MONEY-SAVING, BIG-VALVE PERFORMANCE UPGRADE
September 21, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Delphi 600 Series Power Steering Upgrade by Borgeson
This upgrade is a perfect match for a range of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles, including the 1971-1973 Mustangs and other full-size models from 1965 to 1977. To accommodate the new steering box input shaft, the factory steering coupler must be replaced. This ensures a perfect fit and optimal performance. Borgeson offers hose kits designed for both stock Ford pumps and their Saginaw P/S pump upgrade kits, guaranteeing seamless integration with existing power steering components.
SEMA 2023 Product Showcase
Explore the highlights of SEMA Show 2023 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, featuring exclusive videos of the latest automotive performance products, vehicle trends, and expert-led sessions from this premier event for car enthusiasts and industry pros, only on The Auto Builder.
PROJECT ’67
In the long continuation of our Project ’67, the 1967 Chevrolet C10 buildup, several major components and systems have been previously addressed, most notably the Goodwrench LQ4 6.0-liter 366ci Escalade engine buildup by Arizona Speed & Marine. This included the versatile Magnuson Radix supercharger, 4L60E transmission and numerous performance parts and accessories. Continuing along those performance lines and all-out fashion, we would need to contend with the great amount of power this engine package would deliver. Initially, we can’t say that the stock brakes on the C10 were ever designed for the shear torque that would be applied to these assemblies, so it would eventually be necessary to address the stopping performance as well as the go performance. And, after all, brake upgrading was a part of this project plan from the beginning.
Spotlighter
Drop ‘N’ Stop
January 26, 2026
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Getting a ’55 Chevy to sit at the right ride height is as easy as installing a set of 2-inch drop spindles, such as those from Superior Spindles and others. Getting the big ol’ car to slow down offers many more choices as well, and as long as you’re swapping spindles it is an excellent time to install those long-overdue disc brakes. When you think about it, it doesn’t make good sense to put a newly rebuilt tri-5 Chevy on the same road with stock OE cars with ABS four-wheel disc brakes. If ever you came upon a situation where a car ahead of you had to stop in an emergency situation, the performance of even a stock set of disc brakes will far “outdistance” your drum setup, meaning you would not be able to stop in time and could well end up in the trunk of the car ahead of you. Not good.
LIGHTEN UP
January 3, 2023
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The new E46 BMW M3 comes equipped with some serious OE HID headlights, but what if you’re still not happy? You want something different; you want to add some spice to your headlight setup. Well, this story is just for you.
Beyond the Elite 10
September 13, 2024
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The 2024 Triple Crown of Rodding at Nashville Superspeedway brought the heat, and while the Elite 10 took home the big glory, don’t sleep on the rest of the Top 30 winners. These rides didn’t snag the top spots, but they’re anything but second-rate. This show is a heavyweight showdown, and these builds were ready to rumble.
Drop It Right
August 16, 2024
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The C10 series of Chevy pickups is generally accepted as being the best-looking early pickups from the land of Bow Ties. But the one problem is that the factory fit them with roughly the same ride height as a 4×4. We suppose the guys who bought and used these trucks as trucks liked them that way, but the rest of us prefer them down in front. Having read nothing but truck magazines all your adult life, you know that there are many ways to lower a truck, from melting the springs with a torch all the way to installing forged aluminum IFS A-arms. We’ve read a couple of magazines ourselves and can tell you the safest, most affordable and simplest way.
IN ARM’S WAY
December 19, 2022
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Maximum’s design replaces the upper control arms with a torque arm and a Panhard rod, each of which has only one job rather than two. The Panhard rod centers the axle from side to side, and the torque arm controls pinion angle. Assigning each of these duties to separate components allows each piece to be better at its one job than the stock upper control arms are at either job. The torque arm is essentially a three-link design, and Maximum claims that it improves traction so much that after installation you may have to alter your sway bars to prevent understeer.
Mach 91
January 14, 2025
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MPS Auto Salvage (800/236-1156) is a name you probably already know if you’ve ever been in the market for quality used parts for Fox-body and newer Mustangs. This Winder, Georgia, salvage yard specializes in Ford’s pony car, and the company has both a huge inventory of parts and totaled cars and all the knowledge you’d need for parts-interchange questions. And since the guys at MPS are all enthusiasts, we wonder if the foxes are guarding the henhouse. Judging from the look of this MPS-built ’91 Mustang coupe, the answer is most definitely yes—but that’s just fine with us.
Bluebird of Speed
July 11, 2024
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Roadsters have an appeal that’s hard to beat—especially ’32s. No matter where you go, they’re all the rage. It’s not just the hand-built one-offs we’re talking about either; it’s real street roadsters that scream at the heart of cool. For instance, take a close look at Chris Boutilier’s slick ’32. Chris has managed to blend the past with the present, while adding his own pizzazz. His roadster not only looks right, but it also drives like a dream and easily wins awards when he chooses to show it off.
Instrumental Insurance
January 26, 2026
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All of your hard work and efforts could go up in smoke before you have a chance to do anything about it. That is, unless you have a quality set of gauges to monitor initial and ongoing engine parameters. Gauges allow you to know exactly what is going on within your engine at a glance. Is the oil pressure too low? Is the engine running hot? Is the battery charging?
Conquering Curves & Cones
May 15, 2024
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Picture this: the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a hotbed of horsepower and adrenaline. The Track X challenge unfolded on a 2.4-mile stretch of asphalt, with 12 turns just waiting to test the skills of drivers from all walks of life. But hold onto your hats, ’cause it ain’t just about making it through those corners unscathed.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: The Accusump by Canton Racing Products
December 31, 2024
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Here’s the deal: if you’ve got a V-8 or a high-horsepower V-6 or 4-banger and you’re not running an Accusump, you’re gambling with your engine’s life. The 24-006 Accusump 3 Qt No Valve is one of those pieces of gear you slap on and immediately wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. It’s been saving engines—and wallets—for over 30 years. Let’s break it down.
15 Tech Tips
July 16, 2023
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I have been working as a marine tech for about five years now, and one thing I have learned is that you have to be somewhat of a contortionist to deal with some boats. I have learned many things that can make the job a lot less painful. If you find yourself in a situation with your own boat that seems impossible, try calling your local marine shop. Chances are that the experts there will be able to give you some advice to help you through the problem. Meanwhile, here are a few tips to help you out with some common problems you may run into.
BRACE FOR IMPACT
December 1, 2022
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Even more than 40 years ago, Ford understood the importance of preventing body flex in order to allow a suspension to maintain proper geometry. The earliest Mustangs came with front shock tower braces to prevent uncontrollable suspension articulation, caused when both upper ends of the shock towers flex inward. The need to prevent such flex is still important today, and the principle applies to the rear shock towers as well as to the fronts.
