Two Guys Garage Podcast

Today’s paint jobs – both factory and aftermarket – are expensive. Exposure to the elements and improper care can wreak havoc and leave your ride looking sad. Adam Pitale has made it his life’s mission to perfect automotive protection with a fleet of easy-to-use products bearing his name. “So many people want an easier mousetrap,” the creator of Adam’s Polishes tells the guys. The secret is “a simpler process they can drive a clean car all the time and don’t have to spend all their free time cleaning it.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin and Willie kick off Season 3 with a gripping conversation about one of the fastest-growing aftermarket categories flying under the radar – tire tech. Finding the right tire for your application is critical and may just be THE single biggest performance-related aspect of your vehicle. Ron Elliot of Hercules Tires is on hand to discuss the latest rip-roaring advances in all things rubber, from rock crawling to mudslinging, swamp to street. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two of the biggest impacts you can make on an older car or hot rod are upgrading to a modern transmission and installing air conditioning. While the former is a no-brainer, the latter may come as a bit of a surprise to anyone not already familiar with Vintage Air. Since 1976, the company has significantly impacted the world of hot rodding by bringing air conditioning systems to cars you would never expect to have them. Rick Love chats with Kevin and Willie about the advancements the company’s made and continues to make, most notably its SureFit systems suitable for vehicles that never had A/C, and which are designed specifically for the DIYer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Photojournalist and die-hard magazine guy “REVan” Evan Smith’s had his finger on the pulse of performance and racing for as long as he or anyone else can remember. In this all-new chat with the guys, he talks about making the transition from print to video to digital, and the need to keep pace with rapidly changing technology and the distribution systems central to reaching car folks wherever they are. And for folks wondering how to get your car into your favorite publication he offers some great dos and don’ts you’ll definitely want to hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to state-of-the-art fuel pumps and regulators, Aeromotive is at the forefront of R&D in the field, pioneering innovative new options for easily modifying a gas tank for a drop-in, in-tank solution. In fact, their small brushless gear pumps can now deliver as much as five, seven, even 10 gallons per minute! As Technical Director Brett Clow explains to the guys, “It’s just amazing how things have changed. We’re at a point today where if somebody calls and says they’re not making 1000 hp at least, we’re like, ‘What’s wrong?!’” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SVTPerformance.com is THE go-to online forum for anything performance-related in the Ford world. Launched by Travis Hill in late 2000, today it numbers nearly 200,000 members and counting. “It is just a massive community of Ford enthusiasts who share a passion for just going fast,” Hill tells the guys, compelling even lifelong Mopar fan Willie B to take notice. “Make it, break it, build it better; get out there and have some fun!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Use of a manual transmission has become something of a dying art. But for those in the know, the manual remains a potent tool, especially TREMEC’s TKX 5-speed transmission. Just ask Bruce Couture of Modern Driveline. He’s been pointing and shooting and shifting for 25 years. “Whether it’s gas powered or electric, there’s just so many options, so many different platforms, we’re building all kinds of stuff… everything from the ‘30s to modern day muscle,” he tells the guys. “I don’t even flinch when people talk about 1200 and 1500 hp anymore.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in the day, you had maybe two options for hoses – rubber and steel braided. Today, with so many different combinations to choose from, it can be downright overwhelming. What, why, and how to run the right lines is the domain of Brint McLellan, Technical Analyst at Fragola Performance Systems. Brint joins the guys to discuss the big mistakes, pros and cons, dos and don’ts of selecting and plumbing a wide array of fluid lines, from fuel to power steering, cooling to brakes, nitrous to racing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer is upon us, and who better to help prep for the season than the Einstein of Additives himself, Chris Gabrelcik of Hot Shot’s Secret. With the price of a 3000-mile oil change skyrocketing to a whopping $300 or more, how would you like to never change the oil in your ride ever again? “You just have to do one or two oil analyses and it pretty much sets the record for you for the rest of your life.” Dirt in oil is like cholesterol in your blood – it needs to be diagnosed and treated. “It’s not crazy, wizardry stuff. It’s Dawn soap, it’s the same kind of concept.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin’s old college buddy Ernesto Roedenbeck joins the guys for a little throttle therapy on the ins and outs of dirt biking. Willie refers to it as “Dirt Church” and Kevin as “the best video game ever,” where the #1 objective is to stay safe and not get killed. Dirt, sand, wheels up, wheels down, it’s all a blast, so grab your gear, boots and all, and strap in for a wild offroad adventure! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MuscleCars at the Strip is the biggest event of its kind in the world; a what’s hot, what’s not annual gathering of both modern and classic muscle. Phil Painter of JP Motorsports is the man behind the curtain, and today he joins the guys to talk about the latest trends and most iconic vehicles. “Taking modern technology and putting it into those older bodies and waking those cars up, I think that’s a real bonus to the whole muscle car enthusiast platform.” The trio also debates the top 5 muscle cars of all time, including a few that are guaranteed to raise an eyebrow or two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Livernois Motorsports & Engineering is the Detroit area’s one-stop shop for performance, service, and tuning. With all 22 lifts in the air and additional vehicles waiting underneath – driven largely by overwhelming demand for F-150 upgrades – the place is busting at the seams. Company president Dan Millen grabs a moment to catch his breath and talk with the guys about everything from supply chain related back orders, to crate engines, the EV evolution, and the future of ICE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyle Tucker is widely acknowledged as a groundbreaker in the development of pro-touring, although he admits that he didn’t quite see it coming. “It was really just good timing and some luck,” he tells Kevin and Willie. “We were just out there being geeky engineers wanting to test our parts, but we were marketing at the same time, and it did a lot for the company in the early days.” The evolution of Detroit Speed from grassroots beginnings to industry juggernaut, on this episode of Two Guys Garage Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RECARO Automotive is renowned for the ergonomics and design of its seats, highly engineered to ensure optimal safety and comfort. Global VP of Product Development & Brand, Nicole Longhini-McElroy, stops by to enlighten the guys about a whole lot more than just derrieres in chairs, especially the “importance of your body and fatigue in a vehicle, and how can you prevent that and give people the ultimate enjoyment of their vehicle.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to Willie, there’s “not a better buddy to show up to your house on a weekend and say, ‘Hey, you wanna do some welding?!’” than the Wizard of Welding himself, Bob Bitzky. Trainer, teacher, professor, product developer; you name it, Bob’s done it. Today he joins the guys to lay down some serious knowledge about welding in general and TIG, chromoly, and aluminum in particular. “If you’re a steel welder and I’m gonna take you over to the aluminum side,” he notes, “I may have to remove your brain and turn it around inside your head.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Willie’s view, it represents “everything outside the car that means more than the car.” It’s your own personal Garage Mahal, “the getaway spot where you go to find your soul,” says Kevin. “My garage is where I go to find myself.” Today the guys welcome Brian McNamara of Gearhead Homes to lead them through the ins and outs of searching for, identifying, and purchasing the perfect place. “I find people a garage with an attached house,” he tells them. “You need the bedrooms for the toys, too.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having recently driven the new 2023 Roush Mustang, even diehard Mopar guy Willie B must (grudgingly) give Ford its due. This is music to the ears of both Kevin and today’s guest, Jim Kemp, 28-year veteran of Roush Performance and manager of its Crate Engine Program. As what was once unimaginable becomes possible and modern horsepower wars intensify, “Everybody’s trying to make the meanest, nastiest, just most unbelievable product out there,” notes Kemp. “And I get a front row seat to all of that.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin and Willie welcome back Dave Smith, President/CEO at Factory Five Racing and one of their first guests from the podcast’s inception. A lot’s happened since then, but enthusiasm for FFR’s kit cars hasn’t waned a bit. “When you think about the satisfaction you get just from mowing your yard,” observes Kevin, “just magnify that by 10 bazillion!” From mistakes made and lessons learned to what’s new on the horizon, the guys have a lot of catching up to do! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acknowledging that “we’re always learning,” Kevin and Willie embark upon a fond trip down memory lane, citing some major lessons they’ve learned along the way. Like the importance of strapping down whatever it is you’re moving, and why not to use a fire extinguisher on an engine. Or the danger of running nitrous at the wrong temp, and the wisdom of making everything foolproof. “There’s so much strength in the struggle, and typically one of your best means to educate yourself is your last mistake,” notes Willie, “and isn’t that really what makes the story so great?” Adds Kevin, “There is no better way to learn and never forget than to just screw something up.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reggie Wynn returns to the podcast for the first time since our inaugural episode and suffice it to say, there’ve been some pretty big developments in turbo tech since then. Turbonetics and Precision Turbo are now making units capable of producing up to 3000 horsepower, and their parent company is the only aftermarket manufacturer offering class-specific turbochargers. “This is the Golden Age of four-digit horsepower,” Kevin excitedly notes. “We are drug addicted with this stuff!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Tetz has been a professional painter, teacher, and well-known TV host for decades. His wealth of knowledge and easygoing delivery style have made him THE go-to guy for novices and DIYers. As he tells Kevin and Willie in today’s episode, “The difference between a painter and a paint gun owner is your ability to get yourself out of trouble,” which is something everyone should both expect and embrace. Don’t be afraid to mess things up, he says, because “experience is the ultimate teacher… just get in there and do it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the top builders in the world, Levi Green of Hammer Fab is clearly on another level, crushing the stance on his unique creations with bad-ass attitude. The winner of the Ridler Award, Street Rod of the Year, Legend Cup and Barrett-Jackson Cup two times each(!) joins Kevin and Willie to discuss his work, his art, the state of 3D printing, the high cost of new technology, and his passion for training other professional builders how to reach their full potential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With winter in the rearview mirror, Kevin and Willie welcome spring and the reawakening of their own automotive dreams. “We’re cars all day long, every waking moment, we’ve got our shows, we’ve got our day jobs,” notes Kevin, “but it’s always about finding our time and what we want to do for ourselves.” Willie’s got his sights set on reviving several projects, including his “Anti-Bandit” Trans-Am, 1980 Blazer, and purple 1970 Charger 500 (1 of 9 Chargers!). Meanwhile, Kevin’s jazzed about his ’65 Mustang Fastback, projected to take him 5 years to complete. “I wanna dive into somewhere I’m not sure I can swim and keep my head above water,” he says about the A-Z build. “I’m gonna see if I can drown and somehow get out of it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin and Willie groove about the first five project vehicles they’ve completed on Season 21 of the TV show – upgrading a ’68 Camaro to EFI; repairing a ’12 Super Bee with serious piston damage; decking out a pair of ‘22 Broncos; and equipping a brand-new Jeep Gladiator for overlanding. Along the way they share some of the personal projects they’re working on and provide a few tips from lessons they’ve each learned over the years, sometimes the hard way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 22 of the Two Guys Garage TV show kicks off with Kevin and Willie executing an LS swap on a ‘94 Chevy Old Body Style pickup, complete with EFI from FiTech. VP Mike Wahl joins the guys for a deep dive on how surprisingly simple it is to upgrade to fuel injection, which for a long time was considered hugely intimidating. “We definitely pride ourselves on trying to make the simplicity side of the user end as easy as possible,” notes Mike, as well as affordable. And with 500 new parts numbers unveiled on April 1, that’s no joke! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the TV show, the guys did a serious upgrade on a super cool “Green Go” 2017 Dodge Challenger. On this week’s podcast, they detail how they took this V6(!) making 305 hp and 255 mph at the tires and suped it up with a RIPP Supercharger and Power Stop Z26 Street Warrior Brakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A successful suspension upgrade does not have to break the bank and can be done on just about any ride over the course of a weekend. As Kevin points out, “Sometimes you just need to upgrade a couple of key components, add some stiffness, and wow, the fun factor goes flying!” Kyle Briese of BMR Suspension couldn’t agree more. “You can literally transform a car by just adding a couple simple bolt-on parts,” he tells the guys. “You can take it from boring to being way more exciting to drive just by simple stuff, and you can do it with just a handful of parts.” Stick around and find out how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having recently upgraded a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500, the guys wax rhapsodic about their love affair with trucks – all kinds of trucks – and some of the really cool tools they’ve been working with lately on the TV show and in their own garages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By his own admission, the way Terry Fair does things is probably not the way your typical racer would. The owner of Vorshlag Motorsports “needs a car that handles pretty badly, cause the worse it is from the factory, the more we can improve upon it.” Terry’s unorthodox methodology has driven some remarkable results, netting track time improvements from milliseconds to multiple seconds. As he explains to Kevin and Willie, “Most cars are pretty terrible, and that’s great for the aftermarket, it gives us a lot of things to fix.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Jim Chadick, life was a choice between being a rock star or a car guy. While the former didn’t quite work out, the CEO of Performance Online has no regrets. Jim and his Operations Manager Larry Ashley join the guys to reflect on how tastes have changed from the early 90s – when how you looked in a car or truck was all that mattered – through today, where owners want classics to handle like modern cars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clint Cannon of ATS Diesel is on a mission to save the world, one diesel truck at a time. Rather than consigning older trucks to the scrap heap, he’s an outspoken proponent of retrofitting them with newer, more efficient parts and pieces to keep them on the road and running better than ever. “He makes everything bulletproof,” says Willie. “He’s one of those guys where, if it’s Clint tested and approved, you know you’re getting a good product.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Confused about the virtues of a dry sump oil system vs. wet sump? The mystery will be revealed when John Schwarz, President of Aviaid, joins the guys to explain what it is, how it works, and why it may be your best bet for eliminating the need to constantly watch your oil pressure gauge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Visner’s life took a hard right turn when he altered his career path from pre-med to engine building, and in the process forever changed both his life and the future of racing. As Kevin says while introducing Dave in this episode, “When you want to win, you call this guy,” especially when it comes to the advantages of billet versus casting. As Dave tells the guys, “The more we learn, we realize how little we used to know.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The bearing is arguably the most overlooked part of the engine. It looks very simple but it’s actually a very precisely designed and manufactured component that must be both strong and soft at the same time. Today Ron Sledge of King Engine Bearings joins the guys to break down what goes into them and discuss how to pick the right one for your application. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willie set SEMA abuzz back in 2021 with his ’66 Charger build, a handcrafted labor of love he nicknamed “Sick Six Six” that he and his pal Mike Ruth displayed at the Heidts booth. Today the pair reunite to reflect on the project and its impact, while also delving into a host of related aftermarket topics. “It’s fun getting to design new stuff,” says Mike, but “the best part is getting to drive it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin’s buddy of 25 years, Doug DeLong, left the frozen tundra of Detroit for the great outdoors of Colorado, where he founded Well Sorted Automotive to celebrate the wide world of overlanding. As he tells the guys, “Most of what we’re doing is kind of that lifestyle of living the off-grid camp life,” largely by converting vintage trucks for off-roading, adventuring, and camping. Putting modern power in some of these old school platforms and bringing them back to life combines nostalgia with a cool factor that Willie and Kevin absolutely love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Kevin and Willie address how to get the best quality air for the job you’re doing, while saving some big bucks in the process. Mitch Halverson of RapidAir is on hand with key pointers about the right ways – and more importantly, the wrong ones – to plumb air. From home garage kits to large scale manufacturing facilities, find out what you need in terms of fittings, hoses, connectors, and a whole lot more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From science and engineering to technology and design, Bob Bitzky has seen and done everything there is to see and do in the mysterious world of welding. Over the course of his nearly half-century career as a professional welder – including 35+ of them at ESAB – he has become one of the foremost experts at torching molten steel. Kevin and Willie tap into his massive knowledge base for a lesson that will absolutely blow their minds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Copeland was a fixture at GM Performance for 25 years before striking out on his own and eventually purchasing Arrington Performance. As a diehard HEMI guy, he’s currently targeting 2500+ hp as the highly achievable future of hot rodding. Beyond that, he’s at the forefront of a movement to popularize an entirely green form of fuel consumption, telling the guys that “we’re on a path to emission-certify hydrogen as an alternative fuel as a zero-emission approach for virtually any gasoline or diesel burning engine.” And he’s got the results to prove it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wannabe builders Willie and Kevin welcome National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Famer Tim Strange for a personal tour through his storied career. From farm life to hot rod hero, from owner of Strange Motion to host of TV’s “Search & Restore”, Tim has amassed a prolific and wide-ranging body of work that is the envy of many… not least of all Willie, who recently debuted his first official SEMA build and eagerly awaits Tim’s appraisal of the finished project. But will it measure up? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The name “Godzilla” instantly conjures images of the mythological monster who’s wreaked havoc in the minds of moviegoers for multiple generations. Most recently it has also become the moniker of a massive mountain of machinery from the folks at Ford, perhaps the ultimate OE crate engine to date. Brian Wolfe of Willis Performance Enterprises, since retired from Ford, is the godfather of this creation and was critical in its development. Kevin and Willie are beyond excited to pick his brain about this powerful beast, capable of 900 hp right out of the box. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Johnson of Induction Solutions returns to the podcast to address the question, “Is nitrous the forgotten power adder?” (Spoiler alert: That’s a resounding, “No!”) As Willie is quick to point out, “Bang for buck, you can’t do it more affordably and safer than nitrous nowadays,” to which Kevin adds, “And it’s a heck of a lot of fun!” From the evolution of the I-S Holey Moley nitrous plate system that delivers 625+ hp, to direct port systems and progressive controllers, the guys reveal common hurdles and myths about nitrous and offer these sage words of advice: Beware the internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to Travis Hill, SVTPerformance.com has been “the go-to place on the internet if you want to know anything about any Ford Performance vehicle,” and he would know: he’s had his finger on the pulse of the entire landscape of Ford Performance-type stuff for well over two decades. As Willie says, “There’s never been a better time to be a car enthusiast, just because of the capability of these platforms and what you’re able to do with them now,” to which Travis adds that this latest Bronco model “is basically the ultimate expression of the Raptor model lineup from Ford.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For nearly 60 years Detroit Autorama has hosted one of the most coveted competitions in custom car building, the prestigious Ridler Award. Recently returned from this year’s edition, noted designer Murray Pfaff regales the guys with all there was to see and do, including his very own D Lot – a 7,000 square foot “3-ring circus, portfolio, showcase, and epicenter” featuring a curated display of 9 one-of-a-kind vehicles and a Make-a-Wish Michigan online auction that awarded $40,000 in amazing gearhead prizes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Tooley has enjoyed a storied professional and racing career defined by his relentless pursuit of power. Today “The King of Cams” returns to the podcast to reveal the latest technological breakthroughs at BTR, where “one of the things we’ve really doubled-down on is quality and durability.” To illustrate his point, he’s got a big announcement regarding a new cylinder head design that’s destined to become a gamechanger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Horsepower is like a drug; you race somebody and beat ‘em, you can’t wait to race the next guy.” So says John Meaney, the man behind the powerhouse that is Big Stuff 3. A trained engineer and passionate hot rodder, he makes some of the biggest power you’ve ever seen. According to Kevin, “it’s like a whole vehicle management rocket ship computer,” something Willie knows all about firsthand from running the products on his own cars. So, strap in for this one, it’s going to be a very fast ride! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holbrook Racing Engines has built quite a name and reputation for itself, all founded on a family dynasty spanning three generations: Carl, his son Chris, and now his son Del. As Kevin notes, among them they’ve got “all the secrets, the recipes from the chassis side, the driving side, the engine side.” Chief among these: the Cobra Jet they’re currently campaigning that can make up to 2000 hp with a 5L Coyote spinning at over 11,000 rpm. Admits Del, “it’s just huge shoes to fill.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Livernois Motorsports and Engineering is making great modern horsepower come alive in your car, and they’re doing it in the easiest and simplest of ways. “Everything today starts with the tuner, it’s the cheapest mod you can do,” co-founder Dan Millen tells the guys. With 27 lifts and 45-50 cars in the shop at any given time, this self-described die-hard Ford guy turned die-hard everything guy is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible both on and off the track. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fireball Brands’ Achilles Thomas drops by to chat with the guys about some shared passions, including transmissions, engines, brakes, diesel trucks, and the various e-commerce sites he’s created to serve the aftermarket. Beyond that, he’s actively developing Lead Foot City, “America’s First Automotive Theme Park” located on 80 acres of a former chicken farm outside Tampa. Replete with a burnout drift pad, 1/8-mile dragstrip, drift and autocross track, and amphitheater for mega concerts, he promises “it’s gonna be the most unique automotive enthusiast complex probably in the whole country, maybe the world.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As president of Factory Five Racing, Dave Smith is the poster child for pride in ownership. The “Built, Not Bought®” kit car company has weathered its share of storms over the course of 27 years, with the last year-and-a-half being “both the most challenging and maybe a lot of fun, too, but not in the way I thought.” Consider this: There are 4500 parts in one kit, and with 10 kits sold in an average week, that’s 45,000 parts leaving the building in a single week. Add a global pandemic to the mix and, as Dave tells the guys, things get complicated real fast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices