5d ago
109: Is Ford's Coyote Better Than GM's LS?
The Snot Rocket is here! This week on Tuned In, we welcome Brett Lasala, the owner, builder, and driver of 2024âs Sick Week-winning Mustang, Snot Rocket. In this episode, we find out what it takes to secure the outright win at a drive-and-drag competition like Sick Week, how heâs extracted over 3000hp from his Coyote V8, why he prefers Ford machinery, and a whole lot more.Use âBRETT50â to get 50% OFF our HPA Practical Engine Building Course: https://hpcdmy.co/practicalenginebEver since trading an old washing machine for his first car as a teenager, Brett Lasala has been obsessed with making vehicles go faster. This led to a lifelong career in the automotive industry, first learning the ropes through local shops, then becoming an accomplished Mercedes Benz tech specialising in AMG products, to then moving full time into the aftermarket space working with legendary companies like Real Street.Over that time, Brett has absorbed the knowledge of everyone around him, and is now in a position where heâs able to perform much of the work himself â although with that said, the level of success this car has seen is only possible thanks to the wealth of talent found in the other members of the team.In this conversation, we first discuss drive and drag events like Sick Week, and the unique challenges in tuning, engine building, and setup that a brutal day-after-day race and road trip presents. Competing is one thing â but winning outright is a whole different ball game entirely.This brings us to Brettâs well-known âSnot Rocketâ bright green Ford Mustang. We dive deep into the build, discussing its beginnings all the way through to its current state as a consistent low six-second pass twin-turbo monster. Powered by Fordâs Coyote motor, the Snot Rocket has allowed Brett to really get to know everything there is to know about the 5.0-litre DOHC V8. In this conversation, Brett is kind enough to share some of that knowledge with us, discussing the motorâs strengths and weaknesses, how to get good results from them, and if theyâre actually better than GMâs ubiquitous rival motor, the LS.With conversations around engine and transmission tuning strategies, CO2-regulated boost control, and much more, this episode is jam-packed with quality information!Follow Brett here:IG: @brett_lasalaYT: Brett LasalaWWW: brettlasala.comDonât forget, you can use âBRETT50â to get 50% OFF our HPA Practical Engine Building Course: https://hpcdmy.co/practicalenginebTimestamps:4:44 How did you develop an interest in cars?9:00 Where did the passion for drag racing come from?10:26 Have you got any formal qualifications?13:03 Spinning spanners on modern vehicles?15:02 Fabrication skills?18:21 What was your position at Real Street?22:05 What is a Drag and Drive event?26:15 Overview of original car29:15 Why did you start from fresh rather than further modifying the original car?32:15 Why turbos over supercharger?33:34 Coyote vs LS3? Pros and cons.34:36 What have you done to the Coyote engine?47:59 Whatâs your head gasket sealing solution?56:25 Do you think youâll need to move to a billet block?1:00:01 What is the electronics package in the car?1:08:22 What is DA in Drag Racing?1:11:03 How does your wheelie detection work?1:18:06 How has moving up turbo sizes affected drivability?1:22:25 Are you using traction control?1:27:43 Transmission1:32:20 How much faster would the car be if it was a dedicated drag car?1:36:35 Final 3 questions