The final day of the Engine Performance Expo saw the same quality of tech and information as we’ve come to expect. The day started off at EFI University as Ben Strader and Lake Speed, Jr. wired up the Holley Dominator ECU on the project engine and discussed just how simple the kit is to install.

That was followed by the engine break-in process on the dyno, with a deep discussion on proper fuel selection and how there is so much more to choosing a fuel than just its octane rating, with a practical example as the EPE engine was broken in on VP C10 instead of the Q16 ultimately run with the blower.

The oil analysis process was discussed using SPEEDiagnostix, with an oil sample taken from the EPE engine after break-in used as the example and broken down. Up next was a live Hidden Horsepower interview with Edelbrock’s Billy Godbold that trended into a discussion materials science and how much surface finish can improve a system over simply making a better material.

There were a number of segments from EFI University with the EPE project engine, culminating with the final power pull. But, there is so much more to the project than just a four-digit horsepower number.

A Tech 101 session with the legendary John Callies of Morel Lifters walking the audience through how to read a vernier micrometer accurately down to the ten-thousandth of an inch. Then, in an EPE-first, a new product released live at the show, with Foggit, a high-performance corrosion-inhibiting fogging oil, developed specifically for engines.

Then, for the folks out there who like compression-combustion, Drew Pumnphery of D&J Precision Machine dove deep into extremely high-output Cummins engines. When we say high output, we’re talking cylinder pressures exceeding those of Top Fuel engines. That was followed by Edelbrock’s Mark Campbell discussion of the company’s innovative Hydraulic Cartridge Technology lifters.

Next, it was back to EFI U for the ProCharger F-1A-94 install on the EPE engine, followed by a live roundtable discussing where the future of the industry lies. The discussion really touched on an incredible variety of subjects thanks to the diversity of the panel, which is really the strength of the roundtable sessions at the Expo.

Total Seal’s Keith Jones and Speed then discussed the differences between a cylinder’s crosshatch angle and surface finish, and the function and importance of each, as well as how to measure each. Following that was an incredibly valuable discussion by the team from Calico Coatings discussing their line of automotive coatings.

Keith Jones walked us through the proper setup and use of a profilometer. Not only valuable if you have one, but also if you are thinking about adding one to your toolbox, so you can see just how simple it is to use and the amount of valuable data you get from it.

A feature from Universal Tool and Engineering gave the audience an inside look at CNC Tube Bending, followed by another live episode of Hidden Horsepower with accomplished engine builder and dirt-track racer Vic Hill, sharing a lot of entertaining stories from throughout his career. Then, if you are at all interested in getting your own profilometer, Keith Jones went through the process of setting up a profilometer properly.

Tim Allen of Liberty Performance then discussed Liberty’s line of products both for the consumer and for the professional, followed by a discussion of the education resources available to anyone interested in continually learning. That was followed by another roundtable discussion on the elephant in the room, the supply chain issues which have plagued our industry. Again, the variety of experiences among the panelists led to some deep insights and perspectives.

Going back to EFI University, the big-power dyno pulls of the EPE engine were shown, with a bonus in-depth lesson on the importance of paying attention to all of your available data channels, as Strader explains how he knew that the dyno was out of fuel pump, even though the primary data looked good, and prevented a potentially expensive issue.

Another incredibly entertaining and informative roundtable on the evolution of cylinder heads offered unique insight from back when a set of heads took days of intense manual porting, versus now, where all the effort can be devoted to design and development, as the actual execution is handled by modern CNC machinery. Then, another Tech Tips segment with John Callies covered roller finish vs camshaft finish.

A final episode of Hidden Horsepower with the legendary Tony Bischoff of BES Racing Engines dove into different engine designs, his multiple wins at the Engine Masters Challenge as well as his experience in some of the most competitive racing categories on the planet. That was followed by Ben Strader’s history and how EFI University came to be, which gives some insight into Strader’s mindset and ethos when it comes to high performance.

Then, a final roundtable wrapped up the show, with participants discussing the Expo and recapping the show, and discussing their aspirations and goals for the near future, along with the overall health of the racing industry, which is flourishing.

This third installment of the Engine Performance Expo has solidified the event’s reputation as more than a flash of success during the lockdown, and as an important resource for the engine performance community. If you missed anything, make sure to check out the On-Demand feature HERE because there is an incredible amount of knowledge shared, and is being provided freely to you. We already can’t wait for the next one.