Two Guys Garage Podcast
Expert gearheads and longtime co-hosts Kevin Byrd and Willie B bring their hallmark brand of automotive knowledge and passion from the TV screen to the podcasting world.
Two Guys Garage hosts Kevin Byrd and Willie B are sharing their passion about all things automotive. Taking full advantage of the podcast format, the guys tackle a wide range of topics and conduct fact-and-fun-filled interviews with friends and leaders in the car space – all in the same freewheeling, just havin’-fun manner fans of the long-running MotorTrend TV series have been enjoying for years.
Best of Two Guys Garage Podcast – Season 1
83. Bogi’s World
Bogi is not only co-host of MotorTrend’s hit series All Girls Garage; she’s a renowned ASE certified master technician and owner of Girl Gang Garage in Phoenix, Arizona. In a candid conversation with Kevin and Willie, Bogi discusses the challenges she faced coming up in a male-dominated industry; her passion for empowering women to take a more active role in car ownership and career opportunities in the automotive field; and how Two Guys Garage influenced her decision to branch out into television.
80. Matt Hagan at 300 MPH
Matt Hagan is ruthless on the racetrack, but as nice a guy as you’ll ever meet in person. As the two-time DSR Funny Car Champion playfully explains to Willie and Kevin, at 300 mph “it’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity!” The racer, farmer and entrepreneur also shares his recipe for success, reveals what scares him to death, and discusses running in the NHRA in the time of COVID.
71. Son of Captain Cobra Jet
A lot of guys in the racing world know about Holbrook Racing Engines; the name is synonymous with big power. Following in the tracks of his legendary father Carl – the original Captain Cobra Jet – Chris Holbrook has perpetuated the family pedigree with a slew of awards and a reputation as being the guy you don’t want to line up against on the drag strip!
57. The Fuller Mojo
It’s Three Guys Garage when Kevin reunites with his former co-host, renowned fabricator Bryan Fuller. Get ready for a raucous conversation about cars, bikes, the creative process, Bryan’s new gig as co-host of Car Fix, and the upcoming 20th anniversary season of Two Guys Garage.
56. Drifting with Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Tires smoking; engines thrashing. Sliding sideways; rubbing bumpers off cones and walls. Kevin and Willie strap in for an adrenaline-fueled conversation with “Fun-Haver” Vaughn Gittin Jr. about everything from 100 mph drifting, to 12.9-mile burnouts at the Nürburgring, and conquering the King of the Hammers.
50. Ian Johnson Unfiltered
Ian Johnson is his own man, instantly recognizable for the signature hairstyle, easygoing personality, and unbelievable welding chops. Kevin and Willie recently caught up with the former high school shop teacher turned TV host, as he was about to begin production on Season 2 of his hit MotorTrend series, FourWheeler.
48. Meet Leah Pruett
Strap in for a lively and candid conversation with Leah Pruett, currently third in points driving the Don Schumacher Racing Mopar Top Fuel Dragster in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. With the season on hiatus, Leah chats with the guys about livin’ the dream, working hard and playing harder; the thrill of racing and the reality of living 300 days on the road; and how much it means to be a role model for young girls and boys.
44. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Stiction But Were Afraid to Ask
Oil’s job is pretty simple: to clean, cool and lubricate. The science behind it, though, not so simple. Chris Gabrelcik is the white-lab-coat-scientist of Lubrication Specialties, the guru who knows all there is to know about metal-on-metal friction, solving problems and extending the life of everything. Grab some paper and pencils, join Willie and Kevin, and let the learning begin!
41. Inside Detroit Speed
With their suspensions, systems and full-on builds, Detroit Speed is at the forefront of the Pro Touring movement. In this episode, President and self-proclaimed Throttle Jockey Kyle Tucker reveals the engineering, geometry and tire technology that together comprise the secret of the company’s success.
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103. Introducing the TREMEC TKX
Christmas comes early this year in the form of the all-new TREMEC TKX, their slimmer, rounder, lighter next generation 5-speed transmission that delivers an astounding 8000 RPM. “This is the first time we’ve actually developed a transmission specifically for the aftermarket,” says TREMEC’s Mike Kidd, while Kevin and Willie pick their dropped jaws off the floor. With multiple shifter locations capable of handling those 8000 RPMs, it’s the sweet spot that weekend warriors and hot rod builders have been needing for a really long time.
102. Goin’ Wheelin’
Despite sometimes being referred to as “death at one mile an hour,” four wheeling has become exceptionally popular with the off-road crowd. Today the guys spend some time with Cassie Hughes of Bestop, known for its soft tops, half-doors and seat covers for Jeeps and trucks. From the CJ5 and JL to the new Bronco and Hummer EV, it’s never been easier to be careful, be safe and have a righteous amount of fun!
101. The Man from Magnaflow
Nothing gets car guys fired up quite like the throaty growl of an exhaust system – the balance of loudness and quality, the flavors of the exhaust notes. As systems are getting more and more complicated, the guys wonder what’s coming down the pipeline, literally. “We’re in a world today where you have total system continuity,” answers the man from Magnaflow, Richard Waitas. “From the bumper to the motor to the exhaust to the interior, everything’s connected.”
100. Ride Tech Talk
Improvements in suspension geometry. More modern alignment settings. Reducing body roll. Evolutionary leaps in shock technology. What is the secret of Ridetech’s success? “It all starts with the people that work there,” Product Manager Darren Schilling explains to Kevin and Willie. “A lot of these products we developed we didn’t even know that we needed them or wanted them, and all of it was born usually in building a car.”
99. Trick Tools of the Trade
This episode is all about metal – shaping, smashing, cutting, making it do what you want it to do, which isn’t always easy. “I’ve definitely filled up a few scrap bins in my day,” Bruce Van Sant, Owner/President of Trick-Tools, confesses to the guys. From his auto body background growing up on a farm, to becoming a self-described tool junky, Bruce now offers all kinds of tools, even tools for tools!
98. COPO Stands Proud
For pure sub-9 second, factory direct, mega horsepower drag racing, nothing beats COPO Camaro. Just ask Rich Rinke, multi award-winning driver and owner of COPO Parts Direct. Kevin and Willie do just that as they get the inside scoop on the latest and greatest. From battles royale in the staging lanes, to the next evolution of the Central Office Production Order, one thing remains constant, says Rich: “We’re a bunch of overgrown Hot Wheels lovers!”
97. Architect of the Future
“The future creates the present.” So Google’s top-rated futurist speaker Thomas Frey tells the guys in this fascinating podcast. From predictions of the death of the internal combustion engine and the emergence of the 1000-mile range electric car, to the impact of autonomous vehicles on real estate values and how the Covid era will fundamentally change mankind, “We’re gonna try to stretch people’s thinking a little bit here, so let’s jump right in!”
96. Understanding Harmonic Balance
Kevin and Willie ponder the science, the mystery, the voodoo behind the harmonic balancer that holds an engine together. They invite Fluidampr’s Ivan Snyder III to school them on the three types of vibration to be aware of – unbalanced, axial and torsional – starting with Lesson #1: You know you’ve gotta have a damper, but what the hell is it? The answer: It’s crucial.
95. Inside SEMA with Chris Kersting
Kevin and Willie go behind the scenes with longtime SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting as he prepares to roll out SEMA 360, the organization’s new online platform created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the annual Las Vegas trade show. With over 6,000 member companies, the Specialty Equipment Market Association is much more than its namesake event. The preeminent trade association of the automotive aftermarket is on the front line of defense, actively tackling the biggest challenges facing the $45 billion industry. “It’s a whack-a-mole gig” that keeps Chris extremely busy.