Two Guys Garage Podcast
Brenton Productions
Updated 1 day agoExpert gearheads and longtime co-hosts Kevin Byrd and Willie B bring their hallmark brand of automotive knowledge and passion from the TV screen to the podcasting world. Two Guys Garage Podcast covers virtually every aspect of the automotive aftermarket, from repair to restoration, from customization to innovations, all in the same loose, just-havin’-fun manner fans have been enjoying on MotorTrendTV for years.
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Episodes (687)
As the Wheels Turn
There are all types of wheels for different applications from different processes at different price points. Casting, flow formed and forged; aluminum, steel, and composites; three-piece and monoblock. It can all seem overwhelming, especially since wheels have so much power to make or break everything about the driving experience. Joining the guys to demystify the confusion is Dave Schardt, President of Forgeline Wheels. “We say it all the time,” notes Kevin. “The right wheels and the right stance can take just any ride and take it up a couple of notches.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alexis DeJoria at 300 MPH
“There is nothing like nitro methane power, the kind that makes 11,000 HP and flames coming out of the pipes,” NHRA Funny Car Driver Alexis DeJoria tells the guys in a candid pre-race sit-down. “We accelerate quicker than a fighter pilot does.” High adrenaline and outsized levels of risk run hand in glove, putting tremendous pressure on the crew chief, the DC Motorsports team, and herself. The ability to maintain laser focus while piloting a 300 mile per hour rocket can mean not just the difference between winning and losing, but between life and death. It’s a physical and emotional rollercoaster ride at maximum speed. “You have the highest highs with this kind of racing and the lowest lows.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wiring Untangled
In this episode’s intro, Willie makes it abundantly clear that he absolutely hates wiring. That is, he did until he discovered American Autowire’s all-in-one kits that make what can seem like a daunting task as easy as possible. “Wiring (for) a lot of people is black magic, it scares them to death,” says Engineering Support Manager Don Bock, “and really, if you understand the concept of it, it’s really not hard.” Adds Kevin, “Don’t be afraid, just get in there and do it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Godzilla Wreaks Havoc
Godzilla is Ford’s latest monster engine, their supersized response to the wildly successful LS platform. Kevin likens it to an LS on steroids with more cubic inches, while today’s guest Doug DeLong of Well Sorted offers it up as further proof of the adage, “there’s no replacement for displacement.” Recently relocated from Denver to Atlanta, Well Sorted is on the forefront of installations and different applications for this powerful beast, “the culmination of a lot of lessons learned” along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lingenfelter Goes Faster
It’s a well-acknowledged fact that Kevin and Willie’s longtime friend and living legend Ken Lingenfelter has a finger on all things fast. A true car guy born and bred, he caught the bug at the tender age of 10 when he first laid eyes on a ‘63 split-window Corvette coming off the assembly line, courtesy of his Detroit exec dad. In the decades since, he’s remained a dedicated fan, “absolutely enchanted with the new C8,” and with the new Z06 on the way, “probably more passionate about it today than I’ve ever been.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Diving into Rear Ends
Finding a powerful powertrain for an old hot rod or truck is no longer the difficult challenge it once was. Nowadays it’s finding the right rear end that’s the real challenge. Have no fear though, Jon Henson of Currie Enterprises has a plan. “We want to take the voodoo out of a rear end and basically make it an easy purchase, an educated purchase, and something that now you can spec out based on your build and how you’re gonna use the vehicle,” he tells Willie and Kevin. “The ultimate goal is to make sure that at the end of the day when the customer gets in his car and he’s driving and he just wants that freedom, that he’s gonna get that feeling.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rockin’ in Cleveland
Cleveland Power and Performance is a salvage yard like no other – a wonderland of curated parts and pieces, drive trains and engines harvested from crashed Camaros, Mustangs and Hellcats – that also happens to build mind-blowing hot rods like the noted ’69 Dodge Charger “Reverence” and last year’s SEMA Show stunner NIKA ‘79 Bronco. Owner Rick Fragnoli makes his third visit to the podcast to discuss all the latest goings on in the aftermarket and what lies ahead as the EV era dawns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Byrd’s ’70 Fastback Build Begins
Kevin’s on a mission to not just rebuild but to reconceive the iconic 1970 Mustang Fastback he missed out on in his youth. In this first installment of an ongoing series, Kevin reveals his ambitious gameplan for the project, including how he came up with it, what he’s doing with it, and the direction he’s taking it. “It’s gonna be a daily driver hot rod that rips,” he tells Willie, “I’m gonna just hammer the bank account and I’m gonna get ‘er done!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Total Engine TLC
The average age of vehicles on the road has ticked up to an all-time high of 12 years. Keeping them running cleaner and longer is the mission of TotalEnergies, the massive French company doing big things on a global scale. Luis Cerqueira and Darren Lesinski join the podcast to discuss what technologies are coming down the pike in terms of oil, natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, wind, and solar power. As the company strives to become greener in several respects, they’re at the cutting edge of developing oils that let the OEs literally design the engine around the oil! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Modern Suspensions are Making Old Cars Cool Again
Frank Vasquez, Chris Atkinson, and Joseph Torres of KW Suspensions check in with the guys for a Master Class in making old cars new again. “Nothing wakes a car up like putting new suspension components, parts, and pieces under it,” notes Willie at the outset, enabling them to drive like they were meant to be driven. “You would not believe the difference in the right spring and damper combination,” adds Kevin, “and the technology is through the roof.” Learn why friends don’t let friends cut springs or bump stocks; why shock speed is specific to how fast the shock is being either collapsed or extended; and why making too many changes at once can cause all manner of unforced errors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two Guys, Three Pedals
Willie and Kevin are big fans of grabbin’ gears and heel toeing the clutch, especially when a TREMEC tranny’s involved. “There are few things in a vehicle other than the transmission that can really change the whole dynamic of your driving,” notes Kevin, “and really bring the fun factor in.” Mike Kidd is a kindred spirit who also happens to be TREMEC’s Aftermarket Business Manager, and today he joins the guys for a lively update on all the latest goings on at the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steering Clear
Back in the day, steering columns offered only rudimentary functions like three-on-the-tree. Nowadays, you can retrofit just about any vehicle with state-of-the-art tech featuring spectacular upgrades. IDIDIT President/GM Trever Cornwell joins the guys for a discussion about the evolution and ergonomics of steering columns. “We tell people, ‘If you can dream it, we can build it,’” notes Trever, citing everything from aluminum to 24k gold-plated columns for very specific steering applications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gunslinger of PSCA
Mel Roth launched PSCA Racing 22 years ago, nurturing its regional roots as the Pacific Street Car Association into the national platform now named Premier. Among the 6 to 16 different classes of racing depending on venue, the XDR Series spotlights 3000 hp door cars running radial tires on the 1/8-mile drag. “The nature of the beast is you wanna go fast,” Mel tells the guys. “You wanna win, but you really wanna go fast!” Or, as Kevin puts it, “It’s a real cool, relatable racing series with a whole lot of who-knows-what’s-gonna- happen!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Getting a Lift
Having a lift in your shop or garage was once something people could only dream about. Today they are not only readily available but also quite affordable, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations for a host of applications. Mark Israel of Atlas Automotive Equipment joins the guys for an in-depth tutorial on the features and benefits of 2-post, 4-post, scissor, and motorcycle lifts. “One of the biggest, baddest, coolest tools you could have is a lift,” raves Kevin, “and at a really attainable number.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
All About ABS
Willie and Kevin firmly believe that races are won with quality braking, as they extol the virtues of old school ABS. To prove their point, they enlist the expertise of Terry Fair, owner of Vorshlag Motorsports and a pioneer in ABS swaps for older platforms. “The better OEM systems have gotten really good,” Terry explains, “and not only does it improve your braking performance 20-30%, it improves driver confidence immensely.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Quality Seat Time
Ross Berlanga of TMI Products joins the guys to discuss a real pain in the butt for drivers: uncomfortable seats. It may be a little-known fact that outside of paint, high quality upholstery is one of the bigger costs you can incur on a car, and as Willie notes, “Nothing changes the game like getting that seat when it’s fit right, that you feel secure in.” From the virtues of molded foam vs. cut foam, to demystifying low back seats and converting truck benches to buckets, get ready to learn everything you ever wanted to know – and then some – about seats! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Premium Replacement Parts
Spectra Premium has been producing high quality aftermarket products for over 30 years – everything from oil pans and fuel tanks to engine management, heavy duty segments and classic car parts – right here in North America. “At the end of the day, our customers are really looking for complete solutions to what they’re doing,” Director of Category Management Aaron Athey tells the guys. “We’ve kind of taken that premium mentality to everything we do.” Asked if he’s ever had a customer cry, Athey notes only when they’ve been disappointed elsewhere first, “and we’ve been able to turn some of those tears into smiles!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Einstein of Additives Bids Farewell
On the eve of his retirement from Hot Shot’s Secret, Chris Gabrelcik joins the guys for one final conversation, touching on how best to prep and store the toys of summer, and busting some longstanding myths on the longevity of engine oil that’s been left sitting for months on end. “There’s no reason to not use a fuel additive always… not only do they clean out the system and lubricate it, they also make the storage much better because they have fuel stabilizers that keep it fresh for two years.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bryan Fuller Gets Schooled
Kevin’s former Two Guys Garage co-host and good buddy Bryan Fuller is renowned for his work creating custom motorcycles, hot rods, and old school classics. He’s most recently discovered a new itch for precision driving – a.k.a. racing – specifically open wheel, and he’s set his sights on rebuilding a rare, vintage Mirage M5 to run in Formula Ford. “My first race car, it’s kind of scary,” he confesses to the guys. “It’s exciting, it’s fun, it’s scary; I don’t know, lots of emotion.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Let It Shine!
Today’s paint jobs – both factory and aftermarket – are expensive. Exposure to the elements and improper care can wreak havoc and leave your ride looking sad. Adam Pitale has made it his life’s mission to perfect automotive protection with a fleet of easy-to-use products bearing his name. “So many people want an easier mousetrap,” the creator of Adam’s Polishes tells the guys. The secret is “a simpler process they can drive a clean car all the time and don’t have to spend all their free time cleaning it.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Talkin’ Tire Tech
Kevin and Willie kick off Season 3 with a gripping conversation about one of the fastest-growing aftermarket categories flying under the radar – tire tech. Finding the right tire for your application is critical and may just be THE single biggest performance-related aspect of your vehicle. Ron Elliot of Hercules Tires is on hand to discuss the latest rip-roaring advances in all things rubber, from rock crawling to mudslinging, swamp to street. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Vintage Air Keeps Its Cool
Two of the biggest impacts you can make on an older car or hot rod are upgrading to a modern transmission and installing air conditioning. While the former is a no-brainer, the latter may come as a bit of a surprise to anyone not already familiar with Vintage Air. Since 1976, the company has significantly impacted the world of hot rodding by bringing air conditioning systems to cars you would never expect to have them. Rick Love chats with Kevin and Willie about the advancements the company’s made and continues to make, most notably its SureFit systems suitable for vehicles that never had A/C, and which are designed specifically for the DIYer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
REVan Evan’s Auto Adventures
Photojournalist and die-hard magazine guy “REVan” Evan Smith’s had his finger on the pulse of performance and racing for as long as he or anyone else can remember. In this all-new chat with the guys, he talks about making the transition from print to video to digital, and the need to keep pace with rapidly changing technology and the distribution systems central to reaching car folks wherever they are. And for folks wondering how to get your car into your favorite publication he offers some great dos and don’ts you’ll definitely want to hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aeromotive Pumps the Gas
When it comes to state-of-the-art fuel pumps and regulators, Aeromotive is at the forefront of R&D in the field, pioneering innovative new options for easily modifying a gas tank for a drop-in, in-tank solution. In fact, their small brushless gear pumps can now deliver as much as five, seven, even 10 gallons per minute! As Technical Director Brett Clow explains to the guys, “It’s just amazing how things have changed. We’re at a point today where if somebody calls and says they’re not making 1000 hp at least, we’re like, ‘What’s wrong?!’” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Go Fast Fords
SVTPerformance.com is THE go-to online forum for anything performance-related in the Ford world. Launched by Travis Hill in late 2000, today it numbers nearly 200,000 members and counting. “It is just a massive community of Ford enthusiasts who share a passion for just going fast,” Hill tells the guys, compelling even lifelong Mopar fan Willie B to take notice. “Make it, break it, build it better; get out there and have some fun!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices