Norm Brandes, Author at Engine Builder Magazine
Alcohol: It

Article by Norm Brandes and Keith McCord  Ethanol, or moonshine whiskey has been used as either fuel or liquor since the mid-15th century. The very first patented internal combustion engine was invented by Samuel Morey back in 1826 and ran on a mixture of ethanol, alcohol and turpentine. Fast forward to 1861 where German inventor

Bringing A GenIII LS1 Stroker Back to Life

Performance engine builing is as old as the first Model T rebuild, but thanks to today’s new engine platforms and a plethora of aftermarket equipment, many engine builders can be intimidated by the scope of the possibilities. But, as we highlight in this article, there are basic engine practices and philosophies that work whether it

OBD II Shop

Having come from the era of the muscle car, it is extremely interesting to me to get out and look at the new vehicles, feel the performance and see the technology that makes the tailpipe emissions half of what they were in 1996. This technology is made possible by faster power train control modules that

OBD II Shop April

Lack Of Information Impacts Emissions And Industry by Norm Brandes Working on OBD vehicles is like peeling an onion: what begins as a simple task can end up being a monumental challenge. You may never see it coming and have no idea until you are several layers deep. And those tears in your eyes? They

Conferences And Seminars Offer Many Potential Rewards

Getting away from the day-to-day grind and going to a seminar or conference with fellow shop owners and machinists has rewards that far outweigh the expense, and often may even present new business opportunities. At the Engine Rebuilders Association Tech Expo (AERA) I attended this past April in Indianapolis, a presentation given by John DeBates,

Using OBD To Solve Post-Rebuild Drivability Problems

I work with a lot of shops in my area, so it

Finding Information is as Useful as Knowing How to Use It

I want to talk about the most precious asset in the shop. It is the glue behind the bricks and mortar that will make your business the one your customers choose to solve problems. It will allow you to have a return on your investment of people and equipment. What we are talking about is

GM 302: Our High Output OBD II Compliant Engine

In my last column (Automotive Rebuilder, May 2001, page 24), I described an OBD II emissions-compliant 302 we built for a Chevrolet project car. This engine, running at 6700 rpm, developed 370 horsepower at the rear wheels through exhaust without converters. This thoroughbred not only shared the same displacements as its predecessor, it also had

OBD II Shop

Speaking From Personal Experience, OBD II Can Be A Headache For Engine Builders But before you have to pay for your mistakes, learn from the ones I made The main purpose of previous columns has been to discuss the effects of OBD II on engine rebuilding. But one question many of our readers keep asking

Newer OBD-II Blocks Require Much More Attention To Proper Honing Procedures

Smoother finishes, tighter tolerances mean stricter standards and processes Want to guarantee a comeback? When you are honing the cylinders on a late model engine, use the hardest cutting stones you have. Run the hone as fast as you can so you finish the job quickly. Working hard and fast generates a lot of heat

The Obd Ii Shop: Will Machine Shops Be Able To Pass Added Technology Costs On To Their Customers?

These days, OEMs push the envelope in terms of precision engine building techniques. Will machine shops be able to pass added technology costs on to their customers? After a recent tour of the DaimlerChrysler Kenosha, WI, engine plant, I came away with a lot more questions than answers about the future of engine rebuilding, especially