Tuned In

We often hear about drivers who built successful racing careers, but Peter Farrell’s story goes far beyond the driver’s seat. While many enthusiasts know him for his work developing the legendary Mazda FD RX-7, his career stretches from rallying on a shoestring budget in New Zealand to developing some of the first performance upgrades for the FD and competing in factory-backed racing programs in t...

We all dream up incredible vehicle concepts—Nate Wilkerson of Wilkerson Customs brings them to life. Combining engineering expertise, CAD design, and a lifelong passion for off-road racing, Nate has built a huge following by creating some of the most ambitious virtual vehicle concepts on the internet. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip In...

Automatic transmissions were once the last thing performance enthusiasts wanted in their builds—but that’s changing fast. Greg from Turbolamik is at the centre of that shift, helping bring ZF’s 8HP gearbox into everything from drift cars to drag builds, and showing just how capable modern automatics have become. 👉Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/...

Some people learn engines by doing—others take it a step further and truly understand the physics behind what’s happening. Jake from Bain Racing sits firmly in that second category, combining hands-on experience with deep engineering knowledge to build some seriously impressive engines. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip In this episode of...

From carburettors and distributors to neural networks and AI-driven ECUs, Gerry Bechet’s career spans the full evolution of modern engine control. From his early days at Toyota South Africa to high-level development work at Ricardo, Renault, and Holden Special Vehicles, Gerry has been right at the heart of OEM engine calibration and development. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA&apo...

We all fantasise about dream car builds, whether they’re elaborate masterpieces never done before or something stock standard we’ve seen a hundred times. Some people just have a knack for making things cool, and Ryan Tuerck from 411 Works is firmly in that category, with what might be the coolest collection of Toyota performance builds out there.  We had to get Ryan back for a second episode to un...

Port-injected engines and aftermarket standalone ECUs go hand in hand—but controlling direct-injected engines is far less charted territory. Brett Strom from Strom Motorsport has been deep in the weeds mastering BMW’s B48 on a MoTeC ECU, and he’s here to break it all down—plus much more. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip In this episode o...

Having a silky-smooth automatic alongside a quick-shifting manual transmission capable of handling 1000HP in the same transmission seems impossible—but the ZF 8HP might just achieve it. Andrew Astley from 8speed joins us to explain why this transmission has become such a popular choice. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip In this episode of...

The 1990s were arguably the ‘Golden Era’ of motorsport, particularly in the world of wings-and-slicks racing. High-revving engines, intense competition, and iconic car designs made it an unforgettable time. Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) was no exception, and Russell Cameron from Horizon Motorsport was right in the thick of it. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Pac...

The internet is packed with misleading information—and the automotive world is no exception. Thankfully, creators like Jamin Seat from the YouTube channel Freedom Worx are cutting through the noise. He tackles misunderstood topics head-on with engaging, easy-to-digest, and genuinely informative content—served with just the right dose of humour. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA&apos...

David Mazzei may well have the best-sounding turbocharged rotary on the planet, but how he chased down that elusive F1 V10 sound with this masterpiece of an engine is somewhat unexpected. Rotary engines are often labelled as temperamental and unreliable, but David Mazzei of Mazzei Formula believes the opposite. In his view, rotaries can be among the most reliable engines when properly understood....

Pikes Peak and land speed record racing couldn’t be more different when it comes to motorsport, and that’s exactly why Scott Birdsall from Chuckles Garage is so interesting. From 1,000+ HP diesel hill climb monsters to a 2JZ-powered, land speed record-holding Toyota Hilux, Scott is into everything cool and fast. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co...

*** We’ll be taking a break over the Christmas/New Year period and will be back in action mid-January. That means that although there won’t be any new episodes for a few weeks, we’ll be taking another look back at some of our favourite episodes.  *** Are you sick of playing the guessing game when it comes to setting up the suspension and tyre systems in your race or road car? If you’ve ever felt l...

*** We’ll be taking a break over the Christmas/New Year period and will be back in action mid-January. That means that although there won’t be any new episodes for a few weeks, we’ll be taking another look back at some of our favourite episodes.  *** Few people know more about ultra-high-performance engine building than this week’s guest, Terry Radbourne of Bourne HPP. In this episode, we’re going...

What would happen if you took an IndyCar inspired chassis, dropped a 1973 Pontiac Firebird body over the top of it, and then added a 1,450hp twin-turbo LS? That’s essentially what Cavan Cameron and his father, Russell Cameron, of Horizon Motorsport have built. The project began as Cavan’s high school engineering project but has since evolved into one of the coolest and most ambitious builds we’ve...

There’s no arguing the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 is no slouch. But the World Time Attack Challenge is a whole different league, and in standard form this factory race car is basically like bringing a knife to a gunfight. To run with the world’s best, it needed serious development—and that’s exactly what Josh and his team at Specialised Racing Solutions delivered, bagging P2 in Pro class on the car’...

Many car enthusiasts have fantasised about a lightweight car with a motorcycle engine swap. After all, what’s not to like about a high-revving, lightweight engine that produces great power and sounds incredible, right? Reed Stormzand from the YouTube channel Reed Make Car tells us that while the combo can be awesome, it definitely hasn’t been all plain sailing. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get...

Imagine being a self-taught engineer who mastered the intricacies of engine design and is now building bespoke engines from the ground up. That’s exactly what Josh Valman from Motorsport_Engineering has done. We welcome Josh back for his second appearance on the podcast. This time, we catch up on his wild Alpha V8 Hayabusa project and dive into his latest creation — a turbocharged hot-vee V6 bespo...

CAN communication might seem like a secret, nerdy language spoken only by electronic components —and, in a way, it is. But behind that digital chatter lies the key to unlocking integration between different electrical systems. Mitch Minton from Minton Performance joins us to unpack CAN communication—how it really works, and why it’s become such a crucial part of the aftermarket performance world....

Want a high-revving, F1-sounding, naturally aspirated V10 on a budget? Sounds impossible—until Jack and Diego from Build It Yourself made it happen. They took a humble Ford V10 truck engine, crafted custom four-valve heads, and engineered headers that deliver that unmistakable F1 scream. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip In this episode o...

Whether it’s a bespoke quad-turbo V12 or a modified OE production engine, the fundamentals remain the same—we’re all looking for those extra gains. Italtecnica’s Riccardo Breda is here to break down the core concepts that could help you take your engine build to the next level. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https: //hpcdmy.co/podvip In this episode of Tuned I...

Composites might seem like the secret language of aerospace engineers and hypercar builders, but Gabriel Mountjoy from Common Fibers is here to break down those barriers. He’s out to prove that composites aren’t just exotic materials—you can use them to elevate your own builds too. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip In this episode of Tune...

It’s common for car enthusiasts to rush their car onto the dyno before it’s truly ready, only to have it strapped down and the tuner uncover a list of issues. Nothing kills the excitement of chasing those long-awaited power figures faster than unexpected problems. Booking a session with remote tuning expert Shawn Christenson could save you thousands. Shawn, from Tuned by Shawn , is a Haltech speci...

Formula 1 represents the pinnacle of motorsport and James Densley along with the team at TDF Limited are breathing new life into retired F1 cars, transforming them back into the ultimate track weapons. 👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https: //hpcdmy.co/podvip James shares his journey from a car-obsessed child through karting to mechanic at the top levels of mot...

No matter the stage of a build, most projects reach a point where giving up feels tempting. They demand grit and perseverance—and Karel Silha from Karel S Motorsport’s wild DTM-inspired M4 Time Attack build is no exception. We first spoke to Karel in 2022, and now he’s back to share what it really takes to shake down and test a home-built car of this caliber. Believe it or not, it all started with...