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Artwork for Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal

Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal

Hidden Horsepower
NASCAR
NHRA
Drag Racing
Total Seal Piston Rings
Engine Technology
Piston Rings
High Performance Engines
Pro Stock Racing
Ring Seal Technology
Pro Stock
Engine Building
NHRA Drag Racing
Volkswagen
Off-Road Racing
Engine Tuning
PRI Trade Show
NHRA Pro Stock
Engine Performance Expo
Total Seal
Tribology

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".

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes139Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal

Latest Episodes

John Card joins Hidden Horsepower for a deep conversation about his career in the tractor pulling and drag racing world. The New England engine builder who relocated to Brownsburg, IN gives the details of his process on this episode. Keith Jones and ... more

David Nickens joins Hidden Horsepower for a conversation about his legendary career. Nickens Brothers racing engines have been at the pinnacle of NHRA Competition Eliminator for decades. David discusses his early years, world championships, being nam... more

If you are building or rebuilding an engine...start here. Keith Jones answers questions from the basics of ring seal, to cylinder finish, to break in oil, and more. Gapless rings are a hot topic. Questions are answered on this episode.

Steve Johnson, a 2X NHRA U.S. Nationals winner who is celebrating 40 years in Pro Stock Motorcycle racing, takes some time to reflect on Hidden Horsepower. From Dale Earnhardt to Don Prudhomme, Steve Johnson has been in the center of racing for decad... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

John Card
Owner of Sassy Engines, tractor pulling engine builder
Sassy Engines, Brownsburg Indiana
Episode: John Card - Pulling Tractors to Farmer's Bling
David Nickens
NHRA drag racing champion and engine builder
Nickens Engines / Total Seal (collaborator)
Episode: David Nickens - Hidden Horsepower
Steve Johnson
Two-time US Nationals winner, privateer racer
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racing
Episode: Steve Johnson - 40 Years of Racing
Dan Binks
Owner/Founder, Binks Motorsports
Binks Motorsports
Episode: Dan Binks - 3 Cylinder Monster
Sandy Wilkins
NHRA Top Sportsman champion and founder of Wilkins Racing Engines
Wilkins Racing Engines
Episode: Sandy Wilkins of Wilkins Racing Engines
Chris Straub
Owner/leader of Straub Technologies
Straub Technologies
Episode: Chris Straub - Straub Technologies - PRI 2025
Gary Stinnett
Engine builder, affiliated with Foggit
Foggit
Episode: Gary Stinnett - Blow by as a tuning tool - PRI 2025
Josh Hart
John Force Racing
Episode: Josh Hart - A New Beginning - PRI 2025
Adam Wick
Off-road and drag racing engine specialist with decades of experience.
Owner of a shop specializing in engine building for off-road and drag racing
Episode: Adam Wik - Off Road Engines to Drag Racing - PRI 2025

Hosts

Joe Castello
Host of Hidden Horsepower; long-running presenter associated with Total Seal / guest interviews
Keith Jones
Director of Technical Sales; hosts Total Seal podcast conversations at PRI; appears as co-host and guest host

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 135 ratings
  • Wow! Mike Valerio

    This is a great podcast with awesome guests, but this one really stood out. The stories Mike Valerio told and the experiences he has gone through are just amazing.

    Keep this going, Joe and Total Seal! Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    C5_Pete
    United States2 years ago
  • The Podcast

    Love the podcast just found it from the nhra podcast shoutout! Great stuff

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Weridefast
    United States2 years ago
  • Indulgence into pure intellectual vanity

    Every episode explodes with an immense wealth of technical knowledge, but it’s the old school learning that’s simple, easy to follow and comes with a fun factor you can even measure. What’s also fantastic is that the guests always walk you through easy to follow pragmatic ways to implement and employ the insight shared. Each podcast is like the no-pressure summer school session that unlocked the world of possibilities you often dreamed about!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    S.A.R.D. Engineering
    United States4 years ago
  • Thanks for the shows

    I appreciate the technical details on top of the fun stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Johnanymous
    United States4 years ago
  • Must listen to Podcast if you’re in the engine building world

    Must listen to Podcast if you’re in the engine building world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hahshfjriqkxbsjnd
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests consistently deliver technical depth with actionable takeaways for engine builders.
Production quality and the breadth of high-performance topics are a strength.
Listeners appreciate practical demonstrations of how to achieve hidden horsepower in real builds.
Some episodes experience occasional accessibility issues for casual listeners due to technical density.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

David Nickens - Hidden Horsepower
Q: How did David Nickens get into engine building and racing?
Nickens explains that he and his brother started building their own engines because they wanted to race and couldn't get what they needed from others; their DIY approach grew into a thriving business as they continued to race and serve customers.
Q & A with Keith Jones of Total Seal Piston Rings
Q: How do we determine the starting point for the ring set for a given engine?
Start by collecting complete application details: engine type, fuel, boost, intended use, piston and bore specifics, and then involve Total Seal to pick a ring package or tailor one; be prepared for follow-up questions to refine sizing and materials.
Steve Johnson - 40 Years of Racing
Q: What is Steve Johnson most proud of in his racing career?
Winning the 2004 US Nationals after an infamous finish-line controversy and the subsequent reversal, which established him as a national champion and a symbol of perseverance.
Dan Binks - 3 Cylinder Monster
Q: Does this engine have a name?
Yes, the team nicknamed the project the 'Triple Bypass' because of the collaboration and the three-cylinder concept.
Dan Binks - 3 Cylinder Monster
Q: So 24 weeks, what was the biggest challenge?
The crankshafts were the biggest bottleneck; Moldex helped with the crankshafts, and sourcing parts was tight, with backorders affecting the build timeline.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal

What is Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on high-performance engine building, with a strong emphasis on practical techniques, ring technology, bore finishing, and data-driven tuning. Conversations feature legendary and innovative engine builders, exploring how fundamentals, collaboration with suppliers, and cutting-edge manufacturing enable hidden horsepower. Episodes frequently highlight real-world problem solving, testing methods, and the human side of racing—from mentorship and team dynamics to branding and shop operations—delivering actionable insights for enthusiasts, shops, and sponsors alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal:

1. WFO Radio Podcast
2. Tuned In
3. Oil and Whiskey with Roadster Shop
4. NHRA Insider Podcast
5. Going Bracket Racing

How many episodes of Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal are there?

Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal launched 7 years ago and published 139 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal?

Recent guests on Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal include:

1. John Card
2. David Nickens
3. Steve Johnson
4. Dan Binks
5. Sandy Wilkins
6. Chris Straub
7. Gary Stinnett
8. Josh Hart

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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