In Wheel Time Podcast: Your Go-To Automotive Talk Show

Houston’S DIY Garage Revolution

• In Wheel Time Podcast | Automotive talk with Don Armstrong, Michael Marrs, and Jeff Dziekan • Season 2026 • Episode 48

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A car meet is fun. A place to actually work on your car without fighting apartment rules, HOA complaints, or a garage full of storage is the part most of us are missing. Broadcasting from the Team Gillman Mega Meet, we start with a fast, useful scan of current automotive recalls, including a Kumho tire issue and a stack of vehicle recalls that touch everything from windshield wipers to rear view cameras and fuel delivery. If you have been putting off checking your VIN, this is your nudge to hit safercar.gov and confirm your car is up to date.

Then we sit down with IK from Apex Garage, a new DIY garage near Spring designed for Houston car enthusiasts, mobile mechanics, and first timers who want to learn. We talk lifts, tools, repair guides, a mechanic on standby, and how hourly and daily bay rentals can make real maintenance affordable again as labor rates climb. We also get into the community angle: memberships, a sim racing lounge, watch parties for F1, IndyCar, and NASCAR, plus plans for group track days across road courses and drag strips.

Finally, Subaru fans get a treat. Jose Martinez walks us through his WRX STI builds, including a bug eye era car with a WRC inspired look and a serious power setup. We dig into E85 flex fuel tuning, ethanol content monitoring you can check on your phone, anti lag, two step, and why a six speed swap is the next big move when you outgrow a five speed transmission.

If you’re into Houston car culture, DIY auto repair, Subaru WRX STI mods, E85 flex fuel, or track day planning, hit play, then subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review. What project would you tackle first if you had a lift and a full tool wall waiting for you?

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Live From Team Gillman Mega Meet

Don Armstrong

Welcome to another In Wheel Time podcast. Welcome to the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show. Today coming to you from Team Gilman Mega Meat. Just ahead. We're going to continue to immerse ourselves in the culture out here at the Mazda, Subaru, and Acura dealerships. Hopefully, we're going to get that camera up and running so you can see how huge this is. And we're going to give it a whirl. Mars, are you working on that? Okay, please do that. So, and anyway, we are up here at the Tina Gilman. It's a three-dealership complex here just north of 1960. And we invite you to come out. It goes until two o'clock this afternoon. And we're doing a special three-hour show today. So we're going to be on the air here until one. Just wanted to say that. If uh if you want to, you can just stay with us right till one o'clock. It's a bonus hour today. Howdy, along with Mike Out of This World Mars, fixing the camera. We always need more Jeff Zeke and Chief Engineer David Ainsley is with us. I'm Don Armstrong. Glad that you could join us today. You know, I'm still looking for that influencer in the pink car.

Jeff Dziekan

Well, I saw that car go that way.

Don Armstrong

Well, uh, that was a long time ago. Well, yeah. And she's parked down there. Um anyway.

Jeff Dziekan

Um we see Marla we'll have her cor corraler.

Tire And Vehicle Recalls Roundup

Don Armstrong

Yeah. Um I wanted to do uh some recalls. Okay. One of them is tires. Uh-huh. KUMO. Yep. They're a pretty popular tire. I never thought that KUMO would ever be anything.

SPEAKER_03

They've come along around, yeah, yeah.

Don Armstrong

KUMO is recalling certain SOLAS TA11 tires, 22560R16, should be a pretty popular size. Uh the tire tread may separate.

Jeff Dziekan

Oh, belt separating there.

Don Armstrong

Uh-huh. As such, the tires failed to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. DOT. Number 139. Oh. I wanted to be sure and put that in there. 139 is important. It is very important. So there's that. And then we have the regular recalls. And guess who's in it? Does it start with an F? Well, it's not Ferrari, is it? Uh no, it's not Ferrari. So let's start with the F. Ferrari. Ford Escape Explorer Aviator Corsair 2020 to 2022. The windshield wipers may fail. Oh man. Um Ford E 350, 450, 2627. Backup alarm sound failure. Is it the the E? Is it Machy? 40. Uh drive shaft may separate on the Ford F 250 and 350 SD super huge. 25 for 26. Yeah. You hate to have that drive shaft separate when you're doing about 70 down the highway.

Jeff Dziekan

Or you're in the 350 and you had a horse trailer. Or that on a fifth wheel. Uh-huh. Or Caroline.

Don Armstrong

Yes. Martha. Uh how about the high voltage battery? Is there's a fire risk in the Volvo EX30. Oh wow. For 2025.

Jeff Dziekan

Is that an E? Is that electric EX30?

Don Armstrong

I don't have any clue. I I'm not familiar with the Volvo lineup, and I will readily admit that. I know I'm supposed to be I'm supposed to be knowledgeable about all things automotive, but I'm not. Okay. That's one I'm not. That was just a question. We don't get any Volvos, unfortunately. Volvos are good cars. Uh continuing with the Ford legacy. Ford Navigator for 2026, it's got a problem, it's being recalled. Uh incorrectly displayed rear view camera image in the Ford Escape Explorer, Aviator, and Corsair, 2020 to 2022. Rear view camera image may not display in the Bronco in the edge, 21 to 26, 21 to 24. Tire sidewall damage. I guess it went down the wrong assembly line. Uh-oh. Which wasn't a good thing, and they damaged the tires. I'm not exactly sure. Chevrolet Express and Savannah, they don't do they still make those? 25 to 26 mile years, they must.

Jeff Dziekan

Chevrolet Express.

Don Armstrong

That's the van.

Jeff Dziekan

Yeah. Yeah, we believe that the GMC Savannah. The GMC Savannah is the is the passenger van.

Don Armstrong

Whatever.

Jeff Dziekan

Yeah.

Don Armstrong

It's a van. And let's not forget Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and the GMC 3500 2526. Engine stall due to disabled rear fuel pump. Well, so those are the recalls this week. Remember, safercar.gov. And um that will allow you to put in your VIN number in the little box and you can check to see if your car is going to be recalled or is recalled. Okay? We're going to save our uh hemmings, name the co used car price, sold car price. How come? Well, because uh we've got another uh two hours to get that in. Yeah, absolutely. I don't want to have some guests lying out. I don't want to blow everything right out of the box.

Jeff Dziekan

No, no, don't do that.

Don Armstrong

We've got a lot of people standing by over there.

Jeff Dziekan

And I think they're waiting for my autograph or something.

Apex Garage DIY Shop Concept

Don Armstrong

Well, actually, they're they're waiting for Marlett to put put these people in the queue. That that chair right down there. Yeah, yeah. Sit right down there and then put on that headset. We normally don't do it this way, but we're having to do it this way because uh because I don't have anybody feeding me names and titles and that sort of stuff. And um it's nice to meet you. What's your name? Oh, IK is my name. IK. Yes, sir. IKEA. I bet that's not your real name.

SPEAKER_00

It's not, no. Uh I have a few of them. A few of them. I'll probably take the next 30 minutes and then. No, well you look like a Robert. Are you a Robert?

unknown

Really?

SPEAKER_00

He looks like a Robert.

Jeff Dziekan

He looks like a Robert.

SPEAKER_00

Really? I've never gotten that, but you know, I'll take it. I can I'll take it.

Don Armstrong

Could you see it being a part, apparently some sort of cardinal?

SPEAKER_00

I am. I I am. I, you know, probably not as as uh intense as some of the guys out here. I mean, you look at these bills, these guys.

Don Armstrong

Are these your people here?

SPEAKER_00

Everyone here, I thought. Everyone here, to be honest. I I I represent Houston. So uh and what a club, uh a shop, uh So I'm I'm here on behalf of uh a company my wife and I started, uh Apex Garage.

Don Armstrong

Apex Garage, okay.

SPEAKER_00

We're a DIY garage. Uh I won't say the first of its kind, really, in Houston, where we provide a space in car enthusiasts, uh, mobile mechanics, shade tree mechanics, anyone really, even anyone from down the street can come uh could come by and uh get some work done.

SPEAKER_03

Do you have lifts there?

SPEAKER_00

We have lifts, we have tools, we have repair guides, we have a mechanic on standby to walk you through repairs if you get stuck. And uh that's cool. Yeah, absolutely.

Don Armstrong

You know, it's funny uh you say that because gosh, this had to have been. I'm dating myself, okay? So just tell me, shut up, Don. You're old, we all know that.

SPEAKER_00

No, not at all. Not at all.

Don Armstrong

So this is back in the 70s, okay? I know. Like I said, ancient stuff. I did it too. So there was a shell station at the corner of Bel Air Boulevard in 59, the Southwest Freeway, right there in front of Sharpstown.

SPEAKER_06

Uh-huh.

Don Armstrong

And um the guy sold lots of gas, but he had no mechanic work coming in. So what he did was he turned his garage that uh was a part of the dealership, he turned it into a do-it-yourself thing. So you go in there and rent the space. And if you needed tools, they had tools that you could rent or a lift. You have lifts? Yep.

SPEAKER_00

Got lifts? Yeah, we have two post lifts.

Don Armstrong

And uh so you could rent the space.

SPEAKER_00

Yep.

Don Armstrong

I found myself down there a lot because I liked it. Right. I was working on my car and I had a question or something. There was always somebody in there that said, hey man, uh, do you know anything? Yeah, let me take a look. Oh, yeah, that, this, that.

SPEAKER_06

Exactly.

Don Armstrong

And it was fun. It was a it was a garage club, is basically what it turned out to be.

SPEAKER_00

That's that's what we're going for. That's it. That's crazy that even as far back as the 70s, that was already a concept.

Don Armstrong

Because his garage he had a big garage. He must have had six, eight stalls.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, there you go. Yeah. Wow.

Jeff Dziekan

Have you ever seen the movie Christine?

SPEAKER_00

Oh, the car that drives itself, right?

Jeff Dziekan

Yep. The concept of that, Christine, the garage was just what you said. Yeah. Where Christine went back to the garage and got it was a shop where the old man owned that he didn't like the kid, but he had all these other clients. It was more of a money laundering thing than anything, but that's the premise of it was the movie Christine. I think another garage.

SPEAKER_00

So we're located in Spring. Uh we found a nice 6,000 square foot facility off of uh the 99 and gosling, probably about a minute from that intersection. Um the woodlands. You hear gosling, you think the woodlands, but it's more it's spring, and we try to place it there to kind of cater to North Houston as far as as well as uh probably central Houston. It's probably a good 30-minute drive from central Houston, but it's still accessible for the guys in Conroe, guys in Willis.

Don Armstrong

So it's kind of like a car club meetup at the garage.

SPEAKER_00

It is, and that's the thing, right? It it's to try to to provide to give some give it's our attempt at connecting, even further connecting the automotive community, right? Because like look kind of like you said, working on your car is cool by itself. Working on your car alongside fellow enthusiasts is amazing. I know, it is. You get stuck, you just walk next door. Hey, can you come check this out for me?

Don Armstrong

It's one of those things that most car people don't understand because they've never experienced it. Right. And uh if you experience it a couple of times, you go, yeah, right.

SPEAKER_00

I never I never want to get under a car by myself again.

Don Armstrong

Yeah, can't hey, can I can I rent the space for about an hour uh you know next Saturday or whatever the case may be? Right. Because I want to change my own and do a couple things on it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, so it's yeah, it's it's an overall space. We have right now we have five bays all um stocked with lifts and tools. On the other side of the building, we have a sim racing um lounge, which it's a new concept, but it's pretty simple.

Don Armstrong

Back in our day, there'd be slot car racing.

SPEAKER_00

It would be, yeah. It'd be a uh shut up, Don. It'd be a keg and a couch. Right, right, right.

Don Armstrong

Um what a keg and a couch. Keg in a couch.

Rates Bays Sim Racing And Memberships

SPEAKER_00

That's funny. That's funny. And then eventually you will launch memberships too for the guys that that really uh dedicate time towards uh towards the automotive stuff, right? There's a lot of mobile mechanics. Well, here's the deal. What's change?

Don Armstrong

There's so many apartment buildings now. So what are you doing? So I can't go over to Mars house because his garage is full of crap. Not a car, it hasn't seen the car in the garage. The wife's on one side of the garage, he's on the other side, so you can't go to Judge's garage. So there you go.

SPEAKER_00

I just bought a new truck, it's been sitting outside since I bought it. The wife took up half of it, and we have a whole bunch of stuff on the other half. Yeah, but I think my HOA would would would find me to the high if I even attempted something in my driveway.

SPEAKER_06

Yeah. Right.

SPEAKER_00

So yeah, it's that's exactly. So I mean, uh ultimately, you know, automotive repair costs are rising um at a pretty rapid rate. Um can't, I think the average cost for mechanic repair these days, just labor uh costs about$120,$150 an hour. Uh new cars are getting expensive, so people are keeping their older cars longer, but then the older the car gets, the more repairs it needs. Um so the need for it is there. Um and it's it's something that's that that that's come up all the time. It's it's it's so much of an issue, it's getting memed about. Now, you know something so pressing when people start making memes about it, right? I saw a meme the other day. It was a guy driving, and uh he was the price of brakes was so expensive, so I have to resort to this. And in the video, he had uh a lasso while he was driving, and he threw it around a pole to stop the car down because the brakes went out. I was like, man, I I really hope he doesn't get to this.

Don Armstrong

Well, my mind goes to let's say, for instance, a Subaru Club. Uh-huh. You know, WRX guys, and you know, we're all cool and all that stuff, uh-huh. But we all live in different apartment complexes. So we really don't have a place to go. One of the guys doesn't have a garage.

SPEAKER_01

Exactly.

Don Armstrong

And so three or four of us go over, we'll help him work on his car at your at your facility. Exactly.

SPEAKER_00

Maybe for the day, go over there and take it out. Yeah, exactly. You could take turns too. So we have hourly rates, we have daily rates. We're working on a weekly rate as well, just for long-term builds. Sure. But no, something like that. And that's that's exactly right, right? You you work in the in the vicinity of others, you get to collaborate on stuff. Eventually, we're launching memberships as well to even accentuate that that concept even further. That way, you even if you don't, you might not need to work on your car, you might just need a space to come and plan your next build. Um, in our case, we're huge racing enthusiasts, Formula One, IndyCar, NASCAR. Um, come watch a race, right? We'll have watch we'll have uh watch parties for races. Eventually for members too, we'll have track days, right? Because I mean, what's how it's not much fun just building a car and not never getting to test it out. Exactly. Yeah, exactly. So eventually you build, build, build, and then we figure we'll take the members to the track track.

Don Armstrong

So most of the guys uh do they go to uh road course tracks or do they go to drag strips or both?

SPEAKER_00

But the good thing about Houston is you have options. Um we'll probably rotate through uh through between road courses and and drag strips and even the Sam Houston race park down there. Um and eventually, the blessing, you know, the blessing would be in Texas is uh we have Coda up north in Austin, where not that far. It's not that far, right? So eventually maybe get the members together, um, we'll go see a race live, a Formula One race, so or a NASCAR.

SPEAKER_01

Maybe work up a deal on tickets with them, say our group sports to come up here.

SPEAKER_00

Exactly. Maybe get a nice little booth, a nice little section, and it'd be a great time.

Don Armstrong

Well, I'm thinking more along the lines of a suite with uh you know some cocktails being served and that sort of thing.

SPEAKER_00

That would be nice.

Don Armstrong

See, I'm just I'm just giving you a little nudge there with the idea.

Jeff Dziekan

Those little tiny wieners with a toothpick and the little meatballs, those are great.

Rising Repair Costs And Track Days

How To Find Apex Garage

SPEAKER_00

Oh, that's all you need. That's all you need. Yeah, those are not set. But yeah, just it's we're we're trying to give back. But right now, we're set up here at this car meet, it's a good time. We're loving the weather, it's great, people are great. Yep. Uh we have some mobile sim racing um setups, so just get people comfortable with that video. In front of the Mazda or the In front of uh the accurate accurate, the far end. Yes, sir. Um so we're setting up where we're about a month out from opening, so building's coming up, it's coming, it's happening pretty quickly. Um we're excited. So we're just building awareness, getting to know Houston. We already know Houston, but you can never know Houston too much, right? Uh to get to know the guys hanging out. Um it's a good time. We it's a beautiful, like I said, beautiful day, beautiful day it is great day. Especially after all the rain we've been getting. It's yeah, it's refreshing to finally try and have the sun out again. But yeah, yeah, we're excited. Good deal. Well, thanks, Robert. Absolutely. Absolutely. I'll take it now. I'm not answering nothing else for Robert today. So how do you have a web?

Don Armstrong

How do we get a hold of you?

SPEAKER_00

Oh, uh, so you can find us right now at www.apexgarage. There's a bit of nuance to that. It's APE-xgarage.

Don Armstrong

Oh, APE-x.

SPEAKER_00

For the linguist.

Jeff Dziekan

Not an underscore a hyphen.

SPEAKER_00

Right, right, right. Yeah, hyphen xgarage.com. Uh we have our landing page up to get you familiar with who we are and what we do. There's also a countdown timer there, so you can follow up uh with with the our opening, and there's a link to us uh.

Don Armstrong

Wait a minute, you're not open yet?

SPEAKER_00

We're not. We're not open yet. This we are about a month out from opening. April 11th is our opening day.

Jeff Dziekan

Well, you're gonna need more shirts and you need to contact me.

Don Armstrong

And not only that, but you also need to have a remote broadcast from the in-mill time crib.

SPEAKER_00

Oh no, we can do that. We we can absolutely do that. But uh no, we're excited. Uh, we're also having one of these where it's a smaller, on a smaller scale, but we're looking to have a JDM car meet for our opening ceremony to get the car guys together. Um we're a bit partial to the JDM community ourselves. So we'll rotate, we'll rotate. Wait just a minute.

SPEAKER_03

So, what what do you have?

SPEAKER_00

You know, I feel like an imposter. I feel like an imposter saying this. I did just trade a BMW uh M3 for a truck because I am in that phase now. Yeah, you did say that. Are you serious? What is your wife driving? She has a Lexus.

SPEAKER_03

Everybody's making funny. You did what? I know, dude. You you you you've gone against the grain.

SPEAKER_00

I know, I know, and I feel so bad, but it's it's that phase. I'll get it back. Uh I'll get I'll probably get something better.

Jeff Dziekan

But the truck you bought's a Mitsubishi.

SPEAKER_00

No, I'm saying that'd be nice. That'd be nice though. I got a GMC. Right hand drive. Right. That'd be right.

Don Armstrong

Now the GMC hasn't been recalled, has it? No, 6.2 in it?

SPEAKER_00

6.2, yeah. Oh god. Fingers crossed, everything I hop in, I say right now. Well, they said they fixed it for 2026. I shouldn't have to be able to do that. That's what they said.

SPEAKER_01

Before you push the starter button, it's the call.

SPEAKER_00

We got a deal for you. Come on down. We'll see. We'll see. So I'll I'm I'm in that now. It hopefully it's not long. I'm able to get back to you. Did you drive that up here? I did. I did. It's parked all the way in the back.

Don Armstrong

I was gonna say, because you had to park in the back.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, yeah. I had to. I couldn't take the spotlight from these guys. Come on.

SPEAKER_01

Well, I got here late, so I parked right here instead of going all the way to the guy.

SPEAKER_00

It blends in anyway. No one noticed. If they didn't say nothing, you don't say nothing. That's right. Hi, Kay.

Don Armstrong

It's great to talk to you. It's been a pleasure to be here. Thank you. All right, just ahead. Uh we're going to um we're gonna do something. And I have to look at my notes here to find out where we are because it's been kind of a mess this morning.

Jeff Dziekan

The wind has been blowing our paper.

Tailpipes And Tacos Beaumont Promo

Don Armstrong

Is that what it is? I think so. We're gonna use that. All the words have been blowing our paper. 10 real time uh car show. Invite you to join us. 10 minutes at Central Time every Saturday for our live show about all things automotive. Of course, tons of podcasts and all that stuff. Thanks for being with us today. We'll be back right after this. The Tailpipes and Tacos renowned cruising expands to Beaumont. Golden Triangle cruisers will want to experience tailpipes and tacos at the Loopy Tortilla, High Ten South in Beaumont, near Washington Boulevard. Grab free Loopy Breakfast Tacos with any donation to Shirley's kids. Enjoy a coffee or an adult beverage. Every cruising vehicle is automatically entered to win one of the beautiful chili pepper trophies for Best Hot Rod, Classic, and Modern Classic. Tailpipes and Tacos Beaumont happens Saturday morning, March 21st, 8 to 11 a.m. If you're a car kicker like we are, this is the event you'll want to attend. The info time car talk show will be online live and you may be interviewed about your ride. Tailpipes and Tacos Beaumont edition Saturday, March 21st, 8 to 11 a.m. at the Loopy Tortilla 2050 I-10 South in Beaumont. The Katie Tailpipes and Tacos happens Easter Saturday, April 4th, 8 to 11. The free tailpipes and tacos cruising is a production of Loopy Tortilla Tex Mex, Beaumont and Katie. He's pretty good. Apple or Android in Wheel Time podcasts can be found everywhere, on the stream and through downloads. Whether you're on the road or at home and Jones in for a different kind of car talk show, give In Wheel Time a try. Honest new car reviews, fun, informative interviews with real car people, weekly automotive news, features like Jeff's car culture and Mike's driving destinations, all on In Wheel Time. Check us out on Sirius XM Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or while you're shopping on Amazon through Amazon Music. Mm-hmm. Inwheeltime.com has a list, and we know you love lists. Well, I have to get up extra early to drive over there. Pray to God that the freeway is not shut down on the Beaumont Highway. And um didn't go over there for a three-hour show from eight to eleven. Yeah. Y'all, do y'all ever uh y'all take road trips? I'm sorry, say again?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, we go to Woodlands and uh No, no, no, no.

Don Armstrong

I'm talking about Beaumont right now. Beautiful downtown Beaumont. We don't even have any gas stations between here and Beaumont, too.

SPEAKER_01

One in Whitney?

unknown

Yeah.

Subaru WRX STI Generations And Love

Don Armstrong

Winnie, he would know. You got the TP motel in Wharton. The only way that's not. So our next guest is Jose. Uh he is the WRX STI guy. He's a guy. So what year is your car?

SPEAKER_02

My so I have two of them. Of course you do.

Don Armstrong

You can't have one.

SPEAKER_02

The first one I've built is uh 2003 Bug Eye. Oh wait a minute.

Don Armstrong

So what's a bug eye sprite? No.

SPEAKER_02

Bug eye what? Bug eye wrx STI. It's called the Bug Eye. That's what it's called, yeah. It's a different bug eye that I'm thinking of. But so they have three generations. So they got the bug eye, blah blah and the hawkeye. So the bug eye is the first one that they brought here in the US as a WRX. 2003. You drive the cockeye. I drive the cockeye.

Don Armstrong

It's not a WRX though. It's a DA. Yeah, yeah. Um, so Jose, I have to tell you, it had to have been the first generation. This was probably somewhere around 2000.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, sir.

Don Armstrong

Is that would that be the first generation?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, 2000 was the first generation, but in Japan. Over here, they brought it in 2002.

Don Armstrong

Okay, so that's what it was. I had a 2002. Um it was a Press Fleet car, and it was a WRX STI with the six speed manual transmission. Oh my god, I fell in love with that car. That car was bad to the I mean, he'd go around corners forever and ever. But the thing was fast.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

Don Armstrong

Don't tell anybody, but I had that thing up to 120. And it still had plenty of throttle left in it. Shut up, Mars. Don't look at me like that.

SPEAKER_02

No. That's the only way you know. That's the only way.

SPEAKER_01

That's the way you know that you got a fire. See, I I do things like that for research.

Don Armstrong

Yeah. Yeah. And he's also a great liar. Yeah. There's no research in that. It was, it was, I love the car, I really did. And then one thing that a lot of people don't realize is that is a full-time all-wheel drive car.

SPEAKER_06

Full-time.

Don Armstrong

And you never, ever, ever heard of the car being recalled. They did the job right on those WRXs.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, yeah.

Don Armstrong

And the I don't know about the new WRX. Have you driven one of those?

SPEAKER_02

I haven't. I've only been in them, but I feel like the car is too big for me. Yeah, it is.

Don Armstrong

They grew the car and it's not an STI. It's not a pumped-up bad to the bone car. Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. Yeah.

Don Armstrong

I'm I guess that they probably have plans for that somewhere down the road.

SPEAKER_02

Probably they do, yeah. Yeah.

Don Armstrong

The technology is. Because I you don't look like a forester guy.

SPEAKER_02

No, no, no. I like I like my sewers to be the older the better. I also have a 97. And that one, that one is a two-door, it's one of the rare ones.

Don Armstrong

Is it is it a flat six or a four?

SPEAKER_02

No, that one is a full WRX. I did the swap myself.

Don Armstrong

So it's a it's a it's a flat six.

SPEAKER_02

It's a flat four right now. Flat four.

Don Armstrong

Okay. Correct. Yeah. So good. Well, let's I want that I want the pants that girls got on it.

SPEAKER_02

Checker flags.

Don Armstrong

Checker flags.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, checker flags, yeah, yeah. Just put it in front of them.

Building A WRC Replica Look

Don Armstrong

Yeah, exactly. So um what are their aftermarket hot rod parts for those Subaru's?

SPEAKER_02

So the Vaughan was my first build. I bought that car back in 2017. Completely stopped. And then, like you said, I fell in love with the way it driven and everything. But I didn't know what to do. Like, I was like, what do I how do I modify it? Like, what wheels, what route should I go? I used to be on the guy. I wanted something different. So then I started looking on Google and this WRC car popped out with all the stickers, the rally sounds and everything. I'm like, I wonder if I can build that. Then I started doing my research. It took me a year to finally complete like the whole body kit. Then it took me another year to get the WRC uh livery rally stickers because they don't sell none of that stuff here. But everything's from uh UK.

Don Armstrong

Did you did you do anything to the did you do anything to the engine?

SPEAKER_02

The engine it is it is uh uh uh let me see it's a 2001 STI. They call it EJ207, it's fully forged. That that motor is built for 700 horsepower.

Jeff Dziekan

Wow.

SPEAKER_02

But right now it's on 400 to the wheels on E85. It's got a big yeah, it's got a big turbo, rotated turbo, it's got uh flex fuel, I can use ray, I can use gas or e85, I can use both, I can blend it. It's got anti-labas. You have control over that? Yeah, yeah, I love it. Over the over the gas. Yeah, you can either you can it does it by itself. Oh, it does it by itself. Yeah, let's say half half tank of gas, and then I want to put E85, I just put it in and it does it by itself. I adjust the content on the ethanol. Really, I can read it on my phone. It's computer control. Yes, I can read it on my phone, I can see how much content it has. And it does it all through your computer program.

SPEAKER_01

Yes, yeah. So it's it's monitoring the mix, the quality of the gasoline, basically.

SPEAKER_02

Well, the mix. Yeah, the octane level and all the yeah. Yeah, it's monitoring the octane level as soon as I put E85. Like this morning, I put I pull out my phone, I connect it, and I can see the percentage 70% is really good content. So the car is feels fast and lighter.

Don Armstrong

Yeah, uh it's sucking down gas like like like no tomorrow.

SPEAKER_02

Actually, yes, the E85 goes faster than regular gas. Because I do I do cycles, like I do three tanks of E85, and then I want to clean it up with regular gas. Because E85 creates some kind of a mixture between the the sucking tubes and all their vacuums, so gasoline will clean that up.

Don Armstrong

Yeah, interesting.

SPEAKER_01

We used to go out to the airport to get some ash on a Friday night or Saturday night, whatever we were doing. He just he pulls it up on the air.

Don Armstrong

You try to do that now, you'll get shot.

SPEAKER_01

That's a problem, yeah. He just does it on his phone.

Don Armstrong

Yeah, yeah. Nice. So, how much do how much does that computer program for that thing that you've got with the E850?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so the the software that I got, the problem that I have is called Delicious Tuning.

SPEAKER_03

Delicious tuning.

SPEAKER_02

It's a small computer. Don't tell anybody about it. No, no, and it's got sensors. You got the sensor, you just hook it up and hook it into the fuel line. Yeah, the fuel line has to go through it so it'll read the sensor, yes. Right, right. And then um the tuner has to tune, make two tunes, one for natural or just uh 95 octane, 93 octane, I mean, and then the other tune is for E85, so you got two different tunes. But the computer, that little brain, uh adjusts everything. How did you learn about that? Man, I did my research before because because I I'm not gonna lie, I did blew up one engine before that.

Don Armstrong

Like a kid on TV, but you did yours on the on the internet.

Transmission Plans And Instagram Plug

SPEAKER_02

Uh yes, yes, yes, exactly. Yeah, sick. Yeah, yeah. But uh, and I asked my tuner, this is a Rally car, so I want all the aspects from a Rally car. So it does have anti-lag, all the pops and bangs. Yeah, it's got uh two-step and launch control, it's got everything. The only thing is that transmission still has five speeds, so there's transmission. Uh it's not the best.

Don Armstrong

Uh so that's the next that's the next step. The six speed to go. So, how much is the six speed? You buy the six speed used?

SPEAKER_02

Yes, yeah.

Don Armstrong

You gotta buy it used.

SPEAKER_02

Because I have to get uh an all four or all five transmission because since my car is old, that one is just a plug and plate. You put it on, everything works.

Don Armstrong

Nice, yeah, yeah. Golly, yeah. I want to be you.

SPEAKER_02

So I got a lot of followers on Instagram, and a lot of the followers say, I want to be your neighbor, you're a cool neighbor, because I pull both of my cars out. Yeah, yeah. And I'm just cleaning or start them or check something out, and I'm like, I hope my neighbors don't mind the noise. And they're like, no, you're good. Where do you uh how do we find you? Oh, so my Instagram is 03 Texas underscore WRC. 03 Texas.

Don Armstrong

03 underscore WRC.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, 03 Texas. Oh, Texas.

Don Armstrong

Okay.

SPEAKER_02

Underscore WRC.

Don Armstrong

Underscore WRC, okay. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

03 Texas.

Don Armstrong

Stay in touch with us. Correct, correct. Yeah, sure, for sure. So uh what part of town do you live in?

SPEAKER_02

I live on Stafford, uh, so I'm like 40 minutes from here. Yeah, yeah. No, I know. I live in Richmond. I'm in Sugarland. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Down the street from you, yes.

Don Armstrong

Yes, yes, okay. So do you go to a lot of WRX meets or just meets like this?

SPEAKER_02

I go to meets like this. They always put my car on display because you know, kids love the car. They have the full, you'll see once you get on the Instagram, uh, you'll see they got the full livery from the WRC. The Raleigh uh replicas are exactly like when they used to run back in uh 2000 and 98. Yeah. So I have so those two. I just finished the uh the Impressa 97, so it looks just like a Carly McRae's car when he ran back in '98.

Don Armstrong

That is very cool. Yeah. Neat. Hey man, it's great to talk to you. Yes, sir. You sure your name middle name, your last name is it? Cuervo?

SPEAKER_02

No, it's Jose Martinez. Martinez. Martinez, I can't. Yeah, it's the most popular name around here. I know, yeah, exactly.

Don Armstrong

Well, Jose, it's great to have you on the show. Thank you very much for stopping by and telling us about your stuff. And next time we run into you, we want to hear about your transfer from five speed to six speed. Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure, for sure.

SPEAKER_02

All right, thank you guys for having me. We appreciate you. Take care of yourself. All right, thank you.

Tailpipes And Tacos Promo Repeat

Where To Watch And Listen

Don Armstrong

All right, uh, time now for a quick break here on the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show. Another guest coming right up. We hope you'll stay with us right after this. The tailpipes and tacos renowned cruising expands to Beaumont. Golden Triangle cruisers will want to experience tailpipes and tacos at the Loopy Tortilla, I 10 South in Beaumont near Washington Boulevard. Grab free Loopy Breakfast Tacos with any donation to Shirley's kids. Enjoy a coffee or an adult beverage. Every cruising vehicle is automatically entered to win one of the beautiful Chili Pepper trophies for Best Hot Rod, Classic, and Modern Classic. Tailpipes and Tacos Beaumont happens Saturday morning, March 21st, 8 to 11 a.m. If you're a car geek like we are, this is the event you'll want to attend. The Info Time Car Talk Show will be online live and you may be interviewed about your ride. Tailpipes and Tacos Beaumont edition Saturday, March 21st, 8 to 11 a.m. at the Loopy Tortilla 2050 I-10 South in Beaumont. The Katie Tailpipes and Tacos happens Easter Saturday, April 4th, 8 to 11. The free tailpipes and tacos cruising is a production of Loopy Tortilla Tex Mex, Beaumont and Katie. He's pretty good. Apple or Android in Wheel Time podcasts can be found everywhere, on the stream and through downloads. Whether you're on the road or at home and Jones in for a different kind of car talk show, give in wheel time a try. Honest new car reviews, fun, informative interviews with real car people, weekly automotive news, features like Jeff's car culture and Mike's driving destinations, all on In Wheel Time. Check us out on Sirius XM Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or while you're shopping on Amazon through Amazon Music. InwheelTime.com has a list, and we know you love lists. That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show. I'm Don Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and our InWheeltime.com website. Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartPodcast, PodcastAdict, TuneIn, Pandora, and Amazon Music. Keep listening, and we'll see you soon.

Head Shot

Don Armstrong

Host
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Jeff Dziekan

Co-host
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Michael Marrs

Co-host