
Hosted by Brenton Productions · EN

After a chance meeting at an airport bar with Willie, Pinnacle Motorsports owner Travis Smith joins the podcast to map out a truly enviable automotive career. He has done it all - from managing the massive pressure and $600k budgets of crew-chiefing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series, to collaborating on custom, air-cooled Safari Porsche 911s for 1,000-mile off-road excursions in Moab. Travis also shares his philosophy on choosing real-world moments over social media, his shared muscle car roots with the guys, and his drive to just get out there and live the dream.

From concept to patent to power, Kevin and Willie delve into the journey of the RoadSkulls V-Twin Performance "Straight Shooter" air intake system that represents a revolutionary advancement in motorcycle performance technology. Creator Kevin Edgmon enlightens the guys on just how his utility-patented design is making a significant impact on engine power and responsiveness, especially on motorcycles and vehicles battling turbo lag.

Willie got his hands on the new Edelbrock VRS carburetor for his 500-ci big-block ’67 Barracuda project—but first, he had to get it past TSA. In this episode, Kevin and Willie sit down with Edelbrock’s Brent McCarthy to discuss why this 4-circuit masterpiece is a total game-changer for the industry. The conversation goes way beyond the bowl, diving into the high-tech evolution of intake manifolds—from the restrictive “gas crisis” designs of the ’70s to the legendary Performer RPM and Air Gap series.

From duct tape dilemmas to custom leather dreams, Kevin and Willie delve into the world of automotive interiors with Pat Russell of PJ's Trim Shop. Discover how a master craftsman transforms a car's cabin into a luxurious, personalized space, revealing the unexpected challenges and rewarding artistry of bespoke automotive upholstery.

Grab your engineering helmet and slip on your nerd glasses for this deep dive into the modern automotive engine. Think your engine needs back pressure or a specific 'mix' in the ports? Think again. Engineering expert Adam Christian – owner of GT40 specialty parts provider Llama Bite – joins Kevin and Willie to dismantle the biggest engine myths in the shop. From explaining why engines never actually operate in 'laminar flow' to revealing why compression ratio is often just 'decimal dust’, Adam uses his background in NASCAR and Ford OEM development to show you where the real horsepower is hiding.

Technical jobs are in high demand. Are you ready to build a career instead of racking up debt? Kevin and Willie talk with Josh Jones from Lincoln Tech about their diverse technical programs revealing how their state-of-the-art facilities and industry-aligned programs are equipping students with tangible skills and direct pathways to lucrative careers. From the surprisingly short completion times and the high demand for graduates in fields like automotive, diesel, and electrical, they discuss the compelling alternative to traditional higher education.

When the air hits -55°F, regular steel becomes brittle enough to shatter. That’s where Arctic Trucks USA comes in. Chris Ladd joins Kevin and Willie to explain the extreme engineering behind their world-famous rigs. From converting airport shuttle buses into Yellowstone beasts on 44” tires, to developing proprietary tires that "float" over deep powder, the guys dive into how these vehicles survive the most hostile terrain on Earth. Discover why "low and wide" is the golden rule for glacier stability and what it’s really like to drive 22 hours across the roadless Alaskan tundra.

Ever wonder how cars achieve that perfect balance of handling and ride comfort? How car manufacturers predict and measure the seemingly invisible movements and deflections within a vehicle's suspension system? Kevin and Willie pick the brain of Cayman Dynamics suspension expert Chris White, diving into the complex world of kinematics, compliance, and high-tech tools used by OEMs to dial in everything from comfy cruisers to track-ready machines.

As Willie B puts it, "Unlimited class is just a polite way of saying let's turn a lot of money into a lot of noise." Terry Fair of Vorshlag Motorsports wholeheartedly agrees, joining Willie and Kevin to explain why he’s walking away from the ruinous costs of the high-horsepower arms race. From a $100 junk chassis to a "disposable" engine strategy, Terry breaks down his new 2026 playbook—including a new build that is literally 1,000 pounds lighter than his previous Mustang, "Trigger." It's a master class in weight reduction, smart engineering, and finding the fun factor again by building to the limit of a class rather than the limit of your wallet.

Kevin and Willie share their often humorous and always educational tales of first engine builds, setting the stage for a deep dive into the world of reliable power via crate engines. They tap into the expertise of Mike Goodwin from Ford Performance, who provides the inside track on their extensive crate engine lineup. From robust "heritage pushrod engines” to the mind-blowing "Megazilla 2.0" targeting 1200 horsepower, Ford Performance’s crate engines are making high-end and backyard builds even easier with warrantied plug-and-play power.