Engine Masters
An all-new show featuring parts testing and engine-to-engine shootouts. Developed from the popular Engine Masters Challenge - hosted by David Freiburger of Roadkill, Steve Dulcich of Engine Masters magazine, and Steve Brule of Westech Performance Group.
- 2015-2023
- 8 seasons
- Reality
An all-new show featuring parts testing and engine-to-engine shootouts. Developed from the popular Engine Masters Challenge - hosted by David Freiburger of Roadkill, Steve Dulcich of Engine Masters magazine, and Steve Brule of Westech Performance Group.
Season 8 Episode Guide
26 Episodes 2023
Episode 1
Air-to-Air Intercooler, Now With CO2!!
Fri, Mar 24, 2023 22 mins
Hot intake air temps are bad, and cold IAT's are good, right? But how bad is bad, and how good is good, especially in a boosted application? This time on Engine Masters, presented by AMSOIL, we're exploring the benefits of an air-to-air intercooler in terms of power and detonation resistance. But wait, there's more. We're also testing out external CO2 foggers that keep your intercooler extra cool. How cool? Come on, we'll show ya.
Episode 2
High vs. Low Injectors
Fri, Mar 31, 2023 21 mins
Can you make power just by changing the placement of the fuel injector? Our testing has repeatedly shown that carbs make more peak power than EFI, and our explanation is based on the fuel's ability to cool the incoming air on its way to the head. Multipoint injection just can't do that. Or can it? This time on Engine Masters, presented by AMSOIL, we move fuel injectors up the intake manifold runners to see if that extra distance of suspended fuel can make any more power.
Episode 3
Tank Testing for Air-to-Water Intercoolers
Fri, Apr 7, 2023 20 mins
We know that air-to-water intercoolers make power by absorbing the heat of the intake air into the cool of the IC's water. But doesn't that water eventually just get hot, too? This time on Engine Masters, presented by AMSOIL, we're exploring the effects of different-sized water tanks and their abilities to keep the intake charge colder longer, as well as to hold ice and make your power gains even larger.
Episode 4
The Throttle-Body Throwdown!
Fri, Apr 14, 2023 22 mins
How much airflow does your throttle body need to provide? That's what we're here to answer this time on Engine Masters, as we compare 90mm and 105mm forward-facing throttle bodies against one another and then to 2000 cfm worth of top-mounted, dual quad-style throttle bodies. These will all sit atop a fuel-injected 442ci LS7 mill pumping out around 700 hp. How much airflow is enough for this power level? We're about to find out.
Episode 5
Bellmouth for Power?!
Fri, Apr 21, 2023 22 mins
Call it a velocity stack, a radiused entry, or even a salad bowl, the bellmouth is designed to direct and smooth the airflow into the throttle body, creating a more efficient airflow. But does it make power? We'll be answering that very question for both N/A and supercharged versions of our 363ci small-block Ford.
Episode 6
Sequential vs. Batch Fire EFI
Fri, Apr 28, 2023 22 mins
Precise and scientific or unrefined and ham-fisted? Despite the reputations each of these injection styles carry, does either really make a difference when it comes to overall power? We're exploring that question as well as the tunability, what it takes to make the switch, and all of the pros and cons that come along with each. Come learn the truth about what you really need, right here on Engine Masters.
Episode 7
One Cam, Three Ways!
Fri, May 5, 2023 22 mins
Cam specs are cam specs, right? WRONG!. This time, we show you how three seemingly identical cams can behave very differently. It's called cam lobe intensity, and it's all about the shape of the lobe between the base circle and the nose. So what's the difference between a standard, a high-intensity, and a low-shock cam? Which one is right for you? Find out on this time on Engine Masters.
Episode 8
Straight Talk About Spark Plugs
Fri, May 12, 2023 22 mins
Can any one type of spark plug make more power than the next? What about the ones with fancy metal tips or extra ground straps? What if you gap them bigger or smaller? We'll answer all these questions and share as many tips and tricks as you can handle. If you have a gas motor of any size, this time on Engine Masters has something for you.
Episode 9
Exhaust Tech: Header Primary Length
Fri, May 19, 2023 22 mins
This one's all about how the length of your header primary tubes can affect your power curve. You'll learn about all the different ways your engine expels its exhaust; mainly the negative pressure wave that pulls burnt gases from the cylinder and how that changes how much torque is made and where the power occurs. Come get scientific with us this time on Engine Masters.
Episode 10
Cams: How Small Is Too Small?
Fri, May 26, 2023 21 mins
The bigger the cam, the higher the curve, right? Well, there's some truth to that, but what about when you're talking about low-end torque? This time on Engine Masters, we explore the world of usable, cruisable, tow-ready torque curves with three of the smallest camshafts we've ever tested. But how small is too small? Come with us as we find out.
Episode 11
When Headers Don't Matter
Fri, Jun 2, 2023 21 mins
Roadkill Garage's Steve Dulcich has posed a theory. His claim is that headers don't matter nearly as much when paired with a small cam as they do with a larger cam. To find out, we'll look at the percentage of power gained on our Ultimate Average 383 when using factory-style manifolds, shorty headers, and full-length headers with both a tiny 200/206 cam, and then again with a meatier 230/236 stick. Does a smaller cam benefit less from a header upgrade? Come find out this time on Engine Masters.
Episode 12
Big-Block Chevy Dual Plane Shootout!
Fri, Jun 9, 2023 22 mins
Listen up, street drivers of big-block Chevys, this is the shootout for you. With so many average power, cruiser level, and even bone stock BBC's roaming around, this one is long overdue. From high rise to low rise, square bore and spread bore, this time on Engine Masters is all about which intake will give you the most bang for your basic big-block.
Episode 13
The Weight of Oil
Fri, Jun 16, 2023 22 mins
With so many oil weights and combinations on the market, the crew sets out to show how different weights behave, perform and react inside your engine under operating conditions. While it only scratches the surface, expect a primer on oil weights and how differing weights affect horsepower, pressure and resilience to temperature.
Episode 14
Keep your Fuel Cool!!
Fri, Aug 25, 2023 21 mins
Why does colder fuel make more power? How can you consistently keep fuel temps down, and what difference will it really make? All these questions, and more, answered this time on Engine Masters.
Episode 15
The Surprising Findings of the Air Filter Shootout
Fri, Sep 1, 2023 22 mins
This is back to the basics, but not without its merits. We've all run the standard 14-inch round filter in the past and wondered every time if there's any difference between them. Does cotton gauze make any more power than a paper filter, or is it just a more expensive filter? Is there even any difference between brands? We aim to find out this time on Engine Masters, and the differences just might surprise you.
Episode 16
Proper Pushrods & Sufficient Springs
Fri, Sep 8, 2023 22 mins
Can your pushrods or valve springs affect your power production, even when valve float isn't a problem? This promises to be an eye-opening one of Engine Masters, as we test varying combinations of valve spring and pushrod strengths in our 514 Big Block Ford.
Episode 17
The Nitrous Plate Debate
Fri, Sep 15, 2023 22 mins
The spray-bar style nitrous plate has been the standard forever, which begs two questions: Can it be improved upon, and does it even need to be?. This time on Engine Masters, we put the tried-and-true spray-bar style up against the new-fangled perimeter discharge style. A 200-hp shot is a 200-hp shot, but how does each delivery method affect the tune of your motor? That's what we're here to find out.
Episode 18
BBF Intake Manifold Comparison
Fri, Sep 22, 2023 22 mins
We've done an intake manifold comparison on nearly every American big and small block platform, and at long last it's big block Ford's turn. We're shooting out single planes AND dual planes on a healthy street/strip 514ci combo that should relate to what a lot of BBF guys are running.
Episode 19
Heat Management
Fri, Sep 29, 2023 22 mins
This time on Engine Masters is all about radiant heat, or better yet how to control it. Whether from exhaust, transmission, or any of your other heat generating components, isolating and separating that heat can make a hot ride comfortable, and even hot intake charge cooler. We're testing header wraps and panel heat shields, so come see how - and how not - to keep your cool.
Episode 20
A Study in 02 Sensors & AFR Readings
Fri, Oct 6, 2023 21 mins
Standalone air/fuel ratio gauges have changed the game when it comes to tuning carbureted engines, this episode of Engine Masters wants to open your eyes to a world possibilities and pitfalls when using them. We'll start by comparing five off-the-shelf units, then move on to showing how things like placement, air leaks, and even dead cylinders can affect your readings, your tuning decisions, and ultimately your power levels. This one's a real eye opener.
Episode 21
Controlling the Hit
Wed, Oct 11, 2023 22 mins
A 200-hp shot of nitrous is really no big deal, as long as you do it right. This time on Engine Masters, we show you how to do it right. We test a long-told hose length theory as well as a long-proven nitrous controller practice to illustrate how softening the "hit" of the nitrous can help you control the power and keep your motor in one piece.
Episode 22
BIG CFM Shootout
Fri, Oct 20, 2023 22 mins
Freiburger's 582 big block Chevy is back. And this time we're using it to shoot out 1050, 1250 and 1450 cfm Dominators. When you're flirting in that 1,000-hp range, how much difference do those extra cfms make, and how much does the tune change between them? We're exploring all that and more this time on Engine Masters.
Episode 23
Sniper 2 the Rescue
Fri, Oct 27, 2023 22 mins
Holley recently debuted the second iteration of its throttle body EFI system, and we're here to see if it's any better than the first version and any better than the carburetor we so dearly love. We'll walk you through the installation, the setup, and the benefits. Most important, we'll show you the results. Come see it all, here on Engine Masters.
Episode 24
Port v Plate Nitrous Injection
Fri, Nov 3, 2023 22 mins
Does a 300 shot of nitrous sound like a lot or like you're just getting started? That's one way to tell if you should be running a plate or a port system, and this time on Engine Masters, the guys walk you through each system, how much power you can add through each, and the jetting differences between them.
Episode 25
The Exhaust Duration Equation
Fri, Nov 10, 2023 22 mins
As this show often does, we're diving back into the intricacies of camshaft grinds. This time, we're exploring not just split-duration cams, but how larger and larger splits affect the power curve. Will it make any difference at all? Find out on this time on Engine Masters.
Episode 26
Header Science: Step vs. Merge
Fri, Nov 17, 2023 22 mins
We all know there's invisible voodoo that can make or rob power in an exhaust system. The guys explore the merits of stepped headers, whose primaries step up in diameter, and merge collectors, which create an intentional restriction in the collector, against good old-fashioned, no-frills headers. Do the frequency-tuning claims of the steps and the velocity-enhancing merges make a difference to your motor? Absolutely.
