veryone and his uncle have a theory on how to build a street 5.3L LS, and we’re no different. Originally, we were just going to upgrade a Gen IV 5.3 by first deleting the Active Fuel Management (AFM) that we outlined in an earlier story for ACP. It didn’t take long for the plan to expand into rebuilding this engine because it was tired with 300,000 miles on the clock.

If you recall, our original story centered around a Scoggin Dickey Parts Center (SDPC) AFM delete kit that replaced the cam and added new LS7 lifters. SDPC’s own dyno testing showed that they could make 448 hp with their 5.7L LS6 Max cam in an otherwise-stock 5.3L engine using the Trailblazer SS (TBSS) intake manifold. A big reason we chose this cam was because SDPC priced it well under $400 that most LS roller cams command. Check it out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

“In the case of the Keys’ Chevy we knew we were going with a twin-turbo 441ci Gen 1 small-block Chevy from Nelson Racing Engines, in nearby Chatsworth, California. We’ve worked with Tom Nelson several times in the past and he always delivers the goods. So that was our starting point, but I really wanted to eliminate the unsightly factory radiator assembly and lower that whole area so that the engine popped and became a real feature rather than be hidden behind the usual wall of the radiator.

hen our buddy and graphic designer extraordinaire Markas Platt originally reached out regarding the leaking radiator in his 1962 Chevy II, we recommended the traditional route: pull it out, take it to a reputable radiator shop, and have it leak tested and repaired. A seemingly simple fix and one that was once a common occurrence. Apparently, times change and it seems no radiator shop within a stone’s throw of his location wanted anything to do with it.

As we discussed replacement options, he also mentioned that the car tends to run hot at idle or low speed, especially in traffic. The lack of a fan shroud certainly wasn’t helping that situation, nor was the distance of the fan from the radiator. A simple plastic shroud and a fan spacer would solve that situation, but we opted to go a different route altogether.

n this second article on the 1956 Chevrolet built by Zrodz and Customs, we’ll take a closer look at the subtle yet extensive body modifications. From the outset, the goal was to preserve the car’s classic character while using the best of modern technology to refine every detail.

One of the first modifications was removing the driprails above the side glass. This change cleans up the roofline, giving the car the sleek profile the builders envisioned. Another refinement eliminated the “dip” at the top of the quarter-panel just behind the door. Most people don’t notice these changes immediately. Instead, the car simply looks right, and it often takes a closer inspection to realize just how much has been altered from the original design.

he 2026 Camaro Nationals are officially in the rearview mirror, adding another memorable chapter to the event’s successful history. Now in its 27th year, the show once again returned to the Classic Auto Mall in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, where the long-standing partnership continues to provide an ideal setting for one of the country’s premier Camaro gatherings. The combination of ample indoor and outdoor display areas, along with the convenience of the host hotel being directly connected to the Auto Mall, creates a venue that is both practical and enjoyable for participants, offering seamless access to the indoor exhibits and abundant exterior parking. As with many outdoor events across the Northeast during the summer months, however, unpredictable weather remained a concern. While periods of sunshine gave way to threatening skies throughout the weekend, the greatest challenge came Saturday morning when rain prompted some owners who typically drive their Camaros to the event to stay home. Even so, the final registered vehicle count reached 602, remarkably close to last year’s total of 610.

Organizers believe attendance would have been even stronger under more favorable conditions, while spectator turnout over both days surpassed every previous Camaro Nationals, continuing the event’s impressive growth in popularity.

he variety of cars and trucks is always incredible at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals. This is due in part to the softening of the year cutoff for the event, as it operates on a 30-year sliding cutoff. About 15 years ago, the event was strictly street rods, meaning 1948 and earlier, and while there were some radical combinations that rolled into the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, the exclusion of muscle cars left it lacking for many gearheads. These days, you can expect to see a huge number of muscle cars on hand, and we captured some of the more radical Chevrolet combinations from the 2026 show.

Pro Street cars are always fun to watch as they cruise the fairgrounds and, of course, ground-pounding gassers are cool to see in motion. There were more than 8,000 vehicles registered for this year’s Street Rod Nationals, and there was a great selection of vendors and special display vehicles inside the vendor hall. Meanwhile, the swap meet had all the used parts and vintage speed equipment you could ever want.