We spend a lot of time tuning cars at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop, and have learned a few things to help make dyno shop tuning sessions go smoothly.    If you need help with a custom tune for you car, be it fuel injected or carbureted, feel free to contact our shop at 314.783.8325 or at http://www.v8speedshop.com/tune and we’ll be happy to discuss having our technicians tune your car on the chassis dyno.   

 

Overlooked Tips For A Successful Dyno Session

  • Make sure the car runs!

  • Is the car and the dyno shop insured?

  • Have a transportation “plan B” in place just in case something goes wrong!

  • Make sure the car doesn’t leak fluids, exhaust, etc.  

  • Make sure the car is safe to drive, brakes don’t drag, driveshaft good & u-joints, etc.

  • If using your gear, make sure the computer / device can communicate with the car before you take it to the dyno shop.    This can be a tremendous time waster if you have problems.    

  • Check simple things.. Does your car achieve full throttle without the linkage binding?  Is the battery and charging system working properly?   Does the car’s cooling system work properly?

  • Have a goal… are you trying to get a power number, a driving tune, or working on something else?

  • If carbureted, bring jets, squirters, power valves, gaskets, etc., so you don’t have to buy or order new ones halting your mission.

  • Install o2 sensor bungs in pipes for better tune.

  • Bring distributor springs and bushings if tuning ignition.

  • Bring a second set of spark plugs, just in case.   

  • If EFI, be sure charging system and battery are up to par.

  • Bring oil change materials if doing major tuning… you don’t want to run rich and pollute the oil.

  • A friend with a car at the dyno shop is a good idea, in case you need to make a parts store run to get something.

  • Be sure to have the phone number of the tech support department for your EFI system or tuning software should you have a question.   Often times a personal extension or technician’s name will help save time waiting on hold should you need help.

  • If you are planning a full day, have a lunch plan in place!  

Taking a restomod 1969 Camaro to the next level

This stunning 1969 Camaro may look finished, but at V8 Speed & Resto Shop, we know there’s always room for improvement. Take a closer look as we transform this classic muscle car into a road-ready performer!

Under the Hood:

  • Holley Sniper EFI System: We ditch the carburetor for a modern fuel injection system, boosting power, efficiency, and drivability on the 396 cubic inch engine.

Suspension and Handling:

  • Detroit Speed Upgrade: For sharper handling and a smoother ride, we install high-performance Detroit Speed suspension components.
  • Wilwood Disc Brakes: More power and better handling require predictable and powerful brakes.  
  • YearOne 17″ Billet Chevy Rally Wheels: Traditional look with better clearance for modern brakes.

Further Upgrades:

  • Vintage Air A/C System: Beat the heat in comfort with a modern air conditioning system from Vintage Air.
  • Tremec TKX 5-Speed Manual Overdrive Transmission: Cruise effortlessly on the highway with a modern 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

This cool green Camaro is a perfect example of how restoration and performance upgrades can come together to create a truly special car.  Contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop to plan the next steps for your muscle car!

Check out the video of this revitalized 1969 Camaro! 

 Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop with all your Classic or Muscle Car needs today!

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Logo

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

Unsung Heroes, Trans AM, Camaro, Belvedere Hemi, Cuda, Corvette – Muscle Car Of The Week #359

We’re fortunate here at Muscle Car Of The Week that many people enjoy our videos, Continue reading “Unsung Heroes, Trans AM, Camaro, Belvedere Hemi, Cuda, Corvette – Muscle Car Of The Week #359”

This clean Hugger Orange 1969 Chevrolet Camaro arrived at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop with a fresh LS engine swap and some new suspension mods.   However, the engine is in need of some custom tuning to improve drivability.    Some additional suspension updates and a set of new wheels are other new upgrades. 
 

Continue reading “1969 Chevrolet Camaro Tuning and Suspension Updates at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop”

People ask what we do in-house at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop, and the answer is almost everything! We do all body and paint work, mechanical, fabrication, alignment, wheel balance and tire mounting, tuning, and interior work on-site in our complex. We farm out engine machine work, but we assemble engines in-house. We have a great partner shop locally where we perform chassis dyno tuning as well. Worldwide transport available. What do you need?

1970 Dodge Charger 440 6-Pack Sunroof – Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 345

This 1970 Dodge Charger features a 440 6-Pack under the hood, a 4-speed gearbox, and a Continue reading “1970 Dodge Charger 440 6-Pack Sunroof – Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 345”

This time on the V8 Radio Podcast, , Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke and Kevin Oeste re-cap their 2019 experiences And look ahead to personal and Automotive related goals for the new year. They also have a significant update on Q-Ball’s 1967 Pontiac GTO engine that has been a long time in the making. Of course, you can always expect automotive trivia and some other nonsense from these two guys, and we think this special episode of the V8 Radio Podcast will be a great way to round out 2019 looking forward a bright and prosperous New Year. We would also like to thank everyone for tuning in to the show and for providing excellent feedback and automotive camaraderie.

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V8 Radio Podcast
V8 Radio Podcast: 2019 Is A Wrap, Mike’s GTO Update, Trivia, and More!



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This 1969 Volkswagen Bus looks sweet, but is in need of some tuning and maintenance.  The owner wishes the V8 Speed Team to perform a complete tune up, add some Wilwood disc brakes, perform some paint repairs, and change out the “camper” windows for regular glass sliders.  A new suspension system will allow the VW to lay low, but drive safely at ride-height going down the road.  New wiring will keep the Type 2 safe as well. 

 

Continue reading “1969 VW Bus Maintenance, Tuning, Paint Repairs, and Suspension Modificaitons at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop”

Some restored cars look completed, but still require extensive refinement and tuning to be road-ready.    In this case, our customer had this sweet 1969 Camaro restored for them, but the shop did not complete some of the final drivability details, so the customer is not confident driving the car.  The car is sporting some cool parts selections like a FiTech fuel injected 454 Chevy V8 coupled to a Tremec TKO 500 5-Speed transmission, all wrapped in a stock RS / SS trim package.   However, the “last 5%” details still need to be addressed to make sure the car is ready for miles of trouble-free cruising.  For example, the front tires rub the inner fenders when turning, the windshield washer system does not work, there are some loose radio wires, and other nuisance items.   Once they are remedied, the engine tune will be optimized, brake performance dialed-in, and other systems verified for proper operation.    The V8 Speed & Resto Shop team is well-versed in this process, and we’ll be performing final adjustments to remedy the quirks of a fresh restoration.  

Pics and video after the break!

Continue reading “1969 Chevrolet Camaro Drivability Improvements at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop”

On this episode of V8 Radio, Mike Clarke and Kevin Oeste kick off the show with 2 automotive trivia questions, then fly right into a preview of the upcoming 5th Annual Drive In Cruise event! They also cover some new discoveries made by the V8 Speed and Resto Shop on tuning the Chevrolet LT-4 supercharged engine to overcome a common RPM issue some are having with transplanted power plants.

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V8 Radio Podcast
V8 Radio Podcast: 5th Annual Drive In Cruise, Tuning the LT-4, Automotive Trivia, and More!
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