4,500+hp Full Water Jacketed pro Mod engine
Blocks and heads available for your engine builder to finish Complete Super Charged engine packages available Complete Turbo Charged engine packages available Power adder packages - ignition system, dyno tested and tuned ready to run N/A and N2O combos also available Contact us for specific pricing
750 E. Ellis Road, Muskegon, MI 49441 Shop Phone: 231-747-7520 stevemorrisengines.com Sales@stevemorrisengines.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF..............................................................CHRIS BIRO editor@rpmmag.com V.P. MARKETING/CUSTOMER RELATIONS..................TRISH BIRO trish@rpmmag.com EVENT MEDIA..................................................events@rpmmag.com EVENT SUBSCRIPTIONS COORDINATOR...........SHERRIE WEBER sherrie@rpmmag.com ART DIRECTOR............................................................TOBY BROOKS toby.brooks@rpmmag.com Photographic Contributions: TIM LEWIS, MARK goDragRacing.org, GEORGE PICH, TOBY BROOKS, MATT WOODS, TABITHA SIZEMORE, MATT TROMBLEY, LOUIS FRONKIER, WILL McDOUGLE, BART CEPEK, PATRICK “RED” WILLIAMS, BLAKE FARNAN, JERRY GARRISON, NEIL ZIMBALDI, STEVEN TAYLOR, and EDDIE MALONEY. Editorial Contributions: TIM LEWIS, CHUCK SCOTT, MARK goDragRacing.org, TOBY BROOKS, TABITHA SIZEMORE, JAMES WILLIAMS, TIM BIRO, STAN SMITH, JT, GEORGE PICH, JAY MISENER, and EDDIE MALONEY. Technical Writing Contribution: CHUCK SCOTT, SHANE TECKLENBURG, TOBY BROOKS, and TIM BIRO.
ADVERTISING SALES For advertising information contact
TRISH BIRO...........................519.752.3705.......trish@rpmmag.com
Special Events Manager: Chris Biro events@rpmmag.com Special Events Sales: Trish Biro: 519-752-3705 trish@rpmmag.com Subscriptions/Address Changes: Circulation circulation@rpmmag.com
MEET THE RPM TEAM
PRODUCTION STAFF
RPM Magazine is a REGISTERED TRADEMARK of Revolution Publishing & Media Inc. RPM Magazine is a worldwide motorsports publication distributed online. To subscribe to RPM go to www.rpmmag.com or email Trish Biro at trish@rpmmag.com, or call 519-752-3705. The focus of RPM is to bring a diverse mix of high performance street and race automobiles to life within its pages including race cars, musclecars, hot rods and street legal machines with an emphasis on the “EXTREME,” including fast doorslammer and outlaw forms of drag racing. Not familiar with these types of cars? They are considered to be the top-shelf of the industry and are on the edge with regard to design, performance, and power! RPM Magazine does not sell its mailing list or share any of the confidential information regarding its subscribers.
WANT YOUR CAR IN RPM?
RPM Magazine has been a world leader in motorsports publishing for 21 years and has support locations in Ontario, Canada, Alabama, Texas, and Virginia, along with contributing writers and photojournalists worldwide. If you have a story that may fit within the focus and scope of RPM Magazine’s coverage, please email our Editor In Chief at editor@rpmmag.com. Submission of an article does not guarantee that it will be published. Revolution Publishing & Media Inc. (RPM) / RPM Magazine IS NOT responsible for errors or omissions in ANY advertisement or article. Advertisements may be rearranged or altered at the sole discretion of RPM to allow the ad to fit in the space purchased by the advertiser. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY ADVERTISING WHICH WE CONSIDER TO CONTAIN MISLEADING, OFFENSIVE OR FALSE INFORMATION. REPRODUCTION OF ANY INFORMATION HEREIN IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.
General Inquiries: 519.752.3705 info@rpmmag.com
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editor’s
Rant
by
Chris Biro
RPM MAGAZINE...
STILL THE BADDEST MAG IN THE LAND!
F
or the record, we didn’t say that, you did! If you haven’t heard by now RPM is 100% digital, and we’re kickin’ butt in all areas! Not having your favorite mag in print has definitely been tough for us all, but following our first full digital issue, we are overwhelmed with positive comments and thanks for what our small team of awesomeness has been able to bring readers for the past 21 years. Well, we’re continuing on with RPM MAG’s exclusive brand of horsepower, and, it’s you, our readers that continue to motivate us! At a time when our industry and companies in it face uncertainty for several more months, the RPM readership has continued to increase and we’d like to once again thank you for your dedication and support. Now, if you are just joining us, let’s get down to the what RPM is all about:
DEDICATION TO WHAT WE ALL LOVE
RPM is dedicated to horsepower worldwide. Street or strip, you will continue to see the same content in RPM that you have grown to know and love over the past 21 years, only now it will be enhanced with various cool features like embedded videos, interactive features and special links with offers from advertisers and more. We’ve always said, think of RPM as your car mag, not ours. We don’t let our own likes or dislikes get in the way of bringing our readers what they want.
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
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RPM Magazine
AED Competition..................77
Manton Pushrods.................90
Aeromotive/NPW.................52
Mark Williams......................89
Air Flow Research
Metal Products.....................63
(AFR)........................5,56,57 AJE Racing............................77
We’re not a copy cat mag, we’ll leave that to the others...ouch, that one hurt! As many people know, other magazines big and small have gone to great lengths to do what we do, but they’re just not RPM. They don’t have our dedicated staff and passion for the grassroots of horsepower and fast cars. We will continue to do our best to bring features from the street and strip scene that are exclusive to RPM. That content includes; full features, tech, builds, tools, products, and every now and then a special event that is close to us in some way.
American Racing Headers....56
FORMAT
CFE Racing Products.............10
For the record, RPM is not a blog or web based magazine. We are an actual magazine that has been a world class product for 21 years. The only difference is that now you get it directly (and instantly) to your electronic device, and hey, if along the way we can save some trees and also save everyone a big hassle when the postman doesn’t get your magazine to your doorstep, we’re good with that.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
Aside from some paper, nothing! Instead of taking away, we’ve added to RPM. We mentioned our new features and enhancements to the magazine itself, however, as mentioned right here last month, our website design and content has been completely overhauled to complement the magazine and our industry. All the content from each and every REAL TIME copy of RPM will be continually posted Interestingly, we were checking out the car mag landscape the other day and down the road for all to enjoy. As well, noticed that, even though they are full each and every new issue will become digital publications, many magazines still live for everyone to see once it has been released their July magazine way back replaced with the next issue. Also, check in May, and it had content as far back as out the banner ads at www.rpmmag.com March in it. We have just never been able Notice something? Yep, there’s no earwax to figure that one out. Fear not hardcore removal or lotions and potions ads on our horsepower enthusiasts, RPM will contin- homepage, just your industry ads. All we ue to work harder to ensure we stay with ask is that you click on them and check a properly dated monthly magazine with them out...remember our motto for over content that is current not ancient! 20 years, “support those who support your sport.” WHEN WILL YOU GET YOUR To sum it up, we’ll keep moving forward with the pedal to the metal in MAGAZINE? support of the performance and race Just like with the print magazine, every RPM digital magazine will be current enthusiast and industry worldwide, but in the meantime, got a cool street or strip dated, so you will get your digital copy ride? I want to know about it and my of RPM the 25th of every month. This office door is always open, so email me magazine will be current, meaning you directly at editor@rpm-mag.com anytime will receive the August issue of RPM on July 25th and so on. and I will answer.
4
ADVERTISER INDEX
Aurora Bearing.....................77
Meziere Precision Mfg..........48 Misener Motorsports..........101 Moser Engineering...............62
AVAK/Ridgegate Tools..........50
Neal Chance Converters........98
Baer Brakes.....................31,73
Northern Radiator................60
BES Racing Engines..............35
Parts Pro Perf Centers....53,110
Bill Mitchell Products......12,32
PBM Products.......................13
Billet Specialties...................66
Piston Racing Engines..........89
C&S Specialties.....................69 Calvert Racing Suspensions..43 Canton Racing Products.......26
Profiler.................................63 PRW-USA.............................96 Race Part Solutions........30, 72
Chassis Engineering.............52
Racequip............................. 63
Clearshot Customs................80
Rage Wraps..........................63
Delta Performance Auto Grp..20
RAM Clutches.......................78
Design Engineering............439
RCD......................................88
Dynotech Engineering..........11
RM Racing Lubricants......21,71
ECAM.................................102 Erson Cams...........................90 goDragRacing.org..............102 Goodson Tools......................56
Ross Racing Pistons...........7,47 RPM Magazine...................105 RPM Magazine Subscribe!....35
Granatelli Motorsports.........61
SG Metal Works....................70
GRP Connecting Rods...........67
SM Racecars.........................97
Harland Sharp......................27
Smackdown 4....................101
Hitman Hotrods...................57
Summit Midwest Drags........51
HoleShot Wheels..................49
Summit Racing Equipment
Hughes Performance..............7 Ian Hill Racing......................47 Icon Forged Pistons..............88 Induction Solutions..............18
................................73,97,115 Taylor Cable Products...........91 T&D Machine........................71
Jesel.....................................48
The Supercharger Store........71
Joe Van O..............................57
Ti64......................................87
JW Racing Transmissions........5
Tom’s Upholstery..................72
Karbelt.................................77
Total Seal Rings....................62
Kinsler Fuel Injection......13, 63
Trailer Alarms.com...............88
LenTech Automatics.......27, 70 Liberty’s Gears......................70 Lokar Performance...............66 Lutz Race Cars....................102
Trick Flow........................15,97 Tuned By Shane T.................65 VFN Fiberglass......................62
Magnaflow...........................96
Wiseco...............................102
MagnaFuel...........................16
World Products....................67
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july 2020
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July2020 Often Imitated, Never Duplicated—For 21 STRAIGHT YEARS RPM Magazine has been the ORIGINAL Voice Of Wild Street Machines and Extreme Drag Cars WORLDWIDE! Don’t Settle For Less! We DELIVER Insane Fast Cars and Bring You NO POLITICS... JUST ACTION! Your ONLY “Real Time” “Real World” Car Mag...PERIOD!
THE
RIDES
My Taxy................................................................. 54 Javier Chavez’s 2004 Mustang Cobra
Malibu Dream............................................................. 8
Las Vegas native Bobby Bridges transforms a bone stock 1979 Chevrolet Malibu into one of the West Coast’s most notorious grudge cars
Thames Fame.......................................................... 24 Gary Clinton’s 1948 Thames Panel Van is a street driven tribute to his racing roots!
EXCLUSIVES & Tech
RPM
Shop Talk....................................................................72 Next Level: Reflecting back to pre-pandemic life
Law & Order.......................................................38 This first Gen Camaro is the down and dirty alter ego of Mick McGirr
The Rebirth of Madness: Part 3............................... 79 The heart(s) of madness: We show you what it takes to build an 1,800+ hp street engine
Project Pace Car Race Car.............................94
Part 2: Choosing our small block Ford pistons with Wiseco
Cool Tools................................................... 100 ProForm 7000-pound slim wireless vehicle weighing system
Quick Tech: Your Oil’s Best Friend...................... 106 ...the piston ring
READ COMPLETE ISSUES OF RPM MAG ONLINE AT WWW.RPMMAG.COM 6
july 2020
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RPM Magazine
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feature CAR
RPM
story and photos by
Eddie Maloney
ONE B A S M R O F S N A R T S E G Y BRID LAS VEGAS NATIVE BOBB WEST E H T F O E N O O T IN U IB L A M STOCK 1979 CHEVROLET E CARS G D U R G S U IO R O T O N T S O COAST’S M HUMBLE HAULIN’
“She’s not the prettiest and the quickest car out there, but it runs good. Not bad for a garage build with no professional help,” Bobby Bridges.
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RPM Magazine
W
e often hear the slogan, “like father like son.” This story holds especially true for Las Vegas native, Bobby Bridges. Like many before him,
Bobby grew up in the garage, wrenching at a very young age, owing it all to his late father, Kenny Bridges. “My father is 100 percent the reason I got into hot rods.” Growing up, Bobby
lent a hand helping his father build all his hot rods and subsequently got to see him race. Kenny’s passion for hot rods and racing was immediately instilled in Bobby, and when Bobby was
old enough to drive, he was ready for the world.
IN THE BEGINNING
For the past 25 years, Bobby has grudge raced everything from Chevrolet
powered mini trucks to 7 second pro street cars. In 2014, he wanted to try his hand in the local grudge racing scene and that’s when he found this bone stock 1979 Chevrolet Mali-
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feature CAR
RPM
GETTIN’ ON DOWN
Circa 2016, Bobby and his Malibu running Danny Topol’s Las Vegas Motor Speedway Top 10 small tire class. However, as seen here, now has some fat Mickey Thompsons where the 10.5 Hoosiers used to roll.
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RPM Magazine
Anywhere you see the RPM VIDEO EXTRA icon, click to see this feature in action!
bu. “I have always liked the square, ‘boxy’ style cars, it’s a different approach as opposed to building a Mustang or Camaro.” Bobby purchased the car and started the transformation almost immediately. Being quite handy around the shop, Bridges decided
to take on most of the build himself.
THE BUILD
Transforming a car from its original condition to a full-blown race car is no easy task, but Bobby was fully prepared for it. He had the knowledge and tools learned from his father many
years ago. So, let’s take a look inside Bobby’s garage built 79 Malibu! The heartbeat of the Malibu is a nitrous assisted 622 cubic inch big block Chevrolet engine built by Reher Morrison Racing Engines. Transferring the 2,000 plus horsepower machine to
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feature CAR
RPM
G-BODY BOOGIE
Bobby and the Malibu doing grudge racing things with his grudge racing friends. Chuckwalla Valley Raceway most notably known for its road course, hosted a small event in late 2019 in hopes of turning their 5300’ runway into an 1/8-mile dragstrip.
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RPM Magazine
the ground is a bullet proof BTE Powerglide transmission and a Neal Chance Racing converter. Bobby has immediate plans to add two more stages of Nitrous
oxide provided by Induction Solutions. Next up, he built the wishbone style, 4-link suspension in his shop utilizing Strange Engineering double adjustable
shocks. Out back you will also find a a Moser Engineering 9.5� aluminum bolt through rear end and Strange engineering 40-spline axles. The front suspension
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feature CAR
RPM
LET’S THROW DOWN ALREADY
Anytime, anywhere Bobby tells us. Bobby seen here racing fellow Bottom 10 Racing member Jason Ayers. was replaced and upgraded with a direct fit setup from Global West Suspension. Stopping power, especially if you prefer the more full-figured body styles such as the General Motors A or G body, is equally as important as horsepower is provided by custom four-wheel
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disc brakes and a parachute out back. Wheel choice for the Malibu are a set of Billet Specialties Comp 5 Series wheels with a double beadlock rear, wrapped in Mickey Thompson tires (this was initially a small tire car). Once the suspension and driveline were ironed out, Bridg-
RPM Magazine
Power Up. Take performance to the next level with Trick Flow Twisted Wedge® 11R cylinder heads for small block Ford.
The heads have 11° intake and 13° exhaust valve angles plus unique “twisted” combustion chambers for more airflow and power capability. High velocity runners are optimized for popular bore and stroke combinations. Premium materials and components ensure uncompromising quality and durability. The fully machined castings increase strength and have a great-looking billet-like appearance. Available in an entry-level form with 170cc or 190cc CNC Street Ported intake runners or in an ultimate performance version with 190cc or 205cc intake CNC Competition Ported runners. Dyno Results
Twisted Wedge 11R with 205cc CNC Competition Ported Runners
Airflow Results
Twisted Wedge 11R with 205cc CNC Competition Ported Runners
Lift Value
Intake Flow CFM
Exhaust Flow CFM
.100"
71
60
.200"
140
111
.300"
208
150
.400"
261
185
.500"
298
212
.600"
321
227
Test Engine: 11.59:1 compression 427 c.i.d. with Trick Flow Twisted Wedge® 11R 205 cylinder heads (TFS-52615601-C03), Trick Flow Track Max® hydraulic roller camshaft (TFS-51403005), 1.72 ratio roller rocker arms, Edelbrock Super Victor intake manifold, Hooker headers with 17⁄8" primaries, 3" dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers.
Tests conducted at 28" of water (pressure). Bore size: 4.030" 66cc CNC-profiled combustion chambers; exhaust with 13⁄4" pipe.
Your Recipe for Small Block Ford Performance! New heads are just one component of the horsepower recipe. To make it complete, you’re going to need some more ingredients.
Track Max® Hydraulic Roller Camshafts Give your small block or 5.0L engine significantly more horsepower and torque increases with a Track Max® Hydraulic Roller Camshaft. These premium billet steel, hydraulic roller camshafts are dyno-proven to produce a wide power curve over the entire RPM range, not just at a particular RPM.
EFI Intake Manifold Kits When it comes to making horsepower, one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why Trick Flow offers many intake manifold combinations for 5.0L and 351W Fords. Each manifold is computer-engineered to deliver an excellent balance of airflow distribution and velocity to increase low-end torque and provide superior high-RPM horsepower.
Trick Flow by Wiseco Twisted Wedge® Forged Piston Sets These lightweight premium alloy, fully skirted forged pistons perfectly match the unique chamber and valve angles of Twisted Wedge heads. They feature oversized valve reliefs, precision-fit wrist pins, and Spirolox retainers. Available in a choice of compression ratios as low as 8.0:1 for supercharged applications.
TrickFlow.com • 1-330-630-1555 2008RPCT
Some parts are not legal for sale or use on any pollution-controlled motor vehicles.
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