What happens when you combine a classic Porsche 356 with a modern 718 Boxster? For Peter Lamb from Melomotive, it's an ambitious restomod project blending vintage styling with modern performance. Drawing on decades of experience building concept cars, Peter is using traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology to create a truly one-of-a-kind Porsche.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

In this episode of Tuned In, Peter shares his journey from modifying mini trucks to working in Holden's concept car development team. We explore how concept cars are created, from initial sketches and clay modelling to 3D scanning, CNC machining and composite body panels, and why traditional hands-on techniques still have a place in modern automotive design.

We dive into the art of coachbuilding and vehicle restoration, covering sheet metal shaping, welding techniques, rust repair and the challenges of achieving a perfect finish. Peter explains the differences between MIG, TIG and laser welding, including how heat input affects distortion and why laser technology could transform fabrication for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

The conversation also explores Peter's ambitious Porsche 356 project, which combines an original 356 body with the mid-engined platform, drivetrain and suspension from a modern Porsche 718 Boxster. We discuss the challenges of adapting two very different vehicles, balancing traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and the thousands of hours involved in a build of this scale.

Whether it's shaping sheet metal by hand or using the latest digital fabrication technology, Peter demonstrates how traditional skills and modern engineering can work together. This episode offers a fascinating look at the changing world of custom car building and the possibilities that are opening up for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

Follow Peter here:

Instagram: Melomotive
Facebook: Melomotive
Youtube: Melomotive

Timestamps:

0:00 The Future of Custom Car Building?
4:32 How did you become interested in cars?
6:10 Industrial Design Degree
11:49 What does working for a concept car company look like?
16:40 How are these concept cars made?
26:55 Desk top CNC milling machine
30:44 What happened after concept cars?
34:55 So what does your business look like today?
37:10 What drew you to starting a Youtube channel?
45:40 Can you explain the pros and cons of Gas vs TIG vs MIG welding?
50:37 What is planishing and english wheel?
53:09 Can you remake a panel from scratch to a point where you don’t need body filler?
56:16 How do you deal with rust?
59:19 Pros and cons of laser welding?
1:04:54 How does laser welding go on aluminum?
1:07:56 What’s the price of a laser welder?
1:09:27 How strong is laser welding?
1:15:28 Tell us about your Porsche resto project
1:27:19 Final 3 questions

What does it take to build race-winning engines, break land speed records and compete with some of the biggest names in NASCAR? For Brian Salter of Salter Racing Engines, the answer goes far beyond making horsepower. It's about understanding the finer details of engine design, pushing the limits of performance and knowing how to make every component work together.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

In this episode of Tuned In, Brian shares his journey from working on NASCAR engines as a teenager to building his own successful engine business. We discuss the challenges of establishing a reputation, competing at the highest levels of motorsport and the personal sacrifices that came with running a championship-winning operation.

We dive deep into engine design, covering cylinder head porting, airflow velocity, intake manifolds, camshaft profiles and why bigger isn't always better. Brian explains how he developed NASCAR engines producing over 640hp through a restrictive 390 CFM carburettor, and why chasing impressive flow bench or dyno numbers doesn't always translate into better performance.

The conversation also explores Brian's success in land speed racing, including a 250ci naturally aspirated engine that helped achieve 190mph and a collection of records. We discuss horsepower versus torque, short-stroke engine design, frictional losses and why the right power delivery matters just as much as peak output.

Ultimately, this episode is about understanding the complete engine package rather than chasing individual numbers. Drawing on decades of experience, Brian shares the engineering principles, hard-earned lessons and attention to detail behind building engines that don't just make power, but win races.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

Follow Brian Here:

Youtube: SalterRacingEngines

Email: bsalter@salterracingengines.com

Timestamps:

0:00 The Art and Science of Race-Winning Engines
3:39 How did you get involved in cars?
12:43 How do you get to 640HP with a 390 carb?
15:42 Porting, CFM vs air speed
19:39 What sort of finish are we looking for on our ports?
23:44 What would happen if you added a bigger carb?
28:30 What are you changing in these weekly engine refresh?
32:59 What does cryo treatment do to parts?
40:07 Pros and cons of using epoxy to add material to a port?
44:07 How did you transition from helping in an engine shop to building engines professionally?
54:37 What did Salter racing Engines look like at it’s peak?
1:11:17 What’s different about a land speed racing engine?
1:26:10 What’s your opinion on HP vs Torque?
1:33:34 Airflow vs Stroke vs Torque
1:41:07 What is pumping loses?
1:44:56 Final 3 questions

#salterracingengines #enginebuilding #airflow #performanceengines #porting #nascar #landspeedrecords #v8 #briansalter #cylinderheads #intakemanifolds #engineering #highperformanceacademy #buildtunedrive #learntotune #cars #motorsport

What happens when a passion for drifting, engineering and making things turns into a full-scale manufacturing business? For Josiah Fallaise, it became FDF Race Shop — an operation built around solving problems, designing better parts and putting engineering theory to the test on track.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

In this episode of Tuned In, Josiah shares how his background in manufacturing engineering, welding and CNC machining evolved into FDF Race Shop. We discuss moving from one-off fabrication and roll cages to scalable products, bringing manufacturing in-house and building a workshop packed with CNC machines, laser cutting, waterjet cutting and 3D printing.

We dive into modern design and manufacturing, covering CAD, CAM, 3D scanning, generative design, additive manufacturing and why designing a part is only half the battle. Josiah explains the importance of designing for manufacture, validating scan data and understanding where new technologies genuinely make sense.

The conversation also gets technical on Josiah’s other passion — competitive drifting. We break down angle kits, Ackermann, bump steer, roll centre, tyre grip and why suspension geometry changes once a car is sideways. Josiah also explains his 900hp naturally aspirated LS setup and why the use of nitrous is so effective in competition.

Ultimately, this episode is all about solving problems. Whether it’s designing a better suspension component, improving a manufacturing process or finding more performance from a drift car, Josiah’s approach proves the value of understanding the fundamentals, testing ideas and continually refining the result.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

Follow Josiah here:

Instagram: josiahfallaise
Facebook: josiahfallaise
Youtube: josiahfallaise
Tiktok josiahfallaise
WWW: fdfraceshop.com

Timestamps:

0:00 More Than Just HP: The Engineering Behind Drifting
3:40 How did you develop an interest in cars?
8:33 How do you model a part in CAD so it can actually be machined?
11:33 The possibilities of additive manufacturing (3d printing)
16:17 What is generative design?
23:47 When did you start using these modern technologies in your workflow?
28:35 How does a 3d scanner work?
38:19 What CAD software would you recommend?
43:17 Is AI going to be helping us build and tune cars?
47:29 How do you produce accurate load values for FEA?
54:29 How did you start your own business? FDF Race Shop
1:03:06 What does FDF look like today?
1:05:58 As an enthusiast, is outsourcing CNC parts to craftcloud a good option?
1:11:14 Did you fall into the classic entrepreneurial trap?
1:20:34 How do you decide what products to develop?
1:23:29 What drew you to drifting?
1:25:48 Is there any affordable platform to start drifting these days?
1:28:21 V8 vs turbo 6 cylinder, pros and cons?
1:36:55 How does bump steer affect a drift car?
1:40:32 What is ackermann and how does it affect the car?
1:44:30 How does roll centre affect the car?
1:53:42 How does chamber affect a drift car?
1:55:11 How do you feel about the current state of drifting as a sport?
2:04:12 Final 3 Questions

#fdfraceshop #driftsuspension #ls #corvette #nitrous #anglekits #engineering #cad #3dprinting #suspensiondesign #cncmachining #driftparts #generativedesign #highperformanceacademy #buildtunedrive #cars #motorsport #drifting