Will TRUE CUSTOM PAINT Ever Come Back? | F_cking Cars Podcast Ep 24

They’re working on a Ford Mustang that’s been fitted with a different engine (a “coyote” swap). In this context, the Mustang is the chassis/platform the swap is being engineered around, so packaging constraints drive what parts and adapters are needed.

A “coyote swap” usually means installing a Ford Coyote V8 (from the Mustang GT/other Coyote applications) into a different vehicle or chassis. The term matters because swap kits exist, but the fitment and clearance issues can vary a lot depending on the chassis and accessories.

They’re pointing out that the engine’s physical packaging and accessory layout create constraints. In swaps, “motor limitations” often means where the accessories sit relative to the frame, which then forces changes to cooling, A/C, and routing.

Art Morrison Enterprises is known for building custom chassis for hot rods and restomods. Here, the “Art Morrison chassis” is relevant because its geometry and placement of structural members determine how close the engine and A/C components can sit.

The A/C compressor is the component that pressurizes the refrigerant system. In this build, it’s “so close to the frame” that standard vintage A/C adapter parts don’t fit, forcing them to use different adapters and reroute connections.

“Vintage A/C adapters” refers to aftermarket bracket/adapter pieces designed to mate older A/C components or systems to newer compressor mounting points. The key point is that adapter design is often specific to compressor models and mounting geometry, so swap fitment can break the intended compatibility.

Remote mounting means relocating components away from their usual location, typically to gain clearance or improve hose/routing geometry. Here, they’re remote-mounting parts of the A/C “charging system” so the fittings and connectors can be installed despite tight space near the frame and compressor.

An oil cooler is an aftermarket heat exchanger that helps control engine oil temperature. They mention an oil cooler because the aftermarket initially said it wasn’t necessary, but their decision-making suggests the swap’s operating conditions or packaging/heat management needs changed their plan.

“Pro-charge” here refers to adding a supercharger system (often a belt-driven forced-induction setup) to increase engine airflow and power. It’s typically paired with additional cooling hardware because the extra boost raises temperatures.

“Lines to the cooler” refers to the plumbing/hose routing for a cooling system (commonly charge-air cooling or oil/coolant cooling depending on the setup). Proper line routing matters for avoiding heat soak, leaks, and interference with other underbody components.

An immobilizer is an anti-theft system that prevents the engine from starting unless it recognizes the correct key/transponder. When swapping parts between cars, immobilizer components (key/ECU/receiver) often must be matched or re-paired, or you’ll get a crank/no-start with no fuel/ignition.

A “donor car” is a second vehicle used as a parts source for swaps—here, immobilizer/key components. Using a donor can solve compatibility issues, but it also introduces wiring/pinning and immobilizer matching challenges.

Wiring diagrams and pin charts map which wires connect to which connector pins on ECUs and modules. For immobilizer/no-start issues, getting the correct pin-to-pin connections is critical—mis-pinning can prevent the car from authorizing fuel/ignition.

“E25 pin” appears to be a specific connector pin on a module/ECU referenced during troubleshooting. The key idea is that the speaker is checking for a “hot power” feed at that exact pin, which can determine whether the immobilizer/ignition/fuel systems get authorization.

NEP is referenced as a designation for a specific diagnostic pin/signal, but the transcript doesn’t clearly define the acronym. The context implies it’s related to an ignition-related pulse/injector signal used during troubleshooting.

A tachometer measures engine RPM (revolutions per minute). The transcript suggests a specific pin signal is associated with tach output, which is useful for diagnosing whether the engine is generating ignition events.

ECU stands for Engine Control Unit. It’s the car’s main computer that controls engine functions like fuel delivery and ignition timing by grounding or powering specific circuits.

A fuel pump relay is an electrically controlled switch that supplies power to the fuel pump. When the ECU grounds the relay control circuit, it closes the relay and the pump runs to build fuel pressure.

An ignition problem means the engine isn’t producing the spark (or correct ignition signal) needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture. Even with fuel pressure present, if the ignition system isn’t firing, the engine may crank but never start or pop.

“Fuel injector pulse” refers to the short electrical signal that tells a fuel injector when to spray fuel. If the ECU stops injector pulsing, the engine may crank but won’t start because the cylinders aren’t getting fuel at the right time.

“Spark” is the high-voltage electrical event that ignites the air-fuel mixture in each cylinder. No spark (or weak spark) can mimic fuel problems, which is why checking spark is a key step in troubleshooting a no-start condition.

“Coil-on plugs” (COP) is an ignition setup where each spark plug has its own ignition coil mounted directly on top of the plug. It improves packaging and can help with ignition accuracy, but diagnosing misfires often means testing individual coils and plug/boot connections.

“Fuel pressure” is the amount of pressure in the fuel rail that feeds the injectors. It can be normal even when injectors aren’t pulsing, so pressure alone isn’t proof that the engine is actually receiving fuel during cranking.

A “mechanics shortage” means there aren’t enough trained technicians to service and repair vehicles. In the transcript, it’s used to argue that automation (robots) could fill some gaps, but heavy-duty vehicles still require real-world service.

“Change oil” is a routine maintenance task that keeps an engine lubricated and helps remove contaminants. The hosts are using it as an example of work that could be automated by robots in a future with fewer mechanics.

“Disposable cars” is the idea that vehicles are designed and priced so that, when something breaks or wears out, owners replace the car rather than repair it. That mindset reduces demand for traditional mechanical repair work and shifts the industry toward replacement and fleet-level service.

The Tesla Semi is an electric semi truck concept aimed at long-haul freight. The discussion ties it to the idea that electrifying heavy trucks requires more than just vehicles—it needs charging and operational infrastructure to keep trucks earning money.

Charging infrastructure refers to the availability, capacity, and placement of charging stations needed to support electric vehicles—especially commercial fleets. For semis, the key is minimizing downtime so vehicles stay on the road and generate revenue.

The Pontiac Fiero is a mid-engine sports car produced by Pontiac, best known for being an affordable entry into a “sports car” layout. The podcast references a “1996 Fiero concept car,” which points to how the model name and design direction were explored in later concept form. It comes up because the Fiero has a strong enthusiast following and a reputation tied to its unusual mid-engine packaging for the era.

A mid-engine layout places the engine near the center of the car, typically behind the front seats and ahead of the rear axle. This can improve balance and handling because the weight distribution is closer to the middle, which is why mid-engine designs are often associated with sports cars.

An electromagnetic braking system slows a vehicle using magnetic forces instead of traditional friction between brake pads and rotors. The idea is to reduce wear and potentially cut down on brake dust. In practice, it’s still a developing technology and depends on the vehicle’s powertrain and hardware design.

The hosts discuss how car-centric cities can be dominated by parking lots, which take up large areas of space. They reference a simulation where early city layouts looked “ridiculous” because they were mostly parking, leading to a more walkable-looking representation. It’s a commentary on how vehicle infrastructure shapes what cities look like.

Kia is a major automaker known for rapidly evolving styling and tech-forward design cues. In this segment, the hosts mention Kia’s newer “future-looking” design language as part of how brands are trying to look more modern and electric. It’s a styling trend rather than a specific mechanical change.

“Tron stuff” is a pop-culture reference to the neon, futuristic look associated with the TRON franchise. Here it’s used to describe modern lighting and styling elements that make cars appear more “future” or techy. It’s not a technical automotive term, but it helps listeners understand the aesthetic being discussed.

A projector light is a headlamp/lighting module that uses a lens and reflector to focus light into a defined beam pattern. It’s often used for sharper cutoff and more controlled illumination compared with older reflector-only designs.

A turn signal is the vehicle’s indicator light used to communicate intended direction changes to other drivers. The hosts mention it in the context of modern lighting layouts that can make signals look visually confusing or overly integrated.

Running lights (often called daytime running lights, DRLs) are lights that stay on during normal driving to improve visibility. The hosts are reacting to how some modern designs make DRLs visually dominant—sometimes larger than the main headlights.

The clear coat is the transparent top layer that provides gloss and protects the color coat underneath. When it gets thinner, it can lose shine faster and show defects more easily, especially after washing, polishing, or sanding.

Wet sanding is a controlled sanding process using water to reduce heat and clogging, often used to level paint defects. Sanding a fresh clear coat too aggressively can reveal texture and imperfections because the clear layer is thin and not as forgiving.

Work hardening (strain hardening) means a metal becomes harder and more resistant to deformation after it’s plastically deformed. Aluminum can change its properties depending on how it’s formed, which affects how it behaves during bending and fabrication.

Extrusion and stamping are manufacturing processes that shape metal into parts. The way aluminum is produced (and how long it sits between forming steps) can influence its final strength and how it responds to bending or repair.

Aluminum tubing refers to formed aluminum pipe used for structural or fluid-carrying applications. The speaker is correcting terminology (“pipe” vs “tubing”), which matters because different products/specs can have different wall thicknesses and forming characteristics.

Aluminum aging refers to time-dependent changes in the alloy’s microstructure after it’s been extruded or processed. Those changes can increase stiffness and strength, which is why older stock may bend differently than fresh material.

Extrusion is a manufacturing process where heated metal is pushed through a die to create a specific cross-sectional shape (like a pipe or profile). The segment ties extrusion to later aging behavior and how that affects bending.

Stamping is a metal-forming process where presses force sheet metal into a die to create a specific shape. Here, they’re describing how a fresh aluminum panel is formed at the factory before it’s folded and joined.

A U-bend is a simple forming shape where material is bent into a U profile. The hosts use it to illustrate how newly made aluminum bends smoothly into a round radius, while older stock tends to deform differently.

When thin-walled aluminum is bent after aging, it can lose its ability to maintain the intended cross-section and may collapse or deform into an oval shape. This is a practical forming/manufacturing issue that affects fit and structural consistency.

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. In a car build, HVAC components and ducting can constrain where exhaust-related parts can be routed, because space near the firewall and engine bay is limited.

A controller in this context is an electronic module that manages part of the system they’re installing (likely tied to the HVAC/refrigeration components). The key point is packaging: they don’t have enough room for it in the original location, so they relocate the setup.

The apron is a body panel area (often near the engine bay) used as a reference point for where components and lines can be routed or mounted. Custom installs frequently require careful line routing through/around the apron to maintain clearance and avoid interference.

“Cooler lines” refers to the tubing/hoses that move cooled fluid or refrigerant through the vehicle. The speaker is describing how they routed the system so the lines pass through the apron area, which is a common packaging challenge in custom work.

The dryer (often called an A/C receiver-drier) removes moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant system. In custom installs, it’s typically mounted near the compressor/lines so the refrigerant path and packaging work correctly.

The inner fender is the structural/inner panel behind the wheel area. They’re planning to hide components underneath it, which is a common approach to keep custom plumbing tidy and protected from damage.

They’re describing a common reality of custom automotive installs: even if you buy a “kit,” it may not fit perfectly because fittings, line lengths, and mounting points vary by car and setup. The result is extra work identifying which fittings work on each end and adapting the installation rather than following the kit blindly.

Headlight trim rings are the decorative bezel pieces that frame a headlight in a specific vehicle. They’re often needed when swapping to a different headlight type or bulb style so the light sits correctly and looks factory-correct.

Body filler (commonly fiberglass or polyester filler) is used to smooth gaps and reshape panels before sanding and paint. In this context, it’s being used to blend a trim ring to a slightly mismatched headlight opening.

A gas door is the exterior panel that covers the fuel filler opening. Moving it changes the bodywork and can affect how the car looks and how the fuel system is routed and sealed.

“Collector plates” here sounds like a reference to license plates/plate placement or possibly decorative plate covers, but the transcript context is about fuel filler location and legality. Because the term is ambiguous, it’s best treated as a general “plate/registration” compliance question rather than a specific automotive part.

“Small block Chevy” is a family of compact V8 engines from Chevrolet, commonly swapped into older cars. The mention ties engine swaps to how the car is registered/inspected and what details the DMV expects to match.

“Registration every year” refers to the recurring state process and fees required to legally operate a vehicle on public roads. For hobbyists and older cars, the cost and paperwork can be a major part of ownership.

A “hobbyist plate” is a special license plate category some states offer for vehicles that are owned as projects or for limited use. It’s typically meant to reduce the burden of standard annual registration while still keeping the car legal.

“Rhoda America” is mentioned as a plate option in Wisconsin for getting a black plate. It sounds like a specific plate design/issuer or program name, but the exact entity isn’t fully clear from the segment.

“Yellow retro” appears to be a Wisconsin license plate style meant to evoke a 1970s look. The hosts are comparing plate colors/styles and how people react to them.

A custom plate is a personalized license plate where you choose specific characters/wording, often for an extra fee. The discussion highlights how custom plates can become another cost and time sink during a car project.

This describes the application process for custom plates, where you may submit multiple acceptable character combinations and preferences. If your first choice isn’t available, the state can use the next acceptable option.

The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck. In this segment, it’s being discussed in the context of re-registering the truck and how its value has changed from a cheap, beat-up vehicle to a more expensive one.

A vehicle title is the legal document proving ownership of a car. When a title is lost or needs to be transferred, states often require forms and sometimes allow an authorized person to pick up the replacement or new title on someone else’s behalf.

Picking up a “new title” usually means the state has issued a replacement or updated title after a transfer, correction, or lost-title situation. The key detail here is authorization—someone else can do it for you if the forms are completed correctly.

“Working on paint” in a custom context usually implies planning the finish process—prep, masking, and applying coatings—rather than just a quick respray. The episode’s title suggests they’re discussing whether true custom paint work can return, which often depends on materials, labor availability, and shop practices.

Chameleon paint is a specialty automotive coating that changes color depending on viewing angle and lighting. It’s often achieved with multi-layer pigments and clearcoat, which is why it can be more expensive and harder to match than standard single-color paint.

Airbrushing is a fine-detail painting technique that uses compressed air to atomize paint for smooth gradients and intricate graphics. In custom paint builds, airbrush work is often used for show-car graphics, fades, and layered artwork that’s difficult to replicate with spray guns alone.

Tribal-style pinstriping uses flowing, angular shapes to create a graphic that looks like it’s “woven” into the body lines. It’s typically done by hand or with masking/airbrushing, and it can be layered under clear to create a custom, integrated look.

Flat sanding is sanding a surface to level it so it’s smooth and even, usually after paint or graphic layers create texture or edges. In custom paint, it’s used to avoid ridges that would show through the clear or to prep for polishing.

A dropped shadow is a graphic effect where an offset darker/lighter layer is added behind text or shapes to make them look raised. In custom paint, it’s often created with careful layering so the shadow reads correctly over metallic/chameleon base colors.

This segment is about using custom paint and graphics as the main styling statement—specifically asymmetrical hood graphics that visually interact with engine bay elements like the valve cover. It’s a “paint-first” approach where the body remains mostly stock and the artwork does the branding.

The valve cover is the housing over the engine’s valve train components. In custom paint/graphics, people sometimes design visuals to “match” or highlight the valve cover area for a cohesive engine bay look.

The speaker is talking about styling a Honda Civic, specifically keeping the stock body shape while adding small aero pieces. They’re aiming for a clean look where the paint and graphics are the main visual focus rather than a full body kit.

A ducktail spoiler is a compact, upward-curving rear spoiler shape often associated with classic sports-car styling. It can add downforce and changes the rear profile, even when kept subtle.

A front lip is a small aerodynamic extension at the bottom edge of the front bumper. It can improve airflow and add a more aggressive look without the coverage of a full body kit.