10/29/2009
Do you balance engines?
For profit: we offer it but only if a customer is willing to pay for it.: 19.23%
For performance: It's sold as a pricey but valuable performance upgrade.: 16.67%
For protection: Every engine we build is balanced so it runs right.: 64.1%
10/21/2009
The type of cleaning equipment I'm most interested in is:
Ultrasonic: 47.06%
Aqueous: 11.76%
Thermal: 11.76%
Abrasive/blast: 14.71%
I'm not sure which one is right for me.: 14.71%
10/15/2009
How are you reinvesting in your business?
Buying new machining or business equipment.: 21.05%
Hiring additional employees or training the ones I have.: 5.26%
Updating my shop's physical structure.: 15.79%
I'm just trying to keep my bills paid.: 57.89%
10/9/2009
With Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) and APRA's Big R Show just around the corner, which trade show are you most excited about?
SEMA: 62.5%
AAPEX: 18.75%
Big R Show: 18.75%
9/30/2009
Have you given any thought to what will happen to your business in the future?
Yes, I’ve already taken steps toward succession planning.: 58.33%
Not really...I’m too concerned with how my business operates today.: 8.33%
Absolutely not. I’m not planning to go anywhere.: 33.33%
9/16/2009
Do you use cryogenics in your engine building business?
I cryo-treat my cutting tools to make them last longer.: 11.11%
I offer cryo-treated parts if I think they’ll be of benefit to my customers.: 38.89%
I do in-house cryo-treating and it works exactly as we all seem to think it does.: 13.89%
Of course not. I don’t use it if I can’t see it.: 36.11%
9/11/2009
How do you view the Internet in your shop?
A fun way to waste a lot of time: 10.71%
A nice method for getting information: 28.57%
An invaluable tool that helps my business function efficiently: 60.71%
9/2/2009
Which new muscle car do you think will have the biggest impact on true high performance business?
The Chevy Camaro: 38.82%
The Ford Mustang: 36.47%
The Dodge Challenger: 19.41%
Some import nameplate: 5.29%
8/26/2009
As summer starts to fade away, how do you see your performance business changing over the next few weeks?
It will decline -- people have less money to spend on racing, so they'll probably do only the bare minimum.: 37.5%
It will stay about the same as it's been. I'm not looking to rock the boat, just keep where I've been.: 37.5%
I'm planning on a great fall -- race teams will be gunning for championships and they'll need me more than ever.: 25%
8/20/2009
Fuel economy is obviously on the minds of Americans these days. Do you believe that claims of gasoline-powered passenger cars that get 80 mpg or more are legitimate?
Sure, if you're talking about something that has a motorcycle engine.: 19.15%
No, despite some manufacturers' claims, current technology isn't up to creating something that would actually work in the real world yet.: 29.79%
Why not? We have some great inventors in this country. I expect to see 100 mpg+ in the near future.: 51.06%
8/13/2009
With 'Cash for Clunkers' now in full stride, do you think it will have an impact on your business?
Yes. We will see a loss of customers with V8 engines as many of the engines we build will be scrapped for this program.: 38.46%
No. Our business is not affected by car sales, we build engines strictly for niche markets i.e., racing, marine, diesel.: 41.03%
It’s too soon to say for sure if engine rebuilding will be affected.: 20.51%
8/7/2009
What is your single biggest competitor to machine shop services and rebuilt engines?
Used engines being installed: 25.93%
Better quality engines in new cars: 48.15%
Retail engine sales: 11.11%
Low financing on new cars: 7.41%
PER engine sales: %
Low financing on used cars: 7.41%
7/28/2009
Where do you get your engine cores?
I primarily rebuild my customer's own engine.: 50%
Core suppliers are able to give me what I'm most interested in.: 12.5%
My engines are built using new castings.: 12.5%
I can still find good blocks in my local salvage yard.: 25%
7/22/2009
Over the past 6 months, have you seen your high performance machining work:
Increase: 32.26%
Decrease: 25.81%
Stay the same: 41.94%
7/15/2009
If you were producing Engine Builder magazine for yourself, what would be of most benefit to your business?
Complete "recipes" of build lists and machining specs for stroker motors.: 48.78%
Business management columns.: 4.88%
More new product listings and descriptions.: 7.32%
Technical "101-type" background information for my in-shop training efforts.: 39.02%
7/10/2009
Would you be interested in participating in a national competition to build the most powerful pump-gas engine if you knew the winner could be claimed for $5,000?
Without a doubt. I could build a winning engine for less than that. : 33.33%
Maybe...but I’d have to be careful with my build to keep it within that range. : 26.67%
Not a chance. I’d build a winner, but I’d end up losing my shirt.: 40%
7/1/2009
Do you feel claimer motors help level out racing competitiveness?
Absolutely. No one will want to spend more just to have their engine claimed.: 28.95%
Not sure — driving skill matters as much as engine design so it’s hard to guess who might be claimed. : 18.42%
No way. Racers will still spend whatever it takes to win bragging rights.: 52.63%
6/24/2009
Do you foresee an impact on your business from the closing of nearly 2,000 automobile dealerships?
No, customers who went back to the dealer for service rarely needed engine work.: 23.08%
There’s a chance that my customers will be busier, meaning more opportunity for my machine shop services: 15.38%
Anytime there’s less competition for service work it’s a good thing for my business.: 61.54%
6/18/2009
How has Internet commerce affected your business?
It isn't. I'm still a local business.: 50%
I've had inquiries from across the country, but so far not much in the way of sales.: 12.5%
I have made sales on the Internet but increased shipping costs have made it cost prohibitive.: 12.5%
I'm selling engines to people in other states and/or other countries.: 25%
6/12/2009
What do you find is your best form of advertising?
Local advertising or Yellow Pages: 3.7%
Web site: 14.81%
Word of Mouth: 81.48%
6/3/2009
Time, they say, is money. In your shop, which of the following time-related issues is the biggest challenge?
Finding the time as a business owner to get everything done.: 34.48%
Charging for the time spent in an engine build.: 34.48%
Employee time management/productivity.: 31.03%
5/27/2009
How have your prices changed over the past 5 years?
They have remained the same - customers won't pay more.: 19.05%
I've kept up with my competitors - don't want to lose any more than I have to.: 9.52%
I've raised some of my prices slightly to what I think the market will bear.: 23.81%
My prices are tied directly to my shop expenses and my business plan, so they have increased as needed.: 47.62%
5/20/2009
How's business compared to this time last year?
Business is Up: 20.93%
Business is Down: 39.53%
Business is Flat: 37.21%
Business if off the charts!: 2.33%
5/13/2009
Which social networking site, if any, do you use to promote your shop's services and connect with customers?
Twitter: %
Facebook: 5.88%
MySpace: %
Streetfire: %
None: 94.12%
5/5/2009
Which is most important to your customers when you are sourcing parts for their engine builds?
Brand name, regardless of where it is manufactured: 34.15%
Made in the U.S.A. is critical: 56.1%
People don't want to spend a lot of money so the cheaper the better: 9.76%
4/21/2009
What do you think about proposed 'Cash for Clunkers' legislation?
I support it: 9.27%
I don't support it: 62.91%
I love my clunker: 27.81%
4/7/2009
What is your favorite type of motorsports?
International Open Wheel : 3.03%
Drag Racing: 58.01%
Professional Stock Car: 9.09%
Sprint Car/Dirt Track : 10.82%
Rally Racing : 5.63%
Demolition Derby: 3.03%
Motorcycles: 10.39%
3/24/2009
When I find a crack in an aluminum cylinder head I:
Weld it myself : 19.05%
Pin the crack: 6.35%
Send it out for repair : 35.45%
Discard the head: 39.15%
3/10/2009
Which Chrysler engine was the best?
The “LA” 318 V8: 18.66%
The “LA” 360 V8: 4.23%
The 488 V10: 1.76%
The 505 V10: 3.52%
The 426 Hemi: 57.04%
No Mopars!: 14.79%
2/24/2009
Which engine is the best GM ever built?
350 cid Small Block: 38.83%
454 Big Block: 15.58%
327 Small Block: 18.96%
LS1: 12.64%
LS9: 4.06%
Anything but GM!: 9.93%
2/10/2009
Which Ford engine was the best ever made?
351 Windsor: 14.07%
428 Cobra Jet: 24.24%
5.0L: 16.88%
4.6L/5.4L Modular: 9.74%
289 HiPo: 15.58%
Anything but Ford!: 19.48%
1/27/2009
If you are to expand your business this year, what areas would you focus on most?
Updating equipment: 20.83%
Hiring more qualified employees: 16.67%
Obtaining more training: 8.33%
Marketing your services better: 54.17%
1/13/2009
In 2009 your business plans to:
Focus on cutting costs: 45.71%
Expand the business: 31.43%
Buy new equipment: 20%
Sell old equipment: 2.86%
12/30/2008
The racing movie that best describes my business in 2008 was:
The Fast and the Furious: 19.23%
Cannonball Run: 42.31%
Six Pack: 38.46%
12/16/2008
If you attended the PRI Show in Orlando last week did you think the show was:
Positive and exceeded your expectations: 27.78%
Below expectations: 16.67%
About what you expected: 55.56%
12/2/2008
Do you think grassroots racing will suffer as a result of the economy?
Yes. Even racers will have trouble justifying the cost.: 50%
Maybe. If gas prices stay low they might think it's a reasonable expense.: 18.75%
Not a chance. Racers will ALWAYS find a way to feed their habits.: 31.25%
11/18/2008
Should the government give the auto industry a bailout?
We need the manufacturers to be healthy: 26.5%
They got themselves into it they should get themselves out: 56.41%
I'll take a bailout: 17.09%
11/4/2008
What do you recommend to your customers as the most beneficial performance upgrade?
Valvtrain components: 13.27%
Cylinder Heads: 61.22%
"Bottom End" components: 4.08%
"Power Adders": 16.33%
Other: 5.1%
10/21/2008
When you need to hire additional personnel do you look for:
Students from a local vo-tech or college training program.: 65.52%
The best technician/machinist from your biggest competitor.: 27.59%
The first guy who answers the "Help Wanted" sign.: 6.9%
10/7/2008
Has the recent banking crisis affected your business' ability to operate "normally?"
Yes: 57.45%
No: 21.28%
Too soon to say: 21.28%
9/23/2008
Which of this year's upcoming industry events do you plan to attend?
SEMA: 45%
AAPEX: 5%
PRI: 35%
AETC: %
At least two events: 15%
9/9/2008
What is the most profitable part of your business?
Heavy Duty Diesel: 25%
Restoration: 11.54%
High Performance: 50%
Small Engine Repair: 13.46%
8/26/2008
Where do you buy your shop tools?
Wagon jobber: 3.03%
Local hardware or department store: 12.12%
Discount retailer: 9.09%
Internet: 15.15%
Local Auto Parts Store: 9.09%
Engine tool and equipment manufacturers or WDs: 51.52%
8/12/2008
When a customer brings parts in do you:
Send him away with a verbal tongue-lashing: 5.63%
Refuse to use the parts but continue to build the engine: 7.04%
Use the parts but have the customer sign a "no complaints" form: 53.52%
Build the engine, thankful to have the business: 33.8%
7/29/2008
What do you feel is the single biggest competitor to your machine shop services or rebuilt engines?
Used engines being installed: 31.37%
Low financing rates on new cars: 5.88%
Better quality new engines from OE: 31.37%
Retail engine sales: 25.49%
Low financing rates on used cars: 5.88%
7/15/2008
What percentage of your business is niche market oriented?
1-10%: %
11-20%: 8.33%
21-30%: 25%
31-40%: 8.33%
More than 41%: 58.33%
7/1/2008
What areas do you plan to expand into most in the coming months?
Sport Compact "Tuners": 20.37%
American Muscle: 29.63%
Heavy-Duty Diesel: 12.96%
Industrial Engines: 5.56%
Small Engines: 22.22%
Other specialized niche: 9.26%
6/17/2008
Which engine have you rebuilt the most in the last 12 months?
Small Block Chevy: 35.03%
Ford 302: 14.65%
Big Block Mopar: 6.37%
Honda B18: 7.64%
Briggs & Stratton: 7.64%
Harley V-Twin: 3.18%
Heavy-Duty Diesel: 8.92%
Other: 16.56%
6/3/2008
Which alternative fuel do you think is the most viable for the U.S.?
E85: 25.86%
Ethanol Blend: 5.17%
Bio-Diesel: 14.94%
Hydrogen: 33.91%
Electricity: 12.64%
"Horse" Power: 4.6%
Other: 2.87%
5/16/2008
Which of these issues are you worried about the most?
High Gas/Energy Prices: 54.22%
Healthcare Costs: 13.25%
Slowing Economy: 28.92%
No Worries: 3.61%
5/2/2008
How often do you change the oil in your personal vehicle?
Every 3,000 miles religiously: 40.56%
You have to change that stuff?: 9.79%
3,000 - 6,000 miles: 39.16%
6,000 - 10,000 miles: 10.49%
4/23/2008
I believe E85 is:
A viable alternative fuel and I'm actively building engines for it.: 17.02%
Driving up the cost of many other items with no real obvious benefits.: 72.34%
Going to replace gasoline when flying cars come on the scene.: 10.64%
4/8/2008
How many business associations do you belong to?
One: 27.78%
Two to three: 33.33%
Four or more: 5.56%
None: 33.33%
3/26/2008
Which business topic would you like us to cover more?
Marketing/Sales: 9.52%
Niche Markets: 14.29%
Management Tips: 9.52%
Education/Training: 66.67%
3/10/2008
What is your favorite feature of our redesigned website?
User Gallery: 15.38%
Issue Archive: 7.69%
Tech Center: 61.54%
What redesign?: 15.38%
2/22/2008
What internet connection do you have in your shop?
Cable: 23.53%
DSL: 58.82%
Dial-up: 14.71%
What Connect?: 2.94%
1/22/2008
How long have you been a subscriber to Engine Builder magazine?
Less than 1 year: 19.05%
1-2 years: %
3-7 years: 23.81%
8 or more: 57.14%
11/1/2007
Which of these would be your next major purchase?
Dynamometer: 50%
CNC Machine: 50%
Cleaning Equipment: %