Hang on for another episode of the V8 Radio Podcast, where hosts Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke crank up the fun from the heart of V8 Speed & Resto Shop. This episode dives into automotive trivia that’ll test your tire knowledge, shares heartwarming tales of loyal customers and multi-car builds, and geeks out on how AI is revolutionizing shop ops and engine tuning. From winter garage gratitude to dream car hunts and EGR valve epiphanies, it’s another fun ride packed with laughs, tips, and that unmistakable V8 vibe. Whether you’re wrenching on your own project or just daydreaming about spring cruises, this one’s got the spark to keep your cylinders firing!
Topics Covered:
- Automotive Trivia Showdown
- Winter Shop Vibes: Reflections on brutal Midwest cold, indoor car storage, and a 360° tour of in-progress builds like a ’66 Chevelle SS, ’79 Broncos, and multiple Trans Ams from repeat customers.
- Customer Connections: Celebrating multi-car owners (up to three per client!), Firebird Fest shoutouts, and tips on scoping out rides like a ’71 Riviera or ’87 Fiero.
- Dream Car Hunting: Partnering with Zach Straits’ Dream Car Connection for concierge car-finding services, plus stories of cross-country inspections with Hot Rod Magazine alums.
- Industry Insider Scoop: Hosts’ roles in SEMA and the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRA), including new member spotlights and the value of trade associations for hot rodders.
- AI Revolution in the Garage: From custom shop software automating work orders to tuning EFI data logs, EGR valve deep dives, and brainstorming fuel-efficient mods on a ’62 Galaxie.
- Personal Project Pit Stops: Mike’s GTO engine rebuild with Edelbrock upgrades, torque converter woes on a Suburban, and fluid-change hacks; Kevin’s O2 sensor saga and dyno dreams.
- Engine Shop Spotlights: Excitement over YouTube mini-videos on honing, balancing, and more, with fan polls demanding even bigger engine content.
- Shop Growth & Team Wins: Adding project managers and HR pros to handle 45+ cars, plus shoutouts to staff like Ethan Hahn for killer machining vids.
Companies Mentioned:
- V8 Speed & Resto Shop – Premier classic car restoration specialists: https://www.v8speedshop.com
- SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) – Automotive aftermarket trade org: sema.org
- Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRA) – Advocacy for hot rod builders: hotrodindustryalliance.org (affiliated with SEMA)
- Dream Car Connection – Concierge car-finding service by Zach Strates: dreamcarconnection.com
- Edelbrock – Performance intakes and cylinder heads: edelbrock.com
- Borgeson – Steering box experts: borgeson.com
- MSD Performance – Ignition wires and components: holley.com/brands/msd
- Grok (xAI) – AI tool for tuning and image gen: grok.x.ai
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