Got questions?

We’ve got the answers—Mondays when the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re showing you how to give new life to a tired, old engine.

J.S. • Saltillo, MS
Q: My 1990 Chevy (C-Series) Silverado 350 Sport smokes at start-up and burns through oil. I’d like to rebuild it but I’m not quite sure where to start. I want to get the most performance possible without affecting drivability. I drive the truck about 300 miles a week so I want to maintain its reliability. What’s the best way to fix and enhance the engine while staying on a tight budget?

A: Your best bet is to start with an engine rebuild kit. Most kits contain everything you need to get your rig running right, like pistons and rings, bearings, gaskets, and more. The rebuild should help restore your engine’s reliability.

As for performance enhancing parts, you have several options to choose from depending on your budget. You could upgrade to a more aggressive camshaft, a high-flow intake manifold, or a fresh new set of aftermarket cylinder heads. A cat-back exhaust system would also help increase performance without affecting drivability. To explore all of your choices, visit SummitRacing.com, enter your vehicle into the Make/Model search, and browse through the parts and accessories.