Engine Builder Tech Center
Cracking Down on Block Fillers

In earlier articles, I mentioned filling dedicated, drag racing iron blocks to keep cylinders round and keep them from cracking. Many drag racers still practice that modification. Today, racers have the luxury of a low-cost block filler called Hard Blok, provided by Joel Bayless. Back in my early Pro Stock days, when I was racing

Lingenfelter Performance Package Series for 2014 Corvette Stingray

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) has released its expertly tuned performance package series for the new, 2014 Corvette Stingray, with power starting at 550 horsepower and reaching as high as 750 horsepower with forced induction. The seventh-generation Corvette’s new 6.2-liter “LT1” engine features technologies that include direct injection, variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation. With calibration

Talking Oil During Shell Technology Tour at Grand Prix of Houston

Verizon IndyCar recently hosted a double-header race in Houston which provided a platform for co-sponsors Shell and Pennzoil to connect with race enthusiasts and discuss its first-ever motor oils made from natural gas. Shell announced the creation of its highly innovative PurePlus Technology back in March. Since then, Pennzoil has been engaging consumers, OEMs, techies and

Cutting Tools and Abrasives for Engine Work

When it comes to machining late model engines, tolerances are generally much tighter and finishes often have to be much smoother to meet original equipment specifications. If you’re doing performance work, there’s even less margin for error. Consequently, you need up-to-date equipment and tooling that can hold close tolerances and deliver high quality finishes while

July Shop Solutions

Organize and Save  Organizing your parts inventory in your shop, building or warehouse is difficult whether it’s a few pieces or a few thousand parts. Start by thinking about what it’s going to take to find that part later on. Have an area set aside for just parts, arrange it in categories and decide if

Jaguar’s New Ingenium Engine Family Unveiled

Ingenium, a new family of premium diesel and gasoline engines designed, engineered and manufactured by Jaguar Land Rover, will deliver exceptional levels of torque, horsepower and refinement while offering reduced emissions and improved fuel consumption. For both diesel and gasoline versions, the engine is based on a strong and compact aluminum block. Sharing the same

Volvo’s New XC90 SUV Powerplant

The upcoming, wholly redesigned Volvo XC90 has a lot of potential, and we’ve just gotten the details on the power-train technology to be employed on this new model. Previous iterations of the Volvo SUV line have availed buyers with the option of a Yamaha V8 for extra, added power, but not this time. In fact,

Jasper’s Remanufactured Toyota 3MZ-FE 3.3L Engine

Jasper Engines & Transmissions, a leader in remanufactured products, has announced the availability of its remanufactured Toyota 3MZ-FE 3.3L engine. This DOHC V6 engine is available on exchange for the following 2004-2010 vehicles: ·      Toyota Camry, Avalon, Solara, Sienna, Highlander ·      Lexus ES330, RX330 This remanufactured JASPER engine offers several advantages: JASPER-designed pistons are engineered

BorgWarner Awarded for its Turbocharging Technologies

BorgWarner Turbo Systems received an AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award 2014 during a ceremony held recently in Frankfurt, Germany. Organized by the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) and PricewaterhouseCoopers, BorgWarner was honored in the Powertrain Technology category for a variety of turbocharging technologies, including regulated two-stage (R2S®) and three-stage (R3S) turbocharging systems and variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbochargers.

Enthusiasts Set Sights on Wilmington Mile Records

In the December issue of Engine Builder, our cover feature examined the unique one-of-one engine build-ups to maximize performance in all-out speed runs. The article also noted the presence of a new land-speed location at the former DHL facility at the Wilmington, Ohio airport. The  super-smooth 9,000-foot runway is perfect for this high-speed activity and

Front-Mounted Oil Pumps: Good or Troublesome?

On late model engines such as Chevy LS, Ford modular V8s and Chrysler 5.7/6.1/6.4L Hemis, engineers have moved the oil pump from its cozy location inside the oil pan to the front of the engine under the timing cover. Traditionally, most wet sump oil pumps have been mounted under the engine inside the oil pan

This Season’s Special Moments for Hendrick Motorsport’s Slingerland

For Joe Slingerland, rear tire changer on the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team, the first quarter of the 2014 race season is bookended with special moments. “It’s hard to put into words,” claimed Slingerland about the season-opening Daytona 500 win.  “It was my first Daytona 500 win and to get it with an Earnhardt made