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TheAutoBuilder.com

Swaps

THE ENGINE ROOM

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.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Proform’s Lightning-Bolt™ 100 AMP Mini-Alternator

Here’s the deal: If you’re wrenching on your ride and you’re still running an outdated alternator, you’re leaving performance on the table. That’s where the Proform Lightning-Bolt Alternator comes in to save the day. Built for the gearhead who wants nothing less than peak performance, this beast delivers rock-solid reliability and power when you need it most—whether you’re ripping down the quarter-mile or cruising Main Street on a Saturday night.

Product Spotlight: BTR PLATINUM LS DUAL SPRING KIT

Alright, gearheads, if you’ve been chasing that extra performance edge for your LS engine, it’s time to step up your game. The BTR Platinum LS Dual Spring Kit – .660 Lift (SK001) from Brian Tooley Racing is the go-to upgrade when you’re running a high-lift cam and want to keep things dialed in tight. Let me tell you, this kit is more than just parts in a box—it’s the insurance policy your high-performance build demands.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BTR’s Red Hot Camshaft

Alright, let’s talk camshafts—and not just any camshaft, but the BTR Red Hot Cam from Brian Tooley Racing. If you’re looking to unlock some real grunt from your LS engine and make it scream like it’s ready to tear the asphalt in half, this thing is the hot ticket. No fluff, no filler—this cam delivers straight-up power, attitude, and everything you love about LS engines dialed up to 11.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Smeding Performance’s 408″ LS3

For the hot rodder who demands usability and performance, Smeding Performance’s 408” LS3 engines are designed to take your project to the next level. These aren’t your typical cookie-cutter kits—they’re full-fledged, turnkey engine packages built to drop into your classic chassis and turn it into a road-ready rocket. Whether you’re chasing street-friendly power or show-stopping performance, Smeding has you covered with engines dialed in for hot rod perfection.

Challenging The Odds

Like old hot rods, muscle cars are getting hard to find, so as our hobby grows, different alternatives and varied approaches keep it fresh. We’ve witnessed a change in style of many of the cars being built today. No matter what the future holds, you can bet that a Mopar enthusiast will insist on having a Hemi—or another fine Mopar powerplant under the hood—whether it’s the original-style Hemi or the new, modern Hemi that’s become popular.

LS1 CAM SWAP AND DYNO TEST

When it comes to adding power to your small-block Chevy, the camshaft is an integral part of the performance equation. Luckily for owners of Chevy’s latest iteration (Gen III) of the famous small block, the modern fuel-injected LS1 responds just as well to camshaft upgrades as the LT1s, L79s and L48s of old. Naturally, cam technology has come a long way since the days of the Duntov 30-30 profile. The improvements in cam technology are important, as the new LS1 is head and shoulders above any of the old ’60s and ’70s muscle-car small blocks, regardless of the advertised power ratings.

POCKET ROCKET

The very concept of a V-8-powered Ford Focus isn’t as new as it is novel. In fact, we introduced Jerry Kugel’s install kit some years ago and then ­followed it up with the mod-motor install. But that was then, and now ASE master technician Donny Seyfer, from Wheatridge, Colorado’s Seyfer Automotive, decided to tackle the building of such a hybrid.