Expo 2023 Now Available!
Watch the Engine Performance Expos
Expo 2023 – Episode 17 – Tech 101: Ultrasonic Cleaning
Lake and Ben break down the 4 components of cleaning (time, temp, concentration and agitation) and demo ultrasonic cleaning to easily deliver cleaner parts.
Expo 2023 – Episode 16 – Roundtable: Competition Engine Development
Mark Cronquist, Ben Strader, Keith Dorton, Jon Kaase, and George Bryce sit down to talk about “the race within racing” — developing competition engines.
Expo 2023 – Episode 15 – Tech 101: Setting Ring End Gap
Lake heads down to Jimmy Barton's Hot Rod Garage to get Jimmy's answers to one of the questions he hears most often: “how big should the ring end gap be?”
Expo 2023 -Episode 14 – Roundtable: Industry Economic Outlook
A slate of "Captains of the Performance Engine Industry" give their take on the state of the economy and its current and future impact on the business of racing
Expo 2023 – Episode 13 – Tech 101: EFI & Clutches
Lake Speed Jr and Team Total Seal reveal why the laptop is a critical component to ensure that fuel delivery works with the clutch to get the shift off clean
Expo 2023 – Episode 12 – Featured Engine Build: Corrosion Prevention
Lake Speed Jr and his profilometer show how even a little oxidation can alter cylinder wall surfaces and how to prevent it with the help of a fogging spray.
Episode 1 – Get Boosted! How to get 1,000HP from a stock stroke
In the final episode we sit down with our guests for a wrap-up of what we learned and share a few final thoughts from the three days of the first Expo event.
Episode 2 – Align Boring vs Align Honing
We dive deep into Align boring and honing do's, don't, theories, tips and trade-offs with live demos and Q&A from Rottler's Ed Kiebler and AERA's Chuck Lynch
Episode 3 – Engine Builder Interview : Jon Kaase
In episode 3 Joe and Lake sat down for a live interview and audience Q&A with the legendary engine builder, Jon Kaase. Episode originally aired October 13, 2021
Episode 4 – Advance Tech Feature : Anatomy of a Hydraulic Roller Lifter
In Expo2 episode 4 engine building legend John Callies gives us an advanced course in the anatomy and use of hydraulic roller lifters
Episode 5 – Business Opportunities : Profit is Not a Dirty Word
Lake Speed Jr sits down with Chris Straub of Straub Technologies to talk about the secrets to running a successful shop in the engine building industry
Episode 6 : Engine Builder Interview – Roy Johnson
Lake and Joe sit down with drag racing hall-of-famer Roy Johnson of for a wide ranging talk about his experiences and his "30-year overnight success."
Episode 7 – How Speeds, Feeds & Lube Affect Surface Finish
Lake and Ed site down with Don Miller and dive into speeds, feeds and lube and getting that perfect grind every time. Part 1 of a 2 part can't miss episode.
Episode 7 – How Speeds, Feeds & Lube Affect Surface Finish (Pt 2)
Three of the industry's leading experts dive into the tools, tips and techniques they and their customers use to get the ideal finish and engine performance
Episode 8 – REM Finishing and Diesel of the Day with SoCal Diesel
We go inside REM finishing with Shaver Racing's "Dyno" Don MacAskill, then head on over to SoCal Diesel to talk Duramax Diesel performance
Episode 9 – Block Work
The guys head over to CNC Blockworks to go through the steps and best practices in prepping and machining an iron LS block to build their boosted engine.
Episode 10 – Fulltime Schooling and a Career in Engine Building
In this episode, we look at careers in engine building, heading down to Houston to learn why "if you can put chips on the ground, you'll always have a career."
Episode 11 – Engine Builder Interview : Warren Johnson
In this episode Lake and Joe sit down with the Professor of Pro Stock, Warren Johnson to talk about his career in racing and his new best-selling biography.
Episode 12 – Day 1 Closing Roundtable
In the final segment of day 1 Joe and Lake sit down for a roundtable on careers in the industry with Roy Johnson, John Callies, Warren Johnson, and Jon Kaase.
Episode 13 – Tech 101: Bore Geometry
Ed & Lake head into the shop for a Tech 101 on Bore Geometry and the tools, techniques, and considerations you'll need to hone a cylinder for perfect ring seal.
Episode 14 – Balancing
In pursuit of 1,000 HP for his engine, Lake Speed Jr heads down to Georgia to learn from CWT Industries' Randy Neal the whys and hows of perfect balancing.
Episode 15 – Engine Builder Interview : Scooter Brothers
Lake and Joe sit down with SEMA Hall of Famer Scooter Brothers to talk about his incredible impact on the racing industry both on the tack and in business.
Episode 16 – Advanced Tech Feature: 3D Printing and Digitizing Parts
Lake and Joe talk with Charles Navarro of LN Engineering about 3D printing for prototyping and making engine parts. Ed Isky gets a lifetime achievement award.
Episode 17 – Time is Money: Putting Tech and Automation to Work in the Shop
Lake Speed Jr talks with Chris Straub of Straub Technologies about using tech and automation to make your shop more efficient and profitable with fewer staff
Episode 18 – V-Twin Engines with George Bryce
In this episode we put the eight cylinders aside and head down to visit motorcycle drag racing legend George Bryce and talk about building winning V-Twins.
Episode 19 – Engine Builder Interview: George Bryce
Joe Castello and Lake Speed Junior interview legendary Pro Stock Engine Builder, George Bryce of Star Racing.
Episode 20: Tech 101 – Welding
We head on over to Tim Wilkerson's Capitol City Machine Shop for an in-depth lesson in repairing & welding an aluminum top fuel block to race-ready condition.
Episode 21 – Tech 101: Engine Bearings
In this segment Lake Speed Jr heads on over to Petty’s Garage in to take a deep dive into everything you need to know about bearings with Mahle’s Dan Begle
Episode 22 – Diesel of the Day: Powerstroke
Lake Speed Jr heads over to Bolivar, TN to see the Diesel Doctor, Cass Choate of Choate Performance Engineering, where they dive into Powerstroke diesels
Episode 23 – Parts Supply Rountable Discussion
Industry experts discuss the shift away from just in time inventory and strategies they’re using to limit the effects of inflation and employee shortages.
Episode 24 – AERA & Educational Resources
Lake visits Steve Fox & Chuck Lynch of the AERA to learn about the many career and educational resources available from the Engine Builders Association.
Episode 25 – Engine Builder Interview: Tim Wilkerson
A joint broadcast with the Hidden Horsepower podcast, Joe and Lake sit down for a fun and enlightening interview with NHRA nitro funny car racer Tim Wilkerson
Episode 26 – Day 2 Closing Roundtable
In the closing episode of Day 2 of the Engine Performance Expo, Joe and Lake host a roundtable with George Bryce, Charles Navarro, Randy Neal, and Tim Wilkerson
Episode 27 – Featured Engine Build: Heads & Valvetrain
Lake & the boys review their engine project build and the cylinder head and valvetrain options they think will help them boost this engine to 1,000HP
Episode 28 – Tech 101: Selecting Fuels for Boost
Joe and Lake sit down with Ben Strader of EFI University and Freddy Turza of VP Racing Fuels to discuss how to pick the right fuel for boosting their engine
Episode 29 – Head Porting, Seats & Guides
The boys head to the Straub Technologies shop floor for a discussion and hands-on demo on how we get horsepower through CNC porting of the cylinder heads
Episode 30 – Short Block Assembly
Lake packs up the newly finished block and heads down to Roush Yates Racing Engines to see Jimmy Barton for assembly of the (soon-to-be boosted) short block
Episode 31 – Engine Builder Interview: Mark Cronquist
Joe Castello and Lake Speed Jr sit down for a wide ranging, entertaining interview with Mark Cronquist, the legendary lead engine builder for Joe Gibbs Racing
Episode 32 – Advanced Tech Feature: Reverse Blueprinting
Lake heads west to Arizona to visit Ben Strader at EFI University and see how microscopic inspection can help find problems you can't see with the naked eye
Episode 33 – Piston Measuring
Lake Speed Jr heads out to Southern California and QMP Racing to see Brad Lagman and get a demo of his amazing piston measuring center, the MC-1
Episode 34 – Engine Builder Interview: Keith Dorton
In a joint episode with the Hidden Horsepower podcast, Joe Castello and Lake Speed Jr sit down for a conversation with racing legend Keith Dorton.
Episode 35 – Tech Feature: Motor Oil 101
Lake heads over to Driven Racing Oil HQ to see fellow Certified Lubrication Specialist Bill Alexander and drill into everything you need to know about motor oil
Episode 36 – Mechanical Fuel Injection with Ron Shaver
In this episode Lake Speed Jr heads to So Cal to see Ron Shaver at Shaver Specialty Engines and get the lowdown on mechanical fuel injection
Episode 37 – Featured Engine Build: Pushrods, Distance to Coil Bind and System Stiffness
Lake & Joe are joined by Ben Strader & Billy Godbold to talk valvetrains, component upgrades, troubleshooting, and tips & tricks to boost engine performance.
Episode 38 – Featured Engine Build: Short Block Engine Assembly (Part 2)
Picking up where they left off in episode 30, Lake Speed Jr and Jimmy Barton work through a few problems to finish the assembly of our boosted short block.
Episode 39 – Engine Builder Roundtable: Testing
Some of the world's leading engine builders sit down to discuss engine testing methodologies, and best practices any builder can put to use in their own shop
Episode 40: Day 3 Closing Roundtable
Lake and Joe are joined by Keith Dorton, Ben Strader, Mike Mucha and Mark Cronquist for a freewheeling discussion about the industry and thoughts on the future
Episode 41 – Featured Engine Build: EFI Installation
Lake Speed Jr and Ben Strader head out to EFI University in Arizona to do the EFI install on the LS engine before they load it up on the dyno for testing
Episode 42 – Featured Engine Build: Break-in
Ben and Lake load the LS engine on the dyno and go through the oil and fuel and diagnostic steps for proper break-in before trying for the full boosted 1,000 HP
Episode 43 – Engine Builder Interview: Billy Godbold
Hosts Joe Castello and Lake Speed Jr sit down with physicist and Camshaft Maestro, Billy Godbold, to talk about his science-based approach to parts engineering
Episode 44 – Preventing Cylinder Wall Surface Rust
Joe & Lake are joined by legendary NHRA engine builders Gary Stinnett and Steve Williams to talk about how they prevent surface rust on engine cylinder walls
Episode 45 – Diesel Power: Cummins Diesel
Lake visits D&J Precision Machine's Drew Pumphrey to talk about how it is that they get so much performance and power from the Cummins diesel engine
Episode 46 – Technology Rountable
Joe and Lake sit down with a panel of engine technology experts to talk about where it’s best to invest your money and how to measure the results in your shop
Episode 47 – Cross Hatch Angle and Surface Finish
Lake is joined by Keith Jones for a lesson on two terms often confused but unrelated—Cross Hatch Angle and Surface Finish—and their role in performance engines
Episode 48 – Engine Builder Interview: Vic Hill
In a joint broadcast with the @hiddenhorsepowerpodcast, legendary Dirt Late Model racer and engine builder, Vic Hill, sits down for a chat with Lake and Joe
Episode 49 – Advance Tech Feature: Profilometer Setup
Keith Jones returns in this advanced technology feature to go through the unboxing and proper setup of a profilometer. Bonus: Tech Chip from Liberty Performance
Episode 50 – Parts Supply Roundtable
A panel of performance engine industry experts talk about strategies to overcome parts shortages and inflation, and how racers can adapt in their own projects.
Episode 51 – Procharger on the Dyno
Lake and Ben Strader put the procharger-boosted engine on the Dyno to finally answer the biggest question of the Expo: Can their engine can make 1,000 HP?
Episode 52 – Cylinder Head Roundtable
In one of the last roundtables of the 2022 Expo, Joe and Lake are joined by John Callies, Brodix, Vic Hill, and Straub Technologies to talk cylinder heads.
Episode 53 – Engine Builder Interview: Tony Bischoff
For the final engine builder interview of the 2022 Expo, Joe and Lake sit down with the Horsepower King, Tony Bischoff of BES Racing Engines
Career Path Feature: EFI University
Ben Strader talks about EFI University and its mission to both the new and the not-so-new develop next generation of high performance engines.
Episode 55 – Roundtable: Day 4 Wrap-up and Show Close
In the final episode of the 2022 Expo, the guys talk about the value of sharing ideas and their knowledge to help the next generation make motorsports better
Episode 1 – Block Selection and Machining Considerations
Hosts Joe Castello and Lake Speed, JR. welcome Andy Rottler and the viewing audience to the first Engine Performance Expo. Topics include a visit to Dart Machinery's manufacturing facility, a live Q&A on block selection with David Lewis and Robert Lewis of Roush-Yates Engines, and discussion on cylinder bore coating and sleeving with Jake Raby of Raby's Aircooled Technology.
Episode 2 – Block Machining
This episode is all about engine block machining We take a trip to BES Racing Engines and Roush-Yates Racing Engines facilities to learn how these winners machine their blocks, then we head back to the studio for an audience Q&A session with Embry Harrick of Straub Technologies.
Episode 3 – Surface Finishes & Sealing
In this episode the AERA's Chuck Lynch takes us through the ins and outs of surface finishes and sealing, and takes Q&A on their effect on gasket seal in an era moving away from the thicker, less flexible gaskets of old.
Episode 4 – Surface Machining
This episode is all about surface machining and includes a live head surfacing demo, a visit to Creason's Racing Engines in MO for tips on head surfacing, then up to Larry's Auto Machine in CT for a block surfacing demo. The episode closes with live Q&A with Larry Creason and Ed Kiebler of Rottler Mfg.
Episode 5 – Engine Builder Interview with Doug Yates of Roush Yates Engines
In this episode we sit down with the legendary Doug Yates of Roush Yates Engines to talk NASCAR, the business of performance engine building, and take a couple trips down memory lane with a man who grew up with some of the most notable names in auto racing.
Episode 6 (Part 1) : Cylinder Honing and Surface Considerations
In Episode 6 the masters of performance engine building share the science and their secrets for perfect cylinder honing and surface finishes
Episode 6 (Part 2) : Cylinder Honing and Surface Considerations
In Episode 6 the masters of performance engine building share the science and their secrets for perfect cylinder honing and surface finishes
Episode 7 : Rotating Assembly & Balancing Considerations
This episode features an educational session in the basics in techniques in rotating assembly balancing followed by a live Q&A with Randy Neal and John Callies
Episode 8 : Rotating Assembly & Balancing Demonstration & Q&A
Randy Neal demonstrates engine balancing, talks ISO tolerances, materials and engineering changes that make last decade's racing specs OEM standards today.
Episode 9 : Pistons, Pins, Clearances and Coatings
It's all about pistons, pins, clearances and coatings this week. A visit to Diamond Pistons, talk piston design and live Q&A with Total Seal and Roush Yates.
Episode 10 – Cleaning Equipment
Day 1's final episode is all about cleaning. First a spray washer demo from AXE equipment, then over to Ultrasonic to see their component cleaning technology.
Episode 11 – Engine Lubrication System – Pumps, Pans, Clearances, Filters & More
Episode 11 is all about Engine Lubrication System - Pumps, Pans, Clearances, Filters & More. We go to Melling Auto Parts for oil pump school and have live Q&A
Episode 12 – Custom Parts Manufacturing
Episode 12 is custom parts machining. We build billet main caps for a Duramax diesel, port an LSA blower, and create custom deck inserts before taking live Q&A.
Episode 13 – Cylinder Head & Manifold Porting
In this episode we sit down with the Professor of Pro Stock, Warren Johnson, to get his insights on everything performance engine and his tips, tricks and keys to success.
Episode 14 – 5 Axis Machining
Episode 14 features more wisdom from Warren Johnson followed by mult-axis porting demos on the Rottler 69 series CNC machines at 3 different locations
Episode 15 – Engine Builder Interview – Ed Pink
In this episode Joe Castello talks with "The Old Master", Ed Pink, as he recalls his more than 50 years in the performance engine industry.
Episode 16 – Seat & Guide Machining
It's all speeds and feeds in this episode on seat and guide machining. Demos on a Big Block and Coyote, plus some great stories from the legendary John Callies
Episode 17: Valves, Valve Seats and Guides
In this episode the AERA’s Chuck Lynch dives into everything you need to know about seat and guide materials and machining, including some pro tips and tricks.
Episode 18 : Valvetrain – Cams, Pushrods, Rockers, Lifters & Springs
COMP Cams’ Billy Godbold does an educational session on valvetrains and low shock technology. He tells a few stories and gives great insight in a Q&A session
Episode 19 – Engine Testing With Spintron
Ben Strader of EFI University goes through the cost savings and advantages you get from engine testing on the Spintron before going to the dyno or the track
Episode 20 – EFI Seminar
It's carburetor vs EFI as EFI University’s Ben Strader takes us to school on engine tune-up and break-in do's and don'ts, as well as the myth of the "Fat Tune".
Episode 21 – Happy Hour with Troy LaCrone
In day 2's final episode, we celebrate Happy Hour with Outlaw Style racing king, Troy LaCrone and his engine builder Jim Gray of Bullet Racing Engines
Episode 22 – Turbochargers
This episode's theme is Massive Horsepower and includes a visit to Moran Motorsports and an audience Q&A on turbochargers and EFI
Episode 23 – Block Sleeving
We dive deep into block sleeving. First with a Coyote block at MPR Racing, followed by an LT block at BES Racing. Afterwords, we take live Q&A from the viewers.
Episode 24 – Nitrous
In Episode24 we head down to North Carolina to see Pat Musi and the home of Pat Musi Racing Engines, where he talks Nitrous, EFI, and has Q&A with the audience.
Episode 25 – Lifter Boring and Bushings
Episode 25 is all about lifters, lifter boring and lifter bushings with John Callies of Morel Lifters, Ed Kiebler of Rottler and Logan Miles of CNC Blockworks
Episode 26 – Engine Builder Interview: John Callies
In episode 26 Joe Castello sits down with the legendary John Callies to talk about his amazing career in motorsports
Episode 27 – Performance Diesel
It's all about diesel in this episode. Cass Choate of Choate Engineering and Performance takes us deep into improving on OEM diesels and how new tech can help.
Episode 28 – Tool Hacks, Tips & Tricks From Jon Kaase
We take a visit to Jon Kasse's shop where he shares some of his amazing tool hacks, tips & tricks for engine building, followed by a live audience Q&A
Episode 29 – Ring End Gaps and Dyno Testing Do’s and Don’ts
This week it's setting ring end gaps with Total Seal's Lake Speed Jr, and dyno testing do's and don'ts with "dyno" Don Mac Askill of Shaver Racing Engines
Episode 30 – Dyno Tools and Diagnostics
Dyno Don Mac Askill takes us through the entire process of putting an engine on the dyno, running it through its paces, and the proper removal procedures.
Episode 31 – Closing Roundtable and Show Finale
In the final episode we sit down with our guests for a wrap-up of what we learned and share a few final thoughts from the three days of the first Expo event.
The Lost Episode – Ben Strader Dyno Tests EFI vs a Carb
During the inaugural Expo technical difficulties prevented Ben Strader's Holley carburetor vs a Holley throttle body EFI system. We found the missing footage!
Best of Expo 1: Jon Kaase’s DIY split nut tool
Jon Kaase shares an inexpensive DIY Vice Grip tool hack he uses everyday to remove and set nuts without damaging thread.
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