Let's face it: Most of us don't have engine lathes and milling machines in our garage. Heck, we barely have a complete socket set, much less honing machines and other whatzits to machine a motor with.

Hot-rodding is a hobby, not a career, for the vast majority of us. We drool over billet but settle for cast, pinch pennies to eke out the most benefit from our performance purchases, and tricks for ...