Discover
Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal
Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal
Author: Hidden Horsepower
Subscribed: 121Played: 3,565Subscribe
Share
© All rights reserved
Description
Keith Jones from Total Seal Piston Rings and host Joe Castello interview the world's most knowledgeable engine builders. Technology, tips, and information about how to tackle challenges when building high performance engines and finding that "Hidden Horsepower".
128 Episodes
Reverse
The Hidden Horsepower podcast goes on location from the bustling PRI 2025 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis, recording live from the Total Seal booth! Join host Joe Castello and Keith Jones from Total Seal Piston Rings as they welcome special guest Bob Teague of Teague Custom Marine—a legendary name in high-performance marine engines and offshore racing. As the founder of Teague Custom Marine and throttleman for the championship-winning Teague Offshore Racing team (#77), Bob brings decades of expertise from building record-setting powerplants to dominating the ultra-competitive world of offshore powerboat racing. In this engaging conversation, Bob shares his hard-earned secrets to success in two high-stakes arenas:
Hiring top talent in a demanding industry where precision and reliability are everything.
Thriving in the fiercely competitive realm of offshore racing, where engineering innovation, team dynamics, and on-water execution separate the winners from the rest.
Whether you're an engine builder, racer, or marine enthusiast, this episode delivers insider insights, real-world stories, and practical wisdom straight from the show floor at PRI. Don't miss this live booth capture packed with horsepower and know-how! Tune in to Hidden Horsepower for technology, tips, and unfiltered talk from the heart of motorsports and performance marine.
Adam Wik stops by the Total Seal booth at PRI for a conversation with Keith Jones and Joe Castello. Adam gives the details of what it takes to make horsepower in the Baja. Wik will also reveal his upcoming NHRA Competition Eliminator program. Ring seal, hard work, and plans for 2026 are all revealed in this interview from the PRI Trade show.
In this special episode recorded live at the 2025 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show, host Joe Castello is joined by Keith Jones from Total Seal Piston Rings for an unforgettable conversation with legendary engine builder and racer Scott Shafiroff. Scott opens up about his lifetime dedication to racing—from his early days in Pro Stock competition to building one of the most respected names in crate and custom racing engines at Shafiroff Racing. The discussion covers decades of innovation, lessons learned on and off the track, the evolution of engine performance, and what it takes to stay ahead in the ultra-competitive world of drag racing and high-horsepower builds. Whether you're an engine enthusiast, a racer, or just love the stories behind the machines, this candid, experience-packed episode is a must-listen/watch. Scott's insights from a career spanning multiple eras of the sport make this one of the most compelling conversations we've had on Hidden Horsepower. Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform!
In this on-location interview from the Total Seal booth at the 2025 PRI Show, NHRA Nitro Funny Car star Tim Wilkerson joins host Joe Castello on Hidden Horsepower. Tim breaks down the tight workflow and collaboration between his SCAG Racing Nitro Funny Car team and the Total Seal staff, explaining why Total Seal piston rings deliver superior sealing, durability, and power in the extreme world of 11,000+ horsepower nitro racing. He also recaps key moments from the 2025 NHRA season with his son Daniel driving the SCAG Racing Mustang Funny Car and looks ahead to the historic 2026 season—the 75th anniversary of NHRA Drag Racing—with insights on the expanded schedule, special celebrations, and what’s next for his team. Short, fast, and full of nitro know-how—perfect for fans, engine builders, and drag racing enthusiasts.
Drag racing legend Pat Musi joins Keith Jones, Director of Technical Sales at Total Seal Piston Rings, and host Joe Castello live from the Total Seal booth at the 2025 PRI Trade Show for an epic, wide-ranging conversation!
In this must-watch episode, Pat drops breaking news on his exciting 2026 drag racing schedule, reveals some SICK plans for the upcoming season, shares classic stories from driving a nostalgia Pro Stocker with Al Tucci, and dives deep into the current state of Nitrous Pro Modified racing. There's even a couple call outs!
Packed with insider tech talk, hilarious anecdotes, and real horsepower secrets – this is pure gold for any racing fan!
👍 Like if you're hyped for Pat's 2026 comeback!
🔔 Subscribe for more Hidden Horsepower episodes featuring the biggest names in engine building and drag racing.
Presented by Total Seal Piston Rings – Unlocking Hidden Horsepower since 1966.
#PatMusi #HiddenHorsepower #TotalSeal #PRIShow2025 #DragRacing #NitrousProMod #PRI2025
In this exhilarating episode of the Hidden Horsepower Podcast, hosts Keith Jones and Joe Castello sit down with newly crowned NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock World Champion John DeFlorian fresh off his thrilling victory at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis. The high-octane conversation dives into John’s championship journey, his standout performance, and the grit behind his success. Joined by legendary engine builder Jon Kaase and Total Seal’s Matt Hartford, the episode takes an exciting turn as both guests surprise John with heartfelt congratulations, sharing insights on the engineering and teamwork that powered his win. Tune in for an unforgettable blend of technical expertise, racing passion, and championship celebration!
Ever wondered how a tiny VW engine can conquer the brutal sands of the Baja 1000? In this adrenaline-fueled episode 92 of Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal Piston Rings, engine-building legend Jorge Jimenez from Jimenez Racing spills the beans on crafting unbeatable VW powerplants that race—and WIN—in the world's toughest off-road battles! Join Total Seal's own Ben O'Conner and host Joe Castello as they dive deep into the art of ring seal mastery, Jorge's wild career secrets, and the insider tricks that turn stock VW bugs into desert beasts capable of surviving 1,000 miles of punishing terrain. From piston ring innovations that keep engines screaming under extreme heat to the high-stakes stories of Baja glory, this is your front-row seat to the horsepower hidden in every rev! Whether you're a gearhead obsessed with off-road racing, a VW enthusiast chasing that next build, or just love epic tales of engineering triumph, you WON'T want to miss this! Hit play now and get ready to rev up your knowledge. Timestamps:0:00 Intro: Welcome to the Desert Wars
Subscribe for more Hidden Horsepower episodes packed with pro tips, tech breakdowns, and racing legends! Drop a like if you're team VW, comment your dream Baja build, and share with your pit crew. #Baja1000 #VWRacing #EngineBuilding #TotalSeal #OffRoadRacing #HiddenHorsepower
In this high-octane episode, Hidden Horsepower welcomes Dr. Bryan Fleck, head engineer at KB Titan Racing Engines, as the NHRA Pro Stock team gears up for the 2025 Cornwell Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. Hosts Keith Jones and Joe Castello sit down with Bryan for an in-depth look at the technology fueling Pro Stock performance. Bryan shares his fascinating career journey—from fine-tuning GP motorcycles to engineering for NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports, and now pushing the limits in NHRA Pro Stock. He breaks down critical engine-building details, like the art of ring seal and the pursuit of perfect roundness, that make or break a race. Plus, Bryan offers inspiring advice for aspiring engineers looking to break into motorsports. Whether you’re a racer, a tech enthusiast, or a future innovator, this episode is packed with insights that rev up your passion for horsepower!
In this high-octane episode of Total Seal’s Hidden Horsepower podcast, hosts Keith Jones, Scott Diehl, and Joe Castello sit down with David Ward, the mastermind behind High Performance Lubricants, LLC, and a true guru in the world of high-performance lubricants for racing. As the key principal of High Performance Lubricants, David shares his fascinating origin story, detailing how his passion for precision and performance fueled the creation of a company renowned for its top-tier lubricants for industrial equipment, vehicles, and, most notably, the high-stakes world of motorsports. From the racetracks to the lab, David reveals the secrets behind formulating lubricants that power champions, including his own racing endeavors as a driver and promoter with the 2025 Midwest Pavement Midgets. Learn how High Performance Lubricants, based in Manteno, Illinois, crafts cutting-edge products for racing teams and industrial applications, including honing oil. With their deep-rooted sponsorships in racing events and partnerships with top-tier teams, including Total Seal's own NHRA Pro Stock team, David’s insights offer a masterclass in blending innovation with speed. Tune in for a dynamic conversation packed with technical expertise, racing anecdotes, and the story of a company that’s lubricating the path to victory, both on and off the track!
Hidden Horsepower: Remembering Ed Pink
In this special tribute episode of Hidden Horsepower, hosts Keith Jones, Director of Technical Sales for Total Seal Piston Rings, and Joe Castello welcome Frank Honsowetz, former President and General Manager of Ed Pink Racing Engines, to reflect on the extraordinary life and legacy of legendary engine builder Ed Pink. Honsowetz, who collaborated closely with Pink on the Infinity IRL Indy Car program in the late 1990s, shares intimate stories and insights into Pink’s innovative genius, relentless pursuit of performance, and profound impact on motorsports. Titled Remembering Ed Pink, this episode celebrates the man whose engines powered champions and redefined racing, offering listeners a heartfelt look at his enduring influence through the eyes of those who knew him best.
"Join engine building legend and racer Mike Moran, alongside hosts Keith Jones, Director of Technical Sales at Total Seal, and Joe Castello, for Total Seal Hidden Horsepower—a must-watch YouTube series and podcast for performance enthusiasts. Dive deep into the world of high-performance engine building as Mike shares decades of hard-earned expertise. With Keith’s technical mastery and Joe’s engaging commentary, each episode uncovers the secrets to unlocking hidden horsepower, from piston ring technology to race-proven strategies. Whether you’re a gearhead, racer, or engine builder, this show delivers the knowledge and inspiration to take your builds to the next level."
Mark Pawuk, Ben Strader, and Darin Morgan stop by the Total Seal booth at PRI 2024. Mark Pawuk is a first time world champion in the NHRA Flex Jet Factory Stock Showdown. Mark discusses his engine builder David Barton and his long road to become champion. Ben Strader tuned for world champion Greg Stanfield in NHRA Factory X, and has great stories from the season, and Darin Morgan puts the Sox and Martin HEMI Challenge world on notice with his latest build at BES.
Pat Musi, Greg and Aaron Stanfield, and Gary Stinnett all swing by the Total Seal booth at PRI 2024. Each guest has something of great interest for hosts Lake and Joe.
Greg Anderson, PRI President Mike Good, and 16 year old phenom London Zapzalka are the first guests in the Total Seal booth at PRI 2024. Greg Anderson recaps his 6th championship season in NHRA Pro Stock, PRI President Mike Good discusses the health of the industry, and 16 year old London Zapzalka talks about 3D printing a running internal combustion engine. The Performance Racing Industry trade show is a yearly tradition!
Keith Jones, Director of Technical Sales, answers the most common questions for Total Seal customers.
What ring is right for my application?
What should the end gap be set at?
What cylinder finish do I need?
What kind of oil should I use?
Can you run gas ports with gapless rings?
and more..
Tom Martino discusses stepping into the NHRA Factory X engine wars. Hosts Keith Jones and Joe Castello pepper Tom with questions about his motivation and ideas for the very challenging NHRA class. We can't have Tom on the show without a story about WJ and Tom's days running Pro Stock.
Southwest Research Institute provides testing and problem solving for applications that literally reach from deep sea to deep space (and everything in between). Amongst all of that, the Tribology department at SwRI has been helping professional racing teams solve problems for years.
During this in-depth episode, Dr. Peter Lee from SwRI shares his experiences and reveals some cutting edge new coating technology.
#engine #pistonrings #ford #dyno #dynotested #nascar
From the infamous PA Posse to the brutal forces applied to a 410 sprint
car engine, Adam Cofer from Don Ott Racing Engines shares his journey from the midwest to the heart of sprint car racing.
#engine
Shaver Specialties Racing Engines is legendary for their success and
innovation in the world of Sprint car engine building. Head dyno operator Don MacAskill joins Joe Castello and Lake Speed Jr to talk about how he got into engine building and the R&D work done at Shaver Specialties.
Multi-Time NHRA World Champion Jason Line joins the Hidden Horsepower podcast to talk about Bonneville, Danny Jesel's Equal 8 and the new JLine Engine Blocks and Cylinder Heads. Jason also reveals a possible return to driving duties at the US Nationals later this Summer. He was our first guest, and now he's our latest guest on this must watch episode of the podcast for engine builders!
#engine #bonneville #nascar #dodge #nhra























