198. Matt Latino on Pro Stock Racing, 1500HP NA Engines, and Making Horsepower With Cats

Matt Latino joins us to break down the world of NHRA Pro Stock racing, from 1500HP naturally aspirated engines and thousandth-of-a-second reaction times to the real cost of running a full season. We also dive into G-Sport catalytic converters, emissions-compliant performance, and why modern cats don’t have to kill horsepower. Take your build up a whole new level with 6XD Gearbox: https://6xdgearbox.com Code "Minnoxide5" for 5% off High Performance Academy: https://hpcdmy.co/Minnoxide Use code "MINNOX" for 55% off ANY course Use Code "MINVIP" for $300 of the MINVIP Package Tuned By Shawn: https://www.tunedbyshawn.com Code "Minnoxide" for 5% off! Ship With Sure Thing Logistics: https://www.surethinglogistics.net MORE BIGGER Turbo T-Shirts:  https://www.minnoxide.com/products/more-bigger-t-shirt 00:00 – What Makes Pro Stock So Different? 04:26 – Matt Latino’s Path Into Pro Stock Racing 12:07 – What It Costs to Run a Pro Stock Season 21:21 – NHRA Hood Scoop Rule Changes and the Cost of R&D 29:11 – Aero Limits, Weight Transfer, and Finding Thousandths 34:19 – Testing, Track Conditions, and Breaking in Tires 38:06 – Global Emissions, G-Sport Cats, and High-Horsepower Compliance 40:44 – How to Size Catalytic Converters for Power and Load 49:35 – Cell Count, Cat Diameter, and the 200-Cell Myth 55:16 – Explaining Types of Cats and Failures 01:02:17 – Testing Catalytic Converters on a 1500HP Pro Stock Engine 01:08:23 – Driver Focus, Reaction Times, and Trusting the Car 01:20:08 – Clutch Control, Burnouts, Staging, and Rookie Mistakes 01:29:13 – Working on His Own Pro Stock Car 01:35:10 – Crew Roles, Young Talent, and What Makes a Driver Good 01:44:04 – Marketing, Racing With His Dad, and Dream Cars