Understanding Engine Treatments – What components can benefit from coatings? You may be surprised at the treatments available.
If you were to place technological advances on a scale, I would say that engine coatings would probably rank near the top. Engine coatings have a lot of merit, but unfortunately are often overlooked. Engine coatings have a reputation that they are only beneficial for racing applications. Yes, coatings are regularly applied and highly appreciated
Quest for Perfection – We Chronicle One Man’s Mission To Build the Ultimate Dyno Cell
As a young land and marine drag racer in the 1970s, Don London always looked for the best way he could to build extreme race engines for himself and his friends. As a 30-year veteran of the contracting business, he’s still doing everything he can to ensure that the engines he builds are the best
Shaking the Rust Off – Preventing and Getting Rid of Rust on Engine Parts
It’s said that water and oil don’t mix. Turns out moisture, air and metal don’t get along real well either. There are many things that can damage engine parts, causing them not to function correctly or be as dependable as they could be, and one of those variables not necessarily top of mind is rust.
Sourcing CNC Solutions – Making the decision for CNC may be scary, profitable
CNC machining equipment can be a double-edged sword to many engine builders that promises flexibility and profitability, yet often requires a significant upfront investment. As with any piece of equipment, there’s no “one size fits all” solution, and three top engine builders explain how they overcame the fear of financing and failure to find success
Camshaft Class is Back in Session
A theory prevails in which a cam lobe that opens to maximum lift and closes instantaneously is quintessential for maximum power and torque operation. Two problems exist with this premise. First, it’s highly impractical due to current technology. Second, this theory discounts a fundamental dilemma that air has momentum, and this must be utilized to achieve
Pro Touring – Engine Update
Pro Touring is the niche of niches in the performance world today. And why not, as it’s pretty much anything goes with these truly unique machines. The fundamental theory behind them is to take a car that is not historically significant and update the handling and performance with today’s seemingly endless supply of modernized parts
Cylinder Head Design & Selection
Choosing the “right” cylinder heads for an engine build can make all the difference in an engine that delivers and one that falls short of its potential. Horsepower, torque and throttle response all depend on how well the cylinder heads, camshaft and induction system work together. Choose the right combination and you’ll build a winner.
Challenges of Change – 10 Things You’ll Learn From Oil Analysis and How They Affect Engine Condition
For most consumers, a preventive maintenance program for their automobile consists of nothing more than an oil change. While a regular oil change is very important, the most critical part of changing the oil is to know when to change the oil. The interval of the oil change is often dictated by one of two
Racing Spark Plugs
Choosing a set of racing spark plugs for a particular application is not as easy as it sounds because the plugs have to be closely matched to the application. Stock plugs are fine for stock applications and ordinary driving conditions. But when an engine is modified to make more power and is run under racing
Assembly Lubes & Break – In Oils
Perhaps the most important property of lube oil is its ability to remove heat from a surface where two or more metals are sliding across each other. In much the same way as air flows around cylinder head fins to remove heat, oil flows through a bearing and removes the heat caused by friction. I
Crank Grinding – The Myth of the .010”/.010” Crankshaft
Regrinding the crankshaft is an important part of the engine rebuilding process. It was almost an art in the ‘40s, but it’s pretty routine now. However, there are still plenty of myths and misunderstandings that are left over from the past that we still have to deal with today. One of the most common myths
REBUILDING THE 5.7L HEMI
Back in the early ’90s, when Chrysler realized that it would need a new truck motor to replace its 318/360 Magnum engines to meet the coming emissions standards, the company considered two pushrod engines along with one SOHC design and concluded that a pushrod motor with a pair of Hemi heads that really breathed would