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Parts Used In This Episode

American Powertrain Systems
New Tremec MAGNUM 6-Speed for Ford, 26-spline input, close ratio
American Powertrain Systems
Pro-Fit Magnum Installation Kit for 1983-92 Mustang
BBK Performance
X-Pipe, Coyote Engine Swap, Full-length, Steel, Aluminized, Catalytic Converters, Ford, 5.0L Modular, Each
BBK Performance
Headers, Engine Swap, Full-Length, Steel, Silver Ceramic Coated, Ford, 5.0L Coyote, Pair
Derale Performance
Electric Fan, Dual, 12 in. Diameter Fans, w/Shroud, 24.000 in. Width, 17.000 in. Height, 4.50 in. Thick, Each
Dupli-Color
Paint, Self-Etching Primer, Flat, Green, 12 oz., Aerosol, Each
Dupli-Color
VHT, Paint, Roll Bar, Epoxy, Gloss, Black, 11 oz., Aerosol Spray Can, Each
Earl's Performance Plumbing
Hose Mounting Clamps, Cushioned, Aluminum, Natural, One 1 in. Diameter Hole, Set of 5
Earl's Performance Plumbing
Hose, Super Stock, Rubber, Blue, -8 AN, 20 ft. Length, Each
Earl's Performance Plumbing
Hose, Ultra-Flex 650, Kevlar, Black, -10 AN, Each
Edelbrock
Intake Manifold, Performer RPM Air Gap, Dual Plane, Aluminum, Natural, Square Bore, Chevy, Small Block, Each
Holley
Fuel Pump, Electric, 36 amps, 140 gph, 80 psi, -10 AN O-ring Female Threads Inlet/Outlet, Gasoline, Diesel
Koul Tools
Hose Assembly Tool, EZ-On AN Hose Press, Each
Lizard Skin LLC
Sound Deadener, LizardSkin Liquid Ceramic Insulation, Spray-On, 2 Gallons, Each
Loctite
Adhesive, Rearview Mirror, .3cc, Each
Sparco
Harness, Street, 4-point, Pull Down, Nylon, Black, 2 in. Width, OEM-style Latch, Clip-in, Each
Summit Racing
Radiator, Performance Fit, Aluminum, Natural, Ford, Each
American Powertrain Systems
Street Slayer Clutch Assembly
E3 Spark Plugs
E3 Diamond Fire Spark Plugs
Glenn's Performance
GP 03-04 Cobra Tank Conversion Kit (1979-1997)
Maximum Motorsports
1979-93 Mustang hardtop, Street/Strip: 6-pt, standard door bars, removable harness mount, Low Slung Door Bar option for Fox HT Mustang
Scott Rod Fabrications
1979-1993 "Fox" Inner Fender Panels Aluminum Installed with Pop Rivets, contoured
Scott Rod Fabrications
1979-1993 "Fox" Rear Seat Delete Kit, Coupe
The Industrial Depot
The Industrial Depot - Fasteners, Hardware and Shop Supplies
TMI
1992 Mustang Sport R500 Upholstery, 2 Replacement Bucket Seat Foams, Red Stitching & Insert Stripes

Video Transcript

(ANNOUNCER)>> TODAY ON ENGINE POWER, BARELY LEGAL MUSTANG GETS TRACK READY WITH A SIX SPEED MAGNUM GEAR BOX, 10 PUCK CERAMIC CLUTCH, AND SIX POINT BOLT IN CAGE.

(MIKE)>> BY NOW YOU KNOW THE CAR AND ITS PURPOSE. IN RECENT WEEKS WE'VE BEEN TRANSFORMING THIS FOX BODY FROM A ROAD HEAP TO A COMPETITION WORTHY CORNER CARVER WITH SUSPENSION FROM MAXIMUM MOTORSPORTS. AND TRADING ITS SAD FOUR CYLINDER FOR THIS FORD RACING ALUMINATOR CRATE ENGINE WE MADE 451 HORSEPOWER WITH ON OUR DYNO.

THEN STUFFED IT INTO ITS NEW HOME FOR MOCK UP. HA, WE'RE CLEAR! IN SHORT WE WENT FROM THIS TO THIS, A GREAT START TO A ROAD WORTHY, TRACK READY, BARELY LEGAL MUSTANG. SINCE THEN WE REMOVED THE ALUMINATOR TO CLEAN UP THE ENGINE BAY BEFORE ADDING SOME DUPLICOLOR SELF ETCHING PRIMER AND A COAT OF PAINT. TODAY WE PLAN ON FINISHING IT ALL THE WAY TO THE COCKPIT. FROM A ROLL CAGE TO OUR CUSTOMIZED STOCK SEATS, AND A LONG LIST OF PERFORMANCE PARTS. WE STARTED WITH MAXIMUM STAINLESS PREBENT REAR BRAKE LINES THAT COME WITH ALL THE CORRECT FITTINGS TO ATTACH THEM TO THE BRAIDED FLEX LINES. NOW UP FRONT NO MORE POWER BRAKES. WE'RE GONG MANUAL WITH HELP FROM THIS BILLET

FIREWALL MOUNT FROM MAXIMUM AND EXTRA HANDS FROM A NEIGHBOR. NOW DUE TO THE WIDTH OF THE ENGINE WE NEED TO USE A MASTER WITH OUTLETS ON THE STRUT TOWER SIDE. THIS ONE IS FROM A FORD RANGER. WITH OUR NEW LINES ATTACHED, THE BRAKE LINES ARE FINISHED. THE FACTORY FUEL TANK JUST WON'T CUT IT FOR OUR FOX'S PURPOSE. NOW HARD CORNERING AT HIGH SPEEDS WILL CAUSE THE FUEL TO RUN AWAY FROM THE PUMP'S PICK UP AREA. SO WE GOT THIS ONE FROM GLENN'S PERFORMANCE THAT STARTED BACK IN 2004 DUE TO THE LACK OF HIGH PERFORMANCE FUEL TANKS AND SYSTEMS FOR MUSTANGS THAT WERE AFFORDABLE. THE '03-'04 COBRA TANK LIKE THIS WAS THE BEST ONE EVER BUILT FOR A MUSTANG, BUT IT DID HAVE SOME LIMITATIONS.

SO GLENNS' WENT INSIDE AND IMPROVED THE SUMP SIZE BY ENLARGING IT TO HOLD MORE FUEL IN THE CENTER. THE BAFFLING WAS ALSO ENLARGED TO CONTROL

THE FUEL IN THE SUMP. NOW THE FEED TUBE DIAMETER IS ALSO LARGER FOR MORE FUEL VOLUME TO THE SUPPLY LINE. THIS TANK MOUNTS IN '79 THROUGH 2004 MUSTANGS AND ACCEPTS THE FACTORY FILLER NECK. IT CAN BE ORDERED WITH INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL PUMPS, AND WILL SUPPORT UP TO 1,700 HORSEPOWER. THE FACTORY STRAPS SECURE IT IN PLACE. NOW THIS ONE IS SETUP FOR AN EXTERNAL PUMP WITH A DASH EIGHT FEED AND A DASH 10 RETURN

FROM THE REGULATOR. USING THIS TEMPLATE WE CAN MARK THE MOUNTING HOLE LOCATIONS FOR OUR FUEL PUMP. IT'S A HOLLEY DOMINATOR INLINE BILLET PUMP THAT WILL SUPPORT 1,800 HORSEPOWER IN AN EFI APPLICATION. IT'S A TWIN PUMP DESIGN ALLOWING THE SECOND PUMP TO ACTIVATE WHEN NEEDED IN A BOOSTED OR NITROUS SETUP. A HOLLEY PREFILTER WILL BE INSTALLED DIRECTLY TO THE PUMP. NOW MAKE SURE TO USE 100 MICRON HERE OR DRIVABILITY AND PUMP ISSUES CAN ARISE. THE EARL'S LINES ARE TWO COLORS FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION. NOW THEY WILL ROUTE SO THEY ARE ABOVE THE LOWEST POINT OF THE CHASSIS. SECURING THEM ARE FIVEEIGHTHS INCH EARL'S CUSHION CLAMPS. THEY WILL FOLLOW THE SUBFRAME CONNECTOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND PASS THROUGH THE INNER FENDER AREA INTO THE ENGINE BAY. HERE'S A COOL NEW TOOL TO ASSEMBLE PUSH LOCK HOSE AND FITTINGS THE EASY WAY. IT'S THE EASY ON HOSE PRESS FROM COOL TOOLS. THE LINE GOES IN THE REAR ONE. A FITTING IS PLACED IN THE FRONT JAW. NOW USING A DRILL OR IMPACT, TURN THE ACME SCREW TO INSTALL THE LINE ONTO THE FITTING. THE RETURN WILL ATTACH TO THE BOTTOM OF OUR BILLET HOLLEY REGULATOR AND THE FEED LINE FROM THE PUMP WILL ATTACH TO THE INLET PORT. DOWN, NOW THE ENGINE GOES IN FOR THE LAST TIME. AN AMERICAN POWERTRAIN STREET SLAYER 10 PUCK POWDERED CERAMIC CLUTCH, NOW IT WILL HANDLE 845 FOOT POUNDS OF TORQUE. THEIR PRESSURE PLATE HAS A HIGH TIP AND RELEASE POINT, WHICH MEANS THESE FINGERS DON'T HAVE TO MOVE VERY FAR FOR THE CLUTCH TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE. THIS ALSO CREATES AN EFFORTLESS PEDAL FORCE. TO COMPLIMENT THE 4.10 GEAR RATIO IN OUR EIGHT

POINT EIGHT REAR END WE'RE USING A TREMEC MAGNUM SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION PREPPED BY AMERICAN POWERTRAIN.

NOW THE SIXTH GEAR IS GONNA GIVE US AN AWESOME OVERDRIVE FOR LOWER RPM'S AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOW THEY INSTALLED ONE OF THEIR WHITE LIGHTNING FULLY ADJUSTABLE SHIFTERS, AND TO CONTROL THE CLUTCH WE'RE GONNA USE ONE OF THEIR HYDRAMAX HYDRAULIC RELEASE BEARINGS. WITH A COMPLETE KIT LIKE THIS, NO MODIFICATIONS WERE NEEDED TO THE CAR.

(ANNOUNCER)>> UP NEXT THE COOLING SYSTEM AND COCKPIT BECOME RACE READY.

(MIKE)>> WE'RE BACK BUT MY EXTRA SET OF HANDS IS NOT. HE HAD TO GET BACK TO HIS EVERYDAY WORK LOAD, BUT I'M NOT CONTINUING SOLO. REMEMBER THIS GUY WHEN DYNO'ED THE FLATHEAD? WELL HE IMPRESSED US WITH HIS KNOWLEDGE AND DOVE RIGHT IN AND HELPED OUT SO MUCH, THIS ROUND HE'S HERE TO STAY. AND THESE LONG TUBE HEADERS HE'S BANGING ON

ARE FROM SUMMIT RACING. NOW THEY'RE BBK'S THAT ARE CERAMIC COATED AND DESIGNED TO FIT THE FOX BODY WITH THE MAXIMUM MOTORSPORTS KMEMBER AND THE COYOTE OR ALUMINATOR ENGINE. NOW THEY HAVE INCH AND THREE QUARTER PRIMARIES THAT LEAD ALL THE WAY BACK DOWN INTO A THREE INCH COLLECTOR.

(PAT)>> THERE YOU GO.

(MIKE)>> WITH THE FACTORY FORD GASKET IN PLACE, WE'LL USE THE OLD HARDWARE TO SEAL THEM UP.

(PAT)>> OH YEAH, THAT IS SUCCESS RIGHT THERE.

(MIKE)>> NOW TO KEEP OUR BARELY LEGAL STATUS WE CHOOSE AN XPIPE WITH HIGH FLOW CATS TO PASS EMISSIONS IN OUR AREA. IT'S THREE INCHES IN DIAMETER. FROM THERE THREE INCH MAGNAFLOW PIPE WILL TIE INTO A RACE SERIES FIVE BY EIGHT OVAL MUFFLER. AT JUST 12 INCHES IN LENGTH, IT FITS IN SUPER TIGHT SPOTS. A HAND CUT TURN DOWN WILL FINISH THE EXHAUST OFF.

MOVING ON TO THE COOLING SYSTEM, THIS THREE CORE ALUMINUM RADIATOR FROM SUMMIT RACING IS GONNA KEEP OUR ALUMINATOR'S TEMP IN CHECK EVEN DURING THOSE HARD LAPS OUT ON THE TRACK.

(PAT)>> DERALE SENT US THIS UNIVERSAL DUAL HIGH OUTPUT FAN SYSTEM WITH AN ALUMINUM SHROUD. COMBINED THEY PRODUCE 3,750 CFM. IT'S NOT DESIGNED TO FIT ANY SPECIFIC RADIATOR. SO THEY GIVE YOU THESE BRACKETS TO HELP YOU OUT. NOW AT THIS POINT YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN. BUT IT'S REALLY NOT THAT HARD.

THEY HAVE SOME SLOTTED HOLES IN THE SHROUD ITSELF TO LINE THINGS UP, AND WE'LL PUNCH SOME HOLES IN THE RADIATOR TO FASTEN IT DOWN. FIRST I'LL MARK THE HOLES TO BE DRILLED IN THE RADIATOR'S FLANGE. THEN USING AN EIGHTH INCH KAN KUT BIT AS A PILOT, I'LL GET THE FOUR HOLES DRILLED IN THE BOTTOM. THEN ENLARGE THEM TO THE FINAL

QUARTER INCH DIAMETER. THE BRACKETS ATTACH TO THE SHROUD FIRST. THEN THEY CAN BE ALIGNED TO THE RADIATOR AND ATTACHED WITH NEW HARDWARE. AND WITH THE SAME STEPS BEING FOLLOWED FOR THE TOP SIDE, THIS PACKAGE IS READY TO DROP IN. IT RESTS IN THE ORIGINAL LOCATION AND IS HELD IN WITH THE FACTORY BRACKETS. AND THE HOSE GOES RIGHT ON WITH NO MODIFICATIONS.

(MIKE)>> CLEANING UP THE ENGINE BAY ON A FOX BODY CAN BE A TIME CONSUMING TASK. WELDING UP ALL THESE HOLES, PLUS THE BODY WORK IS GONNA ADD A FEW DAYS TO YOUR PROJECT TIME.

SO HERE'S THE EASIEST AND MOST AFFORDABLE WAY TO TAKE CARE OF IT. IT'S INNER FENDER WELD PANELS FROM SCOTT ROD FABRICATIONS.

NOW THEY'RE MADE OF LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM AND FORMED AROUND THE CAR EVERY TIME FOR A NEAR PERFECT FIT. NOW WE'LL GO AHEAD AND INSTALL THIS DRIVER'S SIDE FIRST. THEY SLIP INTO PLACE JUST IN FRONT OF THE STRUT TOWERS. NOW ONCE FLUSH WE CAN DRILL AN EIGHTH INCH HOLE AND SECURE THE PANEL WITH A RIVET. THIS STEP IS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE PANEL IS LOCKED DOWN AND VIBRATION FREE.

(PAT)>> SO WE'RE JUST GONNA GO AN INCH AND AN EIGHTH.

(MIKE)>> THE OTHER SIDE NEEDS A SMALL TRIM TOWARDS THE FRONT DUE TO BRACKET WE WELDED ON THE CAR. AND ONCE IN PLACE IT GETS FASTENED THE SAME WAY.

TO KEEP THEM SCRATCH FREE WE'RE LEAVING THE PROTECTIVE FILM ON UNTIL THE CAR IS FINISHED. NOW WE CAN MOUNT THE FORD RACING ECM IN ITS NEW HOME. IT RESTS ON TWO 90 DEGREE BRACKETS THAT WE WELDED TO THE SUBFRAME RAIL. THIS IS THE SAME GENERAL AREA FORD PUTS IT IN THE NEW MUSTANGS. ALRIGHT BEFORE WE RUN ANY HARNESSES THROUGH THE

FIREWALL INTO THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT, IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PART OF THIS BUILD. NOW SAFETY NEEDS TO BE NUMBER ONE ON ANY LIST YOU'VE GOT. FOR THAT WE'RE USING ONE OF MAXIMUM MOTORSPORTS' SIX POINT ROLL BARS. IT'S CONSTRUCTED OF INCH AND THREE QUARTER, .134 WALLED DOM TUBING, WHICH IS MUCH STRONGER THAN YOUR STANDARD .120 WALL SEAM TUBE. IT HAS LOW SLUG DOOR BARS FOR EASY ENTRY AND EXITS,

AND A REMOVABLE HARNESS BAR.

THE FIRST PIECE TO GO IN IS THE MAIN HOOP. NOW THE GOAL, NO BROKEN GLASS. NOW TAKE YOUR TIME AND THIS WHOLE PROCESS WILL BE EASY TO DEAL WITH, VERY NICE! THE REAR BRACES GO ON NEXT. THEY KEEP THE MAIN HOOP UPRIGHT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND ADD LOTS OF RIGIDITY TO THE BACK OF THE CAR.

(PAT)>> OH YEAH!

(MIKE)>> AM I SEEING THAT RIGHT?

(PAT)>> ISN'T THAT AWESOME!

(MIKE)>> THAT THING FITS PERFECT AGAINST THE FENDER WELL.

WITH THEM LINED UP TO THE WHEEL WELL, WE CAN TIGHTEN THE THROUGH BOLTS. NOW WE CAN DRILL HOLES THROUGH THE FLOOR AND REMOVE THE ASSEMBLY FROM THE CAR. THIS ALLOWS YOU TO WELD THEM IN PLACE WITHOUT HURTING THE INTERIOR OR GLASS FROM SPATTER. ONCE COOLED OFF WE CAN ADD SOME VHT ROLL BAR AND CHASSIS PAINT. ONE LIGHT COAT FOLLOWED BY TWO HEAVIER COATS WILL GIVE US PLENTY OF COVER.

WITH IT DRY, THIS SECTION OF THE CAGE GOES IN FOR THE FINAL TIME. NOW WE CAN MIX OUR LIZARD SKIN CAR CERAMIC INSULATION. IT'S WATER BASED AND COMPOSED OF HIGH GRADE

ACRYLIC BINDERS AND CERAMIC INSULATION PARTICLES THAT CREATE A THERMAL BARRIER. YOU CAN USE IT ON ANY TYPE OF CAR OR TRUCK WHERE HEAT MAY BE AN ISSUE.

NOW WE'RE SPRAYING OUR PRIMED FLOOR PANS OF THE MUSTANG TO KEEP US COOLER ON THOSE HOT TRACK DAYS. THERE'S HARDLY ANY OVERSPRAY, AND WITH A GOOD PREP IT WILL STAY IN PLACE VERY WELL.

DRYING TIME IS RIGHT AT 24 HOURS FOR A FULL CURE, AND IT WILL BE PAINTABLE.

(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP WE FINISH OFF THE TRACK READY INTERIOR WITH A LITTLE COMFORT FOR THE STREET.

(MIKE)>> WITH THE LIZARD SKIN DESERT DRY, NOW IT'S TIME TO TIE THE CAGE INTO THE CHASSIS. NOW MAXIMUM SENDS REINFORCEMENT PLATES THAT SANDWICH THE FLOOR PAN.

THEY'RE BOLTED IN AND ADD TONS OF STRENGTH. SO FROM HERE YOU CAN RETURN YOUR BUDDY'S WELDER.

(PAT)>> JUST LIKE IN THE ENGINE BAY, WE'RE GONNA

GIVE THIS CAR'S INTERIOR A VISUAL CLEAN UP AS WELL USING MORE OF SCOTT ROD FABRICATION'S LIGHTWEIGHT

ALUMINUM PANELS. NOW THIS IS THEIR REAR SEAT DELETE KIT FOR A FOX BODY AND IT SATISFIES MOST SANCTIONING BODY'S REQUIREMENTS FOR A BARRIER IN BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S

COMPARTMENT AND THE TRUNK. WITH THE CENTER LINE AND THE SEAT MARKED, THE FIRST PANEL TO GO IN IS THE UPPER PASSENGER SIDE, FOLLOWED BY THE UPPER DRIVER'S SIDE, CHECK FITMENT FROM THE CENTER LINE. NOW WE CAN DRILL ONE HOLE AND ATTACH THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH A SCREW JUST TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. THE PASSENGER LOWER PANEL GOES IN TO ESTABLISH THE FRONT TO REAR POSITIONING OF THE REAR PANEL. REPEAT THIS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE.

NOW WITH THE PANELS ALIGNED, RIVET THEM TOGETHER. POSITION THE WHEEL WELL COVER AND CHECK FITMENT. TRIMMING HERE MAY BE NECESSARY. A HOLE SAW THAT MATCHES THE BAR'S SIZE IS USED TO MARK THE SECTION TO BE CUT. I'LL USE TIN SNIPS TO CUT IT INTO RIBBONS SO IT DOESN'T DISTORT THE PANE WHEN I CUT THEM OUT. I'LL FINISH IT OFF WITH A FILE AND THEN RECHECK IT FOR FIT. AND I'LL CLAIM I GOT IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. SAME STORY FOR THE OTHER SIDE. IT'S A CLASSY AND AFFORDABLE WAY TO DRESS UP THE INTERIOR IN A FEW HOURS.

(MIKE)>> WE DECIDE TO GO WITH THE LOW SLUNG DOOR BAR OPTION SO GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR IS SUPER EASY.

NOW THEY TIE INTO THE MAIN HOOP AND THE FRONT FLOOR PAN AREA. REINFORCEMENT PLATES ARE USED AT EVERY POINT OF THE CAGE TO SANDWICH THE BODY. THIS INCREASES THE SHEAR POINT BY HAVING A LARGER FOOTPRINT AND ADDS LOTS OF STRENGTH TO THE CAGE'S INTEGRITY. THREEEIGHTHS HARDWARE IS USED, AND NOTICE HOW THE

FLOOR IS SQUEEZED BETWEEN THE PLATES AS THEY'RE TIGHTENED. THE FINAL TASK, DRILL THROUGH THE DOOR BARS AND PLACE THE SUPPLIED BOLTS IN TO SECURE THEM TO THE HOOP. TO KEEP ON THE SAFETY TOPIC WE'RE USING SPARCO'S FOUR POINT RACE HARNESSES. NOW THESE THINGS USE A FACTORY TYPE LATCH AND THE BELTS ARE TWO INCHES WIDE. THEY COME WITH A THREADED EYELET THAT LUCKY FOR US IS THE SAME THREAD AS THE FOX BODY'S FACTORY SEATBELT HARDWARE. AND ATTACHED TO THEM ARE QUICK CONNECT LATCHES ON BOTH SIDES. UP TOP THE SHOULDER BELTS WILL LAY OVER THE

HARNESS BAR FOR NOW. THEY'LL WRAP AROUND OUR FACTORY SEATS. THAT'S RIGHT, THESE STARTED AS THE FACTORY RED SEATS IN THIS CAR.

NOW TMI SUPPLIED THEIR R-500 UPHOLSTERY KIT THAT INCLUDES TWO SEAT FOAMS, BLACK VINYL SEAT COVERS WITH UNISUEDE INSERTS, AND ARE AVAILABLE WITH SEVERAL STITCHING AND COLOR COMBINATIONS. THEY ALSO HAVE TONS OF HIP AND SIDE BOLSTERING TO KEEP US IN PLACE WHILE CORNERING.

THE CAR STILL HAS A LITTLE WAYS TO GO, WIRING, CUSTOM GAUGES, AND A FULL COLOR CHANGE. NOW THERE'S NO SINCE IN BUILDING IT IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO PLAY WITH IT.

IT'S GOING TO THE ROAD COURSE TO GET BEAT ON.

AND ALL THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN SOON. FOR NOW WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT A SERIES OF TESTS

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS.

(ANNOUNCER)>> YOU'VE HEARD IT BEFORE, THE DYNO DOESN'T LIE. SEE HOW DIAMOND FIRE TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

(MIKE)>> THE AFTERMARKET HAS ALWAYS RELIED ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE IN PRODUCTS THAT WE USE EVERYDAY, WHETHER IT BE FOR AIR, FUEL, OR SPARK. WELL YOU KNOW HOW WE ALWAYS LOVE A GOOD SHOOTOUT. WE DECIDED TO SEE HOW ETHREE'S PREMIUM SPARK PLUGS MATCH UP TO THE LEADING COMPETITORS. TO SEE WHICH PLUG HAD THE MOST POWERFUL SPARK, WE DID A SIDE BY SIDE TEST WITH THIS TESTER BOX. VISUALLY THE WINNER IS ETHREE. NOW HERE'S AN ETHREE ON THE LEFT WITH THE TOP COMPETITOR ON THE RIGHT. ETHREE USES SOMETHING CALLED DIAMOND FIRE TECHNOLOGY, WHICH INVOLVES AN EDGE TO EDGE ELECTRODE DESIGN THAT OPTIMIZES THE SPARK PATH WITH A FASTER

AND LARGER FLAME THRUST INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. BUT THE PROOF'S REALLY IN THE ENGINE. WE INSTALLED AND WILL TEST THE COMPETITOR'S PLUG

FIRST ON THIS 383 STROKER USING 93 OCTANE FUEL. WITH ALL PARAMETERS EQUAL, WE'LL DO THREE PULLS WITH EACH SET OF PLUGS FROM 2,500 TO 6,000 RPM. AFTER LETTING THE ENGINE COOL, WE REMOVED THE PLUGS AND INSTALLED THE ETHREE'S. WE'LL TEST FOR HORSEPOWER AND FUEL USAGE, WHICH THE COMPUTER IDENTIFIES AS BRAKE SPECIFIC FUEL CONSUMPTION. TECHNICALLY IT'S THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IT TAKES IN POUNDS TO MAKE ONE HORSEPOWER. HERE'S WHAT WE FOUND. THE FIRST SET OF PLUGS MADE 407 HORSEPOWER ON AVERAGE WITH A BRAKE SPECIFIC FUEL CONSUMPTION OF .626.

THE ETHREE SPARK PLUGS MADE AN AVERAGE OF 412.5 HORSEPOWER AND THE BRAKE SPECIFIC FUEL CONSUMPTION, .606. NEEDLESS TO SAY, BOTH PREMIUM PLUG BRANDS OUTPERFORM THE STANDARD PLUGS, BUT THE ETHREE'S MEAN MORE HORSEPOWER USING SLIGHTLY LESS FUEL, THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. BUT WHAT ABOUT EMISSIONS? THE THEORY IS ETHREE'S GREAT COMBUSTION LESSENS THE AMOUNT OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDRA CARBONS THAT ESCAPE INTO THE AIR WE BREATHE. SO WE INVITED THE GUYS FROM SENSORS INC TO TAKE SOME EXHAUST MEASUREMENTS, THIS TIME ON OUR FUEL INJECTED LS MULE.

(STEVE)>> WE HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN WHAT OUR PRODUCT CAN DO AND THE COMBUSTION EFFICIENCIES THAT IT PRODUCES. AND WITH THE NEW SIMTECH SYSTEM THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE, WE FEEL LIKE IT'S ONE MORE EFFORT TO GO

AND PROVE THE TECHNOLOGY AND TO SHOW THE RESULTS AND THAT BETTER COMBUSTION.

(MIKE)>> GREATER COMBUSTION ON THE ETHREES SHOWS A TWO TO THREE PERCENT DECREASE IN CO TWO EMISSIONS. THAT'S YOUR FUEL ECONOMY. THE KNOCKS READINGS EQUATE TO AIR POLLUTION, SPECIFICALLY NITRIC OXIDE AND NITROGEN DIOXIDE, WHICH SHOWED A 43.3 PERCENT REDUCTION, PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

THOSE TESTS WERE CONCLUSIVE ON 93 OCTANE, BUT WHAT ABOUT NEWER COOLER BURNING FUELS LIKE ETHANOL? FOR THAT WE TOOK A TRIP TO A MIDWEST UNIVERSITY

THAT SPECIALIZES IN AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH. GRADUATE STUDENTS AT MICHIGAN TECH'S ADVANCE POWER SYSTEM RESEARCH CENTER WORK TOWARD DEVELOPING CLEAN, EFFICIENT, AND SUSTAINABLE

POWER SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES. WHICH IS WHY COMPANIES LIKE ETHREE TURN TO THIS

STATE OF THE ART FACILITY FOR DATA ON HOW THEIR PARTS PERFORM ON COOLER BURNING ETHANOL. IT'S EQUIPPED WITH FUEL SOURCES, LASER DIAGNOSTICS, AND HIGH SPEED CAMERAS THAT ARE HOUSED IN A STAINLESS STEEL OPTICAL COMBUSTION VESSEL, ALL NECESSARY TO FILM SPARK PLUG BURN CYCLES IN REAL TIME AT 5,000 PSI. THIS VIDEO ILLUSTRATES THE FASTER FLAME KERNEL OF THE DIAMOND FIRE PLUG COMPARED TO A STOCK JWIRE PLUG.

(JACLYN)>> SO DIAMOND FIRE HAS A BETTER INITIAL FLAME

KERNEL DEVELOPMENT AND STRONGER FLAME PROPAGATION, AND IT'S MORE TURBULENT, WHICH CAN HELP WITH EMISSIONS AND ALSO YOUR FUEL EFFICIENCY.

(MIKE)>> TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES LIKE ETHREE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH RESEARCH SCIENTIST

TO VALIDATE THEIR PERFORMANCE BENEFITS VERSUS CONVENTIONAL PARTS. IN ADDITIONAL DYNO TESTING, THE FASTER BURN RATE OF THE DIAMOND FIRE PLUG ALSO PRODUCED MORE

TORQUE AND MORE POWER THAN STANDARD PLUGS USING E-85.

(STEVE)>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS ENGINES CHANGE, AS FUEL CHANGES, AND OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR CHANGE, WE NEED TO BE DEVELOPING AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY WE THINK WE HAVE THE MOST ADVANCED SPARK PLUG ON THE MARKET TODAY, BUT WE'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE WE STAY IN THAT POSITION.

AND THAT'S AGAIN ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE'RE HERE DOING ALL THIS TESTING.

(PAT)>> AT SOME POINT WE'VE ALL HAD A REARVIEW MIRROR COME OFF AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME.

THE GOOD NEWS IS LOCTITE HAS AN EASY FIX FOR PUTTING IT BACK UP WHERE IT BELONGS. THE REARVIEW MIRROR ADHESIVE IS A PERMANENT

FIX TO AN AGE OLD PROBLEM, AND IT'S APPROVED BY GM, FORD, AND CHRYSLER FOR DOING THE JOB CORRECTLY. FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS TO A "T" WILL ENSURE A TIGHT BOND AND YOU'LL BE BACK IN BUSINESS IN NO TIME AT ALL. IT'S AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL PART STORE FOR AROUND THREE BUCKS.

(MIKE)>> IF YOU'RE A FAN OF QUALITY PARTS MADE IN THE USA AND HAVE A 1955 THROUGH 1986 SMALL BLOCK CHEVROLET, THIS EDELBROCK RPM AIR GAP INTAKE MANIFOLD IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU. NOW IT GETS ITS NAME FROM THE OPEN AIR SPACE BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE RUNNERS AND THE FLOOR OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS ALLOWS A COOLER, DENSER AIR CHARGE TO ENTER THE ENGINE, WHICH IS A HUGE INGREDIENT FOR THE HORSEPOWER RECIPE.

NOW YOU CAN FIND ONE OF THESE INTAKES ANYWHERE PERFORMANCE PARTS ARE SOLD FOR UNDER $245 BUCKS. THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK, WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
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