Choosing the Right Carb CFM

March 5th, 2026
How to Choose the Right Carburetor CFM (Street vs Street/Strip vs Race)Carb sizing doesn’t have to be guesswork. If the carb is too small, you can cap top-end power. If it’s too large for the combination, throttle response and signal strength can suffer. The goal is a carb that matches your real RPM range and the engine’s ability to use airflow.On this page:What CFM MeansThe Common CFM FormulaHow to Pick VE%Street vs Race Reality CheckUse These Fastime Tools TogetherShop Carbur...

Camshaft Duration vs Compression (Static vs Dynamic)

March 5th, 2026
How Camshaft Duration Affects Compression Ratio (Static vs Dynamic)One of the most common “combo mistakes” is chasing a static compression number without considering cam timing. The camshaft — specifically the intake valve closing point — changes how much cylinder pressure the engine actually builds at low and mid RPM. That’s why two engines with the same static compression ratio can behave very differently.On this page:Static vs Dynamic CompressionWhy Intake Closin...

Choosing The Right Compression Ratio

March 5th, 2026
Choosing the Right Compression Ratio for Your Engine Build (Pump Gas vs Race Gas)Compression ratio is one of the most important factors in power, efficiency, and fuel requirements. Whether you’re building a street engine, a bracket combo, or a high-rpm race setup, picking the right compression helps maximize performance while avoiding detonation.What Is Compression Ratio?Compression ratio is the ratio between the cylinder volume when the piston is at bottom dead center (BDC) and the volume...

ARP Bolts Explained: When They Matter, When They Don’t, and How to Use Them Correctly

January 20th, 2026
ARP fasteners are widely recognized in the performance engine world — and for good reason. In the right application, they provide superior strength, consistency, and reliability compared to standard hardware. However, ARP bolts aren’t automatically the right choice for every engine build.At Fastime Performance, we regularly see ARP hardware used correctly — and just as often, used unnecessarily. This guide explains when ARP bolts actually matter, where they make the biggest dif...

How to Match Engine Parts for Your Application

January 15th, 2026
How to Match Engine Parts for Your Application (Street, Strip, Drag, Circle Track)Selecting engine components isn’t just about picking the “best” parts — it’s about choosing the right parts for how you’ll use your engine. A drag racer’s ideal cam, valve train, and oiling setup are very different from a daily driver or a circle track machine.If you’ve ever wondered why a build that looked good on paper doesn’t perform the way you expected, it ...