RPM MAGAZINE - AUGUST ISSUE 2020 Teaser

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august 2020 | RPM Magazine

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............................................................

JIM McHARG

Photographic Contributions: TIM LEWIS, MARK goDragRacing. org, GEORGE PICH, TOBY BROOKS, MATT WOODS, TABITHA SIZEMORE, MATT TROMBLEY, LOUIS FRONKIER, 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, 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 519752-3705.

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 topshelf 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

W

by

Covid Crazy

Chris Biro

hy is it that there’s something about a crisis that makes some people crazy?

This month’s RANT is not about cars....because if we were all working on cars we’d have something to do and probably get along better.

During the past 6 months, as a result of the effects the worldwide pandemic has had, I am sure we all have stories to tell. If you read this, take it as a discussion piece, if you like it fine, if not, that’s ok too.

To me, it doesn’t matter how old you are, whether you believe, are a denier, conspiracy theorist, or what color your skin is, what religion you are, what your political stripes are, or for that matter what brand car you drive, we are all human beings.

Stupidity is stupidity no matter how you slice it, and while I do believe that you can actually fix stupid, it’s a long drawn out process and most people’s stupidity, mine included, happens far quicker than any type of stupidity rehab would.

So to all those who think they “deserve” or are “entitled” in a time when there is a crisis that could affect the safety of others, take a deep breath and try to imagine not being able to take a deep breath! Then, regardless of your beliefs, show some understanding and compassion to your fellow human being. I guess the fact is that it doesn’t matter how much money, fame or “things” you have in this world, when you struggle to take your next breath, nothing else matters. What DOES matter is the compassion shown by others towards you at that moment in time.

I wear a mask when I’m doing drywall, touching up paint on a vehicle and for a host of other projects, its parts of keeping myself safe. So I personally have no problem wearing it to protect myself and others from a different harm. I am not pushing my beliefs on anyone, so don’t push any on me, I am simply saying that if there is a possibility, even if ever so slight, that my action or inaction could directly affect the safety of someone else, I have no problem with a little bit of inconvenience to do my part. I mean, come on, at its core, really, whats the big deal? Whether it’s keeping 6- feet back and/or masking up, I don’t consider it a belief or invasion on my basic human rights, instead, I look at it as my moral responsibility to the people I share this earth with.

Someone put it to me the other day like this; “wear a mask today for a few minutes 4

ADVERTISER INDEX AED Competition ................. 77

Meziere Precision Mfg ..........32

AFR:

Misener Motorsports ..........101

Air Flow Research ....... 5, 56, 57

or a ventilator tomorrow”.

It’s like the guy my wife and I crossed paths with in a hardware store parking lot about 8 weeks back.

As usual we parked the old 2000 Excursion way back in the parking lot to prevent door dings. We hopped out of the truck and walked towards the store when a large older blue van with a “School Board” decal on it pulled directly in our walking path, keep in mind there were many parking spots closer to the store. No problem, we walked around the back of it and towards the store. Then, a large 60-ish year old fellow exited the van and walked directly at us to intercept our path. I stopped (at probably a bit less than 6 feet away by then), smiled, as I put on a mask, and said, “go ahead”, and gestured him to go in front of us He just stood there and gave us a blank hate stare. I said again, “it’s ok, you go ahead”. He stood there with that stare and said to me, “what’s wrong, the parking lot not big enough for ya”. To say we were blown away is understatement. I responded that we were just trying to be nice. He just stood there and stared us down...so I asked if he was OK (thinking there may be some type of mental distress, given these times). He said something else that I don’t recall and just stood there, so I said again, “go ahead”. By now he is just looking at us as if we are from another planet, and spewing the odd one or two words of stupidity out.

I said again that we were just trying to be nice...and then, maybe I shouldn’t have, but after trying to resist, I did end up engaging in his witty banter and asked him, “what’s wrong, didn’t wake up on the right side of the bed this morning?”

This guy was obviously angry long before he pulled in front us and it had nothing to do with us, he simply wanted someone to take it out on. After a few back and forths I guess he realized that we were not intimidated by him, and yes, originally we were only trying to be nice. Is his stupid fixed?

Hmmm, probably not, but I chalk it up to the fact that everybody has bad day at some point.

So as our economies begin to open and we get back to business, let’s try to give a bit of extra understanding to those around us, especially if we are already having a bad day. A smile also happens to be highly contagious and a little kindness can go a long way; as the old saying goes, “you get more bees with honey”.

august 2020 | RPM Magazine

AJE Racing........................... 77

Moser Engineering ............. 62

American Racing Headers ....56

Neal Chance Converters ....... 98

Aurora Bearing .................... 77

Northern Radiator ...............60

AVAK/Ridgegate Tools ..........50 Baer Brakes ....................31, 66

Parts Pro/Total Truck Ctrs73,110

BES Racing Engines ..............66

PBM Products...................... 13

Billet Specialties.................. 66

Piston Racing Engines ..........89

Bill Mitchell Products .....12, 48

Profiler .................................63

C & S Specialties ...................69 Calvert Racing Suspensions ..43

PRW-USA .............................96

Canton Racing Products .......26

Race Part Solutions ........30, 72

CFE Racing Products ............10

Racequip ..............................63

Chassis Engineering ............ 52 Clearshot Customs..............102

Rage Wraps .........................63

Delta Performance Auto Grp. 20

RAM Clutches ...................... 78

Design Engineering ..............39

RCD ......................................88

Dynotech Engineering..........11 ECAM .................................102 Erson Cams.........................103

RM Racing Lubricants .....21, 71 Ross Racing Pistons ..........7, 47

GoDragRacing.org .............102

RPM Magazine ............. 22,105

Goodson Tools .....................56

RPM Magazine Subscribe! ....35

Granatelli Motorsports .........61 GRP Connecting Rods ...........67

SG Metal Works ....................70

Harland Sharp ......................38

SM Racecars .........................97

Hitman Hotrods....................57

Smackdown 4 ................27, 91

HoleShot Wheels ................. 49 Hughes Performance............. 7 Ian Hill Racing ..................... 47

Summit Midwest Drags ........51 Summit Racing

Icon Forged Pistons ............. 88

Equip .......................35,97,109

Induction Solutions ..............18

Taylor Cable Products .........100

Jesel .................................... 48 Joe Van O..............................57

T & D Machine ......................71

JW Racing Transmissions ........5

The Supercharger Store ........71

Karbelt ................................ 77

Ti64 ......................................99

Kinsler Fuel Injection.......13,63 LenTech Automatics ........38,70 Liberty’s Gears .................... 70

Tom’s Upholstery ..................72 Total Seal Rings ....................62

Lokar Performance .............. 66

Trailer Alarms.com ...............88

Lutz Race Cars ................... 102

Trick Flow ...................... 15, 97

Magnaflow...........................96 MagnaFuel ...........................16

Tuned By Shane T .................65

Manton Pushrods ...............100

VFN Fiberglass Inc. .............. 62

Mark Williams ......................89

Wiseco................................. 96

Melling/NPW .......................52 Metal Products .....................63

World Products.....................67

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August2020 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!

Whole Lotta Rosie ........................................

54 Jeff Blair’s Street/Strip 1956 Chevrolet Corvette

Unintended.......................................................................... 8 Mark Todd’s 6 seccond street/strip Aston Martin started with a deal you just couldn’t pass up

Excitement ..................................................................... 74

Rod Snyder’s Pro Street Pontiac Fiero is fully capable of quickening your pulse

Shop Talk ..................................................................86 Just trying to be cool

Not Junk .............................................................. 40

Steve Metcalf’s ‘56 Chevy 3100 Stepside plays many roles, but haulin’ hay isn’t one of them

The Rebirth of Madness: Part 4 Turning Blue Sadness into Blue Madness: 2.0 Edition ............................................................................................................................................. 96

Project Pace Car Race Car: Part 3 COMP CAMS and associated driveshaft parts. ...........................................................................................................................................106

READ COMPLETE ISSUES OF RPM MAG ONLINE AT WWW.RPMMAG.COM 6

august 2020 | RPM Magazine

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THIS 6-SECOND STREET/STRI WITH A DEAL YOU JUST 8

august 2020 | RPM Magazine

Photos by Matt Woods Story by Phil Grogan

IP ASTON MARTIN STARTED T COULDN’T PASS UP! www.rpmmag.com

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C

heshire England’s Mark Todd is certainly no stranger to quick fast street legal rides that can be thrashed on the strip at the drop of a hat, but his most recent car, this Aston Martin V8 Vantage, is hands down his wildest creation to date.

“This car really started in 2016 with me buying an engine that I really didn’t need”, Todd said with a smile. The engine, a Pat Musi 565Ci all-aluminum mill based on a New Century block, was a solid deal as it came from a trusted person within the United Kingdom car community, Colin Millar.

The call Todd received from Millar was not necessarily one soliciting the

WELCOME TO

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august 2020 | RPM Magazine

Within its first 10 passes under the Aston ran its first 6-second ¼ on slicks in fall of 2019 while past the 60-f

sale of the engine, but rather it was more asking for his take on what it might be worth. The engine itself had been imported to the UK a few years earlier by another name in the local scene and through a series of trades and deals became the property of Millar. Before long, Millar would offer the engine to Todd at a deal that would be hard to resist; “I really, really did not need an engine right now, especially with no car to put it in, but before I knew it I found myself buying it,” continued Todd. Although the purchase sounds impulsive, it wasn’t done without knowing what he was getting. The heads were of particular interest; “they are spread port 14deg made

O THE SIXES!

Mark’s ownership and control, ¼-mile elapsed time at Santa Pod e carrying the front left wheel foot marker.

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A TWO SEATER

A street car should always be able to carry at least 2 people!

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august 2020 | RPM Magazine

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in association with Brodix by a now defunct company called EPD. EPD stands for Engine Prototype Design and was a company run by Larry Olsen in the States,” he said.

So now he had an engine, but no car to put it in… a scenario no doubt some of us have found ourselves in. But that didn’t last long. After having the engine gone through and made more “street friendly”, it merely sat in the garage as a back-up for his Street Eliminator UK series 1965 GTO (featured in RPM MAG, July 2012).

For those readers more recently joining our RPM MAG family, let’s give a quick recap of Street Eliminator UK (SE UK). Billed as the “home of the quickest & fastest street legal cars in Britain”, the

CHECK, CHECK and CHECK All systems go and ready for the next hit, aside from the rain delay.

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august 2020 | RPM Magazine

Your Performance Answer.

Trick Flow GenX® 185 cylinder heads for naturally aspirated GM LT1 can produce the big power numbers you crave. The reduced 21° valve angles increase piston-to-valve clearance, unshrouding the combustion chambers and boosting airflow.

Power-building Fast As Cast® runners deliver CNC-style flow without the high cost of actual CNC-porting—saving you money that can be used to buy even more go-fast parts! Then there’s the GenX® 185’s other standard features: A356-T61 aluminum castings, 2.020"/1.600" stainless valves, PAC Racing Pacaloy™ valve springs, ductile iron valve seats, bronze alloy valve guides, and the ability to reuse all stock sensors and fittings.

Dyno Results

Airflow Results

GenX 185

Test Engine: 10.42:1 compression 350 c.i.d. with Trick Flow GenX® 185 cylinder heads (TFS-30410008-M54), Trick Flow Track Max® hydraulic roller camshaft (TFS-31402081), Trick Flow 1.6 ratio roller rocker arms (TFS-31400513), stock GM intake manifold and 52mm throttle body, Hooker Super Competition headers with 13⁄4" primaries, 3" dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers.

GenX 185

Lift Value

Intake Flow CFM

Exhaust Flow CFM

.100"

65

48

.200"

132

111

.300"

195

151

.400"

236

182

.500"

258

198

260

206

.600"

Tests conducted at 28" of water (pressure).

Bore size: 4.030"; exhaust with 13⁄4" pipe.

Your Recipe for GM LT1 Performance!

New heads are just one component of the horsepower recipe. To make it complete, you’re going to need some more ingredients.

GenX Top-End Engine Kit Get up to 430 horsepower and 400 lbs.-ft. of torque from your GM LT1 with Trick Flow’s GenX Top-End Engine Kit. Carefully tuned by Trick Flow engineers, the kit includes GenX 185 heads, Track Max® hydraulic roller camshaft, pushrod length checker, roller rocker arms, head bolts, and a gasket set.

Track Max® Camshaft If the complete top-end kit isn’t for you, you should seriously consider the Track Max camshaft to go along with your new GenX 185 heads. It is dyno-proven to produce significant power increases over the entire RPM range, not just a particular RPM.

TFX™ Cold Air Intake Kits and Air Inlet Elbows The same engineers who designed the best LT1 heads available also developed the best cold air intakes and air inlet elbows available, too! The TFX Cold Air Intakes swap the stock airbox with a free-flow unit that dramatically increases airflow. The high-flow aluminum Air Inlet Elbow further increases airflow while adding some much-needed dress-up under the hood.

TrickFlow.com & 1-330-630-1555 2009RPCT

Some parts are not legal for sale or use on any pollution-controlled motor vehicles.

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