About this episode
Luke Leatherman shares the fascinating journey of Feuling, detailing its origins and evolution in the performance parts industry. The conversation dives into the company's innovative approach to engine technology, particularly focusing on exhaust systems and their impact on overall performance. With insights into the balance of engine components and the importance of a complete package for motorcycle enthusiasts, this episode highlights the blend of passion and engineering that drives the aftermarket scene. Luke's personal anecdotes and experiences add a relatable touch to the technical discussions.
n this episode, we're sitting down with Luke Leatherman to get the full backstory of Feuling, along with a deep dive into what they offer!
Feuling, the American-made powerhouse that's been pushing the limits of V-Twin performance for years. From their legendary oil pumps and cam chest kits to Reaper cams, beehive valve springs, exhaust systems, and full engine upgrades, Feuling delivers billet precision that fixes factory flaws and unleashes serious horsepower, better oiling, and reliability on the street or strip.
Whether you're running a Milwaukee-Eight, Twin Cam, or building a high-compression beast, Feuling's HP+ Race Series oil pumps, OE+ upgrades, cam plates, and advanced components eliminate common pressure/scavenge issues and give you the edge you need to ride harder, cooler, and longer.
Proudly hand-crafted in small batches in the USA (Oceanside, CA) – no guesswork, just proven performance trusted by builders and racers nationwide.
Check out the full lineup and gear up:
🔗 Official Site: https://www.feulingparts.com
🔗 Instagram: @feulingparts
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automotive aftermarket
"But I got a degree in automotive aftermarket, which kind of an interesting degree. But what does that entail, like a degree of that?"
The automotive aftermarket is all about the parts and services you can buy for your car after you purchase it. This includes things like replacement parts, upgrades, and accessories that aren't made by the original car manufacturer.
The automotive aftermarket refers to the secondary market of the automotive industry, which includes the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of parts, accessories, and services for vehicles after the original sale. This sector encompasses everything from replacement parts to performance upgrades and customizations.
Jim Fueling
"I ended up going out to Ventura because that's where Jim Fueling was based at that time. And I mean, I think we're talking 27, 28 years ago now."
Jim Fueling is a person who started a business related to cars and motorcycles, especially focusing on parts that make them perform better. His company has been around since the early 1970s.
Jim Fueling is known for his work in the automotive industry, particularly in the field of performance parts and exhaust systems. His business has a long history, dating back to the early 1970s, focusing on enhancing vehicle performance.
exhaust systems
"the business really started around exhaust"
Exhaust systems are parts of cars that help get rid of the gases produced by the engine. They can affect how the car sounds and how clean it is for the environment.
Exhaust systems are crucial components of a vehicle that manage the flow of exhaust gases from the engine. They play a significant role in performance, sound, and emissions control.
SEMA
"And you taking that class, you go to SEMA and that's how you said the introduction was made, essentially."
SEMA is a big car show where companies show off parts and accessories for cars. It's a place where people in the car industry meet and learn about new products.
SEMA stands for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, which hosts an annual trade show in Las Vegas showcasing aftermarket automotive products and innovations. It's a key event for industry professionals to network and discover new trends.
big block
"They had a booth set up at SEMA where they were displaying big block Chevrolet and Ford cylinder heads."
A big block is a type of car engine that is larger and can produce more power. It's often used in fast cars and trucks to give them better performance.
A big block refers to a type of engine design characterized by a larger displacement and size, typically found in high-performance vehicles. These engines are known for producing more power and torque compared to smaller engines.
Chevrolet
"...big block Chevrolet and Ford cylinder heads."
Chevrolet is a popular car brand in the United States that makes many different types of vehicles, including trucks and cars.
Chevrolet is an American automobile brand known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from trucks to sports cars. It's a division of General Motors and has a strong presence in both the domestic and international markets.
Ford
"...big block Chevrolet and Ford cylinder heads."
Ford is another well-known car brand in the U.S. that makes a variety of vehicles, including popular trucks and cars.
Ford is a major American automotive manufacturer known for its trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles. Founded by Henry Ford, the brand has a rich history and is recognized for innovations in manufacturing and design.
454
"It was a bolt on, 100 horsepower and 100 foot pounds of torque with pump gas onto say a 454. And like the late 90s, those things were all turds because of the emissions stuff on them."
The 454 is a big V8 engine made by Chevrolet that is famous for being very powerful. It's often found in trucks and some sports cars from the past.
The 454 refers to a 7.4-liter V8 engine produced by Chevrolet, known for its power and torque, commonly used in trucks and muscle cars. It was popular in the late 20th century, especially in the Chevrolet Corvette and various full-size trucks.
cylinder head
"...the technology that he created with the exhaust system and what it did to the performance of the engine then led to cylinder head development..."
The cylinder head is the part of the engine that covers the cylinders. It helps control the air and fuel that go into the engine and the exhaust that comes out.
The cylinder head is a critical component of an engine that sits on top of the cylinders. It houses the intake and exhaust valves and plays a key role in the engine's combustion process.
engine development
"...which then more or less led to complete engine development. Yeah, but those all kind of go hand in hand, right?"
Engine development is about making engines better and more powerful. It includes improving different parts of the engine to help it run smoother and last longer.
Engine development refers to the process of designing and improving engine performance, efficiency, and reliability. It often involves advancements in various components, including the cylinder head, intake, and exhaust systems.
intake port
"...if you're building a head, then you have intake and the exhaust port. So you want to make sure that all these things are running flowing right."
The intake port is the part of the engine that lets air and fuel in. It needs to be designed well so that the engine can get enough air to run properly.
The intake port is the passageway through which air and fuel enter the engine's combustion chamber. Proper design and flow of the intake port are essential for optimal engine performance.
exhaust port
"...if you're building a head, then you have intake and the exhaust port. So you want to make sure that all these things are running flowing right."
The exhaust port is where the gases from the engine leave after the fuel has burned. It needs to work well so that the engine can get rid of waste gases quickly.
The exhaust port is the passageway through which exhaust gases exit the engine after combustion. Like the intake port, its design affects engine performance by influencing how efficiently exhaust gases can be expelled.
intake system
"best exhaust and the best intake for it, correct? 100%. And when you really look at it..."
The intake system helps bring air into the engine so it can mix with fuel and create power. A good intake system can make the engine run better.
The intake system is responsible for drawing air into the engine, mixing it with fuel, and delivering it to the combustion chamber. A well-designed intake system can significantly improve engine performance.
camshaft
"You need the camshaft, you need the valve springs..."
The camshaft is a part that helps open and close the engine's valves at the right times. This is important for how well the engine runs.
The camshaft controls the opening and closing of the engine's valves. It plays a crucial role in the engine's performance characteristics, including power and efficiency.
valve springs
"You need the camshaft, you need the valve springs..."
Valve springs help close the engine's valves after they open. They make sure the valves seal correctly so the engine can work well.
Valve springs are components that close the engine's valves after they have been opened by the camshaft. They ensure that the valves seal properly, which is essential for engine performance.
pushrod engine
"If it's a, you know, pushrod engine, you want to make sure that, you know, the pushrods..."
A pushrod engine is a kind of engine where rods are used to open and close the valves. This setup is often found in V8 engines.
A pushrod engine is a type of internal combustion engine where the camshaft is located in the engine block, and pushrods are used to operate the valves. This design is common in V8 engines.
pushrods
"That's one thing that we see a lot in this industry where we've got poor pushrods that are flexing. We don't have valve springs that are set up necessarily properly."
Pushrods are parts that help move the valves in the engine up and down, allowing air and fuel to enter and exhaust to exit.
Pushrods are components in an engine that transfer motion from the camshaft to the rocker arms, which then open and close the engine's valves. They are essential for the proper functioning of overhead valve (OHV) engines.
General Motors
"Well, generally, General Motors kind of, you know, put his name on the map. He developed and I know there are some of you guys out there that are familiar with..."
General Motors, often called GM, is a big car company that makes many different types of vehicles, including trucks and cars.
General Motors is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world, known for producing a wide range of vehicles under various brands such as Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac.
Quad 4
"...he developed and I know there are some of you guys out there that are familiar with like the Quad 4 and the Aerotech program, but you know, I even think to this date..."
The Quad 4 is a type of engine made by General Motors that has four cylinders. It was designed to be powerful and efficient, and it was used in many GM cars in the past.
The Quad 4 is a four-cylinder engine developed by General Motors in the late 1980s, known for its high performance and efficiency. It was used in various GM vehicles during the 1990s.
Aerotech program
"...and I know there are some of you guys out there that are familiar with like the Quad 4 and the Aerotech program, but you know, I even think to this date..."
The Aerotech program was a project by General Motors to create better car technologies, especially to make cars faster and more efficient by focusing on how air flows around them.
The Aerotech program was an initiative by General Motors focused on developing advanced automotive technologies, including aerodynamics and lightweight materials, to improve vehicle performance and efficiency.
horsepower per cubic inch
"...but you know, I even think to this date, I think he holds the most horsepower per cubic inch at just over 10 horsepower per cubic inch. And then that led into some more programs."
Horsepower per cubic inch tells you how much power an engine makes for every cubic inch of its size. A higher number means the engine is more powerful for its size.
Horsepower per cubic inch is a measurement of an engine's power output relative to its size. It indicates how efficiently an engine produces power based on its displacement.
Harley-Davidson
"And when I got involved, he had Harley-Davidson and Ford Motor Company in the building where..."
Harley-Davidson is a famous company that makes motorcycles, especially known for their big, powerful bikes.
Harley-Davidson is an iconic American motorcycle manufacturer known for its heavyweight cruiser motorcycles and strong brand culture.
V-Twin
"But when does it like start to kind of roll into like the V-Twin stuff?"
A V-Twin engine has two cylinders that are shaped like a 'V'. It's commonly used in motorcycles and is known for its strong performance and distinctive sound.
A V-Twin engine is a type of internal combustion engine with two cylinders arranged in a V configuration. This design is popular in motorcycles, particularly by brands like Harley-Davidson, as it provides a good balance of power and torque.
four valve heads
"the V-Twin stuff really, you know, kind of goes back to the four valve heads for the evolution engines."
Four valve heads have four openings for air and fuel to enter and exhaust gases to exit each cylinder. This helps the engine run better and produce more power.
Four valve heads refer to cylinder heads that have four valves per cylinder, which can improve airflow and performance in an engine. This design is often found in high-performance engines, allowing for better combustion and efficiency.
Milwaukee 8
"And really what we found with the Milwaukee 8 and the oiling system issues, for one, and something that feeling was instrumental in with the Twin Cam engine..."
The Milwaukee 8 is a type of engine made by Harley-Davidson that offers better performance and reliability compared to older models.
The Milwaukee 8 is a V-twin engine developed by Harley-Davidson, introduced in 2016. It features an improved oiling system and performance enhancements over the previous Twin Cam engine.
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