOT-IN MAF
SINGLE ONE PIECE TUBE
45ยฐX90ยฐ PASSENGER TUBE
PLENUM WITH AIR BOX INCLUDES FILTER ELEMENT
AIR BOX WITH DUCT INCLUDES FILTER ELEMENT
UNIVERSAL AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS โข Universal intake systems for classic
V6/V8 carburetor muscle cars or pickups
โข Plenum or air box options โข Air ๏ฌlter sold separately
Available at all Performance Improvements Speed Shops: Barrie 705-735-1274 Hamilton 905-574-6940 Pierrefonds 514-626-1866 Brampton 905-453-9901 Oshawa 905-725-3533 Toronto 416-259-9656
www.PerformanceImprovements.com
Nuts to you
Story by Thomas Anderson โข Photos by: ARP & Rob McJannett
ARP was the first company to design and engineer fasteners specifically for racing.
O
ne of the most ignored parts involved in the building of a high-performance engine are the fasteners, the simple nuts and bolts of the project. It is easy to forget that the 60โs Chevrolet engine or the 40โs Flathead that you are restoring or improving is held together with bolts that are 50 to 70 years old. Usually these bolts have long since passed their best before date. Rust, stress, and hydrogen embrittlement cause the critical fasteners that hold an engine together to deteriorate. Even when they were new, the technology behind those original fasteners left a lot to be desired. Fasteners are also crucial when building higher horsepower engines. The additional stresses caused by increased compression ratios, increased valve spring pressures and all the other modifications made to move the horsepower rating up, require improved fasteners. One company whose products I really admire is Automotive Racing Products or,
8
as it is more commonly known, ARP. This company was started in 1968 to build better fasteners than those available at that moment. Gary Holzapfel was tired of watching his friends break their engines due to low quality fasteners. Since his background was in the aerospace fastener industry, he knew what it took to build a top quality nut, bolt or stud. From their beginning 48 years ago, ARP has continually improved the quality and amount of fasteners available for the enthusiast community. No matter if you are rebuilding your big block Chev, redoing the head studs on your Hayabusa motorcycle or assembling a 10,000-horsepower Top Fuel engine, ARP will have the correct fastener for the project. There are four differing grades of 8740 chrome moly steel, ARP only uses the top two in the creation of their โzero defectsโ fasteners. These materials are very costly, but provide the strength needed for the jobs at hand. Cheap fasteners do not offer strength or protection. Threads on all ARP items
are rolled, not cut. Conventional grade 5 or grade 8 fasteners provide up to 150,000 psi tensile strength and are merely case hardened. ARP fasteners are precision machined after thorough hardening in-house at ARPโs ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100 registered Southern California facilities. ARP accessory bolts provide 170,000 to 190,000 psi, their head and main bolts and studs as well as rod bolts range from 200,000 up to 280,000 psi depending which ones you choose. All ARP fasteners far exceed the strength and durability of the OE part it replaces. Take a careful look at ARP products, they are not just boltsโฆ they are automotive jewelry. Each bolt has ARP stamped on it and all ARP product is made in the US. Next time you are building a project be sure to use ARP fasteners, serious horsepower requires serious fasteners. Donโt lose an engine by using inferior products.
โข
Performance in Motion
Project Camaro
Mattโs 2010 Camaro Project - โYouโre an idiot!โ and โJust get it running!โ are pretty much the two things I hear most often from my compatriots at Performance Improvements. Heeding all of their fantastic advice, I continue beautifying my 2010 Camaro project, sitting in the PI Etobicoke showroom. A prominent, albeit indulgent feature of the build, is an inordinate amount of ARP hardware. Yes, the car would likely be running if not for the small fortune that has been invested in fasteners, but it would be doing so missing most of the soul that drives us to tear these cars apart. It will be ready when itโs ready, and it will do so sporting a set of main studs (AP134-5802) and head bolts (AP134-3610) to keep the lids on the 650hp stroked LS7 at its heart, as well as a whole line of 12-point stainless accessory hardware to keep the gearheads drooling in the parking lots around Ontario. โ Matt Pigott
Yes, even my Rad Support is ARP equipped! SPRING 2016
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Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame H
ats off to Montreal-based John Scotti for his creation of the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Scotti, a successful businessman, motorsports participant and enthusiast completed a long-held dream on October 9, 2015 with the induction of 38 Canadian drag racing legends into the CDRHF. October 9th saw a magnificent gala recognizing the first batch of CDRHF inductees. CDRHF Director Bob Aubertin ensured that all facets of the event went off smoothly, and all inductees in attendance received a custom-tailored blue blazer with the CDRHF logo and a custom built CDRHF ring. Canadians have long been successful in drag racing circles, and it is great to see the efforts that John Scotti and Bob Aubertin have taken to recognize their achievements. To be nominated into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame, candidates must have actively been engaged at the top level of their categories for more than 25 years and have made a tremendous contribution to the sport. They must also reside in or be an expatriate of Canada.
Story by: Bob McJannett โข Photos couresy of CDRHF
In an effort to bring drag racing back to its former glory in eastern Canada, John Scotti and the CDRHF will be sponsoring the Stock/Super Stock Shootout at Toronto Motorsports Park June 17 - 1, 2016. This event is destined to be huge, with
$10,000 prize money on both the Saturday and Sunday up for grabs. This will be the biggest Stock/Super Stock race in Canada. Mark those dates on your calendars and plan to be at the track. You will be amazed at the competition.
โข
From left to right: John Scotti, Jacques Marier, Bob Aubertin, Terry โZekeโ Maxwell, Graham Light, Jim Rini, Dan Rini, Louis Desjardins and Alban Gauthier. Photos courtesy Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
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Performance in Motion
Performance Directory
CDRHF Inductees 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.
Dale Armstrong*, AB Gordie Bonin*, AB Ron Bracken*, Pierrefonds, QC Ronald Brunet, Napierville, QC Frank Cantusci, Ottawa, ON Terry Capp, Sturgeon County, AB Wally Clark, Niagara, ON Aurรจle Collette, Bouctouche, NB George Constantine*, Montreal, QC Marcel Couture*, St. Henri, QC Garry Dearn, Lasalle, QC Louis Desjardins, Montreal, QC John Dingman*, Montreal, QC Sandy Elliot*, Chatham, ON John Elliot, Chatham, ON Bernie Fedderly, Edmonton, AB Alban Gauthier, Montreal, QC Ralph Hope, London, ON Don Lavoie, Dieppe, NB Graham Light, Edmonton, AB Andrรฉ Massรฉ*, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC Jacques Marier, Repentigny, QC Terry โZekeโ Maxwell, St. Constant, QC Ken McDonald*, Montreal, QC Doug Miller, Williamsburg, ON Jim Morrison, Elmsdale, NS John Petrie, Victoria, BC Barrie Poole, Montague, PEI / Chatham, ON Jim Rini, Kingston, ON Dan Rini, Kingston, ON Joe Roy, Montreal, QC/Toronto, ON Stan Sipos, Victoria, BC FJ Smith, Cayuga, ON Ollie Stephan, Scarborough, ON Alain Tanguay, Charlesbourg, QC Claude Tetreault, Napierville, QC Dennis Warner*, Toronto, ON Scott Wilson, London, ON
* Posthumous
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RACE GAS Story by: Len Sly
If
you own a high-performance vehicle or a vehicle with a highperformance engine, you need high octane fuel, usually higher than what is available at the pump. Until now, you have either had questionable additives or all out race fuel to deal with. Two Minnesota road course racers were faced with an expensive, destroyed race engine. When the engine was torn down, a piston with a hole burned in it was discovered. The other pistons also showed signs of detonation and would soon have joined their previously damaged brothers. The track where they were racing stated that the fuel they were providing was 110 octane, however, their engine said differently. This led to a search for equipment they could use to verify the actual octane in fuel. Their research found a number of very expensive pieces that could do the job. There was no easy and inexpensive way to test the octane of the fuel they were putting in the tank. Next, they searched for a product to solve their dilemma. There are a number of additives out there, however, it seemed impossible to verify the claims being made. Then the Internet provided a number of home-brew โoctane boostersโ that common sense said would do more damage than good. By now, they had destroyed another engine. The search for a solution became more crucial. Discussions were held with chemical experts, and a few test candidates were sent out to a couple of independent laboratories. Numerous combinations were tested. After two years, they came up with the formula that worked as they wanted. This has become Race Gas, designed to blend with pump gas to create true higher octane ratios. In addition, unlike ethanol, aviation fuel and other higher octane combinations, Race Gas will not harm the engine sensors or catalytic converter todayโs performance cars come with. Is Race Gas good for every engine? No, it is not necessary for low compression engines. However, if you own a Corvette, Viper, Porsche, BMW, turbocharged or supercharged vehicle, you can expect improved power and throttle response with the right blend. Race gas can also be used in snowmobiles, marine, go karts, personal watercraft. Anywhere higher octane fuel is required except aircraft. Octane requirement estimates based on compression ratios 8:1 92 9:1 96
10:1 11:1
100 104
2 ounces of Race Gas will raise the octane of 1 gallon of gasoline 4 full octane numbers (40 points of octane). Depending on the rating of the pump gas Race Gas can increase as high as 105 So donโt put up with a death rattle in your pride and joy, the cost of Race Gas is far below the expense you will incur with a destroyed engine. Race gas comes in 32 ounce containers, easy to handle, easy to store.
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Performance in Motion
2,950+ kms of broken stuff and Pancakes
Photos and Tales of adventure on the road by: Mark Bovey
H
olley LS Fest has been on my hit list for a while. However, the timing conflicts with events that interest me, like new Ontario 1500 and the Targa Newfoundland. As fate would have it, the truck was not fit enough to take on either more taxing competitions, but it seemed like it would survive the 3,000ish km round-trip to Kentucky and back. In the week prior to leaving, the rearend had been taken apart to make sure it was not eating itself. The cooling system had been acting up as well; Performance Improvements helped solve that. In typical fashion (deep breath), the truck hit the ground at 11PM the night before departure. The 1,357 km drive to Bowling Green was amazing, with the only exception being crossing the border. After a guided tour
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around the truck with two border officers, they let me pass into the wonderful land of cheap high-octane fuel and pancakes, AKA, The United States of America. Americaโs love for pancakes and waffles warms my heart. Even better, Americaโs great Interstate System (thanks President Eisenhower) is littered with these fluffy buttery playgrounds that are open 24/7. Then, as you travel south you can treat yourself to Grits to boot. Day one in Bowling Green was spent at a Suspension Seminar, put on by Ron Sutton Race Technology. Heโs super easy going and breaks down the complex subjects of suspension geometry with ease. But let me tell you, rest up for his workshops, the sessions are brain melting. Bed felt good that night.
LS Fest also offered me the opportunity to meet the fine gentlemen behind my sponsorship with Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center and Chevrolet Performance. SDPC sponsors LS Fest. They were nice enough to host me at their beautiful trailer, keeping company with not one, but two COPO Camaros and a slew of their epic LS Engines. The cool thing about Holley LS FEST is it brings out the big guns of the pro-touring world. You get to compete against the people you see on TV and read about, like Kyle Tucker, Danny Popp and Bret Voelkel. I also met the owners of the Plain Jane Camaro. Rodney and Suzy are really fun and were welcoming of the Canadian who brought the long-bed truck to the gunfight. During the event, you run, you park, you chat with people. This is when I met Zack,
Performance in Motion
Jason, and Rob. Zack, this big friendly guy, he and I would chat in between rounds of AutoX; his friend Rob was running a 4th Gen Camaro. They took me in and fed me, it turns out Robโs mom (also in attendance) makes some legendary Smoked Pork. Rest assured, it is. When our run group moved over to drag racing, I failed to bring the required pants. Thatโs when Zack asked Jason to give me his pants, weโd met 30 seconds prior. Jason did, without hesitation. Jeans on, I pulled into staging lane, too bad the pockets werenโt filled with talent. Letโs just say my ยผ mile attempts were, well, sucky. This was the theme of the weekend, not the fastest, not the slowest, but having a tractor-trailer load of good times. The first couple of days we AutoXโed, and last day was
SPRING 2016
the 3G Challenge, AKA Pro Solo. Itโs a short mirrored AutoX course that you run headsup against a competitor. This is the type of event where youโll eventually run against a Pro like Danny Popp and find out just how slow you really are. At a certain point, you just park it and watch. There is so much to see: you wander around, check out the cars, the drag racing, the Pro AutoX drivers, the smoke filled drift sessions, and the engine swap challenge. Eat. Race. Watch. Repeat. Die happy. This trip was a huge success. Nothing had broke yet; I met loads of nice people, some of whom even recognized the truck, which was flattering. But it was time to go home. However, a detour plan was incubating. No Limit Engineering is located in Tennessee. Rob, the owner said: โCome
on over.โ When youโre 1,300 kms south of home, another 500 east is not a big deal. No Limit Engineering is the home of the Silver Bullet and Hellboy, two of my favourite trucks. The Velocity Camaro was also there for some changes. Upon walking in, Van Halen was blaring โ immediate happiness. Rob was a great host and took me through the shop, introducing me to his super nice crew and the badass projects on hand. We discussed ideas to make the Targa Truck work better and parted ways after a photo. The trip home was smooth, until West Virginia. There was a weird โsnapโ sound, a metal โsnapโ sound. Then my homemade alternator idiot light came on. The belt tensioner had let go. Joy. Fear not! A spare was in the โPanic box.โ
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This is not my first rodeo. Strangely, the last time a belt tensioner broke was in West Virginia. Iโve only been there twice, and Iโve only ever broke two belt tensioners. The odds. After 15 minutes the truck was road worthy again, for a while. It was dark, like pitch black, I was making good time flying though Pennsylvania. The smell of hot fluid filled the cab, not coolant, not oil. It was the odour of โPull over nowโ. Turns out my antics over the weekend pushed a fitting through my power steering
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reservoir. A moment of panic set-in until my MacGyver sixth sense realized it was as simple as cutting the belt off. Homeward bound again, sans power steering. Crossing the border at 2AM is normally easy. No traffic to speak of. But, when you drive a racey looking truck and have spent 5 days in Kentucky and Tennessee, border officers ask you a lot of questions about purchasing guns. I had none, but they needed to see for themselves. Oh well. It was 2 AM when the truck was finally
safe in the garage. After hugging my sleeping son and wife, I crashed in bed smelling of exhaust fumes and beef jerky after 7 days in the driverโs seat, traveling over 2950 kms through 8 States and 1 Province. Road trips are the best, thank you to the PI gang for helping the Targa Truck stay trailer free.
โข
Performance in Motion
Kerry Kirkpatrickโs LQ9/T56 -powered 1966 Chevelle shows even a 3,574 pound โHeapโ can have fun on the Autocross!
SPRING 2016
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The 2015 Holley LS Fest Grand Champion competition saw a familiar face perched atop the leaderboard, albeit in a different car. Danny Popp won the 2013 LS Fest Grand Champion event in his 1972 Chevrolet Corvette. This time around, Danny was behind the wheel of his 2003 Corvette Z06, and he was as fast as ever. Danny held off the likes of Josh Leisinger, Kyle Tucker and Brian Finch to reclaim his title. Popp managed the fastest times in autocross, the autocross shootout and the 3S challenge, while placing third in the drag racing portion of the Grand Champion.
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2015 McJannett ad half 4c:09 McJannett ad 1/2
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Performance in Motion
To follow the ongoing adventures, search and like the Targa Truck on Facebook.
SPRING 2016
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Available at Performance Improvements Speed Shops: www.PerformanceImprovements.com
SPRING 2016
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Story and Photos by: Dave Thomas
Iโd
love to start off this second round of Project Why Wait? updates by rambling off a list of completed accomplishments since the introduction, but in reality other than moving the truck closer to the shop, it has remained untouched. Though moving the truck was admittedly quite exciting for me, marking the first time Iโve been behind the wheel while it moved, it doesnโt exactly make for exciting reading. As you read this my beloved โ51 GMC is now sitting just outside a work bay at Taylorโd Customs, a Durham-region based custom shop run by Blair Taylor. As Taylorโd Customs Blair --often with help from his father Brian-- has built several projects that have been featured in a variety of Canadian
22
shows and publications. The most popular Taylorโd Customs builds would most likely be the recently sold bagged patiniaโd โ57 Chevy 3100, an equally slammed patinaโd and sold โ61 Impala and the stunning green and silver โ60 Mercury โMontbombโ Montclam that sat in the front hall of Performance World in 2010 and the lobby of Motorama in 2015. Through the awesome hobby we share Blair and I have become good friends, and while thereโs no doubt he could, Blair is not building Project Why Wait for me. Instead, it will be a joint effort, where I learn by doing with some helping guidance along the way. Of course, lessons, materials, and shop space are not free, and part of the deal involves getting my hands dirty helping with current Taylorโd projects as they come about.
Fair deal, right? I think so especially when project one is a wicked 1938 Dodge Sedan hot rod. Chopped in 2013, the same time the bones of the chassis were fabricated, this Dodge was pushed into a corner while other builds were completed. Practically becoming a permanent fi xture in the corner of the shop and buried by spare parts Blair pulled the Dodge out of its resting place late 2015. A deadline driven individual he then decided that not only would the Dodge be completed for 2016, it would be completed fast. Setting the very aggressive deadline of the Motorama Car Show in March Blair assembled a group of talented people (and myself) and wasted no time picking up where he left off in 2013. Quickly the stock floor
Performance in Motion
was cut out, and the body was channelled over the frame to allow the vehicle to sit on the floor. Why? Because like so many a Taylorโd build, this car would be laid out on Air Lift Performance Suspension. Employing a four-link out back and a straight axle up in the front, this Dodge will rest at just over hip height parked. With the stock floor history, a new floor had to be built from scratch. After a lot of 16 gauge metal, some time with a torch, angle grinder, suicide wheel and bead roller, a new floor has been built. The power plant for this car is incredibly unique motor that Blairโs dad originally owned and sold over twenty years ago before Blair bought it back. An Oldsmobile Rocket
SPRING 2016
at itโs core the motor has been bored from 324 cubic inches to 371. Inside is a Speedway Cam, Dodge pistons and custom roller lifters. Whoever built this motor previously made sure it was properly fortified for the supercharger bolted to the top. That supercharger, however, is no standard roots or centrifugal type. Itโs an axial flow supercharger made by Latham. These super chargers, that use a quartet of Carter carburetors to breath, are extremely rare to find as a complete package today. Known for their efficiency and unique sound this particular set-up runs a 31:1 ratio and should howl like a banshee once it is up and running. The last time the motor ran, it was rumored to put down around 600-horsepower. Even if it doesnโt today, it should bark out more than
enough to leave a healthy plume of white smoke and rubber behind the car at the stomp of the skinny pedal. Because of the unique power plant, and Blairโs desire to build something truly in your face the motor has been mounted high enough, so that the Supercharger is the first thing he will see when pointing this car down the road and the first thing onlookers will see when looking at the car. This, of course, meant the firewall needed to be modified as well, adding to the list of things Smallwood Custom Paint would need to smooth out during the final body massaging. Thatโs right, no raw finish here this car is getting painted! So where do Project Why Wait and myself come in? Well during the course of this car becoming mobile again Iโve been
23
one of the several people lending a hand. A couple of Sundays a month Iโve been at the shop bending, cutting, drilling and grinding whatever Blair needs me to, as I get acquainted with the process of really building something from the ground up. Progress has been quite steady and, as we go to print, the body is about to come back from paint, the frame is freshly painted, the motor mounted and the bits and bobs are coming together thanks to nearly consistent
24
work by Blair, his dad Brian and their friend Russ. From there itโs a 14-day sprint to the finish line to get this Dodge ready for the International Centre Floor, March 11 through 13. If all goes to plan, many of you will be looking at the car with this very magazine in hand. Be sure to look for the bleary-eyed individuals staring at the car with disbelief that we got it done and say hello!
Dave Thomas blogs extensively about the Ontario automotive enthusiast scene, check out photos and more events at: stanceiseverything.com. See the full Dodge build-series: โMotorama Or Bust.โ See more of Blair Taylorโs work, or hire him to create your dream ride at: taylordcustoms.com.
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Performance in Motion
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Performance Directory
_REVIEW
This issue we have two books to recommend:
SOX & MARTIN The Most Famous Team in Drag Racing
If you are into nostalgia, check out Jim Schildโs โSox and Martinโ book. In it, Jim documents the adventures of two young men from North Carolina, who began in the late 50s racing Chevrolets. They soon realized there would be more trips to the winnerโs circle if they combined their efforts. Once Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin got together, their performance exploded. Primarily known for racing Plymouth race cars, Jimโs book also covers their lesser-known Ford, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, and Mercury racers. If you are interested in the golden age of drag racing, SOX & MARTIN is a great read.
โข
Softcover โข 176 pages โข 351 photos โข $34.95
TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS Drag Racingโs Rear-Engine Revolution
Steve Reyes has covered the kings of the sport through all the technical changes. Since the 60s, he has taken photos and made notes on those changes as they came down the pike. The change from front to rear engine configuration. The growth from home-built 1,000 hp dragsters, to todayโs 10,000 horsepower sub-4-second missiles. Steve discusses it allโฆ the wild rides and experiments. If Top Fuel dragsters are your passion, this book will keep you up reading the story.
โข
Softcover โข 176 pages โข 300 photos โข $29.95
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Performance in Motion
Available at all Performance Improvements Speed Shops: Barrie 705-735-1274 Hamilton 905-574-6940 Toronto 416-259-9656 Brampton 905-453-9901 Oshawa 905-725-3533 Call Toll FREE 1-877-471-6700
www.PerformanceImprovements.com
The friend who tells you that your couch wonโt fit in the moving truck. Model year The time you claim to have dated a gorgeous gal who appeared in Vogue, Flare or Elle.
Now
that weโve survived a relatively weak winter, we can all count the days until the April showers rinse all that sludge off the pavement. Of course, a lack of road salt means different things to different people. Reluctant passengers look forward to wearing shoes without salt stains, while drivers rub their hands together with glee at the prospect of getting their precious rides on the road again. So yes, drivers everywhere are in their garages, tuning up their vehicular bundles of joy, filling in dents and even replacing rusted-out parts. And thatโs great because it keeps them out of our hair, so we can pretend there arenโt a dozen car shows and cruise nights marked on the calendar already. Yes, another โlook at my awesome rideโ season is upon us. Donโt act so surprised โ it happens every year. As drivers prepare their four-wheeled treasures, reluctant passengers must prepare for all those conversations they get trapped in regarding spoilers, suspension and superchargers. So, once again, hereโs a fresh group of automotive terms โ with what Iโm sure are the correct definitions โ to help you demonstrate your vehicular knowledge.* Aerodynamic drag What happens when a man dressed as
a woman steps in front of a wind machine. Bed extender The furniture accessory that NBA players would love to have. Blind spot The reason some people keep on dating the wrong type of person. Bondo A lesser-known superhero, often seen in an all-gray costume, who fills in for other superheroes when needed. Chamois A type of cheese served at posh celebrity parties. Cam follower A stalker who focuses on people โ male or female โ named Cameron... or Camilla. Drive coupling What happens when those crazy kids find a quiet place to park. Exhaust wrap A fuzzy blanket that covers a loved one whoโs passed out on the couch. Fuel filter Something that limits the types of food you consume, such as veganism or the Atkins diet. Load resistor
Oxygen sensor An app that lets you know when the person talking to you is full of hot air. Payload The rush of new-found friends and unheardof relatives when you win the lottery. Power steering The method a particular presidential candidate uses to create his campaign platform, only to weaken it with every speech he gives. Purge valve An app used to delete items from your smartphone, such as songs you no longer enjoy, embarrassing photos and Trump updates. Skid plate A preliminary version of the skateboard that was made without wheels... or much else. Stability control The first thing to go when youโre doing tequila shots with your buddies. Trailer Hitch That Canadian actor who appeared in Friday Night Lights and the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie. Tread depth The distance youโre willing to walk down a steep incline without any assistance. There you have it โ now youโre all set for another season filled with car nuts.
Enjoy the ride โข About the Author: Bonnie Staring is a comedic triple-threat (writer, performer, coupon user), and she appreciates the road of life a lot more than she might let on. Bonnie has plans to master social media one day, right after she learns how to machine rotors. www.bonniestaring.com * Please note that the words โcorrectโ and โdefinitionsโ may have been used incorrectly in this sentence.
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Performance in Motion
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Performance in Motion
Susan McJannett, driving her 1958 Pontiac, poses in front of 1268 The Queensway, the original location of Performance Improvements. It was Susanรข€™s $1,500 seed money that got the business started. Bob and Susan rented the tiny corner store for $95 a month, and started a part-time speed shop, only open evenings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. They decided to keep it going for as long as they could pay the rent. It was only after the business was going well, they fi nally got married! Over 50 years later, this family-run Canadian business is still going strong, as is Bob and Susanรข€™s marriage!
HOT ROD MAMA
The most important tools in the garage donโt necessarily belong in a tool box. We know paint. And when weโre not in the garage obsessing over it, weโre in the lab coming up with even better ways to take care of it. From rich carnauba waxes to our world-class Instant Detailer to the legendary Clay Bar, every product is painstakingly researched and formulated with only the finest ingredients available. Car care technology. Itโs what we do. Itโs what we live. See the full line of Mothersยฎ California Goldยฎ paint care products at Mothers.com.
mothers.com โข detailguide.com waxforum.com
NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE CATCH CANS! Upgrade with Style!
NEWLY REDESIGNED
โข6061 Anodized Aluminum construction (black or silver)
BAFFLED
CATCH CANS!
โขUnique Recessed Filter or Recirculating Top design โขBaffled interior captures maximum amount of oil โขIncludes two or four -10AN line fittings as well as drain plug on bottom โขIncludes dip stick for easy checking of fluid levels
NEW BAFFLED CATCH CAN MODELS & FEATURES
PART #
CATCH CAN STYLE
12694
Anodized Silver - Integrated Recessed Filter, 4โ diameter x 8โ height (2x -10AN Fittings included)
12695
Anodized Black - Integrated Recessed Filter, 4โ diameter x 8โ height (2x -10AN Fittings included)
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Anodized Silver - Recirculating Closed Loop, 4โ diameter x 8โ height (4x -10AN Fittings included)
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Anodized Black - Recirculating Closed Loop, 4โ diameter x 8โ height (4x -10AN Fittings included)
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