Car of the Week: Bryan Walker's 1982 Ford Mustang

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Bryan Walker from Joplin, MO and his 1982 Ford Mustang.

How did you get into drag racing?
I'd say first and foremost my parents Ron and Dora. They raced and traveled everywhere, and Dad would let me warm up his race car. I’ve been hooked since the early 1990s.

When and where was your first race?
Mo-Kan Dragway in Asbury, MO in the mid 90s

What model/year do you race now?
Currently a 1982 Skinny Kid chassis built mustang, chrome moly, extremely light

Does your car have a nickname?
No it doesn’t currently have a nickname, but my son Jace will give it one I'm sure.

What's under the hood?
A 413 small block Ford, Dusty Frazier Trickflow R heads, 12:1 mild bracket motor

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
Transmission, all transmission parts, converter, basically everything you sell because I know they are the best parts and extremely reliable.

Why do you use BTE?
A friend of mine, Tom Williams, has been after me for a couple years to use BTE stuff. BTE stands behind everything and is a very customer-oriented company.

Walker and his crew chief/wife, April Walker.

Someone you look up to in racing?
My ”mentor" Walter (Bubba) Foster has helped me get to where I am for last 10 years. Second, my good friend Jared Pennington, always there for me no matter what. He’s a great friend and even better person. Third would be Joey Keith: there through thick and thin, always willing to listen and pray and help whenever you’re in need. Fourth, Luke Bogacki, who is a really good guy, and tough as they get in racing. He’s always helping answer my questions when he can about racing. Fifth, my beautiful wife April Walker. I don’t know how she does it and puts up with all my racing, but she loves being involved and is my crew chief, as well as my biggest fan and supporter. Last but not least, my bud Jeremy Mckague, who wins bunches of big time races everywhere, and would do anything for you.

If money were no object, what would you drive?
I'd like to run super stock/stock circuit win a couple of world championships!

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)? 
Just the normal once over, check everything out, warm the car up, take my boy Jace for a couple of slow test passes down the return road, (he thinks we’re racing) then just focus and get prepared to go some rounds.

THANKS: I’d like to say a special thanks to all my friends, family and sponsors that support me through thick and thin, and BTE for making great products. Also Briscoe Scrap Metal, Chris Norris at Triple C Drag Race Car Insurance and Peaks Performance Powder Coating.

Car of the Week: Lance Howdyshell's 1977 Ford Maverick

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Lance Howdyshell from Virginia and his “Blue Lagoon,” a 1977 Ford Maverick.

How did you get into drag racing?
My family has been doing it for 20 years, it runs in the family!

When and where was your first race?
My first race was at Eastside Speedway in Waynesboro, Virginia.. I won my first footbrake/MOD race within the first month of racing.

What model/year do you race now?
1977 Ford Maverick

Does your car have a nickname?
Blue Lagoon or Nelly

What's under the hood?
351W

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
Converter

Why do you use BTE?
I found out about it through the World Footbrake Challenge race, so my dad and I gave it a try. It gets the job done!

Someone you look up to in racing?
Luke Bogacki, Nick Bowman, Chris Plott

If money were no object, what would you drive?
Nothing else. I wouldn't trade my race car for the world. It may not be much, but it gets the job done. But if I had to choose, it would be a 1969 Camaro, even though I'm a Ford guy.

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
I pray as soon as I get strapped in and before I cut my pre-stage bulb on.

Car of the Week: Kiethan Lewis' 1990 Ford Mustang LX "Drama Queen"

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Kiethan Lewis from Mesquite, TX and his “Drama Queen,” a 1990 Ford Mustang LX.

How did you get into drag racing?
My best friend was doing it and he let me drive his car. I’ve been hooked since! 

When and where was your first race?
I raced for the first time in 2003 at the street races in Garland, TX.

What model/year do you race now?
1990 Ford Mustang LX w/SBC 

Does your car have a nickname?
Drama Queen

What's under the hood?
421 SBC NOS motor

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
9.5" torque converter and a transbrake valve body 

Why do you use BTE?
BTE is very affordable and dependable. Since I put it on my car, I have had no issues!

If money were no object, what would you drive?
2006 Corvette x275 LSX TWINS 

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
Pray for my safety. Wear my lucky slides to the track and been doing that for the last few years. They became my lucky slides after I noticed I’d been wearing them to the track and nothing bad has happened to me since.

Car of the Week: Chris Livingood's 1977 Chevy Vega

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Chris Livingood (yes, that's his real name) from Ottawa, Kansas and his 1977 Chevy Vega.

How did you get into drag racing?
I’m a third generation racer. I spent a majority of my weekends as a child at the race track watching my dad.

When and where was your first race?
My first time in competition was at Kansas City International Raceway around the age of 16.

What model/year do you race now?
1977 Chevy Vega

What's under the hood?
A 421 SBC built by Driskell Race Engines in Wellsville, KS

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
I’m running a BTE torque converter and a Williams Powerglide filled with all BTE internals.

Why do you use BTE?
The reliability of the product and the great customer support. Prior to switching to BTE, I battled with other companies trying to find the right converter for my application. After several unsuccessful attempts I was referred to BTE by a transmission builder. I provided my engine specifications and desired converter stall and the BTE team got it right the first time. It was great customer experience!

Someone you look up to in racing?
My dad got me interested in cars and introduced me to bracket racing. He showed me that it doesn’t take a big budget to be competitive.

If money were no object, what would you drive?
I would add a dragster or roadster to my garage. I would also like to travel across the country and compete in more big money races.

Car of the Week: Michael Rickman's 1994 Chevy S-10

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Michael Rickman of Selmer, TN and his 1994 Chevy S-10.

How did you get into drag racing?
It happened when I was a teenager, through some of my friends and their dad. My drive to get better at racing took off from there.

When and where was your first race?
Jackson Dragway back in the late 90s

What model/year do you race now?
1994 Chevy S-10

Does your car have a nickname?
“Ole girl” maybe. That's what I call her before each round.

What's under the hood?
A new 383 roller motor

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
The 2-speed BTE powerglide loaded up with all the good stuff, also a BTE 8" torque converter.

Why do you use BTE?
Because I believe in the durability and consistency of their products, plus it shows at the track.

Someone you look up to in racing?
Carl Edwards is the guy I look up to. He is a awesome race car driver.

If money were no object, what would you drive?
I would love to learn how to drive a pro stock.

Car of the Week: Kole Pritchett's "Ugly Duckling" 1980 Chevy Monza

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Kole Pritchett of Knoxville, TN and his 1980 Chevy Monza.

How did you get into drag racing?
I grew up around it with my dad and uncles.

When and where was your first race?
At the I-40 Dragway in a Jr dragster when I was nine years old.

What model/year do you race now?
1980 Chevy Monza

Does your car have a nickname?
The Ugly Duckling

What's under the hood?
A 404-cid small block Chevy prepped by Midsouth Racing topped by a Rupert carb

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
An 8" BTE converter and all transmission components

Why do you use BTE?
Great products and excellent customer service. Bill, Brandon, and Neal has always treated us like family.

Someone you look up to in racing?
I can't name just one. I'd have to say my dad, my uncle Larry, Luke Bogacki, and Scotty Richardson.

If money were no object, what would you drive?
Either a top sportsman car or a nitrous pro mod

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
Take a deep breath and clear my mind.

Car of the Week: Daniel Wright's 1993 Chevy S-10

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Daniel Wright in Arkansas and his 1993 Chevy S-10. 

How did you get into drag racing?
15 yrs

When and where was your first race?
Centerville Dragway Centerville Ar

What model/year do you race now?
1993 chevy S10

Does your car have a nickname? 
“Lil’ Blue”

What's under the hood?
468 BBC

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle? 
BTE Powerglide,  BTE transmission case, BTE 8 in converter

Why do you use BTE?
Price and quality

Someone you look up to in racing?
Dick Harrell, aka "Mr. Chevrolet"

If money were no object, what would you drive?
’67 Camaro

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
Pray for luck!

Car of the Week: Dean Johnson's 1977 Chevy Vega

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Dean Johnson from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and his 1977 Chevy Vega.

How did you get into drag racing?
Always wanted to drag race, but couldn’t afford it until about three years ago. Sold my first Corvette of 20 years to buy a race car.

When and where was your first race?
Three years ago at Northstar Raceway in Sanger/Denton, TX.

What model/year do you race now?
1977 Vega

What's under the hood?
434 SBC

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
Spragless torque converter

Why do you use BTE?
An engine builder recommended BTE, sent mine into BTE to have it serviced. BTE called to see what, if any issues, there were and built it to meet my needs.

Someone you look up to in racing?
The ones who have been doing this for 30 years and have taken the time to help others.

If money were no object, what would you drive?
Would like to run ProMod! (Like that will ever happen.)

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
Giving all systems a good look over, servicing the car and clearing my mind.

Car of the Week: Dana Duckett's 1970 Chevelle SS 454

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Dana Duckett from Grimes, IA and his 1970 Chevelle SS 454.

How did you get into drag racing?

My best friend had a drag car back in the late 80s, and I started going to the track with him every weekend. First we raced a 331 cid small block powered ’74 Vega at the Bethany, MO track and were the track champions in our class for several years. We then began running a ’67 big block powered Camaro and moved to the Princeton, MO track after Bethany closed. I’ve always been interested in cars, and always had a hot street car dating back to my high school days when I had a ’71 Chevelle running a small block (355 cid) with a tunnel ram. 

What model/year do you race now?

My current “hot rod” is a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 (LS-6) convertible clone.

What's under the hood?

It is a .030 over 454 with Speed Pro 10.5:1 pistons, factory LS-6 steel crank, Lunati 60204 Voodoo cam, lifters, and springs and many of the original LS-6 parts including 291 rectangle-port closed-chamber heads, 569 Winters aluminum intake, and an original 4492 Holley 780 carb.  

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?

It is backed by a Turbo 400 that Steve Oldani built for me using BTE internal parts and a BTE 11” Street/Strip stall converter running through a Richmond Gear 4.10 posi. 

Why do you use BTE?
I use BTE products because my transmission builder, Steve “the Trans Man” Oldani, had nothing but great things to say about your products and that your service was second to none. I had known Steve for several years before he did any work for me. Steve was rebuilding my convertible’s transmission and recommended several upgrades along with one of your street/strip converters to go along with the new engine I was building.  When I ran into some problems with my converter several months later, BTE immediately shipped me a replacement. The BTE tech staff followed-up and were extremely helpful. In this day and age, this level of personal service is unheard of and BTE’s willingness to stand behind their product and make sure I was completely satisfied was very refreshing. I’m sold on BTE products and recommend them to everyone I know! Your products speak for themselves and I'm a BTE customer for life.

Someone you look up to in racing?

I’ve always looked up to the door slammers in pro stock, including drivers like Warren Johnson and a guy with more local ties, Bob Morton who used to drive the Cooper & Kriegh Pizza Hut pro stock Camaro.

If money were no object, what would you drive?

An original 1969 DZ302 Camaro.

Car of the Week: Wendy Kreps' 1979 Chevy Malibu

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Wendy Kreps from Vinemont, AL and her 1979 Chevy Malibu.

Credit: Hobbie Lee Photography 

How did you get into drag racing? 

All it took was a ride-along in the passenger seat on a warm-up pass for me to decide that drag racing might be pretty fun!

When and where was your first race?

I bought my first car in 2005, an ’80 Malibu, and ran my first race in footbrake class at Baileyton “Good Time” Drag Strip, Baileyton, AL in the summer of 2006.

 

What model/year do you race now?

A ’79 Malibu

 

Does your car have a nickname?

Fearless. The short story behind that: A wreck destroyed my ’80 in 2012. I bought this car two weeks to the day after the wreck and came back in 2013.

 

What's under the hood?

A stock GM block 383 with forged internals, currently undergoing an upgrade to AFR heads and a composite intake

 

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle and why do you use BTE?

I have run a convertor serviced by BTE for the past 5 years. Their quality and service is the best in the business. I have changed configurations a few times over the years and BTE has never failed to nail the convertor set-up for my combination.

 

Someone you look up to in racing?

The two people I look up to the most are Michelle Furr and Luke Bogacki. Not only are they very good racers in the NHRA Super Gas/Super Comp classes, they are wonderful, humble people who represent the sport so well.

 

If money were no object, what would you drive?

Believe it or not, I wouldn’t trade my car for anything, she’s a solid ride! I would, however, step up and try running in the NHRA or IHRA semi-professional classes. Last year (2014) was my rookie year running top-bulb and I did well in some sizable fields locally, so I hope to graduate to running some bigger stakes races in 2015.

 

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

I don’t have any pre-race rituals, but I do wear a certain necklace to every race and I keep a small laminated copy of my favorite prayer in my car where I can see it.

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

Car of the Week: Dwight Moss' 1984 Buick Grand National

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 Dwight Moss in Athens, AL and his 1984 Buick Grand National.

When and where was your first race?

I started racing in 1971 on a Shaw Rd in Athens, AL. This was the local gathering place for high school kids in the area.

What model/year do you race now?

I have a 1984 Buick Grand National. 

What's under the hood?

440 CI SBC

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?

I use BTE convertors and trans coolers.

Why do you use BTE?

I switched to BTE convertors and found them to be more consistent and best 60 ft. I pull for the under dog to beat the highly funded teams.

If money were no object, what would you drive?

If money was not a show stopper, a concourse restored 66 GTO (I have one) with the best suspension built and a Butler Built Pontiac 500CI motor.

Car of the Week: Dewayne Martin's 1972 Chevy Nova

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 Dewayne Martin in Warrior, AL and his 1972 Chevy Nova.

How did you get into drag racing? 

My boss (Bill Cone) in my first full time job raced & went to the track with him.

When and where was your first race? 

Lassiter Mountain (1982)

What model/year do you race now? 

1972 Chevy Nova        

What's under the hood? 

406 SBC

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle? 

Converter & planetaries

Car of the Week: Martin Lambert's '75 Chevy Monza

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 Martin Lambert in Everett, WA and his 1975 Chevy Monza. 

How did you get into drag racing?

I started with a mini tub and adding a mild 350, then wondering how fast it was.

When and where was your first race? 

1994 at Seattle International Raceway (Pacific Raceways) in Washington state

What model/year do you race now? 

1975 Chevy Monza that I've owned since 1984

Does your car have a nickname? 

Taz

Car of the Week: Wheel Stand Tournament Winner, Derek Lewis' 1970 Nova

Welcome to our Car of the Week series, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. We’ve taken a small break from the series, but we’re back today with the winner of our recent [epic!] Wheel Stand Tournament. It was a hard-fought battle, and Derek Lewis was grand prize winner with a massive amount of support. Here’s his story, and his car.

How did you get into drag racing?

Hanging around friends in high school.

When and where was your first race?

Texas Raceway

What model/year do you race now?

1970 Nova

Does your car have a nickname?

"Ole Red," but most people know me or my car by 582nova.

What's under the hood?

Morgan & Son racing engine 572 BBC

What Goes Into the Design and Manufacturing of a BTE Torque Converter?

As we mentioned before, every racing torque converter built today (even the $8,000.00 billet aluminum lock ups used in Pro Mods) has its designs rooted in an OEM torque converter.

The popular 8" torque converter is based on design from Opel that is more than 30 years old, and the popular 10" 258mm and 265mm billet converters are based on designs used by Cadillac for its Northstar series vehicles. 

Using these platforms as a core, we build upgraded component parts that increase strength and modify the torque multiplication and stall speeds. 

How do we do that?

• CNC machined covers or fronts are made from 8620 steel or 6061-T6 aluminum. The higher grade materials increase the strength of the converter and eliminate "ballooning" which can occur when stamped steel front covers are used.  


• The individual fins or blades within the torque converter primary pump and turbine are furnace brazed. This process bonds the metal components together and prevents breaking of the blades.


• The stator assemblies in most OEM converters contain aluminum castings and simple spring based roller clutches. These are upgraded with billet steel stator assemblies with upgraded multi cam sprags, mechanical diodes, or solid spragless slugs.  


• OEM input shaft splines are cut out with CNC precision and new heat treated splines are welded into place.


• The torque converter is reassembled with the upgraded component parts, endplay and runout are checked after welding, and a final balance test using a computer balancer makes sure the torque converter will run without any vibration.


• A final multi point inspection by three specialists ensures the torque converter is built to our racing specifications and is ready for painting and shipment.

Some Prominent Racers Using BTE Torque Converters in Their Cars

While we could go on all day about what makes our torque converters the best in the industry, it’s really our customers that give us the feedback we need to continue improving.

Here are just a handful of the racers that trust BTE with their racing vehicle's torque converter that you may have heard of:

Luke Bogacki

Luke Bogacki, professional drag racer, NHRA World Champion and NHRA Division 7 Super Comp Champion.

Scotty Richardson, drag racing instructor, Schooled By Scotty.

Todd Ewing, owner of Huntsville Engine and drag racer.

Brad Plourd, successful drag racer, multiple NHRA national event champion.

Buddy Ferrell, prominent racer, owner of Ferrell Transmission Service.

Tom Williams, NHRA Division 5 heavy hitter in Top Dragster and Super Comp and respected transmission builder.

Lucas Walker, dominant Kentucky racer and race car builder.

Jamie Hancock, world record holder for drag radial pass, who credits BTE’s torque converter as one of his keys to that 4.093-second pass.

Daniel Rollison, Gulf Coast racer who's won more big money bracket races than most people have fingers and toes.

901 Bad Boyz / GYS Racing, National Grudge Racer of the year from 2013.

Stig Olsson, of Slingshot Racing in Europe, European record holder. 

Jared Pennington, hugely successful footbrake competitor.

Kenny Hubbard, record-setting racer in the popular radial classes, and transmission builder for the Houston area.

Frank Hawley, NHRA World Champion, owner of Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School. 

What We're Known For: BTE Racing Torque Converters

During the course of the next several weeks, we are going to highlight some of our most popular products. We'll show you how they're made, why they stand out and feature some of our favorite racers using these products every weekend in their cars.

We recently gave away a torque converter to Derek Lewis, winner of our first social media Wheel Stand Tournament. There's a reason we chose this BTE product: It's one of our best and most popular items, and most importantly, it really does help people win races. Just ask Jamie Hancock, among others.

What is it and how does it work?
A torque converter multiplies torque and acts as a fluid coupler. It is a complex assembly of stamped, machined and welded steel. (A great beginners guide to the operation can be found here.) In racing and high performance, we rely on the foundations set by the automotive manufacturers. Every race torque converter today and since the beginning has been based on a torque converter originally developed by General Motors, Ford, Toyota, and others.

BTE's Facebook Wheel Stand Tournament Details

If you follow us on Facebook, you might have noticed we're doing something a little different. Something fun. Something a little bit like racing. We're having a tournament to see which of our fans' wheel stand photos have what it takes to win them a BTE torque converter or BTE-manufactured product of equal or lesser value. 

Here's the tournament structure:
1st round: Start with 64 wheel stand entries, which will be put into groups of 4 in 16 first rounds. Those 16 winners will move on. Round 2: 16 Wheel Stands will compete again in groups of 4 to get to our Final 4! Round 3: Those Final 4 will compete in groups of 2 to find our finalists. Final Round: Two finalists battle it out for the grand prize (a BTE torque converter or BTE product of equal or lesser value). 

We’ll post 2 first rounds a day (for a total of 8 days, skipping weekends and Labor Day). The we’ll post one bracket a day for the remainder of the tournament until we have our winner. See the line up below.

How will we do it? We'll post a status message with the name of the round's contestants and post their photos in the comment section. The photo with the most LIKES in 24 hours will move on!

Here are the current entries and what days they'll be in the first round. We'll update the details as rounds finish and we know who'll be moving on.

Car of the Week: Kathy Porter's Fritz RED Dragster

Welcome to our Car of the Week series, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. While we've had many a make and model, today is a first for this series: a woman! Give a warm welcome to Kathy Porter of Kimball, Nebraska and her Fritz RED dragster.

How did you get into drag racing?  
My son started driving a Jr. Dragster in 1995 when he was 12, the 2nd year that NHRA had the program. After he ran for a few years, I had so much fun with the Jr. program that I wanted to drive myself.

When and where was your first race?
Douglas Motorsports Park, Douglas, Wyoming, in June, 1998.

What model/year do you race now?
I have a Fritz RED dragster. I purchased the car from Milt Gedo, who was a former Super Comp champion and was then racing at Bandimere Speedway. I was told that the car had been originally built for Jerry Fritz as his personal car, but then sold when he didn't have time to race it.

Does your car have a nickname?
We just call it 'The Dragster.'

What's under the hood?
545 Ford, injected with E98 Ethanol

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
The car came with a BTE transmission and that's what I have continued to use. We use BTE parts whenever we rebuild and it has a BTE valve body and transbrake. We also use a BTE torque converter.

Why do you use BTE?
The customer service and quality of the parts. BTE was the only transmission builder that would talk to me about the correct converter to use with a big block Ford (and I called all of them).

Someone you look up to in racing?
Melanie Troxel, Karen Stouffer, Gary Scelzi, Alan Johnson

If money were no object, what would you drive?
Probably the same car I am driving now, only I wouldn't have to worry about hurting parts! I race in Super Pro bracket, sometimes using a throttle stop and I really enjoy the class.