Mon, 25 Apr 2011, 11:20 AM Westminster Performance Transmission: Family Fun and Hard Racing

Photo copyright 2011 Auto Imagery, Inc.

Michael Piraino

One of the emerging high performance companies in Southern California is Westminster Performance Transmission. This shop is owned by a local racer and master transmission specialist, Joe Piraino. The business has blossomed into a hot spot for all transmission, converter, and related services for the Sportsman Class Racers.

In 1987, Joe bought Westminster Transmission, after being an employee there. He had managed the business for 10 years. At that time, the business focused on only repairing passenger type trucks and cars. Joe had a love of racing along with an Associate's Degree in Auto Mechanics and a Bachelor's Degree in Education. This skill and knowledge grew into the new second company: Westminster Performance Transmission, which is very successful today.

In 2000, at the age of 15, Joe's son Michael Piraino, began spending his summer vacations alongside his Dad at the shop. In 2004, after Michael graduated from high school he became a full time employee. Michael is currently a senior at Cal Poly Pomona, working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Westminster Performance Transmission provides expertise in the following areas:
•	Technical Transmission Support including:
•	Designing and building new racing transmissions
		1	Upgrades and improvements to existing transmissions (All brands)
		2	Service, maintenance, and repairs
		3	Trouble shooting and recommendations on all related racing components
•	Trackside Assistance at most NHRA Division 7 races.  
•	Contingency money for winners and runner-ups at ANY race, if they are running a Westminster Performance Transmission. 
•	Distribution for most aftermarket transmission components including: 
		1	Reid Racing (formally known as Dedenbear Transmission Components), 
		2	Transmission Components, Inc.(TCI), 
		3	The Converter Shop (TCS) products, 
		4	Coan Racing, 
		5	And many other products.
•	Transmissions, repairs, and maintenance for your auto, tow vehicle, marine, and RV vehicles.
•	Custom Transmissions for special needs.

Joe and Michael have been involved in the motor sports industry for many years. Michael raced in Junior Dragster for five years before getting his Super Comp license. Joe followed his son and also got his Super Comp license.

Father and son built their new Super Comp car from the ground up. It took them almost two years to complete the project and they were finally able to see the car go down the track in 2005. In 2008, Michael was number six in points in the Super Comp Association.

During the off season that year, Joe and Michael decided to take their engine program to the next level. They developed a unique fuel injected, intercooled, dual turbo big block GM engine that would allow them to compete in both NHRA Super Comp and Top Dragster. With the help of Shane Techlenburg ("Shane T") and his father "Tech" from FAST Motor Sports, Joe and Michael were able to successfully make all these new engine components function correctly together. They made some big power. In 2009, their efforts paid off as they won Best Engineered Car at the NHRA World Finals in Pomona.

Joe and Michael have set some ambitious goals for their immediate future, including becoming more involved in the manufacturing of components for custom built transmissions and custom built product lines for racing only and also heavy duty towing. They are planning to expand their services and products to other parts of the United States and eventually around the world.

Call Joe Piraino at Westminster Performance Transmission for any technical, performance, or maintenance questions on transmissions, converters, or services that you might have.

Westminster Performance Transmission 
Joe Piraino
7032 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683 
(714) 898-0089 

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