7/1/2003
AERA’s Vanguard Stroker
The Honda VTEC 1.6L Engine Wrap-Up
By Steve Fox
AERA Vanguard Liaison
You’ve been following coverage of this engine build in Engine Builder since early February. At AERA’s EXPO 2003, AERA’s Vanguard group proved that breathing new life into a performance import motor could also introduce excitement to the trade show.
Jeff Grant, a recent graduate of Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, MN, proudly went home with the grand prize. Jeff was one of the students who attended the convention to work in the Automotive Machinists Education Programs Employment Booth. Students from accredited schools came to the EXPO seeking employment and participated in interviews with potential employers. Jeff did an interview at the EXPO and, yes, landed a job in California. As much as he would loved to have kept the Honda engine, Jeff sold it, which allowed him to purchase a street-legal Honda needed for transportation to his new job. Congratulations Jeff and good luck with your new job!
The conclusion of the engine build was great. The actual work on the engine was a blast. Getting started on this project was, however, a difficult task. Picking the correct engine and getting all the knowledge to rebuild this type of engine was the first step in the process. This project would not have been a success if it had not been for Alan Davis of Eagle Specialty Products. With his knowledge and donation of an engine core along with a complete rotating assembly, this project got off the ground and running with a terrific start.
This year’s engine build was a great success. The engine was displayed on the show floor during the EXPO. Tickets sold for this project generated a sizeable donation to the Engine Rebuilders Educational Foundation (EREF), which provides grants and scholarships to engine rebuilders seeking training.
During the EXPO, a special "Performance Panel" brought the daunting sport compact performance marketto the attention of many attendees. This blue-ribbon panel included Paul Plevaneck of Topline Automotive, Leo Croisetiere of R&L Engines, John DeBates of Auto Machine Inc., Dave Clinton of Darton International and Frank Smith of South Florida Performance.
These individuals led an interactive discussion with an audience that appeared hungry for answers. Though the session only lasted one hour, the discussion could have gone on for a much longer time. Not everybody’s question got answered in the seminar, but those attending the roundtable discussion did catch up to the panel on the show floor and receive answers to their questions. This roundtable discussion was a huge hit with everybody and seemed to answer many difficult questions and direct people in the right direction. Capitalizing on this engine craze just makes good sense for engine builders in today’s market.
However, each of the speakers was quick to point out that selling to the sport compact performance crowd means you’ll need to stay on top of your game. "They are a sophisticated, cash ready audience that, unfortunately uses the internet to research what they want," according to Frank Smith of South Florida Performance. "But every engine is different, so you’ll have to use judgment about what’s right, appropriate or even possible for each application."
An informative video that outlined the machining processes required during this engine build was shown continuously during the show. The equipment and techniques used were highlighted. Because so many attendees at the show requested a copy of this video, AERA produced copies and the video at a nominal price. Please contact AERA at 888-326-2372 to order your copy.
This project would not have been possible without the incredible support of the individuals and companies who donated either their time to do the machine work or their product to complete this build. Though the list looks simple in black and white, their help and in coordinating the build was invaluable. Being part of the AERA Team really does have benefits!
Because Jeff Grant sold it before we could put it on the dyno, we don’t have final numbers. However, we estimate this Honda engine will produce 350 hp very easily. With some fine-tuning of the engine, fuel management system and possibly some turbo boost added to it, this engine should make over 400 hp and still be street driveable. Not bad for a little four-cylinder aluminum engine.
When we started this project, I was not sure what I was getting into. I had little or no background on these Honda engines, but because of my association with NHRA, I knew of the sport compact market and the growing success that it was having – and recognized the impact it could have on our industry. I learned a lot during this project on these little engines and now realize their growth and profit potential.
I would like to personally thank everybody who helped me, guided me through all of this and put up with all the questions that were asked of them. This was an experience that was well worth the effort. I honestly believe all machine shops should look into this market and determine for themselves if they are missing out on an opportunity to capitalize on this latest, hottest engine craze sweeping across our nation.
List of Suppliers:
ABS Products
P.O. Box 1778
591 W. Apollo St.
Brea, CA 92822-1778
714-671-0728
Alan C. Blood Co.
2729 Sutton Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63143
800-736-1875
ARP – Automotive Racing Products
1863 Eastman Ave.
Ventura, CA 93003
800-826-3045
Autometer
413 West Elm St.
Sycamore, IL 60178
815-895-8141
Axe Equipment
P.O. Box 296
Highway 177 North
Council Grove, KS 66846
800-251-0018
Cloyes Gear & Products
P.O. Box 287
Paris, AR 72855
479-963-2105
Clevite Engine Parts
1350 Eisenhower Place
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
800-338-8786
Cometic Gasket
80909 Auburn Rd.
Concord, OH 44077
800-752-9850
Corteco
11617 State Route 13
Milan, OH 44836
Crane Cams
530 Fentress Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-258-6174
CWT Industries
4708 S. Old Peachtree Rd.
Bldg. #300
Norcross, GA 30071
770-446-1999
Dakota Parts Warehouse
405 12th St.
Rapid City, SD 57701
605 388-3396
Darton International
2380 Camino Vida Roble
Carlsbad, CA 92009
800-713-2786
DCM Tech
P.O. Box 1304
4455 Theurer Blvd.
Winona, MN 55987
800-533-5339
Delta Custom Tools
7157 Honeyman St., Unit 4
Delta, BC V4G 1E2 Canada
604-946-6248
Eagle Specialty Products
8530 Aaron Lane
Southaven, MS 38671
Ferrea Racing Components
2600 NW 55th Court
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
888-843-7328
Gleason Engineering Industries Inc.
P.O. Box 828
Winona, MN 55987
507-454-3817
LOM Industries
13500 SE 294th Place
Auburn, WA 98092
877-704-4315
Newen Inc.
8320 Miramar Mall
San Diego, CA 92121
800-639-3693
Polymer Dynamics Inc.
4116 Siegel St.
Houston, TX 77009
713-694-3296
QPAC Micropolishing Equipment
1305 S. Cedar St.
Suite 506
Lansing, MI 48910-1529
517-482-1900
RMC Engine Rebuilding Equipment
5775 Bridgeview Center
Saginaw, MI 48604
800-248-5062
ROL Gaskets
8041 Broadstone Rd.
Perrysburg, OH 43551
800-810-4067
Rottler Manufacturing
8029 S. 200th St.
Kent, WA 98032
SB International
2108 Utopia Ave.
Nashville, TN 37211
888-733-2505
South Florida Performance
18728 SW 107th Ave.
Miami, FL 33157
305-233-8520
Storm Vulcan
2225 Burbank
Dallas, TX 75235
214-637-1430
Sunnen Products
7910 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63143
314-781-2100
Topline Automotive Engineering
8200 S. Hoyne Ave.
Chicago, IL 60620
773-487-1400
The Valvoline Company
3499 Blazer Parkway
Lexington KY 40509
859-338-7402
Waterhouse Motors
2505 Commerce St.
Tacoma, WA 98402-1294
253-383-1439
Winona Van Norman
710 E. 17th
Wichita, KS 67214
800-533-8008