Is it better to replace my engine or get it rebuilt?

• There are a a lot of variables that go into answering this question, including how old your engine is, how it is running, what is the current problem(s), how rare is the engine, is it original to your vehicle, what is your budget and what are you trying to accomplish are just a few.
• There are usually many good alternatives and it is important to let us know all the above so we can get the best match for you.  Being honest about your intended use is critical. Being honest about your budget is also very important.
• At Motorheads, we'll talk with you, give you options, and discuss what may work best for you.  Contact us if you'd like help with your decision.

I've heard horror stories...what can I do to prevent this from happening to me?

• Think carefully about what you are trying to accomplish. Will your vehicle be used for street, strip, show, weekend cruises, or just an occasional ride?
• Make a plan and decide on all of your desired work and components before you start. Look at all of your options, work with your restoration shop to come up with a plan that will work within your budget. Then, stick with your plan!
• Consider whether you want to work with a shop that doesn't give estimates (you're usually billed for time actually spent on your project, with no idea of how much it will cost ahead of time), or one that will (you're still billed for time actually spent on your project, but you've received an estimate based on initial inspection and experience so you at least have a good "ballpark" idea of your overall cost).  Motorheads ALWAYS provides written estimates.
• Make sure you've got clear agreements about your expectations, and how you expect to communicate. Letting your shop know ahead of time will help them understand your needs and help you feel that you have control of where your project is going at all times.

Can I tow my hot rod? What kind of hitch do I need?

• Your vehicle dealer or owners manual can provide you with the safe weight and towing capacities for your specific vehicle.
• Consider WHAT you are towing in deciding what class hitch you will need. You need to consider both the weight of trailer you are towing, as well as the weight and type of load on that trailer.  Is the load dead-weight or static load (car) or live-load (horses)?
• Stability is a major factor and proper loading and careful weight distribution is very important. Static loads don't require as much towing power or braking power as live loads, which make a trailer move forward, backward and side-to-side.
• Calculate vehicle capacity and loaded trailer weights carefully to avoid overloading and putting yourself in danger.
• We are happy to assist you in determining what type trailer your vehicle is capable of safely pulling, or what type of vehicle you need to best pull a trailer you already have.

How can I increase my tow vehicle's power

• Most trucks can be outfitted with performance chips to increase horsepower, whether gasoline or diesel powered.  
• Some vehicles can be equipped with programmable chips, which give you the option of selecting different tow conditions, such as performance, economy tow, performance tow  and extreme performance.
• Performance Chips decrease your vehicles fuel consumption.  (Our '89 GMC 3500 with an EFI 454 went from 400 miles per tank to 500 miles per tankload in performance mode.  In economy tow mode, our fuel consumption was cut in half!)
• Performance Chips can increase your horsepower from 20 to 90 hp depending upon the year, make and model of your vehicle.  
• There are many manufacturers of Performance Chips.  At Motorheads we select the best one for your vehicle as well as your driving needs.
• Adding a Performance Chip does not void your new vehicle warrantee if properly installed.  
• Performance Chips can be a great first step to increasing your vehicles performance and economy. Motorheads can assess your performance needs and come up with the right combination of after-market products (such as exhaust and induction systems) to give you the power you need!