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Coretalk: Engine Builders Asked To Show ERC Support on Business Web Sites

The Engine Repower Council (ERC) has recently undergone a major redesign of its Web site to educate consumers about the benefits of remanufactured/rebuilt engines. ERC is encouraging aftermarket companies to show their support of the Council by adding a link to www.enginerepower.org on business or personal Web sites.

The Web site contains a variety of tips, articles and other tools aimed at consumers seeking information about engine repowering. An update of the site's engine installer and remanufacturer/rebuilder shop finder service is still under construction.

"We need to get more engine builders and installers to get involved with ERC so that customers can easily find places to take advantage of repowering their vehicle," explains Tom Schrader, ERC Chairman. "The more people we can include the better the finder service will be."

As a segment of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, ERC exists to create awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of rebuilt and remanufactured engines to extend vehicle life. Members become part of a group of aftermarket industry leaders to help educate motorists about the economic and environmental benefits of installing a rebuilt engine, according to ERC. Dues will help support this industry effort to communicate and promote the repower concept in Canada and the United States.

ERC members receive all the usual AAIA member benefits, as well as ERC's monthly newsletter, promotional materials for use in their places of business, consumer brochures and a listing on the shop/store finder section of the "Be Car Care Aware" Web site, www.carcare.org.

For information about joining the Engine Repower Council or adding the ERC logo to your website, visit www.enginerepower.org or www.carcare.org.

GM Extends Warranty On Crate Engines Sold For Street Vehicles
GM Performance Parts has extended the warranty on its Performance Parts crate engines to 24-months/50,000 miles and added a 12-month/12,000 mile warranty to its Performance Parts components.

According to a Detroit Free Press report, the new warranty periods will be applied to GMPP crate engines, transmissions and components installed in or purchased for street-legal automotive applications after that date. The warranties will be transferable to future owners.

However, the warranty does not include any crate engines that are marketed or sold for race applications, including part numbers 88958602, 88958603, 88958604, 12498825, 12498826 and 12498827.

For more information on the warranty extension, go to www.gmperformanceparts.com.

Economist to Discuss Survival In A Global Economy at GAAS
William A. Strauss, senior economist and economic advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will discuss "Survival in a Global Economy…Winners and Losers" on Tuesday, May 8, at the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago, IL.

Strauss is a senior economist and economic advisor in the economic research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, which he joined in 1982. His chief responsibilities include analyzing the current performance of both the Midwest economy and the manufacturing sector for use in monetary policy. Strauss also produces the monthly Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index and organizes the Bank's Economic Outlook Symposium and its Auto Outlook Symposium.

He has taught economics and statistics as an adjunct faculty member both for Loyola University, Chicago and Webster University, Chicago. Strauss currently teaches at the University of Chicago, Graham School of General Studies.

For information or to register for the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, visit www.mema.org or contact Margaret Beck at media@mema.org.

NHRA Dag Racer and RPM Show Panelist Medlen Dies From Injuries
Eric Medlen, 33, who had emerged as one of the most popular young drivers in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, succumbed March 23 to injuries suffered when his racecar crashed into a guardrail during a test session at Gainesville Raceway. The talented Funny Car driver never regained consciousness. He drove for John Force Racing.

Medlen was an accomplished machinist who spent two and a half years studying mechanical engineering at Terra Technical University in Fremont, OH, and two years working for Callies Crankshafts before moving into drag racing to join his father.

"Eric was the son I never had," said team owner John Force. "He was the leader of my next generation of drivers. Robert Hight, my daughter Ashley, and I were with the family throughout this very difficult time. This loss is a huge blow not only to the Medlen family, but to drag racing and to John Force Racing."

Land And Sea Plans New Corporate HQ And Manufacturing Plant
Land & Sea will soon begin construction of a new multi-story corporate headquarters in New Hampshire, devoted entirely to quadrupling the DYNOmite Dynamometer factory's size. Upon completion, in-house dynamometer development and fabrication facilities will occupy nearly 50,000 sq.ft. of the plant's first floor. Another half-dozen engine test cells and chassis dyno bays share the remaining ground level with 2-1/2 stories of DYNOmite inventory warehousing, while second and third floor offices will house software development, engineering, training, sales and technical support.

"Even after 30 years, Land & Sea, Inc. operates under its original ownership - and we continue today to exclusively concentrate on manufacturing and advancing the DYNOmite line of dynamometer hardware, electronics, and software," explained a company spokesperson. "Now our new building gives us room to grow further. Over the next several months (and years), still more in-house dynamometer machining centers, related handling equipment, and skilled personnel will continue to be added."

Besides adding needed manufacturing area, "Building-II's" larger chassis cells will accommodate Land & Sea's new tractor-trailer and bus dynamometer lines. Expanded customer training facilities will include a "mission control" like console room. In this test center, kart, motorcycle, racecar, RC engine and snowmobile dyno tests can all be underway - simultaneously.

For information about the new facility, visit www.land-and-sea.com.

MAHLE Group Announces Purchase Of Argentinean Valve Maker Edival
MAHLE Metal Leve S.A., the Brazilian subsidiary of the MAHLE Group, has acquired the Argentinean company Edival, located in Rafaela, province of Santa Fé. The acquisition includes the whole operation of Edival comprising the industrial plant as well as the administrative, sales and engineering offices.

Edival, which was established in 1953, produces mainly valves, valve guides and valve seat inserts for internal combustion engines supplying to OEM, aftermarket, performance, racing, aircraft and stationary segments. The company is certified with regard to quality and environment and has a production capacity of 15 million valves annually in a range of more than 3,000 different products. In 2006, Edival is expected to reach annual sales above $40 million. Edival has approximately 800 employees.

Prof. Dr. Heinz K. Junker, Chairman of MAHLE Group Management Board and CEO, said, "Having no valve activities in South America so far, this new acquisition will enable us to provide our local customers with specific, integral functional and cost-optimized solutions. We will strengthen our market position in South America and enhance our global valvetrain business by exporting from Argentina to the North American and European markets for dedicated engine families."

More Hobby Stock Awards Added To IMCA Engine Pro Package
The creation of two regions for Hobby Stocks has added new contingencies to the Engine Pro package for drivers competing in the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA).

Engine Pro, a Wheat Ridge, CO-based internal engine parts wholesaler group, will award more than $6,000 in product/service certificate amounts this season, based on regional Modified, Stock Car and Hobby Stock standings.

Top eligible drivers in all five Modified regions, both Stock Car regions and both Hobby Stock regions will receive $300 product certificates, with $200 to the runners-up and $100 for third. Tenth and 20th place eligible drivers earn $50 certificates.

Drivers in each class accepting the most engine claims this season also receive complete claimer engine kits.

All drivers must provide proof of purchase of Engine Pro products; Modified drivers are also required to display two Engine Pro decals on their race car.

More information about the contingency awards is available at www.imca.com or www.enginepro.com.

Brian Bender Named CEO of SB International
As SB International, Inc. celebrates its 25th Anniversary in the aftermarket engine parts industry, the company has promoted President Brian Bender to Chief Executive Officer.

Bender brings more than 30 years experience to the position. Born in Menominee, MI, He graduated from Michigan Technological University and was the company's second employee. He was handpicked by SBI's late founder Richard Barggren to serve as Vice President in 1983 and then promoted to President in 1999.

Bender and his wife, Bonnie, reside in a suburb of Nashville.