Hot Rod Garage Season 8 Episode 9 Do-It-All Performance Machine

In the ninth episode of Hot Rod Garage's eighth season, viewers are in for a treat as Tony and Lucky go to work on a 1967 El Camino. The duo plans to transform this classic car into a do-it-all performance machine that can smoke tires and haul cargo with ease.

The episode starts with a quick look at the car and its current state. The El Camino looks to be in decent shape, with a few cosmetic issues here and there. Tony and Lucky are excited to dive in and start making changes.

The first item on the agenda is to upgrade the suspension. The El Camino's stock suspension is not designed for high-performance driving, so Tony and Lucky need to install something that can handle the extra stress. They decide to go with a RideTech suspension kit, which includes new coilovers, sway bars, and control arms. The kit should give the El Camino a much more planted feel when driving aggressively.

Next up, the guys turn their attention to the engine. The El Camino is currently powered by a small-block Chevy, but Tony and Lucky want to give it a bit more muscle. They decide to swap in a 383 stroker engine, which should give the car a healthy bump in horsepower and torque. The engine also gets a few other upgrades, including a new intake manifold and a set of long-tube headers.

With the suspension and engine taken care of, it's time to focus on the transmission. The El Camino's current automatic transmission isn't really suited for high-performance driving, so Tony and Lucky opt for a new 4L80E transmission. This transmission should provide better gear ratios and more reliable shifting.

With the major mechanical upgrades completed, the guys turn their attention to the body of the car. They want the El Camino to have a more aggressive look, so they add some custom bodywork. This includes a new hood, new fender flares, and a custom front bumper. The car also gets a fresh coat of paint in a bright orange color.

Finally, it's time to take the El Camino for a test drive and see how it performs. The car certainly looks the part, with its aggressive styling and bright orange paint. But does it have the performance to match? Tony and Lucky take the car out on the open road and let it rip. The El Camino doesn't disappoint, with plenty of power and a more planted feel thanks to the new suspension. Even with a heavy load in the back, it still manages to put down impressive numbers.

Overall, this episode of Hot Rod Garage is a must-watch for fans of classic cars and high-performance driving. Tony and Lucky manage to turn an already cool car into a true performance machine that can do it all. From smoking tires to hauling cargo, the El Camino is ready for anything.