Two Guys Garage Podcast

To restore or leave it raw? Burke Payne, a former homicide detective turned appraiser, returns to the podcast to bring his "private eye" skills to the art of the auto appraisal once again. We break down the ROI of resto-mods vs. survivors, the rigid originality rules for European marques, and why "dare to be different" builds don't always hit the auction jackpot. From decoding fender tags to avoid...

After months of neglect and distractions, Willie and Kevin are finally digging their project cars out of mothballs to begin wrenching on them again. They share some pre- and post-winter storage tips to ensure a smooth transition back to the open road and pull back the curtain on the slow and steady progress – and occasional behind-the-scenes struggles – that come with resurrecting sidelined automo...

The Horsepower Wars are back! President of Callies Performance Products Heath Norton takes Kevin and Willie deep behind-the-scenes on the massive collaboration between Callies and Stellantis/Direct Connection to bring the new Aluminum Gen 3 Hemi block to the masses. Heath reveals the "racing dust" he’s baked into the tooling for dry-sump flexibility and why the 52-hour torture test at the Chrysler...

Are we witnessing a "gas resurgence"? Willie and Kevin tap into the expertise of Dan Millen from Livernois Motorsports & Engineering to dissect the surprising sales struggles of modern muscle alongside the intriguing sleeper potential of vehicles like the Durango Hellcat. They delve into the aftermarket's ongoing battle with OEM tuning restrictions and the unexpected realities of EV adoption compa...

You might want to wait on dropping $8,000 on that blower you’ve had your eye on until after you’ve heard this week’s podcast. Willie’s twin brother Billy from Warlock Tuning joins the guys to expose the hidden horsepower buried in factory torque limiters and explain how modern “neural networks” in Dodge and GM platforms are changing the tuning game. From optimizing your engine’s "ecosystem" for ma...

Although the guys normally talk about four wheels, today they’re shifting gears to focus on the evolution of sophisticated electronics that are transforming modern motorcycle technology. Along with Dylan Bolton from Tri-City Cycles, they marvel at how innovations like phone-based tuning and anti-slide systems give riders more control and confidence, whether they're tackling a race, a trail, or jus...

The gap between OEM performance and the aftermarket is closing fast. Tremec’s Mike Kidd joins Kevin and Willie to reveal their latest billet-cased prototypes. From rev-matching fixes for '19+ Mustangs to a manual gearbox solution for the C8 Corvette platform, Tremec is rewriting the rules for the aftermarket. This week, we dive into the science of triple-cone synchronizers, 80-millisecond shift ti...

Willie and Kevin welcome the innovative Bryan Fuller of Fuller Moto to discuss his latest audacious project: a five-day build to create a car body from scratch. Fuller recounts the inspiration behind this seemingly impossible feat, stemming from a shattered Hot Wheels model and a desire to push the boundaries of automotive fabrication using the newest technology available. He details the challenge...

When Willie’s Jeep twists an axle in the middle of a desert ravine, the right gear becomes a literal lifesaver. He and Kevin welcome Kris Scherm from ESAB to recount a "clutch" trailside repair using a battery-powered portable welder. From there, the conversation expands to include "plasma gouging" and the massive technological leap that has occurred in metal fusion since 2020; exploring the scien...

Kevin and Willie dive into the world of car appraisals with former homicide-detective-turned-appraiser Burke Payne of BP Appraisals, revealing the often-harsh realities and surprising windfalls of the collector car market, where "condition is everything”. Burke discusses his process, which can expose the gap between perceived and actual vehicle values. He also explains how a professional appraisal...

What happens when 15,000 hours of elite craftsmanship meets the high-stakes reality of the auction block? Kevin and Willie trace the journey from the prestigious Grand National Roadster Show to the main stage at Barrett-Jackson as they talk shop with Bryan Fuller about the “psychological threshold” – the exact moment a car becomes too valuable or too detailed to actually use. As the level of craft...

Willie and Kevin uncover the secrets of "EyesOn Design" with Glen Durmisevich, the Design Director & Chief Judge for this one-of-a-kind automotive design showcase. Held on Edsel Ford's lawn, the unique Detroit car show celebrates the artistry of automotive design, where vehicles are judged on their proportions, line work, and surface development, offering a distinct departure from traditional conc...

Most people know Dorman for the "Help!" aisle at the local auto parts store, but today they are a design powerhouse launching on average 21 new products every day. Kevin and Willie sit down with Lester Kovacs, Director of Ideation, to pull back the curtain on the "OE Fix" philosophy. From replacing Ford’s leaking plastic oil pans with improved aluminum versions to re-engineering oil drain angles,...

Kyle Briese returns to the podcast to discuss the ways in which BMR Suspension is leading the charge in suspension innovation. From beefing up modern Broncos to transforming classic muscle cars into track-ready beasts, BMR's commitment to in-house manufacturing and cutting-edge design is proving that true performance is built right here in America. "They find problems when people are putting down...

Moving from bolting parts to burning steel is the ultimate step in creative freedom, but stainless steel brings its own set of rules. The guys welcome Mark Prosser once again to the podcast to discuss stainless welding tips, including why dedicated wire brushes are a must and how to balance amperage with travel speed. From the metallurgy of 304 vs. 321 alloys to the high-stakes world of back purgi...

"He’s just a great guy, a great teacher, a professor of hot rods and of paints," says Willie in welcoming Kevin Tetz for a deep dive into his "Garbage Camaro" build. Tetz details how he's resurrecting a discarded '74 Camaro and transforming it into "the car that I couldn't afford to buy." He also shares his thoughts on the ever-evolving world of automotive painting and how his “Paintucation” serie...

While SEMA is the "bling," AAPEX is the "soul" of the automotive industry - where the daily drivers get fixed. Live from AAPEX 2025, Kevin and Willie sit down with Dustin Pedley from bproauto to discuss how they leverage the massive engineering footprint of Stellantis and Mopar to create "Next Level" parts, using the same engineers who validate OE parts to ensure aftermarket reliability. Discover...

On this episode Willie and Kevin talk with Mark Reeb of Power Brake Booster Exchange about troubleshooting and fixing classic brake systems. Mark, a true expert in the field, dives into common problems like leaks, vacuum issues, and incorrect parts, offering valuable tips and tricks for enthusiasts. "That’s some great advice you guys, go back to the basics, start with one change and one adjustment...

Direct from SEMA 2025, Kevin and Willie explore what it means to be "Built Different" with Carlyle Tools’ Joe Sabo and the company’s latest sponsored NHRA Top Fuel driver, Maddi Gordon. The guys get hands-on with gearless ratchets, drill bits that won't walk on diamond plate, and the world’s first creeper with a kickstand. Joe explains the philosophy of designing tools for how they are actually us...

After judging the world's best at SEMA, builder Ziggy Sadler joins the podcast to share his unique perspective on car culture, burnout competitions, and the Australian car scene which is a world of its own. Best known from his iconic 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback build named "Warhorse 427", Ziggy joins Kevin and Willie as they explore the differences in American and Australian car culture. Ziggy e...

Willie and Kevin are live again from the SEMA Show floor as they sit down with Matthew Palumbo and Don Zaney from Stinger to discuss the evolution of the vehicle “command center." Learn how Stinger uses the world’s largest CAN bus library to bring 12-inch displays, integrated lighting, and multi-camera views to everything from '57 Chevys to modern side-by-sides. The guys explore Stinger’s latest i...

On this podcast the guys explore the cutting edge of automotive technology with Mike Copeland, CEO of Arrington Performance. They discuss Copeland's pioneering work with hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, from initial concepts to real-world applications. "It was wild to see you at SEMA when you shocked the world bringing something that was hydrogen-powered," recalls Willie B. Copeland s...

Kevin and Willie kick off their 2025 SEMA Show interviews with Bartec to discuss one of the industry's headaches: TPMS. With over 150 communication protocols, tire pressure diagnostics can be confusing for technicians and DIYers alike. Scot Holloway reveals how Bartec’s Tech600Pro and universal sensors are turning complex issues into five-minute fixes. Whether you're a shop owner looking to turn T...

From his early days at the Revs Institute to his latest creation – a 1968 SAAB Rally Tribute car called "Dirt Bomb" – Murray Pfaff's designs consistently amaze. Each time he unveils something new, “People are like, wait a minute - what the - holy moly look at this,” exclaims Willie; “it’s always over the top cool!" Today Murray's on hand with a preview of the upcoming Detroit Autorama, where two o...

Kevin Baxter knows that every cold start is a race against time. Today he joins Willie B and Kevin Byrd to explain why modern engines—from the Pentastar 3.6L to Ford’s EcoBoost—are subject to a 3.5-second "dry window" where non-lubricated parts wear and damage the engine. Learn how Baxter Performance’s anti-drain back technology provides instantaneous oil pressure and discover how their new Evacu-...