ELECTRIFYING TWIN-TURBO 5.0-LITER
January 3, 2025
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
GSS SUPERCHARGED DEMON
Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago became known as the world headquarters for great deals on new Dodge performance cars. This dealership fully dyno-tuned the performance cars it sold and often equipped them, as requested by the customer, with headers, bigger carburetion and other go-fast engine modifications—all right from the dealer.
The Loud Pedal
We scream out of the driveway (or was that me screaming?) and careen across the road sideways, bias-plies searching for grip. First gear loses steam almost instantly, and sometime between gears one and two things don’t mesh. Everything seems to lock up and we slide crossways onto a side road, making an unplanned turn and none too soon of a stop.
MORE IS BETTER
Delve into the power principle of better breathing in engines, focusing on the intake side and how Airaid’s intake system improves airflow to increase rear wheel horsepower by up to 18 in late-model GM trucks.
Spotlighter
Axle Conversion: One Less Nut
Swapping Over From Six- to Five-Lug Axles
Author
Josh Kaylor
Photography by Will Smith
The Need for a Lug Conversion
When updating an early truck to five-lug disc brakes up front, the six-lug rear bolt pattern should be changed to match, as this directly affects the wheel selection and fitment for the truck. Many wheel manufacturers offer three times as many five-lug wheels as six-lug. They look better, and the available styles and offsets are generally more accommodating for slammed pickups.
Converting an Old International Truck
We recently converted an old International, a truck we affectionately think of as farm fodder. We updated the truck with a Fat Man Fabrications Mustang II with a five-on-five pattern, but we still needed to match up the rears.
Choosing the Right Parts
We called the folks at Classic Performance Products in Anaheim, California. Since we have a ’65 Chevy frame hiding under our ’47 body, they had just what we needed. The ’64-’65 Chevrolet axle conversion kit comes complete with everything needed to swap your axles to a five-on-five pattern, including a brand-new set of axles, drums, wheel studs, and a rear differential gasket. The kit includes everything to complete the installation except two quarts of gear fluid.
Step-by-Step Guide
In just a few hours and with a 50-pound bag of Oil-Dri, we had the rear completed. Should you face a similar problem, check out the highlights of our swap.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Classic Performance Products, Inc. (CPP)
378 E Orangethorpe Ave.
Placentia CA 92870
Tech Line 714-522-2000
