Off-road racing demands suspension that can handle extreme terrain, and Dane from ‪@FOXFACTORY‬ is here to break down the tech behind their world-class dampers. From remote reservoirs to internal and external bypass systems, we explore how Fox designs for the brutal conditions of off-road racing events like the Dakar, Baja 1000 and the Finke Desert Race while keeping the tech scalable for daily drivers.

Use ‘PODCAST75’ for $75 off your first HPA course here: https://hpcdmy.co/hpa-tuned-in

Topics discussed in this SEMA interview also include how heat management, damper size, and semi-active Live Valve systems let vehicles like the Ford Raptor and custom trophy trucks tackle everything from high-speed whoops to precision jumps.

Also included is a quick explanation of how the system uses ECU data, including from aftermarket options, including MoTeC, rather than complicating things with their own separate electronics. This means existing sensor data is also used, including steering and throttle inputs, pitch, yaw, and of course, speed.

Blow off valves and wastegates are fairly simple in their operation, but correctly sizing and fitting them requires a lot of careful consideration if you want to get the most out of your turbocharged engine.

This week, Gregg Jones of TiAL Sport — someone who’s been in the turbocharging game since the mid-eighties — is here to get us up to speed on these simple yet crucial components.

Use TIAL50 to get $50 off HPA’s EFI Fundamentals course: https://hpcdmy.co/efifundb

Gregg started his career in performance cars in the dark ages of turbo technology. It was the mid-eighties, and there weren’t a whole lot of good options around for the aftermarket boost industry — but working with rudimentary laggy turbos and cast-iron wastegates got Gregg thinking that he could create something much better — so he did. TiAL Sport was formed in 1993 and the company quickly blossomed as turbocharged European and Japanese imports began to filter into the mainstream.

In this conversation, Gregg talks us through those early days, touching on how much room for improvement he saw and how his company was able to step up the game year after year. Gregg discusses how his products are designed, tested, and made — as well as where he sees the industry going in the future.

We then move into the tech-focused section of the episode, where Gregg drops knowledge on all things turbocharging — especially when it comes to speccing, fitting, and getting the most out of blow off valves and external wastegates. There are some real nuggets of gold to be found in this conversation, and anyone who wants to better understand boosted engine applications is going to be better off for listening to it.

Follow Gregg here:

IG: @tialsport, @xonarotor
FB: TiAL Sport
WWW: tialsport.com, xonarotor.com

Don’t forget, you can use TIAL50 to get $50 off HPA’s EFI Fundamentals course: https://hpcdmy.co/efifundb

Timestamps:
0:00 UNTAPPED Potential? BOVs and Wastegates Decoded
3:14 How did you form an interest in the automotive industry?
8:10 Move to Florida and exposure to turbocharged vehicles
10:24 Early cast iron HKS wastegate
15:34 Why did it take so long for V bands to become the standard?
17:23 What materials did you move to instead of cast iron?
19:12 How have we overcome turbine back pressure?
21:39 What was the design process for these wastegates?
29:21 What are the challenges in designing a wastegate?
34:13 What is the actual benefit to a blow off valve?
40:52 Where’s the best place to put your blowoff valve?
48:13 How do blow off valves work with MAF sensors?
52:32 Do we need to tune the blow off valve for the application?
54:30 Do you have a size guide for blow off valves?
56:17 How do we choose the right wastegate?
1:01:46 What’s the best way to mount a wastegate?
1:04:36 Wastegate springs explained
1:11:56 Is there still room to improve wastegates and blow off valves?
1:16:05 How did you start working with Robert Young and Xona Rota?
1:21:59 What’s next for turbo technology?

Engine swaps on modern vehicles are no easy task, but Stewart from ‪@mesocustoms1696‬ has taken it to the next level with this insane Toyota Tacoma build, featuring a 6.2L Hellcat supercharged HEMI under the hood. In this video, dive into the challenges of integrating late-model electronics and why a turnkey Hellcat system from Cleveland Power and Performance made this swap not only possible but seamless.

Use ‘PODCAST75’ for $75 off your first HPA course here: https://hpcdmy.co/hpa-tuned-in

With 800-900 horsepower on tap, at the SEMA Toyo Tires Treadpass stand Stewart explains why the Hellcat package was chosen over alternatives like the 2JZ, emphasizing the importance of retaining factory ECU integration for plug-and-play simplicity. From the OBD2 compatibility to a functional Hellcat gauge cluster and shifter, the truck now thinks it’s a Dodge—but with the soul of a Toyota.

Beyond the drivetrain, we explore the custom wide-body fibreglass panels, hand-shaped and perfected using 3D scanning and CNC routing. Stewart shares how this approach not only ensures perfect symmetry but also makes future repairs and reproduction straightforward with reusable moulds.

Whether you’re into engine swaps, custom bodywork, or the cutting-edge tech that bridges OEM and aftermarket, this Tacoma build is packed with ideas and inspiration.