Two Guys Garage Podcast

You might want to wait on dropping $8,000 on that blower you’ve had your eye on until after you’ve heard this week’s podcast. Willie’s twin brother Billy from Warlock Tuning joins the guys to expose the hidden horsepower buried in factory torque limiters and explain how modern “neural networks” in Dodge and GM platforms are changing the tuning game. From optimizing your engine’s "ecosystem" for maximum output, to the sleeper appeal of an all-wheel-drive, cammed-out police interceptor, Billy explains why these AI-based decision-making systems are leaps and bounds ahead of the old-school way of tuning.

The gap between OEM performance and the aftermarket is closing fast. Tremec’s Mike Kidd joins Kevin and Willie to reveal their latest billet-cased prototypes. From rev-matching fixes for '19+ Mustangs to a manual gearbox solution for the C8 Corvette platform, Tremec is rewriting the rules for the aftermarket. This week, we dive into the science of triple-cone synchronizers, 80-millisecond shift times, and why the "Terminator" of transmissions is moving into the transaxle world. Whether you’re a pro-touring veteran or a modern muscle fan, this is the hardware update you’ve been waiting for.

When Willie’s Jeep twists an axle in the middle of a desert ravine, the right gear becomes a literal lifesaver. He and Kevin welcome Kris Scherm from ESAB to recount a "clutch" trailside repair using a battery-powered portable welder. From there, the conversation expands to include "plasma gouging" and the massive technological leap that has occurred in metal fusion since 2020; exploring the science of Pulse Stick welding; the 'one-knob' simplicity of modern Rogue MiG systems; and the productivity gains of moving from stick to high-speed wire. From toaster-sized pocket welders to waveform electronics that make beginners weld like pros, listen in and learn how the perfect welder for your garage or shop is more attainable than you think.

What happens when 15,000 hours of elite craftsmanship meets the high-stakes reality of the auction block? Kevin and Willie trace the journey from the prestigious Grand National Roadster Show to the main stage at Barrett-Jackson as they talk shop with Bryan Fuller about the “psychological threshold” – the exact moment a car becomes too valuable or too detailed to actually use. As the level of craftmanship rises each year, is the goal to create unique automotive art or to win an event? From the “rub-throughs” of fresh show paint to the challenge of valuing one-of-a-kind art, the guys explore the thin line between a driver’s dream and a museum piece.

Most people know Dorman for the "Help!" aisle at the local auto parts store, but today they are a design powerhouse launching on average 21 new products every day. Kevin and Willie sit down with Lester Kovacs, Director of Ideation, to pull back the curtain on the "OE Fix" philosophy. From replacing Ford’s leaking plastic oil pans with improved aluminum versions to re-engineering oil drain angles, learn how Dorman uses a nationwide Technician Advisory Council and "scrap bin research" to solve the industry’s most annoying repetitive failures.

Moving from bolting parts to burning steel is the ultimate step in creative freedom, but stainless steel brings its own set of rules. The guys welcome Mark Prosser once again to the podcast to discuss stainless welding tips, including why dedicated wire brushes are a must and how to balance amperage with travel speed. From the metallurgy of 304 vs. 321 alloys to the high-stakes world of back purging, Mark breaks down why stainless is a unique beast compared to mild steel. Whether you’re building a turbo manifold or custom exhaust, discover how to use gas lenses, manage thermal expansion, and nail "the dip" to achieve those perfect, Instagram-ready welds.

While SEMA is the "bling," AAPEX is the "soul" of the automotive industry - where the daily drivers get fixed. Live from AAPEX 2025, Kevin and Willie sit down with Dustin Pedley from bproauto to discuss how they leverage the massive engineering footprint of Stellantis and Mopar to create "Next Level" parts, using the same engineers who validate OE parts to ensure aftermarket reliability. Discover how they use "inside baseball" knowledge to identify common OE failure points and engineer them out of their aftermarket components—offering high-tier quality for everything from 1970s classics to modern daily drivers.

Direct from SEMA 2025, Kevin and Willie explore what it means to be "Built Different" with Carlyle Tools’ Joe Sabo and the company’s latest sponsored NHRA Top Fuel driver, Maddi Gordon. The guys get hands-on with gearless ratchets, drill bits that won't walk on diamond plate, and the world’s first creeper with a kickstand. Joe explains the philosophy of designing tools for how they are actually used, while Maddi shares her new journey of representing the brand both as a "wrench" and as a driver of an 11,000-horsepower "Venom Green" dragster for her rookie Top Fuel season. Discover how Carlyle is inspiring a new generation to build professional kits without the burden of "tool truck debt”.