Whether it’s a bespoke quad-turbo V12 or a modified OE production engine, the fundamentals remain the same—we’re all looking for those extra gains. Italtecnica’s Riccardo Breda is here to break down the core concepts that could help you take your engine build to the next level.

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In this episode of Tuned In, Riccardo discusses his journey into automotive engineering and his role as an engine designer at Italtecnica, a company specialising in resto-mods, engine development, design, and manufacturing, working with brands like Ferrari and Maserati.

The conversation explores the evolution of Italtecnica, the challenges and innovations in resto-mod projects, and the range of engines currently being produced and developed. That includes a new naturally aspirated V12 for racing, along with a homologated version for road use. He also talks about the challenges of balancing power output with emissions compliance in modern engine design.

We dive into key fundamentals of engine design, including compression ratio, bearing clearance, rod-to-stroke ratio, cylinder head design, and different methods of valve actuation. The conversation also touches on the Atkinson cycle and how it can be replicated with variable valve timing.

It’s not every day you get to tap into the mind of someone designing bespoke high-performance engines from the ground up. This episode is jam-packed with insight and a must-listen for anyone interested in engine building.

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Follow Riccardo here:

Instagram: italtecnica.engineering
Facebook: italtecnica
WWW: italtecnicaengineering.com

Timestamps:

0:00 Inside the Art of Bespoke Engine Building
4:35 How did you become interested in cars?
8:46 Once you Graduated what did your work career look like?
9:50 What’s the history of Italtecnica?
14:05 What is the Kimera EVO37?
17:43 What is different about modern cylinder head design?
20:19 What engines are you working on and offering in 2025?
21:52 The V12 NA engine you’re producing, who is the target market?
25:29 What sort of HP and RPM will the V12 produce?
28:12 It’s not all about HP figures and 0-60 times
30:10 How do you decide on a rpm limit for a bespoke v12 engine?
37:34 Atkinson cycle, How do we mimic with VVT?
41:44 How do you decide on a compression ratio when designing an engine?
45:03 Can you simulate knock threshold in a virtual model?
47:37 How much do you consider rod to stroke ratio?
53:36 What’s your take on bearing/oil clearances?
1:02:18 What drives your bank angle decision?
1:08:21 What type of valve actuation are you using?
1:14:40 What’s your lifespan between rebuilds on your engines?
1:15:46 What material do you use for your pistons?
1:18:25 How close are real world numbers to your simulations?
1:22:46 What are the cost challenges with cast parts and low production numbers?
1:27:14 Final 3 questions

Composites might seem like the secret language of aerospace engineers and hypercar builders, but Gabriel Mountjoy from Common Fibers is here to break down those barriers. He’s out to prove that composites aren’t just exotic materials—you can use them to elevate your own builds too.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

In this episode of Tuned In, Gabe shares his journey from a mechanical engineering student passionate about automotive efficiency to a successful entrepreneur in the composites industry. Alongside his now-wife Ann, he co-invented the first carbon fiber hinge, and today their company is not only one of America’s leading composite manufacturers but also uniquely committed to educating people on how to work with these materials.

We explore the evolution of composites in automotive applications, the challenges and opportunities they bring, and why designing for manufacturability is key. Gabe also takes us inside high-profile projects like SSC North America’s Tuatara—a hypercar capable of 300 mph—explaining how they construct mission-critical, complex components such as its carbon-fiber monocoque.

Gabe breaks down the essentials of material and resin selection, unpacks layup methods, and clarifies the differences between wet layup, vacuum bagging, and resin infusion. He highlights the advantages of prepreg materials and compares autoclave with out-of-autoclave approaches.

Despite producing some of the most intricate composite parts in the U.S., Gabe and his team remain refreshingly open about their processes and deeply passionate about making composites more accessible.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

Follow Gabe here:

Instagram: Commonfibers
Facebook: Common Fibers
YouTube: Common Fibers
WWW: commonfibers.com

Timestamps:

0:00 From Home Builds to Hypercars: Composites for Everyone
4:37 Did the passion for cars come first or carbon fiber?
7:54 How do you become a composites engineer?
10:01 What’s your work history prior to starting Common Fibers?
11:18 Are composites much more common in other industries?
14:55 What does Common Fiber’s look like today?
16:11 How are you finding composite technicians?
18:06 Why did you open a second facility?
19:01 Can you briefly explain the different resin types?
21:30 What has been the process of growing a business to have 40 staff?
26:33 How much work are you doing for the aerospace industry?
29:22 What is the SSC North America Tuatara?
30:38 How did you get involved in the hyper car project?
32:30 How does the design and production work with the Tutara parts?
38:01 What’s the benefits of the monocoque over a conventional chassis?
44:11 When we talk about composites, what are the different materials?
47:23 What are the different types of carbon fibre?
49:18 What is carbon's best strength quality?
51:56 How do you validate the strength of your parts?
57:28 What is the process of designing and manufacturing a mold?
1:06:13 How do we layup the carbon or fiber glass into our mold?
1:14:47 What is a wet layup and where would we use it?
1:18:25 What is vacuum bagging?
1:23:02 What is resin infusion?
1:28:43 What is prepreg?
1:38:25 Final 3 questions

It’s common for car enthusiasts to rush their car onto the dyno before it’s truly ready, only to have it strapped down and the tuner uncover a list of issues. Nothing kills the excitement of chasing those long-awaited power figures faster than unexpected problems.

Booking a session with remote tuning expert Shawn Christenson could save you thousands. Shawn, from Tuned by Shawn, is a Haltech specialist who can remotely tune your car from anywhere in the world.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

Shawn shares his journey from a childhood fascination with cars to becoming a self-taught tuner and business owner. He talks about the challenges of diving headfirst into tuning, including his first attempts learning on his FD RX-7. “Piston engines were easy after learning to tune on a Rotary”

We explore how Shawn began his tuning career with Adaptronic before transitioning to Haltech, which he now specializes in and also provides technical support. He outlines his remote tuning process and why it works so effectively, stressing the importance of road-tuning a car before it ever sees the dyno.

Shawn breaks down the pros and cons of remote tuning, including how he manages tricky areas like knock control when the car isn’t physically in front of him. He also touches on CAN bus integration in modern vehicles, an area he’s becoming increasingly involved with.

Spending hours—or even days—on the dyno can quickly add up if things don’t go to plan. Shawn’s focus on minimizing hiccups and maximizing efficiency makes a strong case for his approach. He might just be the one to help get the most out of your car.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

Follow Shawn here:

Instagram: tunedbyshawn

Facebook: Tuned by Shawn

WWW: tunedbyshawn.com

Timestamps:

0:00 How to Avoid Wasting Thousands on the Dyno
3:44 How did you form a passion for cars?
8:12 I brought a FD RX7 for $9000
12:00 Did you learn to tune on your FD RX7?
24:54 What were you doing for Elliot (Turblown) at this point?
29:06 The process of remote support and tuning
32:03 How did Tuned by Shawn start?
36:48 How and why you specialised in Adaptronic then Haltech
43:04 Tech support from ECU brands is massive
49:34 Firmware updates
52:50 Getting the car dialed in before the dyno
56:24 What are long term fuel trims and how do they work?
1:00:00 Is being away from the car a pro or a con? Remote tuning
1:03:21 What’s some red flags you look for in the long term fuel trim table?
1:08:33 Are you remote tuning on a dyno or on the road?
1:12:48 How do you tune to avoid knock remotely?
1:23:04 Are you providing a more conservative tune remotely?
1:26:11 How are you using CAN Bus on the Haltech?
1:47:06 Final 3 questions