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C8 Gets a Manual; The Resto Gallaro Verdict

The Smoking Tire

Hosted by Matt Farah

1h 49m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

Matt Farah and the guest on this episode of The Smoking Tire Podcast open by discussing Elon Musk's recent financial losses and political shifts in California and Texas, before diving into automotive news. The hosts cover SEMA highlights, including Rob Dom's multi-rotor Miata engine build and Pite's Performance launching a functional manual transmission conversion kit for the C8 Corvette. They also debate the merits of high-end restomod projects, contrasting the heavy aesthetic changes on a Gallardo with Michelotto's Group B tribute Ferrari 308. Later in the show, they answer listener questions ranging from first-generation BMW 1 Series choices to buying a used performance EV.

  • Pite's Performance has developed a functional manual transmission swap kit for the C8 Corvette using Tremec hardware and a Motec controller. 21:02
  • Michelotto created a Group B rally tribute based on the Ferrari 308, featuring a carbon fiber tube chassis and a mid-mounted V8. 34:34
  • The Kia EV6 GT rides and handles well for an everyday car, but the Hyundai IONIQ 5N is a much more capable track vehicle. 1:25:57
  • When buying a used E46 M3, buyers should specifically check maintenance records for the big three issues: rod bearings, subframe, and VANOS rattle. 1:16:04

Chapters

  1. 0:00
    Podcast Intro and Avance Sponsorship

    Hosts open the show, introduce the Avance sponsorship and explain the benefits of the membership.

  2. 1:14
    Elon Musk Bankruptcy Blame and California Politics

    Hosts rant about Elon Musk’s financial missteps, state subsidies, and political fallout in California and Texas.

  3. 6:00
    SEMA Highlights and Resto Modding

    Overview of SEMA show highlights, including a massive rotor Miata build and the concept of resto-modding.

  4. 12:45
    Commercial Breaks and Sponsor Messages

    Hosts deliver a series of sponsor messages, including Bear Skin, Casper, and Ethos, interspersed with brief commentary.

  5. 15:00
    Michelotto 308 and Ferrari Rally Car Discussion

    In-depth analysis of Michelotto’s 308 project and comparisons to historic Ferrari rally cars.

  6. 21:02
    C8 Corvette Manual Transmission Reveal

    Detailed explanation of the new manual transmission swap for the C8 Corvette, including the company behind it and technical details.

  7. 24:57
    Gallardo Resto Modding Critique

    Hosts critique the recent Gallardo resto-mod, arguing it’s unnecessary and poorly executed.

  8. 49:32
    Ferrari Resto Mod Overview

    The hosts discuss the design and performance aspects of Ferrari’s Resto Mod, comparing it to the original 308 and the Gallardo, and debating aesthetic changes.

  9. 50:30
    Resto Mod on the Acura NSX

    The hosts examine a JAS Resto Mod version of the Acura NSX, discussing body changes, interior upgrades, and the impact on performance and aesthetics.

  10. 1:40:29
    Episode Introduction

    Hosts set the stage for the episode’s topics and welcome listeners.

  11. 1:41:14
    Rally Cars vs Performance SUVs

    Hosts compare rally-modified sports cars with high-end performance SUVs and traditional OEM rally cars.

  12. 1:42:06
    Rally Car Technology in Street Vehicles

    Exploration of how rally-derived systems improve street performance in SUVs and sports cars.

  13. 1:44:56
    Shelby Name Value and Resale

    Analysis of Shelby’s brand strength and how it affects resale value across generations.

Highlights

  • 2:37

    Discussing Elon Musk's Losesinsight

    The hosts discuss Elon Musk losing a half a billion dollars and moving subsidies from California to Texas.

  • 10:17

    Rob Dom's Multi-Rotor Miatastory

    Rob Dom built a Miata featuring an enormous multi-rotor rotary engine setup displayed at SEMA, drawing a mix of amusement and disbelief.

  • 21:02

    C8 Corvette Manual Conversiondata

    Pite's Performance unveiled a functioning manual transmission conversion for the C8 Corvette using a Tremec transaxle and Motec dual-clutch controller.

  • 29:16

    Debating Gallardo Restomodsdebate

    The hosts critique new Gallardo restomods, arguing that the original design is too cohesive and iconic to warrant such drastic and expensive redesigns.

  • 34:34

    Michelotto Ferrari 308 Tributeinsight

    Michelotto built a Group B rally tribute based on the Ferrari 308, utilizing a tube chassis, carbon fiber body, and a 350-horsepower engine.

  • 1:14:46

    High Mileage Performance Carsdata

    The hosts discuss which used performance cars hold up with high mileage, noting Toyota trucks, Porsche 911s, and certain BMW M models.

  • 1:25:57

    EV6 GT Versus IONIQ 5Ninsight

    Comparing performance EVs, the hosts explain that the EV6 GT is a dynamic road car while the IONIQ 5N is a proper track-capable sports car.

Quotes

  • “I think we're gonna, I think they're gonna sell these on the website.”
    Matt Farah · 1:25
  • “I don't give a shit.”
    Matt Farah · 2:11
  • “I think this thing would be so fun.”
    Unnamed speaker · 49:56
  • “If you want to make it drive great and make all the tactile stuff inside even better, I think that's really cool.”
    Unnamed speaker · 53:23
  • “Those type of things work on the street for when you're in the wet or in the snow. They work on the track.”
    Matt Farah · 1:42:06
  • “And using those tricks from rally cars was a way to make SUVs fun.”
    Matt Farah · 1:42:23
  • “The traditional OEM style rally cars are more affordable cars. I mean, they're designed to be, they're not exotics anymore like they were with the Lancia Estratos or the Ferrari 308 Micheloto.”
    Matt Farah · 1:43:33
  • “I would get a 135i, and rather than investing money in increased power, I would put your money in reliability.”
    Matt Farah · 1:48:13
  • “Shelby GT350s and all generations of GT500s hold their value super, super well.”
    Matt Farah · 1:45:15
  • Avance 0:03–0:58
  • Bear Skin 12:31–14:35
  • Casper 14:35–16:15
  • Cash App 26:31–27:25
  • Quince 27:25–29:14
  • Drive with Jim Farley 40:59–42:09
  • Ethos 42:25–43:16
  • Patreon 1:07:01–1:07:47

About this episode

Someone made a manual to swap into the C8; our verdict on the Lamborghini Gallardo restomod; Elon Musk lost a lot* of money. Patreon questions include: An Aston Martin Lagonda...coupe? Are people buying Ferraris just to get allocations? High-mileage used performance cars What to look at when buying an M3 You host The Grand Tour: where would you go? Is there a market for resto-mod Caymans? Used EV6 GT vs used Ioniq5 N Casio CMK 100 Important things when booking a hotel The politics of our animals And more *A lot to normal people. Recorded November 5, 2026 Show Notes Avants https://avants.com/tst use code TST for 10% off your membership! Baerskin Get twenty dollars off the BAERSkin Hoodie 5.0. Text TIRE to 36912 and they’ll send the link straight to your phone. And if you’re on the move, they’ll hold the deal so it’s there when you’re ready. Drive With Jim Farley Check out Drive with Jim Farley at https://lnk.to/drivewithjimfarleyPS!thesmokingtire Casper Right now, save 30% on mattresses and up to 35% on everything else when you go to Casper.com CashApp Download Cash App today. Click here to get started: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/nocc2385 #CashAppPartner Quince Give the gift of quality this holiday season. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://Quince.com. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. And when Quince asks where you heard about them, let them know it was The Smoking Tire Podcast. Ethos Get your free quote at https://ETHOS.com/tire Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Instagram: https://www. Instagram.com/thesmokingtire https://www. Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Transcript

0:00
1:49:29

19,482 words · 2 speakers

Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

Topics

  • Shelby
  • Ford
  • Miami
  • BMW
  • Tail of the Dragon
  • Macan Turbo
  • GR Corolla
  • 911 Dakar
  • BRZ
  • STI

Page updated · transcript and summary are machine-generated