Ideaology’s Engineering Services
Mark McPhail is one of America’s best known experts in high performance hot rods. Making engine modifications understandable to non-enthusiasts, auto buffs, dealers and editors has been a priority of his for two decades.
In his role with Ideaology, Mark is responsible for innovative performance parts product development, demonstration vehicle builds, emission testing and CARB certification, automotive enthusiast media relations, technical seminar development and presentations, automotive event management and the development of strategic collaborative partnerships with other automotive suppliers and aftermarket manufacturers.
Powertrain Conversions
Hotrodding has become far more complex since its heyday of the 1960s. As a result of an energy crisis in the ‘70s the federal government stepped in and began mandating that vehicles be equipped with emission controls. One of Mark’s most important contributions to this field has been the leadership role he has played in the development of parts that increase horsepower while adding environmental responsibility.
Powertrain conversions engineered by Mark McPhail may include:
Engine and Transmission Calibration
There’s more to engine and transmission calibration than getting the motor to run wide open throttle on a dynamometer. Expertly calibrated engines perform well in cold starts, stop and go conditions, all altitudes, temperatures and levels of humidity – all with the best fuel economy and least emissions possible. And, as for transmissions, calibration plays an enormous role in long term durability as well as shift points that maximize performance while being aesthetically pleasing to the driver.
Mark has extensive calibration experience with GM engine computer control systems, including closed loop carburetors (1982-88), throttle body fuel injection (1982-95) and port fuel injection (1985-present), mechanical and electronic diesel fuel control (1982-2000), electronic automatic transmission controls (1994-present), turbocharged and supercharged applications, marine MEFI3 and MEFI4 controllers. His transmission calibration experience includes the THM2004R, THM700R4, 4L60 and 4L60E, 4L80/85E, THM 400 and 4T65E as well as calibration of Holley and Quadra-Jet non-computer carburetors, mechanical and vacuum advance distributors.
Demonstration Vehicle Builds
Demonstration vehicles now play a key role in helping consumers and automotive executives understand a new concept vehicle and to become enthused about manufacturing it. They are also used to help auto enthusiasts understand how to modify their own vehicles, using off-the-shelf parts.
Mark’s demonstration vehicles have been featured in Hot Rod, Car Craft, Popular Hotrodding, Rod and Custom, Chevy High Performance and other enthusiast magazines. They have been featured at the SEMA Show, Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour, Autorama, Performance Racing Industry Show, Woodward Dream Cruise, Circle Track Trade Show and others.
Under Mark’s direction, Ideaology offers complete powertrain demonstration vehicle services that include:
Heavy Duty Performance Parts Product Development
Mark engineered and released the following innovative products, enabling automobile enthusiasts to increase horsepower, torque and meet mounting environmental requirements in conjunction with GM Racing, GM Performance Parts and GM Powertrain:
Our heavy duty performance parts product development services for crate engine assemblies, engine blocks, cylinder heads and valvetrains and other components include:
Innovations in High Performance and Automobile Racing
Mark specializes in strategic development of new products – things that have never been done before. If your assignment calls for extraordinary imagination, resourcefulness and tenacity, there is no better place to come than Ideaology. Here are a few examples of his innovations:
BRINGING THE STOCK BACK TO STOCK CAR RACING - Mark spearheaded a team that made slight modifications to the LS1 engine so it would be competitive in the race environment, radically changing the face of short-track competition. The American Speed Association designated this engine as the power plant for all of its competitors in Y2K. Race teams previously used as many as three hand built engines annually, costing $30,000 apiece. LS1 engines cost just $12,000 and last more than an entire race season.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETS RAW POWER - Mark engineered GM's first smog legal certified engine conversion kit for automobile enthusiasts, making it possible to meet emissions standards in all 50 states while upgrading horsepower. This project was highlighted in a paper delivered at the SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference in 1994.
TAKING THE NEW LS1 ENGINE TO THE STREETS - Mark performed the first LS1 engine retrofit. He subsequently engineered a wiring harness, calibration and electronic transmission that make it possible to put the new engine in any of the 70 million vehicles that were originally equipped with Chevrolet's small block engine.
Ideaology has hands-on working knowledge of these GM engine families
1955 - present Chevrolet small-block V8 (262,265,283,305,307,327,350,400)
1992-97 GM Gen 2 small-block V8 (L99, LT1, LT4)
1997 - present GM Gen 3 and Gen 4 small-block V8 (4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 7.0L)
1965-90 Chevrolet Mark IV big-block (366, 396, 402, 427, 454, 502)
1991-95 GM Gen 5 big-block (366, 427, 454, 502)
1996 - present GM Gen 6 big-block (454, 502, 572)
2000 - present GM Gen 7 big-block (8.1L)
GM V8 Diesel (6.2 and 6.5L)
1969-90 Oldsmobile V8 (260, 307, 350, 403, 455)
1985 - present GM 90 degree V6 (4.3L)
1981 - present GM 60 degree V6 (2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.9L)
1986 - present GM Family 1 and 2 L4 (1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4L)
1988-2004 GM Quad 4 DOHC L4 (2.3 and 2.4L)
2003 - present GM Ecotec DOHC L4 (2.0, 2.2, 2.4L)
Marine and industrial variants of above engines
GM Performance Parts variants of above engines
Engineering Services |