In the world of high-performance builds, attention to detail sets great cars apart from the rest. That’s why Factory Performance™ Parts, a division of PROFORM® Parts, has taken a fresh approach to a time-tested workhorse with the launch of the new Slant-Edge 100 Amp Alternators—a stylish, high-output evolution of the iconic GM 10SI. Designed for those who care as much about what’s under the hood as how it looks when the hood is up, the Slant-Edge delivers form and function in equal measure.
It’s a classic type of buildup: a big-block 396 in a ’66 Chevrolet El Camino, sprayed a glorious red with in-your-face yellow flames. Meticulously created by Bob Nation of Twin Falls, Idaho, like so many great builds, this one comes with a story.
Whether you’re in the driver’s seat or looking underneath the hood, it’s the first place enthusiasts come to find out what a car is all about. After all, without the right engine package, everything we long for in our cars would be nothing more than static displays of creative artistry.
There are all kinds of daily drivers: those called drivers because they have a few road miles on them, so they are not considered show cars; and those that are true daily drivers because they represent your only mode of transportation. Most rodders have been there at one time or another, when all we had were our hot rods to drive. The stories are endless about how these cars were transformed from grocery-getter to show car, but it happens. You use the car for family needs throughout the winter months and then clean it up come spring, maybe even paint the fenders, and enter it in a local rod show.
There are SEMA vehicles, and then there are SEMA vehicles. Do you want an explanation? Okay, all SEMA vehicles are built to show off a company’s part, but some vehicles are “built” with only that part on it and are otherwise stock. While we won’t say that these vehicles are totally a waste of time—some have shown a great deal of imagination—for the most part they don’t capture our attention, nor are they what you would consider to be mainstream vehicles.
When it comes to squeezing every ounce of power and performance out of your ride, the details make the difference. Headers and mufflers might steal the show, but let’s not overlook a serious player in the game: oval exhaust tubing. And if you’re in the know, you’ve probably heard of Stainless Headers Mfg. Inc.—a company we respect for their top-notch craftsmanship and American-made quality.
When it comes to muscle, power, and performance, you can’t beat a big block Chevy. And if you want to harness that raw power, there’s no better way to do it than with a custom set of headers. Enter the Pro Series Big Block Chevy Round Port Custom Header Build Kit from Stainless Headers Mfg. Inc. – the ultimate toolkit for any serious fabricator.
We here at The Auto Builder understand that when it comes to performance, every component counts. That’s why the Canton Racing Products GM LS1/LS6 Front Sump Road Race and Drift Pan has earned a top spot on our must-have list for any serious gearhead looking to elevate their game.
Jerry McMullan is a long-time Chevy fan, and when he wanted to find a cool daily driver, he knew two things. The first was that the vehicle would be a Chevy, and the second was that he knew it had to be black. Having been the proud owner of a couple of previous ’67-’72 Chevys (a ’70 Chevelle SS and a ’70 El Camino SS), he knew that that the style suited him, so he thought that a pickup from those years would be just right for what he had in mind. After a little searching, he came across this ’71 Chevy Cheyenne. McMullan says that the truck was in fair condition when he purchased it (for the now-reasonable, though still hard to believe, price of $11,000), and thus began his three-year odyssey of building his perfect pickup.
If there’s one thing we can’t stress enough, it’s the importance of keeping your engine cool. That’s why we’re pumped about the Canton Racing Products Universal Aluminum Coolant Expansion Fill Tank. This baby is an absolute game-changer for anyone looking to optimize their vehicle’s cooling system.
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