A car stroker engine is a type of internal combustion engine that has been modified to increase its displacement by increasing the stroke length of the pistons. The term “stroker” specifically refers to the longer stroke, which is the distance the piston travels within the cylinder from the top dead center (TDC) to the bottom dead center (BDC).

Modifying a classic car can be a rewarding project, but it is important to avoid common modification mistakes that can reduce the car’s value, compromise its performance, or detract from its historical authenticity.

Classic cars can be worth quite a bit as the years go on, especially if you are keeping them properly restored. However, you want to make sure you do not go overboard and change too much about the car or you run the risk of its value dropping. Not everybody fixes up an old car with the intention of selling it, so if that sounds like it is describing you there is not a lot to worry about as you make the changes you want.

Here are some classic car modification mistakes to avoid:

Adding aftermarket air conditioning to a classic car can provide enhanced comfort during hot weather driving, but it also comes with its own set of pros and cons. When it comes to adding aftermarket air conditioning to your classic car it becomes a touchy subject that is often frowned upon. For starters, there are purists who believe that a classic car should only be restored to the specifications they were built to, and then there are the countless others who are weary because of bad personal experiences—or the countless amount of horror stories they have heard about either repairing or replacing an A/C unit.

Today we have available to us aftermarket air conditioning kits that are easy to install, reliable, and there are a multitude of options to fit your specific platform. These replacement units make repairing older A/C compressors a thing of the past and there are options to choose from. From vehicle specific, to universal platforms, each of the companies listed below have units that are sure to keep you chillin’ out.

Here are some of the main pros and cons:

There are cost-effective upgrades for the ride of a classic car that can significantly enhance driving comfort and enjoyment. Factory-stock classic vehicles have that authentic feel, but cars of the past were built to a different set of standards. The world that these cars live in has changed. Technology that once felt space-age has become commonplace, even in cars that are more than a decade old. Such advancements only highlight what is lacking on a vintage vehicle, particularly to those who experienced some of today’s classics back when they were new. How do you make your old car more drivable, more set-it-and-forget-it reliable, and more confidence-instilling on long trips without destroying the character that made you fall in love with it in the first place?

Here are some cost-effective upgrades to achieve a smoother and more enjoyable ride:

For a car purist, who typically values the driving experience, control, and engagement offered by a manual transmission, switching to an automatic transmission might seem counterintuitive. Next to the engine, the transmission is one of the most important parts of your classic muscle car. Depending on what your situation is, maybe you just put in a new big block motor or maybe you blew the transmission, like we have posted previously, you need a transmission that can handle your need for speed.

However, there are several reasons why a car purist might make this decision to switch to an automatic transmission:

Car owners may choose to swap rear ends with a GM 12-bolt rear end for a Ford 9-inch rear end for various reasons, each with its own set of pros and cons. The Chevy versus Ford debate is as old as these legendary car companies. The debate within the debate has long been GM 12-bolt versus Ford 9-inch. In truth the GM 12-bolt is a far more efficient axle than the Ford because it consumes less energy. The reason for the 12-bolt’s efficiency is the distance from the pinion gear to the ring gear’s centerline. The 12-bolt’s 1.50-inch distance offers a 3 percent horsepower advantage over the Ford’s 2.25 inches because the greater distance between the two creates greater internal friction and heat. The Ford is also a whopping 30 pounds heavier than the GM.

Despite the 12-bolt’s obvious advantages in terms of internal friction and weight, there is a reason why performance enthusiasts on all sides of the debate continue to choose the Ford 9-inch. The Ford design 9-inch has enjoyed wide availability compared to the GM 12-bolt over the years. Production of the Ford 9-inch axle began in 1957 and ended in 1986 when it was replaced with the 8.8-inch integral carrier rearend. GM did not produce as many 12-bolt axles during its shorter production life spanning from 1965 to 1981.

Technically speaking you can make anything work but the easiest way is to find a matching transmission that came with that engine configuration. There is some mixing and matching you can do if you are creative, especially if it is the same manufacturer or has a commonly modified platform they may sell adapter kits. If you are using an automatic transmission choosing the correct torque converter is also critical to the car’s ultimate performance.

Matching transmission to a car’s engine horsepower is crucial for several reasons:

When considering modifications to improve the performance of an automatic transmission, there are several options available, depending on your goals and the specific characteristics of the vehicle. While most people focus on making their car’s engine more powerful when they want better performance, it is not the only part of the powertrain that can be upgraded. The car’s stock transmission can also be improved or swapped out for a performance-enhancing gearbox, even if it is an automatic transmission.

While not as common as manual gearbox upgrades, there are plenty of options for those looking to get their automatic vehicle to swap cogs quicker while keeping it a self-shifter. Aside from replacing the entire gearbox with a different unit, there is also the option of upgrading the gearbox’s internals, updating the software that controls it, and installing an uprated torque converter that can lock up more quickly and give a sportier response.

Increasing car engine horsepower involves a combination of modifications and tuning to optimize the engine’s performance. While this is not an exhaustive list, these are the common mods we come across to increase horsepower, and ones that we know are popular, from those for beginners to people who have been tinkering with their engines for many years.

Before you continue with any modification, make sure your car is in a serviceable state, would pass a state vehicle inspection, and that you have got the correct parts and the correct insurance. Also check that what you are doing is not illegal, as not every modification is road legal in all states.

Is modern tech better than original equipment? I really started thinking about this after recently walking around a local car show in full amazement of the hundreds of classic cars in various levels of restoration and customization. While touring the cars and trucks I quickly realized the conversations around me were mainly focused on the debate of whether a classic car is “better” as a factory original vehicle or modified to modern specifications. In previous blogs we have discussed some of the various modernization upgrades that can be made to vintage cars.