PERA Spring Technical Conference Wrap Up
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) recently held its Spring Technical Meeting at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC, March 18-20. Approximately 56 attendees representing 11 production engine remanufacturers (PERs), and 23 manufacturers and other suppliers attended the event. Presentations on Alternative Fuels, Understanding Zinc in Engine Oils and a Comprehensive View of Synthetic
Federal-Mogul Expands Fel-Pro Gaskets Line
Federal-Mogul’sFel-Pro gaskets product line has been expanded to increase the brand’scoverage of late-model domestic and foreign-nameplate vehicles. TheFel-Pro brand’s focus on providing 100 percent sealing coverage forpopular late-model and older applications helps engine rebuilders andrepair shops capture and service larger shares of the automotive andlight-truck sealing markets. The expanded Fel-Pro product line – which now
PERA Spring Technical Conference To Be Held In Charlotte, NC, March 18-20
The 2009 Production Engine Remanufacturers Assocation’s Spring Technical Conference will be held in NASCAR country, March 18-20, at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC. The conference will open with a reception in the hotel’s Lakeview Room on Wednesday, March 18th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Thursday morning will start with a buffet breakfast available from 8:15-9:00
Engine Builder Tech Solutions Guide
February 2009 Tech Solutions Guide (Use the links below to view a PDF of each section) PERFORMANCE CHRYSLER FORD GM
2009 Engine Builder Tech Solutions Guide
(Use the links below to view a PDF of each section) PERFORMANCE CHRYSLER FORD GM Sponsored by:
Piston Options and Opportunities
The sport compact market, it was thought, was going to breathe new life into the performance engine market, and for many years, the rapid growth of the market seemed to indicate that there was no limit to how big those little engines could get. Then something happened: to quote Engine Builder columnist and performance expert
Variable Valve Timing
With all the scientific technology computing power out there in the world today I have yet to hear an answer to the age old question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? Well the automotive industry has a similar dilemma that continues to plague its existence. Which is more desirable, large displacement and horsepower
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: December 2008
Top 10 Machine Shop Business Tips Engine Pro recently held a series of 8 focus-group meetings in the Midwest. Each meeting consisted of 8 to 10 machine shop owners and a moderator. Three questions were asked during the meeting. “What’s working? What’s not working? What do you need most to help you ‘make it’ for
Up-Selling in a Down Market
Do you ever wonder what’s next? First gas prices climb to more than $4.50 per gallon and everyone is dumping their gas-guzzlers. A couple of months later gas free-falls to $1.50 a gallon, but no one cares because people are being laid off in record numbers. Our major investment banks go bust, the credit system
What’s Rockin’ In Performance Rocker Arms and Valve Springs
Horsepower is in the heads. But for a cylinder head to breathe efficiently, the valvetrain must be rigid and strong to minimize flex, but also lightweight. For most performance applications, that means replacing the stock rocker arms, valve springs and pushrods with some type of aftermarket roller rocker arms, stiffer valve springs and stronger pushrods.
Building a Hemi 528 Stroker Engine
The Hemi has made a comeback in recent years in various Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, most notably in the Charger and Challenger. But for hardcore Hemi fans, the real deal goes back to the first-generation 331/354/392 mills that culminated in the “Elephant Motor,” the 426 Street Hemi of the Sixties and Seventies. Even though the
Rat Rods
While the economy stalls – enthusiasts are building “Rat Rods” in record numbers. Right in the middle of the economic slowdown and our government’s bailout of Wall Street, a little West Coast car event called the Primer Nationals was taking place in Ventura, California. Did the hard times affect the turnout or enthusiasm for this
Head and Block Surfacing Equipment Update
How smooth is smooth enough? You used to be able to tell by dragging your fingernail across the surface of a cylinder head or engine block. And besides, it didn’t really matter because the composite head gasket would fill any gaps that your equipment or technique left behind. But with MLS gaskets the requirements have
Shop Solutions: July 2008
Timing Chain Tensioner Installation Caution: 1996-’06 GM 2.4L This tensioner consists of a housing and a piston. The piston has a secondary piston or plunger contained in it and must be in the compressed position for installation. When compressed, the plunger extends approximately .070? (or 1.7mm) beyond the piston cylinder. If this is not the
Get Ready For The Perfect Storm
Prior to $5 per gallon gas many of us wouldn’t have given the sport compact market a second thought. After 13 years of meteoric growth, the high performance sport compact market stalled, nosed over, and settled into a holding pattern. The Fast & Furious crowd just lost interest. The huge sport compact enthusiast books suffered
JASPER Makes Available More Late-Model Domestic and Import Engines
Jasper Engines & Transmissions, the nation’s leader in remanufactured drivetrain components, has made available more late-model engines from Chrysler, Ford, GM and Subaru. The Chrysler 3.7L V6 remanufactured engine is now available for: • 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro, Dodge Ram truck and Jeep Liberty. • 2007-2008 Dodge Dakota, Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee. • 2007-2008
Machine Shop Market Profile – Part 1
When life starts handing out lemons, say the feel-good self-help gurus, the smart money is on the person who not only makes lemonade but figures out a way to sell it for a profit. While the readers of Engine Builder might be hard-pressed to find time to manage a lemonade stand, the analogy still applies:
Ram Tough Rebuild
The B-series Cummins engine may potentially go down in history as the single most important engine development project, strategic market share gain and opportunity for diversification partnerships in Cummins history. The Cummins B-series is a family of four- and six-cylinder inline engines known as the “one-liter per cylinder” in both the popular 3.9L four-cylinder and
GM’s LS9 Becomes SAE’s 100th Certified Engine
The LS9 engine in General Motor’s 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 holds the distinction of being the 100th engine certified through SAE International’s Engine Power Test Code – Engine Power and Torque Certification (J1349). The 2009 Corvette ZR1 engine is certified at 638 hp at 6,500 rpm, with 604 lb-ft torque at 3,800 rpm. Engine certification
Cummins Named Automotive News 2008 PACE Award Winner for Innovation of the 6.7l Turbo Diesel Engine
Cummins Inc. has announced that it has earned a prestigious 2008 Automotive News PACE Award for innovation demonstrated by the 6.7L turbo diesel engine. The PACE Award ceremony, held on April 14 in Detroit, Mich., honors superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. Cummins has been recognized for the 6.7L Dodge Ram