A Hell of a Good Year
The folks at Dougans Racing Engines won a lot in 2015. A banner year, according to Ray Field, owner of Dougans. It was this success coupled with the shop’s rich history that helped Dougans’ nomination get selected as the 2015 Performance Engine Builder of the Year, sponsored by Speed-Pro POWERFORGED Pistons and Engine Builder magazine.
Revved Up – Why the Import Engine Market is on the Rise
For numerous reasons in recent years people have been fixing engine issues rather than replacing engines altogether, making for a strong outlook in the import engine market. There are several ways you can break into this market or improve your stance here if you’re already an import engine builder.
Exhaust(ing) Your Options
Here in the pages of Engine Builder magazine we have countless articles about choosing the right set of pistons, putting in the perfect crankshaft, selecting the best connecting rods and the list goes on and on for identifying what parts and products go into your engines. However, there is one item we seldom cover – exhaust.
A Peek at the Small Bore Diesel Market
If I’ve learned one thing above all else since writing for this industry, it’s that there are always new opportunities. The trouble sometimes is just finding where those opportunities lie. One of these opportunities recently brought to my attention can be found in the small bore diesel market.
Off-Season or On-Season?
The phrase “off-season” implies that another year of excitement is over, whether that be football, baseball, basketball, or in this case, auto racing. It’s true, the racing season has come to an end for 2015, and the off-season is underway. However, while many drivers might have more free time now than they did during the race season, this time of the year is a very different beast for engine builders.
The Racing Industry Gears Up for Indianapolis
Featuring roughly 1,200 exhibitors, the PRI Show highlights the latest advances in racing components, shop-machining equipment and engineering solutions, as well as special exhibits and seminars. There’s a lot to see, but it’s more than just the cool new parts, gadgets and equipment that make the trip to Indy worthwhile.
748 HP Big Block Chevy
Some engine builders breakdown a big block chevy engine and discuss its timing, valve springs and more.
Taking On the Internet
According to Engine Builder’s latest Machine Shop Market Profile, 56 percent of our readers don’t use a website for marketing and sales of their services. That needs to change. Here are some helpful tips to get your business into the 21st century.
Riding Into a New Engine Market
It’s no secret that there are engine-building opportunities that lie outside of the automotive industry. One such example is with motorcycle and powersports engines. This is a well-established market with numerous OEMs and styles of vehicles with many similarities to the automotive side, yet not many shops choose to explore this market. But if opportunity knocks and you answer the call, you could very well come out on top.
Cam Bearing Selection and Installation
Replacing camshaft bearings during an engine rebuild is a no-brainer, but don’t take the process lightly. Simply knocking out the old bearings and installing fresh ones with little regard to bearing selection, sizing or alignment is a big mistake.
Dynamo Dynamometers
Not every engine shop has one, but every engine shop could benefit from installing one. Sure, it can be expensive, it is loud, but engine shops with these in-house offer an extra source of income and the ability to test engines and parts. I’m talking about a dynamometer.
