Future Alternative Fuels Could be a Gas
Alternative fuels such as E85 and biodiesel that were once considered fringe fuels are now mainstream. You can burn any mixture of gasoline and E85 in any vehicle that is Flex Fuel capable. As for biodiesel, blends ranging from B05 (5% biodiesel) to B100 (100% biodiesel) are being used in all kinds of diesel applications.
Learning To Race Pro Stock
My transition in 1975 from bracket racing a 122˝ wheelbase mid-eleven second, two-ton ’57 Mercury to racing in a low nine-second 99˝ wheelbase, Pinto Pro Stock car, was quite a jump. I was jaded with bracket racing and wanted to run heads up – all out with a door car. So, Pro Stock was it.
Racing “Spec” -tacle: Engine-Related Rule Book Changes for 2014
When it comes to racing, some say rules are meant to be broken (or bent). Names that come to mind here include the legendary Smokey Yunick, Darrell Waltrip and even NASCAR technical inspector Gary Nelson (from his days serving as a crew chief). Of course, other times, rules just so happen to get changed by organization
4 Ways to Personalize Your Website Brand
What makes you stand out from your competition? Whether you’re the customer service leader, have the best service techs in town or offer the widest selection of aftermarket wheels in the state, the unique value proposition you offer is your brand identity. Your website is your first opportunity to showcase that unique value proposition, so
Mike’s Racing Heads Designs New Edelbrock 15-Degree SB Chevrolet
Mike Androwick of Mike’s Racing Heads has been a cylinder head porter all his life. In NHRA Pro Stock he worked alongside Richard Maskin, Bob Glidden and Larry Morgan. In big-block Modified oval track racing series in the northeast, he provided 60 sets of racing heads, winning the 2013 championship with Brett Hearn. For 2014 drag racing
AFIS Announces a New, High-Quality Range of Fast-Reaction Fuel Injectors
Entering its fourth consecutive year as NHRA contingency sponsor, AFIS has announced a new, high quality range of fast-reaction fuel injectors. Named FRT, they suit high-performance street cars and racing cars as diverse as Pro Mod to Sport Compacts. Significantly, the major advantage of FRT injectors is their reaction time due to a new electronic
PRI Trade Show Organizers Call Return to Indianapolis a ‘Spectacular Success’
Show organizers for the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) tradeshow in December said they received positive feedback from exhibitors describing the amount of business they were able to do. Organizers and attendees alike said they were pleased with the number of exhibitors and buyers during the three-day show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Tens
‘13 SEMA Show Confirms Resurgence in Automotive Specialty Equipment Industry
The 2013 SEMA Show is history and has left no doubt that the automotive specialty equipment industry is stronger than ever. While final attendance figures are being audited, organizers report that more than 126,000 credentials were issued prior to the event, with thousands more processed onsite. The numbers represented a 7% increase over the previous
Building a 392 Magnum for the Independence Fund
Ever since the column I did in about stroker motors a few years ago (“Love the One You’re With,” Engine Builder, March 2010), the idea of building one of these engines, a less than everyday stroker combination, has been on my mind. To recap, the premise of the article was simple — Look at the
Book Report: How to Build Big-Inch Mopar Small-Blocks
At one time, if you wanted big horsepower in your Mopar muscle car or truck, your choices were limited to a big-block swap or a coveted Hemi. At the very least, you needed different engine mounts, K-members, transmissions, headers, etc. – and Hemis have never been cheap! But now there’s another way to get more
Building Blocks: The Foundation of Any Engine Build
Every engine project starts with the block because the block is the foundation for everything else that follows. The block determines bore and stroke, camshaft and lifter location, oil pump location and oil galley configuration, what kind of main bearing caps can be used to support the crankshaft, and what kind of cylinder heads, oil
Blast From the Past: Learning to Race Pro Stock
My transition in 1975 from bracket racing a 122˝ wheelbase mid-eleven second, two-ton ’57 Mercury to racing in a low nine-second 99˝ wheelbase, Pinto Pro Stock car, was quite a jump. I was jaded with bracket racing and wanted to run heads up – all out with a door car. So, Pro Stock was it.
Tax Change Checklist for Engine Shops
It’s that time of the year again — time to pass out those W2 forms to your employees. And with the start of a new year, it’s always a sure bet that there will be changes to the tax law, and 2014 is no exception. From health savings accounts to retirement contributions and standard deductions,
PML Offers Deep Transmission Pan for the C5 Corvette
PML has added a great looking, solid construction, transmission pan to its line of products especially for automobile enthusiasts. PML designed this transmission pan specifically for C5 Corvette owners who push their Corvettes to the limit and for owners who just want to take care of their Corvettes. This pan would also be useful for
Buyer’s Guide Listing Update
The Engine Builder Buyers Guide is the industry’s most-complete resource of parts, equipment, shop supplies and services for domestic and import, automotive and heavy-duty, conventional and high performance engine builders/rebuilders. Published in print and online, this is a year-round resource for professional engine builders and machine shop seeking the products and services designed to improve
Richard Buck Named NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Managing Director
NASCAR has named Richard Buck, a NASCAR executive with a wealth of diverse experience in motorsports, as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series managing director. Buck will serve in the role held the past 12 years by John Darby, who will remain at NASCAR as managing director, competition. Buck and NASCAR’s two other national series managing directors
Advanced Tips for Changing Fuel Pressure on EFI Systems
Changing the fuel pressure on an EFI System is an effective method of affecting engine performance and making more power. However, there are many do’s and don’ts, and rules of thumb that can be frustrating to learn the hard way. Below are many small, but key points, tips and insights all engine tuners should to
‘Fine Tuning’ Your Work: Customer Service After the Build
Customer satisfaction is every bit as important as the quality of your work if you expect to be a successful engine builder. You see, even when you build your customer the perfect engine, your customer must be happy with how their engine performs or your business and reputation will suffer. Far too many good engine
Dart Machinery Introduces Aluminum ‘LS Next’ Block
One year after revealing its remarkable cast iron LS Next engine block, Dart Machinery reduces its mass and announces an aluminum counterpart. Created from the finest casting materials and weighing 107 lbs, the LS Next was the first aftermarket block to comprehensively address high-performance troubles in the original equipment LS power unit. Laden with innovations,
A Decade of Dynamic Engine Design – Roush Yates Engines Celebrates 10 Years
In December, Roush Yates Engines (RYE) celebrated its 10th Anniversary and will reset the compass into a new area of the business, but it’s all according to plan. Engine builders who used to see RYE at local races as competitors, will now be able to work directly with them and their vast resources when building
