Limited quantities of the “Serious Engine Trouble?” brochure are available to industry professionals by contacting ERC at [email protected].

“The new brochure encourages motorists to talk with their automotive technician and consider all of their options when faced with major engine trouble,” said ERC Chairman Tom Schrader. “Often times, choosing to repower the current engine is the most reliable and cost-effective choice in the long run. This is especially true when compared to trading in the vehicle, patching the specific engine problem, or installing a used or new engine.”

The brochure is available not only in preprinted form: engine builders, rebuilders, remanufacturers and installers, as well as customers, can view, download and print copies of the brochure as well as a new “Serious Engine Trouble?” poster by visiting the ERC Web site.

To learn more about repowering a vehicle with a remanufactured/rebuilt engine or to download any of the free promotional materials supporting the repower process, visit: http://www.carcare.org/Repower/index.shtml.

Production Engine Remanufacturers Association Elects 2007 Officers During Annual Convention In Monterey, CA

The members of the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association elected its executive committee and board of directors for 2007 during the 61st Annual PERA Convention held September 28-30 in Monterey, CA.
For 2007, the PERA Executive Board will consist of:
President: Mark Fellanto, Promar Precision Engine Rebuilders, Paterson, NJ; Vice President: Bill Bokan, Bokan Brothers, Sacramento, CA; Treasurer: Dave Steine, Tri-Star Engine Supply, Baldwin, WI; and Past President: Denny Janisewski.

The PERA Board of Directors will include: Matt Weinzapfel, Jasper Engines; Fred Calouette, Cal Valves; Shai Dhanani, Yamato Engines; Frank Owings, Titan Engines; Rick Simko, Elgin Industries; Bill Levy, U.S. Tool & Mfg. Co.; Ray Fink, AER Industries; and Bob Reinke, Bob Reinke Sales.

Rick Simko, national sales and marketing manager for Elgin Industries, received the PERA Person of the Year award. This award, which is given to the PERA member who has truly distinguished himself or herself in advancing the cause of the North American engine rebuilding industry, is the highest honor presented by the association.

Simko was praised for his industry involvement, not his home improvement skills. PERA Past President Denny Janisewski good-naturedly “highlighted” examples of Simko’s painting, landscaping and cooking disasters, but said the good news is that Simko “clearly does his best work on behalf of his employer and our proud industry.”

For information on PERA or the convention, visit www.pera.org.

Clevite Engine Parts Division Named to NAPA 95% Club for
Fourth Straight Year

Six different product lines supplied by Clevite Engine Parts have received the prestigious NAPA 95% Club honors based on outstanding shipping and service performance to the NAPA Distribution Centers in 2005.

Clevite product lines that were named to the Club include:

NAPA Gaskets

Clevite Engine Parts

Clevite 77 Engine Bearings

Perfect Circle Piston Rings

Clevite Oil Pumps

Clevite Engine Kits

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Clevite 77 engine bearings, Perfect Circle piston rings, Clevite oil pumps and Clevite engine kits have received the NAPA 95 Percent Club Award. This is the third consecutive year that NAPA Gaskets has been named and the second consecutive year that Clevite Engine Parts has been named.

“On behalf of everyone at Clevite, we would like to thank NAPA for the recognition bestowed on us,” said Ted Hughes, NAPA Business Development Manager. “We want to send a special thank you to all of our purchasing, product and distribution people who give their all to satisfy our customers day in and day out. This wouldn’t be possible without all of them.”

For more information about Clevite, visit www.engineparts.com.

New Jasper Engine Lineup Includes Powerplants For Popular Late Model Ford and General Motors Vehicles

Jasper Engines and Transmissions has made available two GM engines and one Ford engine, for late model applications.

The new GM offerings consist of the 2.2L ECOTEC 4-cylinder and the 2.8L 4-cylinder gas engines.
The 2.2L ECOTEC 4-cylinder is available for the following applications:

2002-2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Sunfire and Pontiac Grand Am;

2002-2004 Oldsmobile Alero;

2005-2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, Malibu and HHR;

2002-2006 Saturn Ion and Vue; and

2002-2004 Saturn L Series.

Flex Fuel applications of this engine are also available.

The 2.8L 4-cylinder engine is available for the following applications:

2004-2006 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks.

Jasper’s latest offering from Ford is the 2.3L 4-cylinder engine available for the following applications:

2004-2006 Ford Ranger; and

2004-2006 Mazda B2300 pickup.

Each of these remanufactured engines carries Jasper’s 36-month, 75,000 mile nationwide warranty. For information, call 800-827-7455 or visit www.jasperengines.com.

Rottler And AMC-Schou Form Global Alliance For Sales And Support

Two of the world’s leading manufacturers of engine rebuilding machinery and equipment – Rottler USA and AMC-Schou of Aarhus, Denmark – have formed a new alliance to market their products jointly through their worldwide sales organizations.

Rottler offers a complete range of precision automated machining equipment with state-of-the-art electronic controls. AMC-Schou specializes in crankshaft grinding machines, as well as other machining equipment.

Announcing the alliance at the recent Automechanika show in Frankfurt, Germany, Anthony Usher, Rottler’s Sales Manager, said “AMC-Schou is very strong in Europe, the Middle East, Russia and parts of Africa, while Rottler has considerable strengths in the U.S. and Latin America. By combining our sales and after-sales support, we will achieve better economies of scale and build stronger relationships with our customers.”

Under the agreement, the two companies maintain their separate identities and brands. The two parties, however, will now be engaging in moves towards streamlining their sales and marketing operations and dealer networks.

“This is not a merger, but a close collaboration that will enable us to provide better services to our international customers. Both companies will now be able to offer a more comprehensive line and after sales service,” Usher explained.

“The move is designed to strengthen both companies while attracting top-class dealers,” said AMC-Schou sales and marketing manager Claus Andersen. “This represents a milestone for both companies and we’re extremely pleased to note that the reactions in the market have been very positive indeed.”

IMCA Developing ‘Crate Engine Model’ Racing Division for 2007 Season

Although it says it is not abandoning its traditional racing divisions, the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) is developing a “Crate Model” class, set to see its first green flag during the 2007 race season.

The new division would require use of the 602 or 604 GM Performance crate engines and complement IMCA’s existing Late Model program.

“Our general reasoning is that tracks have expressed an interest in this type of division, and that from a growth standpoint, this class has positives for racers and tracks,” explained IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root. “The used late model market is very strong, so a driver can buy a car, put a crate engine in and go racing for $10,000 or less. That makes it a very affordable option for them and for tracks who want to start this class from scratch.”

The 602 crate engine retails for approximately $3,000, the 604 for $5,000. Both are available from GM dealerships nationwide. “Crate engines have proven to be reliable in our SportMod division,” Root said. “They are durable and offer an affordable engine option.”

More details on the Crate Model division were to be announced in the “Inside IMCA” newsletter in October. Next season’s Late Model rules were also to be included in that issue.

“In the initial season, we plan to have the rules and track program in place,” said Root. “Based on the response and number of sanctions, we’ll develop state, regional and national point funds.

“We’re not trying to phase out our existing Late Model division,” he added. “That has been, and continues to be, a very successful program.”

For information about the new racing division, visit www.imca.com.

Mitchell 1 To Sponsor Free Management Seminars During AAPEX Show

Mitchell 1 will sponsor three free seminars by management expert Bob O’Connor during the Automotive Products Expo (AAPEX), Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. O’Connor is with RLO Management Solutions.

Seminar topics will include:

Understand How to Better Partner With Your Customers, Oct. 31, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Room 303

Enjoy Increased Profits With Sales of Major Components, Nov. 1, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Room 303

Achieve Additional Profits Through the Synchronization of Marketing & Sales Efforts!, Nov. 2, 1 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Room 303

“At Mitchell 1, it’s important that we help aftermarket shops improve their businesses any way that we can,” said Nick DiVerde, general manager, Shop Management Solutions. “We are proud to sponsor Bob O’Connor’s seminars because he is a trusted partner of ours with a great track record for delivering insightful business tips for shop professionals. In addition, he is one of the strongest supporters of our most recent efforts to help shops – the Mitchell 1 Performance Groups (MPG).”

Conference attendees who find Bob O’Connor’s seminars valuable should visit Mitchell 1 at SEMA booth 13050 (Las Vegas Convention Center, Oct. 31 to Nov. 3) to see the various tools that can help them implement the practices that O’Connor teaches.

For more information on Mitchell 1 products and services, automotive professionals can log onto the company’s Web site at www.mitchell1.com.

BorgWarner Buys Eaton’s European Automotive Controls Product Lines

BorgWarner has purchased Eaton Corp.’s European Transmission and Engine Controls product lines. Terms were not disclosed. With 2006 sales anticipated at $57 million, the transmission and engine controls operation specializes in high pressure control solenoids for automated transmissions, common rail diesel and gas engines and other applications that complement BorgWarner’s expertise in engine and drivetrain electronics.

“Intelligent powertrains are a smart way to drive improvements in fuel economy and emissions worldwide,” said Tim Manganello, BorgWarner chairman and chief executive officer. “Integrating Eaton’s European controls products with our existing controls know-how gives us new opportunities for growth in these critical areas. In addition to its product technology, this operation brings us state-of-the-art, highly flexible and efficient low-to mid-volume controls manufacturing technology, which can serve as a model for our expansion in developing countries. The acquisition is a strategic step in our global expansion.”

The transmission and engine controls operation located in Monaco will become part of BorgWarner Transmission Systems and the BorgWarner Drivetrain Group.

For more information about BorgWarner, go to www.borgwarner.com.