Alex Ernst, Jasper Authentic Group Leader, says the division expects to produce approximately 1,300 engines in 2007. He says the number of drivetrain components that fit the profile of a Jasper Authentic built product will increase as the company begins to establish itself as “one of the premier custom remanufacturers in this market. With traditional engines lasting longer,”
Ernst says, “it is more important than ever to offer our customers a complete line of products and services.”
This division is located on the second-floor of Jasper’s remanufacturing facility, and is separate from the company’s first-floor engine division operations.
Ernst explains that one of the goals of Jasper Authentic Custom Drivetrains is to cater to a customer base that is doing restoration projects and is looking for “something extra” when they get their engine remanufactured.
“If you look at the popularity of television shows that highlight vehicle restoration, there’s a huge market out there of people restoring the older model vehicle they have sitting in their garage,” Ernst says. “One type of client that would benefit from our new division, for instance, is the individual restoring a ’69 Corvette who wants his or her serial numbers to match, and wants the engine to be hand-built by experienced professionals.”
“We can spend extra time remanufacturing an engine,” Ernst added. “We can give the customer that hands-on, hand-built treatment that our targeted customer base is looking for.”
In addition, Jasper Authentic Custom Drivetrains will provide some extras for the enthusiast. “Customers can opt to have their engine dynamometer tested in addition to the live-run test we perform,” said Ernst. “And we are going to provide customers with documentation of the remanufacturing process. With a login name and password, they will be able to go to our Web site and check the progress of their engine and even view the dynamometer report if they have selected that option. They can print the information and archive it for their own records or use it to authenticate their engine as they show their vehicle.”
“While there is no question the market has experienced change in the purchasing patterns of its customer base, we remain optimistic that we can continue to grow in the high volume products that Jasper has built its reputation on, but we also see a tremendous opportunity to provide some services and products that traditionally have not been a good fit in Jasper’s production system,” says Ernst.
Ernst says the company will be expanding the Jasper Authentic Custom Drivetrains to include transmissions in the coming months and will also be expanding its engine product line to include some vintage and early model engines that Jasper has not offered recently.
For more information, call 800-827-7455 or visit www.jasperengines.com.
Cummins, Dept. Of Justice Announce Agreement To Recall 11,600 Engines
Under a recently announced agreement between the Department of Justice and Cummins Engine Co., Cummins will recall about 11,600 engines and replace the auxiliary emission control devices units with ones that conform to the engine performance parameters of the consent decree, as well as pay a fine of $950,000. The agreement resolves allegations that Cummins violated a 1998 consent decree requiring Cummins to correct violations that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said resulted when the company and six other engine producers “blatantly circumvented emissions requirements over the preceding 4 to 10 years.”
In addition to not meeting the parameters of the consent decree, the Justice Department contends that Cummins also used 1,101 more emissions credits under an averaging, banking and trading program established by the decree which led to an excess of 1,000 tons of emissions of NOx; implemented a program (low-NOx rebuild) to equip old engines with new computer software to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions without receiving the required EPA approval; and failed to perform test equipment calibrations within the applicable time limits.
Honda, Mercedes To Roll Out Diesel Engines For U.S. Market By 2009
Both Mercedes-Benz and Honda Motor Corp. have developed new diesel engines for the U.S. market. Not surprisingly, both manufacturers say their systems are superior to other technologies.
Mercedes-Benz announced that it intends to offer BLUETEC diesel-powered versions of the M-, R-, and GL-Class sport-utility vehicles in the United States starting in 2008. BLUETEC SUVs will be the “world’s first diesel-powered vehicles to meet Environmental Protection Agency’s stringent BIN5 emissions standards for all 50 states.” This announcement was made just as Honda announced its plans for diesel technology which will comply with BIN5.
The BLUETEC is a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel engine that will have the torque of a V8 combined with the fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder. Mercedes claims this engine will be the world’s cleanest diesel technology.
In particular, says Mercedes, the system helps to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Beginning in 2008, the company says BLUETEC M-, R- and GL-Class vehicles will showcase AdBlue injection, a process that adds precisely measured quantities of a urea-based solution into the exhaust system to help reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80 percent.
In addition, Honda Motor Corp. has unveiled a new diesel system for its vehicles, which Honda claims is as clean as gasoline-fueled systems. This is significant for the automaker, because the Tier II Bin 5 emissions regulations will take effect next year in the U.S.
Half of Europe’s cars are already powered by diesel fuel. Diesel-powered vehicles typically get 30 percent better mileage than gasoline-powered vehicles. The downside has been the higher exhaust levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx), which is a greenhouse gas. Honda says that its new diesel drivetrain has “a unique method that generates and stores ammonia within a two-layer catalytic converter to turn nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen.”
Honda engineers believe the technology to be “superior to the process pioneered by Germany’s DaimlerChrysler AG because the latter requires a complex system and heavy add-ons to generate ammonia from urea-based additives.”
Although some hurdles remain, Honda said it plans to roll out the diesel engine in the United States within three years. One of the hurdles is the need to develop technology to measure emissions levels according to U.S. On-Board Diagnostic System requirements. “Just as we paved the way for cleaner gasoline engines, we will take the leadership in the progress of diesel engines,” said Honda Chief Executive Takeo Fukui.
Online Registration Now Open For Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week
Online registration is now open for the second annual Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) to be held at The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 22-25, 2007. As an added convenience to attendees this year is the opportunity to register today and defer payment until Jan. 2, 2007.
Expanding on last year’s successful conference, a number of dynamic educational sessions are scheduled including the Aftermarket Forum, the value-added selling seminar and the Business and Technical Theaters. The conference also offers One-on-One Business Meetings between distributors and suppliers, as well as a world-class product expo and valuable networking opportunities.
New in 2007 is the HDAW Industry Awards Program and Reception from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at The Mirage. This event will recognize outstanding individuals, companies and new products in the heavy duty aftermarket, including:
- The Heavy Duty Aftermarket Hall of Fame Award;
- Technician of the Year;
- Heavy Duty Distributor of the Year; and
- Top Five New Products of the Year.
Last year’s event featured 234 suppliers in 425 booths with 1,900 attendees from 13 countries. For more program details, registration information and a list of HDAW 2007 exhibitors, visit www.hdaw.org.
Co-organizers of HDAW 2007 are the Heavy Duty Distribution Association and the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association. Sponsors include Heavy Duty America, Heavy Duty Remanufacturing Group, Heavy Duty Representatives Association, International Truck Parts Associa-tion, Overseas Automotive Council, Power Heavy Duty, Service Special-ists Association and TruckPride.
Online registration and housing arrangements are available at www.hdaw.org. Registration materials for the One-on-One Business Meetings may be obtained by contacting Rosemary Hall at 816-361-6588 or e-mailing [email protected].
International To Build MaxxForce Engine Family In New Alabama Plant
International Truck and Engine Corp., the principal operating subsidiary of Navistar International Corp. announced it will build new Class 8 “big-bore” diesel engines in Huntsville, AL.
The new engines, the largest in the MaxxForce family of commercial-truck diesel engines, will be built at a new assembly plant in Huntsville. The investment cost is not being disclosed.
More than 175 employees are expected to work at the new facility. Full production at Huntsville will begin in spring 2008. Initial engines will be partially assembled in Germany and finished and trimmed in Huntsville and will be available beginning in fall 2007.
The new facility will be an assembly-only operation. Core engine components will be sourced globally from suppliers and shipped to the plant.
“Huntsville was selected to produce these new ‘big-bore’ truck diesel engines because of our strong workforce in Huntsville and its clear track record of building high-quality engines at a competitive cost,” said Dan Ustian, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Navistar International Corp.
Branded MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13, the engines are an inline 6-cylinder big-bore design in the 11- to 13.0L displacement class. The engines will serve the Class 8 truck market, which is the largest commercial truck segment in North America.
The International big-bore class of engines will be offered exclusively in International ProStar line-haul tractors, International 8600 regional-haul tractors and International 7000 Series severe service trucks.
International’s current Huntsville plant – International Diesel of Alabama, LCC – produces engines for International trucks, as well as Ford trucks and vans.
Since production began in Huntsville in 2002, the company has built more than 375,000 V6 and V8 diesel engines. Beginning in January, MaxxForce will become the signature brand of International’s family of global on-highway commercial truck engines.
For more information, visit www.maxxforce.com.
Navistar Subsidiary Signs Agreement With Chinese Diesel Engine Makers
Dongfeng Chaoyang Diesel Co. (DCD), one of China’s largest diesel engine makers, and MWM International Industria De Motores Da America Do Sul Ltda. (MWMI), a subsidiary of Navistar International Corp. has signed a licensing agreement to manufacture and sell select diesel engines in China.
Initial estimated annual volumes are expected to be 40,000 to 50,000 engines per year and start of production is forecasted in early 2008. The agreement may be extended to other engine families and other countries in the region.
For more information about Navistar International, go to: www.nav-international.com.
Melling Engine Parts Acquires Full Ownership Of Dura-Bond Bearing Co.
Mark Melling, CEO of Melling Engine Parts, has announced that Melling Engine Parts/Melling Tool Co. has purchased the outstanding 50 percent of Dura-Bond Bearing Co. making Melling full owner of the business.
“It is a great addition to the Melling family of companies and we will be able to do great things together” Melling commented during the SEMA/AAPEX shows.
Dura-Bond manufactures a complete line of engine camshaft bearings, valve seats, valve shims, and engine hardware kits marketed to the engine rebuilding and performance industries. The company will continue to be located in Carson City, NV and managed by its current staff led by President Charles Barnett.
5th Annual Jeg’s Engine
Masters Challenge Won By Persistent Tony Bischoff
For custom engine builder Tony Bischoff, winning the 5th Annual Jeg’s Engine Masters Challenge, presented by Popular Hot Rodding magazine, was a logical progression. The proprietor of BES Racing Engines in West Harrison, IN, earned 3rd place in the 2004 competition, was runner-up last year, and worked his way to the top spot in 2006.
The contest, held at World Products’ well-equipped facility on Long Island, NY, saw 36 contestants fight it out in World’s three state-of-the-art DTS dyno cells to see whose handiwork could produce the highest average (combined) horsepower and torque between 2,500 and 6,500 rpm on pump gas.
Each year, contest organizers establish a different set of parameters; for 2006 it was a 434 cid limit, 10.5:1 compression, with shaft-mount rocker arms allowed for the first time on engines not originally equipped with them.
Cast intake manifolds, which must be able to bolt to OEM heads, and a 4-barrel carburetor are mandated. Aftermarket versions of factory blocks can be used, as can special heads – provided they retain OEM intake/exhaust bolt patterns.
Two-time Engine Masters Challenge champion Jon Kaase of Winder, GA, paced all qualifiers for the fourth straight year, with Bischoff right on his heels. They, along with four other engine builders who had outscored the field, earned the right to be in the finals. These included the RHP entry, captained by Scott Johnson, from Tacoma, WA; Mike McKeown of Nanjemoy, MD; Performance Unlimited (Bob Lathrop) of Kalona, IA; and the School of Automotive Machinists (SAM) from Houston, TX.
After the results were tallied, it turned out that Bischoff edged Kaase by only one point (1080.3 to 1079.3) – clearly the closest margin in Engine Masters Challenge history. Kaase’s Pontiac peaked at 726 horsepower, while Bischoff’s 714 peak HP was balanced by a higher bottom end.
The contest is designed to encourage a wide variety of entries, and this year’s edition was no exception, with AMC, Buick, Chevy, Dodge, Ford and Pontiac powerplants – and this year’s parameters allowed both small block and big block engines for the first time. But when the dyno cells cleared, it was quite evident that “Cleveland” Fords were the “hot tip.” Five of the finalists, save Kaase’s unique Pontiac, were of the Blue Oval variety.
Winner Bischoff employed a World Products “Man O’War” iron block with CHI aluminum 3V “Cleveland” heads, a Comp roller cam, Jesel shaft rockers, Manley valve springs and assorted other products that earned him nearly $40,000 in contingency money. The other finalists also shared in some $100,000 in posted prize money.
News In Brief
John Murphy has been promoted to Beck/Arnley’s vice president of sales, Eastern region. In this position, Murphy will be responsible for all company sales in the Eastern U.S. and will oversee Beck/Arnley’s district managers and independent sales agencies, as well as call on current warehouse distributor customers and prospect for new business.
The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board (ARB) has verified Donaldson Company’s diesel particulate matter low temperature filter (LTF) muffler for 1994-2006 model year non-EGR diesel engines used in on-road applications operating on ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. With the CARB verification, this product is acknowledged to provide particulate matter (PM) reductions by at least 85%, qualifying it as an ARB Level 3 device. Donaldson Company, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of filter systems and replacement parts.
Melling Tool Co. has hired Fast Life Marketing Consultants LLC of Haslett, MI, to manage the company’s marketing initiatives and publicity within the aftermarket and motorsports industries. Fast Life Marketing was founded by Eric Smith, who spent 12 years as Melling’s sales manager. Through his new marketing firm, Smith will specialize in assisting automotive and performance manufacturing companies in creating and executing effective marketing strategies to grow sales.
Longtime industry advocate Mitch Schneider has been selected by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) to direct its new Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN). Schneider, a fourth generation technician and repair shop owner/operator, is an award-winning journalist with Babcox Publications and aftermarket trainer.
Cummins Inc. will begin production for its new family of light-duty, clean-diesel engines in its Columbus, IN, engine plant no later than 2010. DaimlerChrysler will be the major customer for the engine, which will be designed to power vehicles below 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight for a number of automotive applications. Cummins expects the new line to employ at least 600 to 800 people within two years of the product launch.
