Car Of The Week: Bryan Witherspoon's 1988 Chevy S-10

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. Today, it’s all about Bryan Witherspoon of Forney, TX and his 1988 Chevy S-10. 

How did you get into drag racing?
Grew up at the track watching my dad. 

When and where was your first race?
Texas Motorplex, I was 16.

What model/year do you race now?
1988 Chevy S10

Does your car have a nickname?
LsX Dime

What's under the hood?
434 LsX 

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
Transmission 

Why do you use BTE?
Great product 

Someone you look up to in racing?
John Force, he's a living legend. 

If money were no object, what would you drive?
A 1969 Copo Camaro

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?

Pray I make it back for one more pass!

How To Tell If Your Transmission Pump Stator Is Broken Or Spun (And What To Do If It Is)

In most automatic transmissions, the torque converter is mated to the pump of the transmission in two places: the input shaft and the stator (also called a stator tube or stator support).

What is it and what does it do?
This splined piece of steel centers the torque converter into the pump, provides lubrication circuits within the pump, and can also stabilize and support the input shaft in some setups. In many OEM applications, such as the powerglide and TH400, the tube is pressed into the pump casting. In high horsepower and torque setups, the stator in the torque converter is receiving tremendous amounts of pressure from the power generated by the engine. This heavy load is placed onto the pump's stator tube.

If this component fails, it will often turn or twist within the pump casting. A visual inspection of the pump's exterior will not indicate any failure. However, the function of the transmission and torque converter can be greatly affected. If your transmission and torque converter have suddenly changed their performance profiles, check the stator tube during a full disassembled inspection to make sure this sometimes overlooked component is operating properly.

What can happen?
1. Changes in torque converter stall speed and operation
2. Extreme heat generation in transmission and torque converter
3. Failure of transmission clutches, bands, and overall performance issues

A spun or broken stator tube can be replaced with an aftermarket version (like the one pictured above). Made from chromoly steel, this is a big improvement over the OEM tubes. However, the tube is still pressed into the pump body, which can fail again in some situations.

The best solution for a racing car or truck is a completely aftermarket pump like our high volume powerglide pump, which features a bolted-in stator support tube. This tube is virtually unbreakable in even the most stressed combinations such as Pro Mod and Monster Truck class racing. 

4 Tips To Help You Get The Most Out Of Our Tune-Up Services

BTE is in the business of manufacturing and distributing new high performance parts for your racing vehicles, but we also service your current parts for optimum performance. Now is the best time to get your torque converters and transmissions tuned up; before the season gets underway in a few months. Just FYI: They don't have to be from BTE, we service all types of equipment.

To get the most out of our tune-up services, here are some easy tips to follow to ensure you get your equipment back in perfect condition and in plenty of time before the first big race of the year.

1. We will work our hardest to return your product as quickly as possible. However, please understand that hundreds torque converters and transmissions arrive at our facility this month for service. While we do them as fast as we can, we also need to take the time to do it right. Make sure you send your parts in to allow plenty of time for delivery to our facility, time for our mechanics to do the job right and time for the shipping company to get your parts back to their original location.

2. When sending in torque converters, please use FedEx or UPS. While the USPS is sometimes less costly, their deliveries are sometimes inconsistent. Also -- and this is very important -- please drain as much oil from the torque converters as possible and wrap them securely. The package carriers can dispose of leaky boxes! Don't let this happen to you.

3. Transmissions should all be shipped on FedEx freight. We have great shipping discounts, so call us before shipping to make sure you can share in the low freight costs.

4. It's simple, but it happens sometimes: Don't forget to include your name and contact information with any product sent to us for annual checkup. Otherwise, we won't know how to get in touch with you if we have any questions.

Car of the Week: Brady Murks' 1971 Z28 Camaro

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. Today, it’s all about Brady Murks of Lexington, AL and his 1971 Z28 Camaro. 

How did you get into drag racing?

I got my start in racing through my Grandad when he bought me my first Jr. Dragster. I was eight years old.

When and where was your first race?

My first race was at US 43 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

What model/year do you race now?

The car I drive now is a 1971 Z28 Camaro.

What's under the hood?

My car is powered by a 440 small block from Wilkerson Racing Engines.

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?

I have a BTE transmission case.

Why do you use BTE?

I use BTE, because they have highly reliable products.

Someone you look up to in racing?

I look up to Clay Millican, because I met him in Huntsville and talked to him. He seemed like a very likeable guy that works hard for what he has. 

If money were no object, what would you drive?

A 2013 COPO Camaro

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?

My pre-race ritual is to take a deep breathe, close my eyes and focus on the tree.

Car of the Week: Steve Place's 1996 Corvette

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. Today, it’s all about Kenneth "Steve" Place of Springdale, Arkansas and his 1996 Corvette. 

How did you get into drag racing?

Drag racing started in High School with a '69 Camaro in 1981. After winning that first 1/4 mile pass, I was hooked for life.

When and where was your first race?

1984 marked my first pass down a drag strip in Asbury, Missouri at MoKan Dragway. There were many "non-drag strip" passes.  

What model/year do you race now?

We operate a 1996 Corvette P/M in 1/8th mile here in the Midwest.

What's under the hood?

Our new combination is switching from a nitroused 572 to a 14-71 on a 548 BBC.

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?

We use a complete BTE Top Sportsman powerglide and converter.  

Why do you use BTE?

BTE provides fast and accurate delivery of the highest quality products, plus the sales staff is very knowledgeable. 

Someone you look up to in racing?

Bubba Stanton

If money were no object, what would you drive?

I'd still drive my Corvette...Hey, it's a Jerry Bickel chassis once owned by Carl Moyer. It's got history.

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?

I like to get in the car early to collect my thoughts and get focused.

Car of the Week: Bobby Hooker's 1968 Camaro

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. Today, it’s all about Bobby Hooker of Cave City, Arkansas and his 1968 Camaro. 

How did you get into drag racing?

I began going to Newport Optimist Dragway in Newport, Arkansas with my dad as a kid and watched him and his buddies race.

When and where was your first race?

My first race was around 1989 when I started racing the truck my dad towed his car with.

What model/year do you race now?

1968 Camaro

What's under the hood?

427 SBC

Our New Year's Resolutions For 2015

The holidays are finally over and we're back in the regular swing of things starting today. (Here's to hoping your first Monday of the year is painless!) In keeping with the tradition of making new year's resolutions, here are a few of ours for 2015.

1. Our sales guys Ray and Brandon have resolved to be on time to the office every day. This one's already been broken, by the way, but they get points for trying.

2. To have a more detailed, full parts listing on our website, BTERacing.com. It is our goal to include every washer, bolt and gasket and update the site frequently to reflect our inventory.

3. We want to visit you in person. Last year was a tough year for us to travel, but we plan on hitting the pavement hard in 2015. Look for us at race tracks across the country, specifically in the Midwest, Texas and the Carolinas. It's been far too long since we've been able to visit these tracks and we want to remedy that.

What are your racing new year's resolutions? Tell us on Facebook and we might include them in a separate blog post.