From Mustang GT Builds to Pontiac GTO Restorations: Weber State Automotive Tech & Education
About this episode
Exploring the intersection of automotive technology and education, this episode features Cade and Dallas from Weber State University, who share their experiences in a unique hybrid program that combines trade and college education. They discuss the hands-on learning environment, industry connections, and the importance of adapting to modern automotive technologies, including electric vehicles. With engaging stories about their personal automotive journeys, including classic builds and restorations, this episode highlights the evolving landscape of automotive careers and education.
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
PBS NewsHour connected us with Weber State University’s leading Automotive Technology Program—where hands-on automotive education meets real-world automotive technology. In this episode, automotive enthusiasts Dallas and Caid share their most memorable car stories and vehicle restoration adventures. Dallas recounts tuning his 2002 Mustang GT to 667 whp, navigating Dearborn’s automotive universe in a Range Rover, and the driving experience thrills that fuel his passion for cars. Instructor Caid revisits his first rides—from a Dodge Neon Sport and off-roading in a Chevy Blazer to restoring a classic Pontiac GTO—and dives into restoration stories on a Mercedes 190E and a Mustang GT. Packed with classic cars nostalgia, craftsmanship discussions, car memories, and auto adventures, this episode is a must-hear for automotive culture fans, restoration hobbyists, and anyone curious about the future of cars. Tune in for insider vehicle stories and the road ahead for tomorrow’s auto restorers!
Caid and Dallas' favorite episode is "Campus of Cars – Makenna and Brandon’s Educational Restoration Adventures" https://pod.link/1733902541/episode/6101fe7007f56a999211944be3a14faf
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fuel injector
"...trying to fix that fuel injector, or have you given up for the day, or was it sorted... So fuel injectors all checked out..."
A fuel injector is a part of the engine that sprays fuel into the engine so it can mix with air and burn to create power. It's important for the engine to run properly.
A fuel injector is a crucial component in modern engines that sprays fuel into the combustion chamber. It helps ensure the right amount of fuel is delivered for efficient combustion, improving performance and emissions.
Bosch CIS injection system
"...manual fuel injectors, a Bosch CIS injection system, so stuck all six in Gatorade bottles..."
Bosch CIS is a system that helps deliver fuel to the engine continuously. It's an older technology used in some cars to make sure the engine gets the right amount of fuel.
The Bosch CIS (Continuous Injection System) is a type of fuel injection system that delivers a continuous flow of fuel to the engine. It was widely used in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in European cars, and is known for its mechanical operation and reliability.
Tesla
"...making it more interesting, right? Cars can do as a Tesla owner."
Tesla is a car company that makes electric cars, which run on batteries instead of gasoline. They are known for their advanced technology and features.
Tesla is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its innovative technology and high-performance electric cars.
Chevrolet Chevelle
"There's a 65 Chevelle SS in there."
The Chevrolet Chevelle SS is a famous muscle car from the 1960s that is known for being fast and powerful. The 'SS' means it's a sportier version with better performance.
The Chevrolet Chevelle SS is a classic American muscle car known for its powerful engines and stylish design. The 'SS' stands for 'Super Sport', indicating a performance-oriented version of the Chevelle.
EV
"...about 20 cars in there that are EV, hybrids, anything from Teslas to Toyota's to Ford's, Subaru's open batteries from these vehicles out there."
An EV is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. It uses batteries to power an electric motor, making it more environmentally friendly.
EV stands for electric vehicle, which is powered entirely by electricity rather than gasoline or diesel. These vehicles use electric motors and batteries to operate, offering benefits like lower emissions and reduced fuel costs.
hybrid vehicle
"...EV, hybrids, anything from Teslas to Toyota's to Ford's, Subaru's open batteries from these vehicles out there."
A hybrid vehicle uses both a gas engine and an electric motor. This helps it save fuel and produce fewer emissions than regular cars that only use gas.
A hybrid vehicle combines a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system. This allows for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared to conventional vehicles.
Chevy Volt
"...We have Chevy Volt batteries, open drive units. So this lab you can fully explore the inner workings of an EV and full electric or hybrid vehicle."
The Chevy Volt is a car that can run on electricity and gas. It can drive a certain distance on electric power before needing to use gas, making it a hybrid vehicle.
The Chevy Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that was produced by Chevrolet. It features an electric motor and a gasoline engine, allowing it to operate on electric power alone for a certain range before switching to gasoline.
Hyundai
"...we've had Ford Hyundai engineers come out..."
Hyundai is a car company from South Korea that makes different kinds of vehicles, including cars and SUVs.
Hyundai is a South Korean automotive manufacturer that produces a variety of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and electric cars.
Dodge Journey
"...vot to you. How did it all start, your automotive journey? So my senior year in high school, one of my clas..."
The Dodge Journey is a family-friendly SUV that has a lot of space for passengers and cargo. It’s designed to be practical and is often used for everyday driving.
The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV that was produced from 2008 to 2020, designed to offer versatility and family-friendly features. It is often discussed for its spacious interior and affordability in the crossover segment.
Ford Mustang
"...my senior year in high school, one of my classmates had a 2002 Mustang. It was black and manual. He didn't really like it..."
The Ford Mustang is a popular sports car that many people love for its speed and design. The 2002 version is part of a long line of Mustangs that have been around for decades.
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car known for its performance and style. The 2002 model is part of the fourth generation of Mustangs, which featured a more modern design and improved handling.
turbocharger
"And then after my first year, I thought I was smart enough. And I put a turbocharger system in it and built a D engine for it."
A turbocharger is a part that helps an engine get more power by pushing in extra air. This allows the engine to burn more fuel and go faster.
A turbocharger is a device that forces more air into the engine's combustion chamber, allowing it to burn more fuel and produce more power. This can significantly increase the engine's performance and efficiency.
Land Rover Range Rover
"And now I'm just driving around a Range Rover. I love that thing to death."
The Range Rover is a fancy SUV made by Land Rover. It's great for driving on rough roads and is very comfortable inside.
The Range Rover is a luxury SUV known for its off-road capabilities and premium features. It combines comfort with ruggedness, making it a popular choice for both city driving and outdoor adventures.
BMW E90
"...ctually paid to ship the Mustang over and I had a E90 BMW that I was driving around as a daily driver, ..."
The BMW 3 Series is a popular car that is known for being fun to drive and comfortable. It’s a small luxury car that many people like because it combines style with good performance.
The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car that has been a staple in the automotive market since its introduction in 1975. Known for its blend of performance, luxury, and technology, the 3 Series is often discussed for its driving dynamics and status as a benchmark in its class.
supercharged engine
"But it has the five liter supercharged engine. It makes 500 horsepower."
A supercharged engine is a type of engine that gets extra power by pushing in more air. This helps the car go faster and have more strength.
A supercharged engine uses a compressor to force more air into the combustion chamber, allowing for more fuel to be burned and thus increasing power output. The speaker mentions a five-liter supercharged engine, which contributes to the vehicle's performance.
horsepower
"It makes 500 horsepower. It's triple black, you know, trim, interior, outside, all of it."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful a car's engine is. The more horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can be.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for engine power. The speaker mentions that the Range Rover has 500 horsepower, indicating its strong performance capabilities.
L322 chassis
"So the chassis is L322. Got it. And if you're thinking of a Range Rover, the like the box one, it's that one."
The L322 chassis is the framework that supports the 2011 Range Rover. It helps determine how the vehicle handles and feels while driving.
The L322 chassis refers to the specific platform used for the Range Rover models produced from 2002 to 2012. It is known for its robust construction and luxury features, making it a popular choice for both on-road and off-road driving.
SUV
"The only problem is it's an SUV. So if you go around a turn, it feels like you're going to roll it."
An SUV is a larger vehicle that can carry more people and is built to drive on different types of roads, including rough ones. They often feel taller and bigger than regular cars.
SUV stands for Sport Utility Vehicle, a type of vehicle designed for both passenger comfort and off-road capability. They typically have higher ground clearance and can accommodate more passengers and cargo than standard cars.
ECM mod
"...there's a company that does a pulley with like an ECM mod. But you get like 50 horsepower and they want like five grand for it."
An ECM mod is a way to change how your car's engine computer works to make it perform better. It can help the engine run more efficiently or produce more power.
An ECM mod refers to modifications made to the Engine Control Module (ECM), which is the computer that controls various engine functions. These modifications can enhance performance by optimizing fuel delivery, ignition timing, and other parameters.
pulley
"...there's a company that does a pulley with like an ECM mod. But you get like 50 horsepower and they want like five grand for it."
A pulley is a round wheel that helps move belts in the engine. When modified, it can help the engine work better and produce more power.
In automotive terms, a pulley is a wheel on an axle or shaft that is designed to support movement and change of direction of a belt or cable. In performance applications, a modified pulley can increase the engine's efficiency and power output by changing the speed at which components like the supercharger or alternator operate.
Ford Crown Victoria
"You had a Crown Vic, maybe more than one. For Crown Victoria."
The Ford Crown Victoria is a large car that was popular for use as police vehicles and taxis. It was built to be tough and reliable, making it a favorite for many drivers.
The Ford Crown Victoria is a full-size sedan that was produced by Ford from 1992 to 2011. It is known for its durability and was commonly used as a police car and taxi due to its spacious interior and rear-wheel-drive layout.
Pontiac Grand Am
"You know, sometimes it was a Pontiac Grand Am that had. Oh, yeah."
The Pontiac Grand Am is a car that was made by the Pontiac brand. It was popular for its sporty look and was sold for many years until Pontiac stopped making cars.
The Pontiac Grand Am was a mid-size car produced by Pontiac from 1973 to 2005. It is known for its sporty design and was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Pontiac Grand
"...full blown race car. You know, sometimes it was a Pontiac Grand Am that had. Oh, yeah."
The Pontiac Grand Prix is a comfortable car that has been around for many years. It’s known for being a good mix of a family car and a sporty vehicle.
The Pontiac Grand Prix is a mid-size car that was produced from 1962 until 2008, known for its performance-oriented versions and sporty styling. It has been a popular choice among drivers looking for a blend of comfort and sportiness.
Coyote engine
"So I want to get a second or third gen coyote Mustang. So 2015 or newer."
The Coyote engine is a powerful V8 engine that Ford uses in some of its Mustangs. It's designed to give the car great speed and performance.
The Coyote engine is a 5.0-liter V8 engine used in the Ford Mustang since 2011. It is known for its high performance and efficiency, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
twin turbo system
"And then I'm going to put a twin turbo system in the car. And I'm going to use the computer that's on board in the car to tune the twin turbo system."
A twin turbo system means the car has two turbochargers that help the engine get more power by pushing in extra air. This makes the car faster and can help it use fuel better.
A twin turbo system uses two turbochargers to increase an engine's power output by forcing more air into the combustion chamber. This setup can improve performance and efficiency compared to a single turbo system.
airlift performance system
"I also plan to do an airlift performance system on like airbags and stuff. Hopefully I can get the computer to control it all."
An airlift performance system lets you change how high or low your car sits using air instead of traditional springs. This can help with how the car rides and handles on the road.
An airlift performance system uses air suspension technology to adjust the height of a vehicle. This allows for better handling, ride comfort, and the ability to raise or lower the car as needed.
CAN communication
"...we have can communication lines and all the modules like your vehicle can now have upwards of 100 modules in your vehicle that all need to communicate with each other."
CAN communication is a way for different parts of a car to talk to each other. It helps all the electronic systems in the car work together smoothly.
CAN communication, or Controller Area Network communication, is a robust vehicle bus standard that allows microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer. It is widely used in automotive applications to connect various electronic components within a vehicle.
Dodge Neon
"It was a pretty, pretty amazing Dodge, Dodge neon, right? Yep. Yep. So when I was 16, my automotive career started with a 1997 Dodge neon sport had"
The Dodge Neon is a small car that was made by Dodge. It was popular for being cheap and fun to drive, especially in the sport version.
The Dodge Neon is a compact car that was produced by Dodge from 1994 to 2005. It was known for its affordability and sporty design, particularly in the sport trim, which offered enhanced performance features.
dual overhead cam
"[1879.7s] dual overhead cam in it. [1880.7s] So that's what made it a sport."
A dual overhead cam engine has two rods that control the opening and closing of the engine's valves. This setup helps the engine run better and can make it faster.
A dual overhead cam (DOHC) engine features two camshafts per cylinder head, allowing for more precise control of the engine's intake and exhaust valves. This design can improve performance and efficiency, especially at higher RPMs.
reverse gear
"[1894.7s] My reverse went out and ended up having to park it in places that I can either pull forward or just pull it back out of the football or out of the stall."
The reverse gear lets your car go backward. If it stops working, you can't back up, which can make parking and turning around tricky.
The reverse gear in a vehicle allows it to move backward. If the reverse gear fails, the driver may have difficulty maneuvering the vehicle in tight spaces, as they cannot back up.
head gasket
"...blew the head gasket on it and wiped out the timing belt and they decided that was enough for the neon."
The head gasket is a part of the engine that keeps oil and coolant separate. If it fails, it can cause serious problems and make the car run poorly.
The head gasket is a critical component that seals the engine block and cylinder head, preventing coolant and oil from mixing and maintaining compression in the engine. A blown head gasket can lead to significant engine damage and costly repairs.
Blazer
"So, but yeah, then I got my blazer. The blazer off opened up a little more doors for me because it was four-wheel drive."
The Blazer is a type of SUV made by Chevrolet. It's known for being able to drive off-road and is popular for outdoor activities.
The Chevrolet Blazer is a mid-size SUV that has been known for its off-road capabilities and versatility. It has gone through several generations since its introduction in the late 1960s.
four-wheel drive
"...because it was four-wheel drive. So I started doing some off-roading..."
Four-wheel drive means that all four wheels of the vehicle can move at the same time. This helps the car drive better on rough or slippery surfaces.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a drivetrain system that allows all four wheels of a vehicle to receive power from the engine simultaneously. This enhances traction and control, especially in off-road conditions.
off-roading
"...So I started doing some off-roading a little bit there here in Boxhiller County..."
Off-roading is when you drive a vehicle on rough ground instead of on regular roads. It's often done for fun in places like dirt trails or mountains.
Off-roading refers to driving on unpaved surfaces, such as dirt, mud, sand, or rocky terrain. Vehicles designed for off-roading typically have features like higher ground clearance and specialized tires to handle rough conditions.
Pontiac Gto
"Funny enough. And I put a 2004 Pontiac GTO on there. Oh, yeah."
The Pontiac GTO is a powerful car that was popular in the 1960s and is considered one of the first muscle cars. It’s known for its strong engine and sporty design.
The Pontiac GTO is a classic American muscle car that was first introduced in 1964, often credited with starting the muscle car trend. Known for its powerful V8 engine and performance capabilities, the GTO remains a significant part of automotive history.
Pontiac Solstice
"...ristian. By the way, Christian owned a 07 Pontiac Solstice, the Miata of GM, as I call it."
The Pontiac Solstice is a small, sporty car that looks great and is fun to drive. It’s a two-seater convertible that many people enjoy for its performance.
The Pontiac Solstice is a compact sports car that was produced from 2006 to 2009, known for its stylish design and affordable price point. It was Pontiac's attempt to revive the brand's sporty image and is often compared to the Mazda Miata for its fun driving experience.
Mazda Miata
"...e way, Christian owned a 07 Pontiac Solstice, the Miata of GM, as I call it. So much fun."
The Mazda Miata is a small, two-seat convertible sports car that is very fun to drive. It’s known for being light and nimble, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
The Mazda Miata is a lightweight two-seat roadster that has been celebrated for its engaging driving experience since its debut in 1989. Often praised for its simplicity and fun-to-drive nature, the Miata has become an iconic model in the sports car segment.
Delorean DMC-12
"Christian knows one of these. So John DeLorean invented it, came up with the Pontiac GTO."
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a unique car known for its shiny metal body and doors that open upwards. It’s famous for being featured in movies and has an interesting backstory.
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports car that became famous for its unique stainless steel body and gullwing doors, as well as its appearance in the 'Back to the Future' film series. Produced in the early 1980s, the DeLorean is often discussed for its distinctive design and the story of its creator, John DeLorean.
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